When am I going to be eat a sub sandwich? A cheeseburger? All my friends go out for most of their meals as a way to socialize....when will I be able to order something from the menu!?

i know I need this surgery, and I am going to do it. Somebody please tell me I will once again be able to eat pizza, that isn’t the califlower variety!

You are embarking on a new chapter of your life. In order to do so, you need to cut ties with your old habits. I’m a year out and couldn’t fathom eating a sub sandwich, you can have the burger without a bun, pizza is iffy. Make sure you are ready for this, it’s a huge step, but a positive one. Best of luck

Hi, All surgeon’s have a little different timeline for solid foods. I am 3 weeks out and in the purée/soft food stage. At 6 weeks it is the normal bariatric diet. Being a bariatric diet and only able to consume little amounts of food you need to make sure you get your protein and healthy foods. To be successful you will need to figure what you can order that will fit in your plan when you do go out. I would do this beforehand. Filling up on bread and carbs is going to rob you the nutrition you need. A couple of bites once in a while of pizza maybe but it certainly cannot be a habit. This is a life changer and it might be best to see if friends would do something else to socialize. Someone had that they now go for coffee instead. It 3 months no caffeine on my plan so it may need to be caffeine free. Make sure you are ready for this because once it is done life changes. My surgeon requires everyone to go to classes to make sure we understood the diet and changes. Good luck to you.

Im 8 weeks post op and my stomach still doesnt like ground beef so i think it depends on ur body and how its healing. I can eat new food every week. Its a process i still cant have chicken ether, i think because they were so dry , so sad. Ive had pizza actually about 2inches of it last week but it wasnt as great as i remember i used to love papa johns now the smell kinda makes me go eww. Cheese doesn't taste the same kind of a yucky taste. Anyways i can eat off the menu at a restaurant i just eat like a 1/2 a cup of fish and grilled or steamed veggies and i try to talk to who ever is with me so i dont inhale my food and make my chest hurt. U will be able to eat what some say is" normal" but u have to be careful u dont want to get in bad habits especially early on. 4 cheese its turned in to a whole individual packet. Lol Not GOOd! I do crave them now everyday i have to resist the temptation cause my kids love those things and they go down so easy!! Good luck with every thing!

Edited July 25, 20197 yr by BlueAngelEyes

Yes, you will be able to eat these things, but only in moderation and should eat healthier versions of food. Always eat protein first and then eat other vegetables and fruit.

However, I have been able to eat 1 slice of pizza on occasion. I ate half a Turkey burger last weekend for a special occasion. It was the first time since surgery I ate a bun. I will not do this often, because I'm trying to lose still.

Good luck on your surgery tomorrow! You won't regret it!

Edited July 25, 20197 yr by gabybab

My nutritionist says at least a year and half before I'm back to normal. I'm in no rush. I'm 3 months out and I've lost about 90 lbs down. Feeling good. It is a step that you have to go alone most of the time. Don't feel bad, because eventually you'll feel so much better and as for your friends, if they're really good friends, they shouldn't exclude you or make you guilty that you can't eat. It is a process and it takes time. Good luck!

2 hours ago, NYJenn said:

You are embarking on a new chapter of your life. In order to do so, you need to cut ties with your old habits. I’m a year out and couldn’t fathom eating a sub sandwich, you can have the burger without a bun, pizza is iffy. Make sure you are ready for this, it’s a huge step, but a positive one. Best of luck

^^This.

You will be more than likely (if not definitely) be able to eat all the food you ate before surgery eventually.

Edited July 25, 20197 yr by ms.sss

But Truly MANY of them will not appeal to You! I have tried a small amount of some of mine, and I DON'T KNOW what I ever Saw on them, they just leave me COLD! More than a fair chance you also will be like THAT.

Half the people in this community refuse to believe in the anything in moderation approach but thats because they are the trigger foods that will cause a downward spiral out of control. Its going to take time but you will know what your triggers are. I believe in moderation for my own sanity, first you will quickly realize its not going to take very much and your body is going to be telling you to stop it will become quite annoying but when the weight starts flying off you will be so happy from it.

Having a slice of pizza every once in a while didnt land you in this situation eating the whole pie did. Eating a sub didnt land you in this situation either eating it every day did.

All this being said I dont recommend deviating at all from the plan until you are cleared for normal foods so around 4/6 weeks just depending on your surgeons plan. Give this a solid effort sticking to the plan and you will see dramatic results.

Surgery is a big decision personally if my doctor hard me talking like this he would say I'm not mentally ready to begin my new life.

He said you have to be mentally prepared otherwise if you slack off the surgery will be a waste of time.

Number one issue with surgery will be carbs simple carbs bad carbs.

Bread pasta wraps flour

If you're friends have a burger you can order a tuna salad or salmon there's plenty of options

I think the moderation approach is a more sustainable for most long term. Though, I think I'm of the camp that believes this is approach is more appropriate AFTER the losing stage.

You will have a unique opportunity to build good habits for life while you are in the position to lose the most weight with the least amount of effort. Clarification: I'm not saying it won't take any effort, just that this will be the one (short period of) time in your post-surgery life that the weight will just fly off.

I'm worried that you haven't even had the surgery yet and you're already counting down the days to foods that likely got you into trouble in the first place. WLS requires major adjustments in the way you think about food and eat for the rest of your life. I eat hamburgers now, 7 months post-op, but without the buns. I don't eat pizza. You'll always be able to order something to socialize with your friends - a chicken breast, a salad, salmon -- something healthier. You'll be able to eat solid foods about a month after surgery.

?CONGRATULATIONS?

Try to focus on the immediate days ahead- recovery. Life will get back to normal fairly quickly and then you can decide what path you want to take with your permanent lifestyle. The effectiveness of this surgery will all be up to you alone.

Not going to lie after surgery I thought I would NEVER eat certain things again (because I couldn't or just wouldn't) .It was ambitious & unrealistic, for me.

I worked regular and substitute foods into my lifestyle... Often choosing the sub over the traditional version because the differences in tastes weren't noticeable but the effects in my weightloss was (fave alternatives: burgers/sandwiches without bread, wrapped in lettuce instead; sugar substitutes, General Tso tofu, light icecream, CAULIFLOWER PIZZA ?, etc)

I try to consistently make the better choice, indulge sometimes and remain mindful about the bigger picture. Socializing around food is ok but there are so many other things to do. Influence your friends to try new things.

Hi Everybody!

thanks for all the input! I’m definitely ready for the surgery, last night I was just REALLY hungry and I’m the midst of an anxiety attack. I hope I never desire any of those things again, and I’m looking forward to experiencing a life of moderation! Sorry for the scare! And thanks for the well wishes!

Edited July 25, 20197 yr by 12345shs16
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It really depends on your own tolerance level. Everyone heals different and at their own pace. A lot of those foods you mentioned caused so much discomfort for the first nine 9 months, I didn't even want to look at them. But at nearly 15 months out I can eat almost an entire slice of NYC slice sized pizza but it is still rather uncomfortable. And its really not something I indulge in more than once or twice a month because I feel so bloated afterwards. Burgers, if I take off the top fluffier part of the bun, I can eat half of a restaurant sized burger.

I am not going to preach, but regain is real, my friend. Just be careful and remember--salad is on almost every menu.