I was fully aware when I started down this path that bariactric surgery wasn't a magic bullet.  That it would reduce the size of my stomach, but not my cravings, or how much of a change healthy eating would be for me.  What I didn't anticipate was that I wouldn't feel like I had any difference in my stomach size (still haven't had my first band fill), and that I would feel like I was starving all the dang time.  My stomach doesn't seem restricted whatsoever by the band yet, and I have been eating very small meals compared to what I used to - mostly as practice and to get the weight loss jump-started.  I've been following my doctor's rules with about a 95% success rate.  The most difficult thing has been to not drink at all during / after meals.  When I do break that rule, it's only sips though - not large amounts.

I have been completely carb-free.  I have been eating much healthier cuts of meat overall - no more processed foods.  I'm eating exclusively REAL food for the first time, and I'm enjoying the food.  But I'm hungry just a bit later!  I've been trying to stick to the rule of only eating 3 meals a day (vs. eating only when hungry).  I may sometimes have a snack in the evening - if I'm hungry, it'll be something like nuts.  If I'm just feeling snacky, it's something like sugar-free jello with sugar free Coolwhip.  So I'm eating small, good for me meals, and I'm hungry.  And I appear to be losing only very slowly - or hovering around the same 3-5 lbs.  It' maddening! I want the band tightened already!  That doesn't happen until my Dec. 19th appointment.  That's several weeks from now.  I'm losing my excitement here on being able to do this journey.  I did this so I could lose weight without being constantly hungry!  And that issue still exists.

Yesterday I did wonderfully with food - but it was SUCH a hard day!  I ate what I intended to and no more.  But I feel like I thought about food all.day.long.  Ugh.  I hate that.  It's very difficult.