Hi to you all

I've been reading through lots of posts researching the VSG which I am hoping to get....its been so informative and I must say a huge thank you all for sharing. I'm English but living in Spain, have done for the past 7 yrs now, and am researching having the op done either here in Spain or maybe back in the UK.

I've got so many queries, but am answering some the more I read....but a quick general one regarding food post op for the long termers...

Are you still able to eat everything? Spicy food? Sushi? Rare steak etc? I understand the quantities will change dramatically, but just wondered about those as they are my favs.....

Also what happens when you reach your goal, how do you go about maintaining without keeping on loosing?

I have a BMI of 35.6, (having lost 17lbs since October) and would ideally like to be about the 20 level instead. But think the VSG could be the answer to a lifetime of yoyo dieting and bad eating habits.

Hi Sparkle and welcome to VST.

I'm 8.5 months out, and truly eat anything and everything I want. I eat my steaks on the medium side, I eat spicy mexican and chinese/thai food a few times a month without issue, I don't eat sushi, but I've had a couple of avocado rolls, which is all the same minus the raw fish component, without any issue. So, truly I do eat anything and everything. Yes, the quantities are much smaller, but very satisfying.

I'm in the maintaining stage, but I still lose sporadically. I just had my gallbladder removed on February 4th, and I am on restricted activity for another 4 weeks. I can not work out, or lift weights, and I think that is contributing to me losing again. I'm not able to build my muscle. I just started adding healthy carbs and higher fats to my diet to help with calorie intake to help maintain.

Often times, I hear other long termers state that they fell below goal, and then their bodies just got comfortable at a certain weight and the losing stopped.

Best wishes on your research for a surgeon, and keep us posted on your progress.

SParkle - Welcome to VST!

I am 6.5 months out and still have 21 lbs to go to reach my lofty goal. Yes, I can eat anything, just in smaller portion. Since I am still trying to lose, I still am very conscientious about what I eat on a daily basis. However, we still eat Mexican, Sushi, Thai, steak (medium rare for me), even a cheeseburger (well part of one anyway) on occasion with no problems. I due tend to notice that I crave the Protein more than I did before surgery and therefore eat more of that than anything else. I have found that things like crackers and chocolate are slider foods for me so I am trying to avoid them while losing.

Good luck on your WL journey!!

Thanks for the replies... I'm happy to read I'll still be able to enjoy everything still.

Both your photos look amazing, you must be so pleased as you both look great.

I think I'll need to read up on the dietary requirements a bit more to ensure I understand it all.. but think it may well be the answer for me.

I'll keep you informed.

Hi Sparkle! Welcome to VST. I'm only five days out so I can't answer your post-op questions about food. But I can tell you that I'm so thrilled that I had this done. Please hang out with us and let us know how you're doing.

Hi Lee

Wow - five days out and 23lbs down??? Blimey!! You go girl! No wonder you're thrilled.