I did this I was eating everything in sight at one point....LOL

I had to do a two week liquid diet prior and I thought it would again kill me LOL and even cheated right before surgery..I went off the deep end at the cheesecake factory which I would not suggest doing..

I am now 12 weeks out and eating 6 tiny high protein meals daily and loving life...I have not been hungry and I am down 83 pounds...

This was the best decisioon I made...I am enjoying life and with the right mind set you will do great too!!

God bless u

Ah yes, I loved the weeks leading up to my 8 day liquid diet. I ate everything I could, drank everything I could, then ate some more. Life changing is life changing and I went out with a bang.

It IS an end of one part of your life, with a renewal on the other side of surgery.

If you feel like you're going to fail after surgery, stop and think about what you're doing now. Are you going to be able to adhear to the guidelines you're going to have to live with for the rest of your life? Will you be able to handle the commitment to a new, healthy lifestyle? Can you do this?

I am 10.5 months out, normal bmi, 3 stinking pounds from my personal goal weight. Trust trust trust me, if I can do this, anybody can. Only you can make yourself feel like a failure. Reassess your situation and start making a few good choices. No one has to be perfect, but you don't have to feel like a failure either.

Good luck!

I know from previous experience that if I have limitations, I can do it. Two months before having my gall bladder removed, I had a gall bladder attack. It was my first and my last. My doctor told me what foods NOT to eat, and I stuck to it to the T!

I KNOW that I can do this too, it just feels like what I'm doing now is making me second guess myself.

I am making some good choices, but not as many as I'd like. I'm just in a weird place right now and need the positive feedback! Thanks so much for listening (well, reading) and providing insight!

Aren't you glad to have this group? They are awesome, and Patricia is right... Only YOU can make yourself feel like a failure! Maybe we need to revisit that food bucket list we had when we first started this journey... Jenn has my tummy grumbling for Cheesecake Factory now! LOL!
I love you, Laur, and as your best friend I KNOW you can do this! You ALWAYS excel, and I'm proud of you! {{{BIGHUGEHUGS}}}

I did it too, lost the required amounbt0--ate for a week solid then started 3 day liquid fast. I know most people say you can eat again, but it's like breaking up with your best frenemy, it's so hard to just walk away and not look back. I do not believe one bit that it means you won't be successful. I think it means you are pretty normal!

This isn't the beginning of your life. This is a continuation of it! With big changes on the horizon! Counseling and more counseling. Read books on food and mental/emotional issues around food. You are going through a divorce of the old ways. This is only the beginning of the mental and emotional work you will be doing. This journey is only a small percentage food and almost totally about emotions and outdated beliefs, attitudes And habits. When you are truly ready you will just do what you need to do without any reservations!

No, I was so ready after 8 years of research that when I decided, I jumped in with both feet. I surprised myself at how little gorging I did as I said goodbye to certain foods. I did have some last things like donuts but not in excess. I didn't even have a gorging last meal to make myself sick. We ate at Red Losbter and I just had one piece of their lobster pizza. Not even a dessert. Many things just didn't interest me any more. I did a system cleanse, and started my water, vitamins and protein shakes as soon as I committed. The more you already have a regimen going the less you will have to worry about post op. Your energy will be able to be focused on healing rather than trying to adjust to all the changes at once. Pre and post op tastes change so protein and vitamin preferences change.

In closing one door, new doors open! New doors to unbelievable NSV's! Bless you on your journey!

At 19 mos out, I want to talk about your "won't be able to have after surgery" comment. There is no doubt that this surgery is life changing. But when it all changes, you still have a life. It is easy to get so focused on what you can eat after surgery, that you forget that 'after surgery' is not just 3 months or so, but is the next 30 years or more of your life. A lot of what you are madly scarfing down right now for the 'last time' you will eventually be able to have as part of a better balanced diet albeit in much smaller quantity. A lot of it you won't even miss or want. Some of it you may seriously want (head hunger) but it just won't taste the same if you try it and you won't really want it anymore. And some stuff will just stay with you, comfort food is the worst - a big step down that slippery slope.. But, you will find new foods you adore, learn to eat out (find some restaurants that do interesting appetizers - and don't deep fry them), find GBS friendly ways to fake some of your old favorites and get on with your life.

That being said, remember that this old timer's last treat was a Mexican Coke, over ice, and sipped through a straw. I got my carbs, my caffeine, my carbonation my ice and a straw - all on my surgeons never again list in about 120 calories (I should have added the rum - lol) Today, if I do it, and I do every six weeks or so ... it's about 1/3 of the bottle, poured over ice in a wide glass, stirred until the carbonation is more or less gone and then sipped slowly from the glass (I know I can't handle alcohol and carbonation)

I guess that what I am trying to say is that your current stage is actually the end of very little, but your relationship with familar things will change. It is too easy (but absolutely necessary) to focus on just the immediate restrictions of life post surgery and to forget or not realize that that is NOT the rest of your life. (Thank Heaven, because I did reach the point where I could not face another protein shake)

You'll get through it... Welcome to the rest of your life It's a great place to be.

Lin

I'm with ya girl. Two weeks till surgery. And I have definitely thought about the things on my must eat list. LoL. One day at a time. Only human! Hug

I did not go off during my six month pre-op, but I have entered a period at 14 months where hunger and the food sirens are again part of my temptation and reality. It never goes away...just a tool, the real work goes on between our ears...lol
RickyDee/Sleeve/ 07-28-10/-138#

I ate most of what I wanted until the two weeks fast. Wish I got that hot fudge sunday in, I missed it:)) A freind cheated right up to surgery and has lost over 100 lbs. I'm down 66, I'm a slow loser............

I am SO glad I'm not alone. The last couple of days I have been "wanting" everything!!! I have really been trying hard to keep my eating to a minimum, but it's hard. I have 2-2 1/2 months to go until my surgery. As soon as I had my first appointment with the surgeon, I started to change my eating habits. But, like I said, the last couple days have been some dandies!!!! I have hit the yogart hard and the protein drinks. I have munched on a few pretzels and cheese sticks too. The "head hunger" is truly the real battle though!!! It is like a whole other person and it tries to take over!!!! Thank Heavens for DAILY STRENGTH!!! That is exactly what I have needed, is Daily Strength!!!

Hi Lauren,

I can imagine that what you're experiencing is "normal" for alot of people. I'm about 10 days from surgery and have learned so much from so many on this site.

Don't beat yourself up for being human. We all have battles to fight and we WILL WIN them!

We'll all get through this together and we will all live our life's to their fullest.

xo
MO

I liked Lin's comments. These are not forever limitations per se. It's just focusing on the immediate futures limitations. Maybe try having a bite or two of something from a friends plate so you aren't tempted to eat all of it. I swore I was going to Panda Express during the final two weeks before surgery but I never got there. I could have but it seemed insignificant. I can't wait till I can have solid food to try some of Eggfaces recipes. Now it's about eating for fuel than living to eat. You can do this too. Try to make some protein ice cream.

omg- you should see my credit card and debit card statements- went everywhere that I'd "never" be able to go to again! But, don't worry! You will be able to go to places again- I went to Applebee's (I'm 7 weeks post op) and ordered fish, a baked potato, and veggies- was so delicious, and I got three meals out of it! What a way to stretch a buck! Don't beat yourself up about this- almost everyone has their final "affair" with their best friends... carbs. You'll do great! Just think of the results you will have- 35 pounds down for me!

Thank you to EVERYONE. Your words have been truly inspirational and so supportive. It's so good to know that alot of us have experienced the same thoughts and feelings and you've all come out on the other end of it and you've been SUCCESSFUL!!!!!!

I'm so happy to have found this group. You are all TRULY amazing!