Just had surgery a week ago... some questions

Hi all. I'm new here, in fact this is my first post. Let me start by introducing myself. I'm 35, male and from KC. I just had the Roux-en-Y last tuesday March 4th. Still a bit sore. I have my first follow up appointment tomorrow.  I'm not sure what I expected but I dont think it was this. For 9 days now (2 days before surgery) I have had a liquids only diet. Now that should start changing tomorrow. However, I remember in the initial seminar the Dr saying that after the surgery the feeling of hunger would be gone, that you would no longer feel hunger. I have NOT found that to be true... um... i dont think. Now... i havent had "hunger pangs" but unless i've just finished my jello I feel hungry pretty much all the time, and im obsessing on it. Also i find myself just thinking about food and what i will never get to eat again constantly. Its putting me in a horrible mood, im angry all the time, im depressed. In short, im just not liking it. All i can think is "too bad, its done now. No going back. You're screwed now". And i know that is just the total wrong attitude to have, but i cant stop myself. I've read that people sometimes go through a greiving process but im having a hard time choking that down.  I'm tired of broth and i'm tired of jello and im tired of trying to drink little mouthfuls of water all day. I'm angry and i'm depressed and for Gods sake I feel WEEPY! So far this just sucks. I guess thats not much of a question after all.

You are having normal feeling, it will get better believe me, and you will be able to eat again this doesnt mean you can never eat again, when you get on meat and satisfing food you will feel better, just always remember to get your protein in and water sip sip sip, do you use your shakes? your protein is very important, as Jan says keep your eyes on the prize, when that weight starts droping you will think it is all worth itl, if you keep feeling depressed tell your DR. Be sure and find you a support group to attend this helps, just remember your not alone, and you will be fine.....vesta

I know what you are going through!!!!!  I had surgery 2 months ago and I am still feeling sad, depressed, and angry over all the things I can't have.  This is the part that all the dr.'s and others don't tell you about most don't have an issue with this but a lot of us do.  The seminars and tv shows they try to protray the beginning of surgery and the end after your weight loss they seem to leave out the in between stuff.  I don't feel hungry when before I would eat and an hour later I would be hungry again so I am glad thats gone.  I get so angry when others around me can have my favorite foods and I can't.  It is very depressing and when I was on just liquids it about killed me!  It is still very hard even now I can eat things but I get so bored with them and then I get to where I would just rather not eat at all.  Some people myself including have what they call buyers remorse and wish we would of never had the surgery.   I had a lot of complications and still trying to heal but I think it will get better and soon you will (we) be able to have some of the foods we crave just have to hang in there and take one day at a time.  The weight loss and seeing the scale move downwards is what keeps me going.   Good Luck and keep posting. Bev

First of all you arent that unsual. I dont know what food you are really wanting so i cant say if you will ever be able to eat them or not. Most things after you lose all the weight you want to can have most anything they want in moderation. except sugar...but there are lots of good things out there that are made with Splenda now days.  I too felt that way for a few days until i could start getting the amount of protein in that i needed. and that is something that you will proba bly be allowed to start on this next doctors checkup.  It is all a learning process.  Part of what goes on with people is that they have lots of hormones stored in fat cells and when those start releasing into the system from weight loss you can get overwhelmed with feelings. As we drink more and more water (keep a bottle with you constantly and sip) that flushes all of the toxins out of the body including the excess hormones.  Hang in there and keep posting we all here and willing to help and share.

Whammo,
You've gotten good advice already. I was one of those Type A people who didn't have much remorse - had worked very hard for six months before and gotten ready by studying everything. I knew that my friend, food, wasn't going to be my friend anymore (if it ever really was) and I was prepared to kick it out of my life. For the first six months I was a perfect patient, didn't eat anything on the bad list, white bread, white flour, white sugar, white potatoes, white rice, white pasta (notice a theme here?). Now, at 14 1/2 months out I eat some of those things in very moderate amounts but you know they have lost their power over me. I think you're having "head hunger" and focusing on what you can't eat. Try to drink more water/crystal lite, eat your SF jello and instead of plain broth make your favorite Campbell's soup with water (except tomato) and drain off all the solids and drink the broth. I'm talking about Campbells Chicken Noodle, Vegetable, Beef Barley, you know ones with real broth, not cream soups yet. I also ate tons of SF popcicles at first. I still like them but don't have as much craving as at first. We've relied on food for our comfort, friendship and entertainment for so long we've forgotten how to do anything else but we can learn to take care of ourselves in other ways and you will. You're just still in the baby-step phase and you'll get better and better at this life-long committment you've made. You're young and have your whole life ahead of you and now you'll be heathy and young. You go guy. You can do it - I know you can.
Hugs,
Lana

Thanks so much guys! Ya'll are sweet.  Just wanted to update. I feel a LOT better now. Yesterday i had my first follow up appt and everything is progressing fine and healing, got my stitches out and started vitamins. I really think the vitamins may have made a bid difference. For the last 10 days i had lived on nothing but liquids and protein drinks and now with the vitamins i'm starting to get some real nutrition again. Good deal. Also... yesterday was "egg day" and i am very surprised and pleased with how long that egg kept me feeling satisfied! Like i had actually... well..... EATEN. Heh. My mood yesterday and today has been much brighter and i am feeling much happier. Gonna get out and enjoy this BEAUTIFUL sunny 70+ degree day.  Again, thanks for your responses. Its really nice to see that i'm not the only one thats gone/going through the same feelings. Its wierd how just knowing that seems to help isnt it? Have a great day!  Whammo