Urgency Eating!

[Jack4468 3]

Hi, I know it's kind of a weird topic but it make sense if you are Pre-op like myself. I am getting all of my tests and paperwork squared away and will have my surgery by the end of next month. However, when I started the process, I noticed I have eaten out a lot more like I am trying to get it all in since I will be living a completely different lifestyle once surgery is complete! Has this happened to anyone? Thanks!

[stacechase 251]

I think that happens to many people! It happened to me. Then, the strangest thing happened...about 3 weeks ago (and my surgery is scheduled for August 19, by the way), I randomly decided to watch this food documentary that looked interesting on Netflix called "Hungry for Change." It was the first time ever that I felt like something really clicked about the changes I had to make. About how my body deserved so much more than what I was giving it, both nutritionally and in lack of activity. I put on my walking shoes right away and haven't looked back since, working out every day and eating right. (Well, I'm currently on my liquid diet, but when I was chewing, I was eating responsibly! HA!)

I guess my advice is that you realize that everything post-surgery will be easier if you start developing healthy habits now. You've made the decision for surgery because you care about yourself and your health...don't wait until you HAVE the surgery to show your body some thanks and start treating it better now. You're worth it!

[BayshoreBuddy 58]

I am pre-op and can tell you that you are not alone in having one last "dance" with your dietary favorites before bariatric surgery. Dieting is hard, liquid diets are harder, and post-op dieting is forever. Good luck with your dieting.

[Beach Lover 1,084]

Hi, I know it's kind of a weird topic but it make sense if you are Pre-op like myself. I am getting all of my tests and paperwork squared away and will have my surgery by the end of next month. However, when I started the process, I noticed I have eaten out a lot more like I am trying to get it all in since I will be living a completely different lifestyle once surgery is complete! Has this happened to anyone? Thanks!

No worries!! I had a restaurant bucket list!! I hit every one of them too and Ididn't regret it at all! I was saying goodbye to all of my favorite restaurants and the ability to eat the way I always have. It allowed me to accept my new life and get ready for what was to come. A new healthy eating pattern that I have accepted and have no troubles with today. It is a process that you have to go through and you will do just fine when it is time to start the liquid diet and adjust after surgery. You will go through the head hunger we all do but because you said goodbye to your past it will go easier. I wish you the best on your journey to a healthy new life!

[Pinky Green 260]

The doctor's don't recommend it but almost everyone does it to one extent or another. I was pretty much out of control until the actual 2 week liquid diet and then I only cheated twice after that. Once with a small Caesar salad at IKEA and a few days before surgery I had my last Acapulco dinner at Tia Maria's. I have been back to Tia Maria's but I had grilled shrimp and chicken and only ate a very little bit and took a lot home. I love it that I still can have my Tex-Mex food, even if it isn't the same Tex-Mex food.

[Daydra 345]

I totally did it for about a month and 1/2. However, I tried to do it consciously. I didn't eat out every night, and I found that when we went out for my favorite things, I didn't have the desire to eat nearly as much as I had previously, so over the six weeks, I gained 1.5 pounds before starting my pre-op diet. That kind of free-form eating could have easily gained me 5-10 pounds in the past, but with trying to strategize frequency and my subconscious desire to stop eating earlier, I felt totally okay with my small gain. Some docs will have some preconceived notion that if you engage in this kind of behavior, you're not ready, but others believe it's emotionally useful to "say your goodbyes" if you want to call it that. It just depends. It appears to be completely normal and my experience felt reasoned and healthy and had no effect on my performance during my pre-op diet, and post-op, I'm having little to no head hunger or cravings. (other than the liquid diet getting old fast, but it's not like I was craving cheeseburgers )

Best of luck to you!

[gamergirl 4,610]

I didn't do it because I wanted to get into the right habits. But I will tell you, a really good reason to not do it, is just that much more weight to lose after which can get discouraging. I'm only a week post op but I already wish I'd managed to lose more before the surgery so if get to goal faster.

From all I read on the forum I kept telling myself that it wasn't that I was never going to be able to eat those things, just not for a while, and just not as much.

No free rides here. What we do now, we pay for later unfortunately.

[wasabi 57]

I'm kind of thinking about this a lot. I'm already on my pre op diet and no way am I cheating on it, but I really wish I had gone out for steak and lobster before I started it!!

[ladylaura 77]

Every meal for me before surgery was the "last supper" LOL And I don't regret it one bit

[Jack4468 3]

Hello Everyone,

Thank you all for the helpful replies and advice, it's nice to know that I am not the only one who went through this and that this can be considered a normal phase. I have not gained any weight from this ordeal and am getting so burned out eating the same crap that I am actually not missing it at all now and look forward to the change. I have maintained my weight of 270 for a year now and hence the reason for the surgery. My starting weight was 335 in December 2011 and lost 65 pounds on my own by the end of summer 2012. The key for me was to stop drinking pop and a lot of other food I was eating to maintain that sugar high fell by the wayside. Have not touched pop since and honestly don't miss it. Now I drink 6 bottles of Water per day. Maintaining weight loss has been easy for me since I am always active but the surgery will help push my body in the right direction again. I hope all of you are doing well with your post-op situation. James

[Jack4468 3]

Hi Wasabi, I will have that steak for you lol

[Jack4468 3]

Hi Ladylaura, I totally understand what the "Last Supper" mentality is all about and that is how I have been feeling for the longest time but now that I think about it, I have had enough last suppers to last me a thousand life times!!