food issues and the brain

So I am having some real issues with food and cravings lately.  They have been so strong lately that I actually have been having the thought that this surgery was a mistake.

It seems that I spend all day thinking about food, what I can eat, what I will eat, what I want to eat, when is my next meal, what is the best bang for my buck etc. etc.

It has gotten so bad, that I can't stand to go out to dinner with my wife any longer.  I just can't sit there and eat the protein plate, grilled chicken or whatever while she is enjoying a calzone, past, or some similar item.  It is actually getting to the point where it ****** me off, and puts me into quite the funk.

I am seriously missing food.  The desire to eat right now is so much stronger than the desire to continue to lose weight and to be successful.  I am having serious doubts about my future success.  I am not seeing any of the benefits that I thought I would see.  I don't have all this extra energy people talked about, I feel like I am tired all the time.  Things aren't necessarily any easier for me than they were before the surgery.  The only palpable thing that I have right now is that I fit into smaller clothes.

I put in a request for my doc to get me a referral to see a councilor or psychiatrist about it.  I think it may have a tinge of depression mixed in with it.  I know I certainly feel like crap when these emotions start to hit me.

Have any of you experienced this? 

Thanks

Scott

I can sympathize with you somewhat.  Sometimes it seems like I traded one food fixation - overeating - for another one - eating within the rules of my surgery.  While I don't have the doubts and second thoughts, I do mourn the loss of my good friend food, and that grief is very real.

The eating out thing with your wife hits home for me, too.  Her response is always "just take home what you don't want."   Unless you've been where we are, other people just don't realize that is a very hard option.  Not only do we have to retrain our bodies physically, we have to retrain our minds mentally.  Putting large quantities of delicious food right in our face is not the best way to go about it, either.

I applaud your decision to seek professional help - that is the first step to getting back on the right track.  Hang in there!

Scott

Good for you for posting. Welcome to the other side as the hormones get released. As you lose weight hormones are released into your system that can cause these feelings etc. This is a part of the process.

A counselor can help. So can sharing them on the our Board. So can stabbing people in the eyes with a knife.  I've wanted to do all three lately.

One thing you can do is refocus your energy/obsession into exercise and also pay it forward. Be there for others. Find a hobby now that you don't have food to fall back on.

Also confront the food It's nothing to be weirded out by. I miss food too. There are certain foods I can't have becasue I will pig out on them. Arby Q's for example.

I now have to avoid sweets like mad. Recognize these feelings for what they are. Feelings. That's all they are. they don't make you a good or bad. You don't have to act on them.

Try varying your foods now. Try something new if you can. Now is a good time to experiment with exciting protein.

Finally keep posting to us about your struggle. You can PM me or anyone if need be. We're here to help

Hey Scott,

You must have been reading my thoughts exactly.  While I haven't had surgery yet, I just got my date of Oct 28th.  This is the #1 Biggest fear I have.  I love to go out with friends and family and enjoy food and drinks and everytime I go out now, I feel like its gonna be my last meal and I will be utterly misearble not being able to eat and drink what I want. 

I just don't want to regret having the surgery, thinking it might be worth more being able to enjoy food and stay fat.  I know I might die early, but I'd die happier.

Regardless, I'm committed to going through with this surgery and substituting food for a life.

Thanks and looking forward to the posts.
Todd

Thanks guys, this site and your feedback has always been very beneficial.  It helps just to have a sounding board with people who can understand.

Thanks again

Scott

This is a generalization and as soon as I post this there will be some people that say they never did but I think everybody wonders WTF did I get myself into at one point. it may be only for a moment though. I know I did. You think from a lot of postings that it all roses and sunshine and some days it's just ****s n farts all over the place. But like I said that is a generalization and it may or may not be true

See Boner's post on the easy way out.

Scott, are you ****ting me? Could you have done this a year ago at over 400 pounds? 
  


I'd wager that you've just accomplished more in one year than what you have accomplished the prior ten. Scott, the wins only get bigger and better and I'm not just talking about fitness. I'm taking family, work, faith, fun........ The world is now your oyster, my friend.

Sure, the food thing will continue to haunt us the rest of our lives but you now have the knowledge and wisdom to not allow food to take over completely. Don't ever forget how miserable your life was at 400+ pounds. If you be thinkin' it wasn't that bad.....then add 100 more pounds and a couple more years.....throw in a few co-morbidies like diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure. Then add another 100 pounds and a couple more years. The miserable downward sprial of obesity never ends........

Don't be so hard on yourself.....be proud of your accomplishments for you are one of the remarkable WLS success stories. Enjoy your new life and relish in your past, present and future accomplishments. 

Boner   
 

I know that I couldn't have done it, but that's how strong those food cravings have been.  I should be happy with what I have accomplished, but I want the damn food so bad, that I'm having thoughts that would lead me to toss all that away.

That's one of the things that bugs me so much about it. 

I don't plan to quit, I'll seek out some extra help.  You guys seem to provide good insight, and I appreciate it.

Scott

We all go through it.  Right now your body is starving to death and everyone gets the tiredness.  The main thing that I would like to add to the rest of the posts is:

What sport did you quit doing because of your weight and wish you could still do?  Get your mind wrapped around another activity and don't give yourself time to think about food and it won't be long and you truely will be eating to live...  To be successful you need to train yourself ne habits.

keep the good habits lose the bad.