Question:
OK, Long Termers -- I have a question !!

I know you all have heard this question before, but, have you been subject to "head hunger" after a few years?? I am 3 yrs and 5 mths post -op RNY having gone from 280 to a low of 115#. I have NOT been hingry since 3/3/03-- truly !! I still can't eat more than a few ounces at a time and I dump n a lot of carbs and sugars. I recently had to change my eating habits as I was away from home fora few months and have found myself wanting to "graze" on things like chips, crackers, and cookies. I swear I am still not hungry but, I seem to want those "bad" things-- anyone have any similar experiences?? I have gained about 15lbs back and my jeans are TIGHT!!! UGH!! Any advice???    — Kewpidoll (posted on August 21, 2006)

August 21, 2006
i can relate... It is important to know you are not alone... It is amazing how many others deal with regain... Not fun. I had to find a solution and I did just that through personal development and learning to use nutrition to my advantage! I am now refined, still human and know how to balance and plan! Take a breath and know that consistancy is the key...You know what is right and what is wrong, we are out serching for the best way to control an obese mind. If you ever want to look at a glass half full, poor it out and fill it up! hugs, Celeste from 327 to 125 now maintaining @ 130 Figure competitor Check out the September issue of OH Magazine... Read my story!
   — shakeyourweight

August 21, 2006
I kind of know what you are feeling. I was able to eat more by the time I was 3 years out, but the head hunger was crazy. I craved carbs so much. Mine was mostly due to medication, I think, but the carbs will kill your success. Just be glad you caught it at only a 15lbs gain. You can work through this. Try not to give in when craving carbs. Eat your high protein meals, as much as you need, and do your very best not to graze on carbs. If you feel you must graze and simply cannot go without it, make it something like carrot sticks or cucumber with a little fat free ranch dressing. Or perhaps a couple of saltines with some tuna salad. You have seen for yourself that the chips, crackers, and cookies cause gain for you. You'll just have to find an alternative. I would recommend going back to a food journal. When I am craving something now, I write it in my food journal before I even make it. Seeing those calories add up can help sway you from eating something "bad". I am not trying to preach to you because you can read my profile, I am not the poster girl for following the rules. I do however know that I started the road back to fat with noticing a simple gain of about 6 lbs. I tried to write it off as PMS, etc, but it kept climbing slowly each month. Don't go down the road I did. It's so hard to get back. Just look in the mirror at how fabulous you look. You worked hard to get there, right? Now, work to keep it. Good luck.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 21, 2006
Kera, Do not give into the Devil's wishes and keep eating those carbs & stuff that you did not touch for so long. It is old habits trying to come back. Don't let them, Be strong & eat protein every couple of hours for a couple of days to get back on track. Drink lots of water. You have caught this in time don't let that 15 lbs turn into any more. I have gained back about 30 & it is so hard to get back off. There are protein snacks out there that are a whole lot better than chips, cookies & sugar filled treats. Good Luck
   — Marilyn C.

August 21, 2006
I was glad to see your post. I just reached 2 years last week and I am struggling with the wanting to go back to old habits, partly due to stress eating and love of the junk food. I have a stressful job and am raising 2 young grandkids with a child coming out of the penitentiary soon. Lots of stress and worries, but I have recognized what is going on and am determined not to fail. Even though I have very little time to even breathe, I have had to step back and remember that I am the only one to take care of me. I have just started an exercise program on my lunch hours and am trying to get my diet back - going back on protien drinks for a little while because I don't get near enough protien. And..considering Weight Watchers just for the support. You can do this too. As the old commercial said....We've come a long way baby" and there is isn't anything worth going back for. I like the analogy someone else gave of giving into the Devil's wishes. Once I saw that, it reminded me that he would like nothing more than to see us fail and I don't intend to let him win! Hang in there - a step at a time for us all! Hugs
   — dwhit54

August 22, 2006
I'm almost 4 years out and have only gained 10 lbs above my lowest weight. It is a constant battle. I am an emotional eater (food = comfort) and I am going through a divorce right now. I have a lot of support, and I am the one who wanted the divorce, but it is still an emotional upheaval. Now, there's a good excuse for not eating correctly, right? NOT! I think most of us who have had WLS and are a few years out are well past the "I am doing exactly what I'm supposed to and I am the poster child for WLS" stage. What we didn't learn was not in any of the information we got before surgery. The majority of us still have a "diet" mentality and eat "bad" foods. The only difference now is that we are smaller, and can only eat smaller amounts than we used to, but the morbidly obese person's attitudes toward foods is still in our heads! Check out this site: www.amihungry.com I've had the pleasure of meeting Dr. May and learning about her ideas. (She was speaking to family physicians at the time, so it wasn't about the nuts and bolts of the ideas, but more about how physicians need to adjust their attitudes toward obesity and how to treat it.) I hope this helps.
   — koogy

August 22, 2006
I'm almost 12 yrs out and there are times when the TEXTURES of foods draw me right past my own rules. Once I start on sugar, especially, it owns me til I go cold turkey and come to my senses. I'm thinking it might be time to join the Grad list.There is a lot of combined long term experience on this list and I'd recommend it in conjunction with this site and any local lists you use. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady