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Without food: I find a private place so I don't spread my negative energy onto other people around me. Once I spread my negative energy I have found it takes longer to move forward. I like using forums like this and reddit and read about other peoples situations helps me relax.

What you're feeling is completely normal. We want this to work so badly that we have ourselves convinced food is the enemy. We tend to live in extremes. Pre surgery, food was an addiction, like a drug. Post surgery, we're scared to eat because we're convinced every little morsel will pack all the weight on and undo all of our progress. It's learning the balance between the two that takes the most time and effort. It's always a work in progress. Food is fuel, no more and no less. We eat to live, not live to eat. But we can't live without eating. If you start working on the disordered thinking (and yes, it is an eating disorder we all have) and we stick to the plan for what to eat, when, how often, etc and we move our bodies.... we get healthier, our relationship with food slowly changes, and the weight comes off. Once you're cleared to work out (beyond just walking) you will need the calories to keep your body from thinking its starving (when that happens, it holds on to every little pound and ounce of fat). Just take it one day at a time, and you'll get there. Start really slowly, give yourself grace, and don't fear food. It's fuel for our bodies, and we need it. We just don't need it the way we had it pre surgery.

that's too bad he's anti-shake. Most of us have to use those for a couple of months - or until we can meet the protein requirements through food. I wonder If he'd allow Fairlife milk? That's much higher in protein than regular milk.

Most surgeons will not be much help in regard to what you need to be eating post op. Please check in with a bariatric dietician to sort out your food choices. You can have eggs. You can have baked beans. You can have a fillet of fish with vegies. You can have custard and that will count to your protein. You can add protein powder to your shakes. You can have smoothies with protein powder in. You can even add protein powder to tea and coffee. I am adding a link to a site in Australia that sells Tasteless protein powder. https://costpricesupplements.com.au/tasteless-protein-collagen-500g-by-feel-good-protein/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=tasteless_protein&utm_term=tasteless%20protein%20powder&utm_content=138100867419&gclid=CjwKCAjwr_CnBhA0EiwAci5siq4K5LLhUSBAsPkQkza1QEg4FXhXg6aTlkA9D1xJdMOKSZAsupmjmBoCoVUQAvD_BwE It will end up cheaper for you with the exchange rate. Hope that the bariatric dietician can expand your food choices.

I really did misunderstand what they meant, I'm doing best with food I've been having and even though I'm 6-7 weeks post op I thought I'd have no issues with anything, but it is what you said it's that I'll have no restrictions in now allowing to *reintroduce* everything else I hadn't before. 😕 Still a bit of a hurdle, but I'm definitely out of the painful part lately as it's a very full feeling (which I'm grateful for as I used to never feel full pre-op) and an uncomfortable bubbling feeling at worst with stuff I haven't tried.

Congrats on your surgery. You aren’t alone in what you’re feeling but you’d have to be eating A LOT (calories & volume) to regain the weight you have lost so far. And that likely is not possible as physically your tummy won’t let you eat that volume of food at the moment. You’re still healing, your tummy is very sensitive & and likely intolerant to certain foods. Actually puree can be a bit challenging because certain flavours, textures & smells can be quite horrible which can limit your food options. But you’ll work out what you can eat with some trial & error. Each stage does get easier especially as your tummy becomes less fussy & sensitive & you’re able to eat a wider variety of foods. Stick to your recommended portion sizes, foods, eating frequency & you’ll be fine. (If you didn’t get this guidance from your surgeon &/or dietician ask them.) You won’t mess up & not wanting to will help you stick to your plan. All the best.

Just had my second follow up with my Dr. (who I'm not very impressed with anymore) and would like some help figuring out how to get all my protein needs in. I am supposed to get 80g a day but only eat 3 times a day 5 hours apart, no snacks, and I can only physically eat 4oz at a time Not allowed cheese or protein shakes, I don't really like yogurt. No added carbs that aren't already in food ( which isn't that big of a problem). I am also supposed to be adding vegetables in but don't see how I can eat vegetables and get my protein. I just requested a meeting with a dietician and hope they can help. Just a little discouraged after my appointment and needed to vent.

Yesterday was my one year roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery anniversary and as of today I am officially in onederland! 199.8 lbs! highest: 410 lbs | surgery: 355 lbs | current: 199.8 lbs (1 year post-op) | goal: 185 lbs I had my one-year appointment with my surgeon today. We discussed my progress, and how my restriction is doing. I have some recurring nausea and vomiting that happens about every other week or so. My surgery a year ago had a rare-ish complication (occurs in less than 0.9% of rny patients). My roux limb, the piece of small intestine that now connects to my stomach pouch, became severely constricted by scar tissue, and I had a second laparoscopic surgery to fix that. I've since had three upper endoscopies to widen my stomach pouch because I still have semi-regular bouts of vomiting. My stomach pouch also has an ulcer which may be a cause for the vomiting. I have another endoscopy scheduled for next week, and my surgeon and I discussed my options: treat the ulcer with strong bouts of Prilosec, or if that doesn't work have another laparoscopic surgery to cut out the ulcer and reconnect the roux limb to the now even smaller stomach pouch My surgeon also put in a referral to a plastic surgeon so I can start seeing my skin removal surgery options. I doubt I will ever be able to afford the surgery in the U.S., but I would certainly feel better having surgery here than in Mexico or Thailand. My current stats are: Exercise: 20-30 mins cardio and 45 mins strength training each day, 6 days per week Hydration: 80-100 ounces of water/iced tea per day (my fave drink is Starbucks peach green iced tea) Food: 80-100 ounces of protein; 1000-1200 calories per day (I don't track my calories closely) I love strength training! I'm starting to see a ton of muscle definition in my legs, shoulders, back, and arms. I also recently attended a convention and walked more than 15,000 steps each day and it was TONS easier to walk around downtown Seattle than it's ever been in my life. I'm so excited to be below 200 pounds - I haven't been below 200 pounds since I was in middle school! I hope you all are doing well! Keep up all your hard work!

I will try to keep this short. I am coming up on two weeks post op for VSG. At the two week mark I move to puréed foods per my surgeon. I have done well with fluids and the progressions so far, and I am losing well, but now I am scared to start the next part of the process and further because I am scared I will gain back what I have lost and not continue to lose weight. I have NEVER EVER been scared to eat before. I just really don’t want to mess this up.

It may be quite beneficial to talk with a therapist to help you deal with your emotions and learn new coping mechanisms other than food. Good luck, Tek

@BabySpoonsI track everything. I have a lot more protein than Carbs. Dietitians excuse is i am not having enough carbs to regulate my protein. But is when i introduced carbs into my meal that everything went belle up. I don't follow a very strict keto, as i tend to have carb substitutes or healthier carbs like shirataki and bulgur. I am doing everything right (and then some) Sadly, i cant get on Ozempic, cos it is not recommended for those who have parents or grandparents with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) Food intake throughout the day as i measured is about 16- 18 oz on a very hungry day and it is spread across the day. predominantly protein cos those fill me up more and cos i work out quite often i am mostly always hungry but cant eat a lot as i get full easily when i have protein. I guess that is why i am also able to take a lot of water. Dietitan claim water can also be a culprit. At this point i am convinced no one knows anything and just grasping at thin air. So i am reverting back to just having full protein with a hint of carb sparingly. and see if that works. I should prob stick to what has worked for my body rather than..... It would be good to hear from someone who experience similar and know if they found the culprit

Actually most of us eat pretty much a recommended portion in our maintenance. It just looks small compared with how much we used to eat for a meal before surgery - double, triple or more an appropriate serve. Some meals may be a little less because of what else we’ve eaten during the day & how hungry we feel. You’re only a little way out from surgery & still healing & recovering so yes some days will be harder than others, some foods will upset you more or sit more heavily in your tummy & you are eating much smaller serves. It does get better. You work out your cues, you’re able to eat a greater variety of foods without issue, & your portion sizes will slowly increase to appropriate serving sizes. In time you’ll look back & realise this time, though sometimes frustrating & upsetting, didn’t last all that long & was so worth it. All the best.

I like to say that's exactly what I signed up for. But knowing at some point it will return helps to get through it. I used to love my Crystal Light drinks but after WLS it was too sweet and plain water tasted better until about 2 months out. So, tastes do change but usually are only temporary. Metallic taste is usually from your body detoxing. So that's a good thing. At 5 months post-op a lot of things are hit and miss for me still but that's OK. I stick with what I know my new tummy can tolerate and slowly introduce new foods as I go. My restriction has really increased as time goes on and my appetite as well. With nerves healing and increase in exercise to blame. LOL I do experience days of extreme fatigue too. On some days it literally felt like my bones were aching. But I don't push myself and allow myself to rest when needed. Also, It's really important to make sure you keep up on your daily vitamins. Especially now, when eating less. Don't worry. Enjoyment will return soon enough. And hopefully by then you will be that much closer to all your goals. Good luck!!

Hey friends. I’m having an emotional time in my life right now and I’m having a hard time coping because I can’t run to food for comfort. What are some ways you guys cope now that food is no longer an option? I’m also working on setting up mental health appointments. But while I wait… I thought I’d ask just incase suggestions from others going through EXACTLY what I’m going thru will help me. Thank you in advance❤️

I count everything. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2022 and was put on a sodium restriction. Just two months before my projected VSG surgery date my A1C was 9.6% and I was put on diabetic meds(Metformin and Semaglutide), given a blood sugar meter with instructions to check my blood sugar twice daily, and told to cut out all sugars in my diet. Around the same time as my Type-2 Diabetes diagnosis my Bariatric Surgeon had me go on a Keto/Atkins very low carb diet prior to the liver shrinking diet due to my extremely high 71.5 BMI. That was my first time on a 'low carb' diet since I tried South Beach in 2004, and I really liked it for how it made me feel and how much easier it has become to find low-carb substitutions for common foods. So I decided to stick with it post-surgery. I am two weeks out from my surgery and I am at the point where I can eat 800-1000 calories a day, where 50% is from protein, 40% fat, 10% Net Carb, and sodium between 1,500mg and 2,000mg. I track my Daily Food Intake in an Excel Spreadsheet, listing Calories, Total Fat, Protein, Net Carbs, Fiber, and Sodium of each. I also track my fluids, noting if the beverage has any sodium. I avoid sugars like the Plague, except when it comes to fruits. I will on occasion eat fresh strawberries, raspberries, or some honeydew melon. I don't feel the Keto diet is suitable for Post-op due to the high reliance on Fats. I like a more even distribution favoring protein over fat, but still keeping enough healthy fats in my system so entering Ketosis is a possibility. My carbs are always under 25g a day, most of the time between 15g and 20g. I was only in Ketosis once for a brief few days, and it was right after surgery. I check my ketone level regularly with those over the counter 'pee' strips. I like my method of tracking my nutrition manually instead of using an App or Website, although there is a lot more work looking up nutritional labels for everything I eat, or general nutritional information for those items without labels. The plus side of it is I am amassing a database of my frequently eaten food items so logging is becoming easier. I agree with the general consensus that 'Diet' is an ill-fitting word for what we are doing. I like the term 'Lifestyle Change' much better. A diet, to me, is finite in its duration. It has a beginning and an end. A Lifestyle Change goes on indefinitely.

Even if you were gaining muscle weight, you would notice a change in the way your clothes fit. When my nutritionist told me to eat carbs pre-op, my Keto mind screamed no. I did it though and lost weight. But I highly limited them. If you are not tracking on an app like Bariastic. you can easily consume way more carbs or calories than what you need. Some people can drink their calories for the day before ever eating any food. I would limit those carbs and be mindful of how much you are eating in a day. I know before surgery, I told everyone I didn't eat that much till I started tracking my food intake and was shocked to find out I was overeating. Also..not sure what surgery you had but my doc told me of a sleeve patient/friend of hers that did everything right and lost only 30 pounds within the first year. She ended up putting her on Ozempic to help. So there are some people who simply don't respond as well to the surgery based on age, meds etc. But before going that route, I would examine the food intake amounts first. Good luck!!!

as usual, I agree with everything Arabesque said. And I know this sounds weird to say, but enjoy your loss of hunger and appetite while it lasts, because it will come back - and things will become a lot more challenging then. Even though it was weird at first, I honestly wish my hunger and appetite had never come back. It was SO much easier to lose weight when I was never hungry and couldn't give a flip about food! My hunger came roaring back at about five months out. It lasts longer for some, less for others. But use it to your full advantage.

What you’re experiencing is very common. It annoys me that surgeons & support teams don’t explain these things to their patients. It would save so much angst, frustration & fear like you are experiencing. The change your tastebuds (& often sense of smell too) is temporary - up to a couple of months. It’s pretty common after surgery. I embraced mine which included an oversensitivity to anything sweet & never introduced it back into my eating. For others it’s an opportunity to try different foods. And others discover foods they didn’t enjoy before are delicious & become a regular part of their eating. The metallic taste & often strong body odour is a result of ketosis - fat burning. We want this to happen but it too passes - I think about 2 months for me I carried breath mints, tooth paste & brush, mouth wash, deodorant, body wipes,etc. with me to help combat the odour & foul taste. The drop in energy is a result of the lower calories & what is a pretty major surgery. It too passes. You may find it happens at random times while you are losing too - just your body getting used to the changes. Try adding an electrolyte drink to your daily fluid rotation for an extra boost of energy especially before you do any exercising. You’ll be okay. All the best.

Hi Penny, How's the thyroid doing? I read your post seems you're having issues with getting proper help. The place I got my surgery is pretty much no help at all. I have a monthly appointment and all they seem to want out of me is raving reviews. I'll review once I'm completely done with them. Sure hope you can get the help you need. Crafts - Currently I'm prepping for a craft show end of Nov. I've been making lightbulb ornaments for the $5 gifts and I'm making some really neat clay and decoupage ornaments that will be more expensive. I'll also make the string trees. Haven't finalized my to do list yet. Still struggling to feel good and not sick at my stomach all the time. How many weeks were you when you were able to eat regular food? The thought of anymore pureed is disgusting to me. Hope you get some good results soon. TTYL Peggy

Hey everyone, I just wanted to take a moment to share my experience and vent a bit about the difficulties I've been facing after my gastric bypass surgery. It's been tough, and I could really use some support and understanding right now. Firstly, one of the biggest challenges I've encountered is the loss of taste. It's incredibly disheartening to try different food and drink options, only to find that nothing tastes good anymore. I've experimented with various yogurts, protein powders, shakes, and even crystal light flavors, but unfortunately, the enjoyment I used to get from eating has vanished. Even something as simple as finishing a bottle of water has become a struggle for me. To add to this frustrating situation, I've been dealing with a persistent metallic taste in my mouth. This unpleasant sensation affects how everything tastes, making it even more difficult to find pleasure in eating or drinking. Despite my efforts to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing my teeth four times a day, the taste persists, and it's incredibly discouraging. On top of these physical challenges, my energy levels have plummeted, leaving me feeling depleted and drained. It's hard to stay positive and motivated when you're constantly battling fatigue. Unfortunately, this has taken a toll on my mental health as well, and I find myself struggling with depression. It's a heavy emotional burden to carry, and I often find myself crying myself to sleep at night. I apologize if this post sounds like a downer, but I really needed to vent and share my experience with people who might understand. If any of you have gone through a similar situation, I would greatly appreciate any advice or encouragement you can offer. And to those who are willing, please keep me in your prayers. The support means the world to me during this challenging time. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and for being there for me when I needed to let it all out. Together, we can get through the tough times and find strength in each other.

Glad to know I’m not alone in this feeling. I am 3 weeks post-op tomorrow and honestly wish I would have taken more time off from work. I don’t like the sick, foamy, feeling while trying to work. I don’t tolerate chicken breast very well. Eggs are usually ok but I can only eat one. Currently, deli sliced lunch meat is the best I can do for food. My doctor sent the portion of stomach that was removed off to pathology, and it turns out I have H. Pylori. On top of all the foamies, I have to take two nasty antibiotics, pepto, and omeprazole for two weeks which further adds to the foamies. I do not enjoy eating either at this point. I’m sure that will change with time. I’m down 18 lbs. in three weeks so that is a plus.

Oh I had a PARADE of foods...Everynight for the the week leading up to surgery I cooked my heavy dishes that I know I won't be able to eat after surgery and went to all our favorite restaurants. My final meal was a burrito bowl from Hot Head Burrito and it was amazing. This liquid diet is not so amazing. So nervous!!! So excited!!!!

FORGIVE THE LENGTHY MESSAGE. NEED TO GIVE CONTEXT I am wondering if any one experienced this my starting weight was 139kg before surgery on the 15th of January 2023 on day of surgery it was 131kg 2 weeks post-op i was stalled for 8weeks which was not a bother to me at the time i healed quite quickly with no complications and was moved to solids within 3 weeks by the dietitian too. between January and April i lost some weight down to 111kg Since april i have not lost anything. I have gained and lost 3-4 kg since April till date which is September 6th 2023 I do everything many people say on every platform which had never been a challenge namely Monitor what i eat: I eat between 88 - 1200 calories I have more protein than anything eggs, lean meat, chicken, fish, shrimps carbs are mostly bulgur wheat. which i have sparingly 2ce a month. Plantain i have daily to balance my protein intake but not as much as protein. I prob have more grams of protein a day and that includes protein water. I work out 4-5 days a week for up to 1:30 - 2:00 hours each day In April i worked out more 4 days a week 2ce a day 2day time cardio 1:30 hours night time strength training. no weights heavier than 25kg i take my vitamins biotin and all recommended as well as powdered collagen Recent bloods shows everything within normal range. I am going into my 5th month and i am still 111kg Since April. My dietitian is numb on what is going on, the nurse recommended liquid collagen ( which makes no sense) and have said hormones.... but hormones cannot affect this 5months straight. I did bloods to check my thyroids and it showed elevated parathyroid (no idea what that means)..... not gotten an explanation as my vitamin levels and calcium levels are normal my nails are very soft and brittle and my hair falls like the weather ( only blessed to have a full head of hair but cant say it is helpful soon) No ...... the clothes i wore in April are still the same September. measurements are the same..... the only win i am getting from this is that my knee and ankle dont hurt as much when i workout. i dont burn out as i used to and i work out more than i used to before which was walking up to 50k-70ksteps a day. I have never been one who drank alcohol and havent started post surgery. I have never been one who ate junk food like crisps, tacos, burgers. I have not been diagnosed diabetic nor with PCOS i noticed when i had no carbs in my diet i lost fast but when i introduced carbs as suggested by the dietitian everything came on hold I NEED SOME SIGN THAT I AM NOT IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE OR A LONG DREAM!!! Cos it feels pointless having done the surgery not to be an effective tool Anyone in a similar predicament before