Newbie questions

I have so many things swirling in my head, as I'm sure most pre-ops do.  How do you handle seeing or being around sweets and other foods that we shouldn't have?  Do you miss buffets and gorging?  What about depression?  Is it common to miss food so bad that you get depressed?

I've asked my dr. most of these questions and they assure me that I'll "get it" once I have surgery.  Right now, I'm struggling picturing being satisfied on so little.

I am almost never hungry , once in a while at diner time but a few bites stops that

shore I miss buffets but it would be a waste , I only can eat 4-6 oz at a time

some people get depressed and seeing a therapist can help

 there is little room in your sleeve and most of the hunger hormone is gone after they remove 85% of your stomach , some people get this back but it is not as bad as before the surgery 

I now eat 500-800 cal 80 gm protein and this keeps me full all the time , sometimes I add some low carb veggies or fruit

 the only food I have problems with is meat that is to fatty that I should not eat anyway

 you should got to your doctors support group and talk to the people there at various stages after surgery

We are going to always be around food that we shouldn't have for the rest of our lives.  We have to make the right decision on not to eat that food or when you get to your goal eat the food in moderation while staying in your daily calorie limit. 

WLS is not only physical, it is also mental.  Your mind has to be right.  There are people who have the surgery and do not lose weight because their mind was not in it.  A lot of us do need to see a therapist to help us through our food addiction. 

At first I did miss buffets and eating larger portions but after awhile my mind shifted and I started looking at things differently.  I rather be healthy and can have small amounts of the things I like in moderation than to be unhealthy and able to eat big portions of food.

When you get a chance please read The Beck Diet Solution.  It has really good pointers in there.  

If you think that this might happen to you, I'll ask you some questions.  Have you done the work to figure out what led to this place?  Do you eat from boredom, anxiety, unhappiness, happiness?  Do you wear a fat suit to disguise what's going on inside that you don't want people to see?  Do you get anxious at the thought of not being able to eat two plates of food at a sitting?  Are your food issues related to addiction, e.g., do you get a "high" from eating or the thought of eating and can't wait until your next "fix"?  Are you carb-sensitive, i.e., you love sugar, pastries, pasta and ice cream?  

The surgery will help you physically stop eating, but it sure isn't a cure for what got you here to begin with.  

Now, to answer your questions.  Do I miss buffets and gorging?  I never did like buffets...I don't like the thought of all those people touching my food, and they're notoriously unsanitary.  I did, however, love to eat a whole deep dish pizza in one sitting.  Now, if I choose to, I can eat pizza, or anything, for that matter.  It is a conscious choice every day, every meal to eat protein first, veggies second.  It is a conscious choice to put myself and my health first.  It's a conscious choice to work out at least 3 times a week, with a goal of 6 times per week.

I had a lapband for 7 years, and during that time there were lots of food I simply couldn't tolerate (most things, as a matter of fact). Then, yes, I missed food.  Now, with VSG, not so much.  When 1/2 cup of food makes you feel like you just finished a Thanksgiving Day feast, I don't feel deprived in any way.  Now, will you be satisfied?  Perhaps, if you take care of those pesky mental and emotional reasons that caused you to consider having major surgery to lost weight to begin with.

I wish you the best in your journey!

I just came back from a "Halloween party"  (A few days late.)  I ate before the party and planned on just sipping tea.  But I spent a good hour sitting at a table laden with deserts that I wasn't going to eat.  Plus to make it worse, its my birthday, and I feel deprived that I will not allow myself to eat cake.  I finally took a taste of a  cake and the maple frosting was soooo delicious.  

Mostly, it doesn't bother me.  I try to cook tasty meat and veggie dishes, so I can tell myself -you can't eat cake, but you can have that terrific greek chicken, or that yummy pan fried cabbage, etc.  This usually works.  But there is something about feeling entitled - as to birthday cake - that makes it hard. 

I'm glad I passed on the cake, and I'm ok that I took a small taste. 

Some days I miss buffets and deserts and halloween candy and birthday cakes.  But mostly, I enjoy the food I can eat, and don't dwell on the other stuff.  Plus, once the weight starts falling, and you feel healthier and more energy, it is clearly so worth while.

I suspect it will be similar for you.  Some days you'll miss it, but most of the time you'll be so happy with yourself for maintaining the plan.

best wishes

Carol

 

I just had surgery on the 31st. Right now I'm still on clear liquids until Saturday.

When he ate his first meal after my surgery he commented that he felt guilty. I told him that his eating doesn't have to stop just because mine does. He's not fat and his metabolism is incredibly high. He eats for two people most of the time, and he's 60, so it's not going "catch up" with him.

This afternoon we walked down to the corner to get Homs something to eat. He ordered 2 carnitas tortas (large sandwiches). We came back to our hotel room and I watched him eat them both. I decided that I am just going to get used to watching him eat and maybe vicariously eat through him. The only problem is that he likes different stuff than I do. I'll make due with his tastes. I refuse to be large again.

I think when you think about the work that you'll be doing to lose the weight and you'll see that unlike past efforts to lose weight this work will bring you results you almost won't believe, you won't want to go back to being a bigger you.