Question:
Am I a 5-day-post-op failure?

Hi all :). I'm 5 days post-op, and other than being HUNGRY all the time, doing pretty well. I feel like I must have absolutely NO will power though because yesterday I started something that I'm not sure is OK. I just HAD to taste these little spice treats that we got from Germany for Christmas. I mean, c'mon, they were calling my name LOL. Anyways, I chewed part of one up and then spit it out. I even rinsed my mouth totally clean with water before I swallowed. That seemed to satisfy that craving. Today though, I did it again. About three times with three different foods. I did NOT swallow any of it (but I can't help but wonder how much was absorbed through my mouth) and I made sure to totally rinse my mouth out with water before swallowing again, but I feel like I must have NO will power at all to be giving in like this already. Is there anyone else out there who's done this? I would never eat and then throw up --- that's just not my thing, but HOW do you deal with the fact that your family is eating KFC and your tummy is practically crawling out of your abdomen to get some? At least having that taste and being able to chew it seemed to satisfy a large part of the craving. Am I doomed to be known as the woman who chews and spits for the rest of my life? LOL Thanks!!! SuzAnne in Utah    — SuzAnne S. (posted on January 2, 2003)

January 1, 2003
There's a doctor in my area who calls what you're doing the 'spit' diet. It is not harmful to you, so don't worry about it. I did it early post-op, but once I was able to eat real food, I didn't need to do it any longer. I think it's fairly common and I know I've seen others post that they do it or have done it.
   — garw

January 1, 2003
Been there, Done that! I didn't want to post it at the time, because I thought I was so prepared prior to surgery, and when I did that, I felt like such a failure! ...But at about 3-4 weeks, my cravings stopped. I did it about 5-6 times. Now I'm at 5 months and at this point, IF I have a severe case of cravings, I have ONE bite and savor it and in most cases find that it is not as good as I thought it would be. You are not a failure, it does get better. Good luck.
   — Dana B.

January 1, 2003
OK, I cannot tell a lie, I also went through this. Mine was a pop tart though. When I told my therapist about it a few weeks later she thought it was perfectly normal since my brain had not caught up to speed yet. Good luck in this journey. You are not a failure
   — Jennifer E.

January 2, 2003
We had surgery on our stomachs and not our brains. Its the brain that signals when you are hungry and the brain that triggers the cravings for all the foods that made us fat to begin with. Your cravings are normal. The brain is saying, "hey, where is all my junk food - go and get it!" For me, they hit hard at about 2 weeks post-op, it was the flying Burger King Whoppers over the theatre commercial and the cinnasticks from some pizza company. You will not be deprived of what you crave forever. The cravings will subside and even go away when you get to the solid food stage. And further out, you can try some of your favorites again, but you may find that your tastes have changed and you no longer like some of them. For me, I don't do pizza or Chinese food anymore. And I loved them pre-op! I even tried that Burger King Whopper and all I tasted was grease....Unfortunately, I never lost my taste for chocolate! LOL...
   — Cindy R.

January 2, 2003
I went through a serious case of "head hunger" immediately following my surgery and for a while after. I still on occasion have to think twice b/c I do miss food, however, at almost 6 months out I think I have a handle on it. It's tough, but you can do it! Also, please remember that once your past the "food stages" you aren't on a diet you are learning to eat like a "normal" person. I eat things I did before, like pasta, but on a much smaller scale. I think at this point my stomach is at about 4 ounces b/c I can eat a lot more than I did before, however, I have also found that I prefer healthier foods, I still can't tolerate bread it sits to heavy in my stomach and goes down roughly. I also have not dumped, but find that if I try something with too much sugar (like at Christmas, I had a few bites of cheese cake) and it made me feel very uncomfortable, therefore furthering my reasoning why I avoid those kinds of foods all together! Give yourself some credit and give yourself time to adjust! You will! Congrats!!!!!
   — Trish R.

January 2, 2003
I don't think there's any harm done. You do have willpower! You're not swallowing any of this food. At my 8th day post op I sucked the cheese sauce off of Macaroni & Cheese, and I've still managed to loose 83 pounds in 7 months, so I don't think of myself or you as a failure.
   — Mariann S.

January 2, 2003
You are NOT a failure! I'm 3 weeks post op, and did the spit diet quite a bit at first. Now, I have a very tiny taste of whatever it is, and then I'm done. I have to FORCE myself to not eat more, but I WANT to. It's very difficult. My husband and kids had pizza the other night, and even though I tasted it, I wanted to sit down with a giant plate full and eat it ALL. I'll be glad when THAT feeling goes away, if it DOES go away. Cookies are bad for me also, I just want to dunk a ton of them in milk. But, I can't eat cookies OR drink milk anymore. It's quite an adjustment, but we'll get through it! I'm sure people are asking themselves, WHY does she even have that stuff in her house?? Well, just because I have issues with food, doesn't mean my skinny little kids do. They can have these things in moderation, even if I can't. That's why. :) ~Diana
   — Diana L.

January 2, 2003
You are not a failure at all! This is pefectly natural and justified for you to feel as a new post op. I had surgery this past June and felt the same way. My family started to feel bad to eat anything in front of me! I know its hard, but just keep in mind that there will be a point again where you can enjoy small amounts of these foods. I thought I would never eat at my favorite Italian Grille ever again, but here I am at 6 1/2 months post op and eating there no problem (just small amounts with lots of yummy leftovers!)> I did the spit out thing too. Just try and take it one day at a time and know it will get better!!
   — emilyfink

January 2, 2003
One of the biggest challenges of this surgery is surviving the first month. You will NOT be a chewer and spitter for your whole life. You are feeling hungry because your body is starving to death. The last time you deprived yourself of food like this was probably on one of the horrible diets we have all been on, only now you can't cheat. The first several weeks of my new life I watched nothing but the food network, in full mourning for my best friend and lover, food. It will subside, you will adapt, it's going to be ok. As the weight comes off and your body doesn't need so much food in the first place, you won't be so hungry. The first few times you dump when you eat something bad, you will lose your taste for it. (I used to love KFC, but after puking it a few times, not so much). Don't crucify yourself, just realize what a huge adjustment this is and give yourself time. Good Luck!
   — Cara F.

January 2, 2003
Heya hun.. lighten up on yourself..you are not a failure.. we all probably have done the taste and spit thing.. (i did..)and no..you dont do it forever.. lol..ya wanna know what i did when the second nite home from the hospital my fam ordered pizza.. well..i was very mature about it..(yea!!).. i looked at them and i quote.."I hope you all choke and die"..end quote..then i cried..lol.. pitiful yes.. but.. that to goes away.. i was very depressed for the first 4weeks.. but it went away too.. just hang in there.. email me if ya need to talk..*huggles and bb*
   — johanna F.

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