Freaking out!!!!

[oompaloompa]

Okay...I have surgery in less than 48 hours, and I am so hungry even dog food looks good! Seriously...how does one overcome the love affair with food? It's been my closest friend for so long, that a BIG part of me is saying "don't get the sleeve...you'll never enjoy food again". I know in my head this is the right thing..but my heart (and STOMACH) is saying "DON'T DO IT!. I'm FREAKING OUT! Any calm, reassuring response would be ohhhh soo appreciated.

[ninaricci46]

Hang in there... I do not know the answer, I guess we all have a love affair with food... that is why we are on this forum...
I am a few days away from landing in the US to be sleeved and in my pre op phase.. and... want to eat the plants in the office at this stage....
But.. we will get to the sleeved side of the world and laugh at our old posts about addiction to food and fear and everything else..
You will probably be gone from the house when I arrive...
Sending you heaps of GOOD Karma and be strong, get up and walk off the gas and what ever they tell you to do in the clinic...
and
you will one day enjoy food again.. for now, getting sleeved (healed from the addiction) and taking baby steps getting to the end of the rainbow

[mellymel]

I feel the same way !!! I have my surgery on the 31st - is that when you are too? Hang in there... remember it will be worth it!!! I have been telling myself I have had all these years to enjoy food and abuse it, so now its about taking control of choices and training myself to think different about food in general... that within itself is a challenge at times. Good luck with your surgery and keep your eyes on the prize lol

[FuFu]

Hi Hun, I had my op just a week ago and I understand totally what you are feeling but...this is a wonderful chance for you to turn your life around and get your life back. The pre op diet is very harsh and even the cat looks tasty after two weeks on it! We have made food our best friend where in actual fact it is our worst enemy. Personally my body didn’t know full up and I would finish one huge meal and sit thinking about what I could eat next. I would also do a lot of secret eating out of the view and possible criticism of others. I am soooooo pleased I have had this surgery, I am only able to eat small amounts of soups, yogurts and milk shakes at the moment but the weight is dropping off me (I have already lost 2 stone) and it is wonderful that my body is controlling the amount of food I am able to eat. Don’t hesitate to go ahead, it really is the very best thing you can do for yourself and your family. Good luck and I will look out for your progress updates.

[jessy81]

I promise you food won't be ur sole obsession anymore, clothes or shoes (high heels!) maybe ...........AND you WILL ENJOY ur fav foods, just in human sane portions that won't make you fat
I eat EVERYTHING now, but i'm golden after a few mouthfuls & i don't miss my huge dinosaur sized servings anymore & i hate wasting money on open buffets Here are my portions now that i'm almost a year out
pizza (thin= 1 slice or 1.5 slices / pan = 1 slice / deep dish 1 slice - i'll consume this over an hour!)
burgers (1 kiddie sized burger - condiments & all (eg. like fudds' smallest size- with 4 or 5 fries, no soda & i'll probably finish this meal at home later in the day)
cake (1 slice out of an 8 piece cake, but beware this is one item u wanna force yourself to STOP after one slice & eat SLOWLY cuz it goes down sooooooo easily & can make u fat over time - loaded with cream/butter/sugar)
pasta( 1/2 a cup cooked)
rice (1/2 a cup cooked)
TIP: Using rice noodles is soooo much better since it swells up to give more volume & lower calories than regular pasta) and if u add whatever sauce u want, it tastes almost the same, but feels so much lighter, just make sure to rinse the excess starch off with hot water after you boil it.
bread (1/2 a large thin pita or a whole small pita)
hotdog (2 medium/small wieners, no bun, or a whole regular/small sized dog, no fries & i'll finish it throughout the day)
pancakes (2 medium/small ones)
mashed potatoes (1.5 cups, beware this is also another item that goes down quite easily)
chips ( 1 or 2 small bags, again junk food like that are the easiest thing to go down after a year post op)
popcorn (2 or 3 popped cups - again look out for foods like that)
TIP: Always air pop ur popcorn or use microwavable light popcorn & watch ur portions of it.
Steak: Half or less of a regular steak.
Fried chicken: 2 pieces is a big achievement for me
Candy bars: 1 or less (if it's as thick as a mars bar)

What else?
Think of whatever u want & ask me i'll be more than glad 2 help

[Grace]

Loving what Jessy said

At first you most likely won't even want food. Sounds unbelievable but truly many of us have no interest in eating at all the first few months and it becomes like a chore. Oh, jeez, it's time to eat again already? Do I have to drink more, ugh, I feel like I'm floating! This is good. It gives you a chance to reset your brain and say goodbye to your food obsession, a clean breakup. Then you meet new food. It's different but hey, it's pretty nice. You eat 2 oz of something and it tastes different as well and you are so full you can't fathom how you ever, ever ate a big plate of something. In fact, it makes you a little nauseous to see other people eat as much as you used to. If you are dishing out the food in your house you start getting comments like "Are we out of groceries?" because you dish up small amounts for them as well. You eat on little tiny dishes and like it. You use toddler utensils and don't mind because it helps you not take too big a bite.
Now, here's the fun part. You become a little obsessed with your closet and drawers. You find yourself spending a few hours arranging both by size so you know which piles to pack up for sale or charity when things start to look like clown clothes or fall right off your hips. You discover every thrift store in your area and gravitate towards the more affluent areas in town because they have the "good" stuff. You find something terrific for $5, wear it happily and then redonate it a month or so later when it's clown clothes.
Need more happy thoughts? Your last two posters both lost over 100 lbs in less than a year.

[Mini me]

Jessi81, that is so helpful to everyone. Thank you for passing on that info!

[Mini me]

Grace, I so want those feelings you are explaining, more than anything! My surgery is on the 4th Sept. I feel like I will be reborn again! To Oompaloompa, remember, sugar is 9 times more addictive than cocaine, so you can only be expected to feel like you do. It's normal, sugar is in so many foods now, we are surrounded by sugar. Please be strong for your own sake. Good luck, and looking forward to hearing about it all in a few days time! ;-)

[Fran71]

This has been sooo helpful for me! I would class myself as a food addict, I don't smoke I don't do drugs & rarely drink so I think as food as my drug of choice. When I think about addicts breaking their habit I think, it's easier to stop smoking, drinking or doing drugs as although there is the addiction our bodies don't ACTUALLY need those things to survive but it's does need food. It's like I need to control my addiction. OMG how will I ever just be able to eat a little? when I have been 'trained' to clear my plate.

With the help of a sleeve and by learning some new good habits, I hope that food will no longer be my drug of choice, high heels sound glorious! I havent worn heels in years, this is my goal, to buy and wear & walk in a pair of heels by this time next year!

[shelleyssweets]

You will grow a whole new appreciation for food. My first tiny sip of tomato soup was divine! Once you get past the surgery, things will change. Trust me, you WILL feel full with just a couple Tablespoons of food. I am a foodie and I own a Bakery. I was scared that I would feel repulsed by many foods after surgery, But just the opposite occurred. I look at food as a challenge now...."how do I make this dish healthier for me and my family". I am learning more about foods than just how it TASTES. I have shocked myself by realizing how many foods I have eaten over the years...but never really closed my eyes and tasted. Those weeks directly before and after your surgery are the hardest. Listen to your doctor and follow his/her plan and you WILL lose weight. Best of luck with your journey!

[binks240]

Hi Mellymel,

Was thinking about you this morning and that today is your first day of many as you work towards your goal. Remember, the pain is all worth it in the end. Listen to what they say and follow the clinic's directions. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds or anything else you may need. The first 3 days are the worst. Be strong, well, and I willl be waiting here to hear from you.

[cwjadall]

The addiction to food is hard to shake because we are self pay for mexico and we dont have to see a therapist. Im 2.5 months out and still struggle with head hunger. Its very hard to shake. You will be in good hands good luck

[Trustin Sleever]

I agree with the person who said food is not your friend, it's actually your enemy. So true!
For ME, the possibility of not wanting food anymore was a HUGE incentive- I was hoping and praying I would no longer be a slave to food.
I thought of it not with fear or sadness (like so many people) of losing food, but with excitement and feeling like I might finally gain the upper hand and have control over food.
Kind of like I was divorcing food: yes, we had some good times, but you're no good for me. I remember how you used to excite me, but the pain and the tears have taken over. You're still attractive, I'm sure there will be others... you're someone else's problem now.

[strawhat22]

Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.

[Texgal]

I had the same gitters as you. I love my sleeve so much. It's my new best friend. I really don't like food anymore. It's almost like do I Have to eat. You have to be ready for it though. It is a comitment for the rest of your life. It's not a diet it's a lifestyle change. I wish ya lots of luck