I’m very scared! All I crave is sugar!!!

[sunshinemia 5]

Surgery date was July 17/2017

Lost Almost 65-70 lbs. I have a couple questions! Why do I crave sugar so much to the point where I seem like a person that needs their drugs! I was NOT like this before having surgery! Also can some doctors not make your pouch very small? I feel I can eat wayyyyy more then other sleevers! Also how much Water should we drink an hour? Or does it matter? I try to drink as much as I can to meet at least 64 ounces a day! I hear some people say only 4 oz and hr but then I wouldn’t meet my goals bcuz I don’t wake up that early! Please people I’m so scared I feel from eating all the junk I’m stretching my pouch more and more! I talked to the nurse that is with my surgeon and she said I shouldn’t be craving this early! Like what! Did my surgeon do something wrong? I stop myself from eating sometimes bcuz I crave so much bad stuff!!! Could it be stress eating? I know this surgery is just a tool! But I thought I wouldn’t crave! He fixed a hernia at the same if this helps!! I’m ready to just give up on all this! I use to crave burgers and tacos before surgery and that’s why I got so big! But now! All I want is donuts and Twix I’m so lost people! I wish I never had this surgery before! I wish there was no such thing named food

[Losingit2018 1,170]

That 4 oz per hour is for people just out of surgery and still healing. If you are eating junk already, you will be able to eat more than other sleevers who are sticking to the Protein first rule. Most junk food is slider food that will not stay in your pouch and keep you full feeling.

It sounds like you are having head hunger instead of real hunger. Maybe you need to seek therapy to deal with this? Surgery fixes our stomach but, can't fix our mind.

[GreenTealael 24,964]

Surgery date was July 17/2017
Lost Almost 65-70 lbs. I have a couple questions! Why do I crave sugar so much to the point where I seem like a person that needs their drugs! I was NOT like this before having surgery! Also can some doctors not make your pouch very small? I feel I can eat wayyyyy more then other sleevers! Also how much Water should we drink an hour? Or does it matter? I try to drink as much as I can to meet at least 64 ounces a day! I hear some people say only 4 oz and hr but then I wouldn’t meet my goals bcuz I don’t wake up that early! Please people I’m so scared I feel from eating all the junk I’m stretching my pouch more and more! I talked to the nurse that is with my surgeon and she said I shouldn’t be craving this early! Like what! Did my surgeon do something wrong? I stop myself from eating sometimes bcuz I crave so much bad stuff!!! Could it be stress eating? I know this surgery is just a tool! But I thought I wouldn’t crave! He fixed a hernia at the same if this helps!! I’m ready to just give up on all this! I use to crave burgers and tacos before surgery and that’s why I got so big! But now! All I want is donuts and Twix I’m so lost people! I wish I never had this surgery before! I wish there was no such thing named food [emoji20]

There is plenty of research that suggests that sugar is addictive, and like any other addiction you have to detox from it to beat it. Cravings don't always go away because some are mental and some are physiological. Maybe going back to basic may help alleviate the cravings. Have you tried eliminating refined sugars and settling for lower amounts of natural ones yet?
I believe kicking the sugar habit is totally doable! Safe journey

[Losebig 508]

If you can manage it a few days with no carbs will help curb the cravings. I crave salty stuff all the time, so let myself have some in moderation. Just track calories, Protein etc and stay within nutritionist guidelines. The cravings may be stress, Head hunger, anxiety etc. try doing things that keep you busy and away from food.

For liquids more than a couple months out you can have a lot as long as you don’t gulp. 3.5 months out and if I sip constantly I can get 40 oz in an hour. Being thirsty makes you hungry so try to get at least 64 oz before any “treats”. I aim for 70-80 a day.

For capacity liquids pass right through, as does anything that dissolves to a liquid (I.e candy, ice cream, etc). Your carb capacity will be much higher than your protein capacity for many carbs. When craving try 3-4 oz of dense protein and you should be full.

Unfortunately the surgery can’t cure cravings, but it can help restrict volume, control hunger and give a chance to rebalance your diet.

Im struggling right now too with carbs, it isn’t easy, but don’t give up. Hang in there!

Edited April 2, 2018 by Losebig

[sideeye 1,440]

At almost a year out you should definitely be able to drink more than 4 oz per hour - that was the amount we were expected to drink within 24 hours post-op. If you're feeling restriction to the point that you're unable to drink more than an eggcup of Water per hour, talk to your surgeon ASAP, but from what I'm reading in your post, it's just as important for you to step up the meetings with your nutritionist and I'd advise asking around about a counselor or therapist who can work on the mental side of this stuff.

It sounds to me like you're blending head hunger, actual hunger and craving together into the same category. The surgery usually takes care of actual hunger for a while post-op because of the lack of the ghrelin hormone, but head hunger and cravings are more psychological and need to be handled that way.

[frust8 963]

That my dear is why KetoFlu is also called Carb Flu. Giving it up can be almost as painful as the real flu, and like any other addiction your body wants it back and doesn't want you withdrawing. Like previous responder said it is do -able. but it is going to take strong willpower, think of it as the struggle it is. Junk food is seductive, it wants you back in its clutches. Our taste buds were trained from itty bitty hood to enjoy the taste, want the taste and especially crave the satisfaction we once gained from it. Stop having a baby type reaction, now that we have our new tool- well you do, mine hasn't been installed yet-- but you know what I'm saying is true-- we have to establish and keep an adult relationship with food. Think of it also this way, I am not yet an ordained bariatric person but there are such things as lay ministers,& that's me . I have currently gastritis and have encountered post surg characteristics early. I can't eat more than small amounts at times, and I even mini-dump like a baby bypasser, can't reason why just know that's how it is.You have got to eat high quality foods, not clunky junky, eat to live but not live to eat. And stop obsessing over the Twix and Ding Dong on the grocery shelf, the shelf needs it there to balance the display, you don't. You have to do this for yourself and also for me, I'm following along behind you, you need to set me a GOOD example. Me and all the newbies are counting on You.

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

[sunshinemia 5]

There is plenty of research that suggests that sugar is addictive, and like any other addiction you have to detox from it to beat it. Cravings don't always go away because some are mental and some are physiological. Maybe going back to basic may help alleviate the cravings. Have you tried eliminating refined sugars and settling for lower amounts of natural ones yet?
I believe kicking the sugar habit is totally doable! Safe journey

I do hope it is doable! Thank u

[sunshinemia 5]

If you can manage it a few days with no carbs will help curb the cravings. I crave salty stuff all the time, so let myself have some in moderation. Just track calories, Protein etc and stay within nutritionist guidelines. The cravings may be stress, Head hunger, anxiety etc. try doing things that keep you busy and away from food.< br> For liquids more than a couple months out you can have a lot as long as you don’t gulp. 3.5 months out and if I sip constantly I can get 40 oz in an hour. Being thirsty makes you hungry so try to get at least 64 oz before any “treats”. I aim for 70-80 a day.
For capacity liquids pass right through, as does anything that dissolves to a liquid (I.e candy, ice cream, etc). Your carb capacity will be much higher than your protein capacity for many carbs. When craving try 3-4 oz of dense protein and you should be full.
Unfortunately the surgery can’t cure cravings, but it can help restrict volume, control hunger and give a chance to rebalance your diet.
Im struggling right now too with carbs, it isn’t easy, but don’t give up. Hang in there!

How many months out r u? Thank u so much for letting me know I’m normal! Others have cravings too!!

[sunshinemia 5]

At almost a year out you should definitely be able to drink more than 4 oz per hour - that was the amount we were expected to drink within 24 hours post-op. If you're feeling restriction to the point that you're unable to drink more than an eggcup of Water per hour, talk to your surgeon ASAP, but from what I'm reading in your post, it's just as important for you to step up the meetings with your nutritionist and I'd advise asking around about a counselor or therapist who can work on the mental side of this stuff.
It sounds to me like you're blending head hunger, actual hunger and craving together into the same category. The surgery usually takes care of actual hunger for a while post-op because of the lack of the ghrelin hormone, but head hunger and cravings are more psychological and need to be handled that way.

I will Schedule appointment with the nutritionist asap

[Seahawks Fan 771]

4 hours ago, sunshinemia said:

Surgery date was July 17/2017

Lost Almost 65-70 lbs. I have a couple questions! Why do I crave sugar so much to the point where I seem like a person that needs their drugs! I was NOT like this before having surgery! Also can some doctors not make your pouch very small? I feel I can eat wayyyyy more then other sleevers! Also how much Water should we drink an hour? Or does it matter? I try to drink as much as I can to meet at least 64 ounces a day! I hear some people say only 4 oz and hr but then I wouldn’t meet my goals bcuz I don’t wake up that early! Please people I’m so scared I feel from eating all the junk I’m stretching my pouch more and more! I talked to the nurse that is with my surgeon and she said I shouldn’t be craving this early! Like what! Did my surgeon do something wrong? I stop myself from eating sometimes bcuz I crave so much bad stuff!!! Could it be stress eating? I know this surgery is just a tool! But I thought I wouldn’t crave! He fixed a hernia at the same if this helps!! I’m ready to just give up on all this! I use to crave burgers and tacos before surgery and that’s why I got so big! But now! All I want is donuts and Twix I’m so lost people! I wish I never had this surgery before! I wish there was no such thing named food

You can drink all the Water you want! And there are unlimited food choices for you out there. Eat some lean Protein & fresh fruits & veggies. Fruits have natural sugars & should help with cravings. No reason whatsoever to reach for a candy bar. Try some of this! Check out my Instagram page with healthy meal ideas. my_tiny_healthy_plate

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Your post sounds anxious, you need to find the source of the anxiety - you might be using food as your medication for that. Eating simple carbs will make you crave more of them. Go back to basics - dense Protein, then vegetables, then small small amount of grain carb or fruit, but for at least two weeks I would do just protein and vegetables. You didn't mention exercise or Vitamins. Are you getting any of that in?

[Macs1978 25]

I’m scheduled for surgery on Thursday (April 5th) but my nutritionist has told me I am able to have as much Water at any time, provided I follow the 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after eating restriction. I truly was having anxiety about having to take shot glasses of water to make sure I didn’t get more than 4 oz in an hour. She said that is not the case at all and water cannot stretch your pouch. With the sugar cravings, I would definitely go back to Protein and veggies and you will notice the cravings let up, usually within the week for me. Sugar cravings are also a symptom of Fibromyalgia so, at one time, I was totally confused as to why I was craving sugars. I can’t have any sugar at all or it will trigger the cravings and I can binge like a crazy woman! Good luck!!

[Losebig 508]

8 hours ago, sunshinemia said:

How many months out r u? Thank u so much for letting me know I’m normal! Others have cravings too!!

I'm only 3.5 months out, so pretty new though down close to 70 since surgery. My nutritionist thought cravings were normal and helped with some ideas that would help but not be too off plan

[Stacy160 201]

I just posted this in another thread 5 minutes ago, so I'm just gonna copy and paste.

I've been preaching about sugar addiction...if you think you have a "sweet tooth", there's a good change you're a full-on sugar addict. Do some research...it's as physically addictive as cocaine, and imaging shows that it lights up the same areas of the brain as cocaine addiction does. I always thought I just had a sweet tooth.... it wasn't until years after surgery (and 55 lbs of regain) that I learned about this. Understanding that it's just as real as an alcohol or drug addiction, and recognizing it in myself, has made all the difference in the world in my ability to get off and stay off the stuff. Please research it and understand it. It's the one and only thing that I wish I'd known about ahead of time.

[sunshinemia 5]

@Stacy160 How do I stop? I can’t stop! It’s in all day thing! I wasn’t like this before surgery and that’s what is really bothering me!! So you said you got off the sugar...?? How in the world did you do that! I google best donut places around my city and if the reviews are good I go and try them now I understand when I use to tell my mom to quit smoking and she said she can’t!!! How can I stop eating sugar? Cold turkey or slowly?

Edited April 4, 2018 by sunshinemia