Eating Ice Cream after bypass surgery??

I went to a support group (I am still waiting for insurance approval) and a few of the people in there mentioned that they are able to eat some ice cream after bypass surgery w/o getting dumping syndrome.  I am confused- I thought any amount of real sugar would make you very sick but you could have things made with Splenda?  They are eating regular ice cream...

Also, I am almost 50 y.o., 300 lbs, and wonder how much loose skin should I expect to have afterwards?  I already have stretch marks over my body as I have been very overweight all my life...

It varies from person to person how much sugar is tolerated.  But you are right real ice cream is a no no.  At almost 3 yrs out I dumped on it on my birthday.  I like wow cow sugar free.  Expect some loose skin.  I was 281 at my highest and I have a fair amount of it.  I strategically hide it though.  Jess

Ice cream is kind of a mixed hazzard for WLSers, if you think about it ..   

 The regular variety:  you have to worry about lactose intolerance (which many get after surgery) and the high carbs/sugar content (e.g. dumping and/or weight gain) ..   

 The "no sugar added" or "low sugar" or "sugar-free" variety:  less worry about the sugar content, but you may have to be careful of whether it is sweetened with sugar alcohols (which can cause dumping for some patients or diarrhea for anyone if too much is eaten) and you still have the lactose intolerance concerns ..    Also, just b/c a food does not contain a lot of sugar does not mean necessarily that it is also low carb .. 

I don't dump on anything whatsoever. I can eat any amount of regular ice cream (with sugar) no problem. I don't eat much ice cream, but I have tried it. Loose skin? Yes, you will likely have quite a lot of it. But, I'll take the loose skin over fat any day.

I do dump after ice cream. One of my favorite treats. I have only had it a few times and they is the way I plan on keeping it.
Loose skin- I too would rather have that then the fat. I work out three days a week to help build muscle in hopes that will help some.

Hi

I have not tried commercial ice cream since surgery but I do make my own ice cream.  Michelle aka "eggface" has some wonderful protein ice cream recipes on her blog.  I love it and will eat fresh fruit ice cream as breakfast every day.  Yumm! 

I am 56 and I know I will have loose skin.  I can already seen some.  It will be different on everyone but I figure I would rather deal with the skin than the excess weight. 

Skinny Cow  and Weigh****chers are NOT a problem for me... I like the taste of both..... I do NOT eat them all the time.... but when I get the taste for ice cream either one will satisfy me. Best Wishes to you!
Leticia

I do dump, but it takes a fair amount of sugar to make it happen.  Sugar alcohols, which can be very high in "sugar free" items sometimes makes me feel shaky and queasy.  I can tolerate just a bite of real ice cream (I have purposely not treid more than that out of fear of getting back into bad habits), and I personally would rather have just one bite of a high quality real ice cream (which will NOT make me feel bad and tastes SO good)  than a whole half cup (or more) of the "no sugar added" stuff (which might make me feel bad).

My highest weight was about 330, and i'm in my mid 40s.  I have a LOT of extra skin.  I have already had a panniculectomy and and about to have brachioplasty (arms) done.  My thighs look like they belong on an elephant, but I probably will not have anything done to them.  Heredity plays a role in whether or not your skin snaps back at all, but --unfortunately -- at your age and with your lifelong history of obesity, you should probably prepare to be seeing lots of sagging skin.  It's unsightly, but you will FEEL so much better without the extra weight!

Lora

I have had a few bites of real ice cream but if I want ice cream as a treat I eat no sugar added fudgcicles or Skinny Cow or Absolutely Free bars.  Even before surgery I preferred having it in controlled portions.

I can eat one of those super small kids size cones from dairy queen without getting sick, or about a half a scoop of regular hard ice cream.  Sugar free versions are worse for me because of the gas they cause and the umm farting.  I do love ice cream and still eat it, just try to keep it to a minimum.

As for loose skin, you are gonna probably have quite a bit, if you want to see my plastics before and after pics add me as a friend.  Stretch marks are indicative of overly stretched out skin, believe me I know this first hand, its not pretty, but you will feel so much better with the weight off.

Good Luck
Hugs Heidi