Sugar Addiction

[Lavieboheme84 11]

Hi All

Did anyone who has had the sleeve struggle with sugar addiction before surgery? (Chocolate, ice cream, candy etc)

If so- how did you manage post surgery? Did your cravings come back? Were you successful with the sleeve?

I ask because I'm reading more things recently that the sleeve is good for folks who have trouble with Portion Control but not so much for those who have a sweet tooth.

Any experiences would help.

Also- I am aware that it's important to try and work on eating behaviors/emotional eating pre surgery and after- I'm just curious on the experience people have had. Does the sugar cravings/desire ever go away after time? Anyone successful kicking sweets for food post surgery?

Thanks!

[Joann454 1,329]

I'm pre op too. For me the only way to break the sugar addiction is to abstain. I have so little control with chocolate and sweets once I start eating them. I've also read that most of this stuff goes down easy after healing so it will be a life long commitment to abstain.

[Introversion 1,876]

1 hour ago, Lavieboheme84 said:

Does the sugar cravings/desire ever go away after time? Anyone successful kicking sweets for food post surgery?

The cravings will be blunted and almost nonexistent during the honeymoon period of 6 to 12 months post-op. However, in most people the cravings return. This is especially true for many people who compulsively ate sweets and sugar. There are two types of weight loss surgery patients: moderators and abstainers.

Moderators can moderate their intake of trigger foods and stop before falling off the wagon, whereas abstainers must abstain from their trigger foods because they will definitely fall off the wagon. If you cannot moderate your intake of sweets, you need to abstain or else you will regain your weight.

[char3672 292]

I have a carb addiction! I am having surgery in June, and I have started cutting back alot on my carbs. I think I do better when I KNOW I CAN'T have something. I have been researching carb alternatives. We CAN do this!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

[Lavieboheme84 11]

I'm pre op too. For me the only way to break the sugar addiction is to abstain. I have so little control with chocolate and sweets once I start eating them. I've also read that most of this stuff goes down easy after healing so it will be a life long commitment to abstain.

Thanks for responding. Yes I think you're right- I'm hoping the first 6-12 months post surgery where we shouldn't have too many cravings will give me the room i need to form new habits. Good luck!!

[Lavieboheme84 11]

I have a carb addiction! I am having surgery in June, and I have started cutting back alot on my carbs. I think I do better when I KNOW I CAN'T have something. I have been researching carb alternatives. We CAN do this!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

We can! Good luck!

[Lavieboheme84 11]

The cravings will be blunted and almost nonexistent during the honeymoon period of 6 to 12 months post-op. However, in most people the cravings return. This is especially true for many people who compulsively ate sweets and sugar. There are two types of weight loss surgery patients: moderators and abstainers.
Moderators can moderate their intake of trigger foods and stop before falling off the wagon, whereas abstainers must abstain from their trigger foods because they will definitely fall off the wagon. If you cannot moderate your intake of sweets, you need to abstain or else you will regain your weight.

Thank you for this information. It's what makes me the most concerned over this surgery. I'm hoping those first 6-12 months will give me the grace period I need to form new habits and break the cycle. (And of course trying even now pre-surgery)

If you have any information as to what coping skills/things ppl do to help get over cravings and abstain successfully-please pass along

Have a great weekend!

[K_aane 356]

I am a sugar addict but I am treating it like alcohol,addiction...just like an alcoholic cannot have just one beer, I cannot gave just one candy. So I go day by day. I am on day 41 now. Yes once or twice, I did give in and had a piece of candy bug the next day I started over and go day by day. That is the only way I am able to do this. To reconize that each day is z victory. I am also off of bread , Pasta, wheat and rice.
One day at a yime, one step at a time. My surgery is July. I Want the change...I want the freedom from sugar.
It's a conscience choice, to tell myself not that I can't have it but that I don't want it.
Sugar addiction is hard to break but it can be done...one day at a time. If alcoholic's can do it. I can do it!!

[Ldyvenus 317]

I love carbs and sugar. I still crave both just as much, immediately after the surgery. My plan is everything in moderation, one day at a time. If I cut something out of my diet completely, I usually end up giving in and over doing it.

Right now Saturday is my "cheat day" which means higher calories and a treat. I am pretty much low carb the rest of the week.

I don't know what this will look like long term, I'm pretty certain I will be a complete failure 3 years out.

Apparently the only way to be successful at this, is to become a body builder, or marathon runner and eat a lifelong Keto diet. But, I don't want to eat only chicken and cottage cheese for the rest of my life, and I sure as hell haven't noticed an increased desire to run marathons post surgery either.

[trekker954 421]

I more or less reached my goal at 6 months, which also happened to be around Valentines Day and was exposed to a lot of candy. While I'm a full blown abstainer of carbs (bread, Pasta and cakes), I ate some candy and noticed no weight gain, nor loss. I was angry that my sleeve worked great when It comes to Protein and feeling full fast, but didn't phsase me in the least when I ate candy. So we really must mentally get a grip on our sweets addiction because it will continue to exist. I now know I must fully abstain from sweets as well. Also measure and weigh you portions. My phone broke so I wasn't able to track my food either, I know I likely never would have cheated that first time had I been tracking.

[shan0520 241]

I am a candy junkie. Every and all. I am almost a month post op. I have a little craving this week with all the Easter candy around. I felt the urge and didn't slip bc I know I can't be trusted. I know this is going to be a life long battle. My surgeon said it's like quitting smoking. The addiction is real and people like me use it for a coping mechanism. But I have to say I have noticed from my preop diet to now, my craving isn't as strong as it use to be. My fingers are crossed for all of us sugar junkies.

[Berry78 4,259]

Easter candy? Wow, I hadn't even noticed! I have 3 kids... It is everywhere, just hadn't crossed my mind. Huh. I'm also almost a month post op.

Ate some cheese off the top of a white pizza. Dis-cust-ing!

Lots to learn apparently...

[blizair09 3,250]

I have a huge carb addiction. I cut carbs (and sugar) out of my life completely. I have kept my carbs to 20 or less for over a year now. Purging my life from carbs and sugar was/is the only way I am going to be successful long-term.

Good luck!

[Joy889 11]

Hello,

I had the sleeve in 2014 and lost 60 pounds. I have a HORRIBLE SUGAR ADDICTION and was diagnosed with diabetes at 26. To help with my diabetes I got the sleeve which I thought initially would work but ended up failing. In my opinion the sleeve is mainly for ppl who over eat but it doesn't help with cravings. I gained 30 pounds of the 60 I lost and went to get resleeved a couple of months ago. Try your best to fight the craving because u will notice that just about all Desserts will fit in your little pouch.

[PatientEleventyBillion 851]

2 hours ago, Joy889 said:

Hello,

I had the sleeve in 2014 and lost 60 pounds. I have a HORRIBLE SUGAR ADDICTION and was diagnosed with diabetes at 26. To help with my diabetes I got the sleeve which I thought initially would work but ended up failing. In my opinion the sleeve is mainly for ppl who over eat but it doesn't help with cravings. I gained 30 pounds of the 60 I lost and went to get resleeved a couple of months ago. Try your best to fight the craving because u will notice that just about all Desserts will fit in your little pouch.

Psychological problems cannot be solved by WLS.