Pre surgery psychological reaction to food?

Ok, I'm having a wierd problem the past few days.  I've never been the type to 'crave' a certain food.  What I liked, I just ate too much of. Now that the surgery seems more likely, and the process is well underway, I find myself with this wierd crap running thru my head... "Oh, I've got to have some of (Insert offbeat wierd fatty food here) because I won't be able to have this after.....".....or "I won't be able to have this for XXX amount of time, or maybe never, so I deserve to eat some more of it now" A visit to the Chinese buffet just kinda got outta hand! Needless to say,  this is messing up my diet the past couple of days, and I've had to be really careful to get back on track. Is this a common prob, or am I just obsessing..  Dale

Dale, Common problem & You’re obsessing! Last Meal Syndrome! "I’d better have_______cause I’ll never…blah, blah, blah…" Don’t believe it for a second! (With the exception of Good Pecan Pie) There’s nothing I haven’t been Able to enjoy Post-Op. And I gotta say- I don’t know about that slogan-

"Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." But I’ll swear to this one- "EVERYTHING TASTES BETTER From the thin side of the Booth!" "EVERYTHING TASTES BETTER wearing a size Medium Shirt!" It’s just a common "head-game" that people’s mind’s play on them. Don’t look at any of it as "not gonna have it in the future." The real truth is, you may not be that "into it" in the future. Hang in there. It ALL Does get easier. (then there’s that bonus of extra inches of "Mr. Happy" to throw into the mix….) There’s where I might go back to that Weigh****chers Slogan…. "Nothing tastes as good as that feels!" Best Wishes- Dx

On June 13, 2007 at 10:12 PM Pacific Time, Dx E wrote:

Last (then there’s that bonus of extra inches of "Mr. Happy" to throw into the mix….) There’s where I might go back to that Weigh****chers Slogan…. "Nothing tastes as good as that feels!" Thanks DX, I needed that.. LOL.... I've read that for every 100 pounds you lose, you should get about an extra inch of your friend coming out to play.... sooooo.... by simple math... if I lose 300 pounds or so....... awww yeeahh! LOL

The first 6-8 weeks is the worst of it. Once your past it, then it's smooth sailing for the rest of your life. The first months it's trial and error with food. You have to re-learn what works for your new system, and what doesn't. Your mindset toward food WILL change. Most of the bad foods you crave now, will be a food you just don't want to put in your mouth after surgery.  Good Luck with your journey!

Really?? Lessee....  OK....  if I start at....  carry the two..... WOW!!!  I'm gonna be a heckuva stud muffin!!  

Dale: I am 14 months post op and have lost 247 pounds.  I was at 432 2 weeks post op and now hold steady at 185.  I am in better shape now than I was in high school.  I tell people I talk to that I know that I will never eat another bite of ice cream, another slice of bread, another sliver of pasta, and so on.  You get the point.  Even if I could eat and tolerate these things (and alot of people can and do from what I hear), I dont want to find out.  These are the types of things that got me to where I was in the first place.  I have learned where my prioritites should be when it comes to eating, and in all honesty enjoy what I do eat.  Lots of protein, meat, seafood, eggs, cheese, milk, nuts.  Pretty much have turned into a full time carnivore.  I do have an occasional salad, but I religiously take all my vitamins and drink plenty of protein shakes.  And I know I can do this the rest of my life.  I accept that.  And I have never felt better.  Your problem is more than common, trust me.  I remember when I was post op and knew when my date was, it was like a free for all with the eating.  Kinda like a last supper on death row if you will.  At least thats how it felt.  Of course I was self pay, and wasnt going to let anyone tell me how much weight I had to lose beforehand.   The emotional part of this is just as important as the physical.  Dont let it get to you.  Youve made the most important decision of your life, go with it and dont sweat the small stuff.  Believe me, it wont matter when your living life to the fullest again.  Take care and good luck. John

I was told that this is a common problem with people preparing for surgery. There is a term for it that escapes me at the moment.  You kind of feel like this might be your "last chance" before you lose the ability to enjoy food. Some people do go through a period of "mourning" food after surgery but most adjust and still can enjoy food after surgery, albeit in much smaller quantities.  I was one of them. Just keep trying to stick to the diet.  If you give in, just keep trying to get back on track.

Thanks guys, glad to know I'm not the only one...  feeling kinda silly now.. LOL.

 

Gents, got to tell ya, I'm glad I found (after 3 years visiting off and on.. duh) that there was a men's forum on this site!  I was feeling pretty lonely!  Glad to know there are guys who 'been there done that' and still... 'got-'r-done!'

 

Dale

 

Don't feel silly.  It happens to us all.  It's very difficult to describe the different relationship with food that one develops on the other side of the surgery. But my experience hasn't been a feeling of being deprived of foods.  It's one of enjoying the stuff I do eat.  The joy of quickly feeling full instead of the shame of constantly shoveling food into my mouth.