So you can get fat again?

[Paloma68 31]

I've been reading thru the forums. Had sleeve on 8/6/14. And it dawned on me in reading about stalls and difficulties that this won't work forever? Or not permanent? I guess what I mean is it sounds like people who gained weight again went back to old habits of eating - sugar, fat, fast food? Not sure. And they regained weight.

I thought surgery would take away your tolerance for sugars, fat, fast food? And I thought the dumping syndrome would keep you from eating badly. Kind of like that pill that makes alcoholics throw up if they have alcohol.

Am I wrong though? I'd love to be able to at least for special celebrations to have say dessert or croissant. I know I have to change my ways and eat healthier. I will do this, but an occasional splurge.... I thought this was a no no because not possible... I don't want to be tempted but if I go on vacation to Paris I can go enjoy a special dinner? ???!!!

Just wondering. Still on liquids so my dreams right now are of very little else but some real food. eggs sounds so yummy right now.

Edited August 13, 2014 by Paloma68

[finediva 979]

Those eggs might not be so yummy once you try them. I'm just sayiny. But we are all different......

[Busymomof3 181]

Personally, I don't get dumping syndrome. I still have my appetite and cravings for sugar. I also don't seem to have any problems eating bread, rice or potatoes. If I let myself, I could definitely gain the weight back. I have to work hard not to eat that stuff and exercise to stay healthy.

[elpasovet 83]

I've been reading thru the forums. Had sleeve on 8/6/14. And it dawned on me in reading about stalls and difficulties that this won't work forever? Or not permanent? I guess what I mean is it sounds like people who gained weight again went back to old habits of eating - sugar, fat, fast food? Not sure. And they regained weight. I thought surgery would take away your tolerance for sugars, fat, fast food? And I thought the dumping syndrome would keep you from eating badly. Kind of like that pill that makes alcoholics throw up if they have alcohol. Am I wrong though? I'd love to be able to at least for special celebrations to have say dessert or croissant. I know I have to change my ways and eat healthier. I will do this, but an occasional splurge.... I thought this was a no no because not possible... I don't want to be tempted but if I go on vacation to Paris I can go enjoy a special dinner????!!! Just wondering. Still on liquids so my dreams right now are of very little else put some real food. eggs sounds so yummy right now.

I have NOT been sleeved yet but everything you mentioned above is what's going through my mind right now!

What's the point of surgery and hell if you can just gain it back? Does Carnie Wilson ring a bell?

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Dumping syndrome is very rare for sleevers, much more common for bypass patients.

Unless you abuse your sleeve very badly you will maintain restriction in terms of how much you eat in one sitting, but yes, you will be able to eat more at a year out than you could at 2 months.

People can 'eat around' any weight loss surgery. If I wanted to, I could nosh on M & M's, triscuits, and french fries all day long as long as I ate slowly. Sip milkshakes while doing it. And I would put on a ton of weight.

The truth is (as my surgeon says) - anyone over the age of 30 with a BMI in the normal range has to work on it. And that includes people who have had weight loss surgery. IMO if you are not willing to work, no surgery, diet, or exercise plan is ever going to help you be successful. But the stats show you that people who have weight loss surgery are MUCH more successful in maintaining a significant weight loss than those who don't have it. This tool improves your odds greatly - but yes, you have to be willing to work.

[Comeflywithme 402]

Getting sleeved is not a magical solution to weight loss -- it's a tool -- a great tool to get you to change your eating habits, from huge portions to smaller portions, from bad foods that are not good for you to healthy foods and make a lifestyle change. It's a "forever" lifestyle people! When you get sleeved and lose all this weight so soon it's a huge incentive to want to stay this way, lighter and healthier so you use that "tool" which was your WLS to stay eating right for life. Your mind will still want the huge portions and the food that's not healthy for you but it's up to you to say to your mind, nope, I went through surgery, I lost all this weight, I will keep being good and keep the weight off and stay healthy and happy and fit!

I'll tell you from my own experience, I've lost 50 lbs, I still have about 35 more to go and I will never gain the weight back. I love how I feel, how I look, how others praise me all the time, and yes it's not easy and yes the wanting all the bad foods is still there but I will fight it endlessly and continue to enjoy the new me!

Good luck to us all... let's fight this and stay healthy!

[bikrchk 1,313]

I'm 10 months out and have been able to tolerate whatever I like in small quantities since about month 5. I eat bread, rice, fruit skins, chocolate, popcorn and on occasion drink alcohol. For me, there are no "forbidden" foods. I am painfully aware that if I get complacent I can fail at this so I still weigh and measure and keep a meticulous food journal so I know what's going in\burning off. I exercise 5x per week and wear a pedometer. All the exercise\steps synch their calories into MFP so I know whether I'm over or under. I focus on the traditional bariatric diet of Protein first, but if I want a treat with less nutrition, work it into my day. For example, I get a Weight Watchers ice cream almost daily. Today I am a bit below goal and trying to figure out maintenance. I was able to manage my weight loss eating what I like with the addition of exercise and consistent food logging. It will have to be a lifetime commitment if I hope to maintain my weight loss.

[Baeball Mom 104]

I am 8 months out, and have 12 pounds to go to reach my personal goal. Can I eat whatever i want? Yes, I could, but i choose not to. When I made the decision to have the surgery, i also made the decision to change my life. If i really want to have something i do, but i know that i will need to excersize even harder so i don't see it on the scale. I still log all my food, and i love my fitbit. Hope this helps, and good luck to you on your journey!

[tomi89 7]

Sure, you can. You must remember the procedure is only a tool. You must commit to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. I am 4 weeks out and am not craving foods like I did the first two weeks. For 2 weeks after my surgery, I was on Pinterest daily looking at cheeseburgers, cake, cupcakes, steak, cheesesteaks, and jelly donuts, mad as hell with myself for having a surgery that prevents me from eating that stuff. It was like food porn! LOL But I also knew that I did not lay on the operating table, get anesthetized, and have part of my stomach amputated just to go back to bad habits.

Make sure you go to support group meetings, talk to your doctor and NUT. If you have a lot of anxiety about gaining weight back, see a therapist who specializes in eating disorders but most of all learn to take care of yourself first! Take some nutrition classes too. That's a huge help.

My problem is I still crave Dt. Pepsi. I swear Walter White delivered cases to my house daily prior to my surgery decision. I'd put one in the freezer until it got to that ice-cold-but-not-frozen point. Everyday after work.......that is how I relaxed. But now I can't touch a drop and its making me crazy. On the other hand, I'd rather suffer through the cravings than to give in and be sorry later. That Dt. Pepsi will hurt going down and can increase my pouch. Will I abstain forever from a bubbly drink? Not likely but it will be a long time before I have a few small sips.

Just remember, your will is stronger than you think and once you start to feel better, look better, and manage stress better you'll be just fine.

[MRhynard11 41]

I get dumping syndrome if I eat something too surgery. That's not to say though that I haven't had a treat every now and then. For example, if my family goes out for ice cream, I may share a scoop of vanilla with my son- share being the operative word. I found out the hard way that more than 3 spoonfuls of ice cream will get me sick. Sorry about the tmi you're about to read, but I suddenly get dizzy, sweaty, and feel like I have diarrhea and need to vomit. I literally almost fell on the floor waiting in line for a bathroom at a busy mall because I ate a little too much ice cream and feeling this way came out of no-where. I'm actually glad that I feel so bad- it keeps me in check. You'll learn your limits too. Probably the hard way like me lol. Try watermelon- it's sweet and mostly Water. It satisfies a sweet craving without making you sick.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I've been reading thru the forums. Had sleeve on 8/6/14. And it dawned on me in reading about stalls and difficulties that this won't work forever? Or not permanent? I guess what I mean is it sounds like people who gained weight again went back to old habits of eating - sugar, fat, fast food? Not sure. And they regained weight.

I thought surgery would take away your tolerance for sugars, fat, fast food? And I thought the dumping syndrome would keep you from eating badly. Kind of like that pill that makes alcoholics throw up if they have alcohol.

Paloma, I'm interested in the differences I see online in terms of what people are told prior to surgery in their introductory lectures and educational classes (if they had those) about VSG surgery, its benefits, aftermaths, and both possible and preferred eating behaviors. Was the information (that folks posted above) not explained in your classes?

Please don't misunderstand -- I'm not criticizing you at all. I'm just curious to learn what education the different programs share with patients. Thanks.

BTW, congrats on what sounds like a good recovery from your surgery.

[mi75 1,241]

like others have said this is just a tool. i am only 7 wks post op but eating pretty much all foods and not having problems with any foods. that said, i'm choosing to always have my Proteins first and small amounts of healthy carbs IF i have room for them. yes, i too could CHOOSE to eat cakes, Cookies, or candies but i have chosen NOT to thus far. i could also CHOOSE to go back to pop but not anymore!

i have had thin crust pizza, mcdonalds, steak, seafood, tacos, and chinese food. but the CHOICES i make are wise and include VERY small portions, healthy lean meats, complex carbs, and good veggies. i love the fact that the mind shift is strong for me and that i can still have very limited portions of the foods i used to enjoy in MASSIVE quantities!

[LKG 6]

My surgeon told me that with the sleeve I won't get the dumping syndrome. I hope I don't. If we go back to our old habits, then yes we can re-gain all of the weight we lost plus some. I know a few people who went back to the old habits and regained their weight plus. We just have to keep in mind what we really want. We all want to be healthy and have a long and active life.

[Tammylb 174]

A coworker of mine got pregnant shortly after being sleeved . She has had the baby and has gained all of her weight back. She snacked all day long . I think of her and it helps me keep on track. Im choosing fashionable clothes that don't have an x on the size instead of fast food!

[Paloma68 31]

VSGAnn2014,

I had a 1 hour nutrition class and a booklet given to me that outlined my eating plan/meal options and Vitamin list.

The way the NUT put it was very simple. You have to eat Protein first, then fruit and veggies. You will be able to eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food so make good choices. Affects of not following rules were not really discussed except to say you may get really sick - sugar, bread, high fat foods.

It wasn't until the forums that I realized the consequences of not following rules. I'm by nature, a rule follower so I'm ok with all the new rules and limitations.

Honestly though, it's nice to know that if I want to take a small bite of a piece of cake for birthdays or a special meal (my sister is an awesome cook), I can have a very little bit. I thought it was an absolute NO.

I'm 9 pounds down today - 8 days out of surgery. And I never plan to be gain this wait back. I paid cash and forewent a Florida vacation with family. I will not waste this gift.