KellyS

I am 15 months out from surgery and have only dumped a handful of times. Usually when it's my fault and I have eaten something with sugar and too much of it. Like in a moment of weakness, I ate a whole donut once over the course of an hour and a half on an empty stomach. Won't make that mistake again! Otherwise, not a dumper if I eat sugar in very small quantities with other food (e.g. 1/8 of a donut after I eat my Protein and veggies w/ no carb meal). I've lost 163 lbs and am maintaining at 138 for 4 months now from 301 so I'm pretty happy. So anyway, as an occasional treat, I get the sugar free vanilla lattes from McDonalds. I even double check every time and ask if it's sugar free. Well, I guess today it wasn't and I didn't notice. Driving to Disney World with toddler in backseat. Start to dump. Pull over to dry heave for 10 minutes then stomach cramps start. Barely found gas station in time. Why, oh why, can't I tell the difference in sugar free anymore? And why can't the McDonalds people get it right?

I don't really dump except with oatmeal. Which is disappointing. Deserts, chocolates ,etc (at least the small quantities I have tried at 9 months out) have been fine. But have oatmeal with no sugar and I'm sick as a dog....go figure.

For a long time, I couldn't do beef jerky because I couldn't get it chewed to the right consistency. Lately, I can do it and now, I love it. The other day though, had a full serving (in two seatings -some as a snack and some with lunch) and the sodium made my fingers swell up and my rings feel tight! Had to be that because nothing else changed in my diet. I'm going to continue to eat occasionally but I'm going to have to watch it due to high sodium.

9 months out

I was eating 700-800 calories for a long time. I never really kept count because I had a hard time getting all my protein and water in. I had the munches in the beginning but it was head hunger. I couldn't actually eat what I was craving (without feeling sick anyway). So I followed my drs plan and dealt with the head hunger. That eventually passed. Then, when I eventually got my appetite back, it was a physical hunger rather than the "munchies" and I could eat a more normal healthy diet of fruit, veggies, meats, fish, dairies, etc. I still really limit carbs and have never had pasta or rice since surgery. Now, I eat between 1000 - 1500 calories a day at this point and I continue to lose. Although the weight loss has slowed down in the last three months. I do find that I'm hungry frequently but if its in between meals, I try drinking something first and that usually delays my need to eat and can get me to meal time. Every once in awhile this trick doesn't work and I end up eating between meals but its all about getting to the finish line...not the day to day ups and downs. I win more than I lose. And I'm in it for moderation in the long haul. Still hoping to lose 28 more lbs in the next 3 mos. we'll see.

Oh, I was also going to add that some of the sugar free stuff is not reduced calorie and has just as many calories (if not more) than the sugared versions. Just something I consider since I don't dump. For me, the lowest calorie choice can sometimes be the sugar choice in a small quantity or in a low fat version, etc.

Whoops! Hit send too soon. I was going to say that I'm 9 months out from surgery. My chocolate craving kicked in at about 6 mos post op. I started keeping one regular size dove dark chocolate candy bar one the house. If I really wanted chocolate, I allowed myself a square but I had to wait until the end of a meal. Usually I was full so I'd eat one square and be satisfied - I think each square is like 20 calories. If I did that at lunch and dinner, I don't think that's so bad in terms of life long moderation. Some days, I don't have any at all. Occassionally, I have two squares. I'm lucky in that I do get really full after a meal (as we are supposed to) and I don't want to continue eating. So this is working for me. Since I only keep one bar max in the house at a time, I figure that even if I went really crazy one day (which hasn't happened yet) I'd be aware of the amount - rather than a bag.

I don't dump either. It's a blessing and a curse. I'm down 138lbs. Started at 301 before two week pre-op diet, 293 at surgery and currently 163lbs. I'm

Celebrated Valentines tonight since its Fri. Had Filet Mignon topped with reduced fat Gorgonzola with steamed veggies (broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower). I did have a Roquefort sauce on staek which added fat and calories. It was a splurge but I didn't eat any carbs! Husband had yummy looking au gratin potatoes that I didn't touch so proud of myself on that one

Moo shu chicken w/o the plum sauce or pancakes. So mainly chicken and shredded veggies. High in oil and sodium, I know, but low in carbs and high in protein. Needed something to go so I wouldn't have to cook.

I was told the same thing. That I could drink right up until I ate. But have to wait an hour after. Surgeons are so different from everything I see on here. I can use a straw and chew gum (I know some drs say no to these things but mine said the extra air won't stretch your pouch). But I'm not allowed to eat ANY starches until my BMI is under 30 and then I'm only allowed 1 whole grain serving a day. So no potatoes, oatmeal, whole grain bread, peas, beans, etc for me for another 8 lbs. I know some can have oatmeal early on.

Having rough stomach day. A few slices of Parmesan cheese and part of a quest bar. Didn't sit well.

Chewing sugarless gum after eating helps me a lot and my nut says there's not enough saliva created up to cause a problem.

Rotisserie chicken on a bed of shredded Brussels sprouts sautéed with garlic and onion, chilled balsamic green bean salad (roasted fresh green beans in olive oil until tender, toss with minced shallots, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fat free feta cheese).

I'm 7 months out. I didn't try chocolate or sweets of any kind until I was 5 months out and the. It was just a bite. And there is very littleof it that I eat. One square of dove dark chocolate has 4 grams of sugar and I eat it at the end of the meal so that it won't go straight through me. It's a rare treat for me but I've discovered that it keeps me from eating sugar free pudding or sugar free ice cream, etc. that I hear that others eat to get their sweet fix and that one piece of dark chocolate is less calories. I am certainly not advocating that anyone else eat chocolate but for me, it's a small indulgence that's under the 10 grams of sugar that my nut recommends and I'm choosing the path of moderation long term.

Grilled salmon marinated in a Tuscan sun dried tomato marinade with garlic sautéed spinach and mushrooms; one piece of dove dark chocolate promises

Chicken fajitas on lettuce wraps rather than tortillas - grilled chicken breasts, grilled onions and peppers, reduced fat cheddar cheese, guacamole and plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)

I've been using this forum since surgery but I've just been lurking. A couple of posts caught my attention yesterday and I decided to post. This has been such a great resource for me. I had my surgery 7/17/12. A week before surgery, I was 301. Date of surgery, 295. Today I'm 198. 103 lbs gone in 6 mos. So crazy. Just wanted to introduce myself. Thanks everyone for all your posts. They have been invaluable. I'll bet there are tons of lurkers out there like me and all your posts are really making a difference with more people than anyone realizes.

My surgeon's plan doesn't allow for starches (bread, rice, Pasta or potatoes) either until your BMI is under 30. Even then, you're only allowed one serving a day of a whole-wheat variety. One serving as in one slice of bread. All day. I used to read posts about people in the purée stage and couldn't have most of what they would describe. I couldn't have the cream Soups that are so popular. They are mostly carbs. I did eat a lot of salads. Egg salad or chicken salad (with canned chicken) with low-fat or fat-free miracle whip. I also ate Hormel turkey chili with no Beans with low fat cheese. I would never have touched it presurgery but it sat well and it was extremely high in Protein and low-carb. However, I was allowed milk and fruit and vegetables. Although the emphasis was on Proteins over fruits and vegetables. I ate a lot of cottage cheese in the beginning. I'm six months out and can't stand the stuff now. I am down 103 lbs though so I guess it worked.

I'll hit the six month mark in a week. I'm down 103 lbs. I started at 301 when I began pre-op diet the week before surgery and am now 198. I want to loose another 48 lbs. I've been at a stall for two or three weeks now. I've actually gained a pound or two and then it will come back off. I freaked the first time I went up two pounds but I'm sure it was just water weight or constipation. That's happened to me a couple of times now and I always freak out when it does. I have to remind myself that all women bloat at various times of the month (even the skinny ones). Also when I've had periods of extreme constipation, I have stalled or gained but once I get everything functioning normally again, I'll drop those couple of pounds quickly. I think it's all part of the process and I try to not get hung up on it. During my few stalls, I just keep exercising, up my proteins and reduce my starches. My nutritionist says that avoiding starches (even the healthy whole wheat options) when your BMI is above 30 will help you loose faster. Once under 30, they still recommend limited starches. I was told to expect the weight loss to slow these next six months but that you'll still lose. They said a year rather than six months was the big milestone when you really have to work at losing. That the surgery will take you through the first year and then its more about me and my choices. I'm trusting in that and hoping that these new habits will get me to where I want to be.

I was told by my doctor not to drink for the first year due to the liver. He said that the rapid weight loss during the first year was hard on the liver and that drinking alcohol put it under additional strain. He also mentioned all the concerns that previous posters have mentioned such as getting drunk quickly and cross addiction. But the primary medical reason for him was liver function.