I had my VSG 3 days ago (still struggling with the gas pains). My main reason for posting today is for comfort and reassurance.

I am staying at home right now between semesters (I am a 23 year old college student) and my family is having a huge 4th of July celebration. It is complete with hamburgers, watermelon (MY FAVORITE!), chips, chicken, pie, soda, fries, etc......

I am dying up here upstairs waiting while the festivities take place. I know even if I wanted to eat some of it, it would not be a pretty sight. But, how do I now Celebrate things without food?

Also, my birthday is Wednesday. How the heck am I supposed to celebrate without the classic night out to a restaurant?

How do you now celebrate, self-soothe, reward yourself, satisfy emotions, etc WITHOUT FOOD?????

I am starting to wish I had waited one week later for the VSG so that I could have enjoyed the food and celebrations instead of being bored in my room waiting for time to pass.

Any advice?

PS. thanks in advance for letting me vent.

You will just have to give your body time to heal. AND, I must say, that GAS is no joke!! I was a mess for 3-4 days!

Just remember that you WILL be able to eat again! I am 8 weeks out today and I could enjoy a hamburger and some other items if I wanted to, but I am avoiding things at this point. You will get there, but not this early in the game!

Wait a few months until you are healed and can enjoy a REAL meal and then celebrate your b-day then. You will be glad that you did!

Congrats on your sleeve and Happy Birthday too!!

Kelly

Happy birthday!!! I understand how you feel. I was invited to a house warming/4th of july celebration. They had bar-b-cue! but I was on full liquids so i couldn't eat anything but it looked so appetizing. i left early cause it was torture. Think about how you are going to reward yourself with a cute outfit in a few months. For birthday celebration, go to the movies or the spa for a facial.

I'm 6 days out and I'm also wanting to eat. I'm not having any problems nor do I feel hungry.. I just have the erge to chew.

I know how you feel. I was sleeved the day before my birthday. I didn't even have a celebration. I was in the hospital, miserable. You'll make it through. I believe that these small sacrifices will be worth it in the long run.

Happpy Birthday!!! We alll understand what you are going through today i am 1 week sleeved and I thought the same thing hmmm maybe I should have waited till after the holiday, But ya know what there always would have been ""something else" going on and its better to get it done and I keep telling myself there will be moreeeeeee Holidays to come and I think about that cute outfit I will be able to wear LOL thats what helps for me. And I agree about this food thing I thought food was suppose to gross me out after this but nope it looks delicious, and I wish i was eating so what I do is put on that show say yes to the dress soooo I look at alllll those wedding dressses and I say im doing this to become happy and eventually I want to get married and wear one of these dresses, So try that everytime you think about wanting that food think about a goal instead!!! Im here recovering if you need to chat!!!!

I am on my liquid diet ( surgery next Tuesday) and yesterday was hard... I actually cooked and had the celebration at my home .We had about 25 people and each one brought a dish each looked better and smelled better than I remembered . I had a shake and I never let go of my water bottle , I drank 80 ozs , in 3 hours. But I had a great time visiting and watching the kids run and play. I too am wondering what will I do instead of eating , but my mind says there has to be a better way , we each need to find it for ourselves! ( but I am open to any ideas!!) Congrats on your sleeve cant wait to be there ! Live each day as it may be our last.God Bless and wishing you a speedy recovery.

One of my close friends has gastric bypass 6 years ago and went through something similar. She was less than a week out and had to attend a birthday party with pizza. Her solution to the situation was to grab a colored party cup, take a bite of pizza and chew chew chew - then spit out the chewed food into her cup. She still does this now when she wants to eat something bad or has the 'chewies' as she calls them. She makes it look like she is drinking from the cup so the people around her aren't grossed out.

I have tried it with a hamburger before and while it isn't 100% as satisfying, it definitely does curb the craving for a good long chew session. Ice chips tend to help me as well, just be sure it's pre-crushed ice or you may end up with teeth problems later.