Ok... so I've made it through this process without crying ONCE. (a small miracle.) and I've felt awesome the last few days. I'm Day 6 post op, no complications, feeling VERY grateful. BUT... It's my birthday today and for some reason I'm SO SAD that I can't stuff my face like I have every year for the past 31 years. Water and powerade is not cake. Im not even hungry, so Why am I feeling so blue.....? How do you deal with special occasions post op???

I know how hard it can be. I was on post op diet at Christmas and couldn't eat anything. I think mourning food happens to everyone. We celebrate with food, and when that is taken away, you feel like you are missing out. I am 2.5 years post op and there are still some days where I wish I could just eat more! I then remember that if I could eat more, I would be heavy again. But having the sleeve doesn't mean you will not be able to have anything ever again. I still will have a small slice of cake at a party. However, I am not eating cake everyday. You have to find the right balance for you. Some people are able to eat things in moderation, others cannot. I can't keep chips around because I enjoy them too much. I can count on one hand how many times I have bought chips in the last 2.5 years. I know my limits and I know my triggers. The first month or 2 post op is the hardest and then it slowly gets easier. The way you eat will become so ingrained that you will start to think how you ever ate the way you did before.

First, Happy Birthday.

You made a wonderful choice that will give you more birthdays to celebrate. I just celebrated mine too. And even though I was a cake connoisseur for real, I didn't even eat cake on my birthday, and I'm 11 weeks out. I didn't crave it. I did miss it but instead I had the energy with loosing 40 plus pounds to focus on other things. For me I couldn't eat cake in moderation so this one I skipped the cake. Bit that's just me.

Wishing you many more.

I feel your pain! I was on my preop shake diet on my birthday. Everyone was eating except for me. I felt like the black sheep that was sent up to her room with no dinner I kept telling myself that this time next year, I will be a changed person and today is just another day. It wasnt worth it for me. Even now, I'm 7 weeks post op, and I went to a graduation last week and had a bite of cake. It probably wasnt the best decision but it was one bite. My first slip up since my pre op shake diet. I took it with a grain of salt and moved on. I will tell you one thing though- that damn cake was delicious! lol

Good luck to you!

I also had surgery right before Christmas and was still on full liquids until the day after. I can understand it being hard during celebrations, but really try to focus on all the milestones that this next year will bring to you. When your next birthday rolls around you will physically be in a much different place. Head hunger and our emotional triggers are much harder to deal with than just the food. Can you have pudding? If it is a treat you want for your special day, make a little crustless chocolate cream pie. (non fat pudding and a little fat free cool whip) IT will get easier every day.

Good luck to you and Happy Birthday!!!

I don't want anymore birthdays. Mine is in August and you're welcome to have it and by then you can have a little cake and celebrate ;D

Nothing taste as good as those 40 lbs I lost. Congrats on your surgery.

Ok... so I've made it through this process without crying ONCE. (a small miracle.) and I've felt awesome the last few days. I'm Day 6 post op, no complications, feeling VERY grateful. BUT... It's my birthday today and for some reason I'm SO SAD that I can't stuff my face like I have every year for the past 31 years. Water and powerade is not cake. Im not even hungry, so Why am I feeling so blue.....? How do you deal with special occasions post op???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! As far as advice, the ladies above have nailed it. Hang in there!!

You guys are so amazing..... thank you for putting this into perspective. You're absolutely right, and it's just good to have your wonderful words of wisdom to remind me. What a great gift you all are!!!!! XOXO

Congrats on your surgery & HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I know the feeling I'm 3 days post op and its my birthday too, all I want is a big fat chocolate mud cake... Well actually I don't really - my mind thinks I do but only out of habit, I'm not even actually hungry! Wise words from everyone above. We can do this!!