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Even though the pre-op liver shrinking included sweet shakes and bars, I am 6 weeks post-op and only occasionally feel a little pull towards cake, chocolate, pie, dessert. Mostly I can walk right past shop displays and can even watch those close-up food-porn shots on TV cooking shows without wanting to join in. A couple of spoonfuls of slightly sweet yogurt or maybe a couple of dried apple chips fix any desire for sweet food after dinner. For snacking, lite milk is sweet enough and has the Protein to get rid of hunger pangs. Four weeks post-op I was feeling over-confident because everything had gone smoothly, so I resumed my weekly trip to the farmers market and while I was there I bought a slice of quiche and ate half the filling. I thought it was only egg and milk or cream, and wouldn't be a problem. But I had eaten lunch only half an hour before. Whoa! The reaction was so extreme and awful - sweating, dizziness, needing to vomit, couldn't sit down, couldn't stand up, had difficulty catching my breath - for about 15 minutes that it put me right back on track. If that was dumping I never want to go there again!

I'm currently on my liquid diet as well. I will be revision from band to RNY as well on June 15th. I basically set up a schedule of what I would have throughout the day at what time and so far on day 3, I'm not as hungry as yesterday. How did you make it through this your last day before surgery? For others interested, My schedule consists of a bottle of water as soon as I get up because I go to the gym. Then a propel afterwards. For breakfast a Premier Protein shake and another water. Snack time a yogurt with a little protein powder. Crystal light, and for lunch a SF pudding with a little protein. More water and for dinner another Premier Shake. I guess the protein has been filling. Yesterday I had two SF jello as well because I was a little hungrier. I wish you the best on tomorrow. Please give me some feedback since you are having a revision. Thanks

One of my favorite Protein Snacks is Simms Beef Jerky which I buy at Aldi's. I also love unjury Protein Powders, esp. since they have a chicken Soup flavor that works well for lunch or snack at work for me. I aim for at least 100 grams of protein daily per my surgeon and NUT. Still can't eat much more than a 1/2 cup at a meal, but will pick at some veggies within the hour following supper. I've not been able to get my min. protein in just with real food; it takes at least one protein shake a day to get close. Other favorites are: cottage cheese, cheese sticks, Greek yogurt, black Beans prepared in a tasty fashion, beef, chicken, pork loin, Peanut Butter, Protein Bars. Good luck! It does take awhile to reach protein and liquid minimums, so do the best you can.

Hi there. I am recently banded and so far, I'm loving it. No troubles with food coming back up or reflux. Typical breakfast for me is fat-free Greek yogurt sprinkled with Kashi Go Lean. Typical lunch is sliced deli turkey and some veggie on the side. Typical dinner is broiled fish or lean meat, with a veg on the side. I like turkey chili too, and it works well in my meal plan. I found a chicken salad made with yogurt in place of mayo at costco -- it is delish and it too works well in my meal plan. My surgery was quick and recovery was quick and uneventful. I went into the operating room at 8:30 AM and left for home by 11 AM. I had surgery on a Wednesday and went back to work (a desk job) on Monday. My advice to someone looking into a Lap Band would be to consider follow-up care after the surgery when you are choosing your surgeon. Good follow-up care requires a surgical practice with experience and commitment to its Lap Band patients. You should expect to be visiting your surgeon's office regularly throughout the first year so be sure you are willing and able (financially and travel-wise) to do this.

I am on full liquids until June 19th. I can have yogurt, runny hot cereals like cream of wheat, grits and oatmeal, thinned creamed soups and protein shakes. This morning I drunk an entire premier protein shake. It took a couple of hours but I finished it. I'm also using a straw which has helped with getting fluids in tremendously.

I'm 6 weeks out and on purées for 2 more weeks. I still drink 2 protein shakes a day. There's no way I could get all my protein in without them. I get about 60g from the shakes and about 15-20g from my other "food"...Greek yogurt, hummus, and refried beans.

I had GERD prior to surgery and was already on Nexium. I had my hiatal hernia repaired at the same time as I was sleeved. My surgeon normally has his sleeve patients on Protonix for a few months post surgery. He kept me on the Nexium since I was already on it and we knew it worked. My 3 month visit was on 4/30/2015 and he told me to stop the Nexium. No reflux since then. My surgeon told me with the sleeve I can take pills that are smaller than an M&M. For the capsules the end needs to be smaller than that M&M. Also with capsules he prefers that I take it with warm Water to soften the capsule and with dairy such as cottage cheese or yogurt so it stays in the stomach a little longer to start to digest. Bufflehead is correct that certain medicines should not be crushed or dissolved and then taken. The ones with the most problems are extended release (XR) or timed release. My metformin was XR and some narcotics are XR. Dissolving or crushing them can cause the medicine to hit the blood stream all at once instead of over a period of time like they are designed.

I'm 9 mths out. I am also vegetarian so my meals are different from most people. I eat Beans, quinoa, seitan, FAGE 0% greek yogurt, and eggs for my Protein. I typically have protien shake that I make with greek yogurt, Protein powder and whatever I have on hand for breakfast. That can be fruit, almond butter, leftover coffee that I freeze into ice cubes, spinach or cacao powder to name just a few. I also eat small amounts for fresh veg, particularly dark green veg since they are the most protein rich. Favorites are broccoli, kale, and spinach. My dinners are are often light; low sodium vegetable broth, vegetable soup or a small salad with egg,a bit of shredded cheese and black beans. I don't eat foods with food dyes or artificial sweeteners since I am allergic to nearly all of them. That means my coffee is usually sweetened with raw honey or sugar. I limit the amount of white, processed carbs and rarely eat breads or crackers. Overall I am mostly eating what I ate pre-op but in much smaller portions. I keep my protein at 70 +. I typically eat Breakfast, lunch, snack & dinner. In between I try to focus on drinking plenty of Water.

I'm 3 months out. I usually have coffee 1st thing in morning (using cashew milk for creamer) and either a sausage patty (1/2) or Protein shake for breakfast. cheese stick, hummus, or turkey pepperoni has morning snack. Usually egg, chicken, or tuna salad for lunch. Afternoon snack is usually cucumbers, yogurt (I've been weird about yogurt lately), cottage cheese, or maybe 1/4 of banana. dinner varies. Could be Protein Shake, Soup, meat (lunch meat, beef Jerky, fish tilapia, chicken).

How far out are you? I'm 9 months out so eating more than those early months at this point. A typical day for me is: Breakfast: Protein bar Morning Snack: string cheese stick Lunch: leftover meat from previous dinner Afternoon Snack: Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt with 1/2 ounce of Kashi Cereal or granola Dinner: the meat from whatever meal my husband cooks Evening Snack: Protein Bar For dinners my husband is the cook in our house and he has some standard meals he just rotates through. Meatloaf, poultry sausage, Italian sausage, turkey kielbasa, fried shrimp, shrimp in lemon garlic sauce, sesame chicken, Chicken Makhani, pulled pork or chicken in BBQ sauce..... He makes sides with for himself or serves his meat/sauce over Pasta or rice, but I don't eat any of those. I just have 3-4 oz. of whatever the meat is and save the rest of my share as leftovers for lunch later.

I'm piggy-backing on this topic. I am 9 weeks post-op and my PA wants me only eating things I can eat with a fork. No more Protein shakes (and no protein bars). Based on no Water 30 min before, during or 60 min after meals, how the H do you eat and drink??? I need 100+ hours in a day to get all the fluids and Proteins in without breaking some kind of rule. A yogurt is 12(ish) grams of protein, but eating 1/3 gives you 4 grams. Same with everything. I can't even eat a whole egg at a time. Am I missing something? As it is, I'm still doing a Premier Protein every morning to at least have 30 grams in. Thanks, and sorry OP for butting in

I'm definitely not perfect. I've been know to slip in some doritos or a muffin here and there. But what works for me the VAST majority of the time is to eat on a schedule. I eat 6 times a day: Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and evening snack. I eat a set amount at each of those time, I don't just mindlessly eat until I'm overfull. Since I'm eating every 2-3 hours, I really don't have TIME for unplanned snacking. I also just practice the usual trick of not keeping the junk food in the house. I definitely think having scheduled and defined Snacks is the way to go. I'm much less likely to sit down and eat some chips or something junky if I'm due for my afternoon yogurt in less than an hour.

I typically have a Protein shake for Breakfast, then have either shredded chicken, tuna, or lunch meat with soft cheese for lunch. We either have chicken, fish, or shrimp for dinner. I try to get in some greek yogurt but it is hard most days. I love the refried beans! My husband adds a little jalapeno juice to thin them out a bit. YUM!

In my program, scrambled eggs and ricotta bake were fine for the puree stage without going into the food processor. So were yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, and refried beans. But anything involving meat had to be pureed.

Is that Greek yogurt on the top shelf? I can't live without that stuff .

Genepro protein powder is the only way to go! I bought mine on Amazon. It's a little more expensive but trust me, it's worth it! 30 grams of protein in a little spoon full. It is tasteless, and a very light consistency that mixes up and dissolves right into literally anything you put it in whether its hot or cold. I usually add it to my coffee every morning, but have also put it in yogurt, oatmeal, soups, etc. I also learned about it right here on Bariatric Pal

Who is your surgeon? I'm also having my surgery in Houston.I'm actually in The Woodlands area. I used Dr Balette. Below is his website. Since I was self pay it went very quickly. I had my surgery at the end of March. Dr Balette is awesome. http://www.sgotw.com Oh, nice! I'm scheduled to have surgery on the 19th. Closer to SW houston, though.Good luck! I hope your surgery goes well. I had no problems with recovery. Maybe one day of feeling gross. No issues with food. Only the Vitamins make me nauseous so I have to take them with yogurt. I'm so happy I had the surgery.

I was allowed no-sugar added peaches and pears, and banana when I started soft foods. I still try to have at least one serving of those a day in addition to the fruit in my yogurt. My NUT encourages vegetables and fruit.

Hi, Congratulations to everyone ????I had surgery May 28th. My Doctor said full liquids for 2 weeks. I've been eating the same thing everyday and I'm getting tired of it ???? for breakfast I'll have 4oz. Of plain greek yogurt, snack - 8oz. Protein shake, lunch 4oz. cream of soup, snack 8oz.protein shake, 4oz. Cream of soup, snack 8oz. Protein shake and in between water. I have not felt hungry ☺ any suggestions of what else I can eat? I need to change things up a little. Thanks ????

RogofUlm's Story Vertical Sleeve surgery: June 24th, 2014 Pre-surgery high weight: 265 Weight at surgery: 254 Initial goal weight: 154 Time achieve goal: 8 months (including 2-week pre-op diet) Stretch goal weight: 145 Time to stretch goal: 10 months (including 2-week pre-op diet) Total weight loss: 120 I went on my first diet at the age of 7, and sometimes feel like I've started a new diet every Monday morning for the last 48 years. I've done 'em all – from a 40-day hospital stay in a ketogenic program in 1974, to Weight Watchers (3 times), Diet Center (2 times), Jenny Craig, Nutri-System, Atkins, South Beach, Cambridge, Slim Fast, Fen-Phen, grapefruit and egg, and even starvation. I've probably lost close to 1,000 pounds throughout my life, including three or four diets resulting in nearly 100-pound losses. And after all that, at the age of 55, I still found myself 110 pounds overweight; with diabetes, apnea, asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, and borderline blood pressure. With a wonderful wife and 10-year-old child at home, I was a heart attack or stroke just waiting to happen. So why was I able to lose weight so effectively at times, but never keep it off? Same as most people, I suppose. When fully committed, I could “flick the switch” in my brain and resist anything… for a while. I'd lose a bunch of weight and start looking and feeling better, and then I'd be at a party with lots of goodies and think, "What the heck. I've done so well, so I’ll treat myself just this once and get right back on my diet." Hello, slippery slope! And then the cycle would begin: pig out, starve myself, pig out, starve myself… Eventually the pig outs would last longer and require more and more fat, salt, and sugar to satisfy. And, of course, each new day brought a brand new commitment to get back on track, so I wouldn't eat anything until 6 pm... and then I'd pig out again. That “switch” doesn’t always stay flicked, you know? So what's the definition of insanity again? Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. Then, 20 years ago, I lost a bunch of weight and maintained it for quite a while. But because of a bad reaction to a medication, I eventually had to have a hip replaced. Everything went well with the surgery and I even quit smoking in the process. Great, right? Yeah, but then the weight started coming back on, and eventually I gained about 50 pounds. So then I bounced around for a few years, yo-yoing all over the place between 60 and 100 pounds overweight, until I got married and we had a baby. Of course, during the pregnancy I gained 40 more pounds of "baby weight". But unlike my wife, I never delivered mine! So that brings me to the more recent past, when all those years of being overweight finally caught up with me and I began getting all the "fat diseases”. When the diabetes first came on, I dropped 30 pounds without even trying. But eventually we diagnosed it and got it under control with pills; and then the weight came right back on. A couple of years later, my weight started dropping again "for no reason". Of course I knew what was really going on, but the weight loss felt so good that I rode it down 45 pounds. But again, eventually I had to get it back under control, and again, all the weight came back. So by the time I decided to have WLS, not only was I taking pills plus daily insulin injections for diabetes, I was sleeping with a CPAP machine for apnea, and taking fistfuls of pills every day to manage the other co-morbidities. And that brings us to last year. In addition to all the diseases, I was exhausted and achy all the time, and had trouble dragging myself out of the recliner to play with my kid like I should. I'd take naps after stuffing myself at lunchtime, and exercise as little as possible. We all know the drill, right? And I’d gotten myself hooked on chicken wings with high-calorie sauces, a mountain of French fries, blue cheese dressing, and four large glasses of tea. I'd go out 2-3 times a week for wings, but I'd go to different restaurants because I was so embarrassed by how much and how frequently I was eating them. And gradually, I got more and more disgusted with myself. During that time, two of my co-workers had weight loss surgery: one bypass and one sleeve. Every day for about a year, I watched them get smaller and smaller. They didn’t keep their surgeries a secret, so when I asked about their experiences, they graciously shared all the details with me – the good, and the bad. And gradually I got to the point where I said, “I WANT THAT!” So my inspiration to have weight loss surgery was a direct result of my co-workers’ successes, and their openness about having had weight loss surgery. Once I decided to get sleeved, I went "all-in". I followed all my doctor’s post-op rules to a tee (with the exception of coffee – my one remaining vice). But this time something was different from all those past diets. Because of the restriction in my stomach, instead of losing momentum and giving in to temptation, I was able to stay on the horse. My new “tool” gave me the strength I needed to consistently make the right choices. I lost 110 pounds and made it to goal in 8 months. And in the two months after that, I lost another 10 pounds to give myself a comfortable buffer. I put away the CPAP machine; I’m off all diabetes, blood pressure, and asthma meds; and I'm on the lowest dosage of my cholesterol meds. In a few more months, I hope to be off those too. So now that I’ve reached my final goal weight, I don’t need – or want – to lose any more. I’m exactly where I want to be for the first time in my adult life; which, quite frankly, is a totally mind-blowing thought! My big secret? Just follow the danged rules – all of them! (And mind you, I’ve been a rule breaker all my life.) If you do exactly what your doctor or nutrition program recommends, the weight will come off. After a month or two of making good (but difficult) choices, the cravings for the foods that got you to your pre-surgery weight will start to fade away, and the pride in your accomplishment will have a stronger pull than the food. That’s when you really get on a roll! Here’s the formula I used to get to goal weight quickly: Start every morning with a Protein shake for Breakfast. Eat 60–80 or more grams of protein daily. Drink 64–120 ounces of fluids daily. (I drink tons of Crystal Light, or generic, sugar-free/decaf iced tea.) Do not consume any starches or sugars. Get all carbs from green veggies, legumes, and dairy products. Do not consume empty liquid calories/sugar (fruit juices, ice cream, etc). Try to avoid alcohol. It’s empty liquid calories that turn to sugar in your body and can lead to poor choices. All Snacks must be protein-based (Jerky, nuts, cheeses, Greek yogurt, deli meats). Get some exercise 4-6 times a week. Never leave the house without a plan for what you can eat and drink while you’re out. If necessary, bring food and drink with you. Restaurant eating is not hard: 1) skip the bread; 2) order a meat (or legume/bean) dish; 3) replace the starch with a second vegetable; 4) skip the dessert. You’ll probably end up taking some of the meat and most of the veggies home for another meal. Beef/turkey jerky is my secret weapon. It’s saved me more times than I can count, so I try to always have some in the car for emergencies. You can buy a bag of jerky almost anywhere. It’s kind of expensive and not great for sodium-restricted diets, but it’s also high protein, low fat, okay sugar, and a 3.5-ounce bag is a meal by itself! If you fall off the horse, get back on immediately – at the next meal. Not tomorrow, and definitely not next Monday. That’s what got us here! Go to Bariatric Support Group meetings in your area, if possible. Participate actively in online forums like BariatricPal. Read as much as you can about the process and the journey; and especially, read posts and articles from those who had their surgery a few years ago. Try to understand what lead to their successes and/or struggles. Share your story and reach out to help others who are behind you in their journey. By helping them, you’ll help yourself as well. Have a goal weight in mind and strive to get there. (I weigh myself every single day.) But also set lots of smaller goals. It’s fun and inspiring to achieve them. Believe that the slimmer person in the mirror is the real you. Always be looking forward. Don’t look back over your shoulder waiting for the heavier person to drag you back. Let that person fade into history. A little vanity is okay. Enjoy how you look. Accept compliments graciously and don’t deflect them. Have fun trying on smaller-sized clothes that fit now. Compare before and after pictures. Take pride in your accomplishments! Accept that this is a somewhat selfish process. That’s okay, too. You don’t have to apologize for it. And don’t let other people interfere with your progress. We have to make our weight loss program a priority in our lives. But at the same time, recognize that your journey affects your friends and loved ones as well. Be sensitive to their reactions and their emotional needs, without allowing it to derail your program. And finally, try to have fun losing the weight and getting healthy! Now, I’ll admit that many people think this much rigor is unreasonable and unsustainable. They believe that you need to learn how to “eat normally” on your way down. I get it… but I don’t buy it. (And believe me, self-discipline has never been one of my strengths.) My philosophy has been that there’s plenty of time to learn how to eat for maintenance once I get to my goal weight. That way, if I add something back in my food plan and it causes me to gain a few pounds; I only need to re-lose those few pounds. I don’t need to lose them PLUS all the rest that haven’t come off yet. That’s a whole lot harder and more daunting than just losing a few. I also believe that we get a 9–12 month “honeymoon period” (when the weight comes off more easily and the hunger is more manageable), to get our heads in the right place for the long haul. I firmly believe that people who take maximum advantage of their honeymoon period are far more likely to get all the way to goal weight; and hopefully, to keep it off. And now my theory will be put to the test... Over the next few months, I’ll need to start experimenting with what works and what doesn’t. I’ll need to add back some foods that will stop the weight loss, without causing a gain, and without putting me back on the slippery slope. But what are those foods? My doctor suggests that if you want to increase your carb intake, to add only foods that you would eat cooked as part of a meal (like brown rice, whole wheat Pasta, sweet potatoes, barley, quinoa, oatmeal, and green peas). No white bread, pasta, rice, or potatoes, no refined sugar, no fruit juice, soda, or ice cream, and nothing that would tempt you to go to the fridge or pantry for a handful or bowlful as a snack. That sounds reasonable, so that’s what I’m going to try. But what about all those yummy foods I’ve been missing? I don’t know yet. Maybe the day will come when I can have one small scoop of ice cream, or four cheese crackers, or a mini chocolate bar, or a sandwich. But today is not that day. For now, it’ll be baby steps until I’ve maintained my weight loss for a good long time. If the truth be told, since I detoxed completely from starch and sugar, I haven’t really craved the stuff. So how do I feel about my weight loss journey so far? Believe it or not… it’s been a total blast! And see... that’s another reason to follow all the rules and lose the weight quickly – the compliments, your reflection in the mirror, clothes that fit and look good, the extra energy for family and friends, and most of all, your new-found health – are a thousand times more fun and motivating than anything that could ever go into your mouth! And here’s one final thought… Several months ago I ran into a woman I hadn’t seen for a while. She’d been thinking about weight loss surgery, but was afraid to take the first step. But when she saw the “new me”, she said the exact same words I had said a year ago, “I WANT THAT!” Well, a few weeks ago she got sleeved and she’s doing great! And that’s how this wonderful story continues… I wish all of you great success, and a healthy, exciting, and fun journey to good health!!! Rog (of Ulm)

So I start my 3rd week post op this Thursday, we are leaving to go camping for the weekend on Friday. I know I can bring yogurts, cans of tuna and applesauce, etc. I can cook eggs also.. Any other easy ideas anyone can give me? I will bring my personal blender too lol, just need a few more ideas without it getting into too many ingredients or time spent on meals. My post op instructions had a few ideas but not many.. I really can't wait to cook for my family again, but I don't want to make big dinners just to have to puree them for myself. I think I will wait a couple more weeks then be able to make healthy high Protein meals for dinner.

Congratulations, everyone! I'm almost 4 months post-op and am 7 weeks pregnant. Am balancing pure elation and terror almost daily. Though welcomed, this is a surprise for my husband and I. We sought fertility treatment for years and were blessed with a child who is now almost four. We accepted never having another, especially with a few miscarriages. Just had to let it go, ya know? I met with my surgeon last week and he was happy for me. He said the biggest struggle he could foresee would be cravings because the part of my stomach responsible for that should not work like normal. ??? But he also said it's case by case. Meeting with the OB on June 11. I'm really struggling with getting my Protein in. Pure Protein Bars are the only thing that seem to settle in the mornings. Yogurt, string cheese or any meat don't fly. I'm more concerned with snacking... I'm hungry between meals and just before bed. I've been trying to satisfy with an ounce of peanuts or almonds or pistacchios. Is anyone else struggling with a break in the normal post surgery diet/routine? I'm continuing to work out three times a week and walk, but am not getting enough Water in daily. Thanks! Have a happy day!

@@Martene81 Wow. Your post goes to show everybody's surgeon is literally completely different and all over the place when it comes to what to eat. My doctor wanted me on liquids only for a week post op. After that I was able to try yogurt, refried Beans, soft cooked eggs, and soft cheeses for a week. Crackers, oatmeal, toast etc are foods she wants us to avoid completely if possible because they fill your pouch and absorb moisture. And they're not high in Protein so you basically fill your pouch without getting sufficient protein. My guidlines are to eat meals that are 75% protein and as minimal carbs as possible. I'm to avoid breads, rice, Pasta, oats, etc. Anything that absorbs or "swells" in the stomach is a no-no as far as my doctor is concerned. Foods I do well with are chicken that's moist (grilled or baked is best), lean fish, ground meats, well cooked vegetables and soft fruits. I'm careful with foods that tend to be "slider" foods. Yogurt can be a slider food for me so I make sure it has lots of protein and is in low in sugar and sometimes I freeze it a bit so I can eat it more slowly. Some days I'm not hungry at all, so I just my nutrition. Lots of protein and supplements.

It will be an adjustment pre and post-op, that is for sure. But with time, you will adapt. It might seem impossible now, but you will find a new "normal" post-op and you WILL be able to do it. Putting Protein first has been much easier for me than I thought it would be. I thought I would miss all the carbs, but I rarely do. It's crazy to me to think that pizza used to be my favorite food and now I wouldn't bother with it. If/when I eat pizza, I have to just eat the toppings and skip the crust. It just doesn't satisfy me the way it used to. There's nothing fulfilling about eating the cheese and toppings off of about two slices of pizza then feeling full and gross. I do occasionally still sometimes have some chips or a muffin or something, but it's sooooo rare and it never satisfies me they way I'd want it to anyway. So it's pretty easy for me to stick to my protein-first diet. It will be hard to get your protein in in the early days, just because getting ANY food in will be challenging. But once you are back on solid foods and fully recovered, it's not too hard to reach your protein goals. Here's a sample day for me so you can get an idea of how I get my 100 grams of protein in (some surgeons/nutritionists only want 60 or 65, but my nutritionist wanted me up to 100 as soon as I was able): Breakfast: Protein Bar (21g) Morning Snack: String Cheese (8g) Lunch: Leftover meat from previous dinner (12-20g) Afternoon Snack: Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt w/ 1/2 oz. of kashi Cereal or granola (15g) Dinner: The meat from whatever meal my husband cooks for himself (12-20g) Evening Snack: Protein Bar (21g) Obviously I'm eating a lot more 9 months out than you will be able to handle for the first couple of months, but you can see that by eating protein-heavy meals and snack, six times a day, I get in about 90-100 grams of protein a day.

Plan, Prepare, and Persevere! Plan - Know everything that you're going to eat today before Breakfast is over. Write it down. Use an App like myfitnesspal and put the stuff in BEFORE you eat it, not after. Prepare - Shop like youre going to war, because making good choices everyday as someone with a food addiction IS a battle. Identify where youre weak and make plans to help you win that battle. Bad decisions are usually the result of not having good decisions among your options. Stash shakes and bars (and cottage cheese/greek yogurt, cheese sticks, whatever you love) in the places where you suffer temptation and commonly fail. At work, in your car, by your PC at home, or near the TV. You can win these wars if you're prepared. Corollary: Dont allow bad decisions to be in your house! You dont have to allow Cookies or chips to exist in your space. Persevere - you're going to put the wrong things in your mouth from time to time. Don't beat yourself up, but dont let it continue! Fail Forward Fast. Dont wallow and self medicate with bad calories. Do the next right thing, and the next one after that. Forgive yourself and refocus daily. It helps if you have the reasons you chose to have the surgery written down and displayed somewhere (like on the fridge). Head hunger will talk to you, when it does, talk back. "Hello, old foe. So we meet again. You want me to believe that I need food now? I just talked to Stomach and he says I just ate 40 min ago and there's no way I've digested even half of that chicken. So I'm going to listen to him and just have something to drink. Better luck next time!" When all else fails, get back to basics. Protein first, eat slow, separate eating and drinking, and dont skip your supplements (getting too low on Vit D or B12 makes me feel like CRAP)!