[Elysium]

I'm really not sure which forum to post this in?

I'm really having a difficult time right now. Next week, on Tuesday, I am going in for Gastric Bypass Surgery. Today I started my pre-op diet which consists of three protein shakes a day....and that's all.

I feel like I'm freaking out right now!! I feel like I'm jonesing for CRACK!! I haven't had anything to eat but a couple of protein shakes today....and (I fudged) one stick of string cheese. (It was protein!) I have food in my house; mashed potatoes with chives and sour cream....mixed, steamed veggies....peanut butter and jelly...and bread...lunch meat....UGHHH!!!

I am really, REALLY wanting to run to the fridge and make myself some food.....or hop in my car and go to sub-way for a sandwich with all the fixin's!! I'm scared that I'm going to fail my pre-op diet, but I think I might be more scared that I'm going to be hungry forever and never get to fill this hole again!!

Food has always been my best friend, my comfort, and my drug of choice. I am well aware of the commitments of the surgery and the changes in the diet, and I am prepared and willing to follow through with those. The big issue for me now is that I'M HUNGRY!! I am soooooo hungry!!! Once I have the surgery, my stomach pouch will be smaller and the hormones that induce hunger will lessen significantly so I will feel full sooner and won't be hungry really....but this week....I've got a stomach the size of a football and only liquids going in. The hunger has me really wanting to binge. If the hunger weren't here, I don't think I'd be having an issue.

This whole feeling of being sooooo hungry and feeling like I'm starving and feeling like I want to binge to make myself feel better is really ramping up my anxiety.

I'm thinking of things I can do right now to distract myself and self sooth...and one of those things is posting here....so sorry if I'm rambling but if I'm typing away, I'm not feeding my face.

I know this will get easier...and it really is detoxing if you ask me. I just have to get through right now and I'm scared that I'm going to cave. I am, however, more anxious and agitated that I can't have food and I'M FREAKING HUNGRY!!! I can't stand it!!! HUNGRY!!!!

[Indie'sOK]

(((((((((((Ely)))))))))))) This is coming from someone who also uses food to self-soothe, so I understand how you feel

What about the grounding and distraction techniques...do any of them in particular work for you?

Hang in there Ely, it'll be over soon. In the meantime there is always PC for support

PS...are those protein shakes any good? I've heard they taste like sawdust

[Elysium]

Indie....

Thanks for the support.

I've tried a couple different kinds of protein shakes and some of them do taste like sawdust!! LOL!!

The one I have now is 100% Whey from GNC. It's not bad, I guess. It tastes better with a scoop of Ovaltine and a banana added to it, but my dietician says not to add those during pre-op diet because it's extra calories and the point of the pre-op diet is to get the body to loose weight from the liver. The first place weight comes off in the body, before you start seeing the physical body changes, is the liver. They want to make the liver smaller as it makes it easier for the Surgeon to do the procedure as it gives them more room to work.

The thing is...the shakes taste sort of blah without the additives. I have to drink it slow or it makes me a little queezy from the flavor. I'm hoping it will get better as I get used to them.

There are other cheaper protein shakes that you can buy from the grocery store, but you have to make sure there isn't a lot of sugar in them because then your giving yourself too many added calories.

The chemistry of food is amazing.....BTW, did I mention I'm FREAKING HUNGRY!!!

[Indie'sOK]

Originally Posted by Elysium

Indie....

Thanks for the support.

I've tried a couple different kinds of protein shakes and some of them do taste like sawdust!! LOL!!

The one I have now is 100% Whey from GNC. It's not bad, I guess. It tastes better with a scoop of Ovaltine and a banana added to it, but my dietician says not to add those during pre-op diet because it's extra calories and the point of the pre-op diet is to get the body to loose weight from the liver. The first place weight comes off in the body, before you start seeing the physical body changes, is the liver. They want to make the liver smaller as it makes it easier for the Surgeon to do the procedure as it gives them more room to work.

The thing is...the shakes taste sort of blah without the additives. I have to drink it slow or it makes me a little queezy from the flavor. I'm hoping it will get better as I get used to them.

There are other cheaper protein shakes that you can buy from the grocery store, but you have to make sure there isn't a lot of sugar in them because then your giving yourself too many added calories.

The chemistry of food is amazing.....BTW, did I mention I'm FREAKING HUNGRY!!!

You're telling this to a girl that reads cookbooks...for FUN

Are you allowed to suck on sugar-free candies, like lifesavers? If some of the shakes taste really bad, I've heard doing this can take away some of the aftertaste.

What about water? Not that it's great for reducing hunger, but maybe it could help some? Just to take the edge off, even.

Hope this helps

[MissingMyOldSelf]

best wishes to you!!!! Today is actually my two year band-iversary! Found out I have a leak in my band last visit, so I'm having to really rely on myself for the portion control.

I love to make my chocolate protein shakes with coffee. It's like drinking a cafe mocha from some of your favorite coffee shops. And the sugar free syrups from the coffee aisle can really help you add flavor with no calories, and no added sugar.

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions, or "how did you deal????" moments

[Yoda]

I like Atkins protein drinks. I lost 50 pounds in 6 months eating Atkins protein drinks and bars and 2% milk.

Drink lots of water. Put a slice of lemon or lime in it for more flavor.

Your diet won't be restrictive forever. One day at a time...

You can do it!

[Elysium]

Originally Posted by MissingMyOldSelf

best wishes to you!!!! Today is actually my two year band-iversary! Found out I have a leak in my band last visit, so I'm having to really rely on myself for the portion control.

I love to make my chocolate protein shakes with coffee. It's like drinking a cafe mocha from some of your favorite coffee shops. And the sugar free syrups from the coffee aisle can really help you add flavor with no calories, and no added sugar.

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions, or "how did you deal????" moments

Sorry to hear about your leak in your band. I actually have a band now. I was doing so well for about a year and a half after surgery and then a lot of issues came up with family and my disorders flared out of control....and I was having regurgitation problems so the surgeon removed the fill and it was all down hill from there. It turned out that a big part of the reason the surgery failed was due to my dissociation issues and severe anxiety....I wasn't really aware of the dissociation at that point and had no idea how to work with it around the surgery. Now, four years later, I've done a lot of work with T and we have gotten to a point where we know I can work through the issues that may come up related to the weight loss and eating habit changes.

I'm drinking my protein shake right now. I so wanted to go heat up a cup of soup, but I told myself to drink my shake and keep up with the distractions...so I did. Small victory there...giving myself a little pat on the back.

I have to say, the shake doesn't taste so bad tonight since I'm so hungry that just about anything tastes good.

Still battling with the anxiety though.

Thanks for the tips and support!!

[Sabrina]

Wow, as a comfort and sometimes binge eater, my heart goes out to you. I know how I hate the feeling of hunger. It drives me near insane. Hang in there. Take it one slow minute at a time and post as much as you want. We will all be here for you to walk you through this.

[ECHOES]

Do you have pre-op and post-op support for this, through the surgeon or facility ?!

[SoupDragon]

Hey - well done for getting this far to your surgery and sticking with it. I have lots of issues with food, but one thing I have read and experienced is when you are significantly dropping calories the first 3 days are the toughest - after that your body will start burning fat (ketosis) and this gives a natural high and acts as an appetite suppressant - so make it through the first 3 days without eating more and it will start to get much easier to stick to it. I have found that freezing water on a stick to suck is helpful as it gives you something to do for half an hour and washing your mouth with mouth wash or cleaning your teeth can help too. Good luck - thinking of you SD

Can you add Equal or Splenda to the shakes to make them sweeter with no calories?

You can do this. I watched my friend do it - this hunger is temporary - the results can last a lifetime.

[Elysium]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

Do you have pre-op and post-op support for this, through the surgeon or facility ?!

Yep, I do. I have a local surgeon who is very experienced and is actually known as the top Doc for Bypass in the Health System. With their program I have scheduled appts with the Dieticians, Nurse Practitioners, and Surgeons for follow up after surgery.

Family support leaves a little to be desired...sort of, but I also have a great T who is standing by me all the way.

I'm feeling a little better this morning. Still very hungry, not as anxious/panicked as last night.

Thanks Echo's

[Lostime]

Stay strong you can do it!

[Rohag]

Wishing you success! May your post-op achievements wipe away the agony of the present