bini120

My pre-op diet wasn't perfect either. But post-op is a different story altogether as you are *physically* not able to 'cheat'. After surgery, my body was completely disinterested in regular food and it was a challenge to get down the fluids and Protein you're expected to. You will be primarily focused on that and on healing.

I'm sorry to hear its been trickier for you, but please believe that it will get better. If you're in pain, don't hesitate to take your pain killers. Also, I found that sleep is a massive healer. Sleep/nap/doze as much as you can and your body will thank you. Keep the faith.

I went to the Caribbean 6 days after my op and took powdered Protein with me (slim-fast and New Direction Protein shake powder provided by my practice) as well as my shaker. I mixed those with iced Water or milk. For lunch, the resort was good enough to make me smooth veg Soups and for between meals, I had some soy milk or soy yogurt to keep the protein up. You can do it. Enjoy your holiday!

I agree. Also try Propel instead of/in addition to Water. When I'm feeling light-headed, a boost of electrolytes will typically fix that.

Fabulous! Well done!

I wanted to add a positive account of my 2 weeks post-op, to give pre-op folks some comfort. After minor episodes of mild incision pain and occasional bouts of nausea as my new stomach got used to digestion again over the last 2 weeks, my body is feeling almost completely normal again. I am in awe of its ability to heal itself. - My incisions are 4 very small cuts (belly-button, sternum, left and ride side of torso) which do not hurt at all anymore. I have some itching occasionally, but I understand that this signals healing. - I can drink Water in normal larger sips now (and even if I forget and take a larger gulp, there is no discomfort) - I have almost completely gone off the taste of Protein shakes (can only manage Core Power banana milkshakes even though, as one user pointed out, these are higher in carbs, so I don't drink more than 1 a day). I get most of my protein through my vegetarian puree diet (Beans, tofu, cottage cheese, (no eggs)) and through adding GENEPRO to my 3-daily cups of tea. - I feel fullness/restriction much better now that I'm on purees (compared to when I was on full liquids - I have to guess if I'd had enough Soup as that flows through rather quickly). A couple of times I've eaten my pureed dinner a bit too quickly and have felt nauseous for 15-20 minutes. That's something to remember with the VSG surgery - your body can feel so normal after a while that you 'forget' about the limitations of your new stomach. - I've lost 14 lbs since surgery and 20 lbs since my highest weight. But mentally, I want to focus on healing rather than weight loss at this stage. I know the weight loss will come - it can't not! I see and feel slight changes in my shape already. - I took 4 weeks off work (because luckily, I could) but could have easily gone back to my office job this week. - I walk 2 miles every evening and while I'm not allowed anything more strenuous for another 4 weeks, I did help pack and unpack furniture and other bits while our home was being decorated these last 2 weeks. I also flew to the Caribbean and back (for a convalescing vacation) without any issues. Take comfort from no-complication stories like mine - as miserable as you might feel a day or two after surgery, your body is designed to snap back quicker than you think.

I had a terrible hot flush today at dinner. I'm 9 days post-op, was eating broth, and it just came over me. I am in a hot climate at the moment, and only an idiot would eat soup when it's 90+ degrees outside, but there you go. No idea why it happened.

One thought: you might want to provide some room for your tastes changing after surgery and discuss a contingency for that with your nutritionist. Many people have discussed this here and it happened to me, where I enjoyed shakes just fine before the operation but find I'm barely able to stand their taste post-op: they are suddenly and almost universally too cloying and sickly. I've spent a lot of money trying different types and cannot wait to get them out of my diet entirely. Just something you may want to consider.

You've been around here way longer than me so will happily defer - but something didn't smell right to me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Maybe! There is a singles forum on here you know? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi @@VSGAnn2014 - I flagged the original post as it sounded unnecessarily grubby. The mods must have agreed as they took it down. The username doesn't do him any favors either. Happy to have a convo about folks using support groups to meet other people, but like adults, yes? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You were flagged for being inappropriate, mate. You might want to rephrase your question and go to the singles forum. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

While I have not had any regrets after surgery, I can share with you something my surgeon said when I asked her this question during my first consultation: "Have you had lots of patients regretting this surgery?" - Her response: "Yes some people regret not being able to ever eat with reckless abandon again." That's never left me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

"Brown Cow"?! That's definitely a new one for me My practice suggested liquid Colace to help you 'go'. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's amazing how quickly the body heals itself. Glad you're feeling more yourself! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mine are falling off just when the doc said they would. I was instructed to take off the dressings 3 days after surgery and to leave the steri strips to dry and fall off by themselves. I lost the smallest one from my sternum on day 4. The belly button one went this morning (a week after surgery) and the remaining two - I give them a day to go. Nice to see how very small the incisions underneath are. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What a stunner you are! Well done on your success. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We've seen the success stories here - given what this surgery does, your body cannot NOT lose the weight. Know that the pounds will come off - it's only a matter of time. Continue soaking in the successful YouTube videos, be excited about the next few months as you learn to 'drive' your new stomach and remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Trust your body and be kind to yourself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've wasted a lot of money ordering shakes that I quickly lose my taste for. Slim-fast High Protein was all I could stomach before surgery but now it makes me gag. I could tolerate Atkins before and can only barely get those down now. I posted this on another thread today (and promise I'm not being paid by them to say this!) I picked up Core Power Protein banana Milkshake at the airport earlier this week and it was absolutely delicious. Not too thick or cloying and seems to have all natural ingredients. I think they have other flavors too but I'm sick of the same vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ranges, so I'm going to stick with banana. Shame about their packaging though - it looks like a 'muscle' brand but the shake inside was absolutely lovely. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can defo tell the difference. Gorgeous girl and fab makeup! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm only a week out from surgery, body still healing, in the midst of a liquid diet, with no discernible difference in my shape and I STILL feel like it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Without it, I would have only gained weight every year, shifted fad diets to 'tomorrow', derived momentary pleasure from food and continued to be unhappy with myself. Surgery is drastic but if you've tried everything else and your health is at stake, you owe it to yourself to configure your system so that it's set up to finally do what you need it to do. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh dear... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Got it! No alcohol for a while yet (which is really completely fine). And yes, I got very lucky with this lovely man Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's a very comprehensive summary @@rickm - thank you for that. Also many thanks for sharing the paper. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A good way to gauge what your gut is telling you is by imagining yourself 6 months into the future and asking if you'd feel regret or relief if you don't stick it out and have the surgery now.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App