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Our surgeons office requires for everyone, regardless of sleeve or bypass, that you only consume half of a protein bar per meal, and a total of one bar max per day. I haven't seen anyone else have that requirement.. is my office the lone wolf on this?

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I am self pay and hesitant about rny in Mexico. My insurance has a bariatric exclusion and won’t cover complications. In fact, I am pretty sure United Healthcare is so terrible that they would find a way to link any future issues to the surgery just to deny me. They stopped paying for a medication I was on for five years with other insurance. I am alone and have zero family and the sleeve seems like a simpler option. I know that I am not ready to consider rny at this time. I will wait until I can get more testing in the states. An endoscopy with my insurance is $1000. Eventually I will find the right answer. Many thanks.

Yes same as @kcuster, just sending a hug. I hope you get things sorted quickly. Antibiotics and steroids are a combination I hate, my come down off them was worse than the reason I was put on them in the first place. I still am on 5 or 6 tiny meals a day because I cant eat a lot at once, I dont know if it help you but I will post a menu that my team said will help me with weight and energy, my calories were very low before before this Breakfast - protein yogurt and berries Mid morning - whole milk Lunch- A homemade soup with chicken, veg and lentils i.e. curried lentil Afternoon snack - nuts Dinner- Meat and vegetables or fish and salad etc Supper - Cheese and grapes This gives me 1000 to 1300 calories a day and between 60 and 85 grams of protein

Hello, welcome to the Bari world! You will learn very quickly that everyone has their opinion about foods/shakes. Not only how something taste but also their opinion on it's value to your diet. (Is it healthy? Should you eat it? Don''t eat carbs.. do eat carbs.. etc.) I always say, follow YOUR teams/Dieticians plan! Period. You trusted them with your life (literally) so you should trust them in your recovery and your WL process. Every team is different, different rules, different guidelines, everything. I tried a bunch of different "alternative" foods. Some are ok, most I didn't prefer. I find it easy to hit my protein goals, so I don't need to make sure EVERY single item of food has protein. I still drink shakes every day for breakfast but that is mainly because I am not a morning person and don't like to eat in the mornings. Otherwise most of my nutrition is from whole foods. My point is, if I feel like I really want "need" some chips, I just eat a few regular ones. I eat regular cereal (usually raisin bran) with fairlife milk. With that being said I reiterate ALL PLANS ARE DIFFERENT. I am "allowed" anything in moderation as long as I am hitting my protein/fluid/ WL goals. My Dietician says "you shouldn't feel like you are on a diet for the rest of your life, you should modify your eating habits to gain a healthy life and learn moderation". Now, to actually answer your questions. My opinions: Quest chips: They are ok, the taste is good but the texture is a little weird to me. They feel powdery to me and do not hold up to any type of dipping or even to use as nachos. Protein cereal: I have not specifically tried the magic spoon brand but have tried a few others. I hated them ALL. haha Literally hated them, brought them to work and threw them on the "sharing" table in the lunch room and it all sat there till i threw it away. I have tried premier brand, they are SO HARD and taste like stale rocks. I ate 2 bites and tried to flush the rest down the toilet and they wouldn't even flush! haha I also tried the brand "wonderworks keto" and felt just about the same way although they were better than the premier. They were ok to eat dry as a snack but disgusting with milk. To each their own, you may find like some other people that you love them. I have also tried Quest protein pizza, it was actually good but not a big enough deal to me for the price. I will jsut eat regular pizza. Usually a few bites and then just the toppings. Or, make home made pizza on low carb/calorie wraps. I don't know what else I have tried other than probably hundreds of protein bars, which I still randomly try and eat once in a while. Usually more of a meal replacement in a pinch than a snack. Ok- I have rambled long enough! best of luck on your journey!!

Most of the "protein infused keto friendly" alternatives to that sort of thing taste awful and have a weird texture. No joke I would rather slowly nibble on one regular Dorito than eat an entire bag of those Quest chips.

Interesting concept. Have you done many of these procedures yet and how long have you been doing them? How many people so far have taken up the option of reversing the procedure?

Before moving forward with a bariatric procedure, you might want see a gastroenterologist to get to the root of the problem and see what treatments are available and which WLS would be best with your history and condition. Dr. Alvarez has done over 20K VSG surgeries and is a Master Surgeon of Metobolic & Bariatric Surgery but he focuses strictly on VSG, which may not be the best option for you. I can feel your frustration when reading your posts and my heart goes out to you. Please move cautiously and seek the proper specialists so that your GERD is not worsened. Once the cause is identified, a plan of action can be devised to address both the GERD and WLS. Best you you.

I’m due to have surgery this upcoming Friday. I spent the day out with my daughter today and was completely unprepared. I didn’t bring any of the vegetable snacks that I’m allowed which is baby carrots, and cucumbers and grape tomatoes nor my protein shake. My daughter wanted to eat pizza and asked why I couldn’t join in the pizza date like I always do (she’s 6 and has no idea what’s going on) and honestly I was starving and that was my green light to cheat. Admittedly, I was looking for an excuse to cheat. I started off getting a healthier option which was cooked salmon and avocado sushi but then I ended up eating half a pizza slice (daughters leftover) plus a few sips of Snapple. My daughter wanted dessert after and I told her fine but mommy is full and won’t be joining in. However when we got to the dessert place (first time going to this place) my amazement at all the options coupled with the fear that oh no I’ll never get to eat this once I have the surgery so I better do it now got the best of me. I got a piece of cake and almost ate the whole piece. I’m so mad at myself for it and so embarrassed /scared to tell my nutritionist. Did anyone else ever mess up this bad right around the time or surgery?? I Don’t even know what to do at this point

Thanks all for the recommendations! I’m not really thinking of it for myself in the immediate, just generating some conversation - I’m sure this list might interest others who are many months post-Op!! Was just something on my mind as I love the idea of focusing on protein in future, just feel it’s such a great life habit. I did not know Premier did other items outside of their shakes, so that’s super cool.

And …. You will have some pain & disconfirm but this passes in a few days. Don’t be surprised if you’re constipated or have unpleasant diarrhoea. The diarrhoea will pass but the constipation will remain. You may have nausea & may bring up something you ate/drank. Listen to your body while you are recovering & healing. If it says to rest today, rest. If it say you’re low in energy today, don’t push yourself to exercise. If it says it doesn’t like the taste or smell of something try something else (this can last a few weeks or a few months). Your tummy is sensitive while it is healing so treat it gently. Follow your plan. And don’t worry if you don’t get all your protein & fluid in as long as you’re close - it gets easier to do as you progress. And if something seems odd to you, contact your surgeon or their team. All the best.

I third it. It may be some time before you are allowed to eat some of those foods certainly while you are losing. The time while you are losing is a great opportunity to break old habits, cravings & food preferences & to find alternatives to your traditional food choices. Also many find their taste buds change too so don’t buy up big as you may find when you try them they taste disgusting. Carefully read nutrition panels not just for protein, carb, sugar content but also the specific ingredients. For example no sugar products usually mean no added sugar but rely on artificial sweeteners (some find they upset them after surgery especially the sugar alcohols) & fruit juices/purées which still feed your desire for sweet & you don’t know how much they use. Look to low processed foods & raw ingredients. Try to prep more food yourself so you have better control over the ingredients & how you cook it. Look for & try other foods you can snack on & not just a high processed ‘healthier’ version of a something you always ate like chips. Not saying don’t have them but be very conscious of portions & frequency. They can be useful to have on hand & if travelling. I always have baked fava beans or chick peas, hummus & rice crackers in my kitchen for when my young nieces & nephews or friends pop by. When losing I got in 50-60g protein every day without any protein enriched processed foods (except yoghurt) or protein supplements/shakes. I get in 60-70g now. In saying all that you will find your own way, what suits your body & it’s needs & your lifestyle.

Check with your dietician to see what your plan recommends. Some people are allowed bread or bread alternatives relatively early out (but usually as the protein, then vegetables then only if you are able as @Jeanniebug mentioned). I still don’t eat bread at almost four years out. I’ve tried the odd bite & it just sits heavily in my tummy. So you may be allowed to eat it but physically can’t. I get all my carbs from low processed rolled oats, vegetables & multigrain crackers. Don’t miss bread or similar products at all.

I’m on day 4 after surgery last Wednesday. Here are my thoughts based on what I just experienced. On day of surgery, when you wake up, don’t panic. This day and the next day before going home you will feel like total crap. Don’t panic! It gets better quick. You will have pain, pressure, poking nurses, doctors stopping in, house cleaning coming in, sheesh…too much. Don’t panic! Lol Your first full day home will be very uncomfortable. You will be recovering from surgery, working on almost no sleep, and trying to understand your new plumbing. I had anxiety from the anesthesia, was wicked tired, and cranky. Don’t panic! Don’t worry about hitting goals on these first two days, people rarely do. Take meds on time, create a schedule. I was on oxy and nausea meds for two days. By day three only Tylenol. See if you prefer hot or cold liquids. I found warm better. You will feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest…pressure from the gas. Don’t panic, it’s normal and will go away. Even being prepared on this and reading for 5 months, it was bad. Every swallow hurt a bit (pressure flare) but it eases slowly. By day 4 I feel great, almost normal even. Isn’t the human body amazing? Full liquids, full protein, no meds. Remember don’t panic! There were times I wanted too!! (alright, I did a little, most do) Good luck, you got this!”

This is something you would need to talk to your HR dept about. My understanding (and I could be wrong) is that each company negotiates their rates with the insurance company, and there are things they can choose to not cover in order to keep the costs down for ALL employees. They can't just add it for one person. Bariatric surgery is getting more common, so maybe your employer might choose to add it durning the next open enrollment period, or, to cut rising costs, eliminate services. Unless you have a life event (like loosing your job, marriage, birth of a child etc) your husband can only add you to his plan during open enrollment. And your company's plan can't change until the next open enrollment. Most companies that wouldn't be effective until Jan 1 2024 (but not all, my company has open enrollment in the spring) Find out first if your husbands plan even covers it, and what the deductible/co-pay would be. You could start all the presurgery requirements now, as that usually takes about 6 months. Sounds like IF, everything works out, the soonest you could have the surgery under insurance (and a lot of things could go wrong to not align) would be Jan 2024. Or, do self pay and you could be recovering in a matter of weeks. There are low to 0 interest medical financing plans, and you can even pay those bills with an HSA or FSA card. It all depends on your financial situation and patience. I totally understand your disappointment, I felt the same way when I found out it wasn't covered under my insurance. I had determined the VSG was the right path for me and had my hopes up, and was crushed. I didn't want to wait any longer, and self pay was the best option.

Don't overthink it. You will be concentrating on getting your fluids and protein in. Walk around as much as you can to shift the gas pains. Sleep when you are not doing any of these things. Drinking different temperatures can help. Your second week is so much easier. Everyone gets nervous, we are human and are built to fear the unknown. The hospital staff will put you at ease. Good luck

Hydration, walking, and protein. That’s pretty much all you need to know! Have a variety of sugar free drinks, broth, and popsicles at home, every ounce counts and your body needs it! Some people (including myself) struggle with drinking plain water right after surgery so having the variety definitely helped. My surgeon wanted two 20 minute walks a day as soon as I went home. When the weather was bad I went to Walmart, Kohl’s, or target to do some laps so that I could get 20 minutes of walking in. Protein shakes and yogurt were about all I had for the first two weeks, so maybe pick out a few different kinds so that it doesn’t get monotonous. Best of luck!!

The thing is, your pouch is tiny. Bread expands. It's a struggle to get all your protein in, when you're just eating meat. Adding bread to your pouch is going to take up all the room and you won't be able to eat your protein. Protein is vital for healing. Eat your meat first. Then your vegetables. If you still have room, then you can have your bite of bread. I'm 4.5 months out and I still won't eat fluffy bread. I'll eat half a slice of Lavash bread, or a small tortilla, but not an actual slice of bread. It just takes up too much room. We're now eating to nourish and fuel our bodies. Yes, food should taste good and be pleasurable, but we aren't eating for pleasure anymore. We're eating with purpose, now.

Try not to focus on future eating. Take it a day at a time, follow your meal plan and get your fluids in. Getting your protein and water in will be your focus for a while. Stick to your plan.

this is EXTREMELY NORMAL. you will have plateaus all through your journey. Follow your meal plan don't skip meals, get your protein AND water.

I had sleeve surgery 12/19. I have only lost 35 lb. I now weigh 195. I am definitely losing inches for I am down to sizes. But I am not losing weight! I am becoming frustrated that it is taking so long. I am extremely tired I continue to drink a lot of protein shakes and protein but I do not exercise. I am so tired after work. I am just concerned that I am not losing weight. But happy I am losing inches.

So mine has started and I'm miserable. I don't want anything. My headache is so bad it's insane. They say 5 to 6 servings I can maybe stomach 3 . Water has been my best friend so far. And I know the Protein is important I wish we could skip it though tbh all together cause ugh. 😩 wish me better luck on day 3 cause right now this is a nightmare.

Ugh same. I've only been able to get 2 protein shakes down and 2 to 3 waterbottles and I'm now on day 3 writing this. It's 4:51am right now and I can't go back to bed. Head still kills and I got to work til the 10th to make sure I have all the money I need. I can't stop thinking to myself how is this possible. Why out of all the vids out there did they not tell us this stuff? It's always It's hard cause you can't eat. What about this?! I'm wondering if I could get a doctor's not just in case cause ugh I just want to sleep it away. First day I slept from 530pm to 1030am. Ugh it sucks. I hope it's as worth it as everyone says.

4. Daisy cottage cheese, single serve, plain - 17g protein. Can be mixed with fruits of your choice or nuts. 5. Members Mark mesquite grilled chicken fillets from Sam's club - airfryed and eaten with salad, 21g protein for 3oz or more, depending on its size.

1. Premier Protein Chocolate Almond Cereal (it is actually whey protein isolate flakes), it contains 20g protein in one cup of it. I like to mix it with Failife Nutrition chocolate shake (30g of protein). 2. Premier Protein Pancakes (I bought it in Sam's club) - I like it either with crunchy peanut butter or sugar-free raspberry jelly. 3. Oikos Pro yogurt (20g protein).