Anybody else ???

I was all syched and feeling positive until last night at my job ,( dispatcher for electrical distrobution).Im a shift worker, I eat out of bordem alot and my choices are terrible in what I snack on ( candy,candy bars,chips,sodas). Im on my second month of my 6 month supervised diet. Im starting to second guess if I should have WLS. The reason why is if I have such a time with mind hunger now how in the heck am I gonna over come that when I have WLS. I have no freaking will power its seems ! Also I read long time post-opers getting their mind hunger back in full force. Man am I the only one that has thought of this. Why go through all of this and in time possibly get back to where I started. I want WLS so bad ,I need this tool ,but geez do I take a chance and just take each day by day or trust new medicine(WLS) to get me off meds and cure me of all my illnesses and get me to a weight to where I feel happy again. Guys please help,anybody like I am or was thinking of this before WLS.   

It's not the same for everybody, but a lot of people lose their desire for food.  I had surgery on December 20th, and I can honestly tell you, since then, I give VERY little thought to food, other than trying to figure out how to get in the ungodly amount of protein the dietician says I am supossed to eat every day.  Before surgery, I could drink a 2 liter pop and eat several Big Macs and fries so forth in a few minutes.  Now, i am just about to the point where getting in 64 ounces of liquid each day is doable, and as far as eating goes, well, everything I eat in one day, in total, would fit in a cereal bowl.  It's truly "eat to live" now, not live to eat.  And yet, it doesn't bother me a bit, I don't feel deprived, I feel like I could eat anything I want, in reasonable (read TINY) amounts.  The only thing I can't do now I did before would be to go to a buffet restaurant, because it just wouldn't be worth it -- I'd be able to eat about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of food total -- they sure would make out on me! I don't think about it, I don't worry about it, and frankly, most food just looks "yuck" most of the time.  Today, for example, I forgot, literally, to have lunch.  I had breakfast at 6:00 in the morning, some turkey and cheese.  I came in from doing yard work at 3:30 in the afternoon and realized I had had nothing except some icewater and a diet lemonade since 6:00 in the morning, so I had some more turkey and a very small apple.  Then, I had dinner at about 6:00 before going to a computer class I'm taking -- dinner was one turkey breakfast sausage link, one scrambled egg, half of a homemade waffle with some sliced strawberries.  I was very full and satisfied with this -- before surgery, this wouldn't even have been an appetizer for me. I don't know if this will change over time, but I can tell you, this change in me is more than just psychological -- it MUST be coming from the gut.  I know that they severed the vagas nerve, I think that has something to do with it. You will SO love what this surgery does for you.  Everyone is nervous before, and unsure if they are doing the right thing.  But trust those of us who have been through it, it's great and will make such a difference in your life.  I have lost 120 lbs, have about that much to go.  Even if I never lost another pound after today, I'd still be thrilled with the results -- it's given me my life back in a few short months -- no shortness of breath, no evil CPAP machine, no glucophage, only one cheap, generic blood pressure med plus a few vitamins. A few weeks back, '60 Minutes' did a story about the aftereffects of gastric bypass, and especially about the effect on Type II Diabetes.  It was an excellent piece with a strong, postive tone about gastric bypass. 

I have to echo Dan, in everything he had to say. I too have seen the benefits of increase health virtually diabetic free, sleep apnia greatly improved, circulation and on and on.  But I too was concerned about grazing, boredom eating and returning to bad habits.  I'm only five weeks post-op so limited on knowledge, but I'm already close to goal weight. I have no desire for food it actually kind of a bothersome choir.  I'm on the road most of the time so I thought that would be a challenge going to diners for the social aspect, (bs'ing with the guys) still seeing and smelling the food, but it hasn't been I order a decaf and I'm content.  Actually the site and smell is sometimes a turn off. From what I've read we have at least a solid year of this heightened sense of food control. So if you start working on getting into a routine of good habits by the time your pouch stretches a little these new habits should be second nature.  I believe the support groups are a important aspect as well, be it in person or via this forum. I have a few close friends David, Bamabob and Scott we will build this trust to keep each of us accountable. If you will similar to "Promise Keepers". To persuade someone else to do WLS is difficult for me, there are day to day challenges, I know for over fifty years I could not do it on my own and so far the benefits out way any negatives. I've had very few head hunger episodes which left as soon as they entered.  If this helps the studies I've read men have a higher long term success rate then females.  Just my two cents worth. C'ya Bob

Ditto That!!   Well said Bob.  And ya better believe me, Scott and Dave will give ya a kick  in your azz if need be.

Doc, I’m right at 5 years post-op. “Snack attacks?” Still hit from time to time. However, with my RNY sweets are OUT, and I took the time when starting” To add High-Protein, lower-Carb snacks to my intake. Ostrim meat-snacks and apples Are in my briefcase 24/7. It’s about a “forced Life=Stlye Change.” I could snack on crackers, but they give me gas, and I have no “Head-Hunger” issues that over-ride The “Built-In Ad versions to non-WLS Friendly Snacks. Head-Hunger is an issue for some, but tends to ‘die out” Around year one. (for me that is.  Others will have different issues) WLS comes with many challenges, But when considering the results from “Diet & Exercise Alone” are 95% failure and WLS has a 85% success-rate, Then it is all a matter of “Best Best.” Yes. Success is the most common result, failure is  typically relegated to those who don’t  “Re-Learn” new relationship with food. keep searching for answers... Best Wishes- Dx

Doc, It's perfectly normal.  That's what the 6 month diet is for, to get you used to eating smaller amounts of the right things.  Just keep trying, day by day, and it will get easier. Dale

Doc, The world really does change after WLS. I could have written what you posted word for word. I'm about 18 months out and yes I deal with head hunger issues. BUT, the operative word here is DEAL. I can now control those head hunger issues 98% of the time. When I stumble, I ramp up my exercise routine a bit and that chases those "failure fairys" to the back of my mind once again. As you said, its all in our heads. What WLS will do for you is give you a "do over". You WILL loose the weight, but it will be up to you to keep it off. The difference between then and now is the physical and mental changes that WLS bring to you. I had given up on being able to "diet". Now I can eat anything I want, I don't dump, sometimes I wish I did. But I can't eat very much at any one time. So if I concentrate on eating the right sort of foods, ie. the protiens first, I fill up and the head hunger issues go away. I've learned to eat small portions but I eat about 6 times a day. Yes, it will take a commitment on your part. WLS is not a magic pill. But the commitment is doable. Before surgery, my weight loss challenge was no different than someone telling me I had to run the Boston marithon....not gonna happen. Now its like I have to exercise three times a week and eat the good foods...I can do that.   It takes a leap of faith, but brother I'm here to tell ya that it works!! Doug

I'm not as far along as a lot of these guys, and I still have many, many, tough mental battles to fight no doubt. But here's my 2 cents anyway. I'm a guy who was a 2-3 liter of Coca-Cola per day addict. When I snacked, which was not particularly often, I snacked mostly on meaty stuff or salty stuff, cause I was getting my sugar demon satisfied through the Coke. But it doesn't really matter what your method of input is, it's still the same problem for most of us. Sugar. So that's where I was for the 15-20 years prior to WLS. Here's where I am now. I'm 5.5 months post-op and I haven't had a coke or any other kind of soda or sugared drink in 6 months. And I don't miss it. I don't crave it. It has no power over me at this time. I never was real big on deserts, again because I was getting more than enough sugar through my fluid intake. But  you'd think that with me having zero cokes in the last 6 months, I'd be craving me something else that was sweet to take the place. It's not happening. I can't explain it, but the cravings are gone. I went to an appreciation banquet a couple of nights back and all the food was Italian. Not really on my diet, but I had to eat something. I hadn't eaten in 7 hours or so. So I got a salad and a chunk of lasangna. There were also bread sticks and some gorgeous cheesecake in the buffettline. I never even considered either one of them. Now, I know where you're at right now, cause I was there most of my life, and I couldn't have imagined at that time that I would ever pass up a piece of cheesecake. Especially if I hadn't eaten in 7 hours. But I did pass it up, and I almost didn't even think twice about it. I'm a lifelong sugar addict and cheesecake has no power over me at this time. Think about that. I'll have to admit that I'm a little leary of Key Lime pie though. My advice is to do the best you can with the 6 month pre-op diet and get yourself ready for a new life with WLS.

At risk of being a buzz-kill here, let my tell you my experience. I have never dumped, and i can eat anything - fat, sugar, etc.

One of my very best friends had RNY 4 years before me, and he can't have sugar or fried foods wtihout getting very ill - yet, he still eats both, and has recently gained about 40 pounds back.

The "head hunger" thing is something that I struggle with, and i have found myself "grazing" lately at work - mainly due to anxiety around some current projects I'm working on.

Having long-standing anxiety issues, I know that for me - it's important to address the underlying anxiety in order to curb the desire to eat/graze (same dynamic as in any addiction - again, this is MY experience).

I found out the hard way this past year, that I need to keep my underlying issues in check, and treated if i want my tool of WLS to be effective. Thankfully, I am back on track, and doing great right now - but, I am very aware that for me, it's not over and just as I have struggled with my over-eating and binging my entire life, I will still be dealing with it now. I just have a truly AMAZING tool now to help me succeed.

Your fears and questioning about whether to go forward are very normal at this stage, but you can make it. Just remember the reasons that have led you this far in your journey, and focus on your goals for a healthier happier life. The rewards are waiting for you!!!!!!!!!! And, the support is here for you.....

Chuck

I understand your concerns, and they are very real.  Unfortunately I am not one of those who lost their desire for food.  There are 2 things I do to help prevent those bad eating skills that I acquired over the last 40 years. 1.  If the food that is a bad choice isn't available, I can't eat it.  Stock up with things that are good for you.  I like beef jerkey for that.  2.  Better yet, don't have the snacks around at all.  If it isn't there, you can't eat it. 3.  Keep busy.  Try to find something to engage your mind.  I know that boredom time is the worst for me.  The first thing my mind does to me is say hmmm I wonder what we have to eat.  It happened last night as a matter of fact. 4.  Don't keep any money on your person for the snack machine.  If you can't buy it, you can't eat it. The real saving grace is that your ability to eat like you do now will be greatly reduced.  If you are luck, some of those bad food choices will provide negative feedback to you when you eat them.  Nothing like feeling like crap for an hour or two to help reinforce positive eating and reduce your desire for fats and sugars. Also with the rapid weight loss that can happen, I think you will get a lot of positive feelings that will help with the desire to eat.  It's great to see the pounds start falling off.  It makes it easier to resist those temptations when you can see immediate results. Best of luck, and I hope you find a path that works for you. Scott