Last Meal Syndrome

BRANDYK · April 2, 2007

Hey all!!! I decided to do the band two months ago, and have two more months to go before getting it done by Dr. Spivak in Houston. I'm a self pay so I'm saving up. I'm just curious, has anyone else who has had to wait longer than a few weeks knowing they were going to have it done, go on an eating binge? I'm eating WHATEVER I want and pigging out, with the mentality that I'm not going to be able to do that anymore in a few months. I'm like a person on death row having their last meal!!! I've already gained ten pounds in two months and scared I'm gonna gain even more before the surgery. Has anyone else done this?:hungry:

maryrose · April 2, 2007

Oh gosh Brandy, tell me about it. They have been monitoring me and I have been having weigh-ins, so I have been good for about 1 1/2 months. Now that I know my surgery is next week...I've been a piggy wiggly for the last few days.

Darn Easter candy...lol...

They call it the Last Supper Syndrome and I was warned about it at the clinic last week. They told me "try to be good"....lol.

I had my little treats, now it's back to business..You really want to lose as much as you can prior to surgery if you can.

I know..it's hard!! :rolleyes

Jachut · April 2, 2007

This is really hard not to do but honestly, its just SO bad for your body to suddenly eat everything that's not nailed down and then abrubptly almost stop eating altogether. Just dont do it. Its really hard and I think everybody will have little pig outs pre banding but try very hard not to just throw in the towel and eat unrestrainedly for weeks. You'll have to lose it again and it will affect your recovery. If you eat well and exercise now for a few months prior you've got a greater chance of virtually getting up and walking off the operating table, you'll be back to normal activity (and exercise) sooner and therefore you'll feel better and probably get better results.

It must be harder facing a strict low carb full of rules diet post banding, but they dont tend to want you to do that in Australia and I've eaten all those foods I never thought I'd eat again, some of em I enjoyed, some of em I didnt, but you really can eat anything in moderation - being banded is a lifestyle, not a never ending diet. You're not saying goodbye to anythign permanently.

juliegeraci · April 2, 2007

Please have a 6" Subway sandwich for me. Enjoy your last supers while you can.

Poodles · April 2, 2007

I had the last meal syndrome in the last 6 months I was waiting for the approval/surgery date. I gained a ton... and now I am paying for it... so be careful.

With that said make it a foot long sub and say, "this bite is for Julie, and this bite is for Poodles." I miss bread...

Daisalana · April 2, 2007

I have to say, this journey has made me realize my addiction to food.. I actually have little panic attacks when I think about the things I won't be able to shove in my face after too much longer. I get a grip when I realize how silly this sounds. I do have fears about still being hungry.. I don't seem to 'get full' often, and especially lately I try listening to my body to tell me I'm full, and it still doesn't come. I just hope the lap band will help me get the full feeling and I won't want to binge. I started my pre-op diet early to make sure I'm in the mindset. So far, so good

But I have thought about that 'last meal' and if I really want to do that. I am trying to tell myself not to let food control me and I feel like doing the 'last meal' will be like saying 'its ok to cave in just this once', premeditated. I feel guilty even thinking about it. Closer to time we'll see if I crack, but for now, I'm trying to just stay focused

Spydr · April 3, 2007

I had 30 days of "last meals" and enjoyed every minute of it. I ate everything that was not nailed down and the weird thing was, I did not gain a pound. The clear liquid diet was for a week prior to surgery and I wanted to make sure I had all I wanted before that time came.

I failed to realize that I really didn't need all those last meals. Everthing i ate before surgery, i can have today, just not all at one time. I cna have a steak, bread, salad, and dessert, just not all in one meal. Today I have to pick and choose what I really want to eat and then feel free to have a taste of whatever I wish. The key is now it is just a taste. If I forget and overindulge, my band reminds me. Sometimes it really sucks but it is about the greater good. I ate everything for over 30 years and I feel okay giving up a few things to be healthy. It's not a bad trade off.

Jachut · April 3, 2007

I just wish that I could say something that made a pre-bandster really *believe* that they're not giving up everything. I remember that panicked feeling, I was really looking at the band as punishment for being so bad, and not at all like the great thing that it has turned out to be.

Honestly, I enjoy eating more now than before band because it no longer controls me.

Daisalana · April 3, 2007

Jachut- That's encouraging. And even though I believe, it just still seems scary because I'm on this side still

BRANDYK · April 4, 2007

Thanks for all the help guys. I just need to stop looking at every meal as a "last meal" I guess. Even my boyfriend has noticed I eat more than I usually do lately. I already need to lose 105 pounds, I don't want to make it 120 by the time my surgery rolls around!!! I'll have that subway sandwich, it'll be an Italian BMT with everything on it

juliegeraci · April 4, 2007

I love BMT, extra vinegar. Thanks for eating that for me. I miss them so much!

Bawilliams1 · April 4, 2007

Brandy, I felt the same way. I went to a catfish and shrimp all you can eat buffet the evening before I flew out to have my surgery. This may not be the end of eating normally for you though. I know it's different for everyone, but once I got past the liquid and soft food stages I could still eat pretty much normally. It took me three aggressive fills before I really had restriction. So, you might still be able to eat once you get past the post op diet. Some people have restriction before they get a fill, but I didn't. Remember too that you will be able to eat a lot of what you eat now, just in smaller portions. I know it's not the same, but atleast you don't have to giveit up forever. I have a band that is supposed to hold 4.0 cc's and rightnow I have 4.2 cc's in it! In the evening after I work out I can eat a lot. I don't know why, but my band likes to open up in the evening. So, as long as you control yourself you can still enjoy food. I am not saying that your band will do the same thing, but you never know. Just my two cents worth!

socalgal3 · April 4, 2007

I honestly didn't feel that way and didn't have a "last supper". I think I was too nervous about my surgery. And honestly, the sooner you prepare yourself menatlly, the easier it will be after. I didn't realize how much of an emotional/mental relationship I had with food until I physically couldn't stuff my face. The pre-op diet is for your health, so just be careful.