distractogram

I had gastric sleeve surgery12/3/15 and as I recover, I repeatedly have distressing dreams where I am gorging on foods that are completely off limits to me at this stage (pans of brownies, cake with handfuls of icing, carbonated drinks, tortilla chips... ). I wake up in a panic, thinking I have "broken" my new stomach. Then the relief comes when I realize it was just a dream. I've had a variation of this dream three to four times since having surgery seven days ago! Must be some kind of psychic purging of old habits. Have any of you experienced this kind of thing? :-) -Ann

Hi Shayla805 I'm 11 months post sleeve surgery and I find myself struggling too. I think it's the combo of looking/feeling so much better and the dullness of everyday, reasonable meals... Also, I've allowed myself to stop doing the things my surgeon told me I needed to do (Protein first, fluids, support, etc.). My weigh-ins and nutritionist appointments are once a year now and I'm finding that I'm feeling a little untethered. Like I was pushed out of the bariatric support nest too soon. It's terrifying to feel like I'm slipping back into old behavior. But if I'm honest with myself, that's exactly what I'm doing. I can stop. And you can stop too. Let's make a pact. No matter what, even if we know we are going to eventually eat something crappy, let's eat a serving of protein first. Just get it in and then move on to whatever else we planned to eat. I think the added protein will eventually curb our cravings and that will help put the brakes on our runaway trains. Let me know what you think. I'm right where you are. I don't have any magical answers but the protein thing seems to make sense. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Bellabloom, thank you for having the courage to talk about this issue. I completely get it. I had wls this December 3rd and I can feel some of my old, extreme, black and white thoughts about food and body bubbling up. I plan to speak with my therapist about it in a couple of weeks. I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy as much as possible to keep myself grounded. It has helped me with other challenges and I think the DBT skills will be super helpful here too. It sounds like you are doing well- and again, I congratulate you for reaching out. Your post made me feel less isolated about some of the emotions I have been experiencing. Disordered eating is no joke. We are all brave people, having survived discrimination, bias and the shame of being overweight. Yay us! Keep on taking care of yourself. XO

I typically ate one entire gluten free thin crust (medium) pizza each time I ordered. I'm just two weeks out and I don't know how much I will be able to (or even want to) eat once I'm on solid foods.

Oh interesting. I assumed my face was flushed from the oxygen that was pumped up my nose during the surgery. I thought it made me look all fresh faced and rosy cheeked/rabid. This is why I am not a doctor.

Ha ha ha! Awesome stories! Great descriptions! Thanks - for making me feel less crazy :-) !

Reeger is amazing. She is compassionate and knowledgeable. I love her podcast!

Hi everybody! I had my sleeve surgery 12/3 and, yes, getting in protein and fluids plus a handful of really gross crushed meds I have to take, is a challenge. I'm trying to be strong and power through this first part. It helps to read about all of your experiences. Thank you! Keep posting! ????

Great information! Thanks for posting about your experience! ????????????