Anyone super sad about missing all of the 4th of July food? Cheeseburgers are my all time fave food and I'm up in Ontario for vacay and I'm super bummed about eating broccoli soup and mashed potatoes. I know it's for the best, but gees...wish I could have 1day of free drinking and eating once in a blue moon. Ok. Big girl panties are back on now.

Sometimes I miss food, especially on holidays. I haven't had a burger in years, and wow, one would really taste good. Yesterday I had a few Cookies over the course of the day, a small turkey sandwich, some watermelon, and some shrimp. Outside of the cookies it wasn't a bad day and this morning when I pulled on my size 0 jeans, I was ok with the trade-off between food and being thin. You can eat normal food again in the future, but maybe you won't want to. That should cheer you up a bit.

I'm almost 3 weeks out, and I felt a little left out of things over the weekend at the shore with a bunch of friends. There was some really amazing-smelling bacon for Breakfast one morning that I wished I could eat. I would have liked to have a chocolate-chip cookie another day. And there was a really delicious-looking Greek salad at dinner one night that I was sad I couldn't eat yet. I'm on soft foods, so I brought my own food, and my tiny portions and limited menu were depressing to look at.

But, while I was taking my tiny bites of scrambled egg or refried Beans, I looked around at what everyone else was eating and picking out what I would choose to eat next year on this trip. I'd have a piece of that bacon with my egg; I could plan my calories out to eat a cookie one day; I'd have a piece of grilled chicken with a side of that Greek salad.

And honestly, it was a good opportunity for my friends to see how I'm eating right now and that I'm still recovering. Most everyone seemed positive and supportive about my surgery, but if they had any lingering unspoken thoughts of "she took the easy way out," those would be quashed by seeing me sit there with my 1/4 cup portions!

I thought I was safe to eat salmon and mashed potatoes, ended up with the slimes, and ended up going to the bathroom and puking. I was 2 weeks out on Thursday, and I think I'll be fine by Thanksgivings.

I cooked chicken in the crockpot so it would be very moist and a good "dip" with refried Beans, avocado and sour cream that I could eat and I entertained at my house. Even so, yes, I was sad when I put that very small portion on my plate. I wasn't so much craving the other goodies (even though chips and salsa really looked good!), but I just felt sad that I didn't feel "normal". The feeling passed though - for the most part. By Labor Day, it will be a little easier!

I felt that way at Thanksgiving and Christmas, my first real holidays after the sleeve. It doesn't bother me anymore. We went to a baseball game and then watched fireworks and everyone around me was eating ballpark food. I had a few bites of popcorn but overall, wasn't tempted and I didn't feel like I was missing out. That is a horrible feeling so I'm glad it went away. I'm sure it will for you too.

You'll have a burger next year. I had a burger yesterday. No bun, topped with a small piece of cheese, onion, tomato and pickle. It was delicious! The best part? I was too full to eat anything else.

You'll get there. I know it doesn't seem like it, but you'll be eating bariatric versions of normal food in no time.

Daisee, that dip you described sounds very good! Can you give more specifics so I could try it (much later, when I'm allowed to eat!)?

Thanks!!

I felt the same about the 4th...kind of sad and lonely without a hot dog, burger or BBQ ribs cooked low and slow. I was sleeved June 8 and I'm on puréed foods. I guess it will be worth it in the long run but now U.S. Tough. Mental addiction has a tight grip on me! Tonight is my first eating out with friends event...we will see how that goes! Nothing comes easy...but we work through it, right?

The good news is that once you start eating these foods again - you are going to realize that you don't love them that much anymore