Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

pre op intake and cravings



Recommended Posts

What steps did you take towards change, when waiting for insurance approval? Did anyone NOT do any changes until the pre-op liquid fast? How do you manage refocusing your thoughts when a craving jumps in your head....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did almost a year of intensive therapy on my own, to deal with my food addiction issues. I continue to work on it in therapy, now that I am post-op.

I don't think I could have done this without some serious head work first. Or I'd be hungry and craving foods, "treats" and junk, right now, and I'm not. I'm not even hungry, and still can't get all my Protein in daily. Barely getting in my fluids. food really means very little to me anymore. I think that's healthy. Food is for nourishment, not for comfort. I love feeling like this.

Everyone has to find their own way, I haven't had real hunger since surgery so I haven't had to deal with cravings or anything like that. I don't know if I am normal or not. I am thankful for this feeling. But I have a backup plan, a list of things to do besides eating, and am adding to that list all the time, just in case at some point it is needed. You have to have distractions. Identify other ways to comfort yourself, other than eating food. Like polishing your nails, or watching a movie, or taking a walk, drinking a hot cup of tea, or painting....something. Anything other than eating.

Great question! Looking forward to hearing what others do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a nine month wait for approval. During that time I focused on one behavior at a time. I did not drink, smoke, drink caffeine or soda at the time.

For me I focused on choosing more balanced meals, not eating in front of the TV, chewing my food a Gazzilion times, not drinking 30 minutes before or after a meal, eating my food more slowly, not eating after a certain time at night, and walking like crazy.

I would choose 1 or two to focus on and do it for 13 days straight until it became a habit. Then I would continue those new behaviors and add a new one every week.

I will tell you, I still find myself eating in front of the TV sometimes but if that is the worst thing I do, then I am happy.

I feel like that time really got me ready for what was to come. It is a major lifestyle change and I feel like it really did set me up for success.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

By the way, when I have a craving I usually will ask myself am I really hungry? I try some Water, if that doesn't satisfy me then I will fulfill that craving.

I try to fulfill it with good choices 99 percent of the time, then if there is something I really am craving like pizza or ice cream I will plan my whole day around fulfilling that craving.

I can pretty much eat anything I want to but I can only eat a few bites and I am full. So if I want ice cream I make sure I eat my Protein and veggies first, then guess what I still can have a few spoon full of ice cream. And I am completely satisfied.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×