Question:
Has anyone had problems eating ice after wls?
I am in the beginning of the process of getting the Sapala pouch procedure done. I am just curious if anyone who has had the wls has had trouble eating ice. My "junk food" right now consists of ice. I eat it constantly and just wonder if this is a habbit I will have to break. Most of my weight has been gained from overeating at mealtime. — Patricia H. (posted on April 3, 2002)
April 3, 2002
Patricia,
I am a known ice muncher! BAD for your teeth though. I had a serious
problem with this during both of my pregnancies and later learned from my
doctor that it is called PICA. The uncontrollable urge to eat ice comes
from having an iron deficiency. I have ALWAYS had low iron. I take
ferrous sulfate everyday along with my multi-vitamin and I don't feel the
need to chew ice as much now. I still do occasionally and it doesn't
bother my pouch because the ice essentially melts before it gets down
there. BUT...doctors have been known to cancel someone's surgery because
their pre-op bloodwork shows low iron. If I were you, I would get this
tested NOW and then start taking 1 ferrous sulfate tablet each day from now
til surgery to help raise your iron levels.
— Karen B.
April 3, 2002
I eat ice all the time. My dentist didn't approve of it, but it's a habit
I can't break. When I was having a problem drinking water after my
surgery, my husband went out and bought an ice crusher from Walmart. It was
a life saver. It crushed it small enough that I could swallow and the
water would stay down. I would say continue with it if it works for you.
— dolphins94
April 3, 2002
I lived on crushed ice the first month post-op. It wasn't a compulsion to
chew ice, but a friend of mine who had surgery did the same thing and
suggested it. It was one of the best bits of advice I got pre-op. I
didn't feel like eating and the cold felt SO good on my healing stomach.
And it was a good way to get my water in every day.
— Randy L.
April 3, 2002
I know just where you are coming from. I had an ice craving for a long
time. In fact I bought me a snow cone machine because winter was setting in
and I needed to have Ice. But I found out that I was severely anemic and
had to have an iron infusion. Since that time I haven't had a desire to eat
ice. I would eat ice 24/7 if I had the chance. I still like ice but I don't
crave it anymore.
— Sharon T.
April 3, 2002
I heard that chewing ice is some type vitamin deficiency. Don't know if
it's true, but many people tell me that and I'm a ice chewer.
— ZZ S.
April 3, 2002
I love to chew/suck on ice also. I don't know if I'm iron deficient, but it
settles my stomach. Also, since we can't drink immediately after eating, my
dr. assistant told us to suck/chew ice. I guess I've gotten into this
habit and that's what I have afte lunch and while I'm working, along with
water. I asked for it at restaurants instead of water or other beverages.
— Betty Todd
April 4, 2002
Thanks for answering everyone! It happens that I am slightly enemic (low
iron), but so far as my teeth are concerned, my dentist told me that it is
supposed to be bad for you, but he also thinks it may be why I haven't had
a cavity in over five years! I have always loved ice but never more than
during and after my pregnancy with my third child. I don't know many other
ice eaters, it annoys my husband to all ends but he puts up with it because
I dropped the other bad habit (smoking) almost a year ago (May 15th) and he
doesn't want to push me too hard!
— Patricia H.
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