cellbell

I'm traveling soon and want to figure out a preferred protein bar so I can bring a few with me in case of meal emergencies. Where's a good place to go buy a bunch of individual bars in person to try out? I was thinking maybe GNC? I feel a little intimidated at stores like that so I thought I'd ask in advance. I already know that I have cravings problems with Quest bars from previous dieting, and I have some philosophical issues about Built bar so it seems like some of the most commonly recommended ones aren't for me, so that's why I feel like I need to try a variety.

There's a version with no added sugar, I really like them as a treat occasionally.

"Only" 20 pounds in three weeks?! I think that's a fantastic amount, especially considering that your body has gone through a big trauma and is still healing. I know it's hard not to compare yourself to others, but progress varies so much, since it's affected by your initial weight, how much you lost before surgery, how damaged your metabolism is from previous dieting, your genetics, and like a million other factors. Keep sticking to your plan and be proud of the success you've had so far!

I'm so sorry for both of you! While complication rates are low for this surgery, they aren't zero, so unfortunately some folks go through these situations. I think it's definitely helpful to share so that others have a realistic view of the risks instead of assuming sunshine and rainbows. Hopefully this is the worst of it and it'll end up being a small blip in your life history. Hang in there!

I had to go buy a new winter coat today because my old ones are so big that they catch the wind and let in all the cold air! Bonus: I've gone from a TIGHT 3x to a comfortable 1x; I'll definitely be in the "regular" sizes next year.

This is too late to be helpful for you at this point, but in case it helps future folks, my clinic had me start transitioning off caffeine two weeks before the pre-op diet, reasoning that dealing with caffeine withdrawal in addition to the normal pre-op diet issues is just too much! I was allowed coffee again after three months but everyone's program varies wildly. Talk to your surgeon's office and see what's allowed on yours.

I'm in Venice at the moment, yay! Something weird happened yesterday and I'm hoping it was just dehydration. Basically, when we were waiting for the boat from the airport to the city, I started feeling really faint and like I was somehow removed from reality. I thought I was going to pass out. Then, I gagged a number of times and felt much better. I had drank a decent amount of water on the first flight, but there was a tight connection on the way and I couldn't bring water through security and didn't have time to buy a bottle for the second flight. They only gave me one small 8 oz cup of water on board because it was pretty short. Anyway, I guess my question is whether this sounds like dehydration or if I should reach out to my doctor about it. This is my first time traveling post op and I normally get all my water in easily at home, so I wasn't prepared for this drastic of a reaction.

Thanks all! It's a relief to know that it's likely "just" dehydration, but what a crummy time for it to strike! I totally agree about emptying and refilling a water bottle but this was a circumstance where our plane was late and we were literally jogging (in public!) to make the next one so it wasn't really feasible this time. 😕 I feel much much better today!

Because the surgery helps people better manage a very strict diet program so they can actually sticks to it. Some people lose their hunger for months, making it much easier to be satisfied at 800 calories. Even when hunger returns, a smaller stomach helps with portion control.

I had about 3 oz turkey, a couple of green beans, a bite of mashed potatoes, and a tiny drizzle of gravy over all of it! Finished off with a bite of pumpkin pie. If I'm honest, it might have been two bites.😋 It's my first post-op Thanksgiving and I'm happy it wasn't as hard as I expected. My family decided to go out to eat this year since some people have moved away and there are only five of us now. I didn't get my money's worth at the buffet but it's worth not having to cook all day, wash all the dishes, and deal with the leftovers! Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday if you celebrate!

Is the 6 oz an actual weight or is it a measurement, i.e., 3/4 of a cup? If weight, keep in mind that 6 oz of chicken takes up less room in your stomach than 6 oz of popcorn, for an extreme example. As long as you're on track nutritionally, I wouldn't worry about being able to eat more than expected, because there's so much variation in surgical technique and individual anatomy. Just stop before you're stuffed to avoid stretching.

Totally normal! I was nervous all the way until the anesthesia kicked in lol. Only you know if you're truly ready for this change, but I read so many accounts where people said their only regret was not doing it sooner, which helped me a lot. Honestly I wish I did it 10 years ago to give myself a better chance with loose skin rebounding, since age seems to be a big factor in that area.

I totally get it, I wouldn't be wanting to experiment either with what your body has been through! I guess I was just wondering out loud about the extent of it, no intention to push you to try again. If tuna works, you could try other canned fish like salmon etc to avoid the mercury issue and have some additional variety.

The pre-op diet is really hard, especially for those who have a full liquid version! You're essentially putting your body through the start of the post-op phases, without the benefits that come from the surgery. If we were all able to stick to diets perfectly, none of us would be here. You made a mistake, you haven't failed. That said, do your best to stick to it the rest of the way, for your own safety and post-op success. Sometimes remembering that it's only temporary helps a lot.

There's no law that you can only eat "breakfast foods" at breakfast! I am not a big egg person either, and in the soft phase I had things like tuna or really soft shredded chicken--in my case I mixed it with a little greek yogurt for moisture and protein, but you could try non-dairy options instead, like broth or taco sauce. Are you having any sensitivity to whey protein since it's sort of dairy-adjacent, or is that working for you so far? Since you said that lactose-free didn't solve the problem, I wonder if your body is just not happy with some other component of the food right now and might eventually resolve itself as you heal.

Just as the two above said, results can be super variable. I lost 50 lbs in three months but I just saw another post where someone lost 46 lbs in only one month! It's hard not to compare yourself, especially if you're a competitive person, but give it time and stick to your plan and you'll see the scale start moving. Good luck!

It's super variable depending on your doctor. Mine had me start Lyrica a few days before surgery and continue for a few days after. I also had Tylenol of course and oxycodone as needed, but I was so terrified of constipation that I only used the narcotics as a last resort.

I think a lot of people struggle with toast/bread at first. It tends to sit heavily in your stomach and can expand after eating. Also eggs can be difficult at first. I would take a break from both of those for a week and then try again to see if it's any better. In the meantime, you could try more advanced versions of the food that worked for you in earlier phases; for example if you liked refried beans, the next step might be chili. Just be gentle with yourself.

I'm literally reading this while eating half a bag of the Spicy Sweet Chili! I was short on protein and calories for the day and my fridge was pretty bare so it's a workable solution. Yum.

I'm going to Italy late next month and I'll be about 3.5 months out. My plan is to have protein at the hotel breakfast as much as possible and then a lot of shareable meals and snacks so that my husband can eat most of it. My understanding is that it's okay to not order all three courses but it's also a little rude to order only an antipasto, so I'm hoping that ordering three courses between the two of us will be fine. You could also stay at an Airbnb and cook for yourself; this wasn't feasible for my situation but could work for you. Whoops, just noticed that you might be on a cruise! My nutritionist is totally on board with me trying a little pizza, pasta, and gelato--it is vacation after all--but to also focus on protein where possible, drink lots of water, and get right back on track when back home. If you want to remind me in mid December, I'll be happy to share my experiences!

I think my plan is a little different in that no foods are expressly forbidden, as long as you're getting enough protein and staying within a reasonable calorie range. I know in my dieting past that cutting out entire groups of food (for example, on keto), would lead to cravings and bingeing, so I've been trying to allow a bite of everything from time to time. For example, I've started going into work once a week on Fridays, and someone ALWAYS brings donuts. The first two weeks, I was completely uninterested. Last week, I thought I'd give it a try, found a maple bar that someone had already cut a piece off, and cut off a tiny square that was about a bite. Ate it, was shocked at how excessively sweet it was, logged 1/10th of a maple bar in my food journal, and moved on. I haven't wanted another taste since. For me personally, if this will be a lifetime change, I need to learn how to manage unhealthy foods in a reasonable way because I'm not sure it's really realistic to be able to avoid them forever. Others are certainly having different experiences and that's totally fine!

It's totally normal to have these feelings at the beginning. You're in some pain, you're anxious about having to change your eating habits to match your new digestive system, and you can't turn to food for comfort like most of us are used to! Plus your hormones are a mess after surgery which affects your mood too, so it's no wonder that you're having these thoughts. Give yourself some grace and give it some time. You're not lazy; taking this step was super brave and harder than traditional diet and exercise in some ways. For what it's worth, I hate Premier Protein too; the aftertaste is like plastic to me and was gross even pre-op, so I get it. I've been loving the Fairlife Nutrition Plan shakes because the chocolate one tastes just like chocolate milk to me and it's not as thick as the Premier. Just an idea!

I used to live by a grocery store that had a ton of individual options, but I moved an hour away and the ones by me now don't have the same selection, unfortunately. I'm going to check out GNC this weekend and will report back! I wanted to avoid online if possible but it sounds like there are workable options available.

Your surgery weight was higher than mine and you had your surgery almost a week later, yet your current weight is lower than mine! If it helps, you're making more progress than me, and my surgeon's office is happy with where I am. It's crazy how different expectations are; my nutritionist said that anything over 8 lbs a month is on track. Stalls are normal along the way and I think it's really difficult to expect to lose 4 pounds a week every single week. Great work so far!

I was really hoping I'd start liking avocados and disliking pie, but no dice so far! Seems like it affects people most in the protein shake arena; I wonder if it's because there are so many things that go into them.