Thanks again to everyone in these forums for all of your posts and inspiration. Even if I don't respond often I read just about every post here and it's been very helpful for me in my journey.

I was sleeved June 12. I feel like I am doing very, very well with my weight loss (56.4 pounds since the beginning of my liquid diet and 36.4 pounds since my sleeve). I am able to walk for short periods every single day on my treadmill. When I started this journey I was unable to even stand (let alone walk) for more than a couple of minutes without being EXHAUSTED- so I can already see a difference and I am VERY grateful for the changes to my body that have already occurred.

I am towards the end of my puree phase (three more days). I have experimented with some things like eating chicken. Sometimes it's OK, sometimes it's not. It seems like the more challenging the texture, the less I can eat (this seems normal, right?). I am able to eat pureed chili from Wendy's (even though I'm not supposed to be eating beans or red meat yet)- this is one of my favorite meals at the moment. And even though I'm not supposed to eat potatoes at all until I've lost 75% of my weight, I have gone twice to Popeye's to get just mashed potatoes. It goes down easily even though I imagine it must impede my weight loss somewhat (but I'm eating VERY small quantities...) I feel like it's better to indulge myself in very small quantities than to feel like my diet is too draconian.

I also got caught out and about without my protein shake (forgot it at home) so I got 4 chicken nuggets from McDonalds and handled those without any issues.

The biggest issue I face right now (and I apologize if this may sound like whining) despite my relative success is the fact that I am just about ALWAYS hungry! I was hopeful that this "honeymoon" period that was described to me in regards to the limited production of gherlin would be a little more helpful than I feel like it has been. Honestly it doesn't feel a whole lot different from the pre-op liquid diet, other than the fact that I am now physically restricted and I can't drink unlimited portions of broth or even substantial quantities of cream soups when I feel the need to have something in large quantities.

I find myself trying to "cheat" my food scale and eat 2.5 ounces instead of 2 ounces- and my body just about always puts the kabosh on that (I have thrown up from overeating three or four times). Maybe things will be different when my quantities are up to 4 ounces of protein and I can eat some vegetables or something- but right now it is psychologically difficult. I feel pretty sure that I am a food addict (specifically carbs) and I realize the psychological component of this is strong for me, but it feels so weird and is so difficult for me to reckon that my pouch is full when my head feels it hasn't even begun the meal yet!!! (and yes, I'm eating as slowly and in as small of a quantity as I can!)

Does anyone else who went through this have any tips for me? Like I said, I follow the rules mostly because my body won't really let me break them at the moment, but it's not easy.

Thanks for listening and sorry for the whining. Best of luck to you all in your journey!

Here is an article about acid reducers

https://www.verywell.com/how-are-ppis-different-from-h2-blockers-1742292

You can ask your doc whether a PPI would be good for you to try (and which one).

Wendy's chili is probably one of the best choices, especially since salad is too advanced for you.

Good to hear everything I've been doing hasn't been terrible.

You have no idea how much I miss salad... Soon, I hope!

I will ask my doc about a PPI to take in addition to the H2 I already take. That article was very helpful, thank you!

This whole relearning everything is not for the faint of heart. It is a whole new world that takes time to figure out how to navigate. I think you're doing a bang up job of it, and I heartily commend you.

My list took a couple months to create.. and it continues morphing over time. Others would look at my list and say things are wrong with what I'm eating. I'm losing about 2 pounds a week on average, and am satisfied with that.

Our journeys are OUR journeys, but the main thing is your choices are made through education and conscious decisions.. not based on fear, intimidation, boredom, laziness, or bad habits.

Sorry to break it to whoever told you... that your bun won't make it to India to feed those kids. (Might make it as far as YOUR buns though!)

This whole relearning everything is not for the faint of heart. It is a whole new world that takes time to figure out how to navigate. I think you're doing a bang up job of it, and I heartily commend you.
My list took a couple months to create.. and it continues morphing over time. Others would look at my list and say things are wrong with what I'm eating. I'm losing about 2 pounds a week on average, and am satisfied with that.
Our journeys are OUR journeys, but the main thing is your choices are made through education and conscious decisions.. not based on fear, intimidation, boredom, laziness, or bad habits.
Sorry to break it to whoever told you... that your bun won't make it to India to feed those kids. [emoji6] (Might make it as far as YOUR buns though!)

My mom said the same thing but it was Africa not India. [emoji849]

Is what I'm taking (Fatomidine) a PPI or do I have to take something additionally?

Also, is Wendy's chili really that bad? Granted I'm not supposed to eat beans and ground beef until next week, but it's 300 calories (which I usually split into 4 meals) and I was under the impression it wasn't a horrible choice.

The Wendy's chili is good! I plan on adding that to my meal plans when I'm able to eat solids.

I was sleeved the 27th of June and have lost 39 lbs since. Including during the 2 week pre op.

Sent from my A1601 using BariatricPal mobile app

Actually I'm on Famotidine (Pepcid)- is that something different?

Yes it's different in that it treats acid after its releases while omeprazole and protonix block it from being produced. Might be worth a tweak.

But as was stated above it could be "head hunger" as well.

I have to give you props! You are one of the few posters who really seems open to and want advice rather than justification for your actions!

I believe you will do well!

Wendy's chili is fine! I mean better to eat unprocessed, but so much better than the alternatives!!!! The nuggets not so much. As others have said next time do grilled chicken--snack wrap gives you less to throw out and some cashiers even know how to ring up a "side" of a grilled chicken breast! Always ask!!!!

Wendy's chili is a terrible choice and this is why...

It trains you that you can still eat fast food and everything is okay. This is your time for a mental reset and going to a fast food restaurant is blowing that reset and keeping fast food normalized. This is a dangerous gamble for a food addict.

Protein shakes are available at every gas station and grocery store. There is no reason someone is forced to eat fast food. It is a choice. Period.

It starts with Wendy's chili but it will evolve into more.

Stop eating fast food. If you want chili you can make it at home in less than 20 minutes of active cooking and let it simmer. The chili you make at home will be healthier and have lower carbs.

That's interesting perspective. I'm not totally sure I agree with you. I cook a lot and 20 minutes is not really realistic. And then there is the shopping and the planning.

Yes it is better to cook a huge batch and freeze it and I will do that when I can, but that's not always realistically going to happen, especially when I go back to school (I am a teacher). I didn't get fat primarily from fast food, I got fat because I'm a great cook and could never figure out how to cook for one. That's not going to get any easier with the micro portions I can have now.

I think a certain amount of practicality is important. Yes I admit I am an addict. But what makes food addiction the most difficult addiction (IMO) is the fact that you can't just stop eating like you can with drug or alcohol addiction. I feel like I need to have "safe foods" I can get on the go and not just tie myself to my kitchen.

I'm having issues finding a therapist. I was a self pay, and my insurance will not pay for anything bariatric related, including a therapist. So I have to find someone that is on their plan, who ALSO perhaps has some experience with bariatric people, or else I have to pay out of pocket. And the surgery kind of wiped me out.

I have been listening to Dr. Matthew Weiner on YouTube. He has some very good videos. In one of his videos he talks about long term successful WLS patients and he makes some very good points. He said that if we rely on portion control without changing the types of foods we eat or our relationship with food, we will start to regain weight after 1 year.
He said WLS patients should not be eating fast food. I think he even said people who think they can eat the same way they used to, but just less, are mistaken.
I just thought I would share this because I think it may be helpful if you watch some of his videos. I know they have helped me.

I have seen many of his videos and he is so very informative! He provides a wide range of education on our new lifestyle

iamready4this

I agree sometimes when we are away from home we have to think quick and improvise. I have found that there are healthier choices almost anywhere. I never eat fast food if I have a choice, but last weekend my dh and I were in D.C. and I had to make do.

We were with his family at the Air and Space museum and everyone wanted to eat lunch at the McDonald's in the museum. I didn't want to object so I ordered a grilled chicken pico guac sandwich and didn't eat the bun.