Question:
How can u not feel guilty of what you eat?

Hey guys!! Im 18 days post-op.. I think i've lost around 20 lb already.. Im having trouble just being hungry and geting my proteins in...And when i do eat something i feel guilty about it and get really emotional..I think did i eat this right? Did I eat to much? Should i throw up.. help!!    — Laritza10 (posted on October 22, 2009)

October 22, 2009
Don't think so much into it. Why are you feeling guilty? There is nothing to feel guilty about. I'm sure you were told how to eat. you just follow those directions given to you. Right now you need to take of you. you may need to see a mental health professional if the guilt continues. Good luck.
   — Dawn A.

October 22, 2009
Congratulations on the weight you've lost so far. What kind of surgery did you have? If you had Lap-Band Surgery, you might not fell full until you've had one or two "fills". Check with your surgeon or his dietitian for diet suggestions. The guidelines will change as you get further away from your surgery date. I'd recommend finding a weight loss surgery support group and start attending it regularly. You'll get good information, support and encouragement, and be able to ask questions of people who have already gone through the struggles and successes you're experiencing. General Guidelines for eating are as follows. Choose nutritious foods. Half of your plate should be protein (once you can eat solid food), and the other half should be fruits and vegetables. Take one bite of protein for every bite of anything else. Eat solid food, not soft food or liquids (once you are ready for that stage). Soft foods and liquids go through your pouch too quickly and will leave you hungry sooner. You'll end up eating more calories by the end of the day. Take 3-5 min. between each bite. It takes your brain 20 min. to register that it is full. Take only small bites and chew thoroughly. Avoid bread, pasta, and starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes (you can have them once in a while, just not every day). These foods will be difficult to swallow, and are not your best food choices for nutritional value per calorie anyway. Don't eat junk food. Since we are now limited in the amount of food we eat each day, we want to make every bite count (nutritionally). Remember that WLS is a tool to help us develop a healthier way of eating. It is a lifestyle change, not a get-thin-quick scheme. I am 5 years post-op and at my goal weight. It took me 3 and 1/2 years to get here, and I intend to maintain my weight. I did not get so strict with myself that I felt deprived. You can't keep that up for the rest of your life. For example, if I go to a nice restaurant, I'll follow my rules of 1 bite of protein for each bite of vegetable. I avoid appetizers and salad (I can't swallow lettuce with my Lap-Band, although some people can). At the end of the meal, if someone wants a dessert, we order one for the whole table. We pass it around and everybody takes one or two bites. We are all fully satisfied by the end of the meal anyway, so this is a nice guilt-free treat. The nice thing about the surgery is that you can finally feel satisfied with a small amount of food. This is the first time in my life I've actually felt like I was full. As you reach your goal weight, your weight loss will slow down, but by then you will start to feel so much better. I feel 20 years younger, have normal blood pressure, no more sleep apnea, no more aches and pains, no shortness of breath, more energy, etc. Just remember that this is a journey toward better health. Be kind to yourself, get informed, and surround yourself with supportive people. God Bless.
   — KimM

October 22, 2009
Hi..Congrats on weightloss so far! You don't say what you had done..but with my Dr & NUT. after RNY..I had/have a strict diet to follow and do. So, I'm thinking the post above me..is correct as to you maybe having Lapband. I had a family member have Lapband and she also had a diet to follow. We have a thing called Head Hunger..that would maybe be what you are feeling? Do you have a NUT.? Have you gone to a support group yet? I would find one and go to them..the one here in my area ia always there for guidenance,suggestings and good old fashion support! Keep up the good work!
   — tootsie52

October 23, 2009
I knoe eshy you mrsn. It is so scary to think you will mess up. Relax. You will do fine. Just follow the rules and know your new life begins now. It was very emotional for me the first couple months but it getts better over time.
   — trible

October 23, 2009
I had a RNY..what happens to me is that since im eating small meals 5-7 times a day i sometimes feel i shouldnt.. i do think it sometimes head hunger..since i know the food is there i just want to eat..but its not that im hungry..I think its something i have to adjust myself! Thanksssss
   — Laritza10

October 23, 2009
Hi, You should still be on liquids only at this time so early after surgery. YOur pouch is still very swollen and sore. Baby it........Nothing but liquids that you can see through, then you won't feel guilty. Because foods can cause problems since you have titatium staples in your stomach the flesh around them haven't healed yet. it is a major surgery and your probably experiencing head hunger. You won't be hungry for about 3 or more months because the nerves for that got cut during surgery. I am assuming you had the RNY gastric bypass. But either way, you need to baby your stomach. You wouldn't try running a marathon after a lung transplant. right......So same concept. Major surgery. Pay attention to how you're feeling before you consume liquids. With the liquids and protein you should do just fine. YOu are doing great with the weight loss, just no solid of soft foods for another couple of months. What I did to control head hunger is what I was cooking I would use a little spoon and just dip out the liquids and slurp that once and that would help with the head craving.
   — Kristy

October 23, 2009
There is NO reason for guilt. You've made a major life change and it takes a lot of adjusting, but look at it this way. Before, if you were like me, there were probably times when you lived to eat-- but now you're eating to live. Your body needs the right food and protein to heal itself and start building toward a healthier future. So put those feelings on the shelf and do the right thing. :)
   — snickersblk