Search the Community

I just started adding a lower calorie protein to my coffee throughout the day, just to hit a higher amount... I'm hoping that works, next step would be a week of liquids.

First, your BMR is a bit of a guesstimate, but 2100 isn't unreasonable for a guy. Some calculators/formulas are way off because they simplify things by using body weight, while it is lean or muscle mass that is the important factor (all that extra fat we carry around does little to BMR, though whatever extra musculature we may have to carry around that extra fat does help. There are some tests that they can do (VOx, etc.) that can give a closer reading to your personal BMR, and many body composition scales give an OK estimate based upon their reading of your lean mass. The most important thing is at what caloric level is your weight stable - that gives the best clue as to where you stand metabolically. My BMR was probably around 2100 also, though my stability point by experience and tracking intake was in the 2600-2800 range (consume more consistently and I would gain, consume less overall and I would lose.) BMR represents our resting metabolism, while the extra burn if from exercise and daily activities; most calculators and tables (and ourselves) tend to over estimate the burn from exercise. After surgery, and you lose what you are going to lose, you will likely have lost some muscle mass, I lost around 10 lb) as you aren't carrying that extra 100, 200 or whatever pounds around with you 24/7, so your BMR will likely decline some, but not a lot (maybe down to 2000). This is why most programs emphasize getting in adequate protein, and doing some load bearing exercise, to minimize the loss of muscle mass, to keep our BMR up. If you can maintain a diet of 1100 calories (not at all difficult for the first year or so post op) that will yield a caloric deficit of around 1000 calories to your BMR (and likely more considering activity burn,) which will equate to an average loss of around 10 per month (more initially, and tapering off over time) - that's about what I did at 1100 calorie average, and my final few months before goal was a consistent 10lb per month loss; after goal and into maintenance, I settled into around 2100-2200 per day to maintain a stable weight. Some people, particularly the shorter ladies, may be stable at 11-1200 per day after all is done, so they will need to go much lower to lose their excess weight - this is why we see 6-800 calories as a common intake for the loss phase, and they will often lose more slowly because they have a lower caloric deficit (figure about a pound per month per 100 calories in deficit, on average.) In short, figure on 1000 calories or so while losing, and probably around 2000 or so, give or take, to maintain, as a quick guesstimate.

You can try adding some greek plain yogurt to the beans to thin them out or broth. Not sure about the dumping. But I was advised to stay aeay from starchy veggies in pureed food since they are high in carbs and sugar, and do not provide any protein. I mainly had crab salad, soft fish, hummus, beans, soups, chicken mousse Sent from my SM-S916U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

We were advised to take our vitamins and make sure we met out protein goal. We were told we can take Biotin or the hair and nail supplement to help with new growth but nothing can help stop it. Sent from my SM-S916U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi there! I am 4 weeks post op from my VSG. I started at 195, lost 12 lbs pre surgery, and 15.4 lbs since surgery. So down 27.4 lbs total. I am now at 167.4. I am hoping to lose 10 lbs in the month of April, to get me to 158 by end of the month. I’m am just coming out of soft foods phases, and am taking it very slow— still very focused on getting fluids in. I have been drinking two protein shakes a day with several VERY small “meals” a day- but am starting to think through how i can up my protein with real food and drop to one shake a day. No real hunger driving me, just trying to get the basics down before branching out too much on the food.

it might be the artificial sweetener they use in that chew (?). Anyway, there are lots of options for calcium citrate. Most drug stores sell one or two brands of calcium citrate tablets (vs. several brands of calcium carbonate, which we're not supposed to take since it's not well-absorbed by us). I look for the "petite" version of calcium citrate tabs (I've gotten them at Walgreens - but other stores may have them as well) since I like them better than those big horse pills. there is also a powdered form of calcium citrate, but I don't know how easy it is to find in stores. You can order it online, though. NOW makes it - and so does Upcal D. I used to buy the latter. You can mix it into food or beverages, but Upcal D, at least, doesn't really dissolve - it just suspends in liquid, so you have to shake your beverage before every swig. I ended up just mixing it in with yogurt.

Thank you for your kind words! Yes, I am aware of the statistics about weight loss and how difficult it can be for many people. I feel grateful that I have been able to achieve some success with diet and exercise, but I also recognize that it's not the right approach for everyone. In addition to diet and exercise, I have also incorporated some meal replacement shakes into my routine, which have been helpful for me. I understand that for some people, medications, or bariatric surgery may be a better option, and I support whatever approach someone chooses to take to improve their health and well-being. The most important thing is finding a sustainable solution that works for you.

That's so frustrating, almost everything I was going to reccomend you mentioned you already do! The only thing I'd add is focusing on upping your protein intake maybe?

It's unfortunately a waiting game right now. The hair loss is very hard to avoid. As long as you keep up with your vitamins & protein, it will eventually stop!

Currently dealing with a stall & stuck at 141lbs. I'm changing up my workout & going back to drinking a protein shake for dinner. That has helped me break stalls before & I'm hoping that helps again!

I dealt with pretty aggressive hair loss but it's stopped! I now lose nearly nothing. I just take my multivitamin & take 2 Calcium Citrate vitamins each day. However stopping the hair loss came with time. Unfortunately for now you just have to wait it out. Just keep up with your vitamins, protein & the hair loss will eventually stop.

This is a bit late, but I’ve found the Naked brand of protein powders to be pretty good. They have ones that are based in brown rice and peanut butter (I can’t tolerate whey or soy at all). I also like the Owyn brand of protein shakes.

I had the bypass on 3/16 and have only lost 16 total. From what I've seen, that's technically low-average for bypass patients with a 300 lb starting weight. I don't really care though because I know it'll come off. I'm meeting my protein and water goals and walking 1-2 miles per day. Something's gotta give, you know? I think a lot of us are just primed to hold onto weight until the bottom gives out. But I will say the non-scale victories are something to celebrate! I can sleep through the night now, my high BP has reversed, no more GERD to manage. Hopefully you have some nsv's to look forward to. I made a list of 15 things I look forward to from this surgery that can't be 'found' on a number on a scale. I made the list for this exact scenario - when you feel like you've stalled or get discouraged. If you don't have one, I definitely recommend making one. Hopefully that helps!

Christi, I am in the same boat. I was sleeved on 3/9 and have only lost 10lbs! I did not loose ANYTHING for the first 10 days & was completely flat. I was not gone above 500 calories the entire time, and have reached my protein goal 2 days only. I am 55 yrs old so I knew my weight loss would be slower but it is frustrating when you see other people doing less exercise and more calories and the weight falling off quickly. You are correct, don't compare yourself to anyone. We all have different bodies, different metabolisms, even different body types loss at different rates (eg, apple shape vs pear shape vs extra weight in extremities, etc). We are all different and none of us will have the same experience. Keep your head up, keep working your program and you and I will both get the results in our time! 🤗

Hey I was sleeved on the 7th and I’m down only 25 lbs and I’ve been beating myself up about it. Especially when I hear people have lost 30-40 pounds a month out. I’ve been exercising and portioning food. I did have my menstrual cycle which caused me to stall a few days, but since that has passed I seem to be trending in the right direction. I would say just continue to do what you’re doing, get that protein in and liquid intake. It will happen. Also, starting today I’m going to weight myself weekly vs daily. Trust I know exactly how you feel.

So I'm incredibly disappointed in my progress so far. I was sleeved on March 7th and I've only lost 15 lbs. I know everyone is different and we're not supposed to compare but I'm a little panicked. Would someone mind sharing how they've done this month after surgery? I did contact my Nutritionist and asked her how many calories I should be eating a day and she said not to worry about that right now. Just concentrate on getting my protein and water in, which I am doing.

Most protein companies offer "sample" servings. *Individually packed servings* Some even offer 'sample packs" with a bunch of different flavors. If you have a brand you like, just look up their website and you will find them. Or, even just google " protein powder variety pack" or something like that and I am sure you will find something. I have used Unjury, which I know sell them. That is the only one I can think of off the top of my head right now though.

I will be sleeved April 28. My pre-op diet is odd. 2 weeks of a morning protein shake (my choice as long as its 25-30 grams of protein). Both lunch and dinner can only be a Healthy choice brand Steamer select or Cafe steamer Meal.

I'm not sure what the TSA's opinion is on this, but when I travel by car I use little plastic cups with lids to pre-portion my protein powders. I think the ones I use are sold as "jello shot cups" but they're basically the same sort of thing you'd get a little serving of dressing or ketchup with a takeout order. That way, you don't have to spend a bunch of money on pre-packaged containers and can use your usual product.

I like Epic bars as a quick protein snack (they're kind of like a cross between a protein bar and jerky/meat snacks, they're made of meat but they're softer and easier to digest than something like a Slim Jim and are a lot more natural, I especially love the bison and cranberry flavor). My go-to around the house is cottage cheese and yogurt as well, but having to be refrigerated and needing a spoon makes it harder to be truly "portable". I also like to pack slices of ham or turkey rolled up with half a slice of cheese in my lunch, sometimes with a little cup of dressing or some kind of spread to dip them in like mustard. (Plain yellow or brown mustard has, like, no calories!) I'm going to agree with whomever said upthread to try to eat whole foods as opposed to convenience items; a lot of "high protein" items out there are formulated to be keto friendly so they're also going to have a lot of fat in them too which can raise the calorie count to a point where you'd be better off probably eating a small, proper meal as opposed to treating a 300 calorie "protein cookie" as a snack.

I had a mini gastric bypass surgery exactly 3 months back. Since there didn't seem much activity on specific forum for mini gastric bypass (as it isn't common in US), so I thought i would put it in regular bypass forum. Starting weight: 326 lbs Current weight (exactly 3 months post Op): 252 lbs making total weight loss of around 74 lbs. Diet: Currently taking 1000 (or maybe 1100 at times) calories. Protein rich diet with around 70 to 80g of daily protein and low carb. 3 meals and in-between I take protein shake, pure coconut water (around 500 ml a day) and sometimes raw Tofu once or twice in day if I feel hungry. I use weighing scale to make sure I know how much I eat. Workout: 4 to 5 miles of walk daily. Gym of 7 to 8 hours total every week. Main focus on HIIT and weights, and includes 2.5 hour of cardio. I have felt since I started gym, my body feels more leaner and in shape but appetite has slightly gone up. Like maybe 3 extra tablespoon of Quinoa. But what do you guys think of my progress? Any red flags or caution? As now is the time to correct things if something is wrong. Do you think a weight of 180 lbs is something achievable for me? Thanks a lot.

Yes to the high protein yoghurt. And you can make it into your own yoghurt drink by blending with milk. Cheese & boiled eggs are also handy. Like @Spinoza, I try to avoid medium & high processed foods & I love leftovers. My freezer is full of them. Easy meals - just add vegetables. Made a 5 egg omelette yesterday (with mushrooms, tomatoes, celery, capsicum, mozzarella, basil, prosciutto). Ate a third for lunch & will eat the rest today & tomorrow. Just reheat in the microwave. I do have a packets of baked fava beans & chick peas in my cupboard. I rarely if ever eat them except they are handy if travelling. I always throw some in my bag when I stay with my mum though I still don’t always eat them. Make up a batch of the savoury egg muffins. Dice vegetables, cheese, meat (chicken, bacon, tuna, etc.) or whatever of your choice and add to a half cup muffin pan. Whisk up 8 eggs, salt, pepper. Pour over the meat & vegetables. Bake moderate oven about 30 mins. Freeze & reheat in a microwave. Easy. These are the ones I made with home made caramelised onion, feta, mushrooms, pancetta. Eat two for a meal or one as a snack.

I like getting a high protein nonfat Greek yogurt (I use fage nonfat), putting in some organic unsweetened cocoa (I use Cocoavia cardio health), and mixing in sugar free maple syrup (I use Maple Grove farms no sugar syrup) to sweeten it. Tastes so good. I wish I knew about this recipe when I was in the puree stage but I just recently found it somewhere on the net. I don't even remember where.

Honestly if you can stay away from ultra processed foods then do - forever! In emergencies we all need to grab the least bad option but for every day if you can get tubs full of proper home cooked from scratch food that you can eat throughout the day lined up, then I think that's preferable. At the minute I have in the fridge: leftover roast dinner from today (one cup servings) x 2, fish pie from yesterday x 1 and spag bol from the day before x 1. I do these up on a rolling basis depending on what I'm cooking for my family. I eat two leftover things late morning and early afternoon and then cook today's thing for dinner - that then makes me leftovers for the following days.

I am 5-6, 209lbs and on Wednesday, 3/15/23 I had an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty aka ESG. I elected to stay over the first night and came home on Thursday, 3/16. I was in tremendous pain and could not keep water down. On Saturday 3/8, I phoned an IV service to come and hydrate me. They couldn’t find a vein. I knew I was need of emergent medics care so I called an ambulance. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, I was rushed into surgery and put into a coma. What my family learned is that my Bariatric surgeon had left a hole in my stomach and punctured my lung. My thoracic cavity was mixed with various fluids and I was slowly drowning as my lung capacity diminished Days later they found another hole in my stomach and I underwent a third surgery to correct that. Had I not called the ambulance when I did, I would have died Fortunately the hospital kept me fed and hydrated intravenously. Today is my first day home and I’m doing everything I can to sip enough water and protein. I wonder if life will ever be the same for me i have one more follow up procedure which I’m dreading. I deeply regret the decision to do this surgery, it almost cost me my like and the trauma is endless