Having a tough time

I'm back to eating and eating and eating and eating....I dont' know what is wrong with me....I think my stomach is as big as it used to be...I'm constantly snacking...I really need to stop....I still drink very little or none with my meals....Does anyone ever feel there stomach is back to normal? I do drink maybe 1 carbonated beverage a day or maybe two..diet but still carbonation is a no no...What can I do to get back on track..Getting ready to have tummy tuck next month if I don't move it to Janurary.....Really need to get a hold of myself..For all you you post TT were you hungry after the surgery...I'm hoping that is a good way to not be hungry for awhile to get me back on track...What do I do.....JEN

Hi Jen I don't have a lot of advice to give you because I feel, some days like I am going through the same thing. I guess we just have to try hard to identify why we feel like we need to keep eating and try to make adjustments when or where we can. Some days it's easy for me and some days it's not. It seems that the busier I keep myself, the better it is. Even that doesn't always work, but I do try. I do wish you the best of luck with it and drop me a line if you need help. I'll do what I can. We have to stick together in this. Noone ever said it would be easy. Take care friend...Cap'n K-Man

Hi Jen. Congrats on your upcoming TT. I had mine in April. One year after my Gastric Bypass. Surgery. I can tell you, I'm also hungry and enjoy snacking almost every day. Even though, I know it's a no no. I was 154 post surgery and 145 (my lowest) four weeks after surgery. Yes, I did find I didn't want to eat much. Due to recovery and all. But, after four months it seemed I was back to my normal eating habits. I'm now at 160 now and struggle each day with this. My goal is 145. If I could I'd snack all day. I find I'm hungry within 1.5 to 2.0 hrs after I eat. I know too about the diet sodas. I know they are bad, but I too have maybe one a day. What helps me is water, I drink at least 80 oz a day. This seems to help the hunger and cravings. Also, exercise. Have you increased this? I do about 45-1.00 hr on the treadmill at least 5 days a week. Have you spoken to your nutritionist about this? Maybe, they can give you some good advice. Hang in there!!!!! Btw. Your pic looks great! Good luck to you!!!

Jen, Been there done that. I know the only way to stop the cravings is to detox from Carbs. When we put carbs into our system, our body starts to crave for more and more. That is whats making us physically hungry. The other is head hunger. Let's face it, if we eat our dense protein first and a veg., we should be full for quite a long time. All I can suggest is to get back to the basics. It won't be easy, but you are worth it! I had my TT last Oct. and I have to have revisons done. It took 4lbs. off and one size. I wasn't as hungry afterwards. I encourage you to up your protein prior to your surgery and after too. This aids in the healing process. If you don't already know about this site I would suggest you take a look at it. It reallys helps to prepare you for your up coming surgery. TuckThatTummy.com I wish you well and we are always here to give support. Jeannie

Hiya Jen....Nice to see ya I went and read your profile....and it seems to me like you have a lot on your plate right now.....it is only natural to go a little crazy and self medicate with food. I too have been a little down in the dumps and have been eating crazy.....Then I realized we cannot do it, and get away with it.....I am up 10lbs Talk about devistated.....So that was depressing all over again....but I am doing something about it (wish me luck ) I am gonna try to go back to basics.....only put healthy choices in my mouth.....drink my fluids and take my pills......I am allowed diet pop now, so I have been drinking it....but I really do think it affects me, triggers hunger or something...who knows.....but when grocery shopping this week, I didn't buy any, so we will see!!!! I know you can do it, you have already come through so much!!! You gotta quit feeling guilty about hubby too.....you gave him so many chances.....you had to stick to your word and move on.....It might not be over forever.....but at least he knows your serious and will do what is RIGHT for you.....Take Care jesi

The thing that works for me is to get rid of the carbs which makes the cravings disappear. I make a deal with myself that I can eat as often as I like but it has to be dense protein (steak, pork chops, chicken, etc). I find within a couple of days that the craving to eat every 2 hours is gone. Quit drinking with meals even if it's only a sip. Fluids flush the food out of our pouch which make us hungry quicker. The question I keep asking myself and haven't answered is why I let the carbs creep back into my diet. They only lead to misery for me. My plastic surgeon told me I'd probably lose a few more pounds after plastic surgery for a couple of reasons. I wouldn't be hungry for a while and once she tightens the stomach muscles that I'd feel full a lot quicker. I have a couple of friends who've had the procedure and they both say that was true for them. The appetite does come back after a few months though just as it did with wls. I'm having my abdominaplasty this Friday. I'm really scared of the pain but figure no pain, no gain. Come on and join me, we can recover together. You can do this, you've already done it and know getting back to basics ... protein and veggies is the only way to take advantage of that tool.

At this point nothing, *in any quantity*, fills up my pouch EXCEPT dense protein foods. Yowza. That leaves a lotta room for damage especially at "grazing" speed. Good luck with your TT. Try to get ahold of this problem now though. I have to say I hoped the LBL I had in July '04 would stop my ridiculous eating habits and really, it didn't -- it was just a brief interruption. I find there's no way 'round doing it the old-fashioned ways that we all know (dense protein foods first, cut out junky carbs and sugars, keep up with exercise, no lyin' to self, sigh).

I agree with everyone else, cutting the carbs is the only way to keep from snacking all day. Stick to meats and protien bars and you will stay full for longer.