Opinions/Experiences Wanted

OK I was thinking about something. A lady at work had GBS 2 yrs ago. She is now drinking regular Starbucks drinks. Thinking she could benefit from protein, I gave her an AchievOne. I saw her today... asked her about the drink, she said she didn't like it... and her words were, "I've been exposed to the other (Starbucks) and its ruined me..." This leads me to an observation that I think to be true... maybe not... but as long as we stick with our preferred products, or those things that are best for us as gastric bypass lifelong patients, such as sugar free, high protein, low carb, etc. then we will be ok... But if/when we go back to the old "lifestyle" eating, drinking the stuff that helped us become or remain obese, then we are in trouble... I am trying hard to not go back... ever... to those things. I read some posts where people are trying to start eating like they used to, M&Ms, cakes, cookies, cokes, etc. and I just don't understand. Did we make promises to ourselves, and our surgeons, that we would abide by the rules... do the right thing... stay true to the diet... make a lifestyle change in our diets & eating habits? What is your opinions?

Hey Melinda I don't know if Dr. Houston told you but when I went in for my consult, one of the things he kept reiterating with me was that if I ever get off track and try one thing that is not on our plan that I'm done for. I believe he's right. It may be a little extreme but this is no different than any other weightloss program for me. In the past, I'd try something off program and then I'd try a little more and a little more. I was done for after that! To be honest I'm scared to death to try anything off the program! I just pray that as time goes on I don't get braver! Janie

Melinda, I guess it is just like I said the other day when we were out, I know that I have a sugar addiction and therefore, I do not even want to try one thing that even taste sweet, because I know that I will have a problem with it. I believe it is similar to any other addiction, once you are away from it and you then have a taste of it, you are just back to where you started. However, I know that I also made a vow to myself that if I ever got the weight off, I would keep it off and I fully intend on keeping it off. THEREFORE, IF ANY OF YOU OUT THERE EVER SEE ME SLIPPING, I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO KICK MY TALE AND GET ME BACK ON TRACK........DEAL!! Shelia

Melinda R, My WLS/doctor told me to go with my feelings on the matter with food. Do not over eat stick to this amount. And sugar makes a lot of the gastric bypass people sick and some not. But once you start you wish you did not. For me I did not have much of a problem with sugar or cokes. My problem came in the form of pasta. I love it a lot. But I have something wrong with my body that leaves me wanting more and more and the pastas and breads feeds the disorder. So I stay away and when I do have something toasted in bread I have a small amount and turn away from it. I think the surgery has made me stronger where certain foods come in view. I really do not miss the food very much. I just miss the family togetherness a lot. They are scared to eat in front of me because they think I am missing something or suffering from them eating something in front of me. The truth is I like the smell better than the taste. I can sit for a hour getting full off of the favors of the smell than the food. So I really do not miss or want anything that way. I think this surgery has help me in a lot of ways with food and control and taste. It has really made me stronger.. I hope it has help a lot of you that way too. Your friend, Tina Cannon

I think it all boils down to one statement: Yes, within a year or so after my surgery, I will probably be ABLE to eat anything I want, but I will CHOOSE not to eat the way I did before because I am worth staying healthy for so I will never be the weight I was.

Now, y'all know that I am a Starbucks junkie. However, I know that there are healthy ways to feed my need. I no longer get the full sugar, whole milk, whipped cream, sprinkles, caramel syrup, etc. drinks. Do I have caffeine? You betcha! But, I got permission from my surgeon first and I don't drink near the amount that I used to. I made the decision to follow the rules that go with this lifestyle change and going against those rules just doesn't make sense to me now. I prefer my low fat, sugar free, high protein versions of old favorites. If something can't be altered to be program friendly, I just don't eat it. I am a Starbucks junkie and I LOVE my AchievOne too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Melinda. I totally agree with you. After surgery, I could not eat stuff like pastas, bread, pizza ..etc. It just tasted nasty so I never ate it agian. And then I woke up one day at 9 months out and my taste buds are starting to come back to me (sort of -I do not think they will ever be the same). I figured I could "try" this stuff agian but I thought about and decided if I could go 9 months without it, I can go forever without it. Why even try it agian? So, I do not eat this stuff at ALL. Not even a small bite because I do not want to know if I will like it or not because it is not necessary for me. And I can not believe I have went over 9 months without a bite of pasta, bread and pizza but I am proud of myself for it and I honestly do not even want it. It is really weird how your mindset changes about food after this surgery. I think people are aware of where they were and what could happen if they do not stick to a healthy diet. However, I would not judge anyone for trying or grazing on "bad" things. I think people who are out from surgery for several months to years can graze and take small bites of M & M's and such because I would like to think that they are aware of what they are doing and will not let it get back to a problem for them. Of course, not everyone will limit it like they should and will gain weight back but for the most part I would assume people are more responsible with food after going through this major surgery. I do not personally eat sugar ( I didn't before surgery either because I was a diabetic). But at my 9 month surgiversary, I decided to buy some "no sugar added" ice cream as a "treat" since I had been so good. It was really good but I knew my limits. A week later my husband asked me if I wanted to get some more at the store and I said No. That was a one time thing. Not to say that I will never "treat" myself in the future but I am aware of the consequences and I know that I never want to get back to where I was before or start gaining weight so I would NEVER let food control me agian. So, In my opinion as long as you stay in control of your food, you will be fine. This is a lifestyle change that you will have to live with the rest of your lives and you will get burnt out in time to come if you have a mindset that you will never be able to "treat" yourself. As long as you do it responsible, I do not think there is anything wrong with it or that you should be judged by it. I know I personally will never look at food the same way agian. Great Post! Misty