Hey everyone. I'm 6 days post surgery. Had the sleeve on May 10. This first week has been a weird blur of pain, nausea, vomit, narcotics, sleep, and the strangest dreams. Today, however, I actually feel a little bit normal and I'm finding the motivation for some walking and meal planning. I'm also doing quite a bit of journaling and personal introspection, and I guess some of that is what I want to discuss.

At a recent support group, one member told me to think of myself as a baby after surgery. I have to relearn to eat. I have to try new foods one at a time to see how my body responds. I may even freeze ice cube trays of purées like I did for my kids. It's such a simple analogy, but this mindset is helping me so much right now! I tell myself that the I am wiping the slate clean and starting over. This is my opportunity to develop a new and different and healthier relationship with food. Six days after surgery, my slate is clean. Here are the things I plan for my new slate:

1. Drinking anything except soda. I don't think I should even slip a little in this area. The hardest time will be when I'm out to eat or at a movie and I think it would be a good treat. I need to adamantly stick to other beverages - tea, Water, even juice. But no soda!

2. Eating is not a solution for boredom. I have a plan for other activities to fill time or occupy my hands.

3. Holidays and events are about so much more than food. Enjoy the food in moderation, but focus on the true meaning of the gathering.

4. Most importantly, I want to cover my slate with all the wonderful and healthy ways I plan to enjoy life. Playing with my kids, traveling the world, running a 5k again some day, exploring new fashions for a slimmer and sexier body, living a nice long life with my husband, enjoying grandchildren someday, and so on.

So, now that I'm a 6 day old infant with a clean slate, those are some of my plans.

What did you wipe away from your old slate, and what new words are written there? Those that had the surgery long ago, how does your new slate compare to the old?

Sorry for the long post. I guess this is going to be one of my strategies to keep from eating while bored.

Christi

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Participating in this site is definitely one way to keep my hands busy so I don't mindlessly eat.

This sounds like you are on the right track!

# 3 and 4 are on my list too! I also journal my progress and any feelings or emotions I'm going through everyday and also track all my meals and exercise on myfitnesspal

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I just got my first Fitbit this weekend and I love it already. I'm tracking fluids, food, sleep, steps, etc. I'm someone who does very well with the accountability of tracking, so I think this will be a very useful tool for me!

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@@cseidman - Congratulations on your surgery. I would caution you with the "drink anything but soda"...of course giving up soda is a great thing but please don't replace it with other high calorie beverages and/or alcohol. It would be really easy to start drinking sweetened lemonade, iced tea, fruit juices, etc. and rack up the calories. Just be careful

I have a fitbit and I love it too. You will be amazed at how much good information you can get from it.