How did you mourn the loss of food initially?

Hi all... I'm such a lurker!  :)

My papers are FINALLY being submitted to insurance today!!!

I want to know how you all mourned the loss of food right after surgery and the few months following...

I know that I will eventually be able to eat some favorite foods again but just want to know what you did right away to get through rough times. 

Thanks! Nicole

Hi Nicole....I don't remember mourning per se....but I know I sure missed the ability to shovel food in when I was stressed-I took up knitting/crocheting to keep my hands busy, and read a few good books.  OH was a lifeline-I could spend time on here sitting with my water/crystal lite and sipping away.  A lot of people get pretty crabby at first-part of that is the hormones going nuts, but part of it is not being able to deal with things with food anymore.  Chewing gum, chewing popsicles....those all helped a lot with the need to chew, but be careful with gum-you swallow air when you chew gum, which can make you uncomfortable, and you don't want to swallow a wad of gum-OUCH!!
now is the time to think about how to handle stressful situations-one of the best things that I was told to do was to make of list of things to do when I felt like eating-walking, talking on the phone, crafts.....the list could go on and on.
good luck!
lynn

Welcome, Nicole.  I am a patient of Dr Drew's as well.

When you start your two week liquid diet, you will have a heck of a time for the first three days.  Once you get over the sugar withdrawal, it goes well.  Try to keep busy and not think about it.  I know, easier said than done.   But it DOES work.  Look at all the benefits of your weight loss.  And pre-surgery weight loss is so important! 

Turn the TV off! I once heard commercials referred to as food porn.  And it is exactly that!  Keep busy. 

I'm 7 months out.  I've reached my goal.  But I won't fool you.  It is rough and tough.  I struggle with the loss of many of my favorite foods every day.  Participate in a support group or attend one of our coffee Saturdays (all around the cities).  That is what helps!  You will have tremendous support on the boards here.  Get involved before surgery so you don't feel afraid to ask questions.  We've all been there.  We've all done this.

You, too, will be successful.  Best of luck!  Oh, and start earlier than the two weeks with weaning off sugar and going to a liquid diet.  Its less of a shock on your system.  It is well worth the work!
kel

I've never mourned the loss of food.  I'm too  thankful that I can't eat like I used to!!!  :)

Heck! I'm not going to lie to you... I still mourn food. There are certain things I absolutely can't have and I miss it. I miss Alfredo sauce at Olive Garden. BUT- you find alternatives. That's how you get through. You learn to make things low fat and low sugar (possibly using Splenda). If I crave Alfredo I either make my own or do Lean Cuisine. I get my fix that way. It's all about getting creative with cooking. And in the end, you will be a healthier you. So, it's all worth it.

Good luck on your journey!

Lori

I mourned.  I missed the ability to just sit down and eat.  How did I deal with it.  Honestly, some days I lay and stared at the wall, other days I jumped on the treadmill.  Other times, I came here and researched more long term people, and reassured myself it was all worth it.  Some days, I still mourn, but most days I'm happy now.  have a good support system.  Come here often, ask questions, and ask for help when/if you need it.  counseling is not a bad thing.

I agree with what the others said. Sometimes I am crabby and pouty and get over it. For the most part keeping busy helps, I have been reading a lot. Something I never used to take the time to do. Some days are better than others but in the end it is all worth it.

I turned to exercise and also started school, which kept me busy and when I was in class I couldn't eat, just sipped at my CL or water.  I am however having difficulties now that there has been increased stress in my life due to family illnesses/deaths and life.  I am going to an intake appointment at the Emily Program in the hopes that they will be eable to help me break the hold food still has on my life.  In the early stages though you can eat so little that the old favs seem like trying to fit a mountain inside a little ant hole.  Best of luck and SF popsicles are a life save during the liquid diet and post-op!   Best of luck on your journey and don't be a stranger I have found that posting things here provides great support and feedback and helps you to realize you aren't alone in your struggles!  ~Nicole

Good luck on the submittal!

Oh I mourned food... but it was during a time I couldn't have it I'm on solids and I don't want them now. You aren't hungry after surgery but man the food commericals got me! I was craving things I never liked, like seafood. Like others said I sometimes pouted... I even cried, that's a mixture of mourning and hormones and the effects of surgery. Man did it feel good to cry. I'm also the type of person that can eat one thing I really like. So when I was able to eat mashed potatoes it got easier. It does suck for awhilel but like everything else... it too will pass...

Good Luck we are ALL here for support if you need it!

Sarah

Ya know what? I may be one of the odd balls out, but I really don't feel I have mourned the loss of food, either.  I'm RELIEVED to not be able to stuff myself silly!  And at over 15 months out, I still have no sense of hunger.  I eat because I HAVE to! 

Do I miss my favorite snacks?  Well, kind of, and not really.  I may not play 100% by the rules, but it works for me.  I've always been the salty/crunchy type.  I LOVE FRITOS!  Have I given them up 100%?  NO!  If I want some, and if I feel I have enough room in my eating plan for the day, I will take out a small handful, put them in a bowl, put the bag away, and go sit somewhere and enjoy them.  And I really DO enjoy them!  Before?  Oh, I suppose I enjoyed them, but at a point when you're just stuffing them in your face and chewing down great mouthfuls, it's really not about enjoying them.  It's like I have a whole new appreciation for the things I eat now.  In the past, I could have shoved that whole handful in and had it swallowed down in 30 seconds, reaching for another handful.  When I limit the number of chips I allow myself, I really DO get more satisfaction out of it!  And I'm living a real life, not one where I prohibit myself from the things I love most. 

If you do find yourself mourning food, come here.  Do something where food is not a temptation, as others have said.  Make your list NOW, while you're on the pre-op phase and all excited!  It'll help on the flip side.