adjusting phsychologically and emotionally to volume of food you can eat post op

I only prep I did for my post-surgery eating was 2 visits to my dietician and lots of reading of the information she had given me, which had all the guidelines for eating during the different stages, along with sample menus. All this I found every helpful.

I just followed her guidelines to the letter.

I am happy with eating small amounts of food and can tell when I am full.
I don't use special plates although I did earlier on.

No regrets here either, I love my sleeve.

AliKat wrote:

That has been my biggest problem since the surgery, knowing when to stop. I do have brilliant moments when I do "feel" getting full so I stop. I just know that it is time to stop but then other times I just keep going ... I am sure that is just getting the head under control now ... I think that is easier said than done.

Janette wrote:

4-5 months out you should know when you are full.

Max wrote:

I'm almost 2 years out now, and admit I still have some trouble adjusting to how much I can eat. I have no regrets.

I am glad to read that even after a couple of years there are some that still have trouble adjusting to how much they can eat.

I know for me it is a slow process but just as Max has said "I have no regrets" ...

I'm almost 2 years out now, and admit I still have some trouble adjusting to how much I can eat. Have just returned from a 10 day cruise with all that food. Yes at times I wished I could eat more or try a bit of that, but once I had enough it was enough and while I always looked at the desserts rarely was I tempted to have any, (I know it just aint gonna stay in there if I top up after eating good food) so overall I just wasn't interested in the desserts. Frustrating to be not be able to finish an Ice cream. While I did at times wish I could eat more, I had a look around at the big people on the ship (there were lots of them) and of course decided it was all worth it as I paraded around in my size 10 bikini and new belly buttion ring.

I guess there will always be times I will mourn not being able to have a good pig out, but then I am now living the life I always dreamed of as a little person.

I have no regrets

Max

I think great preparation for post surgery is doing a food diary...record everything you eat for a week and I mean everything right down to size of meal, what time you ate, how hungry you felt before you ate, how full you felt after you ate, where you were when eating it, what you are feeling emotionally before eating it, how you feel after, etc. Your dietician or psych should be able to provide you with a template you can use. If not I would be seeing a new dietician or psych.
This helps to really see your emotional attachement to food.
I know I got serious with my pre op diet when I realised how sad it was that I was so rapt up in food as a reward, comfort, boredom buster, etc etc etc. I will always remember my aha moment.....
I dont think there is any benefit to trying to restrict your portion sizes down to post op size cos seriously it would do your head in. Its not until after surgery that you understand how you feel full on so little. Start watching how much skinny people eat....you will be surprised that some really eat like birds and are quite satsified. Also start chewing the hell out of your food and slow down your eating now. And try to get into the habit of not drinking during a meal.

Hi there,

to prepare for the amount of food post surgery, pre op I would look at the meal / food infront of me simply tell myself that I would be only eating 1/2 or 1/3 or 1/4 as much following surgery. Honestly, this was done with a sense of "thank GOODNESS, I won't be eating so much after surgery' rather than "OMG I am so going to suffer" :)

I think what was also helpful is that a friend of mine had a band, and I got used to seeing how much she was able to eat - and enjoy eating. It was the amount of food what I have seen skinny friends eating.

Post op I find it still useful to use one of my little "chinese" bowls (dipping bowls that hold approx 1 cup) and pre measure food before putting it onto a plate. I am not sure if you will find that useful at all prior to surgery?

Yes, there are times post op when I would love to eat more. And I will admit (please don't strike me down!!!) on the rare occasion taking a mouthful of food, chewing and then spitting it out, simply because I want the taste in mouth.
Sophia

I honestly have had no issues with the amount of food I eat.... I watch other people eat these huge meals, the size I use to eat, and can't imagine even doing it ever again.
Yes I have issues still, working out why it is not easy for me to lose weight,.. the "why me" attitude! It will happen, I am just sick of stressing about it now.....
If you are having issues with food, I would definitely go and talk to someone about it... don't suffer.....

Janette wrote:

4-5 months out you should know when you are full.
You will hopefully learn to stop when you are full, and thats it, its not worth it, that extra mouthful makes you feel uncomfortable and and extra few mouthfuls can be down right painful.

I have only overeaten once and oh the pain, no way I ever want to experience that again.........forget it!!!

You need to be prepared for the amount of food you can eat after. Do your homework, know what you are in for, are you ready to eat small for the rest of your life and be small........HELL YES!!! Go into this journey with your eyes wide open. Do the research, its not just something you run out and do. Sorry if I sound like I am on my soapbox, but its a huge decision one makes to better ones life.

Thanks for being straight forward here. I am getting ready for my surgery in February and not quite sure about how to prepare myself psychologically for the change - do you have any suggestions re. doing the research, being prepared for the amount of food, etc?
Any ideas are greatly appreciated! Thanks :)

Making it Happen

Hi,

it's interesting you say your insurance wont cover it, how much does it cost?

Our medications are not covered by our health insurance ever, but I think they are government subsidised.

I pay $35 a month for my nexuim - 20mg a day, but take 2.

Janelou x

Oh yes, I was on Nexium twice a day from postop (immediately had awful reflux on lying down in hospital POD 2). Then that didn't cut it by late arvo so I added zantac as well. Now my insurance company won't cover Nexium so I am on generic omeprazole plus zantac twice a day. Hopefully the specialist will order maybe a PPI at 40mg which is what was holding me before, but until he does I can't get it covered by the bloody medical insurance. They figure one PPI is as good as another so you have to use the OTC version (but that's extended release and only 20mg).

Hi Emily,

are you on Nexuim or Somac, from what I understand, it is a must for the first 6 months post op to deal with reflux. Ask your GP.

Janelou x

My dietician said to try and stay in the 700-800 range, and to make sure I get some veggies/salad in, so sounds like you're doing a great job. I can't do "no snacks" or the reflux gets me!

Can't wait til my appt with the GI doc (in FEBRUARY is the closest appt) to see what he can do about my reflux.

Hey all...

interesting post, I was going to start a new one with a similar theme...

I actually looked forward to having that restriction... not being able to say 'Oh go on then'! I feel that I have a positive outlook to what I can eat and 95% of the time I make the right, and healthy choice.

Just wanted to know your thoughts on amount of food that I can eat... I am 5 1/2 mths out... op being start of July...

I still weigh my food on a normal kitchen scales... I can generally eat about 7-8 oz of food; 5-6 oz of this will be protein and the rest veggies. Is that too much food?
I eat three times a day with no snacks unless my calories are too low ( under 700) when I will have a protein snack.

Any comments, advise would be apprecaited as when I read other posts I feel that I am able and that I eat more than I should?
Cheers =]

Janette wrote:

School Admin Manager

aaaaaaaaaah!

Seriously I have had more trouble adjusting to others still being able to stuff massive amounts of food down than to me not being able to do it.
I have felt nothing but huge relief from the food demons I had.
I had and still have psych support to deal with weight loss issues but they centre more around body image and self esteem and taking this life i have now been given and living it loud and proud.
There is more to life than food...hard to believe with all the food related advertising and entertaining we do.
I dont feel deprived. i dont feel sad.
I feel complete and utter release from food hell.
I do know though that it can be difficult for many and all I can say is do not be afraid to seek professional help in this area.

You know? Pre sleeve I was worried about it. Now? Don't care.
I feel satisfied so whether I eat a lot or a little, I'm still satisfied.

I've been annoyed on liquids and mushies but now I'm on normal food? It's brilliant.

Xmas eve, I ate and drank like a normal person - just in smaller amounts.

I don't feel deprived, so I don't want to eat more. And if I want to eat it, I do. I even had a crunchie yesterday :P

thankana wrote:

Janette wrote:

Thats because you are exercising, it makes a huge different.
I exercised my whole journey, and never plateaued, had a steady loss, right up to goal.

The last week of school I picked on crap all week at work, continued to exercise and lost a kilo, and I am suppose to be maintaining not losing........so work that one out!! LOL

You're absolutely right exercising makes all the difference. I plateau'd for 2 weeks and then started exercising, bye bye plateau.

BTW, teacher?

School Admin Manager

This is something that Im most afraid of. When your so use to looking at the amount of food you eat now and your brain being able to accept that you now eat only a tiny portion of what you use to eat..

Just need to fix the brain to make it work with what i will have left

Janette wrote:

Thats because you are exercising, it makes a huge different.
I exercised my whole journey, and never plateaued, had a steady loss, right up to goal.

The last week of school I picked on crap all week at work, continued to exercise and lost a kilo, and I am suppose to be maintaining not losing........so work that one out!! LOL

You're absolutely right exercising makes all the difference. I plateau'd for 2 weeks and then started exercising, bye bye plateau.

BTW, teacher?

Thats because you are exercising, it makes a huge different.
I exercised my whole journey, and never plateaued, had a steady loss, right up to goal.

The last week of school I picked on crap all week at work, continued to exercise and lost a kilo, and I am suppose to be maintaining not losing........so work that one out!! LOL

I have to admit I have been bad bad bad!!!!!!! chocolates and carbs.

Am I upset about it, no. I am still losing weight, freaks me out!

I also walk and run on the treadmill every morning.

And before all of the negative comments come out, yeah, still dont care. I eat what I want and exercise. Freaky that I still lose weight and eat what I want, well as much as I can.

4-5 months out you should know when you are full.
You will hopefully learn to stop when you are full, and thats it, its not worth it, that extra mouthful makes you feel uncomfortable and and extra few mouthfuls can be down right painful.

I have only overeaten once and oh the pain, no way I ever want to experience that again.........forget it!!!

You need to be prepared for the amount of food you can eat after. Do your homework, know what you are in for, are you ready to eat small for the rest of your life and be small........HELL YES!!! Go into this journey with your eyes wide open. Do the research, its not just something you run out and do. Sorry if I sound like I am on my soapbox, but its a huge decision one makes to better ones life.

I wish I had your control janelou29, seriously! I must have had a dozen prawns easily and just stuffed myself.

That has been my biggest problem since the surgery, knowing when to stop. I do have brilliant moments when I do "feel" getting full so I stop. I just know that it is time to stop but then other times I just keep going ... I am sure that is just getting the head under control now ... I think that is easier said than done.

I am not so annoyed at myself for eating - that is why I had the sleeve versus the band, I still wanted to enjoy food. I am just annoyed at myself for continually eating beyond being full and not accepting that four prawns was just as good as eight ... stupid really and at five months post surgery it is time I start getting my head under control!

Seems like a good time to post this- right after Christmas dinner!!!

I am 4 months out and still struggling with stopping when I have had enough, I miss the taste of food, like today for dinner I had a small plate with:

8 prawns (medium size)
1 slice ham
1 piece of garlic bread

and I couldn't finish the ham, and left 4 prawns

and it is hard...I am trying to stop BEFORE IO feel full, but god it's a challenge, this is hard but if I don't stop there is no point having had the sleeve becasue now at 4 months, I can snack all day if I want to! And all the bad stuff goes down easy, the protein is filling!

I have come across a couple of people who are having trouble adjusting to the volume of food they can eat after the op; 6-8 weeks. Not sure what to say to them, except things will change and it will get easier. It appears that they are mourning about not beign able to eat what they used to be able to. Any ideas of what to say or advise what they can do to help themselves, to try and help them would be great. Everyone reacts differently to the process and has different challenges and everyone has personal preferences on how to deal with challenges.
So this is the new year challenge.
Look forward to hearing from you in the near future.