QUESTION ABOUT SUGAR INTAKE POSTOP

I've read a lot about sugar intake causing dumping postop but not much regarding the less obvious culprits... for example; of course something as sweet as a candy bar is a given but what about certain fruits that are naturally high in sugar such as grapes? Or salad dressings that might have 2-3 grams per tbs, or bread with 3-4 grams? Do I have to give up ALL sugars? Please--- some answers! This has been driving me crazy- it should be no problem with buying food from the grocery store that I will have labels to refer to but what about in a restaurant or potluck? Michelle

Michelle, Here is what the BTC gave me regarding sugar. First thing is to know the difference between the good sugars (naturally occuring) and the bad sugars (processed). Here are the bad sugars: Brown sugar, Corn syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Dextrose, Glucose, Honey, Invert Sugar, Maple Sugar, Maltose, Molasses, Raw Sugar, Sucrose, Sugar, and Sorghum. Now for the good sugars: Fructose (naturally occuring in fruits and fruit juices), Lactose (sugar naturally occuring in milk and dairy products); Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal), Acesulfame K (Sunett), Sucralose (Spelnda), Isomalt, Stevia, Saccharin (Sweet N Lom Sugar Twin), natural occuring sugar in vegetables.) I was told to read labels first. If something has 2 grams of sugar or less per serving it is okay. If it has more than 2 grams of sugar I have to read the ingredients to determine if the sugar is coming from a bad source or good source. Sure it takes time reading hte labels, but I have yet to dump becuase I am careful about my intake. I use Splenda a lot and substitute it when recipes call for sugar. I hope this helps. Janine

I know they say sugars are bad, etc. But I have had NO problems with sugar intake and causing dumping. Very rarely have I had dumping syndrome, and it wasnt from sugar (ok, once it was) However, noticing the foods you mentioned, I was told I could not eat salads for a while, as I can not process them, and grapes must have the skins removed, so that answers the questions to the two foods you mentioned! lol. some ppl can not even drink milk, because it does have the lactose in it, I have had no problems with that, and some days sugars affect ppl differently! everyone is different! lol. hope this helps a bit! as far as potlucks/ restaurants, stick with basic foods you know what the ingredients are. I eat a lot of potatoes, because I know there is no sugar, and they are good for Me, give me energy! anyhow, My 2 Cents worth Judi

One follow-up that I feel needs to be mentioned, especially for people just starting their research on WLS. The TYPE of surgery you have has a direct bearing on the amount of sugar. If your surgury is restrictive only, then sugar will not affect you. Restrictive surgeries are those in which they change the size ofhte stomach (i.e. add a band, etc) and do no touch your intestines. If the surgery is for restiction and malabsorption (that is they by pass part of your intestines, then you will probably have to watch the sugar. The doudenal switch type of surgery is the only one I am unfamiliar with when it comes to sugar intake. I hope this information helps.