Sugar question

I was told that after surgery I would not be able to eat sugar again. Is that just refined sugar? They said I would have a "dumping syndrome". Don't want that. I was wondering if I can eat the stuff from the health food stores and organic type sugar or does it mean every kind of sugar? A friend of mine said she uses the stuff from specialty store and can't taste a difference but she isn't overweight or anything.

Everyone has a different sensitivity. Many dump from just a little bit of sugar, some it takes a lot. I don't dump on sugar, so I can have the occasional sugary treat. I am a sugar holic, so I try to just stay away from it. I use Splenda most of the time. I know sugar is not good for me, so I try to avoid it. I would assume that if you dumped on regular refined sugar, that you would dump on organic. Organic just means it was grown without the use of chemicals and pesticides. I know a lot of health food places sell Stevia...which I believe is plant based. Not sure how an RNY'er would react to that? I've never tried it. Hugs, Elizabeth

YOu are right you don't want to dump.. just ask anyone here that has done it.. NOT FUN. I know it' sounds like a big deal not having sugar anymore though with all the sugar free options out there and Splenda, you really can get by with out sugar and not miss it. I know I haven't missed having real sugar and I am almost a year out already, how time flies.

Everyone is different when it comes to the sugar issue. It is unfortunate that I can not use Splenda or sugar alcohols, I dumped really bad on those, so I am very limited on sugar free foods. I have had as much as 12 grams of sugar at one time and nothing happened to me, it's not alot but it might cause some people to dump, even on much less sugar. So it will be a trial and error thing and just pray you don't ever dump, it's not a fun experience. I have no desire for sweets since my surgery, so it's not a problem. Most everything is way too sweet and taste nasty to me, so I am lucky on that part. Hope you get it figured out without too many problems. Take Care! Mary

I dump on all kinds of sugar except natural sugar...meaning tomatoes and apples, bananas and real fruits. I do not drink fruit juices though, and I still stay under 5-6gms of sugar per serving/meal of the natural sugars as well. If I go over that, I get sick. Fats as well as carbs make me dump too as well as eating too fast. :puke: I just eat only splenda and also stay clear of sugar alcohols because they too make me sick. I am sooo glad I dump. If you want to know if you dump, just drink some sweetened iced tea and you will find out really quickly.....that will get sugar in your system quick and in a hurry and you will find out. I found out by eating about a quarter sized piece of brownie and one time by mistake Arby's gave me sweetened iced tea so I got really sick and when I figured out it was sweet, I knew I had to get home quick!! Good Luck, hope you dump, but hope you don't have to pay to find out Deb

I can eat about three bites of almost anything without dumping. That means I get a taste of anything I want, and, to be honest, three bites will usually fill me up (especially when it comes to dessert). Some people don't dump at all; some adjust and stop dumping several months after surgery. But much as we hate it, bariatric professionals will tell you that dumping is a good thing -- it's a built-in support to keep you eating correctly. I only have trouble with sugar alcohols if I eat too much, so I stick to three bites of things with sugar alcohols, too, but I have no problem at all with Splenda. So it's a definite "It depends on your body!" sort of thing. Lisa

Everyone has a different tolerance, but no matter if you dum*****t, it is just plain wise to stay away from sugar, organic or not ... Even watching items like honey, white carbs (turns to sugar in your system) & fruits & fruit juices. The rule of thumb is to keep your total sugar intake to 4 grams per serving ... But, remember, your total carbs matter as well as carbs turn to sugar in your system. Carbs & sugars turn on a chemical in your body that signals it to "store fat". Protein turns on a chemical in your body that signals it to "use fat" for energy ... On top of that, eating too many sugars & white carbs will also make you hungrier faster & will shoot your blood sugars sky high, then drop them fast giving you that tired feeling after eating ... Plus sugary foods & white carbs have very little nutritional value ... Go for your proteins first, then things like low-carb dairy (Hood Carb Countdown Milk Drink is super - white, chocolate & fat free from Wal*Mart), green veges, fruits & grains ... I think that's the order ... Look on my profile. I have a post about "The Great White Carb Debate" with the order of foods in their importance. Remembering that your calorie intake is so very low that by the time you have a couple bites of protein, a sip of milk, a bite or 2 of veges, fruits or grains, you'll be ready to pop you'll be so full. The only 2 things you can die of is not ingesting enough protein & not drinking enough fluids. Lacking other items can cause your health to decline, but the protein & the fluids are an absolute "must". So, be sure to take quality supplements that are formulated just for gastric bypass patients. I have a formula in my profile that you can use to calculate how many grams of protein you need each day to stay healthy. I also have an article on the benefits of drinking water. Everything is confusing in the beginning & your tastes will change day to day ... Just relax & in the beginning, just focus on protein & fluids for the first month or so, then add other healthy foods as you can tolerate them, leaving sugars & white carbs for an occasional treat ... It gets easier & easier Ms Teresa. God bless you ... Dawn & Nick