Hang tough my friend! I remember my preop break down very clearly! I was also afraid I was having to say good bye to a old and dear friend... food.

Turned out its not true at all! At 6 months I can eat anything I want! Some days this is good... some days a bit scary! :) But there is nothing I cannot have.

However, with that said, my new life and freedom from fat makes me not want much of that stuff... and when I do, a couple bits is usually plenty to satisfy me and my craving.

I promise... two things... it will be hard work, but worth it, soooOOoooOoo worth it! You'll be able to eat some of the foods you love dearly, in small quantities at some point...

((HUGS))

I feel the same way most days. I love to cook for my family and we are brought together by food. I am very afraid that I will never be able to eat the foods I love again. But, I am tired of being fat more than I am afraid of giving up the foods I love. I have multiple health problems that go along with my obesity and with this surgery comes the hope that I will extend my life and increase the quality of it. Keep your chin up buddy...you can do this. We all can!

I have to agree with Becca. I can eat that stuff. I just don't stuff myself with it anymore. I don't need to! I don't want to!!

JJ - I echo the others. The first few months are rough going but I can eat anything now. I don't order unhealthy food but I'll eat an occasional French fry from my husbands plate. Last night I had a slice of a very thin crust pizza. Was delicious, but one slice was enough.

JJ I think most of us have all felt some of what you are. When I had my surgery I had to go to Denver (3.5 hours away from where I live) I was scheduled for 7 so had to be at the hospital at 5. We went over the night before, and you know I wanted to go out to dinner with my husband so bad I was almost ready to say screw it for the surgery... Would have been a huge mistake! I am in my 4th week now and I can go out to eat with my husband again. Only this time I bring home most of it and I get to eat it 6-7 more times! And feel totally satisfied! I also love ordering tilapia. And never in my life have I ordered fish at a restaurant! Hang in there hun, you will love your new life!

JJ - We have all been there, I agree with everyone, things will get better. My favorite show is Triple D and I remember having the same issue before the surgery. The truth is you will be able to eat food you enjoy again just not at the same rate of consumption.

Someone on this site said that the best part of a meal is the first 2 bites. I remember thinking they were crazy, but it is the truth. There will be a day where you can taste anything you want and you will be satisfied with 1 bite.

As you know the majority of this journey is mental and just like we have to exercise our bodies we need to exercise our mind. We need to recondition our mind to look at food as FUEL and not comfort. I hope this helps, stay positive and always push forward.

I had that breakdown as well. I love to entertain, and I love to cook and obviously (one look at me) and you know I'm pretty dang good at it. I thought I would have to eat SF pudding for the rest of my life.

Although I'm still in the pureed stage, I'm adding flavors as I go and I know it will only get better from here. Why? Because the people with experience on this blog tell us so and I believe them.

I do find myself switching off of the food channel (my previous favorite network) and now watching shows like "Cook your Ass Off" where the challenge is to take regular meals - like burgers and make them more healthy.

We're out in California, and so we BBQ and use our smoker a lot. I know now that I can still do that, but I probably will use rubs instead of sugary bbq sauce - or make my own with splenda or something.

This is going to be totally worth it to you - guaranteed.

Yes I agree with everyone!! I had the same break down!! Plus instead of the months leading up to my surgery instead of starting the diet. I did a tour of all my favorite foods as good bye like I was mourning!! And I guess we really do mourn the loss for a while but I agree that it is worth it and I feel better knowing I can add things back over time and do it in moderation and be healthier with it!!! GOD BLESS US ALL!!!! What a journey this is!!!

Yes. i had the breakdown too. But remembering this is a tool to help you not eat as much helps...You will be able to eat anything you want, just not in the quantities we used to...but giving up a few bites here and there will lead you to more rewards in other areas...remember your list of thing that will be better after the surgery..it's a post on here somewhere....hang in there..

It was good you "broke down". You need to process this stuff. Honestly though, you probably won't WANT to eat like that again!!! You may want to taste it and you will be able to. You just won't want to eat that quantity! Hard to believe, but it is true. You can do this. You are doing it for your health so you can be around for years and years to taste the world!! You will feel soooooo great.

This isn't true that you will never be able to enjoy your favorite foods again. In the future when you are closer to your goal you can enjoy them again if you want to. Just in smaller amounts. I enjoy most of my favorites. A few I just no longer desire.
ALL is not lost my friend!

No experience yet but I don;t know one person that has done this and wishes they didn;t down the line. From all the replies, it well be hard in the beginning but many rewards will follow. Hang in there, I can't wait to see your posts in about 6 months

I get it. I really do.

but whether or not you will be able to enjoy food like you used to.I promise you will be able to enjoy LIFE way more than you do now.

Oh, my friend, there is so much more to life than chewing and swallowing.

This is exactly why GBS is not the "easy way out." It is an act of bravery - a courageous decision to take one's life back. You are not weak. You are facing your fears and choosing life.

Bravo!!

JJ

JJ, I completely understand the breakdown. But your case is a bit different from most. The gastroperesis is making you get the surgery at this point, right? I know someone that also had that. She had the surgery to totally remove her stomach and she is fine. Blood work comes back good and she feels good. She doesn't eat the quantity she used to, but she eats what she wants. Your health will need to be your focus, not how much food you can eat. Good luck and keep updating us on how you are doing.

Don't panic buddy, all is not lost! I thought the same way and at first I couldn't eat much. I'm 19 months in now and I even recently went to the all you can eat chinese buffet! True I can't pig out! But I can eat all my favourites, just smaller portions. Your life will not end, its just beginning! The surgery is amazing, I would do it again in a heartbeat!