Question:
I'm scared I will never be able to eat normal foods

can you eat hamburgers? if just a little bit. what about a bite of fried food. I'm 230 and have tried everything but it always comes back. I really want this surgury but I wonder what you can eat. It's worth it to me to lose the weight i just wonder about cravings.    — tracey71 (posted on September 8, 2002)

September 8, 2002
You won't be able to eat those things right away. Some people can tolerate the fatty foods later on and some can't. However, your doctor will probably not allow fatty fast foods. You'd be better off buying really good quality lean ground beef and make your own mini burger at home when the time comes that you are allowed to try beef.
   — Darlene P.

September 8, 2002
Hi Tracey, I also had the same fear..I am 9 months out Distal/RNY and have lost 97lbs so far. I can eat most anything I want, I am not like those who can "diet" and always avoid certain foods...I make a concious effort to "limit" those foods that I know will hinder my weight loss, but key with me is not to say "never" If I think I cannot ever have a certain food again..I will fail! I enjoy food and now with this wonderful tool I am learning to eat better, but I do not deny myself, I just make sure that my food choices on the whole are what is best for me, I do find that some foods no longer appeal to me, that may happen to you also and believe me, it will not bother you. I do not know your eating history, but Like I said I am set up to fail if I say Never...If that is you..don't say it, but make sure you make protein, veggies and water your main priority and the occasional fried food or heavy carb meal as an occasional thing. I admire those that can completely put these things from there diet, some say they do not eat those things until they make goal...If they have that kind of control...I think that is great. You must really take a look at YOUR eating history and decide what is going to help you be successful short and long term! I am here if you need to talk... Patricia Roberts
   — Patricia R.

September 8, 2002
I LIVED off of sweets and fried foods pre-op. Never thought I could give up those two friends. I have been amazed post-op how little that I want of those 'old loves'. It is still very new to me, craving and enjoying healthy food. My tastes have changed so much. I don't miss those things, and if I feel like a few bites of them, I have it, but find that I just don't enjoy as much as I used to. Hamburgers used to be my fav, my husband grills the best! Now I can take it or leave it. We still do burgers regularly b/c it is still one of the familys fav. I do have steak on a weekly basis, which is something that I thought that I would have to give up, but still works for me & GREAT protein! Instead of that potato with butter and sour cream that I loved pre-op, I choose to have steamed veggies on the side instead, or a fresh crisp salad. When I was a pre-op, and someone told me how I would be choosing to eat as a post-op, I would have told them that they have lost their mind!! Don't think that your life will be ending, in fact it will only be a beginning, to a wonderful new life!!
   — Cheri M.

September 8, 2002
I am 8 months post op and I can eat ANYTHING! I don't know if it's such a good thing because sugar doesn't bother me at all. I wish it did sometimes. I have never dumped on anything and the only time I vomited was in the hospital when they gave me the leak test it made me sick. I started out the same weight as you and I have lost 70lbs. I probably would have lost more by now but I don't exercise that much and I still crave sweets. I have to have twizller bites everyday even if it is just a few. I want to stop eating them but they just keep calling me. I know everyone is different but I think you will do just fine. on't worry you'll beable to eat you hamberger again. Good Luck!!
   — Bonnie S.

September 8, 2002
I eat most anything, EXCEPT milk & sugar. I didn't WANt fast food (not in any form) for 2 yrs. Ewww. But now, I eat it almost daily. Not much, but that's just how it is when you eat one meal a day in your car. For a long time, my one hand meal was string cheese & crackers or a h/b egg. I am still at my goal wt after 8 yrs. Fats are malabsorbed to a degree, but sugar never is. I do not mourn food, and because I no longer have ulcers or heartburn, I actually have a wider variety available to me! Yippee! 150# missing, and just milk & sugar. Well worth it. Shoot, before I was always denying myself EVERYTHING to lose 7# which i'd regain. This is WAAAAAAAAAAY better!
   — vitalady

September 8, 2002
For a while after surgery, you will be on a liquid diet and then the "mush" diet of soft foods. Then you will graduate to your permanent diet. Some people become lactost intolerant and most people cannot handle sugar. If they can it is very little. If you have your gall bladder out like most people do, fried food may be a little tough in the beginning, but it should get better. The bottome line is that you will be able to eat normal foods... it will just take some time. You will not ever be able to eat the portions you can eat now, but you will be abel to eat some. Some people can eat a whole cheeseburger from McDonalds. It all depends on your body and what it can handle. Hope this helps a little.
   — sammygirlwpc

September 8, 2002
Let me clarify my answer. I take in 150-180g protein in supplements, and do 4 feedings, I call 'em, one of which is usually fast food. The others would be small, normal meals. But #4 is often just some carros or (this week) garden fresh cukes & tomatoes, or small fruit. Not a real meal. I do not live on protein supps & burgers alone!
   — vitalady

September 8, 2002
I was craving Long John Silvers deep fried shirmp at 8 days post op. Well, that was a mistake! However at around 6 months post op, I could basically eat anything I wanted. Anything includes deep fried foods, and anything high in fat too. I don't eat alot of it but can eat whatever I want. That includes Burger King burgers of any kind. :) You just need to know that you "probally will be able to eat anything", but some things we should not be eating every day. ;)
   — Danmark

September 9, 2002
I eat everything that I ate before surgery. However, for the first 3 months that was NOT the case. You have to introduce those types of foods back into your life slowly. One day you'll be able to eat them and then the next day you can't. The only foods I have a problem with now (10 months post-op) is chicken and pasta. For the life of me, I just can't eat that much of them before I start to feel sick.
   — Patty H.

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