Search the Community

I am preop and was just reading through the folder my surgeon's office has given me. There's a section called keeping the weight off where they talk about portions after you've gotten past the honeymoon period. They say that a meal should be 3-4 oz of lean protein with 20-25g protein, 1/2 cup of whole grain or starchy vegetables, and then half of the plate is leafy/non-starchy veg and fruit. The most important part for me was where they said: Sometimes portion sizes increase over time. If you feel you are able to eat more at meals, increase the portion of non-starchy vegetables. I would start there, because I think the tendency as appetite increases is to grab a bigger plate and increase everything proportionally. So now you may be eating 5-6 oz protein and 3/4 to 1 cup of starch or grain. And maybe adding in more sauces, more fats, a piece of bread, some alcohol, juice, some sweet treats, a daily snack. My surgeon's plan emphasizes keeping to 3 meals per day without snacking once you're past the first few weeks where you need to supplement with protein shakes just to meet minimum protein goals. But if you can regularly get 20-25g protein at a meal, plus 1/2 cup starch or grain and some veg/fruit, you don't need to eat more than 3 times per day, 4-6 hours apart. This is something that isn't always made clear. When I started this journey, I was certain that gastric bypass would mean having to eat lots of small meals all throughout the day, which is exactly what I'm being told not to do! But you do need to get at least 64oz of water or more all the time, and you can add as much veg and fruit as you need to feel full. I think that is where I would start in your position. Go back to measuring your meals, setting timers to remind you when your meal times are if you need to, eating only food you prepare yourself and/or know exactly what's in it. Check your cupboards for temptations and get rid of them. Pay attention to the urges you have to do something that isn't part of your plan, because that's probably going to show you the problem areas and help you figure out how to change. And most of all, give yourself a little bit of grace, because this isn't easy (no matter what people try to say). Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep. Get fresh air and exercise. Be kind to yourself.

The best option would be to contact your old bariatric team. They can set up a comprehensive diet and give you guidance on what and how to kick start your new plan. If for some reason you can't do that, look at how and what you've been eating, cut back on calories, carbs and fats. Are you going over the maintenance limits? Its the same rules as before you had surgery: less calories in than you burn off. Go back on a reduced calorie, carb fats diet.

OH YES! I am still pre-op and I HAVE to be at the goal weight the surgeon gave me of 275 on my surgery date, so I gotta make sure I stay in check! I went back to tracking, eating proteins first and doing my 30min of activity 3x a week. It came back off but I still have 19 more days till surgery day!

Oh no way are you too far gone at this early stage OP! If you can re-read your surgeon's rules and stick to them then you will be absolutely fine. I think there's an in-between stage for all of us when we *can* eat things that aren't on our programme but we know we shouldn't. It's because our healing stomachs don't perceive the solids or carbs or whatever and don't warn us to stop because they can't. When they heal up properly about 8 weeks after surgery you won't be able to eat more than your programme allows. Until then I would advise you to stick to the letter of the law. Carbs have little or no place in your food at the minute, you have plenty of time to reintroduce them over the next year or two. Soup - yes! Allowed protein - yes! (I say eggs all ways). There are loads of tasty things you'll be permitted and so much time to eat the others. Welcome to your new life x

I'd suggest kindly saying to them "I appreciate your worries about how I will change, change is scary! But what I need from you right now is your support, it will really help me succeed going forward and I know we will find many more ways to have fun together!" I went to see my family for the holidays. The road trip down and back was hard but I packed all my protein goodies (shakes, meat sticks, protein bars, protein chips) and the trip was a breeze from a post-surgery perspective. We went out to a pizza and beer place when we got there and yes, everyone else got pizza, except my sister and I, who got wings! Everyone else had cider, I had unsweetened tea. Everyone worried if I'd have something to eat or drink but it wasn't an issue in the end, and the best part of the meal was not the food, it was the conversation and laughter! I haven't lost that capacity post surgery! There is a thread around here where I wrote about my first post surgery experience eating out, I'll go find the link for you, it might be worth the read. https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/444708-sick-after-eating/?do=findComment&comment=5014658 Last week I ate out with friends post Christmas so we could exchange gifts. I'm 2 months out. I had a red thai curry, no rice, and fried tofu. It was delicious and again, the best part of the meal was visiting with them and exchanging gifts! I didn't miss anything in the meal and they didn't try to push me to have anything that wasn't good for me. I really value how much support I've gotten since I've let people know about the surgery. Not everyone is supportive, of course, but they don't matter. The majority support me and celebrate all my wins and that is what I needed from them!

Update: due to unforseen reasons(surgeon had foot surgery) my surgery date was rescheduled...I'm now having surgery on Jan 30,2024...pre-op visit will be 16th...guessing that's when 2wk diet will start....I already started doing protein shake for breakfast..light lunch like cup of broth and spinach frittata...then regular dinner....can't wait to get this healthy life started...thanks

I am now 1 month post op. Down 37 lbs. (20 since day of surgery) I feel amazing!! Once I stopped taking my blood thinners, I noticed a lot more energy. My joints don't bother me anymore... my hands, wrists, ankles and feet are no longer swollen. My clothes are becoming loose, and I can't stress enough how happy I am that I finally went for it and had the VSG surgery. I've noticed everyone's doctor has a different approach on the steps following surgery. I was instructed to stay on a liquid diet 3 weeks post op. Now I'm finally allowed to eat, but ONLY 4 things - eggs, string cheese, cottage cheese & avocados for the next 3 weeks. After that he said I can start to introduce meat and other foods into my diet but to ALWAYS prioritize protein over anything. I can barely finish 1 egg without feeling uncomfortable... so it'll be interesting in the coming months. The holidays were hard since my family is full of foodies, so the spreads they created for family gatherings were mouthwatering. I just kept reminding myself that I'm finally headed in the direction, and I don't want to fall back into old habits, so I ask myself, "Do I want this, or do I need this? Will it nourish me or just satisfy a craving?" Changing a relationship with food isn't easy, especially when it's something we HAVE to consume to stay alive and well. To anyone struggling, know you got this!! It might be hard today, but it won't always be that way. You might have a day where you feel you failed yourself. Don't dwell on it just work to be better moving forward. It's a learning curve, you're only human.

You know, now that you ask it, I DID enjoy myself more!! LOL I had to be very contemplative with eating which translated into more thoughtful conversation while we ate. We've been married 17 years and sometimes you get lazy and end up in that zone where you just shovel food in and get out of there. But I can't do that now!! So I pick places to go more carefully, and we've committed to putting our phones away during our meals together, so we get more face time and I really connect not only with the people I'm with, but the food I'm eating too! I'm two months post op now. I've eaten out at a lot of different places and we did a road trip to visit family for the holidays. That might have been a nightmare food-wise for some people, but I just packed snacks and protein supplemental food that I could eat if we hit a 3 hour mark and no one else was ready to eat. And we even ate at a pizza bar (not my favorite choice even before surgery) and I just got the grilled wings with a mild sauce. I've found that eating out is easier than I thought it would be. I even go eat pho---I just ask them to leave the noodles out and I eat the beef and bean sprouts and enjoy the broth. We still eat mostly at home but I was really relieved when traveling to see that our enjoyment of travel was not affected by my new diet! Also, we seem to share our food more because for me, satiety comes from trying a variety of things (always has) and now I just stick to a few bites of this and that while I meander my way through the meal and it is nice and relaxing and very enjoyable. You will still be able to enjoy yourself, it is all in how you approach it!!

Hello All- i posted for the first time just about three years ago with some anxieties as a spouse with my wife prepping to undergo the gastric sleeve. I originally noted being concerned about our lifestyle changes, relationship impacts (I had heard all the horror stories) and most of all health concerns into the future. The community was incredibly supportive and I had learned tips and useful knowledge that helped me coach and support my wife through it. I am happy to say we are better than we ever have been and her self confidence is through the roof. However the MAIN reason the surgery ever was even considered was to get her diabetes that started while she was pregnant with our first child and got very concerning bad with our fourth has still stuck around and caused issues….. First- this is Life changing not just for the partner getting the surgery, but the spouse too. We used to be foodies and that all had to go out the door. Same with alcohol. Two bites and you are full, a pint and you are drunk. So activities, dates, etc. and new hobbies should all be prepared for well in advance. Luckily we are both athletes and coaches and this allowed to have an outlet that wasn’t our prior foodies and beer/ brewery culture pastime. Two- Relationship, anyone who tells you that this leads to automatic divorce/ break up is paranoid or lying. Out of her support group offered by our health network, I think only 1 or 2 of about fifteen women ended up separating and that was from the other spouse cheating. I have to say that in many ways, after four kids and all our activities, youth sports and coaching- it created a second honeymoon period for us and really strengthened our romance and relationship because we both focused on our health again jointly and the magnetism increased dramatically. Third- It might not fix the problem…. We did not jointly go into the surgery for cosmetic or weight loss reasons. It was the diabetes and the doctors said it was a solid shot to cure or mitigate the disease. It was for a while, but it keeps back up. despite healthy eating, despite exercise and coaching, despite the surgery- medications came back into the picture and so did the celebrity weight loss drug (which is really supposed to be for diabetes…) This has been keeping everything under control but is a case of the cure being as bad as the sickness. The side effects are brutal and definitely have a quality of life impact, but we both want to live to see grandkids someday….. Fourth- dysmorphia is VERY really. We are both naturally larger people. I was a lineman in high school and college and she was a softball catcher in high school and college and ended up also playing women’s rugby there as well. Even with the surgery she went from an XL to L but she got her college/ high school figure back and as such her confidence went through the roof and started dressing like she hadn’t in years. With the medication though??? Her figure, face shape, everything changed. Down to a Small or Medium. For almost a year and a half she hasn’t recognized herself in the mirror. It’s a double wham with the surgery and the medication. Between her best friends and myself (we have all been in the same friend/ team group since college) the support was to have fun with it and go with the flow. Instead of worrying about it (the dysmorphia) it was embrace the change. All new clothes she could never wear before, she’s been a redhead now and then blonde and still is. Cut her hair shorter, started wearing makeup (never really did)- all just to try and put a positive spin on it. I’ve been the spoiled recipient of having a brand new girl (don’t think I haven’t romanced and spoiled the you-know-what out of her), but at the end of the day it’s been mitigation of all the life changes. The last part has been the most detailed because it’s the most recent and to me has been the most impactful- NOT having the surgery do its intended purpose and the dysmorphia we’re both very difficult given the efforts and life changes made. We’ve done everything we can to make lemonade out of those lemons though. We had an anniversary vacation better than our honeymoon this past summer (she has always been way out of my league and these days it’s very much over the top- I feel incredibly spoiled) and we have made time to ride our bikes together with our oldest babysitting the kids and we come to each others games when we coach. I would tell any spouse; husband or wife of someone who is going to have the surgery and then or also do all the meds: 1. Support. It’s a huge deal and you need to show up. 2. Don’t get insecure about your relationship because of the surgery. If you are worried it means you might not have a great relationship to start with…. 3. You will need to change your life too. Because of my size and my weight lifting, I need a lot of protein and calories. I will never look like a Hollywood star (like she now does) and always an NFL lineman- BUT- if I bring a cannoli, pie or a full growler into the house in addition to steak/ salmon, etc it’s teasing and not fair. You will need to learn self control to support your spouse… 4. Inspire and come up with ideas for positive re-enforcement. If the dysmorphia or depression sets in, you need to find fun things to do, supportive steps to take and positive angles to keep things going. 5. If you are doing all this as a spouse, what about YOU??? Are you going to die a martyr? Take care of YOURSELF too. I go lifting 3 times a week, go fishing in season. And for my 40th birthday when she asked what I wanted?? I got us a long weekend on the Cape, bought her some dresses I wanted to see her in and sent her to get her hair, nails, toes, eyelashes, etc.. done. Said I wanted a long weekend with my movie star wife. It was a great time, kid free and continued to strengthen our marriage. Anyways- why am I writing this? Posterity? Self reflection? Not really…. I just want to give Spouses a roadmap. It’s a huge change and you need to navigate the waters well. If you do you will benefit as much as your loved one. Good luck.

Hey there, That’s awesome! Doing this journey going from not eating carbs and then reintroducing them as needed is key. I’ve lost weight, but it comes in stages. I’ll lose inches first, then the scale will be stuck. Then all of sudden the following month, boom, ten pounds gone. I was weighing daily then weekly and now I weigh every other week. Protein is vital.

Prior to COVID, (which delayed my treatment which was to start in 2020) tooth decay and gum issues. I was to get some work done including filling, root canals, and possible bone graphs to my jaw. Due to life, I have yet to have this done but am working on it. I wanted to share that I have found that the condition is called pernicious anemia (of the teeth and gums). There are many health issues that this can cause. This is a medical issue, not a dental issue. You will likely have to educate your physician (who must write the referral correctly) and and your oral surgeon. The request to your insurance company MUST include the medical information. If they turn you down, appeal it so you can send the information yourself. Just be sure you use trusted medical sites (Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, NIHA, are good places to start. 11 years ago there was no information available, and/or not provided to me. This disease is NOT a dental issue. It effects your autoimmune system and others. Left untreated, though RARE, can cause death. Please don't panic over the "death" part, it is very rare. If you have broken, cracking, teeth coming out, gum issues (even tongue issues), this might apply. As I mentioned do your homework, note your references and talk to your primary care doctor. Get the help you need. I have 8 teeth that need to be pulled now plus some "repairs" to others. I have opted for removal of all my teeth at one time and implants. A note about implants: dentures do not stimulate your gums and jaw which is imperative to keeping you jaw from decaying. My primary care doctor, after I educated him 🙄 agrees with me , BTW. There are dental clinics out there that do a one and done treatment where you can have your teeth extracted and get your implants the same day (my option to prevent more surgeries). Keep that in mind. I hope this information is helpful for someone suffering my fate.

One thing about mental hunger or cravings is that they're almost never strong enough for me to actually get into a car and drive to a store to buy something. The first few weeks, I would end up digging until I found something else to eat, but the fewer options you make available, the more you have to admit to yourself that you're just bored or (as is often my case since I work from home) procrastinating. There have been times I would find myself staring into my pantry and I'd have to ask myself what exactly I thought I would find there. It's all canned beans and pasta sauce now. Generally I just ask myself if I want a snack badly enough to drive to the store for it, and the answer is always no. Oh, and I do all my grocery shopping online for pickup now to minimize the chances of throwing impulse buys into my cart.

I went on vacation last month. Eating out was a struggle. I haven’t made my surgery public to a lot of my friends. I can never finish my entree. I usually order fish as the portion is a lot smaller. Eating protein first then the carbs last. I still feel very bad for throwing away half my plate. Skip the appetizers lol.

Yes I am on the same page as you. In summer I want the arm skin gone but come winter, I look good, so why would I ? My surgeon and his team has said how tough a surgery it is and doesn't recommend it for me. Then if I had the arms done would all the rest off me look worse ? I imagine so. I have not the money to do any more surgery in the UK and am frightened to go abroad for the cheaper options.

That is a relief! You have hit the nail on the head with that - unfortunately the world isn't made for people of a bigger size, which is awful! Oh wow - it is interesting to see the differences in what surgeons recommend! I know a lot of people in the UK are a massive fan of protein shakes (myself included), so I shall have to keep an eye on what is recommended! Strawberry and banana smoothies were something my dad always used to make me and I love them! Adding peanut butter to that sounds amazing. Very much so! Thank you

No you don't sound mad just ready for the change. Its so different being thin in a world made for thin people. Your team will tell you what you can eat and drink and you can be assured that nobody else in the world will be on the same diet. Be it pre op or post op. In the UK and Europe, the surgeons do seem more tolerant of some things like Coffee, fizzy drinks, straws, alcohol and salt. There was no limits on my drinks, hot cold, fizzy or frozen. My surgeon said that protein shakes were the devils food and he had me drink full skim milk. Which was right up my street tbh. Cheap and easy to put a flavour too, like coffee or blitzed with strawberry, banana or peanut butter. New year, new you. Enjoy

I had my surgery on 12/27 and I'm doing great. Working on getting my water and protein in, it was a struggle the first couple of days but is improving. Except for the gas pain post surgery I haven't had that much discomfort except for when I sleep on my side, which is normal. The day after surgery I was up 7 lb, I believe due to swelling and the IVs, but that has disappeared and I am losing. Like you say small wins! I hope that all my December surgery buddies are doing well and wish you all a wonderful New Year!

You are all awesome! Thank you! I bought the protein powder a while back and forgot all about it. I added it to my breakfast today (2 eggs) and only finished half and feel full. I will also add it in with my water. I’m sure I can’t mix it all up completely but at least a little will help. Thanks for your comments and support! We will get through this together!

I have yet to get my surgery date. But, I have did all the pre-op and post op classes. I was instructed to get unflavored protein something like ISOpure or any other unflavored brand doesn't matter. As long as it's within the guidelines they gave you. Put it in a shaker and sprinkle protein over whatever you eat. Soups, or whatever you can get down. Any little bit of protein you can get in will help. You don't have to add a lot. A little over time will be better than nothing.

At one week post op the only I was told to track is my fluids intake. In fact the first 3 weeks I was only told to make sure I get my water and protein shakes.

I got mine in December 18 and honestly I’m so happy that I did… so much has changed. I mean I don’t have a lot of energy because we not able to intake a lot of things I am on my puréed stage and it like I don’t care for food 😂. I just drink my protein shakes, take my vitamins, and drink a lot of liquids to stay hydrated. I eat here and there but I am barely hungry.

I havent been eating bad things like my husband made a 16 hour smoked pork roast i had three pinches of the meat, I have been doing yogurt and soup i did oatmeal mixed with my protein shake once also. I cant do more than 2/3 onces of food at a time… mostly im doing soup and yogurt now though. Its not really unhealthy food but I had gotten confused with the diet and started the soft foods one week earlier the doctor didnt seemed worried though. It just was messing up my head thinking im off track. Im down 16 lbs so that’s got to be okay. Thank you for the peanut butter advice i love fit pb I’ll probably go buy powder protein shakes and start making them instead also I dont do dairy so maybe that’s another factor.

I have been “doctoring” up my shakes. Take a vanilla shake and add some cinnamon , nutmeg, vanilla and 1/4c SF Applesauce. Mix it all together in the blender taste just like apple pie. also I get a flavor Keifer and mix a 1/2c with a vanilla shake to make it taste different (my flavor was strawberry) I also bought some powdered peanut butter and add 1 tablespoons to a chocolate protein shake. Taste like peanut butter cup. I have other recipes if you want some more ideas

I am 6 days out and I was so hungry today! All I can offer is stay focused on getting enough protein. The protein will keep you fuller longer and keep you on track. Also, stay away from carbs. Sadly you’re the only one that can make the changes. what are the foods you’re eating? Maybe you have to find alternatives in a healthier option.

Girl you and me both my hunger isn’t really there more than my thoughts of wanting to eat food to feel normal again. Its been emotional for me and bc of my sampling food it makes me feel more down. It’s frustrating not being able to drink water or pretty much anything my water/ fluid intake is so low. Im soooo over these protein shakes i bought and the thought of them now has me wanting to gag lol. I’m not reallt taking in any protein shakes and just doing soups but can only do 2/3 ounces at a time. I can do yogurt i had half a cup for lunch and a few tablespoons of tomato soup for dinner. Feel free to message me anytime my surgery date was 12/18 im happy i got the surgery but definitely want to feel normal again. I’m being patient but if i could have at least be able to drink water it would be easier. i had a hiatal hernia and its been so hard to drink is anyone else feeling that feeling? Then when i do drink its like im swallowing air 😫😩😫