Question:
I REALLY lost control today! I used to be a fast food junky and I really miss eating

I am 6 weeks post op and doing really well. I've lost 45 lbs and I am SO proud of that but I really lost control today. <p> I miss the sensation of biting into a juicy hamburger and tasting REAL food! I went through Burger King and got a Whopper Jr. and just tore into it. I would savior the bite...chew it really well...and then spit it out. I know I swallowed some of it because I felt full afterward and had really spit it all out! <p> This isn't the first time I have done this. A few times before I have tasted a small something and then realized that I didn't like it and spit it out. It would be like one fry off of a friend's plate or a bite of bacon that I was cooking for my husband. <p> I am SO scared that I am going to screw this up like every other attempt I have made at weight loss. I'm at that awkward stage where I don't have to do pureed food any more but I don't know what to eat! My nutritionist is NO help and rather mean spirited.<p> I just feel so rotten about what I did and don't know just how bad what I did really is.<p> Please forgive me for posting this anonymously but I am just so ashamed about not being able to give up the fast food. I feel like an alcoholic that fell off the wagon.    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 10, 2002)

February 10, 2002
Don't feel bad. We are used to depriving ourselves because of all our failed diet attempts pre-surgery. Just trust your surgery. If your tummy says you can have a bite of a Whopper, you can have a bite of a Whopper. To be successful, moderation is key, not deprivation.
   — Terissa R.

February 10, 2002
What you should have done is cut the burger in half, eat from the middle where there is more of a concentration of the meat. That way you could eat maybe 1/4-1/3 of it. You would get your taste of what you wanted and be satisfied. There is nothing wrong with that. Its when you deprive yourself, thats when you start the head games, you feel like you just have to have it. Anything in small quantities is fine, just don't go overboard and have it everyday. And chewing and spitting out IS a bad habit. I did it early on with steak and my nutritionist really let me have it saying that I was starting a bad habit and that I wouldn't want my kids to see me do it and start something with them. I had to agree with her on that one. BTW, burger king burgers have more protein than McD's burgers.
   — Cheri M.

February 10, 2002
Don't feel so bad, youre STILL doing great. I'm at that same awkward stage as you as far as eating goes. I'm off pureed and just never know what to eat. I agree with another poster..if you wanted the burger, have it..just a few slow bites and you would have been full. I also agree that the chewing and spitting is a bad habit to fall into (not to mention, unappetizing for a dinner partner to watch lol). I have chosen not to eaten certain 'trigger' food for me such as sweets and white flour products, but I also believe in anything is ok in moderation for most people. Your post op diet is a personal decision that you have to live with. Its going to be a very frustrating life if you berate yourself for every morsel of food you think you 'shouldn't' have. Keep up the good work with your weight loss, its awesome so far.
   — Donna L.

February 10, 2002
The good thing is that you are honest. I REALLY think you need to find another nutritionist - NOW!! If he or she is "mean-spirited", then it is crucial you look for someone else. Also, it's imperative that you go to your support group meetings. You will certainly find the support and comfort you need, which might be why you are having fast-food cravings. The best way to defeat those urges is to redirect yourself, and support groups are such a wonderful place to be inspired, get great advice...AND give great advice!! Stay strong!!
   — [Anonymous]

February 10, 2002
I have to agree with the other posters, don't beat yourself over it.. and if you can eat it, moderation is ok.. depriving yourself will only make it worse and you may fail... I confessed to my surgeon that I'd eatten fast food and he told me to make sure I try to get as much greese as I can out of it, which I had, and not to eat the bread, which I didn't.. but now.. I find the Forman's grill to be my best friend.. I buy the leanest ground beef I can, heat it, and make my LITTLE (right now with all the topings, maybe 2ounces pre-cooked hamburger) hamburger my way :) with lowfat stuff and fresh vegies :) and I still pat off the greese.. Chicken sandwhich? same thing.. excellent grilling on the forman and then make my own :) but I am leaving the bread off for now so I can get more of my protien in.. And I also have a steamer.. so I can steam things.. to keep them moist if I'm reheating it.. reheated burgers and chicken can get kinda disgusting and dry.. BTW, I'm 2 months post op and just going through the same "what do I eat" thing.. You're not alone.. but Check out Victoria Bowen's profile and website.. I got her cookbook 3 days ago and it's wonderful!
   — Elizabeth D.

February 10, 2002
Don't feel bad. We all screw up sometime!! I am a busy mom, and we eat out (faST food) Mon-Thur. I have found that (thanks to this website) that Wendy's Chile, 5 piece nuggets are really good, I can only eat about 3 nuggets, and 1/3 of the chile, also, Taco Bell, crunchy taco w/out lettuce, and taking off edges of tortilla, and pinto beans n/cheese are good choices if you must. I sometimes crave a burger too, I do what the other poster said, and eat the inside of the burger, which usually is not even 1/2 of the burger. Moderation..... Good Luck
   — Cindee A.

February 10, 2002
Unlike everyone else...I think you need to see a counselor. Not because of what you "almost ate" but because of how it is making you feel. You have food issues (like a lot of us do) and this surgery doesn't fix that. You need to be "right" with yourself and what causes these eating episodes or else you can fail this surgery just like any other diet. You will lose the weight you need to lose but in order to maintain, you need to use this time to develop good mental, emotional and physical habits. Because once your window of opp is over, you will need to fall back on these habits to have continued success. Good luck and God bless!
   — Kimberly L.

February 16, 2002
it's amazing how someone who has fought a weight problem can become so pious, so fast.. ( some of these answers) i fought over eating for 30 years, i also have moments when i feel that way, i'm not nuts. i'm trying to control an addiction. i've lost 110#'s in 3 months, but i am still learning, fighting. somewhere on this great web site, when i had a bad day, i read some very wise words, "they operated on our stomachs, not our heads"!! so true, we all have to deal with our demon, ,food.. the stomach is fixed, the head takes a little longer.. don't panic, we're human..
   — bruce M.