Need Honest Answers

I have a serious Question for all of you who are post op. I am more than sure physically that I am ready for this surgery and the life changes it will take to make it a sucess. But tonight I have been pondering a question in my mind. I am thinking ahead to holidays, family functions, social gatherings. Is Food and eating just a chore now, or is their still pleasure in cooking and eating food???? I would hope that food will still taste good and it will be something I can still enjoy with my friends and family. Just in moderation and following my diet guidelines. I want to know your honest feelings on this . I long for the day that a small portion of food will satisfy me and give me the proper nourishment to keep my body strong and healthy. But part of me still wants to know that I can taste and enjoy that food.. Am I totally flipping out?? Thank you for listening to me ramble on. Lots of love and hugs Laura

Good question, Laura. I often wonder the same thing. Hopefully we will get some answers.

it is quite safe to say that you will go thru some periods of not wanting to be near food-let alone prepare it--and there are times when you will enjoy very much so-- some ppl find themselves cooking more or shopping more for their family or loved one to make up for their own not eating! and often we find taht we do mourn food -the idea of eating-with friends- ok i'm not explaining well- i have many friends with whom a lunch date could last for hours- well- now i just don't eat the entire time!!!! the first holiday or meal out will offer challenges- the key is to how you react! be proactive and think thru what you can and cannot eat at that stage of your newlife and go forward! portion control and good choices! yes;flavor returns...get creative and don't be afraid! now-who is rambling?????

Well Margo. you hit the nail on the head except I still shop for 5 and there are only 2 of us now. And my husband has gained 20 lbs since my surgery. I just cant learn how to grocery shop. I dont really mourn food because if I want something, I have it. Just a little and I am very satisfied/

In the beginning it is rough. In the first two weeks, I found myself getting angry whenever my family ate. They were eating real food while I was left to slurp on Jello! Those feelings were gone after the first two weeks though. I'm almost 9 months out and I still go through periods where I don't want to cook. Not because of not being able to eat what they want for dinner, but because I'm just too tired/lazy/whatever. I have lost a taste for cheese on pizza, for the most part. I'm glad too because there is nothing good that can come from eating pizza! *LOL* The first big holiday for me was Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday - food wise. I was 3 months post-op when Turkey Day arrived and even though I was concerned about not being able to enjoy it, I did! I just had to remind myself that I didn't need a whole leg, and two scoops of every side on the table. I took care to put half a scoop of everything (except the jellied cranberry sauce - I was afraid it'd be too sugary) so that I could have a taste of Thanksgiving Dinner. It worked out well! I prepare all of the large dinners for my husband's side of the family (usually). I was impressed with myself that I could do all of the cooking and still taste my work! Eating isn't a chore for me. I eat 2 or 3 times a day (never could adapt to the 5 times a day thing) and for the most part, I eat what I want. The key is to want what's better for you. Instead of eating a snack bag of Cheetos (which I do like to have on occasion), I usually grab an apple, some pineapple, or a low sugar (like Blue Bunny**** cream bar. Those ice creams taste as good (and some even better) than the stuff I used to get! Get yourself a plan together now. Tell yourself what you are going to do and how you are going to do it. Tell yourself that you will have moments of frustration (like I did right after surgery) and allow yourself those feelings. The change (both physically AND mentally) will not happen over night. It takes time to learn new tricks. And when you have those moments, don't allow yourself to believe it was a mistake. You are doing something wonderful for your life and your family! None of us learned to tie our shoes on the first try (well, maybe there are a couple geniuses out there, lol) and I don't think any of us can say we didn't have at least one moment where we felt like life was over. Food was my life for years! I wasn't an emotional eater, but every get-together was centered around food. I just had to learn to do more with my life. I just turned 30 in February and I'm currently in my second quarter of college - for the FIRST TIME EVER! Best of luck to you, Laura! ~Michelle

I am 3 1/2 weeks post-op and I have to say I am very very sick of pureed foods. In 3 days I will be able to eat normal foods. With this surgery I have found a new respect for food. At this point it is a new relationship with food. I take my time, savor the flavors and then I am finished! Before i just wolfed it down. Not now no way Jose! I too am looking forward to eating solids but in moderation. I know this is right around the corner for me and I can't wait. Melanie

Hi Laura, I would be glad to give you some honest answers. I had the same questions about 3 weeks after surgery and someone roasted my butt big time for even asking it......Lol..I survived but it hurt my feelings terribly cause all i wanted to know was how to accommodate the holidays with family and friends and new eating habits...... Anyhow, i had my surgery July 19th and m doing wonderful...I am down 105 lbs and into a 16 from a 28....Holidays were a big concern for me as i always went over board on cooking and baking. I have found that I still love to cook and bake and our hoidays have not suffered for it. We still have gatherings and tons of food. I have learned to cook healthier and bake all the SF things i can find for my family...I don't tell them i have changed the recipes, and nobody has noticed any difference in the taste. When i first had my surgery i was worried about cooking and baking cause i was one who tasted everything to make sure it was perfect. I worried about eating too much when having dinners at home but since i cook basically for me then i can a little of everything on the table. And that is the key to it all....you know what you can have and learn to accommodate for yourself..I still do not go out to eat as i hate wasting money on the small amounts i can eat. I do have a problem eating at my sister-in-;aws as she is one of those who uses haevy creams and all sorts of things we shouldn't eat. I just take extra tiny portions of everything i can eat and refuse the rest. At first it hurt their feelings but once they saw the results of my surgery, they don't argue with me anymore. In fact they ask me how to change recipes so they can try new options. The hardest thing i did was give up my Pepsi, i find now i don't even think about it anymore. I would rather drink SF things, and i do experiment in mixing brands together to achieve different flavors. You will do just fine. Remember you will know your limits and it is your job to inform family members of what you can and cannot have. I just go with the flow. In the early months, at gatherings, offer to bring a cover dish, something you know you can eat. It is the best way to handle it...and just start experimenting with your cooking. Your taste buds are going to change big time. What tastes good before surgery sometimes is nasty after. It is all a process of give and take. Good luck...let me know if i can help you in anyway.... Patty

There were 2 things I didn't know if I'd be able to handle. 1. Not drinking w/ meals 2. Not drinking Mt. Dew, coke or pop #1 is second nature now. Don't even worry about it. If I need a small sip I take one but I don't "drink" w/ meals and dont think twice about it. I didn't know if I could survive not drinking w/ meals and now I don't even think about it. #2 If you would have told me I wouldn't miss pop I'd have checked your pulse to see if you were for real. I really don't. The carbonation makes my pouch bloatie but I will take a *sip* or two from my daughter or husbands but thats it, and I think its just to get the fizz factor. I don't enjoy it at all anymore...can't even believe that one. My first "holiday dinner" was easter and I ate what everyone else ate, just ALOT less. I had ham, mac & cheese, veggies, deviled eggs, all that, even a little dessert but it was so much less, just a spoon or two of each and I was stuffed! I haven't ever gained since surgery, sometimes I'll stall for a few days or a week or so and right now I don't have any extra time to exercise but I'm still losing. I know everyone is different but my doc told me that they don't want you to do without, just don't overdo it, and honestly, I can't, my pouch won't hold it so I eat what I want, just really small portions and I'm satisfied and don't feel left out of family dinners. Good luck to you Bev

You said it just the way I feel. I cant drink those drinks either. I cant even drink water at all. I drink sf koolaid and minute maid light. I also eat what I want but so little. I dont deprive myself because I will want it and will eat it anyway. I love the way I am doing it and dont care how slowly I lose it. I have lost 98 lbs in 9months and only have 24 lns to go .Good luck to you and I think we will be very successful because we dont worry about everything we put in our mouths. We have to live our lives and not be deprived. Cindy

HI Laura, I will tell you I had thought about this long and hard because I come from a family of restraunt people. We all cook like there is no tommorrow. My wife was worried about this. Because I love to cook so much and whether I will be able to cook for my family because I do all the cooking. I cook differently and much healthier and they don't mind. That or they are just happy they don't have to cook. I make pasta, I use reduced carb pasta and use more meat and vegi's in it. When I make Items for holidays me and the MIL try to outdo each other with s/f recipes and healthy foods. Sometimes its a hit and sometimes like the other day, the MIL loved my S/F vanilla cappicinno(sp). Just because we have this surgery does not mean we stop eatting. We just stop eatting poorly and with no sugar LOL. Actually, I am being more creative in the kitchen seeing if I can change recipes and still make them good. I have found that I like food more spicer. GOod Luck, Richard