How do I stop cravings ?

[biglady904 65]

On July 13th it will officially be 1 year since my surgery I went from 432lbs to 266lbs but lately I've been craving food not necessarily bad food but I've been unusually hungry and idk why and I'm terrified and I mean terrified! That's I'll mess up and gain everything I lost so does anyone have any tips or tricks for me ? Please.

[Diana_in_Philly 1,426]

Are you having issues with reflux? Sometimes when I'm not religious about my Protonix, I get what feels like hunger but turns out to be acid. Also, depending on what you are craving are your deficient in a Vitamin or mineral -- e.g. if you are craving bananas, your potassium may be out of whack - or spinach could be Iron. Have you had bloodwork done recently?

Try to go back to the basics - separate your eating and drinking, push more fluids in - Water, water, water.

[Introversion 1,876]

My appetite returned between the 8th and 9th post-op month. Activities that decrease my cravings and hunger include aerobic exercise (e.g. running, jogging, bicycling, hiking, stair climbing) and drinking caffeinated coffee. Caffeine cuts my appetite dramatically, even though some people may be opposed to it.

Activities that cause me to feel hungrier include weightlifting and watching television. While I'll continue to lift weights, I've greatly curtailed my TV-watching because it promotes a sedentary life.

[GotProlactinoma 458]

1 hour ago, biglady904 said:

On July 13th it will officially be 1 year since my surgery I went from 432lbs to 266lbs but lately I've been craving food not necessarily bad food but I've been unusually hungry and idk why and I'm terrified and I mean terrified! That's I'll mess up and gain everything I lost so does anyone have any tips or tricks for me ? Please.

Forgive me for even giving advice because I have not had surgery yet (July 19) but I did find a way to avoid or change my cravings for carbs or sweets. Long term: learn what the good gut bugs in you want to eat. Add more probiotic FOODS to your diet like fermented veggies, kefir, etc. And feed the good bacteria what they like to eat which is natural fibers. Roasted root veggies, seeds, all kinds of resistant starches. That is long term. For immediate help with a sugar craving, what works for me is cooked greens. With garlic and sea salt. I don't know why greens works but it does for me. Hope I helped.

[James Marusek 5,244]

There are two phases to weight loss surgery. I had RNY gastric bypass surgery and I transitioned from the Weight Loss phase to the Maintenance phase at around 7 months. But it also depends on the type of surgery. Some individuals with the sleeve generally get there in up to 2 years. And it depends on who much weight you have to lose and your own body chemistry.

For those with gastric bypass, you body changes physically. After surgery, the part of your stomach that process fats and sugars has been cut away and these substances will quickly pass out of your stomach and into your intestines which does not know what to do with them. That is why your surgeon restricts your diet to eliminate or minimize these. But after several months, you intestines change and learn how to process these substances. Around this time hunger returns. It is not as strong as before surgery, but the honeymoon period is over.

Anyways if you had gastric bypass, you may be transitioning into the Maintenance phase. The strategies are different between these two phases, so you must adjust accordingly. Anyways this is my impression of the Maintenance phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

[YeaMe 246]

4 hours ago, James Marusek said:

Anyways this is my impression of the Maintenance phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

Enjoyed reading about your journey and also your formula for "anti-hunger" oil.

[lkcnewbeginnings 77]

I am 8 months post op and have reached my goal. I am slowly increasing my calories, but the cravings hit me out of the blue!!! I started craving sugar really bad. I have found that suddenly I can eat more and I don't get uncomfortable and that is scary. Looks like I need to increase my activity and get back on the straight and narrow!!

[Joann454 1,329]

I am 8 months post op and have reached my goal. I am slowly increasing my calories, but the cravings hit me out of the blue!!! I started craving sugar really bad. I have found that suddenly I can eat more and I don't get uncomfortable and that is scary. Looks like I need to increase my activity and get back on the straight and narrow!!

Did you start introducing simple carbs? I know that triggers my cravings