Question:
Are there any readers that have been able to tolerate sugar?

I'm 5 months out, had lap RNY and was under the impression that I would experience "dumping", if I consumed sugar.I have lost 60 lbs in 5 months and have not ever dumped. I'll admit , I tested the waters(more than once), but would like to know if there are others out there in my shoes? How do you handle being able to tolerate sugar, when you believed that WLS would eliminate/help this problem? I have NO REGRETS.. Similar circumstances need only reply.    — purnellj (posted on April 18, 2007)


April 18, 2007
I have been able to tolerate most sugars since my surgery. I find that things such as smoothies, ice cream, sorbert/sherbert, pudding, yogurt, and sugar loaded ice drinks cause me to dump. All other sorts of sugar I can eat with no problem. Especially hard candy. However, I can only eat 2 chocolate chip cookies instead of 10 because the chocolate becomes too rich. Same with chocolate cake, I used to be able to eat several slices and now I can only eat a few bites of a small piece of chocolate cake before it just becomes too rich for me to eat. Same thing with candy bars, only a few bites of a Snickers instead of a whole King size Snickers... And etc, etc.. I lost 200 pounds with no problems. Hope this helps. I eat just as much sugar as a regular skinny person does. :)
   — JGDugar

April 18, 2007
I am less than 5 months out and have lost a total of 78 lbs. I tested the waters too and I didn't dump either. BUT I am not going to test them again. It is more important to keep losing weight than even thinking about eating sugar. I haven't felt this good, and I am sure that it is not only losing the weight, but the fact that I am not on sugars and all that other junk I ate. The problem is not that I can handle the sugar, it's the fact the I ate it. I am in control not the sugar. I don't have a problem not using it because wearing smaller clothes does feel alot better than a short cheat. Good luck. Diane
   — Diane C.

April 18, 2007
Hi Jessica, I am 6 months out this week, and I have no problems with sugar either. I ate my first piece of cake last weekend for a friends birthday party and unfortunately it did nothing to me whatsoever. So my best advise is, be careful, very careful. Because now it's all about the food choices we make, from here on out. So it is up to us what we will become. And we will become much smaller than when we started this journey. So just keep in mind our ultimate goal. Besides, we really don't need that sugar! Best of luck to you. PS...I had lap rny, down 90 lbs.
   — Jean N.

April 18, 2007
Sugar doesn't bother me at all.. I can eat anything I want. The only time I experiance "dumping" is when I mix more than one sweet together.... like a blizzard from Dairy Queen.. Mixing the candy and the icecream is a no no for me. -Sam
   — momof3

April 18, 2007
I'm also able to tolerate more sugar than I thought I would be able to. I find myself literally craving sugar/carbs at times. I just keep reminding myself that my surgeon told me the surgery is a tool and not a solution. I find myself having days when most of what I eat is 'junk'...not a good thing. If you find a solution to this then please share with me. You can always reach me at [email protected]. My surgery was 7/17/06. Toni
   — tonidaniels913

April 18, 2007
I am 3 mths out. minus 72 lbs ...and i found out the first week after surgery that i was allergic to splenda, nutrasweet, and the likes. well I found that i could have a little honey and raw sugar ( the brown unprocessed). I can eat a little bit of candy now and again. but nothing real sweet.
   — jasonsexybabe

April 18, 2007
Jessica, I am 3 1/2 yrs out from surgery, and I have lost around 170lbs. I am not as sensitive to sugars as I was to fats. I know that fats make me dump, and if I mix sugar with fats then I really dump. So I can eat a couple of cookies, or hard candy...but forget greasy sweet stuff. So now I just try to avoid sugary and carby stuff. Just keep balance in your diet and follow the basics. Go easy on yourself and live life. Good luck. Remember nothing tastes as good as thin feels. Lisa H 340+/170-180/??? -170lbs lap/rny gb 10-23-03 Dr. Williams
   — Lisa H.

April 18, 2007
i am also 5 months out -- i have drank a small glass of pepsi -- regular pepsi -- i have had a milky way bar -- the whole thing -- so i'm guessing i can eat sugar -- NOW the thing i do is ... i don't eat sugar -- i just don't buy it and i don't eat it --my husband who is 11 months out can also eat sugar -- but he has a wife who yells at him when he does :) and the both of us had open RNY -- i will get sick if i eat too fast or eat too much -- and the only way to cure it is to sleep thru it
   — RCassety

April 19, 2007
I am almost 6 months out and have lost 68 lbs...there is NO WAY I am going to try sugar. Sugar and carbs got me to the place I was in the first place...why would I sabotage that and go back to my old ways? The compliments I get from everyone is better than the temporary taste of candy, cake, cookies, etc. I am worried enough about the few carbs I eat each day.
   — Sheri A.

April 19, 2007
Hi Jessica, I think there are many women in your shoes. I am 3 years post op, and for the most part I can eat sugar and rich foods. I would say as much as I want, but I will say that after several bites, probably about 6 that I am done, can't eat more than that most of the time. You are only 5 months out (I am 3 years out), you have to decide what you can eat and use the tool well. If you cannot or won't deny sweets, then just add them to the end of a meal only and only a few times a week. When you are full from other good foods, then you will eat less desert. Then maybe once a week have a desired desert with your favorite movie or book. You have to make the deal with yourself. You just have to do it earlier than most. The truth is that everyone comes to this place whether or not they get dumping, it all comes back to diet and exercise, for a wls patient, it is just that first year is such a help. Don't deny yourself that help, and do deny yourself the treats for a time. It will be the best for you. If you think you have no regrets now, imagine how great you will look and feel if you really put your best foot forward with your diet and exercise, and a year from now, wow you may not want that sugar stuff much at all! I deal with my sweet tooth all the time, but I do deal with it. If I ever feel like I am losing control of moderation, I throw it all in the trash until I am able to be under control again. I don't want to go backwards, and I don't want any of my wls friends to go backwards either. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

April 19, 2007
I remember CRYING the first time I ate sugar-some sugar cookies-and I thought I'd have this violent reaction and...NOTHING. I felt cheated. I wanted the "punishment" I was promised..lol. Dumping has a lot to do with hydration. Many people can eat anything id the are properly hydrated. I am 13 months out and at goal! Be happy you can live like a "normal" person. And eat what you want in moderation.
   — Kayla

April 19, 2007
I'm not here to lecture or tell anyone dont eat sugar. I had my surgery 12/2002, I am very pleased with the 130 lb I lost I still could lose 60-70 lbs more but thats okay. I have felt wonderful. I have never eaten refined sugar or drank pop since surgery, I have only dumped twice and that was on sugar free products. I can eat fats etc. At this point in my life I have to follow a extensive exercise program and watch what I eat just to keep from gaining...its tough as tough as it was when I was morbidly obese. If I would have tested the waters I would have gained most of my weight back by now. I have no control of sweets didnt before surgery wouldnt now..As time goes on you get you appetite back in full force, if you had problems with your weight before...guess what it didnt go away. I'll take the weight loss the good health and the good look over sugar any day.
   — debmi

April 19, 2007
I like to use Splenda (preferred for Type-II diabetics) or Equal when I can. It's not always available and, although many things you get in restaurants can be prepared with Splenda, they're just not doing it. (Chinese restaurants, where I live, are notorious for not providing artificial sweeteners or a spoon to stir real sugar into your hot tea.) I have found that I tolerate real sugar if it is consumed IN MODERATION. I even occasionally eat a small amount of ice cream. The key words here are "small amount". If I exceed the "small amount" rule then I dump. So now, after RNY surgery, I am able to eat things that I would not permit myself to eat pre-surgery -- and I still lose weight because because my avoidance of the dumping syndrome causes me to not gorge on the good (translate: sweet) stuff like I used to do. If you have not dumped since your RNY surgery, it just tells me that you are keeping within your limits of good eating habits. Or maybe you are one of those who will never experience RNY associated dumping. We're all different and that's what makes life interesting isn't it?
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 19, 2007
Hi, 21 months out and I have not just tested the sugar waters but have swam in the sea and survived! I wish i would dump or at least throw up and them maybe i would quit abusing myself. When i eat it I can handle a certain amount and if I exceed that amount I feel sick but not in a Dumping way more like I have overate and get tired. I know that getting tired is a bit of dumping but I was expecting and even wanting the whole deal so I would stop my addiction to the sugar. Enough about me what I want to share with you is to just remember that these items with the sugar have far more calories than protiens or fruits & veggies! And calories add up and slow down your weight drasticly, I know I hyave been at a standstill for about a year due to this sugar monkey. Good Luck , wade lightly in the sea! Janet 288/190/136
   — jpcal

April 19, 2007
I can tolerate sugar. Just not alot; some days more than others. I have a love of peanut butter cups, I switched over to sugar-free just to be safe. I've never dumped on sugar. Just on a banana 4 monthes after surgery. I can't eat white bread anymore for some reason and red meats make me feel queasy. I went in hoping sugar would make me sick, but it hasn't. I just try to stay away from it - only female issues compel me to eat chocolate anymore and I try to keep sugar-free on me during that week. (2years postop, 315/235/180)
   — HeidiMc

April 20, 2007
HI JUNE. AND HAVE TOLERATED SUGARS WITHOUT A PROBLEM WHICH UPSET ME AT FIRST. THEN I REALIZED THAT I HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION TO EAT SUGARFREE AND LOWFAT FOODS. BECAUSE REMEMBER, THESE ARE SOME OF THE FOODS THAT GOT YOU TO THIS PLACE. AND I DON'T WON'T TO BE BACK THERE 88LBS. AGO. I FEEL GOOD AND LOOK GOOD. SO I DO DAILY TALKS TO MYSELF BECAUSE A COUPLE OF TIMES, I EAT SEVERAL SWEETS AND FOUND MYSELF ON THAT SUGAR ROLLER COASTER AND STOPPED MYSELF BEFORE IT BECAME A PROBLEM. AND I STOPPED BEING HARD ON MYSELF FOR HAVING THAT LAPSED IN EATING HEALTHY. BUT I'M BACK ON IT FOCUSING ON BEING HEALTHY NOT WHAT I DID. WHEN I FOCUS ON BEING HEALTHY, EVERYTHING FALLS INTO PLACE.
   — joon4yu2000

April 20, 2007
Only 50% of RNY patients dump. Most people are under the impression that they will automatically dump. I hardly dump and need to push the envelope so to speak. Now my husband who had RNY also dumps at the drop of a hat. Everyone's physiological body is different. You just need to make a concerted effort to stay away from it (sugar) if you do not dump or hardly dump like I do.
   — ChristineB

April 20, 2007
the perfect answer to this question is : some people can and some can't! i haven't had surgery yet, planning on aug., but i have 4 friends that have and none of them dump. it all depends on the person. i have completely stopped eating sugar and drinking reg. soft drinks in prep. for my surgery and as a test to myself. there is so much sugar-free stuff on the market it hasn't been a problem for me. good luck with the struggle, but i think your best bet will be to avoid the sugar all together, because when you eat sugar you crave sugar and the same goes for carbs. good luck.... holly
   — RNlvnCARSON

April 21, 2007
HI, I am 4 months out , lap RNY and have not dumped "violently",I think I had a mild dumping. I have had very minimal desire and little consumption of sugar. I felt bad after drinking part of a protein drink that had too much sugar (recommended my a friend who has lap band), and immediately stopped drinking it. I do believe that I dump on high fat food too, I ate pizza the other day and started to feel icky. I have an addiction to sweets and am choosing to refrain from eating them. I just cant bring myself to go back to that, I feel like this is my last chance to turn my life around and dont want to mess it up over sweets. I have seen people gain weight back--and I have one friend who has taken to eating sweets--she bakes tea cakes and indulges in them too, looks like she has gained most of her weight back and I feel bad for her. I have had to turn down cakes, cookies, etc. because I simply cant allow myself to start, because I am afraid the addiction is too strong. I truly have to pray about it because I want so bad for this to work for me. A lot of people dont understand, they think it is ok for you to have a taste here and there, but what they dont realize is that for someone like me, I should not allow myself to celebrate everything- birthdays --every day, potlucks, promotions, babies, there is constantly something being celebrated in my office and I cannot be involved in it everytime. If I allow myself, I may get in trouble. When I get further out, I pray that I can be strong enough that if I try something, that I can keep it in moderation. But then when I think about it, my addiction is similar to an alcoholic, once they are sober, they should NEVER drink again. I dont need the sugar to survive, I can do without it, On this, I have to say no, I cant allow myself to indulge. I have been proud of myself so far, but I am a work in progress. Good luck to you, you will make the right choices, especially now that you know that you do not dump. Angela
   — A Q.




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