Hoodia or Appetite Suppressants

Has anybody tried or have any recommendations for an appetite suppressant?  Do the OTC's work for us w/malabsorption or do we have to take double?   I'm getting depressed with the increase on my scale.  The last 6-9 mos. stress has been doing me in as far as choices go and I've slipped into some nasty old habits which I'm trying to overcome.  Everyday I get up and say "this is the day" and I start off great (with protein) but by 3pm I'm hitting the candy.   My appetite is never satiated; I swear I could eat an entire chicken roaster before I feel full.  How can I test to see if my pouch is stretched or I've got a leak; I'm also hungry about every 1.5 hours.   That seems too soon for me unless it's slipping through somewhere.   Help!!! 

I know how frustrating that can be!!! I don't know anything about appetite suppresants after surgery, but I would ask the same questions as the poster before you~are you eating mainly "slider foods" or are you still getting hungry that quickly after eating dense protein like chicken breast? Are you drinking with meals or still following the no drinking with 30/30 min rule?? I think you identified the problem yourself, so its probably not a stretched pouch or a leak~although if you are truly concerned it could be that don't hesitate to call your dr~a leak is something major that needs immediate attention.

Hi Tracey, I have been addressing the slider foods and purposely drying out my meals lately.  I don't drink w/them nor for 30 mins. after; I've always been good about that.  Protein just doesn't seem to hold me long at all. I would think if there was something wrong internally I'd feel it but I nothing is glaring at me, no pains anyway.

I went back and read the other poster like you said.   I am getting hungry after eating filet mignon (w/mushrooms and onions), not yogurt and cottage cheese.   I haven't had those things in a while as they whip through.   It will happen after chicken salad on crackers, that kind of a slider, yes.  So, I started eliminating the crackers.   Now I'm eating 8oz of chicken, tuna or seafood salad as opposed to 3 oz w/4-6 crackers and I'm hunting for more in an hour.  Perhaps that's still considered a slider too??   Maybe I need to go completely dry and overcooked???

It sounds like you're doing fine with your food choices to me. As a comparison, for lunch I will eat a can of white albacore tuna w/ a small amount of mayo and 4 crackers~I am able to hold that amount of food and it will keep me full for a few hours (I'm on the 6 meal per day plan, not the 3 meals only). As someone else suggested, the 5dpt might be a good starting point~I did it 2x's successfully, but tried to start it many times before making it thru the entire 5 days, LOL! The first 2 days aren't much fun, but remember that you're not supposed to allow yourself to be hungry and there's no caloric restriction so drink those protein shakes, don't try to suffer through. Also, if you have a "gut instinct" that something might be wrong, call your surgeon and make an appt. I am very curious about what's going on with you so please keep us updated with any new ideas!!!

Jackie, Hang in there. Have you tried the 5 day pouch test? There isn't any limit to the quanity of food that you eat, just the type. I'm restarting it in the morning. Look up the info under 5daypouchtest.com Please know that you are not alone in your food struggles. Chris

Hi Chris, yes, I've been "attempting the 5day"; can't get past a full day of liquid without breaking down.  Either the blood sugar goes in the tank or I get so sluggish at work I literally can't think straight and find myself staring blankly at the computer screen wondering what I was in the middle of doing.  Seems that without the stimulant of caffeine or chocolate I poop out.  Today I tried water-loading; I was DETERMINED to go liquid; got to a point where I just started to barf it back up, I couldn't face another ounce...the taste, the texture of water....started to gross me out and just would not go down.   I am going in for labs in a couple weeks to make sure I'm not masking vitamin deficiency w/caffeine. 

You talk about the food, but are you exercising regularly?  Good intense exercise really works as an appetite suppressant and I honestly don't crave much of the 'bad' stuff.  When I want something sweet, I'm usually satisfied with fruit. Exercise is much better bet than any drug.  I'm over 4 years out and have maintained within 5# for the last 3.5 years by exercising regularly (over 45 min at least 5 days a week). Linn

Ahhhh, exercise.   A dirty word.  I wouldn't say I exercise intensely.   I do the elliptical and treadmill and bike 2-3 times a week; take the opportunities during my day to do the stairs and park far away etc, do all the household chores, shopping, and repairs etc; anything requiring energy but I don't devote an hour a day to solely exercising intensely; usually because I don't have an hour a day.  I work 50-60 hours a week and spend a couple nights afterwork seeing to my 85yo Mom's care and household.   I think I get in an adequate amount of exercise with all my running around.  Oh, and I love fruit but I can eat two giant navel oranges, one right after the other.  Seems a little extreme if you consider our pouches should be the size of our thumbs.   Things like that make me worry.

You might want to do some research on Acomplia® (Rimonabant).... it has been available in the UK for years. I have found it to be rather effective!  If you want more info, feel free to contact me. Good Luck!