Sugar levels post-op? - ThinnerTimes

Withacy · 06-26-2008, 11:59 AM

Hi, my name is Withacy and I'm a coke addict.

The kind that comes in a can. With lots of sugar.

Because of my allergy to aspartame I've always stayed away from sugar free stuff (and even now that there are alternatives, I'm so stuck on sugar I don't like the taste).

Given how much sugar I take in, I'm shocked that I'm not a diabetic yet (it runs in both sides of my family, and both my parents are in the early stages of T2D).

I have gone off pop before, and I know I CAN do it. But whenever I've cut my sugar intake severely I get massive headaches and I have no energy. (I used to think the headaches were from caffeine withdrawl, but switch to decaf doesn't bring on the same effect.)

My fear is that after the surgery I'll be so completely wiped out by the low calorie intake and lack of sugar that I won't be able to MOVE, let alone exercise. There have to be other people who were once in the same boat. How did you cope?

Also, after surgery, will I ever be able to drink again? I rarely drink, but every now and then I like a margarita.

Thanks.

Chia · 06-26-2008, 12:35 PM

The truth is no one, not even your doctor, can tell you if you will be able to handle sugar post op. Lots of people suffer varying degrees of dumping syndrome that can be brought on by eating or drinking sugary or fatty foods. Some people don't dump, but most do. Immediately post op, you will feel a lot of things, including tiredness, but the desire to eat/drink will not be high on your list.

My advice, and please take it for what it's worth, is to try to wean yourself off of the soda (or pop as many non-CA folks call it) and sugary stuff pre-op so that you won't miss it so much after surgery. The good news is that your tastes can change dramatically post-op so that some things that you loved pre-op will taste/smell/look disgusting. Maybe you will get lucky and wake up and not have a taste for the sugary stuff.

Trust me, you are talking to a true (pre-op) carb queen. Now if I look at bread, rice, or pasta I shudder. Good luck and remember that you too can do this!

Withacy · 06-26-2008, 12:53 PM

I'm not so worried about craving it as I am about how my body will react to actually having to make it's energy not just run off the easily burned pure sugar running through my system. At this point I have no problem with the idea that I'll be saying "Good bye" forever to it.

I am down to 1-2 cans of pop per day (they don't call it "pop" in Georgia either - I get some very strange looks - but I'm an Ohio girl), and I'm drinking Gatorade as an intermediate step to water. It's about 1/2 the calories of pop. I know from experience that I won't be able to drink water until I get completely off pop.

And boy do I have a headache right now.

Crie · 06-26-2008, 05:16 PM

hey whit... my name is crie and i'm a zomgloaditfullofsugar pop addict too!

er.. i was.. I thought that it would be the hardest part of my change of habits. I really don't miss it often unless its hot outside and the hubby cracks an icy cold coke or mt dew... *sigh* then i just drool and go get some water

now what helped me with my massive sugar withdrawl both pre and post op was some 100% juice (juicy juice) non-cocktail blends btw! diluted with 50% water. I'd drink one of those a day and it would keep me from the dragging ass, mean bitch, sugar lowdown blues. Most surgeons will allow it, you can ask your PA for clearance if it isn't on your plan.

after maybe the first week post op i didn't need to do this anymore

Withacy · 06-27-2008, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crie

now what helped me with my massive sugar withdrawl both pre and post op was some 100% juice (juicy juice) non-cocktail blends btw! diluted with 50% water. I'd drink one of those a day and it would keep me from the dragging ass, mean bitch, sugar lowdown blues. Most surgeons will allow it, you can ask your PA for clearance if it isn't on your plan.

after maybe the first week post op i didn't need to do this anymore

The sugar from the juice didn't cause dumping? I mean, I've noticed that juice has more calories than coke (don't you just love it when people suggest you get off pop by switching to juice, like that's so much better?), so I'd think even at 50% it would have a lot of sugar. Unless you nursed it all day.

BTW - your weight loss is absolutely amazing! Congrats on that!

mistymee · 06-27-2008, 05:28 AM

Note that not everyone dumps on sugar... some people can tolerate more than others, too. It's all a matter of having to learn your own body's limit on what works and what doesn't.

Withacy · 06-27-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymee

Note that not everyone dumps on sugar... some people can tolerate more than others, too. It's all a matter of having to learn your own body's limit on what works and what doesn't.

See - this is why this forum is so great! I learn so much here that I haven't heard in a year of prep. The truth of things vs. the doctor's cautious version (like how much weight people really lose). Things the doctor wouldn't think to tell you (sagging skin, sex life, hunger returning).

I was given the impression that dumping is universal, unavoidable for even the tiniest amount of sugar & fat, and nearly perminent.

Josephine · 06-27-2008, 06:16 AM

Most people dump on sugar... the fat issue is the one where some people aren't affected at all.

The truth is that drinking soda after surgery is a huge no no. If you do it, you're risking killing yourself or sabotging all your efforts. A couple sips might be okay, but you won't be able to continue your soda habit.

My post ends here unless you want the tough love below.

Want the hard cold truth? Stop being a baby and just quit drinking sodas. You can't drink what you don't buy. Don't buy the shit. On a Friday night after work, go home and spend the weekend detoxing. Liquids only, no soda!!! By Monday morning, the headaches will be gone, the sugar out of your system, and you can proceed to be NORMAL without having a very REAL physical need for sugar and fat control your every decision.

Crie · 06-27-2008, 11:31 AM

in regard to the juice/pop thing...

I have a very hard time with sugars actually. they make me feel quite ill and quite rapidly. The 100% fruit juices don't affect me in the same way because they're not processed sugars like in coke. The fruit juices are a bit more gentle on me and especially if i dilute them with 50% water and some ice (i drink slow and only like stuff icy)

the detox is a good idea. it didn't work for me though without having my family suffer the consequences

a week with the water/juice and then it just became water.

mistymee · 06-27-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Most people dump on sugar... the fat issue is the one where some people aren't affected at all.

The truth is that drinking soda after surgery is a huge no no. If you do it, you're risking killing yourself or sabotging all your efforts. A couple sips might be okay, but you won't be able to continue your soda habit.

My post ends here unless you want the tough love below.

Want the hard cold truth? Stop being a baby and just quit drinking sodas. You can't drink what you don't buy. Don't buy the shit. On a Friday night after work, go home and spend the weekend detoxing. Liquids only, no soda!!! By Monday morning, the headaches will be gone, the sugar out of your system, and you can proceed to be NORMAL without having a very REAL physical need for sugar and fat control your every decision.

I have inadvertently ingested sugar but had no dumping (made a mistake and did not buy 'sugar free' in error one day)... to say I was dismayed at the thought that I *didn't* dump on it is an understatement.. now, it has to be my own willpower to resist those things that I might've found easier to do if they made me sick. Do I think I'm up to that challenge.. sure do... but I think I'd feel better if I 'knew' that should I decide to cheat I'd be sick.

That said, I agree with you in regards to just dealing with a bit of withdrawals and getting it out of your system for good. I had to do the same withdrawals on caffeine... I used to drink 4 to 5 mugs of coffee a day (not 'cups'..mugs)... and then after lunch switch to diet pepsi, so I was drinking a LOT of caffeine. I slowly switched from diet pepsi to lemon/lime seltzer water.. then weaned myself off of the coffee.

And once I started to feel better and started walking.. eating and drinking more healthily.. my energy *soared*... I can't believe the energy I have now compared to before. It's worth giving up, that's for sure.