What I learned from vacation - 7 months post-op...

First, I can eat a lot of calories when I work at it.  In my normal routine, I weigh and measure, write everything down, etc.  Traveling is harder.  I was gone 10 days, and was able to track, but I ate a wider variety of food - with *no* restriction for much of it.  Not just carbs (duh!), but nuts, eggs and fruit.  I probably averaged about 1400 cal/day, which is on the high side for me, and some days were over 1600 cal (okay, some Mexican food might have been involved).  No recreational sugar, just richer and carbier food than normal. 

Second, when I am more active, I can handle more calories.  Also "duh!"  I lost a pound on vacation.  We walked 5 or more miles most days, which isn't that much, but more than at my sedentary job and involved several steep climbs.

Third, when I came back, started into my normal routine, I discovered I hadn't "broken" anything - 2-1/2 ounces of chicken breast is still all I can do and I get very satisfied with just a little food if I chose well.

So where I'm going with all this is that it is scary how many calories I can eat when I make high-fat and high-carb choices.  Not to mention if I was actually a serious drinker - I don't really do more than 1/2 a glass of wine these days.  BUT it is a relief to see that when I'm active, I don't start gaining on 1400 cal/day.  This gives me hope for the future, that I won't have to live on 300 cal/day to maintain!!

But the biggest relief of all is that what all you vets have told me was *right.*  I'm not some freak that VSG won't work for, but I'm also not immune to the bottomless pit of slider foods.  There are plenty of foods I really like that fill me up.  So, very glad to be back with my peeps and in the groove!!

Welcome back Happy!  Thank you for sharing your "lessons" with us.  I always enjoy reading your throughtful posts.

Fiona

I just got back from a week in  the mountains. My kids learned to snowboard while I ... sat in the 5bucks and looked pretty. I'm not proud of my complete sedentary week in the beautiful mountains. I had an old back problem flare up a week before we went so I didn't ski, but I could've walked more.

I had 2 days of slidders and 3 days of really good eating to my plan.

I ended the week down 1 1/2 pounds which as a surprise.

It is harder to stay on plan during vacation. It's something I need to figure out better for our next trip this summer.

 That's really great to hear and I'm so glad you had fun!

You did great considering you couldn't measure/track much. It's hard to estimate sometimes, but vacations were meant to be enjoyed! The great thing about the sleeve is that it's still there for you and you can get back on track easier than pre-VSG.

p.s. I think your screen name really suits you...you're always smiling!

This is really comforting to hear.. and love the pic of you on the trip!

Glad you posted this.. I'm going away for a couple weeks later this summer (10th anniversary trip to St. John) and am leery of how I'll do for that long of a period. I am a recreational drinker, and am not planning on having a bender, but I will be indulging in that plus foods I don't normally eat. We are bringing some foods (froz meats and some of my protein stuff) along, but will be buying foods and dining out quite a bit as well.. and I AM going to try some conch fritters!

Part of the reason we picked the location was for the awesome hiking, always wanted to do it.. and part is the beaches and my desire to chase fish around till I turn into a prune.. So hopefully I won't go too far off track.. But I am kinda feeling a little weird about being away from my security blankets of the scales, and my routine. I know intellectually, that even two weeks completely off plan will not kill me.

I am happy that you posted your experiences with vacation. I am going on a 2 week cruise in October. My past experience with cruising was that we were eating ALL THE TIME. So I don't really know how I will stay on track but knowing it won't be a disaster if I stay active is good news. Thanks!

You're a lucky lady happy because i can gain 3lbs on 2 glasses of wine.  I'm becoming despairing of my future.  When I've eaten 1,000 over a couple of days i gain also, regardless of the activity, so glad you're having an easier time.

Hey edelu,

I felt bad when I read your post.  I don't know what your stats are, but I am sad to hear you are despairing.  I love reading your posts and with I had something helpful to add.  I know I can gain *a lot* of weight quickly when I've been doing low carb and then eat a bunch - I have read your body uses the carbs to replenish the glycogen supply in your liver, and that there's about 4 pounds of water in that.  Eventually, I equilibrate and it starts coming off again (I just like how I feel when I'm eating lower carb).  I'm going to send some good thoughts your way...

Oh no Happy

I didn't mean to make you feel bad, i read thins in the midst of turning down Easter brunch because i might eat something off diet and i just don't want to be that person.  It's true that my weight spikes for little or nothing but i think I'm going to let it have to for awhile while i up my calories.  the way i have been dealing with it is to lower my cals but i don't want to be on maintenance at 600 cals so i have to just bite the bullet and wait it out. The only carbs i do are veggies, so that's not the culprit but not ever having another glass of wine, is a tough one. 

But i am truly happy that you found something out.  I know you too carry a lot of anxiety about food issues and how things will pan out and i think this vacation has thought you something valuable and best of all you had a vacation where you were not filled with anxiety about having a bite over and that is priceless.

BTW still waiting on the promised review on the food thickener you got.