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!

Glad it's working for you!!!

My bariatric coordinator suggested keeping a small cooler in the car with emergency foods in case you get stuck. I know we can always stop for a protein shake but having something solid to nibble that's in the plan sounds like a good idea. I used to do this for my kids when we had a super long carpool commute and it really helped us not overspend or overeat on the way home from school. When we'd stop at the gas station with 5 of us it would turn into $20 and too much junk food!


Hw 223, SW 217 CW 200 GW 140

I agree a small cooler is in the cards when school starts. Or maybe they have a fridge. Those protein shakes taste crappy to me if they're not ice cold.

Also, I was unaware that they sell protein shakes in the gas stations. That's comforting.

I'm glad the Protonix is helping. I too am taking it and it did help with my hunger early out. Not sure if I need it anymore but I continue to take it anyway.

Another tip, I know you mentioned that mentality of not wanting to throw food away when there are people starving. I get that. My grandmother was the youngest of 9 and born in 1930, you cleared your plate at her house, she used to say it needed to be so clean she "didn't need to wash it". Since she watched us after school, I think her mentality was a big factor in me being overweight. Portions are were more my problem then what we were actually eating, my mother had an eating disorder (at 5'4" she was 102 pounds) during my childhood so she never had unhealthy or fatty foods in the house. Anyway, I digress, I always ask for no buns, rather than throw it away, just don't get it. So a go to for me at McDs is a grilled chicken no bun.

McD's will also do a "side" of grilled chicken and it's cheaper... or a grilled chicken snack wrap no tortilla so it's wrapped in lettuce.

Eat more protein. Don't go more than four hours without eating. Drink tons of water.

The hunger is from lack of protein. Get it in anyway you can. A shake, chicken, beef, turkey, fish.