nervous and hungry
ok so my surgeory is wednesday and I am really nervous. Not nervous about the procedure just nervous about how im going to feel after and how I will deal with being on a liquid diet for a while after the surgeory not sure I can do it. Right now it is my fist day on a full liquid diet and its not easy at all. Im not hungry but I find myself wanting to eat something...like im bored. You never realize how much food really plays a role in your emotions and life until you have to cut back. I find that I need the texture in order to feel like I ate something. I was never able to follow those slim fast type diets because you drink your meals...is it just me? any one else have a hard time with liquid diet before or after surgeory? I have not cheated on the diet but Im finding it hard to make it through the day. Also, when making food for the family, its not easy not to try the food to make sure it tastes ok.
I m also nervous about the huge life change....maybe im too addicted to the food?
joy
Joy1978
Hello, thank you for sharing this. I can say this is a common thought/feeling!
I also had to remind myself how BAD I wanted this! Everyday it was/had to be more important to me to change my bad habits and lose weight to have this surgery than to continue to slowly kill myself with food/keep myself from the only hope I had!. I also told everyone about my plans and they helped support me, my friends/family and coworkers! I really can't give you any more guidance than this, it really had to come from within, it was a mindset with me, and I wanted this BAD real bad and I knew it was my last resort/chance! I felt invigorated and motivated by the end results...the long-term had to outweigh the short-term gratification of eating bad choices or overeating! It was a learning opportunity for me to change my habits and practice chewing well, not drinking with meals and eating smaller portions, giving up sugar/caffeine/carbonation/alcohol (if any of those are your issues, carbonation/caffeine/alcohol weren't issues for me)!
Sometimes we consume our lives with food, thinking about what we can and can not have, when we can eat or should eat, how much, how often, how it should be cooked, when to buy it, how much, etc that we occupy so much time and do not even realize that we have no time left to feel (the point) in an addiction, it takes over us so we can forget us and what we are scared/fearful of feeling/being. This is where the individual/group therapy can help! We are worth the investment!!! lso online and in person support can help!
I recommend those preop consider trying to fill their minds with as much optimism and positive thinking as possible! Basically, become more conscious of what you are thinking and feeling, and start preparing yourself to think of food and your life in a different way. This is a courageous step for you to take, and it's not just about weight changing -- it's about life changing. This is why so many of us are challenged by the enormity of the decision.
My 15 days postop liquids was very emotionally difficult and then I had second surgery and had to do it all over again! But I did it, I was scared of not really! Fear is a powerfully motivating force for me! You can do it, talk as if you are and will. Notice the emotions coming up, journal, pray (if you do that), meditate, exercise, call a friend, listen to music they pass and will not overwhelm you really! And if not in therapy run to get in there now! Be well! Here are a few articles FYI!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Head Hunger: Is it for real?
by Kaye Bailey
Spend time listening to the talk among weight loss surgery patients and you're bound to hear the expression "head hunger." It's a popular term to describe a mental craving for food versus a physical hunger. Patients *****gain weight and are not compliant with the dietary rules established by their bariatric centers often claim the head hunger was too powerful and forced them to eat foods known to cause weight gain or known to slow weight loss. Foods such as pretzels, chips, sweets, pastas and baked goods are against the rules of weight loss surgery, yet these are the foods patients eat when suffering from head hunger.
The nature of the gastric bypass or lap-band weight loss surgery reduces physical appetite during the initial months following weight loss surgery. Most patients report a complete loss of physical appetite which of course is one of the components that makes weight loss surgery successful.
So why are so many patients regaining weight or stalling before reaching their weight loss goal? Head hunger. It seems to be the loophole that enables a patient to break the rules and not take responsibility for non-compliance.
While I understand there is an emotional attachment to food I also say using the head hunger loophole is self-defeating and unnecessary. Successful patients do not use the term nor do they indulge "head hunger."
Prior to WLS patients had another kind of "Head Hunger"- head hunger to lose weight, to be healthier, to be more attractive. That head hunger was so extreme nights were spent lying awake plotting the next argument to the insurance company, defending their personal obesity crisis and fighting for this miracle of modern medicine. Head hunger? THAT was head hunger.
It seems counterintuitive that patients who fought so hard for to have WLS now want to say "Oh, I'm so hungry for chocolate cake or Alfredo sauce or XYZ, just this once it's ok - I deserve one little treat!" This thinking is exactly what got us to morbid obesity in the first place! I say, forget about food head hunger - do not indulge it for one minute. Instead focus head hunger on the lighter, more attractive more confident person you fought to become. The chocolate cake is nothing, it has no power. Forget about it, it just doesn't matter anymore.
Think you have head hunger? Fill out the LivingAfterWLS Self-Assessment worksheet to remind yourself what you are hungry for!
Download the LivingAfterWLS Self-Assessment Worksheet
http://www.livingafterwls.com/PDF%20Files/2006%20Self%20Assessment.pdf
http://www.livingafterwls.com/Library/Head%20Hunger.html
______________________
ARTICLE #2 ~ Psychological Aspects of Bariatric Surgery, Identifying emotions
By: Lori Sperling Nevins, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
WLS Lifestyles Magazine Free Monthly E-Newsletter 10/13/2006
People who suffer from the disease of morbid obesity do so in immeasurable ways, from the daily stress of not feeling well physically to the indignities and humiliations of a "fat phobic" culture to the internalization of others' criticisms as low self-esteem and shame. Those who struggle with this disease have often developed a "disordered relationship with food" that works hand-in-hand with genetic and metabolic influences to form the disease of morbid obesity.
Many issues face the pre-operative bariatric patient including portion adjustments, slow and mindful eating and separation of fluids and solids at mealtime. In a parallel fashion, there are numerous psychological issues that are apparent as a patient prepares for bariatric surgery. We often speak in these terms when describing a patient's struggle with morbid obesity:
emotional eating or "head hunger"
addiction to high glycemic carbohydrates, or the "white foods" and
"mourning the loss of food" and our relationship with food as we have come to know it.
as well as the emotions that correspond to them such as:
anger
sadness
anxiety
boredom
fear and anticipation of change
The continuity of the above points is potentially a significant undermining force to any patient who is considering bariatric surgery. Therefore, it is crucial that these issues be addressed prior to the surgery date, as part of the patient's pre-operative evaluation and education process. In conjunction with the identification and exploration of the above mentioned issues, it is essential for a pre-operative patient to start to locate, identify and evaluate support systems, as a part of a structured aftercare program that will maximize the patient's potential post-surgery outcomes. Patients must create and implement alternate coping skills, other than eating, in their lives to satisfy emotional responses to daily life stressors. Such skills as:
Individual and /or group therapeutic participation
Meditation, yoga and visualization to soothe anxiety and fear
Walking and other aerobic exercise to combat anger, sadness and boredom
Journaling/recording one's own weight loss experiences can be very motivational
When psychological factors have been identified along with physical factors, as both have probably contributed to a patient's struggle with morbid obesity, one can then begin to structure their plan for recovery in both the immediate and longer term post-operative healing period. The healing of the mind and spirit maximizes the patient's opportunity for an optimal post-surgery outcome as a bariatric surgery patient.
Next in Part 2, we will explore the theme of Outside Reactions to Bariatric Patients.
Lori Sperling Nevins, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. is a clinical social worker who began as a clinical evaluator and support group leader with New York Bariatrics in 2000. She assisted Dr. William Homan, along with Valerie Ross Homan, L.C.S.W., in developing a holistic team approach to pre-operative surgery preparation. As the Bariatric Program Coordinator and primary group leader, she synthesizes the work of team members who prepare patients for surgery and maintain patient follow-up in a supportive medical, nutritional and psychosocial aftercare program meant to maximize surgical outcomes. Ms. Nevins educates her bariatric patients on the effects of family history, individual life experiences and addictive behaviors that have contributed to the growing
Hello, thank you for sharing this. I can say this is a common thought/feeling!
I also had to remind myself how BAD I wanted this! Everyday it was/had to be more important to me to change my bad habits and lose weight to have this surgery than to continue to slowly kill myself with food/keep myself from the only hope I had!. I also told everyone about my plans and they helped support me, my friends/family and coworkers! I really can't give you any more guidance than this, it really had to come from within, it was a mindset with me, and I wanted this BAD real bad and I knew it was my last resort/chance! I felt invigorated and motivated by the end results...the long-term had to outweigh the short-term gratification of eating bad choices or overeating! It was a learning opportunity for me to change my habits and practice chewing well, not drinking with meals and eating smaller portions, giving up sugar/caffeine/carbonation/alcohol (if any of those are your issues, carbonation/caffeine/alcohol weren't issues for me)!
Sometimes we consume our lives with food, thinking about what we can and can not have, when we can eat or should eat, how much, how often, how it should be cooked, when to buy it, how much, etc that we occupy so much time and do not even realize that we have no time left to feel (the point) in an addiction, it takes over us so we can forget us and what we are scared/fearful of feeling/being. This is where the individual/group therapy can help! We are worth the investment!!! lso online and in person support can help!
I recommend those preop consider trying to fill their minds with as much optimism and positive thinking as possible! Basically, become more conscious of what you are thinking and feeling, and start preparing yourself to think of food and your life in a different way. This is a courageous step for you to take, and it's not just about weight changing -- it's about life changing. This is why so many of us are challenged by the enormity of the decision.
My 15 days postop liquids was very emotionally difficult and then I had second surgery and had to do it all over again! But I did it, I was scared of not really! Fear is a powerfully motivating force for me! You can do it, talk as if you are and will. Notice the emotions coming up, journal, pray (if you do that), meditate, exercise, call a friend, listen to music they pass and will not overwhelm you really! And if not in therapy run to get in there now! Be well! Here are a few articles FYI!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Head Hunger: Is it for real?
by Kaye Bailey
Spend time listening to the talk among weight loss surgery patients and you're bound to hear the expression "head hunger." It's a popular term to describe a mental craving for food versus a physical hunger. Patients *****gain weight and are not compliant with the dietary rules established by their bariatric centers often claim the head hunger was too powerful and forced them to eat foods known to cause weight gain or known to slow weight loss. Foods such as pretzels, chips, sweets, pastas and baked goods are against the rules of weight loss surgery, yet these are the foods patients eat when suffering from head hunger.
The nature of the gastric bypass or lap-band weight loss surgery reduces physical appetite during the initial months following weight loss surgery. Most patients report a complete loss of physical appetite which of course is one of the components that makes weight loss surgery successful.
So why are so many patients regaining weight or stalling before reaching their weight loss goal? Head hunger. It seems to be the loophole that enables a patient to break the rules and not take responsibility for non-compliance.
While I understand there is an emotional attachment to food I also say using the head hunger loophole is self-defeating and unnecessary. Successful patients do not use the term nor do they indulge "head hunger."
Prior to WLS patients had another kind of "Head Hunger"- head hunger to lose weight, to be healthier, to be more attractive. That head hunger was so extreme nights were spent lying awake plotting the next argument to the insurance company, defending their personal obesity crisis and fighting for this miracle of modern medicine. Head hunger? THAT was head hunger.
It seems counterintuitive that patients who fought so hard for to have WLS now want to say "Oh, I'm so hungry for chocolate cake or Alfredo sauce or XYZ, just this once it's ok - I deserve one little treat!" This thinking is exactly what got us to morbid obesity in the first place! I say, forget about food head hunger - do not indulge it for one minute. Instead focus head hunger on the lighter, more attractive more confident person you fought to become. The chocolate cake is nothing, it has no power. Forget about it, it just doesn't matter anymore.
Think you have head hunger? Fill out the LivingAfterWLS Self-Assessment worksheet to remind yourself what you are hungry for!
Download the LivingAfterWLS Self-Assessment Worksheet
http://www.livingafterwls.com/PDF%20Files/2006%20Self%20Assessment.pdf
http://www.livingafterwls.com/Library/Head%20Hunger.html
______________________
ARTICLE #2 ~ Psychological Aspects of Bariatric Surgery, Identifying emotions
By: Lori Sperling Nevins, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
WLS Lifestyles Magazine Free Monthly E-Newsletter 10/13/2006
People who suffer from the disease of morbid obesity do so in immeasurable ways, from the daily stress of not feeling well physically to the indignities and humiliations of a "fat phobic" culture to the internalization of others' criticisms as low self-esteem and shame. Those who struggle with this disease have often developed a "disordered relationship with food" that works hand-in-hand with genetic and metabolic influences to form the disease of morbid obesity.
Many issues face the pre-operative bariatric patient including portion adjustments, slow and mindful eating and separation of fluids and solids at mealtime. In a parallel fashion, there are numerous psychological issues that are apparent as a patient prepares for bariatric surgery. We often speak in these terms when describing a patient's struggle with morbid obesity:
emotional eating or "head hunger"
addiction to high glycemic carbohydrates, or the "white foods" and
"mourning the loss of food" and our relationship with food as we have come to know it.
as well as the emotions that correspond to them such as:
anger
sadness
anxiety
boredom
fear and anticipation of change
The continuity of the above points is potentially a significant undermining force to any patient who is considering bariatric surgery. Therefore, it is crucial that these issues be addressed prior to the surgery date, as part of the patient's pre-operative evaluation and education process. In conjunction with the identification and exploration of the above mentioned issues, it is essential for a pre-operative patient to start to locate, identify and evaluate support systems, as a part of a structured aftercare program that will maximize the patient's potential post-surgery outcomes. Patients must create and implement alternate coping skills, other than eating, in their lives to satisfy emotional responses to daily life stressors. Such skills as:
Individual and /or group therapeutic participation
Meditation, yoga and visualization to soothe anxiety and fear
Walking and other aerobic exercise to combat anger, sadness and boredom
Journaling/recording one's own weight loss experiences can be very motivational
When psychological factors have been identified along with physical factors, as both have probably contributed to a patient's struggle with morbid obesity, one can then begin to structure their plan for recovery in both the immediate and longer term post-operative healing period. The healing of the mind and spirit maximizes the patient's opportunity for an optimal post-surgery outcome as a bariatric surgery patient.
Next in Part 2, we will explore the theme of Outside Reactions to Bariatric Patients.
Lori Sperling Nevins, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. is a clinical social worker who began as a clinical evaluator and support group leader with New York Bariatrics in 2000. She assisted Dr. William Homan, along with Valerie Ross Homan, L.C.S.W., in developing a holistic team approach to pre-operative surgery preparation. As the Bariatric Program Coordinator and primary group leader, she synthesizes the work of team members who prepare patients for surgery and maintain patient follow-up in a supportive medical, nutritional and psychosocial aftercare program meant to maximize surgical outcomes. Ms. Nevins educates her bariatric patients on the effects of family history, individual life experiences and addictive behaviors that have contributed to the growing
Take Care,
Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"
Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"
Joy,
These thoughts and emotions are completely normal. I was a wreck before surgery. I didn't have to do a liquid diet before surgery, so I could have a "farewell" tour of my favorites. After my surgery my appetite was very suppressed which made it easier to stick with the program. After seeing results made it even easier to get into a routine of eating good things. The emotional eating thing is a problem for me...I have to think things through when I eat...am I hungry? bored? sad?, etc...you have to work on your reasons for eating. Good luck with the surgery..keep us updated...and just remember its a tool...a very wonderful tool...but, you have to be determined to make it work.
Rosemary
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