I have never experienced anything like that.  Part of me is happy, but most of me wishes I had some restriction so that I could feel food.  I was given a 2 oz. pouch and a double size stoma so by the time I chew and swallow the food is gone.  It is like living on clear liquids.  It sounds painful, but if it keeps you on track maybe it is worth it.  I had heard stories and expected to have to eat slowly and for the first 6 months I chewed a bite 30 times.  Then one night I ate a whole steak really fast because I was soooo hungry.  It went down and through the pouch without a problem.  I had suspected I had a problem but that night I knew I had a problem.  Honestly, I think you are better off than me...even though it hurts.  It keeps you true to the diet.  Tri

Thanks! Amazing how much I am learning on this forum. Learning how to take care of my body and myself. Knowledge and humility are tools we need along with the WLS. I do think our metabolism changes on this diet though because I am now over 8 months out. I've lost about 90 lbs. I'm at 258 lbs and you would think that under 1200 calories a day with exercise I would lose weight or at least maintain, but to lose weight I have to eat less than 1,000 calories which was getting harder but I was eating wrong food. Now I'm back to more proteins and fluids. Thank you!

I regained 60 pounds over 2 years when I was about three years out from surgery.  Difference in living arrangements definitely played a big part.

I finally had enough and accepted that I was the only one responsible for what went into my mouth.  I quit blaming my environment for my own lack of self control..and that set off a chain reaction of good food choices.  I went back to basics and followed a shortened version of a progressive post-op diet to re-familiarize myself with my pouch capacity and then I ate protein-forward meals.  I ended up losing 44 pounds in 2 months and in 6 months I had lost 70 pounds, putting me at all all-time low.

So it can be done!  I know what my triggers are, and I do the best I can to eliminate them from my diet.  Once I allow myself to give in to anything that isn't part of my eating plan, it usually is a slippery slope to weeks of poor food choices.

Next thing to tackle is exercise.  Six years out in July, maintained a 200 pound loss and have not formally exercised at all yet.

Thanks Jill. I never thought about it like that. First, that WLS cannot be our ONLY tool. It may help us in the beginning but you are right-it won't help us maintain the weight loss. A good skillsman has many tools to help him complete a job.

I started at 347lbs and My goal was to lose at least 125-140lbs. I'm almost ok with my weight right now but I don't want to become complacent, and I really would like to lose at the very least 20 more lbs-that I can live with! I want to always have a goal to work toward even if it is not just weight-oriented.

Funny, since I wrote that post I've dropped 3 lbs! Sometimes I just think the stress and frustration is what does not allow the weight to drop off. Although I have been told repeatedly "just let the program work, follow it and the weight will come off" I guess what is frustrating and I still have to wrap my head around is the fact that I used to lose weight very rapidly on a 1800 calorie diet. Now, if I go over 1200 calories I can actually gain weight! So I guess the body adjusts and our metabolism slows down? Our bodies are amazing survivors!

Admittedly I did get away from the protein, fluids, and proper food and instead just relied on my sleeve to curtail how much I ate-not taking into account what kind of food I was eating and I certainly was eating a LOT of bad carbs! Instead of using the tool I kind of just left the tool in place to do the job.

So the post helped me because not only did I get good suggestions from everyone which made me accountable but I also was able to get back into focus. It is a journey, not a sprint and as you said it comes with bumps, turns. falls and slips but in the interim we do meet wonderful people and gain valuable knowledge. So I thank you and ALL those who have commented and given me valuable insight. That is why I come here. The WLS surgery was the easiest part, just don't know how those who do not have support or a support group or forum successfully maintain their weight loss?

Thank all of you very much!!!!

12 years post op and I still get things stuck. Happened last night actually. I was forced to a ball game for work. The only thing available to eat was beef hot dogs. I ate 3/4 of one. Gross. I was burping pieces up for the 3 hour drive home. I knew it was stuck. I vomited before bed about 10 times. I thought It was loose. I took 2 benedryl before bed. It knocks me out. I had severe seasonal allergies after the game. I woke up in the middle of the night due to pain. I could only vomit a little. But, I was able to go back to sleep. Today, my tummy is very sensitive to the touch from vomiting. One thing I will advise. Do not take Tylenol when you have back pain if there is any possibility that you have something stuck. I did this and it almost killed me and my child while I was pregnant. All my organs were shutting down. It started with my liver. 

I used to be great at dislodging food. Cartwheels, sit ups, water, cartwheels, sit ups, water. But, chronic pain and fatigue from Anemia Stopped that. The truest test if you think something is stuck is to drink. (in my opinion) you will get the immediate "rock stuck in the gut" pain.