Feel the need to go "Hog Wild"

[Swampdoggie 477]

Having fouled up with the band, I was determined that I wasn't going to make the same mistakes with the sleeve. I considered the pre op part of my habit forming process so I was pretty careful to stick to the plan. I started 3 weeks before I needed to - one high Protein meal per day and the rest liquid, then onto full liquid at 2 weeks before surgery.

That said, my 50th birthday was in the middle of the 2 week liquid pre op and we went out to Celebrate. However, we went to a place where I could eat healthy and not feel guilty, which I believe is probably more damaging than the actual food. Yes, I ate food, but I also chose wisely and didn't overdo. The next day I was back on the wagon and at surgery my dr said my liver was nice and small (which was NOT the case with my band surgery). So, I really didn't have any food funerals and I didn't feel like I needed to. I guess I had read enough on this site that I knew I'd be able to have things I like down the road.

Which brings me to post surgery, which has been better than I'd hoped even. Maybe because I do feel more freedom (now into my 4th month) because one can only eat so much, and maybe the habits I'd been working on took hold, and maybe because my food cravings have really changed, I don't feel deprived at all and I don't regret not getting in one last this or that. I NEVER ever expect to have a "normal" relationship with food, but I think I'm on my way, and honest to God, I think the biggest hurdle and most positive change has been letting go of the guilt.

So, what am I saying. I'm saying, do what you need to do but whatever you do, do it deliberately, own it, embrace it and don't feel guilt. If you do feel guilt, perhaps you do need to do something different.

[Band07 374]

Since Iv had my surgery scheduled for a few weeks Iv been unfortunately eating anything and everything Iv wanted and Iv gained 7 lbs the pre op diet will be a relief at this point as Iv been feeling pretty gross. I start Sunday and my surgery is Thursday.

[jess9395 5,450]

Honestly I did some food funerals and it didn't hurt a bit. Some people will argue that it speaks to state of mind and perhaps it does. But I met my goal in a year and so far am maintaining at 18 months out and feeling great.

[BryBro63 410]

I guess another reason I didn't really go for any food funerals was because my nutritionist assured me that when I get to the point I'm at now, most foods will fall into 1 of 3 categories...either you won't really miss it, you can't really tolerate it (so you won't want it), or you can indeed have it, but you'll only want it in such a limited quantity that it won't do you any harm. So like now, most really sweet stuff falls into the first category, most fried stuff falls into the second category, and I allow for very limited quantities of chocolate, but never enough to throw me off course!!

Wish you all the best of success!!!