Lapses after surgery--how strange!!

Had my first strange post-op enlightenment this weekend...I sort of messed up this weekend with my eating--I was at a friend's house out of town all weekend and I definetly "grazed" more than I should have.  No where NEAR what I used to eat, but more than the 6 total ounces per day that I should be eating now.  The weird part was that after I screwed up, my first thought was "Well, I failed at this too, just like every other diet attempt!" but then I realized that failing is not an option--that unlike other diet attempts, this one is ongoing and I can choose to continue to make it harder on myself by cheating and screwing up OR I can succeed by working harder.  THAT was a GREAT feeling!  A little disarming--since I am used to being the one in charge of if I am on a diet or not, instead of my stomach being in charge--but a great feeling to know that, yes I messed up and yes I need to do better, but I don't have to give up on myself!  I have implemented a few new things to help my stay focused on my diet plan and I am looking forward to SUCCEEDING at this!!!

Maddie, Just remember not to beat yourself up! This is a journey...and for most of us, no journey is a straight highway with no road construction. We all have slip-up days and the best we can do is just try to do better the next day.  I had read one time that statistically, people eat more when they are with friends who eat more. Think about it. It makes alot of sence really. If you are with a friend who munches on popcorn, you'll wind up grabbing a handful at some point...unless you are a rare person who hates popcorn. It's just instant reflexes. You do it without even thinking about it. There are days that I grab something..not because I'm hungry, but because IT'S THERE! I know! That's pre-op talk! LOL! But it's also just very human nature. So I try to put healthy things in the fridge for me to grab instead...celery, apples, cheese strips. When you are going to spend the day with friends, pack some healthy, high protein munchies to bring with you...so when they grab a Dorito, you can grab a carrot stick! I think you are doing fantastic. Remember though that the first year is the 'honeymoon' stage. Your pouch will be sure you lose weight! After that though, you have to have adopted healthy lifestyle behaviors in that first year, or you're lible to gain the weight back. So..keep YOU in charge of your weight loss..even in this first year so that when the honeymoon is over, the weight loss continues! Sherri

Maddie,  You are definately not alone. Thankfully you learned quickly that this isn't another fad diet, but a lifestyle. I applaud you for getting right back on track-. Sherri is so right, keeping things you can "munch" on safely, is so important. I take alot of my own foods when visiting, & it really helps.  Yes, our tummy is in control now- and so are we. Don't EVER give up on yourself, remember positive self talk is a great deterant to negative "feelings"- and feelings aren't always facts! Being 2+ yrs. out, I still am learning about myself, and how to change. Just get that guide out the Dieticians gave you and follow it- YOU WILL SUCCEED! (((hugs))) Ellen

Sherri--- Exactly--you said it far more eloquently than I did!  It is wonderful knowing that unlike other diets where I fail and then give up,  WLS has a "learning curve" built in that will help me to continue learning new ways of dealing with food and food issues so that in time I have learned a whole new way of relating to food!