[smease]

I am now 8 months out and 85 pounds lighter and I am starting to feel out of control with my eating. I can eat anything without feeling sick and I can eat quite a bit at a time. I am constantly "wanting" food and am starting to give in to my head hunger, especially in the evening. I am so worried that I will start my old eating habits all over again and I will regain what I have worked so hard to lose.

Another big problem I am having is with gas (farting). Sorry to be so blunt but the smell is just awful and my husband and kids are getting disgusted. My husband cannot even come into the bedroom sometimes if I go to sleep first because the smell gets so bad. Gas-X does not seem to help at all.

Please, if anyone out there has been experiencing an increase in eating, or this terrible gas problem ,I would love to hear how you are handling it.

[GypsyRose]

I'm almost 11 months post op, have lost roughly 140 lbs. I too have started giving in to what you call head eating, but I try to turn first to low calorie items with some protein content, cottage cheese and fruit, yogurt, sugar and fat free jello/pudding, sugar free popsicles or just lots of fruit. I have found that the more fiber and fruit I eat, the better the elimination process goes too, if you are eliminating well, then the gas frequency and smell should get better...it did for me. Remember, at this point we have been given a great tool to help to achieve a healthy weight, now, the only one that can ever make us regain our killing weight is ourselves. Look for other stress relieving activities instead of eating. I have developed a love for exercise...never in my lifetime did I think I would say that! When I go to the gym I reward myself for working out with a long hot soak in the jacuzzi...between the endorphin high and the hot bubbling water...stress doesn't stand a chance and my appetite is not so out of control afterwards. Hope this helps...Good luck!

[poopoo]

OMG!....Smease , i am feeling the same way as you. my weight lose has slowed down alot which i know is normal .I can eat anything and it doesn't make me sick that is scary and i have gas alot but it isn't that bad maybe it is just a 8 month thing i don't know. Maybe doc will be on soon to shed some light on what is happening,This is scary .

[Queenofthenile]

I hope you get some answers from Doc. I really have no advice just turn to protein first. If you eat carbs it will make you crave sweets and what not. Good luck ((HUGS))

[greensgirl19]

I'm definitely able to eat more food options, but my portions are still being kept in check by my tool. Somedays are better than others, but for the most part, that works. I don't usually dump off of sugar (or anything else for that matter), but just when I think I won't, I do - and bad. I get real light headed, fast pulse, dizzy and overall sick feeling. I had 3 bites of a cake at work yesterday and my tool went to work like nobody's business!
But generally I like to stick to healthy treats. To me a sweet apple like a fuji is heaven and I put some peanut butter on it and I get full fast, it keeps me regular and it satisfies my sweet tooth. I also love fresh pineapple and red seedless grapes. My son calls them 'candy'. I know that we shouldn't indulge in too much fruit, but to me if it's between fruit or candy, to me the fruit is an awesome choice. It really helps with the digestive system as well.

[DocSanae]

The big question is, why did you eat pre op? Did you eat to relieve stress, to reward yourself, because you were bored, etc etc? You had to have some *mental* factor that made you turn to food. What were the issues that you dealt with food? You need to remember that the majority of these issues will NOT go away even if your weight has. This means that you have to develop a new coping mechanism in place of food. In this respect, how Gypsy Rose is dealing is a good way.

As for gas, many post ops do have this problem. It's due partly to the shortened route, the gas doesn't have a chance of being decomposed enough to reduce the smell. Some times, it gets better with time, but not always. If you notice the smell is worse after you eat certain foods, then you might try avoiding it untill a later time.

[Perfesser]

If you have a weakness for snacking, surround yourself with healthy choices and get rid of the problem foods. Rykrisp is better than chips, peanut butter is better than a dip, fruit (as Kelly said) is far better than candy, etc. It's not a true solution to the underlying behavioral challenges and the mental part of your relationship with food, but it does reduce the likelihood of getting too far off the path. Adding some low-fat cheddar or other cheeses is also good. The general rule we live by (as you already know) is protein first, veggies second, carbs if there's room. This can (and should!) be applied to everything we eat, not just meals.

CT

[Jill]

Hunger does return, and you are right, you have to deal with the "head hunger" but if you keep control of small portions and stop when you feel full, that will help. I've had a challenge with snacking, but I usually just have a little then stop, so it hasn't gotten out of control. As for the gas -- yes I've had it, but I can't claim the odor issues you do -- maybe it is something in your diet like dairy? Have you tried using Lactaid milk? You might have a dairy issue?

[clancythecamper]

I def keep healthy choices on hand and plan out my food for the day so that if I snack, it's planned food and wont upset the apple cart - so to speak.

Thankfully, my gas issue isnt a stinky one but I have absolutely no pride left - I've embarrased myself to the nth degree so many times~~~ Try to keep your sense of humor as much as possible ~ at least then maybe it won't seem so bad?

[judijo]

What got me into this mess to begin with was my drug of choice: food. Removing/bypassing my stomach did not remove the disease.

I am a believer in getting help when feeling overwhelmed with compulsion, and 12 step programs (Overeaters Anonymous for me, specifically) does allow WLS'ers who feel overwhelmed with fear of overeating again. I don't get into the f2f groups too much around here (I, unfortunately, let some personalities of others block me from my own recovery, which is a no-no of the traditions of 12 step groups.) but there are online OA groups out there with chat rooms, etc. It is nice to see others with the same problems, emotionally and mentally, as me.

My 2 cents...your mileage may vary.

Re: the gas...have you tried something like Bean-o?