Brialis

I think the most important thing to remember is that it's all about choice... You can go to McDonald's or probably anywhere and make a healthy choice... You can make an unhealthy one at home just a well!!! I believe the original concern was whether or not one could ever eat at a restaurant again... Of course you can... Part of the choice is keeping in mind the hierarchy of foods... Protein... Veggies... Fruit... I've personally found it's not nearly as easy as it sounds to make the wrong choice as many foods don't settle well anymore... My doctor told me... and yes... I realize every doctor might say something different... That it's important not to rob yourself of things you really like... Such as... one morning at work they were serving biscuits and gravy... my favorite... However... I went for cottage cheese and fruit and ONE piece of sausage... My doctor thought that was a great compromise... I don't do it everyday... It's protein... but I ate extra fat as well... I don't do things perfectly but I'm working hard on it and the weight is coming off... I've appreciated coming here for the support and would hate to see another leave because of serious critism...

I think the most important thing to remember is that it's all about choice... You can go to McDonald's or probably anywhere and make a healthy choice... You can make an unhealthy one at home just a well!!! I believe the original concern was whether or not one could ever eat at a restaurant again... Of course you can... Part of the choice is keeping in mind the hierarchy of foods... Protein... Veggies... Fruit... I've personally found it's not nearly as easy as it sounds to make the wrong choice as many foods don't settle well anymore... My doctor told me... and yes... I realize every doctor might say something different... That it's important not to rob yourself of things you really like... Such as... one morning at work they were serving biscuits and gravy... my favorite... However... I went for cottage cheese and fruit and ONE piece of sausage... My doctor thought that was a great compromise... I don't do it everyday... It's protein... but I ate extra fat as well... I don't do things perfectly but I'm working hard on it and the weight is coming off... I've appreciated coming here for the support and would hate to see another leave because of serious critism...

wow, i've been a wreck with only 9 days till surgery. after reading all of your post, i feel empowered and know that i will be able to do this.

I can eat out but honestly, it is more for the atmosphere than the food. I really don't enjoy restaurant food anymore and I loved to eat out before. I must be weird, but the more I learn how to prepare my own foods and follow the recommended diet, the less tolerance I have for anyone else's cooking. So I enjoy a meal out once in awhile and there are a few things I like from certain restaurants, but its not something I look forward to anymore.

There is another current thread on feeling like eating out being a waste which gives some suggestions. This is part of the post I made in that thread -

Are people still able to eat out post op? If so, how do you do it? Sugessions on particular restaurants or any other thougjts?

I think it's very brave for you to come on here and admit your mistake. It's even better that you have put a plan in place to correct it. Like i always tell my students " anyone can make a mistake and confess it, but it takes a truly special person to confess and correct it".
Keep going and if there're any questions or tips or aditional support you need from us, the bp community is here for you.
It mig help to join an offline support group or to have a walking buddy. I'm in the process of trying to find both.

I am in the same boat. I wanted to have lost 100 lbs by New Years, but was stuck at 98, and even went up a couple of pounds during the holidays. Same as you, I realized old habits had crept in, namely too much bread!
So back to the basics I went, focused on Protein and "real food", kept up my workouts, and rode both horses every day.
Tada! Today I hit 100 pounds gone!

I "think" the above by SKCUNINGHAM sums up alot of the other great comments
the sooner you/me/all realize this is a forever new life the better
as soon as you reach goal - you can't/must not rest on your laurels (msp)/or asssss
continue to follow all the rules you've learned, for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life
kathy

Sandisleeve...
I'm now 6 weeks post op and was having the same problem you are... My dietician said these totals on Water and Protein were goals and I needed to work up to them... Herbal tea and sugar free Popsicles counted toward Water totals as well and that was helpful... The Protein helps with the healing process and the water helps to flush out the impurities and toxins... I've gotten the water part down pretty good and now I'm working on the protein part and that's coming along... I found the unflavored Protein Powder to be much more flexible in adding to more things... I certainly haven't mastered things yet and I make mistakes with all of it... It feels like and ongoing learning process and things don't always stay the same... I'm learning to be prepared for things to be different every day... Sometimes what works today won't work tomorrow and vise versa... I still get sleepy after I eat and things do t always feel good after I eat... I either fail to recognize I've eaten too much or too fast... I've also hit a stall for 3 weeks now but I'm trusting that too will change!!! Be patient with all of it... You will get there...

Sandisleeve...
I'm now 6 weeks post op and was having the same problem you are... My dietician said these totals on Water and Protein were goals and I needed to work up to them... Herbal tea and sugar free Popsicles counted toward Water totals as well and that was helpful... The Protein helps with the healing process and the water helps to flush out the impurities and toxins... I've gotten the water part down pretty good and now I'm working on the protein part and that's coming along... I found the unflavored Protein Powder to be much more flexible in adding to more things... I certainly haven't mastered things yet and I make mistakes with all of it... It feels like and ongoing learning process and things don't always stay the same... I'm learning to be prepared for things to be different every day... Sometimes what works today won't work tomorrow and vise versa... I still get sleepy after I eat and things do t always feel good after I eat... I either fail to recognize I've eaten too much or too fast... I've also hit a stall for 3 weeks now but I'm trusting that too will change!!! Be patient with all of it... You will get there...

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That's refreshing to know. Are you eating most solid foods at 6 weeks out? I hope I can get most of my protein through food sources eventually cause protein supplements are a drag
I know about tea and ice chips counting as liquids thankfully
Good luck to you!

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My PA also suggested the whey protein bullets and sunkist bullets for easier protein intake. I may try the sunkist version (25g per bullet) soon
It will get better for us with time I'm sure
I am just so frustrated with the lack of energy at 15 days post op ... I have so much I want and need to get done but little energy to do it all
Prior to surgery I started my days at around 7am and didn't get home until 9 or 10pm with work obligations, running errands and workouts -- I hope I can get back to that level of energy soon
I was spinning 2-3x per week and walking/jogging 3-4 times per week ... I miss those days but hopeful they will come back; I'm only 31 and feel like I should have much more energy at this point post op but can't beat myself up cause I did have 2 surgeries at the same time (VSG & hernia repair)

I'm doing good. The only,problem is,my Vitamins make me really nauseous. I dread taking them each day. Other than that, recovery hasn't been bad

This post was exactly what I needed. I'm getting sleeved on 12/2 and am really excited. I just needed some pointers and encouragement.
Dpb

I have a suggestion. We all have to admit that we have an eating problem or they would not have approved our Psychological review for the surgery. But the real problem lies in WHY we have that problem. So I was encouraged by a therapist to not only write down my diet, but maybe my story in general. My life story. We need to get out what is bugging us. Mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation! I have to get down to why I am depressed and eating so much. It is not just that "I like food." It is way more than that. Yes I am a chef and yes I like food, but there are chefs out there that have a passion for what they do and they are not overweight. Why? Because they do not have the desire to keep eating when they are full! So now that I have admitted that I have a problem, I have decided to tackle my life history to get to the root of the problem!

I do not have it down by any means. I would be fooling only myself if I thought I did. I am constantly learning. What works for me one week, won't work for me the next. I think the bottom line is we have to experiment. Stop thinking in absolutes.
"I'll NEVER be able to eat normal again!"
"I'm going to be tired THE REST OF MY LIFE!"
"I'll NEVER figure this out!"
I see this so many times. I went into this knowing that it is a work in progress and this process never ends. I am never "cured" of my addiction to food. I learn how to have a better relationship with it. But, to get where I have gotten has taken A LOT of practice, experimentation and patience. If something isn't working for me, it's OK. My body may have not progressed to that point, yet. Take a deep breath and know that I just need to either wait or modify what I am doing. What I do KNOW, though, is that I cannot do things the way I did it before. I had to make a change.
So, you need to find what WILL work. There has to be a solution for you. I have never heard of an employer not allowing a person to have a drink. I've worked food industry, health care, education ... If you could share your exact industry or the nature as to why there is that restriction, it would help. Are you able to discuss the need to have something available with your employer?
A fanny pack with an ice pack housing some of those ham/cheese rolls is a good option. Turkey Jerky from Trader Joes was one of my standby Protein go-tos. Premier RTD shakes are still a part of my routine. Just don't give up and give in to quick, processed, unhealthy options. As I continually preach, if you want things to change, then you have to make things change.

You are right. That was confusing. Let me clarify.
Let's say I take my lunch at 11:30. I would have ensured I had at least 20 oz of Water by 11:00 because I am so good with that.
So, let's say I have 3 sliced ham with cream cheese wraps. I'll take one out of the fridge and take a bite. Chew it ridiculously putting it down after my first bite. For the ham I use, this roll will take about 4 bites. Takes me about 10 minutes to eat it. 20 minutes later, I head back to the fridge and grab another one AS LONG AS I AM NOT REMOTELY FEELING FULL. (or whatever my new definition of full is) So, I repeat the process. Yes, it does mean I am usually eating at my desk, but that is fine, for me. Continue to repeat this process until you BEGIN to feel the restriction. Doesn't matter if you are half way through one of the ham rolls, STOP! Just because there is food in front of us doesn't mean we have to eat it.
I know ... that was a new one for me, too.
30 minutes later, resume drinking.
On the rare occasion I go out with co-workers for lunch, the process isn't much different. If I am not sharing my surgery with others, if I am asked, I say I am just not that hungry right now but will probably have another bite when we are back at the office. I've been doing this for well over 2 years and it really isn't a big deal. I thought it would be at first, but then I discovered it really isn't all about me.
We're learning new habits here. It is a good thing. I love the fact that I don't have to or want to power down food the way I used to.

It goes away. At 3 weeks you should still for the most part be on liquids or pureed foods, right?

I have found this to be true if I eat too much. Still true today. Try eating less more often. Just have two bites and stop. 20 minutes later, have another two bites. See if that makes a difference.

Struggling with getting my eating/drinking balanced here (eating here being soup/yougert/cream of wheat/etc). I would love to do what you are suggesting, it's dang hard to "eat" for me. But then how do you balance the drinking? If you can't drink 30b4/30after....I am having a heck of a time. If I ate a couple of bites every 20 mins when would I drink?
I was so proud of myself getting in all my Water Sunday and as soon as a started "eating" it got much harder!

Thank you SO MUCH... I was feeling that I was failing my surgery, not that my surgery was failing me. I've lost 27lbs since my pre op diet. I just don't like feeling hungry. I'm not doing as well as I could be with the Protein so I will make that a priority starting tomorrow. Puréed foods start on Friday!

Live in NC and had Dr Tyner out of Cary. My preop diet was hard, 2 weeks, but I lost 15 lbs before the day of surgery. I'm now 4 days post op and in total I have lost 25 lbs. I spent 2 nights in the hospital because of some major reflux, but now I'm only having mild cramps when I sip on liquids. Seems those cramps are normal?? Warm chicken Soup broth my wife made is amazing! Never thought a simple homemade broth could be so satisfying.
Was hard to get sleeved right before thanksgiving but I chose that day intentionally because I normally eat waaaaay too much turkey and all the fixings. Ready for this new stage of my life. Healthy and thinner.
Glad I found this forum!!
Kevin
Started at 300 lbs
Day of surgery at 285 lbs
Nov. 30 at 274 lbs

I was sore the first 5 days maybe... Day 7 I'm feeling great..... Still lil tired......... I don't all my fluids in either....... I can drink Water better if I put crystal light in it.... And I wasn't liking all the chicken broth so I do veg broth also...........

Mindijean
So your post op diet was never liquid? I was sleeved on 11/22 and today I am at the point I am having a hungry feeling, I was told to do liquids for 2 weeks but the Protein shakes make me sick so it's been Water and apple sauce for days. What are you able too eat and how far out r u? Happy to hear you are doing much better as well!