Question:
Does anyone miss an unregulated diet?

Am about a month away from scheduled surgery. Today, I had second thoughts, after I examined the forbidden food list. Never have strawberries again? a piece of fresh bread? pizza? salad? I am really wondering if this is right for me.    — Stonelady (posted on September 14, 2009)


September 13, 2009
I am only 6 months out and still in weight loss mode not maintainence but when I communicate with people who are several years out and maintaining their weight I find they are not rigid in their regulation. They all do follow the basic guidelines most of the time. Most reccomend staying totally away from trigger foods that lead to food binges. But most will have a strawberry or a small piece of fresh bread or a small slice of pizza as long as it doesn't trigger them into full eating binge. I personally will have trouble ever eating pizza again because I could polish off a whole pizza with no problem pre-op and don't really trust myself to stop at one piece. Right now I'm in the 4-600 calorie restriction phase therefore that limits a lot of the options but everyone is different and the balance of foods that we work out as we get into maintainence will be different for every person. The really long term successful people follow the basic guidelines of 1)protein first, 2)no drinking with meals, 3)using food logs to help self-monitering and 4)participate in support groups. Prior to surgery I went to amazon.com and bought every book I could find by people who were 5+years out from wls and were still successful and those 4 elements they all had in common. Otherwise they varied all over the place. I agree with you that contemplating the "forbidden" food list would make you discouraged and it is true that we will never be on an unregulated diet if we want to keep the weight off but that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy eating. Hang in there. Kevin
   — hapkidodoc

September 13, 2009
it really boils down to this. are you ready to do whatever it takes to not be obese anymore? my answer was yes. i am not forbidden from eating any of the above although i wouldn't bother eating a piece of bread. if you're not ready to change your life then having surgery is pointless.
   — greenpunchbuggie

September 14, 2009
Please don't let the list discourage you from getting the surgery. I am a little over 1 1/2 years out and can eat alot of things that I thought I never would and maintaining a 200lb loss. I want to lose another 50 lbs so I wish I COULDN'T eat certain trigger foods. There have been times that I have gotten really frustrated because I just wanted a good piece of fried chicken but then remind myself that having the RNY has been one of the best things I could have done for myself. To make your wt loss successful you will always need to "regulate" what you eat. The surgery is just a tool to help you change your eating habits and give you a jump start on wt loss.
   — AuntPamcakes4six

September 14, 2009
Marni -- I had a VBG (vertical banded gastroplasty, similar to the current gastic sleeve) in April 2000, and over the last nine-and-a-bit years have lost (and maintained the loss of) well over 100 pounds. I, too, wondered/worried about not having the foods I wanted -- and, the truth is, I just don't want them, even now. The surgery I had completely transformed the relationship I had with food, and I believe that this experience is fairly common among post-ops. You think, pre-surgery, that you will simply DIE if you cannot eat (insert favourite food(s) here) ever again, but the truth is, post-op, that food stops becoming the center of your universe. As the hackneyed old saying goes, "we eat to live, not live to eat." Even after all this time, bread, most meat, some fruit, and a lot of vegetables make me throw up, and a lot of sweets give me the shakes (shouldn't have them anyways, as I'm a type II diabetic, but sometimes it's just worth it), and the taste of some foods have changed as well -- it was probably three years before I could face ANYTHING with mayonnaise in it -- it smelled and tasted to me like it had gone bad. It may seem like an impossible task at the moment, but the surgery itself takes away a lot of interest in food. For most of the first year after my surgery -- and still now from time to time -- I had to be reminded to eat, because I just didn't feel like it. So, in answer to your question, no, I don't miss being able to eat what I want when I want, because I have so many other things in my life that take up the space and attention food used to. Good luck on your journey!
   — Cheryl Denomy

September 14, 2009
Hi, Marnie. What they can't possibly convey to you is that you won't want to eat, and even if you do, it will be physically impossible for you to eat these things in any where near the quantity you are used to. I had my RNY about a month ago, and it's a struggle for me to get in the amount of liquid and protein I need per day, much less anything else because I'm just not hungry and there's just no room. This is the honeymoon phase, to be sure, but by the time the honeymoon phase is over, you'll have set a whole new set of eating patterns. You can certainly eat these items again - except for maybe sugar - but not for a while to give your pouch a chance to heal. But never say "never" because thinking that way can make you crazy and it's just not true. You will be able to eat those things again. You just may not want to, and you certainly won't be able to eat as much of them.
   — agwc

September 14, 2009
After you eat right for a long time you tend to not want these foods. When yu eat protein first, u couldn't hold it anyway. I have a bite of my hubbys desert now and then. I always say. "Man that's sweet" You get used to artificial sweeteners. And trust me, there are alot more flavorful things to fill your pouch with then bread. Good luck
   — lesleigh07

September 14, 2009
Hi Marni! I am 15 months out and maintaining my loss. I eat anything I want to...thing is, I don't want a lot of things. I do eat fruit..and strawberries is one of them, but I do it with control and sensibility. I do not eat bread often. And on the chance I do ..its always wheat. I eat pizza toppings and I feel as tho I am eating pizza..its the taste thats there..not the crust that I want. I have tried to eat healthier for losing weight and being healthier in general. It isn't hard. I eat 4-5 small meals a day...I mean small...my pouch holds 4-5 ounces. so I am never hungery. I eat on a scheduled basis for the most part. Sure there are days when I can't eat at my scheduled times..is it a huge drama...no. I just eat when I can. I usually have something with me I can eat, whether its a protein bar or almonds. When you have the surgery, you have re teach yourself how to think about food. You have to decide to eat whats right for you and not what pleases you, but after you lose the weight you can eat lil things for taste, but only a bite or two. More would be a meal. I still journal (15 months later) to keep myslef in check and for memory -did I take all my vitamins etc...Its just something I do for myself. We are all on our own journey and what works for some, may not for others, but we all find a way if we want it. Second thoughts are natural. But, if its more about losing food than weight, then maybe you should rethink your decision. Would I go back to the 237 lb Kim? ( I am 115 now) No way..life is good now and I feel good and thats all that matters to me right now. I hope I have been helpful. I would suggest you go to support group--see some people who have lost it and kept it off and get yourself remotivated! Its a change, but its a change for the better! Best of luck to you! hugs,kim
   — gpcmist

September 14, 2009
I am a year out &, although I confess I DO miss some foods, I DO have strawberries, a small piece of fresh bread & pizza (unable to eat any ore anyway) & I LOVE salad ... but it IS a big change to adapt to. Remember, you will eventually be able to eat whatever you want - but much smaller portions, which really is what it all boil downs to!!
   — ditzyangeluk

September 15, 2009
Hi! I am 3 years post op this month and have maintained a 200+ pound loss for 2 years now. I have a BMI of 22 vs 53 when I started my journey. I can eat all of those things. But, I prefer to not eat pizza as it doesn't make me feel that well and it used to be my favorite food. I eat strawberries and salad almost every week. I eat fresh bread (usually only if its crunchy - toasted or crisp on the outside). But quite frankly, I don't miss any of it much. You will find as your eating habits change and you see such terrific results, it won't matter. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. Its hard to understand in the beginning - but you will see. Don't let anyones list keep you from your goal. Plus - how do they know what you can and can't eat once your at goal weight. Only you and your body will know that. Best of luck!
   — waferqueen

September 15, 2009
Hi Marni-I am 4 weeks out from surgery I had the Gastric Sleeve performed by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. I can eat oatmeal, yogurt, ham slice really thin, I even had 1 very small slice of Hawaiian pizza. Some foods go down better than others. I tried Macaroni and Cheese I ate only 2 bites slow well that did not go well threw that up. I also did not do well with chicken yet, but the weird thing is I can have Beef Jerky (chew up really good) can you believe it and it goes down fine so go figure. Everyone is different. I have lost 34 pounds and it has only been 5 weeks with a 1 week post op on Clear liquids before surgery. I can eat fruits like bananas and necterines so do not worry. Have the surgery you will not regret it.
   — Happytimes

November 9, 2009
I've had the same feelings and questions you do. I am 2 months preop been waiting since May and my mind has gone rampant with doubt, questions, foods I'll "never" be able to eat, ... , you name it I've felt the same as you, but I've been changing my mindset. Trust me it has not been easy and I've been discovering that almost everyone who is post-op went through this, everyone preop either has gone through this or is going through this, and as the time nears you still have fears, doubts, and anxiety. This has been a very long hard journey but I'm excited about all the things I'll get to do AGAIN and food is becoming less an object. I'm sure I'll go through more phases as it goes on both pre and post but I'm really ready for the pain, shame, discomfort, clothes, all to change and go away.. to a new physical me and healthier me. I love my family and want to be able to really enjoy them rather than be a pain to them. It's been hard to pour out my guts to them, friends, and others. Going to support groups has been helping and using this forum with "strangers" who have your same issues in common has helped to open up and be able to think more clearly and talk (ask it is) more freely about feelings. You know you don't have to face them, maybe never know or see them, and that helps you start to feel free from all the "food demons" running lose in our heads. I don't know what will be my postop diet, I don't know how I'll cope, I don't know how foods will taste, I don't know how much less pains will go away, I don't know.... BUT I DO KNOW it will be better in many ways and that's what I hold on to for now and through my testing faith. Good luck to us all who are in this boat and journey!!! May we all meet together at least in mind and spirit and receive our individual rewards, triumphs, and happinesses!! I have been a challenge to my family and with my doctor's support staff but they haven't given up on me, THANK GOD!!
   — drcrews




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