esskay77

They just have historical averages to use to show what others have done to sort of predict what they think you will do. It isn't anything set in stone. Do what you need to do to get where you need to go.

Whew! I'm exhausted just reading this! I can't imagine how exhausting it is living it!! You have a lot going on and on almost every level, you are succeeding. Don't be so hard on yourself. I know that's hard. I'm guessing that you have always been hard on yourself but you now need to give yourself a break. I have also spent money on all kinds of junk food with the intention of eating it. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Just buying it gives me enough satisfaction most of the time (and yes, i need to work on that!!). Take things one at a time, talk to the school to see what can be done (if you don't ask, you don't get!!). I know you will do great and I bet just writing it helped a lot. You are not alone. We are here for you. And I"m sure you have others in your life that are there for you, too. I wish you nothing but the best!!!!

That's sad and fabulous all at the same time. Sad that you had to go through that but fabulous that you made the connection, that you shared with us -- these are the tools that will make you successful!! Talking about it is good! Seeing a therapist to talk to about it is even better. I know my friends are supportive but they don't want to hear about it anymore! So, a therapist is perfect!! Best of luck. I know you will do well.

@@RNY_Honeybee You are completely normal!! Those are just goals that you try to reach but nobody can in the beginning. But you'll get there. And we all worry about stretching our tummy's. Just follow the rules and you should be good. I don't really know for sure if the tummy ever really gets stretched or if we just get used to filling it more or something like that. You'll do great!!

@@Odie Thank you so much for that validation!!!! I am back to plain water today!

Welcome back. One thing you should know is that when someone passionately (and maybe rudely) tells you how to work the program, they are sometimes telling themselves. It is just directed at you but the writing of it is for themselves. sometimes. We are all trying really hard but THIS is really hard!! I have eaten things I shouldn't and I know people will think that I'm a horrible person for going through this surgery and then making huge mistakes. In some ways they are right, but I;m human with food issues!! I would so much prefer to hear how to deal with food issues, how to handle the times when I am craving something bad! Don't just tell me that it is wrong to eat, tell me what to do to handle the cravings instead!! So, just ignore the ones that hurt your feelings, or read it differently--what is their real intent. Sometimes they really just need to write it down for themselves. You will have major ups and downs throughout your journey and I wish you all the best! Just keep the name-calling off here and you'll do great.

I have fallen completely off the wagon. So, time to get back on. The first thing I am going to do is make an appointment with a therapist that deals with food issues. Next, as @pammieanne has said, time to get back to basics. I'm going to do the 5-day pouch test. I did it once and it was easier than I had expected. And probably more importantly, logging my food. Keeping a food journal is magical--it just works. But it is SO hard to keep up!! But I need to get back to that. I also want to go back to plain Water as well as crystal light. I do have to say that ever since I started drinking crystal light is when I started to get off the wagon. There may be no cause/effect here, just an observation. So need to start drinking some plain water as well. Those are things that I am going to try. I wish you the best of luck.

Spicy is fine any time!

I was also going to say soup or chicken broth. It's just the right amount of savory that makes you feel like you have eaten and it is delish! It does get better (and like someone else said, and then worse, and then better again!).

At the beginning, you can't. But you try. Over time, it gets easier. If you can't eat your protein, then you should drink your protein--protein shakes, Isopure, Syntrax Nectar, those types of things that also count as your fluid intake. But also start to note what types of protein you are able to eat. Can you tolerate yogurt? Cottage cheese? Have you tried that Ricotta Bake?

No orange juice but Orange flavored Crystal Light is really close to tasting like it. I love this one!!

Just keep pushing through!! It's a great experience, even if you don't finish. I learned so much!!

@@Kirbykendall06 Excellent and thank you. Best of luck to you on your journey.

Everyone is different! But, yes I was back after a week. I have a desk job which makes it easier to do. I was tired more than anything else. But everyone is different. What exactly makes it a "mini" bypass?

Which surgery are you having? I had the gastric bypass and was only out a week. I had access to a fridge at work and kept yogurt in there, Jello, Protein drinks (Isopure, Syntrax nectar, etc.). Soups also work if you have a microwave.

@@RJrocks Hmmm. there must be actual science but not sure of where to point you to reference info. My dr. said it, people here say it, etc. There is a window of time that is called the Honeymoon period where, no matter what you do, you seem to lose weight. You just have to make sure to keep following the program because you need to create good habits that will carry you through when the magic stops. And it stops. Not necessarily completely but, yes, the old struggle appears. The hunger hormone seems to get reactivated and, as my doctor says, it can be a real beast! Especially because we aren't all expecting it. But it does come back Big time!

@@OKCPirate you said "Everyone's experience seems to vary. If you don't deal with the issues which got you to where you are, transference can be an issue. Look up the book, "The Emotional First Aid Kit for Bariatric Surgery." While I'm not against it, I do always say "get to your goal weight first, and then have that discussion." Post surgery you have a limited window of time where you can really lose weight quickly. Don't pee on that gift." I 100% agree with you!!! I didn't follow that advice and I'm kicking myself now. Get to your goal weight first!! I can't stress that enough! I pee'd on the gift! lol. I hadn't heard of that book but I will order it now. I'm trying to find a good therapist to deal with food addiction as well.

What everyone above said. lol. Especially the addiction transferrence. I have been drinking wine lately and definitely can't drink like I used to but close. However, I am planning on quitting wine soon. But I am finding it mentally hard! Which scares me a bit but I know I can do it mostly because of calories and sugar which I really want to be more careful about. I suggest you stay away because "one drink" is the gateway to more drinks. lol

I wouldn't consider shrimp to be a soft food. I'd hold off on that for now

I don't know anything about oysters but I'm pretty sure you can't have shrimp yet. What does your nut say?

Congratulations! And yes, I experienced it. How much you can have will change many times over the next year. There will be some things (once you start on food) that will make you full quickly and other things that won't. You are fine! best of luck

I use Tylenol liquid

@@shareeann I can guarantee they don't want to return to that state. However, it is a food addiction and is not logical and is the hardest thing to recover from.

I would assume that it isn't a good idea to have any soda. It's the bubbles (carbonation) that is the problem and ginger ale is carbonated. It expands your stomach. Yes, it is possible to have sweets, soda, all kinds of bad things without dumping. But, it is not a good idea and will be the cause of weight gain, just like prior to surgery. You might dump but you might not. If you really want to lose weight and/or maintain then you don't have those things. And once you allow yourself some, it opens the door to doing it again and again. Trust me. (yes, my confession!)

@ Thanks. I should have read that you had LapBand. Good info to know. Hope all is well for you now.