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The rule of thumb for almost all bariatric patients is three meals a day with no snacking in between. This is because snacking allows you to overeat and exceed calories. We are supposed to be drinking fluids between the three meals. I have never heard of a plan that has you eat every 3 hours. Recommended serving size is 1/2 cup per meal. After six weeks, you can increase to 1 cup per meal. It should only take you 20 to 30 minutes to consume your meal. If it’s taking you an hour, then something is wrong. The food is too dense or not diluted enough or too high in fat content and causing restriction.

If you are impatient and want to do more then my advice would be to walk, walk, walk. That is pretty much all I do is walk and ride bike. I am not big on the exercise bike, I find I get more out of actual road cycling and road walking than on the machines. As you lose weight, you are pulling around less weight with you so you either have to exercise a little more to get the same benefit or....as silly as it sounds, weigh yourself down while you are walking to get the same calorie burn as before. I have heard of people putting weights in backpacks and walking to achieve this. I just walk an extra half hour or so in the evening to get the additional calories.

Personally I would really start to concentrate on specifically what you are taking into your body to make sure you are not over eating. Measure and track your intake to the recommended calorie levels. I would also increase exercise. Unless you simply cannot get in protein, I would try to get more of that. Your body could be craving protein and retaining weight because of that. That of course is a nutritionist/Doctor question.

No don't push yourself. You'll end up hurting yourself. Do you have access to an exercise bike? That might be something you could try. I'm not a doctor or a dietician, but I would guess it's a combination of lack of protein, lack of calories, and lack of exercise. Maybe you could try yoga at home? Or even chair exercises. They have those, too. Check online. But I would definitely work on the protein and calories, then try maybe chair exercises. I don't know how helpful I'm being right now, but I hope I came up with something that helps. I know you can do it!!!!

If you don't like the commercial protein shakes, can you just use the flavorless protein powder in homemade smoothies or other flavored waters? If you look up some smoothie recipes, you might be able to find ways to add calories to your diet (while staying in compliance) and still get the protein from the powder. Are you walking and exercising?

I'm sorry I'm thinking the lack of protein and calories is where the issues are. Can you set an alarm to eat? Do you still have protein shakes and waters?

It might be because you're not eating enough protein. If you don't have enough, it can slow things down. You also need to make sure you're getting enough calories. If you're walking or working out but barely eating, your body will think it's starving and hold on to every bit of weight it can. I would still celebrate those 14 pounds!!! And it looks like you have a total of 36 total gone from pre and post surgery, which is amazing!!! You also maybe have hit your stall early. 9 days seems super early for that, but it might be possible. Not sure, tho.

I've essentially been eating as I will after I'm back to normal foods. I'm averaging 750 calories a day, 26 carbs, 30 grams of fat, and 76 grams of protein. For example, yesterday I ate 717 calories. Of that, I had 85 grams of protein, 16 (net) carbs, and 32 grams of fat. 7am: Protein Shake 1130am: Protein Shake 2pm: Quest Protein Chips 7pm: 2 soft tacos: Low Carb Tortilla, 4oz ground turkey, 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese, 1 tablespoon of chopped onion, 1 tablespoon of salsa, and shredded lettuce

I also was able to eat more than your average sleever. But also, I suspect my surgeon made my sleeve a bit bigger knowing how active I was even before surgery (it's hard to be so active when you can't eat enough!). When I was three months out I was restricting myself to 800 calories and my center's nutritionist had an absolute conniption at me. Said I was ruining the tool and if I wanted to just gain all the weight back, that was my business. I was devastated for a hot second before I absolutely lost my temper at the top of my lungs and fired her so loud they heard it in the surgeon's office across the hall. A friend of mine recommended a nutrition program she used, and I am so glad I found it. Immediately my nutrition coach (who had coached other bariatric patients before) upped my calories to about 1200, still prioritizing protein. Over the last six months she's increased it to 1600-1800, and we're just now backing off a little bit because I feel like all I do is eat. I have just a few pounds left to lose, so they will be harder to shift. I expect maintenance will be around 1600 calories depending on activity level.

I've never heard of eating every 3 hours, I was recommended to eat three meals with two "snacks" in between, which sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I also track calories but for me it's always more about the portion size. I started at about 4 oz, now I do 6 or 7. I try to stay low-cal and low-carb if I can but I don't drive myself crazy about it. Typical day for me is breakfast of two scrambled eggs with 1 oz of shredded cheese (same breakfast since right after my surgery). Before eating usually an 11 oz premier protein drink - if I don't have it first I wait an hour after eating to have it. Usually no snack before lunch because of the protein shake but sometimes either an apple or 6-7 oz of cantaloupe. Lunch is usually a pre-made salad I get from Target, either the chicken caesar (360 cal) or asian fusion (270). Post-lunch snack is usually two sugar free jello puddings (chocolate/vanilla swirl). Dinner I mix up a bit but frequently it's a 4 oz piece of fish plus 3 oz corn, with 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce. Dessert is Halo Top ice cream. I drink Crystal Light sweet tea whenever I can remember to drink. That's pretty much it and it's working pretty well.

Now, probably more like every three hours from when I started the last meal. Sometimes shorter, sometimes longer, and mostly because if I don't do this, I can't get to my 1400-1500 calorie daily goal. But, it also doesn't take me 30 min to eat 2 oz of food anymore, so that makes a big difference with regard to the math. In the beginning, it took me 30 min to eat one scrambled egg! That's not the case anymore. For example, I eat breakfast around 6:30, and then have a small snack at 9:30-10 AM, lunch between 12 and 1, another snack at around 3 or 3:30, dinner between 5 and 6, and then another snack around 8:30-9:15. I wouldn't sweat about whether you are eating 3 hours from start time or end time. I'd base it on a) what your body is telling you, and b) what you need to do to reach your goals. Early on, I was never hungry, so I had to just do what I needed to do to get in my protein.

I still eat every three-four hours and I am basically 10ish months out. I can't get close to my calorie goals if I don't, even with increased amounts at each meal versus where I was at two or three months out. Having said that, early on as long as I was hitting my protein and fluid goals, that's what I focused on most. I don't think I was eating 6x a day - more like 4 + a shake.

100% this! 👆 I spoke with my dietitian yesterday and told her my fears. She said a few things I found helpful for my situation (and possibly others?) Being able to eat a bit more than the average sleever is not a big problem; not all sleeves are made the same. In the first month or two, the stomach is still healing, so it's too early to worry about hunger/restriction. Dense protein and low-carb veggies should always be the go-to to keep the body feeling fuller for longer. I'm not over-eating (praise the Lord!) Calorie-wise, I am to aim for 1000 calories in the first few months, then 1200 calories next six months with a longer-term aim of 1500 calories maintenance. I feel much, much happier knowing this. I hope it helps others too.

Salad! 550 calories. If i don't eat too much of the cut up chicken crust, i mat be able to eat a good bit if this….🤞🏼

I was told as long as I was meeting my protein goals, to just eat 3x a day. If I was hungry then eat again. Otherwise, the 6 meals a day are as needed. I currently do a shake for breakfast and then eat 3 other times through the day. I average 600-700 calories a day and 70 or more grams of protein. While maintaining 70 or more oz. of fluids. With all of the drinking and the no drinks 30 min before and after eating, I don't even know how you have time to eat every 3 hours. haha I am 7 weeks out and I can drink very fast now, but in the beginning it took all day to hit my fluids and I was barely hitting the goal. Although the goals got much easier when I got back to a normal diet.

Don't eat past your hunger cues. One of the things that I want to beam into everyone's head is that for a LOT of us, aftercare is pretty horrible. My surgeon's bariatric nutritionist lit into me for eating 800 calories a day 3 months out - I work outdoors and work out for an hour a day. My surgeon actually skipped two check-ins in a row after that. So I went and got a nutrition coach (whom I absolutely LOVE). I could always eat more than they said I'd be able to. But as long as I ate slowly, the restriction kicked in eventually. I lost weight hand over fist (it has since slowed down, but I'm 8 months PO and not far from goal). I wouldn't worry about it. But do watch out for stalls. They happen, they suck, and they shouldn't derail you.

Hi JUNE friends! I get notifications when there are posts and how emotional I was to see all the NEW 2022 Junies posting! Made me reflect on everything that has happened to me in the last year. Recorded my highest weight in NOV 2019 at 305 at 5ft1in at the doctor's office. Cried and talked with her about surgery. She was all for it. Let that sit and fester for another year, what was the rush? I have only been thinking about this for the last TEN years. Finally, Nov 2020, my levels were prediabetic. I was on two high BP meds. I knew I needed to stop this. My insurance sucked and conventional route was not going to happen. MANY MANY insurance companies DO NOT cover bariatric surgeries any more. WHICH is ridiculous since it is the only elective surgery that reverses or ends so many mortal diseases. Why wouldn't they pay? Between HBP and soon to be diabetes, probably need knee replacements, and on and on!! I had to find self pay. I was too nervous to look at Mexico, and found Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas. I started my Pre-Op diet May 25th, 2021. Surgery was June 15th, 2021. Best DECISION I EVER MADE! We have all been there. Should have done it sooner, hmmm-ed and hawed for months and months once my doctor and I talked about it. Then there was covid. The delays never ended. But to all the new people.....TRUST THE PROCESS, LISTEN to your body. It will know what to do. If you do the work, it will follow. I consider myself a SLOW loser. I was not, will not, and won't ever be an exercise lover. I couldn't fathom doing any exercise when I was 305lbs. It was a terrible cycle. I can't walk and move my body because my knees hurt, my back hurt. I didn't walk much when I started this journey but then, after the tiredness subsides, you think wow, my knees don't hurt. I can go for a walk with the dog. Then, I WANT to walk the dog. For me, everything was baby steps. BUT, suddenly the pants are looser. You start to see your face change. Then, those close to you start to notice. Slowly, but SURELY, it comes off. The ONLY WAY to lose this weight is by calorie deficit. It is the ONLY WAY we can all do this. It is NOT EASY. Having surgery is NOT easy. We still have to change the way we eat. We are still have to fight those old habits and desires. I read everything I could, joined this group, and a couple on FB. I read all the advice. I am here to tell you a few of mine. I HATED pictures of any kind. I didn't take many before or after surgery. DO TAKE PICTURES!!! I love seeing people's before and afters and transformations and I just can't go back. and POOP. No one talks about the POOP or lack of it. It was my biggest side effect and still an issue. HAIR LOSS, it happens, just start those biotin pills NOW! SO, sorry for this long post, it was kind of emotional and I needed to just write it all out. You took the first steps. You got this! I still feel like I just did and am in the stages you are. But, as I close in on my first anniversary, I am overwhelmed. I hit the 100 pound lost mark. Then, this week, I hit ONEDERLAND. Lots of milestones all at once. I am anxious to see what my pounds lost will be on June 15th! Trust yourself and the process. There are NO steadfast rules. I hate when I see posts and people are so adamant and actually rude about stuff. In the end, you make the rules. I'm an open book and will answer any questions. You can message me or post. Literally remind yourself, it's ONE day at a time. Best wishes Junies!!

Have you looked into the Yasso Greek yogurt bars? They are still a special occasion treat because they have added sugars, but they are only 100 calories a bar for the ones not dipped in chocolate. They have them at Walmart and it’s Greek yogurt so they have 5G protein. They have mint chocolate chip, cookie dough and sea salt & caramel. Not sure what phase you are in or whether they fit i to your calorie budget but they do taste pretty good.

You have lost 28lbs, You are eating tiny amounts. Eat your protein and drink your water quota. Like every one in here you have to trust the process, all we can do is advice you. There is very little protein in apple sauce. Buy some minced meat and cook it really well with tinned tomatoes like a bolognaise sauce. Blitz it if necessary. Lots of protein and it will stay in your tummy longer. Portion it up into two ounce pots and freeze it. Sometimes hunger pangs are stomach acid and believe me they feel the same. If you need more information, track your calories, I use MY FAT SECRET. An awful name but very useful. You only fail if you give up. If you watch that tv show a lady had the surgery and ended up weighing 200 lbs heavier than when she started.

once you're a few months out, there aren't any food restrictions and although you can't eat large portions of food at one sitting, you'll be able to eat enough that people won't guess you've had weight loss surgery. I'm seven years out, and I eat around 1700-1800 calories a day (but that'll vary for everyone since it depends on several factors, including how active you are and what weight you're trying to maintain - someone maintaining at 160 or 170 lbs can eat more than someone trying to maintain at 120). as an example, when I go out to eat, I'll usually order an appetizer or else order an entree and eat half of it (and take the other half home). Honestly, that's pretty much what many of my never-been-obese women friends eat. No one ever questions it or asks if I've had surgery. They just assume I'm a "light eater".

Yeah, some dieticians are pretty crappy. Your’s just doesn’t seem to get this is something totally new to you & you want to get the best out of this opportunity. They are supposed yo be supporting you through this. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a greater framework & more specific guidelines to feel comfortable & confident about what you’re doing. A blanket try whatever you want is not good advice. Eating whatever you wanted got you where you were before surgery. The only thing I agree with is that there is a bit of trial & error about what foods your tummy will tolerate in these first weeks when it can be more sensitive & fussy. I was given portion size no calories, and a list of suggested foods to eat & avoid from the surgeon & the dietician. As a help I was advised 1/4 - 1/3 cup of food from puree three times a day. I could have a snack if I was able (I ate yoghurt to boost my protein most afternoons). Low fat, very low carbs, no starchy vegetables, protein, protein, protein. I didn’t care how long I took to eat. I wasn’t hungry & wasn’t interested in eating but I knew I had to. But this was my plan. Remember you won’t get the same feelings of fullness, etc. (& they likely will be different to what you used to experience) until you’re fully healed & eating solid food. Hence the importance of portion control. Congrats on yiur weight loss so far.

I'm 3 weeks out and I feel like I could eat a lot more then most at my stage. I never really feel full. I do get restrictions/pain when eating soft foods. But I can drink liquids with no problem at all. I've been wondering if my stomach is a little larger then some right after surgery. I don't feel like my hungry hormone weren't removed. All I can do is measure out my food. And when my stomach starts growling and I get the hunger pains. I just drink more water. Ive only lost 13th in almost 3 weeks. I also walk about 45 minutes to an hour. 3 miles and burn over 300 calories 5 days a week. I really was hoping to have a bigger weight loss by now.

I was pretty active going to the gym 3x a week and chasing small kids but i had hysterectomy and some other pelvic organ surgical repair march 3rd and was on full exercise restriction from that, then MY VSG was may 3rd so now I’m recovering from that and overall i feel really good but i am finding myself short of breath when i do anything, i feel like my heart is beating fast. I dont know if it really is or not but it feels like it is. is this just from being down and out for so long and my body being weak? or from very restricted calories? i just want to make sure it isn’t something i should get medical attention for im getting my protein and fluids in and overall feeling fine, no abdominal pain, not much gas pain anymore its just when im trying to cook or outside with the kids, getting the kids dressed, cleaning i get so winded

Sounds like restriction, and your stomach could still be a little swollen. What if you try eating small amounts but more often? I find that if I eat a small amount I get hungry again in a few hours. Maybe that will help you get in all your protein and calories? How do you do with your vitamins? Can you get them down?

i am on soft foods. and my goal according to my paperwork is to have at least 400-600 calories. typically at a time i can eat about 3-4oz of food but that takes me like an hour. You take a bite, chew chew chew. give it a bit, take another bite, chew chew chew, give it a bit and so on til you finish eating. each meal should take you around a half hour to eat