Question:
I am addicted to sweets, I want to have this surgery but I'm scared of my addiction.
I am addicted to sweets, really bad. Has anyone else had this problem? I want my surgery to be a success, will I still be craving the sweets like I do now? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. — Tammy37 (posted on June 14, 2005)
June 14, 2005
Everyone of us had weaknesses prior to having the surgery and some of us
still have them. However, after you have surgery you will find that your
new stomach/pouch is just like a babies and not tolerant of the things you
used to enjoy. If you make the mistake of eatting sweets too early, I
guarantee that you will not make that mistake twice.
— Tiff's On a Mission
June 14, 2005
You are scared? GOOD! That may help to save you. I understand your fear as
I had (and still do have) a sweet tooth. Everyone is different but after
wls, I could tolerate only 12 grams of sugar. You can not believe the sugar
that is in almost everything. Anyway, GRADUALLY I started eating more and
more sugar. As a new post op it makes you feel almost like having a heart
attack. But as you eat more, it gets easier until you can eat alot. I got
hooked on sugar a few times as a post op. If at all possible, do NOT push
it. Want to eat a piece of pie as a post op? Eat a few bites, then put it
in the frig. Eat it over several days. That way you can enjoy but do not
get alot of grams at once. Some sweets are ok. But do limit them as much as
possible. I enjoy ALL foods, but some, like candy, in MODERATION. Best of
luck to you!
— Danmark
June 14, 2005
I almost cancelled my surgery a week before because I found this really
great doughnut shop. Sad, but true. Trust me, your relationship with food
will DRASTICALLY change after surgery. Most of the things that I thought I
couldn't live wtihout, just don't interest me anymore. Bread..nope.
Soda...not for 3 or so years. Sweets...I like salt snacks now. It's
really odd how you and your tastes change. Good luck
— RebeccaP
June 14, 2005
Beleive me try and eat sweets after surgery. As you bow to the porcline god
for 30 min. you will vow to never do it again! I personally wasn't a sweet
eater but sooo many things you wouldnt beleive have sugar in it, and I
could tell right away. Heart racing, sweating, nausia, I would have to lay
down for awhile. I just started eating fruit with all my meals and eating
the fruit with protien really made the difference. My sugar tolerence is
building up.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 14, 2005
Then like me you'll go down kicking and screaming, this surgery will
without a doubt fix you physically where you CAN NOT EAT certain foods, but
your head will still tell you ,you want it very much. I am 3 yrs post op,
and there isnt not much of anything I can't now have just very little of (
after the surgery it will be like going through a divorce with food or the
lose of a friend/family memember thats the mental pain of giving it up but
you will and love yourself even more for accomplishing it greater are the
rewards :)
— niteshadow181
June 14, 2005
Your addiction doesn't completely go away, but you'll be able to control it
much better. You are forced to abandon the bad stuff in the intial phases.
However, as you get farther out, YOU have to start making the right
choices. If I had it to do over again, I NEVER would have allowed white
sugar and white flour back in my diet. Read about carb addiction when
you're further out. It will help you know how to handle your cravings.
— mom2jtx3
June 15, 2005
I was totally addicted to sweets, always have been. I vowed I'd never go
back to refine sugar after the surgery. So far, so good, I do everything
sugar free. I know plenty of postops who eat refined sugar and tolerate
it. I dont want to know if I can or not and I dont want that horrible
addiction back. Otherwise I eat anything and I want without a problem just
very small amounts and I do have a problem with grazing. Refined sugar,
carbonated beverages (I loved Diet Coke) and alcholic beverages have NOT
been part of my life since 12/2002. I never got anywhere near goal but I'm
happy with what I've done and my health is excellent! You can do it, just
remember do what works for you...just because another postop does it doesnt
mean you should start.
— debmi
June 15, 2005
Question: If you self-identify as an addict, what have you done/are you
doing to staying "sober?" Seriously. My addiction was to starch,
not sugar (got morbidly obese just as effectively). I made a commitment to
myself to avoid refined sugar & "simple coarbohydrate"
starches as much as possible post-op when I was entering the
"real" foods stage.
And I have.
Results: I lost my addiction; or, to stay true to the 12-Step model, I've
been "sober" since April 15, 2003! I lost the cravings, the
emotional investment in particular foods. I did NOT "test" to see
how much sugar I could handle before experiencing the "dumping
syndrome" others have already, and so effectively, described to you. I
allowed the fear of dumping to keep me on the straight & narrow.
In my opinion, too many of us post-ops get into trouble when we're told we
can now go back to eating normally, just smaller portions. If you haven't
tackled the emotional intensity you've attached to certain foods, resuming
eating them is going to set you up for the old yoyo terrors of
resisting/surrendering to CRAVINGS.
I once quit smoking cold turkey for 9 months. Took a new job and at the
first Monday morning conference meeting, everyone lit up (this was 1972,
kiddies); so I bummed a cig from the person next to me. After the meeting I
went directly to the newstand in the lobby & bought a pack of cigs my
old brand) and simply picked up where I'd left off.
It wasn't until I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant with our firstborn that
I quit, cold turkey. That was June, 1976.It worked because I told myself
that I was an addict and that there was no such thing as simply bumming a
single cig. Period.
So, being a food addict, why would you start hanging out with the foods
you're addicted to as a post-op? The foods that caused you to become
MORBIDLY obese?
As a weightloss COACH, I know that the key is finding other ways to calm
& comfort myself other than food.
Are you willing to imagine yourself free from food addictions? Are you
willing to see yourself living a healthy, energized, happy life free from
the drama of food addiction? That is the first step...
You CAN do it.
If you want it badly enough!
Lovingly,
Lauralyn
Lap RNY 2/13/03 @ size 3X,
today size 8!
— EmbodySuccess
June 15, 2005
Don't worry so was I the cravings will go away and if you try it you will
want to forget sweets. Good luck!
— mamita093
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