Okay, so, since I've been frequenting this virtual bariatric world, there appear to be a few issues which seem to ignite much debate and throw the most meekly devised threads into huge ego-centric 'flaming' exercises.

Not only do I, personally, find this predictably boring; it is also deeply unhelpful. We all know that this process changes or should change, how we do and view things to do with food and wider health issues, forever. As such, it takes a bit of getting used to.

The prospect of having to adapt our long-held behaviours is scary and our little food related rituals? They are tough bleedin' Cookies to break. (My apologies for mentioning the 'C' word there)

Consequently, I'm a big believer in the adage that 'skeletons in the cupboard' are no longer 'skeletons', if they are dragged out into the light of day. (Normally kicking and screaming with the neighbours looking on in horror)

So, roll-up, roll-up. Consider this an online bariatric confessional!

There'll be no 'Hail Mary's' or 'Our Fathers' and flagellation will NOT and should not be forthcoming.

I want you to tell us your 'dirty' little bariatric secrets.

What did you do? Why did you do it? (and I will refrain from asking 'with whom?' you did it!) How did it make you feel afterwards? Did you resolve to never do it again - or indeed, did you think that actually, everything in moderation is not so bad after all?

Did you chow down on that hot-sauce laden and cheese encrusted beef taco 2 days post op? (No one can tell I'm fantasizing about anything that does not constitute a 'fluid' much, can you?!!!) Did you sneak into the fridge and eat all your kids chocolate bars, happy in the knowledge that your Protein Pump Inhibitors would prevent you from getting indigestion? Did you swallow 10 vodka martini's to see if your pouch and your legs could take it?

Come on, tell Aunty Revs and lets see if we can put these beasts to bed once and for all x

As is only fair, I shall go first.. Tonight, I, 8 days post surgery, ate a fair amount of cheese frosting off the top of a red velvet cupcake (and maybe a couple of mouthfuls of the sponge, too). Why? Because it was there. Did it make any sense? No, because I have never craved sweet stuff. I'm a savoury kind of girl. What did I learn from it? That damn, I'm an emotional eater (which I never thought I was) and that shockingly, that **** went down a little bit too easily. Consequently, I learnt in that way lies grave danger...

See, if I can do it, anyone can. So, step forward and lets hear the 'worst' you've got. Everyone is welcome and all are equal here x

You should send her a bottle of cod liver oil. I hear it's good for wrinkly skin.

You two are just WRONG!!! paahahahahah!

Really?! Ha! That's priceless! Don't credit yourself' date=' sweetheart! I have thought as much about you and your ill conceived, poorly delivered, ego-centric, excruciatingly judgmental, contradictory and irrational musings as I have about the rotting lettuce that is currently residing in the bottom of my fridge. Now.. if we can get back to being happy, content people.. [/quote']

Boy, it's a good thing I didn't get under your skin. I would hate to see how you react to that.

To each his/her own.

Off topic but when I was early in the journey I identified a few successful sleevers that had similar stats as me (high BMI, good losses, healthy and maintaining) and decided to.listen to them and let alot of the other static just slide by... It was a good formula for my success.

I'm not very far out from surgery, but the main part of this forum that I read is the Veteran's Forum. I have so much to learn from the people who post there. And one thing that I have learned is that whatever your new reality is the first few months after surgery (not wanting to eat, not liking chocolate, only being able to fit in 500 calories a day, the weight dropping off no matter what you eat), it is not likely to stay that way forever. Since I know that the ease with which I stick to the plan is very likely to eventually wear off and get harder, I am trying my best to use this "honeymoon" period to learn good habits. I do have the occasional treat or make the occasional bad choice. Right now, the capacity of my sleeve limits the damage. But I can already eat a couple of Cookies or a single-serving bag of chips, no problem. And I could do that every hour or so, and really rack up the calories. And that junk food is so much easier to eat than dense Protein.

So I guess my point is if you are less than 6 months out, don't assume that the way you feel and eat, and what you crave, will be the same for your whole life.

To each his/her own.

Off topic but when I was early in the journey I identified a few successful sleevers that had similar stats as me (high BMI' date=' good losses, healthy and maintaining) and decided to.listen to them and let alot of the other static just slide by... It was a good formula for my success.[/quote']

Jane I did the exact same thing. I also read all the "failure" threads and tried not to repeat their mistakes.

I'm not very far out from surgery' date=' but the main part of this forum that I read is the Veteran's Forum. I have so much to learn from the people who post there. And one thing that I have learned is that whatever your new reality is the first few months after surgery (not wanting to eat, not liking chocolate, only being able to fit in 500 calories a day, the weight dropping off no matter what you eat), it is not likely to stay that way forever. Since I know that the ease with which I stick to the plan is very likely to eventually wear off and get harder, I am trying my best to use this "honeymoon" period to learn good habits. I do have the occasional treat or make the occasional bad choice. Right now, the capacity of my sleeve limits the damage. But I can already eat a couple of Cookies or a single-serving bag of chips, no problem. And I could do that every hour or so, and really rack up the calories. And that junk food is so much easier to eat than dense Protein. So I guess my point is if you are less than 6 months out, don't assume that the way you feel and eat, and what you crave, will be the same for your whole life.[/quote']

3 1/2 years out. Very true. There will be NO eating what you want when you want.

There will be NO eating what you want when you want.

But doesn't the sleeve do the work for you?

But doesn't the sleeve do the work for you?

You are BAD BAD BAD!

But doesn't the sleeve do the work for you?

Not snarky enough!

Ooh, here's another good one: I was told to never chew gum again. But like 5 days after surgery, I totally got some gum and chewed it anyways. Oh yea, I was a rebel.

OMG!!! I can't chew gum????

I think we all need to partake in one big group hug.......

Since this is a forum for pretty much any kind of topic related to food and the sleeve and exchange/sharing of ideas and/or opinions......a difference of those ideas and opinions is inevitable. Since one person cannot force another person to see it their way or force them to change their opinion (short of brain washing or another type of mind control, which is seemingly impossible online), perhaps we could just agree to disagree and move on once all of those opinions are shared and discussed. After all, we are all entitled to our own opinion. At some point, it seems this could turn into or has turned into a pi$$ing contest and pride could get in the way of productivity and honest objectivity. Wish we could all just respect each others opinion while giving honest thought to what the other has to say. If so, and we still disagree, maybe we should drop the subject. If only our government could be that way.....maybe we could read about something else in the news these days. Just my 2 cents.....I now digress.

I never stopped drinking carbonated beverages. I drink La Croix sparkling Water every day. I pour it in a glass and it makes me feel like I am having an evening cocktail. I don't drink soda, but La Croix, daily.

I still use Splenda in my coffee. I also use half & half in coffee without a modicum of guilt. I don't measure, I just pour until the coffee is the color I like.

I eat a 'fun size' piece of chocolate once a week.

While I don't do it often, I never stopped chewing gum.

I think we all need to partake in one big group hug....... Since this is a forum for pretty much any kind of topic related to food and the sleeve and exchange/sharing of ideas and/or opinions......a difference of those ideas and opinions is inevitable. Since one person cannot force another person to see it their way or force them to change their opinion (short of brain washing or another type of mind control' date=' which is seemingly impossible online), perhaps we could just agree to disagree and move on once all of those opinions are shared and discussed. After all, we are all entitled to our own opinion. At some point, it seems this could turn into or has turned into a piing contest and pride could get in the way of productivity and honest objectivity. Wish we could all just respect each others opinion while giving honest thought to what the other has to say. If so, and we still disagree, maybe we should drop the subject. If only our government could be that way.....maybe we could read about something else in the news these days. Just my 2 cents.....I now digress. [/quote']

Ok Gandhi....

Ok Gandhi....

Come on Laura.....bring it in! Let's start this love fest!