emotional

I'm feeling emotional today.  Tomorrow starts the last leg of my journey before surgery.  I start the pre-op diet to prep for surgery on 8/1.  I am excited about the surgery, but this weekend, I have had lots of feelings of sadness.  I think I'm in mourning for food, my stomach, the ability to be "normal" and not need to take this step, for the wasted years, and so on.  I know that life is going to change for the better, and what I'm feeling is probably normal, but I just want to cry.  I'm by myself today, which usually I don't mind.  I like the break.  But today, there is nothing to distract me from my feelings.  On a positive note, I gave myself permission to eat whatever I want this weekend - the "last hurrah", so to speak.  I haven't gone wild, and I haven't  even had the desire to do so.  I even worked at the concession stand at my daughter's softball tournamnet for 3 1/2 hours yesterday, and wasn't even tempted to eat that stuff.  I drank water and waited until after her last game to have dinner.  Well, I know that this too will pass and I'll be ok.  Thanks for listening!

I had my last meal last night.  I went to chilis and had fajitas and chips.  day one of the liquid diet and i just wish i could crunch on something.  i have to say the clear liquids after surgery sound good compared to these shakes.  you can do it....My surgery is 7/29 lets keep in touch

NORMAL!!! Common, too.  As far as having nothing to distract you, I'm of the mind that feeling it and passing through is better anyway, just my .02.  You will be of a totally different mind after surgery, when you see how it feels to lose the weight/burden, but that doesn't mean there isn't something to mourn now.   You're doing this for GOOD reasons, and a healthier happier life is coming your way.  Best of luck.

Hugs to you momsy55! Everything you are feeling is NORMAL!! My suggestion: go ahead and let the flood gates open. Everything is going to be ok. :) Be kind to yourself, reach out to your supports.

 I just got off the phone with my husband and younger daughter - they've been visiting his mom, and they'll be home for dinner, so I'll have my last dinner with them.  Good luck with your diet too, and do keep in touch!

Thanks everyone for your support!  I agree that I need to feel the feelings.  I've spent too many years stuffing them down with food.  I suspect there will be more emotional days to come, but I'll be ok, especially if with the caring and support I've gotten from this group.

Thanks for your words - they really help.  I got busy cleaning thew kitchen and moving, as well as organizing my supplies for the pre-op and it helped.  I like the idea of a food funeral - I've been thinking of writing a "dear john" letter to say good-bye to the food.  I'll try to friend you - hope I do it right, as the computer is soooo slow today.

My date is on 8/2 so we'll go through this together!  I've been on an emotional roller coaster over the past 1 1/2 months while getting all my pre-op paperwork done and the people here have given some great/advice support.  One of the best pieces of advice was "food funerals".  I had those for about a week before my pre-op diet began (on 7/5), but surprisingly didn't "go overboard" like I thought I would; I just didn't want to.  I think it was out of the kind of sadness and mourning you described. 

I can tell you now that I'm almost two weeks into a high protein/ 900 calorie per day pre-op diet, and I feel great!  I know I'm on the road to success.  I know I've made the right decision.  I know that you'll feel better soon, too.  The pre-op diet will be hard, but these feelings you are having are going to help you push through it!  Sooooo....chin up!  Enjoy dinner with your family tonight and treat yourself to your favorite dessert.  Eat it knowing that you are saying goodbye to your old like and hello to your new one tomorrow! 

Oh, and if you haven't already, join myfitnesspal.com and start tracking your intake.  It helps you stay focused and it provides another opportunity for support.  My username there is also The_Chungs.  Friend me! 

Yes it is hard to part with old habits ol food. Just keep remembering that it was those old cravings that got you to where you are now. Preop diets are tough but once you have the surgery you will not have those cravings anymore because the part of your stomach that is removed puts out the hormone ghrellin that make hungry. For me it is now an effort to eat - i have to make sure I get in enough nutrients each day. Myfitnesspal.com has been a big help in journaling food and fluids.
Hope this helps and let me know if I can help in any way.