Dub

Quest bars were tried around the 4-5 week time frame. When chewed well they dissolved nicely. Some of the other brands i've tried we not so easy to handle due to them bing clusters of nuts, berries or granola....not to mention the unwanted carbs.

Eat too fast......or eat too much........and you'll KNOW. Then you'll beg to un-eat whatever it was and to vow to never again do stupid stuff that causes it.

The Gladiator drinks at Smoothie King can be really good. They are pricey......and....you can really rack up the calories if you let them add in all sorts of stuff. What starts out as a good idea can lead to a nutritional disaster.

Similar experiences here, too. No complaints.

My breakfast today was 2.5 ounces of smoked sausage and one fried egg. Stuffed. 7 months out.

I'm seven months out and I can say that it does hit me harder. I don't usually have a meal in my system if I'm drinking anything. I know this is part of it. I don't drink as long as I used two, either. I've learned that nursing a drink or two is all I ever care for.

New Orleans is a very cool place to visit. Not sure I'd want to live there. Char broiled oysters every afternoon and endless bars..........Lawd...I'd be in trouble. The city that drinks like no other........

I hate the full feeling. I prefer to slowly eat the amounts I should and stop. Meal is over. Check the time and note when my 30-45 minute window has passed before drinking Water.

Very cool.

Today is the day ! It's gonna go great.

Powerful post !!!!

Well said !!!!

I really haven't given it much thought. The plan for losing the weight has been fairly straightforward and simply explained by my surgeon. No book needed there. My bariatric center maintains a fb page where the center's patients can stay in touch with the NUTs and each other. Then there is Bariatric Pal....a group of folks that are connected by our common purpose. This place is way more of a resource to me than any book or youtube videos. There are plenty folks around here that are very much young at heart.....and growing younger by the day.

Not sure. I try my best to never eat until I'm full. I honestly try to eat the correct amounts and let that be it. I usually never test things that way.

Pretty damn sure I'd die if I tried to keep up with you. Excellent plan.....strong effort !

I'd have skipped the fruit entirely during my 14 day liquid pre-op diet. It would have made me more hungry afterwards. My liquid 14 day consisted of 3-4 Protein shakes per day. That and any non-calorie drink I wanted. I chose Pure Protein brand pre-mixed shakes as they were really thick and seemed to hold me over for longer periods. You are already 5 days into it.....keep on and keep after it. It will pass soon.

Well done !!!!!!!!!

I fail to see how that is cheating. I really do. On my second day I was having 1oz Premier Protein shake per hour. On my third it was double that.......fourth day and further out it grew to 33 oz per day. I think you are doing great. Don't beat yourself up. I am not a doctor. I have no medical training....nor did I sleep in a Holiday In Express last night......so you've been warned that I most likely don't know what the hell I'm talking about.

My very best post-op moment is being able to relax.....totally relax......and enjoy nekkid time in a way I haven't in years. No concerns or fears over where her hands may go.....I was proud of every bit of it. I've never been proud of that state before......now.....I am very relaxed and no fears exist. TMI ? Possible.....but who has time for PC bullshyt in their post-op lives. It'a all about getting on with the LIVING. LIVE peoples......I beg you.

I only struggle with this if there is a lot of craziness going on (hub yelling at video game, teenagers arguing that sort of thing) I can no longer eat and watch the news. I find I am eating fast and then feel sick. Excellent point. You just nailed down something that I've missed. I can't thank you enough. I've been stressed the hell out at work.....and somewhat at home. I have near constant noise and distractions and have been "getting mine" in time of turbulence. I choke it down or worse.....Graze Under Pressure. Bad, bad juju. I vow to you and all at BP that I will forevermore make my meals a time out from whatever is going on.....whatever noise is happening around me.......make them moments of peace and free from outside stimulations. My moments. I'll take my time and savor the flavors.....and chew my meals happily into a purred state. Gonna adopt this practice immediately. My prediction is that I'll now control the time, place and setting of my meals. I'll equate them with relaxation and a true break from stress. I'll slow my roll when chewing. This begins NOW !!!!!

I think he removed plenty of my stomach tissue but not enough brain matter.......

My hardest habit to break........by far........is eating fast. I still struggle with that aspect.

1. How do you define long-term WLS success for yourself? Did I change the trajectory of my life ? Am I on more solid ground in 5, 10 or 20 years as a result ? Do I LIVE each day or do I just do what must be done to get by ? 2. What are your biggest challenges in becoming successful long-term -- or, if you're a veteran, what WLS challenges have you struggled with? I see my biggest challenge as becoming complacent and backsliding. In my case, for instance.......I carve out the body I want, the life I want........and become complacent........and lose discipline and focus......and drift back to old habits. The way that I'm safeguarding against that is to make these changes.....pattern the new me and the way I approach things as second nature and with fundamental lifestyle changes that I'll embrace for life. There will be no backsliding because the new methods and mannerisms are hardwired in and don't have to be reached for. 3. What advice do you have for those newer to WLS than you? Never forget, for a brief second, the reasons you had for having this WLS. Never forget your pains and struggles. Never. Ever. Keep them close through pics of those times with a few handwritten notes from you about your overall outlook at that moment. Own it. Now use that pain as fuel and burn it. Run on it every single day afterwards. You owe it to your self to always remember where you've been.........and celebrate where you aspire to be. Never forget. But never accept where you are. Keep striving for a better state.

@@Papa Jack Great news on your wife. Powerful results. You've peeked an interest with me. I have been reading and dusting up a bit on this. Interesting. I'm gonna try a 28 day challenge soon. I will be employing the use of some type blender/juicer/mixer as I don't see how I have enough stomach capacity to eat the amounts this diet suggests......but I could drink them in concentrated form.

Heck....my burr coffee grinder makes a ton of noise each morning. I'll add the sound of a Ninja and nobody will be the wiser.