Sugar; my drug of choice

[allsmilez 13]

Hi, I am a sugar addict. Never being able to eat bread or Pasta again is fine with me. However, not being able to consume sugar in the way that has led me to down this path, scares me. I am in month 3 of the pre-op phase. I'm worried that post op, I'll still crave sugar and that my sleeve will tolerate it and ultimately allow me to sabotage my weight loss. Are there any other recovering sugar addicts who have had the sleeve? Did you still crave sugar post op?

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[Kindle 8,667]

Very few VSG patients have dumping syndrome, so more than likely yes, you will still crave sugar and be able to tolerate it. Unless you stop eating it. The brain reacts to sugar much like it reacts to cocaine. And if you have a little, that just triggers your brain to want more and then more. Try going cold turkey no sugar for a week and see what happens to your cravings. No cheating or the experiment is worthless.

Like most addicts, you may need to seek professional help to truly stay clean long term. Find a therapist, preferably one that deals with eating disorders and see if you can make any progress with them before surgery. You may luck out and be one of the few VSGers that dump or become intolerant to sugar, but more than likely this will likely be a lifelong struggle with or without surgery.

You may also check out www.smartrecovery.org it is an addiction recovery program alternative to the traditional 12-step based programs like AA and OA.

[KristenLe 5,979]

Get some therapy to deal with cravings and emotional eating! It helps!

[silverthreads 183]

@@allsmilez

I'd have to say I was very much a sugar addict. Gave it up several times and fell off the wagon -- it was clear to me that one little bit and I'd crave it for at least a day if not two.

Had my VSG 2 months ago -- and I have zero cravings. It's great. Yes, I've fallen off the wagon while on a trip recently (Doubletree is evil for putting a warm chocolate chip cookie in my hand!). I ate it, and haven't craved sugar since.

You just might be fine with this...

[Kindle 8,667]

silverthread's experience is pretty common immediately postop. It's all part of the honeymoon period when everything is so easy....no cravings, great restriction, little to no appetite, etc. Just be aware that your body and head will change drastically between 2-3 months and 2-3 years out. That's when you realize just how much work it really takes. So take advantage of those first few easy months to retrain your eating behaviors and learn new coping mechanisms to deal with your addiction.

[silverthreads 183]

Oh yikes! I was really hoping the cravings were gone for good. I will say that I spent a year on a low carb diet before and did fine so long as I didn't take that first taste of sugar. Maybe I'll just have to stay on the wagon...