Newbie questions!

[Bessieboop1981 2]

Hi there!

I am scheduled to have the gastric sleeve mid January 2025. I have done my research and completely understand the procedure and the physical side of it all. I was wondering how you cope emotionally with such a big change, especially for those that are so used to using food for comfort as I am. I've heard some say that since the ghrelin hormonal gland was removed from the stomach they never felt hungry and no longer think of food in the same way. I have also heard people say they are hungry all the time. I am expecting a whirlwind of emotions and I know it will not be easy. I'm just looking for some examples of your experiences, especially on emotional eating .

How did/do you cope?

Do you have/need coping mechanisms in place- if so what?

Does it get easier?

Do you have any helpful advice for a newbie like me?

Thank you so much for your time guys x

[NeonRaven8919 299]

39 minutes ago, Bessieboop1981 said:

Hi there!

I am scheduled to have the gastric sleeve mid January 2025. I have done my research and completely understand the procedure and the physical side of it all. I was wondering how you cope emotionally with such a big change, especially for those that are so used to using food for comfort as I am. I've heard some say that since the ghrelin hormonal gland was removed from the stomach they never felt hungry and no longer think of food in the same way. I have also heard people say they are hungry all the time. I am expecting a whirlwind of emotions and I know it will not be easy. I'm just looking for some examples of your experiences, especially on emotional eating .

How did/do you cope?

Do you have/need coping mechanisms in place- if so what?

Does it get easier?

Do you have any helpful advice for a newbie like me?

Thank you so much for your time guys x

I don't know if any of this will be helpful but, I'm three weeks post gastric sleeve. I wasn't hungry for the first 2 weeks. Today, I'm feeling a bit hungry but, as I'm still not able to eat anything but purees or Soups and only about 4 tablespoons in one sitting. After surgery, the last thing you think about is food for the first week. I went the NHS route so a psychologist will be in touch at the 3 month mark I believe so I guess time will tell what support I will need. Personally, I think the psychologist should be involved from Day One, but that's just me. I also had 12 weeks of pre-op diet so I feel like I had to give up my coping strategy cold turkey.

At this point, I just want solid food. Not like the old "I need comfort/I'm bored" type of eating, just different head hunger. It's definitely true you think of food differently. Now I think food is an inconvenience. Having to set a timer to remind me to get something other than Water in my system is a different feeling. I never had to force myself to eat before.

You mentioned your surgery is January 2025 so you will still have a few months I would use that time to see if you can find a therapist or a support group.

And yes, it does get easier. For me it's going slowly, but it is still getting easier day by day.

[Bessieboop1981 2]

This is very helpful thank you so much Neon raven x

Edited 2 hours ago by Bessieboop1981

[summerseeker 2,111]

I have always cooked 99% of our family meals. They were healthy and full of vegetables. My problem is because I love my own cooking. I would eat a huge amount especially carbs. Oh and butter...... Oh and chocolate .......

I took me a long time to be able to eat solids after surgery, I had a swollen internal scar so I had to stick to liquids. Once my restriction kicked in at about 8 weeks I could eat soft meats and some vegetables. After that I could run with it

At about 2 years out, I tried carbs again and could eat a tablespoon of rice, noodles or a slice of good seeded bread. I have left them off my menu so long that eating meals without a pile of them is no big deal. I don't miss the over stuffed feeling. I can't say this will last forever but I intend to keep a check on my calories because I am the skinny person I always wanted to be. I still have butter and chocolate in small amounts. I will watch that.

[Chatterboxdea 64]

I’m still fairly new to the game (only 8 weeks out from sleeve surgery), but I look at it as I have invested a lot of money, time and energy into this surgery and so I want to make good choices now. I don’t want the money and hard work to go to waste. I am losing slowly but it’s still rewarding to see the pounds drop on the scale and it makes me want to keep making good choices.