Post-Band Freak Out

[DixyChixy1966]

Hi everyone, me again...so I am 3 weeks away from getting the band and I am really starting to freak out about eating afterwards (after the liquid diet)!!!! I have been researching this and reading this forum since last summer (when I was originally supposed to get my band) so I was feeling very confident...but now that it is so close I am starting stress big time about it all. Don't get me wrong, I am super excited for this opportunity and am really happy to be getting the band but the eating is really stressing me out.

I guess I am just over-whelmed with not only the choices I have to make but that the way in which I eat have to all change. I am not sure why I am so freaked out really, I have just lost 41 pounds in preparation for this so I know what I should and shouldn't eat but I am just stressed out about everything - chewing the food enough, not eating things that are hard to swallow...I am sure it is trial and error the first while and can't be avoided...guess I just need some reassurances is all...

Also, I am finding that the last week has been super hard to stay on track...I have been doing so well since April in losing but now I just want to eat my old way...and I have no clue why...is it some sort of subconscious fear of "losing" the way I eat??? Is this normal? Did anyone else strugge just before surgery not to go hog wild with the food???

I just want to have it and be on the other side so I can stop stressing!

Jen

[PAMMIE]

Hi everyone, me again...so I am 3 weeks away from getting the band and I am really starting to freak out about eating afterwards (after the liquid diet)!!!! I have been researching this and reading this forum since last summer (when I was originally supposed to get my band) so I was feeling very confident...but now that it is so close I am starting stress big time about it all. Don't get me wrong, I am super excited for this opportunity and am really happy to be getting the band but the eating is really stressing me out.

I guess I am just over-whelmed with not only the choices I have to make but that the way in which I eat have to all change. I am not sure why I am so freaked out really, I have just lost 41 pounds in preparation for this so I know what I should and shouldn't eat but I am just stressed out about everything - chewing the food enough, not eating things that are hard to swallow...I am sure it is trial and error the first while and can't be avoided...guess I just need some reassurances is all...

Also, I am finding that the last week has been super hard to stay on track...I have been doing so well since April in losing but now I just want to eat my old way...and I have no clue why...is it some sort of subconscious fear of "losing" the way I eat??? Is this normal? Did anyone else strugge just before surgery not to go hog wild with the food???

I just want to have it and be on the other side so I can stop stressing!

Jen

JEN THAT'S VERY NORMAL. CHANGE ISN'T EASY BUT THIS ONE YOU'LL LOVE

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS ALREADY, YOU'VE DONE WELL

[DixyChixy1966]

JEN THAT'S VERY NORMAL. CHANGE ISN'T EASY BUT THIS ONE YOU'LL LOVE

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS ALREADY, YOU'VE DONE WELL

Thanks for your words of encouragement...I really appreciate it!

Jen

[ValleyGirl]

Before getting maried, I had some pretty messy break-ups but none harder than my break-up with food! This too shall pass.

Sabrina:)

[Red]

You know, when alcoholics go into rehab (my husband is a recovering alcoholic) and can't have the alcohol anymore, they go through a kind of mourning. Alcohol was their life, it was there best friend.

As I approached my surgery date, I found myself thinking thoughts like, this will be the last time I can eat my supersized McDonalds meal, this is the last time I am going to be able to put down a couple of hot dogs and half a big bag of chips. This is the last time I am going to be able to hog on a giant bowl of spaghetti. It was a mourning for the relationship I had with food and I know that it is going to take time to undo the 51 year relationship I had with my best friend in good times and bad times, my comforter....food.

But I have come to realize that I will not have to completely give up every food I ever loved, I am just going to be in control of the proportions that go in my mouth. It is going to be a win win situation and as the pounds come off, I believe that will be my motivation to keep working with my band. I just watched a good video of Dr. Ortiz discussing the band with a teen a couple of months ago, and he kind of puts it all into perspective:

Red

[jhawkchick75]

That was a fantastic way to describe it Red!!! I too did the "farewell tour" and thought I needed to eat everything in sight for the last time. Now mind you bread is now out for me and some other things until dinner, but for the most part I can still eat just about anything just in much smaller portions and have to eat very slowly.

Now after 5 fills at dinner I might be able to eat french fries and what not, but you know after 9 months I just really don't want it. NEVER in my life did I think I would say that but it's true. We went out Sat night and I probably could have done a cheeseburger no bun and some fries, but instead what sounded fantastic was the talapia and green beans and garlic mashed potatoes. I know a lot of people say this, but I am so serious if I can do it anyone can! I was seriously addicted to fast food and I don't use that term lightly. I ate it every day sometimes 2 to 3 times a day and now I just don't miss it that much.

I was freaked out a bit until I spent hours in this board and after that once I did that I was ready to go! No regrets what so ever i'd do it again. I'm still working on the head hunger and the fact that food became a comfort and a ritual more than that it really tasted that good. There are still times when i pass the McDonalds by my house and it is weird that I don't stop there - feels like i've lost a friend but am working to replace it with new habits and friends like Zumba and running. Never in my life did I think that would happen! I think I really messed up many fast food places inventory when I stopped coming!

You will do great! I tell people this has been the easiest and hardest thing i've ever done all at the same time. But I sincerely think if I can do it anyone can! Am I perfect...hell no! I've been battling eating way too many chips and dip and Mexican food has been the death of me lately, but I don't let it get me down I move on and try to do my best each and every day. We all have struggles otherwise we wouldn't be here so don't worry if you slip up. It's years of bad habits we have to work on refining and you CAN do it! Sorry i'm rambling now i'm done!

Good luck you will do great!

[abandster]

OK - I am also feeling like I need to have my last everything.... My surgery is scheduled for August 12th and my appitite is insatiable (& I know it's mostly in my head)... I appreciate you all for sharing your experiences and look forward to my new life, but I recognize that it's going to be a mental battle as much if not more than a physical one.

[DixyChixy1966]

Before getting maried, I had some pretty messy break-ups but none harder than my break-up with food! This too shall pass.

Sabrina:)

Hahaha, well put! Boy it sure is hard to break up with food!!!

Jen

[DixyChixy1966]

Wow, thanks everyone - it is so awesome to have you at my fingertips!

The other thing I am kind of stressed about is that I am such an emotional eater I don't know how I will cope...I am sure I am not alone when it comes to eating whenever you are stressed (whether it is good stress or bad!) - but for 42 years that is all I have known...now what?! lol...it is amazing the kind of relationship we have with food isn't it!

Jen

[Smiley]

I told one of my banded friends after I had my surgery that even though I knew the surgery was done in the abdominal area I would almost swear part of it occurred in my brain as I no longer really cared about a lot of food. As an example, prior to the surgery I would look for the biggest cookie in the batch, but after the surgery I was willing to take one, maybe two bites and then throw the rest away. I did this back in the winter and the poor child that made the cookies saw me do it - I felt horrible and told her over and over how good they were, but I just couldn't eat the whole thing. I don't think she really bought it, but it was true.

I can't say I am as well behaved as Shelby when I go out to eat, but I don't berate myself either for the choices I make because I know that the rest of the week I am behaving myself. Besides, when what you used to eat in one meal now gets split up over 3 or 4 it really isn't that bad considering most restaurant meals are at least double what a person should be eating at one setting.

Just remember that you will still be able to eat after your surgery and tell yourself that you are going to postpone some of your farewell tour for later and then see if a month from now you really want those foods or not.

[DixyChixy1966]

I told one of my banded friends after I had my surgery that even though I knew the surgery was done in the abdominal area I would almost swear part of it occurred in my brain as I no longer really cared about a lot of food. As an example, prior to the surgery I would look for the biggest cookie in the batch, but after the surgery I was willing to take one, maybe two bites and then throw the rest away. I did this back in the winter and the poor child that made the cookies saw me do it - I felt horrible and told her over and over how good they were, but I just couldn't eat the whole thing. I don't think she really bought it, but it was true.

I can't say I am as well behaved as Shelby when I go out to eat, but I don't berate myself either for the choices I make because I know that the rest of the week I am behaving myself. Besides, when what you used to eat in one meal now gets split up over 3 or 4 it really isn't that bad considering most restaurant meals are at least double what a person should be eating at one setting.

Just remember that you will still be able to eat after your surgery and tell yourself that you are going to postpone some of your farewell tour for later and then see if a month from now you really want those foods or not.

Wow, never really thought of it as the "farewell tour" but I think you have hit the nail on the head! I cannot imagine eating just small portions and being okay with it...all I know is to gorge myself! lol Thanks everyone for your words of support and encouragement - I really appreciate them!

Jen