Hello all! I just started my pre op diet 5 days ago. Today was the first time I have gone grocery shopping for my family. I HATED IT!!! It is just me and hubby and he eats all the cookies, cakes, chips (what I call the 3 C's) he wants to without gaining an ounce! We were in the store and for some reason I saw all these new kind of chips (one of my vices) that I would have normally tried. I got so angry that I almost started to cry! I worked through it but man this may be harder than I thought. While I was still eating (the right foods) I didn't have any problem with going to the supermarket. IJDK! I really didin't like that feeling!

Be safe and love yourself! :)

Edited May 6, 201511 yr by djay210

I am assuming you haven't had your surgery yet, then? If this is any comfort, after my surgery (5 months ago), I can now walk through a grocery store and it DOESN"T tempt me! Nothing is appealing, so I just get the necessaries. I shop also for a husband who doesn't gain; ice cream, treats...but the BIG difference is...I DON'T CARE!!!!!! I buy them, into the cupboard or freezer they go, and I'm done with it. AND I DON'T CARE!!!!! He eats it in front of me, and I'M NOT TEMPTED!!!!!!

I find when I shop for me, I shop the perimeter of the store, instead of down the aisles, because what I eat isn't found in the aisles. It is found in the dairy, meat and produce sections. I only go down the aisles for my hubs. AND I DON'T MIND!!!!!!

I'm not saying I'm a saint and don't IMBIBE once in awhile, because I do and I CAN! But for the most part, I stick to what's LEGAL! AND I DON'T MIND!!!!!!!

Hope this helps.....a little.......but it is true.

The only things in the aisles I get is protein bars, nuts, beef jerky and sunflower seeds.

I can't actually read your post on my Ipad because of the font.

I hate grocery shopping now as well. Food is not the draw it once was, and as those above mentioned , I find everything I need around the perimeter too. On the other hand it doesn't take me nearly as long to shop!

During my pre-op and full liquid phase post-op, the food that made me angry was Oscar Meyer Hard Salami. My daughter (14 and thin) and I loved to eat it in my old life. I made her leave the room to eat it. Thankfully, she was very understanding. So far the only other times I've had difficulty were at social gatherings with a variety of foods - At Church in particular, I had shared I had surgery but did not share what kind of surgery. My loving Christian companions kept offering me food, and I kept saying no. By the end of it, I was exhausted and mad. It wasn't even about the food (breakfast). I haven't been able to eat eggs since the surgery, so the thought of trying makes me green.

A few weeks later and eating some solid food, I still want the salami, but it doesn't make me angry. I figure eventually the social gatherings with food won't bother me as much either.

I've never enjoyed grocery shopping. My vice was always fast food with high frequency. Now I go to the grocery store every few days for fresh produce and meal planning. It still takes me a while because I'm reading labels for the first time. The variety of yogurt and low-fat this or that is insane.

I don't enjoy grocery shopping like I used to. Now, it's just one more chore to get through.I don't mind buying food that I can't eat, I'm used to that as I has diabetes (now resolved!) and bought treats for the rest of the family. Today will my first trip to the grocery store in weeks (long story involving kidney stones, pain, surgery, more pain, etc.) and I'm looking forward to going. Our adult daughter moved out of our home to start a new job and as she had many food sensitivities, our diet has been some what limited. Tonight , dinner will be full of all the things we've not eaten in the two years she's been home attending college.

About dealing with food you can't eat, being eaten in front of you, I've learned to really enjoy the aroma of the food! We were out late Friday (college graduation of above mentioned daughter) and my husband stopped at McDonald's. He and my daughter got hamburgers to eat when they got home (My food was already there) and I just sat and enjoyed the smell of there hamburgers. Sure, just for a second I wished I could of had one, but I've learned it just never tastes as good as you think it will. But I do enjoy the smell of hamburgers, BBQ, and popcorn, etc without feeling deprived.

I really believe that once you have your surgery, this will not be the issue that it is now. Pre-op is hard. There's no other way but to tough it through, but soon you'll be on the other side and I think you'll find that the cravings for all those foods will be, if not gone entirely, at least much, much easier to deal with. It has been for me. (BTW, I did my share of crying during pre-op. I had to deal with Thanksgiving and attend a family reunion the day after Thanksgiving. All I got to eat was Protein shakes and salad with no dressing. All with people who didn't know I was having surgery!)

@@Mommabird

You and I have a lot in common! I, too, had to do pre-op at Thanksgiving time....TALK ABOUT A HEARTACHE!!!! Very challenging, indeed, as I AM THE COOK! We have singles and those who have no one come and join us, and I usually do a HUGE spread. Life can be CRUEL! Because this is something I excel at, and am well known for. Such a tragedy!

However, I overcame, and saw it through. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and I enjoyed SMELLING the food! I agree, NOW smelling the food is my enjoyment, because my tastebuds have changed since this surgery. Now something that used to taste good just doesn't live up to the SCENT it emits. Strange how that works, but if it continues, I should do quite well at holidays, now!!!

I'm with @@CanyonBaby and her first post. I don't mind grocery shopping at all and have always read labels. It will get better once you've had your surgery. It's like you've been set free from the bondage of food because you can't eat nearly as much, therefore, you're pickier about what you choose to eat at meal times and Snacks if they're a part of your day. Good luck!!! Enjoy your journey!!! It is for a lifetime.

I've never really liked grocery shopping but I do like to cook, so sometimes I gotta shop. My husband and I alternate shopping. But when I was on pre op and early post op we agreed that it was cruel and unusual punishment to expect me to shop and to cook. The fam ate what they wanted and I ate what I needed to and we were all happy enough. Now that I can eat food again it's so much easier to deal with what other people can have. But those early days will test your metal. Just realize they're short term and will be worth it for how much better you will feel. Good luck!