Question:
I am 2 weeks post-op lap RNY & cannot seem to stick to what I am suppose to do..WHY??

I know, everyone says the liquid phase is the hardest phase but I cannot stay with it or anything that I'm suppose to do in the beginning stages!! I am eating noodles from Tuna casserole & soups, I've tried some crackers (chewed very well of course), a bite or two of bacon, cottage cheese, eggs, pintos & cheese etc. Don't get me wrong it's just a bite or two, not very much but still! What in the world is wrong with me? I started this "cheating" stuff 1 WEEK POST-OP!! I know what it's from, this head hunger thing! I am suffering badly with that. I am so use to eating everything I want, when I want. It's really hard for me to except the fact that I cannot eat this stuff just yet. When I see or hear about something that sounds good to me I want to try it. It's a different story when either the smell hits me or when I taste it. So I know the surgery is working because I don't end up liking it anyhow! Half the time I end up tasting a bite of stuff then end up being nauseated all day & night. Why do I constantly test the waters this early & push the envolope all the time? Then end up feeling like crap all day. I know why I feel like crap, because it's too early to be eating stuff like that. You'd think I'd learn? I am going for my first post-op appt. in a few days to get approved for Phase 2 which is puree foods but heck I'm eating a few bites of bacon & feeling like crap after words so what's the point. I'm afraid the tell the Dr. or nurses at the office what is going on because I KNOW they will be like are you crazy!! All they will say is just don't eat that stuff anymore just yet. Well, easier said than done!! I can't seem to control myself! I know everyone cheats here & there but I am really pushing things! Please help, do I need to go see someone about this head hunger thing or what can I do to put it at bay? I'm not physically hungry it's just my head hunger that is causing all of the problems. I'm not sorry I had the surgery and I'm not depressed. I'm just really having a hard time dealing with food in general! Any suggestions to help?    — Allison T. (posted on April 23, 2002)

April 23, 2002
Please do not beat yourself up so much for what has happened! You are human after all. The main thing is to LEARN from what your pouch is telling you. You are not ready for those foods. Is there a support group in your area? If so, think about reaching out to them. Other people that are going through this same thing can listen to you, talk to you and perhaps even suggest ways to help you cope. I understand how you feel. Are there any types of hobbies or other activities that you could use to keep your mind off of the head hunger? When you do get past the pureed food, it will be much easier to cope. Best of luck. Email me if you need someone to talk to.
   — Ginger J.

April 23, 2002
FIRST OF ALL TRY TO CALM DOWN AND THINK ABOUT YOUR GOALS, IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNITE. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT HEAD HUNGER, ITS HOW ALOT OF US GOT TO BE OVER WEIGHT TO BEGIN WITH.I AM STILL PRE OP AND I FEAR THIS SAME THING,AFTER BEING CONFINED IN THE HOSPITAL,ALL FOODS CONTROLED WHEN WE GET HOME WE WANT TO CHEW,TO EAT AND BE NORMAL AGAIN, SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE AT THIS SITE AND READ WHAT HAS WORKED FOR OTHERS, IF ALL ELSE FAILS ...PRAY. SM
   — susan M.

April 23, 2002
Relax. I'm sure that you are not the first one to feel like this. I cannot imagine being on clear liquids. It must be very difficult. We are human, and humans are made to want to eat. You smell it and your mouth starts watering, it is the way you were designed. Don't beat yourself up over this. In a few weeks when you get the 'green light' to eat, you will look back and see that you were probably worrying for nothing. Our surgeon has us eat BEFORE we leave the hopital. We are instructed to eat solids, with only a few exceptions. The only time anything was pureed was with my teeth. And if you think about it, when you chew anything to death, it ends up in puree form (most food items). But all doctors are different, and I'm not telling you that it is OK to eat food at this point, and you SHOULD follow your doctors orders. But I did want to give you my point of view so that you didn't worry yourself too much. Just try to do the best that you can. I bet you aren't the first to 'cheat'. It will get easier in time. Enjoy your journey!!
   — Cheri M.

April 23, 2002
Allison, please honey, calm down. Don't beat yourself up over this. Beating yourself up is only going to make you feel worse and increase any chance of "emotional eating". I did the same thing, I was 1 week post op and it was THANKSGIVING!! I actually licked my mothers fingers just to get the taste of turkey and stuffing...LOL. And I had a little lick off of a spoon of mashed potatoes (my favorite). The next night we had a late "Thanksgiving Dinner" at my in-laws house. My mother in law, being the dear that she is put a little doll plate at my place setting so I would at least have something to look at. I did take a little piece of chicken and 2 greenbeans and a little teeny piece of potato...which I then proceeded to mash up into "goo"...and I ate just fine. I then panicked and called my doctor the following Monday crying hysterically. My doctor's assistant asked me if I had done all right with this, and did I vomit, did I feel bad, did I have any pain, etc., etc., etc...and it was no. She told me to calm down, not to worry about it and I was healing very well and I could move onto 'soft" food diet. So honey, don't worry, take care and good luck. Be Well! Love your guts Honey!! XOXOXO
   — Mustang

April 24, 2002
Relax. You are not the only one who has done this. but you have made such a couragous effort so far, you deserve to get the full benefit. Don't you think? I urge you to tell your doctor the truth. he can not help you and give you good advice if he dosen't know the truth. Please make an appointment with a psychologist that can help you with this. ask your Dr for a Psych near you who specializes in this that he/she has worked with before. Also...be mature, sometimes.....just say no! good luck, anyone who has the strength to make the decisions you already have amde, is able to make the right decision about what to eat! I have faith in you!
   — robyn R.

April 24, 2002
Allison, I too and 2 weeks post-op and I have also eaten most of the things you have listed. My downfall so far has been crackers..I was hoping that my carb addiction would go away..no such luck. Keep in mind that different surgeons requires different things. I was only on liquids for 1 day. The 2nd day in the hospital I was given tuna, chicken and melba toast so obviously these things can not be TOO bad. So seems to me you have not a thing to worry about. Good luck!
   — Julie D.