Question:
How do all of you handle cravings after surgery?
I am pre op. In fact seeing my surgeon for the first time on Jan 24,2001..I am so excited..But I was wondering one thing..I can stick so well to a diet. But those cravings kick in for me after a while. I get really nasty too..I have to have my pepsi and chocolate. What can I do after sugery to get rid of these cravings? I can stay away from these for a long while..But get really nasty mood wise...Its like they are a drug for me..Please help..Thanks — Debbie S. (posted on January 10, 2002)
January 9, 2002
We are all creatures of habit. My 'drugs' were chocolate and SWEET tea. I
didn't know how I was going to survive without them. In the beginning I
still wanted them, it was a habit in the breaking. Then after a while I
didn't want them anymore. I used to have to have a sweet after every meal
to feel satisfies, its not like that anymore. I have had a couple of
little sips from my husbands tea at dinner, just because every once in a
while I think I miss it. It tastes disgusting. I cannot believe I used to
drink that stuff. It is just not appealing anymore. As far as the
chocolate goes, you can get sugar free chocolates. Whitmans makes a good
box. And I have had the same box of Whitmans that I got for Christmas with
a few pieces left. (box of 14 pcs.) So thats less than one a day. I know
that the change sounds unreal, it did to me pre-op too. I was one who
could eat a whole box within 2 days. Especially at that time of the month.
I understand your concern, I had the same feelings. And even though
everyone doesn't 'lose' their cravings, it will be impossible to consume
large amounts like pre-op. Most MO's have difficulty with certain foods,
and look how successful this surgery has been for so many. You have a lot
to look forward to. Enjoy!
— Cheri M.
January 9, 2002
I, too, worried about cravings after surgery. I am six weeks post-op Open
RNY. My surgeon assured me pre-op that my tastes would change. I didn't
believe him - but I think he's correct. Prior to surgery I drank 60+
ounces of Classic Coke every day. Now I drink 60+ ounces of water and
Crystal Lite everyday. I haven't had a Coke since the night before my
surgery and I haven't wanted one. My son keeps them in the house all the
time and I am not even tempted.
We went to visit relatives for Christmas. There were no less than nine
pies and four cakes. None of them appealed to me as did none of the
Christmas candy that was sitting around. For the most part, I don't like
sweet things anymore. They gave me fruit juice in the hospital and I
couldn't stand the taste of it. Blue Bunny makes a wonderful fat-free,
sugar-free fudgescicle - 50 calories and 1/2 fruit on the diabetic
exchange. It really satisfies the need for chocolate. Swiss Miss also
makes a good no fat, no sugar added hot chocolate mix. Both of these
products are sweetened with Splenda. I have had one cup of hot chocolate
and one fudge bar. Haven't wanted more.
So, hopefully, you will no longer really crave these things. My surgeon
says that it is a physiological change in your body and not a psychological
one. I hope it continues this way.
Best of luck with your surgery.
Patty
— Patty_Butler
January 9, 2002
I have to agree with the previous posters that my tastes have truly changed
after surgery. Pre op I ate a pint of ice cream every night (not a good
idea for a brittle dibetic, huh?) as well as all kinds of other junk
throughout the day. I now have much healthier tastes and only crave things
that are good for me. I don't know why, but that's how it is so I am going
with the flow! Now, some people do crave something with sugar sometimes and
are satisfied with a bite or two, and that works for them. If I do get a
taste for something sweet, I have a few tricks that are very satisfying. I
drink the fat free/ sugar free hot cocoa. I also freeze COOL WHIP FREE and
eat a couple of tablespoons of it, right out of the freezer. It has 15
calories for two tablespoons, 1 gram of sugar and no fat, it is delicious
this way and tastes like ice cream! Also, at night I make Celestial
Seasonings herbal teas, they make great flavors (I find them in a health
food store as the supermarkets don't carry all the flavors)and my favorites
are Vanilla Hazelnut, Cinnamin Apple and English Toffee. I put Splenda in
them (no milk) and WOW, are they delicious. No caffeine, and you get your
sweet tooth satisfied and your liquids in. Also, I crunch on some Kashi
GOLean cereal, throw a few almonds in there and you get in lots of protein
and it has a hint of sweetness. I bring this in a baggie to the movies and
I crunch on that while everyone else is crunching on popcorn.I also love
Protein Plus Cereal, very crunchy and sweet, but watch the amount because a
serving is only 2/3 cup which doesn't go very far. I mix it sometimes with
the Kashi GOLean to add volume.Also, Jello brand fat fre/sugar free
puddings are really good, especially if you mix it with the COOl WHIP FREE,
it comes out like Mousse. I make it into a parfait layering it with
strawberries and banans, it is out of this world. All my friends ask me to
make them this dessert now! There are so many ways to satisfy your sweet
cravings, but truly I think you will find that you crave different things
now, mostly things that do your body good. I don't know if it is
physiological or psychological, but who cares? Go with it and enjoy! It's
working because I am 7 months post op, down 102 pounds and 9 more to go!
Best of luck!
— Vicki K.
January 10, 2002
Everyone who's posted is ABSOLUTELY correct! I don't even know why I'm
answering. (grin) I have cravings every now and then and find that I'm
much more easily satisfied. I used to have very specific cravings. For
example, I wanted a bag of Hershey's miniatures and nothing else would do.
Now, I just get a taste for a little something sweet. I keep Tootsie Pops,
Atomic Fireballs, Lemon Heads, Willie Wonka Gobstoppers and Jaw Breakers
around the house or my office. It takes a full 1/2 hour for an atomic
fireball or jaw breaker to melt in my mouth and by then I've had all the
sweets I want!! It's no fat and only around 35 calories so if I do this 2
or 3 times a day it's no biggie. I find that I'm just alot more easily
satisfied and I don't feel like I'm having to settle for 2nd best either.
I drank Coca Cola Classic like it was going out of style pre op and I don't
have any desire at all for it now. You're just different after surgery -
who can explain it. You're not perfect and you're not completely immune to
cravings but you're definitely different. No worries!! You'll do GREAT!
Best of luck to you!
— ronascott
January 10, 2002
I was worried about the same thing. (I'm pre-op) Then I remembered how I
didn't eat/drink those things for my pregnancy. After a short while, I
didn't have any desire for the unhealthy stuff. That happened to me on
diets in the past as well. I think we lose the taste for it. Just like
any other habit, the beginning is a little rough, but after time, it's no
problem!
Good luck!
— emilyfink
January 10, 2002
Right before I had surgery we got a Cinnibon place in the local shopping
area. I absolutely loved those things. When I went to Texas to have
surgery I remember saying good-bye to them by eating one and savoring the
taste. Would you believe I can't stand those things now? I can't
understand what the attraction was. I can tolerate sugar and sweets but
now everything is "too" sweet. I still have cravings for some
sweets but it takes such a small amount to satisfy the craving. Instead of
a whole Snickers candy bar I will eat a minature one every now and then and
I am more than satisfied. Hopefully you will find that your desire for
unhealthy snacks change for the better.
— Teresa G.
January 10, 2002
Well I am the worlds biggest chocaholic!! Before surgery I could eat tons
of it. Now I am 8 months post op and I can tolerate some sweets (YES
chocolate) but in small doses. Which I think is great, I get to eat pretty
much what I want but in much smaller quantities. I love peanut m&m's
but if I eat a whole bag (the small bag) I get dizzy, hot flashes, and
nauseas. So I eat a half a bag (maybe 10 m&m's) once or twice a week
and I am satisfied with that. I dont feel deprived and I think thats the
key to my success.
— [Anonymous]
January 10, 2002
I just had to respond again. After reading your responses, it brought back
memories of a similar question/answer post long ago. Reading the answers
back then as a pre-op I thought these people were nuts...I thought there
was no way hot chocolate would satisfy my sweet tooth, or jello, or hot
tea. But I want to encourage you more by saying that these things more
than take care of that sweet tooth. Your comfort foods will change. I
never enjoyed hot tea before, now it is such a comfort and sweet with
splenda. Hot choc. never hit the spot for that craving..now it is too much
for me sometimes. I cannot even eat the sugar free jello anymore...TOO
sweet for me. This even sounds strange coming out of my former sweet tooth
mouth.
— Cheri M.
January 10, 2002
Debbie, Immediately postop, I had NO cravings! As I healed
and lost weight, some cravings came back- but I also had
new cravings. I learned to listen to my body- cravings
really do mean something to me and when I was MO I never heard
my body cryout for nutrients by way of cravings- I just stuffed!
Now, I crave ice cream (need calcium maybe), fruits and veggies,
different meats (tonight I am cooking a huge steak!). My
cravings seem to come and go depending on what time of the month.
I crave peanut M & Ms PMS (I am ninbbling on them now) BUT
I cannot eat very many nor do I need to eat many to satisfy
my craving, so I don't worry. My advice is to relax and take it one
day at a time- you will do fine:0 By the way, I am 2 years
post op, down 140 pounds- 10 from goal, and have leveled off
at this weight about 6 months ago- so my cravings haven't
caused me to gain- in fact, I think I eat pretty normally
for the first time in my life- like most people!
— M B.
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