Serious Questions about Sweets

So, I've been thinking about all of the "goodies" that are advertised for people to eat after bariatric surgery. Do many of you buy these items? If so, can you be specific about what you buy? I am also pretty fearful of putting anything too sweet in my mouth (even if it does have protien and nosugar sweetener). I feel a little like an alcoholic might - only my source has been food...so I guess I would be called a foodaholic. I feel like if I put something in my mouth that I've been addicted to in the past, I will "fall off the wagon" and not be successful. This is a true fear for me - anyone else feel like this? I so want to be successful and eat out of necessity and not out of addiction. I've been through, and continue to go through counseling, and feel like I have a better understanding of why I was such an emotional eater, and how the addiction came about....but even if it is artificial sweetener, I dont' want it to trigger some other "sweet tooth" item that I have enjoyed in the past. Is this something I should be worrying about? I'd like some input !!!

Gayla - I haven't had my surgery yet, but here's how I think about those things. 1. I've been told by many people that your tastes change (sometime drastically) after surgery -- i.e., you may not care for sweets any more. 2. Items with high quantities of fake sweetener or fake fat in them are just basically unhealthy. They replace a natural thing with some chemical that is, invariably, bad for you. I have a supply of sugar free jello -- probably not the healthiest thing in the world, but after surgery, if I want something sweet, I figure that's where I'll start. Hopefully, I won't need to go much further than that. Linda

Hi Gayla, I can only speak for myself, but I need to be able to have a little something sweet now and then so I don't feel deprived. Sugar-free Lifesavers and Jolly Ranchers have been great for me so far. Also, sugar free pudding has been good-I get some protein in but also it's dessert. Lisa

Gayla, at first, when you stomach is so small, you will find that food doesn't have the appeal that it once did. I don't know how to describe it, but eating becomes a job, not something you live for. It is something that is hard to comprehend before surgery. I never have done artificial sweetners, I just dont really like the taste of them. But, I had the DS surgery, not the RNY, so no dumping. That being said, I can eat one mini candy bar, and stop. I no longer have the compulsion to eat the whole bag. And I was definately a sugar addict before surgery. My good friend ( who, by the way, had her DS with Dr. Deveney) is having food issues still. She is taking the best class on mindful eating in Corvallis, and it is helping a ton! So I guess what I am saying is that there is no way of anticipating what things will be like for you after surgery. Gather info, but don't worry. It may no longer be an issue for you, or if it is, you can deal with it as it comes. It's kinda like lab work, if something is low, you tweak your suppliments and get it back up. If you still have eating issues, you take a class, or see a therapist, or go on a sugar detox, or whatever it takes. Diana One big huge tip, whenever I find myself craving sugar, I drink a protien drink. For some reason, it will kill the cravings for me.

You people are all fabulous! Thank you so much for the support and encouragement. I think that I will go get some sugar free jello, and I also think that I will start using the extra protien if I need to to stop the cravings. I so appreciate your input! Were you all as nervous and anxious as I am in all of this waiting period???? Gesch

Well, I waited three years to get my surgery, and by that time, I was more than ready to do it! Even so, I remember thinking "what in the heck am I doing" more than once. If I didn't know it was my only option, I might have been tempted to back out! Oh, and I did have "buyers remorse" for the first eight weeks after surgery ( especially since I had a major stall three weeks out, and I knew I would be the one the surgery didn't work for)! That is totally normal for some of us, and it soon passed. Diana

You are using some terminology I am not familiar with...."major stall"....what does that mean. I think it means you didn't lose any weight during that time - is that correct???

Yes, you are correct, After my third week from surgery, I did not lose any weight for three weeks. I wondered if I would ever start losing again. But, I finally figured out that it was just my bodies' pattern. I was one of those who would not lose anything for three weeks, then overnight, drop seven pounds.

I guess it will depend on which surgery you have. I also had surgery at OHSU, I had Duodenal Switch. I see you are having Dr. Deveney, and I know he does the DS. To answer your question I usually have some sweets every day. Nothing like pre-op, but I still enjoy them. As far as artificial sweeteners I use Splenda in my tea & I drink diet pop or Crystal Light. Goodies was a big part of why I chose the DS. I really do love to eat, so it was a great choice for me. With the DS you don't have the issue of dumping syndrome & you can eat normal sized meals. I have enjoyed this for the past 2+ years, and have been below goal for about a year now. I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery! Isha -220 pounds www.duodenalswitch.com