Question for my RNYers

Hello everyone! I have a quick little question I needed to ask you guys. Ok, I have my surgery coming up on April 6th and I was wondering about something. I have a certain way that I like to diet, what I do is go real hard for like 2 weeks or so. Then, I'll take one day where I basically have what I want and it's been working like a charm! However, I know with the RNY you can't have sweets. But I'm a real big fan of the cookies, cakes & pies lol (don't judge me). So I was wondering are there any RNYers out there who still have sweets? Oh, and yeah alcohol? (don't judge me lol)

Not all RNYers dump.  I think the number is around 30%, but don't quote me on it.  My goal with my surgery is to eat normally and (eventually) to maintain my weight.  I can eat sweets, sugar, chocolate without dumping.  My pouch is inconsistent, so I never really know what will set it off.  The earlier out you are the tougher sugars are. 

Don't go into RNY thinking it will keep you off the sweets, it probably won't.  It worked for about 4 months for me, then I started testing the waters. 

Just my 2 cents.

Kay

Dr. Cavazos was my surgeon too. I really like him and his staff.

I still eat the occasional cookie, donut, or treat. I make one day a month my "free pass" day. I'll watch how much I eat but I don't worry about WHAT I am eating as long as I get my protein in. HOWEVER, I also waited until I was at goal to do that. I still don't drink alcohol other than an occasional sip off my whatever my hubby is drinking if it sounds good. As long as you are aware of Alcholism being the #1 transfer addiction and you are still wanting an occasional drink I'd wait until your program releases you for it. It will hit you harder and faster than it does pre-WLS. I'd try it at home the first couple of times after your released by your Dr. That way if you do have an unexpected reaction you are in the safety of your own home.

Initially and for the first couple months you will have NO alcohol and no sweets, at all. I do understand about the cheat day concept but RNY is all or nothing. Its a total life change....I am a big social drinker, too, but that is out for now.

I do have friends that are a year or two out from RNY and they indulge in small amounts of stuff from time to time. I've seen my SIL have slivers of birthday cake and occasionally a few drinks.

I am like Katie... occasional sweets (in small to moderate amounts, of course) and "free" days of counting only protein... but I was very close to goal when I started the "free" days.  It is really important to modify your eating ahbits early on, because once you lose the caloric malabsorption, and your pouch can hold more food, all you will ahve to rely on to keep you from gaining weight is the lesser restriction of the pouch and your new eating habits.  If you start indulging too soon, you will likely not develop the habits you will need to be successful... and, trust me, it is VERY easy to regain once you are 2-3 years out!

Lora

Hi Lora,

I would like to clarify, so right now I am almost 3 months out my surgeon told me right now I am absorbing calories, and that I a only malabsorb nutrients not calories. Can you clarify.

I'm not sure why your surgeon would tell you that.  With a RNY you will always malabsorb nutrients, but you also malabsorb calories and fat for the first 12-18 months.  The calorie malabsorption gradually fades as your intestines adapt to the bypass by growing new villi and extending the existing ones.  At 3 months out, you definitely are not absorbing all the calories and fat you are eating.  That is the whole point of the the bypass... to malabsorb the calories initially to get the weight off quickly.

Lora

I'm not Lora, but I'll answer anyway

Over time, usually 6 months to 18 months, you lose the CALORIC malabsorption that gives you the extra boost in the beginning. I know of no test, no way to tell when the malabsorption is officially over. Your doc might have a general time frame that he uses to tell his patients, but only your gut really knows if it is getting in all the nutrients.

when I ate higher fat amounts I could see a sheen of oil in the toilet (TMI****il about 2 years out. That to me indicated I was malabsorbing fats still. But I had a much longer bypass than usual, which meant that the caloric malabsorption would take longer than average to be overcome.

I would never COUNT on the malasbsorption of calories and just work to make my habits better

It might go something like this regarding FATS and Proteins (not carbs)

Months 1 & 2 50% malabsorption (for every 100 calories of fat/protein, you absorb 50, excrete 50)
Month 3 = 40%
Month 4 = 30%
Month 5 = 20
Month 6 = 10
Months 7 - 12 you diminish down to no malabsorption

I doubt at three months you are DONE with it, but don't COUNT on it. And your doc may know something I don't know, and that's fine too.

This site has all kinds of recipes. I tried the chocolate mint cake...was to die for! All sugar free.

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2010/04/that- takes-cake.html

I would get the syrups not from shop.torani.com, they are having a special on their SF syrups. Type the word "skinny" for the promo code and you get 20% off your entire order! This is only good until March 31st!

I don't judge, I think we are all in this mess cause of our love of sweets (and alcohol). I had my surgery March 2nd, and I so wanted a beer last night!

Good luck with your surgery!