sugar addiction

I would like to know how many of you handled your sugar addiction?  I am having my revision in 2 weeks to the RNY and I am nervous about how I am going to handle sugar withdrawls.  I also think long term out about having these cravings.  Any suggestions?

I went cold turkey prior to my surgery, I did the South Beach diet and did that 2 week sugar/carb cleanse... it was a horrid 2 weeks, especially since I also had to give up coffee too..but once I did that, it was so much easier to transition into a high protein/low carb lifestyle. And, it was only 2 weeks.. :) So by the time you hit your RNY revision, you will be good to go! :) I ate a lot of nuts and whole grain, sugarless things..and lots of protein.  good luck!

When I get desperate from my lack of control in my sugar addiction I do a negative reinforcement exercise.  I go to McDonald's and eat a M&M McFlurry.  Full fat, full sugar.  It is the ONLY thing I've found which gives me a dumping episode from hell and makes me swear off sugar for weeks. 

Lynda, Are you still dumping even though you are 2 years out?  Was your RNY proximal or distal?  I'm just wondering.

I belive my RNY was proximal.  That's the shorter one, right?   I dump (shakes, nearly pass out and have to lie down NOW and sleep) on McFlurrys or other full fat, full sugar ice cream treats.  Also if I eat other rich, sugary stuff in a short period of time.  Also if I eat too much dense meat at one sitting.  Alcohol hits me hard too and makes me feel the dumping sensation.

I don't usually dump from sugar but I get stomach aches and have to stop so I don't eat it very often. I still crave it and would probably be 10 pounds lighter if I got rid of it once and for all but I go crazy when I think I can't have something. So I do sugar in moderation. I get sick if I eat it on an empty stomach so I can only have it as dessert so there is usually only a little room left. I can eat about 1/4 a regular piece of cake, pie, etc. It works for me so far. My biggest sugar issue is hard candy. I haven't decided how to deal with this one effectively. I've tried a few things and will figure it out eventually. Good luck = I'm wishing you a successful surgery and an uneventful recovery.

I just wrote of my struggle with sugar in answer to another question. The "do Grad have to work to lose wt" kinda question.

I'm not sure the cravings EVER end, since they are part of obesity, the physical disease.

But the intensity of the cravings is far, far less when you don't give them any encouragement.

I always wondered how I was going to "overcome" the sugar addiction - haven't had refined/added sugar since 2 weeks pre -op - over 6 years ago.    My craving for sugar has been re-trained  - I've learned that often my "snack attack" mode merely means I'm thirsty. I no longer like sweet things - even artificially sweetened things - mostly gag me.  I DO, however LOVE things like grapes & apple slices etc. and love to eat fruit in moderation.  Best, best dessert EVER now would be - 10 grapes & 6 - 7 cheese cubes. AWESOME! The BROWNIES (chewier, nuttier, fudgier the better - in my "past life") that I binged on regularly - INSTEAD OF FOOD - are history - LONG GONE - THAT IS WHY I CHOSE THE RNY.  Thankfully I do not crave sugar ------NOW - took about 4 years to realize I wasn't even thinking about them. What I DO sometimes crave is bread - which really IS converted to sugar.  SO, when it "sneaks up on me" I'm quick to adjust.  Been hovering stable for 3.5 years. Different head on this girl.  So grateful for the time to re-program her! :)

So far, I haven't had much trouble resisting sugar. I had one Hershey's Kiss about 6 months ago, and it just didn't taste that good. I make SF peanut butter cookies every now and then (1 c. peanut butter & 1 c. Splenda & 1 egg), and just one of them will take care of my sugar craving. You may not care that much for sweets anymore after your surgery, hope so anyway.