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When I think of aromas, I mainly think of savoury items. My main weakness before surgery was sweets, which don't usually have much of an aroma unless you're talking about baked goods fresh from the oven. When it comes to savoury foods, there are healthy alternatives that are just as satisfying to me. So aromas generally don't trigger self-sabotaging behaviour.
However, you have reminded me of something which I've been neglecting recently, but I think is very helpful. After surgery I made a point of stimulating other senses besides taste. Examples include: a cup of very fragrant herbal tea, petting my cats, curling up under the duvet, choosing clothes in fabrics that feel good against my skin. I try to pay much more attention to those sensations now. Also, when I eat, I try to really savour each bite of food. I think sometimes we turn automatically to food when we really just want some sort of stimulus. Your question has reminded me to get back into the habit.
Thanks for the tip! At least maybe I can get some during this season!
KimmyJJ
Light & Fit was the brand and to bad its only a seasonal yogurt.
White Dove, this is great advice thank you. Right now, I plan 2 weeks of meals and snacks ahead, and have a few cravings substitutes that are healthy alternatives. This site and people like you have given me tons of wisdom that helps greatly.
KimmyJJ
Want2beMe this is awesome that pumpkin yogurt works for you like this, what a lucky substitute! What brand of pumpkin yogurt was it, do you remember?
KimmyJJ
I am 6.5 years out. Like you, yes I was very hungry but I noticed it was when I ate carbs like sweets and chips. I started at 347 and got down to 247. I then gained and loss each year about 5-10 lbs. I've actually loss weight since the pandemic (239lbs) because I do intermittent fasting. I stop eating 7pm at night and I do not eat again until after 11am in morning. Sometimes, If I eat later at night I go later in morning. My biggest help-and yes I know it has high sodium content-are pickles. The dill pickles I eat are under 50 calories so they do not break my fast, and I also at times have bullet proof coffee. So what works for me and I cannot say for anyone else - is a combination of Intermittent Fasting and low carbs. My original goal of 220 lbs is now not so far away-even with the pandemic. But at times I do go into a food coma, but I've been able to keep it to weekends, and I've learned that as long as I discipline myself during the week, my weekends-although they may retard weight loss- does not add on the lbs to me that I loss. So that is what works for me after 6.5 years. I'm sure others are different and would not agree with how I go about it-but it works for me!! Wish you well.
Vertical Gastric Sleeve-(8/26/14)
HW 347lbs SW-328lbs CW-247 lbs GW-212lbs Randolph, 
"LOVE" is knowing someone has the power to hurt you, yet TRUST that they won't" 
"Sing like no one's listening and dance like no one's watching!!"
Good Morning
I made this video for anyone that wants to prepare for the food of the Holiday Season.
Check out the video here:
Regards
Dr. Alvarez
What an awesome post! I'm saving this for future reference :-)
I'm scheduled for vsg in two weeks. I was very glad to see a few responses from my age group. I turn 56 before my surgery, and have been a bit concerned I won't bounce back as quickly as those a few decades younger.
In January 2021, It will be 7 years since my VSG surgery.
I was 250lb, my surgery weight was 240lb. My lowest weight was 140lb. I maintained 150-155lb for 5.5years, eating very well and exercising. I became a runner.
In my 6th year, I noticed 10lb weight regain. I lost it and gained it the entire year. Most likely it was hormonal, considering my age. But, no matter the protein, the water, the exercise, I couldn't shake those pounds. I was hungrier and hungrier, and I could eat much more.
At 20lb regain, I was still running and I felt great, but the pounds didn't go away.
If you read about the VSG, you'll read about regain starting in the 3rd or 4th year because the restriction loosens up. The tool is restriction -- not the surgery. Once the tool loosens up, it doesn't work as well anymore and you are back to dieting.
I'm healthy and happy, but I currently have 25lb extra that seem to be with me for the long haul. And, before anyone attacks me, I am in year 7 -- not year 1 or 2 or 3. I can attest to the fact that the restriction starts loosening up and hunger pains come back. We all know that the VSG is NOT a cure, and the surgery is not the tool, the restriction is the tool. And if the tool is restriction, then when it starts loosening, the tool isn't working as well as it used to. It has its time limitations.
If VSGers who are out 5+ years would post here, we'd hear all about weight regain, whether 10 or 50 pounds, or more. I guarantee it. The most important thing, is to either accept that extra weight or do something about it. I don't want to spend the rest of my life dieting -- I already spent the first part of my life doing that.
And so, I'm getting resleeved next week because the VSG has made such a huge difference in my well-being. It gave me 7 full years of greatness!
hi all.. I fear I?ve wrecked my metabolism from yo yo fad diets since the age of 14.. you name it, I did it. I had sleeve 4 yrs ago.. but never lost everything I wanted to. I?m on ww but also started just simply calorie tracking .. seems I?m maintaining at 1400-1500 cals from what I can tell. I think I need to drop to 1200 at least to lose ..the problem is actually doing it...does anyone try to stay at 1200? What does your daily diet look like? Are you also tracking carbs?
1200 cals is above maintenance cals for many of us. Maintenance is around 800 and to lose, we have to drop to 600 cals , mostly protein.
