dreaming of food

My surgery was 4/7/05 right now I just feel hungry all the time. I am suppose to be on puree foods but i have been cheating eating solids just chewing them until they turn to liquids. So far so good but I won't try anything outside of that for fear of dumping syn. My first week I was so depressed because I could not eat anything and I was tired of the liquids, but I made it out. My support posse told me to just take everything slow which is what Im doing so I am hanging in there. 11 pounds 8 days post.

Hi Tamika--You are so brave to post so honestly! I'm not there yet, so I can't say I know how you feel. My only suggestion is what I have to do now, before surgery--I have the 'big' me, the grown-up part who understands things, explain it to the 'little' me who gets terrified of hunger (like I had a few times as a kid). Maybe you could just tell the hungry--feed me!! --part of you that this is only for a while--that you will be able to chew and enjoy whole foods again later...sort of like this is just a tummy ache that needs to heal for a while before enjoying the foods. Don't know if that will help, but I know prayers will and I am sending you mine right now. Hugs--Sunny

Wow Sunny. That helped me a lot!!! and Tamika, I am SOOOO with you right now. I'm 4 days out, and I've been having food nightmares all day. Seriously. I keep dreaming of all my fav foods, and that I eat them and get really sick. Argh. Now, I need a nap and I can't back to sleep cause I'm afraid the food monster will get me!!!!!! Sunny, you're right. I'll tell my little person that it will get better, and I will eat food again. This is just for a little while and it's important for better health. Argh!!!!

Sunny, I love that! A little bit of voice dialogue can work wonders. Thanks, and we're one day closer -- me in two days, you in three..... BREATHE!!! Marla

Hi Tamika, We have the same last name but doubt that we are related since this is my ex's name!! I am 11 days post op and I keep thinking of what I am going to buy at the store when I can eat food again!!! I am on liquids until May 2 then soft foods I feel like I am emotionally ready to eat but my surgeon has explained to me that the liquid diet is not to punish me it is to give my new "pouch" time to heal. The rest of me has not healed so great in the last week so I am sure the pouch is tender too !!! That is the only thing that keeps "real" food out of my mouth!!! Every one is different and a lot of people heal fast, my surgeon does not require the puree phase thank god because the thought of blended tuna makes me want to get sick!!! This is a learning process for all of us and we will all find out in time what we can handle and what we can't !!! Best of Luck to you!!! ~Jennifer Harrell

Tamika, How long have you been on pureed foods? I had my surgery 4/8/05 and haven't had a follow-up visit yet. I can't wait to get to the next phase. I keep checking the calendar hoping I'll be able to chew something soon. I do not feel hungry at all but when the rest of the family has their dinner I just want to have a bite. I refuse to cheat and keep telling myself one day at a time and I'll be free from this excess weight. Good luck and do the best you can