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Tired but feeling good. I do still feel a little achy in my abs but it continues to improve daily. I had a Zoom call with a nurse this morning and she was happy with my healing progress and with what I've been eating (averaging 80-85g of protein every day). My scale this morning said I'm down 11 lbs since surgery day last Thursday and now 31 lbs since the beginning of my two weeks of pro-op liquid diet at the end of last month.

Thank you for the response! I think you are right- the purees and soft foods are just sitting harder and taking longer to digest. And I am still trying to figure out how much is the right amount for me to feel satisfied! I worry about not getting in my protein but I am drinking protein water to help combat days where eating my protein is harder. Thank you for the encouragement and congratulations on how well this surgery has worked for you! Cheers!

While most of us lose our hunger & desire to eat after surgery, there are odd cases when people don’t. What you could be experiencing is head hunger especially if food was a comfort to you. You’ve had a pretty major surgery, are stressed, likely emotional, & your hormones may be a bit off so wanting to comfort yourself is a pretty common reaction. And because you can’t have food you want it more. In most cases a grumbling tummy does not mean you’re hungry unlike we were always told. The rumbles are usually just your digestive system working. Are you on a PPI to reduce your stomach acid? You’re still making what you used to need which is too much for your much smaller tummy & lower food intake. Excess tummy acid can make you think you’re hungry too. Oh, yes I found the shakes awful too. I diluted one in the morning, sipped it for hours & then relied on soups (bone broths are great but can be salty but cream soups & consommés are fine too) for other meals. You could make your own shake using a unflavoured protein powder & milk, blend a high protein up yoghurt with milk to make a yoghurt drink, etc. you don’t have to have just those pre made shakes. All the best.

This weekend is stock up and get ready weekend. I'm so glad protein shakes have improved since 2012 when I had my band put in. Pre-Op diet is a challenge. I miss my coffee.

QUICK OVERVIEW: 8 days post-op Gastric sleeve No problem drinking. Not really eating/no appetite. Ok for proteins shakes and electrolytes. Lost 10 pounds in a week Feeling permanently bloated/full despite not eating, and stomach is still swollen/distended. Gas pain went away on day 3. Pain came back in left shoulder, on&off since day 6 No pain whatsoever inside the belly (the actual stomach) since surgery, except today it started. Thought I was maybe hungry so I had a bit of liquid food (as per my plan). Did not help. It's not excrutiating but very uncomfortable pain right in the middle of stomach area. I did a lot more today (walking, errands, etc).... and i had sex yesterday No other symptoms. No fever, no nausea, etc. Could it be a leak?? (Also, I'm anxious naturally)

As @Sleeve_Me_Alone has stated it's absolutely completely normal. There really isn't anything that can be done to stop it. At this point those are already dead hairs and are going to shed out. Trust and believe I'm living this now. I had surgery 4/11 and the shed started at month 3. I still have shedding in month 5, but it's a lot less than when it first started. The collagen, biotin and keeping up with protein will just help support healthy new hair growth, but won't do much to against it.

Those are the ONLY shakes you can use??? I have tried to get down with them since they are popular and found all over the place including Costco, but I just can't get past the taste. Something about it makes me cringe even at it's coldest and even in coffee. I feel the same about the Ensure Max as well. I can somehow somewhat tolerate the Quest vanilla and just ordered some Pure Protein in chocolate to try it out.

Hello! I'm a 29 year old woman who just had surgery on the 14th of this month, and it went well. However, I'm absolutely starving, to the point where all I can think of is food! It's driving me crazy. No matter what I'm doing, no matter how I try to distract myself, I can't stop thinking about food, and my stomach is growling constantly. I've been having issues with protein, since I can't seem to stomach the sweet powders, but I did get some in today with some broth. I just don't know how I'm going to make it until next Wednesday, when I'll hopefully be approved for soft foods. Did anyone else experience this? How did you manage?

It is 1000000% normal and generally unavoidable. Your hair naturally goes through growth and shed cycles and any major trauma to your body (surgery, stress, pregnancy, etc.) can impact that cycle. You just had major surgery and now your body is losing a significant amount of weight in a very short period of time, which triggers that shed cycle to accelerate. For most folks it lasts a couple months, slows down, and then you start to see regrowth. Take your bariatric vitamins, hit your protein goals, and stay hydrated. Those are your best tools for helping minimize it and ensure regrowth comes in strong. Some people also supplement with collagen and biotin, which certanily can help, but they won't stop the shed. Hang in there, its totally normal and doesn't last forever!

Hi! I had VGS on 8/23/23. 4 weeks from surgery TODAY! I feel great. The past few days have been weird, though. I can't eat or drink as much as I have been able to the past 2 weeks. I used to be able to somewhat easily get down a protein shake in 30 minutes. Now it takes me a few hours. Does that sound right? I don't feel sick or anything. It just feels like I am going backwards. Should I be concerned about this? Anyone had similar experiences? Thanks for your help!! Melanie

Not everyone experiences a bounce back regain. And not everyone experiences a larger regain. If it does happen there’s often a reason: complacency/&or bad habits returning, a too restrictive way of eating, lifestyle changes, medical/health issues, emotional issues, settling of your weight, … I had a regain of a good two kgs (about 5lbs) rather quickly a few months into my second year so earlier than the usual 3rd year. Didn’t gain any more. Wasn’t happy but was accepting it. Couldn’t really put my finger on why. No dietary changes, no activity changes during that time. But what I did have was a gall removal at 25 months which caused an protein absorption issue. Then almost at the three year mark we realised the gall removal also stopped me absorbing my HRT & caused other issues. Went from a tablet to a patch & slowly but surely I lost a good kilo of that regain over 6 months +/-. I’ve been sitting pretty stable again for about 6 months or so. I keep an eye on the scales, monitor my portions, watch my food choice & fingers crossed I continue to remain stable.

My experience... TOTALLY WORTH IT! I think the rushed appointment may be contributing to your feelings of uneasiness. You also have the option of using a different surgeon if this one isn't the best fit.

Though you may be an unhealthy weight, you still have to fuel your body with protein and vitamins for that size or you will lose muscle mass. Losing muscle mass is enough of an issue post surgery when you are super restricted so you don't want to induce it before the surgery does. Does that make sense? I have found some dieticians to be very erratic when t comes to what they advise you from meeting to meeting. I have no clue why. I'd ask her for a print out of what macros she advises you to be at and follow the percentages, aiming for over 100 grams of protein. This should keep you at a healthy balance give or take a few grams of protein. The sad truth is that many obese people are nutritionally deficient because we've restricted ourselves down to 1200 calories or lower which shuts down our metabolism. But we do it because we gain with anything more! Our bodies are rather broken metabolically. Don't stress yourself out. If you are losing at a steady rate and feel good with consistent energy and aren't starving between meals you have probably found a decent balance. As for the scale I have the same issue from place to place. It is so irritating. In the end go with the scale you will be weighed on for the insurance company (which is probably the surgeon's scale). Then weigh yourself in one consistent spot at home and calibrate your scale to match. This should get you in the right neighborhood...

What is his reasoning for all these restrictions?? I'd consult a dietician trained in bariatrics, most doctors and surgeons have NO CLUE about nutrition and come up with these odd plans that have no medical basis because they don't think about the patients who will actually try implementing them. If the dietician there supports his weird restrictions, find another one. There is no medical data saying bariatric patients should avoid cheese and protein shakes post surgery. Are they checking your vitamin and mineral levels? You'd become deficient eventually without proper supplementation on a plan like that. Early post op recs are different than maintenance when you are over a year out and your restriction has eased up some. I know some docs favor a no snack plan because they think snacks will lead to mindless eating, but planned snacks can actually PREVENT mindless eating. Anyone can hold out for an hour or two when they know when they will eat next... Again, some people can survive on this sort of plan long term after the first year, but to try forcing it when you are still healing is cruel and misguided. You will end up with a lot of fatigue and weakness because you aren't getting enough nutrients.

I would get the drinks with the sweetener of your choice and just add the unflavored protein to them, or brew tea and add the erythritol to it, then add the protein powder. I hate artificial sweeteners but I have decided part of my journey to surgery is learning to tolerate them as this is a lifelong change and I don't do well with sugar alcohols like erythritol. My surgeon requires the 2 week pre surgery liver reduction diet to be done with the Premier Protein premade shakes and those are sucralose based... I think I have like 10 flavors of them now. LOL I still cringe with the first few sips but having them ice cold helps. With fruit drinks I find a sour component helps cut the artificial taste and sometimes watering them down more than the package states. I like adding cold brew coffee concentrate to the shakes, the bitter component balances out the sweetness. I'll have to get decaf for after surgery! But really, the pumpkin spice flavored one with coffee concentrate makes a pretty decent pumpkin spice latte!

I’m new here. I’m hoping to have my surgery this November 2023. I’m waiting for insurance approval. I’m trying to lose some weight before the pre op approval. Any suggestions on how to cut down on carbs? I’m doing good on upping my protein but my carbs are still higher than I like

Bypass is pretty amazing for GERD sufferers. There are a fair number of those that have had revisions from sleeve to bypass on this site. That said, my surgeon says there is a way to make a sleeve that is less likely to cause GERD if they already know you have issues with it. Something about the top being a bit wider? I'm most likely going with the DS which causes much more malabsorption than the bypass. The way I see it though, I'd rather trade my meds and chronic illnesses for daily vitamins and stable weight maintenance. It is important to remember that each person has a surgery that is right for them. I have gone over the medication malabsorption issue with my psych several times. But she says that in the end it comes down to the individual. Sometimes even sleevers need med adjustments after surgery. And sometimes bypass and DS people do fine with no adjustments. It all depends on the person and their individual system. Things can be adjusted, there are always options. I'm lucky that my ADHD meds are a disintegrating tablet because its most often given to children. And I have always chewed my benzos so they kick in faster (I only take them in emergencies). My biggest worry is my anti-depressant but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. DSers tend to absorb tablet vitamins well so I'm hoping the tablet anti-depressant will do equally well!

Are you sure you are supposed to take vitamins right after surgery? i would ask your nutritionist. Mine held vitamins until about 1 month after surgery and at that time said i could take a regular capsule. You can take any form of protein either ready made shakes or use protein powder.

I think you were one of the lucky ones. Ive also taken all my protein, vitamins, ate what i was supposed to etc and my hair is still falling out. Doesnt matter how we eat, it is just a natural thing that happens after losing so much weight so quickly. Happens to many but not all of us. It was also one of the best decisions ive made even though my hair is falling out. Ive lost 65lbs in 5 months and loving every minute of it! I feel (and look) so much better! Hair grows back. I feel better than i have in many years!

First, congratulations! It was the best decision of my entire life and 3 months after the surgery I can say, it will ALWAYS be the best decision of my life. I believe it will be one of the best decisions you made. I colored my hair after couple of months, I had no problem. I did not loose hair, although I was expecting it. I believe I did not loose hair even though I lost 51 pounds in 3 months, because I always eat the right amount of protein and also took a biotin supplement in addition to Calcium, Iron and multivitamins. I am happy, energetic and blessed. All my blood tests came back PERFECT! No high bad cholesterol, no high triglycerides, and after 15 years of being a diabetic and juggling metformiin and insulin, I am no longer a diabetic. My last A1C was 5.5 which places me in the normal range, I am not even a prediabetic. I was so scared of the gastric bypass that I considered not getting the surgery up to the time they rolled me in the operating room. I really hated my liquid diet and was in tremendous pain after the surgery because I had a hiatal hernia repair surgery at the same time with the gastric bypass. I cannot believe that there are only 3 months and 10 days since my surgery! So, while there are scary stories out there and the journey is not easy, please know that each individual is unique, and trust that your story will be one of success as mine is! One doctor told me couple of years ago that getting a gastric bypass was the best decision of his life. I can say the same about me and wish for you the same!

Nothing stopping you from eating ‘non breakfast foods’ for breakfast if you’re tired of eggs. For example 3ozs of most meats contain more than 20g of protein - you could have some chicken for breakfast, salmon, etc. Find a high protein yoghurt (mine has 20g - it’s an Australian brand). A serve of rolled oats, milk & seeds can give you 15g. Make a smoothie. Try some other egg recipes not just poached, fried or scrambled: egg muffins, omelettes, frittatas, etc. Add some unflavoured protein powder to your pancake mix, porridge, smoothie, coffee, etc. for an extra boost. Here are a couple of high protein breakfast ideas. You may have to adjust them based on what you are allowed to eat. Ask your dietician for some high protein meal ideas too. https://www.health.com/25-high-protein-breakfast-ideas-to-keep-you-full-7566320

Thank you both! During my pre-op appointment, my surgeon told me I needed to utilize a protein that contained the vitamins/minerals for at least the first week after surgery, as you can’t take a multivitamin (probably meant eating them?). I didn’t think to ask if I could just take a liquid vitamin. Probably a stupid question, I just really don’t want to mess anything up. I will likely just call to confirm . Thanks again!

@volfanLol @ family member maybe my body is holding on to as much as possible for as long as possible. don’t do protein shakes or powder. Just protein water mixed with my regular water 250ml of protein water and 250ml of vitamin water to 2liters of water. Yes I run through that a day I cook all my foods rarely eat out. And rarely mix and match my meals. for instance if I am eating fish I would eat either just fish or fish and lettuce nothing added or removed. Per meal isn’t a lot maybe 4-5oz total calories I consume a day according to fitness pal is roughly 600 on a very bad day or 1000 on a day I take loads of carbs

I would want to look closely at this, verifying the bile reflux and determining if there is any acid reflux component to this before getting into long term treatment options as the treatment can differ widely depending upon that diagnosis. If it is bile, then I wouldn't expect Pepcid or other anti acid meds to do much as the are treating acid and not bile, a base. I'm not sure what meds they do use but likely different ones. Bile is used to neutralize the acid coming out of the stomach along with the digested food into the intestines. Is your surgeon in the loop on these findings (I assume so, but check if you haven't heard from them yet,) as that may change his prescriptions. If it is strictly a bile problem, then a bypass will probably correct it, but not guaranteed as it moves the stomach/pouch outlet downstream into the natural path of bile secretions; the key, according to one surgeon I discussed this with, is the length of the roux limb, as that is the one that connects the pouch with the mainstream intestine and how far any bile would have to travel to reflux into the stomach. This doc noted that at 80cm or greater (IIRC) he didn't run into any bile reflux problems. The basic RNY procedure has been around for some 140 years for gastric cancer and gastroparesis (it is usually termed just a partial gastrectomy, or likely some other fancy latin names as well,) and it that use, bile reflux is a not uncommon complication. My non-MD take on it is that in those cases, they tend to keep the limbs short to minimize malabsorption and weight loss (last thing a cancer patient usually needs is more weight loss!) So, the longer limb makes sense here. Discuss this and make sure that your surgeon is up on this aspect of it. The other option if it is basically a bile problem is the DS, duodenal switch, which is pretty much a guaranteed cure for any bile problems owing to the very long path between the bile ducts and the stomach, but relatively few bariatric surgeons offer it owing to its greater complexity. Note this only applies to the "traditional" or Hess DS and not the newer SIPS/SADI/"loop" or simplified DS, which like its mini-bypass cousin has bile reflux as one of its common complications. The DS will not help any acid reflux problem as it uses the existing sleeve (though may resleeve it if it was malformed causing GERD rather than just overproduction of acid,) while adding the intestinal rerouting for malabsorption. The DS is a better choice over the RNY revision if slow or inadequate weightloss is an issue, too, as it is a stronger metabolic tool. Good luck on this - bile is surely a much less common problem with the sleeve than acid reflux, so the industry isn't quite as settled on solutions for it.