VSG Maintenance Group
Hello All!
Hi everyone! I recognize some of you from the main VSG board a while back. I'm 2.5 years out, started at 300 lbs, lost 130 and have been maintaining for about 16 months.
For the past 4-5 months, I have been seriously struggling with hunger. Not head hunger - real hunger. No matter what I eat, I get hungry every 2 hours. I quickly go from slight hunger pains to feeling physically ill. This happens even if i eat a protein dense meal....2 hours or so later, I'm STARVING.
I've sort of been dealing with it ad hoc and not really confronting it and devising a strategy. But I've gained back 12 lbs, and that is just not acceptable, so I thought I would seek out some thoughts from OH.
My plan is to get back to basics, start journaling again (a key part of my WL success), make sure I'm making all my requirements. I know what to do. I'm hoping this group can give me a little accountability on all that.
But I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this hunger issue. I never really bought the whole "VSG cures hunger - 4 EVA!" thing, but this is ridiculous. I never even had hunger like this pre-op...but that might be because i was eating all the time!
BTW...my sleeve capacity is still pretty small. I can eat the same amount now as at 6 months.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, and good to see you all!
Maureen
For the past 4-5 months, I have been seriously struggling with hunger. Not head hunger - real hunger. No matter what I eat, I get hungry every 2 hours. I quickly go from slight hunger pains to feeling physically ill. This happens even if i eat a protein dense meal....2 hours or so later, I'm STARVING.
I've sort of been dealing with it ad hoc and not really confronting it and devising a strategy. But I've gained back 12 lbs, and that is just not acceptable, so I thought I would seek out some thoughts from OH.
My plan is to get back to basics, start journaling again (a key part of my WL success), make sure I'm making all my requirements. I know what to do. I'm hoping this group can give me a little accountability on all that.
But I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this hunger issue. I never really bought the whole "VSG cures hunger - 4 EVA!" thing, but this is ridiculous. I never even had hunger like this pre-op...but that might be because i was eating all the time!
BTW...my sleeve capacity is still pretty small. I can eat the same amount now as at 6 months.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, and good to see you all!
Maureen
I'm sorry I don't have any real words of wisdom but I did just want to say welcome back and it sounds like you have a great plan in place. Here are some things to think about:
1. Have you talked to your nutritionist?
2. Instead of eating, could you drink something or have a protein shake when you are physically hungry and before you feel ill?
3. Maybe get a complete physical with your labs done. Maybe you have an underlying issue.
Anyway, just some things to think about. Keep checking in and great job on your weight loss success.
1. Have you talked to your nutritionist?
2. Instead of eating, could you drink something or have a protein shake when you are physically hungry and before you feel ill?
3. Maybe get a complete physical with your labs done. Maybe you have an underlying issue.
Anyway, just some things to think about. Keep checking in and great job on your weight loss success.
Hi Maureen,
Great to see you again! Welcome back!
I cant' really relate with the hunger. I was eating every few hours:
- Herbal Tea
- Breakfast
- Water
- Snack
- Water
- Lunch
- Water
- Snack
- Diet Coke at happy hour
- Dinner
- Water
- Snack
- Water
Which was fine when I was walking 3-4 miles a day. But I got depressed for a bit and was still eating junk food, not exercising, eating my snacks and I started to gain weight. When I got back up to 155, my goal weight, I knew I had to do something or I would be gaining my weight back over time.
I was not well, walking in public was out, so I cut out my snacks, except my evening one, and I behaved stricktly until I got back down to the low 150's. I now eat normally (for me) but still do not eat the snacks or junk because I am just now going to get back to my walking.
I think what I have found it this is so individual for all of us. Based on what we eat, what we drink, what exercise we do or don't do. If you make some adjustments I am confident this weight will work its way back off. I have only lost a few pounds and I feel soooooooo much better.
I encourgage you to make a few changes, that you know will work for you. If you are hungry every few hours, eat every few hours, just make your meals smaller, and be sure you snacks are high in proteint and low in carbs.
Drink lots of water, and get moving... the weight will be gone before you know it, and it is incredible how much better you will feel.
Even though I can't really relate to the hunger, I can relate to the weight gain, I was all the way down at 142 lb when I stopped trying and things took a turn on me. I am back in control now and it feels great.
You are not alone several of us have gained weight and have either got it off or are working to get it off. We are here for you.
Big hugs,
Cindy
Great to see you again! Welcome back!
I cant' really relate with the hunger. I was eating every few hours:
- Herbal Tea
- Breakfast
- Water
- Snack
- Water
- Lunch
- Water
- Snack
- Diet Coke at happy hour
- Dinner
- Water
- Snack
- Water
Which was fine when I was walking 3-4 miles a day. But I got depressed for a bit and was still eating junk food, not exercising, eating my snacks and I started to gain weight. When I got back up to 155, my goal weight, I knew I had to do something or I would be gaining my weight back over time.
I was not well, walking in public was out, so I cut out my snacks, except my evening one, and I behaved stricktly until I got back down to the low 150's. I now eat normally (for me) but still do not eat the snacks or junk because I am just now going to get back to my walking.
I think what I have found it this is so individual for all of us. Based on what we eat, what we drink, what exercise we do or don't do. If you make some adjustments I am confident this weight will work its way back off. I have only lost a few pounds and I feel soooooooo much better.
I encourgage you to make a few changes, that you know will work for you. If you are hungry every few hours, eat every few hours, just make your meals smaller, and be sure you snacks are high in proteint and low in carbs.
Drink lots of water, and get moving... the weight will be gone before you know it, and it is incredible how much better you will feel.
Even though I can't really relate to the hunger, I can relate to the weight gain, I was all the way down at 142 lb when I stopped trying and things took a turn on me. I am back in control now and it feels great.
You are not alone several of us have gained weight and have either got it off or are working to get it off. We are here for you.
Big hugs,
Cindy
Hi Cindy!
Great to see you again, and i'm sorry you've not been feeling well. Hope you continue to do better...it sounds like you're moving in a positive direction!
Good advice - I'm going to go back to writing down everything and making sure i'm meeting all my requirements. I really think it's probably a combination of not enough protein and too many carbs, plus perhaps not enough water. Very basic stuff!
MM
Great to see you again, and i'm sorry you've not been feeling well. Hope you continue to do better...it sounds like you're moving in a positive direction!
Good advice - I'm going to go back to writing down everything and making sure i'm meeting all my requirements. I really think it's probably a combination of not enough protein and too many carbs, plus perhaps not enough water. Very basic stuff!
MM
Hi Lizanne -
This is a big concern for me. Did you have bone loss before surgery, or was it a result? Do you have any advice on being proactive about the issue?
I've just started reading about bone loss as a side effect of long term PPI use. Does calcium supplementation help at al, or do the PPIs make it pointless?
Thanks
Maureen
This is a big concern for me. Did you have bone loss before surgery, or was it a result? Do you have any advice on being proactive about the issue?
I've just started reading about bone loss as a side effect of long term PPI use. Does calcium supplementation help at al, or do the PPIs make it pointless?
Thanks
Maureen
Hi, Maureen,
I had bone loss long before surgery and my doctors think that this is more of a progression than due to the surgery. Though the PPIs certainly don't help. The thing is that some types of calcium, like calcium carbonate, which is the most common and cheapest, need acid to be absorbed and the PPIs supress acid production. But other types of calcium don't need acid, like calcium citrate, so it's REALLY important to supplement with that type. I've been using a liquid calcium citrate from Costco called Reviva that is tasty and easily absorbed. So, yes, DEFINITELY supplement with calcium citrate!
Lizanne
I had bone loss long before surgery and my doctors think that this is more of a progression than due to the surgery. Though the PPIs certainly don't help. The thing is that some types of calcium, like calcium carbonate, which is the most common and cheapest, need acid to be absorbed and the PPIs supress acid production. But other types of calcium don't need acid, like calcium citrate, so it's REALLY important to supplement with that type. I've been using a liquid calcium citrate from Costco called Reviva that is tasty and easily absorbed. So, yes, DEFINITELY supplement with calcium citrate!
Lizanne
