Hey!

So I've left dieting behind. I no longer weigh myself. I don't count my calories or macros or protein grams. I have no idea what I eat in a day, it's always different and I actually forget.

I exercise for fun and enjoyment but not for weight regulation. If I don't feel like working out, I don't.

Bariatric surgery helped me lose 100 lbs but it also caused a great deal of pain in my life. I struggle to this day with food getting stuck, vomiting, and dumping.

I have rejected dieting because after my weight loss I realized I was just as miserable and unhappy as prior to my weight loss. Living a life centered around food, dieting, weight and body imagine was taking all the joy out of my world. I didn't feel at ease- I felt the same amount of stress and anxiety around food as before weight loss- maybe more So now that I was thin and felt I had more to lose if I regained. Basically I was still stuck in an eating disorder and diet mindset and it was ruining my life.

I now eat by INTUITIVE EATING. It is a book I read and a way of eating that was presented to me when I went through eating disorder therapy. I eat by my hunger.. if I'm hungry I eat and if I'm not, I don't. Well.. sometimes I still do. [emoji4] Basically these days I just don't think about it that much. I just eat.

I can eat normal to large portion sizes now. I eat a wide variety of foods including sweets and fried food. I don't love processed snacks but sometimes I still eat those too. I'd say I eat a fairly healthy diet nutrition wise- I eat my fair share of veggies and fruit but I definitely don't ponder about it- I just eat what appeals to me. I like salads as much as I like cake and protein.

I initially gained about 10lbs, but I was underweight at a BMI of 17. My weight has remained stable for about a year now, as far as I know.

If anyone wants to know more feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to talk about my experiences.

Yep summerset

Those of us who have been here a long while know a few problems with bellablooms eating habits

Each to their own, but bad advice is very hard on newcomers.

I caution those people!!!

Please work YOUR program and be wary of "diet" advice.

Some of us many year veterans still listen to the : protein. Exercise. Water and Visit your dr advice!

Banded 12/06. Loving my healthy life

People hear the term "intuitive eating" and have that reflex gut reaction of "oh, that means stuffing my face with all the crap I can find" (and that's simply not true).
Restricted eating doesn't work long term for that many people. We see it all the time on the boards as well: "HELP! I started eating "crap" again"!!!!!! (on this board that usually means eating something containing carbohydrates). People make the same mistakes they made before WLS: going on a restrictive diet, wanting to be 110% perfect, having great success and then finally burning out, not being able to follow the diet anymore.
All that "educated eating" got you in the place of needing WLS in the end. At least I don't think that the pre- and post-WLS diet was your first shot at "educated eating". If so, you had WLS way too early when it comes to the opinion of the so-called experts.
However, I know that I'm quite (luckily not entirely) alone with this opinion.

I think you should re read what I wrote because in my opinion, you didn't understand a word.

Anyway, who cares. Follow the plan suits you best, eat whatever you want, honestly, I couldn't care less! It's your life, your choices. I'm just advising the new sleeved ones that this intuitive eating is in MY opinion a very bad and dangerous idea, at least in the beginning.

New sleeved ones should STICK to what their doctor says. Once in their healthy/ideal weight, they can find out what works for them and what doesn't.

Personally, I eat because I need to feed my body and I enjoy it doing it so. I don't eat anymore for comfort or boredom. I eat high quality food. That's the fantastic side of this surgery for me, it has changed completely my relationship with food. I don't think of calories! That said, I'm also careful with the stuff I know is rich of bad fat or sugar because I have LEARNT what kind of food I have to PRIORITIZE in order to nurture my body! And the sleeve is a great support.

Maybe is a fact of definition this learned and intuitive eating. Doesn't matter. Do what you want. Eat what you want. Your life, your choices.

I wish everyone here only the best. Hope everyone get at our ideal weight and keep it for good with learned/ intuitive/ cosmical / whatever-u-want-to-call -it eating. After this major surgery, we all deserve to make it!

Bella's situation is very different from many on here, in fact I would say her situation is very unique among Bariatric patients in general.

I fully believe that this is what she needs for her new normal.

I just as fully believe it is not what most newbies need. For those of us in long term maintenance, I think it's a case by case thing.

Saying being restrictive long term won't work is the same thing as saying intuitive eating/educated eating won't work. We all are different people with different histories and different strengths and weaknesses.

I had my surgery the same time Bella did. What works for me long term is very different than what works for her.

I'm more of a 90/10 or 80/20 person. Some things I just do not eat--bread, rice, soda, sugar drinks, pasta--I just don't so you might label me as too restrictive. Other things I eat in moderation--fruit, fats. Other things are once a week--a cookie or a donut or a glass of wine. Some things once in a blue moon--potatoes for example.

That is what works for me in maintenance. And I will say, my loss and maintenance has been way more uneventful than Bella's. I haven't had the medical issues nor have I had the mental struggles or needed post op inpatient treatment for anorexia.

So she may need intuitive eating to be happy and live a balanced life. I do not. I need to keep myself in check and know when I have a cookie out of stress or anger and know when I have a cookie out of joy or just plain because it tastes good.

I think we all need to come to what we need for both our physical and mental health. But I do not think the first year post op is the best time to do that. During that year we need to learn new habits and listen to people who perhaps know more about healthful post op nutrition than we do.

My weight loss doc advised me on my first visit to him to "eat like when you were a child". If course, this works best for those of us who grew up pre 1980, but it is actually pretty simple really.

Purchase from the outside perimeter of the grocery store, with the exception of processed items in the dairy/deli and frozen sections (corn dogs, hot dogs, balogna, battered fish products... The list goes on!)

Only go into the aisles of the store for olive oil, spices, tuna, quinoa, whole grain rice, and beans.

Avoid fried foods at all costs. Bake, broil, grill, boil, or steam.

Try to avoid frozen meals due mainly to the excessive sodium and carbs most products contain. However, if you absolutely must purchase these items for use as lunch while at work try to limit to twice per week.

Fresh is best, frozen is fine, but watch for added sodium in canned vegetables but they are fine.

Fresh or flash frozen fruits are best, fruit packed in natural juice is okay when rinsed, but avoid fruit packed in syrup; too much added sugar.

I've adopted these recommendations over the past 14 months (preop and have continued postop). I am 200 pounds lighter for it. I still have 100 pounds to go, but I am confident that I will get to my goal and I should do well in the long term following these rules to live by.

And, yes, I do miss fast food, but I don't miss the expense, both financially and health-wise!

24 minutes ago, jess9395 said:

Bella's situation is very different from many on here, in fact I would say her situation is very unique among Bariatric patients in general.

I fully believe that this is what she needs for her new normal.

I just as fully believe it is not what most newbies need. For those of us in long term maintenance, I think it's a case by case thing.

Saying being restrictive long term won't work is the same thing as saying intuitive eating/educated eating won't work. We all are different people with different histories and different strengths and weaknesses.

I had my surgery the same time Bella did. What works for me long term is very different than what works for her.

I'm more of a 90/10 or 80/20 person. Some things I just do not eat--bread, rice, soda, sugar drinks, pasta--I just don't so you might label me as too restrictive. Other things I eat in moderation--fruit, fats. Other things are once a week--a cookie or a donut or a glass of wine. Some things once in a blue moon--potatoes for example.

That is what works for me in maintenance. And I will say, my loss and maintenance has been way more uneventful than Bella's. I haven't had the medical issues nor have I had the mental struggles or needed post op inpatient treatment for anorexia.

So she may need intuitive eating to be happy and live a balanced life. I do not. I need to keep myself in check and know when I have a cookie out of stress or anger and know when I have a cookie out of joy or just plain because it tastes good.

I think we all need to come to what we need for both our physical and mental health. But I do not think the first year post op is the best time to do that. During that year we need to learn new habits and listen to people who perhaps know more about healthful post op nutrition than we do.

This!!! This was beautifully said. What works for her is great. What works for you is great! I agree, starting out, we should all adhere to the doc/nut rules and sound nutritional advice till maintenance. Her way, your way, my way does not mean it's the ONLY way. I want everyone to understand that. There are many ways...if you're KEEPING IT OFF, then stick to YOUR way. Don't push and shove someone else because it's not what you're doing. It is truly each to his/her own!!!

I was blessed to have a hospital sponsored weight loss group that I attended for 10 months prior to surgery.

Originally I was not going to get surgery so I attended this group and learned so much!

Each week, with a 12-week rotation based on a manual, they presented everything from food groups and nutrition to the behaviors that got used in trouble. They educate about how to be your "own best friend".

The manual was created and written by a multidisciplinary team at the medical facility's weight loss and bariatric program.

With that being said, I am a big proponent of education, not just on food and dietary requirements, but the physical, psychology and emotional tried related to obesity.

I know, I'm long winded (I'm that way IRL as well!) It's just I'm very passionate about my journey and hope that by sharing my experience will help others in their journey, whether at the starting gate or somewhere in between.

I don't think intuitive eating should be practiced fresh out of surgery. The body simple wouldn't allow it and there are many foods that can't be tolerated right away.

Wls is a whole mother boat of fish than conventional dieting.

I certainly didn't use intuitive eating to lose my weight! Never said I did. Newbies should follow their doctors advice as their body has structural limitations that need to be respected.

For me intuitive eating is what I came to when I realized that losing weight did not make me happy because living with a diet mindset made me MISERABLY UNHAPPY.

I got to a 17 bmi and was still deeply unhappy. I realized that I would rather be overweight than spend another day obsessing about being thin and controlling my food intake.

Jesse said it well/ she knows a lot about my history. I'm sure many of you can related to the hell of an eating disorder as most overweight people have some form of one.

I have chosen to be free. I pick foods that make me feel good. This naturally keeps me healthy. I have accepted that I no longer wish to judge myself based on my size. I have embraced a body positive attitude. I've let go of being a certain weight/size. I focus on health and energy instead of weight. I no longer weigh myself.

My thread here is geared towards those in maintenance or at least healed enough to eat a fairly normal diet, especially for those for who perhaps wls is not working or are still unhappy. It is meant for those longer out than the first year of surgery.

I didn't begin Intuitive Eating until I had reached and surpassed my goal weight.

On 7/18/2017 at 2:09 AM, bellabloom said:

I didn't begin Intuitive Eating until I had reached and surpassed my goal weight.

I think it is great that you emphasized this point. Now it will be more clear to anyone reading this thread that they should follow their Doc/Nuts plans to be successful losing their excess weight.

I have decided to stay away from these controversial threads, but I just wanted to say thank you and Good Luck on your journey. I hope you are successful keeping the weight off and remain happy.

On 16.7.2017 at 9:01 PM, Julie norton said:

Some of us many year veterans still listen to the : Protein. Exercise. Water and Visit your dr advice!

I needed surgery because of adhesions last week and I decided to attend the education class for the immediately post-op patients again. I wanted to know if there was something "new" or "different".

I'm still surprised how different the advice is from country to country, from hospital to hospital. The hospital I had surgery at are very against strict rules with the exceptions of a few general ones, some applying only to the first 4 weeks after surgery.

The only "long-term rules" still seem to be: eat enough protein, take your supplements, drink your water, no high calorie beverages, don't drink 30 min before/after your meals.

Otherwise it's about this "balanced diet" that you can read about in every health magazine. No calorie-limits, no carb-limits, no low-fat this or skim milk that. No calorie or point or whatever counting.

What surprises me a bit is that quite a few patients seem to long for more guidance, for exact meal plans to follow, for calorie limits, for strict rules to follow, for exact advice what supplements to buy and take. I remember I felt free and so did others, however, there were also patients who felt more intimidated and/or overwhelmed by this "freedom".

"Follow your program?" I think you should and IMO exactly that makes discussion about "the program" so very difficult because there simply is no "standard program" to follow as it seems. I sometimes think some patient's/user's interpretation of that sentence is more like "I'm following my program until it doesn't fit my view of the world anymore and if you're following your program but it doesn't fit my view of the world I'm going to lash out at you."

I think if you really can follow your program without much problems and making it a full-time job, everything's fine and dandy. However, if you're struggling or being not successful or your new job is being a bariatric patient who had surgery - it might be time for a change.

Edited July 29, 20178 yr by summerset
.

There appears to a couple of circular arguments.

One presentation is that obsession with food made us obese and that during/after the journey to be a normal weight we must be ritualistic about controlling food intake forever to the extent that there is a new obsession that is almost as harmful. This is the eating disordered mind that exists for many people and food is the symptom. Some people want to stick a knife in the person's side and twist it because 'intuitive eating' was the solution to this disordered thinking. There are therapies out there that advocate this type of eating so the obsession ends, Geneen Roth is one of those proponents.

There is another section that adheres to an AA-like model that the addiction cannot be tempted with carbohydrates or all h*ll will break loose and obesity will reign once again. The vigilance must be adhered to.

I don't think we need to fight over right or wrong but realize these are two sides to the same coin, and that we all have some head work to do involving trust and peace.

On 06/06/2017 at 5:09 PM, bellabloom said:

Yes I have dumping but my surgery was more complicated than most. It's rare to have it with the sleeve. I get it and it sucks so bad. But it's getting better.

I've been eating Intuitively for about a year now with some small relapses back into dieting and that mindset but not for more than a day or so.

The last 3 months I've REALLY let go and stopped weighing myself EVER, stopped even considering what I eat. I eat so much, always listening to my body and it's cravings. I eat all kinds of foods from fresh to processed and savory to sweet. I eat carbs all the time. I love Desserts. I drink alcohol. I enjoy whatever I want. I've not been actively dieting for a year at least but now I've really, really let go of the fear and I'm continuing to make progress. I don't worry about wether I'm eating too much, grazing, eating something fattening. I have really just LET GO.

I eat when I'm hungry and when I'm full I stop. Honestly I just don't even think about it. I follow my bodies cravings.

I have gained no weight. I'm exactly the same. If anything, I've lost. I don't know. I don't care. I don't weigh myself. BUT my clothes all still fit perfectly. But who cares anyway.

My life is finally where I want it to be and I am free.

I will never ever go back to dieting. I truly believe Intuitive Eating will keep me healthy for the rest of my life.

Picture of me and my daughter a few days ago.

you look great , did you have plastics you are not saggy at all. i have now 80lbs to lose needed to lose 100 4th july this year. im still confused i hate weighing food but i dont think i would lose weigh trusting myself wish i could

On 24/07/2017 at 2:06 AM, Apple1 said:

I think it is great that you emphasized this point. Now it will be more clear to anyone reading this thread that they should follow their Doc/Nuts plans to be successful losing their excess weight.

I have decided to stay away from these controversial threads, but I just wanted to say thank you and Good Luck on your journey. I hope you are successful keeping the weight off and remain happy.

Hi I only had surgery 4th july 17 so very new. but i obvcourse will be following my surgeons plan but i am in the uk so they do not really ask us to weigh food more to eat a balanced diet, like we are not told to reduce carbs, my nutrionist, doesnt want me to do low carb, but i feel its a good idea for example. so i plan to follow my dieticians/nut/biatric teams advice. but i already ignore some foods they say im allowed to have like ice cream she said one scoop is not going to stop me losing weight, but i. focus on the fact this board is full of americans and while uk is more relaxed about diet post surgery , how strict americans are makes me doubt my plan alot.

Why do you already plan on not following your plan? What makes you so sure, the American plan is better than the UK one?

Edited July 30, 20178 yr by summerset

you look great , did you have plastics you are not saggy at all. i have now 80lbs to lose needed to lose 100 4th july this year. im still confused i hate weighing food but i dont think i would lose weigh trusting myself wish i could

Yes I have had plastic surgery with Dr Carmina Cardenas in Mexico. She gave me a tummy tuck and breast lift (so far in that photo anyway) I had a bit of loose skin on my belly and hated my breasts anyway so I had her fix that. I never got a lot of loose skin but I only lost about 110 lbs.

I needed surgery because of adhesions last week and I decided to attend the education class for the immediately post-op patients again. I wanted to know if there was something "new" or "different".
I'm still surprised how different the advice is from country to country, from hospital to hospital. The hospital I had surgery at are very against strict rules with the exceptions of a few general ones, some applying only to the first 4 weeks after surgery.
The only "long-term rules" still seem to be: eat enough protein, take your supplements, drink your water, no high calorie beverages, don't drink 30 min before/after your meals.
Otherwise it's about this "balanced diet" that you can read about in every health magazine. No calorie-limits, no carb-limits, no low-fat this or skim milk that. No calorie or point or whatever counting.
What surprises me a bit is that quite a few patients seem to long for more guidance, for exact meal plans to follow, for calorie limits, for strict rules to follow, for exact advice what supplements to buy and take. I remember I felt free and so did others, however, there were also patients who felt more intimidated and/or overwhelmed by this "freedom".
"Follow your program?" I think you should and IMO exactly that makes discussion about "the program" so very difficult because there simply is no "standard program" to follow as it seems. I sometimes think some patient's/user's interpretation of that sentence is more like "I'm following my program until it doesn't fit my view of the world anymore and if you're following your program but it doesn't fit my view of the world I'm going to lash out at you."
I think if you really can follow your program without much problems and making it a full-time job, everything's fine and dandy. However, if you're struggling or being not successful or your new job is being a bariatric patient who had surgery - it might be time for a change.

Excellent post and very correct. My program (dieting) or a program of any kind made me as miserable thin as I was over weight and was inevitably going to cause me to regain the weight.

By letting go of food rules and eating to satisfy my hunger and cravings, I have freed myself from that torment and also found a sustainable way to maintain my weight around a place where I am happy with my body and have energy.