Search the Community

Just a quick question, with no simple answer, I'm sure. I'm just wondering what my protein goal should be? My doctor said 70gr. it the goal, but that was right after surgery. Does your goal change as you move later into Sleeve life? I easily get 70gr. daily just eating healthy with Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, beef, chicken etc. But I also run 5K every day. This drops the protein in my blood. I know this because I donate Plasma, and have been deferred often for low protein. So, I bumped my protein intake to between 140gr. and 160gr. (on really good days). Still I struggle to keep my protein within range. So, anyone else going through something similar? Is there anything I can eat that will help with absorption? Is there a "golden" number I should be looking for? Seems like everyone else is getting far less protein than I am... are your labs still coming back good? Thanks in advance for any advice. PS -> Yes, that is a ton of protein, and always a struggle. Also, yes, eating that much protein has helped me to gain back some weight, about 15lbs.

Because I was at goal and having the revision because of intractable GERD, the dietary instructions for RNY really don't apply to me. The texture progression does, liquid to pureed to soft to regular food, but the caloric advice doesn't. So I scouted around on the web. Gastrectomy and intestinal rerouting has been done a long time for GI cancers. There is a surgery called a Billroth II that is almost the same as RNY so I have been following dietary guidelines for them--whole milk and full fat yogurt, mashed potatoes with small amounts of butter, basically avoiding low-fat and low-sugar options without taking in so much fat and sugar that I might dump. We'll see how it works, I only weigh myself once a week and there are a few more days to go. Last night I woke up at 2 am and had to pee. When I got back in bed, my abdomen, inside and out, ached and throbbed. I have no idea what happened, maybe I twisted getting out of bed. I tried to deep breathe enough to relax and go back to sleep but couldn't. I ended up taking half an oxycodone (2.5 mg). Tylenol probably would have worked but it was in the bathroom and the oxycodone was in the drawer of the nightstand. First painkiller of any kind I've taken since July 5.

first of all, yes, being really nervous before surgeries is pretty normal. secondly, if you can lose the weight on your own, then go for it. Up to about 5% of people are able to lose their excess weight and keep it off long term. I, unfortunately, was not one of the 5%. I had surgery at age 55, after literally decades of losing and regaining the same 50 lbs. Same story every time - I'd lose it, hit a brick wall, and then it'd eventually all come back on - within a few months. I finally got to the point where I had to stop kidding myself. I couldn't even keep 50 lbs off, and I had over 200 to lose! So for me, surgery was really my only choice. Maybe you'll be one those who'll be able to do it and keep it off. There are some out there. And btw - surgery doesn't guarantee you'll be able to lose most or all of your excess weight and keep it off - but it greatly improves your odds. not sure what to tell you about protein. I only eat meat a couple of times a week, but I do eat a lot of dairy (including yogurt and cottage cheese). I also add protein powder to some things. In addition, I still drink protein shakes, at five years out, because they help me get up to my protein goals (most people don't need them after the first few weeks or months - but I have to have 100+ grams a day to keep my prealbumin level up, and a protein shake a day really helps me get there) you do have to be mentally ready for this, because the surgery only does so much. It's a lot of work, esp after the first few months. But the difference is, your efforts actually pay off. I was able to lose - and maintain - and enormous amount of weight, which I'd never been able to do before.

Hi everyone, I posted this on two other forums but I thought I'd post here too. I'm having my bypass next Wednesday, 7/22. I was calm for the most part until the past few days, when I started getting nervous, but that was the nervous that I'm assuming everyone feels when surgery gets close. For some background, I'm 22 years old, 5'1, and started working towards surgery in October of last year at 260 pounds. As of today, I'm 50 pounds down, and that's of course on my own, before having surgery. Yesterday, I started having serious second thoughts. These normal nervous thoughts had me wondering if I could do it on my own since I've been able to lose 50 pounds by myself before surgery, and I keep telling myself I worked hard for this, and surgery is right around the corner, and if I didn't think I needed it, I wouldn't have started the program in the first place. Like I said, I was calm until a few days ago, but yesterday it really started hitting me. I started getting the feeling that I'll be unsuccessful with the surgery. Most, if not all, programs require a high-protein diet after surgery, including my own program. My issue is, I'm an extremely picky eater. I'm a vegetarian, and while I'm not totally vegan since I'll eat products containing milk and eggs, I prefer not to eat (or drink) those things if I can avoid it. So aside from not eating meat, I don't eat cheese or regular eggs prepared in any way (if I try I will not be able to stomach it). I also am grossed out by tofu. This honestly leaves my only options for Protein for the rest of my life to be Protein Drinks and yogurt (which I would prefer not to eat all the time, it's not my favorite thing). My nutritionist said lentils and Beans are ok, but they have a lot of starch so to eat other things if I can. I'm on my pre-op diet so that means I'm stuck on my protein drinks and yogurt for now, and after talking with my nutritionist a few times yesterday, the nerves I was already feeling worsened, and I started having normal doubts to real second thoughts. I was wondering if I'm actually cut out for this kind of surgery since I know I can't keep up with the protein that I'm being asked to eat, and I'm not sure I can compromise since I already know I won't be able to handle things like eggs, cheese, and tofu. If this kind of thing relies on me eating protein all the time, what kind of success can I have if I'm not able to do that? Yes, it'll physically restrict me from overeating, at least for the first year or two, but I'm afraid of a stall after only losing a small amount, or regaining the weight and having gone through all of it for nothing. I'm also thinking how if I lost 50 lbs on my own, I could try to lose the other 100 lbs on my own too, even if it's not the rapid weight loss that the bypass would give me. Like I noted earlier, though, I wouldn't have started this program in the first place if I didn't feel like I needed to go through it and wouldn't have worked so hard to make sure it happens. I'm 22 years old, should I wait a couple of years since I'm having these thoughts and try things out on my own and see how things go with that? Or should I go through with surgery next week? I have no idea between my doubts and the hard work I went through.

Hi everyone, I'm having my bypass next Wednesday, 7/22. I was calm for the most part until the past few days, when I started getting nervous, but that was the nervous that I'm assuming everyone feels when surgery gets close. For some background, I'm 22 years old, 5'1, and started working towards surgery in October of last year at 260 pounds. As of today, I'm 50 pounds down, and that's of course on my own, before having surgery. Yesterday, I started having serious second thoughts. These normal nervous thoughts had me wondering if I could do it on my own since I've been able to lose 50 pounds by myself before surgery, and I keep telling myself I worked hard for this, and surgery is right around the corner, and if I didn't think I needed it, I wouldn't have started the program in the first place. Like I said, I was calm until a few days ago, but yesterday it really started hitting me. I started getting the feeling that I'll be unsuccessful with the surgery. Most, if not all, programs require a high-protein diet after surgery, including my own program. My issue is, I'm an extremely picky eater. I'm a vegetarian, and while I'm not totally vegan since I'll eat products containing milk and eggs, I prefer not to eat (or drink) those things if I can avoid it. So aside from not eating meat, I don't eat cheese or regular eggs prepared in any way (if I try I will not be able to stomach it). I also am grossed out by tofu. This honestly leaves my only options for Protein for the rest of my life to be Protein Drinks and yogurt (which I would prefer not to eat all the time, it's not my favorite thing). My nutritionist said lentils and Beans are ok, but they have a lot of starch so to eat other things if I can. I'm on my pre-op diet so that means I'm stuck on my protein drinks and yogurt for now, and after talking with my nutritionist a few times yesterday, the nerves I was already feeling worsened, and I started having normal doubts to real second thoughts. I was wondering if I'm actually cut out for this kind of surgery since I know I can't keep up with the protein that I'm being asked to eat, and I'm not sure I can compromise since I already know I won't be able to handle things like eggs, cheese, and tofu. If this kind of thing relies on me eating protein all the time, what kind of success can I have if I'm not able to do that? Yes, it'll physically restrict me from overeating, at least for the first year or two, but I'm afraid of a stall after only losing a small amount, or regaining the weight and having gone through all of it for nothing. I'm also thinking how if I lost 50 lbs on my own, I could try to lose the other 100 lbs on my own too, even if it's not the rapid weight loss that the bypass would give me. Like I noted earlier, though, I wouldn't have started this program in the first place if I didn't feel like I needed to go through it and wouldn't have worked so hard to make sure it happens. I'm 22 years old, should I wait a couple of years since I'm having these thoughts and try things out on my own and see how things go with that? Or should I go through with surgery next week? I have no idea between my doubts and the hard work I went through.

Hi everyone, I'm having my bypass next Wednesday, 7/22. I was calm for the most part until the past few days, when I started getting nervous, but that was the nervous that I'm assuming everyone feels when surgery gets close. For some background, I'm 22 years old, 5'1, and started working towards surgery in October of last year at 260 pounds. As of today, I'm 50 pounds down, and that's of course on my own, before having surgery. Yesterday, I started having serious second thoughts. These normal nervous thoughts had me wondering if I could do it on my own since I've been able to lose 50 pounds by myself before surgery, and I keep telling myself I worked hard for this, and surgery is right around the corner, and if I didn't think I needed it, I wouldn't have started the program in the first place. Like I said, I was calm until a few days ago, but yesterday it really started hitting me. I started getting the feeling that I'll be unsuccessful with the surgery. Most, if not all, programs require a high-protein diet after surgery, including my own program. My issue is, I'm an extremely picky eater. I'm a vegetarian, and while I'm not totally vegan since I'll eat products containing milk and eggs, I prefer not to eat (or drink) those things if I can avoid it. So aside from not eating meat, I don't eat cheese or regular eggs prepared in any way (if I try I will not be able to stomach it). I also am grossed out by tofu. This honestly leaves my only options for protein for the rest of my life to be protein drinks and yogurt (which I would prefer not to eat all the time, it's not my favorite thing). My nutritionist said lentils and beans are ok, but they have a lot of starch so to eat other things if I can. I'm on my pre-op diet so that means I'm stuck on my protein drinks and yogurt for now, and after talking with my nutritionist a few times yesterday, the nerves I was already feeling worsened, and I started having normal doubts to real second thoughts. I was wondering if I'm actually cut out for this kind of surgery since I know I can't keep up with the protein that I'm being asked to eat, and I'm not sure I can compromise since I already know I won't be able to handle things like eggs, cheese, and tofu. If this kind of thing relies on me eating protein all the time, what kind of success can I have if I'm not able to do that? Yes, it'll physically restrict me from overeating, at least for the first year or two, but I'm afraid of a stall after only losing a small amount, or regaining the weight and having gone through all of it for nothing. I'm also thinking how if I lost 50 lbs on my own, I could try to lose the other 100 lbs on my own too, even if it's not the rapid weight loss that the bypass would give me. Like I noted earlier, though, I wouldn't have started this program in the first place if I didn't feel like I needed to go through it and wouldn't have worked so hard to make sure it happens. I'm 22 years old, should I wait a couple of years since I'm having these thoughts and try things out on my own and see how things go with that? Or should I go through with surgery next week? I have no idea between my doubts and the hard work I went through.

That’s good information! Right now I’m having a hard time feeling full with 1/4 cup of food, maybe cause the food is very light that I’m eating! I think yogurt is the way to go I’m already super excited about eating parfaits this Wednesday when I can eat that! I only worry about that dumping syndrome that I bet sucks!

@OshunKilgore welcome newbie, congrats on your early success.☺️ eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese are great soft protein foods. i can tell you are going to do great on your journey. keep the success up, while your weight goes down good luck kathy

If you don't like the milky shakes, try isopure zero carb. They taste like fruit juice and have forty grams of protein per bottle, no carbs, no sugar and no fat. I don't care for the thick shakes either, except the premier protein cafe latte flavor. It tastes like a starbucks latte but has 30 grams of protein. I live on those, beef, shrimp, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, cheese and eggs pretty much. Surgery was 12/18 and I am down 80 lbs

I also have bad nausea, if I drink anything other than greek yogurt. Try greek yogurt lassi, 1 cup yogurt, 4-5 ice cubes, little puryne ( I think that is stevia), and little salt to taste, mix into liquid at nutribullet. It is so refreshing. The probiotics in the yogurt also help with my BM. I cup yogurt is like 15-17 g protein.

Hello, I am a newbie, and this is my first post. I have lurked on this forum a lot but never posted. I got my vsg 0n 29th June. Its been a rough ride. First I was in a lot of pain, and nausea. That ended by first 4-5 days. But now the only food my new tummy seems to be tolerating is greek yogurt lassi. Protein shakes make me gag I do think I am getting my protein though. Since this forum has helped a lot, I feel I should also share what is working for me. The greek yogurt (chobani 0%) is protein-rich, and I think I am getting ~40g protein (1/2 container) or more from it every day. The Protein2O tropical coconut is also saving me, I drink ~2 bottles or more - 15g protein/bottle/ I cannot tolerate many flavors, but this one is so soothing with coconut and pineapple. Also, I take everything very cold, like freezing, nowadays. Another thing I love is making popsicles from syntax nectar flavors. I ordered some, and though I feel by itself it is too bland for a popsicle, I add tang(no sugar) 1 tbs or more in 20 oz water and 1 or 2 pouches of nectar. Then freeze as popsicle- makes 6. That is like 4 g protein/popsicle, and I love SF popsicles currently. I also love putting some fruit chat masala on my popsicles, gives me the savory taste. This chat masala is from Indian grocery. From reading another thread I also got a pregnancy pillow from Amazon and I am using it continuously, for sleeping or while sitting. I love my pillow, it has made such a difference in comfort. I have to sleep on my side(right), and I can do that with this pillow. Also I put one side on my tummy, then sit and type on the laptop, and do the same thing when sleeping, to prevent my dog from jumping on my stitches. This was very helpful when the incisions were fresh, now I feel they are mostly healed. I hope this helps someone.

I am getting all my protein from natural foods. I eat plenty of turkey and chicken. I have eggs 3 - 4 times a week. I have cereal with milk the other days. I snack on yogurt daily.

Hi. I am wondering if anyone is able to get enough protein, per day, by food. I am 10 weeks post op and have been on “normal” food for over a month. I absolutely detest protein powder, protein shakes, protein drink and any form or protein supplement. Not only do I detest, but it doesn’t sit well inside my stomach. I try to eat protein throughout the day (eggs, chicken, turkey, Greek yogurt, tuna, some cheeses) but I feel like I am no where near my protein gram goal. Wondering if anyone is hitting their protein goal with actual and food and what you are eating. Thanks.

I usually have this as a treat (1/8 of a piece of "pie"), but today I had it for lunch instead, so I had 1/6 of a piece. It's my take on a zero point WW yogurt pie recipe that a friend of mine gave me. This version is made of plain Greek yogurt (4 C), 3 eggs, 2 boxes of sugar free Jello cheesecake pudding (mix only), and a couple scoops of vanilla protein powder. it's topped with light Cool Whip and a strawberry compote I made by cooking down strawberries with some SF Torani syrup (sometimes I use Splenda or Stevia instead) and a little vanilla and cinnamon. The strawberries kick out a lot of water when they cook down, so I usually have to thicken it once it's done.

I had trouble too. I still do & I used to drink a lot of water so this is weird for me. Hasn’t stopped me peeing all day & night though lol! I added extra water to all my shakes, soups, purées etc. as I progressed through the stages. That way I was getting more fluid in as all liquids count towards your 64oz daily requirement. I drank green tea, high protein drinking yogurt & kept a bottle of water on my desk at work, in my kitchen, by my bed, in my car, by my lounge so there’s always water at hand. Still do. I also used a straw (ssshhhh - I know I wasn’t being environmentally aware) because it was easier to sip that way. Eventually you’ll be able to drink more than a sip at a time but even 14months out I struggle with more than a mouthful at a time.

My nutritionist doesn’t allow cheese this week I can only have week three egg, tuna and canes salmon. I can also have things from the previous week such as applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal low sugar.

My doctor lets me have plain greek yogurt but I hate the taste of it so I add in my favorite liquid crystal light and it tastes amazing! That's like the only recipe I've been using, everything else has just been store bought single portion stuff.

Some of my favorites were cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and scrambled eggs... also you could try baby cereals with a little flavoring and/or pureed baby foods with some flavorless protein powder. Good luck! Sent from my Alcatel_5008R using BariatricPal mobile app

I had shakes, sugar free or fat free versions of pudding, Jello, popsicles, soup broth, gatorade, yogurt and milk.

Just over three weeks post-op, and I'm feeling so much better. Still not getting enough protein, but I'm trying. I am finding eating in general much easier, and I'm transitioning from purees into real food chopped up small and chewed thoroughly. I'm just so happy not to be stuck on liquids anymore! I've been eating: - unsweetened apple sauce, apple juice, popsicles, Honest Kids juice pouches, no-sugar fudgsicles - watermelon (a LOT of watermelon), cherries, frozen berries in my protein smoothies - cooked chicken thighs, shredded cheese, string cheese, cottage cheese, hummus, tzatziki sauce (on chicken), greek yogurt, veggie and meat baby food My last class with the nutritionist was very helpful. She told us to focus on protein and hydration, but clarified that yes, if you can handle it, it's ok to eat a little fruit. She said the sugars that occur naturally in fruit and milk will never cause dumping syndrome. I switched from the multi-vitamin with iron to one that doesn't have it. I am menopausal so I don't need the iron, and it was making my bowel movements very...unpleasant. I think it was also contributing to my constipation. Feeling better now. I had this hilarious dream the other night that I was eating some kind of dessert with creamy filling and frosting and I was enjoying is SO much when I suddenly realized I was going to give myself dumping syndrome big time and I started panicking! Then I woke up. HAHA!

Protein shake twice a day, crystal light, broths, sugar free jello and popsicles, 1 cup raw veggies (lettuce, cucumber, tomato.) with Greek yogurt with no fruit....with which I add crystal light to or I'd go insane. My liquid diet starts tomorrow but I started it on Monday. I'm surprisingly not hungry or craving food anymore, surgery on the 16th.

I do think my body is where it is suppose to be. I am at my high school weight pretty much. I have not had anymore dumping episodes. ( I do sometimes feel yucky after eating ) Breakfast is usually yogurt and fruit or scrambled egg and sausage or bacon Lunch has been leftovers or salad the last few days with some tuna Dinner is chicken, beef , fish, or pork and usually a potato ( or rice) and veggie. Snacks are normally fruit. Berries, pineapple, and watermelon. I also bought some 2 carb fudge bars and frozen fruit bars. . Protein shakes too. Tonight I am having pork steak on grill with veggie. I am going to drop the shakes after this box is gone since I am eating pretty well and getting in up to 1200 calories a day. I am going to tweak some things and see what happens.

My go to now is Fage, plain, non fat greek yogurt. My dietitian allows me to add hidden valley ranch to it. It might be weird but it's easy to digest and I think a 1/2 cup has 17g of protein.

Tuna at 3 weeks would have been hard for me. A few things that worked well at that stage were greek yogurt (my nutritionist recommended the OIkos Triple Zero - I'd eat around 1/2 a container for a meal at 3 weeks). Cottage cheese was also good at that time, around 2 oz. I also did beans which I pureed REALLY well and added some salsa too (also pureed) to get to a more liquid texture.

I eat Greek yogurt with strawberries a lot this time of year, too! In fact, that's probably my most frequent breakfast this time of year...