Question:
Why is watching the "sugars" and "fat" so Important after surgery?
We will be able to eat just about anything after 7 weeks, so why is it so important to watch it now? — Doug Sanders (posted on November 9, 2009)
November 9, 2009
No matter what type of surgery you had, this whole entire process is a
learning experience. If you have that type of a mindset you're gonna gain
ALL of your weight back. The surgery isn't some magical over night fix it
kind of thing.
In order for this to work, you need to watch your sugars, you need to watch
your fats, and you need to keep a close watch on anything you put into your
mouth.
I am 5 months out and can't eat just about anything. You got some wrong
information and have a wrong idea about this entire process if your
question is truly how you are thinking.
— Nina15137
November 9, 2009
You dont say what your gonna have done??? Have you attended any kind of
info meetings? Have you seen a Nutritionalist?
— tootsie52
November 9, 2009
The surgery trains you how you are suppose to eat.In 7 weeks maybe you can
eat anything you want but i doubt it.And if you could then you are
defeating the purpose of having the surgery.Let me just say you may and
probably won't be able to eat ANYTHING.There is the dumping syndrome which
i do on any sugars,sweets and high carb foods(pasta).
You have to learn to eat while going through this process(good to start pre
op) so you will be sucessful.Don't think at 7 weeks out you will be able to
chug down some soda or even some cold water.There is no more chugging after
surgery.Some foods you may not be able to tolerate and then again there are
some people that can eat ANYTHING but ...are they and were they successful
in the journey they choose to take? I do wish you all the luck in more
research before you commit to this.Alot of sugar isn't good in any diet,
nor fat.Please read more on this site so you will learn much much
more.please consult your nutritionist as well.And please when you are 7
weeks out,let us know how you are doing.
— carolyn1970
November 9, 2009
I also wanted to say that once you meet your goal wieght,you want to eat
right so you can maintain that goal.after i read my posted answer i felt it
sounded harsh and i did not mean for it to by any means.
— carolyn1970
November 9, 2009
I am out 3 months and I still only eat protein and veggies. When I lose 75%
of my weight then I can add complex carbs to my diet. Like I said a
million times before, my Dr. is very conservative with this surgery, and I
follow his words to the T.
Sugar and high fat foods will make you dump I am told, I haven't had sugar
or any high fat foods yet, and I am out 3 months.
The person that said, you have to change your thinking about what you
consume is 200% right, I am afraid you will gain the weight back if you go
back to your old eating habits.
Carbs were my worse enemy
— FSUMom
November 9, 2009
Doug, I think I get where you are coming from on this question. I think we
get this idea that having our stomach the size of a golf ball reduces the
intake of food and thus because we are eating so much less that we lose
weight. Well, in part, we do and this is true. And I suppose that if all
we did was eat less for the rest of our lives, we would lose weight and
stay at a better weight. Except that we have put our bodies through a lot
by going forward with this surgery and now we have a fresh new start. By
watching the foods that go into this new body we are learning how to eat
"healthier". Let's face it, part of the reason we got fat in the
first place, is because we didn't eat a healthy diet. (That's not the only
reason and we both know that but for sake of argument, let's go with it
right now.) So here we are, new pouch, new chance at life. Why go back to
those bad eating habits? Now, on the other side of the coin...........I
have noticed that there are some people who have turned into "diet
fanatics" after surgery and seem to have become religious about
staying away from fats, carbs, sweets, etc.. It's almost like they have
totally become these diet gurus and you wonder what happened to the old
person who enjoyed food. (and yes, the other posters are right, many of
these things will NOT be tolerated by your new tummy and thus you will
either have dumping syndrome or you will be miserable for hours.) You know
the type, they are fanatics and you see it in other areas such as religion,
politics, and causes. I think, based upon your body and your needs, that
there can be a balance and a happy medium. I am a true believer in
"whole foods" and do not lean towards processed products.
Example: I don't use low fat margarine or fake butter. It's real butter or
nothing for me. Butter (good quality) is a whole food that is real. I
prefer it's taste and I'm not putting a product in my body that is fake or
filled with chemicals. But I do watch my sugar and carb intake. These
things can turn on you after you have a golf ball pouch. I take alot of
the "diet guru" advice with a grain of salt. I intend to take
care of myself and eat healthier but more importantly I am more AWARE of
what I put into my mouth. Hopefully this helps answer your question.
Sometimes a post can come off sounding like 'preaching' and this is not
what I intend. Please feel free to contact me via email if you have any
questions. [email protected] Please make sure you identify
yourself in the subject line or I won't open it. Hugs, Sue
— TaylorsGramma
November 9, 2009
Hey Doug. First of all, great to see another guy on here. Don't know why so
few men seem to post things on Obesity Help. Our surgery is just as major
as the ladies! I know I want to research and research so I know everything
I can before my surgery (Feb 2--just got my date). Your profile says you're
getting "Fobi Pouch," which I gather is a form of Roux-en-Y with
the addition of a ring around the stomach. So... you can expect to have the
same limitations you will see discussed in the RNY forum here on OH, which
I recommend to you. Also... I know your surgeon may have a low requirement
on support group meeting attendance (mine only requires two) but I've been
to quite a few and have learned a LOT about what I will be able to eat and
not eat. The fact is, it varies from person to person as to what your new
stomach will tolerate. For me it's been good to hear from people who can't
tolerate sugar after surgery, and experience what's called "dumping
syndrome" (light headed, nauseous, diarrhea, very unpleasant for some
people). Because your surgery does involve changes to the intestines, you
could possibly experience this syndrome. Some do, some don't.
Bottom line with gastric bypass... you'll lose weight easily, but then
there's risk of putting a lot back on if you don't modify your eating a
year or two out. That's actually the focus of my current fear... what
happens after the "honeymoon period?" So... I've been really
trying hard to lose weight the old fashioned way for a whole year... and
with setback, falling off the wagon, etc I've only lost 35 pounds. But...
the thing I'm encouraged by is that unlike previous dieting attempts in my
life I've been able to get back on the wagon and continue in the correct
downward direction on the scale. I'm pretty confident with the added tool
of surgery I'll be able to maintain a decent weight loss. But it's a
concern, and I hope you'll read up on this board and other sources (there
are some great books out there, like "Weight Loss Surgery for
Dummies") about just what exactly is involved with eating after
surgery. It's a challenge sometimes... especially having to focus on
protein first and getting enough vitamins. If you don't do that and some
other things your nutritionist or NUT will tell you about, you may have
actual nutritional deficiencies down the road after surgery because of what
your body can't absorb.
OK, enough for now. Congratulations on taking the steps you've taken, very
courageous! Feel free to "friend" me if you like.
— Greg K.
November 9, 2009
Hi I agree with the last two reponses you got. I am yr and half out from
my RNY. I am still learning how to incorporate enough of all the foods
groups so that I use my new tool effectively. I am currently battling my
way through a nervous breakdown whih between by family doc and RNY doc have
determined it was a combination of a urine infection (not drinking enough)
and I became enemic and had to have a blood tranfusion. This all came
about through not handling my stress levels and taking care of myself
because I don't really ever feel hungry since having the RNY. In fact I
stick to a strick regimen for trying to get all my fluid in. Currently had
iron supplement added to my vitamin regimen to help. I don't mean to scare
you at all but just remember that this is a tool and it is an overnight
change from which you can not go back to your old life of eating or old way
of thinking. I know that I will live with my obesity for the rest of my
life and that this is a daily struggle but I will continue to win this
battle step by step and day by day. My surgery date was May 27, 2008 and I
went from 343 lbs to current weight of 175 lbs. I was really nervous
because my goal was 200 and I reached that exactly one yaer out of the
surgery. I was concerned that I was going to low but With the help of my
doctor and support group I know it is because I continue to maintain a
healthy eating habit. Still learning which foods to buy and understanding
the nutritional values of food items. Sorry I seem to be going on and on
it's just me. I do not regret for one moment having the surgery because of
how great my health is at this point. I am struggle with my new bopdy
image and other issues but my faith in God and my family and friends and
support groups will help me to continue my new life. If you wish to become
email friends you can email on this site or my personal email is
[email protected].
Keep asking questions and soul searching before taking this step!!!
— heartmjk
November 9, 2009
They are "empty" calories and devoid of nutrition. They will also
get you back into "bad" eating habits. Trust me if you are having
RNY surgery you will NOT be able to eat just about anything after 7 weeks.
— rkurquhart
November 12, 2009
Hi Doug, I'm about 2 weeks out now (my surgery was on Oct 29th, 2009). My
surgeon told me that the purpose for the pre-op diet was to shrink my liver
to make the surgery easier. The liver is already one of the larger organs
of the body and sits over the stomach. During the surgery, the surgeon has
to move the liver over to get to your stomach. I don't know how much
weight you want to lose, or your current weight but, as for me, I weighed
in at 311 lbs before my pre-op diet started. At that weight it's a sure
thing that my liver was grossly enlarged due to the fat residing in it
which was proven by the sonogram requested by my surgeon. In just 2 weeks
of a pre-op liquid diet I had lost 14 lbs which did shrink my liver to the
point that it made the surgery and recovery less difficult for me (I had NO
pain after the surgery). If I had eaten sugar or carbs during that time,
it would not have allowed my liver to expel some of the excess fat
intertwined in it. Also I think the pre-op diet will give you a good idea
if you're ready to take on this big change. Weight loss surgery is a major
step and making the decision to go forward with it actually helped me
through the pre-op diet. I was tired of the multiple pills for high blood
pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol not to mention how tired and depressed
I felt all the time as well as experiencing some chest pains. The pre-op
diet without the sugar and carbs (I lived on them before) helped me to
ground my decision. I no longer take diabetes meds or high blood pressure
meds. The surgery has taken care of thoes 2 things immediately and I'm
looking to stop my cholesterol in a few weeks when more weight has come
off. I'm so glad I decided to have RNY with no regrets. I feel I did make
the right choice for me. In my case, I had to work with preparing the
attitude of my mind for the new eating lifestyle I was going to be facing.
In doing that, my eating became more of a "challenge" to me
instead of "things I'm going to give up". So I do agree with
everyone who has responded to you, "KNOW" and be informed of all
your choices and information regarding weight loss surgery. Once you've
made your decision, resolve that you are ready to "change" to fit
the path that surgery requires. YOU WILL SUCCEED!! I had my first taste
of "soft" food today, Thurs Nov 12th. Cottage cheese and a
scrambled egg of which I only ate a few bites. It's so amazing how
wonderful a bit of cottage cheese and a scrambled egg can taste!! Yet now
I feel like I'm in control of the food, the food is no longer in control of
me! What a freedom that is for me since I was so used to eating anything
that was not tied down or not moving by itself!! Since my pre-op diet
started I've lost 45 lbs and am now down to 266. Even at this early stage,
I'm reaping the benefits of my decision to change. I do hope this small
bit of information will help you in your decisions and what path you will
be taking. Please keep us informed and let us all know how you're doing.
God Bless you in EVERY STEP!!! You WILL SUCCEED in whatever you decide to
do!!
— annteekee
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