Overeating- better or worse with VSG?

[SKgirl27]

Hey everyone. I have my surgery scheduled for march 1st with Dr. Ramos Kelly. I think I may have a problem with overeating. I feel bad when I don't finish my plate, or my dessert.. Even if I'm stuffed. It's like it's glaring at me! I think about food all the time. I will obsess on a treat if I know it's stashed in the cupboard. I also with sneak eat things.

Does this get better or worse after surgery? I have looked into over eaters anonymous but I don't think there is a group in my area.

Any help would be appreciated.
Nikki

[Just Jean]

It might help break you of it but you could continue to see the therapist who did your evaluation pre-op. You just will not be able to clean the plate - there will not be room in your sleeve. Once you get going and the weight starts falling off, you probably aren't going to feee like cheating!

[niamh]

I feel and think completely differently about food at the moment - 4 months post-op. I sometimes still have intrusive thoughts about food but because my body chemistry is behaving differently it doesn't have the same power, and I can forget about it. I used to be able to continue to overeat even when stuffed in the past, but the nature of fullness with the sleeve is that it occurs not only much sooner but is completely restrictive so it simply isn't an option to keep eating. I experience strong discomfort in my chest/stomach that makes me have to stand and take deep breaths - I've not vomited but some people do. You just can't keep eating the same way. Some people who graze (i.e. keep eating small amounts through the day and particularly if high cal/fat slider foods) find they can still overeat that way, but if you ensure you have dense protein at mealtimes and don't drink with your meals, it keeps you feeling full and stops the urge for grazing.

[Scubagecko]

you will likely have to deal with your mental food issues. You may want to be sure to use a very small plate to keep the stress of not finishing your meals in the beginning. But, physically you simply won't be able to stuff yourself if you eat too much you will likely just throw up, I have eaten too fast and too much a couple times and very quickly had to go to the bathroom.

I wish you luck on your journey.

[Lea]

It's a different kind of full, one that's much more uncomfortable. I've experienced it just once as I am only 16 days out but not wanting to experience it again. Before...it wasn't comfortable when I operate but it was nothing like this. I use a small plate now and a tiny spoon to remind myself to take little bites. I used to inhale my food.....and i chew..chew chew....

[5DogMa]

Your eating like for most of us is a head game. It will still be there. Your stomach got smaller, that's all. Know in advance this is just a tool, a good tool, but you choose to use it wisely or abuse it. If you are the eater you claim, then you might want to seek therapy and/or group support. The honeymoon period with the sleeve will end and you can gain the weight back just like most of us did before on all the diets we've tried. Again, they fixed your stomach, but not your head.

Good luck with your surgery and journey.

[Erce]

My clinic won't do the surgery on a person that has issues like this and they rigorously test psychologically prior to setting any surgery or presurgery dates. I mean, you'll do what you and your doctor thinks is best, but I do hope you'll have therapy before and after surgery.

[christine53]

small spoon, small plate, big glass, and lots of sex

[lidibear]

small spoon, small plate, big glass, and lots of sex

Ditto, on all of it. I measure all of my food still. I measure out 4 oz and stop when I'm full. Normally right before the 4 oz.

[SKgirl27]

My clinic won't do the surgery on a person that has issues like this and they rigorously test psychologically prior to setting any surgery or presurgery dates. I mean, you'll do what you and your doctor thinks is best, but I do hope you'll have therapy before and after surgery.

I should clarify on what happened: I was at a banquet dinner last night. Fully catered. Non buffet style. I had a starter salad, and then they brought us all out the same amount for each plate of a turkey dinner complete with stuffing and roasted vegetables. I was stuffed. I felt bad that I couldn't finish but then I felt bad I ate so much. And then they bring the dessert (good lord) I had two bites as not to be rude. It was all delicious. I was both unhappy I ate so much and sad I let yummy food get thrown out as I didn't eat eat. I guess that's not to bad I don't really have a problem when I cook for myself. But it was hard in this social situation.

[compact]

Hi Nikki,
Y'know I probably spent about 20 years of my life wrestling with this sort of angst (before I gave up worrying and just let myself get really fat).
The sleeve has been liberating for me. I know it's early days, but my whole attitude to food has totally changed and it feels physiological. I think it has a lot to do with the removal of grehlin with the excess stomach.
I no longer care about the feelings of the people who prepared the food the way I did. I mean, I'm still polite to people, but I don't walk through a store or a buffet thinking "oh they went to so much trouble, I should just have a little to show my appreciation". There's none of that anymore, the whole vibe is completely gone.
For some of us, that lasts, for some it eases as the grehlin levels readjust a little over the following years. But this surgery is the only solution I can see that offers a good chance of taking food out of the center of your world. Works for me.
Nel

[yankegal]

skgirl, first welcome to the sleeve journey! I will tell you that Dr Kelly is a fine dr. before having surgery were you to see a therapist? I would suggest this, as they may be able to help you with dealing with this disorder. After having surgery you won't want as much food, maybe for good maybe for about a yr. But food issues will always be there. You will need to learn to eat healthier, try new recipes that taste good and are good for you. Using a smaller plate, and following the diet that you will be on for a while. Stay away from high fat, sugary foods. But with determination and when you see how great you will look after surgery you will want to make the changes that you need to make. Remember that the sleeve is only a tool, but it is how you use it to your advantage is the key! good luck to you. I am at 130 lbs still, havent gained an oz back. but it sometimes is a struggle, I crave things and somedays give in, but then I watch what I eat the rest of the day. good luck to you!!

[pieganjane]

Your stomach capacity will be tiny and the part of the stomach that produces "hunger pangs" (Gherlin sp?) is removed. I have very little capacity post sleeve but have a lifelong habit of eating alot of food fast. I am finally getting the hang of it.