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This entire post makes me giggle, thanks!

Why does this 'term' make my skin crawl? Ick! The term derives from Freudian psychoanalysis Although the term "anal retentive" survives in common usage, the concept, along with much of Freud's theories of psychoanalysis, is largely regarded as unscientific "pop-psychology" and therefore discredited by the majority of psychologists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.[3] Chicago psychoanalyst Robert Galatzer-Levy speaks of how this theory of Freud is mostly a product of its time when indoor plumbing was new and less numerous per household, and families were large, causing "much more control of defecation than was necessary in a world of chamber pots and outhouses."[4] If these qualities continue into later life, the person is said to be "anal-retentive". Conversely, those who reject anal-retentive characteristics are said to have "anal-expulsive" personality types. I prefer to tell somebody or I'd just rather someone tell me I'm full of ****, call a spade a spade. That's what we do in Texas....well, maybe we just say "Bless your heart"

Ok, I thought all of us, at least everyone that is overweight, has a 'fatty' liver and they have to move it to get to our tummy, and it's easier with a "lean, mean" liver!!! LoL Did I misunderstand??!!!

I reached goal, five lbs under actually.....in six months. My 'rules' were imposed by ME, not the doctor. I strictly followed the program after surgery, the first six weeks, liquids, full liquids, soft food etc. I know that I had all those staples in me and I did not want to risk doing something to cause a leak, I didn't want anything 'lodging' in the staples, whatever CAN happen, I wanted to try and avoid. I am never one to think it can't happen to me....I'm of the mind set "Why not me, I'm not special" LoL That said, I had myself on a no nonsense diet, nothing sweet, at all, not one thing, for six months. Nothing carbonated, that was the only "RULE" the only "No No" I was given. Now I'm at goal, I make decisions, choices. Everyone, us former fatties and naturally thin folks, we should all make choices every day forever. That helps us avoid gaining weight, helps us avoid heart disease. I. E. 85% lean hamburger makes a killer tasting hamburger, but meat that is 93% lean is a wiser choice and it is far from yucky!! It's just a wiser choice, that is across the board, for everyone. My husband has a stent, he did not have a heart attack, by the grace of God, but he had a 95% blockage. I learned more than I ever thought I'd need to know for his cardiac dietitian. More rule I imposed on myself, others might call them rules, I call them my new normal. I weigh or measure my food, every day....when we eat at home. I log my food on line, all of this is fun for me. I do not exercise, so I knew I'd need to make changes I could live with, forever. This is not a diet, it is how I live, forever. I can't give anyone a list of rules, all I can do is say what has worked for me for almost three years. It's my story and how I do things. I'm sure others would think I'm a nut, but that's ok.

I'm a little confused. I'm not sure why I am included in this message. I haven't gone back and read all the posts, but I do know I do not advise unless someone asks and I don't want any "mini mes" or "cookie cutter mes" walking around. Like you, I am ME, not a cookie cutter of anybody else. I have learned from others on this board, I joined six months prior to surgery. I learned what to do and what to avoid. All I can do is say what works for me. I also exercise NONE, ZERO - unless you count choosing stairs and parking far out in parking lots 'exercise'. I do not. I am not an exercise guru, my attention span is short and I get bored easily. I had to make life changes that I can do and this is what works for me. I do NOT recommend that others throw a weighted ball around a few times a month and call it good. If running, lifting weights etc is what keeps others going, I admire you. I'll pass, thanks!

It's not for everyone, I'm sure of it, but it works for me. I don't like to say we're on a program or have rules. The only thing Dr. D said 'no' to is a coke, I can live with that, no problem. I had four a year maybe, and only because I like a fountain coke with crushed ice every so often when we're out. Now I have iced Water with a couple of lemon wedges. Nothing else is off limits to me, I know I can have between 1200 and 1300 calories a day to maintain. I cannot eat much at one time, so I have several Snacks a day. Some times a graham cracker with a little PB2 on it, some times steamed shrimp or lunch meat. There are times when I have a shower to attend or whatever and know I'm going to have a cupcake or piece of cake that is higher in calories than my 'Mini vanilla Scone' from StarBucks.....so I adjust, less snacking or if I'm up a pound or two, not a big deal, NORMAL people, naturally thin people go up and down. It's life! We are all lucky to get a chance to really be successful.....we really are.

I weigh every single morning. I've done this starting two months prior to surgery. Doc recommends it, so do I. I can drop two or three lbs at the drop of a hat, eight or nine, not quite as easy. I also log my food and weigh or measure all my food when at home. It works for me, this is my new life. It's like a game, it's habit, I love it. I feel like I am in control now, food is not. Doctor's nurse told me I was a little 'rigid' (you think??!!!) and she followed that with 'and it works for you' I enjoy life, the only thing off limits is carbonated drinks. Big deal. He said, this is NOT a diet, this is a new way of life. I love it!

I don't know, OR CARE what I can google and find. All I know is with me, coffee suppresses any desire to eat, for a while. Since I'm not really hungry, it really is good!! Since I'm not an addict, ok, maybe I am, but I love my coffee, iced tea and water....in that order. Toilet water is almost clear when I use it, so I figure I'm ok. Three years in June and I agree with just about everything you said. This is my new way of life, it is NOT a diet. The doctor made that clear at the seminar. I am in control, a little obsessive, but it works for me. I love my new life!!!

Change your way of thinking, start being obsessive about being healthy, and THIN!!!! New clothes and wanting to have you picture taken!!!! Weigh and measure your food.....weigh YOURSELF!!!! Make this a game, it's a wild ride and oh-so-fun!!!!!

You're welcome!!! I'll be your cheerleader!!! You look great!

and the 'scars' are NOTHING. Three years later and nobody could tell unless a close examination was done. They disappeared within a year.

You're so welcome!!! I'm certain you'll be in size 4's one day soon. Never, EVER in my wildest dreams did I think this was possible. Hang in there and go buy a disposable camera (someone on this forum suggested this). It has to be a disposable one.....have someone take your picture the day before surgery and then EVERY month on the same date, have your picture taken. After your 1 year anniversary photo, take the camera and have it developed. Pictures speak a thousand words. The transformation laying right there in front of you, month after month. It is jaw dropping!!! This was a FUN thing to do!!!!!

I'm stratusphr Add me

You're full of emotions and they're all normal. Know this, you will never make a decision for YOU that is more exciting and fun, that this one. I have never looked back. Shopping is fun, sex is better, it is sooooo nice not to be the 'biggest girl in the room', I don't mind having my picture taken or going to a get together. Life is totally different. I'm not uncomfortable riding in the car, sitting in an airplane seat....or sitting on my husband's lap. I'm telling you, I woke up in recovery and was ready - I've loved every minute of it. I don't miss the amount of food I could eat, actually when I see what others can eat and know I did the same thing.....it makes me sick!!! I feel like I live/eat like a naturally thin person, finally I feel like I am in control, not food!!! Good luck and God bless you!!

In person support groups, I'm glad you mentioned that. They are wonderful. You can share so much with others and you can LEARN so much from others. I have three that I attend on a monthly basis and two more that are in my area. I love them!!!! I started attending PRIOR to surgery, I learned a lot.

I woke up once in the middle of the night, prior to surgery. I've never had a panic attack, but I think this felt like a 'Mini' panic attack. I had second thoughts, 'should I wait a year and save money' etc I got over it, went back to sleep and was fine after that. I just posted somewhere else, I was so excited, I was like a kid going on vacation. An adventure, a journey! When I woke up in recovery I was thinking "Ok, let the fun begin" I've never regretted it, I've never missed anything about the amount of food I could eat before. I've never missed buying fat clothes or being uncomfortable in an airline seat!!!!! It's been one new thing after another, and it's all good....from sex to buying size 4 jeans!!!! 50+ has never felt so good! You'll be fine - good luck!!!!!

Not one second EVER. I was like a kid going on vacation, it was an adventure, a journey. I was hyped from the time I woke up in recovery, I felt like "Ok, let the fun begin" and I've never looked back!!!!!

Out of all my NSV - seeing my collar bone, is still, by far, my favorite. Just wait, there are more surprises, hip bones, rib bones, a real jawline!!! The list is endless. You will be surprised how well you can do with this surgery. It is marvelous!!!!!

My snack of choice is graham crackers with PB2. I was eating Natural Peanut Butter, but the calories are too high, I hated it, so I tried the powdered peanut butter.....not bad, especially not on a graham cracker! I hate that you are craving candy. I think you probably are too thin and no doubt you have trouble finding clothes. I'm just under 5'7" and weigh 145. My jeans are a size 4. Start drinking 1 or 2% milk, eat a half a peanut butter sandwich, or grilled cheese. Put a little butter on toast or your veggies. Good luck!

If you are eating like you should, just kick start the weight loss again by increasing your protein as much as you can. I know at three months out you still cannot eat a lot, but always, upping my protein and liquids helped. It still helps if the scale goes up two or three lbs. I say liquids because I can't drink that much water, the nurse finally told me to DRINK LIQUIDS, that are not carbonated or sugared. After that, I kept iced tea made all the time and drank some water, iced tea and coffee. She wanted to make sure I didn't dehydrate, I never had any problems after that advice from her!!!

I've lost about 83 lbs, in June I'll be three years out, maintaining for almost 2.5 years....AND my jeans are 4's and 6's. I STILL have days when i feel fat or I feel like I look fat in something I have on. The head games we play with ourselves. It's crazy and I don't know if this will ever change, but it does keep me on my toes and "aware"......still, rationally I know I'm obsessive and nuts at times!! LoL

I am just shy of three years post op and I still don't have 'real' hunger. It is GREAT!!!! I will get an 'empty' feeling, i call it my "new" hunger!!! I hope it lasts forever!!!!!

June 11th will be three years for me. Different food is different, but I can eat about 2/3's cup. I was told early on that he didn't EVER want me to eat more than a cup at a time. I still have good restriction, I tend to normally 'under eat' my sleeve, it's easy, I still have no REAL hunger. I hope and pray that I'll always eat this amount. I was HOPING I'd never be able to eat much more than a half cup. Oh well.

Girl, you've done WAAAAAAY to good to backslide now. Try doing like I do, weigh every single morning, first thing. Some times I'm up a couple of lbs and some times I'm down a couple of lbs, but I want to make sure if it is what I am doing/eating and not just water weight - I want to get on it immediately. Shedding two or three lbs is not a big deal, six, eight or ten lbs., that is a little more daunting to me!!!!! C'mon, you will be fine, keep in mind how GOOD it feels to slip into a size SIX!!!!! I bet you're like me....never in your wildest dreams, right???!!!!!!! Good luck!