No pasta? Bread? Ever again?

[princessdi]

Alright so being 95% Italian is no excuse I know, but it's legitament enough. Will I never be able to eat bread or pasta ever again or just not until my weight has stabilized? My cousin had gastric bypass and she said she is able to eat a slice of pizza once in a while!

[MeganES]

I really think it varies from person to person. It seems like most everyone struggles with it at first and for some it gets easier as time goes on. I know - the thought of not being able to eat pasta or bread ever again is a little overwhelming to me because carbs are my downfall, but I guess that's a big part of the reason I got to the point of needing surgery! It's a head game, for sure. One of my cousins had the gastric bypass, the other had the sleeve. The one who had the bypass can eat anything except sugar and she's 4 years out. The one who had the sleeve can eat ANYTHING and she's 18 months out. I think patience is key. Good luck!!

[barrbdoll]

yes... I will be 2 years out in April and yes.. I can eat all the same foods as before... Just smaller portions.... I enjoy a variety of breads, pastas, rices and even a slice of pizza here and there.. But.... I am full with 1/2 a sandwich or wrap, about 1/2 cup of pasta or rice and one slice of pizza..... Cravings are satisfied and I don't feel deprived. Plus, my sleeve is doing what it's supposed to do in limiting the amounts of food that I eat... One of my biggest issues before surgery was portion control. I wasn't a fast food junkie, sweets indulger, nada.. Just liked to eat and didn't know when to push the plate away...

My sleeve has changed my life! I still enjoy food but in small amounts.. I seem to eat every 3 hours or so which has sped up my metabolism as well.. Perfect fit for me!!

I will say this though.... if all you ate was junk before surgery please know that you will get to the point where you can eat all junk post surgery so retraining your brain and making healthy choices is essential to long term success!

If you are just a food lover but have issues with portion control than this surgery is the best solution!! Just my opinion!

Good Luck!

[JustWantToBeHealthyAgain]

I believe it's very individualized. I know at least in the beginning, for months, you really shouldn't be eating pasta or bread at all. Afterwards, they may be okay in small amounts and certainly not everyday. But it depends on the person. I know some people are able to have some carbs once in a while and feel satisfied and not crave them. Some people eat carbs and it awakens their inner "carb monster" and then that's all they crave for a while. My mother is one of those people. (She has not had WLS). One 1/2 cup of pasta and it's "I WANT BREAD, PASTA, AND POTATOES" for her for like a week. Yeah, it's bad.

I honestly don't know which I am yet. My mom made banana bread the other day. I had a bite of it (it was super warm and mushy so it was okay) and I felt fine and didn't crave anymore after that bite. I took home a couple slices for my boyfriend to eat and I watched him eat them and I felt fine.

Remember too that there are some awesome pasta substitutes. I tried some Nasoya noodles (made from soy and whatnot) pre op and once I can eat them again, I will. They have very, very few carbs and some protein. I found them to be very comparable to actual noodles. My boyfriend is Italian and makes pasta a lot. It is not a "trigger food" for me but I plan to use the Nasoya noodles so when he makes his pasta with his custom tomato sauces and grilled chicken, I'll be able to have his sauce and chicken over my noodles. That's the best part anyways!!

Bread? I'm not sure. I'm doing just fine without it right now. I was a real "bread and butter" girl pre-op. I bought my boyfriend some white bread so he could make chicken salad sandwiches. I am just eating mine plain right now and get my carbs from fruit and vegetables.

I'll tell you, this whole surgery really changes how you look at food. The hunger has really lose its edge with me which makes it so much easier to make healthy choices. I would have died if I had tried to completely cut out bread and pasta pre op. Now I don't care!

[princessdi]

I really think it varies from person to person. It seems like most everyone struggles with it at first and for some it gets easier as time goes on. I know - the thought of not being able to eat pasta or bread ever again is a little overwhelming to me because carbs are my downfall, but I guess that's a big part of the reason I got to the point of needing surgery! It's a head game, for sure. One of my cousins had the gastric bypass, the other had the sleeve. The one who had the bypass can eat anything except sugar and she's 4 years out. The one who had the sleeve can eat ANYTHING and she's 18 months out. I think patience is key. Good luck!!

So theres nothing wrong with trying everything with time, right? Introducing them back into your diet once you are where you want to be with your weight, and maintaining it?

[JustWantToBeHealthyAgain]

If you are just a food lover but have issues with portion control than this surgery is the best solution!! Just my opinion!

This is so true. I definitely overate pre op, without meaning to. Breakfast? OMG I can't even tell you how many scrambled eggs I could put away. I am so thankful that I can only eat 1 now and feel full for hours.

[MeganES]

So theres nothing wrong with trying everything with time, right? Introducing them back into your diet once you are where you want to be with your weight, and maintaining it?

Always be sure to discuss things with your surgeon, but my surgeon made it very clear to me that once I'm reintroducing regular foods there are no restrictions at all. He explained that for a long time a lot of things might not taste or sit well, and that may change as time goes on but it will be up to me to decide what is or isn't worth putting into my body. There's nothing I won't be allowed to try.

[jaycee]

i am already allowed pasta... but they want it overcooked at this point (i'm still at the soft food stage) i had my first step last night when i had half a cup of mac n cheese for dinner... and it was yummy AND filling. pre-op i could've eaten a whole box. i love that i am feeling like i can finally control what i am eating and that there won't be any real restrictions as to things that i can't have. and because i'm eating so little, it really does have an impact on what i choose to eat, opting for healthier choices most of the time... i tell you, as a former binge, closet eater... i feel free for the first time in decades.

[Truffles]

I'm over a year out and I do not eat pasta or bread. I eat about a teaspoon or two of rice occasionally, but most times I'm full from the protein and veggies so I don't end up eating the rice. I cannot even imagine trying to eat pasta, to tell you the truth. (And, this is coming from a person who used to make her own pasta from scratch).

I have eaten a plain croissant and it went down without a problem so I have never had a another one because that freaked me out.

[princessdi]

I'm over a year out and I do not eat pasta or bread. I eat about a teaspoon or two of rice occasionally, but most times I'm full from the protein and veggies so I don't end up eating the rice. I cannot even imagine trying to eat pasta, to tell you the truth. (And, this is coming from a person who used to make her own pasta from scratch).

I have eaten a plain croissant and it went down without a problem so I have never had a another one because that freaked me out.

I not really weak for pasta now, being Italian I ate so much of it, I get sick of here "what pasta should we have for sunday sauce? But i do love bread! And im surrounded by some of the best pizza in the world! Haha

[Truffles]

When we order pizza, I can have a very, very small slice. And, I don't eat the end crust. However, I don't do it often because although I'm not in discomfort, I feel kind of "meh" afterwards. I hope that makes sense.

[Think]

I not really weak for pasta now, being Italian I ate so much of it, I get sick of here "what pasta should we have for sunday sauce? But i do love bread! And im surrounded by some of the best pizza in the world! Haha

Half Italian here, so I completely understand!

I am over 2.5 months out, and cannot tolerate breads or pasta at all. It has been the hardest thing for me about the sleeve. I am learning to live with it and hope it gets better in time.

[barrbdoll]

So theres nothing wrong with trying everything with time, right? Introducing them back into your diet once you are where you want to be with your weight, and maintaining it?

All in moderation!!!

[Marvinator]

I had a six inch egg white sub from subway the other day on whole wheat. This was my first time eating bread. I ate half the bread and all of the egg white. It was good and I havent had any starches since. I definitely dont plan to make a habit of eating bread. Just wanted to see if I could. I definitely didnt enjoy quite the same as before when I could scarf it down.

[gigi67]

Like everyone says it is all about how your system reacts to it. I know most doctors lean towards telling you that you can't have these things so you wont start on them and then over do it. But for myself I have had no yolks noodles in my chicken noodle soup and it was fine. I am just a little over a month out, I did however pick around most of the noodles to get the chicken and carrots. I have also thought about how I will deal with pizza when I end up with a huge craving and I decided that I am going to eat only the topping. But right now I know my tummy wont be happy with it so I will wait on it. I haven't even thought about trying any sort of rice even though I have been told I can try it if I want. I just think it might hurt right now so I leave it alone, but that is just how I think my body will react to it. Everyone is different and I believe it is all just trial and error and moderation with any and all food that we eat.

Best of luck to you!!!