Question:
I am 9 months post op. Up until 6 months post op I was often naseaus and had to

force myself to eat. Right at 6 months I started feeling hungry and my pouch seemed to stretch to about 6 ounces. This scared me tremendously as I thought I would start to gain the weight back. Now I have a healthy appetite, but 2 - 2.5 hours after eating I am hungry again. I have started counting calories and know that I am eating too much - about 1600/day. I haven't lost any weight for about 3 months. Please no lectures, but I know I could being doing a better job with exercising too. My main concern is the frequent hunger pains. I guess I thought I was doing with having to battle them. Any suggestions?    — Jonna B. (posted on December 18, 2000)

December 18, 2000
Hi Jonna, no lectures from me! Somedays I can eat a cup at a time, and somedays I don't eat until 2:00 p.m. or later. My weight loss has slowed to about 5 pounds a month already - and I attribute this to lack of exercise and water. I want to pass on some suggestions that I've seen here. It has been said several times that if you go back to 4 days clear liquids, 4 days full liquids and 4 days purees, you will narrow your stoma, causing your stomach to empty slower, which will make you feel satisfied longer. One of my tricks from the early days was to finish 20 oz. of water between meals - something I need to get back to - not because of my eating habits, but because of my lack of water habits! Watch your protien levels, too. Protien will fill you up longer than anything else and curb hunger and cravings. And if you find that you've had all your protien and water and still need to eat, grab some nice spicy pickles, popcorn, a piece of fruit, etc. Keep tempting, non-productive foods out of the house (my kids haven't seen a cookie in our kitchen in months). Get in the habit of exercising - yeah, I know - wise words from someone who isn't taking her own advice...but it is so cold in Michigan right now, and lots of snow too! I find that if I stay in the habit of walking or dancing, I CRAVE it. Most of all, don't beat yourself up...you've come so far that it might just take a little gumption to get back on track, but you'll feel so much better when you do! Stay positive and optimistic - you ain't done yet! Hugs,
   — Allie B.

December 18, 2000
I have done the 4 days thing, and it works! Also, protein, but, the water is also important for me- I compulsively drink water instead of compulsively eat now- same hand to mouth motion, just different stuff going in, and I am almost never hungry. The other up side is I usually get my water in too:) Good Luck- it wasn't a habit that came easily to me, but I finally got it- you can too!!
   — M B.