Is it hard to give up carbs

I haven't had surgery yet, will on Oct 25 2006, and some of my problems with food, besides eating way too much, is carbs. I love them, cereal in the morning, toast, bread, noodles, rice, and of course ice-cream,-----you get the picture. Well, my question is has anybody had a hard time saying good-bye to that stuff. I do realize we are allowed to eat them only after we eat our protien first, then vegs, then fruit and then if there is any room left have some carbs. Is it hard to not want to dive into the carbs first? Do any of you just not eat them anymore and are you satisified? Just wanted to hear from some one with a similar food preference. Thanks Ann

that scares me too. Sorry I have no answer to your question, but I am having surgery eventually too.. and Im a carb addict.

Dear Ann, I thought the same thing. I loved carbs. The sweets, the more fried stuff, the rice, pasta and breads.........yep. But....there was a HUGE change I underwent when I had my WLS.....it's like my brain had surgery too......well sort of. More like MY TASTEBUDS WENT ..........EW GROSS!!!!!!!! I tried that stuff on and off. After WLS. To see how it tasted. Fries were like fried cardboard. Ice cream was hard to do because I became lactose intolerant, and find I just dont like the sweet stuff. Pasta, It doesnt sit well with me, it causes me to feel full fast and there is no protein value so it's empty calories. I don't like the texture now either. As for rice, NO NO. It absorbs the liquids I eat and BAM it expands and WOW it hurts. And you learn real fast what tastes yucky and what is good. I hardly crave anything anymore. Honest. And I just eat for the nutritional value now, because I have literallyl NO appetite to speak of. Sure, I indulge myself now and then, but it isn't the same, and I don't miss anything I use to enjoy. Not one bit. I have learned to enjoy my protein drinks, my protein bars, and my occasional treat now and then between my meals. Which are of course small and minimal to my former eating habits. I am a former carb sugar addict. One who sat for hours eating and gorging myself with garbage. I dont care about it anymore, and honestly, it doesn't appeal to me. Once you have the surgery, give yourself time to adjust to the lifestyle. And I mean time. More like 1 year at least. Things change as you advance, and progress. I wish you happy days ahead and big hugs.... it will be fine! Stacey

Hey Stacey, thanks a lot, that is soooooo good to hear! I sure hope that I have that same reaction to carbs as you did and do!! You give me hope girl! Thanks again, Ann

Boy do your tastes change once you have this surgery. I hated the taste of yogurt but now will eat the Blue Bunny carb countdown like it's the best thing on earth. I was so looking forward to having some egg drop soup so when I could finally have it, I bought some. It just didn't taste the same so the expectation was unfulfilled. I can have a piece of toast or an english muffin but find that once I'm done eating the protein, there's no room left for the other. I tried pizza but ended up eating the toppings and throwing the crust away because it just didn't sit well. I had a Lean Cuisine meal that had chicken and a pasta side but by the time I was finished with the chicken, I was full and the pasta went into the garbage. Tonight I'm making spaghetti with meat sauce. I'm looking forward to it but I bet I eat the meat and cheese and maybe a couple bites of the pasta. I've found that by the time you're allowed the carbs in the solid foods, you're so well trained that you really don't want them. I'm very happy to have my s/f pudding while my husband is eating no sugar added ice cream (I do lick the serving spoon though just for the taste).

Ann, Boy, do I know what you mean. My taste has changed dramatically. Prior to my orientation, I was a vegetarian. I have tried several things I used to eat as a vegetarian. It was a no go. I have found myself eating things I never thought I would. You are correct about the no room thing too. I have been wanting to try different fruits and veggies, but do not have the space once I have eaten my protein. I tried the bread thing too. It went ok, but I am not overly anxious to eat it again. Soon to have a face, Phyllis Gilbert

Honestly, right after surgery, you can't eat enough carbs to hurt you. I still ate potatoes , or chicken and rice soup and was fine.....right now at two years out i can finally eat bread, but i don't like it much. I was a big carb junkie pre op, but it all changed after surgery., My cravings changed so much, to where i craved proteins instead. You'll be okay, just take it one day at a time and keep your eye on the big picture. Hugs Linda

Carbs make you crave carbs. That's a bad plan in anybodies book. The good thing is if you have RNY they will make you sick so negative reinforcement is wonderful. Once you beat them keep them at bay and you'll be fine. As far as diving is concerned,,, I am never hungry anymore so there are no hankerin for what hurts us. Dr. Kole and Dr. Schuhknecht are both wondering why I haven't felt hunger. I'm an oddity. kp kp

Thanks for all your replys, I still find it hard that my taste will change, that would be wonderful. This board is going to be such a help to me, you have given me proof of that!!! Later, Ann

Ann, they told me before surgery that my tastes would change. My answer then was "Yeah, right"! I will never eat yogurt. OMG, I'm eating those words. Your tastes do change. Things I loved before just don't taste as good and things that tasted really bad (yogurt) now taste good. I told my NUT last time, that I don't care how much my tastes have changed, I will NOT eat liver, lol.