This is an honest question. Most of the people I know who have had this surgery eat whatever they want just smaller portions and of course they may not be able to tolerate everything they had before.

By my understanding this is not how this surgery is supposed to work for you by just causing you to eat smaller portions and BAM your weight drops. A big part of it what you put in your mouth no matter how much or little it is.

Ive been going to the NUT visits and being taught that the pre and post diet is pretty much the way I should be eating the rest of my life, a lifestyle change. That's really what I'm trying to prepare myself for because i know if I ever went back to my old habits..my weight would increase FAST.

Is it that they begin eating other foods when they've gotten to their ideal weight and they want to maintain or even gain a little?

@@VSGAnn2014, I think you really nailed it when you wrote:

"Everyone I've read who's 3-4-5 or more years post-op (with a sleeve) agrees that being aware, consistent, disciplined and mindful is very important to their long-term success." I've often read that mindful eating is a key to long-term success. And I can vouch for the fact that when I eat more than I should, it's usually done mindlessly, like munching while watching TV or surfing the Web, which was one of @@Bufflehead's points earlier in this thread. This is must-read stuff!

Wow!!! My surgery is on the 29th.. I am so thankful to have read this entire conversation!!

I'm choosing to have wls because I want this tool to help me with my new lifestyle. During this process I've even finished the Marine Corp 10k in Washington DC.. However my eating has always been a struggle.. Not from sweets or fats but because of volume..

Reading this forum has given me a realistic perspective that my relationship with food and my new stomach comes with a learning curve. I didn't decide to get this surgery to keep on keeping on.. I want the lifestyle change, I'm ready for it and I will not let myself down anymore.

Thanks for sharing your opinions and experiences... It truly helps!

Wow!!! My surgery is on the 29th.. I am so thankful to have read this entire conversation!!

I'm choosing to have wls because I want this tool to help me with my new lifestyle. During this process I've even finished the Marine Corp 10k in Washington DC.. However my eating has always been a struggle.. Not from sweets or fats but because of volume..

Reading this forum has given me a realistic perspective that my relationship with food and my new stomach comes with a learning curve. I didn't decide to get this surgery to keep on keeping on.. I want the lifestyle change, I'm ready for it and I will not let myself down anymore.

Thanks for sharing your opinions and experiences... It truly helps!

Sounds like you are setting yourself up to be very successful post-op. A good attitude goes a long way.

In a word: yes, but in generally less than one-quarter the prior proportions. I can tolerate anything, and alcohol feels just like it did before. I was frightened by all the stories about one drink feeling like six but that has just not been the case. That said, I am choosing to generally abstain from any beverage but water because I am trying to maximize losing phase.

I had the sleeve and I can pretty much eat anything I want. There are things I choose to stay away from because they are trigger foods. I don't eat bread much because it fills me up so quickly and then I am hungry again in an hour. It's just not worth it. I do eat in moderation. My NUT taught us to always eat your Protein source first. Well, I hit a 5 week long stall so I met with her again. She told me I needed to add some carbs! She actually told me to eat a potato. I almost fell in the floor. I added some carbs in and low and behold I started losing weight again. Now, if I get a baked potato I have maybe 3 or 4 bites with spray butter only. I used to be a big Pasta fan. Well, pasta is not all that great for you. Now I use zucchini noodles and it is amazing! You adapt. On my birthday, I had a cupcake from the bakery. It took both my husband and I 3 nights to finish one cupcake between us, but I ate it. I have 1/2 cup homemade ice cream on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. I don't feel guilty for it either. Life is about balance. You cannot out exercise a horrible diet. You just can't. I stay away from things like Cheez Its because I love them, but I will eat them until I am sick. I pre-portion my foods so I know what I am getting.