Search the Community

I started my pre op diet today. It's not bad. I think because lately I haven't been eating that much anyways. But the protein shakes omg they are sweeter than I last remembered. I had atkins creamy cinnamon swirl and premiere chocolate peanut butter shakes so far. I had the cake batter one and that tastes really sweet and leave an after taste. Plus they are making my stomach ache a little bit. The powdered protein shakes I feel like that sit with my stomach better and I'm not really sure why? On my diet, I'm allowed a healthy dinner. Which consists of lean protein and non starchy vegetables. I'm allowed to have a serving of lite salad dressing. I'm actually not hungry either. But I'm slacking with getting the shakes in. I planned everything out for the day and I missed 2 servings of fluid and a 3rd protein shake so far. Yikes! Hopefully tomorrow is better

SO frustrating when you did so well up to that FMO! I am also good on weekdays, lax at weekends and I also drink alcohol at weekends but I'm maintaining at this point. Could you go back to something more like your post op diet? Protein first (so important I find) fruit and veg next, carbs a very last last? And track track track - you know it works. Focus on the 3 months you have to lose some more before that check up. I wish you the very best of luck 💪

Try the unflavored protein, protein waters or Gatorade zero protein and the Isopure fruit protein mixes. The protein waters and fruit mixes have a chemically after taste, but if you use some crystal light and mix it in, it tastes better.

You can try mixing in the unflavored Isopure shake with the premier and a little bit of milk, it will make it less sweet and amp up the protein in it.

I started my pre op diet today. It's not bad. I think because lately I haven't been eating that much anyways. But the protein shakes omg they are sweeter than I last remembered. I had atkins creamy cinnamon swirl and premiere chocolate peanut butter shakes so far. I had the cake batter one and that tastes really sweet and leave an after taste. Plus they are making my stomach ache a little bit. The powdered protein shakes I feel like that sit with my stomach better and I'm not really sure why? On my diet, I'm allowed a healthy dinner. Which consists of lean protein and non starchy vegetables. I'm allowed to have a serving of lite salad dressing. I'm actually not hungry either. But I'm slacking with getting the shakes in. I planned everything out for the day and I missed 2 servings of fluid and a 3rd protein shake so far. Yikes! Hopefully tomorrow is better

Hi all, I'm new here. My surgery date for the gastric sleeve has been scheduled for 02/28/2023. I'm extremely nervous and second guessing my decision. I have been trying different protein powders and shakes and most of them make me sick. I worry that if this is how I'm reacting to these prior to surgery that It will be worst after surgery. Any suggestions?

I know right they’re so sweet it’s like, make a savory one to offset the sweet one I spoke to my nutritionist and they said I could strain soups too and they also said I can do less sodium instead of low because low is unbearable

Yes its normal, there is fibre in the protein shakes. Plus you are taking psyllium husk 3 times a day which is more fibre. This bulks out your stools and I hope it explains things for you.

We have a confirmed date of February 20th! Today was day 1 of my liquid diet. So far, so good!! Breakfast was plain oatmeal with a little protein shake in it for flavor (Premier Protein- chocolate peanut butter) and the rest of that shake. Lunch was a Dannon Light & Fit Strawberry Cheesecake yogurt. In between I've had about 4 oz beef broth and some Peach Tea Crystal Light. Still fighting to finish my second shake (Cake Batter). I'm finding it tough because everything that has any consistency is so sweet. Just gonna have to try harder. Any tips are appreciated!

I can tell based on your posts this is of great preoccupation. It might be beneficial to discuss these feelings with a therapist. Did/Do you have the same anxiety about the health risks associated with being overweight? Heart failure, blood clots among them as well. If you’re looking at the studies you’ve also surely seen the risk of complication is extremely low when looked at as a percentage of all patients who have weight loss surgery. Remember that the Quantitative data is much more reliable. Im sure your surgery center has given you specific care and nutritional instruction including daily active minutes, grams of Protein, Oz of Water. All those instructions are tailored specifically to help you avoid complications. Other than speaking with a therapist the other thing you can do is channel this anxious into following their nutritional and care instructions to the letter to set yourself up for greatest success. And do make sure your sleeping and not googling all night. Rest is essential to healing. It’s normal to have some anxiety but don’t let it consume you. 

Well day 7 into my liquid pre-op diet. (Bypass on 2/14) I find I go through waves of I got this and I am so effing hungry I could eat a shoe. Overall going ok I guess though. So glad I was told I could season my own broth though as long as it was strained to just be the liquid. Protein shakes are just made too overtly sweet man. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am feeling the exact same way! I had my band removed and a gastric sleeve procedure last Tuesday, 1/31 and it has been SO difficult getting through these days and I still have 7 more! I fluctuate between being starving and feeling too full to even drink any protein. I had SEVERE lethargy two days ago and that has subsided somewhat. I'm no where NEAR ready to exercise but I do a walk around the block each day and I do a lap around the house each hour (using my apple watch "stand" reminder). I pureed cottage cheese and added it to cream of tomato soup and had that today and felt reborn! Good luck!!!

At this stage my nutrition team has advised no grains aside from our Proteins we’ve been allotted one fruit serving and two non-root vegetables. We’ll see if they allow my to add a complex carb first when they reply, if sp I’ll keep this in mind. Thank you!! 

When I was running into similar problems - not specifically light headedness, but an energy wall - after about an hour in the pool, my RD at the time suggested that a common recommendation for pre workout is something that his relatively high in complex carbohydrate, moderate in protein, and low to moderate in fats. Extra protein ahead of time did not do much by my experimenting, but that bit of extra complex carb did - it allowed me to break through that wall. It seems that with the complex carb, you will get that extra bit of insulin lift an hour or two after consumption, so that helps to fill in the energy gap you get at that time; at least it worked for me. I also didn't find that I needed it on days that I was only doing weight work, even when that lasted 90 min or so, only on swimming days. YMMV. For convenience, I ultimately settled on a small meat and cheese sandwich, with a good quality multigrain bread (or toasted.) That may or may not fit with your needs at two months out (I was about four months out when I was playing with this.) IIRC, my now RD nephew used to use some of the original CLIF bars that had a similar profile for this, so that may be something to look into. But that rough macro profile seemed to be the main trick - more fat or protein didn't do much for me, but the complex carb did (and I was never agonizingly low carb to begin with.) Calorically, it was mostly just a reshuffling of what I was already consuming, just rescheduled. Your plan at this time is somewhat limiting, but maybe some high fiber fruit - berries or the like - as the complex carb may do it, Talk to your RD, as you may get some adjustments to your allowance to accommodate your needs - this would not be unusual for those who are more active than average, as the plans are written with the averages in mind. Good luck, and have fun, but also don't overdo it - it's easy to do, particularly with trainers!

I recently started supplementing my daily cardio with weight training - I am seeing a personal trainer now two mornings a week, I noticed in the personal trainer sessions I’m getting lightheaded. I don’t experience the same lightheadedness during intensive (Zone 4-5) swim or other cardio workouts. Im pretty confident this lightheadedness is an issue of properly fueling myself for a weight training workout. THE ASK: I’m looking for suggestions of what I can eat in the morning ahead of training to better fuel myself to prevent lightheadedness . Secondarily I’m also generally interested in what you all eat prior to workouts. - My current routine includes a Premier Protein and a protein2O energy at 75 mins and 30 mins before a workout as well as at least 8oz Water. -  I’m 2 months post-sleeve and my nutrition plan at this stage allows only the following in addition to our protein: 1 serving of fruit and 2 servings of non-root vegetables.  Additional background: Before you suggest the below I’m already aware of, actively monitoring, and confident these things are not to blame: - Im well rested -it’s rare I don’t hit 8.5hrs/night. - I’m getting easily over 72oz of hydration daily - I’m averaging between 80-100 protein/day. - I was active before my surgery and have worked with trainers and weight training extensively in the past - the work I’m doing is not new to me. For example in the year before surgery I’ve deadlifted over 250lbs. **** I’ve also reached out to my nutrition team with this query but was interested especially in hearing from anyone else who has experienced and overcame this.****

I'd check to see if they can put you on something else. There's so many birth control med options that I'm sure there are some that don't have those effects. I was on one once that made me really depressed - and I'm not a depressive person. My PCP put me on a different pill, and the depression lifted after about a week.

Congrats on your surgery. I did have the sharp pain when coughing but I have pooped everyday since surgery, I'm a creature of habit so I go every day at the same time, grabted now I have to sit for 30min to make sure all is out. You seem to be doing better than me with the protein at 4 days out, my main concern was water then after week 1 was having protein too. Sent from my SM-G960U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey everyone! ♡ Found this site in my many moments of Googler panic searches. Lol! Decided to join as everyone seems so dang wisdomous. [emoji14] Anywho! My timeline made easy ... ________________ ●Surgery, Thursday, February 2nd, 2023: In the recovering room, I remember being in so much pain I puked up blood some .. they doped me on pain killer and I woke up in the stay room later [emoji38] ________________ ●Friday morning: Started to pee and burp in the recovery room. Walked the halls so much that all the staff Kept commenting on it. Think I did 1/3 a mile that morning Kept all my pills and delicious Protein packs with Gelatin down. Total sarcasm. Taste yuck. All the while I've got major major pain in my right side, belly button area, neck, and shoulders.. they say it's all the gas. Hence I'm walking a lot Then I was released that day around. Haven't pooped yet. ________________ ●Home Friday evening: Even more pain. Face scrunched, pausing in time pain. I guess I hate gas [emoji38]. Lounge in the recliner. I set timers for walking once an hour, and Protein every 15 minutes. Medicine as needed and instructed. Breathing 3x an hour, etc. Still no gas or poop. Developed an itchy back of throat cough that makes my incisions burn like crazy. Lips flaky and dry Sleeve blush. I look cute I guess [emoji8] Nightly shower plus foot compressing kneading machine. ________________ ●Saturday: Finally farted at 3 am! Was such a feat I texted everybody. [emoji1787] proceed to fart like 7x that morning.. Threw up liquid Tylenol. Swapped to pill form. The pain subsides greatly but still sharp pains as it's reforming. Walking is much easier. My throat sore all morning. Guessing the scope? Still no poop. started my dang period. Of all the times. So now pms plus recovery. [emoji22] [emoji24] Nightly shower plus foot compressing kneading machine. ________________ ●Sunday: Everything is about the same. Many said 3rd day is the hardest but I felt much better personally. Perhaps I was all superwoman with pmsing symptoms plus surgery.. that once I was releasing gas I felt great. [emoji38] [emoji1787] Still no pooping. Following regime great. Pop cough drops for annoying itchy throat. Got sugar-free hard candy to suck on. Yay taste. However, feeling more tired. The pains are even sharper when my stomach attacks me out of nowhere though. Can only guess that's the poo forming I'm not sure. Napped for almost 2 hours which threw me off my Protein intake. Chapped flaky lips finally cleared back up. My throat is no longer sore. Nightly shower plus foot compressing kneading machine. Moved to the bed to finally sleep in it. ________________ ●Monday: Today! Getting up from laying on my side burns a little. Felt major pressure on my back door. I POOPED! A little. Looks like a dog kibble soaked in water..But I did it. I was worried I'd have to go in soon if I didn't. Pain overall is greatly subsided. I still get brief sharp center belt pains. Then afterwards I feel like I need to fart. Energy is pretty good so far. Finally able to hit 2500 on the spirometer! About 2hrs later I had a full BM! ________________ Will keep this updated! ((Does anyone share similarities??)) *~☆AnxiousMommy☆~*

Sorry to re-open an old thread but wanted to add some info for those who might search on this topic. I started experiencing this about 5-6 months after a sleeve-to-bypass revision. It's bad enough that my PCP put me on a continuous glucose monitor (Freestyle Libre 3) so I can monitor it and learn my patterns. I'm now 12 months post surgery and the issue is a daily concern. For breakfast I usually only have something light with very low carbs. If I eat any carbs at all at lunch, even a slice of bread, I have a crash about 90 minutes to 2 hours after eating. I've found that if I eat carbs at lunch I can solve the issue if I have a protein bar about 90 minutes after eating. I like the Pure Protein bars with 20g protein and about 180-200 calories, as they work well. I just try to account for these calories in my daily eating plan. I've also used glucose tablets, fruit juice or a piece of candy, but anything high in sugar it just starts a cycle of my glucose bouncing high and low in kind of a ping pong effect. Eating the protein bar settles my glucose and I'm good until dinner. I rarely experience issues after having an evening meal even if it has carbs. This has turned out to be quite challenging to deal with, and is really the only side effect of the surgery that I've experienced. I'm still better off than before the surgery but wish I could find a way to eliminate this issue.

This is perfectly normal. You’ve just undergone a pretty major surgery & your recovering & healing. Listen to your body. If it says rest or nap, have a rest or have a nap. (Wish I could still justify an afternoon nap 😁.) How long this current lack of energy will last as it will depend upon how you heal & recover. And you may have another period of low energy in a couple of months - it’s our body getting used to the changes. Try adding an electrolyte drink to your fluid roster. Try to get your fluids & protein in. It may be difficult to begin but keep working at it. It does get easier & you will feel stronger & have more energy as you progress. All the best.

Well I'm 4 days post op! Zero issues with hydration and protein. 80 0z liquids so far today and 65 grams of protein. Never had "sharp pain" but felt like I had an ab workout from hell that I'm still trying to get over the soreness lol. No nausea. No diarrhea. No leaks. No complications. Had surgery at 10 am the 1st and headed home around 9am the next morning. No issues with my chewable vitamins. No horror stories of gad pains from the lapo. Was belching day of surgery, passing gas by day 3, first BM day 4. Taking miralax each morning, mixed w Gatorade zero. Taking just Tylenol, still have two "pain pills" just in case. Drove my car today! No temp or taste issues. I feel super grateful my luck so far! Down 11.6 lbs but I'm assuming IV fluids weight is alot of that number. I have 6 incisions like the first photo. The bruised one is the one they place the stapler through. Sent from my SM-F721U using BariatricPal mobile app

2/17 here as well!!!! I have a 2 prior day liquid diet and started lean protein, veggies, fruit and water on Feb. 3. I’ll check in with you post surgery.

Stick to your pre-op diet best possible. It might be hard, but after surgery all those cravings go away really quickly. Weight loss feels controlled, stable, and predictable. The first week I was tired and had discomfort from gas in my body cavity that felt intense but was gone at the end of week. I spent much on the first week in bed resting. The second week post surgery was my stomach acid week I’d wake up at 5am and feel like I had a belly full of acid. Not super painful, just annoying and that symptom went away at the end of week two. I was back to work and up and about week 2 but sleep early or naps in the afternoon. Week 3 is when my progress allowed me to move on the soft Proteins. What was most noticeable this week is that occasionally I would get extremely dizzy with the room spinning. I realized this was due to seasonings or Condiments with minimal sugars but the first sugars I had experienced since surgery. Those first 2-3 grams of sugar /food iwould cause my my insulin to over compensate and my blood sugar would drop real low. That happened for about a week and a half 1-2 times a day and then my body adjusted and I haven’t experienced it since.   I also experienced a bit of nausea at this time as I tried new foods and learned to slow down eating but never have actually threwup. I’m two months out now. Only remaining symptom is light fatigue and occasional nausea as a reaction to eating something new or eating to fast. But it’s super tolerable and not as bad as it might sound. ALL OF THIS TO SAY: some of the initial symptoms may seem miserable or annoying in the moment while your body is adjusting to your surgery, but understand most of them will pass in a week or so they aren’t there for the long term. Be kind to yourself, allow yourself to rest, and focus on your Protein and hydration above all else. You got this!

I had my surgery February 2nd and today is February 5th! Only 3 days postop. The day of surgery barely remember, to be honest, I was released the next day. I've been able to keep my fluids down, only Saturday morning is the one time I've vomited, but that was right after I filled my stomach with pills, and went to drink my protein crap they sent me home with. I can't handle that taste at allllll. I mix it up now, almond milk with the shakes, ramen noodle broth, sugar free water, etc! Sent from my SM-A136U using BariatricPal mobile app

Too much sucrose gives me fast heart rate, a malaise feeling for about hour. It's not pleasant but it isn't that bad. So for example, 1/2 cup of cereal, no problem. One cup risks one hour of fast heart rate. I don't get any side effects with fructose, lactose or anything else. So no limit on fructose (can eat fruit all day), lactose, starches, fiber, protein or fats.