Question:
I am hungry and am not loosing weight

I am 6 months post ops today and for the past few weeks I have noticed that I have been really hungry and can eat alot more than I could before. I am becoming worried I have lost a little over 60 pounds which is really slow I think.I have been at the same weight for about a month now and have lost alot of hair. Is or can anyone relate to this. Please let me know especially on the eating more and the hunger that I am going through. I am scared I have stretched my pouch is this even possible. I see my doctor tommorow I will ask him as well if this is normal. any advise would be greatly appreciated. THKS    — VIRGINIA B. (posted on June 4, 2003)

June 3, 2003
Virginia, Definitely discuss this with your doctor, but I will tell you that about six months is when appetite returns. Even though you are eating more, you still aren't eating massive amounts like before surgery. I hit a plateau at six months that lasted two months and then lost 30 pounds in the next month. Our bodies slow down and adjust and then start losing again. UP your protein and fluids and exercise and watch the carbs, especially the starchy carbs. I am 18 months post-op, have surpassed my surgeon's goal and I still am very leary of the so-called "white carbs". I probably haven't had 5 pieces of bread since surgery and I never eat pasta or rice and rarely eat potatoes. I occasionally eat crackers but have to watch them because I tend to go overboard. Good luck to you.
   — Patty_Butler

June 3, 2003

   — Jazzy

June 3, 2003
Ahhhhh... welcome to the end of the honeymoon period! Don't worry, it's completely normal, and you're right on schedule. It's time to start applying those pouch rules. Eat dense protein at each meal, then fill the rest up w/ veggies. No white carbs (white flour, white sugar). Make sure you're not drinking with meals. Try the water loading between meals. It's at this point where you have to start learning to use your tool. Check out the pouch rules as it goes over all this, including the fact that hunger returns at 6 months: http://www.digitalhorsewoman.com/pouchrules.htm
   — mom2jtx3

June 3, 2003
You are DEFINATELY not alone! I am also 6 months post-op today (micropouch), have only lost 65 pounds, and am losing my hair as well.I can soooooo relate! I am glad that you asked this question as the answers really encouraged me.
   — fieryfish

June 4, 2003
Seems like lots of us are in the same boat. I've lost 60lbs and I'm at 6 months. I have to stop myself constantly from snacking. It's been my hardest habit to break, and I still do it sometimes. I don't dump either, so I eat a cookie here and there. If I'm really, really craving sugar, I force myself to drink a protein shake. It's very difficult, but I've come this far, I don't want to screw myself up now. Hang in there, we'll all get to goal eventually!! :)
   — Diana L.

June 4, 2003
You still have time to lose- don't worry! Optimum weight loss will happen within first 18 months usually. Often, many of us think we're eating too much and we're not. But you'd really have to check with your doc or nutritionist about that one, also to make sure your insides are intact. For 6 months, maybe eat 1,000 calories? Your appetite returning right now is actually right on schedule, unfortuantely. Wish I knew why it was at the 6 month mark, and why it happened. We all pretty much go through this, and you should be eatin more. Eventually you'll be able to maintain with 1200-1500 calories, b/c your pouch does stretch to about 6-8oz (this varies ofcourse) but its normal. Technically, according to some nutritionists,doctors I've spoken with, its not healthy to eat anything less than that longterm. Are you upset b/c you can eat a whole slice of pizza or cuz you can eat 3? (just an example) There's a difference, know what I mean? Goodluck to you :-)
   — Lezlie Y.

June 4, 2003
Unfortunately you haven't kept up your profile, so its difficult to help you without knowing certain things. Like how long have you been losing hair? Did it just start, or did you lose, then stop losing and now its picking up again? Most of us lose hair between months 3 and 6 post-op, give or take a month or two on either end. Normal. It does stop and hair does grow back. If it just started after 6 months, it may be that you are not getting in enough protein and may have to up it. The hunger does come back around the 6 month mark and we therefore eat more and the weight loss slows- that is normal. Re-examine your pouch rules-go back to the basics-are you eating small, frequent protein based meals (5 or 6 a day), eating too many or not enough calories, exercising-cardio not just toning-not drinking with or right after meals, getting in enough water, keeping the carbs and sugar lo or eliminating? Most of us can point to exactly why we aren't losing once we re-examine our behaviors and eating habits.
   — Cindy R.