Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 I had thought the same thing about whether I would be able to change my habits after the surgery and if I would be happy about not having my chocolate, Coke and periodic food binges. After surgery it was a major emotional transition. I had to remind myself that I had this surgery for a reason and by physically changing the size of my stomach I knew that no matter how much I wanted to overeat at home or at restaurants I knew I wouldn't be able to. Believe me, my first Friday night home after surgery was horrible without having my usual pizza and soda. Intellectually, I knew what I was getting into, but the emotional part doesn't hit until you have the surgery and actually feel the feelings that are there without food covering them up. So in other words, yes, after surgery you do go through a major emotional upheaval as you begin to adjust to this new lifestyle. It's a major life changing ordeal. You won't be able to go out to restaurants in the beginning just because you will be limited to what your new pouch will be able to tolerate. I had my surgery 2 months ago and currently go to restaurants a lot for work, or with friends. I just find that I have to make smart choices with what I can eat and often take half of my meal home with me. I remember my first time in a restaurant was about a month after surgery. I got meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I would have NEVER ordered that kind of food before. But I was looking for something that had good protein and that my body could perhaps tolerate. I had a few bites and ended up making 6 more meals out of it after taking the leftovers home. The days of majorly bingeing or overeating in restaurants I'm afraid will be gone. Even over time when your pouch stretches, you will never be able to eat the same amount of food in one sitting as you used to. But isn't that a good thing? This surgery has put me in a situation where I can't eat like I used to and am losing weight and becoming a lot healthier. My appetite is a lot less and I don't miss food as much as I thought I would. I've also had a few glasses of wine without any ill affects. I've got more energy and am still just as much fun as I ever was. Good luck.... Even though it can be quite rocky in the beginning as the body recovers from major surgery and new eating adjustments are made, people seem to be happy about their decision in the long run. Patti T. SMDC, Duluth, MN Dr. Jon Krook Lap RNY 2/3/2004 8 weeks post-op 308/263/140 -45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 I am 5 months post op and I am very happy with what I did. It was the best thing I have ever done. As far as eating out, I still do. I still have not eaten bread yet though. I don't drink alcohol either. Just afraid to try it. But I do know that some people drink after. Hope some of this helps. Pam 305/234/170 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 , Your wife has a legitamate concern. You will have to learn the " rules of the pouch " . To even consider the surgery is quite a step and I truly applaud you for doing so. In your heart you know what your current lifestyle represents. If it is you wife's concern that you will change, the answer is " yes " . If yoru wife learns about the surgery and understands that all of the positives will outweigh the negatives, she will come to realize that the change will enhance not only your life but the lives of your family. I am nearly 11 weeks post-op and have had to deal with some lifestyle adjustments. I don't drink alcohol but I do go out to lunch with the office staff now and then. What I have found is that you " really " have to have some self-discipline when it comes to choosing what and when to eat or drink. I have lost over 68 pounds and feel great, with no regrets I might add. A lot of social activities take place over food and drink. For those of us that have had to make the decision to alter our lives forever in order to save ourselves from ourselves, we must recognize that even though we will be forced to change the way we eat and drink. Life does not end. In fact, I have had more fun with my family away from the dinner table, and that is probably the main reason I opted to have the surgery. I knew that in order to prolong my time here with my kids and wife, whom I love with all my might, mind and strength, I needed a permanant fix to my problem, overeating. This surgery has given me that opportunity to do so, I firmly believe that. Sorry for the self-indulgence, but I do want you to see that there are guys out there that have gone through it and have lived to tell about it. Best of luck. -Ray > I am considering a gastric bypass. My wife knows that eating out and > occasionally drinking alcohol at parties are very important to me. > She is very worried that I will have the surgery, but be so unhappy > about that lifestyle that my personality will change negatively. She > does not want me to have irreversable surgery that will forever make > me unhappy. Could someone who had the surgery reply with your > thought on this topic. Are you unhappy? Are you less fun than you > were before? etc. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. All of the answers have been helpful. > > I am considering a gastric bypass. My wife knows that eating out > and > > occasionally drinking alcohol at parties are very important to me. > > She is very worried that I will have the surgery, but be so unhappy > > about that lifestyle that my personality will change negatively. > She > > does not want me to have irreversable surgery that will forever > make > > me unhappy. Could someone who had the surgery reply with your > > thought on this topic. Are you unhappy? Are you less fun than you > > were before? etc. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 everyone's different. i found that losing the weight was liberating, never a downer. & btw, my nutritionist states that alcohol robs us from B1. lori h. > I am considering a gastric bypass. My wife knows that eating out and > occasionally drinking alcohol at parties are very important to me. > She is very worried that I will have the surgery, but be so unhappy > about that lifestyle that my personality will change negatively. She > does not want me to have irreversable surgery that will forever make > me unhappy. Could someone who had the surgery reply with your > thought on this topic. Are you unhappy? Are you less fun than you > were before? etc. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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