Denise, This can actually be an easy thing to work with. If you know that depriving yourself is what makes you bonkers, just handle things differently. 1) Allow yourself to have ANYTHING you want, but no more than 2 bites. OR 2) Allow yourself to have something only after all the "rules and regulations" have been met to allow you to eat it. For example, you want to have a slice of cake. Make the rules that you can only have it AFTER you've eaten lunch or dinner, but had to have eaten all your protein and some of your veggies and it needs to be after you've wanted it for 3 days, but must be consumed before 6pm only on Thursdays. The above is only an example, but you get the idea. You can add as many rules to the list to narrow your eating as you can live with. I wouldn't be surprised if you do this, at first you won't be able to handle many rules before you "HAVE TO HAVE IT OR I"LL GO BONKERS" hits. But over time, you may find that some things are not worth eating enough that you are willing to fulfill all the rules or you even forget about them all together. Just knowing that you can have them is enough, sometimes. Irene

Hey thanks Mike... Congrats to you too on your awesome success.... Please stop by and post from time to time. It's great to hear from those who have arrived! All the best!! Denise

Pamela, I wasn't trying to say that there is one way for everyone. If your nutrtionist says 1200 cals for you then go with it. As Long as you're honest with her and yourself about the 1200cals. Are you getting help for your compulsive binge eating issues also? I want to commend you on your weight loss so far that is great. I hope that you reach the goals that you have set for yourself. Mike

From the get-go, I was a slow loser. I lost 13 lbs my first month post-op, and that was eating water! I've definitely had my issues, and I've fallen off the path more than once. But I CAN say that my lifestyle is permanently changed, regardless of the slipups. Heck, even the skinny people make mistakes sometimes! Have I reached my goal weight? Hardly. I still have 68 lbs to go (to 150). I also have at least 20 lbs of skin, so I could probably revise my goal to 170 or so. We'll see. Do I consider this surgery a failure? Nope. I can live my life like any other normal human being. I can ride roller coasters, wear a seatbelt, walk all day without collapsing...Although my clothing size is still anywhere between an 18 and a 22, I look good in my clothes and I KNOW IT. As for calories...I JUST had a talk with my dietician the other day, and she still says 1200 calories or so. And me, with my compulsive/binge eating issues, there is NO WAY I can go through life without writing my foods down and adding up the calories. As much as I would like to NOT keep track of my daily intake, it's one way I can deal with my food issues. My body might tell me when it needs fuel...but my brain has a different idea most of the time. We're all different, and while your intentions are good, Mike, it's definitely not a "one size fits all" kind of thing. Cheers! Pamela 352/218/150

Good morning... Yesterday was a pretty good day... I think the additional calories helped me stay closer on task. So here's today's plan: Breakfast: Talipia Snack: AchievOne Lunch: Grilled Chicken Snack: AchievOne Dinner: Steak Snack: AchievOne Sugar free popsicles Nutrition: 1137 Calories 27 Fat 15 Carbs 181 Protein Exercise: 75 minutes - water aerobics - DONE! Have a great day!! Denise