Hello! I am really having a hard time controlling my food intake. I just had my first fill on 4/14/04. (1.25 cc). I still can eat a horse. Tonight my town is having it's Fireman's Carnival and I ate a whole funnel cake. I am so mad at myself right now. I really wish I could take a diet supplement to get me through until I feel full. My support group which is all Gastric Bypass patients tell me that I am not hungry but I think I am. Did anyone else have this problem?

Christine

244/220/140

Banded 3/2/04;)

Hi Christine -

It is very possible that you ARE physically hungry still. There is no point in beating yourself up about the funnel cake - being banded is about the rest of your life. Some days will be better than others, but MOST of the time you will do well. Particularly if you don't play games with what you can or cannot eat.

As far as handling your hunger until your next fill, be sure to try out these tricks:

1. Water load. Drink as much water as fast as you can 15 minutes before you eat.

2. Do NOT drink with meals, and wait until 45 to 60 minutes after eating to resuming drinking.

3. Stay away from soft foods as much as possible.

4. Eat your Protein first. Use good whole Proteins that you have to chew - beef/chicken/pork.

5. After you eat your protein, eat as many veggies as you want.

6. Have the occasional treat when you're dying for it. Know nothing's off limits, and that it is just a choice for that moment, not forever. If you skip cake this meal, it doesn't mean you can't have it next meal if you REALLY want it. The question is, do you REALLY want it??? REALLY? Eat something more nutritious first. Then if you REALLY want it, have it!

7. If you are not physically hungry, think of other ways to spend your time. Walk, quilt, sew, read, garden, hit the gym, call a friend, write your first novel.

8. Be gentle with yourself. Pretend you are your very, very best friend. How would you talk to the most precious person in your life? Make yourself the most precious person in your life, and talk to yourself and treat yourself that way - with kindness, empathy, respect.

9. This journey requires a lot of patience. It is for life. Three years from now you'll wonder where all the weight went. Honest.

Hang in there!

Thank you for your word so encourage and your advise. One of the hardest things for me to do is not drink when I eat. I will definitely try to incorporate the suggestions you gave me.

Thanks again,

christine

Good advice Donali! Christine you should also remember that you are more than likely eating a lot less than what you used to. You may see it as you eating a lot, but you may be comparing it to when you were not able to eat anything in the beginning.

Good advice Donali! Christine you should also remember that you are more than likely eating a lot less than what you used to. You may see it as you eating a lot, but you may be comparing it to when you were not able to eat anything in the beginning.

Donali you are always so helpful I will also take your suggestions thanks. Ginny