Claire Bray

It is a hard journey, but it sounds like you're getting there, albeit slowly. My lo was also 3 when I had my op and I feel you're pain! They just don't understand.
Keep going honey, you'll look back at this all being a distant memory soon. xxx

I have fallen in love with Zumba and cannot get enough! I do at least 3 classes a week and then have the DVD's at home... My 4 yo even joins in at home. It's so much fun dancing and before you know it, the class it done.

Hi...
I found and still do that I don't get hungry, more cravings. But immediately post op, I just stuck to my three small pureed meals and I would say I'd get more of a discomfort feeling more one I'd had enough, almost like I'd have a mouthful and knew that if I swallowed it was going to come right back up.
I also follow a 20 rule:
* 20p (UK) / quarter size (US) size piece of food
* chew 20 times
* Wait 20 seconds before your next piece
* Stop eating after 20 minutes
I never got as far as the 20 minutes, but thought that this was good advice from my dietician.

You may think of weight loss surgery as a bit of a trade-off: you get to lose weight, improve your health, and enjoy more activities. In exchange, you need to be careful with your diet. But don’t mistake “caution” for “deprivation.” You can still eat at restaurants after weight loss surgery.


Before weight loss surgery, a night out with friends or family may have meant thousands of calories and way too much fat and carbs. If you’re started to look some of the numbers up, you know those old patterns are history for you. You can’t afford the fried appetizers, the chips and dip, the plates of Pasta, the burgers and fries, or the hot fudge sundaes anymore.
But so what? You’d be hard-pressed to find a restaurant that doesn’t offer a meal that you can eat. Some restaurants are a little tougher than others, and you may need to use a little restraint, but weight loss surgery definitely doesn’t mean the end of your social life and fun times.
Do Your Homework Beforehand
It’s always wise to do your homework beforehand when you can. If you know ahead of time you’ll be going out to eat, check the menu online. When you check the menu at home, you’re in a relaxed environment instead of the high-pressure situation of being in the restaurant with your friends waiting for you to order. Many restaurants even have nutrition information available so you can figure out exactly what to ask for. If possible, know what you are going to order before you enter the restaurant. That way, you don’t even need to look at the menu, so the off-limits options don’t tempt you.
Ordering from the Menu – Or Not!
It’s not the end of the world if you need to take a look at the menu, though. Just change your attitude a little compared to the way you looked at menus before Weight loss surgery. Instead of looking for what sounds delicious, look for what sounds healthy. That’s lean Protein and vegetables.
In general, look for Proteins such as turkey burger, grilled chicken breast, and fish or seafood. Have them on a green salad or ask for vegetables on the side, and you’re good to go! If you don’t see what you need listed in the Entrees, see if there’s a menu section dedicated to low-carb or low-calorie items, and also check out the appetizers and salads – shrimp cocktail and salad with tofu are perfect examples of high-protein, low-calorie possibilities.
When you order, ask your server to leave the troublemakers off your plate, or at least serve them on the side. That includes creamy sauces, salad dressings, bread, pasta, potatoes, and rice. You can also ask for smaller portions of everything (except vegetables).
Don’t panic if you don’t see an entrée that meets your needs. The restaurant certainly has ingredients in the kitchen that are on your diet! Describe your diet to your server, and make suggestions. For example, you can ask your server if it might be possible for you to get a green salad with Beans, tuna, or chicken, cottage cheese with fruit, egg whites made with vegetables and ham, or a veggie burger or ground turkey patty with a lettuce wrap. Otherwise, ask if your server will just bring you one or more of the following staples for your meal.
Hard-boiled eggs
Cottage cheese
Chicken breast
A green salad
Slices of ham, turkey, or chicken breast
Fresh fruit
Raw or steamed vegetables

When your meal comes, pause for a second. Push any suspect ingredients over to the side of your plate – like an extra pat of butter, or the garlic bread you know you don’t need. Then ask your server for a doggy bag and pack up the portion you know you shouldn’t eat. Finally, enjoy your food!
Enjoy Yourself and Half the Meal
Why are you at the restaurant? Sure, part of it is for the food. But really, why are you there? It’s for the occasion, maybe to catch up with friends, relax with family, or Celebrate a birthday or anniversary. That has nothing to do with food, and nothing to do with Weight loss surgery. So enjoy it 100%. You can probably enjoy the occasion even more without focusing on a big plate of nachos in front of you!
During the meal, eat slowly, savor each bite, and be part of the conversation. The more you talk, the less you can eat. When you’re finished, make it clear. Put your napkin on your plate and push your plate away. You can even announce that you’re finished so you’re too self-conscious to start eating again.
So life goes on after weight loss surgery goes on, and you don’t need to hide from your old social life. You can be just as excited about going out to eat as everyone else. Just let your fun depend on the people you’re with and don’t even worry about the junk food you’re not eating. Weight loss surgery is about getting your life back, and part of life is hanging out with the people you love.