How is dieting after WLS different/the same as dieting before WLS? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

clayr · 10-28-2009, 07:17 AM

Hi, I am almost there

hoping to get my surgery in January. I'm just curious about other's experiences with food before and after surgery.

Kymel · 10-28-2009, 08:13 AM

Hmmm...well, for one - it's not best to look at it as a 'diet'...which typically refers to a temporary change made in the effort to loose a few pounds.

I'm sure that's not what you were meaning - but really, the changes you will be making over the next several months (and yes, it's best to start now) - will be for life. It's a commitment to better health through proper nutrition and exercize (or an active lifestyle).

Eating post-op is differnent. If you have a surgery date, I'm sure your surgeon and nutritionist have or will be going over most of the dietary changes with you. Depending on what kind of surgery you have - it will affect your body's tollerance levels for certain 'bad' foods - carbs, sugars and fats primarily. Could affect dairy intollerances too.

The surgery is a tool for your body to get you to eat the right kinds of foods as well as the proper portion sizes that are necessary to maintain your body's needs. It will still be up to you to make the right decisions about what actually goes in your mouth. If you go the RNY route (gastric bypass), most likely (but not all the time) foods with high fat, high sugar or gluetins and such will make you ill either by 'dumping' (quick onset of diareah), or vomiting. Both can cause cramping and severe nausea. These effects are primarily within the first year, sometimes two or more - but will lessen as you get further out for most.

Keep in mind that everyone's experiences are different though.

If you could maybe narrow your question down some, it could be more directly addressed...as I've just kinda given a broad overview and don't really know if I've answered what you're asking.

Thanks - and welcome to TT.

jennuwine23 · 10-28-2009, 11:42 AM

I no longer "diet". I eat healthy!

Quote:

If you could maybe narrow your question down some, it could be more directly addressed...as I've just kinda given a broad overview and don't really know if I've answered what you're asking.

I agree i am not sure how to answer or what info you are looking for

SweetSouthern · 10-28-2009, 12:41 PM

I will never be on a diet again. I am too busy trying to figure out how to get in the foods I am supposed to eat to stay healthy and it not hurt. I have a grouchie pouch that hates me. lol So we fight a lot.

clayr · 10-29-2009, 06:51 AM

Lol, ok ok I gues diet was a poor choice of words given it’s connotation these days ( though I must admit I’ve been through several “Lifestyle Changes” that have also failed )

I’m 45 by the way and have many years experience and knowledge about what is healthy and what isn’t, which is why I feel like a crazy loon about eating so badly and being so fat. I’ve been mostly vegetarian for over 10 years. I love quinoa and kabacha squash filled with wheat berries this time of year, though now I guess I have to puree it all

.... I’m looking for an unflavored soy based protein powder (perhaps whey would do) to add to my smoothies which I have been experimenting with using a juicer and blender (and a coffee grinder to grind the flax seed)

If you had been through a successful healthy eating plan before ( successful meaning you lost weight in a healthy way and were exercising) and you thought you had figured “it” out but still slowly regained.... (Oh thats what I’ve done

) ...

... Now that you’ve had WLS how does it feel mentally different from a general pre WLS healthy plan, as well as all those physical WLS manifistations, is it very stressful to deal with the fact that your body now won’t easily let you overeat?

What new behaviors are you doing to deal with stress instead of eating?

Is it what you thought it would be for the most part?

How is it socially, have you told many people you’ve had the surgery, how are parties and eating out?

Do you suspect you may have developed any eating or drinking disorders since the surgery?

Did your hair become thinner as you lost?

How many supplements are you taking?

Are you making your own food or are you buying pre made stuff (if you are making, do you have any good high protein smoothie recipes?)

Thanks

clayr · 10-29-2009, 06:53 AM

Oh, I'm getting banded by the way

poet_kelly · 10-29-2009, 07:12 AM

I think you are asking good questions.

It does feel mentally different to me. When I have tried to diet in the past, I always ended up feeling deprived. Like I was being punished or something. Obviously that's a very bad feeling. It would depress me and make me want to eat more. I would end up having to eat to comfort myself. And I don't experience that anymore.

Part of the reason, I think, is because of my new tool. I get full quickly. I feel satisfied with small portions. I don't see how that ever would have happened without WLS.

But there is stuff I cannot eat now because I dump on sugar. So I cannot give in and have Ben and Jerry's. Yes, I don't really feel deprived by that. And I can't tell you exactly why not. I've been in therapy for a while, and we've worked on it. I will say that. If you've got weird food issues like I did, I recommended some therapy.

New behaviors to deal with stress? For a while I was exercising regularly. But I slacked off. I need to get back to that, I really do. But I've been talking about things that bother me more, too.

How is it socially? I've told pretty much everybody I've had surgery. I know when you tell people, you risk getting negative responses. I've been pretty lucky, I think. Most of the responses I've gotten have been positive. And I feel prepared to deal with anything negative I might hear.

Eat out is fine. I eat out a lot. My family is like that. We all get together at restaurants all the time. My first pureed meal was eaten in a restaurant. Kind of a fancy restaurant. It was somebody's birthday. I was not going to be left out. I ordered mashed potatoes and ate about three bites. It was quite good. And I enjoyed myself a lot. I can find stuff I can eat in just about any restaurant now, and I eat what I can, and take home leftovers. And I enjoy the conversation.

I feel quite sure I have not developed any eating or drinking disorders since surgery. But it does happen to some people.

I lost a LOT of hair. Some hair loss is normal. But I was bad about getting my protein the first few months, and I believe that made my hair loss extra bad. However, it's growing back nicely now.

I take multivitamins twice a day, calcium three times a day, vitamin D3, iron, and vitamin C. And use the B12 patch twice a week. You probably won't need quite that many supplements with the band, though.

I make my own food sometimes. A lot more than I did before surgery. But I also eat out a lot. My favorite protein shake recipe is 8 ounces skim milk, one scoop vanilla protein powder, and one packet General Foods International sugar free vanilla latte mix. Blend in the blender, add a handful of ice, and blend some more. I love it. But check out this blog for a whole bunch of yummy recipes: theworldaccordingtoeggface.

Kelly

clayr · 10-29-2009, 07:45 AM

Thanks so much

"Part of the reason, I think, is because of my new tool. I get full quickly. I feel satisfied with small portions. I don't see how that ever would have happened without WLS."

This difference was especially good to hear. I observed a young woman on Youtube who was not feeling this, and I believe therapy is a great. I was in therapy for a while, I really need to go back especially as I approach the surgery,
thanks again great answers