I am glad things are going well for you.  I suspect that I will be finding the same issue with food....self medication.  Instead of chips and salsa though ...for me it is crackers and cheese.  Enjoy your July 4th!  Sounds like you are declaring your own independence days! ginny

Hi Sheila,

I am calling it a "revision" because I have regained 80 of the 110lbs I lost initially with my RNY, which was 7 years ago.  I would like a revision, but I don't qualify because my pouch is still intact, which means I am just eating my way around the surgery.  So I have had a "revision" of my habits.  My surgeon has devised a plan for his noncompliant patients that come back after significant regain.  (He serves a military population so some patients are transient).  Anyway, it's more than back to the basics.  It's back to the initial post-op diet of liquid proteins, then semi-solid proteins, then the rules for life.  The 1st stage, liquid protein, lasts until you lost all or most of the regained weight.  During the liquid stage you can have 3 protein shakes per day and sugar free drinks and popsicles.  I also have a cup of cottage cheese, but all together I stay around 80 grams of protein and under 1000 calories a day.  Since I have regained so much weight,  I am actually planning to do the liquids for 3 months and see where I'm at.  I am on day 3 of 92 days.  If I lose most of the regain then I'll move on to semi-solid protein (fish/beans/etc).  If not, I'll have to consider staying on the liquids.  You have to be monitored and have blood work done throughout the time.  I am not advocating that anyone try this plan without the advice and supervision of their surgeon or doctor.  I am just following what my surgeon suggests and what is working for me.  In order to show that I am taking this regain seriously (to family, friends, and myself) I chose a day as if I were scheduling a revision surgery.  I planned it, shopped for it, and anticipated it with excitement and mourning for the foods I would no longer eat.  Just as I had before my initial surgery.  When the day came, I started as if I had a revision.  Amazingly, my pouch is working fine and my true hunger was no where to be seen.  Apparently the ravenous hunger has always been in my head.  So again, this is something that was suggested to me and I am having success with it, but I would recommend that anyone who is interested in doing something this drastic needs to see their doctor/nutritionist/surgeon first.

I'm so proud of you!!!!   (I know - you've just been holding your breath for me to say I'm pround of you ), but I am!

I'll share with you how I like fat-free cottage cheese - may work for you and may not.  I take 1 cup (that's 160 calories, 16g carb and 24g protein of the brand I use - Breakstone's), heat it in the micro for 50 seconds, then add one packet of Sweet and Low and a generous amount of cinnamon (you will know how much cinnamon you want to use)  I think it's pretty tasty.

What did you use to soothe yourself post-op?  One benefit of not using food that you may not have thought of - you will no longer be teaching your family that food is the way to soothe. 

I've found that various crispbreads (Kavli Crispy Think Crispbreat is one I like - 3 pieces have 50 calories, 11g carbs, 1g protein) a good low calorie way to munch something crunchy - and are healthy for us (when you get back on regular food) 

As you think of this quest as a loving (not a depriving) thing to do, and as the healthy way of eating becomes a habit, it will become easier and easier - never flawlessly easy every day, but easier. 

Happy 4th of July