Anyone else Confused???

Hey guys, I had wls about 3 weeks ago and i must admit that i havent really had any major problems. I did not experience any pain at hospital or at home for that matter and i have been able to keep my food down. (thank god) My only problem or concern is that i am now realizing how much food was a part of my life and i no longer have that. I feel like i have lost a best friend. Does anyone else feel this way? another thing is that i miss beign able to eat like a normal person, without fear! I feel like i scrutinize everything that goes into my mouth and am constantly worrying. The other day i almost swallowed my gum and almost had a heart attack! (i thought it would get stuck). Does anyone else feel the same way or is it just me? Another major thing is that i used to love to CHUG my water down! I love water! I used to be able to drink a whole glass in a sec, now i dont enjoy water or cant chug how i used to so its awkward for me. anyways, i know we had to give up many things and i should feel blessed that i was allowed this surgery and that i am ok, but i truly do feel weird and to some extent upset at times! Just wanted to vent, thanks for listening guys!

OH man, can I relate to that! I chewed a piece of gum for about 5 minutes and I was so worried about swallowing it and stressed myself out so much about plugging up my innards that I had to spit it out! And I kinda' miss eating out...not the food so much as the social aspect of it. And like you, I have always been a really big ice water drinker, diet pop too, but I don't miss the pop at all (which is a huge surprise, that's the one thing I was positive I'd cheat on). Now I don't enjoy it at all. I made the mistake of chugging ONE time, and it was so uncomfortable, I felt like I'd swallowed a volkswagon! I finally managed to throw it up and instantly felt better. It takes a concentrated effort for me to remind myself to SIP, but it is worth it. I agree that we are fortunate to have been able to have this surgery, but I am truly looking forward to the day it just becomes second nature to eat and drink like I need to instead of like I'm used to. Best of luck!

Cinthya: You are totally describing the way I feel! I think that in time you will be able to drink water a little faster. It's improved with me and I'm only about a week out ahead of you. My doc said tha****er doesn't stay in the pouch and goes right through (I've heard it described like a funnel). The gum thing...I was a gum chewer before surgery and I have to confess that I still chew it...not as much though (does that count? ) Thanks for sharing all of this, it really does help to stick together and know that we're not alone. I appreciate that so much! ((HUGS)) ~Lori

Cinthya, Yes, I had buyers remorse really bad the first week and a half and really into the second and third week although it got better... I still have it every now and then, like, "Why did I do this to myself?" Yes, I miss food really bad. More than the physical aspect of the surgery, the mental part has caught me off guard. I just want a slice of pizza! or even a bite! And yes to the water thing too... I don't know if you read my post yesterday, but I barfed on WATER! I guess I drank too much or too fast? Anyway, it was only about 2 oz. so go figure?? I miss my food and my water... but I don't miss the 32 pounds I've lost I guess it's going to be a love/hate relationship with my new pouch! Donna

I feel the same way!!!!!! I dream about food and think about it all time. I look at what everyone else is eating and I feel like an alien. I wish that I could just have a bite of pizza. I miss SODA so much! I used to chug my drinks too and now I have a hard time just sipping. It has been difficult for me to keep food down, well at least the ones I should be eating. I too feel like my best friend is gone. I sort of feel lost without the food and not sure what to do with myself. It makes me realize how much of my life focused around food.

The biggest challenge for me also is the mental thing about our "best friend" trauma separation (food) when we have the WLS surgery. It is so hard to watch people eat pizza, shrimp, lobster, potato chips, etc... But...then they watch you start losing the pounds...then they wish they could have lost all of that weight too! Poetic justice.. As time marches on, you will be able to eat pretty much what you want, in controlled portions, so there is light at the end of the tunnel... Just my two cents, Mark

I'm keeping my eye on that light at the end!!! I just want a little piece of pizza and a little burger!! Right now those are the things I would kill for!!! But I figure I knew this was the price to pay!! So I will just wait patiently for the day and then relish in it!!!!

I was told I am not allowed to chew gum due to risk of it being swallowed. So please do not put yourself at that risk! As to missing the best friend - OMG, can't I relate! Also I had problems this week, since I have bad eating habits. Anything that gets into my mouth has to be swallowed! I just cannot stop myself...I need to chew and chew and chew, but I get bored of doing that and leave the table half hungry. Or if I swallow, I hurt a lot...Like you I love to get my drink down my troat quickly! But then I wish I could burp, and get so sick... I manage to cook for my family, however it is painful not to try a bite. So last week all I was doing, getting a tiny bite to get the taste... Guess what! I had stomach pains for 3 days in the row and I was worried and called my doc, and he said that I was eating too many carbs. And I did not loose weight for 3 days! I found out that skim milk is loaded with carbs! Also fresh fruit is full of carbs! I love fresh fruit!!!! I could never have enough of it!!!! I miss it so!!!I also noticed that fiber from the fruit gives me pains. I wish I could eat normally too....

I can totally relate to how you are feeling Cinthya. I also gave up smoking per my surgeon's orders (I had to quit or he wouldn't operate) so I lost my two best friends. I cannot think of one particular thing I miss, but I miss eating with my family, and I miss going out, and I miss EATING itself. I did anticipate some depression. This is why we had to take the psych test before the surgery - to make sure we could handle this aspect of the surgery. From what I can see and what I have heard, this is really normal and expected and it does get better. I also have heard that eventually, we will be able to consume more and a greater variety of stuff, but we are still babes yet and we are still relearning this whole eating thing - just like infants. I try and keep that in mind, and also keep the future in mind as well, it does get better.