Question:
I have started gaining weight and I don't know how to stop. I have gotten to where I

want to eat all the time. I am hungry all the time. Please can someone help me? I am almost 6 years out and i have gained about 30 lbs lately. Scared to death and don't know what to do.    — tamj (posted on February 7, 2006)

February 7, 2006
Please friend, go to see your nutritionist right away! They deal with this problem everday! They are there to help you!
   — balefran

February 7, 2006
Tammy, I think you should go back to your surgeon and get evaluated to see if your stoma has stretched or your pouch has or maybe even has a leak, and if so, then you be eligible for a revision. I have read about several people on this site that have had to have revisions. Search the Q and A. I am sure a few will answer you. Don't be afraid. Eat as healthy as you can, high protein when possible and exercise. The more protein you eat the more you will find your hunger satisfied. However, I will tell you that after my surgery, my PCP took me off of my glucophage because my HgA1C was normal. but my then it crept back up even though I was eating only 20 to 30 gr of carb per day. My endocrinologist put me right back on because he said once you are insulin reisistant you are always insulin resistant and he should know because he is one of the best, very highly published. Sure enough my HgA1C are well within normal limits and so is everything else. But he told me that after about 5 years or so, glucophage stops working and you may have to go to something else like Actose. Sure sign it is not working, is increased appetite and weight gain. So okay maybe you were never insulin resistant, but maybe you are now. If you were and your MD took you off your glucophage(or whatever) then your resistance may be increasing enough to cause increased appetite and weight gain. You need to get checked out. Not all people who are insulin resistant are morbidly obese. You can be thin and be insulin resistant. Other signs are increased thirst and increased urination (usually at night), also being tired, not feeling well, irritable...etc. Good luck and don't worry, you licked this before and you can lick it again.
   — pammatria

February 7, 2006
Do you think what you are feeling is "emotional" hunger? Maybe something is going on in your life and you are not too happy about it. And the best way your body is telling you to pay attention to it is by triggering hunger mechanism. Some people would call this "head hunger". You are the only one with the answer. I am here to help with this head hunger and emotional hunger if you want my help. You could reach me in private at [email protected]
   — Dani96

February 7, 2006
you could be vit b deficient ,or apnea, dont have to be obese, diabetes, and different meds, prilosec can cause weight gain, there are factors other than wls that make us heavy, theres a new med thats now on the market byetta,(spelling) a non insullin pen injection med that really helps with weight for diabetics 2, combines with glucofage.
   — walter A.

February 7, 2006
I'm almost five years out and have started gainning too. I'm always ravenously hungery. It scares me. I sure don't want to go back to 319 (or more) again. I too don't know what to do.
   — Danmark

February 7, 2006
I have the same problem I went down to 150 and I am now up to about 175-180 it's killing me. Nothing fits and it's so frustrating. There are support groups we have to try them.
   — mamita093

February 8, 2006
I'm exactly where you are at!!! It scares the daylights out of me. Every night I go to bed and tell myself I am going to do better and end up screwing up again the next day. I moved 3 years ago so don't have access to my (or any surgeon), a nutritionist or a support group as I live in a small town. The only support I get is from the internet. Georgia
   — georgiacarol

February 8, 2006
I agree with the others who say that you should get yourself checked out by a doctor to see if there is a physical reason for your hunger. If not, then everytime you go to get something to eat that you know you don't need, try remembering what it was like when you were at your top weight. I am three weeks post-op and the memory is still very fresh for me because I'm still experiencing the overweight symptoms -- high blood pressure, sleep apnea, asthma -- and the others like not being able to simply take a shower without having to lie down afterwards because I am so out of breath and out of shape, not being able to comfortably be able to fit in the seat at the movies or most other chairs for that matter, not being able to walk any distance without shortness of breath or stand any length of time without my back hurting and having to find a place to sit. There are so many others for me -- you may know them too. If that doesn't do the trick, there are websites and books -- one is www.bariatriceating.com by a woman who has gone through the surgery and is several years out and has written a book. You might also try Overeaters Anonymous who help with the emotional aspects of overeating. I've been where you are and done what you've done before my surgery everytime I lost weight and started to gain again, so I hope one of these suggestions helps. I think helping other people is another big way to help yourself -- this takes the focus off your own hunger and other problems.
   — skileysc

February 8, 2006
Tammy, I agree that assessment with a bariatric surgeon is in order. In the meantime, how many calories are you consuming daily and how much exercise are you getting? Best of luck. Kasey 365/210 (nonop)
   — Kasey

February 8, 2006
I know what you mean! Next October, I will be 3 years out. I started gaining, not for any reason but making bad choices. Look people, we have been through too much to put it all back on! I think it is a whole lot easier to keep the weight off than take it off in the first place. So...not that I am perfect or anything, I decided to become accountable to someone, so I joined weight watchers and have to go in every week. I am on my 3rd week now. I feel so much better now. Yes, I still want to eat, but now I am realizing that I was not doing what I was supposed to do. We all know the surgery is not a magic bullet, but we need to first...make sure there is nothing physically wrong and then give ourselves a head check and look inside and ask..."am I doing everything I can to keep the weight off?"
   — Abear2

February 8, 2006
Of course, you'll need to have your mechanics checked to be sure you are still intact, but in the meantime, you'll get some ideas from other long termers on the Grad list. Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG I can send you a starting over program, if you'd like. It's harmless and easy, so you could give it a shot while you're waiting for your appt with your doc to be checked.
   — vitalady

February 12, 2006
www.wls.com Barbara Thompson has a support group and mentoring for people years out.
   — Novashannon

February 14, 2006
You actually FEEL hunger? OMG, I can't imagine feeling hunger again. I had the DS 8 months ago and I have to tell myself it's time to eat. Of course with the DS they actually remove the lower portion of the stomach where the enzyme that causes the hunger pang is made... I would check with Dr....I know lots of people who RNY ( is that what you had?)....and they ALL have regained weight. It's notorious for that....Stats show over half of everyone who gets that one gain some or most back. YOu can circumvent it though, by dieting right and following what Doc tells you. Though, with the RNY you have to diet the rest of your life. I applaud ALL who take steps to get their bodies back in control.....and whatever choices they make for themselves are their's alone to make...I just wish more people were made aware of ALL the options. The DS is awesome! Good luck!!! Don't be scared..just visit the Doc first and find out what he says.
   — T S.

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