Question:
Can't quit eating
I am on the 6 month diet that my insurance requires. I can't quit eating. Its like I know in a few months I will never get to eat again and I am freaking out, I just eat and eat, what can I do. I'm suppose to go back to Dr. next week and I ain't lost a pound. — pugsley101 (posted on July 4, 2008)
July 3, 2008
I also had to do the six month diet, but didn't lose any weight either.
The insurance company didn't care, they just wanted it recorded that I was
dieting under doctor supervision. My insurance approved me, even though I
weighed more after the six months.
— loisdierlam
July 4, 2008
If you really want to try to lose some weight before, you could try using a
calorie and exercise tracking program on line. I use
"myplate.com" and find it very encouraging as well as promoting
accountability. At the same time, you are blowing your future out of
proportion. You will really never stop eating, The week of surgery you
will be taking fluids like jello, broth, popcycles, tea etc. and progress
from there. You will, on the other hand, be eating a lot less. And isn't
that what it's all about? Eating healthy foods in healthy amounts. Does
this mean you will never, ever have another treat in your life? NO. It
means those occasional treats will be small and it may mean they are low
fat and sugar free. I found some low fat sugar free ice cream for 80
calories per 1/2 cup. Also, check out eggface's page and see what kind of
neat new recipes you can be trying. Try some now to see what you like best
and can look forward to after surgery. Don't you deserve a more active,
attractive physical you to go with the lovely, sweet, fun to be with
already you? I think so, and deep down, so do you. Don't take your focus
off food. Challenge yourself to see if you can find low fat, high nutrient
dense versions of things you already love. Example: 2 scrambled eggs with
cheese change to: in non stick pan on low heat, one egg scrambled, 1 slice
Fat Free cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup salsa. Very yummy. You can do this. Do
not get on the scale. Drink 4 bottles of water every day and make better
food choices for life. It's a free choice. No one is forcing you. PM me
if you want to vent. Laura
— waterlover
July 4, 2008
Think "VERY " carefully about surgery then. I know of three
people that were turned down from the psych doctor because they were honest
about their eating urges and that they were told that they were not ready
for this major surgery. If you can't stop eating now, you will not be able
to make this big change after very well. I hope you will seriously
consider looking into your eating habit and see if you are truly ready for
this surgery. Eating like it is your last meal each day is not good, it
will be a battle that will be enormous for you. I wish you the best and
hope that you are able to go forward with your surgery.
— usfour
July 4, 2008
Perhaps the "good-bye" cermony is the hardest part of the pre-op
process. I honestly binged and put everything on the line to say good-bye
to my best friend food. Now that I look back, 4 1/2 years later, I can
still have those things I thought I would never be able to eat again, just
in moderation and using self-control. Don't say good-bye, just say, 'til
we meet again! Good luck.
— bariatricdivalatina
July 4, 2008
My Sergeon cared and he was very good about listening and he also was great
about helping me take off the weight to get the fat off my kidneys so the
surgery went easier. Just be honest, and they will guide you. That is why
they are in the profession they are in.
— William (Bill) wmil
July 4, 2008
The 6th month pre op diet was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.
But..I looked at it this way.. I hated the way I felt inside and out and
cringed looking in the mirror, I did the 6 months but only lost a few
pounds. It's not that you can never eat again... it's just a different way
of eating choosing healthier foods, smaller portions, and like the others
said think long and hard about this. make sure it is what you really want.
You're welcome to email me anytime! We're all here for you!
— Danielle T.
July 4, 2008
It not easy, and it won't b easy after WLS you might want to get better
control before you hurt yourself It just not that easy Belive me I Know!!
best of luck
— phatkatz
July 4, 2008
First of all you MUST stop thinking of this as a diet. You have to make
your mind up to a life style change. Without making this change and
accepting it in your mind, you'll always be on a diet.....and we know diets
DON'T WORK!
Diets are how you and I got here in the first place.
Follow the your instructor's suggestions and advice.
Stop drinking coffee, if you must, DECAFE!
Stop drinking soda, all kinds, including DIET!
Look at the fat content of what you're eating...no more then 25%
Look at the sugar content
Eat protein first, always
Complexe carbs second
Cut out BREAD, PASTA, RICE...all types, whole grain or not.
If you have to eat pizza, eat the topping, give the rest to the dog. Make
it a Vegetarian Pizza.
Mac and cheese....have a piece or two of string cheese and take your time.
NO SUGAR!!!!!! Use Splenda instead.
Simple Carbs are your worst enemy. You eat bread and all you want is more
bread, think about it.
If your Diabetic, do you really need those carbs if you're not, DO YOU
REALLY NEED THOSE THOSE CARBS. All they do is make you hungry! And Raise
your blood sugar and then cause a sudden and severe DROP IN YOUR BLOOD
SUGAR! Then you're hungry, again. Bread, pasta and rice....no, no, no!
If you need a snack, try a Protein Bar. I use South Beach, phase 2 & 3.
About cravings.
Here's what I did. My classes were on Monday. That day for lunch or dinner
I would get something I was craving or thought I would miss after surgery.
EVERY MONDAY, I fulfilled a craving.
Every day read a self book. I used "The Secret" and I still do.
Daily, at least 15 minites a day.
I lost 55 pounds pre - opp and that's how I did it
My total loss is 141 pounds, surgery was 1/18/2008
Hope this helps. My story in "People" user name is
"moterman"
Good luck in your endevors, check out my story and God's Speed on our
journey.
Bob....aka moterman
— moterman
July 4, 2008
Hi Carla,
You're pretty stressed out right now, right? Take a deep breath and let it
out. Do that a few times. do it every time you start to feel those urges.
I fight cravings/urges every day--almost every minute sometimes so I know
how you feel.
I'm right in the middle of the two month "diet" required by my
surgeon. This may be a bit different than yours. I don't know what the
insurance company requires of you--maybe as the other poster says, it
doesn't matter if you lose weight to satisfy the insurance company. My
diet is to teach me how to eat after the surgery. Certainly, you can ask
your health care team about this. Perhaps the answer will make you feel a
little better.
But if your personal motivation is to lose a bit of weight before the
surgery and to teach yourself the healthy eating habits we're going to need
after the surgery, then there are a few things you may want to do/try. I
can only tell you what's working for me right now.
I don't know about you but my problem has been not only the cravings--but
the HUNGER. At first I wasn't getting enough food and the hunger was
driving me to distraction! I know from all the other diets I've ever been
on that this is always the problem: I start to feel DEPRIVED--either
because I'm hungry, or because of the list of "no-no" foods--the
stuff I'm not allowed to have. Is this what you have been feeling?
Feelings of deprivation is the ONE thing that ALWAYS, GUARANTEED, messed
me up on all the other diets in the past.
Here's what I suggest:
First, sit yourself down and have a talk with yourself. Tell yourself you
are never going to use that "D" word (Diet) ever again. It's not
a "D" it's a new way of relating to food. Food is no longer my
drug of choice to medicate myself or calm myself or comfort myself. I'm in
the process of finding other activities to calm me--knitting might be
helping a bit. I'm also swimming 3 or 4 days a week and walking what little
I can.
Next, examine your feelings. Are you feeling hungry? I mean is your stomach
growling like you haven't had enough to eat? There are two things that
helped me--I've pretty much stopped eating any carbs--no potatoes, no rice,
no bread. These things are triggers for me (comfort/drug) and they affect
my blood sugar in a way that makes me hungry about 20 minutes after I
eat---even if I know my stomach is full. The only carbs I eat are really
whole grain stuff--All Bran Bars are helping there--within the eating plan.
Next thing--I got some advise from people here to add some whey isolate
protein drinks to my diet--in place of a snack or whatever. There are other
pages on this site devoted to explaining all about the the protein shakes.
The idea is not to substitute them for all your food, but to add them in a
little--to make you stomach feel SATISFIED. I can't tell you how much this
has helped. I nearly cried the first day when i realized I wasn't hungry!
I'm having a shake for breakfast most weekday/work mornings. Usually with
some fruit in it. I'm also packing a lunch bag with lot's of little snack
things--cheese strings, individual servings of yogurt, baby carrots, cut up
fruit, etc. If I don't let myself get too hungry in between meals, I don't
tend to go crazy late in the day.
The whole thing is really difficult to wrap your head around, I know. Some
of what I'm telling you hear was completely foreign and even foolish
sounding to me a few months ago, but it's working. Even though I
"cheated" like crazy that 1st couple weeks, I lost 7 lbs for the
month.
I wish you all the best. Keep coming back here. The support I've gotten
here has helped me more than I could have imagined.
Cheers.
I don't know what kinds of food you are drawn too but I do know that
starting about 2-3 years ago, I stopped drinking all soda drinks. In the US
they are full of high fructose corn syrup which is absolute poison. It
makes you crave more of whatever you are eating at the time. Diet sodas
aren't any better.
I stopped having almost everything with transfat in it. If the label says
"hydrogenated" anything, I just consider it a POISON, and I put
it down. That one resolution has kept many, many packages of cookies and
cakes from landing my my cart!
I haven't stopped drinking coffee entirely but I've cut way, way back. By
the time of my surgery I should be almost completely decaffeinated. If you
do need to kick caffeine, I strongly suggest doing it in stages! It's
rough! I did it cold turkey once (snowed in) and did nothing but lay on the
sofa with a screaming headache for about 4 days! Go slow!
— Tina G.
July 5, 2008
I don't have an answer as to what you can do because I am in the exact same
spot!!!! I'm on the 6 month diet and have my second appointment with the
dietician next week and I haven't lost anything. I have made a lot of
small changes in my diet which include adding in some good foods
(grilled/baked salmon, low-carb bread, light, low-fat yogurt), getting
three to four sevings of fruits/veggies, and increasing water intake. I
have also cut back on drive-thru dinners. It used to be about four times a
week, now it's been maybe four times in the last month. I am also getting
some sort of activity in every day, even if it's just a 15 minute walk; I
used to never get any activity in except whatever my daily routine required
of me, like walking from the parking garage into work. I can live with
these changes, and I don't feel deprived. Granted, I haven't lost any
weight, but I'm trying to think of this 6 month period as a time to slowly
change eating and excercise habits. It's also a time to explore new food
options that are really healthy choices -- it's amazing how good some of
these foods are. I'm trying to just make better choices when I can. Last
night after the fireworks, our family went for ice cream. Rather than the
giant chocolatey ooey gooey sundae concoction, I had a vanilla cone
instead. Not the best thing to put in my mouth, but it's a better choice
for now. Maybe later on down the road, I can choose something better than
the vanilla cone, but for now it is a choice I can make and not feel
deprived. On the other hand, I am still really struggling with constantly
wanting to eat. If I'm not busy and I'm at home, I can't stop thinking
about what I might go ahead and eat. The evenings are the scariest. I am
really struggling with that "last time" mentality where I tell
myself to go ahead and eat something because before long I am making a big
change and I won't be eating this or doing this after my surgery. I eat
and eat some days and I just never feel satisfied, even though I know I
have eaten enough and should not feel hungry. I am so embarrassed about
having to go see the dietician and weigh in with no weightloss. At one
point this month, I was down 6 lbs, now I've gained it back. I just feel
so out of control!!! I think it's important to focus on whatever good
things you have done over the last month (one good thing you've done is you
are seeking advice and admitting your problem), try to stay positive, and
just move forward. I'm not sure what your history is, but for me, I have
been overweight for about 25 out of my 31 years of life, so it's no
surprise this last month hasn't been my ticket to weightloss. I've also
realized that I'm addicted to food. I mean, how embarrassing! But it's
true. Food is my drug of choice. I am actually thankful I have this 6
months to think about why I eat, what I'm getting out of food, and what I
can do to gain control of myself and my eating habits. It wouldn't be
realistic to send a heroin addict to one counseling session and expect her
to walk out and kick the habit for life, and I don't think it's realistic
for me, either, when it comes to food. In fact, a food addiction is really
tough because it's not like food is strictly off limits; I still need to
have some of it. The "drug" has to remain part of my life, but I
have to learn to control it. Long story short -- don't beat yourself up.
Be honest with your doctor and go from there. If you had all the answers,
you wouldn't be in need of wls. You have 5 months to prepare for this
major change, and you can do it! Please know you are not alone, and thanks
for your post. Good luck to you!
— wenniewo
July 5, 2008
I had the exact opposite reaction. I am taking that time to make sure I
will be able to stick with the guidelines AFTER surgery. I know that if I
cant lose weight on my own before my surgery - then I may not be ready
mentally. It will be a life-long mindset and I know I have to be
accountable for losing this weight on my own in order to reduce the fat in
my liver AND show myself I can do this NOW and AFTER surgery. I have cut
out all carbonated beverages, eating smaller portions (but eating the
things I like) and I have lost 17 pounds in the last 2 months. Take this
time to test yourself because if your not in the right mindset, the
life-long results may be the opposite of what youre hoping for. Good Luck!
— Rhonda C.
July 5, 2008
Carla, what you are experiencing is quite as you describe. You are
freaking out about food. The problem is this, it will also happen after
surgery as well as now. If you won't get a hold of it now in some fashion,
then it will be even tougher for you to lose once the surgery happens. We
love to lie to ourselves about food. The only thing you say that is not
true is that you "can't" quit eating. You can. You just won't.
We have a stubborn will and lust for food. You are on the brink of facing
that. Face it and fight it, it is a DAILY battle you must face, but if you
do now, you can also after surgery and you can win. The choice is yours,
you CAN stop yourself, it is just truly very hard. Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
July 5, 2008
First of all, you will be able to eat after WLS I think this is a big
misconception. You can eat but not as much and not the foods that got you
fat in the first place. I have had a lot of people ask me if I miss certain
foods and I can say what I don't miss is being out of breath when I walk a
few blocks. I don't miss my joints hurting at the end of the day because I
had so much extra weight putting pressure on them, I don't miss not fitting
into an airline seat, or not being able to go to a
sporting event because all I can think about is walking up too many stairs.
I know before surgery it's hard not to focus on the food...but try and
focus on all the ways your life is limited and controlled by food, and what
freedom you will have when that ball and chain is gone from your life.
I think you are very normal, and a lot of people struggle with what you
are feeling. But be honest with your doctor, they are there to help you.
You will do great...just do your best!
— wandajomorgan
July 5, 2008
I hear some extreme thinking in your words. To say that you will never EAT
again is not true. You will continue to eat but it will be smaller portions
and you will learn to eat to live, not live to eat...You may not be perect
and you may relapse with your choices at times but what you first need to
decide is the reasn you are choosing to lose weight and have surgery. If
your goal is to just get thin or because others are telling you that you
should, then you may need to consider the reasons eating better no matter
how much wieght you lose will do for your body. Any addictive behavior
takes time to change whether it is gradule or immediate. Seek support
groups in your area and/or start meeting with a therapist but remember too
that this is an addiction and understanding where you are coming from and
why you have not been able to stop can be the start. Just remember that
giving uo any addiction will take time for your mind and body to adjust.
Just start and seek the support. It takes a few weeks to overcome some of
the emotions such as frustration and even depression as we learn to give up
food as our primary support and seek alternative means...Good luck to you
and remember just starting is the hardest part, but it does get easier.
— pjlewis1
July 5, 2008
Hi Carla, you won't believe how the replies to your situation have helped
me. I'm just beginning my quest forward to wls and have first app't on
July 31 in Rochester, NY. I am furiously trying to change the idea that
I'll never have this or that again and I am eliminating Diet coke
gradually. Keep in touch. Marguerite
— msmugs
July 5, 2008
Great news, your world of eating is not coming to an end, it is just going
to change course. You have the same feelings as a lot of WLS patients. I
recommend that you try to think positive about food, look at foods that are
good for you, protiens, stay away from the the carbs. and talk to your Dr's
. Good thinks will come. Good Luck
— Ira Sansolo
July 5, 2008
I Love Maria Sanchez's response to your question! I just had my open RNY
on June 26th (a little over a week ago), and I have to say, watching my
husband and son eating some of my favorite things has been difficult, but
it is good to know that we're not saying "goodbye forever" to all
of the foods we used to eat, we just have to watch our portion control, and
make better choices.
What you are feeling right now is what we all go through. We feel like we
have to get it all in before we have our surgery. I lost 40 pounds during
my 12 months with the dietician, but gained back 28 lbs of what I lost. My
Dr. never mentioned it, and my dietician didn't scold me. They know that
we are at this point because we have not been able to lose it and keep it
off in the past. I am now 10 days post op and have already lost 21
pounds. Good luck on your journey and try not to stress to much, we are
all here for you!
Blessings,
Vicki
— Jrsmomi
July 6, 2008
I gained three pound during the pre-op phase and the nutritionist told me
it is called the "last supper" mentality. As soon as she pointed
out what I was doing, I was able to rephrase thoughts in my mind and tell
myself that my relationship with food is changing, but I am just postponing
eating some of these foods...not giving up anything (except carbonation).
Anyway, I started to lose again before my surgery. My Dr. will cancel
surgery if you gain before hand and that also motivated me because I was
ready to make these changes in my life. I truly want to outlive my dogs, be
able to do my own pedicures (reach my own feet), wipe myself the way I did
when I was younger and have good energy to be active. I had surgery on June
19 and I am feeling stronger and have more energy each day. I have not been
hungry at all and have to keep a list to make sure I get in all my protein,
H2O and exercise. I feared I would not be able to stop thinking about food
and the surgery has been a God send. I believe it is all about attitude and
my glass is at least half full! Good luck.
— pathnb
July 7, 2008
You WILL eat again. In fact, in a year after surgery, after learning your
new anatomy and what you can and cannot tolerate and how to eat slowly and
drink lots of water, etc....You can then begin adding things back into your
daily life and eat like a normal small person as a way of life and not as a
diet....If you ever, during your journey begin to go off track, you force
yourself to resort back to diets because you WILL gain weight if you abuse
the rules. The way you eat for a year post op is the way you should eat for
the rest of your life.
You can't do it now because you think this is the end of food...It's
not....I'm 4 1/2 years out and I eat like a regular person should eat. I
can go to a restaurant and order a meal and eat 1/4 to 1/2 of it and take
the rest home for lunch the next day! The difference between now and then
is that I don't want to put useless calories in my body (or drink any
calories at all!) ...I eat to live rather than live to eat. Eating healthy
is a habit that FEELS SOOOOO RIGHT! I won't order fried chicken, biscuits
and gravy with a big fat brownie and ice cream and chocolate syrup. Now I
order a lean fish or chicken... sandwich wrap...a side salad with
vinegarette dressing, and the veggie of the day and there's just no room
for dessert. If hubby orders dessert, I might take a small taste and I am
more than happy with that. It's all about choices...Occasionally I steal a
few french fries from someone's plate (someone always orders fries!)...but
I won't order them or eat them frequently. I don't deprive myself
either...If I want a taste...I do! Plain and simple...a few fries is
better than a plateful. Moderation is easy once you embrace it and begin
eating better foods...After a while sugary, greasy and heavy foods just
taste awful and make you feel awful...Surgery gets your belly out of your
head! LOL Seriously...Your belly teaches your head an entirely new way of
eating and as long as you maintain that attitude and listen to your surgery
(pouch or even lap band) You can do this forever...As soon as you allow
your head to take over, you will not be able to control your desires...like
you are now...Hopefully your doctor will go thru with the surgery even if
you don't lose weight...But you might give it a litttle extra effort in
menu choices...Try ordering a lean meal more often than not...Don't eat
fast food...get a lunchmeat sandwich and a fresh fruit rather than
chips...You don't have to go hungry...EAT! Just eat leaner! Try
it...Little things make a HUGE difference...Then at the end of the day you
feel unsatisfied...have what you were craving...At least you cut back
calories all day...
Good luck with your diet...and give yourself a break...You will eat
again...Just not like an obese person. Start with small changes for now and
work your way up to the harder pre op diet later...After surgery you are
forced into discipline...and you adjust and learn what it feels like to be
able to move and bend and twist and not take tons of meds and have energy
and you realize that eating out of control is what put you there in the
first place...You learn to appreciate everything in moderation...
— .Anita R.
July 7, 2008
I think all of us ask ourselves the same questions pre-operatively;
(1) If I could lose the weight on my own, I wouldn't need surgery right?
(2) I am completely addicted to food, how am I supposed to lose weight
without having WLS?
(3) Do these people really expect me to lose weight?
I didn't have this requirement because I was a self pay and the whole
process between first appointment and surgery only took a few weeks.... but
just about everyone I know had to go through the process in order for
insurance to pay.
I guess you have to ask yourself what you really want? What are you
willing to do to get what you want? I suggest making little changes, cut
back on carbs, drink lots of water and do ten minutes of exercise per day.
I could only do 2 minutes on the treadmill at first so that's what I did.
The next day I did 3 mins, and so on. Those little changes everyday really
add up.
Good luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
July 13, 2008
This sounds like "Head Hunger". You fear that you "will
never get to eat again" and you are freaking out. Therefore your
mind/emotions aren't dealing with the idea of being depraved. Please
consider this surgery carefully. Having this surgery does not mean you
will never get to eat again. You will be able to eat, just smaller
portions. If you don't deal with the issues that have caused you to eat
& gain wait now, you won't be successful after the surgery. I am a
nurse who has had RNY and have taken care of GBP & lap band patients
who have been non-compliant and just not gotten the concept of the
significant lifestyle and diet changes they need to make. Please see your
surgeon & talk with a psych professional or counselor before your
surgery.
— CHARLYLVN
July 14, 2008
First of all I think a lot of us went through the as people call it goodbye
phase. But you have to remember most of these foods you will probably be
able to eat again in moderation just not right away after surgery. Also
you have to remember what has gotten you to where you are at this stage in
life (eating everything that you want as much as you want), I am not saying
you will be able to just give it all up today and you won't have to
completely give it up. I went out to dinner with my daughter the other day
and she ordered a piece of french silk pie I took a little bite, I did not
fall over dead and was able to be satisfied with that small nibble. I too
was worried before my surgery but then always would remind myself what the
surgery could help me do. I am now two and a half months out and down 48
pounds (78 pounds total) and only have 37 pounds to go. So hang in there,
and most are right about the insurance they just need proof that you tried
other methods to lose weight before you resorted to surgery.
— Melanie C.
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