question about post surgery and others eating and food in the house( cross post)

wanted to ask you guys this.

Well I have a large family of 5 children and my wife. We are always cooking something. I wanted to ask how everyone else deals with all the food in the house after WLS? I grew up poor and whenever there was food I ate as much as I could because I never knew when I was going to get something else. so now I have  grown up and have a successful career and have food. whatever whenever....that's why I think I am 390( was 427). Not everyone has my issue, and I am thinking how will I be able to not eat? I know the surgery is a tool  to help. I guess I need to talk to the psyc doc. Thanks for any and all replies.

I saw your post on the main board, and you've gotten a couple of good replies.  I think you're definitely looking at this the right way, trying to identify a potential problem and getting help before it becomes an issue.  Your psych doctor should definitely help.  I think especially for us guys, we need to re-learn what full means.  For me, it was eating to bursting.  I stopped truly being hungry well before I stopped eating.  But that's why WLS is such a great tool.  We physically cannot eat as much as our mind wants, so it forces us to change.  Now, unfortunately, if someone is determined to eat around their surgery, you can.  

Maybe try to get in the mindset that the food isn't going to be wasted, but eaten at different times.  Those first 6-12 weeks you will be eating differently from the rest of the family, but once you are able to go to a full diet, those leftovers can go to your lunch or even breakfast the next day.  I'm sure it's going to be tough; I know it is for me, and I only have my wife and daughter in the house.  They both eat healthier now that I'm post-op, but at the same time, I don't want to totally deny my daughter the stuff that kids love.  So while one day she'll eat salmon and spinach with us, the next day she may really want hot dogs and mac and cheese.

Another thing that helps is that for many (possibly most) of us after surgery, we just simply don't want to eat.  Even now, when I get hungry, that feeling goes away after one or two bites, and I eat my pre-measured amount to make sure I get my protein and other nutrients in.  I'm a little more than 4 months after surgery, and I really haven't had many cravings yet.  I know that will change the further I get from my surgery date, but I feel it gives a really good opportunity to change bad habits before it happens.

Finally, like it was mentioned on the other board, make sure you get support.  It can be through your doctor's office, through an in-person group, or my favorite, the boards here at OH.  When you're having a problem, jump online for some support.  You can get advice, or it can even help just to rant.

What surgery are you getting?

Thanks for your reply. I am glad another dad reached out. I am going for the Vertical sleeve. So you are 4 months out and you are down over 100lbs?? wow amazing. Thanks again for your support

My wife and I are doing this together so it is no doubt easier.  The main thing that helps us is being prepared for the next meal.  We cook and weight everything then freeze it.  It is so easy to pull out of the freezer and eat pre portioned meals. when we go out to eat we always bring the leftovers home and portion them out in the same way.  We take a cooler of easy to eat on the go type of food most of the time when we run errands so we won't be caught in a bind.  Hope this helps.

Great idea,  thanks for the tips. I've been trying to drop over the last few months with help of the nutritionist. 

Perhaps talking to your family and getting them to make healthy choices also.  After the surgery, you literally should not be able to eat large quantities, so make sure what you do eat is healthy.  The first time you try and eat more than your stomach/pouch can handle, you will know it.....it's not a pretty picture.

actually I'm the only heavy one in my house. I'm the Dad and work crazy hours. We just have a lot of different schedule and I have the problem when I smell something cooking.... I'm sure everyone here can fill in the dots. I have been doing much better for the past few weeks. I feel I am getting the tools to get through this and make a change for the better in my life. I am truly grateful there is a place like OH were I can run and read and post if I am having issues and talk it out. I have the therapist to call if I have any issues I want or need to talk about. Thanks again for all the guidance and support. 

E

I find that OH is a good place to come and lurk when I am questioning what I'm doing also. In my opinion you've already made the first important step by deciding to take care of yourself. No doubt its tough when you're around food (Lord knows I was drooling while visiting a customer this week after our sales person picked up some really nice pastry). You wont always be successful staying out of the food, and you shouldn't beat yourself up. My take is that you have the tool, and you use that tool to start a normal relationship with food. To me, that means stopping eating when I'm full, eating healthy options instead of fattier/sugury stuff but knowing that I can celebrate a little bit when appropriate and still be a healthy person.

I hope you keep coming back to psot your progress and success. We all have demons that we fight and hopefully we can fight these demons together.