Recycled

C'mon......it's just the idea of people not understanding the whole story that is really bugging us about that "Easy" crack. In truth, losing the weight is easier than any efforts I made before......not to mention I'm actually changing my lifestyle and eating healthy this time. OK, OK..... I know there is the whole "life risking" surgery thing and recovery pain and mini meals and no gulping and tenny bites and chewing endlessly and loss of taste and and and. Plus there is still that reality that I have to change my eating habits to eat less......and healthy and exercise and take Vitamins and pretty much everything that any other weight loss would entail........So where is the easy part. Who cares what anybody says or thinks. You not going to change their minds or way of thinking. All I care about is reaching my goal and regaining my health and my life. Convincing others of how I got there is of no consequence. When someone comments to me about the Easy way out.....I just say....."Yep, I shoulda done it years ago"

Save a big section of that diary for the Emotionally Repaired Happy Girl. Good luck with your journey and your new lifestyle change.

Let's take a look at the comparison........Hmmmm.....your entire life on one side and a measly 4 weeks on the other. The body has had a long, long time to get adjusted. The key here is Habit, habit, habit. You remember how to tie your shoes every day. And among the millions of other things, the "Head" also remembers when and how much and what types and tastes of food you have been eating as well. You have to fight those thoughts of what you only think your want. It's the dreaded "head hunger". Try to think of other things. Or simply go do something else to fill in that time that used to be occupied eating. Boredom is the biggie. Alot of us used to fill in idle time when we were bored searching for and eating everything in sight. (mostly the bad junk stuff) Trying to re-calibrate the ole brain to your new habits is gonna take time. There are figures out there of 6 weeks. And others of 6 months or more to make the new habits stick. Whatever it is you just have to stick to it and it will get easier. Oh, and about the next stage after puree........solid foods it gonna change the "full" sensation dramatically. Make sure you keep measuring your portions and don't rush. Enjoy.

Cookies and cream seems to be the best one. I can deal with the ones with Peanut Butter flavor as well. While I will force myself with the other flavors because I bought them already, they in no way taste like the package suggests. Apple pie.......gimme a break. I know apple pie.....and these are NO apple pie.... . But alas.....they are 20 grams of quick Protein.

check out this other thread from a few minutes ago. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/306463-help/#entry3460018

Your food desires can mostly be grouped into two categories. Actual hunger or hunger pangs and head hunger. As usual, the one we created for ourselves is the most detrimental and hardest to overcome......the head hunger. If you're lucky, the removal of that big chunk of your stomach will eliminate most of the actual hunger and you'll find you actually need to remember to eat. (great, huh). But don't start celebrating too much yet. The head hunger can be a doozy. It really just breaks down to the habits (bad habits) you have established over the years. Eating when bored..... Food triggers..... Cravings..... Wrong choices..... Sugar addictions.....etc etc. I have found that post-op almost all of my actual hunger went away. After a while, I would get very powerful desires to eat various things but I found if I just busied myself doing something like going to the gym or walking or riding my bike, it quickly went away. Just don't give in and try to think of other things. Avoid the triggers like watching food commercials or wandering down the candy isles in the store. You are not really hungry for it. Ok, now for my most recent learning tip. At four months out, some of the cravings (mental) are pretty strong. So I satisfy them in very very limited fashion. Just a taste. Savor it and that's it. You will probably find it is enough to satisfy the need and any more usually doesn't sit well in your stomach anyway. Example: I occasionally get the desire for Reeses.....so I got the bag of the little minis. I eat one or two and thats it. Walk away. In a couple of minutes your mind is satisfied, the desire is gone and no harm done. It may work for you, may not. Either way, just stick to your guidelines. The weight loss is too hard fought for to fail. Good luck ..

You hit the nail on the head!! As time goes on, you'll find what works best for you and it will likely vary quite a bit even then. Here and there along the way, you might exceed your limits on food or drinks (no biggie) and that will pretty much establish how much you can handle. The only thing I still typically use a timer for is the waiting 30 minutes after eating to drink fluids. Enjoy..........

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth....... But also, don't make detrimental use of it either. Any weight you put on now, you'll just have to lose later and even if your Doc feels he doesn't need the pre-op diet, it can only benefit your outcome. No time like the present to start your lifestyle change.....Good luck with your surgery.

You've got the right attitude and determination. I'll just add one little extra consideration. Hang onto that energy and drive no matter what the frustration. You will likely encounter several more type stalls along the way. They too will break and you will reach those goals you want.

Relax, liquids typically go on thru without very much if any restriction. Things will change dramatically when you get to solid foods. Take advantage of the ease you can drink liquids and drink as much as you can. Lots of fluids is good for you.

Eat enough. Ok, I guess I better elaborate. But it is really just that simple. Even though I can only eat about 3 ounces at a time, I find I am able to eat that three ounces many, many times a day. I can choose to limit myself to 500 calories or eat more often and different type of foods and easily go over 2000 calories a day. Point being, even though I am still losing and not at maintenance yet, I am quite sure I will have no difficulty stopping the weight loss. In fact, I'm quite sure I will need to continue to monitor my food intake closely even during maintenance after reaching my goal, in order to keep from gaining. Even with the sleeve, I'm quite sure becoming too skinny will not be an issue.

Eat enough.

Goes without saying....but I'll say it anyway...Fantastic job, I know it was hard earned.

Dondie Olivia said: This explains a LOT!! Science is stating that the stomach is considered the second brain. Well that's just great. Bad enough we guys have been dealing with the little head all this time, now I find out there's yet another brain in the mix. No wonder we don't have a mind of our own and get into so much trouble.

*

C'mon, you gotta do more of your share than ten words..........Sure we got tips and tons of advice. The quickest way would be for you to do a quick search and then settle in for the rest of the day to read the hundreds of responses........ Some of the best responses have already been posted and you'll miss out if you don't check them out.

Reminds me of the first few days when I would grab a glass of Water I had sitting around and take a huge gulp into my mouth and then in a split second after it registered......spit it back into the glass before I swallowed it.......... It takes some time to get used to the routines.....

listen to your mom.

Ok newbies, this is mainly for you guys. Being able to gather Information online is great, but it must be kept in perspective if you are to gain the most benefit. Keep in mind, most replies are based on that one person's experience. This is a serious procedure that certainly involves alot of fears and unknowns. It is comforting to be able to ask questions from others that have gone thru the process to better understand what lies ahead. Whether it is pre-op requirements or post op recovery experiences, the answers are going to be as varied as fingerprints. And for good reason. Everybody is different. And so is their process and experiences. This brings up the proverbial question: "Is that normal" . Answer: ..... It might be a typical experience or maybe one surgeon's procedure, but not necessarily normal. There is no "one" normal. Don't fixate too much on a single reply. Your specific situation will be your normal. Yours might be very close to most of the replys you received or it could be vastly different. Try not to over react too much if it isn't as you thought. Everybody will make it to the finish line on their own path. If you can avoid reflecting on every detail you read or heard, you'll be more relaxed when you encounter events in your recovery that deviate from such perceptions of normal. The more relaxed and calm you are, the better equipped you'll be to handle your recovery. Try to view online responses to specific questions as guidelines. As the many possible outcomes, not the only one. Your Surgeon or your other doctors and nurses should be the go to source for specific answers concerning your individual medical concerns. Besides, once you get several months out and are cruising along on your "normal" routines........closing in on your goals.....all those worrisome and fearful thoughts of the surgery and recovery will be insignificant faded memories. Just relax and take it all in.....one day at a time.

I like that I have returned to belt loops. As I grew, I evolved into mostly pants or shorts with elastic or drawstrings. I stopped noticing size past 48's. (xxl) I'm now squeezing into 38's and my goal is to fit loosely in 36's.

good luck with your surgery tomorrow. Just get some rest and try to walk when you can. Most hospital stays are under 3 days.

I can't imagine what for. The only consideration is a smaller stomach and nothing is getting in there unless you are conscious. And if you are awake you can just tell them. Am I missing something. I am referring to a sleeve only. I certainly could see the need with Lap-Band or RNY.

Cool your jets Diva.......your enthusiasm is great, but you need to ease into the more rigorous exercises. There is still quite a bit of healing going on in there. Start slow and work up to it as your body adapts.

You should get clearance from your Doc. Most require at least 30 days.

I found that in the first few weeks, the liquids went down quite easily with little to no restriction. I would consume an 11oz choc. shake or any other Fluid in less than 20 minutes. However, I'm sure everyone is different. There really is no normal. Whatever you can tolerate.