Question:
2 1/2 years after my surgery, how do I stop the desire to eat all the time?

I had gastric bypass surgery 2 1/2 years ago and I have lost about 150 pounds. But I still want to eat all the time, all day long, even when I'm full. Also, I still want to eat all the wrong foods. How do I get rid of this obsession with food?    — Marcella D. (posted on October 19, 2000)

October 19, 2000
Hi Marcella~You posted a question,hope you can tolerate the answer..First of all your surgeon should have had you in a multi-disciplined program before and after your surgery..The disciplines range from...nutritionist,physiology instructer and the most important,,a good psychologist.Our eating habits and patterns are usually triggered by things happening or Not happening in our lives..Until you see a psychologist and explore these possibilities you may find yourself in this situation more often than not..You have got to want to help yourself before you can open up to allow others to help you. Hope you are not offended by my cander but I try to be realistic~
   — Violet K.

October 19, 2000
Did you read the article that someone else posted a couple days ago about how your body regulates its own weight? Here's the URL http://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/17/science/17LEPT.html It seems that what they had to say may be exactly what is happening to you. They said your body "wants" to be at or around a particular weight, and if you force it to go far below that weight, your brain will attack you with signals to eat-eat-eat. If course we can try to find strategies to get around these thoughts, and try to channel those urges toward "healthy" food instead of junk food, but I'm trying to tell you it isn't your fault. It's not because you are trying to sabotage your weight loss, or because you have hidden "issues" that are pushing you to eat. It is simply a flaw in the way our bodies are programmed, where our bodies acutally "want" to be fat. I'm afraid I don't have answers for you, but I did want to tell you not to blame yourself.
   — Lynn K.

October 19, 2000
Hi Marcella...congratulations on your fabulous loss! I am not yet 3 months post op, but years ago, I lost 60 pounds very quickly. I remember feeling very comfortable with my consumption...thinking I earned it, deserved the goodies and drinks...after all, I was thinner, right? So what would it hurt to have dessert? Well, over the course of 3 years, I gained it all back, + 30 pounds. Since I've had WLS, I have learned this is just a tool. I can eat more than 4 oz. at a time, and I don't dump on sugar, so although I don't constantly struggle with cravings, it has come up from time to time. So, I have taught myself a few tricks to keep from eating beyond my pouch and eating the wrong things. If I crave something, I have to work for it...I have to walk to the store to get it (I don't keep 'cravers' in the house), I have to finish 20 oz. of water, I have to get my exercise in for the day, I have to get my protein in for the day. Then, I purchase only enough for a serving (a 25 cent bag of chips, one chocolate covered cherry or Hershey minature, etc.) After having to pass all these steps, a lot of time the craving is gone before I indulge in it. Or, if I MUST eat, I munch on hot peppers, pickles and popcorn cakes. They fill me up and give me lots of flavor and crunch without sugar or fats. When I read your post, I thought that maybe what you needed was to be reminded what it was like to be obese...perhaps you could purchase a pair of tight jeans to wear when you are craving something...try sitting in a child-sized chair...pull out some 'fat' clothes and see how far you've come. Also, there is Weight Watchers and Overeater's Anonymous as well as personal counseling. There are many things you can do to keep this tool working for you, and you've taken the first step by recognizing it and asking for help...Good Luck to you - I know I will have to watch myself as well.
   — Allie B.

October 19, 2000
I tend to look at everything nutritionally. Ifi I'm craving something, is it texure I want? If so, what is a non-guilt inducing way to get that texture thing going? I avoid milk & sugar since they just fire up more cravings, but if I can't grab a texture or match the craving to the specific nutrient, I make a protein drink and wander through the cabines. Usually, by the time I finish a protein, the craving has passed and I'm safe for another 3 or 4 months. I take in quite a bit of protein supplement, as that is the main nutritional shorage for people without stomachs. It helps cut cravings DRASTICALLY, as your body feels completely nourished!
   — vitalady

October 19, 2000
I had surgery 3 years ago and I find myself snacking all day...I too am always hungry. The only consolation is that I eat such small amounts at a time that what most people eat in one sitting I eat for the whole day.
   — MARY R.

October 20, 2000
I stopped having food cravings entirely when I started taking the anti-depressant drug effexor XR, prescribed for fibromyalgia. No cravings now for more than a year!
   — Linda B.

October 20, 2000
It sounds as if you may be IR (Insulin Resistant). IR will cause you not to feel satisfied even when you are full. You have the desire to eat almost constantly. IR is, also, what causes PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) in women. Research the web on IR and PCOS. Then talk to your PCP if you think what you find might pertain to you. Ask them to have you tested. There are several good medications on the market for IR (I personally take Actos 45 mg/day). Also, remember that even people with IR are not necessarily people with PCOS, but it can cause it. Not knowing more about your personal circumstances, this is the best that I can advise. Good luck!!!
   — SnowWhiteDove459

October 20, 2000
Dear Marcella, I too have these unstoppable cravings. I can eat dinner at 6:00 and by 6;30 I am hungry again. Sometimes it's in my head but most times my tummy is actually growling. i thought that it was just me. I would say that I eat at "least" once an hour. I snack on everything you can imagine. There are not limits to what I eat really. I know that alot of this is probably psychological and that I should have had help from day one from a counselor but at the time that I had the surgery, the doctor didn't order any of that nor did he say that he thought I might need it. I am now 1 and a half years out from surgery, have lost all my weight and more and actually have been told to try and gain 5 or 10 pounds for the upcoming winter to ward off sickness. This has proven to be almost impossible. I have not been able to gain a pound. I know that in reading this, many will say that I am lucky to be in this position but, to be honest, most people ask me if I am sick because i have gotten so thin. Even with the binge eating i have not gained even a pound. Of course, the truth is I am scared poopless to gain this weight and am honestly relieved when I don't gain. I know that soon I will need psychological help with all this because this doesn't seem normal to me. I would say that 1/2 of it is physical cravings and the other half is all in my mind. I hope this has helped you know that you are not alone. I always try to be very honest on here.
   — Barbara H.