Hi I'm an Aussie and going through the pre op stage with doctors appointments etc.

I've chosen Gastric Bypass because I'm hopeless at controlling my sugar addiction. I can sustain a non sugar diet for a period of time, but then sooner or later my willpower breaks....and I'm heavier then ever before... ( a familiar story..I'm sure).

I understand the bypass is just a tool; but how effective is it in controlling sugar cravings. I'm sooooo prepared to do the hard work but I'm concerned my bad habits will deter my best intentions

I would appreciate any feed back

part of the reason it helps with sugar addictions is that you simply cannot eat foods with significant amounts of sugar in them without getting sick. for some lucky people, that restriction will continue forever, or for a long time. For most people, it only lasts a few months. Regardless, just being forced to forgo sugar for a while helps your body to kick the habit. I find that not only does my body reject bad foods, but I just don't crave them anymore.

it's a tool in that it gives you a really great head start in making huge changes in your life, the ones that need to happen if you wish to get healthy and stay there. I think you, like many people, will find that you are stronger than you think when given the chance and ability to prove it.

Thanks for your reply Cervidae. This is the reason why I chose the bypass because I read the body will reject too much sweets and fats, but then I've also been reading some people are struggling to keep off the sweets...so this is why I was confused. I didn't realise for some people the effects were short lived. Hopefully the restriction will last as long as possible so I can get my thick head around it!

By way your 167 lost so far is a fantastic achievement

Actually from my highest I'm down 106 pounds. Something must be weird about the stats you're seeing. But thank you! All the hard work pays off in the end.

Sorry I didn't read the ticker properly...but still an excellent effort!

Thanks!

I have not had the issue of "dumping" but I also don't have issues with sugar. Bypass as you have stated is only a tool it can't cure your addiction to sugar or carbs or fast food or (insert fav. bad food here). You have to learn why you turn to sugar, how to cope without sugar and where the attention will be placed when sugar is not a viable option. Working with a nutritionist, possibly a therapist or working with a support group will be your biggest allies in staying away from sugar.

It is a two part solution that many people struggle to understand. They have surgery and during the "honeymoon" phase they assume their issues with unhealthy food choices are forever gone. Not only are they not gone but they can come back with a vengeance. The tool is only powerful if used properly.

With the right dedication, education and support you can kick your sugar habit and learn to make healthy "sugar" choices!

That's part of the reason I chose bypass as well. I'm about 15 weeks out and the "fear" of dumping is keeping me well in line. And the further out I get, the easier the cravings become.

I use sugar free Popsicles and pudding, and the occasional Protein bar to satisfy my sweet tooth. It's working well!

Edited November 8, 201510 yr by The Post Op

I too have a sugar addiction and I'm presurgery. I've talked to three people at support groups that have told me they didn't have a problem eating anything from day one even sweets and never had dumping. This really concerns me. Part of the reason I want the surgery is that I can't do this on my own I need this tool.

I don't test the hypothesis of whether I can or can't have sweets, to see if I would dump or wouldn't. I use the mere *possibility* of it happening as a mental taboo not to touch the stuff. So far it's working too at nearly four months out. I haven't had any sugary sweets, no bread, nothing. Only healthy food choices. And the further out I get the easier it is to abstain, the less the cravings hold on me.

I'm not saying that method would work for everyone, but it definitely is working for me.

That method works for me too, @

What does dumping mean? I'm not familiar with this term?