As most of you are aware, Susan had lapband surgery about a month ago. Before deciding to have the surgery, Susan meticulously researched all the effects the surgery would have on her. We both knew that lapband surgery would be a drastic change for her. What I’m not sure either of us realized is how much of an impact her surgery would have on ME.
When you first have lapband surgery, your stomach is reduced to about one cup in size (8 oz) — later, the band is constricted down to hold about half a cup (4 oz). If you need a visual aid, those small paper cone cups that sit next to water bottles are about 4 ounces. With a stomach that size, eating loses its fun. It’s no longer enjoyable to linger around a Mexican restaurant for an hour, snacking on chips and cheese (the cup of cheese they bring to your table is about four ounces — eat that and you’re done) waiting for your meal and the eventual sopapillas to arrive. When you can only eat a cup of food, every bite counts. Over the last month we’ve all but stopped eating out. We used to hit restaurants or buffets on the way home on a regular basis; now, it’s a rarity for sure.
Buffets are pretty much completely off her list now. I can think of five or six Chinese buffets within just a few miles of work that Susan and I used to frequent on a regular basis. No more. Last Saturday I called my dad and made him go eat Chinese food with me for lunch because I was craving it so bad. Stupid MSG. And it’s not just Chinese food. Susan and I used to love going to Hometown Buffet, Golden Corral, and Fire Mountain, not because we necessarily enjoy getting stuffed at every meal but more because you can get a fun variety of salads, fruits, vegetables and meat all at one place. Those days seem to be over as well. We’re not going to pay $8 so Susan can have a cup of soup.
Eating in front of someone who cannot eat can also have a weird mental effect on you as well. The other night, Susan made one of my favorite dishes, a bowl of Chinese stir-fry and rice. As I’m stuffing my face, I look over to Sue who is eating a tiny smidgen of food. I started eating before her, and continued eating long after she was done. After a few minutes I started thinking about what a pig I must look like to someone who can eat so little. At least twice now I have stopped eating because I felt bad eating in front of Susan, only to resume later once she was out of the room or had gone to bed. This is not a healthy habit to start. Although it’s not intentional or planned, it feels like I am “hiding” eating and that can’t be a good sign.
I think overall the changes Susan has made and the effect they have had on me are a good thing. We are still trying to figure out how all of this will play out. I have no idea how the big holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas, which revolve around our families getting together and eating non-stop for days) will play out. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
I hear ya man!! One of my fave things to do is to go to ALL the Taco John’s in the city and get Mexi Rolls.
(fried bread sticks rolled in cinnamon sugar..mmm mmm good) Losing weight sucks ass! I recently lost 70lbs in just 6 months, but as the seasons got cold I packed on about 20lbs.. I keep telling myself 70lbs is alot and I should be proud of what I did, but on the other hand none of my mini skirts and halter tops fit anymore..
So instead of starving myself I walk 3 times a day and with my new job I do physical therapy with peeps that have MS so that itself is helping out!
Oh yeah.. MSG.. The shit is sooooooooo good in a Bloody Mary!!
Keep up the good work and write on brother!
A~
I felt that way when we were eating hot dogs on garage sale day. That has to be really hard especially because of how our family uses meal times for get togethers.
Yeah. That’s kind of how I feel at every meal.
When I was a kid, my mom was always dieting and as I chunked out, so was I. My dad would come in and make comments like “Eating again? I thought you were on a diet.” Or, “Boy, you don’t need that!”. So I learned early to hide to eat to avoid the comments. Worst thing in the world! It builds guilt and self-loathing. Be conscious, eat healthy, and don’t beat yourself up because you like a treat now and then. Biggest downfall, cleaning up what Susan doesn’t eat. And don’t stop going out to eat. Susan will miss that too. It’s good family time for all of you, even if she’s just having a bowl of soup or an appetizer for her meal. Just avoid buffets. We in our family always fee like we have to get our money’s worth! Keep healthy and happy! Mom
My Dr. would like me to have the surgery too, but insurance will not pay. Since I have diabetes, high blood pressure and sue a cpap machine he says it will make a big difference. Keep me posted on how Susan is doing I would like to know first hand how it works for her. I so understand the emotions that go with eating. I have dealt with it all my life. I keep blaming it on the genes and I just know one of these days they will find a pill that corrects that all…LOL