Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello,

I am scheduled for surgery on 23 of November and am having doubts.

My primary concerns are:

1. I enjoy high-end and experimental food and serious dining as a pastime. It is one of my only social outlets which will majorly change post-op. I don't drink, gamble, smoke, etc.

2. I have never been overweight until 7 years ago and am now 70lbs overweight. Is this a foolish way to go? Could I just bit the bullet and do this myself or am I too far gone?

3. I am addicted to sugar. Does this surgery really help that?

I've enjoyed reading your comments and hope you have some for me!!!!

Andrew

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome to the forums.

VSG is purely restriction, so:

1. If volume isn't an issue, you should be ok(ish) if you a) don't do it often; b) don't learn to eat around the restriction;

2. This is totally your call;

3. VSG won't stop sugar much;

Seems like you may need to think things through a bit.

Good luck,

Tek

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It sounds like 1 and 3 are the cause of 2, so surgery or not they’ll have to go or be significantly reduced.
As far as just doing it yourself, statistically speaking it’s unlikely to be successful in the long term, but that’s statistics... where on that line you fall isn’t something anyone here can honestly answer. As far as answering #3 it’s hard to for me.. Ever since I was a kid I was a Cereal junkie and I’d pour a crap ton of sugar on my corn flakes, like a layer of milk/sugar mud on the bottom. But I can’t say I was ever addicted to it, I just really liked it. Never had compulsions to eat it like I imagine a true addiction would be like. But, I haven’t had a touch of cereal in four months since my surgery. I think it’s more about me wanting to be successful though. Even though I’m never hungry and I have to remind myself to eat anything at all, I know this honeymoon phase won’t last forever so I’m really trying to always make good choices today so when that time comes I’ll be more prepared.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi! And welcome to the forums!

1. I enjoy high-end and experimental foodand serious dining as a pastime. It is one of my only social outlets which will majorly change post-op.

It doesn’t have to. WLS has not changed my social habits. I still go out to restaurants/bars/parties (well i did until pandemic struck..); my eating habits however did change: I eat much, much, less. And I tend to only eat/sample stuff that is “worth it”, or “worth a try”. Instead of eating an entire appetizer/meal/dessert, I’d just have a fraction of it (though i have been known to order multiple things off the menu and just end up taking it home...sometimes the ordering is more fun than the eating). Sooo...i can still be a foodie, but more a sampling foodie vs a gluttonous one. Tasting menus are my absolute fave (and my dining partners love it too cuz they get to eat what I don’t, lol) m

2. I have never been overweight until 7 years ago and am now 70lbs overweight. Is this a foolish way to go? Could I just bit the bullet and do this myself or am I too far gone?

This you need to decide for yourself. But really, its never too late until you are dead, right? I was relatively normal sized until about 30, when I started gaining weight steadily and ended up being 120 lbs overweight over the next 15 years. Had my surgery 2 years ago and have been normal sized for a while now. Wasn’t too late for me...and I’m pushing 50, yikes! If you have the means to do so, what have u got to lose?

 3. I am addicted to sugar. Does this surgery really help that?

No, I don’t think the surgery will help with that if its a true addiction. You may need to address that separately/in conjunction. But like one of the posters above alluded to, if you just really, really like it, your tastes *may* change...but there is no guarantee for that (I still love me some dessert..but only after I lost the weight)

Good Luck!

Edited by ms.sss

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was a full blown carb and sugar junkie. I did not miss a day without eating A LOT of both. After surgery - I do NOT need them at all. You have such limited room in your tummy that it easily get filled up with meat, Protein Shakes and other low carb/low sugar treats... that you don't miss them.

Your #1 reason seems like an excuse, tbh. Most of us were food addicts too, but we decided we wanted to make a change for our health and that was more important than the addiction. I have swapped my food addiction for exercising... You can find other hobbies that are just as enjoyable but without all the negative effects of overeating.

It just depends on if you truly want to or not.

Trust me - a lot of us went through a "food funeral" before our surgery -- coming to terms with having to find other stimulations to satisfy us besides food.

You can do it too... IF you WANT to.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Andyrew said:

Hello,

I am scheduled for surgery on 23 of November and am having doubts.

My primary concerns are:

1. I enjoy high-end and experimental food and serious dining as a pastime. It is one of my only social outlets which will majorly change post-op. I don't drink, gamble, smoke, etc.

2. I have never been overweight until 7 years ago and am now 70lbs overweight. Is this a foolish way to go? Could I just bit the bullet and do this myself or am I too far gone?

3. I am addicted to sugar. Does this surgery really help that?

I've enjoyed reading your comments and hope you have some for me!!!!

Andrew

1.) you will still be able to enjoy food, just not in large quantities anymore. I do enjoy a drink but like you, i don't do anything else. When we go out to eat, my husband and i usually just split something or do appetizers. The lapband was more restrictive with what foods.....Sleeve is just the amount. Instead of eating a whole steak, i only eat 2-4 oz.... same thing with most everything else.

2.) i wasn't over weight till my 30ies.... all my life i was thin.... then my body just started to change and i put on over 100lbs. my HW was 232. Lapband changed all that. I got and stayed at 143lbs for yearsssss. In 2017 i had to have a removal due to a slip. I put back 30.5lbs. I got sleeved 8/28/19 and today i sit at 120lbs... (5'2"). WLS was/is the only thing that has worked for me..... sleeve cost me 14k... worth every penny.

3.) No, WLS will not help with sugar cravings. You will have to control that on your own.

best of luck.....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh my goodness! What support and what helpful answers you have given. I love the term "Food Funeral" and I love the fact you have all basically stated that one can still enjoy food, but the quantities are just smaller. I also love the positivity I hear about your experiences. Thank you.

I joined and posted today because I have heard wonderful things about Gastric Sleeve, but then a close friend said that I need to ask the tough questions. 5 years ago I gave up drinking and smoking and I NEVER looked back. I did, however, get lots of support.

I know it will be hard at the start but I will gain health and confidence in the long run.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would like to add too that during the pre and post op diet stages you will detox all of the sugar and junk out of your system completely.

As you add foods back in during the weeks after surgery, you will ultimately choose what will be part of your new normal diet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Andyrew said:

Oh my goodness! What support and what helpful answers you have given. I love the term "Food Funeral" and I love the fact you have all basically stated that one can still enjoy food, but the quantities are just smaller. I also love the positivity I hear about your experiences. Thank you.

I joined and posted today because I have heard wonderful things about Gastric Sleeve, but then a close friend said that I need to ask the tough questions. 5 years ago I gave up drinking and smoking and I NEVER looked back. I did, however, get lots of support.

I know it will be hard at the start but I will gain health and confidence in the long run.

I am glad the responses helped. I think a lot of us had the same thoughts and worries. food was a comfort and thinking of taking that away saddened and scared me, but your mindset really does change. I never thought mine would, but it did. Also during the surgery much of the "hunger hormone" called ghrelin is cut away, which helps with the cravings.

I will say for the first few weeks after the surgery - I had phantom like cravings.. like my mind hadn't "caught" up to what was going on with my stomach. Even though I wasn't even close to hungry - I had these cravings, but that went away after a few weeks. It was bizarre, but I've read it is normal with some people.

I had never been overweight until the last 8 years either. I was always tiny... sometimes TOO tiny, then it seemed like out of nowhere - I started gaining about 5-10 lbs each year and before I knew it - I was 192 lbs. It scared me. It definitely was food addiction - I just didn't realize it.

I hope you decide to go through with the surgery, because it has been such an incredible thing for my life and health, but again - only you can determine whether you want it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I appreciate your concerns about being able to enjoy dining out post surgery. It was one of mine as well. The challenges for me when dining out is quantity & time. I need time to eat & I can’t eat much. I often find hovering wait staff wanting to clear the table stressful & sets off my restriction more quickly. At least in high end dining the portion size with a main course is reasonable & quite manageable though I still usually order an entree (appetiser). Usually I quietly explain I’m on a medically restricted diet & they’re ok with that though I have been faced with being told I had to order a main as a minimum. My biggest regret is degustation menus. There are many restaurants I’d love to go to but would not be able to enjoy or consume a 6, 7, 8+ course tasting menu. (I wish I’d never put off going to Attica & I’ll never go back to Vue de Monde in Melbourne. Heavy sobbing.)

Pre surgery I enjoyed a sweet treat but didn’t have sugar cravings. I struggle with all sweet things now. Simply because of it being dramatically reduced from my pre & post surgical diet. So many things just taste far too sweet. I only eat fruit if I want a little sugar boost. Artificial sweeteners only feed your sugar cravings & there’s so much in foods today it’s very difficult to avoid it. Some sleevers can’t tolerate it at all & dump but it’s more of the exception.

There are changes you will have to make to how you eat & what you eat to be successful with your weight loss & then to maintain the loss whether you have the surgery or decide to do it yourself. It is a big decision to have the surgery. You just have to weigh (pun not intended) up the pros & cons. For me, losing the weight & being healthy won out every time & I haven’t regretted it.

I wish you luck with whichever path you decide to take.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, Arabesque said:

My biggest regret is degustation menus. There are many restaurants I’d love to go to but would not be able to enjoy or consume a 6, 7, 8+ course tasting menu. (I wish I’d never put off going to Attica & I’ll never go back to Vue de Monde in Melbourne. Heavy sobbing.)

Re: Tasting menus: I have the opposite view on this, lol. I love that I can have one bite (or two) of a 6, 7, 8+ course tasting menu instead of having to commit to just one dish with several bites. Plus if I don't like (or don't want) one of the courses, there is always the next one to try! I used to leave these types of restaurants overly full because I would eat everything on every plate they put in front of me. OR, i would leave still hungry because the plates were soooooo small. Post-wls, I am completely happy to just to have a sample bite of every course (unless its rice/bread/pasta) and give the rest to Mr. or whomever, who are generally eager to eat what I haven't, lol.

Now I'm off to Google Attica and Vue De Monde to drool over their menus....

Edited to Add: BOO. neither of these places have their menus online these days. Eff you Covid.

Edited by ms.sss

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Aaah, Melbourne has been in extreme shut down for ages so they’re not open for dining. Attica was listed as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world until last year & Vue de Monde’s been best restaurant in Aust a few times. Honestly, I can’t justify paying $250 -$300+ for a meal of which I’ll eat 1/3 now even if it’s fabulous. Though, at least I’d save on the alcohol part of the bill these days - lol. Last time we went to V de M, we left >$500 a head poorer. Was worth it though.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×