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I also think that it was helpful to hear some say they are still able to eat in social situations and it is not obvious he/ she has had surgery. Maybe my use of “normal” was not correct, but I do acknowledge the eating habits that have gotten me to this point are not “normal”.

I think some of the above posts answered my question. I would like to be able to eat a meal like a slice of pizza and a sensible salad after I am fully recovered and at goal weight. That is a typical meal my “skinny” friends might order if we meet for food and drinks. I have been looking at a lot of different websites and appreciate the creative recipes people have come up with ( ricotta bake in a teeny tiny cup for instance) and understand the usefulness of those recipes right after surgery, but just wanted to hear from some veterans on this forum that they can eat foods from a standard menu within reason.

I had bypass 21 months ago, but the principle is the same. I can definitely eat like a normal person, just smaller portions. Mind you, I have dramatically altered the eating habits that made me obese in the first place. I now am very careful to avoid carbs, fat and sugar. (I can eat all of those things without any ill effects, which surprised me.). One of my biggest reservations was having dinner with friends after surgery. At this point, I can order off the menu and eat a healthy dinner without anyone being able to tell that I've had surgery (although I don't usually finish my meal or order dessert). In short: yes, I can eat like a "normal" person.

I found unflavored Pea Protein Powder at Puritan's Pride.

personally, i think the body stops when it's ready. I know it did when i had the band (2009). I started at 232 and was at a happy 143 for years. Thats where my body stopped. Now with the sleeve (8/28/2019) my body stopped at 120 and I go between 120-123.

I wonder if you have developed something like Raynaud's syndrome.

There is not one person here including myself that was not anxious or nervous about getting cut open and making the decision to get healhty. It is Normal - You should have here join here there are great support members and veterans here that may calm her down. My view is yes get it done before its to late and you die from being unhealthy

WLS Head games! Funny I never Dream of food, Now watch after this thread I will have visions of Mc Ribs, Pizza, Subs bouncing around to x mas music! Thanx

Hi! I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now. I’m sorry you’re going through this! Can you swap the treat with something else to gradually get off of the sugar? E.g. sugar free chocolate candy, sugar free hot chocolate, sugar free chocolate cool whip, etc. I often end my night with a decaf and sugar free sweet cream or a sugar free hot chocolate. It helps curb the chocolate cravings I get. I make the hot chocolate from scratch with sweet n low and cocoa powder. I have also found an egg white protein powder that is sinfully rich and chocolaty - Julian’s bakery. Other ideas could be finding a protein bar that feels like candy, sugar free chocolate pudding, dipping fruit in melted sugar free chocolate chips, baking with chocolate protein powder. You can still have your treats without beating yourself up! You are going to figure it out - it takes a lot of work and determination to get where you are now - you got this!

You are right in that bypass won't cure the addiction. It never promised that. It is a tool that limits intake and creates a bit of malabsorption, but does not cure the head part. That is the work you have to do and it will probably take a good amount of therapy. You are clearly getting the endorphin/serotonin/dopamine release from the sugar. Sugar stimulates the same pleasure centers in the brain as cocaine, which is why it is so addictive in its own right. The good news is that if you can avoid all sugar for 3 solid days, the cravings will actually decrease. But you can't let it creep back in, or the cravings come back as strong as ever. The bad news is that you are going to have to work on figuring out another way to relieve stress, boredom, anxiety, or whatever else might be triggering the need for this sugar hit, and to find better coping mechanisms for dealing with the triggers. You are not alone. Many people deal with this and are able to overcome it. Congratulations on your weight loss thus far. The tool is working for you, but it can only do so much. Best of luck and I really do encourage you to get some therapy to gain some insight and tools to help you be successful for the long term.