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"Behind" program guidelines
Sleeve_Me_Alone replied to Sleeve_Me_Alone's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Have you reached out to your dietician? That is really not sustainable and could result in some long term health issues. I know its hard, I am right there with you, but you HAVE to take care of yourself and nourish your body well in order to be successful. At 200 calories a day, you are going to be rapidly losing lean muscle with is starvation, not weight loss. Please reach out for support! -
"Behind" program guidelines
Arabesque replied to Sleeve_Me_Alone's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I only eat about 1200/1300 calories a day at 2 1/2 years out. I was barely eating about 800 at goal. But that was me & we are different. I remember saying to my surgeon I can only eat what I can eat & he agreed with me. Probably because my blood work was always good so I was getting all the nutrients in I needed even if I wasn’t eating much calorie wise. I also wasn’t hungry for ages - well into my second year & I am grateful for that. It made me look at food differently - as something I need not just want. I still have the odd days or times I’m not hungry but I recognise I still need to eat something for my body to function effectively. Didn’t want dinner last night so I grazed on a tub of high protein yoghurt for about an hour so I still met my protein goal for the day. Yep, there’s a lot of different plans out there. Mine didn’t have calorie requirements either only portion size. But you will find you will be able to eat more as you progress. You may find grazing on meals easier than trying to eat all your meal in one sitting. Nothing wrong with taking an hour or more to eat a meal - I can still take an hour plus to finish a meal. Are you tracking your food & is your dietician reviewing it with you? Glad you’re feeling great & congrats on your progress so far. -
"Behind" program guidelines
pintsizedmallrat replied to Sleeve_Me_Alone's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had surgery a week before you and I'm still struggling to pass 200 calories a day. I'm not hungry. I have to force myself to eat. I'm happy with the weight I'm losing, I'm taking a multivitamin, iron, and calcium every day, but I feel sooooo weak all the time. -
"Behind" program guidelines
ColieCallwell replied to Sleeve_Me_Alone's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
It is so hard to give advice when every surgeon has a different plan! 1200 calories a day so soon out from surgery seems high. I think they want you getting your protein to mitigate side effects (hair falling out, no energy, not looking "good"). My surgeon's office had me on pureeds til I was 9 weeks out, and emphasized just doing shakes if meals were too much. Last week, I had my 2 month appointment and was told I should be getting 80g of protein through protein shakes alone, (and the protein HAS to be Bariatric Advantage or Unjury - yuck, no Isopure which I can actually tolerate), and 120g of total protein daily. Well, I frickin hate the protein shakes, and I was doing really good getting in 80g from real food, (and the office was quite pleased with the weight I've lost so far). My nutritionist said 500 to 700 calories a day was good, not to focus on macros, just to focus on getting my protein. Because those shakes are so high in calories and carbs, if I drink protein shakes, my calories are closer to 900 per day and my carbs are close to 100g (which seems very high). So I'm just going back to what I was doing. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app -
"Behind" program guidelines
ShoppGirl replied to Sleeve_Me_Alone's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Many of the programs don’t give calories like lizonaplane said. Mine didn’t either and when they do they vary so much at each stage. I wouldn’t force it if I was full, personally if you are getting a reasonable amount in you should be fine. Getting your protein is most important. I think if there is one thing every plan stresses it’s protein first. You should be able to eat a little more over time until you get up to about a normal serving size. I am almost 8 months and that’s where I am now. Well almost one serving. The NP said I got there a little sooner than most and she wasn’t concerned so it’s not an exact science. -
"Behind" program guidelines
lizonaplane replied to Sleeve_Me_Alone's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I'm so jelly that you're not hungry. I've been hungry since the first week. But.... all plans are different. Yes, ideally you should follow your surgery center's plan, but don't freak out if you can't eat as much. Some plans are much more restrictive and say only three meals a day with no snacks, and other want you only eating 800 calories or whatever... I had my surgery a week before you and I'm not eating 1200 calories a day. I'm at 700-900. Of course, my surgery center didn't give me a number of calories to eat, so I'm just eating until I'm full 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day. I usually but not always have a protein drink in there because otherwise it's hard to get my protein goal (I was told 80g to keep from being so hungry). Ugh... it's so hard to know what the right answer is. Please post what your dietician says! -
Alright, y'all, I'm 6 weeks post-op and feel great! I've had a very smooth recovery, and am truly grateful for that. Two weeks ago, I got an update from my dietician about week 4 & 5 phases, including suggested meal schedules and calorie intake. I was a little lower than her goals, but figured I was close enough that over the course of the 2 weeks I would get there. Today I got the week 6 & 7 guidelines and I'm realizing I'm further "behind" than I thought I was. Her guidelines include 3-4 meals a day, 3-4oz each, with an overall 1,200 a day caloric intake (70g protein goal). I'm still sitting at 800-900 calories with 2 meals a day and a protein shake or two, which does allow me to hit my protein goal every day. However, if I try and up my meals to 3 a day, I feel super full and uncomfortable most of the day, and then struggle to get all my fluids in because I'm so full. Then, if I skip the shake to compensate, I don't come close to my protein goal. On top of that, I'm struggling with the mental piece of wanting to "ride the wave" of not being hungry as long as I can. Its so tempting to say, well I'm not hungry so I might as well make the best of it and not eat while I can get away with it! Weight loss will never be easier than it is right now... blah blah blah. I realize that's unhealthy, borderline disordered thinking and I recognize it and I'm working on it. Just adding it in there for context, that this is super freaking hard! I have an email out to my dietician, but would also love some personal experience on how to up intake when you're not hungry and additional/bigger meals is still difficult. Is it even that big of a deal to keep pace with my program, or will it all sort of work out in the end? I do NOT want to slip back into extreme restriction type behaviors, I want to do this properly and in a way that creates a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Any advice to that end is welcome!
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If I must eat bread (mostly as a vehicle for something else, like a spread or a turkey patty), I toast one slice of the 647 series breads from Schmidt. It's got 40 calories and plenty of fiber. https://www.schmidtoldtyme.com/647-bread/
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I didn't eat bread the first year or two after surgery (for the record, I'm 6.5 years out). Now I have it occasionally, but when I do, I usually eat this 35-calorie-a-slice bread I get at Aldi's. A lot of bread products sit in my stomach like a brick, so I can't eat much of them. Plus bread isn't all that nutritious and we have tiny stomachs, so I try to eat mostly nutrition-dense foods to make the most of my stomach space. I can eat maybe five French fries. I can't tolerate much fat anymore. I didn't eat a fry for at least a year after surgery - maybe two. for your second question, you'll lose weight because you'll be eating much less than you did before surgery. I used to be able to eat half a large pizza at one sitting. Now I can eat 1-2 pieces at one sitting. Exercise helps somewhat, but I've read in several places that 80-90% of weight loss is due to reduced food intake, not exercise. Of course, exercise is wonderful for you in many ways - it's just not the main factor in weight loss. Diet is.
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I am also a sandwich lover. Here is what I have found (2.5 months post-op). I have used Sola bread and Orowheat bread for sandwiches. Both are keto-friendly, meaning they are high in fiber and protein and low in carbs. The pieces are small, but they are still 60 calories a slice (Orowheat) or 70 cals/slice (Sola), so that is over 100 calories before you put anything in the bread. You will also need to toast the bread because it helps chew it down and regular bread can "ball up" in your stomach and cause problems. If you use toasted bread and use the sandwich as an occasional meal rather than a staple meal, you should be OK. I did eat some tuna fish sandwiches for lunch, but it was just tuna fish straight out of the foil packet on toasted Orowheat. I went with tuna for the high protein content and Omega 3s. With fries, moderation will absolutely be key. Can you steal 3 fries off someone's plate and eat them without discomfort or throwing off your diet? Yeah. I wouldn't eat a full compliment of them, both because the grease/oil could cause dumping and a fry doesn't have a ton of nutrition. If you are going to eat potatoes, try to eat them baked/boiled with the skin on, to maximize your nutrients.
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Food Before and After Photos
Starwarsandcupcakes replied to GreenTealael's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I baked them in a donut pan. I was surprised how well them came out. Came to about 120 calories with the glaze and sprinkles. -
Constipated HELP!!
Soon2bFit21 replied to TeeNeg12's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I’ve tried Miralax, Milk of magnesia. Senakot and none of them worked. Unfortunately the only thing that gets things moving for me is Exlax (which causes pretty painful cramping 6-10 hours after taking) and sugar feee chocolate. I know the sugar free chocolate isn’t the answer even though it’s within my calories for the day, so I do the exlax every week and a half. I do have bowel movements 2-3 a week otherwise. Coming from a consistent 1-2x a day my whole life, this has been a frustrating change. -
I usually drink Premier. Lately it’s hard to find. Out everywhere so I tried a Core. Really good. Carbs are 7grams, calories 160, protein 24. Tjere are some you can get that are 42. Anyways I’m sold on them. Love them.
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Anyone get covid or other illness during sleeve recovery?
Arabesque replied to holly..'s topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
We still make ample stomach acids in our tummy to digest the food we consume. After surgery, the hunger pangs you may feel are from excess stomach acid (not because you are hungry). Plus developing reflux/gerd is a side effect of sleeve surgery which is stomach acids rising into your esophagus. The issue with vomiting may be because you‘re consuming so little you don’t have much to bring up except bile & acids which could burn your esophagus. (Mind you I vomited very differently after surgery - more of a gurgle up then a heaving of stomach muscles.) You may be more susceptible to picking up viruses & bugs because your body is undergoing stress from the reduced calorie intake. I had my surgery in late autumn & if someone was going to pick up a bug it would have been me but I didn’t. Just take precautions, hand washing, mask wearing, avoid anyone who’s sick, etc. if you’re worried. Hope all goes well. -
Too much weight loss? Is that really possible?
Arabesque replied to mae7365's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Oh yeah, I’ve been where you are @mae7365. I had trouble stabilising my weight. And my surgeon & GP wanted me to gain a couple of kilograms. My dietician wasn’t too concerned as she felt I was making sensible food choices & was increasing my food intake. My weight did finally stabilise just took 11 months post goal. Now they’re all happy with my weight. When my surgeon removed my gall, 2 yrs post sleeve, he told me I’d done very well yet I weigh a good 4 kg less then when he was telling me I needed to gain. I got those comments from family & friends too but not anymore. It takes time for their vision of you to catch up with the reality of you now. Plus we can look a bit gaunt. Once you start adding some good carbs into your diet & your remaining fat sort of resettles the gauntness disappears. To slow my loss, I increased my calories by adding more snacks because I couldn’t physically eat more in a meal. I worked up to 4 or 5 snacks.My meal portions are larger now (about a recommended serving size) & so I usually only have 3 snacks. Gotta reach that balance of calories consumed equaling calories burnt to maintain. Are you healthy? Are you happy? Do you enjoy your life? They’re the important considerations. As long as your diet & exercise regime doesn’t restrict you doing things you’re golden. Good luck. -
Sleeve vs Bypass concerns
Jaelzion replied to ht1976's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was exactly in your shoes two and a half years ago. I researched both surgeries and I had decided on the bypass because I read that bypass patients tend to lose more of their excess weight. But the bypass turned out to be medically contraindicated for me and I had to have the sleeve. Like you, I was never one to eat large volumes of food, so I wasn't sure the sleeve would be effective. But it was. I was one of the lucky ones who completely lost my appetite for the first year so it was possible for me to eat 600-800 calories a day for months. As my appetite slowly returned in year 2, my calories increased to 800-900. My weight loss slowed down but it continued and almost two years from my surgery date, I hit my goal of 130 pounds for a normal BMI. I continued losing and at this point my weight stays between 120 and 125. When I see it creep up to 127, I find myself immediately cutting back until I get it back down to under 122. It wasn't just the restriction of the sleeve that helped me lose. The surgery changed my relationship with food (I'm guessing due to the hormonal changes from having most of your stomach removed). Even today, my appetite is about 65% of what it was presurgery and I don't have unmanageable cravings. I still like sweets but I eat mostly sugar-free things like popsicles and pudding, yogurt, etc. Once in a while I'll have a treat of some kind, like cake or pie or Bailey's Irish Cream, but it's rare and it's always one treat and then back on plan. I feel like I still have the capacity to be a sugar/carb addict, so I'm careful with those foods. I also keep my carbs relatively low (although not keto-low) because that helps me maintain. So, statistically, bypassers do lose more on average. But your individual results can vary a lot. -
Teachers out there... (or anyone with stressful jobs)
ColieCallwell replied to XtinaDoesIt's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I'm not a teacher, but have a high stress job that is all consuming. For me, planning and prepping has been key. I work out early in the morning before work, just in my garage. We have a nice setup for working out that we've accumulated over the last year or so. There are a ton of online resources for at home workouts, just find one you like. I was in the habit of having a cocktail after work before WLS. Now I drink 8 oz of the 5 cal cranberry juice and that makes me feel like I'm having a treat when I get home. Our meals at night are some sort of easy protein (baked chicken or fish, or steaks on the grill) and some sort of vegetable usually sauteed or roasted. It's easy cooking and easy cleanup. We did do Factor for a while, but I got tired of not having fresh food for dinner, (and those particular meals are high calorie/high fat). For lunches, I try to find single serve pre-packaged things. I found single serve chicken salad at Wal-Mart. I also like the flaked salmon in the pouch, I mix that with a spinach dip I found at Costco that's made with greek yogurt. I usually just make a protein shake for breakfast so I can drink it while on my way to work. I bought a water bottle that lights up to remind me to drink. So, far it's working, kind of! I also am not guaranteed bathroom breaks, so have had no shame in wearing a pad when I know I won't be able to get to a bathroom. It is SO FRICKIN HARD! to work and stay on top of these things! I feel you! You are doing a great job, and thank you for taking care of our kids! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Teachers out there... (or anyone with stressful jobs)
Arancini replied to XtinaDoesIt's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I‘m not a teacher but I do have a very busy week, where I face similar issues. I know it‘s not good but there have been many days, where I just had one meal a day… 😬 In the morning I feel too nauseous to get anything down, then I‘m busy all day and when I get home I just want something quick. My go to has been feta cheese with tomato and/or cucumber or buffalo mozzarella with air fried pumpkin. Do you have an air fryer? I find its the quickest and easiest thing to do. Or maybe - if you‘re cooking for multiple people - pop something in the slow cooker so when you get home it‘s good and ready? I also add tasteless protein powder to my tea / black coffee. Getting one that also dissolves in hot foods/liquids was such a good investment!! Other than that I can only think of shrimp (super high protein for the calories and easy/quick to make), Skyr Yoghurt or tuna (I dont like the can stuff though). Good luck!! And thank you for still showing up and teaching despite all this crazy going on! -
Dr. Vuong needs to get current on research. It's fat we're losing. There is SOME muscle catabolism during the process because there has to be, but no, the point is not muscle catabolism, otherwise people who succeeded in losing their excess weight would be weak blobs of fat. 🙄 Weight training helps get rid of fat. It revs your metabolic engine. I did increase my calories (in concert with my new NUT) in order to get my protein consumption up, but I'm not hungrier than I was. And my weight loss actually accelerated by about a pound (0.45 kg) a week. I weight train 3-4 times a week and I do some kind of cardio (running, biking, rowing, skipping rope) 3-4 times a week. And you don't need to be a gym rat. You can go to a store and buy a few dumbbells (buy them in pairs) or a kettlebell. Nick Urankar, who's a CrossFit athlete, has a whole program called "Just a Bar" where you use a barbell (25, 35, or 45 lbs.) for strength training.
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So I started working out with a trainer at 2.5 months post-op (would have started at 2 months but wanted to wait until I was fully vaccinated). I am doing both cardio and weight training and I will tell you that has been a huge part of my success. I am up to 1200-1300 calories a day now (9.5 months post op) but I am usually working out 7-8 hours a week (strength training 3-4 times a week, cardio on the other days). I am doing my next “bod pod” scan Friday but I did one when I started with the trainer and 1 in mid-July. From end of March to mid-July I lost 35 lbs on the scale, but it was really 41.5 lbs of fat as I gained 6.6 lbs of muscle. I know I am going to need plastic surgery but at least I am seeing the benefits of doing the weight training. As you can see from my progress, this certainly hasn’t inhibited my weight loss. And bonus - the more muscle you have, the more effective your body is at burning calories. So it’s a win-win.
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Too much weight loss? Is that really possible?
WishMeSmaller replied to mae7365's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I had a difficult time stopping the weight loss. I ended up cutting back just a little on my exercise regimen (I also refused to give up my new, healthy addiction), and focused on eating more. I still eat plenty of protein, but I eat a lot more carbs now. My weight is stable and my friends/family have stopped hassling me about my weight. I eat around 2000 calories a day and exercise about 6 days a week, including running and weight training along with other cardio, and yoga. I feel great and I like how my body looks. Good luck! -
Too much weight loss? Is that really possible?
mae7365 posted a topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I have a call with the Bariatric Dietician on Tuesday to discuss my continued weight loss. My primary care doctor is concerned that I continue to loose weight (8 pounds in 5 weeks) this far out from surgery. I've lost 60 pounds since RNY last year and 97 pounds since my pre-op weight pre-sleeve. The dietician thinks I'm in calorie deficit because I'm very active - I walk 5 miles 4-5 days/week and do Zumba 3 days/week. But I refuse to give up my healthy exercise habits! At 64, I never expected to look athletic and have muscle definition vs. sagging skin. (I still have sagging skin, but the muscle has really helped minimize the flabbiness!) My husband and children are concerned - "Are you sure you don't have cancer?" "You need to gain some weight, you look too skinny" "Are you sure you are ok?"...… If it was just petty people commenting vs. my family, I'd blow it off. I keep assuring them that I'm the healthiest I've been since my 20's. I'm hoping that talking to the dietician will give me the tools I need to level out the weight loss without giving up my healthy lifestyle. I guess I'm just looking to see if there are others in this forum that have experienced the same thing. I refuse to call it a problem, I'd rather call it a challenge. -
Thank you for this post. Today, my birthday, I was having a big pity party. Your post helped relieve it a bit. I feel great but not seeing the rapid weight loss kinda makes me sad. I have been eating less than 500 calories a day & exercising. It good thing is I’m not hungry all the time. Plus read your post and see in time it will happen.
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Pre-Op Struggling
AmazonSleeved replied to AmazonSleeved's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I’m allowed - Protein shake breakfast - Fruit snack - Protein shake lunch - Protein snack - Sensible dinner Which I know is a lot - buuuut it’s a drastic calorie decrease. -
Pre-Op Struggling
Astonishing Mr J replied to AmazonSleeved's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi All New to the forum. I am post op and one day away from starting puree. I am a professional chef and I wanted to just answer your question from my experience thus far. I too was going nuts after day 3 but then I think I figured out why. The main problem with the pre-op and post-op liquid diets is they are antithetical to the way we eat from a taste perspective. We may be getting nutrients and protein and, sure, it's weird to drink all of your food but the biggest unaddressed issue is that most societies don't eat sweet over savory. With a regular diet we may eat a sweet thing for breakfast but mostly it is three savory meals punctuated by little moments of sweet. A dessert, a cookie etc. With this diet all the nutrients comes from things that are way sweet and we might punctuate it with savory. This may be the very thing driving you mad. Now, I will preface this by saying, check with your doctor first. My doctor approved the following. Rather than all sweet shakes I was able to buy unflavored Whey Protein Isolate. I bought a good quality with a high dissolve/absorption ability. I then was able to go to the store and find broth that was better than your Swanson chicken broth. I recommend, if you can find it, Zoup Chicken Broth or Bone Broth (bone broth has more protein which you will want to get as much as you can), Target's brand of Miso, Ramen or Pho starter broth. These are clear, low in calories and packed with flavor. Heat a cup of these to about 140ºF or lower. Any hotter and it does weird things to the powder. Add one scoop, stir till dissolved and give the cup another 30 sec of heat up in the microwave. You get everything you get in the shakes, clear liquid broth and tons of allowable flavor. My second recommendation is to look into a company called Unjury. They make a protein powder chicken soup that tastes like Mrs. Grass. They also do a Southwest Chilli flavor but I am actually regretting having bought that since it is just OK. Anyway, talk to your doctor and try it. I found that getting back to mostly savory punctuated by sweet was my saving grace.
