Help...POst op

Hello, I had my surgery on Feb 28, 2006, then on August 15, 2006, I had to have my Gall Bladder removed, and Thursday my iron levels were so low that I had to go to UAB for an iron transfusion. I will be 9 months out on Nov 28 and my weight on the day of my surgery was 264, but I now weigh 165, I am so glad that I have lost the weight, but now I have hunger creaping up and my weight loss has stopped. I can eat more now and I seem to stay hungry and tired, but the iron should begin to help me form my tired spells, I just need help with the eating and hunger... ANY suggestions ...please

I have episodes where I'm really hungry and feel like I could eat anything and everything and then I have days where I'm not hungry at all. The important thing is to figure out if it's head hunger or real hunger. If you are desiring something specific, it's probably head hunger. If you just want anything to eat then it's probably real hunger. If head hunger: Do anything to get your mind off food. Drink water (sometimes thirst can really be your problem), go for a walk, anything to get your mind off the food. If all else fails, then choose a high-protein SNACK (an oz. of cheese, peanuts, some cottage cheese, Soy crisps, etc.). Just make wise choices. There's nothing wrong with having a snack as long as you don't overdo it. In fact, many of us eat up to 6 meals a day and find that keeps hunger at bay. I also talk to myself, asking myself if a few minutes of satisfaction is worth all that I've worked for and telling myself how well I've done and not to blow it for something I'll regret as soon as I've finished eating it. If real hunger, then eat a dense protein since that will satisfy your hunger for a longer period of time. See my choices above for snacks. Make sure your regular meals include 3 oz. of dense protein. Be sure you are waiting the required amount of time before and after meals before drinking. You have done very well with your weight loss and I encourage you to tough it out. You'll be glad you did. It's normal for you to be able to eat more than at first so don't let that freak you out. My doctor told me that I'd be able to eat a normal small meal at a year out (about 11-12 oz). I used that as my guide. So at 9 months, I knew it would be ok to eat about 8-9 oz for my regular meals and of course less for my snacks. 8-9 oz is not a bad meal....3 oz. of meat and the rest for a complex carb and fruit. So, I suggest you make sure you eat more often but less per "meal" and that might help ease your hunger pains.

Tracy, First of all sorry to hear the your iron is low...I developed anemia myself after 27 months. Congrats on your WL success!!! We have a saying in my bariatric group the first 6 months after WLS it is 80% the tool and 20% the user (you), somewhere after the first 6 months depending on each individual the tables turn it is 20% the tool and 80% ther user (you). The further out you get the hardier it becomes and life style changes and commitment comes really into play at this point and time. Stick to your surgeon's/deiticans eating plan and have you begun to incorperated exercise into daily routine? This helps with the head hunger and boost your metabolism. Mary 415/158