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Hey, Steve. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery. I had mine four days ago. It isn't pretty, but you get through. I think you will be fine. I know what you mean and understand your health issues you have had to deal with lately. It sucks, but everyone tells me it makes us stronger. I suppose there is some truth in that. We all have some hope now in this surgery. You don't need to be spending your time negatively with this arguing that is going on here. You need to be positive right now. People are going to do what they want to do, whether we want the best outcome for them or not. The reason I gave the drug and alcohol analogy is because I have a young nephew who has screwed his life up so bad for the last few years no matter how much good and useful help he gets. He's going to do what he wants to do. I have accepted that. I would love for him to change his habits and turn things around, but I have done everything I can do and it just isn't up to me. A year ago, if he had told me to put down the doughnut and go get surgery, I would have told him to go screw himself. I think denying you have had surgery doesn't mean you are in denial, it means you have some reason that you don't want people to know the truth. Women's dynamics are difficult. Men just say stuff to each other and move on, but it isn't that way with women. (Ask your wife.) We have to protect ourselves. If protecting ourselves means that we are going to be successful with the sleeve and get the weight off, then that is the best outcome. Once you have had the surgery, you have to do whatever it takes to reach the best possible outcome. None of us can afford to let anyone get in the way of that. Good luck with your surgery and I wish you great results!

I have not denied the surgery nor have I said I did at any point. You might want to go back and look at my posts before you attack me, Steve. What I said about denial is the absolute truth. Before I could get help with my weight problem, I had to admit it was a problem that I needed help with and then ask for help. I've been fighting this for 30 years on my own and had not been winning the battle. In any arena where people are trying to be free of something that is weighing them down (alcohol, drugs, FOOD), they have to WANT help. I would not have been ready until I was ready to do it. People have been telling me about surgery forever. I had to get to this place on my own. I would be glad to be helpful to others, but I will never urge someone else to do this. People have to come to it on their own. I wouldn't want someone to regret doing it because they thought that what I told them about it was the gospel according to sleeve surgery. If something went wrong during their surgery, I would never forgive myself.

An alcoholic or drug addict who has not admitted they have a problem is in "denial." An obese person who surrendered to the fact that they needed help and got help in the form of surgery is not in denial. This (surgery) is as real as life gets.

I don't think anyone would deny there can be good reasons to hide it, the nosy boss who won't give you time off, of course that makes sense. But it is not comparable to having "female surgery" it is not in the same realm at all. As i said before and a lot of people here are admitting it. People are hiding the surgery because they do not want people to think they did not have to work at weight loss and it was all the surgeries doing. SO they want people to think they did it all by themselves with no help. I am very sorry ladies, but that is a lie and a cop out because it means you are simply reinforcing the belief that the surgery does it all and you do nothing. To say that you are worried people will talk about you behind your back that you had surgery! OOH, first off. who cares? people will talk about anything. the kind of person who will talk about you in that way is not going to suddenly start talking about how wonderful you are because they think you did it without some help. The biggest part of this is going to piss people off. I will bet you people talk about you now. And that they have for years. Not those same people, but people in general see you and think look at the fat lady or fat guy. they don't say hmm there's someone struggling with being overweight. No, unless they have been there and even worse if they are one of the few who did lose it on their own, they are WOSE!, its like an ex-smoker they are pains to smoker, I know i'm an ex-smoker, (15 years ago i quit yay) So you have endured years and years of people talking about you behind your back, and people staring, and many more embarrassing things, you made it through that, but cant take it if someone talks about you becoming healthy and fit and wanting live life? No. It doesn't fit. Now as i said obviously telling someone that would jeopardise you having the surgery is obviously a great reason. And even not announcing it, ok i can kind of see it. but yes if you were asked how did you lose the weight and you neve mentioned surgery as a helper, you lied, and you failed an opportunity to educate someone on what really happens. I told peole on my blog and my friends and co workers, what I will have to endure. liquids only, no more than 4oz of food , puree stage, never drinking within 30 mins before or after a meal, no alcohol, no carbonated soda ever, all these things, and once they learned what I had to do, everyone has said wow, i had no idea you had to do this. SO if you take the few moments to educate people, then maybe you will save the next person from going through any kind of ignorant actions from their peers. The reasons I am so passionate is because of the education issue, people actually back out of having surgery at an alarming rate, and the weight issue has become so bad that they now have new terms for obese people, we now have the SUPER obese, and the MEGA obese. People who have to be cut out of their homes, transported on flat bed trucks. Or who just die in their beds. We need to be the people who show that this is necessary, life changing and life giving. It is also because the more people who see me being open to i, then maybe they will pass along some information to someone who may then look into the surgery and keep it going foraward. I have a few friends who are young but weigh over 500+ pounds each, and they are still in that stage where you fool yourself with how big you are. We lose too many people to obesity. We shouldnt have to. to those i have offended..tough, you can take it. I love you all, We all can do this! Http://cuttingthefatwithaknife.blogspot.com

Holiday celebrations are all about food, right? Save up every year, to overeat and not keep yourself in check. It’s a losing mindset from the get-go. The end of the year is really about memories, gratitude and those who we care for in life, not just the Thanksgiving feast or the Christmas Day buffet. What makes a holiday special also makes it filled with emotions and triggers that enable our unhealthy excessive eating behaviors to be acceptable at this time of year. A few things that may sound familiar and affect many of us during the holiday season are: Family traditions and ethnic backgrounds with food memories that have followed us through life. Trauma, hardships or losses that make holiday cheer tough to enjoy or even tolerate on some levels. Falling back on a diet mindset and thinking it’s ok to eat recreate old habits from October 31-January 2. Awareness of mental and emotional struggles feeling more acute during the holiday season. For bariatric patients, an immediate fear presents itself: “How can I survive all the parties and family celebrations while embracing my post-surgery food choices so I don’t lose control with holiday eating and drinking this year?” The practical answer: Prepare for it, just as if the surgery was ahead of you. Think and plan for success with the least amount of guilt and destruction possible. Holiday foods are not “rewards” or “treats” or a reason to fall off the mindful thinking that you use every day. We all have family and cultural traditions of holiday foods, and the meanings behind them; that often follow us into adulthood. The connection is to people, not food itself. Holiday time often intensifies many people’s mental and emotional struggle with life issues. Food can often be an immediate distraction and way to receive immediate gratification in tough times. The trouble is, the stresses and issues remain after the food is consumed. Often, alcohol consumption increases at holiday time as well, so mindset is altered by allowing more uninhibited behavior to prevail. Using good judgment often decreases as well. So, if we can use the model of being prepared and accountable for ourselves, what would it look like? Think of the season on your terms. Where can you plan and take the lead on making good choices for yourself while still feeling the holiday spirit? Find control where you can make food to bring to others parties or meals. Host at your home to take pressure off of yourself. Be honest and ask to be considered when food is being prepared and served so that you can also taste but be flooded by the excessive choices and behaviors all around us. Find ways to relax and refresh so you are not overwhelmed or drained by the holiday madness. Keep a journal of your thoughts, fears, successes and challenges to remind you of the proud journey you are on now. Use meditative activities to bring a more even and peaceful attitude to the business of the season and the potential for burnout and self-destruction. Give of yourself to others that need to be uplifted. Find a community, group hobby or counselor if the season is troubling of extremely unmanageable. Many times the holiday triggers are too hard to handle alone. Ask for help and know that you are being proactive (helping yourself) instead of reactive (always behind and at the mercy of others decisions and actions). The key is to stay connected to the resources, the people, places and things that bring successful experiences to us, and avoid harmful or undermining circumstances that reinforce low self-esteem and bad, and often destructive, behaviors. As a bariatric patient, being accountable is helping yourself stay focused on a positive and productive mindset with help provide a fulfilling and peaceful holiday season each and every year. Yes, this is you, enjoying your life during the holidays.

A few things that may sound familiar and affect many of us during the holiday season are: Family traditions and ethnic backgrounds with food memories that have followed us through life. Trauma, hardships or losses that make holiday cheer tough to enjoy or even tolerate on some levels. Falling back on a diet mindset and thinking it’s ok to eat recreate old habits from October 31-January 2. Awareness of mental and emotional struggles feeling more acute during the holiday season. For bariatric patients, an immediate fear presents itself: “How can I survive all the parties and family celebrations while embracing my post-surgery food choices so I don’t lose control with holiday eating and drinking this year?” The practical answer: Prepare for it, just as if the surgery was ahead of you. Think and plan for success with the least amount of guilt and destruction possible. Holiday foods are not “rewards” or “treats” or a reason to fall off the mindful thinking that you use every day. We all have family and cultural traditions of holiday foods, and the meanings behind them; that often follow us into adulthood. The connection is to people, not food itself. Holiday time often intensifies many people’s mental and emotional struggle with life issues. Food can often be an immediate distraction and way to receive immediate gratification in tough times. The trouble is, the stresses and issues remain after the food is consumed. Often, alcohol consumption increases at holiday time as well, so mindset is altered by allowing more uninhibited behavior to prevail. Using good judgment often decreases as well. So, if we can use the model of being prepared and accountable for ourselves, what would it look like? Think of the season on your terms. Where can you plan and take the lead on making good choices for yourself while still feeling the holiday spirit? Find control where you can make food to bring to others parties or meals. Host at your home to take pressure off of yourself. Be honest and ask to be considered when food is being prepared and served so that you can also taste but be flooded by the excessive choices and behaviors all around us. Find ways to relax and refresh so you are not overwhelmed or drained by the holiday madness. Keep a journal of your thoughts, fears, successes and challenges to remind you of the proud journey you are on now. Use meditative activities to bring a more even and peaceful attitude to the business of the season and the potential for burnout and self-destruction. Give of yourself to others that need to be uplifted. Find a community, group hobby or counselor if the season is troubling of extremely unmanageable. Many times the holiday triggers are too hard to handle alone. Ask for help and know that you are being proactive (helping yourself) instead of reactive (always behind and at the mercy of others decisions and actions). The key is to stay connected to the resources, the people, places and things that bring successful experiences to us, and avoid harmful or undermining circumstances that reinforce low self-esteem and bad, and often destructive, behaviors. As a bariatric patient, being accountable is helping yourself stay focused on a positive and productive mindset with help provide a fulfilling and peaceful holiday season each and every year. Yes, this is you, enjoying your life during the holidays.

ok first off, please do not tell people to use sugar, yes sugar are you an idiot? why not just tell em to eat friggin donuts after surgery. Honey is SUGAR, DUH, Xylitol, and Erithritol are the exact same as sorbitol they are all SUGAR ALCOHOLS, they still contain sugar but they have a lower glycemic swing, they're good for diabetics but NOT for weight loss! also in any quantity they make you poop your brains out. acesulfame potassium is NOT related to aspartame in any way shape or form! however in many products some manufacturers will pair it with other sweeteners, so just read the label. Seriously people , you want to know why people fail , BAD ADVICE! adding vanilla to your drinks, well vanilla is sugar and alcohol. I mean do people bother to think ? Im sorry also to say artificial sweeteners should be avoided at all costs huh, how about the cost of being obese and dying horribly, of being non mobile and losing your limbs finger and toes to diabetes? is that a high enough cost? I eamn to tell people who are just out of surgery to add fruit...where did you get your surgerons degree or your nutritionist degree? Heres a real FACT. HAVING BARAITRIC SURGERY DOES NOT MAKE YOU AN EXPERT IN IT. Get over yourselves.

I use Jay Robb protein if anyone is interested in a protein mix that doesn't contain artificial sweeteners. I'm allergic to splenda (sucralose) and sugar alcohols. Just in case anyone else is sensitive or allergic as well. sweetened with stevia and the best tasting I've found.

You can do this! I smoked for 22 years. During the last 15 of those years, I was smoking 3 packs or more a day. If I took the elevator from one floor to another, I needed to have my smokes with me in case the cable broke. If I wasn't dead, I was gonna smoke! SO... If I can quit smoking, the devil himself can – and so can you! I've been smoke-free for 19 years now, but I remember my addiction as if it were yesterday. Aside from marrying my wife, having a child, and now having bariatric surgery, I still consider quitting smoking as one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. Okay, Here are some tips: Sipping citrus drinks helps curb cravings. Since fruit juices are forbidden after WLS, perhaps Crystal Light lemonade will work. Quick intakes of breath also curb cravings. If you need to suck on something (since candy will be off limits), try cutting a soda straw to roughly cigarette length. Then stuff it with two coffee stirrers to give it a "draw". There's some satisfaction to be had there. For a week or two after surgery, all of your routines will be broken. That also breaks your smoking routines and makes quitting a little easier. I quit the day I had my hip replaced. Do not drink alcohol! Whenever someone tells me they quit and then started smoking again, I ask if they had an adult beverage in their hand when they had that first smoke. 100% say yes! The good news is that you're not supposed to drink booze on this program anyway, so that should help. And finally, nicotine cravings only last 30 seconds or less. At first they keep coming, but each day that passes, the cravings get weaker, and the time between them gets longer. You can tolerate anything for 30 seconds, right? Keeping this concept front-and-center really helped me make it through. Good luck -- you can do it! And imagine the double-health benefit you will achieve. You'll feel so much better!!!

I had my surgery when I was 17 and I'm now 21. Having surgery before my senior year in high school wasn't the best idea.. I'll admit, my friends and I always have been partiers so all the alcohol and late night taco bell completely squashed any progress I had made. I've lost 45 lbs and gained 25 back. I'm almost 5 years post-op and feel like shit for not having made it far at all. I've forgotten everything I learned about what I should and shouldn't eat. I've been eating like I have my entire life.. I need to get on track again. My grandma needs to see me healthy before she goes to heaven... Can someone help me out?

Hello I'm post op 15 years sugar dumping is caused by all kinds of things just because it say no sugar add dosnt mean sugar free. Even sugar free has sugar alcohol witch may cause dumping.

Puppy- Yes! I've found a good body cleanse/detox once or twice a yr is a good thing. makes me feel lighter, more energetic, better skin, no sugar/fat / junk food cravings. The Vitamin stores have them. Basically, it's a box with a few pill bottles in it and some instructions. Some come with a disc. I get the regimen that detoxes heavy metals (aluminum, mercury) out as well as a general body-cleaning of chemical micro-junk we eat like pesticides on foods. Besically- cleaning out all those environmental and food toxins we breathe or ingest. You can't drink coffee or alcohol during the course (takes about 2wks) and you have to really follow the eating/drinking program and take all the pills on a schedule. The metal detox also detoxes Iron, copper, zinc, selenium- so you have to re-introduce them with a good quality multi-vitamin Afterwards, you have to get GOOD bacteria back into your gut- Probiotics. I get Acidopholous (sp?) and yogurt with LIVE cultures. It's a good idea to get these in regularly anyway, but the detox kills all the bacteria in your gut so you have to be extra diligent about replacing the probiotic bacteria. For the 1st week or so, you'll feel like absolute dog-doo doo! Really Tired, aches and pains, head fog, headaches. Just overall, lousy feeling. This is basically sugar/ caffein/ etc. withdrawals combined with lifting those toxins up out of your systems & organs: blood, renal, brain, liver, kidneys, glands, etc, and eliminating them through your urine and excrement. You'll pee & poop like a champ! lol After that, your energy comes back the aches and pains go away, no more headaches, you'll feel mentally sharp and eliminate regularly. No cravings either. The return to natural, (non-caffeinated) metabolic energy and overall feeling great is amazing.

Is anyone else just counting calories and protein like me? I get about 900 to 1000, exercise 4 days a week and still am slow losing. I don't eat junk food, or sweets but will have carbs occasionally but not a lot of them. I am wondering if your nutritionist have put you on some sort of restrictions? I have even had alcohol a few times, and actually have had losses those weeks. Go figure!

I think you'll probably get different answers to this question, much like is caffeine ok, is alcohol ok, etc. I think your responses will be varied. I can only speak from my experience. I do think that as my sleeve has "healed" and the internal swelling has gone down, etc there probably is a little less restriction than there was initially. With that being said, the kind of food you are eating matters. If you are eating foods that are high in carbs, they tend to slide pretty easily through, not fill you up, and give you the sensation that you your sleeve is "broken" or "stretched" and you can suddenly eat more. However, if you go back to dense Proteins you'll realize pretty quickly that your tool is still in tact and you still have the restriction that you expect to have. So, is it possible to stretch your sleeve? I'm not terribly sure. Is it possible to over-eat or binge eat with the sleeve and have the feeling that it is stretched? Absolutely. So that was kind of a long response to a short question. And my official answer, I don't know. Lol.

My 14 day preop diet is 3 meal replacement shakes a day with 3 zero calorie snacks. I had to do a lot of research to find shakes and vitamins that don't contain artificial sweeteners because I'm allergic. Anyone else have artificial sweetener allergies? In particular Splenda and sugar alcohols.

I started at 238 and wanted to lose 88 pounds. My surgeon's goal was to lose 78. I lost 22 pounds on my 2 week preop diet so I went into surgery at 216. I reached his goal at 6 1/2 months, reached my goal at 7 1/2 months and then lost another 12 pounds. At 10 1/2 months out I am down 100 pounds and have been maintaining here (give or take about 4 pounds) for a couple months. So far maintenance has been easy for me. It just comes down to being committed at this point because I have no food intolerances, a lot less restriction than a few months ago and I could eat a lot more than I let myself eat. I eat when I'm hungry....at least 5-6 times/ day but make good food choices. I don't exercise at all, but I have an active, physically demanding job and have a very active lifestyle. Still making sure I'm getting in all my Protein and Water and take my Vitamins religiously. I still have a large protein/fiber smoothie everyday, and eat a healthy balance of protein, veggies, fruits and grains. I Stay away from processed food and simple carbs, although I will have desert or alcohol or other "bad" things a couple times a month. I'm not on a diet, after all! ????

@@Ronab My surgery isn't until 12/18 but I started prepping a few weeks ago. Here's what I've done. 3 weeks ago I slowly weaned myself off caffeine. 2 weeks ago I gave up alcohol and started chewing each SMALL bite of food 30 times. 1 week ago I started REALLY pushing getting my Water in. This past weekend I had my last carbonated beverage and am now water or decaf tea only. This week I also started a liver/kidney detox tea. This week I am also replacing 1 meal a day with a Protein shake, just to get in gear for my 2 week pre-op diet that starts on 12/4. On the Monday after Thanksgiving I am going to start 2 shake replacements a day. Another thing I have done is I took a cardboard box and covered it in a really pretty paper (the kind with the sticky back) and I'm keeping all my pre-op and post-op items in there. I have several brands and samples of Protein shakes, a new thermometer, GENEPRO, Biotene mouth spray, Gas-X strips, lip balm (for hospital), a Glade plug-in (for hospital), a brand new water bottle, and other things.

No alcohol since July 4th. No processed foods, carbs (except for a spoonful here and there of veggies and fruit), soda, sugar for 3 months. It's weird and wacky, but I LOVE MY SLEEVE! :-)

Hi everyone, I am coming to ask all who has been sleeved if my fears are irrational or not normal. did you have these same fears? I am so scared of not waking up after surgery I am scared the surgery wont work. I am scared I will wake up and for whatever reason, come to find out the docs had to stop surgery and I am not sleeved. I am scared that after going thru surgery, my body will just have a major freak out and I will have a heart attack and die or that my body wont like the changed and just give out. I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (heart arrhythmia that causes the heart to quiver instead of beat. It can cause blood to pool in the atria of the heart which rises my chance of stroke by 5 fold. I have an "attack" about once a year. otherwise im fine). my cardiologist has cleared me for surgery. I have zero other health issues. I am 28, and very healthy. im just obese with my a-fib. I have never smoked and my last alcoholic drink I had was when I was 19. (not one word of a lie). for a big person I have oretty good stamina when it comes to exercise also. my cardiologist wrote a clearance letter for my surgeons and anesthesiologists. in the letter is says : "Aliesha's chances for serious perioperative cardiac complication is 1% and her Lee Index for a serious post operative cardiac complication is 0.4% equivalent to low" I know that pretty much sums up that I should be ok for surgery, but I cant help now that surgery is 2 weeks away, be absolutely terrified. TERRIFIED. I just want to live a life where I am healthy, lighter, and free from this prison. But I have to ask..........what is the risk? is it worth it?? Any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Um nerd alert response ... the problem is that everyone I know who has smoked or is smoking is skinny. Alcoholics, they can be skinny even though they eat (drink really) a lot of sugar. I would suspect the issue has more to do with taxation than anything else. They can earn $$$ in Colorado from pot. You can't earn it (as in show it going directly to state coffers) in terms of WLS. The payment for WLS is like 5 years or more to earn back what you paid for it (used to be 2, this is another study done more recently). Pot is going to get more in the coffers in terms of taxes that you can measure, its quicker, and you can invite people from the surrounding states for it. Remember, this is medicine. Follow the money. Congrats on your surgery. I don't care where people get it as long as they are healthy and follow up on what they need to. If insurances are rotten and cheesy enough not to see that it helps their bottom lines, then I'm all for people being able to get it safely. I support the mess out of it actually. I personally think it would be worth it to send signed return receipt letters to the heads of the groups saying no and asking what their basis for not saving $$$ are since that's all they care about: the bottom line, its obviously not about health.

It's tough, but something you are just going to have to deal with. Those of us who have issues with food have it harder than some other addictions. When you are an alcoholic or addicted to some other drug and in "recovery", you are encouraged to steer clear of any "bad influences" you associate with so you aren't tempted to use. With food, people still have to eat. You can't force others to adhear to the strict regimen that those of us going through this process have to do. I'm 2 and a half months out, and there have been many, many times I watch my friends and family eat and drink things I cannot. Instead of feeling "sabotaged", I feel empowered knowing I'm doing what I need to do right now to get healthy. Once you start looking at it that way, it becomes second nature to be around others who are partaking in things we know we shouldn't.

*************** Thanks so much @ria☺️???????? Eating wise: I'm not perfect, I do eat chips crackers and vegan Protein Cookies more often than I should (a little just about everyday ????????) but I'm human. I make sure I get at least 90-100 grams of protein daily, take all my Vitamins and strive to drink at least 8-10 cups of Water daily. I focus on lean protein such as chicken, fish and turkey. I also pretty much don't ever touch or even think about or miss bread, rice, Pasta, decadent pastries, creamy drinks, soda or alcohol. I probably consume a bit too many calories for someone a little less than a year out but I am committed to fitness. Typically average around 1700 calories per day ...I still get most of my protein from Premier Protein shakes, Greek yogurt and protein bars such as balance bars, Think thin and premier crisp. I eat often, nearly every hour or 2 I'm nibbling on something. My hunger is back but it's not raging. I guess I just like the taste of food ???? Exercise wise: I'm very committed and really enjoy pretty much all low impact fitness. My favorite things to do are group fitness classes: spin ????, hot yoga, power yoga ????☺️, Pilates and barre. My confidence has soared and I feel and look so much stronger. Can't believe I am actually loving fitness. I think it's a combination of the fact that I took pretty extreme measures for weightloss and I fear the "devilish animal" known as constipation ????. early on when I wasn't very active and not getting in enough water I suffered so much with that and hope to never EVER EVER EVER revisit that experience again ???????????????????? Best of luck to you during this very unique wls journey of ours ????

*************** Thanks so much @ria☺️???????? Eating wise: I'm not perfect, I do eat chips crackers and vegan Protein Cookies more often than I should (a little just about everyday ????????) but I'm human. I make sure I get at least 90-100 grams of protein daily, take all my Vitamins and strive to drink at least 8-10 cups of Water daily. I focus on lean protein such as chicken, fish and turkey. I also pretty much don't ever touch or even think about or miss bread, rice, Pasta, decadent pastries, creamy drinks, soda or alcohol. I probably consume a bit too many calories for someone a little less than a year out but I am committed to fitness. Typically average around 1700 calories per day ...I still get most of my protein from Premier Protein shakes, Greek yogurt and protein bars such as balance bars, Think thin and premier crisp. I eat often, nearly every hour or 2 I'm nibbling on something. My hunger is back but it's not raging. I guess I just like the taste of food ???? Exercise wise: I'm very committed and really enjoy pretty much all low impact fitness. My favorite things to do are group fitness classes: spin ????, hot yoga, power yoga ????☺️, Pilates and barre. My confidence has soared and I feel and look so much stronger. Can't believe I am actually loving fitness. I think it's a combination of the fact that I took pretty extreme measures for weightloss and I fear the "devilish animal" known as constipation ????. early on when I wasn't very active and not getting in enough water I suffered so much with that and hope to never EVER EVER EVER revisit that experience again ???????????????????? Best of luck to you during this very unique wls journey of ours ????

*************** Thanks so much @ria☺️???????? Eating wise: I'm not perfect, I do eat chips crackers and vegan Protein Cookies more often than I should (a little just about everyday ????????) but I'm human. I make sure I get at least 90-100 grams of protein daily, take all my Vitamins and strive to drink at least 8-10 cups of Water daily. I focus on lean protein such as chicken, fish and turkey. I also pretty much don't ever touch or even think about or miss bread, rice, Pasta, decadent pastries, creamy drinks, soda or alcohol. I probably consume a bit too many calories for someone a little less than a year out but I am committed to fitness. Typically average around 1700 calories per day ...I still get most of my protein from Premier Protein shakes, Greek yogurt and protein bars such as balance bars, Think thin and premier crisp. I eat often, nearly every hour or 2 I'm nibbling on something. My hunger is back but it's not raging. I guess I just like the taste of food ???? Exercise wise: I'm very committed and really enjoy pretty much all low impact fitness. My favorite things to do are group fitness classes: spin ????, hot yoga, power yoga ????☺️, Pilates and barre. My confidence has soared and I feel and look so much stronger. Can't believe I am actually loving fitness. I think it's a combination of the fact that I took pretty extreme measures for weightloss and I fear the "devilish animal" known as constipation ????. early on when I wasn't very active and not getting in enough water I suffered so much with that and hope to never EVER EVER EVER revisit that experience again ???????????????????? Best of luck to you during this very unique wls journey of ours ????

*************** Thanks so much @ria☺️???????? Eating wise: I'm not perfect, I do eat chips crackers and vegan Protein Cookies more often than I should (a little just about everyday ????????) but I'm human. I make sure I get at least 90-100 grams of protein daily, take all my Vitamins and strive to drink at least 8-10 cups of Water daily. I focus on lean protein such as chicken, fish and turkey. I also pretty much don't ever touch or even think about or miss bread, rice, Pasta, decadent pastries, creamy drinks, soda or alcohol. I probably consume a bit too many calories for someone a little less than a year out but I am committed to fitness. Typically average around 1700 calories per day ...I still get most of my protein from premier Protein shakes, Greek yogurt and Protein Bars such as balance bars, Think thin and premier crisp. I eat often, nearly every hour or 2 I'm nibbling on something. My hunger is back but it's not raging. I guess I just like the taste of food ???? Exercise wise: I'm very committed and really enjoy pretty much all low impact fitness. My favorite things to do are group fitness classes: spin ????, hot yoga, power yoga ????☺️, Pilates and barre. My confidence has soared and I feel and look so much stronger. Can't believe I am actually loving fitness. I think it's a combination of the fact that I took pretty extreme measures for weightloss and I fear the "devilish animal" known as constipation ????. early on when I wasn't very active and not getting in enough water I suffered so much with that and hope to never EVER EVER EVER revisit that experience again ???????????????????? Best of luck to you during this very unique wls journey of ours ????