Question:
I need to know somethings before I commit to having surgery, HELP
I need to know somethings before I commit to having surgery, HELPI was in the grocery store yesterday, and for the first time, I experienced thoughts of not wanting to have the surgery. I looked at all the food and began reading labels and thought, WHAT WILL I BE ABLE TO EAT??? I actually teared up!!! <br><br> As of right now, I'm not fully informed of what my post op diet will be. I am an emotional eater and I am prepared to have a battle with this. I've never been a BIG eater, so I'm cool with the portion sizes, especially since my stomach will too. :) Here are my biggest concerns about the post op diet:<BR><BR> Sugar: Only 2grams of sugar per serving. Does this mean if FRESH FRUIT naturally contains more than 2 grams of sugar, I can't have it??? Like, how many grams of sugar does a GRAPE have? If more than 2 grams, will I NEVER be able to have a grape again for the rest of my life?? <BR><BR> Fat: Never ever ever again will I be able to have a piece of candy or a couple pieces of pop corn or a small slice of pizza or a cheesburger or fries? No mayo ever again? <BR><BR> It seems like a really bleak future. I NEED to have this operation, but I NEED to know what my post op diet will be like. Will I NEVER EVER again be able to have a drink of chocolate milk or a chocolate shake? Can I have just a little taste of these things? <BR><BR> If you answer me, thanks in advance, and could you please let me know if you were a chocolate lover and or an emotional eater? <BR> Also, NO POP EVER AGAIN?????? NEVER EVER EVER???? <BR> Thanks! :) <BR> Surgery scheduled December 3, 2002! Looking forward to it, but want to get this resolved in my mind, first. <BR><BR> (If BR with brackets shows up, it was just my attempt to enter some HTML code to allow my paragraphs to be spaced properly and not be one huge block of text.) — Toni M. (posted on November 17, 2002)
November 16, 2002
Gee I eat EVERYTHING you mention with the exception of Pop, which I ALWAYS
hated. The volume is less thats all. I had perhaps 1/2 of a DQ shake a
couple weeks ago, since I was craving it. Pizza is a staple for me and Jen,
were both post ops. I eat Grapes all the time, they are yummy and help keep
me regular. <P> My surgeon stresses the most you can eatr is a egg
sized portion, and thats true immediately after surgery. Pre op half a
large pizza was a decent meal, and I could of eaten a whole jumbo pie if I
wanted too. Now a Pizza hut personal pan supreme is a full meal. WLS saved
my life and was the best decision I ever made. Relax, you will do fine. But
for BEST loss its a good idea to limit carbs and sweets for a few months to
maximize loss during the fast loss phase.
— bob-haller
November 16, 2002
I'm 3 months post-op and I can relate to your fears--but their just
that--fears. You can never, ever eat like you do not--but you can eat
smaller portions. The first few months, you'll have to do tiny, tiny
portions because your stomach is healing. After I was 2 months out, all my
restrictions except beef, bread and carbonated beverages were lifted, so I
can and do try almost anything I want. I'm supposed to wait a couple more
months on beef and breads. The idea is moderation.
— Cathy S.
November 16, 2002
Gee, the replies are so good, you don't really need my two cents worth, but
here it is :-) Pre-surgery jitters happen! What you do not yet know...is
that your tastes actually change, post-op. My cravings today are totally
different than pre-op. I can't even believe it, LOL. Yes, I am still an
emotional eater & perhaps I always will be? I try to fill up on
healthier things. Honestly? I have my "cheat" days. I just try
and not let them run into weeks or months. Pre-op, I would continue on for
months that way. Heck no, I could not maintain weight loss before. Surgery
is the tool that got me to goal. I still "cheat." And sometimes I
have to follow Atkins Diet for a week to get back on track. (with less
fats, of course). You might mourn the loss of food at first. I did. But, I
will say this...I no longer have my mouth water over certain tv
commercials. It does not bother me to have a former trigger food sitting on
somebody's plate next to me. I am never hungry, because I eat 5-6 times per
day. Well, I shouldn't say NEVER hungry. WHEN I am hungry, I eat! Like a
normal eater would do! Best wishes to you, Barb B. At goal & loving it!
— Barbara B.
November 16, 2002
We have probably all had the same questions as you, however, you can eat
anything after surgery that you can eat before. Some foods you will have to
be very careful of...you can have 12 gms of sugar, usually anything beyond
that will cause dumping. As for fats, it is good to have them in your diet.
I "dump" if I have too many, but fats are necessary for healthy
hair, nails, etc.. Milk, because of the lactose, causeing dumping too. I
have started drinking soy milk. In the stores they do sell lactose free
milk. Any finally, as for soda; you can have diet soda, but not alot of it
because it can deplete the calcium from your system. I have not had my
first soda until last week, and I had surgery 2.5 years ago (the soda would
fizz in my pouch, which did not feel very good). So you see, you can have
the same foods, just not as much, or with a slight variation.
— twenc
November 16, 2002
All the foods you metioned, I eat now. I am 10 weeks out, down about
48lbs. I never eat big meals, but did alot of snaking. I still have to
stuggle with the snaking habit--I guess it will be a life long struggle. I
loved sweets, but now I can take or leave them--if I am really hunger for
choclate I just have a sugar free turtle from Fannie May. Good luck to
you, you will be fine. If you would like to talk to me more, email me....
— barbara A.
November 17, 2002
I can eat everything and anything I want, just in much smaller quantities.
I'm over 3 years out.
— Leslie F.
November 17, 2002
I eat all the things you mentioned, just not a lot of it. The wonderful
thing that is different is that now, I'm satisfied!!! That was NEVER the
case before!!!!!!!! I woul eat a dozen or more cookies and never blink an
eye! I am a carbohydrate addict, and always will be because I have an
inherited subtle biochemical (serotonin) imbalance. I thought, like you,
that I was an emotional eater, but it took a great deal more research to
find out about the biochemical imbalance. Not many people understand the
relationship between serotonin levels, emotional states, and eating.
Anyway, I did go through a period of real mourning. I wanted to go to the
Mexican restaurant and really chow down with a margarita, or have a peanut
butter and jelly sandwich and a whole glass of milk, but I can truthfully
say that I've gotten over it. You will, too. My operation was exactly 4
months ago, and I've lost 71 lbs. It is by far the very best thing I've
done for myself. I am so happy!!!!! I can do things that I haven't done
in years!!!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!! I recently fell down our
stairs, broke my arm, hurt my back and knee, and the pain that I
experienced was 5X worse than what I experienced from the surgery. What if
I had had that 70 lbs. still on me when I fell down the stairs? I'd
probably be dead right now. WLS saved my life twice! You won't be sorry!
Good luck to you!
— Loretta E.
November 17, 2002
Hi there. Are ther people who don't like chocolate? THAT is freaky!
seriously though, have you seen a nutritionist? After i saw mine i was far
more comfortable with what lies ahead. and i don't know what type of
insurance you have but mine covers me seeing her as often as needed and i
plan on seeing her weekly for a while after surgery. this way i have
someone to answer every question who knows my habits and weaknesses and can
keep me in check. i really thought most people saw a nutritionist before
they had surgery. Also, as far as being afraid, i find myself once in a
while thinking that i must be crazier than i am fat to want to do this to
myself!!!! It only lasts for a sec and then i remember that pair of jeans
with a belt that i will wearing this time next year. who am i kidding? i
will be wearing a thong to the grocery store (heehee)
— Carol S.
November 17, 2002
Boy this brings back memories. I will never again eat...... The last thing
I ate pre op before bowell prep was a chooclate chip cookie. Figured it was
gone for good. <P> Now I eat ONE rather than a package, but really
enjoy the one I eat. Dont crave the entire box. I do struggle to make good
food choices, surgery isnt perfect but it so much better than pre op. I
look back at all that worry for months as a great waste of my life. Try to
not let that happen to you.
— bob-haller
November 17, 2002
I am 4 weeks out tomorrow, and I remember SO clearly the thoughts you were
having. Here are my thoughts thus far: I really AM craving different
things. I crave cottage cheese a lot. Now granted, I'm not on complete
foods yet, but my surgeon advanced us pretty quickly, so I can eat almost
anything. The other night I had meat loaf and mashed potatoes. (although
only about an ounce of each, which was wild!). I have a flat diet sprite
every day, and I went to the movies on Friday and had about 4 sips of a
flat diet coke. I have a serving (1/2 cup) of Healthy Choice chocolate
fudge brownie ice cream every night, and it is DIVINE. I appreciate it so
much more than i ever appreciated the handfuls of chocolate I would shovel
in. Your body will change, your mind will change. It is incredible,
amazing surgery...and you will be fine. And ultimately, you will be eating
everything you did before....only in smaller, healthier portions. Good
luck!
— Tamara K.
November 17, 2002
— MF
November 17, 2002
I know this will not be a popular answer. But, If you haven't dealt with
your food issues yet, or are already thinking about what you are not going
to be able to eat after the surgery....maybe you aren't ready. Alot of
people have the surgery for the wrong reasons, just to lose weight and
still be able to eat what they want and not have to diet for the rest of
their lives. The RIGHT reason is to become a HEALTHY person. That means
changing your lifestyle, changing the way you eat, the way you look at
food, how and what you eat. I can lose weight and be healthier just for the
fact of carry around less weight, but if I am still eating all the same old
"BAD" for me foods,the foods that helped me get fat in the 1st
place, I may weigh less, but I will not be HEALTHIER. And as my surgeon
tells all his patients, you can have an egg size stomach and still weigh
300 pounds. I don't want that. I know that I am still a fairly new post
op - only 6 months out, but for now, I am doing things by the book. That
is not to say that in the last 2 months I have not had a few goldfish
crackers or a small piece of sugar-free Russell Stovers candy. But as far
as the milkshakes, cheeseburgers, fries, snacking, candy, chips and
such....Not me, No Thanks.....Being thinner and healthier feels so much
better than ANYTHING could possibly taste.
— Sharon H.
November 17, 2002
I am about 14 mths out and so far I have lost 137lbs. I eat everything and
anything I want...with in reason and with moderation. I always keep a bowl
of grapes in my fridge for those days I have the munchies and I want to
start picking in my fridge. I eat watermelon too. I have chocolate...I
don't really eat a lot of pizza, but when I am in the mood, I just eat the
cheese and a little of the crust. I don't eat all of this in one day...or
even 1 week...I just don't deprive myself. I have never dumped, but I have
also not gone crazy to test myself to see how much I can have. When I go
out to dinner with friends and they want dessert, I have about 3 forkfulls
and I am done. I didn't have this surgery to not enjoy food, I had it to
help me control my portions :)
— Ilene M.
November 17, 2002
Hi Toni (lol feels weird saying that:)) I'm pre-op too and I've had the
same fears. I'm so glad we have the people on this site to reassure us.
Thank you all!
— Toni C.
November 17, 2002
In response to Sharon Hagins:
Hi Sharon,
I am glad you said what you said for those who that might apply to. I just
wanted to let you know that I'm not one of them. It's OK that I have fears
and it's no less a commitment on my part or no less the right reason to
have this surgery because I am concerned about never having certain foods
again.
I 'am' having this surgery for the right reasons. And I am still concerned
about what you might consider as petty issues or issues that may indicate
that I'm not ready to have the surgery.
I just wanted to let you know, that just because someone has concerns about
something doesn't mean they're not ready. Just wanted you to know that
it's perfectly OK to have these fears and it doesn't mean that you're not
ready or that you're doing it for the wrong reasons. That is all. :)
— Toni M.
November 17, 2002
<marquee>THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!</marquee>
<BR><BR>
I appreciate and echo Toni's words. I am extremely appreciative of all
your input. I feel so much better about this all. I feel confident that I
will do well with my new tool, and am glad I won't be restricted for the
rest of my life. I will choose my foods wisely, but appreciate the fact
that I'm not FORCED completely.
I thank you so much! :)
— Toni M.
November 17, 2002
Sharon H. I KNOW I was worried about foods I could NEVER eat again. Nearly
every one of us does. This isnt a sign of not being ready for suregery. If
it were few would have surgery.
— bob-haller
November 18, 2002
hi Toni, I'm going to be 3 months post-op this Wednesday and can tell you
that I'm eating just about anything I want. As the others have stated here
of course it is withing moderation. Believe me when I say your new stomach
will tell you what you like or won't like VERY quick!! I am able to eat
all kinds of fresh fruits and I even go to fast food places and eat the
"good" things for me (i.e. Wendy's = small chili etc.) There is
so much out there you will still be able to eat. I know your feeling of
getting teared up! I did the same thing myself, but after surgery when I
realized what I STILL could eat.....WOW!! As far as mayo....I go with the
light mayo....I don't do much of it of course, but it is still in my
life!!! You'll see that the pounds will still come off with using it
because you won't be having much of it anyway with the size your new
stomach will be. Besides, I work out all the time as I am sure you will be
and you'll be burning off more calories then you will ever know!! Hope
this is somewhat helpful.
— Carole M.
November 18, 2002
Hi Toni,
Chocolate lover? Emotional Eater? <Raising hand!> That's me!!! I had
surgery (Open RNY) May 2001. I had the same fears you did going into the
surgery. But I knew deep down this was what I needed to do. About 8 weeks
or so after surgery we were away from home and I didnt bring anything with
me to eat. My kids all wanted pizza so there we went. I figured Id have 1
slice and be ok. Well I had 1 ensy-weensy bite of the end and it got stuck.
I had to make it come back up. I was so depressed thinking I would never be
"normal" or eat normal foods ever again. It is a very emotional
time after surgery. You have to learn what you can tolerate and how much
you can tolerate. Everyone is different. Now after 18 months I can eat
pizza but half a slice. I can eat sugar but very little or I dump. But its
enough to satisfy me and I feel like a normal person with normal eating
habits. I can still have my "old" foods but like everyone else
said "in moderation". You will be fine! God bless!
— Maureen P.
November 18, 2002
Me too! Emotional eater (when bored or ticked off), and a bonafide
chocolate lover. The two most important things to remember are: 1. In the
beginning it will be rough. You WON'T be able to eat anything &
everything. Most things won't agree with you, and you will feel like
"what the hay have I done to myself? Will I EVER be/feel
"normal" again? Don't rush it! It takes time for your body to
heal. Everything everyone has said is REALLY true! Life gets back to
normal, only better! You can eat what you want, just not so
much.<BR><BR>2nd thing: HONEST TO GOODNESS, food will no longer
have a hold on you!! You just won't care about it anymore. I know the
actual cutting is done on the stomach, but I swear, the Dr did something to
my brain too! Gone are the days of using food to "numb" myself.
My life hasn't changed (still have the same stresses) but for some reason,
food doesn't "do it" for me anymore. So even though you will
eventually be able to eat everything, by then you really won't want
it.....just you wait & see!!!!!! I had all the exact same fears as you.
Good luck!
— blank first name B.
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