Last night I took my first bubble bath since surgery. Was better than anything I've eaten!!

Becca you would be surprised at how hungry you wont be for awhile. I think my biggest hurdle before surgery was the fear that I would only be able to eat mashed potato textured food for life. And that I would never be able to go out with friends an family again. After surgery I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle family members eating all day. But since I had my surgery a week before Christmas an managed to do fine during all the holiday feasts then an on new years, I figure I can do anything. You will do fine. Ive been reading books, playing on the kids ipad, here on DS, going to the library, walking the animals.

sometimes before surgery to keep my mind of it I would go to bed early. It helped a lot!
I like what you have listed. Listen to some soothing music in an IPod might help.

This is a great post. I've been working on a puzzle with my son, reading..we just got a puppy so I've been taking him on lots of walks.

Find a hobby. Make crafts or if you have an ipod or ipad pintrest is a good site to find crafty things to do. But getting use to exercise is a good one. Even if its walking to the mail box or three houses down the street. Anything to keep you busy. Even listening to music works!

How about listening to music? Music has always helped me through things. My biggest hurdle has been finding food that doesn't make me sick. and wanting to eat what other people have to eat. debby

Crocheting, crafts that require clean hands will keep you from snacking. Post surgery wanting to eat is not an issue. I am satisfied with the food and portions and 6 weeks out can enjoy a snack if I am craving one... Love fat free sugar free chocolate pudding with a dollop of free cool whip, sf fudgsicle. You are so smart to do the head work now. You on on track for great success. Kathy

well as i mentioned earlier in another post...im a foodie...always have been...always will be...a couple of i did was (and call me crazy) i read cookbooks lol...not the everyday ones..i got a buttload of WLS cookbooks and DIABETIC cookbooks to see what i WAS going to be able to prepare.eat in the coming weeks,months, and years...another thing i did was look online at mens clothes...NOT the big dog stores for XXXL stuff...but things were NORMAL sizes...i know silly huh??..the head stuff will go away..trust me :-)

todd

The first few week you will be kept busy just learning how to get the protein and fluids in and moving. The next month or so you will be relearning how and what foods work for you. When you get to the point where you are bored here are a few ideas.
.Journal your wls journey
. Join a book club
. Volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you
. Visit a shut in
. Learn something new ie vocabulary, skill, hobby
. Meditate
You get the idea. d

Great stuff! Thanks!

I am thinking I will need this list now (to lose pre surgery wt), and by using it now, it will be easier to use it when the time comes after surgery!

Think I'll put it all together in a word doc :)

becca it really DOES get easier over time...everythibg you thought you might not like about the surgery becomes the norm!
:-)

todd

One of the hardest things for me to do was to separate eating from other activities. I used to eat while I read the paper. I ate while I watched TV.

Pre-GBS, I read Geneen Roth's book "Breaking free from Emotional Eating" and put her principles into place. She talked about "mindful" eating...when you eat, focus on just eating. Sit at the table, chew/thoroughly taste each bite...pay attention to how it feels and how your body feels eating it. Pay attention to when you are "satisfied" and stop eating at that point. Honestly, I got bored eating.

You are gonna rock this thing!

JJ

I decided to make jewelry, new hobby...get to shop for all the neat and new things...craft stores sell all crafts, no food isles...AND, I spent so much time on all that fun stuff and spent countless hours creating beautiful earrings, necklaces and bracelets...I started selling them at work...now I have this collection thats out of this world! it did get expensive, but at least I can see what ive bought as oppose to knowing I shopped for food and ate it all! hope this helps :)

My husband thinks I'm crazy, but I bought myself a puppy! I have surgery in about 3 weeks. She is a great distraction. I had to quit smoking :( and had a "wake" last night with my friends. The "wake" was for beer. We are all beer lovers! lol The puppy will also get me up and moving. She is very energetic and needs walks and attention.

I am trying not to obsess too much about the "after" anymore. I am taking my life back and will adress the issues as they come at me. I know I can handle them! I will never be this large again! Try not to worry too much!