What's been your biggest post op realization about food

[Sophie74656 1,572]

I had my sleeve on Sept 2, 2015. Since then I've realized a lot of things about the way I used to eat.

The biggest thing I've realized is just how much I over ate. When I started really looking at portion size post op it dawned on me how much smaller it is than what I used to eat. Like a box of mac n cheese is 4 servings...not 1. A serving of Cereal is half a cup, not "until the bowl is full"

[sbg224 318]

I am right there with you. I am surprise the way I was eating I was not heavier. It sure does make you realize after the sleeve just how much we really need.

[jess9395 5,450]

That the cookie/chocolate bar/whatever will always be there tomorrow. I don't have to eat as if I would never have the opportunity again. Even Christmas, thanksgiving, those Easter Cadbury eggs, Starbucks Eggnog latte... They will be available to me again and again.

[Sophie74656 1,572]

even now I still find myself looking at a small portion on my plate and thinking "no way this is enough food, is this how skinny people eat?"

[BarrySue 602]

I didn't realize how integral food was to my comfort and happiness until I stopped. I still tried to eat bad foods after my surgery, but one bite in I'd gag. I'd walk around the grocery store and touch/handle/be drawn to everything I couldn't have, and just having it in my cart was like a security blanket. Sometimes I'd buy stuff knowing I couldn't eat it, I just wanted to HAVE it. Then I'd put it back before checking out, or throw it out/offer it to a roomie when I got home.

Much of what I buy even now, I take a few bites and then casually throw the rest away. I think purchasing food/meals/snacks just makes me feel normal. Is that weird?

[Margie122 845]

My biggest post-op realization about food is that if I buy it I will probably eat it at some point! So don't buy junk. Also my eyes are DEF bigger than my now small stomach and I am amazed at how I can know when to stop eating. I love my sleeve!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Boy, did I ever eat too fast pre-op! But I don't now. Eating slower really does make food taste better and extends my enjoyment.

FTR, I am not one of those who "no longer enjoys food." I love food. Just love it. It tastes great.

It also feels amazing to be in control of so many aspects of eating, compared to the way food controlled me pre-op.

[Sophie74656 1,572]

Boy, did I ever eat too fast pre-op! But I don't now. Eating slower really does make food taste better and extends my enjoyment.

FTR, I am not one of those who "no longer enjoys food." I love food. Just love it. It tastes great.

It also feels amazing to be in control of so many aspects of eating, compared to the way food controlled me pre-op.

I still love food too, but I do feel differntly about food. I can have a bite or two of something I really love and stop there, I don't feel the need to keep eating. At Halloween I actually bought a bag of candy and had no problem eating one fun size piece a day. and only one

[The Candidate 3,215]

I learned that I can actually reach a level of satisfaction with food. There are times now that I'm suddenly aware that I haven't thought about eating something for many hours.

Before I was always hungry. Always. I woke up hungry and went to bed hungry, no matter how much I ate. The freedom from that kind of total control over my life is incredible.

[Sophie74656 1,572]

I learned that I can actually reach a level of satisfaction with food. There are times now that I'm suddenly aware that I haven't thought about eating something for many hours.

Before I was always hungry. Always. I woke up hungry and went to bed hungry, no matter how much I ate. The freedom from that kind of total control over my life is incredible.

yes, this has been the best thing about surgery! I still love food but it doesn't rule my life. I feel satisfaction now

[borg/assimilated 576]

While I still like food, it just doesn't have that strong appeal for me anymore. It is hard to explain. I can think," Oh I'd like that for dinner" and when dinner time comes I might say," Nah, I think I'll just have a Protein bar/shake." Weird.

[pink dahlia 2,513]

A surprise ? Finding out how little carbs I would want or need. Before WLS I loved Pasta or a baked potato with butter , garlic and pepper. Mmmmmmmm. And bread ? Oh yeah, especially biscuts and cornbread, or garlic breadsticks all slathered with real butter. Now ? 2 or 3 bites, done. Satisfied. Shocking !

[FrankyG 1,450]

The many (not so surprising) surprises I've made so far:

• I realized at one point trying to finish something that I didn't actually have to because I was full and would probably regret eating the last few bites anyway. I grew up with a father that would yell if I didn't clean my plate so this has been upsetting and then strangely freeing understanding the need to finish off every morsel of food. I am now okay with leaving some behind.
• That I probably was (am) a binge eater. I would have trigger foods that I would eat until they were all gone or eat until I felt sick. I never really put it together that this was binge eating; I just thought I was greedy/piggish, but feeling compelled to eat... never stopped to think about probably because that was a secret/shameful act and I didn't want to focus on it any more than I had to.
• I don't think this was a realization but I used food for reward and for comfort.
• I was shocked at seeing how carby foods I ate affected me once I stopped eating them. And how when I started eating them again in (what I thought) was moderation, how quickly I got hooked on them and craved them until I detoxed and got them out of my system. I have trigger foods that I really should not ever eat again because I can't seem to control myself even with the sleeve. So they will never come in my house again if I can help it.
• I love how easy it is to find some tasty workarounds for some of my favorite recipes. I don't want to eat crap food any more, and modifying a beloved favorite makes me so happy.

[muzical1 85]

I didn't realize how much food controlled my life. Meal times were the most important time of day. Not so much anymore and I'm happy about that.

[Djmohr 6,965]

For me, I was and am still shocked at how little food one needs to survive.

I am still surprised at how drinking a lot of Water makes me feel better including my skin.

I am absolutely shocked every time I go shopping and could literally fit into any clothes from any store. I used to be so limited in what I could wear.

Tomorrow for the first time in 15 years I will be going to buy a dress. Yes, a dress! I want a sweater dress that I can rock with my new boots! I never ever would have put on a dress previously!

Then on Sunday we will be visiting my son who is taking us to Benihana for dinner where I will rock that dress and my new boots!