Question:
Anybody with out of control cravings? How do you deal?
I am 11 1/2 months post-op (open RNY) and I've lost 127 lbs so far (about 13-15 more to go!). Lately, I feel extremely worried about gaining the weight back. I feel more hungry than before, and when I do eat I don't really get that full feeling like I used to before. I feel like all I think about is food, and I crave sweets like crazy. I think I'm going crazy! Can anyone relate? How do you deal with the cravings? — Kristie W. (posted on October 19, 2005)
October 19, 2005
Hi, hahaha, I was just finishing up a KitKat bar when I read your post! I
don't eat even 1/16th the amount of sweets as I used to, but I do
occasionally enjoy a candy. Increase your water and protein, that will
help alot with the hunger. I don't have an aswer on the sweets. It hits
me periodically too and I don't know why.
Paula
— shoutjoy
October 19, 2005
I also had this problem and it started bothering me about the same time. I
found that due to how my body reacts, I cannot eat refined carbs. Anything
made with refined (white) flour or white sugar sends me into a binge. What
helps me are the pouch rules and the South Beach diet. (Google pouch rules
for dummies for the article). I eat dense protein for my meals which stays
with me (for example, chicken breast will make me full quickly and keep me
full but I could eat a ton of pasta and be hungry in no time). I tend to
stick w/ protein for the first part of the day. I really recommend the
South Beach diet book. It explains why you feel the way you do. Also make
sure you're not drinking with meals. You're entering a new stage of your
journey where you need to find out what tricks work for you. Now is the
time to really learn how to use that pouch. I am not one that can eat
"anything in moderation". I need to stick w/ protein, veggies,
low glycemic index fruits and some whole grain carbs to keep my appetite in
check.
— mom2jtx3
October 19, 2005
BTW, the intial carb detox is HARD!!! But it gets easier and you feel MUCH
better afterwards as you'll have less cravings.
— mom2jtx3
October 19, 2005
When I have this problem... I feel like I am going crazy... First I try to
slow down...ask myself...what exactly is going on... am I
stressed...looking for comfort... I tell myself that after a cup of
tea...if I still need something sweet I can have it. I make my tea with
milk and splenda... something about the time and prep of making the
tea..calms me. I put it in a pretty cup and most of the time... I am back
in control of my cravings. I am three years out... I still struggle with my
cravings...but have found ways to keep them under control. I go between a
range of 5lbs up and down..I have lost 130lbs and feel great. Hold on
..just because we look and feel great doesn't mean that we still don't
have to fight the food demons... One day and snack at a time.
Barb
— Barbara B.
October 19, 2005
I too was struggling with this problem and actually started to gain weight.
I just knew that I had a SLD, but decided to go back to basics before
being tested. I started this a week ago today and have already lost the
seven pounds I had gained. I did this just by eating three small meals a
day, two healthy snacks a day, increasing my water and not drinking with
meals. I try not to drink anything for at least an hour after eating so
that I stay full. This has worked well. Remember, surgery is only a tool.
I forgot this for a minute and figured that since I could not eat much, I
might as well be eating what I want. Now I know that this is not the case.
Since you have not gained any weight back yet, it would be a good time for
you to cut out the sweets. I believe that sugar is way worse than the
carbs. Good luck to you. Stay strong. If your committed to making good
choices about your food, the tool you have been given will continue to
serve its purpose.
— C. Burns
October 20, 2005
I am not even close to your time out and weight loss. I too have an
occassional craving for something sweet and like was stated I think about
why and what is causing it. I try to have on hand sugar free hot chocolate
with some fat free whipped cream if the craving doesn't pass. I have also
found protein bars with 1g of sugar with chocolate and carmel along with
protein can't beat that. Once I have that little bit of satisfaction and
knowing that I can have something such as above I know that I can live the
way I always wanted to live without gaining weight and that in and of
itself is great. Remember don't deny yourself and if you need have
something sweet just make it healthy and the cravings will be fewer and
farther between. Great job so far...........
— 1968 Loser
October 20, 2005
THANK-YOU... to all of you, for your postings! I am at 17 months out...
and have met and surpassed my goal... but I am going thru the same thing.
For me, it has truly been hard.... after having 2 grand maul seizures, 2
days after body contouring surgery, in June. Those 2 seizures knocked the
crap out of me... and re-set everything I had learned, since my RNY. I
had to go home from the hospital, after a 3 day stay, post-seizure... and
re-learn where EVERYTHING in my home was located... it was bad! I am
still trying to re-learn everything I had been taught... about the
"pouch rules"! My cravings have been thru the roof.... I knew I
had gained 5 or 6 pounds back... I was panicking at the thought of
gaining everything back... like I have done so very many times in the past
30 years! I just can't seem to feel full, any more! I was convinced that
the stoma (the bottom opening of my pouch) was stretched, and not holding
any food in the pouch... yesterday, I went up to klamath falls, and saw
my surgeon... with a list of what I had eaten for the last 5 days. It
was a reality check, for sure! He put a foot up my rear... like no one
else on earth could... mainly about what I have been eating! I don't know
why that I thought that the pouch rules were for post-op... like until I
reached my goal... and then.. just the size of the pouch would let me
eat whatever I wanted, but in moderation? That is so not true! I now
know... that still, I can't drink with meals... or eat whatever I am
craving... thanks to you and my Dr.! I also lost 4 of the lbs that I
gained... over night! It is such an on-going struggle... no easy fixes
here! The Dr let me know that it still, I could have streatched out my
pouch... or the stoma, at the bottom of my pouch... but more likely, it is
drinking water, with my meals... and eating carbs, with my meals. best of
luck to all of youand thanks to all of you!
Kat
Kat
— Kat C.
October 20, 2005
You will be "of age" in 2 weeks and can post, but for now, just
read here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
Many of us have plans to get us out of this hole. Sweets craving is part of
our disease, but we do have a few tools at our disposal. I am just
detoxing from having an affair with sugar. This would be the 3rd time in
11 yrs that I have fallen into this trap. You'd think I'd get smarter. At
least I know it when I'm in it and so far have been able to climb out, but
it is reeeeeally an effort.
— vitalady
October 21, 2005
I can completely relate and I am over 2 yrs post op!!! Sugar is definitely
my drug of choice! And I truly look at it as a drug because I am addicted
and my cravings are horrible. I have been doing a lot of research lately.
I am desperate to get it under control. Email me if you want to chat. ~
Michelle :)
— Michelle_S
Click Here to Return