Question:
Now that we have had WLS, will we constantly diet 4ever or just until we get to goal
I am only 9 days post-op open RNY and at the "oh, god what have I done stage". I hate sugar free almost everything. I have been surviving on sugar free popsicles (which are pretty good), water, and can tolerate a small amount of sugar free Tang. So, my question is will I be in misery now for the rest of my life becauase I have to eat sugar free everything or at one point will I be able to eat what I want (within reason) and still control my weight? I want to hear from those who met goal. Thanks! — Sonya B. (posted on December 5, 2003)
December 5, 2003
Check the last updates of my profile. You HAVE to use self control. One
cookie OK, polish off too many gain weight:(
Its common to be unhappy now and it WILL GET BETTER, some sugar free stuff
is GREAT. Atkins brownies are one example! Pricey but real good! Just give
it some time. Even with my moinor regain WLS is way easier than dieting pre
op:)
— bob-haller
December 5, 2003
I know where you are!!! I went through the same thing (as I'm sure so many
of us do) and it lasted for about 6-8 weeks or so. It will get better. I
promise! I think the best way to handle this is not to consider it a diet.
We have made a decision - a major one - to change our lives. And with
that comes changing our eating habits as well. In making the decision to
have surgery we should all have committed to a new way of life. Sure, we
will still be able to enjoy some of the things that we used to, but we will
learn to enjoy the new, healthy things also. Tastes do change, it's what
is in your head that takes some work sometimes. If you can get past what
your head is telling you - you'll be great! Remember it takes 21 days to
break a habit (sugar, chocolate, nicotine, etc. . .) and you're just about
half way there! It does get easier. I still "think" I crave
diet coke and pepsi, but when I have the smallest taste of it, it just
isn't like it use to be. You will (hopefully) grow to love water. Try
some Fruit2O; grape, cherry, and lime are my favorite. Wean yourself with
some Edy's sugar free chocolate ice cream - eat a little too much of it and
you'll never want it again (knwo this from experience!) Once you break the
physical addiction to the sweets you won't have such a hard time fighting
the mind thing! Sorry to spout, I know it's difficult, but it will get
better. Hang in there! Pam
— Pambylah
December 5, 2003
Not all of us have a problem with sugar. I don't dump at all and never
have. I have recently discovered that it seems I can eat any amount of
sugar with no ill effect - I'm 14 1/2 months out. You're better off
assuming that you WILL get ill though, and staying away from the sugar. I
think I read once that only 70% of patients dump, and for the remainder the
amount of sugar they can consume often increases with time.
You're still in the liquid portion of your recovery. You'll be able to eat
much more normally in the months to come. I never really considered it
"dieting" because I never felt hungry or deprived like I did when
I dieted. I ate until I was satisfied; I just got full on much less.
I will say that things change a lot after a year out. You no longer have
the same restriction and can eat quite a bit more and have to be much more
conscious about the choices you make and at that point it is a bit more
like dieting, but the pouch is a great aid.
— sandsonik
December 5, 2003
I will add at 2.5 years out when I dont eat for whatever reason hunger isnt
anything like pre op. its not that ravenous gnawing feeling, its a minor
irritant espically if I am getting enough protein in. You are at the hard
spot adjusting to a new way oif life. Give it some time and you will be
fine! POST OP IS THE PLACE TO BE!
— bob-haller
December 5, 2003
Try not to call it "dieting" because that may freak you out. But
if your asking if you will ever be able to go back to your old ways of
eating and not gain weight, the answer is NO!!! But surely you've done
your research and read enough posts to know that. I'm sure you will hear a
lot of different stories because everyone is different, but I can tell you
that if I don't remain compliant, I gain weight. I'm a little over 10
months out and about 15 lbs away from my goal. It's becoming more and more
difficult to take off the pounds. Don't be discouraged, just be realistic.
There is no easy cure for being fat. This definitely is work, but it is
SO worth it. I've just changed the way I think about food and it's
importance in my life. It's definitely a mind game. You're so new at it
that it's hard for you to see the big picture. Hang in there, it will get
better. Just say to yourself over and over. . ."nothing tastes as
good as thin feels." That has become my mantra!!
— Kathy S.
December 5, 2003
I use splenda, it measures cup to cup with regular sugar, it is awesome.
You can get the granulated on their web site:
www.splenda.com I cook with it and I make decafinated tea using my splenda,
also kool-aid.
Try it, I think you will like it.
Dorothy
— dorothyjj
December 5, 2003
It isn't so much dieting for the rest of your life as it is making good
choices when you eat. My "what have I done?" phase hit me on my
post-op day three when I was walking from the hospital bed to my bathroom
during a Domino's Pizza commercial. I think everyone goes through that at
some point or another. I am just 4 months post-op, and I truly do not miss
much in terms of food. Maybe that is because I know that I can still have
a taste of what I'm wanting. I will have one chip with salsa rather than
an entire bag of chips and half of the salsa jar. I have found that I just
want the taste and flavor...not the quantity. As for the sugar-free thing,
you'll be able to experiment with all sorts of things and combinations and
will soon find what you like. Remember that your tastes will probably
change. What you liked pre-op you may not like post-op and vice versa.
Also, as a post-op, if there is something that you can't stand today, you
may like it a few weeks or months from now. Congrats on your surgery, and
I wish you a speedy recovery.
— Rachel T.
December 5, 2003
Life after WLS is not a diet in my opinion. It's a slightly different way
of eating but pretty darn normal if you ask me. It takes time, but at 10
months I eat whatever I want. However, because I know I cannot get a ton
of food in I make sure I get at least 50% of my meal as protein, which
doesn't leave much room for crap food, if I eat some veggies or fruit. If
I want something I have it. I made a conscious choice to eat a carb and
fat meal for Thanksgiving. I knew I could not eat a lot and I wanted
stuffing with gravy and mashed potatoes and 2 kinds of veggie casserole and
a sliver of cake and sliver of pie. The desserts were after I went for a
walk and made some room. LOL This was one meal and not having any protein
was not going to kill me. After that I went back to normal eating. I've
developed a new relationship with food. It's not always easy to not fall
back into old habits, but I find that even if I do I get full so fast that
it just reminds me that my anatomy is different now and the old ways won't
work too well for me. I'm 38 lbs from goal and eating BBQ ribs has not
sabotaged me. I don;t eat tons of sugar, but do tolerate in in 12 grams or
less quantities. usually it's more like 4-6 at a time. I do eat bread and
potatoes etc. but not much. I don;t do rice because it just does not like
me. That's not big loss to me.
<p>Attitude about the new healthy life is so important. If you see
it as a diet to get to goal then how do you change that diet mentatily to
maintain? Better to focus on maing changes you can live with for the rest
of your life. I also strongly recommend not going overboard with exercise
too soon. I've lost 200 lbs previously and I was exercise obsessed and the
bottom line is it was not something I could live with for the rest of my
life. After surgery I consciously made the effort to very slowly increase
my workout. At 10 months I do 3 days a week and that is plenty to keep me
losing. It leaves me room to add a day shoudl it become necessary to get
the remainder of the weight off or if I need it to help me maintain. I
don't want to HAVE to exercise 7 days a week just to maintain. JMO
— zoedogcbr
December 5, 2003
I don't think of it as a diet, but rather as a life style change. As far
as "Sugar free" products go, I feel that at the rate I was going,
I was bound to end up diabetic anyway - everyone else in my family gets
type 2. I am a little over 6 months out and this month is the first time I
have consously made the effort to "diet" by going on fit day and
monitoring my food intake and exercise. The reason for that it I want the
impossible of saying I have lost 100 pounds to my family at Christmas. I
have 10 stubborn pounds left. I am still otimistic that i can do it, if I
work at it. Our lives after RNY are not a diet, but just eating less and
eating better. I still only eat about a 1/4 of what I normally ate pre-op.
— Heather M.
December 5, 2003
Whether you are in misery the rest of your life will be pretty much up to
you. It's about choices! You can and will be able to eat the foods you
used to eat - but will you choose to do so? I work with a woman who had RNY
about 2 years ago. She eats (in my opinion) junk every day - fast food
every day for lunch, regular soda, etc. And complains because she never
lost all of the weight! (Blames the surgeon!) You have heard this a
thousand times - surgery is only a tool. How you work it is up to you. Soon
you will be able to eat other foods. I am concerned if what you are taking
in is only what you listed in your post. No nutiritional value, and you
need it to heal properly. I have not met my goal - yet - and I am over a
year out from surgery. Others will tell you that, yes, you will have to
watch what you eat to maintain your weight.That doesn't mean you won't be
able to enjoy special foods occasionlally.
— koogy
December 6, 2003
I'm only days from my one year anniversary. I am only half way to goal
and that's okay. Before I had the surgery my life was HELL trying diet
even trying to eat "healthy" was horrible. I would lose a few
pounds and gain triple the amount back. I had five wardrobes! I knew if I
wanted to live longer, I had to make some changes---if I wanted to continue
my bad habits I would have type 2, high blood pressure, bad knees and the
list goes on. No matter what --WLS or not, you have to change your eating
habits. I ate tons of sugar for 48 1/2 years and now I havent eaten ANY
SUGAR in almost a year, no soda, limited fried foods, etc. and guess what?
I'll take this year over the dieting and most of all the trama of obesity
and food addiction. I eat very healthy --its hard to do alot times--I
exercize and thank God for the surgery. I thought I would never make it
without all junk and I would be dumping all the time---it didnt happen!
Please keep in mind your tastes will change, it took me six weeks before
things tasted right, I hated sugar free items right after surgery and
gradually I started adding different things and now I like them. at three
weeks+ I concentrated more on cottage cheese with fresh pineapple, tuna
salad, chicken broth, soups etc. try them later you might really be
surprised. Good luck and Best Wishes!
— debmi
December 6, 2003
I'm almost 2yrs out... The honeymoon is over!! ;) I eat what I want when I
want and have NOT gained 1 lb in 6 months. In fact I have lost about 1 lb
per month for the last 3 months. I excersize a great deal. Presently I do
yoga about 1 1/2 hrs per week. Good Lux Bob
— Robert L.
December 6, 2003
I am 5 months out and I have treats all the time. It is the size of the
treat. My roommate makes homemade chocolate truffles (curse her!). One of
them is about 50-60 calories (they are small). They don't have that much
sugar because they are made with very dark chocolate. I have one every
once in a while.
I went to a premiere party last night and had a glass of wine and 2 little
quiche appetizers. Most days I do eat like I am on a diet. But I don't
feel like I am because I've acquired a taste for fresh veggies and lean
meats. I think I am understanding how normal sized people eat now. I make
good food choices 90% of the time. Now I know when I get toward the end of
my weightloss, it will get harder to lose, and I will need to step up
exercise and cut down on treats, but I know that I don't feel deprived now
and I won't feel deprived then. When I feel like a treat, I just make
sure I add another five or ten minutes to my exercise routine the next day.
Maybe I am not giving you the best advice, but I am finally living like a
normal person (not worrying too much about what I eat) and I am very happy
about that.
— mrsmyranow
December 6, 2003
Just wanna say "Amen, Sister!" to what Myra posted below...I
refuse to wigg about food ever again...what a treat - especially thru the
holiday season. I am no longer DRIVEN to sneak bites to even out the cake
pan, or have an even dozen of Reeces minis, or chuck it all cause New Years
Day is just around the corner, and then I will be "perfect".
Food has become food...what a treat!
— rebeccamayhew
December 6, 2003
I'm 2+ years out, at my size goal and my surgeons weight goal (never got to
MY weight goal), and I definitely CAN NOT eat whatever I want and not gain
weight. I stopped paying attention for a couple of weeks recently during a
stressful time and gained 8 pounds in 2 weeks. Part of the problem is that
I'm a terrible carbaholic, so if I eat what I want, it will be carbs and
more carbs, and before you know it... you get the idea. However, if I'm
careful, it's much easier to maintain now. I try to make good choice 80+
percent of the time. I have treats occasionally, even though I know it
makes it harder to get back on the wagon and I'll have to fight the
cravings. The difference is that it's possible now to keep the weight off
if you make the effort. BTW, I still can't eat sugar. A cookie will make
me dump, but all I can say is THANK GOD... or I'd be in trouble.
— mom2jtx3
December 6, 2003
I am one year out and have surpassed my goal which was 140, I am 136 last
time I weighed myself about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I might be less now, I have
been on vacaton and my jeans feel looser than they did a week ago. We all
are different. I eat most things, dump occasionally. for example if I eat
too many grapes I dump, but can eat a couple bite size snickers. Go
Figure.... I did indulge in cherry pie thanksgiving, dumped but it was
good anyways. ( I take full responsibility & knowledge of my choices
so don't bother e-mailing me a critique) I am at the point where I do get
hungry, and if I skip a meal or eat late I go into what I call starving
wolf mode. I get RAVENOUSLY hungry. I would chew on a horses hind leg. I
get crabby beyond belief. I am shakey and almost desparate for food. If I
let myself get like that I make poor choices if something "good
" is not readliy available. I still am limited on quantityeven if
ravenous, but might get something fried or whatever is handy. Protein
shakes come in handy, I can drink pretty fast and it takes the edge off
then I can eat a good meal little later. I try really hard to avoid the
situation by eating on a schedule 5-6 times a day. A typical lunch or
dinner consists of 3-4 oz meat, fish , chicken or shrimp. a bite or 2 of
pasta, rice or potato, and maybe 1/4 to 1/2 cup of a veggie, or I'll have
the protein on top of a salad. I might have 1/2 a tuna sandwich. (tip-
substitute cottage cheese for half the may in your tuna salad, Yummy &
better protein) I have eggs for breakfast most days. snacks vary, a small
detour bar, 1/2 a banana with peanut butter, cheese, etc. I do NOT feel
like I am on a diet. I eat til I am full which is usually 3/4 to 1 cup of
food. My drs. dietician say don't exceed 1 1/2 cups of food per meal and
I'll be fine. I also focus my eating on avoiding malnutrition. I take my
vitamins fairly religiously. I have to supplement iron and calcium and a 2
multi's a day. I have a fairly proximal rny. I do use sugar free products
with limitations. sugar alcohols give me diahrhea and contain a ton of
calories, often more than the real stuff. I do use splenda and nutrasweet.
they have no calories. you might be able to eat anything you want, but you
may not maintain your health if you go to junk food. ***************I have
to say I am not miserable. I love my size 12 levi's (that are getting loose
and might have to go to a 10) I really love walking into any store and they
have my size. I Loved on vacation going snorkling and the place had my size
wetsuit and the guy said "no way" when I said a 12, he said try a
6 or 8! it used to be 3x if they had it (rare) or was a mens 3x that was
miles too long and never fit right. that was always so humiliating to have
to try to squeeze into things too small and poorly fitted. What a good
feeling to step into a small size and the zipper slid smoothly up. you are
at the worst stage, hurting, not enough weight loss to feel different and
getting used to a new life style. It gets better and better all the time.
good luck and email if you need encouragement!!!
— **willow**
December 6, 2003
My doc always says after a few years, we will have to "diet and
exercise like normal people". I see people go pale. Well, to us diet
& exercise means sweat & starve. But when HE says it, he means keep
moving and eat sensibly. Very different meanings. "Eating
sensibly" never worked for us before, now, did it? And what is
sensible? The way *I* eat is 180 deg from many on this list. I'm 9 yrs out,
still weigh about 110 lbs (150 gone), but I still avoid milk & sugar.
So, I don't get milk & cookies. So, let's see, 150 lbs, milk &
cookies. 150 lbs, milk & cookies. Doesn't take long to make that
choice. Thing is, I got to keep butter & mayo! I have gained twice,
both times sugar, one of which was fruit. I cannot both have sugar and
maintain my wt. That is not to say I have not (how could I describe
dumping?), but when I have, not only did I gain, but then I had the carb
monster on my back for months! So, having my annual spoonful of frosting
from my g-son's b-day cake is a very different thing than keeping sugar
around me. So, was it a fair trade? Yes. Before, I was ALWAYS hungry,
denying myself something, everything, all the time. Now, I am missing milk
& cookies (milk & sugar), but not much. I still do other carbs,
small portions, and do not avoid fats. I do take a lot of vitamins &
protein supps. If I could have taken protein & vites pre-op and lost
(and maintained) 150 lbs loss, I'd have done it in a second. It does not
feel like a punishment or anything like that. It's just treating my
disease. I'd much rather do the protein & vites than have to use my
CPAP, carry an inhaler or start the diabetic meds that were just around the
corner for me. But then, the longer I live healthy, the more biased I
become.
— vitalady
December 6, 2003
First congrats on your surgery! I am 19 months post op now. I do NOT
diet. I did learn how to eat healthy and i stick to that. It is a
lifestyle change. It is forever. I still follow the rules i was given
very strictly. I don't miss the old foods at all. I never feel deprived.
But please understand you need to learn how to eat healthy. Many make the
mistake of following the rules they were given until they lose the weight
then go back to eating the old stuff. If you take in more calories than
you burn you will gain it back. I have met many who have gained back.
— tinalivesay
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