Question:
Why are som people allowed to eat mashed potatoes, bread, & crackers?

My doctors office said that we are absolutely not allowed potatoes,crackers, bread etc. Especially within the first two weeks and even long term we should stay away from carbs because they turn to sugar once digested. Now I have done my research and I agree with him regarding carbs, so my question is why do I see people post question where they say to try these things or that they are eating them and they may help people who are having trouble eating. I am so confused! Why are some people allowed carbs and some are not?    — Nicole F. (posted on December 7, 2001)

December 7, 2001
All surgeons' post op protocols are different. My surgeon believes in moderation and a normal life without the diet mentality. Nothing is prohibited. Which for me has done wonders. For so long I have felt deprived and guilty over my food choices. I now feel normal. I have lost to 12 pounds below my goal weight and I wear a size 8. I can't physically eat like I could pre op. So, I am allowed whatever I can tolerate. It is so liberating!!! Shelley
   — Shelley.

December 7, 2001
I think the reason why some doctors don't want you to eat mashed potatoes is because the common way to make them is with milk. My surgeon does not allow sugar nor milk. I have always made my mashed potatoes with chicken broth and butter. After surgery I made mine pretty runny so I could tolerate it well. As for carbs, I really don't eat them (bread or pasta). If I do have any it's in small moderation and I make sure to chew really well, and also it's only one time a day. I don't make a habit of it. Good luck!
   — trtorrey

December 7, 2001
Allowed? The whole purpose of this surgery is to STOP DIETING! The main problem with bread products is that they can swell in your stomach and cause discomfort. It's true, also, that simple carbs are not the best thing--protein first! But allowed/not allowed is out of my vocabulary. Everything is allowed in moderation and as tolerated. My doctor said I could have crackers a few days out of surgery with my tuna salad. I still can't handle bread well, but I occasionally have mashed potatoes. I often make a baked potato and top it with fat free cottage cheese for protein and some salsa for spice. Mmmmm...
   — PT LawMom

December 7, 2001
I have to agree with the statement that to say what is "allowed or not allowed" just gets you right back into the whole "diet" way of thinking which is what I want to steer clear from. I personally do not eat bread, pastas or rice as number one, I cannot tolerate them and number two, do not want to consumer that many carbs in a days time. I know that these things led to my weight gain and so I try very hard to keep them out of my new way of eating. However, I do eat mashed potatoes occasionally (maybe twice a week), but on those days I make sure I eat either zero carb or low carb in everything else. My doctor has never said "no" to milk, but suggests you drink low fat or no fat milk. I don't drink either and drink soy milk instead. I too make my mashed potatoes with broth and a bit of butter and find it is even yummier than with milk. Good luck!
   — Kellie Jo B.

December 7, 2001
In the first 2 weeks, those things can be dense or ball up and hurt. Or plug us up. "Forever", though, is another matter. RNY don't actually "digest" complex carbs & fats/oils the same as we did before. So the "turning to sugar" isn't quite the same as it was when the food passed through the duodenum. RNY doesn't render them utterly harmless, but balance is the key. 9 potatoes a day is a very different animal than 1 potato serving a day. We still can get some of the vites from the grains & such, so we can use these. Some people avoid them because they take up pouch space that they'd rather use for meat, for example. But many of us eat balanced meals. Personally, I avoid milk & sugar, get my protein needs met via supps. If anything, my meals tend to be veggie-heavy. Yum.
   — vitalady

December 7, 2001
All doctors are different. Of course you want to eat your protein first, and fill up your pouch with protein. However, I have eaten low-fat wheat-thins since my surgery, and have also had mashed potatoes and other potato dishes. I've lost almost 120 pounds at 11 months post-op; which I'm very happy about. I don't think you should believe you can NEVER have anything like this again; you've got the rest of your life to live, right? Moderation is the key (and protein is first!)
   — [Anonymous]

January 6, 2003
Fitness guru Jim Karras whose client list includes names like Diane Sawyer, and Gale King (Oprah Winfrey's best friend and editor at large of Oprah's magazine) says that while losing weight, the three best tools are as follows: 1. The key is counting your calories, not eliminating different kinds of foods. 2. You have to exercise, with strength training instead of cardio, to prevent loss of bone and muscle mass. 3. You have to believe you can achieve the same success you've found in other areas of your life.
   — Toni G.