DaleCruse

LOTS of us experience exactly what you're experiencing. I'm nearly three years past surgery, I've regained some weight, I've drunk too much alcohol, etc. What I've recently come to realize is that discipline can only take me so far. Now I understand that to progress, I need to involve other people to (pardon the pun) scale my efforts. I'm starting to once again work with medical specialists, plan to attend group sessions, etc. Perhaps this approach may work for you too. Good luck!

Thank you for sharing. Different insurance programs have different requirements so I'm sure this will be helpful to someone in a similar situation.

It was a hard concept for me to get until I was post op a couple of months. WLS does not keep you from eating anything. After you heal you will, for the most part, be able to eat anything you want but in smaller quantities. I have absolutely no problem eating anything at all. With the exception of fried potatoes, which is ok with me.

You've probably heard it before but this surgery is a tool to help you learn the self control needed to maintain a healthy weight. Consequently, you will not succeed if you do not change your relationship with food. I still enjoy a good meal but it is a rare treat to indulge myself. I stick with my plan of 60-100g of Protein and less than 25g of carbs and ensuring I drink 64 oz Water a day. Staying within that guideline has worked for me. Occasionally I slip when I'm with family or friends but my new tool helps me to get back at it the next day.

I encourage you to use pre op and post op restrictions to evaluate your relationship with food. You will mourn the loss, regret your decision, and get angry because you did this to yourself. You experience the toughest breakup you have ever known. Your very emotional relationship with food must come to an end and it hurts like hell. But!!!! There is so much joy on the other side of that.

I drive through town and never think of running through a drive thru. I can prepare a meal for my family without "tasting" a full meals worth of calories. I can go to a movie and skip the buttered popcorn. These are concepts that I did not know existed.

You will get it. You will know exactly what I mean and it will be so freeing. I am amazed what I missed because eating was so important to me.

Good luck! And take care.

Actually in my case your completely wrong. As previously posted my doctor gave me the go ahead and I tried it last night and was able to drink a small glass over an hours time with no adverse affects...

Soft "meats" or soft "proteins"? If it's the latter, consider things like cottage cheese, Beans, & Peanut Butter.
When my nutritionist suggested soft Proteins, I suggested foie gras & oysters. She didn't like that answer. :-)

Yep, that's the way to respond to someone who's suffering from depression. Classy and empathetic.

food isn't your best friend. It wasn't mine either.
I love your list. You know that last one? "Love myself"? That's one you can start on right now. I remember looking in the mirror & hating my reflection. And that energy did nothing but make me feel worse. Don't beat yourself up. Please understand that food isn't your best friend - you are.

food isn't your best friend. It wasn't mine either.
I love your list. You know that last one? "Love myself"? That's one you can start on right now. I remember looking in the mirror & hating my reflection. And that energy did nothing but make me feel worse. Don't beat yourself up. Please understand that food isn't your best friend - you are.

Sounds like you're doing everything right. Keep going!

You're in one of (if not THE) hardest parts of this journey. My surgery was almost three years ago but I still vividly remember my liquid pre-op diet. I felt like I was drowning in hunger. The thing that got me through was diverting my attention. Indulge in a favorite activity that isn't eating & lose yourself in it. This phase is hard, but you're going to get through it. You can do this. Good luck!

I'm going to suggest an alternate answer: Document, document, document any/all problems you have with excess skin. Then talk with your surgical team. If you have enough documentation & their support, you *may* get your insurance to pay for excess-skin removal surgery. Good luck!

You're in one of (if not THE) hardest parts of this journey. My surgery was almost three years ago but I still vividly remember my liquid pre-op diet. I felt like I was drowning in hunger. The thing that got me through was diverting my attention. Indulge in a favorite activity that isn't eating & lose yourself in it. This phase is hard, but you're going to get through it. You can do this. Good luck!

Really good advice from Introversion here.
To the original poster, don't worry about what other people lose. Don't worry about "normal". You can't control either of those. Control what you can control, which is what you put in your mouth & how much you move. Travel your own path, not someone else's. Good luck!

You're reading a lot of varying timelines. The second day I was home from the hospital I got on the treadmill. I started at a very easy pace, for maybe 10 minutes. The next day was 11 minutes. Twelve the next. Ab work later. Discover what you're safely capable of. Start simple & forgive yourself if you aren't ready. Good luck.

food isn't your best friend. It wasn't mine either.
I love your list. You know that last one? "Love myself"? That's one you can start on right now. I remember looking in the mirror & hating my reflection. And that energy did nothing but make me feel worse. Don't beat yourself up. Please understand that food isn't your best friend - you are.

food isn't your best friend. It wasn't mine either.
I love your list. You know that last one? "Love myself"? That's one you can start on right now. I remember looking in the mirror & hating my reflection. And that energy did nothing but make me feel worse. Don't beat yourself up. Please understand that food isn't your best friend - you are.

I've been very lucky. I've never felt nausea & have never thrown up. In the nearly three years since surgery I've had acid reflux many times, but have yet to throw up.
Worrying about something that may or may not happen is just torturing yourself. If you feel nausea, you'll treat it. If you throw up, you'll clean it up. You're going to be okay.

I've been very lucky. I've never felt nausea & have never thrown up. In the nearly three years since surgery I've had acid reflux many times, but have yet to throw up.
Worrying about something that may or may not happen is just torturing yourself. If you feel nausea, you'll treat it. If you throw up, you'll clean it up. You're going to be okay.

I've been very lucky. I've never felt nausea & have never thrown up. In the nearly three years since surgery I've had acid reflux many times, but have yet to throw up.
Worrying about something that may or may not happen is just torturing yourself. If you feel nausea, you'll treat it. If you throw up, you'll clean it up. You're going to be okay.

I've been very lucky. I've never felt nausea & have never thrown up. In the nearly three years since surgery I've had acid reflux many times, but have yet to throw up.
Worrying about something that may or may not happen is just torturing yourself. If you feel nausea, you'll treat it. If you throw up, you'll clean it up. You're going to be okay.

I've been very lucky. I've never felt nausea & have never thrown up. In the nearly three years since surgery I've had acid reflux many times, but have yet to throw up.
Worrying about something that may or may not happen is just torturing yourself. If you feel nausea, you'll treat it. If you throw up, you'll clean it up. You're going to be okay.

food isn't your best friend. It wasn't mine either.
I love your list. You know that last one? "Love myself"? That's one you can start on right now. I remember looking in the mirror & hating my reflection. And that energy did nothing but make me feel worse. Don't beat yourself up. Please understand that food isn't your best friend - you are.

food isn't your best friend. It wasn't mine either.
I love your list. You know that last one? "Love myself"? That's one you can start on right now. I remember looking in the mirror & hating my reflection. And that energy did nothing but make me feel worse. Don't beat yourself up. Please understand that food isn't your best friend - you are.

I start every morning with two scoops of Isopure espresso flavor & Water. Tastes great & has a little caffeine. I mix that up, hop on the treadmill, & begin my day. As I write this, I just finished. Great way to start the day! Good luck!

You'd have to work pretty hard to not lose weight if you follow the pre-op diet.