lily'ssleeve

This is interesting but not really applicable to sleeve patients re: enlarging the stoma. Bypass patients have stomas and a contributor to regain is enlargement of it. However, sleeve patients still have their pyloric valve and that won't be affected by carbonation. None of us are advised to drink while eating and soda is a trigger food for some. I have had sips of a carbonated diet soda and like Coops, it just feels uncomfortable, and I used to drink 3 or 4 diet Cokes a day. I don't really miss them.

This is always an interesting topic and always debated. Carbonated drinks bother me, but every once in while I have a diet soda over a lot of ice, and I try to get as much of the bubbles out.

Highest band surgery day weight -270lbs (Oct 2008)
Revision to VSG surgery day weight -263lbs(June 2009)
Goal weight - 150lbs achieved in 6.5 months post VSG
Maintenance weight 125-130lbs ( achieved at 10.5 months)
Maintained my loss for about a year until pregnancy weight crept in and at 8 months pregnant, I've gained 23-25lbs.
Total loss with 140-145lbs (I allow a 5lb bounce in maintenance)
I'm 5'2" tall. I never experienced a true stall. I lost every week. Some weeks, I'd only lose 1lb and other weeks I'd lose 7lbs. The closest I got to a true stall (stall= no loss on the scale or loss of inches for a minimum of 14 days) was when I was in a few pounds close of hitting my goal weight, and I think I went 10 days with zero loss on the scale then dropped several pounds to get me to goal.

I once ate a 350 calorie cookie....yep...350 calories of delicious buttery shortbready goodness. and I felt guilty and horrible and like I had failed....and then I remembered...Normal people don't beat themselves up over a cookie. NORMAL people with a Healthy food relationship would just eat the damn cookie enjoy it and move on with their lives.

Hi Ali-
I think we are very close in surgery dates- I am 4.5 months out. I've found that things go south anytime I stopped recording my meals; particularly tracking Protein and carbs to make sure I am getting enough or one and not too much of the other. From the information you stated, I think your cravings could be fueled but not feeding yourself enough and by actually giving into your cravings. Some people find that anytime they give in and enjoy Cookies, cakes, etc. that they then crave them like crazy. However, they also state that the cravings subside considerably if they refuse to eat them for a while.
I am not sure what you mean by "2-3 meals" but if somedays you're literally only eating 2 meals then I don't think it's possible for you get the Protein you need to be healthy (and happy!).
Have you considered planning out your meals and Snacks for each day the night before? Then set the alarm on your phone to remind you to eat! Many times, stalls can be caused by failure to eat enough. Good luck to you- I know this can be really frustrating at times.
Amanda