Question:
I'm confused? So what exactly can we eat?

I hear so many diffrent stories...people saying no eggs, soda , candy, chocolate, carbohydrates, etc, etc, then I hear others say you can eat whatever you want, just not as much as before. I'm confused, I thought my doctor said he is bypassing the part of my stomach that normally digests sugar, so if I eat any sugar (at all) I will dump. But then some people say they eat it. I geuss I just would like to know what to expect after my surgery, I love vegetables but I heard someone say we cant eat certain vegetables like brocoli, and what about meats like chicken and pork and how about eggs....what about salad dressings? will everything I eat absolutely need to be low fat?? Any insight and examples would be greatly appreciated.    — Karen W. (posted on November 25, 2002)

November 25, 2002
Karen, everyone is different. I am 3 months post op and can eat anything with no dumping. I have not tried eating a whole piece of cake, but a bite or two makes me happy. Many can't drink soda after surgery, I have tried it again, but don't care for it anymore--and I was Pepsi addict. I make sure to eat my protein first, then a bite of veggies or salad with dressing. Also I have never had a protein drink, if I have a day when I don't get all my protein in, I just drink a glass or two of milk. A typical day for me would be an egg with ham pieces for breakfast. Lunch is usually tuna or deli slices, maybe a piece of cheese. Dinner is usually meat or fish with some veggies or a piece of fruit. Good luck....you will figure it out and go by what you doctor tells you to do.`
   — barbara A.

November 25, 2002
Most like me can eventually eat anything. Early on its protein FIRST, and given our small pouches we dont have much room for carbs. Thats fine low carb helps get the weight off faster and exercise helps too. Early on cutting everything into pencil eraser sized and chew to death helps immemnsely. At 6 months I was eating all normal healthy foods by near a year in about the portions oother thin folks eat. Relax, surgery WORKS!
   — bob-haller

November 25, 2002
Hey -- I'm only 5 weeks out, but this is what I've found thus far: I DO dump on sugar. Even very little makes me dump. So I avoid sugar. BUT....I've had no problems with meat, chicken, pork, eggs, vegetables. I haven't been cleared for lettuce yet, so I haven't tried salad dressings -- but I've checked sugar contents and most don't seem like they'd be a problem. My surgeon said to ignore fat content and calories, and just focus on protein. He also said that ultimately, sugar will become easier to digest....so I'll be able to eat foods that have a bit of sugar in them. So, NO, not everything (indeed, nothing) needs to be low fat...but you might find (as I have), that when you only eat a piece of string cheese for lunch, and the low fat tastes just like the full fat, you might as well take the low fat. Don't stress about it. This is easy. :)
   — Tamara K.

November 25, 2002
Sugar will ALWAYS damage your wt loss, even if it takes 2 yrs before you see it. The other stuff is timing. The cruciferous veggies took about 6 months before I could eat them without mega-gas. And even so, I can have them on the side, not as the entree. I'm not a big fan of meats, so don't have them often. My preferences would be beef, then pork, then chicken, usually--depending on style. My protein is chocolate, so that covers 2 issues. We were forbidden carbonation for 30 days, but because of the effects on kidneys & bones, there's really no hurry to get back to it, you know? A study presented at ASBS in 2001 showed a 22% better wt loss using a normal fat diet vs low fat. Fat free = high sugar, and high sugar means more hunger & cravings. I do normal fat. Fat satisfies. Not wild & crazy fat, normal fat. Eggs were hard for me, but for many they were the easiest thing to eat. You'll find your own way. Then every 3 months, your body issues a new set of instructions. I hope you are never able to tolerate sugars, though, because the battle after 2 yrs is tough enough.
   — vitalady

November 25, 2002
Ok, Heres the rule my nutritionists and doctor abide by its simple and basic.....Protein first....green leafy veggies second and very and I mean very small amounts of carbs if you feel the need to indulge. Its simple and basic.....this was a life choice we all make about eating to live or living to eat...not so hard and its works...I had open on June 10th 2002 started at 275 and am down today to 177. Almost at the century club !!!WOOHOO!! I do have some input on soda and have sat back for a long time watching the debate as to whether we could drink it or not. I would like to share what was discussed and tested right before my eyes that made me a true believer in giving up my beloved soda ( I was a diet pepsi-holic !) It was suggested that I take my beloved soda and pour some into a ziplock baggy and let it sit for awhile. The carbonation expanded the zip lock bag with gas and I was told to consider that to be my pouch and eventually it would stretch from the carbonation...made a believer of me. Soda also acts as an appetite stimulate. Not worth it to me! I enjoy my fruit 2o and Diet Air Snapple and love the fact that I am getting skinny and healthy.
   — cindy O.

November 25, 2002
Hi there- I am a pre-op but have been grilling everyone I know who has had thi surgery! I want to take full advantage of this surgery and have great success. On the other hand I don't want to be a paranoid freak about what I can eat. All that said, what I have learned thus far is that the key word is EVENTUALLY many people can eat <in smaller portions> whatever they wish and can tolerate. Thank God- because I was on in an eating frenzy worrying about this and have finally calmed down!
   — Carol S.

November 26, 2002
I eat all the stuff you mentioned. My dr told me I could eat whatever I wanted after surgery, but with reduced quantities. That said, I KNOW that I did not have this surgery to continue eating junk. If I only have so much room for food, I need to make it HEALTHY food so that my body will work properly for the years to come. I can't eat a bunch of junk because then I won't have room for the protein and other good stuff my body needs. Therefore, I follow the "rules:" Protein first and foremost, then veggies/fruit, then carbs if I have room. Try to drink as much water as I can (not very successful with this one but getting better). Stay away from "white carbs" (rice, potatoes, white flour, refined sugars). Supplement with the "required 3" (calcium CITRATE, B12, multivit with iron). Be careful with things that may harm my pouch (carbonation, celery, coconut, etc.). Be careful with caloric liquids because they can add calories without satisfying you.<p>I don't watch fats in particular, but luckily I have developed an aversion to many of the high-fat foods I used to love: mayonnaise, salad dressing, fried foods. I do believe in moderation: If I want something, I have it within reason. Deprivation and labeling foods or food groups as good/bad just sets you up for unhappiness and failure. This is not a diet. If you allow yourself to see food as neutral, you may find that you don't really WANT those foods as often as you would if they are "off limits." I stand in front of the vending machine after thinking I want a chocolate bar and at least 8 times out of 10 I will get pretzels. I don't know why other than I can have the chocolate bar if I want it but when I get there I don't really want it anymore.<p>I think I am pretty fortunate and I know that everyone doesn't have as easy a time as I do. But if you take care of your body and get your relationship with food worked out so that you are not enemies, I think you can be successful. Good luck!
   — ctyst

November 26, 2002
I had Open RNY 11/11/02 and I'm having a horrible time with eating. Let me just say that I'm full ALL the time. Well, I feel full all the time. I was on a clear liquid diet until my 10 day follow-up visit. I hate Jello and I only had broth twice. I lived on ice chips, water, and diluted cranapple juice. I'm now permitted to be on a soft food diet (scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, tofu, etc) but I HATE cottage cheese & tofu. So where does that leave a girl? Let me just say that I have had cream of wheat, scrambled egg (sometimes w/ cheese), yogurt (Yoplait Light I believe it was) but it tasted WAY too sweet so that idea went down the drain, unsweetened applesauce, and a spoon of no sugar added ice cream a few times. But when I eat I can barely eat anything and when I seem to have found something I like I tire of it after having it once or twice. So all I can say is what works for me or what worked for John/Jane Doe may not work for you. I'm having a hell of a time eating but I'm not going to give up. I'm going to keep on trying. It's all trial and error from here on out. I have a list from my nutritionist/surgeon and each day I'm going to try something different. My best suggestion to any pre-op or anyone who JUST had surgery is don't buy a lot of any one thing-even if you like it before surgery.
   — Tracy A.