Bypass2Freedom

So, I started my LRD (pre-surgery diet) today, and I am really seeing what is meant by 'head hunger'. I had my shake this morning at around 8:30am, and I am sitting here staring at this protein bar (which is my snack), really having to think about WHY I want to eat it. I keep flitting between: "I am hungry, I should eat it", and then just drinking some water and realising that actually my "real" hunger is quite minimal at the moment, but my cravings, my "head hunger" is telling me I NEED to eat that bar. So far, I haven't, and I will try and stay away from it until I actually am hungry, but it is quite intimidating to realise how strong my cravings actually are. Does anyone have any advice around cravings and if it gets any easier?

Dupe

I am definitely doing the same! No more coke zero and energy drinks or prosecco for me. I am just getting in the mindset that I can't have them again - which is okay! Thank you so much I am definitely going to try my best!

Thank you everyone for you advice! I have been reading through it whilst struggling and it really helped actually. Yesterday was my 1st day and oh my god, one minute I was fine and the next I was an over-emotional, sensitive mess! The morning was completely fine, and I didn't feel too bad until about 4pm. Had a massive drama with my evening SlimFast shake - I didn't realise it needed skimmed milk, and by this point I was so done mentally but I still dragged myself to the shop. Got back home. Realised I'd bought semi-skimmed milk, which nearly brought me to tears 😂 My boyfriend had to go to the shop for me in the end 😅 Either way, I am gonna try and not spiral so much mentally today 😂 I had no chewing gum to hand, but I did have a few snacky pickles which are very low calorie! Thank you all ❤️

@SamDS100 Hey Sam. I am also from the UK - I think contacting your surgeon may be a good idea, but if you can't get in contact with them, try reaching out to Simon Monkhouse. I believe he is on Instagram as @weightlosssurgeon and he is more than happy to help with any questions people have in my experience

@Calli it is a strange feeling isn't it! I feel that although there are things we won't be able to do for now, the things we WILL be able to do because of having this surgery will be amazing. I am need of a shopping buddy...I may have to ask my mum haha!

Both of these things are going though my head!! I can't wait to be able to tie up my trainers without my tummy and my ten tonne tits getting in the way 😂 I definitely was eating whatever I wanted before I started my pre-op diet today!

I just started my liver reduction diet (pre-op diet) today, and I am hoping it'll be okay! 😖 I know I get so dizzy & nauseous when I am severely hungry, so it will be interesting to see how this goes haha. It feels surreal now that surgery is so close, and I am at the beginning of the *real* countdown now. I keep looking at things like chocolate and other snacks that are still in the house (due to a snacky boyfriend haha), and I am thinking...usually I'd give into my cravings, and just eat what I want, but I CAN'T. It is both difficult, but liberating.

Commenting on this now as I have just seen it pop up! I am probably just a cozy gamer at heart - I play things like Animal Crossing, Sims 4 etc. But I also love Baldur's Gate 3 & I have been playing World of Warcraft since I was about 13 😂 For the Horde! ❤️

So after my revelation yesterday, I had my weekly therapy session. I have been going to therapy for almost a year now, mainly to help with my PTSD, and now moreso to address some of my trauma when it comes to my weight, and how that effects my emotional eating. I brought up my thoughts to my therapist, and she agreed that it is self-perception, not how my loved ones are seeing me. I'll be the first to admit, that I don't particularly like being emotional in front of other people, and in the entire year I have been attending therapy, I have only cried in front of my therapist 2-3 times. I found it quite hard to hold back the tears during this session (though that didn't stop me) - I realised that I have only really scratched the surface of the trauma I have from past relationships, and how that has completely tattered my self-image. More than anything, I realise that now more than ever, I need to address this as I approach the beginning of my weight loss journey. It is becoming more and more apparent, as everyone says, that surgery really is just a tool. It will give me that initial kick to lose weight so that I see the physical benefits: I will be in less pain, more able to get up and move about, more energy. I will *hopefully* feel more positive in myself and more confident. But the rest of the work, well, surgery can't do that for me. I am responsible for changing my behaviour & attitude, and I think for me at least that starts with being kinder to myself. I can't remember a time where I have been kind to my body, in how I treat it, and how I think about it. I realise that if I want to be successful on this journey, I need to work on me as a whole, body and mind, or else success isn't something I'll be able to achieve. Old habits would creep in, and my expectations would be too high. I am now attempting to drop the mindset of: "when I am skinny everyone will love me, and they will all treat me better and I will be an amazing person" - because truly, that has been my internal narrative, and I didn't see it as a negative until the other day. I need to rework it into: "I am me now, and I will be the same person on the inside even when I have lost weight. Those who I care about already love me and treat me with respect and care, and anyone who doesn't, isn't deserving of knowing me. Regardless of if I am 20 stone, or 11 stone. I am worthy of love". So, time to put my words into action 🤞🌸

😖 I am a bit concerned as to how I will cope with the pre-op diet! I know I won't cheat or anything, but I find that when I don't eat enough I get severely dizzy, nauseous and very faint. I'll be at work too, so I am just going to try and stay behind my desk 🤣 I hope everyone is doing well!

So with my surgery getting closer with every day, and now I have hit the 3 month mark, I have been reflecting on a lot of different things. One of the most common phrases I find myself saying at the moment, especially to my boyfriend, are things along the lines of: "You'll love it when I am a skinny b***h, imagine how good I will look", or, " if you think I am attractive now, just wait until I am thin". All are extremely toxic, I am aware. I genuinely saw nothing wrong with what I was saying, but I realised that not only is this a lot of internalised fatphobia, I am also diminishing the love and attraction that my partner has for me now, in this body, MY body. His response to me recently brought this home. He said: "I don't know why you keep saying that, because I love how you are now and I find you f*****g hot as anything, and that won't change with you losing weight". It really did shock me, although it shouldn't have. I realised I have just been putting myself down constantly, hoping for this "better me" to come along, and completely disrespecting who I am now. I relate a lot of this back to my previous abusive relationship, where even though I was the smallest I have ever been at 12 stone, I was constantly picked on by my ex. He would pinch and poke the 'fat' parts of me, telling me that he couldn't wait to see what I looked like when I was skinny, and saying how he couldn't wait to be able to pick me up and throw me about when I was 'small', always comparing me to women who were slimmer. Even though that was back when I was 17-21 (I am now 27), it has clearly done its damage. I need to change this narrative. I need to stop regurgitating the abuse that was put onto me by someone else. I need to learn to appreciate and love my body now, and how far it has gotten me. I need to trust that my boyfriend loves me right now for who I am, and I need to remind myself that I am worthy of that. Just some musings ❤️

@SandyT eee! That is so exciting! Please do let us know how you are getting on! Sounds like you have it all sorted and planned Mine starts next week! 😖

Ah I see! I have about 8 days until I start mine - all feeling a bit more real as it gets closer! I can imagine - I think I am going to try and stick with the protein water as it won't be as thick thankfully

Ah yes! Though I am not in anywhere as lovely as Scotland or Ireland! I have always wanted to visit the US just to try the food...but I guess that will have to wait a long while now 😂 I shall have to see if they are avaliable in the UK - I see so many people talking about those! I so far have just got some powder to make protein water - I ordered peach tea, and watermelon flavours! https://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/clear-whey-protein-powder/12081395.html?affil=mpppc&gclid=ddf9e2dd9c041582771c84ff84212ed9&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=ddf9e2dd9c041582771c84ff84212ed9&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK || EN || SEA || Brand || Consumables || EM&utm_term=myprotein clear whey isolate&utm_content=Brand || Clear Whey Isolate Definitely - I am trying to just mentally prepare but to be honest, far too much emotional eating!

Not too long! I am glad you aren't feeling too nervous - I completely get that feeling of excitement, it kind of overrides any anxieties most of the time haha. Head hunger is definitely a concern for me too - I am thinking of doing a mindfulness eating journal to combat that, but we shall see. All good ideas! I am so excited for you - I wish you all the luck.

Hey Sandra! Lovely to virtually meet you It is amazing to me the changes in WLS such as the band not really being used these days! My dad had a band and it has been awful for him, I really do feel for you. I am so glad that you are able to now have this option so that you can feel healthier and in less pain. I am feeling much the same! One minute I am really excited, and then I am anxious - it is a weird rollercoaster haha. Which shakes have you chosen? I have shakes and packet meals, all of which sound very unappealing but entirely necessary haha. I definitely need to get a robe I think! I wanna feel comfy 😂 My surgeon has booked me for 1-2 nights, so I am hoping it is just the one! Thank you so much - you too! Keep in touch!

Have you started your LRD yet? I completely get the apprehension around the relationship with food - I am feeling the same. I am definitely an emotional eater, and whilst I am trying to prepare for that, the fear of the unknown is real! I've never had to deal with not having food there as my emotional crutch for the entirety of my life! I agree with the fact that it does seem to be mixed responses around losing that feeling of hunger - some people who have had the sleeve tend to say that feeling goes more so, if I am remembering correctly. Lovely to see lip balm is on all our lists haha! Riding a bike is 100% something I want to be able to do again!

Welcome! It is so exciting when you are getting the ball rolling - I remember I was nervous, but so excited about finally making a change for myself. My 1st consultation was back in December 2023 I think, and my op is next month - it comes around so quickly!

Heya! Definitely close enough haha! I am really happy to hear you are excited, and it seems like this is a big step for you in your journey, I wish you nothing but success with it all ❤️ Ohhh see I was gonna buy some new slippers, but I am thinking crocs will probably be a smarter thing to do! Definitely a lip balm too! Whats the heating pad for if you don't mind me asking? That is such a lovely NSV to look forward to ❤️ We've definitely got this!

I am so happy you are finally getting your date! I agree - this forum has really been amazing in the prep leading up to it, I feel a lot more informed!

A lot of people have said they didn't actually use half the stuff they packed! I think I shall heed this warning haha. Moisturizer will be added to my list!

Just bumping this in case there are any May buddies out there 🤨 Thought I'd answer the questions too! 1) I am mostly nervous about the surgery itself, having not had surgery in my adult life. The idea of going under is a bit scary, but I know it is safe. I just need to breathe through the nerves haha. Also a little anxious about the amount of changes that need to be made, so I am trying to take it a step at a time, rather than all at once. 2) Nothing at the moment! But after talking to some others on this forum, lip balm is a must 🤪 3) Pretty much everything! But definitely feeling happier, in less pain, more capable, confident for the first time in my life. This is what will drive me through the bad days.

Congratulations! ❤️

Honestly I found it so confusing, even though on the surface it seems like a really simple task! I managed to get hold of my dietician and she has confirmed I can just have another meal replacement shake on top of everything else, so it is technically 4 meals and then 1 snack! I had to send screenshots of everything I'd bought too 🤣 She has the patience of a saint bless her haha. But yeah I was definitely wrongly assuming that the meal replacements had 200 cal - oops. Thank you for the safe space to talk, I really appreciate it