Today, 10/2/13 is officially 2 weeks from my port revision surgery.  I am back at the gym weight training and using the elliptical.  I have one more week before I am released to swim.  I am eating solid foods again.  I have a fully working tool and am both hopeful and grateful.  As of this morning I have lost 13 pounds from my surgery morning weigh-in and could not be happier. 

I have gone back to using all of the tools I have acquired over the past 9 years for working with my Lap Band to achieve the success I choose.  Uh, oh, there comes that word CHOICE again.  I am responsible for my choices.  That puts me in control of my success and I like that.  Many folks have asked what I have done in 2 weeks to have such a significant weight loss.  The short answer is, I had surgery.  That is definitely responsible for the first few pounds.  However my loss is from the day of surgery (I had already been on liquids only for 2 days) until now so I too am accountable for a good portion of the loss once I graduated from liquids ( 3 days).  The post-op food progression after port replacement is different from that after surgery; it is much quicker.  I am eating solids now, but since regaining my satiety I have been doing the following and it is working since I am still losing between ½ to 1 pound daily:

• I limit my calories to a maximum of 1200 per day
• I keep my protein at a minimum of 90 grams per day
• I am eating no highly processed foods
• I am eating 4-6 small meals per day
• I am planning all of my meals in advance
• I am weighing and measuring everything
• I am getting 72-120 ounces of water per day
• I eat out of small plates or bowls so my small measured portions look more than sufficient
• I put my fork or spoon down between bites
• I chew each bite (even cottage cheese) 20-30 times
• I stop BEFORE my band says one more bite and you’re getting it all back..
• I am choosing firm protein first so I get satisfied with small portions and stay satisfied longer
• I am taking notice of when I have had enough, when I am satisfied and stop eating immediately
• I pay attention to eating - no books, TV or computer
• I am writing down every morsel and every drop of liquid that passes through my lips
• I am noticing when I am wanting to eat out of head hunger rather than physical hunger and distracting myself with other activities
• I am getting in a minimum of 30 minutes of movement per day

Does all of this sound familiar?  You bet it does, it’s what worked to have me lose 250 pounds and it is working again.  My goal is to get to 15 pounds lower than my previous lowest weight which was 174 pounds.  It is about the number on the scale to some degree, but it is also about getting to be 65 years young and wanting to stay feeling fit and being active forever.  Peter Pan can’t carry any excess weight or he will not be able to fly.  If, like Peter Pan and the lost boys, I won’t group up, then neither can I.  I am choosing to be successful by following the rules.  It is not always easy, but it is guaranteed to work.

How about you?  What do you choose?