Constantly hungry - will it go away?

daybyday · March 25, 2006

I'm in my 8th week and I am perpetually hungry, It's maddening!!! So I got a few questions for those who have gone through the surgery and experienced the same thing:

Please tell me this goes away!
What can I try that helps curb the hunger!?? I have found nothing that curbs the constant hunger I feel.

thanks tons !

PhotoNut · March 25, 2006

Hello Daybyday! What a wonderful name you chose!

It's possible that you might need a fill. Go through this checklist and see what you think. I've seen several people post this information but I think it might be helpful to you. (Adjustment = fill)

Adjustments

<TT>How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted

You are losing 1-2 pounds per week.

If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week:

A. You may need an eating adjustment

1. Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day

2. Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber

3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories

a. Soup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome”

b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram

(1) It’s also a stomach irritant

c. fruit juice is just sugar Water

4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of

foods?

a. Are you avoiding soft foods

b. You can’t just eat what’s easy

c. cheese is glorified fat

5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of Water a day between meals

6. Are you eating too much junk

a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly

processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a

healthy diet. But don’t avoid them completely to the point where you

feel deprived.

b. Stay out of fast food places

7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily

8. Do you always eat the Protein first

9. Then the vegetables or fruits

a. Five servings a day

b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable

10. Is your portion size appropriate?

a. meat or fish

(1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards

b. Vegetables

(1) ½ cup – the size of your fist

c. Starch

(1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need

much

(2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, Pasta

11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners

a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the

appetite

b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar

c. They teach you to like things too sweet

d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner

than people who don’t

12. Avoid most diet foods

a. Real food usually tastes better

b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes

c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not

that great

(1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet

margarine

(2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats

a. They may go into permanent storage

b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove

hydrolyzed fats from the body</TT>

<TT>B. You may need a behavior adjustment</TT>

<TT>1. Are you eating only when you are hungry?

a. If you’re not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait.

2. Are you eating three meals a day?

a. With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks

3. Are you sitting down to eat?

4. Are you eating consciously?

a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper

away, pay attention to your food and your companions

5. Are you eating slowly?

a. Put the fork down between bites

b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal

c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying

6. Are you taking small bites?

a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork

7. Are you chewing well?

8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals?

a. Practice water loading between meals

b. You won’t be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal

9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness?

a. Sometimes it’s a whisper: not hungry, had enough

b. Hard stop versus soft stop

10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing.

11. Do not eat when you are not hungry</TT>

<TT>C. You may need an activity adjustment</TT>

<TT>1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3

times a week?

a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day

b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week?

c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes?

2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your

physical activity?

a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators

b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding

c. Parking your car further away from the entrance

d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through

e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination

f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash

g. Playing with your kids</TT>

<TT>D. You may need an attitude adjustment</TT>

<TT>1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey?

2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are

eating and exercising?

a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days

3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional

issues?

a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your

eating?

b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those

emotions?

c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor?

4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings?

5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends?

6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically?

7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss

journey?

8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating?

a. Obsessive – compulsive thoughts

(1) Obsess about something else

b. Perfectionism

(1) All or none, black and white thinking

c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss

9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards?

10. Have you learned how to take a compliment?

11. Are you giving up diet mentality?

a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day

b. Stop dieting

c. Stop depriving yourself

d. Stop defining food as “good” and “bad”

e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food

12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place?</TT>

<TT>E. You may need a band adjustment</TT>

<TT>1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate

portion sizes but getting hungry between meals?

2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large

portions.

3. You are having to struggle to lose

4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and

having a good mind set.</TT>

<TT>F. You may need your band loosened</TT>

<TT>1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down

2. You are vomiting too much

a. How much is too much?

3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night?

a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating

b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime

c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime

d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux:

(1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods

(2) Chocolate

(3) Caffeine

(4) Alcohol

(5) Some fruits and vegetables

a. Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers

(6) Peppermint

a. Baking soda toothpaste

(7) Carbonated drinks

e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals

f. If you smoke, quit smoking

g. Reduce stress

h. Exercise promotes digestion

i. Raise the head of your bed

j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist

k. Stress increases reflux

l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning

m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime

(1) Tylenol is OK

n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring

o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications

p. See your health care provider

4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if

a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest,

especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is

accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast

heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack.

b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise.

c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you

also have nausea or fever

d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee

grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar

in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention.</TT>

<TT>(Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your

stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.)

e. If your pain is severe</TT>

TexasRose · March 25, 2006

It will go away, I promise! It's really hard in the beginning - especially without a fill! For me, the fill helped bring down the constant feeling of being hungry and refocused me on losing the weight. There are times that you might need a supplimental diet pill (like Adipex) to curve the cravings and the desire to snack. That is a very hard mental habit to break!

What I also found for me - Eating the hard Proteins will stick with you for a longer period of time and you will find that you do not want to eat for about 4 hours. If your stomach is rumbling and you know that it is not mental hunger - try a piece or two of cheese....perhaps some deli meat. Stay away from carbs as much as you can - but I know that they are easy to grab for in that instant hunger fit! If you are craving something specific - like chocolate - have a piece so that you will not go crazy thinking about it! That has been my rule of thumb and it seems to be working for me.

Best of luck and hang in there!!!

daybyday · March 25, 2006

It's great to know that it will go away, that's a major relief!! I have been trying the deli meats and whey drinks (the whey sometimes helps a little). I have NOT been drinking enough Water and I know that, we go through it so fast around here I feel guilty drinking it all, but if it helps I'm gonna step that up. Now cheese suprised me, I'm gonna try that during the next attack (thats my pet name for them).

oh and btw

It's great to talk to someone who's been there = )

TexasRose · March 25, 2006

I've seen the list that Photonut posted and some of the items on there are really good to adhere to....BUT....I do not believe everything on there is for everyone when it comes to the food. For example - I know that cheese has a higher fat content than something like veggies but it is something that I have been able to eat when nothing else will go down. It's better to get the lower fat and higher Protein types. Laughing Cow and Horizon Organic products are great. I also really like hummus with crunchy breadsticks.

When I was tightened to 2.0cc (2nd fill) - there were about 2 weeks that I could get not much more than 3 bites of hard Protein down. What I found that I could eat - refried Beans and queso. Not exactly the most balanced food - but when that is all that you can get in and it tastes decent....you stick with what you can do.

Even after you have your fills, you are going to get hungry in the form of snack attacks....mine come about 4 PM every day. You know you cannot eat much but your brain is longing for something! This is where the diet pill helps a lot because you feel less apt to eat. When I do not have the diet pill - I graze all day and never really eat a proper meal. Now, I am not being an advocate that you use diet pills - because it is frowned upon by most....but I'm just sharing what has helped me not want to chew on the furniture!

Water helps me but it definitely does not cure my whole desire to eat. It is important to stay hydrated and will help keep the Water weight off of you. I've noticed when I get dehydrated, that my skin looks a little wrinkled and my face will start to peel. Well, with everything else like hairloss and trying not to be so scale obsessive - it's better to not need to worry about your hydration! I go through a lot of water but have thought about getting on of the water filtration systems so that I can stop with the bottled water costs. Need to put that money towards my clothing fund!!!

Exercise, exercise, exercise!!! I signed up for Curves about 5 weeks after my surgery - when I started to feel up to moving a lot. I have worked up to 5 - 10 hours per week of exercise and that has helped to keep my weightloss at 10 - 12 lbs per month. It's not easy some times but I start to crave working out and being active. After a hard workout - I do not feel like eating for quite a while....which is nice! Just make sure you eat before you go because since we are consuming so little calories any way - you are going to burn through those really quickly and then you will not have enough energy to make it though the exercise. Just my two cents worth.....

ErinR · March 26, 2006

It does go away! I'm to the point I don't even think about the food anymore. Quite a big thing saying as how I was literally obsessed with it before surgery. The Snacks I have found best are nuts and jerky... AKA PROTEIN!!! It really helps me feel full and is one of the best things for making sure we're keeping our good muscle and losing the nasty fat! I get the flavored almonds and the shredded beef Jerky works best. Some people have some trouble with jerky, but as long as you are chewing it thoroughly it should be fine. The almonds are especially filling for me. I find that after about 5-10 of them I feel stuffed. I also will nibble cheese. I have also stocked up on the 100 calorie packs that come in a huge variety..everything from popcorn to Pringles and Cookies. They are nice when I am in a 'snacky' mode. But Protein is the very best for feeling and staying full.

cashley · March 26, 2006

Wow Photonut... that's a lot of rules...

legallyKristin · March 26, 2006

Daybyday- I'm right there with you girl! Friday was my friend's 30th birthday and I actually ate cake.

I had been doing so good because I wasn't hungry but now that I'm almost 3 weeks out I'm staying hungry and never getting the "full" feeling that I was getting before. I just keep reminding myself that I can make it 3 more weeks!!

daybyday · March 26, 2006

Man I tried everything suggested, and guess what

IT WORKED!!!

I ran out and filled every Water container we had in the house, then bought 4-24 packs of 16 oz Water bottles. Then I bought a jar of peanuts (honey roasted, couldn't resist). Every chance I could think of it, I reached for some water, It's been over a day and there is definitely a difference. I kind of suspected the water might have been part of the problem.

Thank you so much !!!

dbd =)