I need all support i can get because being a single Mom and weight over 500 lbs is hard enough, but my own mother who never support anything I did is say im taking the easy way by research to have weight loss surgery and saying I should eat more salads and exercise more. I don't she realizes how hard my life at my weight. I just need some support and encouragement going through weight loss surgery and get my life for me and my kids.

Nice, clear explanation! I think some of the surgical programs need you to write for them, they are rarely so precise!

You are still in your liquid phase so the goal is to drink/sip on your protein shake throughout the day as well as drink clear liquids. The protein shake is to keep your nutrients up and the clear liquids are to keep you from getting dehydrated. Since your stomach is small you will only be able to sip but you do this all day so you can get those 2 shakes and clear liquids in.

Right now you are in the healing stages of your surgery so they want you to only do liquids and then you will gradually reintroduce foods to your new stomach to be sure you are tolerating them. Over time you will be able to eat more but the goal is to not go overeat and stretch out your stomach so you only do the recommended ounces your surgeon states. I was told to eat no more than 4 oz at a meal and right now I am almost 2 yrs post I can eat a little more than that but I don't let myself. You aren't doing anything wrong but I understand that you are worried. Believe me we have all felt that in the beginning. There are some great people on here that are happy to answer questions so don't hesitate to ask.

One slip up is not a "big red flag" to my long-term success, it's just indicative of me being human. We can agree that AFTER surgery this would have been detrimental, but I'm not there yet. And I WILL be successful when I am (count me out if you want to). This is the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm retraining my brain after 30+ years of terrible eating and I went 10 days without solid food prior to a small bag of popcorn last night. I joined this forum for support. And while I don't need a pat on the behind or your sympathy, to be told there's a "big red flag" in MY journey is hardly supportive. Rather than wagging your finger, you could have given me some tips on dealing with what you call "head hunger" since you appear to be so versed in it.

Here are a few suggestions.

Make a regular habit (not just when you're bored) of stimulating other senses: herbal tea, candles, massage oil, petting an animal, brushing your hair, give yourself a facial, luxurious bedding, walking in nature, flowers, etc. Even if some of these aren't "your thing", I think it's a good idea to push your boundaries. And as you're going about your daily activities, pay attention to your other senses.

Realise that it's normal to sometimes want to eat when you're not hungry -- even thin people do it. So be prepared. Keep food on hand that is fun to eat (chewy, crunchy, etc.), but which you're not likely to overeat. Carrot sticks and other raw veggies, of course. But there are probably lots of foods that might tempt others, but you aren't overly tempted by. My list includes pumpkin seeds, raisins, and pomegranate seeds.

Before WLS, if I had a day when I ate more, I felt that I had "blown my diet" and might as well give up and try again tomorrow. But now I realise that it's normal for your desire to eat (whether from general hunger, or just boredom) varies greatly from one day to the next. In round numbers, suppose I normally eat 1200 calories per day. I might have a day or two where I eat 2000 calories, and other days when I only eat 600. My cats do exactly the same thing! So now when I find myself eating more, I accept that it's a "hungry" day, and that's OK. I haven't "blown my diet"; I only need to worry if I start having a lot of hungry days in a row.