Question:
I'm soooooo upset with myself, can anyone help?
I had wls 1 month ago, and don't have dumping and can eat almost anything. I really want to lose this weight, but cant stop eating junk food, I want to but cant seem to. Has anyone else been down this road and succeeded? Any secrets to a sucessful weightloss? — Tracy C. (posted on May 14, 2001)
May 14, 2001
Hi! You didn't say what kind of surgery you had. Do you eat just a little
or a whole lot...do you ever feel full?
Give more info so we can better answer your question(s)and try to help you.
Thanks,
— Betty Todd
May 14, 2001
Im sorry to hear that you are having trouble with junk food. We must
remember that this surgery will not change our bad habits. I also love
junk. Not ice cream and cake but chips and dip. So, I keep it out of the
house! If you cannot get to it easily, it will be less likely that you'll
eat it. I few weeks ago I had a barbecue. My brother in law brought over
Doritos. Ofcourse, few people ate them and I was stuck with them in the
house. Hubby promised me that he'd take them to work the next day. He
forgot. I got home from work, saw them there and had to have them! I ate
about 10 chips and threw the rest in the garbage. And I know I have an
addiction! I dumped the contents out of the bag, into the garbage, and
crushed them. I couldve seem myself picking the bag out of the garbage to
eat more. I NEVER go to the store for these things, but if they're around,
Im gonna eat them. So I try my hardest not to have them around me.
— Jeannet
May 14, 2001
No one ever said you could never have a cheat food again, but at one month,
I'd say you're off to a rough start. How 'bout buying those packs with the
little individual bags of chips, crackers, or cookies? Ask someone to dole
them out to you, maybe one a week. That would give you a weekend treat,
without eating a whole big bag. We're in this with you, so no judging here.
After all, if we weren't all in the same boat, we'd not be on this site!
Hope this helps. By the way, I had two peanut butter cookies last night
after supper. The reason I had no guilt is that two months ago, I would've
had at least a dozen at once. That's what this is about, learning
moderation.
— Amy K.
May 14, 2001
Hi Tracy. I don't dump either and this weekend while working on my mom's
yard for Mother's Day, I indulged in a small chocolate malt. I'm not much
of an ice cream eater, but it just sounded soooo good! I'll probably be
set with ice cream for the next couple of months now. Anyhow, I do tend to
indulge in goodies from time to time, most notably chocolate. I have to
say the best way to keep from doing this is as previously posted: keep it
out of the house! If your family likes their snacks, get them the things
you don't care for (I don't like the packaged soft chocolate chip cookies
and generally ice cream is gone before I even think about it) so you won't
be tempted or feel resentful. At one month post-op, I think you may be
testing the waters to see what you can tolerate. Problem is, you are
finding you tolerate the junk, so you need to work on changing the
behavior. And believe me, I know what it's like! Keeping this in mind,
your tummy should be healing now, but since you are pushing the envelope
now, a lot of these hints are for in the future when you can truly eat what
you want. Reach for the protein - even if you plan on eating goodies - so
you have less room for snacks. Drink 16 oz. of water before you have
goodies. Walk a mile first. Walk to get the goodies - if you have to work
for it, the desire may pass. Practice portion control - a 25-cent of
chips, one Hershey Minature. Portion control isn't always effective when
there is a whole bag in the house though - so keep it out. Quit eating
when you are satisfied. Mom made her chocolate cake with buttercream
frosting over the weekend and I took a very small piece and still didn't
finish it because 1) I wasn't hungry; and 2) for some reason it just didn't
taste the same to me. If you are going to eat goodies, make sure it is at
least a pleasurable experience and not something done out of habit. I
really have to stop and tell myself, "you know, this really isn't
turning me on, so why am I eating it?" Find foods that satisfy the
craving you are after that won't compromise the program: olives and nuts
(nuts and olives have good fat in them, but are loaded with calories - I
have them maybe once a month) are good for salt, pickles are good for
crunch (I also like them sweet and hot), unbuttered air-popped popcorn is
filling, cottage cheese with pepper and scallions or fresh fruit is creamy
and loaded with protien. If you have a craving, find something to do for a
half an hour (exercise, walking, call a friend) - it will probably pass and
you'll feel so good for not giving in! Don't shop for groceries when you
are hungry are in a craving mood. Shop after you've eaten - believe me,
the selection narrows and you start looking for the healthy stuff. Try
foods you didn't eat pre-op...I wasn't much of a fish eater unless it came
from a can, now I absolutely love grilled fish and would eat it over
chocolate any day. Try different protien bars and get used to them for a
sweet craving. Write a weight loss diary and put down all your emotions
about junk food. Are you anxious when you want it? Sad? Resentful that
you can't eat what you want? Include the date and the weight. Some day,
you'll look back and say, "Wow, I've lost 50 lbs. Think I'll go for a
hike today!" Tracy, I just want to let you know, that I share these
ideas with love...I'm a snacker, I know the struggle and how much work it
takes to change behavior that I've had all my life. But these ideas do
really work. I've lost 94 lbs and feel fabulous...you will too! Good luck
and God Bless!
— Allie B.
May 15, 2001
Preop here, 16 days and counting. Now I'm getting even more worried. The
suggestions given so far are good, BUT, they are the same ones we have been
told all of our lives, and they haven't helped. That's why we ARE where we
ARE. So you are telling that this surgery is not going to help, then why am
I going through it? I KNOW that it is a tool, but I am looking for it to
HELP ME, TOO. If it was as easy as not having the stuff in the house (and
I'm single) then I wouldn't weigh 356 lbs now.
— potterylady
May 15, 2001
Alexis I agree with you completely!!! If we could control the junk food
cravings and desires then none of us would be in the position we are in. I
also realize that this is just a tool but if you can just go on eating like
you used to then the tool would seem to be malfunctioning at best. So if I
have the surgery and everything goes smoothly I can eat whatever I want???
What is the point?
— ROBIN R.
May 15, 2001
Hi Tracy,
The first thing I want you to do is forgive yourself. The second thing is
to get rid of all the bad foods (because if they are there you will eat
them). The third thing I want you to do is find a professional help. You
need someone to guide you to good health and nutrition. Until you have a
chance to find a professional take walks or find something to do until the
urge passes. My Open RNY prevents me from eating sugar but the cravings
are still there. I have been cleaning, washing, cleaning the yard and
walking throught the urges. It takes about 30-45minutes until the feeling
passes. I do know how you feel it drives you insane and than when you eat
the junk food it doesn't make you happy so you feel worst. I will pray for
you to have strength and power to control yourself and the will to get rid
of the junk food. Please keep in mind all that you have done so far to
start your new life. You can do this one day or sometime you have to
measure one hour at a time. You can do this!!!!!
— Robin H.
May 15, 2001
Robin the point to this whole surgery is to eventually be NORMAL. No one
should have to feel like they are going to be on a diet for the rest of
their life but as the saying goes...everything in moderation. The surgery
does its part by making our stomach smaller so we eat less but it is up to
us to make some better choices for ourselves. If you want something like
chips or ice cream, there are things that are lower in fat like Rolled Gold
pretzles that have no fat, baked lays, sugar free and fat free ice creams.
See you can have some of the things that are considered to be junk food but
it doesnt have to have all the calories and fat. Also if you do have
somehting that isnt all that good for you, dont beat yourself up about it
as long as its not a habbit. I dont know about anyone else but the longer
that I go without the junk food I dont really crave it as much and when I
do I just try to make better choices as to what I want to snack on. I hope
this helps a bit.
— Tanya P.
May 15, 2001
Hi
I am 10 wks post op and can also eat what ever i want with NO Dumping!
it realy scared me at first because i was looking forward to having
restriction on certian types of food.
But what i have learned what other people have said this WLS is a tool
EVERYTHING IN MODERATION eat 10 m&ms instead of a whole bag or take a
hand full of chips not the whole bag, i scoop of ice cream or low fat or
sugar free icecream or 1-2 cups of juce a day instaid of 5-6 this is still
a learning curve forme as well and somtimes it is very hard to cut out the
foods you love and made u fat inthe first place but we don't have on off
switches.
Moderation is the Key .
Good luck. Dyan. PS I have lost 50lbs in 10 wks keep the faith.
— Dyan T.
May 15, 2001
Dear Robin and Alexis, I am glad that Tracy asked such an honest question
so those of us who can eat anything without dumping have the opportunity to
define the word 'tool'. The truth is, yes, you can outeat the surgery.
I'm sure if I tried very, very hard, I could. But, outeating the surgery
would still be more of an effort than eating properly. I would have to
return to my prior eating habits 100% of the time. I looked at Tracy's
question as more situational - there are times when I am anxious or
frustrated and I do return to my old eating habits; but for the life of me,
I still can't eat as much. THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF
"MY" TOOL. Others may look at it for the dumping aspect -
particularly those that request distal bypasses. For me, however, I have
formed a comfortable relationship with food: small portions, healthy
choices and treats now and then. I like the fact that I am not restricted
by taste, only by amounts. The other aspect of 'my' tool is that the
weight loss is so quick (in the beginning), and so consistent (5-10 lbs. a
month at 9 months post op), that the results are almost immediate.
Remember when losing 1-2 lbs. a week was considered healthy and a
successful weight loss goal? I found it completely discouraging and
tedious then - and painful considering I would almost always have headaches
and was shaky when dieting - and I would break that diet within 3 weeks,
only go regain the weight with bonus pounds. I am no longer headachy and
shaky - unless I do something real stupid and wait 6 hours between meals to
eat. The first few weeks of restricted diet trains you to make good
choices, so when you are able to eat more variety, behavior modification is
already taking place. You may find yourself craving the most bizarre
things (I desperately wanted broccoli when I was on liquids). Also, I
would point out, that we all have intensely personal and different
experiences with WLS. Just because Tracy and I can eat what we want,
doesn't mean you will be able to. You may find 'your' tool works much
differently than ours. You may find you tend to work the exercise program
more than the protien, for example. My tool doesn't always work the
exercise, protien and water requirements in synch with each other - I tend
to 'be good' about exercising when I'm snacking and 'be good' with the
protien when I'm dormant. I think that WLS has many built-in stabilizers
for human error; I think that it is only what you make of it as well. WLS
is not going to cure you from buying Oreos and Doritos or going to
McDonald's - but it will limit your consumption. I posted all those hints
because I use them, and sometimes I give in. No, they didn't work before
WLS because I didn't have all the encouragement of a 94-pound loss, no
headaches and no shakiness. But they are working now and I give in to my
tendencies to snack or eat 'bad' foods a lot less than I used to. I just
don't want anyone to be discouraged by WLS, and I do want people to
consider it with eyes wide open. But even if I never lost another pound, I
am so glad I did it, and would do it again in a second. Good luck to you
both, and God Bless!
— Allie B.
May 15, 2001
Preops and Tanya,
This surgery is just the first step to help us start a new life it is not
the cure all. Some of us need help with finding our way to good health. In
order for us to get there we have to change the way we think. Because that
is part of the reason why we were large in the first place. This is why I
suggest that people need behavioral modification to help think another way.
So when you get depressed, happy or whatever triggers your need for junk
you can take a walk instead of having junk food comfort you. I do feel
that one day you can enjoy some junk but until you learn to control it
better it is best not to have the temptation in your face. If you want to
continue to live the way you were than maybe this surgery is not for you. I
never thought I could change the way I thought about snacking but I have
started to. I just keep thinking about the 33 staples I had and the new
stomach for me to start a new life and most of the time it gets me through
the rough times. One of the most important part of this weight loss is to
feel "Normal" but in order to do that we most take an active roll
in our recovery. Which sometime means not doing some of the things we did
in our former life. One day at time one step at a time and before you know
it you have reached you goal of a healthy life.
— Robin H.
May 15, 2001
Robin H, I am not sure as to why that last message was addressed to me. I
was referring to Robin R. and I meant no harm. I was only answering her
question as to what was the point of surgery.
— Tanya P.
May 15, 2001
Here's my two cents, and please no one get nasty.... :-)
I am 7 weeks post op and definately still like junky stuff. I haven't given
myself to it completely but I have found alternatives. WalGreens carries a
product called Soy Crisp. It has 10 grams of protein per bag. Also, GNC has
protein cookies. They have 15 grams of protein and actually taste great. I
have found they hit the spot when I need it.
Good Luck!!!
— Rebecca L.
May 15, 2001
I'm sorry, but I think some of us may have missed the point of her
question. I think the original question was asking if others had stumbled
early and still succeeded. I realize everyone answered with a sincere
desire to help, but I think the answers may sound a little
"preachy." Please don't take offense, I mean none. But I felt a
little hurt as I read the replies. If I had asked the question, I would
still be wondering about the answer. Sorry, I'm off my soapbox. Now as to
the question: I am only 5 months out, not long-term, but I have been where
you are. From two weeks to about three months out, I craved all sorts of
stuff from my "previous" life. And I ate everything I craved.
Now, of course, I couldn't eat but a tiny fraction of what I used to, and I
was truly satisfied with that. I decided that with this surgery, I would
never "diet" again. Unfortunately, many of us still believe there
are "bad" foods! In fact, an earlier post advised keeping
"bad" foods out of the house. There are no "bad" foods.
As soon as you categorize food as bad or good, you give it a certain power.
There is just "food." All the naturally thin people I know look
at food in this way. It is just a way of fueling the body. And ALL the thin
people I know indulge in junk food from time to time. Sorry. What I'm
taking so long to say is that you CAN mess up and still be successful. Once
I indulged all my cravings, most of them went away.I think that somewhere
in your brain, you want to prove to yourself that you're
"normal," not some kind of freak. Well, at least I think that's
what was up with me. Everyone responds to surgery a little differently, but
I must say that most of the people DO lose and are successful, as long as
they TRY. You don't have to be PERFECT! Please don't beat yourself up about
it. Just keep in mind all the suggestions you got here, and do your best to
stick to your doctor's recommendations. If you need to chat, please feel
free to email me at [email protected]. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I
truly meant no harm and was just expressing my humble opinion. Maria
— Maria H.
May 16, 2001
I was not trying to be nasty with my reply I am truly concerned. I am
worried about the dangers of the surgery if the end result means that I
will still be be able to eat whatever I wanted. I have not been able to
control that up to this point why will having the surgery make that any
different. I understand you suggestions but aren't those the same
suggestion's that we have been given all of our lives to lose weight. As
you can see from the message board another person has died ( God Bless her
and her family) from this procedure, all I am asking is is it worth it. I
want to have this surgery badly but I am so very frightened that I am
risking my life for something that may not help me.
— ROBIN R.
May 16, 2001
Robin R: You are asking a question I still ask myself every day as a
pre-op. I think the possibility that you will not achieve your goal weight
is very real. For many people, the surgery does not lead to a lasting goal
weight. However, the statistics show that for most people, they achieve a
good weight loss that is better than can every be expected from dieting
without surgery. Those are just the facts. People who have WLS are
usually very succesfull in losing weight. Sometimes these suggestions
about food choices are for people who are determined to reach a particular
weight and are willing to "diet" a little in order to achieve
that. This doesn't mean that everyone has to follow every rule. There are
also different things that make a person want a lot of "junk"
food. The surgery can not cure the heart and mind. It does seem to effect
most people's appetite in a very good way. Every post-op I talk to, my
first question is "are you hungry?" They always tell me no, or
that they know it is head hunger. This is what gives me hope that this
solution will work where all else has failed. The tools people talk about
here that you've been told all your life, only work against head hunger.
My hunger is very real. I can't just do something to take my mind off it,
it is too distracting. Take that physically distracting hunger away and I
bet these suggestions take on a whole new meaning.
— kcanges
May 17, 2001
The hardest person to forgive is ourselves. The surgery is a "tool .
We have to change our thought patterns about food. This means totally
rethinking why we eat, what we eat and how much we eat. I feel like an
expert on the subject. In 1998 I had a VBG. Did well lost 80 lbs and
began eating like I used to. I was president of the Clean the plate club.
I went back to junk food. Junk food is easy to keep down. I found myself
gaining the weight back and felt like a failure. I had a revisiion 10.00
and I 'm down 100 lbs. The feeling of failure was a feeling that I don't
ever want to feel again. Not to say that I will never fail, but I'm not
going down without a fight. There are days when I make good food choices
and days when they are lousy. But tomorrow is another day. Joining a
support group or seeking counsling is not a bad idea. A lot of times we
eat because of underlying factors. Food feels good and make us feel good.
You will succeed. You have to tell yourself this every single day. It is
a struggle for us all. It's harder for a person to change the way they
eat. You have been doing it the same way your whole life. People addicted
to controlled substances don't have it as bad. You can live without a
drink and can choose not to be around alcohol, but food on the other han is
something you need for survival. To do something the same way and expect a
different result is insanity. I believe when you realize how much you want
to suceed, the junk food will be less of an issue. Go GIRL!!
— Kim W.
May 18, 2001
Tracy - Please don't get mad at me for saying this, but I really think you
would benefit from counseling. I'm not saying you're crazy or anything; I
myself am seeing a counselor every week. Although I've been seeing her for
generalized anxiety & depression, with my surgery a few days away
(5/21/01), I will be spending ALOT of time with her dealing with my food
cravings. I really understand your problem with junk food; I'm so afraid I
too will not be able to stop eating junk food after surgery. What I'm
trying to say is there may be an underlying, psychological reason that
causes you to crave junk food. And having anything psychological is nothing
to be ashamed of and counseling would be of GREAT benefit. It has been for
me so far. Good luck!
— lalasmommy
May 18, 2001
My goodness, this question generated a lot of discussion. I am 16 months
post op, had lap DS and so far have lost 200 pounds. And yet I struggle
everyday with the desire to binge and eat excessively. Problem is that I
can actually do just that if I don't stay in control. All of the responses
are helpful in their own way and perspective. But I think that one of the
most powerful things to help me, and I don't see this addressed, is to go
to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. I resisted this group with such a
passion and then when finally went (to get a counselor off of my back!!)
it turned out to be instantaneous enlightenment. It was a turning point in
my life and has truly been the catalyst for change. Now, I don't stay in
control all the time, even with the surgery, but the 12 step program has
given me food for thought ( no calories, either!!) and has been part of the
"tools" I have if I choose to use them. OA is another avenue to
explore, and even if people have tried OA before, your perspective may be
different after surgery. The food is not the problem, our behavior is the
problem, so I would encourage anyone to check into Overeaters Anonymous, I
believe the numbers are in the white pages. I share your concern about the
food issues and worry I will not be successful because of my emotional
reaction and constant struggles with hunger. Not everyone loses their
desire for food after WLS, nor the ability to eat larger quantities,
either. Whatever, hang in there, what else can you do?
— Fran B.
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