How to deal with cravings pre op!!

Hi everyone, I'm in the beginning of the process.. From the day of my referral I been taking baby steps. First started with no more pop haven't had pop in 3 1/2 months.. Then I increase my water in take, then cut down on coffee to cutting out coffee. 3 weeks today I haven't had a coffee..  I have been working on three meals with 3 snacks!! Yesterday I started using myfitnesspal to track  my calories.   This afternoon I started to Crave Doritos nacho chips!!! I think this is head hungry emotional eating something!! My taste buds can taste the chips my brain is saying how good it taste and wants it! I am trying so hard to fight the craving.. I just been drinking water 4 cups in the pass hour hoping this will pass!! I am trying not to give into the cravings lucky I don't have any junk in the house.. But  right now I just want  to pull my hair out that's how strong the craving is!! Any advice on how to deal with such cravings? 

I'm pre-op too and can't say I have the answer but I certainly know the feeling and can tell you what I do and what works for me. I have to get busy. I either paint my toe nails, have a bubble bath, start cleaning / de-junking something and if all else fails I get into a time intensive project such as re-arranging a room or re-decorating a room. I definitely canno****ch a movie or TV because I'll convince myself its ok to have it just this time. I'll tell myself how I've been doing so good and that I will definitely get right back on track. I now recognize this and try my best to avoid these situations. Lastly, if I haven't eaten in a while I force myself to eat something like a lean protein (I always have some kind of meat cooked in the fridge) just to make sure I'm not really hungry. Coming on here helps too...reminds me of my goal :) Good luck and I know it's not easy :)

HI there,

I think the most important thing to remember is that the more we want something and are told we cant have it the more we want and crave it. You are clearly making a lot of really important life changes. Cutting out coffee and pop are moving you in the right direction, congratulations that's fantastic. Rome was not created overnight.

Why not try this. Factor the Doritos into your food for the day (I am assuming you are journalling your food). Eliminate something that isn't the best food choice that day then add in a "small" bowl of chips, but measure it out so you are concious of what you are putting in your mouth. The last thing you want to do is graze especially on something like potato chips. 

Allowing yourself a treat once in a while keeps things real. In the real world people allow themselves a small bowl of chips or a few squares of chocolate from time to time but moderation is key, certainly not copious amounts of anything though.

In closing I really want to stress that once you have your surgery and your pouch is the size of a walnut it is going to be so important to chose your food wisely because your nutritional health depends on it. Everything you put into your mouth needs to be nutrition first, there will be no room but right now a small bowl to get ride of that nagging craving isn't going to hurt in my opinion seeing you are making so many good choices and moving in the right direction.

Keep up the good work. I'm proud of you

Ann 

Congrats on cutting out pop, that is fantastic! I do three meals, with three small snacks now post op, whereas prior to surgery I used to eat one massive meal, and consume most of my food in the evening hours. I also used to be a coffeeaholic pre surgery, and now, I barely crave it, ever.  You will be surprised how much your tastes do change post op. Things you did once love, you no longer will want. At least that is how it has been for me.

As for cravings, there is always something healthy that can replace one. You just have to have that willpower to then not overeat on the healthier choice. Options such as protein chips, bakes chips, there are many substitutes. Depending on your eating behaviours, they can be a slippery slope. If you prefer to go carb free, pork rinds, sliced baked pepperoni chips, and even parmesan cheese on a cookie sheet baked it in the oven until it starts to brown, make great little "chips" and they are a good source of protein also. 

Good luck, seems you are off to a great start! Keep at it!

I can tell you, after surgery your cravings are gone.....so since you're in the beginning, I'd have a few chips to settle myself down. Like I said the beautiful thing about the surgery is I don't have any cravings. I may think about Doritos and how great they once tasted but I don't eat them.....

Oh ya, and BIG congrats on the pop!!! It was my weakness too

Thank you for the advice I will be writting them down!! The water wasn't working so I ended up having protein shake that helped a lot!! I am trying to follow post op deit protein first then vegs using this time as trail run to test myself if I can actually do this!! Maybe I am being too hard on myself I felt if I gave into the chips I feel like a failure thinking how am I going to be successful post op.. Also I am trying to figure out why I crave things and how to deal with it!! Once again thank you for the help and listening 

I think you're being too hard on yourself. It's funny, this is alot of work, but once you have the surgery, you follow what they say and you won't fail. It's not like you can go back to eating alot, b/c you can't. It's good to get in the habit of things.....honestly I didn't get in the habit of things b/c I knew I can do this cold turkey when it came to starting my Opti fast. So on that, I say, good on ya.

I'm a month post op and haven't lost in just over a week but there's nothing wrong, I guess it will just come. That said, I feel great and am down 28 lbs. The biggest thing with my post op is I'm not getting enough protein right now, I'll start shakes this week. I just can't eat that much that's why.

Enjoy this ride, don't beat yourself up, you're already a few steps ahead!!! :)