Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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jjklmommy 09/05/2013

I had an interesting conversation with my best friend tonight. She has been supportive of my surgery. We don't live close to each other anymore so speak at least weekly. She is always curious about each step and diet progression in my journey. I am now 7 weeks post-op. I just found it interesting tonight when talking to her that she seems to pity me in a way. She kept saying things like, "well it will be nice when you can eat normally again." I told her I have a new normal. I felt like I had to console her that I am perfectly fine with the way I eat now. I am not hungry. I don't miss pizza, pasta, ice cream etc. I am fine drinking my protein drink every morning, it's not a big sacrifice, at all, in my eyes. I know she's trying to be supportive and encouraging but I just wondered if that is how everyone will look at me now. Co-workers have also commented when they see what I eat. "is that it? you must be starving." Everyone is so curious about how I eat and I have just learned to devise little tricks to sort of make others more comfortable. Like getting asking for a glass of water at a restaurant even though I can't drink it . It stops people from asking me why I didn't get a drink. Just some rambling thoughts. I always find it interesting how others view those of us who have had surgery. Kim

deleted_user 09/05/2013

I agree. For awhile that's why I was hesitant to tall many people but now I'm realizing like you said, we have a new normal- and I'm damn proud! I actually have had a few people ask me if I'm full after I finish just a small amount and I say yes, and they're like "wow, that's so great!" But tonight I ate with my stepbrother for the first time since surgery and although he didn't mean anything bad he kinda laughed at how little I eat and inside it kind if bothered me- but I felt better reading your post just now! Everyone will react how they react but we are getting healthy!!! :)

KatLin 09/06/2013

I actually cant quite eat normally yet due to my complications however.......

my new program has people eating normally at 7 weeks post op. shakes go away at 3 weeks post op. My friend who is in the same surgical practice as me has a regular diet just less of it. thee are healthy ways to make pizza thee are healthy choices for pasta. the only thing they don't want is us eating things that don't stay with you like soups yogurt cereal bars I think even oatmeal is on that no no list I laugh and tell them at least my grocery bill is much lower and my rx bill.

as far as water I always ask for it when out just incase I choke or have to take a zophran lol never know when the food wants to come for a revisit.

I laugh at people who even begin to think any thing about me was ever or ever will be normal.

goldenrivers 09/06/2013

It is hard for anyone raised in the "American Way" to ever grasp smaller portions. It is not we are abnormally small, it is everyone else abnormally large. Society has to change their way of thinking if we are ever going to control the obesity epidemic. I to have people question my new eating habits, but I just laugh a bit and change the subject. I am obviouslt not starving to death. :)

bouvier 09/06/2013

This is too fun! I went out with some family on Saturday. My program says if you can tolerate steak, and I can, to order it medium rare. That is what I did. They don't know about my surgery and were asking things like "Ooohh, do you like blood?" and "Why even try to cook it?" I just said "Yes I do." and went on. They like giving me a hard time and I just did not let it bother me. Keep up the good work!

becca1960 09/06/2013

Hummmm.... Interesting. My very first outing was 3 days after surgery when I went to Salem to a big family gathering and picnic at the park. We were only there about an hour (cause I had just had surgery!) but I really wanted to go see family I don't normally see very often...

So here I was 3 days post op from RNY and most of them knew this... yet I don't know how many comments I had like "so sorry you cannot eat this food... It must be hard" They could not grasp the concept that at 3 days from having my guts rearranged the LAST thing I wanted was to eat their potato salad, hot dogs and hamburgers! But I know they meant well...

I guess if I had to choose, I'd rather people wonder why I would eat so little and how I could be satisfied with it... than having them think things about how MUCH I am eating and no wonder I am fat :) :)

My blue sky would just be to have a normal relationship with food and people, but heck! What is normal anyways? Probably way over rated!

deleted_user 09/06/2013

Funny you mentioned water...I think that has been the BIGGEST hassel I have had to deal with since my surgery. We go out to eat at least once per week, and of course the first thing you get asked is "what do you want to drink?" I always say nothing. 10 minutes later, someone else asks, "Do you want some water?" I say no. Dinner comes, "Do you want anything to drink now?" I say NO!

I just want to stand up and shout "I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DRINK, PERIOD!" I know I shouldn't let this get under my skin, but for some reason it just hits me wrong everytime I get asked. Especially when I've already said I want nothing to drink.

Maybe I should accept the glass of water and just leave it at that. That may solve my problem in the future.

deleted_user 09/06/2013

I always ask for water too. I get comments every day at my lunch break about what I eat and they say how sorry they are. I just let it roll off my back:)

KatLin 09/06/2013

banshee carry a little sign on a straw saying please do not water the bariatric patient during meals then when they ask what you want request an empty glass and set your straw sign in it facing the server. lol

deleted_user 09/06/2013

Banshee -- I just say water and let it sit there. Makes life a little easier.

deleted_user 09/06/2013

I went to breakfast with some friends the other day and I had a drink prior to eating... (while at the your weight matters conference one of the bariatric surgeons who is on the board of the obesity action coalition stated that it was fine to drink right up until the time you eat -- that you should not eat for 30 to 60 minutes after eating) Well, I finished the drink and the waitress kept pushing me to have a refill... I kept saying no thank you I was fine.... She must have asked me 5 times... And then I ordered an omelet but I didn't want a three egg omelot and she was peaved with me... But she agreed to order me a two egg omelet... When I asked for a box to take half of it home she could not understand why i didn't eat it all.... I simply said thank you for your concern, but my eating habits are none of your concern...

jjklmommy 09/07/2013

Good points all. Golden, so true. We have portions that are far too big in this country and I am all too aware now when I think, did I really eat all that before? And as for the water, I have just asked for it so I don't get harassed like some of you have mentioned. KatLin so true about the grocery bill and I marvel at how much money I save on not eating out as much. I used to do a fast-food drive through 4-5 times a week. Definitely a fringe benefit of surgery. My kids think they are deprived now though. Oh well.

rbd74 09/07/2013

until last night i thought normal for me would always be bringing home a doggie bag. i am not sure if the portion sizes changed or i was super hungry or what. but i ate my entire entree. It was a bit scary, but considering i am trying to gain weight i am just going to brush it off and continue to watch my portions.

isn't it funny that we are all frustrated by the "what do you want to drink?" boy that gets me. SOOOOO many times i want to say nothing, but then i'm afraid they are going to think i will share my hubby's drink and will charge me for two. I get a glass of water most times. and never take a sip.

what we should remember is that all are curious about unknown or different things. and we should remember most people are not very good at being tactful. i like to think they say sorry so much because if they were eating like me they would feel very deprived. my one friend and i go out to eat now and then. i remember once i said do you want to split some onion rings - he said sure. I ate half of one and he was so upset that he had ate basically the whole order!

KatLin 09/07/2013

it is so funny when I was a kid we were not allowed drinks at meal time. I don't remember why it just was the rule after meals only.

Its funny how now I'm back to no drink with meals.......30 before/60 after either but the beginning would of been easier if I had keep my moms rule after leaving her house.

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