Question:
Food prepared with oil/butter post-op vs. sprays & fake butter- What can YOU eat?

I have such a hard time eating veggies and things without either margarine or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray. Can we still eat veggies with that stuff on it post-op? I can't find it in the library. Does anyone have any problems with the ICBINB spray- cause I love that so much! Can we ever dip things in real butter again- like shrimp or artichokes? How about cooking sprays like Pam? Does anyone have any problem eating those? And what about salad dressing? The only kind I like is ranch, and the best I can do with that is light ranch- nonfat sucks. Same with mayo- I can eat light, but not nonfat. Can we still at least tolerate the light ones? Because I don't see myself ever eating nonfat dressings and mayo, cause it is just NASTY. I am afraid I will sabotage myself since I like so many of my foods with high fat condiments. =/    — Jennifer Y. (posted on May 16, 2002)

May 16, 2002
Hi, Jennifer-- I can eat all those things. From the beginning my Dr gave me a diet that was in his words, "high protein, moderate fat, low carbohydrate, & no sugar." I don't usually use margarine, I use butter; I like it better & it's my indulgence. I agree with you on the nonfat products (except nonfat sour cream is OK, imo). I use light mayo & regular salad dressings, have even been known to put a dollop of cream in my coffee. I think some people may have trouble with some fats, but I never have. I cook with Pam or other sprays, haven't tried the ICBINB, but I'm sure it would be OK. After the surgery we malabsorb a fair amount of the fats we eat. Now I'm not saying you should or could eat a pound of butter a day, but I would say try a little & if it gives you no problems you can try a little more. I eat a fair amount of seafood now--crab, clams, lobster. I eat much smaller amounts now so I can splurge on more expensive food (high in protein, too). I would be lost without my drawn butter to dip in. I am 2 years post op, lost 170# the first year & have maintained that weight since then. I leveled off at 10 pounds over my goal weight. I eat pretty much whatever I want-altho I try to eat wisely & make good choices.
   — Kathy W.

May 16, 2002
Our surgeon's instructions following RNY surgery were high protein, limited carbohydrates and fats, and no concentrated or refined sugars. His concern regarding fats is that, in addition to the extra calories, many RNY patients experience "dumping" with fats as well as sugar. He recommends "regular" salad dressings in "reasonable amounts", because low or reduced-fat salad dressings contain increased amounts of sugar. After my RNY, I found that all of my tastes changed completely. Pre-op, I was never a "dessert person", but thrived on a high-fat diet....the more butter/mayo/sour cream, the better. After surgery, I couldn't stand the taste, smell or sight of anything greasy or high in fat. Now, at 26 months post-op, some degree of appetite has returned, as well as the desire for butter with seafood, sour cream on baked potatoes, etc... I enjoy those things now, in moderation, and I have been at goal weight for a year and am maintaining that weight without any problems. The "honeymoon period"....12-18 months post-op....is a wonderful time to take advantage of the changes in your taste buds and lack of appetite/hunger. That is the time to modify/change old, life-long, destructive eating habits and learn healthier, more sensible ones. The appetite and food tolerances DO return to some degree, and that's when patients realize the accuracy of the statement that the surgery is only a "tool"....the work of maintaining your weight loss rests in your hands. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

May 16, 2002
If you stick to the rule 70% protein 20% carbs and 10% fat you can eat just about anything. You can go to fitday.com and get a graph to show you how you are doing. Rember ask you Dr or dietian as they know you and what is best for you. Good Luck
   — Robert L.

May 17, 2002
Hi Everyone: My surgeon says that we should not be "really" concerned with fats OR sugars....With the RNY distal that he preforms, he says that we absorb such a SMALL amount of fats and sugars that we it would be very difficult to gain weight from these foods unless we were eating OVERWHELMING amounts of them. I eat exactly what I want to eat only in moderation. If I want REAL MELTED BUTTER(MMMMMMMM) with my shrimp, I have it and I only eat REAL salad dressings, the home made kind not that store bought diet crap...I believe that it is all balance balance balance. I notice that if I cut BACK on my fats and oils, my skin and hair get VERY DRY.....so my philosophy is to eat exactly what I want and what stays down.....Works for me 9 mos post op and down #136........
   — Joi G.

May 17, 2002
hey yeasterday while in the super market i came across a parkay spray that has no calories or anything in it maybe you can try this
   — Latisha M.