Babbs

Okay, at the risk of being "that guy", I honestly can't believe your program advocates not only eating crackers, but crackers at 3 weeks? Usually it's all we can do to stuff enough protein into our gullets. How are you going to get enough protein if you're filling your tummy with crackers?

I would steer clear of bananas for now. They have lots o' carbs! Me personally ate nothing but Protein and veggies until I was almost to goal. I didn't incorporate fruit until about 7 or 8 months post. But that's just me Like someone said, track it as part of your daily carbs/sugar etc.

Just like with each of us, she won't do it until she's darn good and ready. Sad but true.

Yuppers, completely normal. Stay the course, you're doing just fine.

How far out are you?

This post was perfect on so many levels. With me, I'm bound to react more with the people who don't 'get it' as opposed to the people who just do. If someone who 'gets it' says "OMG I had the worst night! I drank a whole bottle of wine!" I have a tendency to be a bit more lenient, because I know they will get their shiat together again. The ones that don't 'get it' can't seem to get their shiat together, make the same mistakes over an over again, and get defensive and aggressive when called out on their foolishness. They only respond to coddling and enabling. By the way, I'm the fool who drank a whole bottle of wine in one evening. I'm also almost 2 years out and below goal. But I'm also not going to get defensive when someone tells me it was stupid. I know it was, and I paid dearly for it

@ Stay active on here for about 2 or 3 years and see if you still feel the same way. I'll bet you won't. Just sayin.

First of all, 40 is doable. I've seen people lose 40 pounds or more of regain. Second, don't beat yourself up. You're still not where you were before, so there's that. I would just reiterate what @@Inner Surfer Girl said. Spot on. Keep us posted!

I'm glad @@James Marusek chimed in because I know he uses them. I haven't, but looking forward to an update from you on how you felt they did!

Yup, completely understand. Took all my pics down and minimized my profile because I'm checking in periodically only to see a few people's posts (you know who you are) and check out anything new in the veterans forums. Seems most of these newbies have everything handled and don't need our help. I sure needed and appreciated yours when I was new! Oh well. I'll go on living my life as a normal sized person because I loved and took to heart all the advice I got from veterans on this forum. Still will to maintain it, too.

@@barbarahadz1 Do you find you can eat more volume at 3 years post? Obviously I was hoping at almost 2 years this would be my "cap" of the volume I could eat, but does it seem to increase even more? (This question is for anyone 3+ years also)

1. ANY small change like decrease in activity or small increase in calories will cause gain. After 9 months of basically maintaining within 1 to 2 pounds of normal fluctuation, I'm now up 5 pounds from my lowest. 2. See number 1. Keep up activity and track to make sure additional calories aren't finding their way down my mouth hole. 3. Sugar and stress. 4. Being able to fit into all my cute clothes I bought once I hit my stretch goal. 5. A new found confidence and new lease on life!

Two years out next month and have never thrown up once or particularly felt sick from any food. Sleeve of steel!

Your dedication to the victims of WV and your WLS is truly inspirational. You're a pretty awesome lady.

@@OKCPirate You're sweet, but the boobs and tummy are kind of a mess. Nothing a good bra and Spanx can't fix for now

@@Djmohr Happy Birthday! I'm excited for your plastics! I had a consult, and decided it's just not the right time for me. Maybe later.

Well that was damn disappointing. IS it okay to eat plywood a week out from surgery? How about almost 2 years? I've got me a hankering for some plywood!

@@Waler You had surgery almost a year ago. Would you agree your needs and experiences have changes since you were newly sleeved? It's NOT about how long people have been on the boards, it's about how far post op someone is. That's what we are talking about here.

I think it's a little bit of both. I'm like Ann. Well, not as far as the consistent tracking, but consistently eating on a schedule. I have eaten on a schedule for the last almost 2 years the best I could. 7-8am Breakfast, mid morning snack, noon lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. In maintenence I have added an evening snack from time to time. Early out, eating on a schedule was just to get enough calories and nutrients, and it worked. Now, it's to maintain the calories and nutrients, but I notice in between I'm watching the clock anticipating the next meal or snack. I honestly think it's a combination of hunger returning AND just knowing I can eat different stuff, so some of the "fun" has returned. My few scheduled Snacks I think turned more into grazing if I'm honest, even though I seemed to be eating the same amount of calories. I have put on 5 pounds recently also, so I'm back to tracking and I have cut out my afternoon and evening scheduled snacks. Booo!

What an amazing post! Thank you!

One thing I've learned (of the many things) at almost 2 years post op is I don't need to mindlessly feed my face to watch a movie. I just drink a great big low or no calorie drink like tea or Water or sometimes even a flattened diet soda (gasp)! Like someone else had said, it's a great way to get your fluids in just sip, sip, sipping through the movie!

So gonna try this!

@@ridgerunner How was I insulting? I said the OP was delightful! Are you saying they aren't? Wow, way to shame the OP. *Triggered*

The OP sounds delightful. I'm sure there's a line of people just waiting to date them with that sparkling personality.

If your head is in the game (which sounds like you're there), you won't regret it. I wish you nothing but success and happiness with your sleeve. You deserve it!