So what are the permanent changes?

I have to echo what everyone else has said and add something about carbs. 

Before surgery my 2 main food groups were carbs and sugar. Didn't need meat or veggies or fruit. Just carbs and sugar. A really surprising and totally unexpected thing happened. I'm not interested in either any more. I think I de-toxed from them during the liquid phase. Now I simply stay far away from what I call white food. Potatoes, rice, pasta, pastries, chips, ice cream. If it's white I don't eat it. I don't miss it, either. I'll bet, tho, if I had a single chip I'd go on to eat the rest of the bag. I don't want to go there again so I'm determined to steer clear. No white food for me.

Yeah it's so weird how carbs work. I was on a low-carb diet for several months one time and it really blew my mind how little I cared about food. I lost interest in almost all food, period. It was very odd. I was amazed how I could walk up to say a booth at the fair, making like fresh funnel cakes or something and be like "oh whatever" I could just take it or leave it.
 
I also remember when I did have something I normally would have loved, it really didn't do much for me. Carbs are so weird. I never would have believed it could happen that way for me if I hadn't ever went on that low-carb diet. I sure hope it's like that again! I will lost lots of weight if it gets like that time was.

Thanks so much for the post!

I had a band prior to my sleeve, so when they said that 1/2c. of food is max right now, I was a little leary.  That's what they told me about the band, but it never happened!  But, for the sleeve, it is true.   And honestly, the thicker the food (I am on soft foods til Monday), the less I can eat.  I ALWAYS measure out 1/2c.  There are times I fini**** times I don't.  And yes, it does last until the next meal.  And when i had a band, the no drinking rule was so the food would stay in the pouch longer (supposedly).  With the sleeve, there is no "pouch"; it is your stomach, and when you eat your 1/2c., you are FULL.  There is no room for liquid, and it really is like that for about an hour after you eat.  And I reiterate...EAT SLOWLY!!
good luck,
Jenn

Yeah I have a good friend who has a band and she has had a rough time of it. She can't eat much but she says she is uncomfortable just about every time she eats. I am so glad I read so much on hear and decided to switch to the sleeve!

I will be sure to measure my food out. I don't want to get sick anyway.

I can't wait to have a tiny little 1/2 cup of food hold me until the next meal!

Thanks for your reply!

I agree with all of the above... and depending on the food, I will be full even after a few bites (like dense protein like chicken)... and if I must get in one last bite (which I have done 3 times and regretted all 3 times... and yes, I was a slow learner on that one...), I either throw it all up or have horrible chest pain.  My nutritionist did say caffeine was ok, but I only have had it once or twice since surgery and didn't do quite so well.  I felt shakey and jittery and to me it was not worth it.  As far as drinking while eating, I fill up so fast it is next to impossible to do...Exercise is a must.... and over time all of this will become second nature. 
My husband and I are both sleeved and I never realized how second nature it is until we eat dinner somewhere else... I have a very close family that we usually eat dinner with once a week... and that is when I notice the differences between how I used to eat with how I eat now, but for me it is worth it.... I feel better than I have in years... the daily joint pain I had is now minimal and I have so much energy...  To me, it is worth these small little changes. 

I have joint pain too. I can't wait for that to go away and to get more energy!

I worry a little about the not drinking while eating thing. Right now, that seems impossible to me. I think eating such a tiny amount would make it easier though. I guess I will see. I wonder what would happen if I did eat and drink at a meal. Have you ever tried it? Just curious what would happen.

Thanks so much for your post!

I am in complete agreement with Jaque. I used to eat sugar and carbs like no tomorrow - Now I RARELY crave them. I also find when I do crave them it's usually a mental thing, not a physical thing. You will learn (the hard way!) what things you are mentally craving, ie-addictions, and what things your body is truely craving, ie hunger. They are not the same thing! And that for me was the hardest part. I still struggle with it from time to time, but after"detoxing" from all the sugar, I feel great and I dont need it.

Keeping a journal can help too. Especially the first month or two when things are changing on a daily basis. It gives you something to look back and read every few days to see how you are progressing. Also a food journal has helped me tremendously in the later months - keeping count of calories, etc. You can also use myfitnesspal.com, will add up your calories for you.

 And congratulate yourself!
Stefanie

I like the journal idea. Sometimes it's hard to even think of what to eat, so I could look back for some ideas and to see a pattern of what worked and what didn't agree with me. I do plan on using a food tracker but writing down if something didn't agree with me might be a good idea too.

Thanks for your advice!

Remind yourself that there will be weeks (particular the third week where 99% of us stall) you won't lose anything on the scale and that it's absolutely normal and nothing you can do about.

Just keep telling yourself that there's no way your body CAN'T lose on 800 calories a week.

Much luck to you but...you won't need it ;)

Thanks. Yeah, I have heard about the 3 week stall. I assume it was a typo when you said 800 calories a week, rather than a day. I hope I don't have to only eat that in a week. I assume that is a day. I think I would die at 800 a week. Ha Ha

Thanks for the advice!