Splenda

When you look at calculators for post-surgery weight loss (I used this one -- https://mexicobariatriccenter.com/bariatric-surgery-weight-loss-timeline-calculator/), they are giving you a median view of what you can reasonably expect. Of course there are outliers (I'm one -- I am about 25 pounds lighter than what the calculator says I should be), but it is designed to give you reasonable expectations. I also struggle with what number to use for how much I have lost. From my absolute highest recorded weight: 285 pounds From right before my pre-surgery diet began: 270 pounds From the morning of my surgery: 240 pounds

I always tell people that the two weeks before surgery were much more difficult for me than anything that came after the surgery. It is a terrible period and you really do have to power through it. As far as the constipation, take fiber capsules (preferably psyllium husk) with a probiotic. Its also a good habit to get into post-surgery, as soon as you can handle it. It will keep you regular and help with digestion. Try a different brand of shakes and see it works better for you. I always preferred the Premier Protein shakes over the Equate ones. Drink an insane amount of liquid during this time. Always be chugging some kind of liquid, just to try to keep your stomach relatively full. Eat sugar free popsicles by the box.

https://www.oroweat.com/breads/favorites/keto (Living in Texas, I discovered HEB Higher Harvest low carb bread and use that now)

I don’t remember exactly (I am 2+ yrs out), but I would say around month 2 or 3. I still find that cold coffee is easier on my stomach. I use the 30g vanilla protein shakes as my creamer. My breakfast for over a year has been coffee with a protein shake (either vanilla or caramel).

My initial goal weight was "what is the highest weight I could end up at where I would still feel like the surgery was a success?" For me, that was 275. Once I hit that, I kept going and have maintained at around 220 lbs.

1. 43, M, 6'0" 2. Net loss: 0 (weight fluctuated wildly) 3. 460 4. 430 5. 381 6. 331 7. 258

One thing that I found helped me was taking probiotics (either a supplement or Greek yogurt) at the same time as my fiber. The fiber acts as "food" for the probiotics and it overall helps digestion and helps to keep things moving.

I am not a good singer, much less a trained one. But I can attest that 8 days after surgery, I was still wearing baggy yoga pants 24/7 and using a cane to go from sitting to standing (and vice versa) because of the soreness of my abdominal muscles. I cannot even begin to imagine engaging in a public singing performance. I would very much cancel.

I started having UTI problems a few months after my surgery. Started buying D-Mannose at Walmart and taking it daily. Haven't had problems since -- highly recommend.

How far post-op are you? What restrictions do you still have from your surgeon? I am pretty disciplined about avoiding carbs during my day to day life, but I do make an exception for Thanksgiving. I will have turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. But instead of creating a heaping plate (and then going back for more), I'll have a plate that looks like it will feed a 4-year old.

I use powdered collagen every day with no dangers. I think it does help with skin elasticity -- I did it more as a preventive measure to avoid losing hair or having brittle nails. My go-to breakfast is: 8 oz of black cold brew 1 scoop of collagen 1 scoop of unflavored whey protein powder 2-3 squirts of skinny syrup Blend all of that together, then pour in a 12 oz premade vanilla protein shake

Everyone's mileage may vary, but I found this calculator turned out to be pretty accurate for me: https://mexicobariatriccenter.com/bariatric-surgery-weight-loss-timeline-calculator/ On the morning of my surgery, I was 460. This calculator put me at 372 at the 3 month mark. I was 381. It had me at 325 at the six month mark. I was 331. It had me at 267 at the year mark. I am at 261.

On August 2, 2021, I had my final pre-surgery appointment. Weighed 473 lbs, wore 6xl shirts, and size 64 waist dress pants. On August 2, 2022, I weighed 265 pounds. I have fantastic blood pressure (119/67 at my last appt), I have a resting heart rate of 54, I wear xl/2xl shirts and my pants size is 42/44ish. The surgery was the best decision I ever made.

One tip, if you haven't tried them already, is to incorporate Keto Chow shakes. They have a ton of flavors, 26g protein per shake and a ton of vitamins/minerals. They are designed to have you add the fat of your choosing to them (heavy whipping cream, butter, MCT, whatever) so that you can hit your macros. Congrats on taking charge of your nutrition!

You asked precisely the right question and they didn't have an answer for you. The nutritionist is not your mother -- "because I said so" doesn't work as an answer. Try keto, see what happens, adjust your diet based on how your body responds. I am 11 months out -- at a certain point, it becomes less about what the nutritionist says and more about you finding a healthy way to live your life.