Re: Need Compassionate advice

October 9, 2002

Sunstar:

You did not say in your post whether or not you are giving in to

your cravings and eating sugar, but if you are, there may lie some of

your problems.

I am 2 years post op and until about a month ago I had stayed away

from sugar like it was the plague. No more than 5 grams for me! I

had been a " good " girl for two years. Then one day I woke up and it

hit me like a brick that I wanted chocolate. Out of nowhere the

cravings re-appeared and they meant business. So, I ate a piece of

chocoate candy. And I had no problem. Then I ate another. By the

end of the week I was eating 4-5 pieces a day (Halloween bite-size

pieces). And I noticed that I was not feeling too good. But it was

allergy season and I chalked it up to ragweed or any numerous

allergies -- or the fact that I had just gotten home from a long trip

and was tired. Never once thought it was the candy. So when the

first bag ran out, I went out and bought several more (the Halloween

candy was just starting to hit the shelves and I wanted to make sure

I had the " good " stuff before it was sold out! You know...for the

kids...) Before I even realized it, other cravings started up -- the

cravings for carbs like potato chips, pretzels, etc. -- things that I

had stayed away from for 2 years. Before I knew it I was hooked and

the scale was starting upwards! That -- and that alone -- scared the

begeebies out of me and I sent all of the candy with my husband to

the office. I immediately began drinking the American Body Builders

Lean Protein Fruit Punch drinks every afternoon and within 3 days the

cravings were gone! So was the feeling of having lost control,

along with the 3 pounds I had gained and the depression that had

taken over. On the other hand, I have found that when I drink the

protein drinks that I make in the blender with powder, that they help

encourage cravings. I do not know what the difference is, but I am

watching everything now and trying to get back on track. The ABB

protein drinks can be bought at GNC and they come in a red bottle. I

highly recommend them -- not only because they virtually took away

all of the cravings -- but because they have given me energy. I

still have a problem between 8-10 p.m. every evening and have to work

very very hard not to give in to the temptation of eating carbs while

watching TV. When I do give in I hate myself -- feeling as though I

have betrayed myself and all of the good work I did the first part of

the day. I you have been " off the wagon " for more than a few weeks,

it may take longer for you to get the same effects. But, I do agree

that all of us are in the same boat and we need to be there to help

one another. I am now a strong advocate of the protein drinks and I

do believe that they may help you, too. Take care and know that I do

care. Give the drinks a chance for a week and then let me know how

you are doing. I am going to put you on my prayer list and pray that

you are given the strength to get back on track! Write when you get

a chance... Deb

October 9, 2002

Sunstar,

So many of us have been exactly where you are now. For that

reason....another group was started. OSSG_Off_track . And

to copy from the entry page of the group...

***An email list for those of us who have had life altering weight loss

surgery, but have found that we have gotten off track. We want to get back

on the band wagon and stick with it. This list is geared toward post ops who

seem to have lost as much weight as they can but still have not achieved

their goal and/or have had a regain after hitting a low weight. We will not

tolerate flaming or spam on this list. We are here to share our experience,

strength and hope in an effort to help ourselves and if by doing so we help

others along the way, that is a bonus. This list is for anyone who has had

any weight loss surgery Including, but not limited to, the RNY, ALB, VBG,

BPD or BPD/DS, and any other surgical intervention that was intended to help

combat morbid obesity.

So come join us.....you'll find many people who are walking in your shoes!

Sue in Las Vegas

Need " Compassionate " advice

Hi everyone. I introduced myself a couple of months ago. And my

first post after that got very " quip- short " responses.

I have my ups and downs like all of you I'm sure. I just can't seem

to get this under control. If you don't really have a heart and

cannot respond from experience, please don't! I am looking for a

sincere response that I can do something with. With that said, I

would like to know if just doing Protein shakes for a few days is

ok. I had a Distal RNY with gallbladder removal in Feb. 2001. I

lost 167 lbs. I had started at 406. I am walking without the cane I

had before surgery, I look a lot better, and I can walk and sit most

anywhere without trouble. BUT...the emotional eating and the

lonliness have gotten to me. I've been in Minnesota for 3 years and

I don't think I've ever been anywhere that I felt so alone. I

basically lived in Los Angeles California for 28 years prior. I just

can't make friends here. And the area I live in is the worst! If

your not catholic or don't have a family and children you might as

well not be here! So given that all of this is happening, and no, I

cannot financially afford to move. I'm in therapy. And I don't

think anything I've heard from therapy or others has worked. I don't

know, maybe I'm just too different. I just can't feel happy about

this surgery. I want so much to eat sugar, like pie and ice cream !

I know I knew this was the way it would be. I know that I still have

50 lbs or more to lose, I'm at 230 now and I'm 5'7. Its just I can't

feel good and I've tried to keep eating meat and chicken and my blood

levels are barely ok. I don't have my test results yet given to me,

I'm going to get them in November. Until then, I was wondering if

anyone would care to be my email buddy and help me get through this.

I am really reaching out here, so if your not sincere, don't bother,

please. I'm not always depressed, but am off and on. I did go off of

the Celexa because it wasn't helping and they wanted to put me on

something stronger. I'm very sensitive to drugs and can't take high

dosages, even with surgery. I'm very spiritual, connected to God and

Goddess. I'm doing all I can through meditation and faith in

God/Goddess to keep going. I thought from reading the posts maybe my

answer is protein drinks. But, I'm not sure. Has anyone experienced

some of this? Also, the worst thing is, I am very attractive and Men

now come on to me that didn't and its very scary. I think I'm having

to deal with a lot at once, I don't think keeping people down with

drugs so they don't " emote " so much that it bothers people, or that

keeps them from feeling anything so everyone around them is happy. I

don't think its right! I am real, I feel, and I have the right to

express who I am. But it seems the medical profession wasn't just

happy controlling my weight, but now they want my emotions too! Yes,

I'm a bit angry, but I'll get over it. I just want to hope that

there is someone else out there who is real! This is not an easy

journey and it sucks doing it alone. Maybe I'm too real for you, but

I'm still putting this out.. for one more time. I hope you will find

it in your heart to hear where I'm coming from. Blessings to you all

in your journey. Thanks, I know this is long.

sunstar

Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

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October 9, 2002