Welcome! Honestly, the scariest part for me was BEFORE surgery. Afterwards, I have stuck to my doctor's plan he laid out for me and have an immensely improved quality of life. I eat three meals a day, about a cup total or less each and a small snack, most often a protein bar to ensure I am getting the recommended amount of protein (80 grams daily).

I start my morning by drinking a half of a Premier Protein Chocolate shake. It's 30 grams for a whole one, so I get 15 there. The protein bars I like the best are Atkins Chocolate Chip with 1 gram of sugar and 16 grams of protein per bar. String cheese is easy on the stomach and delicious and gives me between 5-8 grams each depending on brand & type (Colby jack, mozzarella, etc.). For lunch, I try to eat something with chicken, pork or beef. Dinner, usually the same. Eat your proteins first, then whatever else you have. Don't eat any more when you start to feel full.

You will be told not to drink anything for 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after each meal. Believe in it, stick with it and live it. Drinking helps force the food through too fast and you will feel hungry earlier than you should which of course, leads to overeating. I take a sip here & there while eating, especially if the food is a bit dry but that's it.

You also want to avoid putting extra salt on your food to help keep your sodium intake down. Log every morsel you put in your mouth on MFP to help keep you accountable. I now eat sugar is very small doses. Today, I ate a "fun size" Snickers bar at work for example. I haven't eaten white rice or any breads/rolls/etc since the surgery, but do eat a small amount of pasta if it's part of the meal. And finally, take your vitamins! Centrum chewable multivitamins are good and sublingual (dissolving) B12 tables in the morning. Afternoon, I take B1 and Calcium +D. In the evening, I take an Iron supplement. And finally, I don't drink any caffeinated or carbonated beverages. During the day, I drink ice water with a bit of lemon. I occasionally add a sugar-free lemon flavor packet to sweeten it up a bit. I use a packet made for a 16 ounce bottle for 44 ounces of water.

My surgery was August 18th. As of October 29th, I have lost 48 lbs. My skin is cleaner & clearer than it's ever been. My mind is sharp, I'm no longer lethargic & tired and I just get up and walk around whenever I have the opportunity whereas before I sat there like a lump. My only regret is that I didn't have the surgery sooner. My wife had her sleeve done in September 2012, lost nearly 150 lbs and has kept it off ever since.