I'm letting food control my life!

So I had my surgery on May 23. I did the liquid diet for 1 week before surgery, and maybe it wasn't so bad because I knew if I wanted to eat something, I truly could, but didn't. Since my surgery I have had no problems, but it has occured to me that food controls my life. My support group told me after this surgery I wouldn't be hungry.... Well let me tell you I am! I have never dumped, or gotten sick yet, however yesterday I felt like I ate alot, and thought of food all day. Maybe it is the holiday weekend and all the food, and the smells of the BBQ at the campground but I'M STARVING! Yesterday I had a couple bites of yogurt, 1/2 cup thinning out mashed potatos , a sugar free pudding, 1/4 cup beef broth, and about 1/4 cup cream of wheat. I just felt like a little piggy. My mother told me its just head hunger, but seriously I was like "no I'm really hungry!"  I try to forgot about food, but everywhere I look its there. I know when I get to other stages it may be easier but at the all liquid stage, goodness this is hard! Anyone else have the same problem, and any advice for a newbie

Hi there.  First off, after I had my surgery my job really became getting all my protein and water in so yeah it was all about the food.  Reading what you wrote about what you took in it doesn' t look like you got enough protein which might be contributing to the hunger. 

I know for me that going to camping trips, family events, etc. early out was hard.  I had my surgery in the middle of October and Thanksgiving and Christmas were right around the corner.  Even though I was grateful, excited and happy to have had the surgery I also felt pangs of envy watching everyone eat things I had eaten before.

I would really encourage you to get all of your protein and liquids in.  Find something to take your attention away from what is going with what everyone else is eating.  Think about what brought you to making the decision to have the surgery.  It does get better.

Thank You Leslie,
A friend of mine told me to just focus on drinking the "proti diet" which actually tastes good, its a mixture I just pour in my water and i get 15g of proetin out of 10 oz of water. So do I just forego the food for right now and just drink the drink?

I think that is up to what your surgeon told you.  At a week out mysurgeon had me on liquids so I was doing protein drinks, fat free cream of chicken/mushroom soups that kind of thing and making myself get at least 60+ ounces of protein a day in and 64 ounces of liquid in.  Since I was drinking the protein drinks that counted towards my liquids.  I loved Syntrax Strawberry/Kiwi Nectar.  I would mix a scoop with 24 ounces of crystal light lemonade.  It was challenging to get all of that in and only being able to sip in intervals but it got done and I don't remember having cravings or being hungry.  I hope this helps.

I agree with Leslie....the more I focused on the protein the less I felt like eating.  I had to get in at least 3 to 4 20g protein shakes a day. By the time I got all of these down, I didn't have time or the desire to eat anything.  Also my NUT said that meals should be shakes and then using "real" food as snacks. This helped me feel full but limit the carbs.  From looking at your list, the mashed potatoes and cream of wheat are both really high in carbs, which are also a hunger trigger.  For me, carbs=wanting to eat more and more.

If you get tired of the taste of the shakes, you can buy some sugar free Davinci syrups to add. You can order them online or stop by your local coffee shop/espresso stand and they can tell you where they buy theirs. I just added german chocolate cake and peppermint paddy to my syrup collection....easy and cheap way to add some variety to your vanilla powders!!

 My goodness, my first week post-op I was required to eat a full liquid diet which consisted of protein shakes, juices, milk, and yogurt in the shakes.  I agree with the previous poster.  You need more protein!

You are head hungry.  I am almost 6 months out and I have yet to be actually hungry.

I agree with the load up on protein.  The potatoes & cream of wheat are pretty carby.



Sarah

You can eat the food you listed as long as you are also getting in 60 grams of protein and 64 ozs of water (decaf beverages). It could be head hunger or it could be real hunger. Once you move to solid food again you will feel full quickly and it typically takes all your energy to figure out how to get all your protein in and liquids in with the not eating and drinking at the same time. You will adjust and you won't always feel hungry. I have also found I get WAY hungrier when I am PMSing and can eat way more then.

" yogurt, 1/2 cup thinning out mashed potatos , a sugar free pudding, 1/4 cup beef broth, and about 1/4 cup cream of wheat" = not enough protein.

I was on full liquid first month & puree month two.  I would have 3 protein drinks a day, or protein in greek yogurt or in SF inst pudding, protein ice cream, protein fruit smoothie, unflav protein in cooked cereal, etc.

also, drink,drink,drink. many times we think we are hungry but it is really dehydration.  Go to www.bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com or www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com for great recipes.  Eggface SF ice cream was a daily source of protein for me my entire first year post op.

You probably already know this, but our nerves were cut during surgery,  It takes a couple of months for them to heal and we really can't "feel" the hunger sensation until they heal.

Also if you are "hungry" for a specific food or flavor (salty, sweet, etc.) it is head hunger.  When your body needs nutrition & energy and is really calling for food - anything will do - even broccoli.  so when you think you are hungry and broccoli isn't  your choice - it is probably head hunger.  1st drink about 12 oz of fluid - wait 15 minutes and reassess your "feeling".  Often it is gone and you find out you were thirsty and not hungry.

also be sure to measure food.  Because of the nerve damage from sugery we also can't tell fullness, so it is important to eat your two ounces ( 3 oz, whatever your plan says ) and STOP.

You can do this.  It is a choice.  Best wishes.