It's my (birthday) and I'll cry if I want to...

[Fatty McFatster 888]

Today is my birthday...normally a cause for celebration...but today I am sad. I never realized how much food was involved in my birthday celebration. I am currently 4 weeks post-op and can't really enjoy any of the foods normally associated with a birthday.

• No steak and baked potato or pizza for dinner.
• No buttered popcorn and coke at a movie.
• No cake and ice cream after the gifts.

I know that having the sleeve surgery was my decision and I don't regret it in the least, but it is going to take some time for me to not emotionally want food. I made it through Thanksgiving just fine (which occurred 1 week after my surgery) and don't feel the food pressures of Christmas either. However, my birthday is a different story and I am struggling.

Would love some support from my fellow Bariatric Pals today.

[Miss Mac 6,261]

For celebrations around here, we usually make a sugar-free cheesecake topped with fresh berries. I just scoop the custard filling off of the graham cracker crust.

[jane13 2,256]

@@Miss Mac - that sounds delicious

[KindaFamiliar 3,867]

Oh well...

You'll just have to settle for feeling better, looking better and being healthier...

Birthday cake and Coke is a small price to pay...

Happy Birthday!!!

[Fatty McFatster 888]

Oh well...

You'll just have to settle for feeling better, looking better and being healthier...

Birthday cake and Coke is a small price to pay...

Happy Birthday!!!

Thank you for the birthday wishes!! I really appreciate it.

For celebrations around here, we usually make a sugar-free cheesecake topped with fresh berries. I just scoop the custard filling off of the graham cracker crust.

That sounds good. Yum.

[LilyFlower 9]

I completely understand. I too have been mourning the loss of my best friend, food. It is an emotional breakup and everything reminds me of all the fun we (food and I) had together. To make it worse, other people are still best friends with food so I have to watch them have the relationship I used to have.

I am only 11 days out but have been very emotional since the surgery and cry every day. I'm crying for the certain comfort that food brought me. Crying because I don't know what to do with the time that I usually spent eating. Crying because I am no longer one of the gang that can shove down 6 pieces of pizza and still want ice cream for dessert.

Or maybe what I'm really crying for is the fact that I let food rule my life for so long. I was one of those eaters that would inhale a box and Cookies and then feel bad. Eat a pint of ice cream and wonder what in the h*** is wrong me.

I am taking back my power and food is no longer in charge. It is scary and emotional but I'll make it. And you will too!

[Fatty McFatster 888]

I completely understand. I too have been mourning the loss of my best friend, food. It is an emotional breakup and everything reminds me of all the fun we (food and I) had together. To make it worse, other people are still best friends with food so I have to watch them have the relationship I used to have.

I am only 11 days out but have been very emotional since the surgery and cry every day. I'm crying for the certain comfort that food brought me. Crying because I don't know what to do with the time that I usually spent eating. Crying because I am no longer one of the gang that can shove down 6 pieces of pizza and still want ice cream for dessert.

Or maybe what I'm really crying for is the fact that I let food rule my life for so long. I was one of those eaters that would inhale a box and Cookies and then feel bad. Eat a pint of ice cream and wonder what in the h*** is wrong me.

I am taking back my power and food is no longer in charge. It is scary and emotional but I'll make it. And you will too!

You summed up exactly how I feel!! Thank you so much for your understanding and willingness to share your feelings with me. It really means a lot to have others share their experiences and offer their support during this time. We can do this!!!

And I am honored that your first post was to my thread. Thank you!!

[liannatx 897]

Happy Birthday! I really don't mourn food, I don't look at it as if I will never have and enjoy those foods again... I just choose to not have them now. Some day we will choose to have those treats, and work them into our daily calories/carbs so that we feel no guilt in eating them.

My birthday was yesterday, btw!

[Fatty McFatster 888]

Happy Birthday! I really don't mourn food, I don't look at it as if I will never have and enjoy those foods again... I just choose to not have them now. Some day we will choose to have those treats, and work them into our daily calories/carbs so that we feel no guilt in eating them.

My birthday was yesterday, btw!

Thank you for the birthday wishes and thanks for the insight. I really appreciate it!!

And HAPPY belated Birthday to you!!!

[The Candidate 3,215]

I know it's tough, but looking at the big picture, those foods didn't really represent comfort. What they really represent is bad health and aching joints and pain, both internal and external. It's true what they say about "a moment on the lips, but a lifetime on the hips" or any other place on the body you so choose.

What you're giving up in exchange for extra years in your life cannot compare. Hang in there and here's wishing you a very happy birthday!

[Fatty McFatster 888]

I know it's tough, but looking at the big picture, those foods didn't really represent comfort. What they really represent is bad health and aching joints and pain, both internal and external. It's true what they say about "a moment on the lips, but a lifetime on the hips" or any other place on the body you so choose.

What you're giving up in exchange for extra years in your life cannot compare. Hang in there and here's wishing you a very happy birthday!

You always know what to say in a positive manner. Thanks so much for your encouraging and supportive posts. They are always much appreciated.

And thanks for the birthday wishes!!!

[A New KK 104]

Happy Birthday. I so understand how you're feeling; I too miss good food. I'm a bit of a gourmet cook and I cooked dinner for friends last night and had marinated some beautiful cod fish and was looking forward to something good to eat (however my husband overcooked the fish on the grill so the only part of the meal that I could eat was inedible). A nutritionist told me "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." After so many "diets" over so many years I want to feel what being thin feels like again. I think I had my surgery around the same time as you, Nov. 19, and still struggling with how fast to eat and what to eat. It all tastes so boring but I'm keeping at it. You'll do fine. Get out and enjoy the day. Embrace the changes you are making and find something to fill the food void. Me, I'm going to the pool and swim/jog for about an hour. It has been the best part of my day since I was cleared for it.

[Fatty McFatster 888]

Happy Birthday. I so understand how you're feeling; I too miss good food. I'm a bit of a gourmet cook and I cooked dinner for friends last night and had marinated some beautiful cod fish and was looking forward to something good to eat (however my husband overcooked the fish on the grill so the only part of the meal that I could eat was inedible). A nutritionist told me "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." After so many "diets" over so many years I want to feel what being thin feels like again. I think I had my surgery around the same time as you, Nov. 19, and still struggling with how fast to eat and what to eat. It all tastes so boring but I'm keeping at it. You'll do fine. Get out and enjoy the day. Embrace the changes you are making and find something to fill the food void. Me, I'm going to the pool and swim/jog for about an hour. It has been the best part of my day since I was cleared for it.

Thanks for the birthday wishes and the reminder to embrace the changes. Thank you and good luck to you on your continued journey!!!

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@Fatty McFatster,

My dear FMF, you don't need cake and ice cream when you can have a birthday kiss on the noggin from moi. Or, to put it another way, "Pick one." [And be careful of what you say.]

Many more to you.

@@liannatx, a very merry UnBirthday to you! Only a day late. Don't be shy next year, okay?

Edited December 21, 2015 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[kranky813 477]

First off Happy Birthday!! It is a day to celebrate!!! It's the first Birthday of the New You!!

2ndly - I can empathize with you. I was feeling exactly like you felt when my birthday came around. I was 3 months post op and even though I could eat food I couldn't eat the way that I used to. My husband and I went out to my favorite Italian restaurant and I had 2 bites off of his plate and called it good. I couldn't eat the entire plate full, plus have my favorite desert and 2 or 3 glasses of wine. I was a little sad by it. BUT... after dinner when I got home and put on my Medium pajama pants I didn't feel so bad anymore. (I have always been an XL or a XXL) Also, when I realized that my gut didn't hurt from over stuffing it like it usually does, the feeling bad got a little better.

I was also a best friend to food and will admit that still sometimes when I see others eat it makes me a little sad but it gets much better over time. You are still going through the hormone crazy phase and once that passes you will feel so much better.

Good Luck and do something special for you on your Birthday like buying that item you have been eyeing or if you are like me binge watch some show on Netflix