Question:
Why am I eating potato chips & french fries after RNY surgery?
I am about 2 & 1/2 mos post-op RNY. I am eating potato chips & french fries. Not all the time but still I do this every once in a while. Why? The only problems I have after is gas & diarrhea. Which obviously doesn't seem to deter me too much from doing it again? I didn't put my life on the line to eat things like this! Is it true with the RNY surgery I won't absorbe all of the fat in these things because of the mechanics of the surgery? Any suggestions on how to stay away from this stuff. It seems like if it's there or available to me in a restaurant I'll eat it. Very little but I still eat it! Help! — Allison T. (posted on June 21, 2002)
June 21, 2002
You are human, you are not perfect. Acceptance of that is a key to
success- you just give it your all everyday, but don't expect perfection!
If once or twice a mo. you eat a french fry- the WLS surgery police will
not be knocking at your door! You also shouldn't beat yourself up, that
leads to nothing but low self esteem and depression. So you ate a french
fry, if it bothers you that much, you may think twice the next time you are
confronted with french fries! As for fat, what I have heard is you will
not absorb as much as the guy next to you, but there is still SOME
absorbtion. When I am pre-period, I find myself attracted to all sorts of
CRAP! I'll have fries or Pringles every once and a while- granted I cannot
eat a super sized or the whole can, but I can eat like 10, and feel
satisfied and lose interest quickly in them..... I don't feel it's a big
deal- so buck up! One day at a time.....
— Karen R.
June 21, 2002
Hi, When I went for my preops, they gave me a small bag of Lays Baked
Potato Chips for a snack after my bloodwork. I asked the nutritionist about
them and she said that I could have the baked ones. Probably not every
day--but once in a while for a snack. Good Luck.
— Carolyn L.
June 21, 2002
I am not going to have a popular answer here but here it goes. I had this
surgery to be NORMAL and HEALTHY. I see my skinny sister eat afew fries now
and then or chips (I prefer the baked chips they taste better, I get
ruffles)I am going to becareful but I am not going to live the rest of my
life on a diet this is another reason I had the surgery. I am/was sick of
diets!!! I think MODERATION is the key. Good luck!!~
— Sassy M.
June 21, 2002
Hi, I am 11 wks post op and have lost 46#. I'm doing really well and can
eat most things though some I don't even like anymore. But occasionally I
have that yearning for chocolate (so I have one or two small pieces (like
Celebration size), or salt so I'll have pretzels or in my case white corn
tortilla chips but I'll melt some cheddar & mozzarella cheese over it;
or ice cream so I'll have about a l/3 cup and use the lower sugar fat
content ones, or 5 or 6 french fries. My point is I am learning a normal
lifestyle while losing this weight. I no longer eat a whole bag of
chocolates or a 99C bag of chips but a few which I find satisfying and its
not often. Part of what got us all in this boat is constant dieting, yo-yo
patterns and feeling guilty to where we ate it all when alone. So part of
this rebirth is developing a normal lifestyle and being realistic and
responsible with eating no longer a number one priority. So don't beat
yourself up and remember that we're also learning moderation. But if you
see yourself getting into bingeing, talk to someone and nip it before it
gets too embedded. My best to you.
— AJC750
June 21, 2002
I agree with Connie! French Fries and chips don't always agree with me
(they sit in my pouch and fester)...but I did this to be normal! If that
means stealing 2 fries out of my daughters kids meal, or grabbing a couple
chips at a party---so be it! I try not to keep this stuff in the
house---but when I have a craving, I'll get something like the baked
Doritos or the Fat free Pringles. I shouldn't tell anybody this--but I'm 9
months post-op and I've had 2 Rice Krispie Treats! YUMMY! But, again...I
just want to be normal, and I know plenty of skinny, healthy, regular
people that have some treats every once in a while! My suggestion to you
would be protein first---get those fluids in--and if you have a craving for
some chips or fries (and you can handle them), don't deny yourself! Your
days of guilty eating should be OVER!
— Kristin R.
June 21, 2002
Well, in the line of fire of "flaming" I go...but I had this
surgery to be NORMAL!! I am one of those who can eat just about anything
and not dump, which can be a blessing or a curse...depending on which way I
chose to use this wonderful tool my surgeon gave me. I get yearnings and
cravings for french fries and chips...and even (gasp!) cheese doodles. I
allow myself a few. I eat some, and then I'm happy and go about my
business. Gone are the days of eating an entire large size bag of these
things...I can eat a handful and be happy and satisfied. I don't
particularly subscribe to the "no carb" way of life. I feel that
the human body needs some carbs in order to be normal. No, I don't make
them the main staple of my diet...but I allow myself to have them. I chose
to do that in order to "fit in" with the "normal"
people. And, I'm 7 months post op, down 100 lbs, at goal, just had my
tummy tuck, went from a size 22/24 to a size 6...guess I must've done
something right. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!
— Mustang
June 21, 2002
I have 2 suggestions. 1. Don't have them in the house. simple as it sounds,
I will reach for chips if I have them and find something else if there not
around. 2. Perhaps your body is craving either salt or carbs. Eat lots of
high protein foods first to offset the food cravings and eat
"GOOD" carbs so your body gets what it needs. Get your sodium in.
GOOD LUCK!
— ZZ S.
June 21, 2002
Another alternative would be to get the baked chips - at least they are
somewhat lower in fat & some of the other stuff. Get some no-fat sour
creme and mix in a little ranch dip mix w/it - it will taste like a dip.
When I get a craving for chocolate or something sweet - I get a dibetic
candy bar. Dang, they're good but high in calorie so I only eat a small,
small piece - just to satisfy the craving. Don't beat yourself up though -
I bet a lot more people than will post have done this a time or two - I
know I have.
— Lisa J.
June 21, 2002
Here's a small tip, instead of potato chips try Flavored Pork Rinds. I
bought a bag of sweet BBQ Pork Rinds: no sugar, 1 carb and 7 grams of
protien per serving. It satisies my craving for chips plus I'm getting in
extra protien!
— KCAllen77
June 21, 2002
I find that if I get sufficient amounts of protien each day, I don't crave
the junk as much. But once in a while probably won't hurt too bad. It is
best though to make wise food choices rather than just trying to go cold
turkey. You may actually be craving salt, somedays I really do, and just
about anything salty satisfies that. I have found to try peanuts, cashews
or other nuts when I feel like I am craving salt. These are good sources of
protien, and although somewhat high in fat, would be a much healthier
choice than potato chips or french fries.
— Dell H.
June 21, 2002
I crave bad choices too sometimes. Now what I do is eat something protein
and healthy, and then if I still want junk I will eat a little. This way I
get good food but dont give up anything totally.
— bob-haller
June 22, 2002
I'm with Connie on this one. If I get hungry for some fries or chips I'll
eat them. But not alot, and not often. I eat alot of healthy foods and feel
that some bad choices are not "evil" if I don't make a habit of
it. And I don't.
— Danmark
June 22, 2002
hiya, you can still eat the "bad" things..the surgery is on your
stomach not your brain but you will learn that dumping is not worth what
your head is saying you want to eat..LISTEN TO YOUR HEAD, NOT YOUR
STOMACH...
good luck,
kate
— jkb
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