Question:
I was told by my surgeon that after WLS I could never have sugar again, Is this true?
— Jennifer W. (posted on March 4, 2003)
March 4, 2003
I choose not to use never. But with the roux-en y (RNY) your intestines
are by-passed so when you eat sugar, it enters a part of your intestine
sooner than before. Before surgery the stomache and intestines broke down
the sugars by the time they reached that point, thus causing dumping. Some
people can eat sugar without dumping, most can't. It is a good thing to
dump, it keeps you on the right path.
— Dana B.
March 4, 2003
I had the RNY Distal and according to our doctor we are allowed to have
sugar without ill side effects. I have not had any problems with sugar at
all. I know that with the proximal there is a dumping problem with sugar.
Good Luck
— debbie11092002
March 4, 2003
I'm sorry, but I am really starting to wonder about the validity of the
claim of sugar sensitivity. Before surgery I was told all but a few dump
after RNY. Then, after I'd had the surgery, I started reading that 3-5%
don't dump, but the rest do. Now, everytime I turn around, I am
hearing/reading about people who are not really negatively affected by
sugar -- myself included. Sorry if this sounds like a rant, I am trying to
let you know what I've heard, and that it doesn't seem that the information
is so reliable. What really gets me is I wanted the Banding surgery, but
was told by my surgeon that because of the types of food I eat I should get
the RNY. He said (paraphrased) that Because the VGB does not deter you
from sugar, I could drink milkshakes and soda all day and never lose the
weight. Well, guess what?! If I wanted to, I could do that now only 7
months after RNY. Now I'm a little confused as to why I had my plumbing
altered, when I am living strictly on willpower? I love the results I've
had, so I guess I shouldn't complain, but this no dumping thing is a major
let down. RNY 7-31-02 down 101lbs. from 262 to 161.
— Jennifer W.
March 4, 2003
I had an RNY with 150cms bypassed. I have eaten 2 Girl Scout cookies with
no ill effects. However, I'm sure that if I ate the whole box, I'd be
sicker than a dog. I think that most people can tolerate sugar in small
quanities...but there are those who can't!
— Amy W.
March 4, 2003
Actually, I have heard the percentage of RNY post-ops that don't dump is
closer to 30% - this is the figure quoted by my nutritionist. The fear of
being in that 30% has caused me to avoid concentrated sugars with a
passion. Yes, I am more afraid of NOT dumping than I am of dumping...JR
— John Rushton
March 4, 2003
John, that is a brilliant idea...I wish I would have done that...Though I
dont think that I would have had the will power (shocker there). The big
reason I wanted the RNY was because of the dumping (sugar is my downfall).
I figured that I would try it and get sick and like the Pavolvian dog would
avoid it...Guess what I do not dump..I was so upset when I found that out I
cried. I really wish I would dump so I could retrain myself to avoid
sugar. Do like John does if you can and NEVER try the stuff.
— cherokey55
March 4, 2003
Unfortunately, you can still have sugar and for some of us it can be our
downfall. I was (and am) a big believer in moderation BUT I found myself
eating too much refined sugar--a little at a time. Yes, I do dump but the
more sugar I eat the higher tolerance I develop. I have gone to NO refined
sugars for a week or two to reset my dump-o-meter. Yes, if you really can't
stop it is better to never find out if it will make you sick or not. BUT I
want to live a "normal skinny" life and my skinny friends have a
bite or two of dessert and leave it at that. It just takes some common
sense and knowledge of your personal limits and weaknesses. Good luck!
— ctyst
March 4, 2003
John Rushton is right-the statistics are closer to 30 percent of RNY'ers
that do not dump. I have also found that there is a difference between
liquid sugars and solid sugars. I can eat small amounts of candy, cookies
etc and no dumping..bummer. But at 4 months post-op I tried a Starbucks
white chocolate mocha drink and I was sick as a dog-really gave me the full
effect of "dumping". One episode was all it took and I have not
touched a liquid sugar since. Wish it did the same to me on solid food
sugars. One thing we all discovered, the more sugar you eat, the more your
system tolerates and the more you crave, so if you have the willpower to
never try it again, more power to you.
— Cindy R.
March 4, 2003
I was told by my surgeon if I ever wanted to try something sweet, to allow
myself a small amount. He said that dumping is "dose response".
So, it's caused by larger amounts of sugar. I, like John, don't want to
know if I dump, so I don't eat sugar. I'd rather believe I do dump than
find out I don't.
— Michele C.
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