DS1

I'm 8 months out. My days vary, depending on where I am, but I either have a Protein Shake (if I'm in the car driving in the morning) or an Oikos yogurt for Breakfast. (15-20g protein). lunch is usually some Protein - about 3 ounces and if I still feel the need to eat something, maybe some raw veggies - celery, carrots, sweet peppers. Morning snack is cheese. Afternoon snack is nuts. dinner is whatever I make for my family - protein, veg, and a carb. Sometimes I have a bite of rice or potato, sometimes I don't. Like Outside said, you need to get your head in the right place.

Honestly you are over thinking something that happens for a very limited amount of time. The amount of time that you can just eat protein is probably 6 months, maybe 12, and that is going to vary day by day. People focus too much energy on the time immediately post-op and never think long term. I think that is why so many people regain and start regaining so fast post-op. They assume post-op portions and restriction are the restriction for life and that just isn't true.
Planning a post-op life around using protein powders and supplements is probably not going to work. The main reason being, after you are stuck on those for weeks you won't want to see another one, ever or for a long time. I used to have a Protein Shake for Breakfast for years before surgery. I liked them. Now I will just go hungry before I have a protein shake. If I never see another one again in life, I'm good with it.
You can't really accurately plan a post-op life when you are pre-op because surgery changes your life and your attitude towards food. You can't imagine it pre-op and no one can really accurately explain it to you. I'm trying but you have to experience it.
Also with a normal size stomach, you can't imagine what having a small stomach is like. So unless you are an insane food addict. Eating 2-3 ounces of protein is going to take a lot of energy and you won't even be interested in eating anything else plus you will be stuffed.
What I started doing to have veggies was have them as a mid afternoon snack. So I had an afternoon salad. which I LOVED, because I could eat a large volume of baby spinach.
Most green veggies at a certain point are going to be come a slider so you won't even want to eat them protein. I hate when I go out and get a chicken Cesar salad because they don't come with much chicken anyway and it gets pushed through my stomach with salad greens.
As far as Vitamins, I don't get why people are so anti-vitamins. I have taken a Multivitamin my entire life. They are just a part of general good health. Most people are Vitamin deficient even with a balanced diet just because of how our food is grown and processed. It is basically impossible to eat enough food to meet your vitamin requirements, even with a regular size stomach.

The reality that "patients don't have much room for vegetables after consuming necessary protein" is one that makes me think about the rest of my life. I have to say the thought of living on 4 meals of almost exclusively Protein, and a bunch of supplements (to round out how terribly unbalanced that is and keep me from essential Vitamin deficiency) is a little depressing. Not I-wish-I-hadn't-done-this depressing, but still kind of depressing. I mean, I am not just someone that wanted to lose weight, I am someone that wanted to be reborn as someone that could nourish themselves sanely with balanced meals. My last meal with an intact stomach was a tiny portion of grilled chicken breast, a tiny portion of spinach, and a tiny portion of brown rice (It was probably a 350 calorie meal tops) and the daydream that someday I could eat this tiny balanced meal and be satisfied Stage 1 (liquids and protein powders) has got me thinking: what if in the future I use protein powders more aggressively, having two 100 calorie / 25g protein doses (either in Water or broth). If I did that, I'd have the protein requirements of the day practically covered, then I could eat these tiny banana-volume meals, but enjoy more BALANCED ones, with a tiny tasting of a protein (without having to fill up on protein just to make my "quota"), and accompany that with the room to eat some deliciously prepared leafy greens and some low glycemic index unrefined carbs. I guess stomach capacity is such a premium for a post-op bariatric patient, that it seems unbalanced and wasteful to dedicate almost all of it to protein eating, and then turn to Multivitamins for the rest of my nutrition. Curious what folks are doing and if this question even makes sense to anyone.

So today I was reading about exercise and maintaining muscle and I ran across this article. Everyone's Dr. is different and follow different guidelines but several of you were talking about stalls in the first few weeks after surgery and when I read it, I immediately thought of sharing with you all.
https://www.mexicobariatriccenter.com/not-losing-weight-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery/

80lbs is Amazing btw. The article kind of implies to go back to basics which i'm sure you've heard. Try not to be so discouraged. You've accomplished something truly amazing. 170 is pretty good. If i get there by next year, i'd be golden. I suspect that you've likely put on some muscle as well. Take a look at the 1st article.

Not snoring on a plane when I fall asleep.
Being able to go to the pool with my daughter without a shirt.
Never again hearing "What's up Big D."

Not snoring on a plane when I fall asleep.
Being able to go to the pool with my daughter without a shirt.
Never again hearing "What's up Big D."

Not snoring on a plane when I fall asleep.
Being able to go to the pool with my daughter without a shirt.
Never again hearing "What's up Big D."

I had my sleeve on the 8th and yes, everything I drink (broth, Water, crystal light, lemon water, etc...) hurts my belly. It's kind of like gas pains but a combination of that with chest pain, and some other stuff all mixed in. So it's pretty normal at first. I'm 9 days out and it's gotten better.
Don't be afraid to bug the heck out of your surgeon. I do for every thing that really concerns me. Send an email, text, call.... whatever works. You'd rather be safe than sorry.

I have a Jaxx fitpack and its great. I live in Qatar and it's about 105 outside now. I work in a cooled building but typically keep it on my desk throughout the day and the things i don't eat are still cold when I get home. When I go on outings and leave the bag in the HOT car, I use two icepacks and so far, this has performed well for me.
https://www.fit-fresh.com/products/jaxx-fitpak-with-portion-control-container-set?variant=8731492867
They have a ton on the website.
I also use a insulated thermos thats keeps things at almost the same temp throughout the day. Never have a problem with wanting cold Water as long as you keep the top closed when you aren't using it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BTX232Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a buddy that swears by Yetti products but I've never used them.
http://intl.yeti.com/hopper-flip-12-cooler

I found this while reading articles about working out and another one about stalls in general. They both have some good information so I thought I'd share.


https://www.mexicobariatriccenter.com/not-losing-weight-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery/
http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

Congratulations!!!! I take my antacid everyday. My DOC said it reduces the possibility of reflux but I think he was just blowing smoke because I don't notice a difference the few times i've missed it. But on the PLUS side I haven't experienced any vomiting or acid reflux.
I know exactly what you mean about the liquid diet. I couldn't wait and cheated and paid the price in stomach pains. Don't be like me. Stick with it one more week then make the move slowly. Glad the energy is up too. As soon as you get to the puree you'll get more energy to start making concoctions in the kitchen. I'm on the soft diet and started to incorporate regular foods. Was happy to eat some fish and chicken although it wasn't much. I still have Soup and sugar free pudding in the fridge. Not even going to touch it unless the mood hits. LOL

I have a Jaxx fitpack and its great. I live in Qatar and it's about 105 outside now. I work in a cooled building but typically keep it on my desk throughout the day and the things i don't eat are still cold when I get home. When I go on outings and leave the bag in the HOT car, I use two icepacks and so far, this has performed well for me.
https://www.fit-fresh.com/products/jaxx-fitpak-with-portion-control-container-set?variant=8731492867
They have a ton on the website.
I also use a insulated thermos thats keeps things at almost the same temp throughout the day. Never have a problem with wanting cold Water as long as you keep the top closed when you aren't using it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BTX232Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a buddy that swears by Yetti products but I've never used them.
http://intl.yeti.com/hopper-flip-12-cooler

I found this while reading articles about working out and another one about stalls in general. They both have some good information so I thought I'd share.


https://www.mexicobariatriccenter.com/not-losing-weight-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery/
http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

Personally I order for BariatricPal Store. I received my first order some weeks back and I don't like the chewable ones. I could swallow pills fine after surgery (VSG) but ordered (before surgery) a 60 day supply of the Bariatric Advantage multi, B12, Calcium etc... all chewable or quick melt. Hate the taste. Others don't have a problem with it. Just my opinion. I'm abroad so I couldn't get samples sent to me overseas. Would suggest to order some samples and pick what you like. I didn't think it was a big deal but your going to have to take them daily and after surgery, taste matters. The type of surgery does too as i know some people can't swallow or digest pills after.

80lbs is Amazing btw. The article kind of implies to go back to basics which i'm sure you've heard. Try not to be so discouraged. You've accomplished something truly amazing. 170 is pretty good. If i get there by next year, i'd be golden. I suspect that you've likely put on some muscle as well. Take a look at the 1st article.

I was sleeved on the 8th and had a similar diet. For 2 weeks was on liquids. I couldn't wait to get to the puree stage. Wanted eggs and some better Soup. The diet also helps you get more calories in. Talk to your NUT but they would probably want you to begin getting your Protein intake up now that you're ready. I know i was very week after all the walking and the low calorie intake from the liquid phase. So glad i'm able to get a better variety of food in. Jello just wasn't doing it for me. Not that I was hungry, just wanted to taste something.
Let us know what your NUT said. I was told to avoid the internet recommendations so I pretty much stuck to the NUT's diet sheet which was very limited in my case. You know your body the best so please let your NUT know how your feeling as well.
We follow the plan because the plan works. Hopefully knowing that you also have a ton of people on here doing the same or very similar things will ease your anxiety. GOOD LUCK & KIT.

I found this while reading articles about working out and another one about stalls in general. They both have some good information so I thought I'd share.


https://www.mexicobariatriccenter.com/not-losing-weight-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery/
http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

Thank you, as I have often said, "we are all in this together ".

Hi,
When I met with my surgeon's NP for the first of six monthly pre-op diet program visits in March 2016, she told me that I would likely be a model patient because I was healthy, young, and male. I'm 41 years old (40 at the time she said that), so the "young" is relative. But there is a lot of truth in what she said. It gets pointed out a lot on this site that men have an easier time of it than women when it comes to surgery and weight loss. Some people who comment on here really piss me off a lot with their lamenting about it because I feel like they act as though men who are successful aren't really busting their ass to be successful, but regardless, there is some truth to the fact that being young and male gives you an edge in this game. I say all of this to say that since you are young (as in 22 young) and male, this will likely work to your advantage.
Also keep in mind that the vast majority of WLS patients are women. I'm not sure of the number, but I want to say that it is in the 80% range (but I could be wrong). So, you're going to read way more about WLS and women than WLS and men.
I can tell you that the whole surgery process was a piece of cake for me. My recovery was swift and rather uneventful (other than experiencing some serious fatigue for a couple of months), and the weight has come off steadily pre- and post-op.
At your age, you'll kill this if you are willing to devote yourself 100% to doing what you need to do at all times. I weighed almost 400 pounds when I started this journey 13 months ago. I'm almost below 200 pounds now, and I only have about 20ish pounds to get to my goal. The same thing can happen for you if you work hard and want it bad enough
Good luck as you decide how to move forward!

Not snoring on a plane when I fall asleep.
Being able to go to the pool with my daughter without a shirt.
Never again hearing "What's up Big D."

Not snoring on a plane when I fall asleep.
Being able to go to the pool with my daughter without a shirt.
Never again hearing "What's up Big D."

So today I was reading about exercise and maintaining muscle and I ran across this article. Everyone's Dr. is different and follow different guidelines but several of you were talking about stalls in the first few weeks after surgery and when I read it, I immediately thought of sharing with you all.
https://www.mexicobariatriccenter.com/not-losing-weight-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery/

Hang in there! Only 1 more day.

I'm 20 day's out and every day something changes. You learn what you shouldn't do, you try something you shouldn't try and regret it, you get back to being a little bit more normal, you feel a little bit better about your self.
So far I can say at least for me that the first week was the toughest.