Question:
Carb addicts how did you do it?
I just want to know how hard was it to give up carbs after WLS. I just love bread, pasta, rice etc. How hard was it for you to control your carbs, and what did you do to make it easier? — vllgmz4 (posted on August 21, 2003)
August 21, 2003
I am 11 weeks post and have lost 66 lbs. Nothing is as it seems. I lived on
carbs and junk food. Chocolate was my favorite food group. Now I can't
tolerate anything even choc. flavored. My favorite snack and or lunch is a
slice of fat free cheese and a (unsalted top) saltine. I can believe it but
its great!
Don't buy a lot of food, drinks, jello etc. I have thrown so much stuff
out!
Your taste totally change and you do nothing . . . plus you can eat so
little too.
Also, I gained 22 lbs eating all my last favorite foods which I can even
think about now . . . gross.
Don't worry . . . it will work out!
Michele :) RNY 6/6/03 66lbs.
— Michele D.
August 21, 2003
The initial detox/head hunger is tough, but then it gets easier, at least
for awhile. That early 6 month post-op period is NOT an indication however
of what it will be like forever. Those carb cravings do come back after
awhile. At 2 years out, I'm still a major carb addict. What makes it
easier for me, is to avoid white sugar and white flour products. These are
triggers. Avoiding the triggers makes it easier to make good choices. Use
that 6 month honeymoom where you don't care if you eat or not to kick the
refined carbs. Then, don't add them back. You'll be ahead of the game.
— mom2jtx3
August 21, 2003
It surely isn't easy and it's one of those things I didn't give enough
thought to before surgery. I find it really hard to get my protein in just
by eating. Thank goodness for protein shakes, eggs, and cheese because
I've never been a big meat eater. You can try the lo-carb varieties of
carbs which will help if you "must" eat them at all. I use Wasa
when I have a taste for a peanut butter sandwich (not the same but
passable). You will need to curb your habit of eating carbs because they
can sabatoge your weightloss efforts. I miss bread, pizza, pasta, rice
everyday, but I just have remind myself that I went through all this for a
reason and it makes no sense in working against it. Take it one day at a
time.
— Starrlina
August 21, 2003
Here's what made it easiest for me - I got sick as a dog when I would eat
them!!! ha Seriously, there are times I can eat carbs and times I cannot.
I have learned to listen to my body and it tells me when I shouldn't be
eating something. I've made a lot of mistakes but those mistakes involve
dumping usually and that helps me learn! I was a carb junkie also and I
still have some but not nearly as much. Ironically, however, I don't get
sick at all, and never have, on pasta, bread, or rice. What gets to me are
chips, some crackers (not saltines), and heavy sweets. Initially, right
after surgery, and for the first 2 months or so, I just wasn't hungry at
all and that helps control what's going in your body and allows you to make
thoughtful choices. You'll find what's right for you and you'll learn
through trial and error. Good luck to you!!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 21, 2003
I've lost 135+ in one year. I didn't really give up carbs per se. I moreso
changed from getting my carbs from stuff like fruits, vegetables, oatmael,
ect. instead of potatoes, bread, and junk food. Keep in mind that I run 30
- 40 mins. a day and do resistance training. So, that helps to curb those
urges as well. Every now and again I will have a donut or brownie. I've
tried ketosis and for me I'd rather take in carbs so that I can have some
energy to work out harder. I just don't like the way that I feel low
carbing. It's also about managing carbs as well as cutting back. My waist
size has gone from 60+ to 32 and I have no loose skin. Think about what
kind of carbs, as well as, how much you're taking in.
— George B.
August 21, 2003
I consider myself very blessed to no longer be driven by carbs. I have no
great answers as to why they no longer control my life but I am thankful.
The only thing I can come up with is that I stayed very strict no/low carb
for the first 4-1/2 months, even after I could have been eating veggies and
fruits. I only did 4-1/2 months because I went on vacation and I knew it
would be more difficult, but even then it was very controlled and in line
with where my surgeon's plan. By going no to low carb for so long I kept
my body in max ketosis and burned fat from my body. Worked good too! I'm
down 150 lbs in a little over 6 months. I'm thinking that going that long
with hardly any carbs (max 10 per day and mostly 5 per day) broke that hold
on me.
<p>I do eat some carbs now but not at every meal and still within
total reason. They are usually lower than the amount of fat I eat. Most
days are 20-25 grams total. I can now eat any kind of carb and it does not
set off cravings for me. I am more than happy with a bite or two. I eat
bread, but only when I go out since a loaf of bread would go to total waste
in my house. I will eat potatoes once in a while and fruits and veggies.
The only sweets I have are no sugar added ice cream bars which are only 4
grams of carbs total. They are sweetened with nutrasweet and taste great.
They are made by kemps. I also have sugar free popsicles. I do tolerate
small quantities of sugar like in ketchup and BBQ sauce and even the
occassional 3-5 pieces of gummy life savers.
I do not know if how I did things would work for you but it sure has for
me. I just hope and pray it continues this way. I just do not have the
carbs calling me any more. When I go shopping all I look at is protein.
Good Luck!
— zoedogcbr
August 21, 2003
Don't worry for a second! I'm three weeks post-op and carbs are the last
thing I'm thinking about. I used to live for cheese-its, french fry's,
burritos, etc. Carb-addict to the max. After surgery, I don't even think
about food - AT ALL. I eat what I am supposed to because I have to but
don't care about it (emotionally) at all. It's kind of a nice plus after a
lifetime of living for food. I'm told it will even out after several
months and I'll be sort of normal....and by that time, I'll be weened off
of the carbs. I even gave up my Beloved Diet Pepsi and I honestly don't
miss it. I've lost 23 lbs in 21 days and I'm loving it! Good luck!
— Donya P.
August 21, 2003
What did "I" do to control the carb cravings? Not much early on
because I didn't crave them once I tried them. Ack - the sweating, rapid
heart beat and general over-all feeling of ick convinced me I wanted very
LIMITED carbs if any at all. Now further out, I indulge in a small amount
of them after I've eaten the good stuff (meat, cheese, veggies). Helps to
limit how many you have if you bargain with yourself. If I eat 3 ounces of
steak, chicken (what-have-you) then I can have some baked taters. You
can't get more than a couple of bites of that in after the steak, but still
tastes wonderful :>) This is what works for me. May not for you! Good
luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 21, 2003
For the first year or so, most of us have no problem with carbs, we just
don't need them. Then you become normal. If you are a sugar addict, it
can get out of control. If you are a bread or whatever addict, it gets to
you The best answer is to never start with your "red light"
foods. But most of us kid ourselves and believe we can just have a little.
We have grad groups, protein groups, off track groups. All there to help.
The trick is, when you gain a few pounds, quickly getting back to all
protein, We just do this for a few days every few months and are able to
keep the vile carb monster at bay.
— faybay
August 21, 2003
I'm not doing to well with carb cravings. :( They are just to tasty.
— Danmark
August 21, 2003
Estela,
Good question. You won't believe us until you are there, because I didn't/
But,... you actually will crave protein. Esp. when I was on liquids for
two weeks, I dreamt about a hamburger patty in Catsup and Cottage Cheese,
and a poached egg. And I was definitely a carb addict. It is just not
hard honey. It is not like being on a diet. I don't think about when or
what my next meal will be, you don't have those hunger pangs anymore. I
know it is hard to beleive, but when you want to be successful and follow
the rules, and you have this wonderful tool, it is just so much easier to
be in control.
Good Luck! Positive strong thoughts are essential!
— Michele B.
August 21, 2003
I didn't give up carbs after WLS. I'm a longtime vegetarian, and I would
*not* be happy without my carbs. :-) At 14 months post-op from the DS, I
eat about 250 grams of carbohydrates each day. Mostly healthy carbs
(veggies, fruit, whole grains), but some sweets here and there, too. I
still eat bread, pasta, and rice on a regular basis. Really, my eating
habits are very similar to what they were before surgery. I just eat
smaller, more frequent meals now (more total calories, which still blows my
mind), and I pay a bit more attention to protein. The only real difference
is that now I lose weight while eating whatever I want -- and that
certainly never happened before WLS! :-) I notice that you're having a
consult with Dr. Alverdy in Chicago. He performs the DS as well as the
RNY, so it may be something for you to ask about. The DS generally allows
you to eat larger quantities after surgery and not worry about limiting any
particular food group. The DS also has some of the best published stats for
weight loss and long-term maintenance. I have been absolutely thrilled with
my surgery so far. I've never had so much energy or felt so totally
"normal" about food. Good luck!
— Tally
August 22, 2003
Michele is right in that you often will crave protein as a new post op.
However I think she is a month out. Heck, I don't think any of us craved
carbohydrates at that early out! Wait until hunger returns! Then watch out!
I get so tired of the same ole line everyone seems to use "surgery is
a tool, ect ect". It's right of course, but seems everyone spouts the
same "line" like puppets. Surgery helps us to cut down on our
eating. Therefore, if we have enough control to fill up on protein, then we
can enjoy some carbs afterwards. However as a carb addict I still don't
find it easy by any means. However I can't eat a whole bag of chips, or
each most of a half gallon of ice cream at a time. Thankfully! But when you
get your surgery, do try to use your window of opportunity WISELY. I lost
hardly anything after 12 months. So much for the 18-24 months of
opportunity. LOSE ALL YOU CAN IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. The time will never
be sweeter than then. Don't obsess over whether you will still have
problems with carbs. You probally will, however if you are honest with
yourself about your weakness the WLS will work with you to make it much
easier. You won't always walk the straight and narrow. None of us do it
perfectly. However, you can control the worst of it. That is the good news!
:)
— Danmark
August 22, 2003
I'm 14+ months post-op. Any day now, I'll figure out the answer to this
question. ;-)<P>First, of course, you don't "give up" carbs
in the long run. It's important to recognize that while many experience
freedom from those cravings during the time that the pouch is healing
(think of the pouch as an internal Mobster Enforcer in the beginning),
eventually, no matter how disciplined or successful you are, carb cravings
return for virtually everybody, unfortunately at about the time your pouch
heals up enough to allow for more food. Presently, I don't miss the
particular carbs you list, because they just weigh too heavy in my pouch
(so far). I believe that eventually, that won't be true so much any more.
There are others, however, like crackers & popcorn, that I can eat
quite a lot of if I'm not careful. And they do call to me (actually, it's
more like a banshee shrieking) from time to time.<P>My approach has
been to keep in mind how much protein I've had during the day, always.
Protein is my antedote to carbs. I use protein shakes to help keep my
protein grams up, as well as protein snacks (I'm always looking for new
protein snacks and foods and variations on those). Protein's bulkier and
generally lower in calories. It's also less junky, and generally, contains
less of those comforting additives that call (scream) to me. If I'm gonna
have "junky" carbs -- and inevitably, I am -- there's gonna be
compensation for it, every time, in terms of my next food choice (Protein!)
(or on a bad day, the whole next day), or in terms of exercise, or in terms
of all those things. I don't just count calories; I count protein and carb
grams in an effort to try to retrain my eating habits. In that way, I do
get carbs, and while they can be hard to control, so far, they haven't
grabbed me entirely by the throat like they did when I was a
pre-op.<P>I think it's a one-day-at-a-time thing, eventually, for a
lot of people. Don't expect you'll never see them again. Do expect them
to be like that old boyfriend that you might like to flirt with from time
to time, but who you know better than to ... well, you know. ;-)
— Suzy C.
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