POPCORN???

Hi, I just got home from seeing the Davinci Code and was wondering if popcorn affects anybody who has had WLS? If all goes well, I'll have the gastric bypass 7/31. Just cuirious who everybody is doing with popcorn? Can't imagine eliminating this food in my future....by honest, does it make you sick? Thanks!

I eat it all the time, just waited til about 2 months out before I dared try it. Shannon Arnold

Maryellen: I personally was told to not do popcorn (each surgeon/program) has different guidelines. BUT this is my opinion...I can give up anything for the health and wellness of being thinner. NITHING tastes as good as thin feels!!! REALLY! ANYTHING! But that is me, we are asked so little for the huge amount of benefit we get. No caffeine, no carbonation, no sugar, no alcohol....To tell you the truth it doesn't bother 'me' the restrictions, I haven't touched pasta, rice or sugar (cakes/cookies/icecream etc) in 3.5 yrs, I enjoy life and living too much to miss them..Really it is how you frame/see it. I would be weary of popcorn for a few reasons, firstly the hulls could get stuck and be very unpleasant! Especially early w/i 6 mo of healing postop, think ouchie for pouchie!!! Moslty I'd avoid due to the carbs, (*or things we put onpopcorn!!) making many of us crave more and to become hungry sooner, it is a personal choice, it is your journey but I feel thinking 'Oh I can't live w/o this or that" can tend to lead us to self sabotage and possibly regaining (I see it all the time!) I wish you well on your journey! Ask your nutritionist what their recommendationis! HUGS! No I am not perfect, or w/o my own issues or food demons, mine is bread, it is a challenge BUT so far I keep it in a 10# rebound check! WLS is the tool to helpingus lose the wt, our mind is the tool to help us KEEP IT off for life! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Thank you. I know you are right, you are all right, I'm just petrified that my mind will begin playing tricks on me. When somebody tells me I can't have something, It's like I want it more than ever. It's all in my mind...I know! I think I'm most concerned about not drinking and eating at the same time. How does that work? Especially if you are eating popcorn or something similar to that?

Maryellen: You are quite WISE to be scared...WLS is a wonderful tool to help us lose wt, but the mind (psychology) is the ultimate tool I believe that will dictate if we maintain wt loss w/ WLS! I suggest reading this book: (*It talks just about these things here!) The Emotional First + Aid Kit--A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery Price: $24.95 (plus $5.00 shipping and handling) Author: Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD http://www.bariatrictimes.com/obesity-medical-books.cfm Also start the things you will NEED to do postop to be successful: Not eating/drinking together (*it is not as challenging as many people think it is a habit to develop is all! I thought it would be impossible but not really!), eating slower, chewing well, eating smaller portions gradually, exerciseing, getting 8 c water in, giving up caffeine, alcohol, carbonation....I know it is a challenge but the less you will be challenged with immediately postop! *This philosophy has helped me tremendously! Plus I lost 45# preop! Hey less I had to lose postop and closer to an ideal BW I got! So if you feel the need to drink w/ popcorn all the better to avoid it! Many on the OSSG GRAD board at times talk about their popcorn addictions! LOL Eating bags at a time, probably extreme but hey we all have our food issues! Be well! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

I agree with Jamie 100% BUT I do eat popcorn often, eating some right now lol....i watited however a couple of months before i tried it. It does not bother me at all. I espically like the lowfat cheese popcorn from smartfood. You will see post op what you can tolerate and what you cant. We are all different. ALmost all of what i eat all day is protein and not carbs so i feel if i snack on some popcprn for me its ok. Follow the recomdations of your surgeon and nutrionist. WHat makes does not make me sick may make you feel sick....all depends on our pouches....Good luck. LisaMarie

Hi, I Love Popcorn--but like everyone else --I waited a few months before I tried it--By the way, you will only be able to eat a minute amount and truthfully --I enjoy it even more now that I can't scarf it down by the handful. I share a small or medium popcorn now --with two or three other people (I use to eat a whole LARGE size by myself). In fact--I can eat almost anything now (9 months out) --But, I get so full,-- so fast, that I find that if I eat really slowly and chew alot--I enjoy the heck out of every food I eat--Eating now is a joy--I am often asked by the waiter/waitress -if there was anything wrong with the food --and each time I say how wonderful it was--I eat only what I really LOVE --and only small amounts satisfy me --It is a wonderful feeling--to know that I am losing weight and yet I have more fun with food than I ever did before. The trick is to find your balance with food after the surgery--some people can eat everything--some people caneat almost nothing without a reaction. Some people still get cravings and are hungry--some forget to eat. I hope that your experience is a wonderful one. That you find the balance you need to change your life style --yet still enjoy life--I NEVER feel deprived and I feel so good about myself and about life. Be Blessed and have an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery, Marian S.C. 242.4/159.4/goal 125-130???

HI Maryellen! THE fist 8 months popcorn hurt my pouch alot. I can finally enjoy eating it now at my 1 year mark. I do eat the 100 calorie bags and make sure its a healthy variety! GOOD LUCK! lisa