All I think about now is food... (Worried)...

[Wayne Hunt 59]

Good morning,

I had my bypass on 4/2 and things -- for the most part -- are getting back to a semblance of "normal".

I'm still hardly ever "hungry" and the worst problem I face is getting used to the whole "slow down" aspect of eating (or there WILL be consequences)...

What worries me is that for the last few weeks, all I seem to think about is food. Not like "I want a porterhouse or Double Whopper" but more like;

• When should I eat next?
• What can I eat?
• Am I supposed to eat only when I'm hungry, or am I supposed to stick to the arbitrary "three meals + 2 shakes" schedule, even if I'm not really hungry?
• Am I eating too much?
• Am I eating the right things?
• the list goes on, and on, and on..

It seems that while I'm not in the same relationship with food that I used to be (I'm not craving or going on binges), I'm still finding that food pretty much pre-occupies most of my thoughts.

This has me worried, because it seems both weird and potentially unhealthy.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Wayne

[SnowDaisy 73]

It's like anything that's new...you have to give it a lot of thought to be able to learn it thoroughly. Like learning to drive and coming up to test day, but a few months down the line you get in the car and are on automatic pilot.

Well that's how I try to look at this new way of eating...I'm discovering what I can eat, what I can't, what I should and what I shouldn't.

So I don't think this has the potential to become unhealthy as long as your ambition is to remain healthy. We all have to fight the old demons, but what your WLS has done for you is given the tools to start again. Things could change with time, (pouch stretch, forgetting the fluid/food intake being at least 30-45 mins apart, accepting slider foods too often, starting to introduce too much sugar into your diet, giving up on Protein supplements and so on) so make the most of now.

I think it's good you are addressing your worries and concerns now, but although it's just my opinion, live for today and learn for tomorrow.

All the best

Xx

Edited May 23, 2014 by SnowDaisy

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I think you hit on something in your post -- you're just now getting to something like normal. The early post-op diet has so many rules and you're counting and hyper-vigilant, so it's got "project status". Now that you're kind of back out in the real world of eating and you're not as worried about popping staples or the healing part of it all, you'll have to work out the reality of eating this way forever.

I'm preop so I'm not at that stage yet, but I've seen over and over on the boards where all the 'rules' do become habit after you've had some times with them. So, I think it will get more natural for you and you won't have to worry as much, once you've had more time on the "normal" diet.

However, if you really feel concerned that you're over-focused or getting too OCD about it all, it might be good to talk to a psych or NUT and get someone else's opinion.

Best wishes!

[Cupcake 801]

HI I AGREE WITH THE ABOVE STATEMENTS I DONT EVEN HTINK ABOUT food ITS AN AFTERTHOUGHT I AM ONLY 4 DAYS POST OPT AND I AM TAKING ONE DAY AT A TIME AND WILL PLAN ALL OF MY MEALS AND BE CAREFUL OF WHAT I EAT AND WHY BECAUSE I REMEMBER HOW MY BAD CHOICES GOT ME IN THIS WAY IN HE FIRST PLACE. GOOD LUCK.

[pookybear 284]

With this surgery, it's almost like you have to live your life around food. I can't just go to any restaurant anymore. I have to research their menu first and make sure there are things I can choose, or I stick to the same places and the sane things. Grocery shopping has become very organized. I have to have a specific list and stick to it. I can't just shop spontaneously like I used to. It's a complicated way of life, but considering the results, it's worth it.

Edited May 23, 2014 by pookybear

[WildGrits 101]

That obsessiveness passes as you get into a routine. Until you reach the last level of your diets when you can have normal food, it's common to constantly think about it. I found just charting my foods on MYFitnessPal helped me to make a daily plan and then I could think less abourt my food. If your dreaming about food, that passes also.

[Baconville 578]

That obsessiveness passes as you get into a routine. Until you reach the last level of your diets when you can have normal food, it's common to constantly think about it. I found just charting my foods on MYFitnessPal helped me to make a daily plan and then I could think less abourt my food. If your dreaming about food, that passes also.

GREAT ADVICE!!! I could not agree more. I used to dream about ice cream, 11 months later I am dreaming about Zumba and Turbo Kick. Who would have thought...