Most important preop question of all...

[NurseMom 15]

i think that mourning food is completely natural...especially when most of us-before surgery- can/could eat extreme portions. I personally can't fathom when DH and I go out right now, and I can eat 1/2 the pizza, eventually only eating one or two pieces...

BUT, from what i can tell, after a lot of research, eventually, we WILL be able to eat normal foods, but in NORMAL portions. (not "normal" what we eat now, but "normal" as in a regular,normal portion size)...

so, i'll get through the six months or year of not eating much, but then i know i'll be able to eat some regular foods again. i'm actually looking forward to taking a small plate, putting a few things on it, and being full. now, i get the huge plate, pile it up a couple of times...

[orthoman 114]

Well thanks everyone for all the great posts. It sounds like pretty much everyone is glad they did it. I really need to lose some serious weight, and I know there's no way I can do it without some major help.

My date is scheduled for December 28th so Im pretty excited, and pretty scared too.

This forum is really great and a really wonderful resource, and I know I am going to use it again and again over the next year.

[alley-gator 96]

Well thanks everyone for all the great posts. It sounds like pretty much everyone is glad they did it. I really need to lose some serious weight' date=' and I know there's no way I can do it without some major help.

My date is scheduled for December 28th so Im pretty excited, and pretty scared too.

This forum is really great and a really wonderful resource, and I know I am going to use it again and again over the next year.[/quote']

Orthoman I am on the 20th and totally know how it feels to worry about these things. It's hard thinking about who you might be after surgery. food had always been a part of us & I can't see how it just turns off after surgery, but I am glad it does! Good luck with your surgery!

[Butterthebean 8,146]

There certainly can be a mourning period. But think about how you feel about food now after a big meal, when you're stuffed and can't eat any more. You may see some more food that looks good, but you're really not interested. At 7 months out, that's how I feel all the time.

[cataro 39]

17+ months out here. This is a common question. How do you fundamentally change your relationship with food just by having a surgery? Yes' date=' you can limit your intake, but it takes awhile for the mind to catch up. Yes, there is some mourning which occurs after awhile, but then you see the scale move and the pants slip off your hips and things begin to just get better.

There is a change, for sure, but for me, I wanted a change. Needed a change, so I was ready for it. I don't regret my decision in the least. It was exactly what I needed because I, too, loved to eat large quantities and snack constantly. I love the feeling of being full and that feeling is still satisfied with the sleeve. It just occurs much quicker than it did before. I can eat whatever I want. Last weekend I went out with the wife and had lobster tail, asparagus and scalloped potatoes. Very limited quantity, but I was completely sated. It was great. Had more for lunch the next day.

When I am out with friends or co-workers, I ask for a to-go container when I order. As soon as my meal arrives, I quickly toss in no less than two thirds of the portion and spread the remaining around my plate. I gingerly eat my meal and nobody notices a thing. It has never been a problem.

I no longer crave food and snacking is not a part of my life anymore. I know ... sounds crazy, but it is true. I eat to live, not live to eat.[/quote']

Asking for a to-go box with the meal is genius, Im going to have to remember that!!

[HeadMistress 35]

Asking for a to-go box with the meal is genius' date=' Im going to have to remember that!!

[/quote']

You can also tell them to bring u half ur food and box the rest so that its not even on your plate... like out of sight out of mind!

[newgirltx 41]

I did feel an immense sadness in the weeks immediately following surgery. My mind felt on fire with thoughts of wanting to eat. I also ate mostly for comfort and it took me many weeks to adjust psychologically to the fact that it is not physically possible to fill my emotional needs with food now. I did try several times to over eat with the same result' date=' vomiting!!! I can't tell you for sure when the head hunger eased for me but I am 9 months out today and I have a totally different relationship with food. I would totally do this again. The weight loss is awesome but for me the ability to have food be in its proper place in relation to everything else the world has to offer is priceless.[/quote']

Thank u so much for this. I am in my first week post op and u feel like head hunger is plaguing me. But, I am also home alone and bored with just television and nothing else to distract me. I'm glad to see that there is light at the end o the tunnel.