Question:
Is it normal to eat everything in site before initial consult appt?
I have my consult appt next Friday for gastric bypass and I am catching myself eating everything in site. I'm not sure if it is wanting to gain weight to make sure I meet the qualifications to be accepted for the surgery or if it is fear of not being able to eat the foods I am use to. Help and give me advice out there please. — Crystal H. (posted on August 24, 2007)
August 23, 2007
Hi, What you are experiencing is sooooo normal just about everyone goes
thru it. Some even gain weight during the pre-op diet but I wouldn't
suggest that because the doctors can refuse to do the surgery if you
conform somewhat. I cheated 2 times on my pre-op diet once for KFC and
another time at McDonalds Damn...But I thought I never ever be able to eat
those ever again but I still lost 20 lbs pre-op and after surgery they
weighed me and I was up 11 thats normal too so remember that when it
happens (it's from the fluids they give you) I was so upset about that.
Try to taste everything you think you miss until your pre-op diet starts
then stay on unless you have to cheat and then only 1 or 2 times like I did
and you'll be just fine...Best to you...Pam
— P. B
August 23, 2007
I did exactly the same thing before my liquid fast. I had my "last
supper" day after day after day. But when it was time to start the
fast I was so ready because I felt completely out of control and physically
horrible from all the crap I ate.
I bet a lot of people do this.
— Stacey D.
August 23, 2007
For many of us who go through the "last supper" mindset, or just
feel compelled to devour all that may be "denied" us after
surgery, it is usually an indication of the nature of our relationship with
food and very, very common. For many, the intensity of those feelings
dissipates in the first few months after surgery when hunger is no longer a
factor. Of course, it is important to make some mental notes about what
you think triggers these cravings/desires and to be watchful of those
triggers after surgery. What helped me was trying to figure out why I felt
entitled to certain treats and why I tried to find satisfaction in the
stuff I wanted (felt I needed) to eat. Some good support groups, a great
mentor and an insightful counselor all helped in that part of the journey.
— SteveColarossi
August 24, 2007
WOW! everyone that posted a reply to your question really behaved
themselves! lol i went on an eating frenzie and gained like 20lbs because
i knew i'd never be able to eat like that again....i also never did the
fasting thing either...my surgeon asked me if i did it and i just gave him
a look like he was out of his mind and he just started laughing...he knew
that's next to impossible for a person who's stomach was the size of a 2
liter coke bottle to do....lol of course i just got lucky that my surgeon
wasn't strict or anything...if youre starting your journey now then believe
me unless you have health problems there will be plenty of times to stuff
your face... with all the consultations you'll have to go through you'll
probably have to wait at least 6 months...the criteria for wls is to have a
bmi of at least 35 with health problems (because of the weight) or if you
don't have health problems then a bmi over 40...which is at least 100 lbs
overweight...hope this helps....good luck
— lizzie42
August 24, 2007
uM..... tRY TO NOT GAIN ANY WEIGHT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT
MOST SURGEON'S WLS PROGRAMS REQUIRE YOU TO LOSE EITHER 5% OR 10% OF YOUR
WEIGHT PRE-OP! I NEED TO LOSE 13 LBS (5%) OF MY WEIGHT, AND THEN I GET
SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY :) I HOPE THIS HELPS........ EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY
OTHER ?'S. gREAT LUCK!
— 1gr8auntie
August 24, 2007
I did it too because I thought I'd only get to eat chicken and lettuce for
the rest of my life. The truth is, I am completely satisfied with my food
choices now (fish, chicken, veggies). I can tolerate Wendy's chili and
gyros. I don't feel deprived at all. I eat Lean Cuisines all the time. I
feel totally normal. I know I can eat pizza or cookies if I want to, but
I'll feel sick afterward, so why do that to myself. Plus, I paid a
freaking fortune for this surgery, so why would I go back to my poor eating
habits? That would be dumb. If your BMI is iffy for surgery, discuss it
with your surgeon. I wouldn't recommend overeating just to qualify (oh,
who am I kidding? I'd eat and eat and eat until my BMI was enough to
qualify for surgery.) Surgery has changed my life for the better.
— mosie555
August 24, 2007
Like everyone here said - we called it the Last Supper - so you are normal!
I had lap-band and I actually went through a period of about 3 weeks where
I "grieved" for food. It WANTED that big enchilada special or
that big steak dinner, but I knew I coudln't eat it and I didn't want to
pay for it to waste it. Even while cooking at home I would find myself
filling my plate with gobs of food and then asking myself what the heck I
was doing? Old habits I guess. Most of us with a weight loss problem love
to eat -I think its one of life's greatest pleasures. So now what I think
I want something I ask myself - Does your stomach want this or your mouth
& taste buds? Usually its NOT my stomach. So I have really thought
about my food a lot more than I used to. I can still eat some of almost
anything I want and am satisfied. I still have a little dessert, a cookie
or 2, and a few fries, but I am just satisfied with a little bit and I
don't feel guilty. It's great. It's the will power I never had. I can be
satisfied with 1 oreo split in two and chewing slowly to appreciate it. I
am so happy I found this tool! Best of luck to you - you will be SO glad
you made this choice!
— beckiemclarty
August 24, 2007
I think it is completely natural like everyone else mentioned to go thru
this stage and i agree with all the above answers; however i decided to put
in my 2 cents only because, I had a different outcome. My surgeon is very
strict and requires his patients to lose weight prior to surgery..I
"didn't i gained 30 lbs in 4 mos. I explained to him that i was
having problems sticking to the diet due to me stopping smoking...but i was
really eating alot. The purpose of the liquid diet is to not only lose
weight prior to surgery, but to shrink the down the liver. Because i
did'nt follow the rules...i was not reschedualed (i was lucky there) but
was supposed to have lap RNY and ended up being converted to an open
procedure which is basically an incision from the breast bone to the belly
button. They originally went in lap but were unable to see past my fatty
liver. I do know "alot" of people who have been denied the
surgery until they lose the weight their doctor requires. Once they require
you to start the liquid diet i soooo would encourage you to stick with
it...it's the one thing i regret about my surgery (not following the diet)
I hate this ugly scar : )
You will be able to eat all the foods you like again (minus the sugar maybe
if you get sick) when you are further out, you just need to eat super small
amounts and make better food choices. I do eat fast food occasionally and
am 16 mos post @ goal~best of luck
— tiffany E.
August 24, 2007
What you are feeling is normal. MANY...MANY people do/did the exact same
thing. Don't feel bad bout it. I would suggest - having a few things to
satisfy your inner demon. THEN...start making lifestyle changes now. I
started my lifestyle changes about 3 months prior to surgery and found my
transition after surgery to be SO much more easier. My advice - start
making those lifestyle changes - just because you can eat these things now,
doesn't mean you should or have to. Start to retrain your mental cravings
and mental hunger. It will benefit you in the future, I promise.
— jammerz
August 24, 2007
I too went thru that. My BMI was 39 and my ins said it had to be 40, so I
ate but I did over eat. I saw my Doctor and he agreed to do the full RYN,
if I lost 20 lbs, I tried I did, I lost 15 then I was anemic so my other
doctor told me to eat STEAK and LOBSTER, he even called my B/f.. and told
him to make sure I eat lots of that before my surgery. So I did, and I
gained it all back, I was scared that my RYN doc would not do the surgery,
but he did. I have lost 30 lbs - 7-11-07 and I am currently on a platatue,
(not losing) I can eat just about anything, but if I eat too fast or too
much it comes back up.. not nice.. Good Luck and you will be fine. Its
normal to think you will never eat food again..
— babesintoyland
August 24, 2007
Yes! Probably a combination of things. You're afraid you'll never get to
enjoy those foods again, and for me I was also anxious and scared about the
whole idea of surgery, so for me it was emotional eating as well. Any
changes I went through in my life triggered eating to help sedate my fears
and anxieties. Since surgery is a huge step, not only from a physical
aspect, but from an emotional one, this was no exception. I was afraid it
would hurt, afraid it wouldn't work, afraid it WOULD work and then what
would I do with my new body and self image? A lot to work through, but
it's worth it.
— Debra R.
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