Globetrotter

I am approaching my 5th - FIFTH!- surgiversary. It is a lot more difficult to lose weight now than during that first golden year, but not for the reasons many mention; for me it is because I have now had a taste (no pun intended) of real life, and the life of a real woman, that is to say I  have been the object of desire, affection, etc. I have dated a LOT, I have participated extensively in social interactions that I would have been too sad and ashamed to have done prior to surgery.  I can really sympathize with alcoholics - everything social in this society is scheduled around food and drink! In almost 5 years I have had 2 regains, the first was thirty pounds, the second is sizxy four pounds... wow, to see it written out like that ... No point in crying over it, just have to do something about it, which is what is happening right now.  I know how to use the tool now, in fact, now that I think about it, THAT is the lasting gift of the surgery; yes the honeymoon is a wonderland but the real gift is that when you do regain (and you will) you now have a real useful tool that gets results.  While other dieters (and yes you will diet) must fight against hunger pains and the vast prairie of empty stomach that wants to be filled, we have neither of these issues.  Yes it seems as though you can eat mountains while you are regaining but once you return to a post-op diet your body returns to post op abilities too; a week after returning to high protein low carb low cal eating, I am now full after a small bowl of lettuce greens, after two small scallops, or off of one thick protein shake.

So, my advice to the noobs - Seek counseling before you get surgery and continue in it well into your second year post-op.  Take advantage of that honeymoon - it is precious!!  Milk it for all it is worth. And finally, do not worry about trying to exercise while losing weight, get the weight off first and foremost, then get fit.