Question:
3 weeks out and teary all the time.

I am 3 weeks post op down 28lbs. and seem to cry all the time. yesterday I cried because I will never eat a big plate of spagetti again. I know it sounds stupid, but how long before the emotional issues are resolved. I am so excited about the pain being gone, and the weight loss, but I am scared too. Does that make any sense to anybody. Thank you.    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 20, 2001)

October 20, 2001
I was so well prepared for this that I didn't have food issues. I KNEW that the first year would be adjustment ( only a year out of my life) and now I eat what I want but in smaller amts with the restriction being on sugar. As for the tears , I think that is normal, I felt so lousy and week , and the pain meds and anisthetic , I was teary also. Even after my hernia repair I felt weepy for a while.You have to keep telling yourself that your eating life will be close to normal , but you just had MAJOR surgery, give yourself time. As for no more BIG portions, soon you will be wearing SMALL clothes! It was a great trade off for me!
   — Rose A.

October 20, 2001
My surgeon warned us that around the 3-4 week post mark we will hit a depressive period. We were told this was normal and that it WOULD pass! Going through regrets and grieving over the loss of some foods is tough but bear in mind that just because you can't have some of those foods now, doesn't mean you will never taste it again. No, you won't ever pig out on a huge plate of food again, but you CAN taste it, enjoy the flavor, and feel the satisfaction of fullness while you see the success of losing weight. HUGS and chin up....this too shall pass.....
   — Jo (Part 2) C.

October 20, 2001
Hi, I am hoping to have surgery and I know that I will encounter some of these same problems because food brings a lot of happiness to me. I'm sure I will cry over my potato skins, cry over my Sundae Cones, and so many other things. Food was always used in my family as a way to express affection too, so there are a lot of feelings tied up in eating for me. I know I will continue to see my psychologist after I have surgery because there will be a lot to deal with. I think for me the hardest thing is going to be not being able to use food to relax me. When I come home and am stressed beyond belief, I just gorge and it makes me feel better (in my head at least, lol). I've got to find other ways to find comfort. And all of use who go through with surgery have to see what we are using food for (because it usually is more than just sustinance) and figure something healthy out as a substitute. Sometimes when we are overweight that can be a problem because our options seems so limited, but as you get smaller and smaller and more energetic you will find new more exciting things to do and food will not be as big of a preoccupation. This is a step to a better life :) I'm sure things will pop up that upset you here and there, but try and make your peace with them one at a time. You will get through it and you will feel better, I'm sure. The adjustment is the hard part :) Good luck! :)
   — [Anonymous]

October 20, 2001
Can I just tell you that I sometimes feel the same. Actually for the first 3 weeks that's all I could think about. Now, at nearly 5 weeks, I've noticed a big increase in my fluid and solid intake. Because I can fit so much more water down, I don't feel dehydrated! And, since I don't feel dehydrated I don't feel like I need food AS MUCH. 2 weeks ago I could have never though of eating anything other than soup. Well, this morning I made myself some meatballs and sauce in the crock pot (yes, i read the labels and it was fine the way I did it!) and I even gave myself a couple strands of pasta. It went down and stayed down. Yes, it wasn't a huge plate, but it tasted even better than it used to! Don't worry, there is a light, you just haven't found it yet.
   — Kristin R.

October 20, 2001
I think two things are going on with you. #1, you are grieving over the loss of your best friend food. #2, your body is burning fat, and when that happens, the body releases estrogen, which makes you both more fertile and more emotional. Don't worry ... by the 2nd or 3rd month, you'll feel like yourself again. Good luck!
   — Terissa R.

December 3, 2002
I am two weeks out and down 13 lbs. God I miss food too. I cried so hard on thanksgiving. I am still dying for a cheeseburger or a prime rib sandwich or a juicy fillet. I am watching ALL the cooking shows on television even the RONCO rotisserie commercials. I cry at music videos now or the baby channel and today a wedding channel. Yes, I am really emotional. I think it is hormonal. I miss food less as I am adding new flavors to my diet. Seems to take the cravings away
   — Julie B.

March 2, 2006
I am 6 days post op and for the past two days I have been crying and I don't know the reason why!!! And my husband wants to go hide! Has this happened to anyone else??
   — levittownlady