I am 6 days post-op and feeling pretty good. But the more I read the more it amazes me how badly people want to get back to old habits. The questions of 'when can I eat this again', and 'when can I have that' seem to be posted by the hundreds. I have to say I am in NO hurry to eat again. I don't want to visit 'Starbucks' or my local 'bar' as that is partially what put me in this position. Please don't take this the wrong way, I know some of you are just trying to get a feel for what is to come and when you can start doing some things. I just want to reiterate that this surgery is a tool and changes are desperately needed to be successful! Now is the perfect time to make those changes. Bring on the broth!

Well said. I'm with you, sister! I didn't get sleeved to do what I did before. I got the sleeve to help me, but I have to make the real changes!!!

I couldn't do this without the sleeve and sleeve can not do this without me! But working together we are going to kick 'fats' ass!

I agree with you. But I'm sure some people adopt the "anything in moderation". Like normally, I'd love to hit up a sushi/Chinese buffet! But obviously now I won't. However, I don't want to give up sushi forever. But something like soda, I'm ok with giving that up forever.

Everyone is different.

Priorities I guess. lol I was ready to give up (and desperately need to give up) beer. And I'm with you on the buffet! But that will be a long time down the road and I am okay with that. I will however never have another beer or anything else carbonated. I am committed to that.

Priorities I guess. lol I was ready to give up (and desperately need to give up) beer. And I'm with you on the buffet! But that will be a long time down the road and I am okay with that. I will however never have another beer or anything else carbonated. I am committed to that.

People have different expectations. You get out of the sleeve what you put into it (literally and figuratively lol). I may never be able to eat a whole sushi roll again, and I'm ok with that, because optimizing my weight loss is most important. Instead, I can have a piece of sashimi which is straight protein!

I am 6 days post-op and feeling pretty good. But the more I read the more it amazes me how badly people want to get back to old habits. The questions of 'when can I eat this again', and 'when can I have that' seem to be posted by the hundreds. I have to say I am in NO hurry to eat again. I don't want to visit 'Starbucks' or my local 'bar' as that is partially what put me in this position. Please don't take this the wrong way, I know some of you are just trying to get a feel for what is to come and when you can start doing some things. I just want to reiterate that this surgery is a tool and changes are desperately needed to be successful! Now is the perfect time to make those changes. Bring on the broth!

Every time I read one of those posts you're talking about I feel thankful for my NUT, surgeon, and his team. They did such a great job of educating us and helping us get our attitudes in the right mindset for success.

I agree with you 100%! Our lives MUST change after surgery. MUST. Key word here.

Keep on your path and know we are here to support you!!!

I agree with you 100%! Our lives MUST change after surgery. MUST. Key word here.

Keep on your path and know we are here to support you!!!

Thank you!

I am finally in maintenance stage...and I can tell you that I feel completely normal now. I do still have a lot of restriction, so I can't have everything that I used to be able to. However I don't act like I am on a diet anymore. If there is something I want, then I have it...just a lot less then I used to before surgery. I feel strongly that if there is something I want and I tell myself I can't have it...then I find myself obsessing over it until I just break down anyways...and then usually I go overboard. I have learned a lot in this process. I feel incredably lucky to have been able to give myself this gift, and I don't intend on waisting it...but I also don't intend on being on a diet for the rest of my life. I did this so I could LIVE again. I really feel like I am finally living my life the way I always wanted to! good luck to all of you!

this surgery is a tool and changes are desperately needed to be successful!

I completely agree that BIG changes are needed with this surgery (before you go under the knife, to prepare for post-op recovery and lifestyle) and after surgery, to lose the weight and develop new healthy life-long habits, mindset and lifestyle.

If there is something I want, then I have it...just a lot less then I used to before surgery. I feel strongly that if there is something I want and I tell myself I can't have it...then I find myself obsessing over it until I just break down anyways...and then usually I go overboard.

I also agree wholeheartedly that you need to find a LIVEABLE way to keep this new lifestyle going for the rest of your life. For me, that also means giving in to cravings once in a while and not treating this as a "diet" that will have an defined "end-point".

While I do have a goal weight (and still about 40 lbs to get there, after losing 140+ lbs), I have now spent 13+ months developing my new eating habits, exercise, mindset about calories, Protein, fluids, energy expenditure, fueling my body for workouts, etc. I have made HUGE changes in my life. But I still eat a bit of chocolate when I crave it. I have a taco now and again. A bite of two of cake during a family celebration is okay too.

That's my choice, and for me it's okay at this point in my journey (where I know I won't go overboard and probably end up working out an extra hour or two that day to offset). I feel NORMAL and I don't deny myself anything I want (and most things I DON'T want....).

But if you had asked me 6 months ago, I would have said NO WAY, ever again will I eat those things.

Your attitude changes along with your body. As long as you make sure you're not on a slippery slope to bad habits (I'm VERY conscious of that!), it's okay (at least for me) to loosen up a bit and plan for long-term success and consistency I know I can live with forever.

I EARN my extras with more workouts, and sleep with a clear conscience.

I agree completely that once I am at goal (or it is within reach) I will not deprive myself of anything, but partake in moderation. Unfortunately that probably would not be the case with beer, so I have opted to leave that one off the table and consider it gone. I know I will eat everything again one day, I am just in no hurry to get there.

Thank you...I share your frustration. I didn't have the surgery so that I could go back to doing all the bad things I was doing before. Do I really want to go through this ever again - HECK NO!!!

with this all said, I was once in your shoes and now I am in maintenance. I find that when I eat the way I did in the past, I can still gain some weight back. So I have to be really careful what I put into my body.....I don't eat breads, pastas, potatoes, rice or other foods that contain sugar out of choice and do enjoy my new habits. If I eat something with sugar, I crave sugar. It is way to easy to slip back into those past behaviors that got me fat to begin with. So you all have a good start and can't wait till you get to the finish line.....

great points, guys! I think having a clear line and knowing the difference between things you are giving up forever and the things you can have at maintenance is a smart idea. I feel bad that I think some people can't wait to "reward" themselves with foods that aren't good for them. The only foods I look forward to are foods that are good for me but can't seem to tolerate yet (like salmon, shrimp, spinach). My doc said to keep trying every couple weeks, as we are still healing for the next 6 months and our tolerances will continue to change/improve. I gave up caffeine, soda, pasta, potatoes forever and I'm happy with that. My weight loss is its own reward.

I agree so much! I am going to drink as much broth as I can stand and then some. I am hoping I will be repulsed by non healthy foods and can just feel full for once in my life.