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Three days for me. Four for you. Honestly, I am freaking out a little. I am glad to have the holidays to distract me somewhat. Pre-op diet has been insanely hard for me. I discovered I am very sensitive to sucralose. Then I figured out I was having problems with whey protein. Honestly, I feel better when I don't try to eat at all right now. I know this isn't great for me, so I have been forcing down broths with collagen while I wait for my unflavored pea protein to show up. Overall, I have done well on my pre-op diet, even with the hurdles. I think it has prepared me for what is sure to be a challenging post-op period. I did have a food dream last night. In my dream I ate something really yummy (can't remember what) and the surgeon cancelled my sleeve. It was bad, not a relief, so I am confident I am doing the right thing for me. Today and tomorrow are Christmas activities. And then on the 26th, I am packing my bag for the hospital. Ack. I will try to update you all as soon as I can. Best wishes to all of you!

I was told to add milk, nuts or cheese to increase calories as they all help with proteins too. There are many times when I am still not hungry, especially if I am travelling or busy. I always carry a protein bar in my bag for these days. If I am home then a protein yogurt has enough protein in to substitute for the skipped meal. A handful of nuts are easy to eat and are calorific My team would like me to up my calories to 1200 now so I mostly do it but twice this pre Christmas week, I have been so busy that I have failed both protein and calorie quotas. I feel my energy drop if I do this too.

Mini Pita pizza! 211cals, 22g of protein. Highly recommend the Joseph's brand for the pita. So soft & delicious

Don't get discouraged! I felt that way too just prior to starting my pre-op. I was on the liquids for two weeks prior to surgery, I went through the thanksgiving holiday on liquids and I made it, you can too!! Just focus on your goal. I did a lot of praying to get me through that phase. I had my surgery on Nov 29th and so far things have been working out fine. I am now at the soft food stage and the liquids are but a memory. My focus now is making sure i am eating healthy foods with protein and getting my fluids in, you can do this!!!

As the clock ticks down to surgery day, I'm wondering if those of you who are post-op or are in the maintenance phase have favorite bariatric cookbooks or recipe blogs that you recommend. I see Amazon has some great bariatric cookbooks, specifically bariatric air fryer cookbooks, which I'm excited about in order to reduce cooking my protein in oil/butter. TIA! Sent from my Pixel 5 using BariatricPal mobile app

My vsg was 12-19 and I am currently in the full liquid phase of the post op diet. The protein shakes fill me up so much that I can barely finish them and I use protein Gatorade zero and water to help with hydration. I haven't had any complications and I am truly grateful about that. I am also following my Dr's instructions completely but I'm nervous about the next stage because I get full so quickly after liquids alone. Best wishes for a safe surgery and recovery! Sent from my SM-G998U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah and they season the grills with bacon before cooking anything on it.The salads are good if you bring your own dressing but be careful with the cobb because of how the protein is grilled plus it comes with bacon and these crispy chip like things called potato sticks.The boiled egg and avacodo is nice tho.

Perhaps they would let you keep a bottle of better dressing there so that you can eat salads at least if you can’t bring your own meals entirely. (And maybe a ziplock with sOme lean protein to add to a salad). Or if your friends with who is cooking maybe they will cook it with the spray instead of using oils?? I know when I worked at a retirement community in the restaurant they bent the rules a little making certain to end up with an extra chicken breast since that’s all I really liked On the menu. That was years ago though and I was tiny tiny so of course everyone wanted to make sure I ate something back then. lol. Bringing food would probably be the easiest solution if they will let you. Regardless of where you go whether it’s work or play you will likely have to bring food with you the majority of the time in order to stay on track so it’s not a bad habit to get into. Depending on your usage, You may consider investing in a really good cooler if they won’t let you keep it in The fridge. I bought a yeti cooler post surgery and they are not cheap but it’s amazing. Keeps stuff cold with ice for days and for hours with just ice packs- in the car in the summer even!! The only issue I have are the size choices. I got the smallest actual cooler. The hopper I think and it’s still kinda big for a short outing but for drinks and food for the day it would probably be perfect. Regardless it easily fits bottled water standing up which is not a given with coolers. I keep a ziplock filled with crystal light packets in my purse and carry my water any time I leave the house which has probably paid for the cooler by now (I’m over a year and a half out though).

This is one of those things that you can’t fully comprehend until you experience it. Before my surgery, I read about people struggling to get enough fluids, but I thought it would be simple if I just remembered to keep sipping. Ha! It is much harder than it looks. I think most surgeons’ expectations for fluid intake are unrealistic for the first few days after surgery. I found it easier to drink warm fluids than cold, and protein hot cocoa was a necessity for protein intake in the beginning. Protein soups are also helpful.

I took Benefibre for about 5/6 months . I stopped once I was eating a wider variety of foods & larger portions. I kept on top of any constipation I had but generally found I’d go every two days. If I didn’t go by day three I’d take a stool softener. I didn’t experience any of the prolonged periods of constipation & I think the Benefibre helped to avoid that. I didn’t have any issues with using it but I only had it once a day not three times as I believe it can be taken. I added mine to 250mls of a high protein yoghurt drink. Think it’s better to add it to a liquid versus applesauce or other puréed type foods.

Haven’t baked in a while but I’ve always made most if not all the desserts at Christmas which is amusing now as I don’t usually eat sweets. Christmas is really my only exception when I’ll have a small serve. Most gets eaten thankfully but a small amount comes home. Thankfully my mum has a sweet tooth so she eats that. I promised our neighbour I’d give him any leftover cheesecake this year. If I’m hosting a gathering, I tend to focus on serving savoury foods. Friend bought a dessert the other guests ate for my last gathering & I sent her home with the leftovers. If I have to take something to somewhere I leave whatever is left with the hosts. I sometimes experience hypoglycaemia. Tried a couple of sips of orange juice when I had an episode while out early post surgery but the juice was really sweet & blah! Was given a rum ball after another attack at a store (it was Christmas 🙂). I then started to take an electrolyte drink when I went out & kept a protein bar in my bag. I have blueberries with my breakfast now & I rarely have an episode. I find even just stopping and having a cup of green tea (no sugar) has helped if I catch I coming on. Don’t know why … maybe the hydration???

I haven’t been able to keep down much protein but my doctor says that happens sometimes - when were you able to tolerate the protein drinks?

I made cream of chicken soup with dry powdered milk to add protein. Strained chicken and noodle soup, Campbell and lipton. French onion soup. Skittles zero sugar water additive.

I had Bariatric surgery to help me with portion control. While waiting for surgery in pandemic I did Noom. Lost 30# with portion control and 80% good food choices. At 8 wks post op I just started all foods. I'm testing a food each day. I was proud that I haven't had any dumping. I have not tried any high sugar. I still measure what I eat. 1/3 c protein, 1/8 c veggie but once a day it is carb and a fruit. 5 meals, every 2 hours. I just put my goals in Myfitness app to monitor my protein and calories, carbs and fat. It is not a diet anymore, a way of life. Plan to progress to 1 cup by 9 months to one year. Maintain that.

Okay so I have been following but not posting much for a little while. I have been frustrated, feeling like I don’t have much advice to offer others because I have been searching for my own answers and very embarrassed about my weigh gain. Anyways, for those of you who don’t know me, I had my surgery March 9, 2021 at 235 (5’8”). I lost pretty steadily down to 169 but then stalled for months on end until my appetite came back and I started gaining and continue to gain. I have been struggling uphill while searching for answers ever since. The bariatric team blames my psyc meds but the prescribing dr claims they are weight neutral meds. My family dr agrees and showed me an article about the cravings they cause but he ordered thyroid and diabetes tests too which came back fine but I continue to gain so I made an appointment with an endocrine doctor thanks to a few people on here who suggested it. I finally just seen the endo doc and My cortisol was elevated on the suppression test so I just completed the two day saliva test which hopefully will bring some more answers but what they have said so far is that it’s probably sub clinical cushings which takes a while to confirm. I thought about waiting until I had more info but they said it will be another two or three weeks for these results and I may need more tests after that. I guess MY diagnosis is not really the point anyways. My point is I have recently learned of three things that could be the culprit of my weight that were never tested before surgery and I wonder why they don’t mention these tests pre surgery. I mean They are simple blood tests. I even googled to see why the cushings thing isn’t investigated since it doesn’t resolve with bariatric surgery and all I could find was one article that said it is of course suggested if you present with any of the classic symptoms but in terms of a blanket requirement for people considering bariatric surgery this person felt it unnecessary because it’s not extremely common. I guess maybe that’s the view of my doctor too but I sure wish I was presented with the option at least. I am just curious whether these are things that are tested or even brought up by other people doctors prior to surgery or what others think about whether they should be. And perhaps to give some people things they can investigate first if they are on the fence about surgery. I just feel like the surgery was never going to work for me because it seems likely that the root of my issue is still there. I am maintaining SOME of the loss but according to what I understand about what I have read so far, left untreated I will steadily continue to gain. I know this is still up in the air and not a super common thing regardless but I can’t be the only one struggling with this pre or post surgery and I hope my experience can help someone else struggle just a little less cause watching everyone around me try to be polite as I slowly put the weight back on has felt even worse than being obese was to begin with. I am trying to hang In there for answers and give myself grace but it’s hard to not feel like a failure as I continue to gain and everyone now knows I had surgery and of course I have to wonder if I blew my one shot at surgery because I am doing these tests after instead of before surgery. Regardless, if you are someone who doesn’t really make a ton of poor food choices but just eats more than “normal” because you always feel hungry, consider a cortisol test before surgery. I wish I had.

I was told by my dr this morning if your hitting all your goals for water fiber will help the texture of it to make you go most smoothly but if your hitting your water goals and still having issues to add fiber into your water/protein water

I've worked at Denny's for over a year now and I've worked in other restaurants as well.I grew up eating Denny's with my grandparents and its always been a comfort.I absolutely love working in the food service realm.I love cooking,serving,hosting it sucks sometimes but at the end of the day I love it! Well...Loved it.I can't imagine how I'm gonna be able to work much longer there- I mean when my parents cook its absolute torture everything smells so good but at least for the most part its relatively healthier than a restaurant and I'll be able to have solid foods in 7-8 weeks.At Denny's though everything has margarine,sugar and fat even the chicken is grilled in margarine.I don't think i'd have enough self control being around that kinda food all the time.Employees can get free soda while they work and the occasional prank call to-go order leaves food up for grabs.Maybe my opinion will change as my healing and journey progresses but as of right now I'm quite nervous.Majority of the food there will likely cause any bariatric patient dumping syndrome. Not even the salads are safe with the fat and sugar content in the dressings and the most protein packed things are made with margarine which is not measured out.I know I could not eat anything there but when you work nights like I do you rarely wanna go home and cook something not to mention sometimes its so busy you can't even eat and 4-5 hours with not eating is a no bueno coming from my surgeon.At this point it just seems extremely risky.

I've worked at Denny's for over a year now and I've worked in other restaurants as well.I grew up eating Denny's with my grandparents and its always been a comfort.I absolutely love working in the food service realm.I love cooking,serving,hosting it sucks sometimes but at the end of the day I love it! Well...Loved it.I can't imagine how I'm gonna be able to work much longer there- I mean when my parents cook its absolute torture everything smells so good but at least for the most part its relatively healthier than a restaurant and I'll be able to have solid foods in 7-8 weeks.At Denny's though everything has margarine,sugar and fat even the chicken is grilled in margarine.I don't think i'd have enough self control being around that kinda food all the time.Employees can get free soda while they work and the occasional prank call to-go order leaves food up for grabs.Maybe my opinion will change as my healing and journey progresses but as of right now I'm quite nervous.Majority of the food there will likely cause any bariatric patient dumping syndrome. Not even the salads are safe with the fat and sugar content in the dressings and the most protein packed things are made with margarine which is not measured out.I know I could not eat anything there but when you work nights like I do you rarely wanna go home and cook something not to mention sometimes its so busy you can't even eat and 4-5 hours with not eating is a no bueno coming from my surgeon.At this point it just seems extremely risky.

Don't wanna change the topic but now I'm having like a fluttering heart when I move sometimes and It's like that feeling you get when your eyes roll back- like if you roll your eyes to far but more intense.I'm wondering if I'm low on iron I'm not supposed to take any supplements until tomorrow.I thought it was dumping syndrome at first and I just jinxed myself but I never got sick or had abdomen cramps or anything like that.I'm gonna give my surgeons office a call when they open just to be sure.I've also been extremely tired and not very hungry I've been trying to set alarms to get up and have more protein and move. I have about an 8 ounce protein shake 2-4 times a day depending on what other foods I eat that have protein.Hopefully this problem is solved or goes away soon.

I’m three yrs 7 months post surgery. I’m about 3lbs heavier then my lowest weight (2 of which are above from where I initially settled). I eat about 1400 calories a day & don’t really exercise apart from from resistance exercises, sit ups & stretches (wouldn’t burn 30 calories 😁). I am pretty careful with what I eat & there are certain foods I don’t eat or eat very rarely. Some are foods that don’t sit well in my tummy like bread, pasta, rice, quinoa, cous cous & starchy vegetables. Others are things I’ve realised I feel better without like sweet foods. I don’t eat fast food like burgers & rarely eat takeaway like Chinese, Japanese or Thai - only with others & make careful choices. I don’t consider this a diet but just how I eat. Some may think I’m fairly restricted in what I eat but it’s only with certain things & I don’t feel I’m missing out on anything. I still have cravings - salty foods are my challenge - but I understand the why & the when behind them like craving salt after I eat yoghurt (🤷🏻‍♀️). Sometimes I surrender though I’ll have some salted macadamia nuts, a couple of multigrain rice crackers (carefully as they’re a slider food) or roll some cucumber in salt. I changed some of my cooking styles & use have incorporated some alternative ingredients & more if others. Like I use an air fryer or oven more & incorporate more lentils, pearl barley & beans than I did before. I don’t track as such but I do random checks of portions, calories & nutrients. I still keep a close eye on protein, because I have an absorption issue, & on my water intake. I weigh myself a couple of times a week just to keep myself on track & honest. A lot of how you manage your maintenance into the future is a personal thing. My body, how it works & what it needs, is different to yours. My lifestyle will be different. How I want to live my life & the demands on it is likely different too. And you may be more or less active than me. Health, age, etc. are a considerations too. So how I choose to eat may not work for you or for anyone else. Same with the other changes & choices I’ve made. Best advice is to experiment with different eating styles & cooking styles, introduce new foods, reintroduce old favourites, etc. & see how you go. It just need to be sustainable, complementary to your lifestyle & you’re happy & healthy.

Good Luck, my revision to bypass is on Friday 12/23 ......I'm so excited. I have to do 3 protein shakes a day, I do 2 ready made and make my own shake for lunch in my Ninja blender. Add Better than Bullion to my broths for better taste and I like Sugar free chocolate Ice pops. Since I do not like water I'm adding Cold Enhancers to my 64oz jug which are pretty good and I drink Zero Cherry flavored Gatorade and Propel water......I'm 195 today and Goal weight is 145lbs.

Oh yea, not an option for the tummy tuck!

I asked my surgeon at preoperative and he said it was an option. I never did use it. But will for tummy tuck.

HI Everyone, I'm relatively new here but hoping someone might be able to help provide me some guidance. I'm 7 weeks post op and been nauseous since week 3 but the nausea has gotten worse. I've been suspecting a stricture but my surgeon does not believe it. While I can get water and food down, it feels like sits in my stomach forever and I have nausea every time I eat. The other night, I tried upping what I ate because I'm not getting enough protein. Mind you, I ate slow and small amounts. I was super nauseous that night and all day yesterday. Now every time I eat or drink anything, my stomach is gurgling. Especially with water, like it's trying to get through stuck food sitting in my stomach. My surgeon is on maternity leave and won't be back until February, so I'm going to see another surgeon in her office (that doesn't do bariatric surgery but acid reflux surgery) on Tuesday of next week. Can you tell me if an upper GI would diagnose a stricture? I've also thought it could be an ulcer but I don't have much pain, just nausea. Any thoughts would be great! I'm so miserable right now and at that "I wish I had not done this" stage. : (. Thanks. Laura

I added milk (dry powdered) to scrambled eggs to keep the moisture in them and add protein. I didnt eat them until soft food stage. Puree stage everything went through my blender and liquids added to make as runny as applesauce. Meatloaf, curry chicken salad, Jimmy Dean egg fritatta with bacon. 1/4 cup.