Last Hurrah syndrome

OK.. I know I'm not the only one..but jeeesh..I have 3 1/2 months until WLS, and I'm binging off and on. Last week after my surgery was scheduled I felt relieved and was actually focused on "practicing" new eating behaviors and preparing. Yes I am a compulsive eater! This evening my mouth hunger was winning and Milano cookies were buttery, chocolatey good. We all know the internal dialogue.. and I'm quite certain many of you were afraid of losing your ability to eat compulsively and feeding that mouth hunger after your surgery. So no doubt many of you were freaking out and eating alot before as your LAST HURRAH! What I need from you guys out there is: What words or thoughts worked before WLS to keep you from eating even MORE than usual out of fear? I'm not beating myself up but I am concerned. I think just being aware will help me focus again on HOW I eating.. but I also know I will have many a day like today when all I want to do is eat and eat and eat and eat. Anybody have some psychological tricks to straighten me out so I don't HURRAH myself into I don't know what!?! thanks .. geT iT wHiLE yA CaN ???

I suggest attending at least a few Overeaters Anonymous meetings. They help you get at what's eating you before you eat over it. If you don't address the demons that drive you to food pre-WLS, the value of the surgery will eventually be lost to you post-op. Good luck and God bless.

hi patricia, my wls is next tuesday and i have found that every time i open the fridge i rethink what i am going to take out. i try to get something that will satisfy my "hunger" but will not cause me to gain 50lbs! i also stocked my pantry and fridge with all the foods i need to keep in the house after wls. sugar-free everything. fat-free everything.... if it isn't in my house, i am not eating it. once i stocked up on good foods, i found that i am less likely to have "hunger." i am eating well, at the right time of day and have been mentally preparing for the change of lifestyle. i know i wasn't much help, but maybe some of it will work for you?? good luck on your journey! shea

Patricia, I know what you are going through. I did not have to lose anything before my surgery. I was weighing 245 lbs and the the Dr did not mention it. He did say Please don't gain any weight. My diabetes was so out of control that I was so afraid my bloodwork would be crazy for my pre admission testing. I was very careful what I ate until I had the surgery. I am sure what you are going through is quite normal. Weight loss surgery will change your life? Are you ready for it mentally. Try making an appointment with your nutrionist and speak to her. You will be fine. Take care Keep us posted.....Lorraine

I have to admit, i did the same thing. I went nuts, even though I wasn't supposed to gain any weight (I was pretty good, I only gained about 8 lbs in the 3 months until I actually had the surgery, a minor feat for me). I don't really regret it. It was a nice farewell to food for me. The one thing I did regret was not cutting back on the fats sooner, so my liver would shrink and get lighter. I didn't have complications, but in hingsight that part was just stupid. I should have been more responsible. I'm going to be un-PC and tell you to enjoy. Try to not go completely overboard, but if you're 100% committed to your life afterwards, why not say goodbye to everything you might miss?! But again, follow your doctors' instructions to be safe and reduce risks.

Hello Patricia~~ Stay right here at AMOS and do all the research that you need before your surgery. Remember that knowledge is power and the more you know about WLS, the more successful you will be with your new tool. Going to support group meetings is very important! You will meet people who are at different stages and can discuss your concerns. You will get lots of useful ideas and help at these meeting. And always follow your Drs advice and food plan. Go to the Before and After Pictures here at take a look! Also read everyone's profiles-just click on their names! Here are just a few-lots of good info!! Sharon~~ http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=N1017180811 Carolyn~~ http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=M1043211376 Leilani~~ http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=G1025993964 Kirk~~ http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=T983696607 If you need anything, just remember we are right here for you!! Alice

Patricia, I have to say I am in the middle of both responses, I feel that we should be able to say goodbye to food as well but do it in a way that will NOT hurt out health and rise complications during out surgery. If all goes well I should be having the surgery in April/May, I will take some time to morn food and try things for the last time but on the other hand keep trying to loose weight. Those days of eating everything in site are normal, well I think so. As long as you don't over due it or do it all the time. If this was easy we would not need the surgery right?..... Well I do wish you the very best and for me I am trying to keep myself busy with the Internet, window-shopping and reading so I am not tempted to overeat. Sometimes it helps other times I just have to give in because it will not stop until I do. I am not sure if this helps any but I added my 2 cents in..... Take care Debra Peace

I don't even have a surgery date yet, and I'm having a grand old time eating myself into oblivion! Actually, I gave myself until today since my first consult with the surgeon is this afternoon. I've been calling it the Grand Final Food Tour! I quit smoking to be able to have this surgery, so I"ve been rewarding myself. That stops today. I think that as you get closer to the date, you will be better able to focus on what this is all about and get things under control. I figure if I can quit smoking after 34 years, I can do just about anything. Lots of luck to you. Cheryl