Breaking up with food

[smileforamile91 2]

I'm sitting here reading all these wonderful success stories knowing that hopefully by June I will have VSG. I couldn't be more excited to be honest, I have had surgery before so I know the ins and outs of the hospital so that doesn't worry me, what worries me is when I have this new stomach and I can't sit down and eat a bowl of Pasta, or a hamburger, what am I going to do? I can admit that I am and emotional eater and when I'm bored or upset I head for the ice cream. So, I guess my question to you guys is how do I break up with food? Thanks everyone.

[Used2b575lbs 29]

Honestly even after 20 months of losing weight 300+ lbs lost and the surgery 8 months ago I still haven't fully mastered the technique but i'm a lot better at it.

You have to focus on Protein, and for me what has worked is only allowing myself to eat 3 or 4 times a day. At first you probably won't even want to eat all you have to, I know I couldn't but eventually you will have some room.

I try really hard not to eat junk but sometimes I do, what has really helped is most often I don't beat myself up as much for the slip ups. Some days are better then others and there are some days where I am way off track but this is a marathon not a sprint and as long as in the long run the weight is on a downward slow or around steady you are a lot better off then when you gained in the past. Without the surgery I probably would've gained back most of the 200 lbs I lost pre-op instead I've lost over 100 lbs more.

You will figure it out and find your own way to cope, i'm still working on it but am a lot better then I was thanks to my sleeve.

[Billy363627 15]

You know it is really weird...Things don't taste the same after surgery.. You just don't have the desire to eat cake or anything sweet. You get head hunger but you can get busy and forget to even eat. I though after liquid diet after surgery I was going to be so hungery and eat everything After surgery I didn't want to eat anything..It took me about 4 to 5 weeks before I had any desire for food. When you get further out you will want food that is not good for you, but you have to power to control it and you make the right decesions because you know you cant go down that road anymore. YOu are stronger ,focused and very dedicated to eating the right things. Yes you can get full on things that are not good for you but you will starve your body for what it needs..Protein first and veggies seconds there is not much room for nothing more. It didn't take me long to develop a different relationship with food. The sleeve help you be stronger. It has been a blessing in my life and I am soo thankful that I way able to have it..

[Becca 108]

I have found that I don't want too many "bad" foods since surgery. If I do "think" I want something, I usually just have a bite or two and then I am finished. If I am feeling like I must have a snack, I have found Pork rinds work well. They have no carbs, have Protein, and are pretty low calorie. If you keep your carbs under control (I am eating about 50-60 a day), it helps with cravings. I really think having the ghrelin way reduced has a major impact on how you think about food post op.

[Douceur72 3]

When I had my insurance required psych visit I learned more about this from the psychologist. She talked about the importance of finding a way to replace overeating, whether you do it as a coping mechanism or as more of a habit. For me it's truly more of a habit...I eat the wrong things and too much, but mood or stress level have nothing to do with it. She said support groups such as OA are helpful post-op, or continuing with 1:1 sessions is an option for those who are not the group type (like me). She believes a key time for support is in the first year when weight is coming off quickly, as people are excited and in a honeymoon phase and not be thinking much about the mental aspect.

She sees many WLS patients and said most failures are people who fall back into old habits or turn back to food for coping. In her experience, the first 2 years are the most crucial. If people maintain goal for 2 years they have a high chance of keeping it off forever as they've mastered the habits and/or coping skills to eat healthy.

I'm sitting here reading all these wonderful success stories knowing that hopefully by June I will have VSG. I couldn't be more excited to be honest, I have had surgery before so I know the ins and outs of the hospital so that doesn't worry me, what worries me is when I have this new stomach and I can't sit down and eat a bowl of Pasta, or a hamburger, what am I going to do? I can admit that I am and emotional eater and when I'm bored or upset I head for the ice cream. So, I guess my question to you guys is how do I break up with food? Thanks everyone.

[smileforamile91 2]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have been considering OA, or a psychologist after surgery, but eithe way I know I will have to do one or the other for this to work.

@used2be575lbs- you ae such an inspiration! It's amazing that you've been so successful adn able to keep it off.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have been considering OA, or a psychologist after surgery, but eithe way I know I will have to do one or the other for this to work.

@used2be575lbs- you ae such an inspiration! It's amazing that you've been so successful adn able to keep it off.

I too have considered going to OA. I do have an addiction to food, there is no doubt. True enough the sleeve has helped *tremendously* with me being able to keep my portions under control. However I do still get cravings, and most especially during that TOM. I have used that as an excuse to "do what I want" this past one and it was unacceptable!!! I cannot do that. I'm ok now, but am I going to do the same thing in a few weeks? No way, I've already made a pact with myself that those little demon voices in my head are going to be screaming at me, but I must ignore them.

OA would be great to find out what the "underlying factors" are. Why did I allow myself to eat so much that I gained up to 330 Lbs? Why have I pretty much *always* had a really bad relationship with food? I used to be bulimic. Then I stopped and went crazy with food. Why is that? I think I need to find out less I never get over my demons.

Best of luck to you... it's not easy.

[River King 3]

I very much ate to deal with stress and relationship issues. Post opp my wife really f*ed something up and put us in a really bad spot. This is a classic time when I would go on a binge. I stormed into the kitchen, got a spoon full of pudding, and spent ten minutes (not kidding) eating it. After I was done I was not emotionally satisfied at all. This forced me to deal with my emotion and cope. Since then despite being put in a couple more situations where I would binge eat I haven't had the desire to. I simply don't care about food like I use to. It's great.