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Thanks for the correction, I must have written that down wrong at the info sesh.  Like you, I do want the physical consequences to eating sugar, etc.  So it is likely that 12-24 mos post-op you can expect a lessening of those "coaching" mechanisms? Interesting...

It's true that they can lessen, but I think of this time after surgery, the Honeymoon Phase as my time to learn how to eat healthy.

Just like when I quit smoking in 2012.  I used the nicotine patch to help me stay away long enough to change my habits of smoking, and then when I felt like I could handle it I stopped the patch.

I'm currently training myself of eat.  

That's a great way to think of it.  If I can't develop new habits in 12-24 months, I'm in real trouble.

It depends on what you mean by coaching. Only about 30% of RNY patients will have what they call dumping syndrome (or rapid gastric emptying). That occurs when you eat too much sugar. And only when you eat too much sugar.

Mayo Clinic explains dumping syndrome

I was one of the 30%. It's my understanding that if you have it then it will never go away. And if you do have it you will most likely learn down to the gram how much sugar you can have at any one time. As time passes you may be able to eat more sugar before dumping, however. That information is good and bad depending on how you use it. A lot of patients like to "test" to see if they dump after surgery. My advice is not to do this because you will probably find out accidentally like I did. My SF latte was not SF. It's not an experience I wish on anyone.

You might have similiar symptoms if you eat too much fat early on or too many carbs. I had it if I ate too much fat. I hate to say this but you will learn to recognize the difference between dumping and just eating the wrong thing.

What you do lose between that 12-24 period is the malabsorption of calories. So I do encourage you to take full advantage of that period.

And I was able to "relearn" how and what to eat. It started when I began to realize exactly how little food we really needed to live. I took the time to walk away from my trigger foods (like pizza...I'm 4 years pizza free! And taco bell...said goodbye preop and I have never gone back). That's important. Learn to live without those things. It's tough at first. But after a few months it's a habit. A little while longer and it's just how you live and you do stop missing a lot of those things. Like pasta. I call my spaghetti sauce spa-chili (my husband likes cannellini beans in it so it's not far off) and eat it pasta free. Scrape all the good stuff of the lasagna noodles and toss those.

Sorry for long response. I'm very wordy today. But I feel good a vibe from you so I want you to be as prepared as possible. And you can only be so prepared for all of this. The rest is learn as you go. I never had kids but I think that's a simliar process.

Thank you so much for this!  I really appreciate having someone who has gone through the process offer her experiences.  

I am lactose intolerant, and Dr. Aranow told me to expect to become more sensitive post op.  This is actually welcome news for me, as I am often willing to suffer for my dairy.  Knowing this about myself, I will make sure to avoid the urge to test for dumping.

I can completely relate to your "4 years pizza-free" mentality.  Once I swear off something, the longer I go without it motivates me even further.  It's a sort of sobriety.

Monday 12/7/15 I am completing my mandatory attendance to a pre-op support group at Middlesex Hospital.  I'm wondering what to ask about, since it's not a meeting of people who have already gone through surgery.

Hmm, so this was actually an info session with allied health (nutrition & psych).  

Tomorrow I go for my gall bladder ultrasound and my first nutritionist appt.  My Fitness Pal has been a great resource for logging my food!