Changing Habits Prior to Surgery

[Caltania 218]

On 10/29/2019 at 11:41 AM, Lauren87 said:

Long story short, I'm a Lap-band patient (2009) that is going to seek revision to gastric bypass in 2020. I'm really excited and hopeful, but also have a good real of anxiety about making this surgery a success and sticking with it longterm. For a whole host of reasons, the Band isn't a good tool for me and that is why I'm seeking a more drastic surgery. While I still have some time before my new insurance policy kicks in, I want to make sure I'm taking the steps now to make post-surgery life more successful. Because this is not my first rodeo, I know to focus on Protein intake and Water. I know to limit carbs and sugars, etc.

However, I'm curious as to how many of you make it stick. I'm someone that craves a lot of sugar, unfortunately, so even if I keep my meals in check, I am easily derailed by crap food. I know what needs to be done... I just can't seem to stick to it... and I feel like I need to have that figured out before surgery. I don't want to go into surgery with these feelings because I know I won't be a good WLS candidate and I certainly won't have the success that I desperately want.

Any thoughts or advice are much appreciated!

First off - hello, fellow Wisconsinite! *waves* OK, on to the real advice :-)

I can't really speak to long-term success yet, since I'm only about 5 months out from my surgery, but some of the best advice I've gotten came from a friend who had gastric bypass and gained it all back... he said that he tried too hard to be perfect, and that's what got him. It's taught me to embrace my imperfection and look at each day, sometimes each moment, as a clean slate. Just because I sneak some fun size candies from the dish at work doesn't mean this is who I am now. It means I made that choice once, and the next meals I have I can choose to be healthier. Self-forgiveness has been an incredible tool for me.

I'll also say that the gastric bypass has been an <i>amazing</i> tool for me. I literally can't fit in very much, and I experience just enough distress from eating certain things that it generally dissuades me from wanting to have them. As someone who also loves sweets and sugar, I find most of the time I pass on them now just because more than a couple of bites can make me feel miserable.

Anyway, sorry this is so long, but I hope some of this helps!

[Elektra51 10]

I’ve been doing this same thing. Caffeine was the hardest. But now the canine headaches are gone and I’m just down to my occasional fun sized piece of candy which is gone next Monday. That’s my drop dead day. Pre op liquid diet starts the 12th and I say goodbye to old eating thoughts and Bad foods forever. I’m very all or none and if I tell myself eating it will make me dump I’ll avoid it. I hate being sick that much.

[Martha Fleming 1]

Looking forward to the sleeve in early 2020!! Must Must focus on drinking more Water and Portion Control. Need to be more intentional on what environmental issues cause me to overeat. (Mostly family relationships). But I'm also extremely hopeful for some open doors for the ministry God has given me. Ready to start the journey.!!!!!

[Bariatric Brad 1]

I too am a band (2012) to bypasser (9/19), and the thing that I have been most amazed by is the need to fight the “head hunger”. I am not hungry like I used to be, so my head starts playing tricks on me, like hey you should really be eating something, don’t get too hungry. It is definitely a different lifestyle than being banded and at 6 weeks out still trying to figure it out, but good luck.

[Lauren87 7]

On 11/5/2019 at 1:12 PM, Bariatric Brad said:

I too am a band (2012) to bypasser (9/19), and the thing that I have been most amazed by is the need to fight the “head hunger”. I am not hungry like I used to be, so my head starts playing tricks on me, like hey you should really be eating something, don’t get too hungry. It is definitely a different lifestyle than being banded and at 6 weeks out still trying to figure it out, but good luck.

Thank you for sharing your experience! I anticipate head hunger being a challenge as well!

[Lauren87 7]

On 10/31/2019 at 11:31 AM, JRT Mom said:

Lauren87-

This is a great post!

I am just like you. Got a lap band about 10 years ago and it worked great--until it didn't. Now I have to get it removed and want to revise to a RNY.

I've developed a touch of diabetes in the last few months and have tried to give up sugar, which will help with both my diabetes and learning not to eat sweets after the bypass. Sometimes I slide a bit, but after the bypass I imagine a bad dumping will change that! 

Anyway, good luck with your decision, and visit here often. The peeps are funny, smart, supportive and the best bunch of friends I have NEVER met!

Thank you! Sugar is absolutely my vice and in the past, when I've gone cold turkey, I am successful short term and then all goes awry. As some other folks alluded to, once something is completely off limits, I tend to honor that for a while, but struggle with it long term. Thank you for your support and best of luck to you as well!

[Lauren87 7]

On 11/4/2019 at 8:28 AM, Caltania said:

First off - hello, fellow Wisconsinite! *waves* OK, on to the real advice 🙂

I can't really speak to long-term success yet, since I'm only about 5 months out from my surgery, but some of the best advice I've gotten came from a friend who had gastric bypass and gained it all back... he said that he tried too hard to be perfect, and that's what got him. It's taught me to embrace my imperfection and look at each day, sometimes each moment, as a clean slate. Just because I sneak some fun size candies from the dish at work doesn't mean this is who I am now. It means I made that choice once, and the next meals I have I can choose to be healthier. Self-forgiveness has been an incredible tool for me.

I'll also say that the gastric bypass has been an <i>amazing</i> tool for me. I literally can't fit in very much, and I experience just enough distress from eating certain things that it generally dissuades me from wanting to have them. As someone who also loves sweets and sugar, I find most of the time I pass on them now just because more than a couple of bites can make me feel miserable.

Anyway, sorry this is so long, but I hope some of this helps!

Hello! Glad to connect with another local person! I think you really hit the nail on the head about making things off-limits. I tend to fail when I do that (long term, short term I can do it). I would like to live a life of moderation and I'm hoping that the bypass can help with that. It's overwhelming at times, but hearing from folks like you is really helpful! I am really, really looking forward to getting a more effective tool. Fingers-crossed! Thanks for sharing your experience!