Ask as many questions as you like. Honestly that's why I stay on this site. Paying it forward.

Maintaining weight loss is simply the next phase. I was obsessed after I had surgery. I weighed and measured everything I ate. I read every label of everything I bought. I shopped differently. I had to learn how to eat for my new insides. I hired a personal trainer and went to the gym 5 days a week as soon as my surgeon gave me the go ahead.

Once I lost all my weight I started the next phase. How to figure out what/how I needed to eat to maintain the weight loss. Couldn't continue to eat the way I was because I would just keep losing. I actually was 10 pounds below my goal weight. I felt and looked awful. It took a while to find the balance of carb intake. That's what it's all about IMHO.

Which brings us back to your original discussion about normal. I have a new normal. My normal is a high protein, high fat, moderate carb diet. I have a good capacity (I know my sleeve is stretched - not to pre-op but it's definitely stretched). My switch is what keeps the weight off. Being 16 years post-op, I know exactly what works for me, and what doesn't. I listen to my body - paying attention how food affects me.

I basically eat whatever I want - but it's my normal, not someone else's normal. No restaurant is off limits. I love Italian food, but when I eat I will have a few bites of the pasta and focus on the protein - may even order extra protein. Same with Asian - love sushi but may also order sashimi or just eat less rice.

I've never used the word diet in this entire journey. It's just how I eat.

P.S. Therapy helped :)

Thanks, Janet. Can I trouble you with one more question -- just for my own education. As you are 16 years out from your surgery, do you find you have more leeway now than you did at 5 or 10 years out?

Thanks!

I have to tell you, I am envious. Wish I could enjoy do pasta, etc. without consequence.

And I agree, post-DS normal is is different for each of us. My concern is that we don't allow people to believe that we are all as fortunate as you.

Out of curiousity, do you happen to know the length of your common channel?

I think normal is different for everyone. I'm 16 years post-op from the DS. I eat whatever I want (including carbs) as long as I get in a minimum of 120 grams of protein and at least a gallon of water. I eat pasta and bread and cookies. What I am mindful of is portion size. When I eat pasta I eat one serving (as measured from the box). If I want cookies I may have 2-3 and not an entire box. That to me is the definition of normal.

2014 and doing very well. I do have osteopenea, but this is not unusual for a woman my age. I am taking meds for that and hope to see an improvement next year when I retest.

How are YOU doing?