Mourning period, I MISS FOOD!

So it's been almost a week.. I got to say I wish I never complained about the liquid diet prior to surgery because it's definately harder on this end.

I really want to just eat something but thank god I'm so scared to do something to make me sick that I won't, but I'll tell you what I'm struggling with the most, mourning food!!! I'm almost ashamed to say so, but I see food on tv, others eating food, almost anything at this point and I feel so sad and almost like crying.

That makes me feel so pathetic to say but it's true. Sometimes I even think "did I do the wrong thing?" and lose faith. I'm sure many of you have been through this and I could sure use to hear about others issues with this, tell me it gets better please???

On good notes, I'm not on pain meds at all and I'm down 6.5 lbs since surgery a week ago tomorrow! I should be more happy about this but I'm too caught up on this other stuff right now, I'm sorry to rant about this but I guess I need feedback!

Thank you!

Well, I haven't been there yet but I remember my sister calling me crying after she had hers because she had "killed" her best friend.  She had a really rough time with it.  Is there some other "hobby" you can do to help pass the time?  I plan to scrapbook, sew, and read. Those are things that make time go by and I won't be seeing food all the time.  Good luck, I feel for you!!!

Yes, it is incredible to think of the hold food has on us. It's been there to comfort us, in times of stress, grief, happiness, anytime.  This will be a huge change to think of food as something you do to sustain yourself, not for all the emotional reasons.

Unfortunately this "tool" you have been given didn't come with brain surgery or thought altering surgery. Your mind will still have times of craving, wanting, "needing" your old friend food. For me it's a learned response of 50+ years that took, and it taking time to change. I still have mind lapses when I think "wouldn't it be great to have _____ (you fill in with your favorite pre-WLS food). NO IT WOULDN"T!!  I remind myself- That will cause cramping, dumping and is not why I went through WLS. Why am I thinking these thoughs? Am I bored, lonely, being emotional, etc?"  

 Remember why you chose this path and where you have been prior to surgery. A healthier you is awaiting. Things WILL get better. Your relationship with food can change to one of sustenance rather than emotional comfort. It will take time, but it does get better.

It does get better.  I have a great book you can have about the emotional side of WLS.  I can drop it off at your work and your hubby can bring it to you.  I thought I was going to go crazy because my diet wasn't advance until almost three weeks.  I did use some of that time to do some menu planning around my new way of eating and how to incorporate it into my families needs.  I would also try to get out more.  Even a trip to walmart.  The more board you are the more tempted you become.  Give me a call anytime, you have my call #.  It's not a problem taking some time to talk while I'm at work I can always use a break LOL.  Keep your chin up.  It is SOOOOOO worth it.

I know I went through a bit of "buyer's remorse" early on.  I agree with what the others have said though.......keep yourself busy, distract yourself and it DOES get better once your diet is less restricted.  This is very common and you aren't alone!  Just keep thinking about how great you are feeling as this weight just drops off of you!  The final goal makes it SOOO worth it!  Keep your chin up and keep on venting and posting here all you need to..........we'll listen......we understand!!    Keep up the great job!!!!!!

I hear you, sister! I'm almost 3 weeks out, and do have those feelings of "loss". It finally dawned on me what was feeding (no pun intended) my sorrow--TELEVISION! What is advertised every commercial break? Restaurants, food products, etc. I've had to turn off the TV, and if I really want to watch something, I grab a DVD or order something on iTunes (Side note: my mom bought me an "Apple TV" console before surgery to make it easy to get movies or TV shows without travel after surgery. It is quite affordable, and it's just like using an iPod, but on TV. It's especially nice if your pain meds keep you from concentrating on some serious reading.) 

In any case, keeping busy has been helpful. I had a serious bump in the road Wednesday (which I've posted about), so I'm not out and about as much as I'd like to be right now, but I am returning to some of the hobbies I love. For me, it's jewelry making, reading and writing. My hope is that I will be able to replace my love for food with a love for something else. If you haven't read it yet, the book "Before & After" by Susan Maria Leach is a good book--the author puts the health benefits of the surgery into proper perspective, without being ashamed to admit that even 5 years out, she still loves food. She's set out to improve the quality and flavor of post-WLS food, and ended up creating a business that creates and distributes great products (www.bariatriceating.com).

I spent two weeks commiserating about the food situation with my hospital roommate (with whom I've become good friends) via email, and believe it or not, it helped, because I realized that I was not the only one depressed about the loss of "food freedom". But look where that freedom got us, and millions of other Americans!

I think that food/eating addictions can be as difficult, if not MORE to get over, because with other addictions, you have to do away with the behavior altogether. We HAVE to eat, so we can't totally turn our backs on food, and so the temptation is always there. Trust me, being at risk of something really bad happening is not worth the few seconds of gratification you may get from a familiar food. This week I had an obstruction, and while I didn't cause it, it can happen as a result of eating an inappropriate food, or chewing improperly.

Good luck, and keep posting. It does help!