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Here is the link to eggface:
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.ca/
I think your meal plan for the day sounds pretty reasonable. If you are looking to cut a little from it, I agree with the above, maybe some sugar free jam. Also, what kind of dressing are you using on your salad. Regular Caesar dressing is very high in fat, calories and carbs. And I think a little bit of chocolate isn't going to kill you either (but a whole bad of m&m's that is a different story).
I am a firm believer in moderation. I agree with UTGal99, that it is unrealistic the expect that you will NEVER eat any kind of treat ever again. I have to laugh when I see people say that they will NEVER eat cake, chocolate, fast food, alcohol, or anything bad EVER again. The sleeve is a tool and you DO have to change your habits and adopt a healthy lifestyle. But to place the expectation on yourself that you will never eat anything bad ever again is just setting yourself up for failure and self-deprecating behavior. The cycle of eating, shame and guilt, and eating more is so burned into our brains, that so many people continue to do it even after the surgery.
From the beginning, I choose not to count anything. I watch what I eat, have changed what I eat, and I have worked with my sleeve to be successful. Do I eat chocolate sometimes? Yup! Do I eat ice cream sometimes? You better believe it! Do I feel bad about? Not a chance! I didn't get the sleeve so I could live the rest of my life on a strict diet. The key is I eat these things in moderation. And I know my weaknesses. The surgery did NOT give me any more will power. I have chosen not to keep trigger foods in my house. If they are there tempting me, I will eat them. This may be a stance that you may have to take. I may have lost more slowly that some, but I am still losing 20 months post op and am below my target weight.
You need to find a system that is going to work for you. Look back at what you were doing before that was working. The point is, it has to be something that you can live with for the rest of your life, not just for the here and now to lose the last few pounds. If it is not sustainable, you might lose, but you will most likely end up gaining back.

OK, maybe gross, but I asked my doctor what they did with it, so you are not alone! I was told that they incinerate them, so you could think of it as cremation for your stomach!

I had tried making Protein off Eggface's Blog before, and was so not happy with it. I tried to split it up into different little containers and freeze. I didn't want to have to thaw out a whole batch to eat some of it. Ended up having to falling out of my freeze, uneven melting, etc. So I gave up on it. That was until another another sleever told me "oh, I just pour mine in popsicle molds". Holy S**T, I said to myself, how come I never thought of that.
So if you are having trouble with protein ice cream or storing it, try freezing it in popsicle molds. Then you just pop out one at a time. Portion Control and a nice yummy, creamy treat!!

I was nervous at first, especially since I am an emotional eater and wasn't sure how I would deal with them if I couldn't stuff them with food. I won't lie, there are days that I wish I could just eat a little bit more because it tastes sooo good, but I try to remind myself of something a fellow sleever told me...if I could, I would and that is what got me here in the first place. And trust me, it is not 4 bites of food for the rest of your life. I am 20 months post op and can eat probably 3 oz of meat, 1/4 to a 1/2 cup or so of veggies (depends on the kind) and 1 or 2 bites of something else (rice, potatoes). So yes, it is not a lot, but it is more than 4 bites.

I was nervous at first, especially since I am an emotional eater and wasn't sure how I would deal with them if I couldn't stuff them with food. I won't lie, there are days that I wish I could just eat a little bit more because it tastes sooo good, but I try to remind myself of something a fellow sleever told me...if I could, I would and that is what got me here in the first place. And trust me, it is not 4 bites of food for the rest of your life. I am 20 months post op and can eat probably 3 oz of meat, 1/4 to a 1/2 cup or so of veggies (depends on the kind) and 1 or 2 bites of something else (rice, potatoes). So yes, it is not a lot, but it is more than 4 bites.

I was nervous at first, especially since I am an emotional eater and wasn't sure how I would deal with them if I couldn't stuff them with food. I won't lie, there are days that I wish I could just eat a little bit more because it tastes sooo good, but I try to remind myself of something a fellow sleever told me...if I could, I would and that is what got me here in the first place. And trust me, it is not 4 bites of food for the rest of your life. I am 20 months post op and can eat probably 3 oz of meat, 1/4 to a 1/2 cup or so of veggies (depends on the kind) and 1 or 2 bites of something else (rice, potatoes). So yes, it is not a lot, but it is more than 4 bites.

I am not advocating that cheating is ok, but I am saying that shaming yourself over it is not going to help the situation and might even make it worse. We are always our hardest critics and we have to learn to forgive ourselves.

First of all, congratulations on your loss and your maintenance. I had my surgery in November of the same year that you did.
I do struggle with it sometimes too, feeling cheated because I can't eat more. Sometimes I enjoy the taste so much, that I do wish I could have a little more. You did a great thing leaving the table, it is a testament to your success. Most of the time, I stop, I know my limits. There have been times where I have taken that extra couple of bites and then paid for it afterward. I do not think you are alone with that feeling.
The one thing that has helped me with those situations is something a fellow sleeve patient who was a few more years out than me said. She said that when she feels like that she tells herself, "If I could, I would, and that is how I got here in the first place". Unfortunately, I think emotional eating is something that is very difficult to overcome. I know that I haven't, but I do my best to set up my world that I just can't eat a whole bunch of food that is not as good for me. I don't keep anything in my house that will tempt me...and boy does it suck when I just want some chips because I think they will make me feel better, and there are none. So what do I do, I end up eating a Protein ice cream pop (homemade), or an apple with a little natural Peanut Butter and honey because that is all I have. So I am still eating because I am stressed? Emotional? Whatever the reason which is not real hunger, but I am not sabotaging myself in the process. Make sense??
I should quit rambling, but I appreciate you posting this with honest feelings. It does get harder the further out you are, but to me, it really sounds like you know how to manage your diet in a healthy way. You didn't eat more pizza, you didn't eat the second taco, you made the right choices and you know your bodies limits.

Thank you for this post. It took me a long time to accept that I was a slower loser. It has taken me 18 months to reach my goal of losing 80lbs, and I couldn't be happier. I know I would have never lost that much in that amount of time without my sleeve. I have lost around the 80lbs mark before, but it took grueling works outs and strict dieting to the point to exhaustion. With my sleeve as a tool, I am able to watch what I eat and live an active lifestyle but not feel deprived!
I know it is not easy, but try not to compare to others. Everyone loses at different rates, some people have more to lose and drop a lot more in the beginning than others (I know someone who has lost over 200lbs in the same amount of time that I have lost 80, but she still weighs more than I did when I started for example).
This is your journey, so take the time to Celebrate your own victories and successes because they are yours and no one else's!

Working out that hard, and being a man, I would say you probably need to bump things up. I was going to mention carbs, but it looks like you do eat carbs. Try eating more calories and see how you feel. If it doesn't help, you know that it might be something else. Also, have you ever gotten a full blood workup done? Low Iron, low Vitamin D, low Vitamin B, and thyroid problems can make you tired too. Worth a check. Also, could be a side effect from the new medication. I am on an anti-depressant too, and so many of them have side effects. Not sure what you just started, but maybe read up on it and see.

For me, yes, but not the same. I do get physically hungry when I haven't eaten for a long time (more 5 hours). It does not feel the same as before surgery though. It is not that gnawing feeling like I am going to starve to death, sometimes almost feel nauseated hunger that I used to get. I can feel it, it is like a little twinge in my stomach. Hard to describe, but really not the same anymore!

First of all, congratulations on your loss and your maintenance. I had my surgery in November of the same year that you did.
I do struggle with it sometimes too, feeling cheated because I can't eat more. Sometimes I enjoy the taste so much, that I do wish I could have a little more. You did a great thing leaving the table, it is a testament to your success. Most of the time, I stop, I know my limits. There have been times where I have taken that extra couple of bites and then paid for it afterward. I do not think you are alone with that feeling.
The one thing that has helped me with those situations is something a fellow sleeve patient who was a few more years out than me said. She said that when she feels like that she tells herself, "If I could, I would, and that is how I got here in the first place". Unfortunately, I think emotional eating is something that is very difficult to overcome. I know that I haven't, but I do my best to set up my world that I just can't eat a whole bunch of food that is not as good for me. I don't keep anything in my house that will tempt me...and boy does it suck when I just want some chips because I think they will make me feel better, and there are none. So what do I do, I end up eating a Protein ice cream pop (homemade), or an apple with a little natural Peanut Butter and honey because that is all I have. So I am still eating because I am stressed? Emotional? Whatever the reason which is not real hunger, but I am not sabotaging myself in the process. Make sense??
I should quit rambling, but I appreciate you posting this with honest feelings. It does get harder the further out you are, but to me, it really sounds like you know how to manage your diet in a healthy way. You didn't eat more pizza, you didn't eat the second taco, you made the right choices and you know your bodies limits.

I am flattered. Thank you very much! That is exactly how I felt going in and still do today. I did make many changes and eat healthy, but in a way that I can maintain and live with.

What a great feeling!! Congratulations and enjoy watching the category drop!

Working out that hard, and being a man, I would say you probably need to bump things up. I was going to mention carbs, but it looks like you do eat carbs. Try eating more calories and see how you feel. If it doesn't help, you know that it might be something else. Also, have you ever gotten a full blood workup done? Low Iron, low Vitamin D, low Vitamin B, and thyroid problems can make you tired too. Worth a check. Also, could be a side effect from the new medication. I am on an anti-depressant too, and so many of them have side effects. Not sure what you just started, but maybe read up on it and see.

MEWS, yes, talk to your DR as soon as you can. That is NOT normal at 4 months post op.
I am almost 20 months post op and I do not regret having the surgery at all! The first month is the absolute hardest, so you cannot look at it as the way the rest of your life will be. I can guarantee you that you will be able to eat normally again. I have a normal, healthy diet now...and can still indulge without the guilt. I do have the odd moment when I am eating something really good that I wish I could just eat a little more. Then I remember something that someone else said at a support group meeting...
"If I could, I would...and that is what got me to the point of wanting surgery in the first place". Plus, I always remind myself that did I spend $10K (self pay), fly alone to Mexico (when I had never flown in my life), and have 80% of my stomach removed just to fail and let food rule me again. Not a chance!
The reward of being a normal size, being able to buy whatever clothes I want, and feeling good about myself is worth much more than the indulgence of food ever did. All the food ever did was A) make me gain weight, and make me feel guilty and miserable because I would always eat too much, feel bad that I did, then eat more to shove down the bad feelings.
Give yourself time, it gets so much easier and you will not barely even remember the first few weeks after a while!

Thank you for this post. It took me a long time to accept that I was a slower loser. It has taken me 18 months to reach my goal of losing 80lbs, and I couldn't be happier. I know I would have never lost that much in that amount of time without my sleeve. I have lost around the 80lbs mark before, but it took grueling works outs and strict dieting to the point to exhaustion. With my sleeve as a tool, I am able to watch what I eat and live an active lifestyle but not feel deprived!
I know it is not easy, but try not to compare to others. Everyone loses at different rates, some people have more to lose and drop a lot more in the beginning than others (I know someone who has lost over 200lbs in the same amount of time that I have lost 80, but she still weighs more than I did when I started for example).
This is your journey, so take the time to Celebrate your own victories and successes because they are yours and no one else's!

I couldn't agree more! Very well said and well responded. I am almost 2 years post op, and it is a lot different now than then. For the first 6 months of being sleeved, I was very diligent and followed my plan which helped me learn new behaviors and a new outlook on food. And to say that I have not adopted a healthy lifestyle because I sometimes eat ice cream or chocolate is uninformed and really a little judgemental. Like I said, I have changed the way I eat and what I eat. I eat very healthy most of the time, but if I want an ice cream cone, I eat it and not feel guilty or shameful because of it. I do agree with people that make no changes, still eat the french fries and ice cream everyday and say, well, I can only eat a couple. Well, I'll tell you right now, 1 year post op, or 2 years post op, you will be able to eat way more and you will find your weight most likely creeping back on. I have said it numerous times, it is a tool that you need to learn to work with or you will continue to struggle with your weight.
I am truly at a place where I can say that I am happy. I eat a diet that I enjoy and can easily maintain. Maybe it is not for everyone, but I have managed to lose 85lbs post-op and 125lbs from my highest weight, I am below my goal weight and I am still losing 20 months out, so I think I am doing just fine and enjoying the occasional ice cream cone or small bag of chips at the same time.

Here is the link to eggface:
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.ca/
I think your meal plan for the day sounds pretty reasonable. If you are looking to cut a little from it, I agree with the above, maybe some sugar free jam. Also, what kind of dressing are you using on your salad. Regular Caesar dressing is very high in fat, calories and carbs. And I think a little bit of chocolate isn't going to kill you either (but a whole bad of m&m's that is a different story).
I am a firm believer in moderation. I agree with UTGal99, that it is unrealistic the expect that you will NEVER eat any kind of treat ever again. I have to laugh when I see people say that they will NEVER eat cake, chocolate, fast food, alcohol, or anything bad EVER again. The sleeve is a tool and you DO have to change your habits and adopt a healthy lifestyle. But to place the expectation on yourself that you will never eat anything bad ever again is just setting yourself up for failure and self-deprecating behavior. The cycle of eating, shame and guilt, and eating more is so burned into our brains, that so many people continue to do it even after the surgery.
From the beginning, I choose not to count anything. I watch what I eat, have changed what I eat, and I have worked with my sleeve to be successful. Do I eat chocolate sometimes? Yup! Do I eat ice cream sometimes? You better believe it! Do I feel bad about? Not a chance! I didn't get the sleeve so I could live the rest of my life on a strict diet. The key is I eat these things in moderation. And I know my weaknesses. The surgery did NOT give me any more will power. I have chosen not to keep trigger foods in my house. If they are there tempting me, I will eat them. This may be a stance that you may have to take. I may have lost more slowly that some, but I am still losing 20 months post op and am below my target weight.
You need to find a system that is going to work for you. Look back at what you were doing before that was working. The point is, it has to be something that you can live with for the rest of your life, not just for the here and now to lose the last few pounds. If it is not sustainable, you might lose, but you will most likely end up gaining back.

First of all, tell your husband to put down the burger. That is not very helpful to eat it right in front of you. Secondly, in this case, I would say it is head hunger, a craving. It looks good, it smells good, you want to taste it. If you say you are feeling full, then it is your head playing games with you.
I do feel hungry, and I think others do as well. But I can tell you it is not the same as before surgery, and it is usually after I have not eaten for 5 plus hours. I DO still have head hunger and cravings though and that is the toughest part to overcome with surgery. You can have your stomach cut out, but not your brain, and your brain accounts for a big portion as to why you gained weight in the first place. And honestly, my taste buds have not changed. chocolate to me tastes just as good now as it did before. Everyone is different though, and many say that when they actually eat the burger, fried, pizza, chocolate, whatever, it doesn't taste as good.
I do agree about the PPI's (proton pump inhibitors). Sometimes excess acid production can feel like a rumbly tummy, so make sure you talk to your doctor about it.

First of all, tell your husband to put down the burger. That is not very helpful to eat it right in front of you. Secondly, in this case, I would say it is head hunger, a craving. It looks good, it smells good, you want to taste it. If you say you are feeling full, then it is your head playing games with you.
I do feel hungry, and I think others do as well. But I can tell you it is not the same as before surgery, and it is usually after I have not eaten for 5 plus hours. I DO still have head hunger and cravings though and that is the toughest part to overcome with surgery. You can have your stomach cut out, but not your brain, and your brain accounts for a big portion as to why you gained weight in the first place. And honestly, my taste buds have not changed. chocolate to me tastes just as good now as it did before. Everyone is different though, and many say that when they actually eat the burger, fried, pizza, chocolate, whatever, it doesn't taste as good.
I do agree about the PPI's (proton pump inhibitors). Sometimes excess acid production can feel like a rumbly tummy, so make sure you talk to your doctor about it.

That is great! I think it is all about finding balance. I have taken to approach of everything in moderation. I see so many people on here go to extremes with diet, and it is something you are not going to be able to maintain for the rest of your life. Like I mentioned on another post, I have NEVER tracked anything, no calories, no carbs, not even Protein. I am still losing a little 20 months post op. If I feel like a banana, I eat a banana...it isn't going to make me fat! I eat cherries, I eat apples with some Peanut Butter, and yes, I even eat things like potatoes...gasp! You have to change the way you look at food, and yes, you do have to change your diet, but you have to make it manageable.
Hooray for banana lovers everywhere!!

amazing, such a great feeling to be able to fit in clothes that we haven't worn in years, then to out shrink them!! Hooray for you!

I debated even responding to you, but the point is that, it is a banana, so why did you feel the need to come on here, tell her how fattening bananas are when she was just sharing a recipe that she enjoys, and post incorrect nutritional information. This particular forum is for recipe sharing, not telling me if you think my recipe is bad or not. Like I said before, what you eat is up to you. Its not on your plan, and that is fine. Just don't go around preaching to other people what they should eat. I am pretty sure that she knew the information about bananas before you told her.

I debated even responding to you, but the point is that, it is a banana, so why did you feel the need to come on here, tell her how fattening bananas are when she was just sharing a recipe that she enjoys, and post incorrect nutritional information. This particular forum is for recipe sharing, not telling me if you think my recipe is bad or not. Like I said before, what you eat is up to you. Its not on your plan, and that is fine. Just don't go around preaching to other people what they should eat. I am pretty sure that she knew the information about bananas before you told her.