My family and I are spending a weekend at the beach house. These trips have always been full of food...going out to great little restaurants, barbecuing, eating snacks at the beach all day. Needless to say, it will really put my new lifestyle to the test. So far, I've been able to eat everything with no problems and sickness whatsoever but have made the right choices in terms of amounts and foods, which may be why. Normally that would be good, but I'm concerned that not experiencing any of those typical side effects will hurt my willpower. I could really use some words of wisdom and support as I launch into my first real trial. BTW - I was banded March 31, and have lost a total of 32 pounds pre and post surgery.

Christy, I am in a simmilar time frame as you, as I was banded on March 27th. I too went on my first long weekend trip this past weekend with my husband to the mountains. I planned ahead and bought my food like yogurt, cottage cheese, and turkey lunch meat then packed that into a cooler. That way I had my Breakfast and lunch food with me at the hotel, which meant I had no need to go get stuff from a bad source. We did go out to eat for dinner, my first time since surgery, and I made a meat and veggie choice.

Like you said, it is your new lifestyle and more than likely you won't even feel temptation, because this new lifestyle has become habit. My best advice is equip yourself with healthy Snacks and try to make good choices.

Don't expect to loose over that weekend, but you should be able to maintain at the same weight. I also made a point not to take my scale with me, b/c I didn't want to obsess over not loosing. You can do it!!! Good luck and most importantly have fun!!

Beach House = ocean = LOTS of seafood! Fresh fish, fresh shrimp. Order it grilled or broiled dry (without butter). Salads. Avoid all the potato and hush puppy orders. YOU CAN DO IT!!! I went on a cruise 4 weeks after surgery. Ordered the grilled snapper that was offered every night on those nights that there wasn't another entre that was an acceptable choice. Salads. No bread. You'll take just as long to eat as everybody else because they'll eat fast and you won't. Focus on the people at the table, not the food on your plate.

If you do slip up and eat something that you're not supposed to you're right on the beach. Go for a nice long walk.

Have FUN doing other things. Start some new trends.... Drink lots of water or protein water if you get hugry, and bring your own snacks. Then you won't feel left out.

Thanks everyone for your response. The weekend worked out well. I was able to eat (splitting childrens menu items with my 6 year old.) Everything went down okay, except for some dry chicken:crying: and I even lost weight! Yay. I did find that I truly missed eating like everyone else...gorging on yummy bad food. Does that go away with time?

I did find that I truly missed eating like everyone else...gorging on yummy bad food. Does that go away with time?

I know from my experience, my attitude about the "bad yummy foods" changed. I'm almost 6 months out, and over halfway to goal. I have good restriction, so when I want to eat something in the "BYF" category I just take a bite or two. I don't have room for alot of it, and I don't feel the need to eat the whole plate, plus dessert!

And, looking in the mirror at my healthier, leaner body is motivation enough to keep my on track. Good luck!