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Meal replacement bars that are good?
Tony B - NJ replied to Blue432's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Not too sound like a broken record, but Built bars are what I use when I need to have something with me to get a little nutrition and protein. I am particularly fond of the salted caramel and the coconut. At 140 calories and 17 grams of protein, they work very well in my diet. -
There are a couple things that some people miss when they begin tracking or measuring. Are you counting all the oils and marinades you are cooking with? Also are you actually measuring sauces and stuff?? Two tablespoons was alot less than i though. When I actually put it in a measuring cup I realized I had been using a lot of calories worth of dressings. Another thing I was underestimating was shredded cheese. I don’t mean to sound insulting if you are already measuring these things correctly that’s great but I know I wasn’t in the beginning. if you really are tracking everything correctly then it has to be stress. If I understood correctly your team did not actually give you a goal of weight to lose?? For the most part the medically managed diet is just an insurance hoop like others have said. A few people with higher BMI’s are given a specific Amount of weight that they must lose in order to make the procedure safe but for the most part it’s just the insurance game. if I were you I would contact your team and let them know you are struggling and ask if you were required to lose In order to be approved or not. Get rid of that thing that is most likely causing you stress which is causing your body to be in fight or flight mode making it harder to lose.
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Meal replacement bars that are good?
BigSue replied to Blue432's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I second Built Bars as the best protein bars available. They’re lower in calories and sugar than most other protein bars. I wouldn’t consider them “meal replacement bars,” but perhaps you are using that term loosely. You should easily be able to find a coupon code for 12%-15% off with Honey or Capital One browser extensions. Be warned, though — you will get hooked on them and buy way too many because they keep releasing limited-edition flavors. I personally prefer the regular bars to the puffs, but they are all delicious. Pro tip: a lot of the bars are better warmed in the microwave (10-15 seconds on high, or use the “soften butter” setting if you have one). -
I understand the frustration with not losing. I thought the first week or two would show a great bit of loss, but so far the scale is hovering between 296-298 fluctuating up and down. I’m only 5 days out so I guess it’s still fluid retention from the surgery itself. I just really wanted to end out August under 290. I know that it is nothing I am doing wrong. I’m walking every 4 hours, getting my water in, I hit 60g of protein today but have been averaging 40-50. Drinking shakes, eating yogurt, and still doing clear liquids. I track everything in Carb Manager. My calories haven’t gone above 400 all week. I’m following every instruction they gave me to the letter. So if I still haven’t lost by my post-op next week, at least I’ll have a log of everything I’m doing and eating to show them, so maybe they can help me figure out what I need to adjust.
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Haven't updated this thing in a while. It's just to keep me accountable and I know others can read this so feel free to chime in. I'm officially almost entering my 7th month of post op life from my gastric bypass. I feel so much better and I've lost over 100 lbs but there are days I still feel like it won't all really matter at all until I am stick skinny (which wouldn't be possible without plastics and even then I don't think so). I hate that I think that way - it makes it hard to be happy for myself and then that feeds into not meeting my goals.
I was in a weight loss rut for a while there - like the whole month of August basically was me just gaining and losing the same 4 lbs. I figured it was just a weight loss stall part of the process because I hear there's a big stall 6 months out. I also was macro and calorie counting but I was drinking more alcohol than I ever have since surgery. I think that contributed to it immensely. Just to be clear I wasn't drinking out of transfer addiction - just going to more social events and dinners because my life has gotten so incredibly busy. It's amazing because I have the confidence to go out and be social now but it makes it harder to navigate the strict calorie limits and hydration goals when you're always hanging out with people.
Anyway, I really put a lot of thought into calories the past two weeks and stopped drinking too. I finally broke my stall. I went from 240 to 236 and it seems to be sticking. I'm at this weird part in the surgery journey where the honeymoon is over. I no longer get food stuck in my esophagus on the regular but I have noticed I am starting to feel nauseous after eating (probably because I don't have the limitation of the food getting stuck) so I don't realize how much my body is actually okay with.
So now I'm at this point where I'm figuring out how much of different types of foods I can really eat without making myself nauseous. It's a work in progress but I'm determined. I'm usually good around 1/2 a cup of carbs and 1-1.5 cups of vegetables. Protein is always different. Sometimes I can eat it no problem, others it's one of the only foods that still get "stuck". I try not to go crazy counting calories because I have a history of eating disorders. I mainly try to stay under 1300 calories. My BMR is around 1900 right now. Instead of counting every single morsel, I make sure I eat more in the beginning of the day so I don't snack at night and I weigh my food if it's a fat or carb.
I'd really like to add more exercise back into the equation but I've been on my *ss for the past 2 weeks because I sprained my tailbone. It's finally better so I'm going to try doing a mile run and a 2 mile walk at least 3 times a week to start out. Weathers also clearing up for outdoor runs and I'd like to get my sweat on anyway.
But anyway, I feel like I'm at this point of my surgery journey that doesn't get talking about a lot. The pre op and right after surgery phases are talked about most but the most important part seems to be what happens after all the cool perks start dying down? Hunger comes back, or you're able to increase portions, introduce foods back, etc. I'd love to talk to others about this point just for support. I know it just comes down to tracking and movement but sometimes it does feel like you're doing it all and those numbers won't budge (they don't go up, but they don't go down). For me it's best not to obsess over the number. I can get really depressed checking my weight everyday. I'm down to checking about 3 times a month now.
Not sure what else I'm trying to say here. Just want to keep going. My first goal weight was 220 that I set for myself. I'm about 15 lbs away from it. I think once I hit 220 and maintain it for 2 months I'll set a new goal weight for 200 lbs. I think at that point I'll be ready for plastics. I'd love to have my arms tightened, my stomach skin removed and my boobs lifted. Everything else I can take or leave haha
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Food Before and After Photos
Starwarsandcupcakes replied to GreenTealael's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Sub and build your own salad night! My plate is the one in the bottom left it was A LOT of tortilla and that whole wrap was a whopping 660 calories! I obviously ate less than half because, tortilla. -
Meal replacement bars that are good?
gojackets replied to Blue432's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Hi, I've not yet had surgery, but I have eaten the Think Crunch Protein bars for over 5 years. They usually run between 13-14 grams of protein and only 5 grams of sugar. (11 carbs) I like them because they are more like a wafer and it's a different consistency than most protein bars. They are about 200 calories for each bar. I'm not sure how well they will work as part of a post surgery nutrition plan, but the were a staple in my diet during my WW days. -
I had RnY on 2nd August. I lost a little over 32 pounds between the Liver reducing diet and a week or so post op. Then it massively slowed down and now I’ve been at a stall for over a week. It’s so disheartening, I’m terrified that I’m doing something wrong! 😩 I’m trying to research as much as possible, because I wasn’t really given anything to follow. But I’m under 500 calories per day and I believe I’m eating right. Perhaps not enough protein though. It’s so overwhelming!
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Weight during preop
SpartanMaker replied to Capri81's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I know it's frustrating, but most likely this is just water weight. When you start dieting, the amount of glycogen stored in your muscles and organs drops pretty dramatically since you're not taking in enough carbs to replenish the glycogen. This depletion of glycogen also causes scale weight to drop in the form of water loss. Over time, those glycogen stores are renewed, which also causes you to put the water weight back on. This phenomenon is even worse if you also add in new exercise, as your body needs extra water in your muscles to help repair the micro damage that exercise does to your muscles. If you feel sore muscles, you can know for sure that you're storing extra water. I suspect there's another factor at work here: stress. Elevated stress levels causes you adrenal glands to make and release a hormone known as cortisol into your bloodstream. Among other things, elevated cortisol levels can actually slow down your metabolism, meaning you're burning fewer calories at rest. -
Weight during preop
LookingForward22 replied to Capri81's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I’m sorry. Sometimes family thinks they are helping or being supportive and they aren’t. Quitting eating won’t help, that may make your body go into starvation mode and hold on to EVERYTHING. Week 2 post op I was barely eating 500 calories and missing my water goals as I transitioned to purées - trying to work out the new foods and making sure things sat well, and I didn’t loose a pound. Once I started hitting my protein, water and calorie goals - I started to see movement again. If you are weighing and measuring everything and your nutritionist is working with you - stick to your plan and try to implement any changes they suggest… stay the course. You will be doing everything right post surgery and hit stalls or see fluctuations - just stay the course and things will correct. Best advice I had on this board was this journey is not a straight line down… it’s a jagged line that will go up, plateau and go down - but if you stick with it you will get there. Keep working with your nutritionist… if you feel like they aren’t listening to you ask if there is another you can work with or talk to. Keep hydrated and try to keep your calories in range and meet any goals they give you. You have lots of support here. If your program has not told you to loose, maintain or other instructions - keep checking in and working with them and ask them directly about your concerns. Hopefully they can put your mind at ease. -
do you think that you may not qualify because you haven’t lost weight? do not worry about that. it’s more of a formality that insurance companies put out there. I guess the thought is that overweight people have never tried to loose weight so they should try once before surgery lol have you consulted with a nutritionalist yet? that can help you prepare for the bariatric journey even if it’s not required. do you have an app or journal where you track off of your food intake? for me, this was important to gauge what i was eating and where i needed to adjust. i currently am doing a pre op keto diet and use “Carb Master” to look at all of my nutritional macros (protein/fat/carbs/calories). it helped me actually shed some weight before going down to keto low carb levels (and been fantastic since hitting that level) i will say that it is important to understand your nutritional habits and change unhealthy ones if possible before surgery to avoid issues. knowledge of self is true power in this situation! have you completed the other insurance requirements or still working on them?
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September surgery buddies!!
Hope4NewMe replied to Slwhurst's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yay! That should help a little with flavor variety at least. Did you try any of your flavors in your shake yet? Was wondering if anything tasted extra good or anything to avoid. I know everyone's tastes are different, but can't hurt to hear opinions. Those sound amazing! I know I can do the cream soups after surgery as long as I strain them but before surgery I have to watch the carbs and stay under 800 calories. Fresh from the garden is the best though! -
That was a big fear of mine... I was going to get to my 1-month post-op apt and they were just going to pour on everything I was already feeling even more. It was actually the exact opposite and gave me a lot of great feedback. Don't be afraid to eat, your body needs those calories. I highly recommend you hide the scale for 1 or 2 weeks.
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Today I’m starting my first day of week 3 post op (2nd week of purées). I had hoped by today I would have achieved one of my specific mini goals. I was hoping to end the month under 300 lbs. Seeing that “2” in front of my weight for the first time in nearly 20 yrs. was something have have dreamed about but always fell short of since crossing that 300 point. The closest I got to that on my own was 309. Started out strong loosing about 23 lbs my first week, only to hit a big stall during my second week. I was struggling on purées to hit my water, protein and calorie goals. I won’t lie, I was prepared for a stall week 3 - but not week 2. It was so frustrating hovering right at the mark 300 on the scales, but I refused to let myself get discouraged and focused how far I had come so far!! This morning I hopped on the scales and low and behold I had movement and I’m solidly under 300!!! It may only be just barely, but I’m at 298 and that feels soooooooooo good! There is nothing quite as motivating as hitting goals and making progress… even small goals. June 2021 - my heaviest was 382. I lost 50 pounds leading up to my pre op liquid diet. Another 10 pounds was lost on the liver shrining diet. Today I am 16 pounds away from having lost 100 pounds! I can’t even believe I am saying that!!! That seems attainably close for the first time ever (to loose 100 pounds!). I have a long way to go. My final goal is less of a number and more of a feeling of being healthy - what feels right … but I’m more motivated than ever to tick off these mini goals one at a time and get to maintenance.
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Just don't give the stalls any thought at all. I stressed through them and drove myself crazy since my surgery exactly one year ago today. I managed to lose over 110 pounds. I am currently in a two month stall and it is not bothering me...I am sticking to my routine, getting my protein and water, doing my exercise and it will eventually pass. Or maybe my body is at the weight it intends to be at...which is fine. But you will being losing again if you are not at target, just make sure you are sticking to your calorie, water, protein and exercise plan.
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Girl I feel ya, I had a 2nd-week stall as well and I just started week 5 and been in a stall again since last Thursday. They told me my activity was to high for the calories I'm taking in. Stalls will happen but keep your head up. 💜
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With you! I have been stuck for 5 days at the same weight. It's so demoralizing when I'm eating less than 400 calories per day most days. I had my husband hide the scale and have been focusing on getting my water in and walking. But there's always that "what if this is it?" In the back of my mind. I've sacrificed so much to have this surgery. I just want so badly for it to work.
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Has anyone tried these? They look promising calorie wise but I’m curious if they are any good and how long they keep since I have only found them in bulk size near me.
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Loosing teeth after gastric bypass and the easy way out?
Smanky replied to Erin18's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Re: losing teeth and TikTok. It's TikTok. Who's saying this? First hand post WLS patients with first-hand knowledge, or the Body Positivity/Fat Liberation/HAES crowd who have a vested interest in putting others off weightloss? I've never heard of the teeth thing. It sounds very much like scare-mongering BS to me, and that it's coming from TikTok raises one mighty red flag. You'll likely have some temporary hair loss, but losing teeth? Never heard of such a thing in terms of a WLS side effect. Re: the easy way out. People again often have an ulterior motive, or are projecting their own issues when they double down on the whole "easy way out" myth. I have never dieted harder and changed my lifestyle more diligently than I have after WLS. WE do the hard work counting calories and watching macros and exercising. The surgery simply makes it next to impossible to fall off the wagon. Do people who insist it's the easy way imagine it's ... what? Like the tooth fairy? Fat is taken away by the blessed pixies every night as we still eat whatever we like? It's ignorance, or in the case of people who want to argue and not accept the truth: willful stupidity. And they're not people worth having around. Some people also just project their own insecurities and that will manifest as a nasty little emotion called envy. You'll find these people in both the above camps. -
Need more protein!! Please help
pintsizedmallrat replied to PennyIris's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Are you able to eat purees yet? Oikos Pro yogurt is 25g protein per cup...however I would be surprised if you were able to eat much more than 1/4 of the container in one sitting at 2 weeks out. (For some added punch, I like adding PB2 peanut butter powder to the banana flavor!, 6 more grams of fiber in 2 TBSP for 60 calories) -
I understand. We have all been through it and that is why we are all here, in some form or another. Don't panic, if you have a calorie deficit you WILL loose weight. Stalls and fluctuation are common and going to happen. Just follow your plan and keep chugging along and you will see the change.
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You are going to drive yourself crazy if you track your weight to the gram daily. Weight gain or loss is not linear. Think about it: if you drink 16 ounces of water, that is zero calories, but until you excrete it through urine, sweat, etc., you will have gained a pound. Obviously, that is not the same thing as gaining a pound of fat from eating more calories than you’re burning. A lot of people only weigh themselves once per week (or less often), and you might want to consider that if seeing a temporary weight gain is going to upset you. If you can’t help checking more frequently than that, you could just record it once per week (no matter how many times you step on the scale) so you can see your long-term progress without the day-to-day fluctuations.
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I’ve been in a stall for the last week - with a calorie deficit. But I know it’s my body reacting to not meeting my goals and being too pooped really do anything because of the lack of calories. Hang on - we will move again. Just be patient (that is what I keep telling myself).
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Today I gained weight for the second time since I had the gastric sleeve surgery three weeks ago. I was 700 grams heavier today than I was yesterday, or 1,5 pounds. Last time this happened was a week after the procedure, when I gained 400 grams one day (a little under a pound) and then the day after I weighed the same as I did two days before. I weigh myself every day, and have done for a long time. I realise that weight fluctuations can happen, but I'm still a little shaken that they can happen when I'm only eating a few hundred calories per day. Yesterday, I ate around 800 calories, which is about the highest I've gone. Usually, I'm around 4-500 and not really hitting my protein target. I am hitting my water targets, so I'm not dehydrated. According to the UCLA Center for human nutrition, most people need at least 1200 calories per day just to survive, and eating less than 1000 is essentially starvation. So how can I gain weight on what is essentially a starvation diet? I'm not working out a lot, but I walk to and from work every day..
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I was in my second week (today is day 1 of week 3) and I’m seemingly in a stall. I had been loosing up to my liquid diet (small amounts). Lost about 10 (despite starting my period the night before surgery) in the pre-op liquid diet. Then I lost 23 pounds my first week. Once I started purées I found it harder to make protein/calorie/water goals and I hit a stall. So I’m hoping that I can get out of that stall soon. I hear the first month is the biggest loss and the first 3 months are when you see your most progress so hopefully I will get back on track soon.
