losing my "pal"=food

Hi all, It occurred to me this afternoon that this is it, not a dress rehearsal. I have to lose 15 lbs for surgery. I can't play anymore with my pal and ever present buddy, "food" that takes me away from my goals. No more "should I get this milkshake or not?" The answer is "NOT". It requires a literal "change of mind". Some times it is very hard. Seems different and strange. I have dieted before, haven't we all? lol! But this is different. Did you experience this strangeness? Did you mourn the change at aLL? Interested in any thoughts you may want to share. Thanks- Julie

Hi Julie, I might be 'strange' but I really didn't have an issue pre-op with the food. My problem was post-op. Even post op I didn't mourn food, I very easily accepted that I couldn't eat 'quantities'. What upset me for a long time was that I couldn't seem to taste or enjoy the little I could eat. Trust me, now at coming up on 2 1/2 years post op, I remember those feelings, but it's not the case any more. I still can't eat quantities (if I over eat my pouch very forcefully 'rejects' the overage) but I do for the most part enjoy my food now. Hugs, Mo

Hi Julie, My doctor's office suggested that we try to lose a little before surgery. I didn't lose any, but I also didn't make it my mission to eat like never before because "it might be the last time I ever get to eat it". I knew that maybe there would be some foods that I'd never eat again (or want to eat again). But my belief now is that if I really, really want something and I'm craving it...I'm going to take a bite or two and that's it. I'm through with dieting and feeling guilty when I fail. I now almost feel like a normal person with normal food urges. I was so ready for this surgery, by the time I had it, I didn't care what I was missing out on. After surgery, I wasn't really hungry until the past month or so. I'm still not able to eat a large quantity at a time (thank you God and my surgeon for this wonderful tool!) I have experienced one time, about two months ago, where I was eating something that was so good (and I can't even tell you what it was, so that tells you how important it was to me) that I wished I could've eaten more of it. I realize some folks mourn their "friend" food. I was only too happy to put myself at an arms length relationship with it. I love no longer being a slave to food. Now I'm a slave to my pouch. It rules. And I follow the rules my surgeon gave me. HTH Take Care, Terry

Hi Julie Food was no friend of yours or mine,it was a weapon we used to keep ourselves down.Food is the enemy. the right food is different they are our friends

Julie my relationship with food has changed over the past 2 1/2 years. It is not "as powerful" of a force in my life. That is not to say that I don't have my moments. But they are just that - "moments". Now that I have my health back, I have replaced poor life style choices with more healithier ones. However, I am far from perfect. As I have always said it is an "awesome journey" - so hang in there.