PatsyDB

Once I cleared out all my trigger foods from home, I realized that most of my emotional eating happened at work (I'm a teacher). Toward the end of the last school year, I made it a goal not to eat anything except the food I brought with me for lunch. The first student birthday after I started my program's pre op diet was very hard, but I realized that i would be OK if I didn't have a cupcake. The 2nd and 3rd birthdays were easier.
Instead of celebrating small victories with food, I started buying myself flowers. I also made a little chart to record the # of days I'd ignored head hunger, kind of like a "this many days without an accident" poster. It helped me think about whether or not a food choice was worth going back to zero.

I had bloodless vsg here in Houston w Dr. Marvin..yes a surgeon must be trained in this technique, aware of the alternative treatments if something goes wrong, and the hospital should be equiped with things like cell savers. I also started a regiment of EPO months before surgery to build my blood count. Very important that the anethesiologist (not sure if i spelled wrong) is aware of your wishes.