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How do you deal with those close around you still eating the way you used to? My husband was frying up some meatballs and I was in tears contemplating actually trying to eat one (and I am just 3 days post-op). I ended up freaking out on him for even making them - brought up the 10 hotdogs he ate next to me the past two days and 4 sandwiches he had as a snack while we were in bed last night.. I mean, I am just so upset with him. I wanted him to be supportive and he just thought that meant he should run for me.. How do you deal?

@KarmaNina I just got off the phone with my nurse and I discovered that part of the reason for the discrepancies is because my employer is self-insured, thus my policy isn't really a traditional health insurance policy. Chances are most of our policies are self-insured (something like 60% of large companies self-insure). As a result, my policy requirements are more strict. ugh! I also learned I have a lifetime max of...wait for it...$15,000.00! I know that it is after insurance discounts, so I'll probably be fine, but OMG! I work for one of the largest auto insurers in the US and they are CHEAP! Good to know I guess...I'll just keep letting them pay for my nursing degree so I can quit (honestly, they've paid $25,000 for an education I'll only use after I leave the company, but they limit the amount they'll pay for bariatric surgery?! Ridiculous!) I'm annoyed (maybe even a little bitter), but what can I do? I also found out that since I've been (virtually) going to WW for the last 3 months, I can count that towards my 6 months my employer requires as long as I see a nutritionist or physician twice in the next three months. EASY. DONE. OKAY. WILL DO. All this said, my BRS nurse was super nice and really seemed to want to help me get approved for surgery...no hate her way, just issues with my actual employer.

We live in a tiny apartment for the two of us. My office is located in the living room, which is connected to the dining room and kitchen. I smell everything. It would be a hard task for him to cook while I am not near. I also acknowledge the fact that it's simply not fair to him that he has to go through what I am going through. I had hoped he would be a bit more sensitive to what I am dealing with, but as many have said, this is something I need to get through on my own. He and I have both talked in a calmer matter now, though. There won't be anymore snacking in our bedroom. For the rest of these two weeks, he will eat more of the 'quick things' we have in the house (sandwiches, etc) instead of cooking or he can grab fast food and eat in his car. I still wish that I could have ignored it altogether. I had got so emotional over the smell of fried food and it makes me really feel disgusting. I thought I was doing great until yesterday when I lost my **** over it.

I'm leaning towards @Deemar007's response. It will be more beneficial for you now and in the long run to take on the weight loss journey yourself, vs. relying on others to adjust their habits to accommodate your chosen lifestyle. If you can succeed without the need for others to change, your successes will be in YOUR control, and theoretically be longer lasting. I know this is easier said than done. Especially since you are only 3 days post op. The first week or so is the hardest. If you can, take the time and make the effort to sustain lasting change, you WILL NOT regret it. P.S. Though I do also agree with the other poster that it wouldn't hurt to ask him not to bring sandwiches to bed. He can chose to decline your request, but I would think it's a fair request...I mean, even just from a hygiene and bug potentiality perspective... Good Luck!

I'm on the puree diet right now. I hope you stay strong and take it day by day. Each Post OP day was way better than the last. During my first week post OP I've taken my family to fast food restaurants and sit with them drinking water while they eat. I've cooked dinner or baked cookies or bread which I was not going to eat. For me, I am so sure I will follow the nutrition plan, it isn't tempting at all. They feel bad eating in front of me but I tell them it honestly isn't an issue. I did this twice, once for the sleeve, then once for the revision to DS. Something that made it even easier this year is that I dieted for 5 months prior to my surgery. I dropped all sugary foods, fried foods, and sugary beverages. Another thing that helps me is having a finite list of things I am allowed to eat. If I see or smell something else, I just say that's not one of the 10 things I plan to eat during this phase. I understand the position you are in now craving things you may have had recently but knowing if you eat them you could put your health at risk. There is definitely a need to set boundaries with your spouse regarding where he eats since this is troubling you.

Oh @MaybeMeow glad to hear you're doing better. Hang in there and get plenty of rest. Next Tuesday my husband is just going to drop me off, because my hospital's policy is no visitors allowed in pre-op, recovery, or even in the patient rooms (unless you're giving birth I guess). So I'll be by myself but I'm not too stressed about it. They did tell me a nurse will take charge of my belongings and lock them up while I'm in surgery, and encouraged me not to bring anything except essentials.

Hi gang. Making an attempt to check in again. First let me say I know that I’ve had a rougher time than most so if you’re reading mine and it concerns you don’t think that my experience is the normal. I still find getting on electronics makes me queasy and I’m thinking that’s because of all the meds I received in the hospital. So I’m dictating this on my phone please forgive the grammatical errors and wrong words.

yep - a stricture is just overgrown scar tissue!

yes - log food and figure out how many calories you're currently averaging a day - and cut back gradually from there until you start losing again. Once people are out a ways from surgery, the number of calories it takes to maintain or lose varies tremendously depending on a lot of different factors, so you'll just have to experiment to find your range. I can maintain on 1700 and lose on 1500, but that seems to be on the high side for women. A lot can only eat around 1200 to maintain. So again, you'll have to experiment to see what level works for you. and yes - increasing exercise can help a bit (and is great for your overall health), but as they say, weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise, so you'll have to adjust your food intake as well.

Hey there, NC friend! Thank you so much for sharing with me. It helps to hear real stories, sometimes. Congratulations on your success!!