Julierp3

I HIT GOAL, you guys!!!! I am so excited and loving life! ?VALIDATE ME, VALIDATE ME, VALIDATE ME! ? 102 total lbs lost:)

Hi all! I am not on stage 4 quite yet, but I was thinking about some of the comfort foods that I've always enjoyed making and eating. I thought it would be fun and interesting for people to share their bariatric friendly comfort food recipes, because I need some healthier versions of things I enjoyed pre-surgery. ?

First, congrats on your surgery. Second, it’s perfectly understandable to be confused & questioning what’s happening.
You’re right it’s not easy. It doesn’t matter how much you read or what you were told to expect it’s not the same as actually experiencing it for yourself. Plus while many of our experiences are similar there are also differences. These are some things I’ve learnt on the way. I hope they can help you or at least ease some of your concerns.
Try to stick to the recommended serving size. You are still healing & the smaller quantities reduce the stress on your healing tummy. Plus it also helps us come to terms with smaller portion sizes in general. Most of us ate portions that were way too big before surgery. You will be able to eat more as you progress.
Fluids tend to pass through our digestive system more quickly than solid foods. So if you are drinking as slowly as you’ve been advised your tummy likely will be emptying as you’re drinking more. I found depending on how sloppy your purées are you may have the same experience of not feeling full.
Try to avoid feeling the restriction. It’s an indication you’ve eaten too much (more than you need) or too quickly. The eating slowing recommendation is to allow the message to get from our tummy to our brain to tell us we’ve had enough. Many of us are used to eating to past full. We have to learn how to stop before we are full. One of my big learnings was the difference between wanting to eat & needing to eat. Do I need this bite or do I just want it.
The pain you feel that you think is hunger is likely too much acid in your tummy. Are you taking esomeprazole every day? For many of us our true hunger signals have changed. It does take time to recognise these new signals. For me I become restless & feel like something is wrong.
There’s a lot of new things to learn about your eating habits, what motivates you to eat, what are more nutrient dense foods, etc. Most of all you have to work out what it all means for you & discover what works for you to be at a weight you’re happy at & be able to live the life you want. It’s all worth it. The rewards are amazing.
Good luck.

After talking with my surgeon and PCP I’ve set what I think is my final goal weight. Originally we all decided 155, which was a bit over “normal” BMI. I’ve now dropped to 149 and am feeling really good. I’ve set my “final” goal at 143. This will put me at exactly half of my starting weight! Not sure why, but that feels like a significant number and feels like a perfect goal. I’m hoping to reach it by 8/13, which will be my 2 yr sleeve anniversary. Here’s to 6 more lbs to go and then starting the maintenance process!

To give my boys the gift of being a potential "Grandpa" to their future children, should they decide to have them. It's something they didn't have much have in their lives. I also want to enjoy "golden" years in a healthy way with the wife.
I also want to break free from the prison cell of nearly 350lbs. We're flying to Savannah in a couple months and for the first time in a long time, I am not too concerned about fitting in the airplane seat.

Mine is April 19! On day 5 of the 3 week liquid diet. Not fun

No anger here. I think I first attempted pizza at about 4-5 months post op. I’ll still have half a slice from time to time. I’ve been delighted that I am completely satisfied after half a slice. Allowing this kind of “treat” from time to time has made this livable for me long term. I’ve met my first goal weight, so it hasn’t derailed my process overall. I think the key is just keeping these kind of foods (high carb/fat) an occasional thing rather than falling back in to old habits and having them daily.