Question:
Will I form new habits?
I am scheduled for surgery in 1 week and need to know what to expect during my "next" life. Will I simply develope new habits that will become second nature to me or will I spend the rest of my life worrying about every bite of food and every sip of liquid?? I know that this surgery is a major undertaking and have made my decision to improve my health but I want to know that it will not be the center of my life until death do us part. — Gina D. (posted on November 21, 2000)
November 21, 2000
Gina- not to worry!! I am 10 months post op and down 106 lbs.
and I don't think much at all about eating. I can eat the same things
as before surgery, but not near as much (even sugar). I CHOOSE
to eat healthier because I feel better and have more energy
when I do, but if I am in a social situation, I look as normal
as the other gal and eat what is available. Another difference
is I don't get hungry- so IF I don't want to eat what is available,
I sip water or diet Coke (with LOTS of ice). Immediately postop
you will be totally immersed in how you eat, and that is part
of making this tool work. BUT, after a while, you will get
a good feel of what, when, how much, and all that and it becomes
second nature. Good Luck- it is great!!
— M B.
November 21, 2000
I read your question while I was eating a chicken pot pie from KFC (it's
cold here in Michigan, and I wanted some comfort food!). I picked all the
chicken chunks out first, had a bite or two of potato and and crust. Most
of the crust and nearly all the gravy is still sitting on my desk, smelling
delicious and warm...and I have absolutely no desire to finish it. So,
yes, you will develop new habits, but it doesn't mean you can't enjoy
eating! I'm real good about not drinking during a meal and waiting a half
an hour after, but I don't eat any slower than I ever did, or take tiny
bites. I do, however, chew, chew, chew. At some point, this will all stop
being practice for you and you will find a comfort level with your new
habits. Good Luck!
— Allie B.
November 21, 2000
Yes, you do develop new habits, but they are good ones. First of all, do
the best you can but also realize that you are not going to get your
protein, water, eating habits and exercise all down exactly right the day
after surgery. This is a process, and it will take time to settle into a
new routine. In the beginning you'll focus on food a lot because your
tender insides will demand it. But as your body begins to heal, you'll
realize that your focus shies away from food and to other things - new
clothes, getting new eyeglasses or a haircut because your new face needs
it, how much fun you have being able to exercise without huffing and
puffing, the opposite sex, etc, etc, etc. Your first few experiences out
eating in public will be a bit strange, but then you get used to it, and
you understand what your body can and cannot handle. I am 6 months post
op, and my food is by no means as powerful as it was before. That's one of
the gifts WLS gives us! Good luck!
— Paula G.
November 21, 2000
Trying to describe what life is like post-op is like trying to describe the
taste of chocolate to someone who has never had any. Yes, it's different
... it's BETTER ... but, for many of us, what was important BEFORE surgery
doesn't even get on the priority list AFTER surgery. For me, one of those
things was food. What was on my mind 24/7 before last April 17
occasionally floats into my consciousness since -- I often have to remind
myself to eat. At first, it's likely you WILL think about every bite and
sip -- but only until you know what you can tolerate and what you can't.
As you move out through the various food phases (clear liquid, full liquid,
pureed, soft, etc.), what you can and can't eat becomes part of your life.
Then it's just what you do. As someone else pointed out, you'll be so
caught up in other things -- like buying new clothes, or rediscovering your
real self -- that food just isn't a priority. Trust me, you'll love
post-op!
— Cheryl Denomy
November 21, 2000
Thank You for all who posted on this, just what I needed to here.
— Tamaria W.
November 21, 2000
As far as changing habits, yes, you will, however you need to remember
that it took your whole life to develop the habits you now have. And I
know you've heard that "old habits die hard", well, it's so
true. You will still make "full plates" of food only to throw
most of it out. You will still order several items on a menu, only to
order a doggy bag to go. And, early on, you will eat much mor ethan you
can handle only to purge it out of discomfort. I am 17 weeks out and my
wife and I both laugh whenever I fix a plate. She usually says "I
guess the dogs did look hungry" menaing that in just a few minutes
they will get the left overs LOL.... I found the biggest and easiest
habit to adjust was shopping for food. I now shop for non meat items and
the items I can eat I only buy the best that there is. Let's face it, if
4-6 oz's is your meal then you want it to be good. Some of the new habits
you will grow to love is buying clothes off the rack instead of big and
tall stores, paying a lot less at the grocery store, paying a lot less
when going out to dinner. Good Luck to you and please feel free to write
if you'd like to ask anything else.
— Guy C.
November 21, 2000
You're body going to go through such a metamorphosis in the next couple of
months. Yes, for the first few months you have to relearn how to eat and
what to eat; new portions to control the 'urps and the stone syndrome, and
the dreaded dumping. But that's only one side of the equation. With all the
extra energy you'll have and activity you'll be doing, you'll start to
develop a normal metabolism. That new metabolism will help you control and
normalize your hunger so that your food in will balance with your energy
used, and you really won't want anything more.
— blank first name B.
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