Why do newly post ops eat what they shouldn't

You said a mouth full. MaryLyn

Marylyn, I think people don't recognize when the Dr says you will be changing habits for life that you have to do it. I really do believe alot of people think that the surgery cures them of all their bad ways of eating. It doesn't. It has to come for you. The Dr only gives you a restriction the rest is you! So its 10% surgery and 90% your determination to succeed. I see a lot of pre ops at one support meeting I attend once in a blue moon and in a group of 100 or so people there is always one saying well in a year after I lose all my weight I will be back to my McDonalds right? Then after that question is me scratching my head and asking myself....Self why are you here? Then I stay away from that group for another 3 months. I think I attend this group just to stay in touch with my program and see how things have changed in their structure....otherwise I would not bother. I can't say that its the Dr's not educating them on eating habits for this surgery because we have something in place to educate them. They did it for me. I believe its people not believing what they are told to be the truth to be a success with this surgery you have to follow their protocol. They are the people that are always asking about a revision! My motto is don't have the surgery if you are unwilling to change your eating/exercise habits! You are wasting money and time. Debbie

Debbie, Your right, this is not a cure all, just a means to help you control the situation. With out WLS I would not be where I am today. I do however, like everyone else have to work to maintain the loss. I try to understand don't mean to be un-sympathetic. Take care MaryLyn

I understand what you're saying. Its frustrating when you read those posts b/c its obvious that they just don't get it. WLS isn't an easy out, it requires hard work. Maybe their bariatric program didn't explain well enough the lifetime changes required to make this work? Maybe they can't control the impulses they feel? Maybe they just don't care? I have no clue why this happens, but my heart sometimes goes out to those people b/c I fear that they are setting themselves up for failure and a lifetime of more sadness. I was so sick for 8wks I couldn't eat anything and then after 8wks I was too afraid to stray an inch! I also kept reminding myself of that "18mth window of opportunity" and I wanted to maximize on that. I went into this thing knowing that I'd have hard times, but that it would all be worth it in the end. I would much rather lose weight than eat a McDonalds cheeseburger. That's not to say that I'm perfect by any means, but I sure as hell try the hardest that I can! I do have to say that they are noticing this more and more. I have a personal friend that works in a bariatric surgeon's office and she has told me some stories that just make me shake my head in disbelief! Not too long ago she told me a story of a man that had just had surgery and on his way home from the hospital he just had to have some McDonald's french fries?!?!?!?!?! And then he wondered why he got so sick and had to go back to the hospital?!?!?!?!?!?! Well, I know for a FACT that he knew he couldn't have fries b/c he was on a liquid diet, so what urge would make him do that??? I have no clue how he's doing now, but I hope that incident scared him straight and that he's having great success now! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Tracy, What I can say is it is a learning process, some of us take longer to learn. Just yesterday I thought I was hungry and ate something and had the foamies for about 15 minutes. Thick headed I guess. Take care MaryLyn

I had to take a moment and share a couple of feelings with you all. There was a reason that we all were obese. Usually because of an addiction to food or an addiction to the way food makes us feel. It isnt surprising that after surgery those feelings do not go away. In the first several months I obsessed about food...what can I have... what wont make me sick... It was amazing that I spent so much time worrying about what I was going to fix for my next meal. It has taken a year of alot of pain and anger towards me to understand where this is all coming from and even now I find myself reaching for food that I shouldnt have because of old reasonings. This will be a lifetime fight! Not an easy one at that either. I feel a deep sympathy for those that can not leave the obsession behind! That being said, it is up to you individually to find a way to fight this addiction. With some it is alot harder than others. Thanks, Trudi

Trudi, thanks for your insight. MaryLyn