The hamburger

[texasfella]

Yesterday I was driving around after work running errands and heading to my first support group. I am five weeks post surgery and just started 'normal foods'. My little stomach suddenly starting growling and my head told me I needed to eat RIGHT F'ING NOW. It was that demanding, gaping hunger I used to feel pre-surgery. It scared me to feel so out of control.

As if on autopilot, I rolled into a fast food joint and read over all my old favorites. The old me would have gotten a jumbo burger, huge burrito, a large curly fries, and a diet soda to watch my figure . I got a jumbo burger with cheese, knowing this might lead me to a world of pain. I tried to practice chewing thoroughly while driving (not the best road safety, I know) but the whole thing was gone within 5 minutes. I got that gross gurgling feeling and felt completely full for at least two hours, including when I was talking with the one other fellow who had shown up for the group. It turns out the website for the group had the wrong date.

I'm worried that what seemed to be an old, destructive, and dead habit is already trying to come back after just over a month. I'm surprised the burger physically fit in there, although I've known since my soft foods stage that I can accommodate 1 - 1.5 cups of food without discomfort.

Is my stomach 'too big''? Is it all in my head? Was it my body's revenge for eating just a spoonful of peanut butter, a protein shake, and a banana during a long day of work?

[sraebaer]

I am surprised you could eat a whole large burger. After over 4 years I can barely eat a small burger (like a McDonald's cheeseburger), and it sure fills me up. But I did have one yesterday, when running a zillion errands like you, I just had to eat something.

I wouldn't worry about it, but be sure eating something like that is the very rare exception to your new healthy eating routine. And next time skip the Jumbo, you will be totally satisfied with the smallest burger, and feel much better afterward.

[Luv49ers19]

That is very surprising that you didn't get sick and that you finished it! Did you have any adverse reaction to it later that day or night because of the high fat content? I'm 9 months out tomorrow and I'm scared to death of the reaction I might have!

All I can say is you did realize the problem now you need to stay away from old routines. Keep some jerky in your purse or some other form of protien to help with that. I never leave the house with out a beef stick, pouch of tuna or some peanuts/almonds. It has saved me numerous times. Create new normals. You can do this!

[Luna354]

I'm shocked you were able to eat that too. Did you eat it in one sitting? Or over the course of time?
I eat a burger all the time for lunch (i throw a costco one on the grill at home) but even 1 year later I eat half.

[Ann2]

Uh ... five weeks post-op and you got down a whole "jumbo burger"?

Jeez. Four months post-op all I could handle was a McDonalds cheeseburger. You know -- the little one, single patty, a few pickles and some catchup.

But ignoring that fact -- yes, the fact that you veered into an old behavior is a great signal for you to come up with different strategies and tools. Have you imagined what some BETTER responses would be the next time that happens? Because that old saw really, really applies in our situations: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Seriously, come up with some better plans, now that you're on alert that you need better plans.

And BTW, a single burger, jumbo or not, never ended a WLS journey. Every "failure" is a lesson learned -- IF that lesson is heeded.

Best wishes!

[Stacey03]

It's easy to slip into old habits when stressed and rushing and having not eaten properly during the day innit! A whole jumbo burger! Im torn between being horrified or giving you a round of applause! Gawd knows how you managed that! But seriously it is a big red flag, if you can eat that at 5 weeks you're gonna be eating the whole meal and the apple pie at 10... or maybe not. Thats the fear isn't it? Like Ann said it's not the end of the world so as you were... good tips from Cody there on carrying around some nuts and a much of tuna or something, the protein really fills you up and you probably would have thought twice if you had had that with you.
Tinman did tell a funny story once of the guy who ate a whole taco the day after surgery which made me lol up a kidney, but probs not recommended! Your human, we sometimes don't make the right choices. You mentioned eating 1.5 cups of food at 5 weeks... what kind of food is that? it does seem like a lot of food for 5 weeks, I'm just wondering if its a slider kinda food?
But onward, that was yesterday... I highly suggest scallops or some sort of seafood delight today, I'm just crazy about seafood though! Congrats on your surgery, its a big old learning curve innit :-)

[AnnieG]

Well wow. How good that you quickly recognize & shared for support. I'm at 6 months; I can eat 1/2 of a lean hamburger with nothing else -- no bun, no lettus, tomatoes, condiments...and then maybe a bite of salad or a veggie. But I had a touchy stomach before VGS.

[tinman]

I will tell you this. I don’t know what part of Texas you’re from, but, here in HTown, there are a couple of hamburger joints that I would consider over eating at if I went there.

[didi100]

Hi,
Your stomach isn't too big. It's not all in your head. You were hungry because you didn't eat enough good during a long day of work....and then you didn't make a good choice. Please don't beat yourself up. It happens to all of us -- this is how we learn!

The real question is "what are you going to do different?

In my experience, it is critical to track your food, especially protein. And plan ahead for your day -- I always have food with me, ranging from hard boiled eggs, cheese sticks, almonds, protein bars (high protein low sugar), turkey jerky/bacon/pepperoni, cottage cheese, low salt lunchmeat, parmesan crisps (chips made from cheese!).

Things you can stop and buy when you don't have your food and are hungry -- hard boiled eggs or milk at starbucks, egg sandwich at McDonalds or Dunkin Donuts (eating just the egg), chicken breast sandwich at McDonalds or Burger King (eating just the chicken). I've bought a slice of pizza and just eaten the cheese and reeses peanut butter cups and eaten just the center part.

Hope this helps.

[Marsh17]

You just outlined one of my fears. Thank you so much for sharing! You recognized it was an issue and reached out to tell others and get back on track. So - good for you! I had been vegetarian for about a month before my 2 week liquid prep and guess what my last meal was before I went on the liquid diet...Yep I confess it was a What a Burger. I have been on my liquid diet March 13th with my surgery this coming Tuesday. My plan is to always have something healthy with me to eat and hopefully not get to that starving feeling where I just have to have one. Best of luck to you!

[Christie13]

I do not think I could eat a burger that size now without taking an hour. And then I would most likely feel sick. That is odd that you are so close out and were able to do that and not get sick. I would talk to my surgeon. And I would definitely not make that a habit.