glitter eyes

I am two years post op this month and have been at goal for about 14 months. I don't know if I obsess about food, but I still have to be constantly diligent about food. I still log my food daily, I watch my carb and Protein amounts. I do have days where I splurge and eat treats, but I am mindful of what goes in my mouth.
As you become further out its a different kind of "obsessing". In the beginning it is so challenging to learn how to eat again and how to get all your protein and fluids in- seems that consumes your day. Later it just transitions into being aware of what you are eating.
I just consider my obesity is in remission and if I don't watch things it could rear it's miserable head again.

Love reading everyone's responses and seeing the pics of the beautiful garden!! It's amazing how regaining our health can enrich our lives so dramatically!!!
Since losing the weight and having surgery I have done so many things that I never did before surgery-even when I was younger and thin.
I have taken up kayaking as a hobby, I go backpacking, camping, hiking, paddle boarding (not to great at this), I am comfortable going to the gym and I feel like I am soaking up life again.
I told my husband the other day that I feel like I have lived more in the last two years since my surgery than I did my whole life prior to it!! So thankful for this experience.

If anyone doesn't want to swallow collagen pills. I use a collagen powder that is almost tasteless that I add to my flavored water.< /p>

Appointment #3 in the books! Down 4 more pounds for a total of 12 lost.
Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

You want to do it "the easy way"?
Do what I did: I didn't tell anyone but my hubby about my WLS -- not my family, workmates, friends, acquaintances, or random strangers.
Consequently, nobody has ever discouraged me or irritated me or infuriated me by sharing their ignorance about WLS with me.
And I haven't been charged with physical assault.

I am a registered nurse. I am in administration, but walk a lot and stay busy responding to codes, patient complaints and dealing with staff. I took off four weeks and was so glad I did. That gave me plenty of time to allow my body to heal, take naps during the day if I needed it, and also allowed me time to learn how to eat according to my plan. I am glad I didn't go back sooner. However, everyone is different.

It sound totally doable!! It's amazing how your life can change after this surgery.

@KindaFamilar You gave me a laugh to start off my day!! You are one funny guy[emoji3]

I don't see anything wrong with using a Protein Shake as a snack to get your needed Protein in and up your calories. I drank a protein shake for months and sometimes still do if for some reason my protein amount is on the low side for the day. If you chose healthy high protein low carb Snacks that should be fine. I am like many people on here. I eat several times a day- call them mini meals, or meals and snacks. I have to eat more than three times a day.
The goal is health so if you have to still drink a protein shake to get some much needed nutrition, in my humble opinion that should be fine.

It sound totally doable!! It's amazing how your life can change after this surgery.

Do you log/journal your food and measure it. I find that really helped me know exactly what my intake levels were in terms of calories and Protein. It also helped to keep me accountable.
It could just be "head hunger" and or old habits creeping back in. I know prior to surgery I snacked a lot at night. After surgery I sometimes would find myself going to the kitchen and looking through the cabinets or fridge out of habit. One thing that helped me was I stayed busy in the evenings. I started giving myself manicures- can't snack or eat while your nails are drying; or I would give myself an at home facial. These activities gave me something to do for myself, and it kept me from snacking. Now two years post op I do have a huge nail polish and makeup addiction- LOL, but my nails looks fab and I don't have a lot of loose facial skin.
You just have to find something to distract you and refocus your behavior. You can do it!! Good luck

The post op diet is not just a diet to keep you from being sick....like if you've had a stomach virus and the doctor always tells you to just have liquids then add some bland food and slowly get back to a normal diet......That's not what this is!!!
I had surgery this past Monday. I try to picture what the inside of my stomach looks like, and I think about that loooooong staple line.....what if tiny particles of food get lodged in there and cause an infection?.....look at your external incisions, those are tiny compared to the huge one along the length of your stomach.
Take care and follow your doctor's orders.

Love reading everyone's responses and seeing the pics of the beautiful garden!! It's amazing how regaining our health can enrich our lives so dramatically!!!
Since losing the weight and having surgery I have done so many things that I never did before surgery-even when I was younger and thin.
I have taken up kayaking as a hobby, I go backpacking, camping, hiking, paddle boarding (not to great at this), I am comfortable going to the gym and I feel like I am soaking up life again.
I told my husband the other day that I feel like I have lived more in the last two years since my surgery than I did my whole life prior to it!! So thankful for this experience.

I don't see anything wrong with using a Protein Shake as a snack to get your needed Protein in and up your calories. I drank a protein shake for months and sometimes still do if for some reason my protein amount is on the low side for the day. If you chose healthy high protein low carb Snacks that should be fine. I am like many people on here. I eat several times a day- call them mini meals, or meals and snacks. I have to eat more than three times a day.
The goal is health so if you have to still drink a protein shake to get some much needed nutrition, in my humble opinion that should be fine.

Are you able to eat soft Protein yet like eggs, fish, yogurt.. Etc.? Are you getting physically sick from eating or has your appetite just disappeared?
I know from my experience I didn't have an appetite at all for the first six months. Sometimes the sight or smell of food would make me nauseous. However, food is fuel for our bodies and I began to look at food in that manner. I logged all my intake on an app called My fitness pal, that helped keep me accountable to my protein and Vitamin levels.
Try to get your protein in and up your calories if possible. I think I was eating about 500-800 calories as day a few months out. It is hard in the beginning because you are essentially learning to eat again. Try a variety of foods, you might be surprised at the things you like. I used to hate eggs pre op but now I love them. Used to love tuna- now it gives me heartburn.
It's like one big experiment- but you just have to keep trying and eventually it all fall into place. Check out some Bariatric recipes/ideas and branch out. One good website is called "The world according to egg face". She has some great ideas.
Hang in there and good luck.
Also, if you could give us some information on why you are having trouble maybe we could help more.

Are you able to eat soft Protein yet like eggs, fish, yogurt.. Etc.? Are you getting physically sick from eating or has your appetite just disappeared?
I know from my experience I didn't have an appetite at all for the first six months. Sometimes the sight or smell of food would make me nauseous. However, food is fuel for our bodies and I began to look at food in that manner. I logged all my intake on an app called My fitness pal, that helped keep me accountable to my protein and Vitamin levels.
Try to get your protein in and up your calories if possible. I think I was eating about 500-800 calories as day a few months out. It is hard in the beginning because you are essentially learning to eat again. Try a variety of foods, you might be surprised at the things you like. I used to hate eggs pre op but now I love them. Used to love tuna- now it gives me heartburn.
It's like one big experiment- but you just have to keep trying and eventually it all fall into place. Check out some Bariatric recipes/ideas and branch out. One good website is called "The world according to egg face". She has some great ideas.
Hang in there and good luck.
Also, if you could give us some information on why you are having trouble maybe we could help more.

So glad you are ok!! Take it easy and get better.

I use full fat mayo. I don't eat anything low fat. My portions are small so full fat cheese, milk, mayo, salad dressings, etc. have not affected my weight loss or my cholesterol numbers.
I have tried veganaisse and it tastes fine to me.

Here's the all-time rudest comment about someone else's weight loss:
"I bet your husband / wife / significant other is so happy that you've lost weight!"

Interesting question.
I think I have replaced food with a slight nail polish and beauty product addiction!! I love adding to my nail polish collection (it's way to large) and giving myself frequent manicures and pedicures. This also helps when I am sitting around in front of the TV at night and want to snack. I just start repainting my fingernails and I can't eat while they are drying- by the time they are dry my cravings have usually vanished. This helps me maintain my weight and do something to treat myself.
I also enjoy buying the latest makeup and skin care products. I do home facials a few times a week. This keeps me focused on pampering myself without involving food.
Also, like Dub mentioned above- just having a new zest for life has replaced my food enjoyment. The feeling of having a strong fit body to do fun and new things is a huge motivator. Every time I go kayaking or hiking it reinforces how much eating healthy and staying active pays off!!

I ate Peanut Butter during my puréed stage. I would put some on a spoon and slowly lick it off like a peanut butter lollipop. Once I moved on to regular foods I rarely eat it- I am not a huge peanut butter fan. Some times now that I am in maintenance I will mix a little with low sugar jelly and have a tablespoon like that to satisfy the PB& J taste.

One thing that helps me at the grocery store is I love magazines like Cosmopolitan and Glamour ( yes I am probably too old for them, but too bad). So when I want to give into the bad Snacks I tell myself if I make it to the checkout line with nothing unhealthy in my cart I will splurge on magazines.
Then when I get home if I have time I will slip on a face mask and relax while reading them.
Silly, but it works most of the time.

Just for the record I never "dipped or dapped during the post op stage" and I am not a liar. I was scared to do anything that wasn't recommend in fear I might cause a complication.

Just for the record I never "dipped or dapped during the post op stage" and I am not a liar. I was scared to do anything that wasn't recommend in fear I might cause a complication.

I am almost two years post op and for me my hunger is triggered by carbs. If I keep refined sugar out of my diet and my healthy carbs very low my hunger is almost non existent or normal.
I had some fudge on Mothers Day and was starving all day Monday.. It's took a while to remember I had eaten the fudge and that's what did it.
Dense Protein keeps me fuller much longer too!!
Also, logging and measuring my food helps keep me on track.