Today was one of those days that I had all planned out, and then everything took a left turn, and we ended up doing something completely different. There are many stories, too many to tell. But there is one which some of you may be able to relate to.

We were driving down the road to our destination, with a handful of protein bars stuffed in our pockets against the possibility of being out longer than we expected. We were, and well beyond even that. I need even MORE protein bars stored in my truck after today! But anyway, as we were driving along, we passed one of my favorite haunts from the old days - the Dairy Queen. I loved stopping in there for a malted chocolate milkshake.

I said to Mrs. LittleBill as we drove by, "I should pull in there and get me a chocolate malt!"

"You can't have one anymore!" she replied.

"Sure I can! It would just take me four days to drink it!"

And so it goes. I will be making up a Gold Standard Extreme Chocolate Milk protein shake later on. I wonder if they make one with malt flavoring?

The joys of weight loss...lol.

Temptation will always be there....good thing Mrs.LittleBill is there for you....lol.

My wife is the same way. The voice of reason.

Today is my first day of solid foods.... Day 20. Had some nice hot chili to warm me up. Really enjoyed it. No issues.

Friday is weigh in day.... feels good losing weight doesn't it.

Did a couple days on the treadmill.... feeling great.

Should have done the surgery in 2013 when I first thought about it.....

2017 is going to be a great year!!!!

To be truthful, I have not struggled much with temptation. I have been doing some experimenting with very small amounts of various things I used to like "before". Most of the bad stuff has had very little appeal, and even less satisfaction. I would be a liar if I said I was 100% converted mentally, but I have had no real struggles post surgery. I do like to joke around about things though.

I will tell you this. If going past the DQ WERE a problem, I would take a different route. I am that committed to making this happen.

@@LittleBill

I am now 25 months post op. There are some things that you get it in your head that you have to try. I have tried many things that I used to eat prior to surgery and some of them, yum......

For some reason, and I think I know why. I have suddenly developed dumping syndrome. Never had it early on post surgery so at first I honestly did not even recognize it the first few times it has happened.

Ice cream of any kind makes me absolutely sick. We have a great frozen custard place here in Milwaukee that is known for their fabulous custard. It is one of those treats you had as a young kid that you would beg for.

Prior to surgery Ice Cream was my favorite treat to eat so we would go there at least once per week, sometimes more.

When i was probably about 6 months post op the family went there and yes, I had a few bites of hubbies and oh it made me so happy. I felt fine and life was good.

Since then, I have tried it a few more times getting the smallest of dishes and asking them to only really put one scoop in. Then I would take it home and eat half one day and half another. No problem.....other than I would have to stop myself from eating the other half right away. LOL.

Now, 25 months post op. I had some of that same custard during the summer when granddaughter was in town. All of a sudden my heart begins to race, I get sweaty, my stomach feels as if I swallowed a bowl full of lead and I am on the verge of vomiting.

I did not realize this was coming from the ice cream because I had it quite a few times and it never bother me.

It only took me 1 or 2 more times with different sweet foods to realize that suddenly I have dumping. And.....even though it is probably a mild version of dumping, it sucks! In my opinion this is a good thing. It keeps me away from most of the bad stuff.

@@Djmohr I haven't had much of an urge to try ice cream yet. It has been "break your ears off cold" here up until the last couple of days. I have experimented with a couple of sugary things (mainly at Thanksgiving) and found that they do not sit easily upon my sleeve. That's fine with me. I don't need them to survive, or even be happy.

Now beef... If I were to develop problems with tolerating beef, that would be an issue for me. I know I am still in the early stages, but so far, so good with that.

When I lose my weight I want to stop in the local McDonald's and Taco Casa to gethe an unsweetened ice tea just to see if the workers know me. I was in there so much they knew me by name.

Sent from my SM-N900T using the BariatricPal App

When I lose my weight I want to stop in the local McDonald's and Taco Casa to gethe an unsweetened ice tea just to see if the workers know me. I was in there so much they knew me by name.

Sent from my SM-N900T using the BariatricPal App

Taste is subjective of course, but I have had opportunity to sample the unsweetened iced tea at both McDonalds and Taco Bell since my surgery, and in both cases, it tasted awful. I drank cold tea by the gallon, sweetened and unsweetened, before my surgery, but usually in the summer months. I will have to wait and see how it goes. I've had some home made stuff at a good friend's home, and his tasted pretty good. That keeps me optimistic.

@@LittleBill

I didn't even attempt sweet stuff until i was past the 6 month post op and even then, it was a taste. I had to be very careful or I would stop my weight loss in its tracks.

Once I got to goal and kept losing, then I really tried some things that I otherwise would not have. Also, I have allergies to artificial sweeteners so if some food requires sugar I try to use honey but on occasion will use real sugar.

I just try to limit it these days even more because it causes that heart racing, sweating and bad stomach ache.

After my RNY I bought sugar- free candy. At the time my daughter and her family were living with us. Every night all of us had some sugar free candy. In like a 1/2 hour I was running to the bathroom on hope and a prayer that I made it. Do you know how long it took me to realize what was causing More than I want to say. If I had hard SF candy like Jolly Ranchers I was fine but if I had chocolate MAN O MIGHTY.

After my RNY I bought sugar- free candy. At the time my daughter and her family were living with us. Every night all of us had some sugar free candy. In like a 1/2 hour I was running to the bathroom on hope and a prayer that I made it. Do you know how long it took me to realize what was causing More than I want to say. If I had hard SF candy like Jolly Ranchers I was fine but if I had chocolate MAN O MIGHTY.

Well, yeah! The chocolate doesn't have to stop to change color!