Well, it finally came. My first business trip 7.5 weeks after surgery. It was from NJ to TX just for Wed-Fri. I'd been on an emotional roller coaster lately, and finding myself wanting food for comfort - mostly resisting, but some days with higher-than-average calories (700s instead of 500s). I got more hesitant as it got closer, but decided it was something I needed to try out since I have a 12-day international trip (a mix of business and pleasure) coming up in three weeks.

I'm at my company's conference center with tons of free food available everywhere. The upside is that there are plenty of healthy appropriate options. I haven't gone off the rails with my options, but the quantity is definitely more than normal. I'm also withdrawn - not really interested in connecting with people, eating by myself, eating back in my room, etc. Not good.

Today was morning Protein shake, half greek yogurt snack, turkey chili for lunch, 1 oz of sharp cheddar for snack, Protein Shake, then dinner which was basically one or two bites of cheese, hummus, fish, bacon, shrimp, and pistachios. At no point did I feel sick or did I eat too fast, but an hour after dinner I still have that full feeling that I'm so familiar with from pre-surgery.

I'm getting used to not being hungry, and trying to learn to use my eyes to measure what I really need (and MFP to confirm), and so it's been a while since I've really had that full feeling...because THERE'S NO REASON I NEED TO BE THAT FULL. It makes me mad at myself that I can't just enjoy a couple bites and let it go. And scares me that in this two days of weakness my sleeve seems to be allowing additional quantity.

Tonight I decided that I'm not in enough control to be here yet. I've changed my flight to leave in the morning and miss the 2nd day of the training to get back home to my comfort zone. That equally scares me since I've got a big trip coming up in a few weeks.

I do have confidence that when I'm back in my element I will revert back to my good habits. But my lifestyle and my job involves frequent travel, and I'm worried that I'm going back to my pre-surgery ways where business travel = "vacation mindset" = no regard for what I'm eating. That really helped get me into a bad spot before.

So, while I've been doing lots of work at home about trying to seek things other than food to soothe me, to keep me busy, etc. (and having mis-steps, but doing well on the whole), it appears this is a new fronteir that I haven't conquered yet. I made an attempt, learned some things, but I'm going to get myself out of this environment to regain control...and try again another day.

Interested to see what this looks like on the scale when I get home. Hate to think I lost an opportunity for weight loss this week for 24 hours of bad behavior.

<sigh>

If you have never been to Africa, please be extremely careful of the food and Water. South Africa is the best part of the continent, but I still wouldn't want to go through food or water-borne illness with a fresh sleeve. I never leave home without a supply of Cipro. It is a miracle drug for that. Your Doctor should write a prescription for you if they know anything about travel in the developing world.

I hope you get to Cape Town. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

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If you have never been to Africa' date=' please be extremely careful of the food and Water. South Africa is the best part of the continent, but I still wouldn't want to go through food or water-borne illness with a fresh sleeve. I never leave home without a supply of Cipro. It is a miracle drug for that. Your Doctor should write a prescription for you if they know anything about travel in the developing world.

I hope you get to Cape Town. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

Sent from my iPad using VST[/quote']

Thanks, BizTraveller. First time to SA, but def not first time to developing country (or Africa for that matter). I've got my food and water skills down pretty well...cut my teeth on successive trips to India years back but will be a new dimension to have those restrictions + the sleeve!

Great post ladies!

I find business travel, conferences, and the evening socials on the agendas require a lot of advance preparation on my part.

One of the tools that really helps is packing BariWare along with my own Water bottle and travel mug.

I add unflavoured Protein powder to everything especially organic herbal tea and sip on it throughout the day either warm or let it cool in advance and add ice for a pick me up. I don't use artificial sweeteners, but a tablespoon of cranberry or grape juice gives it a refreshing kick.

I use a set of travel organizers from Coast Mountain Sports, that keep all of my supplements, Protein Powder and what not organized and ready for travel :0)

How is the unflavored protein? I'm always scared to try it. And that bag sounds like a good idea!

I have tried many natural unflavored Protein powders and the one I use is absolutely incredible. I put it in everything.

I purchase it online at canadianprotein.com

It is 100%pure whey protein isolate.

1 scoop is:

121 calories

1 gram of fat

1 gram of carbohydrates

1 gram of sugar

27 grams of protein

You can order bulk in a big box, or in the 2 or 5 pound bags.

Every morning I start my day by putting 1 scoop in my coffee cup with a tablespoon of Benefiber, a teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 cup of Silk True Almond unsweetened, mix it up with a spoon until it is creamy, then I add my decaf. coffee and stir again, it dissolves completely and adds no flavor, just low carb, low fat, low sugar, high protein!

My surgeon allows Benefibre and 1 cup of coffee per day, so make sure you check with your Surgeon first as all of our plans are unique to each of us.

Thanks. I'm getting sleeved Tuesday and going to get some for my clears. I'm nervous about my protein intake on my clear liquid diet post op!

Isopure is clear, has 40 g protein, no carnal and 160 calories. Grape frost isn't bad but has a little aftertaste. But good for getting protein in! I've ordered samples of other flavors, but haven't gotten them yet!

No carbs!

Try my bariatric pantry.com! I think isopure is the way to go, but they also have protein jello and other stuff! I don't have surgery date yet, but got a lot of ideas from others on this site. Best of wishes!!