Recidivist

I was exactly the same and can definitely relate to your situation. I realized that it wasn't even because I was hungry, but because eating in certain situations had become a matter of habit for me.
I'm not sure whether it will help you, but I've replaced it with drinking. (No, not martinis!). I never drank coffee in my life before surgery, but I have developed a new coffee obsession. When meeting friends, I now have a couple of cups with skim milk and artificial sweetener, and that satisfies me. I sometimes have hot tea, as well as sugar-free drinks from powder if I'm at home. (Plain Water doesn't always cut it--I need some flavor.)

All of this! I had no idea what my goal weight should be, and my surgeon told me that I should just focus on the plan and not worry about a goal weight. However, I did set an arbitrary goal of 150 when I joined this forum, which is how much I weighed the last time I remember being happy with my weight (decades ago). Then I passed 150 and kept losing, so I lowered my goal to 140. I got all the way down to my high school weight (about 130). and I looked skeletal (which I don't remember being the case in high school). I gained back about 20 pounds over the first year of maintenance and have more or less held steady there for the past year. I definitely have to watch what I eat much more carefully now than I did a year or so ago, but I'm happy with where I am.

Hi, Sue. I can relate to most of the things in your post. I was particularly shocked at how much older I looked after surgery with all of the loose skin on my face and neck.
One thing struck me in your post, which is all the time and energy you spend ensuring that you eat the right things and focusing on your weight. I did that in the beginning of maintenance, but I've really lightened up and don't pay much attention to either at this point. By now I know instinctively what I can and can't eat and approximately portions, but I don't obsess about it. I eat more or less normally (but differently than before), don't weigh myself, and don't freak out if I gain a bit. I'm wondering whether you could try doing the same thing, perhaps with the help of a nutritionist and/or therapist.

Hi, Sue. I can relate to most of the things in your post. I was particularly shocked at how much older I looked after surgery with all of the loose skin on my face and neck.
One thing struck me in your post, which is all the time and energy you spend ensuring that you eat the right things and focusing on your weight. I did that in the beginning of maintenance, but I've really lightened up and don't pay much attention to either at this point. By now I know instinctively what I can and can't eat and approximately portions, but I don't obsess about it. I eat more or less normally (but differently than before), don't weigh myself, and don't freak out if I gain a bit. I'm wondering whether you could try doing the same thing, perhaps with the help of a nutritionist and/or therapist.

As Greater Fool said, only you can make that decision. However, I can also say that it was the best decision I ever made as well and would do it again in a heartbeat.
My beginning stats were very similar to yours. I am 5'8, weighed 250 pounds, had high BP, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and knee issues. After surgery, I no longer need medication for BP or cholesterol, my sleep apnea disappeared, and my knees are much less painful (though not perfect--too many years of supporting my fat body).
You are right to be asking these questions. Do your research, talk to experts and others who have had surgery, and make your own decision.

As Greater Fool said, only you can make that decision. However, I can also say that it was the best decision I ever made as well and would do it again in a heartbeat.
My beginning stats were very similar to yours. I am 5'8, weighed 250 pounds, had high BP, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and knee issues. After surgery, I no longer need medication for BP or cholesterol, my sleep apnea disappeared, and my knees are much less painful (though not perfect--too many years of supporting my fat body).
You are right to be asking these questions. Do your research, talk to experts and others who have had surgery, and make your own decision.

I agree with you! However, I wanted to reassure those who do slip up during the pre-op liquid diet that it's not the end of the world and will probably not impact their surgery.

I'm particularly impressed by your weight loss during your second year! I'm not familiar with the Loop DS procedure, but in my case (gastric bypass), it became very difficult to lose weight after the first year and I had to start watching my food intake pretty carefully--so you are clearly doing something right.
I had a 20-pound regain fairly quickly in maintenance (the beginning of the second year). However, I actually lost too much during the first year and needed to gain about 15 pounds so I didn't look so skeletal. (Sorry.)
I have found maintenance pretty easy by sticking basically to a high-protein, low-carb, low-fat diet. If you are getting 100 grams of Protein a day, that's great! You can definitely eat more that 1300 calories without gaining weight. However, it really can be terrifying after eating so little for so long.
As someone mentioned, it really is trial and error. I'm able to eat some sugar, have an occasional glass of wine and high-carb treat without too much trouble. You are clearly very disciplined, and you know your own body better than anyone. You'll figure it out. Good luck!

I'm particularly impressed by your weight loss during your second year! I'm not familiar with the Loop DS procedure, but in my case (gastric bypass), it became very difficult to lose weight after the first year and I had to start watching my food intake pretty carefully--so you are clearly doing something right.
I had a 20-pound regain fairly quickly in maintenance (the beginning of the second year). However, I actually lost too much during the first year and needed to gain about 15 pounds so I didn't look so skeletal. (Sorry.)
I have found maintenance pretty easy by sticking basically to a high-protein, low-carb, low-fat diet. If you are getting 100 grams of Protein a day, that's great! You can definitely eat more that 1300 calories without gaining weight. However, it really can be terrifying after eating so little for so long.
As someone mentioned, it really is trial and error. I'm able to eat some sugar, have an occasional glass of wine and high-carb treat without too much trouble. You are clearly very disciplined, and you know your own body better than anyone. You'll figure it out. Good luck!

Exactly right. You will lose weight whether you exercise or not. Personally, I did essentially no exercise at all for two years after surgery. I considered an exercise regimen as "Phase 2" of my overall health plan, which I started in year 3. I'm getting more toned and have more strength, but the impact on my weight even at this point is minimal.

Exactly right. You will lose weight whether you exercise or not. Personally, I did essentially no exercise at all for two years after surgery. I considered an exercise regimen as "Phase 2" of my overall health plan, which I started in year 3. I'm getting more toned and have more strength, but the impact on my weight even at this point is minimal.

Exactly right. You will lose weight whether you exercise or not. Personally, I did essentially no exercise at all for two years after surgery. I considered an exercise regimen as "Phase 2" of my overall health plan, which I started in year 3. I'm getting more toned and have more strength, but the impact on my weight even at this point is minimal.

I cheated with an entire pizza and a pint of Haagen Dazs (I'm not joking) and the surgery went forward without a problem.

In the first few months after surgery, I had very frequent dreams that I was binging on all kinds of unhealthy, high-calorie food (usually sweets). In my dream, I knew that what I was doing was wrong but I continued eating--and then I felt guilty afterwards. I would wake up relieved that I hadn't actually cheated.

I was so panicked while I was being wheeled into the operating room that I burst into tears and literally considered jumping off the gurney. The reasons were basically the same as yours, in particular fear that I would never be able to eat normally again--and enjoying food together has always been an important part of our marriage.
I also had tremendous regrets for the first couple of months when I could barely eat anything. Three years later I eat normally, have kept the weight off, and could not be happier that I had the surgery. As I've said many times before, my only regret now is that I didn't do it years earlier.

I was so panicked while I was being wheeled into the operating room that I burst into tears and literally considered jumping off the gurney. The reasons were basically the same as yours, in particular fear that I would never be able to eat normally again--and enjoying food together has always been an important part of our marriage.
I also had tremendous regrets for the first couple of months when I could barely eat anything. Three years later I eat normally, have kept the weight off, and could not be happier that I had the surgery. As I've said many times before, my only regret now is that I didn't do it years earlier.

I was so panicked while I was being wheeled into the operating room that I burst into tears and literally considered jumping off the gurney. The reasons were basically the same as yours, in particular fear that I would never be able to eat normally again--and enjoying food together has always been an important part of our marriage.
I also had tremendous regrets for the first couple of months when I could barely eat anything. Three years later I eat normally, have kept the weight off, and could not be happier that I had the surgery. As I've said many times before, my only regret now is that I didn't do it years earlier.

I was so panicked while I was being wheeled into the operating room that I burst into tears and literally considered jumping off the gurney. The reasons were basically the same as yours, in particular fear that I would never be able to eat normally again--and enjoying food together has always been an important part of our marriage.
I also had tremendous regrets for the first couple of months when I could barely eat anything. Three years later I eat normally, have kept the weight off, and could not be happier that I had the surgery. As I've said many times before, my only regret now is that I didn't do it years earlier.

My surgeon and nutritionist said that I could drink right up until eating, which I have done consistently for the three years since surgery. It didn't seem to affect my weight loss at all.
They also said that no drinking for thirty minutes after eating is for life, and I have followed that religiously. And yes, I do get extremely thirsty at times. It's a small price to pay to be at a normal weight.

I completely understand the part about enjoying meals with your husband. One of the ways my spouse showed love was through cooking elaborate, delicious meals (which is a big part of the reason I got so big in the first place). I thought that would be taken away from us and would be a source of friction, but three years later we can enjoy a lovely meal together--but my portions are much smaller now!
I will be honest--I had major regrets about having the surgery for the first four to six weeks. I know you said you don't want to hear it, but three years later I'm thrilled I did it, and my only regret is not having done it sooner.

I completely understand the part about enjoying meals with your husband. One of the ways my spouse showed love was through cooking elaborate, delicious meals (which is a big part of the reason I got so big in the first place). I thought that would be taken away from us and would be a source of friction, but three years later we can enjoy a lovely meal together--but my portions are much smaller now!
I will be honest--I had major regrets about having the surgery for the first four to six weeks. I know you said you don't want to hear it, but three years later I'm thrilled I did it, and my only regret is not having done it sooner.

I completely understand the part about enjoying meals with your husband. One of the ways my spouse showed love was through cooking elaborate, delicious meals (which is a big part of the reason I got so big in the first place). I thought that would be taken away from us and would be a source of friction, but three years later we can enjoy a lovely meal together--but my portions are much smaller now!
I will be honest--I had major regrets about having the surgery for the first four to six weeks. I know you said you don't want to hear it, but three years later I'm thrilled I did it, and my only regret is not having done it sooner.

I completely understand the part about enjoying meals with your husband. One of the ways my spouse showed love was through cooking elaborate, delicious meals (which is a big part of the reason I got so big in the first place). I thought that would be taken away from us and would be a source of friction, but three years later we can enjoy a lovely meal together--but my portions are much smaller now!
I will be honest--I had major regrets about having the surgery for the first four to six weeks. I know you said you don't want to hear it, but three years later I'm thrilled I did it, and my only regret is not having done it sooner.

I have a medical marijuana card (put down your pitchforks people, i have two qualifying medical conditions), but i haven’t used since the pre-op diet to help offset the nausea i experienced. I haven’t use post operatively since i haven’t experienced a flare up of either condition. Unfortunately, you aren’t going to meet any supportive people on this site as far as recreational or medical drug use. You’ll get a lot of lectures and pearl clutching instead.

Literally never--even now, more than three years after surgery. I just walked as necessary for my daily routine. And it didn't impact my weight loss at all--I was quite successful.