Do You Still Enjoy It?

Ok, so here is a burning question I have.  You have had your surgery and you are now well on your way to a healthier life.  You are losing weight, buying new clothes, being told how good you look, and not being recognized by friends and co-workers.  It's great isn't it?  But, here is the question.  How many of you have gone out to eat at what used to be your favorite restaurant and decided it wasn't as good as you remembered it to be?  You know, you decide to go out to eat, your order what you used to order, as long as it is WLS friendly, and you are so excited to be eating it.  But, you take that 1st bite, and you don't get that "WOW" factor that you used to get.  So, you think, ok, maybe it's just that it's been awhile since I've had this, so let me see how the next bite is.  Again, it does absolutely nothing for you.  So, you have your spouse taste it because you just know there is something wrong, but no, they say it tastes great.  So, you take another tiny bite and by this time you decide you are through, so you put your utensils across the plate, fold your napkin and place it along side the plate and then just sit.  The server comes over and asks if everything is ok and you hesitate before you answer.  Then you ask, "Have you all changed recipes for this dish" or Is the same chef here that was here in say December".  The server answers and not in the way you were hoping.  So, you ponder what could be wrong and you finally hit on it.  You are now eating to live instead of living to eat and the things you have ordered in the past have been "satisfiers".  They didn't really fit the need, but they filled the void.  You were eating quantity instead of quality in the past.  Case in point, I went to one of my favorite little Greek restaurants for lunch today.  I had to go mail the taxes and it was right next to the post office so I thought why not.  I can get chicken and salad - which I did.  But when I got back to the office and began to eat, it just didn't taste as good as it used to.  Before, I could snarf down the whole container - oh and by the way, I forgot to mention it comes with wonderful little roasted potatoes and a slice of grilled pita bread.  But, I could snarf down the whole thing, at least 1-1/2 20 ounce cokes, and still eat a candy bar or a bag (1/4 - 1/2 pounds of chocolate covered raisins from the Peanut store) and still think I had not eaten enough.  Today, I ate 1 piece of the chicken (it is like little tenderloins they give you and its probably about 5-7 of those) and a few bites of the salad.  I even indulged in one of the potatoes and a bite of the bread.  But, I must say, the romance is over, the love affair of yesterday is not the love affair of today and I for one am glad.  That means, for me at least, that I've learned something and I know that food is no longer my friend, my lover, my companion.  Food is a necessity of life, but only in the form to sustain life, not to squash or kill it.

It's so funny you should pose this question.  Even though I have not had my surgery yet, I had this kind of feeling today.  A couple weeks ago a question was posted about drinking soda.  I read the thread intensely because it has been a huge and horrible addiction for me.  As ashamed as I am to admit it, I had been known in the past to want soda so bad (and be out of it at home) and was too lazy to go to the store.  I'd put in an order for delivery pizza.  Not because I was hungry but because I wanted soda that much with as little effort as possible.  I had a "moment" today when I went to Wal Mart to get my TWO 24 bottle cases of water, tea and fake sugar.  I was also filling up my buggy with everyone suggestion for the flavors to add to water.  I was so excited to get those by the way and have my water chilling as we speak and cannot wait to try them.  But, when I was doing my shopping I had not even thought about soda at all and normally that is primarily what I think I cannot leave there without.  I didn't even think about it until I was walking to the back of the store for yogurt and passed the soda aisle and... I kept on walking.  Came back around to go to the front and walked by again.  I glanced over but never stopped walking to even contemplate it.  And then it hit me what I'd done.  And I cried, in front of God and folks at Wal Mart.  Who would have thought soda would be emotional.  I guess it just hit me at what a hold food (bad food) has had on me.  And I was so proud of myself that I was able to say no and be excited and happy that I was going home to drink water.  Even buying other stuff today I was reading labels.  Took me forever to get my shopping done but it was sooo worth it.  I have you all to thank for the replies that soda post.  It got to me really thinking and figuring out how important it is to get some of these things out of my system now so that I'm not "jonesing" for it after surgery.  Sorry for the long reply but I just wanted to express how much I understand what you are saying.   Chandra

Chandra - The hold soda had over me was overwhelming.  I could easily consume a minimum of 3 litres a day and still want more.  I was really worried about giving it up cold turkey.  But December 31 was the last day that a carbonated beverage passed between my lips.  I have only had 1 or 2 times where I would have smacked someone for the coke they were holding, but it passed quickly as I reminded myself of where I want to get to.  So, all in all, it has been rather easy to let that one go and sweets too.  I don't crave or desire either one.  You are doing such a good job and because you are making those changes now, it will be so much easier for you once you have had your surgery.  Continue to move forward my friend and you will soon be able to claim the prize.

sweetmsre, What a great accomplishment, the fact that you over came something that had drug you down before and you thought you were powerless to fight off. Way to go.

Wow, an accomplishment indeed! When I go out to eat, I do miss the things I used to eat, but it doesn't tempt me.  I think because I know if I do eat a certain thing, like fried chickent tenders with the sawmill gravy from Cracker Barrel for example...it won't set well with me.  I just know before hand I can't have it, so for me it's not really a factor.  I did notice that since my surgery, I no longer have a sweet tooth, I love things that are spicy.  Your tastes definitely do change following the surgery.

Amazing!  I was just talking to my DH last night about the very same thing!!  I love how you put it that the "romance is over".  WOW, ah ha moment there!! Hugs, Jenspen

It is amazing how when you first have surgery and your hubby is hungry after your dr.'s appt. and you're out of town so you must go eat at the resturant. I was flat out mad looking at people eating bread and biscuits and drinking that wonderful soda that I would kill for!!! I wanted to smack everyone who was enjoying their meal but after I got used to my new way of life I calmed down. lol Now when I go, i ask for a to go box with my order and a small plate but I told my hubby last time that I'm eating off of his plate next time because my last meal out lasted for 4 meals. I must be honest and say that I still want a soda but not enough to risk getting sick. That is great that you're able to bypass it and you haven't even had surgery yet.

I remember asking myself and some other wls patients:  "Will I ever enjoy food again?!"  I doubted that I would.  Nothing tasted the same.  I didn't want anything much of the time.  I ate only because I HAD to.  I ate when my routine told me it was time to eat.  I started enjoying food again approximately November or December.  This is about 14 months after wls.  I enjoy the taste of what I eat.  I love what I eat.  I love the substitutions/alternatives that I have made.  One example:  today I had 4 oz chicken breast with 6 Kay's Naturals White Cheddar Kruncheez.  It tasted wonderful to me.  I was content and happy with my perfect gastric friendly lunch.  I love the choices that I now make.  When we go to restaurants, I try to make the best choices.  Sometimes, there are things that call my name but I usually go right back to my normal routine choice of chicken breast.  I figure I cannot go wrong with that!  I love to get a sweet potato and eat a few bites of it...  bring it home with my leftovers, heat it up the next day and add a little bit of cinnabliss for a gastric friendly sweet potato casserole!  Once I added a sugar free marshmallow and a few pieces of pecans.  (I always add a packet of splenda at the restaurant).  I can't have sweet potato casserole anymore like mom used to make, but I make my own alternative.... You will get to liking food again.  Don't let that scare you.  Just continue making all the necessary adjustments right now, so that later you will automatically fall into that good learned habit...  that's why its so important to spend the first six months breaking old bad habits and learning new good ones...