Weight loss surgery makes you change so many things. In fact, if you are (or were) in the position to get weight loss surgery, there’s a good chance WLS will make (or made) you change almost everything about the way you eat. There are so many things you can’t do anymore after WLS.

You need to get rid of most, if not all, of the fast food and other high-calorie Snacks and meals. You can’t eat “the whole thing” anymore. You can’t ignore the nutrition facts panel and serving size. You can’t eat a bunch of sugar or refined carbs because it’ll make you sick or lead to cravings.

There are some other habits that you might have had that just don’t fit into your new lifestyle, too. Maybe you can no longer hit the bar and go drinking on Friday nights with your friends or coworkers, or you can’t even enjoy a glass of wine every night with dinner. Or maybe you’ve had to give up late-night TV to be able to get up early enough in the morning to take a walk or pack a lunch.

For me, I did not have too much trouble giving up a lot of my bad habits because I was so ready for a change. I was sick of my ridiculous diets and weight struggles, and was pretty much ready to do anything to end the fight. I enjoy healthy foods, so didn’t mind giving up most of the junk, and I am lucky in that now I am able to recognize a craving, plan to satisfy it, and then satisfy it without much damage.

What I think was the hardest habit for me to break is a simple one: cleaning my plate. I automatically always ate everything that was in front of me without considering stopping. I now, of course, consider portion sizes and work to keep restaurant portions reasonable. I do still get a sense of satisfaction from finishing whatever is in front of me, so I just try to keep “whatever is in front of me” small – I don’t serve myself much.

So, what is the habit that has been the hardest for you to break? What are your strategies for getting over that bad habit?

My hardest habit to break........by far........is eating fast.

I still struggle with that aspect.

This is a huge one for me. My surgery isn't until probably August, but I'm trying to start working on good habits now. I was a paramedic, and I'm married to a former Navy guy, and we both scarf our food like it's going to disappear if we don't eat it fast enough. It's a hard one to overcome.

I'm thinking not drinking with a straw right after surgery is going to be hard... Maybe later on I'll be able to drink with a straw again

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I don't know of this is considered a habit but I'll throw it out there anyway. Other than still eating too fast after 3 years, the hardest issue for me is seeing myself as something other than a fat girl. I go to the plus size section in the store every single time. I determine that none of it will fit so I head over to the regular size section. I look at everything on the rack and decide that these items are not supposed to fit me and walk out of the store having bought nothing.

When I look in the mirror I still see a fat girl. Yes I know that's ridiculous. Body image is a tough one for me. I don't know that I'll ever see myself as anything other than fat.

My biggest issue is not drinking with food. And drinking slow I took a big chug last night and immediately came back out all over me.

I have only craved a Ruben with extra sauerkraut! Yum!

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I'm getting sleeved in july and am trying to figure out how to do my meals on a regular schedule. I'm an ER nurse and I work 3 nights a week, and I'm up during the day on my days off. It's hard as it is getting time to eat at work, I'm going to have to do some serious strategizing! Eating fast will probably be an issue, when I get a chance to eat at work I scarf it down because I don't now when I'll get another chance...

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Edited May 28, 201610 yr by tpasun

Correction I meant is the hardest.

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Thanks for the great answers! I think this thread is a nice reminder of how hard we’ve all worked (and are still working) to get where we are today, and also how capable we are of doing what we set our minds to do. It looks like eating too fast, eating too much, and staying away from alcohol and problem foods are some of the most common challenges.

Haha, @@LipstickLady, your family is lucky! I can definitely think of worse things than being served prepared foods from Whole Foods!

@@sbg224, that’s a tough one. Have you tried any substitutes, like single-serve bags of low-carb chips or pretzels to get the salty, crunchy sensation? Or maybe even crunchy veggies if you can tolerate them?

@@VSGAnn2014, that may have been a hard habit to break, but it sounds like breaking it has multiple benefits – from weight loss to better energy! Good for you for figuring out what works for you.

@@beggingtobehealthy, separating Fluid from food was a super tough one for me, too!

I still want to eat really fast and late night snacks. I did good at first, but I can tell the snacks are creeping back in and I have nip it before it gets out of hand.

For me breaking the habit of tasting food while I'm cooking. I want to make sure that I serve the best tasting food that I can, but if I taste each course as I go, by the time dinner is ready, I am over stuffed and defeated.

This has been a hard one for me, but it's a work in progress. I just haven't figured out how to serve food that I haven't "approved".

I guess I need to trust my cooking ability and past experience----maybe.

Oh, bother...

Valentina - I'm a huge cook. Took about 3 weeks post op to start really cooking for family and friends again and I get the tasting thing. My answer? Taste and spit. Seriously. It works!!!

I really don't understand why y'all have to keep tasting while you're cooking. Is that really necessary to produce a good dish?

Assuming that you're lifelong cooks / chefs and that you've been cooking some of the same dishes for so long, don't you know what the ingredients and amounts are? If not, couldn't you figure that out?

I also don't understand how MFP could tell you with any accuracy what a "taste" of anything is. Surely, "tastes" range from licks to tablespoons. ???

Inquiring minds want to know.

Because, with something like a sauce, or gravy, usually there is a base to it - say from drippings. Sometimes they are very strong. Other times not. You don't know unless you taste, then season accordingly. Same with making a red sauce/gravy. ( My Italian family calls it gravy lol.). The tomatoes- whether fresh or canned- can be more or less acidic than others and they need to be addressed accordingly.

I can go on and on with every single dish lol.

For inquiring minds....

And now for my greatest challenge - eating at regular times and remembering to actually eat. I'm literally never hungry. While I will have a small meal with the family at dinner, I've taken to Quest bars and chips to fill the breakfast/ lunch needs. I keep several bars in my car or purse so when I remember to eat they are handy

My biggest habit was smoking. I'm 6 months post op and still struggle everyday . I know if I ever cave and have just one, I will turn back into a smoker. I miss inhaling. I don't miss the smell, cost, and how it made me feel. So those things are what I tell myself to get through any cravings. I can't wait for the day that it's never a second thought!!

I also eat too fast. I found that when I sit with family and friends at a table, I was for some reason trying to keep up with them. I have recently tried waiting for everyone to finish eating then I start my meal. I seem to concentrate much better on how I'm eating.. It's weird I know.

I'm going to try that app ' time your bites'

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I am in the process....I am struggling no haven't cheated...today is rough...I keep telling myself it's not worth it!