Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Anyone Else Regretting Lap Band Surgery?



Recommended Posts

Just curious. Unfortunately I'm a sugar addict so the band is not helping me. At all. I'm regretting my decision. I don't want to feel like I've put my self through surgery for no reason but I'm leaning towards that. I wish the sugar cravings would go away. It seems that's the only thing stopping my weight loss journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sugar addiction isn't easy- I was one BIG time. Sometimes I would eat entire bags of Reese's miniatures in one sitting. I drank 6-8 regular sodas a day. Heck sometimes I'd even get up in the middle of the night to have a sweet treat.

But just like any other addiction, you have to suffer to kick it.

If you can go a week without sugary treats and restrict your carbs (because they process like sugar in your body), you would be over the worst of it. Drink LOTS of Water during that time too to flush your system.

Also, I would strongly advise seeking counseling. The Lap-Band can restrict how much we can physically eat and make us feel full sooner but it can't change our brains. Addiction is very real, including to food, and if you want to be successful with your band it's necessary to get your head in the game and seek help for the addiction.

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Mis. I've just started counseling so hopefully that will help. How do you deal with sugar now? Do you eat it at all?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I avoid it except under special circumstances. For instance, I love Cadbury eggs so over Easter I had a couple. Tomorrow is my birthday so I'll be having a piece of Tiramisu rather than birthday cake. Truth is, I honestly don't like the sluggish "blah" way sugary foods make me feel. I'm quite content without them now. But kicking that addiction wasn't easy.

I'm so glad you've started counseling! I think it's going to really help you a lot!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree with Mis73 on this issue! You have to think of it like a detox, and you will go through withdrawals like nicotine, drugs etc. I don't know how true it is but I have heard that for some dropping the sugar is worse than other substances.

I know when I detox I get cranky, headaches, my systems cleans itself out, I have broken out, just feel flat out depressed.

It will make it easier to avoid or to have in very limited amounts once you are off them for a bit. My suggestion is to try to keep off them as long as possible and maybe try to substitute other things for it. There are some good products on the market that use splenda and things like that. I also have found sometimes when I am craving something like ice cream or chocolate I make up a Protein shake and toss a banana in it with some extra ice. It gives me the chocolate/the coldness/sweetness/and a bunch of Protein in it. Yogurt can be good to help you over the hump!

Alot of people on here do a piece or two of dark chocolate or other kind of sweet if you cannot shake it.

But try not to set yourself up for feeling negative on the band. For most of us that have been on multiple diets before, only to gain back the weight plus some extra. You figure each time you do that, and keep gaining over the course of years you are just going to see the number going up, up and away.

Try to get a control on that sugar addiction, and try not to let it control you! Good luck in your counseling for it and keep us posted!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also fear the sugar monster. It is hard to change and you are right, it is an addiction. I have stopped drinking soda and have started substituting sugar free Jello for when I get a sugar urge.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So glad there are others who can relate to your dilemma. I like candy, chocolate but was never addicted to them. Good luck and you might try KayTee's route before you throw in the towel?

tmf

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You did not know the guide lines going I to this?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't feel that way you will be fine. I felt the same way for the first few days . I had my surgery march 26 and I'm totally over sugar !! I lost 40 pounds already . Stay focused and just remember how great your going to look,

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sugar addiction isn't easy- I was one BIG time. Sometimes I would eat entire bags of Reese's miniatures in one sitting. I drank 6-8 regular sodas a day. Heck sometimes I'd even get up in the middle of the night to have a sweet treat.

But just like any other addiction' date=' you have to suffer to kick it.

If you can go a week without sugary treats and restrict your carbs (because they process like sugar in your body), you would be over the worst of it. Drink LOTS of Water during that time too to flush your system.

Also, I would strongly advise seeking counseling. The Lap-Band can restrict how much we can physically eat and make us feel full sooner but it can't change our brains. Addiction is very real, including to food, and if you want to be successful with your band it's necessary to get your head in the game and seek help for the addiction.

Good luck.[/quote']

I avoid it except under special circumstances. For instance' date=' I love Cadbury eggs so over Easter I had a couple. Tomorrow is my birthday so I'll be having a piece of Tiramisu rather than birthday cake. Truth is, I honestly don't like the sluggish "blah" way sugary foods make me feel. I'm quite content without them now. But kicking that addiction wasn't easy.

I'm so glad you've started counseling! I think it's going to really help you a lot![/quote']

I agree with Mis73 on this issue! You have to think of it like a detox' date=' and you will go through withdrawals like nicotine, drugs etc. I don't know how true it is but I have heard that for some dropping the sugar is worse than other substances.

I know when I detox I get cranky, headaches, my systems cleans itself out, I have broken out, just feel flat out depressed.

It will make it easier to avoid or to have in very limited amounts once you are off them for a bit. My suggestion is to try to keep off them as long as possible and maybe try to substitute other things for it. There are some good products on the market that use splenda and things like that. I also have found sometimes when I am craving something like ice cream or chocolate I make up a Protein shake and toss a banana in it with some extra ice. It gives me the chocolate/the coldness/sweetness/and a bunch of Protein in it. Yogurt can be good to help you over the hump!

Alot of people on here do a piece or two of dark chocolate or other kind of sweet if you cannot shake it.

But try not to set yourself up for feeling negative on the band. For most of us that have been on multiple diets before, only to gain back the weight plus some extra. You figure each time you do that, and keep gaining over the course of years you are just going to see the number going up, up and away.

Try to get a control on that sugar addiction, and try not to let it control you! Good luck in your counseling for it and keep us posted![/quote']

I also fear the sugar monster. It is hard to change and you are right' date=' it is an addiction. I have stopped drinking soda and have started substituting sugar free Jello for when I get a sugar urge.[/quote']
So glad there are others who can relate to your dilemma. I like candy' date=' chocolate but was never addicted to them. Good luck and you might try KayTee's route before you throw in the towel?

tmf[/quote']

Thanks everyone! Sometimes you need to hear it from others. I'm just always worried about the weekends and parties etc. I always say I'm gonna start "Monday" then that comes and goes and then three months goes by. My addiction is def fueled by emotions. Emotional eater= me I hate it. I really want to be successful. I also just lost my medical insurance so going to the lap band doc isn't an option right now. I haven't seen him in months and know I need to but can't afford it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • BabySpoons

      Sometimes reading the posts here make me wonder if some people just weren't mentally ready for WLS and needed more time with the bariatric team psychiatrist. Complaining about the limited drink/food choices early on... blah..blah...blah. The living to eat mentality really needs to go and be replaced with eating to live. JS
      · 2 replies
      1. Bypass2Freedom

        We have to remember that everyone moves at their own pace. For some it may be harder to adjust, people may have other factors at play that feed into the unhealthy relationship with food e.g. eating disorders, trauma. I'd hope those who you are referring to address this outside of this forum, with a professional.


        This is a place to feel safe to vent, seek advice, hopefully without judgement.


        Compassion goes a long way :)

      2. BabySpoons

        Seems it would be more compassionate not to perform a WLS on someone until they are mentally ready for it. Unless of course they are on death's door...

    • Theweightisover2024🙌💪

      Question for anyone, how did you get your mind right before surgery? Like as far as eating better foods and just doing better in general? I'm having a really hard time with this. Any help is appreciated 🙏❤️
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        I had about 6 months between deciding to do surgery and getting scheduled. I came across the book The Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner, a bariatric surgeon in Arizona, and started to implement some of the changes he recommended (and lost 13 lbs in the process without ever feeling deprived). The book is very simple, and the focus is on whole, plant based foods, but within reason. It's not an all or nothing approach, or going vegan or something, but focuses on improvement and aiming for getting it right 80-90% of the time. His suggestions are divided into 12 sections that you can tackle over time, perhaps one per month for a year if a person is just trying to improve nutrition and build good habits. They range from things like cutting out artificial sweetener or eating more beans to eating a pound of vegetables per day. I found it really effective pre-surgery and it's an eating style I will be working to get back to as I am further out from surgery and have more capacity. Small changes you can sustain will do the most for building good habits for life.

      2. Theweightisover2024🙌💪

        That sounds awesome. I'll have to check that out thanks!

    • BeanitoDiego

      I've hit a stall 9 months out. I'm not worried, though. My fitness levels continue to improve and I have nearly accomplished my pre-surgery goal of learning to scuba dive! One dive left to complete to get my PADI card 🐠
      I was able to go for a 10K/6mile hike in the mountains two days ago just for the fun of it. In the before days, I might have attempted this, but it would have taken me 7 or 8 hours to complete and I would have been exhausted and in pain for the next two days. Taking my time with breaks for snacks and water, I was finished with my wee jaunt in only 4 hours 😎 and really got to enjoy photographing some insects, fungi, and turtles.
      Just for fun last week, I ran two 5Ks in two days, something I would have never done in the past! Next goal is a 10K before the end of this month.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Teriesa

      Hi everyone, I wrote back in May about having no strength. I still get totally exhausted just walking from room to room, it’s so bad I’m using a walker with wheels of all things. I had the gastric sleeve Jan. 24th. I’m doing exactly what the programs says, except protein shakes. I have different meats and protein bars daily, including vitamins daily. I do drink my fluids as well.  I go in for IV hydration 4 days a week and feel ok just til evening.  So far as of Jan 1st I’ve dropped 76 lbs. I just want to enjoy the weight lose. Any suggestions or has anyone else gone thru this??  Doctor says just increase calorie intake, still the same. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Stone Art By SKL

      Decorative Wall Cladding & Panels | Stone Art By SKL
      Elevate your space with Stone Art By SKL's decorative wall claddings & panels. Explore premium designs for timeless elegance.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×