Hi all~~

I am two weeks post-surgery, and I feel fantastic. No pain and no stomach problems at all. I get worn out pretty quickly, and don't like that I am slow (I've always been a quick person), but that's my only issue. I've lost 19 pounds so far, including the two-week pre-op diet.

It terrifies me that my stomach is not rebelling. I am tolerating food so very, very well. It scares me that I will not be able to re-train my brain as I move forward. I am confident that I will continue to lose weight, because I can't eat more than a few bites of anything. But I am so worried I will either fall into old habits, or deprive myself and then finally break.

I am not really hungry very much; when I am, a Protein drink or a few bites of food cover it.

I guess I don't really know what exactly my question is, other than to ask if anyone else is scared of failure for this reason.

I also want to understand the priority...good habits, or overall calorie intake vs. calories burned? This is more a hypothetical question because I am not planning on doing this, but let's look into the future six months. Let's say I am doing well and still tolerating all food. If I have one piece of fried chicken and feel full, or one cookie, but my overall calorie intake is still 1,000 or so, is the weight still going to come off? I don't see anyone gorging on anything because we get so full so fast, but this is a question that has plagued me for years.

It seems my two points are this: Is anyone else scared because they are having trouble re-training the brain with no physical consequences, and does anyone know the answer to my total calorie intake question?

Thank you all so much. I am SO GLAD I found this site!!

I may not be grasping your question.. So apologies..

But why are you interested in fried chicken and Cookies? There are so many wonderful foods out there that support good health! I no longer believe in calorie math... I focus on healthy food and active lifestyle. Moderate to low carbs, maintainingng 160# loss so far...

I worked with an amazing team...and one tidbit is to not trust your sensations until 6-8 weeks post op. Nerves are cut..you Don't really feel everything yet.

Hi there!

I just used fried chicken and Cookies as an example. I have zero interest in either right now. More than anything, it's just a curiosity for the logic of it all.

Thanks for the insight on sensations; perhaps my stomach will be more sensitive as time goes by, thus helping to train my brain.

I may not be grasping your question.. So apologies..

But why are you interested in fried chicken and Cookies? There are so many wonderful foods out there that support good health! I no longer believe in calorie math... I focus on healthy food and active lifestyle. Moderate to low carbs, maintainingng 160# loss so far...

I worked with an amazing team...and one tidbit is to not trust your sensations until 6-8 weeks post op. Nerves are cut..you Don't really feel everything yet.

Very true! I could eat baby food and puréed foods without any restriction. Now that I am onto the mechanical soft phase, I can barely take a few bites. I know I am still swollen, I'm hoping down the road for a little less restriction LOL, but if it stays this way, I will just eat another mini meal to keep my calories where they need to be

The goal, for me, is balance. Eating well, moving my body, enjoying the journey.