Search the Community

So my surgery was on 1.8.18, and since I have had zero appetite. I will eat somethings ( still on phase 2 full liquids and soft foods) but most of my options are sweet ( yogurt, oatmeal,pudding, jello, premier protein) with the 2 exceptions of grits and mashed potatoes. I just rather not eat and drink water then to suffer through more sweet crap. Also has anyone else noticed a stall in weightloss after 3 weeks or even a lb or 2 weight gain? My husband says I'm stressing over nothing but idk. Sent from my SM-G930P using BariatricPal mobile app

I was given the same detailed instructions but mine were very different than what I've read/seen online. I was only on clear liquids for a few days after surgery. I could have certain liquidy solids (like pudding, yogurt, cream of wheat, cream soups) a week after that, and then puréed a week after that, and right now I'm eating stuff like chicken, sausage, etc. without a problem. There's not a standard plan. I think it varies depending on your surgeon, and your progress, and your personal set of medical complications/pre-existing conditions. That's my inclination, anyway. But there's one thing that's exactly the same everywhere I've seen-- there's no going back! This is a lifestyle change. No exceptions. It does seem like some people miss the memo on that, so I see what you mean, Creekimp13.

You're welcome. My answers to those questions are thus: 1. How long did you go before having your first drink? 8 days. 2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol? None so far, but it hasn't been long for me. 3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol? Not applicable to me because I am still in the losing phase. I do feel that I would lose faster if I went absolutely dry but I will not be doing that. 4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before? I am drinking less than I was before surgery. I do not think this will be a problem for me, but again I am not that far out yet. Furthermore regarding food, I am having a similar experience, I am able to eat only about 1-2 oz (by weight) of food at meal times. So, that is hardly anything (like 3-4 bites). So intake for me is typically 2 protein shakes, yogurt and for dinner 1-2 oz of food, and water of course.

I went through a similar path. Make sure you stay on the liquids. The constipation stage was horrible for me. Brought out roids and I won't even get into that. I ended up taking daily probiotics and adding them to yogurt or pudding, and every other day had probiotics that had added fiber. I think the brand was Culturelle? I stole some from the supply for my kid - but the adult version is just taking 2 of the kid doses. I started with kid doses (one packet of powder). Just make sure you get those liquids for sure. I have heard the biggest contributor to readmissions and complications ends up being dehydration. Back in the day I would just chug a bottle or two of water and catch up, gone are those days!

1. Did your team discuss your post surgical diet with you in detail before your surgery? In detail? No. Two appointments with dietician. First was about six weeks prior and we talked about small changes I could make immediately to ease into things (slowly wean myself off Diet Pepsi, less fast food, etc). Second one was two weeks before and we discussed the basics—no straws, drinking rules, what my long term diet would look like—and I got the big binder. 2. Did your nurses go over your immediate diet with you in your hospital room? No. And I was at a center of excellence too! 3. Were all stages of your diet given to you in written form? Did you understand when to start each stage? Yes. All in my binder, but I had to seek it out and read and ask questions if i needed to. I’m a researcher so I already knew most of t and was the type to read the binder. I imagine many aren’t, there was a lot in there and quite overwhelming 4. Did anyone ever tell you not to eat or drink more than a certain number of ounces per hour? No. That does not have a role in my surgeons plan. He doesn’t set limits that way. 5. Did anyone ever tell you what could happen to you if you ate foods that you weren't approved for yet? No. 6. Were you allowed to order a meal in the hospital, and if so, what did it consist of? Order one? No, but they brought me meals of Protein Shakes, Clear Liquids, coffee (yup), yogurt, Jello, juice, fruit icees... didn’t eat ANY of it. All I got down in the hospital was a few ounces of water. Yes, a few ounces over two days. They sent me home and I immediately got dehydrated. Came back from it on my own, but it was pretty bad. 7. Did you have a clear understanding that the surgery was permanent? Yes.

Hi @loveflowers Man, you weight is coming off fast! It is so great you can get the protein shakes in. Have you tried protein soups? Hot and savoury, which makes a great change from the often-sweet shakes. And yogurt is good too - some of my earliest variety was adding flavour to plain yogurt - sweet chilli, chipotle... Your surgical team will have good advice - it does come right, but sometimes takes a little time. And the diarrhoea-then-constipation is very very common! Again, it usually comes right... Nice to see you here - the support makes all the difference...

I’m 3.5 weeks post op and I’m having nausea with anything but protein shakes or Fage yogurt. Weeks two up to three it was diarrhea. Now constipated and needing to take Zofran to curb nausea at least once a day. My nutritionist said I still need to try new foods and eat very very slowly. Anyone have advice?

pretty much lived on greek/ icelandic yogurt...

Hue everyone! I was sleeved 1/9/18. So it’s been almost 3 weeks. Things have been great until now- I just want some feedback on what other people think about the below based on their experiences * my energy was good until 2 days ago. I’m thinking the lack of food and calories is finally taking its toll. I’m struggling to get all of my protein in lately because I’m all of a sudden adverse to protein shakes. They make me gag so I’m relying on cottage cheese to get my protein in. Any suggestions? I’m struggling waking up, I need naps and I go to bed at 8...pretty lazy in between and this is SO unlike me. * I’m in the purée phase- have 2 more weeks left and the only thing I can stomach is cottage cheese, yogurt, hummus and clear liquids. Any ideas for good food recipes puréed? * my weight loss has stalled this past week. Once again I think it has to do with lack of calories- so little to burn so the above thoughts may solve this. * Lasty, i can eat a whole 4 oz of purée at a sitting without issue. Could you guys eat this much? (The reason I’m struggling with the amount of protein is because after I eat this I am not hungry and forgot/don’t want to eat for hours). I would just love to hear how things went for you guys on this. Maybe this will all go away once I can eat soft food??? Thanks! Ash

Okay, I had been down to 280, goal of 220. Due to some very depressing life situations as well as a stint in jail and then a move and.....basically, I was failing hard. I haven't even done the blood work in nearly a decade, and I was eating so unhealthy and not taking vitamins, I know I was doomed to fall apart. However, this past Wednesday (Jan 24, 2018) I bought a scale (rated to go up to 440), afraid I had gone back up to my 445 pounds after ten years and doing stupid stuff and stretching my stomach. I bought vitamins (yes bariatric vitamins). I even started going back to as purely a protein diet as possible (Yogurt, eggs, chicken, and loads of sugar free popsicles and a salad. Oh, sometimes I'll do a coffee from starbucks. First night (I know you shouldn't weigh at night) my weight was 393.2 lbs. Next morning, 384. I wasn't too concerned. I was naked on the scale in the morning and had just gone to the bathroom. Next morning, 381.4. Then 381. Today, 376.6 That's 7.5 pounds in three days. (not counting the First night to morning which had differences in clothing and at different times so not concerned about that.) That's 2.5 pounds a day on average. That's still safe right?

Second the soups. Lentil soup is great puréed. Chicken salad is ok, tuna salad is terrible. Yogurt was a goto for me

Cottage cheese with sweet chilli, or with chipotle. Bariatricpal soups - the variety pack is fantastic. Yogurt smoothies - the Internet is full of fantastic flavour options. Mostly for me, variety really mattered to keep me on track... Best of luck.

I wasn’t given an amount to lose but to just lose.. but I wanted to lose for myself. I’m not a breakfast person but for many years just have a cup of almond milk with my protein powder (it’s non dairy as I’m allergic to dairy) for lunch I take to work 1 daiya non dairy Greek yogurt and a side salad from jack in the box ( $2.50 where I live ~Hawaii) it comes with a dressing and I get the balsamic ) I would take raw almonds and have a handful for a snack at work. Dinner would be steamed veggies and some type of protein,,, if I wanted a snack after dinner then I’d have either another protein drink or yogurt... I have always drank a lot of water but I use the crystal light type powders and also hot herbal teas at work.. I live alone so don’t have that issue there but at work we do have people bringing sweets for us but I look and think to myself that it’s not worth it... now I’m never tempted at work.. good luck and know you can do this!!

Scrambled eggs, refried beans..lots of greek yogurt, thick creamy soups..

Hi. After surgery, you'll eat high-protein, low carb, low sugar; however, your recommended diet initially may be a little different. My nutritionist required 3 oz. protein, 1/2 c. vegetable/fruit, 1/2 c. whole grain/1 slice whole grain bread, wrap, pita, etc.. It was expected that I had 3 meals and 2 snacks (fat free, low sugar-free Greek yogurt like OIKOS; turkey slice and a few baby carrots; peanut butter on celery). She also told me to stay prepared on the road by having protein drinks and non-perishable snacks in a cooler. I like Premier Protein and EAS Lean 15. The requirement for protein drinks for me is 15 g or more protein and 5 or less g sugar. Kudos to you for staying prepared.

I really like the Mayo Clinic diet. Mason jar salads are my go-to for work lunches: https://www.buzzfeed.com/carolynkylstra/mason-jar-salads?utm_term=.ouMPZYqa0d#.buyv0YWnG7 One way hubby and I compromise on junk food...he is only allowed to bring things into the house that I genuinely don't like. LOL. All other junk had to be consumed at work. (Rumor has it, he has ice cream for lunch a lot) I'm not a fan of certain types of cookies and treats he likes...so those are the ones I'll pick up for him....ones I kinda...hate. Apples are wonderful things. With peanut butter, they're even better. If you have a fridge at work, keep cheese sticks, baby bellas, yogurt, single serving cottage cheese. Also keep low sugar oatmeal packets, sugar free pudding, and anything else you can find that's either low glycemic or high protein. Fruit and veggies are good food. Rediscover hard boiled eggs. Switch your bread to low gycemic options...pumpernickel, whole grain, sourdough...and cut your bread in half if you can. Try high protein wraps. Experiment with chia seed pudding, avacado toast, and homemade protein packs with nuts and cheese and dried fruit. Try several different protien shakes and bars....try for low sugar and high protein. See if you can get a metabolic test to get a true idea of your body fat and set a reasonable calorie goal. if you shoot too low, you'll cheat. Don't cheat...start working on a forever diet you can live with:)

One of the top three reasons I chose to have the RNY gastric bypass is to get relief from the horrible heartburn that I experienced from GERD and to hopefully (ultimately) get regression from Barrett's Esophagus. Not daily, but once or twice a week since surgery, I have had worse heartburn then I ever experienced prior to surgery. I am taking the same medicine (40mg Prilosec and my surgeon told me to add 300mg of Zantac after the first week) and my diet is the blandest it has ever been. I literally only eat vanilla OIKOS Zero yogurt, bananas, almond milk, Premier Protein, no sugar added applesauce, plain rolled oats and chicken broth. I am scared. Could this be an ulcer? A leak? Or is this just a normal part of healing that I will only experience in the beginning and will then live a more comfortable life? I had read so many wonderful storied about how people never experienced GERD again after RNY....many had RNY just to get relief from GERD. Anyone else out there having issues with heartburn like me?

I'm already on that stage .. it's so funny to me how everyone has different foods that are allowed per each phase. Phase 2 for me is thicker soup, but still runny cream of wheat, yogurt, jello , pudding ,things like that.. I want like chewy mouth texture food.. ughh..

I don’t like the premade stuff, I use Isopure zero carb protein powder in chocolate, 1 scoop, 1 cup 1% milk, 2 tbsp Greek plain yogurt and two small slices of banana, blend it and it’s so delicious! The first two weeks I made 2 scoops with water and nothing else , it was still good but not as tasty or thick as the one with milk and yogurt.

Eggs, yogurt, cheese. One of the happiest discoveries for me was high-protein pasta made from lentils. Peanut butter. Refried beans. And I second the cottage cheese--I have a bowl of that with some fruit (pineapple or mandarin oranges, usually) almost every day. Quaker makes a high-protein oatmeal--it's only 10 grams a serving, but it's a nice change once or twice a week. (Disclaimer: I also eat meat, but I don't think it would be possible for me to get all my protein from that.)

I struggle alot with proteins. I am also 3 months out. My surgeon told me to add 1 food a day. This way if you feel sick or get dumping syndrome you know from what. I can not do chicken except for canned lightly drained and mashed and you can even make tuna salad with it. I do not have a problem with steak, but it has to be medium ir medium rare and chewed very well. Also is he sticking to waiting before and after to drink? Tuna is ok if it is the chunk light (not the solid white) I cannot do pork at all and I now hate the taste of bacon. What? Yeah, I know! Fish, eh, sometimes, depends. Shrimp no. Ground meat, only ground turkey. But these can be introduced again after 6 months because then our tastes and body will change again. I hope this helps. Cheese, nut milk, yogurt and eggs are my go to! SW 350 (11/15) BSW 260 (10/17/17) CW 217.6 (1/22/18) RGW 199 GW 175

I had my sleeve done this past Monday 1/22/18. pain has consistently reduced since then and I was discharged from the hospital Wednesday morning. I really only take pain eds at night at this point but have noticed that unless I take extremely small sips of water that I get a very brief cramp so it is impossible to get 64 ounces of water down in a day. I think I had the normal regrets and questions about whether I did th right thing and even started resenting things when I saw the oversized steak or hamburger commercials on TV. I even had the f...its yesterday and decided it would be a good idea to have a small piece of ham, because I wanted it. Well that entitlement didn't last long and I found that pain and throwing up was a pretty good means of letting go of those resentments. New day today, I made a protein smoothie this morning with greek yogurt, some protein powder and some frozen fruit in my Nutriblast blender. It seems to be going down pretty easily. I'm intending to go back to work this monday. I run a treatment program so I'm not digging ditches. No difference in my mind between sitting at home and sitting at a desk at work. I am also finding some very amazing similaraties between the things I am mentally struggling with and the process the clients in the program I run go through in their recovery journey.

Quite a few people have asked me about my experience at Mexico Bariatric Center in Tijuana and I want to share the entire experience as it was extremely hard for me to get a full review from the last year or so. I also wish I would’ve written this on day 3 and not day 7 as the farther away from your surgery date you get the more romanticized the process is. That being said, here is everything that I know. It is a bit long, but for those of you who want all the facts, here is my experience. I reached out to MBC on the 3rd of January and by the 5th of January I was already e-mailing back and forth with Kristi. I completed the patient questionnaire online and was approved within 12 hours. From then on, I was on a text string with Kristi asking questions about the process, getting my personal loan approved (I went through Discover as I’m paying mine off of in 8 months), and scanning in photos of my passport and flight itinerary. Scheduling was SO EASY and I was scheduled to fly in on Wednesday, January 17th and fly out on Sunday, January 22nd. I was 260, 5'4'' and had a BMI of 45, and my pre-op diet started on January 11th-14th, and my 2 days of liquids were the 15th and 16th. I was not perfect, but I did do pretty well for those 6 days. As for choosing a surgeon everyone has different opinions on their process. They have 4 different surgeons who operate out of Mi Doctor hospital in Tijuana and to me, I wasn’t tied to any specific person. The most experienced surgeon of course will have a higher coast, but when dealing with your life few people care about an extra 500 dollars. I was set with Dr. Rodriguez who is the newest of the group, but I am always of the opinion that the newer the team member the harder they work and the newer their techniques are. In all, with my flight, 2 extra nights at the hotel for my companion, 2 nights in the hospital, surgery, all follow up, all medicine, and ride to and from the airport/through the border my surgery cost me about 5,500. Being that my research in Dallas, Texas was going to be at least 12,500 + unforeseen costs (thank you anesthesia) *I also had a 650 revision charge as I had the lapband in and out in 2014 and 2017. I flew in early on the 17th and landed in San Diego Int’l around 10:30. Victor was already waiting for me and another person, so the 4 of us were driven through the border check point. It was about a 30 minute process and he had lots of great advice for us as we went. We were dropped off at the hospital which looks like a typical hospital. No, it’s not the multi-million dollar facility you see in big cities, but let’s be real—do you pay for good care or do you pay for the look of a building? Don’t let that influence a decision. When I arrived there were about 4 people outside in gowns and about 30 cars that lined the street. The hospital is older but well kept, and they have a small café downstairs for your companion. Once there, we were pulled all over the place. They ran an EKG to make sure your heart is healthy, pulled about 4 vials of blood, and had you sign a few pages making you aware of the risks/possible outcomes. Then you meet briefly with someone to zero your balance and tell you when you are scheduled to come in (typically the following day, typically between 7 and 10 in the morning). Then they shuttle you to the hotel. All in all that took me about an hour in total. The hotel is very nice, clean, and a place I would choose to stay again if in Mexico. I splurged for the 2 nights for my boyfriend so he could work from the hotel room and it was wonderful to have that as homebase. The hotel offers you as many cups of broth and cups of jello as you want—as that’s all you can eat at that point!—and then they take your luggage to your room and you are left to your own devices. The beds are okay—I have a temperpedic so nothing so the same J but the hotel has a full kitchen, all utensils, a TV with English channels (find Cinecinal), and great wi-fi. I woke up the next day and took my suitcase with me. They shuttled me and 2 other people and took us up to our room by about 8:30 with a surgery time of 10-11. I will say one thing MBC gets things done. It’s a business, so don’t forget that—and there are what seems to be dozens of people coming in and out of different stages as the days go on. That being said, you get incredible care and there are always people to help, support, or answer questions. You are taken to your room, which is something I’ve never had in an American hospital (it had always been a bed and a curtain), that has a bed, maybe a 2nd one for your companion, a table, shower, bathroom, sink, and mirror. They take your vitals and have you change into a gown and put on those awful compression socks. Then you wait. I spoke with the internal medicine doctor, my surgeon, and multiple nurses. They put in my IV which sucks but hey, it’s part of the process! By 9:30 they were wheeling me back to the operating room. I didn’t have my glasses on so I could see very little, but it was a small operating room down the hall with about 5-7 people. They have you step up onto the operating table and ask you a few questions. If you don’t speak Spanish expect to be lost—I speak a little so I could kind of follow along but remember, you are in MX not the US. There was no countdown, no reminders, just I was listening and then I was out. Next thing I knew I was waking up next to 3 people in the recovery room. Personally, I HATE waking up from anesthesia. I hate it. I always panic because I don’t have my glasses, and everything is fuzzy. This was even harder because I couldn’t see and couldn’t understand anything. I remember very little during this time, but was back in my room/my bed by noon. From then on it was extremely fuzzy. I was tethered to an IV rod, and while I wasn’t in pain because of the medications, I wasn’t feeling that great. I had to sleep on my back which I hate, the pillows are not comfortable at all, and I felt really alone. Again, this is my extreme hate for anesthesia manifesting, not a reflection on the hospital. The nurses were wonderful and came in every hour, kept a monitor on, brought me ice chips when I needed them, and kept the lights off/door shut so I could rest. I let my boyfriend come over at 4 o’clock and they tell you to use your spirometer to work on breathing – AND USE IT! Every hour for about 5-10 minutes I would be sucking into that thing. It hurts. A lot, but it infinitely helps your recovery process. I used it every hour from 4 o’clock on the 18th until I left on Sunday the 22nd and by then nothing in my body hurt. Worth it. Do it. In addition, they tell you to walk as much as possible because it helps the process AND IT DOES. Walk, often. I set up my IV rod in the middle of my room and walked around the bed, bathroom, wall, etc. every hour or two for about ten minutes. I would sit in the chair and use the spirometer. I’d walk up and down the hall a few times a day. Yes, you should recover and sleep as much as you need, at the same time the more ambulatory you are the better off you will be. The nurses checked on my every hour on day one. I was NOT happy. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to move, and it hurt to sleep on my side which I’m so used to doing. Because I slept away the day I was up every hour or so during the night. I threw up twice because of the pain medication and doing that after having your stomach cut is never fun. I cried, quite a few times, but slept away most of the day. The nurses brought pain medication every 6 hours and nausea meds every 8. Antibiotics were given at different intervals—all of this made my IV and my arm very cold which was uncomfortable, but I left healthy and pain free so I can’t complain too much. They changed my bandages once at the hospital and I changed them one at the hotel. After having the lap-band in and out, I already had a handful of scars on my stomach so I wasn’t much worried about scaring. That being said, the incisions they made were TINY and so perfect. I had 4 small incisions, none larger than ¾ of an inch, and one small vertical incision where the port/drain tube was stitched in. I am 7 nights out and tonight I took off my bandages as all of the incisions have scabbed over and are healing perfectly. I am IMPRESSED and so happy that I chose Dr. Rodriguez. Friday the 20th, the day after my surgery, was better, a million times better, but it was also hard in its own right. They changed the bandages, my IV was ruined so they had to use my other hand and my veins were tiny and easy to miss, and they removed the drain which was a blessing and a curse. After surgery you have a long tube (I think 1-2 feet?) inserted into your body to drain excess fluid. They tape it to your side, stitch it in, and connect it to a plastic draining cup that they dump every few hours. It is a big source of discomfort on day one and two, and is SO WERID when they remove it. It really didn’t hurt to remove it and it happens so fast. Don’t watch it. It’s gross. At the end of the 2nd night they gave me liquid medication to help me sleep and it was GLORIOUS. Between having the drain tube out, being on day two of recovery, and getting a full night’s sleep I felt ready to leave the hospital. On day two they also give you small bottles of Gatorade, water, and apple juice. Try to drink 1 oz every hour as you need to feel what your stomach feels like with such small pieces at a time. I thought I would be hungry after not eating anything for 5 days, but my hunger hormone was pretty much nonexistent. It was amazing. The doctor discharged me that morning after checking on me and answering all of my questions, and I was shuttled to the hospital with about 5 other people. Again, this is a business so expect to have multiple people/companions with you any time you are outside of your hotel or hospital room. By Sunday at 9 a.m. I was back in the hotel and ready to relax. I felt good. I was drinking 6 oz of fluid every hour, I had to pee every hour, and was excited to sleep on my side in my ‘own’ bed for the day. My boyfriend and I walked down to the pharmacy (which is located in the hotel) and picked up cleaning soap and medical tape, and then walked to the Wasabi restaurant. They have amazing miso broth and amazing shitake mushroom broth. I was excited to feel normal after 48 hours of the hospital. He had seafood soup, lol. I wasn’t hungry, but the shrimp looked good! I slept and read for most of Saturday and was in bed with the lights out by 8 o’clock. I felt fine, took a shower that day, and was still using my spirometer while walking around the hotel room/hotel floor. I cannot state enough how kind and helpful the hotel staff was—it is like they are an extension of the hospital as they have lots of the information you need. At 11 o’clock on Sunday we were packed and ready to go. The driver came to pick 7 of us up and drove us through the medical lane across the border. All in all it took about 45 minutes to go from the hotel through the check point. We passed with no issues. From there, it was another 15 minutes to the airport and we were off! My plane left about 3:30 so I sat and watched a football game while drinking water and cranberry juice. I still wasn’t hungry, but I was missing the act of eating/drinking. That part so far is the hardest. I flew back with a little nausea and a slight headache though I hate flying almost as much as I hate anesthesia—so that could be chalked up to me and not the surgery. I took Monday off not because I felt I needed to but because I needed to do all the life things I didn’t do while in Mexico. By Tuesday I was back at work without any issues and my coworkers/family have no idea where I spent my long weekend J I was drinking 65 oz of fluids by day 5, and was drinking creamy fluids by day 6. I have also easily tolerated soft foods (soups w noodles, yogurt, etc.) as well as a few tough foods (granola, protein cookie). My incisions are healed completely without any issues, and I have lost 17 pounds since in 3 weeks. The coolest (and weirdest) thing is that I feel full. I chew/swallow slowly and am full after a small portion. I don’t feel hungry often, and when my stomach does ache it is typically because I haven’t drank my 8 oz of water for that hour. After 20 years of over eating and storing food and buying fast food to eat it quickly I am weirded out by this new process and it has only been a week. I’m excited for what is to come J I hope this (incredibly long) 2500 word essay was helpful and clear. I would absolutely without a doubt recommend MBC and will gladly answer any questions you may have!

I read your post and was going to suggest just that! Hope it works for you. I am still on liquids but have also tried yogurt. If I take in too much at one time, even with liquid, I get the same sharp pain! Had surgery 1/17 so I think you are doing great for 4 days post op!

I'm not going to kid around: the first month sucked pretty much the whole time. Even when I could barely get anything down, I hated being on liquids all the time and I especially hated how sweet so much stuff was (the shakes). But . . . two things: that month passes. And I lost a lot of weight during it. Weight loss has slowed and I can eat much better food now. I feel full pretty quickly but a few hours later . . . ready for more. You can do this. Drink the shakes, vary that with broth or sugar-free popsicles or fudgesicles, and move to cottage cheese and yogurt and soups when you can. Don't rush it: your stomach needs to heal. It will all seem worth it eventually!