Question:
i had surgery on june 8...i am doing good....why does food still tempt me soooo bad..

   — jeanopat (posted on June 14, 2009)

June 14, 2009
Because that's all we knew before surgery. The smells are so wonderful and we know how it taste. You way ahead of me sister friend, I had surgery on 6/10. You only have 3 weeks of pureed and that includes meats, cheese, well mashed scrambled eggs. I'm still on stage 2 until Thurs. I'd like to have a scrambled egg. Something more solid. Hang in there you'll be better soon.
   — Dori M.

June 14, 2009
hi i had my surgery on 2/29/09. Of course I still would love to eat everything I used to. I'm on stage 3 right now and my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. I eat things that my husband is eating and I just can't do it. Besides when I do try to eat I get full so fast that it doesn't even matter. Reality is that we are still human and want to eat things that taste good, but we can't always have that. I've come to realize that I eat to survive. Food is no longer enjoyable but it's a part of living. Don't worry I think it will get easier for you. We all slip up sometimes though.
   — alojah82

June 14, 2009
As has been often said here, "because you had surgery on your stomach, not your brain". Herein lies the other half of your lifestyle change. Re-training your brain to accept and be satisfied with the new, smaller portions of good foods that you can tolerate. Allow yourself the time to eat slowly and chew very, very well. Keep stressful events and conversations away from the dinner table because that just raises your level of anxiety over food. I'm starting week 5 and it does get better as far as head hunger.
   — Arkin10

June 14, 2009
I used to chew a little bite of something to get the taste and then spit it out. I did it only a few times and never swallowed. I was fine after day 11 on the smells etc. Congrats and good luck! Remember to try to relearn why we eat food...its fuel not pleasure and think of how good you will feel...and you will! I am 1 yr out on the 19th and have been successful. I hope you are to, but it takes re educating yourself on how to eat healthy. I also always measured out my foods so that I wouldn't over eat. I still weigh my foods. I have become very disiplined and I think that is what it takes for some people. I eat at scheduled times most days and don't get overly hungry. You shouldn't have hunger for many months yet, if at all. Head hunger is controllable...if you feel hungry and drink and it goes away..it was more of a craving or head hunger than real hunger. Best of luck to you and God Bless. Hugs, kim
   — gpcmist

June 15, 2009
I was told by my father that it is because food was my addiction. And it is all around me so I was tempted even though I was unable to consume it. That I believe because it is like I am going through a form or rehab with food. Short temper, depression, other things. So good luck and I hope it gets easier as the days go on. I know it has for me...
   — hunytree

June 16, 2009
Because food is an everyday necessity as well as for many MO it is also a comfort/drug...So we have our eating disorders that never go away similar to any other addict, only with this type of addiction we cannot give up food completely like others give up drugs or alcohol...WE HAVE TO EAT DAILY! So in a sense we are still using our drug but we have to try not to over do it or go for the hard core drugs like simple carbs, fat and sugar! LOL And eating foods to live rather than living to eat food is a hard reversal that takes place in the brain...and we all have various reasons for using food as a drug or comfort....And like others already reminded you...they don't operate on the brain! SO...best to get excited about eating healthy and learning about nutrition and what foods make you healthier...Find creative ways to make old unhealthy food healthier...After some time of eating healthy natural foods, you too should come to love eating right and eating to live...Sure, the old bad foods will tempt you, but only do those in moderation after you've mastered eating good...I didn't stray from my eating basic plan set by my nut and surgeon for over a year. My surgeon believes we should all be able to eat like regular small people without major dieting restrictions and eating those drug foods in moderation....Little by little I did begin to eat a few of only my favorites in moderation and I realised that I didn't love that stuff as well as I enjoyed the wholesome foods I learned to love. Let's face it, fat and sugar tastes good! AND it's instantly gratifying because of how it coimes in fast foods and easy open packages! LOL ...But you can avoid that stuff and only eat a bite or two now and then...quantity is not nearly as rewarding as quality tasting food and it shows on your body size, hair nails skin!You will really learn the difference if you give it a decent try! You will have to learn to be patient because you'll have to make your own food and it's a slow process...But so worth it...Eat "slow foods" and avoid "fast foods"...It's not bad to be tempted by food...YOU NEED IT to live...but be aware that you do not need sugar, fried food or simple carbs when their are whole foods that you can replace these things with and still ENJOY eating! Hope that helps a little anyway!!
   — .Anita R.