Keep reading about people who miss eating, who miss/crave certain foods, who wish they could eat more. I know that's true for some people and they are the ones who post. But I do believe that a lot of people are where I am.

I really LIKE that I can't eat too much food.

Yes sometimes I wish I could have a bite of something unhealthy, but the desire passes in less than 3 seconds.

I really LIKE that I can go out to restaurants and focus on friendship, camaraderie and conversation and not worry about the food.

I really like not constantly having to think about food. That I only think of it when I'm hungry rather than all the time.

I really, really like that I no longer spend my waking hours wondering what diet, super food, eating plan I should try next to lose my weight.

I really enjoy the feeling that I am in control, rather than feeling the food controls me.

I don't think I'm in the minority. I think this is like complications. People who had tough recoveries post, people whose recoveries were simple don't post. But for the pre-ops, I think it may be important to see that not everyone is struggling with missing food.

Are you like me? Will you post your experience here so others can see?

Woman are these on your site!!!???

The pizza, pumpkin carmel bake and pumpkin cheesecake are. The yogurt isnt, and I didn't put the protein ice cream because we basically took a shake and put it in an ice cream maker so doh!

Pumpkin cheesecake: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/pumpkin-cheesecake-vanilla-protein-mousse/

Caramel bake: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/pumpkin-caramel-bake-high-protein-low-carb-gluten-free/

Flatout pizza: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/low-carb-flatout-pizza/

I think it's the newness. At 7 weeks, I had only been eating solids for 3 weeks and it was SUCH a chore! measure, eat, drink, don't drink, drink now, oh but wait, it's time to eat now. I was driven insane. I wondered if that was how life was going to be, constantly watching the clock and trying to figure out what to do when.

That part got a lot easier.

Haha, yeah, sounds a lot like me right now... It is like a chore! So now you don't measure and track proteins so religiously??? I have trouble seeing the future...

Haha, yeah, sounds a lot like me right now... It is like a chore! So now you don't measure and track proteins so religiously??? I have trouble seeing the future...

So I do track my food. I track everything I eat. But I kinda eat and drink more "normally" and I don't have to wonder should I be eating or drinking now? One thing that helped me was to get on a routine. I ate at 8, 12, 3 pm and 7 pm. That way, the alarm went off, and I ate. When I wasn't eating, I was drinking. Soon it got to be a habit.

Now I get hungry at those times and there are no alarms being set to tell me what to do when. I basically eat 3 meals and 1-2 snacks and I'm good to go. The proteins I do have to track. Some days I'm low on them and then I have a shake at night.

But it doesn't occupy every waking moment like it used to.

I love it that I can eat just a little of something and be satisfied. We had a thanksgiving celebration here on the weekend (no official thanksgiving in Australia and I miss it so we have a big party every year) and I had my 50 grams of turkey and a spoonful each of stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry sauce. For dessert I had a bite of my husband's pie. And it was lovely. Even better, I enjoyed the cooking, the socializing, and was able to really take the time to count my blessings. Plus all the compliments from those who have not seen me in a while! I didn't stress about what I would and wouldn't eat. I knew my sleeve would take care of the quantity I could fit in so I made sure I had enough protein and a taste of everything I cared for.

It was an utterly refreshing and affirming experience.

Wow that sounds great! Thanks giving is coming up too soon for me to have a taste this year. I actually got the surgery 3 days before my birthday. So I didn't get cake, but I got a wonderful present. Thanksgiving I will have a little bit of mashed potatoes prepared with beef broth. :-) A week after I can have some deli shaved turkey. Maybe by Christmas dinner I can have a bit.