NewAngela

Oh my. I went to a local buffet for some carry out Protein. I had imitation crab meat with some cheese melted over it. Eek, it makes me gag just to write this. It tasted great at first, and then it just turned and the taste made me sick. I couldn't do any meat, chicken or fish for a while. I am just starting to tolerate it. The Protein Bars may be too dry. I haven't tried them yet. Although things make me vomit because they are uncomfortable, I wouldn't call it dumping. I had a previous band that acted the same way when it was too tight. It is mainly texture for me. When things are too thick they don't sit right. The main culprits are always meats and scrambled eggs. I haven't tried drier foods yet. My nutritionist suggested a little mashed potatoes or maybe hummus or guacamole to help lubricate meats. Still, tastes change. Fish did this to me bad, but I recently was able to add lox. When things make me nauseous (like my one Protein powder or fish) I stop taking them for a few weeks and then try again later. The mucus buildup may be a sign that you are too full and the saliva can't pass into the stomach. I get that a lot when I over eat or drink after an hour. I can taste things because food is still up in my esophagus. My pouch loosened up a bit lately (I am only at 7 weeks or so) but some foods like meats really do fill me up longer. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The light Greek yogurts have 12. String cheese maybe. 2 oz of actual meat has close to 15 grams of Protein. shakes are the easiest though, although I really like the light and fit Greek yogurt flavors. I tend to add a little Splenda to sweeten. I love refried Beans, although fat doesn't matter. My nutritionist stresses that some fat is necessary and not bad, and they only have a gram or two anyways. Part skim ricotta or cottage cheese is another option. I love kefir. High protein and quality Probiotics, although plain is better. The flavored tend to be high carb. I find the plain relatively sweet, but I blend in berries or Splenda sometimes. Fairlife milk is another thing to try. I think they have 12 grams a cup or so. I also do cold cuts with hummus or guacamole. Add a little light sour cream to things to boost protein. Although I haven't tried them, they sell protein powders that blend in Soups. unjury I think. Meat is the most efficient protein source, although tofu would work too. Hmmm. I want to try making some pizza Snacks with tofu crust. I can tolerate crackers but it adds a lot of carbs. Salmon is a good option. Salmon burgers, veggie burgers with cheese. I do locks with some whipped cream cheese too. Yum. Meat is harder to eat. I am only beginning to tolerate it. Oh, my nutritionist suggested high protein noodles made from edame or soy. I am going to try it a some point, but they are more advanced although they shouldn't cause the same issues that white flour noodles cause. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Some of those foods will make to dump or cause pain in your stomach. It varies, but after 6 months you might be able to tolerate more. Some carbs like bread and Pasta draw Water to them and they can cause dumping. Also the texture in the stomach is such it can cause temporary blockade and pain. Some people become lactose intolerant after surgery too. It varies a lot between people. Not everyone dumps, but early on you have limited tolerance to a certain foods. Beef in particular can be hard to digest, although ground is supposed to be easier than steak. I mean, I get plenty of carbs in my diet, and I have not had any bread. Eating it would probably feel like swallowing clay at 7 weeks or so out. The sleeve is supposed to be better as far as food limitations, but everyone is limited in the beginning. Long term it depends. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Actually, yes I have been. I thought it was medications, but it could have just been my body adjusting. I must say even though my blood pressure wasn't high before surgery, it has gone down after surgery with weight loss. Also, if you are on any blood pressure meds sometimes they need to adjust them after surgery. With too many doctors in the mix, sometimes it is missed. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

All I can say is go with the program and don't give up. You can ask your doctor why it is a year.. It is his requirement or your insurance. Communicate your concerns.. Also, follow your nutritionist's/dietary advice. Often people can loose weight pre op and that will help. Surgery isn't a quick fix, it is a lifetime commitment. Loosing weight before surgery will start you in the right direction and reduce your risk of complications. (most of us can loose, it is just keeping it off that is difficult) . A year will fly by. If your general health is good, you are not necessarily going to get that much sicker in within just 1 year unless you gain more weight. Also, sleep apnea is treatable. Be proactive. Listen to your doctors. Use your fear to motivate yourself. At a high BMI you qualify, you just need to jump through some hoops to get there. But year, not being able to get the surgery was my only real fear. I was ready and desperate. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I did a stress test, but they said if I couldn't do it they would need to do a bunch of other tests. I just had EkG and stress test, but some people get echocardiograms. It wasn't running but a steep incline. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was on a full liquid pre op diet. Honestly, the pre op diet was much harder than post op for me Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was worried about it and I got kind of scared when I went to the procedure room, but it was really easy. Just go to sleep and wake up in little bit. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes. I had pain there. I didn't know what it was, but it went away. All kind of little pain in that area the first month or so. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 6 weeks out, with a 1 week pre op diet. I lost about 30 pound total so far. My doctor said to expect about 20 pounds the first month, 10 after. Women loose slower and my BMI was not very high, 44 or so to start, below 40 now. My nutritionist and surgeon said I am on track. In addition, my last appointment with my nutritionist showed I lost over 20 pounds, and it was all fat, no muscle. I prefer to focus on food goals and exercise, and let the scale do its thing. It is easy to obsess about it though. I want to get below 250, and the scales refuse to budge. Maybe next week. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

To stop loosing weight doctors usually put people on high calorie shakes. I assume the same if someone gets pregnant during rapid weight loss. Count calories and exercise. You can stop, but ideally you will consult an doctor/nutritionist about your goals. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Oh, and strength training is a great thing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Isopure and Fairlife kept me fed during my first month. I am over the clear Protein, but Fairlife will be a staple for the foreseeable future. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My insurance told me I needed it, but I actually didn't. I just needed to see a nutritionist twice. Scheduled my surgery for first available time a few months later during spring break. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had a band. It wouldn't stabilize, but every time it was tight I would loose a lot. My weight loss was like a staircase. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I hear it is some gimmick. Dieting for wls. I personally wouldn't try it unless my nutritionist suggested it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Isopure zero carb clear Protein really helped me. About 3 weeks in my Protein shake disgusted me. My nutritionist suggested just drinking Fairlife milk (as long as you can tolerate some lactose, although Fairlife is low carb). I was also able to drink WonderSlim shakes, kefir, and shakes with Greek yogurt (full or partial fat). The yogurt really changed the taste Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am still very tired if I don't get enough calories. It is harder for me to get started. I had intense sadness/depression the weekend before I was able to progress to mushy food. My first week or so I was very hyper and I had a lot of energy, but I think that was a reaction to the stress of surgery and all the drugs. I feel best when I am able to get at least 800 calories and enough fluids. I refuse to believe that we don't feel real hunger post surgery. After a 2 hour cardio/strength workout I was ravenous, but my hunger only took a few hundred calories to sate. The hunger I feel now is real hunger, not cravings from unstable blood sugar. No doctor ever told me I couldn't feel hungry post surgery, although some people don't. As for the surgery, they need to remove enough of the hormone producing stomach for the surgery to work. This is bypass, so they technically don't remove anything much, but the stomach will produce very little gherlin and other obesity hormones when not stimulated by food. A 50% gastrectomy is not likely to produce long term metabolic changes that a more drastic surgery will. There may be some clinical/animal data on comparative types of bariatric surgeries in the literature, but the current surgeries have the best efficacy. They have a lot of evidence and support. The surgical technique is very refined and standardized now, especially for bypass. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am pretty open about it, but I am lucky that I work with scientists who mostly understand the data. Once you are morbidly obese, the chances of maintaining long term weight loss is less than 5%. Unfortunately, we live in a society where obesity is not only stigmatized, it is also shamed. People assume that their experience is like everyone else's, and that body weight is can be controlled with will power. No study has ever shown this to be true. You don't owe anyone any answers, certainly not anyone besides those you are close to. Tell people what they need to know, you will be eating less and exercising more after surgery. I haven't gotten any negative reactions in person, and only one insanely negative reaction on an online forum, but once I tell someone I am just waiting for them to argue with me. I am more than happy to educate people. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

After the first few months, or after, you can always take supplements to get more calories. At the end of it all, I would think you have a better chance of maintaining a "normal" BMI as opposed to the average weight loss of 60% or so excess weight. The main risk would be loosing to much fat and then loosing muscle as well, but gastric bypass patients intentionally don't have excess calories. High calorie supplements may be needed if you loose to much weight. Definitely better to do it at the time of band removal or soon after. I had the band removed due to slippage and complete obstruction and I gained over 100 pounds over 5 years or so. I just had bypass 6 weeks ago. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just wanted to add that if you have any vomiting issues, always contact your bariatric surgeon, ideally before you even go to the hospital. Some places even make you sign a contact to do so. Having GI issues treated by a non bariatric surgeon can sometimes lead to inappropriate treatment. Emergency room doctors just aren't experts in bariatric surgery issues. I hope you are feeling better and this is just a bump in the road. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had surgery 6 weeks ago. The heating bill was $500. It is amazing that I can feel cold again. I was always hot, and last summer was hell. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I saw my main surgeon for only maybe a few minutes before surgery and briefly in the operating room. His associate md I saw more often and for longer. He did remove my staples 1 week post op. Surgeons cut. Not all surgeons spend a lot of with conscious patients. That is not their primary responsibility. My surgeon has incredibly low complication rates. He did his job, and now I am following up with other doctors the practice referred me to, and other doctors in the practice. He is the head surgeon, so he delegates some responsibilities. I am in the metropolitan area of NYC. From what I hear this is not unusual, but some surgeons do spend more time with patients. My follow up is very good, and that is all that matters to me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App