curing the sweet tooth -possible?

I have found that I am one of the lucky ones (perhaps unlucky. depending on how you look at it) that I DON'T dump on sugar. Not to say that I've had much, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my sugar free fudgecicles, they are the BEST! And I only use sugar free stuff in my coffee, or tea, or water mix-ins... However I am of the mind that moderation is the key. Yes, sure, eating a pint of Haagen Dazs at a time got me to 400+ pounds, so I stay away from regular icecream in general, that's my nemisis. But, for instance, being that I still need all the fiber I can get, I buy the NEW Fiber ONE brownies, get my  5% fiber, and my chocolate craving is satisfied, as well. It only has 90 calories, and 17 g of carbs. That way it's not a total waste of calories. Litttle bites of seem to be enough for me! Thank God!

Have to admit, I've always hated brownies, so I won't get tempted with them.  Not that keen on ice-cream either.  Chocolate candy bars are a weakness, especially the european ones.  Hate cakes, but like panna cotta.  Doughnuts...meh, not so much....fruit tarts....oh yeah.  Better stop now before I start thinking too much about them. 

Not on my pre-op fast yet but trying to stay away from "bad" stuff.  Start as I mean to go on as they say.

 Cold turkey has also worked for me, so far. I do dump, so that helps with the mental games I play with myself to work on food issues. The only things "pseudo-sweet" that I have are my calcium chews, sugar-free jello and occasionally a couple strawberries in a vanilla protein shake. However, my plan is very restrictive on carbs - so it's not balanced enough for most people, or possibly not even for long-term.

 Maybe the carb restriction will get easier as time goes on?  Do you make your own shake or is it a shop bought one?

 For  a smoothie-type shake, I'll take organic frozen strawberries and toss them in with Syntha-6 vanilla protein powder & blend. Most of the time I stick to protein drinks (Nectar pink grapefruit) as they're lower in calories & I try to get alot of bang for my protein buck.
Since I dump and it hasn't gotten any less restrictive, I'm one of those 30% that will have to eschew sugar for life.

My downfall was sweets and yeast breads.

I have omitted white sugar since surgery 28 months ago.  I don't eat any refined sugar over 9gm per serving. (Even some milk products have milk sugars so I use the 9gm per serving as my "rule").  I also don't eat sweets made with other sweetners, no added sugar, etc.  I'm afraid a cookie, muffin, cake, candy bar, processed ice cream, etc, even if lower in carbs will send me "over the edge."

I do use protein products that are "sweet."  I make protein fruit smoothies, protein ice cream, greek yogurt with protein powder and SF instant cheesecake pudding.

I eat fresh fruit every day (mostly berries) and really enjoy them.  I don't put any artificial sweetner on them.  I had to learn to enjoy them "as is."

I find it just easier to say NO than to eat in moderation.

 I would like to take the path that you are taking. What you are doing is something along the lines of what I was thinking.

I like the idea of protein fruit smoothies and yogurt.  That's about as sweet as I want to go.  It's good to see that you have been able to do this for over two years. It's encouraging.  -( Bread is also something that I have been too attached to eating.)

Was this difficult for you and do you still struggle or has this new lifestyle become more habit forming?

I really don't struggle much anymore.  I just say, "no."

I found the book "The Beck Diet Solution" to be very helpful and have went through the book & workbook more than once.  It is about changing our thinking and our response to how we think about food.  It really isn't a "diet" book - and I wi**** had a different name.  You might try it.

Just because my "mind" wants something - I don't consider it an emergency and take time to think through what is going on in my mind.  I try not to soothe my emotions with food.  I eat on a schedule and pretty much eat the same foods every day.  It becomes somewhat boring (yet provides me with all the nutrition I need) and that helps me to not focus on food.

I don't bring "tempting" foods into the house - so there is no choice for planned snacks or meals.

Since eating this way for the first year - I've really changed my attitude about eating as recreation, emotional, celebration, etc.  I don't rationalize eating foods not good for me.  It was a "process" and the first year after RNY it was easier since I couldn't eat much and had to focus so much on protein, veggies, fruit & whole grain.

I do research about food and nutrition, read daily on bariatrics, nutrition, whole foods, etc., I come on OH daily, attend support group, keep a daily food log, read bariatric magazines, etc.  I try to stay on top of things and hopefully, my new lifestyle will get easier and easier to maintain.

Best wishes.