L.A.S.

[Neoteric Verve 65]

Ok. In one week from today I'll be Sleeved. I've got some concerns. What happens to my appetite? How much of it goes away? Will I REALLY feel and be full on so much less? How much of a stranglehold will I discover food had over my life? Will carbs be a formidable adversary? Some say if I'm this jittery I should postpone. I am not delaying this at all.

I didn't feel any of these emotions when I had my gallbladder removed last year. I was very gung ho. I scheduled an appointment with my therapist the day before surgery. Got my time off from work. What else should I do?

I got me some Gas-X strips, a heating pad, recliner, automatic blood pressure cuff and order a few compression suits. Aside from that my cupboards are stocked with broths, Soups, two 5lb tubs of Protein Powder, almond milk (delicious) and Greek yogurt.

Got anymore suggestions?

[fern 195]

My only suggestion is to try and be as calm as possible!! You chose your surgeon and you trust him/her to do right by you.

As for appetite, mine is still there.....somewhat. I get irritable if I haven't eaten in a while. Carbs... Oh carbs... Yes I still fight them. But it's an easier fight. I made a promise to myself that I can eat carbs, if and ONLY if, I eat my Protein first. By the time I eat that, carbs get a few bites and I can't do anymore. Yes you will feel restriction, but maybe not at first ( or so I've heard). I went and bought a digital scale and weighed out my food ( still do but not as often)

You will probably have a rough go of things for the first few weeks ( most people do). But know that things get better so fast. Believe in yourself. You'll do great!!!

[Foxbins 625]

All of my hunger went away right after surgery but it doesn't happen for everyone. Some have to wait a few weeks and some never lose it. For me, there is a kind of disconnect between wanting food (head hunger) and eating food. If I gave into the head hunger, I would be eating candy and ice cream at every meal, but I just don't keep them in the house anymore and so far I have been able to stop myself from eating them when I am out. On the few occasions I have had cake, I took one bite and I was done--it doesn't taste good anymore, dry and kind of grainy in my mouth. I weigh or measure all my food and yes, you will be satisfied on so much less. The first time I tried an egg and couldn't eat the whole thing I was amazed. I used to think about food all the time--at Breakfast I would be thinking about what to eat a lunch and dinner and what Snacks were on hand. Now I eat by the clock, because if I am out and about I will just keep going through mealtimes. It is wonderful but I still haven't really gotten used to it--it's unreal how little food means to me now when before it meant everything.

Good luck with your surgery!

[MegInNOLA 531]

Hey there!

I had some of the same concerns as you. You may not feel full during the liquid phase post-op. Don't worry. You will certainly begin to feel restriction when you start eating mushy food. If you do feel full with liquids, Celebrate and don't worry about not being able to "get all your Water in." That will improve as your swelling goes down and your body heals. You really will be satisfied with less food. I can also attest to the fact that some of the foods that you love pre-surgery will not be things that you love post-surgery. I tried to drink a favorite coffee drink (frozen, creamy, sweet, delicious is how I remember it!) and got sick as a dog--too much sugar for me now! My entire diet has changed for the better--yes, I "have" to, but it doesn't feel like that. It feels like I'm finding my way along, doing okay, and my sleeve is doing what it's supposed to do, which is restrict the amount of food I can handle. I feel fortunate that mine also seems to dislike foods that aren't good for me anyway, like fried foods and sweet things; it also doesn't like some perfectly good-for-me foods, like chicken and eggs, and that's kind of stinky, but hey--I'm down 81 pounds!!! I'll do without certain foods forever, if need be--it's a trade I'm not upset about. Food doesn't mean that much to me any more. It's fuel. I feel hunger, but it's not the same kind of hunger, more of an "I'm getting grouchy and feeling kind of frazzled--oh, probably need to eat something" feeling. I definitely do not have to give in to "cravings," and I can't say I really have a lot of cravings. I ate tons of carbs before surgery, and I eat them daily now without counting them, but they're carbs in dairy, nuts, fruit, vegetables, and I focus on eating Protein first, so I don't even worry. No sugar, no flour products--again, just because my sleeve doesn't like them, and I'm okay with that!

You'll do great. Your adventure won't be exactly like anyone else's, because you're not exactly like anyone else, but you will find your way. This board was a lifesaver for me right after surgery, so come on back and get tips and share frustrations--and try not to worry.

[blackmikeg 1]

nothing to worry about, its not as bad as it may seem at first. I had all the same worries. Myself being a fat man that craves sweets, its wierd because I dont get the same cravings for sugar like I used to. Dont get me wrong, I still do a little but I save that for saturdays. I still watch my calories but I have one dessert scheduled for every saturday so I will have something to look forward to, something I can work hard for all week and reward myself. Yes its only a weight watchers desert, but still. I do have an appetite still but its useless when you can only eat a few bites and get full so quick. Kind of wierd for me and Im still learning but ive had to change my whole mindset. I used to worry about not getting enough food when I ate out. Now I have to worry about buying too much because of how little I eat. Picture the whole thing like this, when you get on semi solid foods, you will probably only be able to eat as much as a 2 year old at one time. Its a trade off, yeah you cant eat finish a full meal anymore, but the compliments I get outweigh that issue any day of the week. You'll do fine. Stay on this site and you will recieve nothing but support. This site is a Godsend for us losers lol!!!!!

[Neoteric Verve 65]

Thank you. I love every last one of you!!! It really alleviates a lot of anxiety to read that everyone has had some or all of my concerns. I'm so looking forward to not being the biggest man in the room in the future. As you all have said, this board is truly salvation to the frantic. I certainly do appreciate the kind words! They mean so much.

VST by far is so damn great!!! I can't remember how I found you all but I'm so glad I did. The time is right. The time is now. By this time next Friday I will be Sleeved. I need this and doubt is not going to delay this. I really love all the support.

My gratitude is immeasurable. I will be seeing you all on that famed "Loser's Bench" next week!

[swizzly 901]

Good luck -- you'll do great!!

[Indymom 132]

Good luck! Head hunger is indeed a bear but when you get that urge to reach for a bad, carby/sweet snack, grab a babybel cheese or a couple bites of chicken instead.