Extreme sugar cravings

I had open rny 5 years ago. I lost 230 lbs. In this last year, I've developed such sugar cravings that they are uncontrollable. I only crave sugar after I eat. It is a constant battle. In this last year I haven't exercised as much as I should - combined with the giving in to the sugar craving battle - I've gained 30 lbs in 12 months. Needless to say - i'm totally depressed and disgusted by this weight gain. If I could somehow get the cravings under control - I might have a chance at winning this battle. In the last 3 weeks - I've been exercising aerobically for 30 minutes 4 times a week. I know i probably need to up this - so that I can start losing again - but I'm at a loss. I can't stomach protein shakes - the smell makes me feel sick. During the day - I can fight the cravings - but at home - in the evening - it is horrible. Anyone else - this far down the road having similar problems. Any ideas. It is hard enough dealing with the huge apron of skin I deal with day to day, but everything else on top of that is totally depressing. Thanks for any help - any at all. Marie

Marie I will have had my RNY three years ago this January. I too have had the most awful time with sugar. I eat so much sugar all day long that I cant even eat a full meal anymore. I crave candy, cookies, pie, cake, but chocolate really seems to be what I want the most. I will eat one or two bites and then I realize that whatever it is I'm eating really isn't what I wanted so I go on to something else. The I do the same thig over and over again. I don't dump so I try to throw up but thats not working either. I too have gained over thirty pounds in just a few months. I was not a big sugar eater before the surgey. I was more a cassarole, bread, or pasta eater. I havent been to the Dr. in over a year because of this. I feel horrible but cant seem to get myself under control. I am right back where I started mentally. Have you found anything that has helped yet?

No, but we are not alone. There is a lady at my work that is having the same problem. I've known her for about 6 months and we were talking the other day and she said that she craves sugar right after she eats as well. I was reading some of the other posts - and I realize that we probably have to start at the beginning. My dr. moved way north of me - so I don't have a dr. anymore - but I'm thinking that there are surgeons that have seen this before - so if anyone is going to their dr. soon, if you could ask him/her what would cause this after so many years. I too was more of a chip - salter snacker - and now it is suger. I wi**** made me sick - so that I couldn't eat it. I know that I'm going to start kicking up the exercise - so if I cant get the cravings under control - that maybe I can burn off the calories. Seriously - if anyone is visiting their dr - please ask for those of us struggling - maybe it will help some people between 2 & 4 years not to go through what we are going through.

I have been on a tear with the sugar demon. Part of mine is psychological. Well, maybe all of it is. I'm having a hard time with hypoglycemia. So I have to eat almost constantly to keep my blood sugar up. So, even tho I'm smarter than this, I've been eating sugar. I need to detox starting tomorrow. No carbs at all. Once I start with the carbs, it's all downhill. Carbs beget carb cravings. I also crave carbs when I use artificial sweeteners.

OK - So - it seems there are many, many of us fighting the sugar deamon. It is not a lost cause though - we have all come extremely to far to lose this battle and get back where we started from. Now that Christmas is saying goodby - I plan on fighting this tooth and nail. I've been doing some reading and looking at some of the other posts - and the bottom line is that we need to start over. I also talked with a few "health buffs" that live lowest carb possible - and they all agree - that after 3 to 4 days of no sugar, our bodies STOP craving it. (Boy - this will be the longest 3 days ever) So - I'm going to take it one day at a time. My only hold up is that I love french vanilla creamer in my coffee - (gobs of carbs and such) - so I'm going to really cut that out. I don't like the kind with splenda - icky after taste, but if I need to get used to it, then so be it. I have to look at it as - yummy creamer or 400 lbs.....hmmmm, not a tough decision when you consider it in that light. So - Tuesday - dec 26th - going for the lowest possible carbs and see if I can do the lowest amount of sugar possible. maybe one cup of coffee with creamer - (we'll see.) Daily Goals for the next 3 days - 100 grams of protein - I can't remember when I consumed this much protein. 100 oz of water - honestly - can't remember when I drank 20 ozs of water - 10 of the 10oz cups - no sugar (except coffee creamer) - I'll try to exercise enough to burn those calories off. 30 minutes on eclipse thingy at the fitness center (burns more calories than walking on the treadmill - I usually burn 300 calories in 30 minutes) and 2 of the day - at curves (may as well use my membership...) so - seems pretty lofty goals for me - but that is where I need to be. Ideas for protein - 1 scoop = 24 grams 1 scoop in sugar free pudding (read these on a post out there over the weekend) 1 scoop in hot liquid - chocolate or vanilla in sugar free hot chocolate - or coffee. - I actually tried it in a cup of coffee- wasn't that awful horrible. tyson - fully cooked roasted chicken breast - 1 of their 5 oz pieces has 30 grams of protein in it. (up to 78 grams - uggghhhh....harder than I thought -) Guess I'll have to have 1 chicken breast for lunch and one for dinner - and that would put me at around 110 grams of protein. too bad there isn't a protein tablet that would be easier to swallow. So - I know this is kind of a long post - but I've enjoyed the last 5 years of my life - and I fully intend on using the tool I was given. It took me 3 years to get the insurance to let me have the surgery - and I don't want to gain the weight back now. so - ladies and gents - lets set some goals. We can't give up now - Even if I don't lose weight this week (i hate to think....) - I'll at least be on the right track for losing next week. - not to mention that some of this icky skin might draw up as well. (I can dream can't I?????) Ok - heading to bed - but I'll let you know how I do. See you Tuesday.....

OK - maybe it was the "natural high" of a wonderful Christmas day - but my goodness I set some lofty goals. How are I doing so far???? 2 cups of instant cappauccino (sp?) 15 stinking carbs each cup - (frugal homemaker.com has a recipe for this - using sugar free stuff - so i need to whip it up and try it. I can't give up my coffee. 2 cups is great compared to the 6 i normally drink with flavored creamer.) 3 - 10 oz cups of water - for me that is very impressive as I don't drink water. I do eat ice. I've always hated water and my work has the small pellet ice and it is sooo yummy. I've eaten 5 - 10 oz cups of ice - so i'm hoping that counts for some water today as well. 1 protein bar - 20 grams (not sure about carbs - if it doesn't tell me net carbs, I can't figure it out.) 6 hot garlic chicken wings (only half of the ranch they gave me.) 4 celery sticks 2 cups of cheese popcorn (yummy) - small handful of caramel (christmas tin - ugghhh) and (gulp) chocolate - yes - left over kisses - about 6 or so- but i feel myself wanting more. I'm leaving to exercise now - goal for tonight 35minutes. 300 calories. then home to eat some left over turkey - (full of protein....) I tried to add protein to my low sugar oatmeal - DISGUSTING!!! don't do it. there has got to be a better way. simply nasty. So - not to be discouraging or anything, but not to bad for a sugar junkie. That is why i'm here in the first place - looking for help with my sugar cravings. Good luck girls - I know we can do this. We can make it.

I am so glad to seeothers are craving the same as me...sugar. My weight is up 10 pounds, my blood sugars are up, and it was gone. I toocould kick myself inthe butt, I just cant get a grip. All the while imtelling myself "I dont need this it will rais my sugar, the more I eat, I think my left side of my brain is fighting with my right side and my stomach is in the argument too. I gottawin this and cant let it beat me. I had BR, Pannulictomy, and tt with a total ab hysterectomy and my body looked good to me, better than ever, size 10-12 in jeans, now a 14, I HATE it. Maybe we can help oneanother out and over this hump. I drink alot of diet pepsi anyone else? Rosemary

well it seems that there are several of us that are having this problem. I had a great new year - and totally enjoyed myself at the beach. I did give into my sugar cravings and now i'm sure I'll have a few extra lbs to work off, but I'm not going to go back to where I was. If i still have the cravings - then I'll just exercise more and consume more protein. I drink a lot of coffee - with "regular" french vanilla creamer in it. I don't add sugar as I think it is sweet enough - but it has lots of sugar and carbs in it. i wish I could drink the no sugar added stuff - with splenda. i do drink diet pepsi and diet coke - I still haven't had my extra skin cut off - and haven't been below a size 20 - but compared to a 32w - that is still pretty good. I'll be off to the gym tomorrow and eating healthy and trying to cut out as much sugar as possible. I won't say all of it, because I want to be realistic - but I am going to shoot for 100 grams of protein and lots of water. and probably 30 minute on the ski - glider thingy at the gym - and walking in the evening with my kids. (and if i have time - 30 minutes at curves....but i haven't used my membership very wisely. i will let that go back now that my work has a free gym we can use.) i totally understand the cravings - i have no dr. that I can ask about it - so again - if anyone is going to their dr. - even if they don't have the cravings - please ask for us - because it may help you to avoid our problem one day. anyone having problems with this can email me - i might not can be right there for you, but I do understand what you are going through and might can be an encouragement for you.l [email protected] moving forward - slowly down the scale - again.....