Question:
I wanted to ask a question about eating
I have noticed in a lot that I have been reading and sometimes questions or responses about what people are eating. I am 13 months post op and have lost 105 lbs. I see where other people that have had this surgery are eating a lot like before the surgery. biscuits, gravy, sweets, chips and soda, just a lot of things that made me overweight in the first place. I don't eat out at any fast food places. when I do go out I get a small salad and soup or some kind of protein. I don't have the cravings I used to for sweets, bread or fried foods or sodas. I guess I would also be scared to try them in fear of what it would make me feel like or be sick. It seems like the surgery took away all of my cravings for these types of foods, but I read others are eating lots of bad things. I would not want to end up like I was before anyway. I guess my question is why and how are people eating all the things like they used to and not getting sick or gain weight? I hope my cravings dont return for those kinds of foods. I do eat normal foods , just no bread, sweets, chips, sodas. mostly proteins and vegetables and crackers, dairy. just curious about this. thanks for any input. — taterbug898 (posted on December 22, 2005)
December 22, 2005
uNFORTUNATLY OUR STOMACHS DO GET USED TO EAT WHAT WE DID BEFORE SO THE
SMART THING IS TO NOT LET IT GET USED TO IT. KEEP UP WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN
DOING AND YOU WILL SUCCEED
— lmarkwell
December 22, 2005
Hi Melinda
Its all a matter of free choice and free will. I have asked this
question many times, and i get a wide variety of answers - such as how far
post op a person is, what their level of exercise is and so on. I am like
you - I am afraid to even find out what sugar will do to me, I leave all
breads, rice, potatoes, and junk foods alone. I still follow my
nutritionists protocol of half a cup of food 3 times a day, and it is
always protein first and at least 128 ounces of fluids. I will be 21
months post op on xmas eve and know I have found my bodies nitch - what
works best for me, which doesnt include ":tasting or trying" what
I am not allowed- but thats just me. As I started this answser with- its
free willllll etc. Remember, just do what you are supposed to do, and not
what you read others doing- our systems are all different, and what some
can tolerate, the rest of us cannot. Merry Christmas Cindi -214#
— DollyDoodles
December 22, 2005
I have also read that people are eating the way they use to . To me that's
just stupid I didn't go through all the trouble to have this surgery to eat
like before. That's why we ended up getting surgery because of our food
choices so why continue down the same road? My sister had the surgery about
9 years ago an didn't hit her goal weight an know eats what ever. Shes
always on me about "Being so picky" I just tell her its my choice
an I choose to eat like I'm in training ,I stick to my Dr. program an I
don't mined it .Its a mind set an if your not strong willed enough you wont
succeed. Its the POWER to say NO an I like having that power. Don't let any
one tell you your not doing it right its your body an your the one that has
to try to zip your jeans in the morning. lol keep up the good work I'm
proud of you for being strong an loving your self. Keep hold of your POWER.
— amygirl
December 22, 2005
My craving for "carby" junk food has come back a good bit, but
no, I don't eat it (OK, the last two weeks don't count cause around
Christmas it's HARD!). At one point during a crisis period in my life (my
Dad was dying) I did stop paying attention and started eating whatever I
wanted. I was up 20 pounds in a heartbeat, and would have kept going if I
hadn't wised up. In the beginning, you can get away with quite alot
because the surgery forces you to eat small portions and the malabsorption
is still in full force. It will be the very rare person however that will
still be at goal if they are eating like that at two or three years out.
Personally, I can think of NO ONE that lives on gravy, sweet, chips and
soda at a couple of years out that hasn't put a large percentage of the
weight back on. Sadly, I do know people who eat like they did before
surgery, and wonder why the surgery failed them. In my experiance, we MUST
change our eating habits. I'm not talking about being perfect 100% of the
time, but about making good and balanced choices. You're doing the right
thing. The way that you are eating is the way that will keep the weight
off permanently.
— mom2jtx3
December 22, 2005
Hi Melinda. I am 3 yrs post op and when I first had the surgery I was
asking the same question. In my case, unfortunately, I rarely have the
problem of dumping and all that. I was very afraid of that fact. So I had
to realize that even if I was just dieting without the surgery I still have
to watch what I eat and my calorie intake. I eat what I want, but now that
I have lost all the weight I wanted I follow a 2,000 calorie diet to
maintain my weight loss. And mind you I very rarely reach 2,000 calories.
My tummy still knows better. But now its not how much you eat it's what.
And that's where the calorie counting comes in. There is no need to
deprieve yourself of anything. But it's up to you to remind yourself why
you had the surgery in the first place, and for me that alone keeps me on
the straight and narrow. You will find a balance for yourself and you will
be fine. Maybe you will be one of those lucky ones who don't get those
cravings back :) Keep up the good work. Nikki (3yrs post op; 150lbs from
350lbs)
— NikkiCarter
December 22, 2005
Melinda, just as your attitude towards food has changed since surgery, it
will gradually change again over the next two years. The fact that you had
surgery will slowly sink further and further into the back of your mind and
you will try 'bad' foods now and again. In short, your fear of food WILL
dissapear and that leaves you open for bad choices. The key to all of this
is to learn proper eating NOW, and later those possitive choices will be
more prevalent than the poor ones. Keep in mind that somewhere around the
third year your body does some catching up in some weird ways. Good luck
to you. Rebecca ~ RNY 10/01
— RebeccaP
December 22, 2005
I have to agree to the previous post. Each person is different after
surgery. Some people can never eat sugar/fats/carbonated drinks/use straws
and so on..and some after a length of time can. For me, I hope I can never
do it. And really, there is no reason for anyone to go back to the old
habits. I feel after surgery it becomes a mind game, and depending on how
you play the game will determine the success or failure of the surgery. I
personally cannot see why anyone would want to go back to their old habits
after being fortunate enough to get a whole new lease on life. This surgery
is a tool among other tools, not a solution in itself. If we do not do the
other things required, then it is going to fail. Personally, I do not ever
want to be like the person I was before I had the surgery, I will forever
remember the torment I endured on the inside. I feel this surgery was a
miracle in my life and I do not want to do anything to ruin that because I
seriously feel we get one shot at this.
Don't worry about others hon, you just appreciate the gift that was given
to you, run with it, and enjoy life!!!
Hugs!
— Angelfirewithwings
December 22, 2005
I am like you. I do get cravings to try chocolate, but I just do not
because I know then I will want to eat it. Of course, i exercised and ate
right before the surgery, since I am diabetic. I just tell myself that I
cannot have them, and i don't. I was told not to drink carbonated
beverages at all, so i do not. My niece, however, who is two years out,
eats everything. She eats more than I did pre-op!!!! Of course, she was
always one of those people who eats like a linebacker, so she is still
eating less than she did before her surgery, and exercissing a lot more!
Everyone has a different metabolism, so some people can eat more. I am
just not going to eat that stuff, because I know I have a taste for it, and
I do not want to get into the habit of eating junk.
— Novashannon
December 22, 2005
I am 3 years Post-Op and having problems due to eating and lack of
exercise. I am currently in contact with a new surgeon to identify where
my problems are.
The main thing I hate to see are OTHER people putting people down as the
answer. I've had to hear my whole life about 'you just should eat less and
exercise more'! If that was something that I could just 'DO' I wouldn't
have needed the surgery.
Be patient, kind and understanding when you post answers to others
questions.
Don H. RNY 11/04/02
— padrdh1
December 22, 2005
I am 3 years Post-Op and having problems due to eating and lack of
exercise. I am currently in contact with a new surgeon to identify where
my problems are.
The main thing I hate to see are OTHER people putting people down as the
answer. I've had to hear my whole life about 'you just should eat less and
exercise more'! If that was something that I could just 'DO' I wouldn't
have needed the surgery.
Be patient, kind and understanding when you post answers to others
questions.
Don H. RNY 11/04/02
— padrdh1
December 23, 2005
I am 12 months post op- I can not eat a wide variety of foods yet. I try to
get my protein first, of course. I find that I am not eating many veggies-
I can now eat a veggie/romaine salad with a small amt of dressing.
I do have my coffee in the am- with a small amt of-----half and half and
.........................SUGAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is my daily treat
and I am still losing- 100 lbs so far. I also have the occasional "fun
size" KitKat bar when I crave one. Doesn't hurt a thing. I can
tolerate sugar fine. We all became overweight by gorging and overeating at
will. I do not think I am cheating nor am I missing anything. I am eating
in moderation and trying to try new things as I can tolerate them. I feel
like I am eating normally for the first time since I was in my 20's. I am
not advocating that everyone start trying sugar and candy- but I am doing
fine with having a bit . It feels so good to not have all the GUILT
associated with eating anymore! WHOPPPPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Free at last and
wearing size 10/12!
— Dec16-04
December 30, 2005
I am a little late with my answer,but I wanted to add. I am 9 months out
and do partake in a little this and that, a miniature candy or a piece of
banana bread (just had that during these holidays). I haven't reached my
goal and I think I am stopping at -80 pounds. I do try to go back to
basics, but I can't get myself to have just liquids so I eat my allotted
protein and fruit or veggie, but still I am stalled. Sometimes I increase
my protein a bit and try to add more water, but with working I am lucky if
I get in in 70-80 ounces, not the 100 I want. It is hard when I work to
stay in control since I quit smoking last year, but if I bring my allotted
protein I am good, just have to watch the crazies when I get home from
work.
Karen
— KRWaters
December 30, 2005
melinda you are one of the lucky ones out there. Keep reading lots of the
people are putting some weight on because of the bad eating habits. I had
my surgery in 1996 and the bad eating habits have been lifted for me too.
I am very greatfull for that and I have been able to keep my goal weight
for 9 years now. The best part is that I am not obcessing over the food
any more. To answer your questions, People are getting sick and many of
them are gaining weight some of them 40 lbs, 70 lbs, and the list goes on.
Keep reading and pay attention and you will be amazed at how many of them
are so miserable and are not able to control the food and it is all they
are concern about. Consider yourself a lucky person. Your obcession with
food have been lifted. You must be in touch with your emotional healing
also. And I am sure you are comfortable and satisfy with your new you and
your thin body. Keep the good work and if it's working don't question it.
Congratulation and I am very proud of you.
— Dani96
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