How do you guys handle being around food you want but can't have? I'm having a very hard time with this. I'm 21 years old and I had the sleeve on 10/7. My family always has dinner together and it's so hard to sit at the dinner table and eat for instance, Soup while everyone else is having steak, pork chops or chicken cutlets. Idk how I'm going to get past this

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just see the unhealthy food and know that a - I've eaten enough in my short life and b - if I want a bite of mac and cheese, I'll have a bite in 6 months. We're having an offsite bbq for work tomorrow - fried mac and cheese balls are off limits, but there will be some great smoked brisket and I'm bringing tomato and green bean salad. There's a lot of beautiful colorful tasty food we can have, instead of the beige fried carbload a lot of us ate prior.

This may sound lame, but when I first got sleeved, I kept a small container of vaporub in my purse. I put a little around my nostrils so I couldn't smell the food. I also used whitestrips for my teeth when I'm cooking so I'm not tempted to graze. Don't laugh - it works! I found tricks like that great for just getting over the hump. After a while, I just got over it and quit craving stuff. I think a lot of it was habit. Unconcious comfort eating was automatic. Now I'm aware of it and don't do it anymore.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edited October 27, 20169 yr by eso

I have my surgery a few days before thanksgiving so that will be my test luckily I only have to walk next door to my inlaws hoping I feel good enough to atleast go socialize. I'm scheduled for bypass on the 22 of nov

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Don't think about it yet. Just wait and see how you feel. If Tgiving is only a few days after your surgery, you probably won't be too tempted.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

At 10 months post op I eat what my family does but I skip the carb (bread, pasta, rice are not on the menu). For example if is spaghetti night I put the meat sauce on my veggie. I Even eat the toppings from pizza... I no longer dread pizza night!!!! Obviously you can't do that yet. But you can soon!!! The further out you get the easier it gets! I promise. Don't beat yourself up either... The phase your in is hard.

Yea I don't think I will be tempted at all honestly I have already lost over twenty lbs just changing my ways of eating and what I eat so I watch my husband eat junk all the time and it doesn't phase me or bother me at all bc I know I have to do this for me I want to be healthy again I want energy again I wanna be a more active mom and not feel so winded when I'm outside with my kids. Nothing will stop me ha ha.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My husband is a picky eater. Well actually he is spoiled. He really only likes to eat my cooking. <insert eye roll> I also have a 14 year old that is a beast. So I cook my meal, eat and then cook theirs and feed them. Put YOU first! You deserve it.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Jesus loves you!!!

@@itzbrittaanyx3

I wouldn't sit at the table with them. To me that is just torturing yourself when you are at a stage you can't even chew food.

Now that I can eat, I have no issues with being around people that are eating other things. I eat what I want or what I like and ignore what they are doing.

I have started to realize that a lot of the things I "think" I want when I see them...I actually don't. There are always donuts and treats at work in the kitchen, but now when I see them, I realize what a waste they are for me. No nutritional value, and just basically a form of entertainment that made me obese. I don't actually want them, anymore.

It definitely gets better...by the time I have a few bites or drink my Protein shake I really don't want anything else...try and get your head around it and except that you took this huge step by having the surgery...The results will definitely be worth it....keep your head up and try to enjoy

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

You know what if it is too much for you right now just don't go to the table and eat. Be gentle with yourself. Your body has went through so much and your catching up mentally. You will get to the point where you can be comfortable but if you need some more time its your journey and just know you got this!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@itzbrittaanyx3,

You’ve gotten a lot of good answers here. It can be helpful to remind yourself of why you are on this journey. The more you practice, the better you will become at automatically remembering your reasons for passing up your family’s food. You will barely need to make an effort to remember; it will become natural if you keep practicing.

Another strategy is to make sure you are loving what you eat. Just because you are eating Soup does not mean you cannot enjoy your meal. Yes, it can be tough if you are still on the liquid diet and are stuck with broth – but that is a temporary situation. As you progress, you can make sure that everything you put into your mouth is something that tastes very good and that you want to eat.

You can also practice asking yourself what the point of eating the steak or cutlet would be. Would the five minutes of pleasure really be worth setting yourself back? Probably not! Distract yourself by focusing on your soup and on the conversation – because really, sitting down to eat as a family is a privilege that you can hopefully enjoy.

It gets easier. Really, it does. But only if you practice it. Good luck!

I was having a discussion earlier with a friend about oatmeal, etc. I love oatmeal- steel cut. Am I eating them 7 months out? No way! Will I at some point? Doubtful, maybe a small teaspoon to taste it in a year or two.

I'm Italian. food is what it's all about for us. Do I miss a good ooey-gooey lasagna? You bet! Will I eat one again? No flipping way. It's a mind set thing. Know that you eat to live. Food is tasty for a reason... We need to eat

To survive. But

We can choose healthy, life sustaining foods that we can make taste yummy. Just need creativity and determination.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I cooked for my family since about my 4th day home from the hospital and its definitely a test of self control! I didn't always eat with them though, sometimes I would cook then go do something else while they ate, once I was allowed solid food again I eat the non-carby, Protein items.... My kids are used to it now they just say "oh you can't have it, huh" lol

Lol, my granddaughter says the samething. Grandma, you cant have it.....lol but ive heard so many different stories between this group and in person at our group from the drs office anything off track, i feel is going to stretch my new stomach. If i could only get around this pain if i eat anything over 4 baby spoonfuls, i could probably get in more calories and get my Proteins in. But because of the pain i cant. Anyone else?

Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

I wish I had pain... but I do know when I'm full - so I guess that will do.