Question:
Anyone out there feel unable to stick to the diet after surgery?

   — Tonya G. (posted on March 23, 2002)

March 23, 2002
Hi Tonya. In all honesty, immediately following surgery my biggest problem was drinking enough, getting my vitamins in and walking every day. At about 2 weeks post-op, I started experiencing actual hunger and for the next few weeks, I really didn't have any problems 'cause my tummy could only handle soft, mushy foods. At 6 weeks, my surgeon released me to "eat anything I felt spunky enough to try". That's when the problem started. I went through about 4 weeks of experimenting with foods to see what I could and could not eat. It's been an interesting experiment! Things I used to love like pasta have lost their appeal for me (it tastes bland and it doesn't sit well in my tummy). Things that I never thought twice about before have become my "staple" foods. Grilled chicken breast covered with garlic mushrooms and a few green beans has rapidly become my favorite dinner. It's honestly not a problem now. I've settled in to the routine rather easily. I still have my weaknesses -- my daily breakfast is a stick of string cheese (good protein but kind of high fat) and 4 oz. of Orange Juice (a little high in the sugar counts). I'm sure I could be doing better as far as the nutrition counts but I'm enjoying what I'm eating, and I've lost 75 pounds in 3 months so I must be doing something right. In all honesty, I think your tummy will help keep you on track for the first few weeks. After that the choices are yours but I'm finding that making good choices have their own rewards -- like smaller sizes every time I go shopping! Best of Luck!
   — Pam S.

March 23, 2002
Tonya, first off, I refuse to apply the word 'diet' to my postop eating style. I dieted (ok and ATE) my way up to 267 lbs! I have completely given up refined sugar, eat protein first, go real easy on carbs and do best to get all my water in every day. Some days are easier than others. Unless my family is having a very starchy meal, I basically eat a tiny portion of whatever they are having for their meal. I typically have a protein shake in the morning after the kids go to school because breakfast never sat very well with me, and the shake gives me almost half of my daily protein requirement for the day. I can honestly say I don't miss the sugar one bit. I eat barely any fried foods and feel better for it. Its not all that hard usually to eat well as a postie. It is important to remember that you will have a very limited amount of space in your tummy. What you put in it is up to you, but for your health and well-being (and also your weight loss success), remember to think nutrition first. I'm 3 1/2 months postop from an RNY and down about 55-60 lbs. I'm having a lab workup done this week and will be able to see how I'm doing on the inside. Good luck to you.
   — Donna L.

March 23, 2002
I agree, dieting doesn't work, so I don't use the word diet anymore. Also, this is basically how it works ... you get the surgery, you're sick as a dog for about 2 months (and have absolutely no hunger), and then you slowly, slowly start to recover. Whether you're following any "diet" or not right after surgery, you WILL lose for approximately 3-6 months. You get some hunger impulses back around month 6. By then, though, you'll be feeling so much better that you'll probably be exercising pretty regularly. That will improve your metabolism just in time for your hunger to return. I'm in month 13 now, and I find I have to keep a general eye on what I'm eating (low carbs, high protein), but I definitely do not obsess about it. I just try to eat reasonably so I do not dump. If I want a piece of chocolate, I have it. If I feel like salad, that's fine too. I eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm full and try not to graze. I've lost 171 lbs. (so far) and have no doubt that I will eventually reach goal.
   — Terissa R.

March 23, 2002
I dont look at it as a diet:) In fact for ME its WAY EASIER THAN DIETS WERE! I eat anything in moderation.... A bite or wo of anything is fine, see my profile! POST OP IS THE PLACE TO BE!
   — bob-haller

March 24, 2002
A diet is just what someone eats. Someone who eats McDonalds and Wendy's all the time could be said to have a diet of fast food. So, I'm assuming you mean a diet of high protein, low carbs, low sugar, non-caloric liquids. Most people's bodies, post surgery, can not tolerate high carbs and/or high sugar, so they're "forced" to follow the "diet". Then there are those of us (like me), whose bodies can tolerate anything. I don't dump on anything, and have never thrown up. The only thing I can't tolerate is eggs. I don't have to chew my food well, can eat as fast as I always could, and can eat at just about pre-surgery proportions. Needless to say, this is very frustrating to me. I have to rely totally on self-control....and it's not always there. I am almost 4 months out, and have lost about 50 pounds (with 90 more to go). I have plataued more than half the time. Thankfully, I haven't gained. I am in the process of looking for a "diet" to help me make better food choices, since the surgery has failed me in that. Please keep in mind, that my results are not typical. A huge majority of people who have WLS are not able to do what I can do. This surgery is not magic. Even if you do dump and vomit from eating foods that you shouldn't - that eventually passes with most who've had WLS, and they find themselves able to eat whatever they want. They must learn to make conscious efforts to make good food choices.
   — Cyndie K.

December 3, 2002
wow, I'm impressed with all these others. I'm only 2 weeks out and dying for a Juicy cheesburger or a pizza full of cheese or a prime rib sandwich from my favorite resturaunt. I keep telling myself that I can eat it eventually And I think you can eat your favorite foods too, just not in the quantities we used to. That helps releive the guilt. As long as your stomach is handling it....eat what you please. Just make sure to get he protein in, and EAT SLOWLY and taste it.....!
   — Julie B.