Question:
I would like to know if anyone else has felt like this:
Last week I was fine but this week, four days from surgery, I am flipping out. I feel like I want to eat everything! Like I will never be able to say goodbye to food. Do you think this means I am not ready? I know I want this surgery more than anything but I am just feeling sooooo nuts! Please help! Is this normal or could it be a sign? — Lizette A. (posted on October 10, 2003)
October 10, 2003
Lizette, I think we all go through the last supper syndrome! While some
people may have a hard time with certain foods post-op, many find that they
can eventually eat just about everything. I'm not saying you won't have
some 'mourning' to do, but just because you are feeling a bit out of sorts
right now, doesn't mean you should can the whole idea. Enjoy what you eat
over the next few days, and don't feel guilty about it. But, also remember
that you are not saying "goodbye" to an old friend so much as you
are just putting new, healthy, boundaries on your relationship. Good luck
with your surgery.
— eaamc
October 10, 2003
Lizette~if you know you are ready for this surgery in every other way, then
do not take this desire to eat as a sign that you shouldn't go ahead! It's
prefectly natural to be anxious and to use use food to soothe that anxiety.
You will be able to do what you need to after surgery as long as you know
going in that it's the right thing for you. And it seems to be.
Eventually you'll be able to eat most of your favorite foods again, so you
don't have to say "goodbye" to food, you just have to be ready to
permanently adopt a new lifestyle. The surgery makes it much easier to
keep that lifestyle going. You're going to be great.
— Vespa R.
October 10, 2003
I went through last supper syndrome big time. I calculated the calories
consumed during a day of binging on my favorites and I totalled over 8,000
calories! It hasn't affected my post-op weightloss other than packing on a
few more pounds prior to surgery. I'm over 7 months out and down 137
pounds. Today I can eat anything I want but not as much and some items
only a few bites (fried foods, cookies, chocolate etc). I now feel more
like a normal person... you know the types... only grab a couple cookies at
a time and not the whole bag. So my opinion is enjoy and get the binging
done with. Guilt for last supper is more damaging then the few extra
pounds you'll put on.
<p> Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.
October 10, 2003
Don't worry - if you know those things are not allowed after, it sounds to
me as though you have read, researched and prepared yourself for the
surgery. I had my consult on January 3 and by my surgery on July 3, I'd
gained 26 lbs! I was so humiliated - I didn't realize all of my
"food goodbyes" were that bad. The good news is I'm losing like
crazy and I don't miss those things. I SERIOUSLY don't crave or eat
anything I should not. I'm down 50 in 10 wks. You'll be find. Just
ensure you don't pig out the DAY BEFORE your surgery so it wont affect you
in the hospital. Good luck!
— Donya P.
October 10, 2003
I didn't have a last supper... I had a last SUMMER syndrome. I swear I ate
for an entire summer. "This is the last time I can have ______"
(whatever it happened to be.) I think it was a combination of anxiety and a
lack of understanding of the fact that eventually I would be able to have a
small amount of whatever-it-was now and then. BUT I did great with my
surgery from Day One... I was very motivated and actually kind of relieved
to finally stop eating! hugs,
Ann rny 9/10/99 260/124
— [Deactivated Member]
October 10, 2003
I think what you're going through is pretty common (and pretty logical,
too, if you think about it). I recall going through the Wendy's
drive-through as one of my last meals (what the HECK was I thinkin' there,
lol!), and it's a trip I still haven't made back 16 post-op months later.
But, at this point, there's nothing I can't eat that I couldn't eat as a
pre-op, and some of it, I can consume in really stupid quantities (albeit
not pre-op quantities). Soooo... like the other folks said, there's
nuttin' you aren't eating now that you won't be able to eat later, though
it may be months and months later.<P>Since you're only four days
pre-op, I doubt you'll gain much from this phase, but it's not a good thing
to "last supper" those last few pre-op weeks, because it's just
more weight you gotta lose later, or it could be the extra month it takes
to get to goal down the line.<P>And one other thought: Even at four
days pre-op, I'd be thinking of cutting down a couple of days before
surgery, because anesthesia &/or painkillers from surgery tend to
constipate most people, and ... well, the less "hoo-hah" in your
system before surgery, the less you gotta worry about as your post-op self
gingerly tiptoes to the bathroom with nothing more than a determined look
and a wooden spoon. ;~P
— Suzy C.
October 10, 2003
Lizette- On my way home after surgery, I had this undeniable craving for a
cheeseburger (it had always been my comfort food of choice) and when my
parents came to visit a few days later (to help with our kids when my wife
returned to work), I took two of the cookies my mom had baked for my
daughters and put them in the freezer for me to enjoy after I lost my
weight. It took some time for me to really re-adjust my feelings, and my
relationship, with food. However, eventually, it became purely utilitarian
and I was able to stop craving cheeseburgers and throw out the frozen
cookies. Now, I hit my goal in 11 months (and have lost over 254 pounds in
my first year), so I guess I eventually got ready to be serious-- but my
point is that you can't expect to completely change your feelings about
food just because you've had an operation (or are planning to have WLS).
Rather, your change in attitude has to evolve-- being conscious of your
feelings (as you have expressed in your posting) is truly the most
important first step. The operation will then help in making giving in to
those temptations very difficult early on--- then seeing the results will
motivate you--- and then you will reflect upon your weeks or months without
letting food control you and you will be further encouraged. Good luck.
— SteveColarossi
October 10, 2003
Definately LAST SUPPER SYNDROME. I had it for 5 days prior to surgery, was
on vacation at the time and ate like a pig those five times, ending up with
a dozen right out of the oven Krispy Kreme (I only ate two). The thing is,
I didn't gain a pound those five days. However 3 weeks after surgery, on
400 calories a day, I gained 2 pounds - go figure. Anyway, don't worry
about it. It is normal. No matter how much you hear "you can have
whatever you want after surgery, only in small quantities", it just
doesn't register with your body. That is a place that your body just hasn't
been and until you've gone through it, your body won't understand. If you
could feel before surgery what you feel after surgery, you wouldn't feel
the need for Last Suppers. But since that is impossible, just accept it as
normal. I actually would be concerned about those that didn't have Last
Supper Syndrome if they were truly prepared.
— Denise B.
October 13, 2003
I did the same thing as everybody else. I was a complete pig for a month
before surgery. But what was really the worst thing was the day of my
bowel prep.....all I could do all day is think of all the things I had
'forgotten' to eat!!!! :)
— Michelle_S
October 13, 2003
I was the same way. I had about a thousand "last meals" and on
my bowel prep thought of all the foods I "forgot" to eat too!!
— Michelle A.
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