Let's share some personal truths about the process here.

At 9 weeks post-op, I have found one thing to be consistently true: I have to take a total no-BS approach to this process or I won't be successful in the long-term. After a very long night of thinking of my past, my present, and my future, after confronting all the habits that got me into this place, I realized that to be successful I need to be CONSTANTLY DILIGENT about sweets, Snacks, sneaks, and lies.

Sweets: It's possible that sugar really was the glue that held me together through all I've been through over the years. I love sweets. I still love sweets. I think about chocolate chip Cookies for way too many moments each day. Unfortunately, it won't take too many sweets to add on hundreds of calories each day. One McDonald's cookie is 160 calories! So... my sweets... you have to go. But wait! I'm supposed to have 4 Calcium chews a day! Those are like Starbursts and make nice treats! However... this means I'm still in the habit of popping sweets all day. From now on, I'll be chewing those with my Protein drinks. It's a slippery slope from popping calcium chews to popping real candy, so the habit itself has to go.

Snacks: My nutritionist gave me a meal and protein plan. Unfortunately, I have always been a huge fan of what I call "boredom grazing." Passing the fridge? Maybe there's something interesting in there! Just returned from shopping? Must be time for a snack! Going through a drive-through for a drink? A small fry order wouldn't hurt much. Sigh... If I have to avoid the whole main floor until I break this habit, I will do so.

Sneaks: I'm not going to have a snack. I'm just going to have an olive. I'm done eating dinner, and I'm full, but I think I can squeeze one more bite in as I put the food away. I stuck my "to go" box in the fridge after returning from dinner, but I'll just have another bite or two before going to bed. Need I say more?

Lies: Oh, boy... the lies I told myself as I got to this point. "I'll eat what I want on vacation but lose it as soon as I get back."; "This looks like about a 100 calorie serving..."; and, oh, yeah... "I'll start tomorrow." What's my current lie??? "This is about a quarter of a cup serving. Ok, I'm being really good, so I'll MEASURE that quarter of a cup... yeah, that's a quarter cup, but I'm just going to heap a couple of mashed carrots on top of that cup, because those won't really hurt." These lies hurt no one but me. If I'm going to succeed, I must demand TOTAL HONESTY from myself.

So my solution is now to track every single bite of what I eat--even one measly olive--and analyze what I've done each day, to do my best at all times, to be as plan compliant as possible, and to get right back on track the moment I notice I've gone astray.

I am determined to succeed.

I am detetermined to change.

I am determined to get my life back again. One habit at a time. Every day. Forever.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are conquering YOURSELF....the biggest mountain to conquer!!!!

I needed to read this. I was sleeved a week ago today. I have been having hunger issues. I am always hungry. I even ate pretzels today which killed me. I can't stop thinking about food. I am sure it is head hunger but it just won't go away.I feel like a failure.

I could have written your pst word for word. Thank you for putting words to my thoughts. Let's be determined together!

Thank you for posting this, I am sure we can all relate so some portion of your post.

Great post, great reminder...thank you!!!!

love your post...keep them coming!

I needed to read this. I was sleeved a week ago today. I have been having hunger issues. I am always hungry. I even ate pretzels today which killed me. I can't stop thinking about food. I am sure it is head hunger but it just won't go away.I feel like a failure.

I was hungry all the time right after my surgery, but to say that pretzels are killing you right now, at one week out, is more literal than you think. If you never take this seriously again, you need to be serious about an all-liquid diet right now. Leaks can occur for a long time, and you don't want to hurt yourself. This is the most difficult time. I was STARVED! I recommend cream Soups and puddings. This will pass. It really will. And once you can go on soft foods, like eggs, you'll feel so much better. Hang in there!!

I could have written your pst word for word. Thank you for putting words to my thoughts. Let's be determined together!

Ok! Let's just keep posting and keeping it honest!

Thank you so much for posting this! I am having my surgery May 10, and there is so much truth to what you said. The only reason I am having this surgery is because I did all of those things you mentioned! and unless I change that, I will lose the weight and gain it all back! I need to see my obesity as a addiction, and deal with it accordingly. Thank you so much for posting, this is a great reminder!

:)Terrific Post! Please, come to my house and read it to me EVERY DAY

You are really working your program! Keep it up and you will be successful! Cleanse your system of all the sugars we get in our diet whether man made or natural. Sugar is addictive! Today is my first day without eating any sugars that aren't natural. I want to be successful and I will.

You will be successful too! You have a good jump on this.....

Great Post!!!!!!!!! I feel like I have read a book about myself.

I totally agree I am 6 weeks out and I am afraid to put any chip or cracker in my mouth...I couldn't imagine a pretzel...Yikes...But may I say I'm a weeney when it comes to this whole surgery thing, I have minded the policy and rules like it were the written scriptures....I was just afraid something would go wrong and my docs are in Mexico....

bread, tortillas, chips,....all those are clumpy.....nervous foods for me...Maybe some day, but not in the near future

I love this post! It's exactly the thought process I'm working on with myself. I know that I will eat certain foods until I'm literally sick of them (cheetos), so I have to keep them out of the house. I know that if I allow myself to get hungry, I will eat something I shouldn't, so I carry Protein bars with me. I know that I will choose almost anything over plain Water, so I keep orange mio drops with me.

It's about small choices that add up over time. We all have to make them all day long, and it's our responsibility to make the right choices. No one can do it for us. We must choose the right things each time.

Okay I still want my cheetos...but no one said this would be easy...just easier than without WLS.

I love your post!!!!!! I am not a writer, but this does put into words how I was with food. I needed to read this. Thank You!!!