Re: Desperate Plea for Help

[Guest guest]

Dear Sharon:

I could have written the part of your letter about sugar addiction. It just

seemed to rear it's ugly head about 16 months out. I say I won't do it, and

there I am eating it without really thinking about it, because I have to

have it. Some nutritionists say that chromium picolinate, available at any

health food store will help some. For me, when I am doing 30-40 minutes of

aerobic activity daily (walking) the craving are cut in half, but are still

there. Yet it's the only thing that helps some. I've thought of rejoining

OA. I just find myself eating sugar. I don't think about it too much while

I'm in the act because I don't want to *not* do it. I'm glad it's not

crack, or I'd be way down the tubes!!!

It doesn't cause major dumping with me because I don't eat it all at once.

I eat a cookie over a half hour or even an hour, I can only eat about 1/4

pint of ice cream (used to be the whole thing). I pick up candy at every

cash register at every store I check out of...just a few little pieces.

Anyway, if you lost 120 pounds and have only regained 20 over 18 months, you

actually are doing VERY well in terms of this surgery. Some weight regain

is expected. Easier telling this to you than to me, I know. I'd freak. If

you're accepting suggestions, I'd say get out and develop a walking program

where you work up to 45 minutes of fast walking everyday. If you plan

everyday, the few you miss because of weather or whatever don't add up. If

you plan five days, you'll end up with 3, etc. I would also stick with the

solid animal proteins which are very filling and the crunch vegetables.

I share your frustration. I'm not a junkie, I'm not an alcoholic, but I am

definitely now addicted to sugar.

Bandas

Austin, TX

RNY 4-28-98, Dr. Selinkoff, San , TX

Then: 305 Now: 180

125 pounds gone forever!

Desperate Plea for Help

>

>

> I am in a bad place. Food has once again taken over my life, and I

> continue the cycle, even though it makes me miserable. The clothes

> that fit me at my lowest post-op weight have long ago been grown out

> of, but now even the stuff that I wore on the way down is getting

> tight. I'm wearing jeans today that are tight. I remember the ecstasy

> I felt when I was first able to fit into them on the way down the

> scale, and the even greater feeling when they were far too loose to

> wear anymore. No more. I'm really my old self again---obsessing on

> food, isolating myself from everyone, and hating myself for all of

> it.

> I *know* what I need to do. I know I should " get right with food. " I

> know I need to exercise. I know I need to concentrate on protein. I

> could write a book on what I know that I should be doing, even though

> I'm not doing it.

> I know that when my hand brings the doughnut to my mouth, that I

> shouldn't do it. That it will probably upset my stomach. That I will

> hate myself for the rest of the day for having indulged in that 5

> minutes of pleasure. I know that I will continue to get fatter. Yet I

> have have it in my mind that I want to eat something, there is

> nothing that can stop me. It's the very definition of an addiction,

> and I'm feeling no better than a drug addict or alcoholic.

> Jesus, re-reading this, I sound more like a pre-op than someone 1.5

> years out, but I'm still the same me that went under the knife. About

> 100 pounds lighter...who knows for how long though---used to be 120

> pounds lighter a year ago...

>

> ANYWAY, my writing all of that was just therapy for me, and I thank

> you for indulging me if you've gotten this far.

>

> My plea for help is for what is my true Achilles heel--sweets. Sugar.

> I am truly a sugar addict. You know, that

> I-want-some-chocolate-and-NOTHING-else-will-do kind of episodes. I am

> asking you all if you have any suggestions for overcoming these sweet

> cravings? I've tried Atkins and it never decreased my cravings for

> sweets. I'm trying to work the Potatoes Not Prozac book. I'm

> wondering if there is some vitamin/mineral/supplement that will

> specifically curb sugar cravings? I asked my dietician and surgeon,

> and they said there was nothing. But I bet ya'll have some ideas.

>

> Thanks for reading, and thanks for any suggestions ya'll have.

>

> Love,

> Fairfax Sharon

> RNY 4/7/98

> 275 4/98

> 159 12/98

> 181 11/99

> (How depressing to have to type that...)

> >

[Guest guest]

Ellen,

I'm interested in trying Atkins--can you tell me, did you read the book? Or is

there a website that I can find all the info on? I am familiar with the

concept but have never done the diet. Would love to get any info you have!

Thanks,

Ellen wrote:

>

>

> Hi Sharon, Sorry you're having such a hard time. I did Atkins for 8 months

> (only lost about 30 lbs but was able to maintain and really enjoy what I

> was eating. It takes at least 2 weeks for the cravings to stop but after

> that time I could really say that I no longer craved sugar which felt like

> a miracle. Atkins recommends L Glutamine (you can find it in thje vitamin

> section) to help with the sugar cravings in the first few weeks. 2 pills

> whenever you start to crave sugar. I thought it helped...Good Luck! Ellen

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

I read the book and went on it for and lost 9 pounds the first two weeks. I

think the thing I learned the most was the carbs that had been creeping into

my diet. Popcorn and occasional bread. I think its good to keep you aware of

what you are doing and my surgeon recommended it to jump start my weight

loss again. I had stalled for a while and now Im on my way down again. I had

surgery aug. of 98 and have lost 139 pounds so far. I want to get under 200.

I am at 210 or so depending on the day.

by the way heres some pics you might not have seen.

http://village.globaldrum.com/pow/OSSG/Arrianna1.jpg

The second picture is about 30 pounds ago.

Be well all. I shall look for stevia.. sounds like a good thing when those

cravings come and they are powerful.

Arrianna

>

>Reply-To: Graduate-OSSGonelist

>To: Graduate-OSSGonelist

>Subject: Re: Desperate Plea for Help

>Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 00:22:06 -0800

>

>Ellen,

>

>I'm interested in trying Atkins--can you tell me, did you read the book?

>Or is

>there a website that I can find all the info on? I am familiar with the

>concept but have never done the diet. Would love to get any info you have!

>

>Thanks,

>

>

>Ellen wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > Hi Sharon, Sorry you're having such a hard time. I did Atkins for 8

>months

> > (only lost about 30 lbs but was able to maintain and really enjoy what I

> > was eating. It takes at least 2 weeks for the cravings to stop but after

> > that time I could really say that I no longer craved sugar which felt

>like

> > a miracle. Atkins recommends L Glutamine (you can find it in thje

>vitamin

> > section) to help with the sugar cravings in the first few weeks. 2 pills

> > whenever you start to crave sugar. I thought it helped...Good Luck!

>Ellen

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> >

><< text3.html >>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cyn, I read both Atkins book and Protein Power by the Drs. Eades..as

well as The Carbohydrate Addicts diet. Atkins has a web site though I don't

know the addy. There are also Lists like the OSSG ones for the lo carb

diet. It really is a pretty enjoyable diet..all the meat, fish, cheese and

eggs etc. you want as well as real salad dressings, heavy cream in your

coffee/tea, nuts etc. NO breads, rice, potatoes, pasta, cereals, fruits

etc.... Ellen

----------

>

> To: Graduate-OSSGonelist

> Subject: Re: Desperate Plea for Help

> Date: Friday, November 12, 1999 3:22 AM

>

>

>

> Ellen,

>

> I'm interested in trying Atkins--can you tell me, did you read the book?

Or is

> there a website that I can find all the info on? I am familiar with the

> concept but have never done the diet. Would love to get any info you

have!

>

> Thanks,

>

>

> Ellen wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > Hi Sharon, Sorry you're having such a hard time. I did Atkins for 8

months

> > (only lost about 30 lbs but was able to maintain and really enjoy what

I

> > was eating. It takes at least 2 weeks for the cravings to stop but

after

> > that time I could really say that I no longer craved sugar which felt

like

> > a miracle. Atkins recommends L Glutamine (you can find it in thje

vitamin

> > section) to help with the sugar cravings in the first few weeks. 2

pills

> > whenever you start to crave sugar. I thought it helped...Good Luck!

Ellen

> >

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/15/99 6:35:17 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

bfletch@... writes:

<< Then my weight started leveling off and I wanted to lose about 20 more

pounds. I began to read about herbal products. I started taking

licorice and then added a weight loss herbal product. Not only did I

jump start my weight loss but after a few weeks I suddenly noticed I

hadn't craved sweets. In fact I actual began refusing desserts. My

family was in shock. Sweets just don't taste as good anymore and the

craving is gone. Now I don't know if this will work for everyone but I

was amazed when it worked for me. I order my herbs from Puritan Pride

who has an on-line WEB site and during part of the year they have buy 1

get 2 free. The rest of the time it is buy 1 get one free.

If you have any questions feel free to write. Hugs, Bev >>

Bev,

why don't you tell us all what you are taking and how to order. I am sure

that a lot of people would be interested in it.

Sue in Phoenix

[Guest guest]

Dear Sharon,

I hear you about the sweets. My big problem before surgery was craving

sugar big time, but after surgery I quit for a while and prayed that the

problem had gone away with surgery. But no. I started having periods

when I wanted sweets just as badly as before surgery. You know the

hunting through the kitchen cupboard for ANYTHING sweet craving.

Then my weight started leveling off and I wanted to lose about 20 more

pounds. I began to read about herbal products. I started taking

licorice and then added a weight loss herbal product. Not only did I

jump start my weight loss but after a few weeks I suddenly noticed I

hadn't craved sweets. In fact I actual began refusing desserts. My

family was in shock. Sweets just don't taste as good anymore and the

craving is gone. Now I don't know if this will work for everyone but I

was amazed when it worked for me. I order my herbs from Puritan Pride

who has an on-line WEB site and during part of the year they have buy 1

get 2 free. The rest of the time it is buy 1 get one free.

If you have any questions feel free to write. Hugs, Bev

[Guest guest]

Good email,

how about giving the name of the herbs

Re: Desperate Plea for Help

Dear Sharon,

I hear you about the sweets. My big problem before surgery was craving

sugar big time, but after surgery I quit for a while and prayed that the

problem had gone away with surgery. But no. I started having periods

when I wanted sweets just as badly as before surgery. You know the

hunting through the kitchen cupboard for ANYTHING sweet craving.

Then my weight started leveling off and I wanted to lose about 20 more

pounds. I began to read about herbal products. I started taking

licorice and then added a weight loss herbal product. Not only did I

jump start my weight loss but after a few weeks I suddenly noticed I

hadn't craved sweets. In fact I actual began refusing desserts. My

family was in shock. Sweets just don't taste as good anymore and the

craving is gone. Now I don't know if this will work for everyone but I

was amazed when it worked for me. I order my herbs from Puritan Pride

who has an on-line WEB site and during part of the year they have buy 1

get 2 free. The rest of the time it is buy 1 get one free.

If you have any questions feel free to write. Hugs, Bev

[Guest guest]

I am glad for anything that works for anyone. But many " herbal " and

" natural " remedies for weight loss on the market today are at best

ineffective and at worst very dangerous, particularly ones containing

ephedrine. Here in Texas, they now have to warn about those. I am going to

finally try stevia capsules for my sugar cravings, but I would be skeptical

of any " herbal weight loss " remedies. I mean, after going through all of

this surgery, the medical equivalent of the bomb on fat, I don't see how I

could buy into any diet industry propaganda, herbal or otherwise.

Just my $.02

Bandas

Austin, TX

RNY 4-28-98, Dr. Selinkoff, San , TX

Then: 305 Now: 180

125 pounds gone forever!

Re: Desperate Plea for Help

>

>

>

>

> Dear Sharon,

>

> I hear you about the sweets. My big problem before surgery was craving

> sugar big time, but after surgery I quit for a while and prayed that the

> problem had gone away with surgery. But no. I started having periods

> when I wanted sweets just as badly as before surgery. You know the

> hunting through the kitchen cupboard for ANYTHING sweet craving.

>

> Then my weight started leveling off and I wanted to lose about 20 more

> pounds. I began to read about herbal products. I started taking

> licorice and then added a weight loss herbal product. Not only did I

> jump start my weight loss but after a few weeks I suddenly noticed I

> hadn't craved sweets. In fact I actual began refusing desserts. My

> family was in shock. Sweets just don't taste as good anymore and the

> craving is gone. Now I don't know if this will work for everyone but I

> was amazed when it worked for me. I order my herbs from Puritan Pride

> who has an on-line WEB site and during part of the year they have buy 1

> get 2 free. The rest of the time it is buy 1 get one free.

>

> If you have any questions feel free to write. Hugs, Bev

>

> >

[Guest guest]

Hello again,

Below is the WEB site for Puritan's Pride Vitamins.

http://www.puritan.com

These are the capsules that I think work. My friend and I both take

this one and it seems to have helped us to keep losing. We are both

around 19 months from surgery. She is about 4 pounds from her goal and

I'm about 22 pounds. We have both been losing between 2 - 3 pounds a

month since we began taking these the end of August.

Buy 1 Bottle, GET 1 FREE (Total 2)

(same item, same size)

Lipotropic Action Capsules

Lipotropic Action contains a specially formulated

combination of chelated minerals,

herbs, the lipotropic substances choline and inositol,

and a unique multi-enzyme

complex. Also included in the formulation is

L-Carnitine which assists in the

breakdown of fat cells to produce energy.** Carnitine

plays an essential role in

making fatty acids available for energy in muscle

tissue.** Lipotropic Action also

includes several key ingredients that contain

antioxidant properties. **These

statements have not been evaluated by the Food and

Drug Administration. This

product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or

prevent any disease.

I tak 2 twice a day.

I also take ginger for migraines and arthritis, licorice, sassparilla

(sp?). I take the sassparilla on the theory that your body craves what

it needs and I had always craved licorice and root beer(sassparilla).

Since I started taking these two herbs on a regular basis I have lost

interest in the candy. Now this is good and bad. I loved licorice and

only drank root beer. I have trouble understanding why it doesn't taste

as good any more. It is rather like losing a childhood friend.

The only thing I'm not sure about in this is I suppose it could be

possible that as my weight has decreased 120 pounds it might have

changed the sweet craving but as there are several of us in our family

who have tremendous sweet cravings and the others don't have the weight

problem.

I'm not sure if this makes any sense or not but I hope it helps

someone. Hugs, Bev