Hi Beth, Well I can tell you what works for me when I do it! Seems I can stay in total control for a few days then I fall off the wagon. Nothing major but you know how it is when you eat one thing you shouldn't then beat yourself up about it. Here's a sample menu when I am in total control. Pre-B - sometimes I have a scoop of protein in my decaf coffee. Breakfast - cottage cheese & fruit or oatmeal and fruit or Optimum slim cereal and skim milk (sometimes fruit) Lunch - small salad with either albacore tuna & feta or chicken & cheese and a low fat dressing. I like Ken's light sweet vidalia onion with tuna Snack - celery & 2 wedges light laughing cow cheese spread or apple & 2 T. natural peanut butter or Glenny's soy crisps ( bbq & carmel are my favorites) or hummus & cucumbers Dinner - lean protein - fish, shrimp, chicken, sometimes pork tenderloin veggies spoonful of rice or baked potato Snack - fruit and/or yogurt popcorn (not microwave) cheese with a few wheat crackers I really try not to eat after dinner since we eat between 6 & 7. I try to just drink. This is when I am good. I can usually do this for a few days before I sabotage myself. That is what I feel like I am doing lately. KWIM. Like today I had the kids with me at the grocery store. I bought them ice cream and a cake mix. I make the cake tonight with my favorite homemade icing. Of course I had a sliver. Not a whole piece but I still am mad at myself. Unfortunately it takes alot for me to dump. I have also had a real problem with nuts. I was eating to much trail mix. I can't stop at 1/4 c. So I just quit buying any kind of nuts. Not until I get a grip. I am glad you asked this question because it made me really think about what I need to be eating. I am going to go pack my food for work tomorrow. It's really all about planning. I can plan through the day but when I get home I can totally lose it. I don't know how you do it when you are home all day. I would have to padlock all the cabinets and fridge. Hope my ramblings help. Dawn

Congratulations Janice, You've done great. I have my one year check up the day after Memorial Day since that's when I'm going to St. Louis. Dianne

Thanks for all the support. My trip was great. The house is sold, I went to the grocery and bought some healthy food. Back to normal hopefully. Dianne 340/162/150 or less

Thanks Lara, I will be in touch...I haven't given up...just took a break for a minute, I am gonna get back to the beginning, I've come too far...and as my son would say, FAILURE IS JUST NOT AN OPTION... Love to all you guys, Rj

My surgeon says that we lose the best for the first 18 months. So, per him our sweet time isn't over yet. The rules are hard - only you know how you're doing at following them. How many calories do you eat in a day? Are you getting in your protein? Do you drink with your meals? Are you drinking your calories (alcohol, high calorie beverages)? How many times a week do you take exercise? Are you eating 3 meals, and limited snacks or grazing? - you don't have to answer these on the board, just consider them for yourself, review the packet your surgeon gave you and honestly ask yourself if you're living up to your end of the bargin. If you are, then go in and get evaluated. . .something could be wrong. I go to therapy, regularly to help me learn how not to use food as a crutch. That helps IMMENCELY, but it's work too. This whole thing is hard, so I'm feeling you there totally! You can do this - we all can do this. For stretched pouch info - there's always the cottage cheese test on the pouch rules for dummies - or you can get scoped/upper GI testing to get it measured. I'm wishing you the best and hoping that you find your way through this rough time. ~Lara