Expert: Karla K. - 10/18/2008

Question
I had the R/Y surgery two years ago. I have done extremely well. I lost 115lbs or more. I weigh 165 now. I weighted aprox. 280 when I started. I am having sugar cravings!!! I did not have this before the surgery. I ate sweets but I did not crave them as I do now. What can I do to stop this.
Its like an addiction. I just have to have it all day long and can't seem to stop. I still get full when I should.
Also I was told not to drink while eating before, during or after because it will cause the food, calories, nutrients etc. to be pushed down through before my body will absorb it. Is this true? It seems reasonable to think this, and could this benefit me if I drink when I eat the wrong things?
Other than the cravings I am doing great But I find myself having a hard time fluctuating up and down 2-5 pounds because of this craving sweets problem.

Thank You
Gail  

Answer
Hi Gail:

Congratulations on your success.  Regarding the craving for sweets, usually having a little will make you want more.  I'm assuming if you dumped on sweets, you no longer do now.  You can try going low-carb (less than 30-40 grams/day) for a week.  Sometimes avoiding most carbs and sweets can help you break the craving.  Another thing to check would be your bloodwork, because sometimes deficiencies manifest themselves as cravings.

As for drinking while eating, the concern is that it will push food from your pouch through your stoma faster... and thus, you'll eat more.  It's not a nutrient thing.  Your body malabsorbs a certain percentage of nutrients and calories based on the amount of small intestine your surgeon bypassed.  It has nothing to do with how much you drink or do not drink while you eat.

A 2-5 pound fluctuation is fine.  I would have a game plan set to follow if it hits 5 pounds, though.  So maybe when you find yourself five pounds above your normal weight, you cut out all unrefined carbs or add an extra exercise session.  If you hit 10 pounds, maybe that's a trigger to make an appointment with your surgeon's nutritionist or sign-up for Weight Watchers or NutriSystem.  Having a plan in place will help you maintain long into the future.

Hope this helps!
Karla