What has been everyone’s hardest part in the post op journey?

For me its been sticking to a healthy diet once my hunger returned. It was easy to ignore unhealthy foods when I wasn't hungry and its much much harder now. I have to be very deliberate in making my food choices and saying NO to food I know isn't healthy.

Hardest part was my hormones for the first year. I felt sad after the weight dropped off so fast. But the hardest part now is maintenance, I have gained 15 lbs back my second year after surgery. Definitely not the easy way out of weight loss.

SW: 230
LW: 130 and goal weight
CW: 145

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The hardest part is getting your head in the game and keeping it there for the long haul. It isn't a situation of getting an "easy ride" with the surgery then being able to resume a fun/frivolous life. Just like with diets, that will lead back to weight gain--by doing the same things that got us a lifetime ticket to the Obesity Ball in the first place.

So, even though I want to go out and party like it's 1999 in my new skinny body, I don't. I stay down on the farm and do my daily work. I eat the right things. I do the daily exercise. I work on my head/relationships/spirituality/relaxation, etc.

My hardest thing has been the no drinking till 30 minutes after meals. I get super thirsty, and dang do those 30 minutes go by slow.

Getting my head in the game was hard at first, but now I’m used to it. I choose not to stop doing fun things because of “what if old habits come back” I believe that I am strong minded and know exactly what I have to do to maintain my goals.. I still go out with friends all the time and do other fun things and still manage to follow the surgeons orders to the T. I refuse to turn this surgery into a “jail” if not into a beautiful lifestyle change.. it’s about balancing, I still have my fun, go out, travel, eat right, and exercise etc...... ?

Learning that slow weight loss is better than no weight loss. I was hoping it would drop faster, but that's okay. Also, not drinking with meals.

This is a great topic, thanks for asking @bariutiful and thanks to the veterans for your insight. I was just sleeved last week and (for me) this is one of the core purposes of this site, to glean this kind of wisdom from people who are well ahead of myself. Awesome!

The length of time it takes me to eat. Sometimes i just want to hurry it up already (at which i will get rewarded with some awesome foamies), and other times I just want to just say F it, i dont want to keep having to eating this.

I’m always the last person eating, and I feel like I’m drawing attention to myself, amplified by the miniscule portions on my plate.

Edited April 4, 20197 yr by ms.sss

2 hours ago, KCgirl061 said:

For me its been sticking to a healthy diet once my hunger returned. It was easy to ignore unhealthy foods when I wasn't hungry and its much much harder now. I have to be very deliberate in making my food choices and saying NO to food I know isn't healthy.

This x1000 for me! I slacked off once my hunger came back and I'm paying the price now with very slow weight loss. I found out the hard way that the surgery is a tool, not a get out of jail free card. ?

28 minutes ago, thatch said:

This x1000 for me! I slacked off once my hunger came back and I'm paying the price now with very slow weight loss. I found out the hard way that the surgery is a tool, not a get out of jail free card. ?

Yes mam! Gosh some days I want to scream this at the top of my lungs when I see people doing stuff they KNOW is gonna land them back in the smo-zone. SMH. *sigh*

9 hours ago, bariutiful said:

What has been everyone’s hardest part in the post op journey?

After goal, it was hard to Let go of the weight loss “bariatric rules” Maintaining has been a different animal.

With less surgery restriction, I had to find ways to satisfy the extra sleeve space and stay with in my calories/macros. (easy to gain slow to take off this far out)

6 hours ago, bariutiful said:

My hardest thing has been the no drinking till 30 minutes after meals. I get super thirsty, and dang do those 30 minutes go by slow.

Getting my head in the game was hard at first, but now I’m used to it. I choose not to stop doing fun things because of “what if old habits come back” I believe that I am strong minded and know exactly what I have to do to maintain my goals.. I still go out with friends all the time and do other fun things and still manage to follow the surgeons orders to the T. I refuse to turn this surgery into a “jail” if not into a beautiful lifestyle change.. it’s about balancing, I still have my fun, go out, travel, eat right, and exercise etc...... ?

Life doesn’t stop because of surgery or fear of old habits. We recognize the slips and change the behavior. I absolutely agree it’s not a jail sentence, I’m having the time of my life living and eating healthy. Nutrition is still flavorful. I can’t wait to start barbequing.

7 hours ago, KCgirl061 said:

For me its been sticking to a healthy diet once my hunger returned. It was easy to ignore unhealthy foods when I wasn't hungry and its much much harder now. I have to be very deliberate in making my food choices and saying NO to food I know isn't healthy.

Ditto!

10 hours ago, bariutiful said:

What has been everyone’s hardest part in the post op journey?

Hands down the first 2 weeks. I felt miserable just eating broth and jello and protein shakes. I started eating soft foods on my 9th day. I know, my doctor says soft foods on the 3rd week but I just couldn't wait any longer. Also it took me the whole first month to train myself to eat slowly and to stop when full. Needless to say, I was throwing up frequently in the beginning.

@ms.sss ohh yeah that’s one of my other challenges is the time it takes me to eat, I make sure I chew my food up super good but it does get frustrating at times..

@healthy_life2 You’re definitely right!! I’m so glad that you’re still having fun and living your life.. like you said life doesn’t stop because of surgery if anything it gets better!!


We are all so strong! We over come challenges each and everyday and we should be so proud of it. I am proud of each and everyone of you!

NOT DRINKING WITH/AFTER MEALS. Man o Man does this suck

yeah I used to eat a lttle,sip, eat some more. Boy how I. had to change things up, but maybe I'm a. better person for it, certainly a thinner one.