Question:
Surgery date scheduled, afraid my head will lag behind

I am so excited about my surgery on Oct 1, 2001 but now that every thing is scheduled I am afraid that my head will be "hungry" even though I am not. I don't want to blow this chance, any advice for these next 7 weeks to be totally prepared? I am excited, scared ,nervous, and any other emotion that you can think of. Is this normal? Thank you Jodi    — Jodi H. (posted on August 8, 2001)

August 8, 2001
No amount of preperation can prepair you to get on that operating table and what your life will be like when you're done. You will have head hunger.... there's not much you can do about it, you've probably spent a few or more years of your life being over weight and your body will take some time to re-adjust... If you want, start chewing very slowly, making sure your food is chewed up real well and giving your stomchae time to feel full... Start "listening" for your full feeling and telling yourself that's enough and backing away.. But again, it will be there, so there's not much you can do short of expecting it..
   — Elizabeth D.

August 8, 2001
My surgery is August 20th my doctor has put me on a strict pre-op diet which started Sunday. I thought I was starving to death the first 2 days but now I am soing much better. My doctor says this will help me both get ready to cope with not eating after surgery and help him during surgery because less fat will be around the liver and vital organs. Diet consists of protein drinks (24oz) duing the day and one small dinner all food groups for dinner 3oz meat 2 bread 1 cup of vegetable i serving fruit
   — 2045

August 8, 2001
From my experience, don't worry about it! The key is to stop eating when you feel full (or when the food doesn't look or taste good any more). Your stomach will get full so fast you will feel like you aren't eating enough! Practice listening to your body so you will know when you are full. Other widely recommended habits are not drinking while you eat or for 30 minutes after, no soft drinks, stop eating after 20 minutes, and eat your protein first. If you really want to be prepared, start your walking now while you feel good. That way it will be routine when you feel like you just had surgery! Most of all . . . relax. You'll do fine. This surgery gave me more energy than I've ever had. It's normal to be nervous, but don't forget to look forward to all the great positives that will come from this. Good luck to you!
   — ctyst

August 8, 2001
Yep you are TOTALLY normal LOL. Pretty much all of us have those feelings beginning as soon as we get a surgery date. I can only speak for myself 8 weeks post op. I do have the head hunger or let me rephrase that to the head WANTS, but when I get it I can't eat more than a bite or two or not at all. At first while you are healing it is more of a hassle and you decide you don't really want it after all (cause most likely it will not stay down anyway). I am told by most post ops that this will pass and that 4-7 months down the road we will be able to eat about 1/3 of a meal that you might be served at say like a Mexican restaurant, but that you will be more than satisfied. I can tell you I have not been hungry at all since my surgery and I don't eat hardly anything right now. I survived the first few weeks on sugar free popsicles and water and ice. I am beginning to branch out to other things now, but have to be real careful to take tiny bites (I still want to cram in big bites) and chew chew chew (I still want to swallow it whole).
   — blank first name B.

August 8, 2001
The folks in my support group, and the nutritionist, advised me to buy a baby food spoon (I was shocked at how tiny they are!) and a 3 minute egg-timer (the kind where the sand runs through the hourglass) and PRACTICE NOW, before the surgery. It is hard, but if you get used to it BEFORE the surgery, you'll have less problems with things "coming back up" on you. They said, take these baby spoonfuls, turn the timer over to start the sand, chew everything until it is the consistency of applesauce before you swallow. Wait till the sand runs out before taking the next bite. At first when I tried this I was dismayed! "I'll NEVER get used to taking such little bites and waiting 3 minutes between!" But you know, what? With practice, I'm getting better at it. Just one thing you can do to help get yourself more prepared. They all tell me after my surgery (October 8th) I will be glad I practiced this and that it is way easier postop. Also the doc told me to get on my treadmill, or outdoor walking path, and do a half hour every day briskly BEFORE the surgery. He said that gets our lungs and heart in optimum condition to better withstand the anesthesia and surgery and those who do this get through it more easier, bounce back quicker and heal up faster. That was all the convincing I needed, (especially after looking at the memorial page!) I'm doing these things as so many advised me to, including my doctor, and it is making me feel more ready, more confident, and much less afraid of my upcoming surgery. Good luck to you!
   — Lisa D.