Mental Side of Eating?

I'm pre-op and had one of those situations over the weekend that puzzled me as to how will I handle the mental side of eating post op.....

"It's Friday evening after dinner, and doesn't it sound wonderful to run out with hubby and get some ice cream after dinner while watching TV????  So I'm not satisfied until I in fact do that.  And it's Sunday night and hey maybe I'll pop some choc chip cookies in the oven after dinner....."

Well what the heck do I do to avoid this mentally after surgery?  How do I go from eating this kind of stuff to all the sudden I'm not allowed to eat like this anymore.  How do I make myself stop wanting to do this???


HELP???

Many times, people eat out of sheer boredom.  They develop habits from that.  After surgery, it is quite possible that you will lose your hunger pains (I did) and you won't even think about eating.  If you're still thinking about eating.....maybe try to get a hobby or something to take your mind off it because your stomach really doesn't feel hungry.

what a great topic. I have found I need my counselor. This is definatly not an easy fix and many of us me definatly did not get here without issues. I think more mental health help is needed along with more about exercise .  The nutrition is usually covered. A hobby is a great idea and true often you aren't hungry and some lose any desire but if it is bordom, habit , emotional not being hungry doesn't al;ways matter. It is something I work on daily but  definatly "one day at a time" or it would be overwhelming.  I would do this sugery again in a minute but it does take commitment and is not an easy fix. It helps when you are seeing the weight coming off and I have learned to really like healthy foods and I make a gratitude list and a list of things to do when I want to eat and am not hungry anything from painting my nails or a bath to walking the dog and I have gone shopping but that is not good for me either as I have no money. Great question .I look forward to the responses and I would think about it more and say more but I just had back injections and have to ice it and lie down.I want to go to the meeting tonight and I am trying but i am suposed to be iceing and resting and not driving but  for me the support groups are another way to get through that. Call soeone when you want to eat. Have a great day.
Love Laurie

Christy this is a great topic.................well chat about it tonight at group

 

see you in a bit

This is a great topic. Please let me know any tips you find out about at the Support Group tonight. I stil have mental eating issues and struggle as I am a new post op.

Terri

Christy,

I'm not sure I have an answer for you.  That being said I will tell you that my experience with this issue is as follows.  I was so ready for this surgery, I was ready for a total life change.  I attended a support group that had pre-ops post-ops and others with eating disorders for several months before surgery.  It was run by a group of therapists.  We met weekly and actually had assignments based on emotional eating, why we do what we do, and we were to keep food journals and how we were feeling before we ate and after (physical and emotional).
 
After surgery, I had no desire to eat and could really care less if there were a plate of cookies in front of me or not.  I do still bake for my family and if I would like a baked product I make a sugar free or low sugar alternative.  Honestly though, it seems like too much of a pain to bake just for myself and then the desire is no longer there.

I was a snack queen.  I would never eat just one brownie, it was always at least 1/2 the tray.  I loved sweets, now, not so much.  Also, I have no desire to dump, so that kind of deters me.


I wish you the best.

If sweets are your fix, most likely you will have some intolerance to sugars and dairy after surgery so soon after abdominal cramping and dumping may be the consequence of eating those "goodies".  I still have these intolerances nearly 3 years post op---but I understand some have none of these intolerances.  I like to nibble but now its crackers and pretzels for me.  There is no easy answer to this mental issue.  Frankly for many of us its an addictions issue.  Counselling is good but you have to work the program.  Cognitive Behavioral therapy is often used for overeating and other addictions compulsive behavior issues.  Reconditioning your mind is no easy task.  Early as a post op any eating was negatively reinforced for me---cramps and dumping so i just didn't eat much...but now the "head hunger" issue is slowly re-emerging for me- so I just try to be conscious its my head that wants it- not my body/stomach. 

I can relate to your concerns. I'm only 3 days post op (lapband) but last night had vivid dreams about hot pizza piled high with cheese and toppings! It was funny...I have never dreamt about food before. Then I dreamt that my friend and I went out for lemonade icies at the mall...go figure! But I know what you mean...eating is such a social part of life and there are many pleasurable associations and habits with it. I will have to re-train my mind and will seek counselling as needed once I'm off the full liquid diet. Best of luck to you. At least we know it can be done, as evidenced by the wonderful people on this board!

I can so relate to this post...I am preop and mine is more stuff at work, I get bored unless I am extremely busy, and I am the queen of multitasking, so it takes a lot to keep my mind busy, and the snack machine is right outside my door....at home I eat very little...but work, is another story....I am hoping I can get this under control after surgery and perhaps therapy if necessary....

Thank you all for your replies.  It seems like the big answer is there is no easy solution.  I guess that goes along with the life change and having to finally with no excuses close this chapter in my mindless eating.

We talked about it at support group last night and like everyone here most said it is a daily struggle.  Some give in in small ways to compensate other completely stay away from sweets so as to hopefully not open that door.  I'm so afraid of failing at this like I have at every other diet in my life.  I am hoping I have that intolerance to sugar so I won't be able to eat.  But upon hearing others I think I will try and start out with the mind set I am intolerable to sugar and will not even TRY to eat anything sweet and maybe just try to close that door once in for all because I so desperately need to.  I've listened to all the suggestions of all the alternative SF, FF varieties and I think those will have to become my new friend/obsession, in moderation of course.

Thank you again sharing all of your stories and challenges with me.