Question:
So much of what we do is wrapped up in food - how do you change your approach/thinkin

I'm having a hard time grasping how you can suddenly "stop" eating. (I know you don't actually stop, but it sure seems that way!) When our whole lives have been wrapped up in food for enjoyment, solace, entertainment - to suddenly give that up and be OK about it: how does that mental switch happen? To never have birthday cake or ice cream again or Reeses peanut butter eggs! Go out to eat? Dinner parties? So much of what we do is wrapped up in food - how do you change your approach/thinking? How do you make food a total non-issue in your day-to-day living? I don't eat because I'm hungry, so the "feeling full" thing isn't necessarily going to help..... All input appreciated!!    — jen41766 (posted on May 15, 2002)

May 14, 2002
You "suddenly" quit eating as the white foam will rise in your throat. Eat another bite or two, then you will puke. Generally I don't have problems with wanting to over eat. The only times are the 3-4 times a year my family goes to The Old Country Buffet or Pondersosa for holiday's. These places would let me eat at a child's price. (I was good and hardly ate a thing). Then they said no! Now I have to push it. Then go to the bathroom and "lose it", then go back to eating. I don't like it, but I had to pay $9.50 this last Sunday and if I have to puke to eat at least $5 or $6 of the money I spent, then I'll puke. (I try to stay away from these places- funny my family did'nt want to go much until I had WLS). Anyway, normally it is easy to relax and quit when "satisfied" NOT "full". The surgery gives that to most of us and I love it. As far as not having birthday cake or ice cream, that is NOT a problem as you get farther out post op. I can still eat a piece of cake (now) but I sure don't feel like eating more. Thankfully. It is a bit sweet and sweet makes me feel nasausus if I do to much. Ice cream on the other hand is hard. And I'm GLAD IT IS. It was one of my weakness' before. I can eat around 1/4 cup and then I get very nausus. It is'nt worth it. Most of the sugar free ice creams are bad to. But I have found a Chocolate Chip Mint made by HEALTHY CHOICE, that is fantastic IMHO. There Vanillia is good too! It is low fat and callaries and the pidly half cup serving satisfies. They main thing is to find substitutes that you can live with. Unfortunatly those substitiutes, I'm guessing, will NOT taste good to you pre op. WLS does change some of your tastes. (Which is another good thing). As far as the "emotional eating", you should have more luck in curbing that as a post op. That was one of my problems, and grazing too. But I recongnize the problem and use the WLS to curb it. Be honest with your weakness' now and try to find a way to stop it PRE op. It will help you later. (I stopped sugar pre op and went to Splenda- what a help!). Good luck!
   — Danmark

May 14, 2002
Food is very important. But who says you have to give it up?? I eat everything I ate before surgery, just a lot less. You think I'm giving up the reeses peanut butter eggs?? Heck no!! I just have a couple of bites and then I'm satisfied. I've had birthday cake and ice cream too. But again, just a couple of bites. I think that when you say you can NEVER have a certain type of food, your setting yourself up to fail. If I can have a couple of bites, I'm happy. It's obviously working too. I'm almost 6 1/2 months post-op and down 90 pounds!!
   — Patty H.

May 15, 2002
Well this is a very good question but the answer is, you wont know until you experience it yourself. The first few weeks after surgery you experience a loss for the food. Almost like a grieving for it. But you adjust. I still have a hard time when some people are having deserts, afterall I am a carb addict. I'll admit I have tried things and gotten sick. For a few months afterwards I was snacking way too much. If you keep up the protein and water like everyone suggests, it really does help. I didnt believe it until I FORCED myself to do it. It sure reduced my cravings for sweets. Every once in a while, I have a craving and take a small bite or two. And usually that's all I need. After a point you start to feel so good about the change in the way you feel and the way you look, you dont miss the food like you did before. Good luck!!!
   — Cory F.

May 15, 2002
I am 5 1/2 wks post-op and my taste buds have changed alot. Some things just don't taste good anymore to me. I haven't tried cake yet but I have taken a spoonful of ice cream and it satisfied me just to have that little bit. Of course I savored it..:) Good luck. You'll do fine.
   — Peggy D.

May 15, 2002
i think this is a really great question! i am pre op but have thought the same thing. it gets pretty pitiful when every time we go on a trip i have it mapped out by what restaurants are along the way! i hate it !! it seems like going from food controlling my life to being in control of food is such a huge thing to hope for. i'm so proud of everyone that made it successfully to the other side. i can't wait to get there!!!!
   — nikki R.

May 15, 2002
I too come from one of those families where everything centers around food. We have meals when we get together, and when we finish we have entire desert plates. I too had these fears about my life no longer being centered around food. It just doesn't happen that way. When my family gets together, I eat tiny portions of whatever I want. I still love food, and love to cook. I do a lot of things differently than I used to. I actually prefer my meat grilled or pan seared as oppossed to battered and fried! I also plan carefully where I want to go out to eat. I still enjoy it as much as I used to, I just try to make different choices. I am almost seven months out and have lost 95 pounds. I started at 265 and am down to 170. Only 25 pounds to go!
   — cindy Q.

May 15, 2002
One thing that I've found about holidays and big family dinners is that with me not eating very much I have time to be a little more "serving". I usually host the dinners for up to 20 people and they are usually pretty elaborate. Thanksgiving 2001 I was almost 2 months postop and I found that I had such a great time and was more relaxed than ever before because I wasn't trying to eat in between hosting. The best one yet was I had about 8 at dinner and I was their "waitress". It craked them and me up so much, I played it up and had my apron on and everything. They tipped pretty good too! I guess what my point is, even though family events are so often around food, you can do things to make it so you aren't focusing on what you CAN'T be having versus what you CAN be doing. It will work itself out.
   — mama2matthew

May 15, 2002
As a long-term post op (2 years April 2002), I will say that the surgery forces your habits to change early on. I agree with the temporary grieving period, but that will change and you will become accustomed to your tool. I miss the forced changes of early post-op-hood. At this stage, however, being able to eat more, I have to really watch my food choices and grazing. I have been eating more carbs that I need to, and I need to get back to protein, water, and exercise. The tool will continue to work, but the emotional issues of food are harder for me at this stage because I can tolerate more things - volume and type of food. I did take a multidisciplinary approach during my losing period with surgical, psychological, physiological, and nutritional counseling. I am maintaining and not gaining, but I'd appreciate losing another 15-20 pounds. It's now up to me to utilize the tool and continue early post-op instructions and compliance. Just a thought from an "old timer"!
   — [Deactivated Member]