Pre-op hunger

6 more days to go to surgery and im feeling a bit weird. I came to the realization today that I will never ever partake of my favorite foods, at least not in the quantities that I have become used to. Weekends were usually reserved for going out to a special place to eat. That being said, I  have several  "special" places to eat. And it hit me hard that I cannot go to most of them anymore. I guess food has been like a long time friend, who, by the way, would seek to undermine me every chance it got, but it was soooo good that you let it take advantage of you..LOL.   I know im doing the right thing but sometimes it just feels wrong. So much is about to change in my life that im getting a bit nervous. I know we all prepare ourselves mentally for this but as I approach the "wire" im getting the jitters. Reality does smack you in the face sometimes.  

Jeff, Going through the same thing here. I mean there is no doubt that the trade off is worth it, but man I am going to miss it. I am sure it will only get worse the closer I get. Troy

Jeff, I know how you feel. I start my liquids tomorrow and have surgery on Monday. I decided to have one last hurrah today - went to Denny's for breakfast (only to realize I couldn't eat it all) and went to a local diner for one last piece of pie (best coconut cream I  ever had). I don't think giving it all up will be bad considering the alternative (DIABETES). Good Luck with your surgery.

Hey guys -  I'm 2.5 months out and I still go through the 'mind games'.  I have been able to go back to some of my fav's, but I eat in much smaller quatities.  BUT - I get to eat more 2 hours later and I get to eat mine for 2-3 days!!!!  Its all good. I would not change anything I did.  It can be a beeotch, but it was the best thing I ever did.

I'm a week post op and still mourning the loss of my "friend".  I find it hard because I'm home all day not feel great and don't have my "friend" to make me feel better.  But the plus is I've lost 39 lbs since I started the journey and clothes I haven't put on in years fit.  I know I have a way to go but soon it will all be really worth it.  I'm also looking foward to a better realationship with food.  Being able to have just a little and filling up and not eating the whole pie or whatever I'm eating will be great. .....dave

Hi Jeff, Your feelings are pretty common, and understandably so. Food was a major part of our lives and consciousness and now we have to reorient not just our bodies and diets, but our way of thinking about food (and life). It will get better. I'm just over a year out and don't really miss many of the foods I was depressed about giving up pre-op. Oh, sure, I sometimes have little pangs of desire for a doughnut or ice cream or something, but they are mostly fleeting. And I find genuine satisfaction in eating modest amounts of high quality stuff (steak, chicken, fish) and a great cup of coffee (yep, you can probably have coffee after a year). So hang in there. The feeling sorry for the loss of a wicked old "friend" (food) diminishes along with our body mass and waistlines. And even if it never goes away for good, so what? The tradeoff is wonderful.

You guys are saying exactly what I've been thinking.  My doctor has me on a two week liquid diet leading up to my Sept. 17 surgery.  While drinking creamed soups and eating jello I think about all the "crap" that I've always eating and you know what?  I miss it.  But I know it is for the best.  Between my pre-op diet and 6 days of the liquid diet I've dropped 40+ pounds and already feel better than I have in years.  I'm sure a part of me will always miss the second (and third) trip to the buffet line but I'm looking forward to all the things I haven't really been able to do since I was a kid.  I'm 9 days pre-op and I'm already shopping for a bike.  I want my 13 year old nephew to teach me to roller-blade.  I want to play on my softball team and not be the slow, fat guy that always has to pitch or catch because he can't run. Good luck guys.  Someday, we'll all laugh at these posts about how much we love food, we'll miss food, and we want food... Rodney

As you can see, you and I are not alone.  I start the bowel prep tomorrow for surgery on Monday so tonight was my last meal.  I'm surprised I'm not a little more bummed by that thought but I guess I've come to realize that what I will gain by losing is so much more worth it than the extra helping. That being said - I don't think tomorrow is gonna be very fun. Good luck Ted

Jeff, and everyone else having surgery soon, Been there, done that!  No lie, it's very depressing to lose our friend (food), and be in pain, at home, by ourselves. It sucks. You won't be able to eat a normal meal for a couple of months. It takes time for the new pouch to heal. The cool thing is the hunger you guys are experiencing now will be gone as well. So, even though you're not gorging yourself, you won't have the desire to either. If you do get a little hungry, it will only take a small amount of food to satisfy you. It still feels like you ate a side of beef, even though you only ate a slice of turkey and cheese.  Some of the things that helped me when I felt the need to eat (mentally): I would go for a walk, drink some water, hang out with friends, call someone and talk, exercise, or whatever it took to take my mind off of eating. The surgery fixes your digestive system, but does nothing for your mind. You will have to fix that on your own. WLS gives us the power to change. You can do it too.  Keep us posted on your progress.  Ronnie

Thanks for the replies, guys. I already feel much better about it now.   Jeff