Hi. I am having the sleeve done in June, I have been SOOO EXCITED...up until lately. Now, I'm getting REALLY nervous. My family has bee n extremely supportive, but recently, they have been telling me they are concerned that I won't be able to stay on a new "diet". I pretty much ONLY eat carbs. I have lost 100+lbs before, but gained it back. My question is, did anyone else out there have the kind of diet before surgery that I have now? In my mibd I am COMPLETELY DEDICATED to being successful, but I'm scared.

I had that kind of diet before I started my six month pre-op diet program a year ago today. I began a low carb way of eating and I have adhered to that for an entire year now. At this point, it is a lifestyle, and that is how I am going to eat even after I enter maintenance.

That being said, I made my post-life much easier by making these changes pre-op. I will always be thankful for having that six month requirement.

The only way to be successful long term is to change your relationship with food. For you, that sounds like beating a carb addiction...

I had that kind of diet before I started my six month pre-op diet program a year ago today. I began a low carb way of eating and I have adhered to that for an entire year now. At this point, it is a lifestyle, and that is how I am going to eat even after I enter maintenance.
That being said, I made my post-life much easier by making these changes pre-op. I will always be thankful for having that six month requirement.
The only way to be successful long term is to change your relationship with food. For you, that sounds like beating a carb addiction...

I DEFINITELY have a carb addiction. It became completely clear to me last night when I ACTUALLY got upset because dinner plans were changed from pizza to chicken! I only have less than 2 months until my surgery, how do you suggest I beat the addiction? I better get started soon! Thank you!

3 minutes ago, char3672 said:

I DEFINITELY have a carb addiction. It became completely clear to me last night when I ACTUALLY got upset because dinner plans were changed from pizza to chicken! I only have less than 2 months until my surgery, how do you suggest I beat the addiction? I better get started soon! Thank you!

Cut your carbs down to 20 or less per day, and make those 20 carbs come mostly from green vegetables (and maybe some cottage cheese or something like that). Cut out sugar, potatoes, pasta, bread, etc. completely. Once you purge yourself of the carbs, it will get easier. But this is something you'll have to be persistent about. It isn't easy at all, but it is worth the effort.

51 minutes ago, char3672 said:

how do you suggest I beat the addiction?

I don't know that you beat the addiction as much as learn to manage it. I still crave carbs every day. It is an 'addiction', not a 'habit', so you have to think of it like any other other addiction. It is process that takes time and requires support and help. The good news is you have this wonderful site for that support!

Having said all of that, I was a classic sugar addict, never even thought about being addicted to carbs (though lets face it carbs convert to sugar for all intents and purposes). I have not had a single craving for sugary foods, but the carbs, oh how I miss thee. We are all different and it could end up being that you lose your desire for carbs entirely after surgery, just like I lost the desire for sugary foods.

blizair09 said it best, the sooner you can make the lifestyle changes, the better off you will be for it.

I should also note fyi, that unlike blizair09 I did not significantly alter my eating habits before surgery and regret it. He is right though, things will get easier along the way.

Edited March 21, 20179 yr by Navigating the Wilderness

I don't know that you beat the addiction as much as learn to manage it. I still crave carbs every day. It is an 'addiction', not a 'habit', so you have to think of it like any other other addiction. It is process that takes time and requires support and help. The good news is you have this wonderful site for that support!
Having said all of that, I was a classic sugar addict, never even thought about being addicted to carbs (though lets face it carbs convert to sugar for all intents and purposes). I have not had a single craving for sugary foods, but the carbs, oh how I miss thee. We are all different and it could end up being that you lose your desire for carbs entirely after surgery, just like I lost the desire for sugary foods.
blizair09 said it best, the sooner you can make the lifestyle changes, the better off you will be for it.
I should also note fyi, that unlike blizair09 I did not significantly alter my eating habits before surgery and regret it. He is right though, things will get easier along the way.

I HAVE made small changes. I no longer drink soda (I used to drink diet coke) I have started drinking Raspberry iced tea, and mixing it with 1/2 water. I have cut down my serving sizes. But, carbs STILL make up about 90% of my diet. I am going to have to find alternatives to them. Like, what to eat for breakfast? I eat 2 waffles everyday. Am snack, a cereal bar or granola bar. Lunch, string cheese, greek yogurt and a blueberry bagel. Dinner...thats my biggest problem....pizza,pasta,cereal,sandwiches etc. I am going to research things that are low carb, and start the changes right away!!!

Once I booked my surgery, the nutrition expected me to start a low carb, high protein diet. So I had a month of that before starting the pre-op liquid. I also start tracking every bite that went into my mouth.

Like the above poster, I am very grateful for that time. It allowed me to take a hard look at what I was eating and work out what life will be like long term. I cut out sugar, rice, pasta, bread, potatoes... The carbs I did eat where either from fruits (limited), vegetables, or dairy. I learned that by bumping up my protein, I don't miss the carbs!

If I were in your shoes, I would just start making small daily changes. Giving up soda is awesome!

Maybe work on your snacks next? Instead of a cereal or granola bar, how about a piece of fruit and some nuts? Or veggies and dip or hummus? Cottage cheese? Hard boiled egg? Wasa crackers are fairly low carb (for a cracker) and might help you slowly limit the carbs. I like them with laughing cow spreadable cheese and antipasto, or tuna or avocado. Try looking for a greek yogurt instead of a sugary brand.

Focus on making the small changes consistently and you'll get there! And definitely make the most of the time you have to start creating that new relationship with food!

Try not to let other get you down and keep your chin up! You can do this!!

Edited March 21, 20179 yr by 1poundatatime

Once I booked my surgery, the nutrition expected me to start a low carb, high Protein diet. So I had a month of that before starting the pre-op liquid. I also start tracking every bite that went into my mouth.
Like the above poster, I am very grateful for that time. It allowed me to take a hard look at what I was eating and work out what life will be like long term. I cut out sugar, rice, Pasta, bread, potatoes... The carbs I did eat where either from fruits (limited), vegetables, or dairy. I learned that by bumping up my protein, I don't miss the carbs!
If I were in your shoes, I would just start making small daily changes. Giving up soda is awesome!
Maybe work on your Snacks next? Instead of a Cereal or granola bar, how about a piece of fruit and some nuts? Or veggies and dip or hummus? Cottage cheese? Hard boiled egg? Wasa crackers are fairly low carb (for a cracker) and might help you slowly limit the carbs. I like them with laughing cow spreadable cheese and antipasto, or tuna or avocado. Try looking for a greek yogurt instead of a sugary brand.
Focus on making the small changes consistently and you'll get there! And definitely make the most of the time you have to start creating that new relationship with food!
Try not to let other get you down and keep your chin up! You can do this!!

Thank you for your advice. I am definitely going to try the things you suggested. It's a LITTLE hard while I'm at work because we are a nut free school, so that somewhat limits my snack choiced, but there are definitely some things I can use as substitutes for my bars.
I do eat Greek yogurt, what brand do you prefer?
Thank you again!!!!

I like Oikos or Liberte.

How have the last couple days gone? I'm 8 days post-op, so sipping away on water, soup, thinned greek yogurt, tea, and the never ending protein shakes. lol

Edited March 24, 20179 yr by 1poundatatime

I like Oikos or Liberte.
How have the last couple days gone? I'm 8 days post-op, so sipping away on Water, Soup, thinned greek yogurt, tea, and the never ending Protein shakes. lol

I haven't had my surgery yet. I am having my sleeve done in June. Did you have a sleeve? Or bypass? How are you doing? I'm so afraid of complications.

I had the sleeve February 8 and I've had no complications just nausea and heartburn

1 hour ago, char3672 said:

I haven't had my surgery yet. I am having my sleeve done in June. Did you have a sleeve? Or bypass? How are you doing? I'm so afraid of complications.

I'll PM you