mental gymnastics about eating

[duane]

As I sit here watching food commercials (I think those foot long sandwiches are a thing of the past!) I thought about how my recreational eating will soon be a thing of the past, as will stress and boredom eating. I 've read a lot about the physical aspect of getting sleeved, but I need to know more about arming myself with tools for the emotional and mental battles that will be there. Wild love to hear from you that have been sleeved and are successful in this area. Thanks!

[Jewel]

Those foot long sandwiches are definitely going to be ancient history for you... My favorite was always turkey on wheat with extra cheese, mayo, red onion, lettuce and a boatload of pickles. Like more pickle than sandwich. lol
Now? I'd love to be able to indulge in all that bread-y goodness, but it's just not in the cards for me
That, my dear, it my emotional side coming out. You go thru a bit of a mourning process because you will miss eating. I mean, it's what we do.. we eat when we're happy, when we're sad, when we're lonely.. we eat! Not having my 'bff' to fall back to for comfort was a bit of an adjustment for me, but I also reeeeeally had to struggle to remember it. There has been so much good ~ so many positives that the negative doesn't exist. Three years from now, you won't remember the guy who's in your mirror today. It's an awesome thing you're doing for yourself ~ you'll have no regrets. I certainly don't

Good luck to you!

[JanPit]

I am fairly new here but this is my experience. At 6 weeks post op I have very little desire to eat anything. I am allowed to eat food but nothing appeals to me. The whole emotional side of eating has disappeared (for now). I eat and drink because I need to. It is kind of sad. I miss enjoying a meal. When I do eat, I use a small plate and only take a 1/4 of the portion size. This way I feel like I was successful. My tastes have changed dramatically. I cannot stand coffee anymore. I used to wake up for that first cup. Now it tastes bitter. I drink black tea, and yes I use real sugar. It has not triggered a binge. I did take a bite of chocolate cake. It was not good. Anything too sweet just tastes bad. Since my tastes have changed so much I am going to start trying different fish dishes that I did not like before. When I feel almost full I stop even if my plate is not clean. (Dog is getting fat). Emotional eating appears to have disappeared. I spend a lot of time doing other things now. Good luck!!

[JanPit]

I am fairly new here but this is my experience. At 6 weeks post op I have very little desire to eat anything. I am allowed to eat food but nothing appeals to me. The whole emotional side of eating has disappeared (for now). I eat and drink because I need to. It is kind of sad. I miss enjoying a meal. When I do eat, I use a small plate and only take a 1/4 of the portion size. This way I feel like I was successful. My tastes have changed dramatically. I cannot stand coffee anymore. I used to wake up for that first cup. Now it tastes bitter. I drink black tea, and yes I use real sugar. It has not triggered a binge. I did take a bite of chocolate cake. It was not good. Anything too sweet just tastes bad. Since my tastes have changed so much I am going to start trying different fish dishes that I did not like before. When I feel almost full I stop even if my plate is not clean. (Dog is getting fat). Emotional eating appears to have disappeared. I spend a lot of time doing other things now. Good luck!!

[JanPit]

By the way Jewel. You look beautiful. I am older than you but if I look half as good I will be very happy!! You have done an amazing job!!

[mem222]

Duane,
Now, even before my surgery, I turn the channel when food commercials come up. No matter what it is, I think, gee I might like that, I should try it.
Not the best idea.

[bikrchk]

The sleeve has allowed me to become a "picky eater", which I look at as a GOOD thing! No longer do I have to worry about getting full and staying full. I've replaced volume eating with quality eating. I chose early on not to live as I did before, always on a "diet", but to eat what I like in small quantities, protein first. What I've learned is, at least for me, that cycle of deprivation\overeating\guilt was in large part what was blocking my success. I don't feel like I've given up anything but 90+ pounds of excess weight!

[Ann2]

Duane,

Your journey will be uniquely yours. Mine has involved understanding how and why I used food as a drug. I don't mean as an "addiction" so much as a means of soothing my feelings. And the feelings I've medicated with food aren't necessarily *awful* feelings. Sometimes it was just mild boredom or slight guilt about procrastinating.

I wasn't a binger. But it's just amazing how much weight you can gain steadily when you eat 200 extra calories MORE a day and are moving / exercising another 200 calories LESS a day. That's 40 pounds a year.

You very likely will have to reconstruct your life in small, consistent ways that are nonetheless challenging. Doing so may irritate some people. It may irritate you, too.

Imma guess that the first year will be easy. It's Year Two and Year Three that will really challenge us.

And the beat goes on ....

[JanPit]

I quit smoking 6 years ago. There are rare moments when I think I would like one, but I know that I really don't. I'll just feel sick and I will hate the taste and smell. All those super yummy high carbs food that used to make me salivate pretty much have the same feeling to me. My husband brought in a chocolate cherry cake that sat in the fridge for over a week. One bite was enough.
Your experience will be uniquely your own. Keep reading threads that interest you, pick people you want to friend. And good luck to you!

[amelia]

Everyones journey is quite unique. It is normal that your taste for things will change. Sometimes it is small, and to some it is dramatic. You will not know till after you are sleeved. For me.... water tasted like frog pee, anything with milk tasted spoiled. your first couple weeks will be fluid anyway...so fluid and soups will be your best friend. Your main focus after surgery is fluids so you do not get dehydrated. But boy...when you get to eat...that first bite of applesauce or cottage cheese taste like filet mignon! But initially don't worry...you will not be wanting food....just keep the drinks, ice pops or ice chips flowing. Just remember...you have dozens of people on here as a backup to help you..both physically and emotionally....utilize them. The best thing for me prior to my surgery was reading and talking with people on this site. They are willing to tell you anything...answer questions (each person is different, so each has had different experiences), and they are very supportive. I used all the information I gathered to let me know what to expect...then I knew to a certain extent what was normal from what was not. This allowed me to feel more in control and I did not get scared and spaz out like I have seen some do. I traveled to mexico by myself, stayed there by myself and came home and cared for myself.

[candik]

The sleeve has allowed me to become a "picky eater", which I look at as a GOOD thing! No longer do I have to worry about getting full and staying full. I've replaced volume eating with quality eating. I chose early on not to live as I did before, always on a "diet", but to eat what I like in small quantities, protein first. What I've learned is, at least for me, that cycle of deprivation\overeating\guilt was in large part what was blocking my success. I don't feel like I've given up anything but 90+ pounds of excess weight!

I am also a very picky eater meaning that what I eat is based upon the nutritional value it will provide me. Even at 11 months out I can only eat about 6-7 bites before I feel fullness so I have to make sure those few bites give me the most nutrition possible. Simple carbs and slider foods will not provide that for me so I stay away from them completely. I don't forbid anything but I choose what I eat very carefully and because of this my emotional and physical cravings for fast food, sugar, and carbs are gone. Before surgery I felt like I was on a diet each and every day of my life since I was a child. Since surgery I have not felt like I'm on a diet but rather have adapted to a lifestyle that feels completely natural and normal. Best of luck on your journey!