Question:
Did your WLS impact the diet of your family?

I have 2 daughters, 11 & 12. My 11 year old could lose 10 pounds (5 feet tall), and my 12 year old could lose about 20 (she's 5'8"). My concern is not how much they weigh now, but if they continue to gain. Therefore, I have decided that I will never allow them to diet. However, since I am having WLS next week, I have told them that I will no longer buy soda, cookies, cakes and candies, and they will be drinking water, milk and juice, and that they better get used to eating fruit, yogurt, etc. I am not putting a total ban on treats, I'm just not bringing them into my house. After the divorce, I began a that control eating thing: See, I can eat anything I want and you can't stop me! And I unfortunately created some bad habits in my kids. I am assuming that many of us have large children and I was wondering if since your WLS, if your children have become thinner due to your changing diet and activity level.    — Allie B. (posted on July 20, 2000)

July 19, 2000
It is so funny for you to ask this question because i was wondering the same thing. Since I had my surgery my daughters has told me that they didn't want their mother wearing the same size clothes they are wearing. So they started to walk with me in the evening time. They are watching what they eat even without me saying anything. Not to say that they don't get a sweet tooth. My girls are not thinner but they are becoming healthier.
   — Sharon T.

July 20, 2000
I'm so glad you asked this question. I have an 8 year old who is not really fat, but larger for her age. Since my WLS, There is not as much junk food in the house. She is also very eager to walk, swim, and ride her bike with me. I have noticed that she has gotten slimmer and can wear clothers that were once too small. I've always worried about her weight and this surgery has had a positive impact on her weight.
   — Tracey H.

July 20, 2000
We used to eat out almost every meal...Sonic,Capt. D's, Taco Bell, Mexican, we just rotated. (Bad wife, I know!) We don't have children & it just seemed easier to run out. Now I seem to love to cook. I cook healthy. I don't diet. Having snacks in the house does not bother me at all. I don't have the desire to eat them anymore. My wonderful supportive husband has lost 11 lbs. Just because he is not eating burgers, fries, coke, and a sundae for lunch and dinner. We tend to grill alot now. Yummy. I just try to cook healthy now or when we do go out I choose healthy foods because I want to now.
   — Janice K.

July 20, 2000
I don't have children yet but my surgery has affected my husband's eating in both positive and negative ways. I finally got him to stop bringing sugary stuff into the house and we basically eat more healthfully than we did before my surgery. The problem is that my husband has become a "cleaner upper" after me. He eats what I don't finish in addition to his own servings. As a result he has gained about 10 lbs since I've had surgery (4 months ago). He comes from the old school where you don't waste ANY food. So, I've started sneaking behind his back and throwing things away. I save and wrap up most things like chicken, beans, etc, but some things just don't taste good as leftovers. Normally ten lbs wouldn't be that big a deal but my husband is already quite large, 330ish, so I know that I'm not doing him any favors by offering him what I don't have room for.
   — Kellie L.

July 20, 2000
Hi. Well, I don't have daughters. The good Lord chose to "bless" me instead with 4 sons!(He and I WILL have a long talk about that someday!) But I can say that fortunately none of my sons (they're all grown now) have a weight problem...in fact, it's just the opposite, I think they're TOO skinny. But I will say that since my surgery, their eating habits have definately changed for the better. They've had to settle for preparing and eating the healthier foods I buy now (they're too cheap or too lazy go out to buy their own groceries). The only drawback is that they eat MY special sugar-free foods too and when I want something, IT'S NOT THERE! (GRRRRRR!!) Oh well, I guess it's just another sacrifice.<sigh> Good luck and God bless. cj
   — cj T.