Question:
Does anyone take diet medications to cut the cravings?
My questions is long so please be patient. My surgery was on Sept. 24 2002 and so far I have lost 67lbs. Although I'm extremely happy for the loss, it has been a struggle. I feel hungry all the time to the point my stomach actually growls. My Doc said 3 meals a day mainly protein. I did this and starved! I have tried eating 5-6 times a day. This has helped, but not enough. I think about food more now than before my surgery! When I do eat is almost always protein. I have completely cut out sugar and caffiene. I drink 2 liters (or more) of fluids I keep my carbs to an absolute minimum. I work out 5 days a week at Curves (which I absolutely LOVE) plus I do a Richard Simmons or a Walk of the Pounds everynight! I have taken this surgery VERY seriously and don't regret my decision to have surgery at all. However, I didn't realize the "head hunger" would be so great. I'm not sure it is "head hunger" because my stomach is growling. I've talked to my doc and he dosen't seem to be interested in my concerns. He keeps reassuring me that my weight loss may be slower than average because muscle weighs more than fat. Has anyone ever taken medication that would supress the feeling of hunger? I hate the thought of adding another pill to all my many suppliments, but I feel desperate. I was hoping to be the kind of post-op that said, "gosh, I've forgotten to eat" Please! Any comments, ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! — Arlene C. (posted on February 23, 2003)
February 23, 2003
Protein shakes. Simple as that. Find one you can tolerate (I actually
like the way certain ones taste) and drink it everytime you have a craving.
Works very well for me. (I am currently addicted to ProScore 100
Chocolate with 6 oz water, crushed ice and 2 tsp smuckers natural peanut
butter -- oil taken off the top of course -- blended well). Get to
vitalady.com and order some samples...ask the 800 line what the top sellers
are and try those. I don't care what anyone else says about eating vs.
drinking your protein, the shakes curb the hunger. Period. Good luck and
God Bless!
— Kimberly L.
February 23, 2003
If you're hungry, eat more. With all of the exercise you're doing, eating
more is not going to sabotage your weight loss, it may actually speed it
up. Your doctor's instructions for 3 meals a day sounds like a good plan
for someone who sits around on their duff and just waits for the weight to
come off (and believe me, PLENTY of WLS'ers DON'T exercise), but if you're
working out a lot, you gotta eat more. Bottom line, if you're hungry, EAT!
Just make wise choices. Congratulations on your weight loss so far and your
commitment to health! :-)
— Angie M.
February 23, 2003
I find that when I work out a lot, and especially if I've ratcheted up my
exercise recently, I get more hungry until my body adjusts to the new
activity level. I wonder if that could be a factor for you? Which leads
me to ask, what's your calorie intake these days? Is it possible you're
really not eating enough? It sounds contradictory, but sometimes
increasing calorie intake (especially if your exercise is up significantly)
can cause your body to lose more efficiently. I think going to 5-6 meals a
day was a smart move, to see how you'd do, and staying high protein is
great. BTW, 67 pounds in five months is excellent IMHO.<P>I also
like protein shakes (and also use Proscore 100 Chocolate), but I'm not sure
I'd say they actually curb my appetite -- though I've read opinions from
others who also say they're a big help.
— Suzy C.
February 23, 2003
You are working out so much that it seems to me you are not getting enough
food in. I, like you, work out constantly, but I eat because I burn off so
many calories. I lose weight. Think about how many calories you eat a day
and how many you burn. Is it enough?
— Regina C.
February 23, 2003
Please, please, please don't do it. Just this weekend, Florida's
Commissioner of Agriculture said he was planning on banning the diet
"aid" ephedrine (Ephedrine, the diet aid found in products like
Xenadrine and Metabolife) after last Monday's death of an Orioles Baseball
player who was trying to lose a few pounds. Please try other things first.
Find a nutritionist, find a gym, find a healthy alternative first. Read
the story I mentioned:
http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/localstoryA44732A.htm
I too, thought about taking some "fatburners" to help me speed up
my loss, but not anymore. I'll be the slowest loser in history of WLS
before I take anything like that.... FYI, I am not the slowest loser, but I
certainly am not the quickest, however it is coming off. --Jen, rny
11/12/02
— Mrs. Rich
February 23, 2003
— vitalady
February 23, 2003
I agree with the previous posts, you're exercising, so it's okay to eat!
And I think it's great you are eating more smaller meals a day. I usually
do 3 small meals, plus 3 supplements of some kind, which I count as meals.
I exercise 5 times a week like you do, and I find I want to eat all day! I
usually average eating every 2 hours. (I also have an ulcer, so food makes
my stomach feel better) Believe me, I uncerstand the cravings, but I do eat
carbs. When you're working out alot, cardio or lifting weights, especially
with lifting, your body needs some kind of carbs or you will feel weak and
dizzy. Often after a workout, I'll eat a sandwich or sub with meat and
cheese, but I do eat the bread, too. I find when I just eat straight
protein after it, I feel weak and not right. I know the cravings can be
hard, but I definately don't suggest taking any pills. Even with the pills
that say "ephedra free" have some form of it in it, or something
else that isn't right for you. Stick with eating more often, and you will
lose weight. Sometimes I think I eat so much, then count my calories and
its less than 1000 and I'm so surprised! For me personally, I am 8 1/2
months out and work out alot, so I need more than that. Congrats on your
weight loss- it's a great accomplishment!
— Lezlie Y.
February 23, 2003
Arlene, I agree with the others. If you are hungry, EAT. You work out
enough that you should be able to eat every few hours without a problem.
What is your calorie intake? Also don't be afraid of carbs-complex carbs.
If you work out alot, you need some carbs in your diet.
— Cindy R.
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