Question:
I am two month post-op and all I crave is sugar and have no problems eating it.

It seems that all of the healthy food I eat makes me sick but sugar goes down fine and I don't want to eat things with sugar in it. I have lost 40lbs in two months but I feel I would have lost more if I would not have all the sugar in my diet. Has anyone ate or drank items with sugar in their diet and still lost weight. I'm trying to keep away from the sugar but it makes me feel better when I get a little weak.    — Michele W. (posted on February 3, 2008)


February 3, 2008
When you get a little weak? You need to contact your doctor. Fatigue is normal, but weakness should be looked at. As long as you're consuming sugar, you're going to be on this roller coaster. Your blood sugar crashes you have sugar, it goes back up and so on. Get rid of the sugar in your meal plan.
   — Shirley D.

February 3, 2008
Sugar "liquifies" when it goes into your system. That's why it's easy to eat a chocolate bar, etc. But the sudden input of sugar can cause diarrhea. 5grams of sugar per meal is the recommended amount. You'll have a difficult time loosing the amount of weight you want in coming months if you have a lot of sugar. Sure you'll loose a lot of weight at first, but almost everybody goes through that phase. Once you get 6-8 months out, the weight loss lessens. At this point in time, with your current surgar "urges", would probably negate any further weight loss, and eventually lead to weight gain. You have to overcome this urge for long term success. I'm not saying you can't have a "little taste" once in a while of one of your favorite sugar foods, but not on a daily basis. Eat protein instead of sugar. At two months out, you may still have to rely on protein shakes for a good portion of your daily protein. Opt for protein, and not sugar.
   — Dave Chambers

February 3, 2008
This is a tool, and if you are only 2 months out, you are not taking care of your tool. It takes a year to 18 months to stabalize after WLS. I would respect it, be grateful for it, and not abuse it. Most of the successful folks who are 4 and 5 years out say, they never went back to eating sugar, rice, pasta etc. It is a life change. I say this with love to a fellow loser! There are so many sugarfree things that are satisfying for the sweet tooth! Good luck!
   — lesleigh07

February 3, 2008
Listen you need to completely stay away from the sugar trust me it's not worth it!this is my second time around i had lost 130lbs with the first surgery 10 years ago and felt comfortable at my weight so i slowly started eating stuff i shouln't have next thing you know i had put 110lbs back on just like one of the other posters said they have enough sugar free products out there stick with those don't screw it up like i did i thank god everyday for giving me this second chance but i wish i woul've had this type of support 10 years ago with my first wls maybe i wouln't of needed this second surgery good luck to ya! and think is it worth it when you put those foods past your lips .
   — lyne R.

February 3, 2008
oh what a dangerous game you are playing. I am five years out and still do not do more than 2 grams per meal of refined sugar. In another 12 months (more than likely sooner) or so your weight will plateau, dont sabatoge yourself, you've worked hard and been through a lot....stop! sugar is not worth it!
   — debmi

February 4, 2008
It's best to try to keep your sugar intake to a minimum but it's very difficult to totally eliminate sugar from one's diet in our society. Becoming fanatical about "NO SUGAR!" is pointless and nonproductive in the long haul. While I was still in my honeymoon period (six months post-RNY), I found that a granola bar would calm my queezy tummy. I don't know why but it worked consistently well. Now I stuck to JUST ONE granola bar instead of the two or three or more that I would have eaten at one time. Guess what? Granola bars have SUGAR in them. Occasionally when I ate at a restaurant (especially Chinese), they would not have Splenda or Equal to add to my hot tea. I guess the "pink stuff" is the cheapest sugar substitute so they always seemed to have that on hand but I detest the taste of it. So I opted to use SUGAR instead. It's such a small amount that it did no real harm to my diet and I continued to lose weight. Would I have lost even a little more weight had I not consumed that small amount of sugar? Probably, but at what price? The idea of losing all that extra weight was to become healthier and to start to ENJOY BEING ALIVE again. If I were in a constant state of worry about the least bit of sugar intake, that would detract from my joy of living. I even enjoy a piece of See's candy on special occasions. If I were to totally forget about my sugar intake and gain weight because of it (as I used to do), that would also diminish my joy of life. The idea, as with most things we humans do, is to strike a balance, a happy medium. In my view Michele, if you are consuming some relatively small amount of sugar and still losing weight (as you say you are), you are on the right track. If you enjoy what you eat, you are more likely to stick to a healthful diet for the rest of your life than if you get tired of a fanatical 'absolutely no sugar' diet, fall off the wagon, and return to your old, pre-surgery eating habits.
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 4, 2008
At first, I had a real problem finding something refreshing to drink. I had been addicted to diet soft drinks. Eventually I found a "light grapefruit juice" I think made by Ocean Spray that is only 40 calories for a cup, as compared with regular juice which is much higher. I always drink it with ice, and it's great! When you get weak, you might try a few almonds or some other kind of nuts.
   — pdmatuske1

February 4, 2008
ahhh yes...i had the same problem and still do at times....meat is still a hit or miss but i'll tell you i can eat a hershey pie from bk with no problems...lol for me personally i will fail if i deprive myself too much..i am almost 9 mo out and have lost 110 lbs...i don't have something sugary every day but if i'm craving it i eat half a serving and it pacifies me...just exercise your arse off and you'll be fine...
   — lizzie42

February 4, 2008
Hi Michele, thanks for writing. I know just how you feel. I can't get a "lot" of sugar, but I have no problem eating sugar items, and a reasonible amount as well. It goes down much easier than regular foods and I find that odd. Here is the thing. What I put in my mouth is my choice. I have to choose not what feels best, but what is best for me. So do you. I did not have a sweet tooth before wls, but I do now. It is a battle I will fight for the rest of my life, but I lost 120 pounds and have kept it off, and I am so thankful for that. It is worth the battle. These surgeries are not miracles, just tools. Use your tool, and fight the head issues, and you will lose the weight. If you make the choice to succomb to sugar, you will pay the price. Not to say you can't have a small amount, I believe in moderation in all things, including sugar, but you have to fight the crave. When my craving is strong and I don't feel I can control it, I soap my treats and throw them out until I have better control, then return to modaration. Now, I am 4 years out. If you are just beginning, you should eat little to no sugar, drink water and exercise like a wild woman. You can find sweet things that satisfy that are not candy or powerful deserts. If you can't control it, soap it and get rid of it, it is not worth the consequence. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

February 4, 2008
A lot of people have taken the time to give you good advise. If you have a problem with sugar and feel you can not stop yourself, talk to your doctor and ask for help. I found I get my sweet fix from products fix with splenda. There are a lot of products out there and you can use it yourself at home in things you think need sweeting. You have a great opportunity to be sucessful, but you like the rest of us are going to have to advoid anything that will interfear, if you truly want to make it to a new slim you! Best of sucess to you!
   — William (Bill) wmil

February 5, 2008
Sorry~ I have the same problem at times and those times are quite often. My demon is Mike and Ike candies along with Hot Tamales candies. I know I need to stop but I eat them before I eat a meal. Sounds like I'm crashing it is a crash. I've resolve to detox myself from sugar by returning to the orginal eating plan that I followed after WLS two years ago. I pray this will work along with extensive exercise. I'm praying with you and for you & me.
   — wigglyworm1

February 16, 2008
I don't dump on sugar, either. It is hard to stay away from it but I have found that using Splenda helps with my craving most of the time. I, too, have found that when I feel a little weak. that a little sugar helps. I find that something like a Hershey's Kiss or the small bite size Reese's peanut butter cups, will satisfy my craving and stop my weak feeling. Hope this helps.
   — kankan




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