Is it okay to enjoy food post op??

This is going to sound so weird I guess. Preop I LOVED to taste food. We would get in the car and drive just to find a restaurant we'd never been to before and try something new. Post op I've not enjoyed any food because I changed my way of thinking from living to eat to the eating to live mentality. Yesterday we had a BBQ and if I may toot my own horn the food tasted amazing and I actually enjoyed the taste of food for the first time post op (and I'm almost 10 months out). I felt good temporarily but then I felt guilty about enjoying it. It was healthy choices (teriyaki chicken and seasoned shrimp skewers) and protein and I didn't overindulge. I ate 2 oz of chicken and 5 small shrimp that were on a skewer (2 oz max these were very very small shrimp it was hard to skewer), 1 bite of baked potatoe and a couple bites of broccoli cheese casserole. In total it may have been 5 oz between everything and I really felt miserable because I pushed my limit unfortunately (I should be eating 6-7 oz meals and stuff but im still really far behind because of my tummy issues most my meals are 3-4 oz). Anyways I guess I was just wanting to know if I'm alone. Is it okay to enjoy the taste of something? I'm sooo worried that since I enjoyed the taste of the food that I'm going to enjoy it too much and gain my weight back or something IDK. I guess I just need some reassurance that it's okay.

Misty, I must admit for the first time in my life I am enjoying the taste of food. Probably since I am chewing it and not inhaling it!! I think it is alright to enjoy it since we are not living to eat anymore but eating to live. I know that there is no way that I could eat 6-7 ounces of food at a meal. I just couldn't be able to fit it in.

Sounds like you are enjoying the right things.. I USED to enjoy a full cheesecake, or a big plate of french fries.. NOW I really enjoy a bowl of my beef broth and totileni soup..Or I really enjoy meat...There is nothing wrong with enjoying what you eat, it is eatting in proper amounts and proper recipes..Linda Kay

Hi Misty.  I agree with Linda Kay.  It is fine to enjoy the food you eat.  The important thing is to choose the best things for you to eat and enjoy those.  I wouldn't worry about pushing the amount up.  I was in the Community Hosp program and they said by 1 year I should be able to eat 8 - 12 oz.  Unfortunately for me, I was able to eat that much and now I realize that I don't need that much.  But now that I can, I have to really battle myself not to eat so much.  Be grateful that your body doesn't want that much.  It will be easier for you to keep your weight off in the long run.

I feel guilty when I'm enjoying food too. I keep my portions where I need them, but the rest of the day or even next I keep remembering, 'oh you had that yesterday, so today you have to watch it'. IT WAS A SHRIMP SALAD and i feel guilty! ahhhh i think its because food gave me guilt or mixed feelings before and we're still working things out. and i'm so scared of gaining my weight back. i'm now more afraid of that than spiders!!!