Considering w/questions
Being overweight, I feel like I am in jail and when I diet, be it
low fat or law carb, I am putting my family and others out and I
always have to say at social functions, “I can’t eat that.” After
surgery (and I mean long after), do you return to a somewhat normal
life, in that you can eat most foods that other people eat. I
understand that quantities are greatly reduced and that is something
I welcome and that you must make good choices for nutrient dense
healthy foods; however, will I eventually be able to drink with
meals and eat most foods again within limits. And I understand there
is a very gradual process of reintroducing foods and that is fine. I
don’t want to change one jail for another unreversible one. Before I
decide to do this, I want to understand any negative impacts.
Thanks for your advice
February 23rd, 2005 at 2:33 am
You’ve asked some very good questions. First off, let me say that there are
no hard and fast rules for everyone, all of us are different. As far as
drinking with your meals, sure you’ll be able to do that again, if you want
to gain weight. Drinking with your meal, at any point after surgery, allows
the food to liquefy and pass through your pouch MUCH more quickly, allowing
you to eat more, and much more often. As far as eating regular food again,
it depends on your body. If you experience dumping, you will probably never
be able to eat sugar or fatty foods again without becoming very sick. Some
of us will stop losing weight and even gain weight if we have too many
simple carbs in our diets. So, you could be someone who cannot eat sugar,
fatty foods, or things like white bread, white rice, potatoes, crackers,
etc. Or you could be one of us who can eat absolutely anything with no
problem at all.
Maybe we can do a poll on how our eating habits have changed due to
necessity after surgery?? Or maybe we already have? I guess I could check
the archives.
You will probably go through a difficult grieving process soon after
surgery. You’ll notice food everywhere, how much people eat, you’ll want to
keep eating even after you’re full (head hunger). It may be very difficult
for you to break your ties with eating. Or it may be a breeze.
You’re doing the right thing by asking how your life will be after surgery.
That’s the best way to make the best decision.
Lydia
Apex NC
Lap RNY 8/6/02
366/306/???
February 24th, 2005 at 4:31 pm
I’m 5 months post-RNY. I eat out frequently, and just try to order
sensibly. I’m fortunate that I have no food intolerances: I can eat
chicken, steak, all fruits and vegetables, even rice, pasta, and
bread (though I try to limit those) with no problems. I don’t know if
I dump since I haven’t pushed sugar. I’ve only thrown up once.
Not all post-ops are so fortunate, a fair number do have problems
eating particular things, though often that improves after several
months. Unfortunately, you can’t know in advance how you’ll end up.
Even within my own surgeon’s patients I see an amazing variety of
experience, so obviously there are other variables than just surgical
technique. Everyone’s body heals, and reacts, differently.
I think a lot of whether or not you feel deprived afterwards is mental
attitude. Do you want to focus on what you can’t have, or on the wide
variety of things that you WILL be able to eat?
We are fortunate to live in a society with an incredible variety and
quantity of food, and many, many choices. You should be able to
accommodate your needs virtually anywhere. Most restaurants will
adjust menu items if need be. Even if you end up with things that you
can’t eat, you should be able to find enough things that you can.
Even at parties or other social occasions you should be able to pick
and choose. I have raw veggies and cheese, meat hors d’ourves, and
avoid the cookies or other sweets.
Holidays this year will be tough without eating sweets, and I’m
struggling more than I did earlier with cravings for junk. But I’m
looking forward to wearing a nice outfit that I could never have
dreamed of fitting into before, and getting compliments from people I
haven’t seen in a while.
I also find I enjoy my food more. Many of us remember this from
dieting days. When we were always so gorged on junk and/or excess, we
rarely developed true hunger. Here’s a recent example: on Saturday I
had a late breakfast, a late-morning large snack, but no lunch. We
made an early dinner and had lamb chops I’d found on sale. This is
something I hadn’t eaten in years. They were SO GOOD!! I thoroughly
enjoyed that meal, much more than most meals pre-op even when I didn’t
deprive myself of anything. I think this was a result of two things:
the novelty of something new, and the fact that I had true hunger.
Good luck in your decision, whichever way you go.
Celia