Need a buddy to help me through this..Had gastric bypass on 9/23/15. Live in Richmond, VA.

[shannonblindsay 9]

My name is Shannon. I'm 44, married, with 3 sons. I had gastric bypass on 9/23/15..it will be 3 weeks tomorrow. As I am physically getting better, I'm emotionally getting worse. It is so hard to imagine not being able to eat my favorite foods again. I hate seeing food commercials, restaurants, or thinking about chocolate. I started this journey, 2 weeks pre-op at 253 pounds and today, I weighed 215.6. I'm happy about the weight loss but I'm so depressed about not eating. Any encouragement or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[New day ahead 40]

I have not had surgery yet but I worry about that too. Unfortunately I like food. I keep thinking one day i will be able to have a bite or two of something I used to love. But then again, maybe I won't want it anymore. I gave up soda a year and half ago ( after 30 years) and can't stand the taste anymore! Take it one day at a time. I hope it gets better for you.

[shannonblindsay 9]

Thank you. My body doesn't want to eat. If my brain didn't want to eat, I'd be all good. Good luck to you.

[Knitchic 97]

Hi there. We had surgery a day apart and our before weight and current weight are really close too.

Some days are worse for me and other days I feel like I've got this under control. I try to look at its not that I can never eat these things again. At some point I hope to be able to eat small bites of lots of my favorite things. With a stomach our size we can't eat much anyway.

My surgeon doesn't allow any "food" until 6 weeks out so I am still on cream of wheat, Protein shakes, eggs and instant mashed potatoes. I think once I can have some things that have more taste and texture it won't be so bad.

Hang in there

[Kamileighx3 3]

Hi Shannon, WTG on the weight loss, that's amazing!!! My surgery was 8/28, was supposed to be 7/31 but I got bitten on my abdomen by what we think was a spider. The bites turned in cellulitis so my surgeon postponed my surgery. So, I basically started my journey 7/17, that's when I started the pre surgery liquid diet. I started at a weight of 252 and am down to 210. So, as you can see, you're doing great!!!! I'm sorry about your sadness, thankfully I'm not affected by the commercials or what my family eats. My stomach is always upset so eating isn't fun for me right now. I can barely get my meds and a Protein shake down without wanting to throw up. The Calcium I'm taking is ok but my Vitamin is disgusting. My surgeon said everything has to be crushed so applesauce has become my best friend. How are you doing with your Vitamins and supplements?

Stay strong and keep the faith. My surgeon told me it's very common after surgery to wonder what in the heck you have just done. I hope things get better for you. Keep up the good work ????

[2twinkle 86]

Hey Shannon,

Man I hear you about the sadness about not eating. I almost cried when they told me "No more avocados!"

I asked my nut if I could just lick one.

She said, "If you really need something, go ahead. Just take it easy, and remember what got you here in the first place."

Yes, so for me its oily stuff, not sweets.

Here's my weird way of handling cravings: I go into a store and smell the packages in a store. Sometimes all I do is touch them, close my eyes and remember the flavor. It is not hunger, just spice craving.

It really helped to know I could CONTROL my choices - nothing was written in stone. And, that I was being treated as an intelligent adult who could make sensible decisions. Even the "guidelines" are flexible: 60 g. Protein, and 64 oz. Water is recommended, yet you can play with it. I will tell you that I have found if I don"t get my Protein in I ache all over and feel like I've got a bug.

Exercise is a great mood booster for me, and I have a few support people I call when I have questions or things get rough. I haven't called my mayo docs for any questions yet, because everything is great and on track.

[kriley6 0]

Cheer up......i'm 6 months out and I can pretty much eat anything I want (of course within reason and in small portions). Hopefully with time you will be able to tolerate most foods. I still avoid Pasta bread and rice since my dr. Said to wait a year to eat it