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Chocolate almond smoothie for breakfast! Weirdly tastes like a Wendy’s frosty. A little higher in calories but you could save about 150 calories (and add 5g protein) if you switched to peanut butter powder and left out the heavy cream. Just remember you also need a cup of ice for either one. Im also including the amounts for the one with peanut butter powder (the last picture) in case you’re feeling fancy and want to make it. *Currently halfway through and I’ll have to drink the rest later as it’s oddly filling.

Ride it out. Keep hitting calorie and protein goals and just be patient. I had really long hair. I cut it shorter at about 6 months out, and even by then, I was getting regrowth at the roots. The shorter cut (and not pixie short, just to roughly my shoulders) made it much less noticeable. To me, at least. I'm not sure anyone other than me, my husband and my hair stylist even noticed.

You and I have essentially the same stats. I also have bipolar disorder. I’m currently at 167, and I would love to get to 159… ideally 150. I’m ahead of the curve, but my loss is definitely slowing down. And I’m needing more calories to be satiated. Just wondering how realistic it is to get to 150.

I don’t think so. I just make sure to figure the calories in for the day. Having said that I did not reach my second goal which would’ve ideally been a little smaller so maybe my occasional treat is a factor? But my team is happy with where I am and if I can maintain this weight and not feel deprived all the time that is what I was hoping for with the surgery. I guess only time will tell. Like I said though I will reassess often and make changes if necessary.

Hi! I am newly endo-sleeved and moving towards solids now. I was told to stay sugar free, but I truly cannot tolerate artificial sweeteners (including stevia). I don’t have a huge sweet tooth in general, more of a savory eater, but I am wondering if the occasional “real” sugar will harm me that much. In theory, I know sugar is considered an empty calorie, but if I am staying in a significant deficit, wouldn’t that be sufficient? Backstory, I only have about 30lb to lose from start to finish, and mainly wanted the procedure to change my relationship with food (especially portion control) and improve my wellbeing and fitness. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you !

Thank you. Today has been rough. My daughter birthday part was today - on the upside not feeling well none of the food was appealing to me so there was no temptation or craving. I’ve pretty much confirmed my problem is constipation. So I’m trying to move as much as I can and drink as much water as I can. I’m not worried about protein or calories until I get things moving - or I talk to my regular team tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be feeling better by tomorrow and can get back on track.

I take our favorite Mayo and use 1/2 of it and 1/2 plain greek yogurt - choose which ever variation your plan might suggest. Add some protein and helps cut calories. We usually use Hellman’s (the olive oil one works well with this) and occasionally have grabbed the store brand to do this with as well. I have been doing this long before surgery and actually my kids (adults) ask for me to make it that way now. Even use this for deviled eggs. I have also done this with sour cream (half and half) and no one ever noticed. Trust me, my family will point out if anything is “off”.

Thank you! This was helpful, reminding me to listen to my body and stick to the basics. I’m hoping once I get to purées and have more Whole Foods to work with some of the problems resolve them selves. I was over my protein goal Friday and about 15 oz short on my water. Today I was over on my water about 20 grams short on my protein. I definitely need to make hydration the top priority, protein my next and not worry quite so much about calories.

We’re all different but I was barely eating 200-300 calories for the first weeks (I wasn’t given caloric goals). I only got to about 900 at 6 months. You’ve only just had your surgery so take the time you need to reach your goals. My surgeon was happy if I was getting closer & making an effort. If you’re close to getting your fluids in you really shouldn’t be experiencing dehydration but it’s still important to watch out for. Don’t worry if you miss your goal/s one day, as long as that’s an odd occurrence & not a regular one you’ll be ok. Headaches & nausea aren’t that uncommon this soon after surgery. The stress & anxiety of the surgery & then worrying if you are doing the right thing contribute plus you may be experiencing some withdrawal type symptoms too because of the restricted diet. If it persists, & reduces your ability to get your protein & fluids in, contact your surgeon. Many of us experience changes in our sense of smell & taste over the first weeks. Many find the shake they enjoyed before surgery is suddenly disgusting. It can affect your reaction to any food. Some can become excessively sweet or salty. Then there will be days when your tummy says nope don’t like to something you regularly ate/drank. If that happens, avoid it for a few days even a week or so & try it again. Your tummy is just sensitive & fussy while it is healing - I described mine as being like a petulant, temper throwing 2 yr old. Artificial sweeteners are awful. I try to avoid them where I can but they seem to be in almost everything. I loved when foods became crazy sweet & used the time to eradicate any craving for sugar/sweet. I only have a small amount of sugar (<10g added sugar) or sweetened food in my diet (yoghurt & protein bar only). Instead of yoghurt, what about make your own smoothie from protein powders & milk? You can better control the ingredients that way. These things all pass. Just give yourself time to heal from the surgery & feel more comfortable & confident with the changes & how you’re managing them.

I was 206 at the time of my revision. I maintained 160 for years but I had put on 40 lbs after getting uncontrolled gerd unfortunately. My weight was stable as long as the PPI worked but it got to the point no medication worked. On the day of my revision, I was still 120 lbs. less than my 2008 beginning weight 320 lbs (plus). I weighed 113.4 lbs this morning. I am still trying to find my maintenance level of calorie as I am still losing.

I’m 4 days out from gastric sleeve and hiatal hernia repair as of today. Woke up a little dehydrated this morning and not feeling great. Yesterday was the first day I missed my water goal. (yes I had other things that contribute to my water, but I’ve been pretty good about getting 64 oz plus those other liquids) I have had super low energy today - sleeping way more than normal. I’m working hard to get my water in but no matter how much I drink my mouth seems dry - and this stubborn headache won’t go away. Today has thrown me for quite a loop because I expected to feel better day 4 than I did day 2 and that is not the case. The day after surgery I was walking around the ward and feeling relatively good - considering the surgery. I was up and around and went for a short walk on day 2. Day 3 I didn’t do as much but I did get time in on the recumbent bike - energy level was low, so I thought I could take it easier on the bike and still hit my movement goal. I have been getting my water in ok today - despite the nausea when I got up earlier, had a frozen juice popsicle and that went down ok. Had some protein soup (broth only with protein powder) - powder was not the best with that broth, but I got it down. I’m struggling with the shakes today (which I usually have no issues with - but today they aren’t appealing). I struggle with artificial sweeteners - they upset my stomach and can trigger headaches, so I’m limited in some of the options I have during my liquid phase. The yogurts suggested are of course the ones with artificial sweetener which makes them not ideal on a day I’m already not feeling well. Which eliminates yogurt based smoothies that are suggested in place of a store bought shake. Can anyone tell me if you experienced anything like this your first week? I’m still on full liquids, transition to purées Wednesday. Maybe it’s the low calories kicking my butt energy wise? I’m struggling to even hit 800 calories, my goals are 800-1200 … I’m getting about 770-780 most days. I don’t think it’s a Keto flue because I’m allowed fruit juice and I use that for popsicles. I haven’t had caffeine in months so I don’t think it’s withdraw from that either. I’ll call my nutritionist Monday if I’m still not feeling well, but since it’s the weekend I thought I would ask if others experienced anything similar and how you got through. Any suggestions or advice appreciate. Thanks in advance.

I did keto a while back and had the keto flu for about a week. The bariatric diet and keto are actually the same except bariatric diet wants your fats 50 or less per day and keto wants HEALTHY fats higher. I did the bariatric diet for 2 1/2 months and my body hated it. I would stall over and over. I decided to switch to keto again and I haven't had a stall in the month I've been doing it and have steadily lost. No keto flu this time, tho. But it's normal and goes away. I keep my calories between 1000-1150 per day (I work out and need the extras so my body doesn't think it's starving and hold on to everything). I keep my carbs between 25-35 per day. My protein stays around 75-85 per day. My fats are usually around 70-80. And I'm completely sugarfree or very low sugar (such as certain fruits or veggies). I work out for 45 minutes per day, and I generally take in around 75-90oz of fluids (depending on the type of workout I did that day).

I was sleeved on the 16th with a hernia repair. I’m definitely not at my best right now, I’m tired and deep breaths still catch me like a short shot in the ribs sometimes. This first week is bound to be the hardest on us but it’s going to get better in soooo many ways. Try to focus on that when things are feeling bleak. I’m so sorry your team was not more on top of your medications and having you address what you could and couldn’t take or finding alternatives by working with your prescribing dr. Maybe reaching out to your prescribing dr now to ask what you can do to make sure that you stay on top of your meds could offer any help. Maybe even a temporary change of some meds that can be cut or crushed while you heal is possible? The low energy thing - I’m right there with you. So far I have been ok with my protein & water goals but not my calories - so I’m sure that is part of why I’m dragging. The discomfort doesn’t help either. I’m hoping if I can get through this week - the pulling at my sutures when I move certain ways will be less, the purées will mean more calories and having a little more energy. And I’m expecting each week will get a little better. Hang in there, you aren’t alone and we can do this. Updates on how you’re doing would be great when you are filling up to it.

I haven’t experienced real hunger since starting the pre-op liquid diet (mine was 8 days), though head hunger has popped up a few times. I was sleeved on 8/16 and haven’t noticed any restriction either. I’m still on liquids until Wednesday, but it’s been unsettling being able to have a cup of tomato soup and not experience any “fullness” or even drinking water without any issues. While I am grateful I can make my goals with no issues, but have stressed over the lack of restriction. I was told as I progress to purées it should be more noticeable, so for the time being I’m just working to hit my calorie, protein and water goals and trying to keep my servings to 1 cup or less to get used to seeing those serving sizes.

Yes, likely ketosis, and basically means that you aren't eating your vegetables. It will improve as your diet improves and gains more variety. I never had any particular problem with it as I always maintained at least an homage to a varied balanced diet (no keto/Atkins stuff,) and let the calorie restriction do its job.

**My hair has begun shedding...A LOT. I have PCOS so I thought I was already used to it, but it's to the point now that if I run my hands through my hair a few times, hair comes out. Not in clumps or anything, just a lot of shedding. I knew it was coming, so I'm not freaking out, but it still sucks. **2 nights ago I had some kind of episode where I had a snack about 45 minutes after I worked out at night and I had INCREDIBLE pain. Felt heavy, sharp pains, burning. Hurt to sit up, hurt to lay down, couldn't find a comfortable position. Took pepto twice before I finally got any relief after about an hour. I was left with burning in my throat. My husband said it sounds like reflux (I'm on a PPI for 6 months, but I've never had reflux or GERD or anything before). My snack was normal (1 tbsp hummus and 1/4 cup sliced cucumbers) but my workout was more intense than normal (had the treadmill at a 5.5 incline at a speed of 3.5). Now I have burning in my throat everyday and slight nausea depending on what I eat. **I'm always tired. I have spurts of energy here and there, but they don't last long and I go back to being tired again. Even a nap doesn't really help all that much. I mean, I guess it does a little, but mostly I'm less tired (but still tired). **My taste is still weird. I thought it would correct itself by now, but I guess not. Stuff I loved, I don't like or can't eat now. Sour/tart stuff still tastes really sweet. What little sweet tooth I had is completely gone (the thought of chocolate, for example, literally makes me grossed out). I have no craving for anything greasy, salty, or fried (those were my weaknesses). I never use salt anymore because the taste is overwhelming, even in small amounts (I used to salt EVERYTHING). I can barely tolerate pickles (which were a STAPLE in my diet because I was obsessed with them) because the taste is just way too overwhelming and strong, even in tiny amounts. **I can finally drink diet soda again, but where I used to drink a 2 liter a day, I can drink one MAYBE two 12 ounce cans per day (usually just 1) because it tastes a little different and it takes a while because I still have to be careful with the carbonation (stomach is ok if I go slooooow, otherwise I get into trouble if I drink it too fast). **I can tolerate a little bit larger amounts of food now, but I have to be careful still because if I overestimate how much I can eat, food goes to waste or I end up in trouble. For example, I can eat 2 scrambled eggs and 2 sausage patties now (used to only be able to eat 1 of each). But there's no way I can eat more than that. If I do, it HURTS. I can eat 3 oz of steak in 1 sitting now (with 1/2 cup of a side like green beans), whereas I used to only be able to eat 1 or 1 1/2 with 1/4 cup of a side. At first it freaked me out, but now I'm good with it because I knew we would be able to eat more eventually, and I'm careful with what I eat and how much (and how often). **It's actually gotten easier to eyeball my food and see how much I can have. I still weigh it if I'm not sure, but more often than not, I can guesstimate pretty accurately. **It's a lot easier to stick to my diet and not overeat or eat stuff I'm not supposed to. Now that my brain is trained (still a work in progress, but so so much better now) I don't think about stuff I can't have. I use MyFitnessPal and I have my meals all planned out for the week and use that to know what I can eat, how many calories and carbs and protein is in each meal (makes it soooo easy to stay on track and get everything I need each day).

I'm part of a group of people who are mostly several years out of surgery. Some have tried WW. Some of them really like it and have been successful with it, but for others, it's not their "jam" and they gave up. I guess all you can do is try it and see if it works for you. others have tried things like Keto, intermittent fasting, or going back to logging and eating protein first, etc (in other words, the basics). Whatever works! BTW - 800 kcal a day being as far out as you aren't isn't really sustainable. Start logging to find out what your calorie range is (i.e., about how many calories does it take to keep your weight where it is. May take a month or so of logging to figure this out). Then, if you want to lose, cut back from there. Maybe 100 calories at a time. For example, if it takes 1600 kcal a day to maintain your weight, try cutting back to 1500. If after a couple of weeks nothing's happening, cut back to 1400. Rinse and repeat.

I tried WW a while ago, before WLS. I couldn't get into it. I just couldn't wrap my head around the "zero points" foods. The foods still have calories so how are they zero points. If I eat 3000 calories of grilled chicken I am still gonna gain weight. Anyway, my personal experience. I just couldn't do it. Do you track your foods and drinks? If not, try starting there. You don't need to eat 800 calories to loose weight, you just need to eat less than you currently are and less than your body burns. A lot of times what people think they eat vs. what they are actually eating is a big difference. So tracking helps with really knowing where you stand. Good luck.

I am about 3 and a half years post-op and have gained about 30 pounds back. I can't get mentally disciplined back to where I was. Nothing works. I can't seem to get off the weight. Has anyone tried WW? I need a solution that is not eating 800 calories, because I obviously can't get back to doing that. Thanks!

Before my VSG, I only lost 2 lbs during my 2 week pre-op diet! Talk about discouraging! They had me only eating/drinking protein shakes and greek yogurt. I never eat yogurt because it’s too high in calories and carbs. I think that is what kept me from losing any weight. However, my surgery went very well and I recovered quickly so there’s that… This time around (I’m getting ready for a revision from VSG to RNY) I’m drinking protein shakes but not eating much greek yogurt. I’m sipping on chicken bone broth a lot instead. I started my pre-op diet 4 days ago and I’ve lost 3 lbs. so far. Hang in there! It’s all going to work out great! Just stick to your pre-op diet and everything will be fine. You’ll start dropping weight after your surgery. I lost almost 80 lbs in about 3 months after my VSG.

Prayers coming. I’m sure in a few days it will be routine and second nature. I’m worried because I can easily take in my Protein Shakes, soup/broth and Water without restriction. That doesn’t seem “normal”. Im not hungry - I’m just trying to reach my water, calorie and Protein goals for the day. Hopefully when I start purées next week I will notice the restriction and I will stop stressing.

I’m a slow eater (30-60mins). One of the reasons I eat slowly is to get my serving size (calories, nutrients) in. I found it was on the only way to stop myself losing. In saying that if I don’t need the next bite of food I won’t have it so there are many times I don’t eat all my meal. I never eat more than the correct portion of food & I never eat just because it’s on my plate. I also eat pretty much to a routine in terms of the times I eat. I may skip a meal or snack if i’m not hungry, but I don’t add meals or snacks. Honestly, it has got harder to do this as time’s passed so it is something I work at every day. How do you know your tummy is empty? Is it just that you ‘feel’ hungry? If so, it could be like @Spinoza suggested: not real hunger. If you’ve eaten a recommended portion size of a meal & are getting in all your protein & other required nutrients, you shouldn’t be hungry. We don’t have to keep food in outer tummy stall times. It does perfectly fine being empty. Are these old habits, thinking, etc, raising their head. That’s the down side of surgery. It removes some of your tummy but doesn’t remove why we ate the way we did. Are you still in contact with your surgeon, dietician, therapist? May be worth some conversations to work out what’s going on. All the best.

Dietitians need to ask enough questions to understand where you ARE, both with your ability to prepare your own food and your overall understanding of nutrition. It sounds like you and your dietitian are not on the same page and she is assuming you understand things they are not explaining well. There are a lot of ways to reach 60g of protein in a day that will be too high in fat, calories, and carbs to result in weight loss. Sometimes I feel like the heavy, heavy emphasis on protein does us a disservice, especially when there are so many high-protein "convenience foods" that are high in fat (and calories) to cater to Keto dieters (hello, Quest cookies! 230 calories! that's not a snack, that's a meal). Protein is a big component but in the absence of other, concrete advice about WHAT to actually eat, if you don't have a huge knowledge base of nutrition, it's easy to get lost.

Why do you have an abdominal binder? I've never heard of it. I made mushroom soup from scratch today and it was sooooo delicious. I was a bit tired of tomato soup, so it was a nice change. But I'm also worried about how much I can eat. I'm on liquid diet but allowed to have soups if they have no chunks. I put a little soup in my bowl, maybe 4-5 spoonfuls which I ate slowly, and I finished it but didn't feel full or anything. But I wasn't sure if I could have more, so I stopped. Is anyone else worried that they will be a failure and not lose a lot of weight, or lose and then regain? I've lost almost 4 kilos after the surgery and 3 kilos before. In all almost 7 kilos or fifteen pounds. The thing is, I've been the same weight for three days now and this is pretty much exactly the weight I've been able to get down to on my own in recent years, before I start gaining again. What if my body is able to hold on to the weight, in spite of the fact that I only eat a couple of hundred calories per day? Is that physically possible?

I agree it is amazing the differences in the programs. Pre-op 2 weeks but split. 1st week I replace 2 meals with liquids but can eat 1 meal of solid food. Second week only liquids. Also calorie restriction of 800 max per day. Liquids allowed are protein shakes, skim milk, SF jello, SF pudding, 100% fruit juice (4 oz per day), broth, SF popsicles ,low-fat SF yogurt Post op - Same as above but can add in thinned cream of wheat, and strained cream soups. Expected to last 1-2 weeks but can only be advanced with Dr permission. Food not allowed are drinks with added sugar, caffeine or carbonation, and whole milks Pureed stage - once allowed I can add in scrambled eggs, low fat cottage cheese, mashed beans, applesauce, baby food, and any pureed fruits, veggies and meats. Not allowed is previous list plus fried foods and concentrated sweets. Expected time frame is 2 weeks but can advance as I feel comfortable. Mechanical soft - add in boiled eggs, fish, tofu, ground lean meat, low fat canned chicken and fish, canned fruits (no syrup), soft fresh fruits, soft cooked veggies, cooked cereals made with milk, beans, and toasted whole wheat bread. Not allowed crunchy foods, rice, popcorn, high-fat meats, high -fat starches. Can't advance with out Dr approval. Solid foods - life long Add foods in one at a time to check for tolerance, add in whole wheat toast, whole grain cereals, wheat tortillas and whole wheat pasta. Still not allowed whole milk, high fat foods, fried foods, popcorn, rice, and white flour.