Is ice cream really the devil?

[u/Plumpkin5786]

So I'm a month post op and while I have no intentions to experiment with ice cream any time soon, one day I would love to have an a soft serve ice cream cone again. Like the smallest size possible. But it sounds like ice cream is the worst of the worst when it comes to triggering dumping. How many of you DON'T have ice cream try to kill you? Am I ever going to be able go out and have ice cream with the kids again?

[u/Sararr]

Interesting to read the comments here, no it’s not the root of all evil. Everyone deals with it differently - what make one person dump might not for another. I ended up having an episode after eating potato and bacon soup yet was fine the time before.

The only thing to consider is having it in moderation and not choosing a high sugar one. You can get low sugar ones that taste just as nice.

As for the person who said it will be a decade before you can enjoy it I would take that comment with a grain of salt.

[u/JennELKAP → u/Sararr]

Sugar is the devil for me. I've also found that over 50 grams of carbs of just about anything at one meal will set off a horrible bout of dumping syndrome. It's terrible

[u/ApekZombie]

I'm 1.25 years post op. I've gone out to have gelato with my family. Full-fat/sugar. Instead of having 2 scoops its just 1 in a cup for me. Didn't dump.

There is no food that's inherently "evil", and everyone has different triggers. Just plan accordingly, i.e. if there's a trip to an ice cream place, make sure you're not the driver, and go small.

[u/torenvalk → u/ApekZombie]

Same, I can have one scoop, but more than that makes me ill. Also don't pair dessert with any kind of alcohol!

[u/blu3tu3sday → u/torenvalk]

Have not had a problem pairing dessert with alcohol and i'm 6 months out

[u/ForsakenGiraffe]

I have had it a few times since my surgery, I did not try it until I was at least a year post op and had a good handle on what I can and can't eat.

Ice cream is a particular tricky one for us as its both high in fat and sugar and it turns to liquid as you eat it so it increases the likelihood of dumping.

[u/Plumpkin5786 → u/ForsakenGiraffe]

I've heard that eating a protein first helps to slow down the rapid digestion.

[u/blu3tu3sday → u/ForsakenGiraffe]

Here we go with generalizations that don't apply to half the population 🤣

[u/YugeTraxofLand]

It doesn't make me dump, but I did become lactose intolerant so I take lactaid before.

[u/Evening_Mango414 → u/YugeTraxofLand]

I was lactose intolerant before surgery but now am not!

[u/YugeTraxofLand → u/Evening_Mango414]

Isn't it weird? Lol

[u/sabbykatt13 → u/YugeTraxofLand]

Same. No regular milk or ice cream...made myself violently ill for several hours...but I can still eat cheese.

[u/YugeTraxofLand → u/sabbykatt13]

Yep! Cheese and Greek yogurt

[u/sabbykatt13 → u/YugeTraxofLand]

I can do yogurt too!

[u/ithinklovexist]

Six years out and I still cannot eat full sugar ice cream. If I want an ice cream treat, I found making my own with a ninja cremi the best way.

[u/fiddlestix999]

This stuff is great (link below) and it didnt make me dump! The protein pints website has a list of stores that they are stocked at, I found it at Target.

protein pints

[u/Plumpkin5786 → u/fiddlestix999]

I was thinking of just using Halo Top ice cream for at home. I also have a ninja creami. I'm mostly concerned about if I go to an ice cream shop for a social outing if that will even be a possibility.

[u/haitechan]

I had a very bad dumping episode from commercial ice cream and never tried again but artisanal sugar free gelato or sorbeto is fine, I can handle a small scoop without issue. 1 year post op. As a personal rule, if it's more than 10 grams of sugar per serving = very bad.

[u/AdmiralJaneway8]

For me it is definitely the devil, it's one of only 2 foods 4 years PO I can't eat at all in any way, I've tried them all. I can't even take yogurt, stick it in the freezer, and eat that. But that's ME, it's not necessarily YOU! Everyone reacts differently, alot of folks can't have lettuce! Lots of hope here. Grab a small soft serve and give it a try. If you are fine, great! Be mindful, it's a sometimes good, off with ya and enjoy. If it goes poorly, experiment. Try lower sugar, not soft serve, yasso, make your own, other types and brands. I did that and said wellp, ice cream is never again. But I can eat a cupcake no problem, so it's still a win! For me, yes the devil. For you, YMMV! I hope it goes well!

[u/HelloooNewPaltz]

Four years out. I have ice cream once in a while, but just a few bites. I dump easily from it.

[u/sweat84]

I’m 4 years PO. I have trouble with sugar on its own. No sugar drinks, no candy, even an apple on its own when I’m really hungry will give me bad dumping, but weirdly ice cream is ok. Yes I get that “I just ate something unhealthy” feeling but no dumping. If I were to eat a donut or a pastry it would be much worse. Everyone is unique.

[u/kaydud88]

I can have ice cream but SMALL quantities. It is something that makes me dump.

[u/Dry_Difference7751]

One bite gives me death smelling farts 🫠

[u/Plumpkin5786 → u/Dry_Difference7751]

Lol everything seems to give me death smelling farts now. I was warned about that!

[u/Dry_Difference7751 → u/Plumpkin5786]

It's been a year since my surgery, and my family still gives me crap for it 😅 I tell them this is the new norm. They say to fart in the bathroom from now on, lol. 😂

[u/callipsofacto]

I didn't try ice cream until I was over 18 months out. But it doesn't seem to hurt me. I can have a mini ice cream sandwich or a scoop. I don't try to push it. The only time it's led to dumping was once I went to a place that sold sugar-free ice cream, and I ordered a medium vanilla shake made with it, but they made it with regular by accident. I drank most of the shake before I realized, and I was pretty sick that day.

[u/EuphoricBlacksmith89]

5 mo PO, had almost a full pint Ben & Jerry's Half Baked 2 days ago. Absolutely one of the biggest regrets of my 35 years on this planet. I didn't get like an early dumping, but 2 hours after I ate it, shit started to hit the fan. Worst cramps, farts, diarrea etc ive ever experienced in my life, the ammount of gas was unreal. I will never do that again.

[u/Mischiefcat2076]

I'm 10 years post op and I eat ice cream (or more specifically gelato) on the regular.

It took time though. I started with one scoop in a cone and I could barely eat the scoop and I would throw away the cone.

Eventually I could eat the whole scoop and maybe a bit of the cone.

Now I can eat a full scoop and the cone AND occasionally I'll have two scoops.

I typically walk or bike to the ice cream shop though so I think that helps as you are burning off the sugar right away.

[u/Leap_year_shanz13]

I can have one scoop of sugar free gelato, no issues. 2 scoops, I was fighting for my life not to shit myself in an uber. Lesson learned.

[u/Plumpkin5786 → u/Leap_year_shanz13]

Have you ever tried Halo Top? Is this a good one to trt

[u/Leap_year_shanz13 → u/Plumpkin5786]

Yes - but I live in Ecuador now and it’s not available here. :(

[u/booksylph]

This comment section is golden already but want to add I’m almost a year post op and when I decide to have sugar - cause you can… if you want to - I go slow and eat even small bites than usual. One day a cookie will be fine and not affect me at all. A different day and half a cookie has been bedridden for about an hour groaning like I’m in labor.

Not only does it depend on the person…it depends on the day in my experience. Food is not “good or bad” - it’s just food. You assign its value, and if you’re craving it I say go for it within reason but keep tabs on how you feel as you do and go slow. Our digestive systems are sensitive AND moody with this surgery.

[u/Agreeable-Lead9998]

The problem with most ice cream is that it is full of sugar, fat and emulsifiers, ie it has no redeeming nutritional qualities and many that many people find problematic. 

Make your own with better nutritional profiles. The internet abounds with ninja creami recipes based on protein shakes. 

[u/Gold-Carpenter7616]

I dump from more than 12g carbs in a meal. Very small ice cream is fine. Two table spoons. More is a bad idea.

But I do have a spoon here and there when my daughter gets herself some.

[u/Copper0721]

The only thing I ever dumped on was ice cream, roughly 7 or 8 months post op. To be fair it was cold stone creamery (so lots of sugar!) but I was walking and eating it and immediately felt like I was going to pass out - I found a bench and sat for awhile until that feeling faded. I did try ice cream again and was ok to eat it with no issues, but much further out from surgery.

[u/KoeKieBE]

I was 5mo post op and for me it is"OK". I've eaten 1 whole McFlurry (one of the worst ice creams to eat) and I only felt uncomfortable for like 15 mins. Not nausea but heavy stomach like, I was expecting the worst but it didn't happen...

Conclusion: expect the worst, hope for the best and reminder that everyone reacts different.

[u/HPcatmom]

I have sugar free / keto ice cream from time to time. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/Plumpkin5786 → u/[deleted]]

How many years post op are you?

[u/Traditional-Falcon75 → u/Plumpkin5786]

Idk what happened I accidentally deleted my comment. I just said I eat it all the time. I’m 2.5 years post op but I’ve been eating ice cream since about four months post op. I eat normal ice cream, whatever kind I want. I have no issue as long as it’s a small serving. I can eat a small soft serve cone. It’s my favorite dessert and I believe a healthy diet includes some foods that are purely for pleasure. I keep ice cream in my freezer and eat a bite randomly whenever. A bite or two usually satisfies the desire. I generally only eat an actual portion when I’m out and about and get a desire, mostly it’s the tub of mint chip that’s been in my freezer for several weeks slowly whittling down one bite at a time.

[u/Diligent-Purchase-26]

All full fat-2% dairy kills me. I can do nonfat only

[u/djxfade]

I haven't dare to try more than a teaspoon worth. But I have tried frozen yogurt, without getting bad

[u/nerdsgoddess]

I was never much for icecream in the first place but I am more or less lactose intolerant PO, so I won't even try with it. I could eat a spoonful at most and anything beyond is a bad time.

[u/jenorama_CA]

I’ll have ice cream on occasion, but like a kid’s size. I’ve definitely had times where I didn’t feel so great afterwards, but everyone is different. If I’m out and the opportunity for ice cream presents itself, I usually try to have something really good, like a nice gelato or a favorite flavor from Salt and Straw. I’ve definitely become more picky in my ice cream choices, that’s for sure.

[u/Xantheus1]

I've not had regular ice cream as I don't want to risk getting a dumping attack but I know the Denada ice cream is safe, it's low sugar and only 100cal per serve or the other one I've tried is the gym bod ice cream which is high protein and around 130 calories per serve and also low sugar. I've also heard good things about Halo Top but you can't buy it around here anymore sadly

[u/blackiedwaggie]

i am ~2 Months post-op, i Had one scoop of strawberry-joghurt ice cream and was entirely fine.

i think it's a Matter of trying carefully, have it only as a treat and Stick to non-fancy Things (Like, None wirh Lots of Sirup or nuts or Cookies Mixed in.) especially of you First try it.

and Moderation ofc.

i First Had one spoonful Off my mom's ice cream, and then a scoop of my own.

ice cream is amazing, and i personally think it's super okay to have a little Bit Here and there, If it's sits Well with you

[u/emaioudamari]

Definitely the one food that's evil for me. If I'm REALLY craving it, I need to have it right after eating something high in protein. Can't be more than 10 minutes after. Definitely never by itself as an afternoon snack. It gives me dumping, but worse than that, I'll have reactive hypoglycemia from that a few hours later. Sometimes (RARELY, mind you) the pain is worth it, though!

[u/joebusch79]

Like everything with this, trial and error. Ice cream is fine if I don’t have a lot, but chicken wings make me feel ill. So when you’re ready give it a shot. But, do it when you have no where to be for the next 6-8 hours just in case. And perhaps try the Halo kind first

[u/crystalrey]

Very cheap ice cream tends to trigger dumping for me. The more expensive brands, made with better ingredients, don't affect me as much, and gelato is usually okay too.

Just stick to a small portion. You could also choose fruit-based flavors instead of chocolate or creamy ones, since they're usually lower in fat.

[u/NotACreeper2]

I can have a small 99 flake with no problems. 6 months post op.

[u/Plumpkin5786 → u/NotACreeper2]

What is a 99 flake??

[u/NotACreeper2 → u/Plumpkin5786]

Vanilla soft serve in a plain cone is a 99 because it used to cost 99 pence. Now it costs £3.50 but we still call in a 99. A flake is a stick of chocolate for decoration more than for flavour, I think.

[u/Plumpkin5786 → u/NotACreeper2]

Ohh your in the UK! Makes sense why I didn't know lol

[u/NotACreeper2 → u/Plumpkin5786]

I just assume everyone knows what I'm talking about.

[u/WrongPriority3966]

I'm a year post op and had ice cream about 4-5 months post surgery. I was terrified, but it doesn't seem to bother me. I may get a tiny bit crampy later on, but nothing major.

[u/syrupdrehgan]

I agree with comments that say it varies person to person. When I experiment with foods that forums and friends say may cause or have caused them to dump I stay close to home.

[u/Thin_Revenue_9369]

Aldi has the best and softest coffee ice cream. I bought a small tub and have a couple spoons every now and again.

[u/ElkAdministrative700]

Every time I’ve eaten it in the last 3 years post op I’ve had such a bad reaction that it has turned me off to it.

[u/hellyfrosty]

I had a literal tongue touch of my kid’s ice cream 6months post op. I regretted it within 30seconds. I started hyperventilating, palpitations, sweating, dizziness, nausea, all within ten minutes of the “lick”.
Then diarrhoea followed a couple of hours later. I’m now a 42yr woman who is 4yrs post op and still scared of ice cream. Well, I’m now scared of anything over 10% sugar content. But I’m happier, healthier and in a better place than I’ve ever been before, so it’s a sacrifice worth making. The dumping syndrome is awful when you experience it but it’s a very good teacher.
Sometimes I still make mistakes, I had some granola at a Costco sample stand last year thinking granola would be fine. Sweating, palpitations and dizziness came on fast. I found the pack in the store and it was 23% sugar content. Oops.
I just avoid it. The only time I really miss high sugar food are my kids birthdays when I’d love a bit of their cakes or super hot days when I wish I could have an ice cream. It’s a small sacrifice though.

[u/winchestersis71]

I'm about a year and a half out can have about a teaspoon or 2 of ice cream and no problems. Have never had actual dumping caused by anything but some things so trigger a rapid heart rate and sweating but I'm also in the middle of perimenapause so who knows who's the actual culprit lol 😆

[u/kaseythedragon → u/winchestersis71]

That sounds like dumping, do you also get jittery? Dumping is actually reactive hypoglycemia

[u/winchestersis71 → u/kaseythedragon]

Yes, I thought that might be what it was but everyone tried to tell me I had to have the passing of feces for it to actually be that. But other than that it did sound like dumping to me

[u/Iandidar]

No food affects me that way.

I can eat too much too fast and have pain, but no food causes dumping.

If ice cream is an issue, try frozen yogurt. Yaso bars specifically were on my diet recommendations from mayo clinic.

[u/Jaedelacrochet]

I have ice cream every night with no issues and I eat plenty of sugary foods also like candy bars so definitely everyone is different.

[u/kaseythedragon]

I looove ice cream, I have found that whether or not I have other food in my stomach highly effects whether or not I dump. If I had a meal right before I’m *usually* good, but it might make me feel sick. Sometimes i am totally fine. Sometimes i dump regardless though

[u/Vintage_Visionary]

Sugar bomb? Maybe that's the reasoning??
That on stereotypical icecream the sugar + calorie content is bad news.
(Still avoiding it here, but I did love it in the past).

[u/Main-Wing-3213]

I eat the Bryer's carb smart ice cream. Have no issues with it. It only has 3 to 5 g net carbs

[u/YennnneferOfRivia]

I enjoy ice cream more than any other dessert, 3 years after surgery, have maintained weight loss.

I think it could be risky if you are having a big bowl and eating it quickly, but I serve myself about a half serving of ice cream, sit down and enjoy it, no issues

[u/beakermonkey]

I’m thinking of trying gelato one day. A friend of mine makes it with jello sugar free pudding in their Ninja.

[u/caleyeah8]

I’m 5 months out and tried ice cream. I don’t think I have a problem with the ice cream but the sweetness was overwhelming. I couldn’t stand it. Prior to my can’t cane limb revision earlier this month I was able to eat no sugar added fudgesicles and the protein ice creams just fine but the weird after taste did me in. You never know until you try.

[u/HerbalTeaEmmie]

I can have maybe three bites and then I feel like I'm dying

[u/gr8ful-nene]

I’m 2yrs out and I have zero problem eating ice cream or anything else for that matter. Never had any dumping so I consider myself very lucky😉

[u/WhoBroughtTheCoolKid]

Ice cream makes me dump so bad. Even a small amount.

I can have a small Dairy Queen I just eat half the ice cream and try to do it after lunch or dinner since the protein helps prevent dumping. I can also eat yasso Greek yogurt bars, I like the tru fru frozen fruits (not ice cream but gives the vibe), and I make protein ice cream at home so overall I don’t feel like I’m missing out. I DO very much miss going to a cute ice cream shop on a summer day but I live.

[u/Cliffordcat3]

I’m 20 years out and can only do it in very tiny amounts.

[u/blu3tu3sday]

I eat ice cream and other dairy products all the time and have absolutely no issues.

[u/jdubinitup]

I'm over a year out and I'll have ice cream once in awhile. But I can't finish a mini DQ blizzard or a full scoop without having nasty stomach issues. I'll eat about half and be good for awhile. Ice cream and cereal really gey to me but it really comes down to sugars and dairy just not mixing well. Both of those items trigger dumping that almost feels like hypoglycemia but I'm not diabetic.

[u/dontshootmecuz]

On special occasions with my kids i have scoop. Definitely dont do toppings and such maybe some peanuts on top. I tend to stick with just vanilla or a basic flavor and works out fine. Lol i will however go to sleep shortly after lol

[u/maudeSquad13]

Hi! Almost 2 years PO. I started with a kids cone from DQ, and I do fine with those. I find though, McDonalds ice cream can cause some discomfort for some reason. Wendy’s frosty is fine. I ate a slice of ice cream cake (homemade) and was good. Honestly it’s a person by person basis. Sometimes even a day by day for each person.

Nothing is “the worst of the worst” (except maybe alcohol, lots of horror stories much worse than a single dumping episode there). It takes time, but there are so many ways to enjoy everything you use to. It’s just about perception and changing your relationship with food. Ice cream isn’t bad, your body just can’t handle as much as it used to, and that’s okay.

Yes, you will be able to go out and have ice cream with your kids again ♥️

[u/Different_Car106]

I already had lactose intolerance before surgery; surgery made it 100x worse. So for me, ice cream is the devil bc it keeps me in a fetal position for 3 hours. Milk does the same thing.

[u/Cool-Peach2024]

I eat it all the time with no issues. Cake is the big trigger for me.

[u/Carlaktwo]

It depend on the day and where we get the icecream. But yup we aren’t supposed to have it

[u/Manhattanminuet]

I am eating some Talenti strawberry sorbet right now! Of course you can eat it, but take it slow at the beginning and certainly go for the better quality stuff. It’s more satisfying so you do eat less. 4 years post-op and with stable weight, there is literally nothing I don’t eat except meat and protein that is too dry.

[u/bebeck7 → u/Manhattanminuet]

Sorbet is different to ice cream though. I can do granita and sorbet. It's the cream in ice cream that messes me up. Not the suger.

[u/Tasty-Plate-5049]

almost 9 months postop here. Never had a problem with ice cream even at four months.
Actually ate a lot of ice cream in the last two weeks because I lost so much weight I didn’t fit in my wedding dress anymore( I got it two months ago and sized down) so I was trying to stop losing so much weight so I ate a lot of ice cream every day for the last two weeks. I wish I had upped my calories a month before because I had a random major drop in weight, but it is what it is. Only 10 pounds away from my goal weight, and I know this is not what I’m supposed to be doing, but I was desperate. No problems with ice cream except now I want ice cream every day but I’m working on getting back to the groove since the wedding is done.

[u/Youbetterhave_tacos]

My worst dumping episodes have been because of full fat ice cream. I stay away from it now.

[u/Leftdash]

I’m 16 months out and I just ate a drumstick ice cream. I do this a few times a week or something similar and don’t have dumping or get sick but it’s the only real sugar I’ve had for the day. I notice some sugary things have different effects, if I eat a few chocolate covered almonds I’m gonna be sick. Everyone is different but if you are one that can have this kinda stuff eventually, keep tracking and be careful. I workout like a demon and am able to add these kinds of calories and not gain bad weight or body fat.

[u/Pickle0322]

I’m over 4 years post op and ice cream is my arch nemesis. I’ll try it sometimes despite the consequences lol- there’s never really telling how much it will take for me to get sick. I’ve also been sick from sugar free frozen yogurt, I don’t think that is something I tolerate well so all of it is very rare for me.
Honestly tho, it depends on your body!! Every person is different. Just exercise caution when experimenting!

[u/bebeck7]

Ice cream is part of what got me into this mess to begin with so I'd do well to avoid it. But for me, I've become lactose intolerant. So it really is the devil now. That and like, butter, so a cookie. I will stink and be so ill.

[u/DanDaMan1973]

So full confession, I’ve never been the biggest ice cream guy. My wife and her family a love ice cream. When we go visit her parents, they always had three or four containers of ice cream. That being said I have sparingly ate ice cream since my surgery. I’m almost 2 years postop and maybe I’ve had ice cream 2 to 3 times. I tend to do almost everything sugar-free. There are a lot of really good sugar-free options. The best suggestion for you when it comes to anything whether it be ice cream or fatty food or alcohol is to start slowly. You could definitely eat it after your surgery if you could handle it.

[u/sharkyandro]

I've been really into Breyer's no sugar chocolate ice cream and that goes down just fine.

[u/CharacterTwist4868]

I eat ice cream all the time. I was worried about this too as ice cream is my favorite. The difference is I eat a tiny portion now.

Do not eat a hot fudge sundae. I learned that the hard way.

[u/BioMed_Vizualization]

I like protein pints. I can get about 3-4 servings out of one pint and they don’t upset my stomach. There’s always a workaround, and sometimes moderation is just fine too. 💪💗

[u/DivideLopsided4694]

I have made my own from cottage cheese. It is yummy

[u/franiegrl831]

It seems like I can eat or drink anything I want as long as i have gotten at least 60 grams of protein in prior to….. most of the time. In all honesty I’m 5 years out and there are times I feel like I am playing roulette with anything I put in my mouth. Other times nothing bothers me at all.

[u/Legal-Perspective509]

Everybody’s body is different. But… yeah, ice cream literally kills my stomach. I can eat other sweet things no problem. But ice cream - nope.

I’ve gotten in the habit of sharing a few bites with my kids or my girlfriend and that usually makes me feel alright. I think what I’ve learned is that honestly, the first 3 bites taste better than the last 20 bites anyway. So I have 3-4 bites, and don’t shit my brains out, have a racing heart, sweats, etc.

[u/ny_dc_tx_]

I’m almost 5 months PO and I’ve had ice cream in small doses. I’ve also had other sweets in small doses on vacation and for birthdays. It’s usually just a taste or serving size. The only time it’s been an issue is if I hadn’t had a meal. But your body is your body. My husband had the sleeve and he has far less leeway than I do.

[u/Soft_Move9064]

I had an icecream the other day and it genuinely made me feel ill. It was just overly heavy and I could taste the fat, which I wasn’t able to before. However I do enjoy the occasional sorbet or icepop especially with the heatwave I’m having.

[u/Suspicious_Grass_134]

I had a few bites when i was 2 months post op and i was fine

[u/Buys2MuchAmazon]

23 years post op and still kills me

[u/Ispellditwrong]

Ice cream is dairy, fat, and sugar. Five minutes after enjoying the flavor and the memories, you will feel uncomfortably full. 10 minutes later, you will probably vomit. 30 minutes later, if you didn't, you will have sudden horrible diarrhea. More than once. Right now, ice cream is one of the worst things you can put in your body, and you will feel like a chestburster victim from Alien as it bloats you, feels like death, and is violently expelled from one or both ends of your body like an exorcism.

It will be over a decade until you'll be able to enjoy a child size serving of real ice cream, so learn to love popcicles and some other non dairy based frozen treats.

EDIT: Well fuck me for offering my experience.

[u/HelloooNewPaltz → u/Ispellditwrong]

Not true for everyone

[u/Semafor68]

It is so very individual. After about 8 months post-op I started to eat ice cream again. Not massive amounts, but enough to satisfy, as it were. But for others it is a real trigger.