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I'm with you! I had to ask my nutritionist if I should quit exercising since it is less than 700 calories a day of mostly protein. I was definitely fatigued and experiencing headaches the first few days but it does seem to get better. I have had to leave the kitchen every time the family cooks a full meal or bakes holiday goodies. Sent from my Pixel 5 using BariatricPal mobile app

It's amazing to me how different the pre-op liver shrinking diets are from place to place. I'm on a 14-day liver shrinking diet that includes two high protein (30g) and a low carb (<30 g) shakes and then one extremely small meal with balanced macros. I'm just finishing day 6 and I would be lying if I said I wasn't hungry or dreaming about carbs. Sent from my Pixel 5 using BariatricPal mobile app

It's my cousin lol And I'm posting everything here that she said for me to do so anyone who wants to do it, can. I'm also drinking Propel electrolyte water, gatorade zero with protein, and I use Arbonne pre workout Arbonne muscle recovery. And long, hot showers after lol I'm used to working out a lot, but these are INTENSE!!!

I know it is quite a bit later for this answer but I just spoke with my dietician about this same thing. She suggested Orgain and Naked Whey for protein sources that do not have sucralose (I figured out I am sensitive to it). Orgain uses erythritol and stevia. Naked whey has actual cane sugar, so might want to double check if it fits your program.

Congrats! wish you the best. My weight loss did slow once I added food and stopped the complete protein drinks. Having said that, I'm 64, have restricted movement and had insulin resistance. So, I had a lot of thigs to work against. Still losing, but its abut 5 pounds a month.

Thanks everyone, I’m still pleased with what weight loss I’ve had already and I know everyone is different so shouldn’t compare to others but seems like everyone’s loss has been greater so just want to make sure it seems like I’m on track. Fully aware I won’t loose 60lbs overnight haha! only just moved onto soft food (no puree stage) been on liquid for 4 weeks. I’m tracking what I’ve started to eat on my fitness pal it’s still only circa 700/800 cals a day as portions and Snacks are small, getting my 60g Protein and Water intake as per my plan so everything seems on track for what I’m supposed to be doing. I feel great in myself - started to incorporate walking daily - I know I’m still early days so only time will tell 😊

Hello and welcome in this forum. I weighed in, heavier than you. I lost 15lbs during my 3 week pre op. Then 27lbs in the first month. So you seem on track to me. What kind of foods are you eating and are you tracking your proteins and calories ? Everyone has a different weight loss journey and its not a great idea to compare with others. Medications, age, height and medical issues are different with each person. This leads to different weight loss. Also how much you can walk or exercise can benefit weight loss.

Congratulations! We all have different tastes. And like @kcuster83 says, don't stock up before surgery, because your tastes might change. Mine sure did. After surgery, I could only drink the Fairlife shakes. I bought a case of the Premier Protein Chocolate Mint shakes to make ice cream with. They're pretty good. I don't really drink shakes anymore - I'm pretty much on to real food now. Really, I only drink a shake if we have to be in the car and it's time for me to eat and I don't feel like bringing actual food.

Thank you all for your feedback. I have noticed that they are more excessively dry after drinking a premier protein for breakfast and lunch. They are a tad chalky and it makes sense they would try out my lips. Sent from my Pixel 5 using BariatricPal mobile app

Not sure about this one? Unlike most of the rest of your skin, your lips have no oil glands, meaning they don't rely on sebum for lubrication. I do think there could be something to the comments above related to protein drinks, especially if you find yourself licking your lips more. (Excess saliva can actually cause chapped lips.) In addition, this could also be due to nutrient deficiencies. If you're not currently taking a multivitamin, a lack of B vitamins can lead to dry, chapped lips.

I feel your pain! I seems to hit long plateaus and they are frustrating. I saw that although the scale wasn’t moving in those weeks - my body was changing, clothes were still getting smaller, skin was firming or readjusting - so that was nice to see! I noticed my calories and protein were on the low side because I’m struggling with amounts I can eat but when I can bump those calories and protein up some, I would notice a loss. Keep up the good work! We can do this!! :)

Regular texture food stage starts today, but I will stick with fish since I made 2 filets that will be like 3 meals lol. I'm allowed to go up an oz of food if I need to and can handle but I found my happy spot. I fly out of the country tomorrow, and have packed enough protein for a week, and will get yogurt to snack on. Had my 1st primary doc appt on Friday, blood pressure was in the normal range but still need to continue meds until she sees is stable after a few visits, lost over 20lbs since my las visit one week preop, my cholesterol went from 232 to 168 and everything else was in the normal range, even my fasting sugar was 79, when usually is in the 90s. She even checked my incisions to see how they were doing, and she will see me in 3 months to see about the bp and for my labs.

I didn't get chapped lips but did get that feeling in the lips after having the caramel protein from premier. Also, the shakes made my mouth feel really drink and I need it to drink colder water to quench my thirst and I have also been room temp water.

Doing pretty good so far. On day 5 post op. For some reason I couldn't get warm yesterday (no fever) . Went to be early with a weighted blanket. That finally warmed me up. I tried the warmed up premier protein shake yesterday (chocolate peanut butter). What a difference that made. Hope everyone is doing well.

Not quite the same, but EVERY time I drink a protein shake my lips are weird and kind of dry afterwards. Almost like they are pealing from sunburn or something. It is very strange. I am 9 months post op and drink a shake every morning for breakfast and I always have to like rub my lips with a napkin and apply chap stick afterwards and then they are fine for the day. It is so strange and I just thought I was weird so never mentioned it. haha

Excited to finally get to post on this thread. Today is the day I am making my first soft protein meal. I’ve tested the waters with a bite of lobster yesterday and a spoon of ricotta Saturday but have otherwise been on protein shakes and clear liquids since my surgery two weeks ago. I prepared a ricotta egg white omelette season with a pinch of salt, turmeric, and coriander. It went down slowly, but successfully and I’m feeling full quickly. There is definitely a significant difference between consuming food vs full liquids. Readjusting portions will certainly be a learning curve.

Today is the day I am making my first soft protein meal. I’ve tested the waters with a bite of lobster yesterday and a spoon of ricotta Saturday but have otherwise been on protein shakes and clear liquids since my surgery two weeks ago. Prior to surgery a well seasoned egg white omelette was a the most common breakfast meal for me, often with a side of Turkey sausage after my morning swims. I didn’t get to swim this morning, (at my check up last week my surgeon said I could resume this Thursday though 🤗) , but I prepared a ricotta egg white omelette season with a pinch of salt, turmeric, and coriander. So far it’s going down slow and I’m feeling full quickly. I think I’ll probably put half away for tomorrow’s breakfast. Readjusting portions will certainly be a learning curve.

My surgery center has a nearly all liquid liver-shrinking diet for 14 days, but it is causing me the worst chapped lips. I've been drinking 82 - 124 oz of water and it's getting worse. Has anyone else experienced ultra dry skin & lips during the pre-op diet? Diet : Water - 48 oz. minimum Breakfast - 30 g protein shake <5 carbs Lunch - 30 g protein shake <5 carbs Dinner - light meal: 3-6 oz lean protein, <30 carbs, non-starchy vegetable, 2 servings of healthy fat spread throughout day non-starchy vegetables are unlimited throughout the day. Sent from my Pixel 5 using BariatricPal mobile app

Congrats! How exciting for you. I remember counting the days. It is an exciting time for you. Ahh I'm not really into protein shakes, I do really like Kola protein, RTD plant protein chocolate banana and powder form, I would say nectar sweets, chocolate truffle.

My WLS is scheduled for 12/29. I started my 14-day liver shrinking pre-op diet on Thursday and the first few days were rough with headaches. I don't know why this didn't dawn on me sooner, but I've just just cancelled my Christmas plans with 24 members of my extended family to avoid getting COVID, flu, or RSV (our county/region has high rates of all 3 right now) because I don't want anything to interfere with my procedure, and I'm pretty sad about that, but I've invested too much now to have my procedure delayed. Anyone else facing similar decisions? RSV, influenza, and COVID cases are really high in my region and hospitals are already full (especially pediatric), so I'm just being extra cautious with my family. Besides, they are grazing all day and I also wondered how my 2 protein shakes and 1 very small meal was going to get me through that holiday.

Good morning, Cici. I have found that making soups, straining them, and adding the Isopure unflavored protein is saving me. Mostly I've done from scratch cream soups (last night was carrot) but I have done canned chicken noodle (strained) with protein, as well. I have tried almost all the sweet protein shakes available to me locally and don't like any of them. So, that is disappointing. If I water them down or add some almond milk, they are better. Two days until I switch to clear liquid only! I'm super nervous! I've never had surgery of any kind before so the unknown is freaking me out a little. I hope recovery is easy for all of us and we meet our goals! I will try my best to get on here and give you an update after my surgery but before yours! Do you have a time set, yet?

Update & NSV: Friday was my 4 month follow up. I weighed in at 47 pounds down from surgery and 97 pounds lost total. My clothes are getting pretty big on me but I’m trying to modify my clothes rather than buy new for as long as possible. I was helping at a school event and one of the other volunteers came up to me (who hasn’t seen me since last April) - gushing over how good I looked … saying “I almost didn’t recognize you”. I have had several people tell me that lately (many saying it’s was due to my shorter hair, I think they were embarrassed or unsure how to mention my weight-loss). Funny thing is because my loss has been gradual my family and I don’t really “see” it as much - so when people react to it, usually it’s sweet. I’m struggling getting enough calories and protein because I have some sinus drainage that make eating difficult but otherwise my dr and nutritionist think I’m on a really good track and are encouraging me to keep up the good work. I would have like to have lost more by now, but one advantage to slower loss is my skin is looking pretty good in general. I still have a lot to loose. I don’t have an ideal number set in my mind. I’ve already met all of my health related goals. In my perfect world getting down to the 100’s would be great, but as long as I’m healthy and avoid regaining… I’m happy. Having lots of plateaus which can be frustrating but with my calories being low that’s kinda expected.

Hey everyone! This is Ashley. I had surgery on October 6th and had to start my pre-op diet in the beginning of June of this year... My heaviest weight is 356 lb... The day of surgery I was at 313 lb... And as of today I am at 264 lb!!! I was so thinking excited when I hit the 90 lb mark of weight loss ! Can imagine what if you like once I lose 100 !!! My goal weight is about 180 lb. Some about 85 lb away from that goal I believe ... More than halfway there just from the pre-op diet and 2 of post-op!?! It took me a while to be more comfortable with trying new foods as I was terrified of throwing up or having dumping syndrome... I had the gastric sleeve and things have been going much better than expected! I'm able to eat very healthy but lots of different types of foods which is really exciting! I even ate a sliced apple the other day which some people can't tolerate the skin and I did create! The reason I'm reaching out to y'all is because I'm dealing with chronic constipation. The only time that I can really go to the bathroom without any pain is if I take milk of magnesia... I tried to avoid it but The 2 weeks ago after realizing I hadn't gone to the bathroom in 2 and 1/2 weeks but I had no stomach pain or anything so I totally lost track of it! I had a bowel movement " naturally" If you can even call it that took two days to get out last Sunday and Monday... It was an extremely painful experience and extremely hard to the point where put it this way. I had to plunge the toilet a couple times just to be able to get it down.... Details are gross I know but this is what this page is all about getting help for our gross details! I just now took more milk of magnesia because I haven't gone since that severely constipated situation... I have been very good about eating very healthy and drinking a lot of water and getting my protein intake. I have however unfortunately not been great at taking vitamins and keeping up with them. I ordered some more vitamins today and decided to get back on track. Even before surgery I was deficient of vitamin d very severely as well as low on iron to the point of anemia. So I'm wondering if my nausea that I've been having isn't just constipation but also vitamin deficiency and if maybe that's why I'm constipated as well... I also ordered benafiber tablets to see if that helps... Do you guys have any advice on how to go better? What do you do when it's been a few days and you haven't gone? In the past? If I don't go for three or four days pre-surgery I had to get stomach cramps and pains and things like that and that's not happening this time around. Advice is welcome. There is hope if we just stick together. I love you all so much. You are like a family to me! I look forward to your responses!! Sent from my Pixel 6 using BariatricPal mobile app

Mexican food offers refried beans. Italian offers the filling of ravioli/stuffed shells/lasagna. Indian food offers a variety of curries. With more of the chain restaurants your best option will be meatloaf (if offered), soups, or chili.

My plan doesn't have a carb restriction, but I'm supposed to eat the protein first, so often there's no room for much more. I have a hard time with simple carbs anyway, especially bread and pasta. I'll have a tiny bit of rice sometimes, and a little popcorn. I try to eat a little veggies with every meal too, which are complex carbs.