I am officially 3 weeks post op and I’ve loss a total of 22 pounds so far.

This was the first time that I’ve celebrated a birthday where I couldn’t drink or eat because I am still on the post op full liquid diet. I don’t know why I felt sad because today is my actual birthday Nov 6 and I can’t do anything for it cause like I said my birthday always was surrounded by food and drinks so today was very different…..

Before all of this you try and prepare yourself for the different lifestyle but boy it’s something different when you start going through it……

Sward,

I know the feeling. It is odd not feeling the anticipation/joy about food in certain situations (I had my birthday last month about 5 months out from my surgery), but you do get used to it. Not being able to look forward to a Brazilian Steakhouse (all you can eat meat), or a good mexican restaurant (where I would eat too many chips + salsa), etc is a negative, but reframing those moments in my mind has helped me a lot. I can focus on talking more with my friends, or trying new foods (I was a pretty picky eater before and have taken this opportunity to try out a lot of new stuff with the mindset of "If I don't like it, I won't have to eat too much of it :D")

Stick with it for a while and you will start to look at this in a different light (although mine still hasn't gone away completely).

You got this! I have been to birthday parties and such that are full of food/drinks. It does suck to follow guidelines, but it gets easier! Before you know it you will be able to have some of the food in moderation! I am not looking forward to the holidays either, and I won't be making my treats this year. 3 months going strong, it is easier every day!

Oh and most importantly....Happy Birthday!!!

2 minutes ago, BigZ said:

Oh and most importantly....Happy Birthday!!!

Thank you!

you'll be able to eat almost anything (including an occasional piece of cake) at some point- it's really just these first few months when you have restrictions. All of my restrictions were dropped at the six-month mark. I eat a lot less than I used to eat (c. 1600 calories a day vs. probably 3000+), but there really isn't anything I can't eat - including, as I said, the occasional piece of birthday cake! So you'll be in a very different spot on your next birthday.

I can understand your birthday sads. It is hard to change our routine around things, especially celebrations. Perhaps you can decide to do something fun that doesn't involve food for your birthday this weekend? It won't be the same but it'll allow you to connect with your loved ones and celebrate you. Like going to play a game, or having a spa day with your bestie, or getting your nails done now that surgery is over, or a stroll through the mall with your partner and buying a lovely smelling lotion to keep your skin happy post surgery? I'm trying hard to find ways that I can still connect with the ones I love, while having food NOT be the center of it. It is challenging!!

Oh and congrats on your loss of 22 lbs!! I'm almost 1 week post op and have lost 3 lbs, I sure hope it speeds up soon but I'll take what I can get! LOL

ETA: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Edited November 7, 20232 yr by ChunkCat

On 11/6/2023 at 5:00 PM, Sward06 said:

I am officially 3 weeks post op and I’ve loss a total of 22 pounds so far.

This was the first time that I’ve celebrated a birthday where I couldn’t drink or eat because I am still on the post op full liquid diet. I don’t know why I felt sad because today is my actual birthday Nov 6 and I can’t do anything for it cause like I said my birthday always was surrounded by food and drinks so today was very different…..

Before all of this you try and prepare yourself for the different lifestyle but boy it’s something different when you start going through it……

I spent my birthday and Thanksgiving on a liquid diet too. Thanksgiving was probably harder because I stayed in the house and thought about all my family gathering together and enjoying our traditional Thanksgiving meal.