Very Newly Post Op...Help! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Bianco · 06-17-2008, 01:42 AM

I am post operative Gastric Bypass (RNY) and have really put off having to write this because I thought my mood would improve. However...

Since the op and two weeks out, I feel much confusion. Initially I came home and cried for a week, very depressed (but realistically put it down to two anesthetics in two days ie for IV filter and then Bypass) Previously had over 5 weeks on soup diet, drove me mental! Now more soup, acceptable as new tummy has to heal...but I am so sick of it. I also am trying to live life normally ie, cook dinner for hubby but am confused at my reaction to still wanting the food! I look at dinner and say I would really like that. Don't exactly have a feeling of hunger, but still would like to eat it. Would like to sit and eat breakfast or lunch even though I am not 'hungry'.
My hub says it's normal to still want. But everyone I encounter after this op doesn't seem to have the 'need' or are disinterested in food now. So why do I focus on it constantly, when it wasn't the be all and end all of my day in the first place? I gained weight originally because I became more immobile after an accident. I didn't stuff my face all day, but obviously the portion control and immobility piled on the pounds! Now it is all I can think of when I expected not to, after going to such drastic actions to lose the weight.

I know I am only two weeks out, if I could eat solids then it would be very little. I just can't seem to understand why my head still needs the thought of sitting down with my partner or friends and eating a meal and why I am consumed with thoughts of food.
I would really appreciate some comments to decipher as I feel I am gradually going round the twist!

Delia x

Peaches-N-Cream · 06-17-2008, 01:47 AM

Hi There.

Just wanted to let you know that, your moods and reactions are normal.
Thsi is what we all go through.

you will be able to eat again in a few weeks. but, to tempt it now will really not do you alot of good.

your body feels like your heads been cut off. in a week or two you will feel so much more different.

I promise, we all do!

Josephine · 06-17-2008, 06:36 AM

You are gonna be FINE. When you can start sampling things in a couple weeks, you will feel a lot better about your decision. It gets easier as you go along and the pounds start melting off.

katzz87 · 06-17-2008, 08:01 AM

What you are going through is pretty normal...your life have been turned around and there will be adjustment periods. But I promise you it gets easier! Some days better than others. It's amazing what games our head plays with us, which is why we've had to have weight loss surgery in the first place.

You're still pretty newly pre-op...give it time and TALK (post here also)...what you are going through now is normal...

And please do not think that the surgery "hasn't worked"...it has, it'll just take time for your head to follow suit...but it will!

Good luck.

Cathy

blisandt · 06-17-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaches-N-Cream

your body feels like your heads been cut off.

I believe this! It's like a "phantom" limb when someone looses a hand or leg... Their head (with drugs still in it for some weeks after anesthesia) has to catch up with the facts.

good luck.

Debs · 06-17-2008, 10:17 AM

Head hunger is our worst enemy. I'm sure it will take time to get over that, but you already have two weeks down. Congratulations Debs

Phoenixfire · 06-17-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bianco

I also am trying to live life normally ie, cook dinner for hubby but am confused at my reaction to still wanting the food! I look at dinner and say I would really like that. Don't exactly have a feeling of hunger, but still would like to eat it. Would like to sit and eat breakfast or lunch even though I am not 'hungry'. My hub says it's normal to still want. But everyone I encounter after this op doesn't seem to have the 'need' or are disinterested in food now. So why do I focus on it constantly, when it wasn't the be all and end all of my day in the first place? Delia x

Yes I remember the stage well, even thought it was a long time ago. It was gut-wrenching and drove me bonkers. I didn't do ANY cooking, because I would get mad and frustrated. So I let hub and daughter make meals. They did it gladly, after seeing how aggravated I got.

The hormonal changes were part of the moodiness, so give yourself a reminder of that issue too.

We are PATTERNED to sit and break bread with our families and loved ones, so it's not bizarre at all that you're adjusting to this inability on your part to join this life-long "normal" thing in life. And yes you WILL be able to join in meals, all in good time.

You said: "everyone I encounter after this op doesn't seem to have the 'need' or are disinterested in food now."
Well....that's partly true, but we are all different. The need for food is head hunger, survival of the species, we KNOW we're supposed to eat and WLS is a radical change to that biological drive. Yes it will get better but it's hellish now, I know (WE know!) Also, some of us were disinterested in food. I was...I basically felt like this: "if I can't eat what I want then feck it all I don't want to eat anything (insert whiney tone). But that passed too. Not overnight at all, but it did.

Dear, this all takes time, and you are completely normal. You've had a radical change to your body that TREMENDOUSLY affects your mind, thinking, mood and biology. It is hard to adjust, VERY hard (which is why I just roll my eyes at people who say this is the easy way out), but you can do it. Many have and you will be one of the many.

For now, perhaps take a break from meal preparation. Hell I used to go for a walk when they cooked dinner because the fragrances made me hungry and I got so frustrated. Also, try drinking fluids while they are eating or when food drives you nuts, PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR MOUTH during those times. It helps, but no it's not the same. But it IS something, right?

Keep coming to TT, don't be afraid to post. We understand what you're going through, and there is always some great encouragement and words of experience here.

It WILL GET BETTER, and you can also do what I did: SLEEP MORE! Can't think about food when you're sleeping, but you may dream about it (I did). Oh, and keep the TV off...the commercials can make you batty!

I hope this helps remedy the belief that "everyone I encounter after this op doesn't seem to have the 'need' or are disinterested in food now. " Cuz it just ain't 100% true!

Bianco · 06-20-2008, 05:09 AM

Just a little thank you all for your encouragement. Yes daily it improves slightly. I know it is early days still, such a learning curve at the moment. I am the type to want to run before I can walk, but I have to learn patience! I do appreciate it will get better and daily I can feel the improvement in my mood. But am very glad to know I am not the only one on the planet to feel this way early post op.

Thank you again for taking the time to help.
Delia x

ForcesSweetheart · 06-28-2008, 10:54 AM

I hope you're starting to feel a wee bit better. I have to agree with what others have said, the head hunger is a nightmare. I am 5 months out and still struggle with it all the time (which leads to grazing, which I know I need to stop). I do think it's easier when you're back on normal food as at least then you can have a little of what you fancy.
Do keep posting. We're all in the same boat.

Violet Bifulk · 11-11-2008, 03:34 PM

Bianco, why are you still cooking food for your husband if it makes you suffer?

I had this surgery 25 years ago, which failed after 10 years or so, and recently had a new one done. New ones are better, by the way! Anyway, before I had this surgery done, I asked my husband if he could handle his own food preparation, including shopping, meal planning, and cooking, which he agreed to. It is just so much easier on both of us.

You should talk with your husband about this. Trust me, if he's a big boy, he can figure out how to feed himself. He certainly won't starve to death. Further down the road, maybe six months to a year, you'll feel like cooking again, as you'll be able to actually eat the foods you prepare, so ask him if he could please manage on his own until then.

Best of luck to you!