Food Crazy

So, I am 2 weeks out from surgery. i had laproscopic Roux En Y. Everything went great. Textbook surgery and my recovery is going great. I am already down 23 pounds. I am on my clear liquid diet and haven't had any problems. My one issue is this. I cannot stop thinking about food.  I watch the food network, I sat and watched my family eat Thanksgiving dinner, etc. I find this to be really hard. I live alone so maybe it's just boredom. I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this and what they did about it.  I feel like i am going insane!!   Jen

I love the food network! It's all I've been watching since my surgery too. I think about food a lot also - mostly I miss the textures - crunchy, chewy, etc. I think it's because we are on the pureed part. I just keep telling myself that it's only for a couple more weeks and I've come this far so I know that I can make it. But let me tell you when I get cleared to eat normally (not till Jan 1st) the first thing that I'm going to have is a nice crunchy piece of toast! Hang in there! Just keep telling yourself that it's so worth it!! Look how far you've come already - 23 pounds in only 2 weeks - how cool is that!

Thank you so much for your response. I feel better already!  I know it's all in my head. i do not feel hungry in my stomach, it is all in my head.  I feel like i SHOULD be eating. Also, I never realized it before, but eating really breaks up your day. You have breakfast and then look forward to lunch and then dinner. I don't have those little milestones throughout the day anymore so i feel lost. I have to make cookies tomorrow for an event this weekend, but instead of feeling depressed that i can't eat them, i am actually looking forward to it. I feel like now, i can have control over the food. Sounds weird, i know. Thanks for listening. Everyone one this board has really helped me through this whole process, and now, I feel like a whole new process is starting so I need you now more than ever! 

Hi Jen. Almost everyone goes through what you describe.  It is very hard to break old habits and change the way we think. The best thing that you can do is to keep busy. When the food thoughts pop in your head just take a quick walk or inhale/exhale. (Walks have been my life saver and I know your little pup might like it too.) It gets so much better when you enter the dense food stage. You're doing great.

I think just about everyone goes through that stage.  We mourn the loss of our best friend "food" just as we would if we actually lost someone we love.  Hang in there and try to keep busy...try to discover things you enjoy doing.....your totally normal lol.. LisaMarie

Jen...that is so funny...I too was fascinated with watching the Food Network for the first few weeks.  All the food looked good and I guess I enjoyed it visually...but, actually my appetite was suppressed.  I am lucky...I do get a little hungry now, but I fill up fast so things are ok.  You are completely normal...well, as normal as I am Rosemary

yeah... im with ya.. reading recipes and watching cooking shows is like watching porn LOL whats scarier for me now is that i have tried a lil of this and that and this and that and discovered that i am not a dumper, although most sweets taste TOO sweet.  this is scary for me. im afraid im gonna get back on the sugar wagon. i have been collecting recipes since my surgery............and i don't even cook that often! i think we all kinda go through it. you're perfectly normal..............or we are all perfectly insane! either way, you're in good company ~lisa