Hi Gang. Meow here. 5.5 months post op bypass. I've had slow but steady losses. (SW:217 CW:178. GW: 150)

And I just felt the need to make a post about my sweet addiction. Before my surgery I found myself very concerned about dumping. Often asking in the forum whether Bypass meant I could never have treats again and being assured I could "eventually" or "a bite or two" or "in moderation" etc. This brought me great relief. I knew then I wasn't in the ideal frame of mind but I was doing the best I could.

I found at about 4 weeks post op I could tolerate about 5 of my favorite chocolate covered almonds and ate them every night as a reward for hitting my protein and water goals. Eventually I increased that to 10 choco almonds. Then it moved to other desserts or candy. What I've found is my entire eating plan is focused on getting my "healthys" in so I can have a treat at the end of the day. I become obsessed. I realize I've always been that way. Eat healthy so you can indulge.

I find I get nauseous if I eat a full portion of dessert. But I can usually get away with eating half. So I do. Every day. Or I eat the full portion and get nauseous. I get thru it. Usually lasts about 30 minutes. I feel miserable. I don't throw up. When I'm in the middle of the nausea I swear I'll never have sugar again. But then it passes and I'm the addict again.

The last couple months I've somehow justified 2 treats a day. And this Thanksgiving was the first time I really realized how deeply I don't have control over my treat addiction. I was surrounded by baked goods. I'd eat a small one. Feel sick. Then a couple hours do it again. Over the 2 days of celebration I made myself feel sick about 5 times. The nausea is miserable. Sweats, light headed, toe-curling nausea. Then it passes. And I'm fine. And like a drug addict I indulge again. It's shocking. It's like I'm binging. Except I never throw up and it's only one treat at a time.

I guess my point is... bypass didn't cure me. I do feel sick when I eat too much sugar. But it doesn't stop me from doing it. From constantly seeing how much I can have before I feel sick. I have a lot of work to do before I am no longer "unhealthy" regardless of my weight. Wanted to share in case others are sweet addicts and wondering how the surgery will affect that.

On 11/29/2020 at 7:19 AM, catwoman7 said:

a lot of women seem to have mood swings for the first few weeks/months after WLS. Also, screwed up menstrual cycles are also common. It's supposedly due to estrogen being released - it's stored in fat cells, and with rapid weight loss, it's released. It'll stabilize after the weight loss slows down (which it starts to after the first couple of months. So that could be the causing your weepiness, too...

Thanks for this. I've been trying to figure out why for weeks post-op it constantly feels like I'm on my period.

Thanks for your post. I have been waiting for one of these. Since my surgery my relationship with food has changed so much. It's like a dog I want to pet but he will only let me wave, ya know? Since my tummy doesn't let me eat many things I have taken to baking and cooking for my friends and family - also for my freezer lol. One thing that I have done to allow for some sweetness in my regimen is blending up a tasty fruity protein shake each morning. I find that pairing unflavored protein powder with greek yogurt, 1/4 cup of frozen fruit (I'm digging the Wymans Passionfruit blend currently) and 2-3 oz of OJ helps satiate my sugar craving while also getting in 45grams of protein in one meal (Less than 300 calories). I start my day with that - I feel like pairing so much protein with the fruit/oj equals it out. I had an 8 day stall before I started doing those shakes and since I've been drinking them consistently my weight loss has been steady again. Don't get me wrong I still have a nibble of bread or a treat but know how that can be a slippery slop for myself. Maybe try a different route for your sweet tooth. You are doing great and can change your direction. Don't beat yourself up too much. I have a feeling most of us on here are our own biggest critics - pivot and think positive. You've got this!

Hi! I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now. I’m sorry you’re going through this! Can you swap the treat with something else to gradually get off of the sugar? E.g. sugar free chocolate candy, sugar free hot chocolate, sugar free chocolate cool whip, etc. I often end my night with a decaf and sugar free sweet cream or a sugar free hot chocolate. It helps curb the chocolate cravings I get. I make the hot chocolate from scratch with sweet n low and cocoa powder. I have also found an egg white protein powder that is sinfully rich and chocolaty - Julian’s bakery. Other ideas could be finding a protein bar that feels like candy, sugar free chocolate pudding, dipping fruit in melted sugar free chocolate chips, baking with chocolate protein powder. You can still have your treats without beating yourself up! You are going to figure it out - it takes a lot of work and determination to get where you are now - you got this!

Just realized that I don't think of most of the foods people label as "treat" on here I don't think as "treats". Many of them seem to be part of my daily diet.

For me a "culinary treat" is a fancy/expensive food I'm too cheap to buy regularly, e. g. the sushi from the sushi bar around the corner or that extra expensive raw vegan chocolate or macadamia nuts.

"Treats" can also be something I have to put more work into when making the food. I remember posting pictures of chocolate covered vegan protein balls. A rare treat because I usually don't want to put in the work.

48 minutes ago, summerset said:

Just realized that I don't think of most of the foods people label as "treat" on here I don't think as "treats". Many of them seem to be part of my daily diet.

For me a "culinary treat" is a fancy/expensive food I'm too cheap to buy regularly, e. g. the sushi from the sushi bar around the corner or that extra expensive raw vegan chocolate or macadamia nuts.

"Treats" can also be something I have to put more work into when making the food. I remember posting pictures of chocolate covered vegan Protein balls. A rare treat because I usually don't want to put in the work.

I think a lot of the people here think of "treats" as things like cookies, cake, chips, candy - that sort of thing.

Hi there, I'm so glad someone else has posted their struggles with sweet things. I was beginning to think it was just me.

I am a food addict. My 'bad' things are crisps, chocolate, biscuits, cake and sweets. I didn't touch one single thing for a year after surgery as I suffered such bad reflux it took me ages to be ok with food. I then tried some crisps and they were ok and sooo good! I then started having a pack every day, then it was a pack and a chocolate bar, I didn't feel sick or have any problems. I stopped losing weight but I still carried on. I knew I shouldn't have it but my addiction was back. It was coming into the long dark evenings in October that triggered it as I was feeling down and lonely. It this time that I eat in the evenings. So a week ago I got in touch with my old therapist who specialises in eating disorders and had a good hat. I haven't have any crisps or chocolate this week and lost 3lb. I am going to chat to my therapist every week until I feel stronger at coping again.

Like you, I know the surgery is a tool and it doesn't cure what goes on in the brain. Its so hard! Best of luck, I'm so glad I found this site. X

No added sugar usually means they’ve added an artificial sweetener. It reduces the calories but doesn’t do anything to modify the craving because the food still tastes sweet. This is the real challenge for those with this craving because the alternatives to sugar that are used still feed the craving.

My mother craves sugar too. She always has biscuits, cakes, ice cream, chocolate, desserts, syrups, dessert toppings, .. in the house. She says as she’s now 80 she deserves a treat. But it isn’t a treat if you have it every day. She’ll say she’s not hungry & doesn’t want dinner but 5 minutes later she’s eating a giant bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce. It is affecting her health which really upsets me.

On 11/29/2020 at 11:29 AM, ms.sss said:

@MaybeMeow2: First, I'm going to echo the other poster's response that the struggles with food addiction following WLS isn't discussed enough. Having said that that, I'm sending you a both a virtual high five and hug for your honesty and expression of vulnerability ❤️.

From reading your post, the first thing that comes to mind is that you may benefit from some therapy (this is not a bad thing!). Its easy to say "just do this or that", but until you get to the source of why you do the "other" this or that, its definitely an uphill battle.

Its not easy, and it takes alot of work to change course from a lifetime of learned behaviour...but it can be done. The fact that you can admit this to yourself and post it on here for all to see is a VERY significant first step.

There will always be more steps to take, but with effort (and kindness to yourself throughout the process), hopefully you can reach some peace with it all.

❤️

I agree. Kudos to you for being self aware enough to realize you have an addiction and need help. Half of the work is in gaining the awareness. Good luck to you.

I also crave sweets. Always have, always will. We always have miniature sized candy in the house but my DH hides the bag and leaves me just one before he goes to work. It may be childish but it works for me.

8 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I think a lot of the people here think of "treats" as things like Cookies, cake, chips, candy - that sort of thing.

I know. I eat these things regularly (with the exception of chips) so I don't think of them as treats. I often eat a self-made protein mug cake and I also make the fruit crumble protein cake on days I don't have to work regularly. That cake almost feels like a treat though because it takes more work and more time cleaning up than the mug cake.

The interesting thing is that the above mentioned cake needs the same ingredients as protein oats - yet the cake feels way more decadent.

Thank you so much for sharing this experience and being vulnerable. I feel like many of us can relate to this feeling!

18 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I think a lot of the people here think of "treats" as things like Cookies, cake, chips, candy - that sort of thing.

Dont forget my favorite CUPCAKES !!! I can have a few bites after a protein meal and be okay.

14 hours ago, Arabesque said:

But it isn’t a treat if you have it every day.

+1

A (food) treat every day is not a treat. It's your regular diet.

treat /trēt/

an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure.

"he wanted to take her to the movies as a treat"

Edited December 3, 20205 yr by ms.sss

Thank you so much for the love and support. I have been speaking to my eating disorders therapist today and talking through why I revert to junk.

I already know why I do it..... I'm lonely. My daughter moved out to liver with her b/f this time last year and since then I live on my own. I'm disabled and don't get out much as need help so I sit indoors on my own day in and day out with no one to talk to. The day time I find things to do to keep occupied and during the summer I could get out in my garden etc and was lovely. But now its winter, dark at 4.30pm and its a very very long evening on my own. I'm feeling very down, and very lonely. I only have 2 friends, one lives 5 hours drive away and the other one has a busy life and only visits once a month. Other than that I have no one. I have my dogs so I get out with them for a mobility scooter walk twice a day and will say hello to people out and about but then I'm back home, bored and alone so I eat. Its the only bit of comfort I have.

BUT I now recognise that and I'm making a definite plan to get back on a healthy eating plan and maybe do an education course or something as I love study.

Thank you for being supportive, its really helped me. X x

Appreciate all these responses! I hope my post will be helpful to those in similar situations who are researching the surgery. And yes, for clarity, I kneW Bypass wasn't going to be the cure. But I still... hoped. Or thought it would make it easier to take control of that part of the eating issue. It really doesn't. What it haS done is shone a bright light on my addiction... because I immediately feel ill and swear it's not worth it in the throes of nausea... and then seem to lose that resolve a few hours later when I magically feel fine again. Before surgery I never had that kind of instant, black and white feedback. I've never spoken with a therapist about my food issues. But the encouragement in these responses makes that option sound promising. Thank you!