A Most Important Message for Those Who Want Easy Answers...

Grim is great for support. He is a major asset here. He really just wants to help us. 

Good for you not deleting your profile and doing your own thing. I know I have not been perfect. I have learned that over the past three years. 

Helping others does help us. 

I've gotten my ass kicked a few times here. We all need some cold water thrown in our faces once in a while.

Weigh****chers used to keep you on a strict diet until you were in maintenance then add new treats in every week.  That is why they were so successful, they taught you how to lose the weight and then made sure you gained it back.  Keeps lots of members paying their weekly fees.

GREAT point!!!

Great advice, such great words of wisdom this far out from surgery. I'm only 5 days after you. And it's so true. My old mentality and habits creeped in the last 11 weeks, and I paid for it. This forum is real and honest. If you want to be successful listen to sucsessful people who live this everyday. 

"This is not one of your old failed diets, this is your life"

I haven't been able to put a name on it, but this sentence kinda sums up a lot of what I've been thinking about. I keep hearing and using the term lifestyle change. But it wasn't until the holidays that I began to understand what that really meant. I'm still a baby post op, but I hadn't realized how normal my way of eating has become.

Over the holidays saw people who knew I'd had surgery, but hadn't really spent time with since pre op, or very early days. They had questions about recovery, or how things work. And I seriously struggled to remember. And then they asked about what I can and can't eat. I was like, no, I pretty much eat what I want. Which is technically true, but it's the want that's changed. I didn't even think about carbs when they asked.My Christmas meal was turkey, coleslaw, gravy and a tiny bit of stuffing and a bite of mashed potato. Less than a cup serving total and it didn't feel like anything was missing. I was more interested in getting people into the photo booth I made, and breaking out the minute to win it games! And my day was bookended by long walks.

pre op, I would have been comatose and looking for a nap after dinner. I know the honeymoon will end, but here's hoping I've laid the groundwork for long term success. Sounds like you are doing the same.

Since you are in agreement, I might add that your doctor and dietician would't approve of gravy (fat and flour) or a bit of stuffing or mashed potato for that matter (especially since it was probably made with butter) or coleslaw (unless it's homemade with you in mind it's usually full of fat and sugar). I don't think you are at a point either where you should be close to a cup.

I had turkey, a small chunk of baked sweet potato with spray butter and a few green beans (pulled out before they went into the casserole).  My meal totaled 4oz per my doctor.

I don't want to be holier then thou.  Call this your tough love for today :)