Thanks for the information.

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 :)