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I initially didn’t think my tastes had changed at all, and I was disappointed. Food still tastes the same as it did before surgery. The only exception is that I used to be a wimp when it came to spicy food, and now I crave spicy food — I use a ton of hot sauce and crushed red pepper. I don’t think I taste spiciness as strongly anymore. I also like a lot of onions and garlic in my food now (I’ve always liked garlic, but didn’t used to be a huge fan of onions). But I’ve started noticing that the foods I want to eat are different than they used to be. I’m not sure if it’s a change in taste, or if I’m just getting used to eating healthier foods, or if it’s just because I’ve discovered a lot of good, healthy recipes since my surgery, or what, but I definitely have more of a desire to eat vegetables now. I love roasting vegetables in my air fryer, just sprayed with some olive oil or avocado oil and sprinkled with seasonings. I used to hate cauliflower, but now I eat it all the time. I wonder what the Walmart grocery pickup people thought about the lady who bought 3 bags of frozen cauliflower, 1 bag of fresh cauliflower florets, and 3 bags of frozen cauliflower rice in one order. Cauliflower rice is one of my favorite “food hacks.” I don’t miss regular rice at all because cauliflower rice is a perfect substitution. I found a recipe for cauliflower cream sauce and it was delicious; I used it in a chicken divan recipe, and it was so good that I’m looking for other recipes where I can substitute the cauliflower sauce for white sauce. I also like Buffalo cauliflower now. I’ve always hated fish, but I decided to give it another try. I made some mahi-mahi and actually liked it! I couldn’t believe it. Again, I’m not sure if it’s because my tastes changed or because I have more of an open mind about eating fish. (I will say that I also tried one of those flavored tuna pouches and still did not care for it.) I spend a lot of time on Pinterest looking at healthy recipes. I have a whole board full of healthy recipes that I can’t wait to try. Since I have all these healthy foods that I actually want to eat, I have less of a desire to eat junk food. I do eat some healthy-ish treats, like a daily protein bar (I’m obsessed with Built Bars), sugar-free meringue cookies, sugar-free Jello, and protein mug cakes, but I don’t really have a desire to go and eat fast food or a bag of chips or anything... except when I see other people eating that stuff, and then it’s tough because it makes me remember how much I used to love it.

You’re right about maple syrup 🔥 It’s so good... when it’s homemade, the store bought version is essentially a very large cracker. It’s the equivalent to store bought vs bakery fresh Its similar to roti but without any leavening agents so it needs to be cooked right (made thin and fast: hot griddle, crepe maker, tandoori oven 😂)

You know.... I felt the same way. Then my dietician advanced me to purees. Goodness, I was so excited. But eating is more like a chore now and is no longer pleasurable. I have to eat super slowly and carefully to make sure I don't eat too fast or take too big of bites. I'm not trying to scare you, I just want you to be aware that there are struggles on the next stages, too. Good luck!

Thank you for writing this. I had Sleeve surgery October 2019 and I used a beloved parents inheritance to finance it and I STILL fail myself. I wrongly assumed that because I had a tiny stomach that still restricts me to a. Very small volume of solids, my early success and fast weight loss would be maintained with no effort. I was wrong, no matter how much guilt I feel, I still eat food like Mac n cheese and drink G&Ts I have the incentive of my daughter’s wedding in 4 months but I bought a piece of Turkish delight covered in chocolate last night-I’m ashamed of myself.....maybe hypnotism?

RE: "Journey" This is my hangup! No need to apologize ladies. I'll love you even if you use the dreaded word...I'll just read really, really fast past it....LOLOLzzzz.

I have my sleeve procedure next month in about 3 weeks. Getting nervous! I want to hear from others like me so I know what to expect, part of me is nervous I won’t lose any weight and the other part of me is scared of getting so skinny my husband or I won’t recognize myself. I have a BMI of 35.5 and qualified through insurance due to pre-existing conditions. I’m 5 foot 2 inches and weigh 199 and would consider myself as having a larger natural frame. When I diet hard, I can drop about 20-25 pounds in 3 months or so, but it always just shoots back up. I have read that I could get down into the 140s or 130s even and I can’t remember the last time I weighed that. Even in high school I was in the low 150s when I played field hockey. I am VERY ready to get healthy after my mom had a major health scare recently. If I continue on this path I get afraid I may not live to see my own kids get married or even see my own grandkids someday. Still, while I know everyone’s body is different, I would like to know what I can expect, because it seems like what I read on forums vs the official medical representation is different. How fast did everyone lose weight in my category? What weight did you end up at the 6 month mark and the 12 month mark? According to my doctor, I have 70-75 pounds of excess weight. I don’t plan to start working out other than walks or bike riding until I am fully healed. Thanks everyone! Hopefully this will help my nerves!

Bringing this thread back to life. I'm in the pre-op diet. It's only been a few days and I have what I call a chemical taste in my mouth. It's like the nasty taste you yet sometimes when swallowing a pill but it dissolves some before you can get it down. Like a nasty pill taste. A chemical taste is how I can best describe it. On my pre-op diet, I drink 2 protein shakes and can have a healthy dinner. Just like the original poster, I noticed the taste when drinking water and thought it was the water. But, with multiple new bottles of water, it's still there. Brushing my teeth and mouthwash dont fix it either. But, when I eat real food, I dont taste it. I looked up ketosis because I remembered reading about that on here. But, I was shocked that it could happen so soon and since I am eating a dinner meal with food versus drinking shakes for all three meals. Does it sound like this could be keto breath already? Just seems fast to me.

I can’t drink for at least 30 minutes and if I try, I just throw up. Tonight I ate some pork roast too fast and I’m paying for it. My fist instinct is to drink but I know I will just throw it all up. So now I have to wait....

I’m good thanks for asking. I’m excellent on liquid intake (today I got 64 ounces in easy peasy and also 60 grams of protein). the only thing I struggle with is the fatigue. It hits me FAST. If I have to run downstairs for a water refill.... I have to make sure I rest when I get back upstairs because if I try to take a shower after doing that much activity? It’s not good. I just don’t have the energy to run downstairs and then jump in the shower/shave/wash hair etc. it’s too much. short bursts of energy are my friend these days. Lol i can also sneeze without it hurting and I can take a deep breath now without any residual pain (the pain I think was from the gas) . ive lost a fair amount considering I had the surgery less than a week ago. Going into surgery I was at 293 ish... then I started my pre op liquids... and then surgery.... I am now at 276. I haven’t been this low since high school. I got called the day after surgery but nothing since then. The dr will call me on April 6th. But anything else they made sure I had their number and to just call if I have issues (which I don’t). I never took pain medication and I only took Tylenol for the first day or two. The belly binder torture device I only used the first two days as well. Lol how are you doing? You are onto puréed food now right?

Hi all! I am 4 days post-op sleeve surgery. Haven’t been able to reach my protein or fluid goals yet due to nausea and pain around my sternum. I am eating sugar-free jello, but finding it hurts. I think I’m eating too fast. How long do you recommend to wait between bites? TIA!

There is probably some truth to that. I'm pretty much a grazer now at 2.5+ years out. But it would have been pretty challenging for me to finish eating a "meal" in under 30 mins back then. Even now, It takes me about 45 mins to an hour to finish a "normal" meal for me (longer if there's lots of talking). If I eat too fast, I'll barf, so its necessary for me to eat slow.

Wow were their this many people in March. I am fairly new to the forum but I was too excited to notice if their were this many others in March I guess. Congrats on your fast approaching surgery date.

This is really encouraging for me, since I'm wanting to jump the gun a bit on breasts and arms only/specifically! I kind of hoped that those two areas don't change as fast as other parts with loss and gain and so wouldn't be as affected if I go a little before my body is totally settled. I can wait however long I need to for tummy and thighs, that's what spanx are for... but boobs and arms I am so so so anxious to have the way I want them asap 😭

I don’t have any insights about post-surgery regrets, but we’re surgery twins! The last few weeks have been both super fast and weirdly slow, and I know the fact that surgery is 48 hours away has me in a bit of a spin! Well done on sticking with your pre-op diet! Are you feeling nervous? Would it help to share what your specific concerns are here? I’m feeling a bit apprehensive, but my partner is a bit of a (kind, loving, and supportive) nervous wreck on my behalf.

After any procedure or surgery , I can barely control when and how fast I needed to be in a bathroom. It however always normalizes in time. (I also noticed if I’m circling the edge of a UTI, I have the same frequency issues so these days I take D mannose if I think one is coming on. It solves the issue pretty instantly)

I'd lost 52 lbs when I was at point where you are now, and I DON'T have hypothyroidism. the others are right, never compare yourself to other people. Your rate of weight loss is dependent on so many factors, most of which you have little to no control over (e.g. age, gender, starting BMI, metabolic rate, genetics, whether or not you lost weight prior to surgery...). The two factors you DO have control over are how closely you stick to your clinic's eating plan and your activity level. If you do well with those, and your general weight trend is down, then you're good. and btw - I lost over 200 lbs, so being a slow vs fast loser, in the long run, makes no difference. Your level of commitment is what makes the difference in your ultimate success.

I don't have experience with hypothyroidism. 55 pounds is fantastic. Try not to compare your weight loss with other people. I know it hard, but it will drive you crazy. Many of us are slow losers'. Its no how fast you lose its the fact you are losing weight. I hope someone can share their experience. Hang in there😊

I am also scheduled in april for the 29th. I am not nervous. I prepare myself emotionally by thinking about the positive aspects of getting bypass surgery. Actually I feel like 04/29 couldnt get here fast enough for me.

Hey fellow DSers... Just a little story from me, a DSer roughly 2 1/2 years out. I underwent the DS on 8/13/2018, and effortlessly lost over 100% of my excess weight. So during the 2020 lockdown I think a number of circumstances contributed to me gaining ~30 pounds of regain! I'm not sure when the regain precisely started, probably sometime in April 2020, since I wasn't logging my weight by that time. Now to the DS's credit, even with that 30 pounds I was still within the "normal" BMI for my height, at around 24 BMI. This regain wasn't disastrous, but I certainly didn't like the trend. Basically I believe I got overconfident in the DS, and what the DS can do. The DS does have an "achilles-heel" and that's simple refined carbs. The powerful malabsorption properties of the DS are defeated by simple refined grains and simple sugars. In addition, those foods seem to be "slider foods" as I can fill up quickly, but they pass though the sleeve quickly so I'm ready for more.. For some reason (depression, low fat absorption, who knows) I developed quite the sweet tooth, and I ate as much chocolate and candy that I wanted (which was a lot). I also ate processed high-carb-laden frozen foods, grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, pizza, fast-food breakfasts and lunches, etc. I didn't eat a huge amount at once, as I still have good restriction.. but it all added up. Oh and of course no physical activity or exercise. On around Jan 21st I decided to take control again and got back to basics... eliminated all simple carbs/sugars/etc, logged and counted calories, though I didn't exercise. The DS worked it's magic, and I'll post a screenshot of my weight log over the past 2 months. The last time I logged my weight in MyFitnessPal was Dec. 7th, 2019 at 133.2 lbs. I'm not sure why I stopped logging - probably because my weight didn't move much at that point. I made it my goal to lose all my regain since that point - so 133.2 lbs. was my goal. It's really a bit low a weight for me, but I wanted to start from where I last left off and rebuild good habits from that point, not a point of regain. The loss wasn't really that difficult, and I wasn't really all that hungry very often. I still have good restriction - the "cottage cheese" tests seems to indicate I have about a 6.5 oz sleeve capacity, may 7 or 7.5 if pushed or with certain foods, and less with dense proteins. I love the DS. Best decision ever.

Hey I hear all of you. I just had surgery yesterday, came home this afternoon and barraged by food commercials, then my family had sushi while I sipped my miso soup. But one good bit of news I read on this site, Wendy’s chili! Apparently that is a fast food we’ll (eventually ) be able to eat. anybody else having difficulty knowing when to stop sipping. I hate to push it but I’m trying to find that magic number of sips that will make me full. For now I’m just drinking from 15/30 ml cups ever 5-10 minutes

It is a very individual thing & depends on how far a long the journey you are. My surgeon was a no to rice, bread & pasta. He was a eat your protein first, then if you can some vegetables (not starchy ones), then fruit. Carbs of any sort were way down on his list. In maintenance I added more carbs but only whole or multigrain ones. I eat quite a lot of dairy every day. I still avoid rice, pasta & bread at almost 2 years out. Mainly because if I can only eat a bare cup of food it’s going to be all nutritionally dense food. I was not going to fill or partially fill myself with empty calories. I did try soya bean pasta because it’s more nutritionally rich but it sat quite heavily in my tummy. Ugh! But this is me. You may be different & can tolerate it. There are lots of people who successful eat high protein low carb bread, pasta & rice in maintenance. I avoid fatty foods. I avoid as much sugar, artificial sweeteners & sugar alternatives as I can (it’s challenging). I generally don’t do so called low calorie, low fat, low carb, no added sugar, diet products. Don’t really do take away - three times I think in two years (chicken & cashews & steamed gyoza - ate the filling only) while with friends & no fast food at all. I cook my own food from scratch most of the time. That way I control the ingredients & how they’re prepared & cooked. I do eat out at restaurants but am very selective of what I eat. Though, I avoid sweet foods i.e. desserts, cakes, biscuits, chocolate, ... I did eat some fruit cake at Christmas & had a little bit of dessert but only then. I can eat them without issue but they’re danger foods for me (as are bread, pasta & rice). If I start eating them I know I’ll start gaining again. I don’t really miss them. There may be food you can’t tolerate well. There may be foods you decide not to eat anymore. There may be foods you allow yourself as an occasional treat or are a regular inclusion in your diet. It’s about working out what’s right for you to maintain a healthy weight & a happy life.

My son had Wendy’s. Ugh... they should ban fast food now that we’ve had weight loss surgery!!! The worst part is instead of giving us a plain cheeseburger with ketchup like we ordered for my picky 6 year old, they put bacon, onion, etc. so my husband went BACK through the drive through AND we threw the first one away. My husband didn’t have the heart to eat it in front of me. Two more weeks of liquid and then I’m going to have the best tasting single scrambled egg in the world!!!!

Creekimp13 made some excellent points. A few studies would come in handy. I've always been shocked how so many surgeons and patients approach the post-op experience as a crash diet. Lose as much as possible while eating as little as possible so you can lose weight as fast as you can. Then when you've lost your excess weight you (hopefully) learn the new appropriate way to eat. Or, as so many people do, return to their old ways and regain the weight. My Doc's plan was to get on the 'forever' eating plan quickly. You learn new habits with the positive feedback of losing weight. All that success makes the plan solidly a habit. Then when you reach your goal (or stop point) you adjust very slightly to maintain. Anyone can do anything for the short term, it's why diets work for a time. It's the long haul that we need to work on. That so many programs make these two phases completely different I think sets a lot of people up for failure, the same failure diets setup preop. But, I would never say don't follow your surgeon's plan. Just remember that returning to the old "normal" will yield the same results as it did pre-op.

I eat Built protein bars when I am on the go, or after a workout for a protein blast. While I do like the taste of them and they do have a candy bar-like texture, I do not find them to make me want to eat a real candy bar. They are a convenient fuel for my body. I am a bit of an exercise addict, and they are a go-to for me post workout. Unlike meat proteins, I find I can eat them pretty fast and they are just the right size to be easy on my tummy. With all of that said, it is always a good idea to check with your nutritionist. I also could not stand the taste of protein shakes early on. Try mixing with different liquids to mask the taste. Good luck!

It's so easy to misread .. happy to hear you are ok My worst..duh. why did I do that.... moment to date was polishing off some left over stew ( stew was TOO textured I was only 6 weeks and I ate it normal pre surgery speed ie FAST!) I did it on auto and it sat like a brick You know how many times " mindful eating " is plugged everywhere Definitely a duh what was I thinking mo.ent for me !!! Fortunately apart from. Discomfort all was OK BUT I DID GO BACK TO WHOLE LIQUIDS AND SLOPPY PUREES FOR 2 DAYS as an apology to my poor stomach ..just in case!!!!