I recently had my surgery on March 11th. I thought I was mentally and emotionally ready for the surgery, but was sadly mistaken. I feel like I am in my own hell. I miss food! I know I had the surgery for a good reason. I have a two year old son that I would like to be able to get out and play and keep up with. Every part of me just wants to pick up some french fries and chow down but I scare myself out of it. Did I really go through all of this just to go back to my old ways? Will I ever stop missing "the good stuff". I am so tired of greek yogurt, sugar free pudding and mashed potatoes. Not to mention the funky protein shakes that I can get about 75% in before I am ready to barf just from the taste. I am afraid to eat too much and I don't know if I have ever reached that "full feeling". I want pizza, hot dogs and FRIES! I miss my occasional soda, coffee with caffene (sp). My dad had the surgery three weeks before mine and all of this doesn't seem to bother him. Well, if it does, he isn't telling me about it. As you can see the food is my biggest issue, obviously or I wouldn't have had the surgery. I am pleased with the weight loss, just wish it didn't come to wls to get some results. Feeling down and depressed.

It's a tough stage your in right now.. Its like quitting a drug habit cold turkey ( excuse the food reference ) it will get easier after the first month and you will be able to eat a bit more normally... I went through a lot of depressing moments the first month, I think a lot of us did actually.

If you are eating mashed potatoes can you eat refried Beans?? And a bit of soft cheese?

Also when I was at the stage I was allowed cream of wheat.. I bought malt o meal instead and I know this sounds weird but I made it with homemade chicken broth, not canned that stuff is gross:p most people eat malt o meal sweet but I really wanted something savory...

This too shall pass..I could have wrote this a couple of Weeks back...

It seems to be a common occurrence. I agree with laura-ven, maybe a change up in your foods would help. I have not gone through surgery but about 4 years ago I went vegetarian cold-turkey. It was rough, I literally went from having a normal breakfast and lunch with meat to BAM! dinner, no meat. I went nearly 9 months before I cheated and had a meat product. Let me tell you though, that first 30-60 days was the worst. It seemed like my neighbor decided to BBQ everyday, every time I went to a friends house they were cooking my favorite meat dish, and fast food smelled so amazing every time I drove by. I promise you, it gets easier, the food loss gets easier, the smells quit bothering you, and when you do end up cheating the taste and texture is completely different. The first thing I had non vegetarian was a fast food cheeseburger, my first thought was.... gross soggy cardboard. It will give you a new appreciation for the foods as you bring them back in to your diet, in a newer, healthier way in smaller portions. Hang in there.

My doctor told me depression is normal after wls because of the hormones being released from the fat you are losing.

It should pass, so take care of yourself and know it won't be forever.

I really hate to depress you any further but it does not get any easier. We were all lead to believe that surgery would dispense with the Grehlin that causes hunger. Well, they lied. We are no different except to say, when we eat too much, or eat too fast, we hurt now. Sort of like having a safety measure so we don't over indulge. But we are all pro's here, we can get around that too if we really want to. The real deal is, we are the same, our desires are not changed or deminished. We just have a chance here to cut down and hopefully learn how to eat smart so we can take off the weight. My advice to newcomers, don't eat until you're starving. The longer you do not introduce food to your new stomach, the better it will be on you. You'll lose a much greater amount. This is a truly difficult struggle and only the strong will survive. Be strong.

It's a tough stage your in right now.. Its like quitting a drug habit cold turkey ( excuse the food reference ) it will get easier after the first month and you will be able to eat a bit more normally... I went through a lot of depressing moments the first month' date=' I think a lot of us did actually.

If you are eating mashed potatoes can you eat refried Beans?? And a bit of soft cheese?

Also when I was at the stage I was allowed cream of wheat.. I bought malt o meal instead and I know this sounds weird but I made it with homemade chicken broth, not canned that stuff is gross:p most people eat malt o meal sweet but I really wanted something savory...[/quote']

I'm 4 days out and I just said to my friend I felt like a drug addict and I was going through detox. My whole family has and still does base everything around food. I'm looking forward to not having to do this.

I really hate to depress you any further but it does not get any easier. We were all lead to believe that surgery would dispense with the Grehlin that causes hunger. Well, they lied. We are no different except to say, when we eat too much, or eat too fast, we hurt now. Sort of like having a safety measure so we don't over indulge. But we are all pro's here, we can get around that too if we really want to. The real deal is, we are the same, our desires are not changed or deminished. We just have a chance here to cut down and hopefully learn how to eat smart so we can take off the weight. My advice to newcomers, don't eat until you're starving. The longer you do not introduce food to your new stomach, the better it will be on you. You'll lose a much greater amount. This is a truly difficult struggle and only the strong will survive. Be strong.

WTH?.. I beg to differ .. Sheesh! It gets a lot better and most everyone here will agree. We aren't fakers and just pretending to be happy with our slevees... WE ARE HAPPY AND WE DON'T REGRET IT. Sure it's sometimes tough, but most of the time it isn't. Live for the positive and accentuate the good.. Don't pound others into the ground just because that's where you are. I am sorry you are having such a negative time, but to suggest to someone it NEVER gets better is.. Well, just not ok. IMHO ...anyway

I prayer things change for you.. Good luck

Everyones journey is different. I know people who walked out of surgery like if they just woke up from bed ready to go out. I know people who found the first 4 weeks the easiest and others like myself the most challenging. AGAIN everyone's experience will be different and that is why this site s here for. So that we can SUPPORT each other ask questions and utilize the search bar so we can inform ourselves.

I've been looking at this surgery for over a year and wls in general for like 3 years and i can tell you that no matter how informed you are, you won't be 100% ready for what's coming and that is why i state that EVERY SINGLE PERSON IS DIFFERENT. and i do believe that as time goes on everything will get better. day 3 I was so sad and thinking wth did i just get myself into. I am almost 2 weeks post and even though it is a challenge i know that it will get better.

Just keep thinking positive!!! And do not compare yourself to anyone..

I really hate to depress you any further but it does not get any easier. We were all lead to believe that surgery would dispense with the Grehlin that causes hunger. Well, they lied. We are no different except to say, when we eat too much, or eat too fast, we hurt now. Sort of like having a safety measure so we don't over indulge. But we are all pro's here, we can get around that too if we really want to. The real deal is, we are the same, our desires are not changed or deminished. We just have a chance here to cut down and hopefully learn how to eat smart so we can take off the weight. My advice to newcomers, don't eat until you're starving. The longer you do not introduce food to your new stomach, the better it will be on you. You'll lose a much greater amount. This is a truly difficult struggle and only the strong will survive. Be strong.

I'm sorry to this poster but I have never read worse advice. Please OP do not take this advice.

First off DO NOT speak for everyone. We were not all lied to. I certainly wasn't told my hunger would go away. I was told that was a possibility and that most likely it would be diminished in some about. So far that is very true FOR ME. I have yet to have anything more than the most mild and fleeting hungry feeling. It comes and goes very quickly and is hardly noticeable.

The food issues and hunger will get better as you add in more and more whole foods instead of just the soft stuff, at least it should. I hated that first stage but it really changed for me as I added in more solid foods. Follow your nutritionists guide and you should get through all of the major issues you are having.

Last DO NOT STARVE YOURSELF. I almost fell out of my chair when I read this persons "advice" to wait until you are starving. Sure you might see faster results but at what cost? The point is to be eating or drinking pretty much all day. Same advice Nutritionists give to people dieting without a VSG too. You need to be eating 4 or 5 small, in our case tinny meals a day. My day starts with a shake, I actually like the kind I found, then I drink 16 ounces of Water over the next hour then have 1 egg or something like that then some more water or milk by then its lunch time and I have something from my current stage's approved list then after lunch some more water then a snack like a yougert, sorry again I LOVE these. And then dinner later and end the day with some fat free milk. I hit my 75 Protein and stay around half that for carbs and around 800 calories I could bring this up I think to avoid putting my body in to starvation mode and all my other numbers are at or below the daily goals. The point being, eating all these tinny meals and drinking lots keeps that hunger away. If you wanted to starve yourself as this poster suggested you could have ton that without the surgery. Its dangerous and just plain stupid.

We are not all the same we all have different experiences so take what you can from my advice but don't starve yourself and you are different even though this poster is trying to tell you other wise. We can't speak for everyone we are all on a similar but special journey. Good luck with yours.

Thank you too all for the positive feedback. Everyday it does get a little better. I can't say I am100% better, but I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. This is a temporary small sacrifice I must make to get to a healthy me. I still don't feel like I will ever stop missing red yummy bad for you food, only time will tell. Thanks again!