IcanMakeit

I'm not sure I have experienced head hunger. I also feel hungry about two hours after a meal, but I think that's because I get full so fast whenever I eat. The rest of my body doesn't agree with my stomach. I don't snack, so I'm actually hungry more often now than I was when I was dieting pre-surgery. The difference is that it's much easier to stay on program now. Even though I'm hungry, I know I can't really eat much, so I have little enthusiasm for food.

Thanks to all for your great advice. I am probably anticipating a problem that may not materialize. I am not shy about asking for special orders in restaurants, and I'll be bringing along some things I really enjoy. With everyone's reassurance, I can go back to looking forward to my trip.

I read somewhere that there is no such thing as starvation mode and that our bodies do not adjust to maintain on whatever reduced caloric level we maintain. Those studies may convince others, but I'm not persuaded. I have experienced what you describe more than once. Because of that, I was afraid to get the sleeve or a bypass. I thought the initial year of extremely low caloric intake was unwise and would not lead to permanent weight loss. But after researching and reading so many success stories, I realized that even if a super low calorie diet isn't the perfect solution, when you combine it with bariatric surgery, for many people it works for the long term. I think bariatric works because while you have some months with little or no appetite, you can train yourself to make better food choices and make that your new normal. You also realize that you need a lot less food than you previously thought. No solution works if you don't work with it. I believe either surgery can result in good long term weight loss. But for me, the malabsorption of the bypass was a negative, not a positive aspect of the surgery. I am 60 and I thought the effects of possible malnutrition might be drastic at my age.

What an inspiring story. Congratulations on your fantastic weight loss. How wonderful that your father is still here for you and backing you up all the way! It gives me hope that you admit to having made mistakes along the way, but you are still successful over the long term.

I am planning a long road trip with a non-dieting friend over a four-day weekend next month. We'll be staying at a cheap motel with donuts and pastries for "breakfast" and stopping at convenience stores for driving Snacks and soft drinks. I want to be a fun traveling companion, not a Debbie Downer about food. So I'm planning to prepare by buying Quest bars to pack with me, bringing my Protein shakes, and keeping acceptable snack foods and drinks in a cooler. I am just worrying that either I'll let the goodies she's eating bother me or that I'll bother her by not joining in. I'm usually pretty ok with other people eating foods that I can't have, but this will not be just one afternoon. This is four whole days. Other than bringing foods that I can eat and enjoy, what should I do to keep my head in a good place so that I don't get irritated and say something snarky?

Only you know the answer to your question as it pertains to you. For myself, although I also love the taste of good food,I don't miss being tempted to overeat because the food tastes good. I'm still only two months out and no sweets or starches are currently allowed, but I'm looking forward to the future when I hope to enjoy healthy food choices 99% of the time and have a taste of cake on my birthday without the urge to have seconds. There are many on this site who advocate 100% compliance with the program 100% of the time. They say that most people who keep the weight off for the long term adhere to that policy. I don't think that would work for me. I enjoy family celebrations that include fabulous foods. I don't want to be so strict that I don't ever allow myself any indulgences. I just want to be mindful and accountable, not a food nazi. I believe the sleeve will help me achieve that goal.

I live in a small, gossipy town. The phlebotomists and other health care providers are all very friendly and chatty. But I have never encountered one who would overstep that far. It's too bad you were so polite. I would have said something about the unprofessionalism.

Current weight: 172

1356 +69 1,425

I don't have a problem with discussing my surgery with my family or close friends. But I don't want my work colleagues discussing my weight or intimate details of my health. So at work I just said I was having surgery with no other description. I started dieting (and losing a great deal of weight) long before my surgery, so the changes since surgery are not so extreme. If people ask me about my diet and exercise program, I tell them. Once they hear how strict it is, they quickly lose interest. I don't feel like I'm doing a disservice to other obese people by not revealing my surgery to all. I'm not losing weight any faster than I did pre-surgery. (Although it's true that I am counting on the surgery to help me maintain the weight loss by teaching me to eat less overall.)

From Wikipedia: 5:2 diet The 5:2 diet, or fast diet, is a diet which involves calorie restriction for two non-consecutive days a week and unconstrained eating the other five days. The diet originated and became popular in the UK, and spread in Europe and to the USA.[1] It is a form of intermittent fasting.[2] The diet is claimed to promote weight loss and to have several beneficial effects on health; however, there is little evidence about its safety and effectiveness.[3] Description The diet specifies a low calorie consumption (sometimes described as "fasting") for two days a week, which should not be consecutive, but allows unmoderated[4][5] eating for the other five days.[6] Men may eat 600 calories on fasting days, and women 500.[7] A typical fasting day may include a Breakfast of 300 calories, such as two scrambled eggs with ham, Water, green tea, or black coffee, and a lunch or dinner of grilled fish or meat with vegetables, amounting to 300 calories.[6] Proponents say that fasting for only two days a week may be easier for dieters to comply with than daily calorie restriction.[6] Evidence See also: Fasting § Health effects There is limited evidence of the diet's safety and effectiveness.[3] According to NHS Choices, people considering the diet should first consult a physician, as fasting can sometimes be unsafe.[3] Reception The diet became popular in the UK after[1] the BBC2 television Horizon documentary Eat, Fast and Live Longer [8] written and presented by Michael Mosley was broadcast on 6 August 2012 and many books on the diet quickly became bestsellers, soon after.[9] The diet has enjoyed media attention and celebrity endorsement,[10][11] but its critics have called it a fad diet.

This is why the nutritionists caution us to measure our food. Right after surgery, you often don't really feel full, even after a larger amount of liquids or soft foods than you really should be having at once. Please be careful. At this stage you are still delicate.

Thanks for sharing your fabulous progress. You are a great inspiration for those of us who are not quite so far down the road. The best part of your story, for me, is how dedicated you are to your workout routine. I could learn a lot from you!

Weight this morning, 175.

I also got a new bike (bright pink) with a little pink bell and a basket on the front. After having not been on a bike for about 20 years, it was daunting at first, but now I ride it every day to work, traffic notwithstanding. You will have a blast.

Thanks for the great advice. I will definitely use my grandson's silverware from now on and put the fork down until my food is thoroughly chewed. I already measure my food, and I don't eat off plan, but if I don't break this habit of snarfeling my food like there is no tomorrow, I fear later on, when my capacity is greater, I'll get off track.

Congratulations on your excellent progress! Exercise will definitely help you improve your overall appearance as well as help you to continue to lose weight. You could try walking every day instead of only a few times a week. Make it fun by varying your route and giving yourself time/distance challenges. Joining a gym will bring results if you are willing and able to go regularly (and if you are properly instructed). If you haven't been fond of exercise in the past, it might be better to find activities that are fun as well as beneficial. For instance, I have taken up bicycling, but I haven't yet joined a gym. I'm hoping that as my weight comes down and my energy improves, I'll be able to make a commitment to work out regularly at a gym.

Hello, my name is IcanMakeit and I am a food gobbler. I didn't practice slow eating enough while I was pre-op and so it didn't become a habit. Now I find myself taking huge bites of food (and having to spit some out) and/or chewing only my old normal amount. But now I'm coming forward and admitting to everyone that I have a problem. I hope by making this public confession that I can turn myself around and learn to eat like Scarlett O'Hara, not like a field hand.

You win the internet for today with one of the best posts I have ever read on this site! Thank you for reminding me to celebrate and enjoy my small victories. You are absolutely correct. Even if I don't lose another pound, I am so far ahead of where I was six months ago, I should be dancing, not complaining. I tend to go all "Eeyore" all too often. I should print out this post and place it on my bulletin board.

My surgeon's program called for a 4 week liquid diet. I was only a little hungry because I drank two protein shakes a day. And I was allowed to have Greek yogurt with protein powder mixed in. Both of those were pretty filling. Does your diet allow you to do that?

I also question the wisdom of subsisting on so little food for the long term, but I am just under 2 months out from surgery. I expect to be able to eat enough to get my Protein and fiber needs met when I am closer to goal. In the meantime, a protein shake a day doesn't feel like it's too unhealthy. And I think those posters who say they can only eat a few bites are commenting on that because they are still so amazed that they can get full on so little. I know I am.

I'm sorry you had to be so uncomfortable on your vacation. You make me realize how lucky I am. I haven't tried any non-program foods (except I have eaten raw vegetables when it's supposedly too early), but everything I have eaten so far has gone down fine. I'm only uncomfortable if I eat too much. I hope in a few weeks you will be the same.

I was too slow. I wanted to say the same thing as BabySheldon. The fact that you were restricted by your weight does not mean that you were not a great mother. Anyway, congratulations on your weight loss.

Congratulations on your success and thanks for posting. We who are a few months behind you are inspired by your story.

If you don't want to talk about this with your surgeon, can you talk to your gynecologist? For me, the reassurance would be worth the embarrassment.