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My team limited carbs early on, to make sure I could fit in all my protein. However, carbs were always allowed. I think it was around 60g a day early on. I'm 2 years, almost 4 months post op and I eat carbs now, but I stick to the complex/healthy carbs except the occasional treat like ice cream. Once I hit 2 years they encouraged me to increase my carbs. I get about 100 g of protein a day (I had the SADI-S), and about 150ish of carbs. It is pretty balanced! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery is scheduled for 11-4-22! I’m so excited. I’m doing 2 shakes a day and a small protein meal in the evening. I’m down 10lbs in a week!!

Ask 10 nutritionist if popcorn is "good for you" and you'll get 11 different opinions. Here's some of the reasons I've heard bariatric patients should avoid it: I honestly think this one is more urban myth, but some people claim popcorn kernels or pieces can get stuck in the staple line and cause issues. If true, this is obviously a bigger concern the closer you are to surgery. Even if the popcorn itself can be an okay choice, we tend to add toppings that aren't so good for us. It's easy to overeat since it feels like there's not much there. This can catch up to you though. Also, because it has very little protein, eating too much popcorn may prevent you from meeting your protein goals for the day. Popcorn is high in insoluble fiber, meaning it will draw water into it and swell in the gut. Now normally fiber is a good thing for a healthy gut, but especially for bariatric surgery patients that are not used to it, you run the risk of the popcorn swelling while it's still in your stomach and causing significant discomfort. This risk is probably reduced if you eat it slowly. Eat it too fast and you may regret it. Anything you eat in a mindless way (as we all tend to do at the movies), could lead to you eating too fast or too much. See #3 and 4 above. No question that alternatives such as those suggested above may be better for some people. The concern for me is that especially while at the movies, I have to make sure I don't fall into that "mindless eating" trap. That's so dangerous for me. I'm trying to learn to stop associating "movies" with "snacking". (I even do this at home, so Netflix is no relief.) I think at least for me, that may be the better option long term?

My surgery was 9/20. I went back and looked at my log and I'm currently eating between about 500 and 800 calories a day. Like many, I was not told a specific calorie goal, mostly to focus getting in my protein and water. Since I'm at about 6 weeks now, I don't have any restrictions in terms of food, but getting to my protein goals is hard on food alone, just because I can't physically eat that much. This means I have to rely on protein drinks some still. It's been said a million times already, but your bariatric team is your best source for your concern. Plans are different and we all progress at different rates as well.

I had to arrive at my hospital at 630am and my surgery was at 830am. They did a pregnancy test and gave me some medication for anxiety to calm me down. They had to get an ultrasound machine to put my IV in. The nurse had to stick me a couple times because my veins like to run away lol. That was kind of uncomfortable but it happens to me nearly every time I have to get blood work so I anticipated it beforehand. Then the surgeon came in and talked to me and I asked her to take a picture of the part of my stomach she takes out. That ended up being pretty cool to see. They wheeled me to the surgery room. It was super bright in there. The anesthesiologist asked me where we would be going on vacation to. I said Disney World! And he said, alright everyone we're going to Disney World!! And then everything went black lol. Immediately after surgery I woke up in a lot of pain (no idea what time it was at this point). They gave me IV pain med pretty quickly after hearing me shout IT HURTS lol. It wasn't so bad after that. Fell asleep. Spent probably a couple hours in the holding room before they put me in a private room around 230pm. I got the hiccups a few times and that was not fun. I had nausea every time they gave me a pill. I got that "watery mouth" thing that comes with nausea. Luckily I never threw up. I would just call for a nurse every time and they'd give me IV zofran which shut that up real quick. I barely had any gas pain, but I got an ice pack to put on the top of my stomach where it was. Didn't need it after the first night. They put IPC thingies on my calves to prevent blood clots (they squeeze you on and off), which made me feel anchored to the bed. I didn't really want to move around anyway. They fed me diet juice and jello but I barely touched them because I didn't feel hungry at all. When I finally peed they had to do an ultrasound on my bladder after to make sure it was voiding enough. Mine ended up being fine. They woke me up every 4 hours or so to check my vitals, even in the middle of the night. The next morning was uneventful. I felt way better and could drink the Boost Glucose Control protein drinks they were giving me. I had no issues getting them down other than not liking the taste very much. They gave me these little 1oz medicine cups to keep track of my water intake. Every time I drank one I checked a box. Their goal was at least 11oz every 4 hours. I doubled that with no problems. They also gave me a ton of drink variety that I didn't even touch; lemon tea, chicken broth, jello, diet cranberry juice, and sugar free popsicles. They took me off the IV and IPC things and I was able to walk around every hour or so. I watched a lot of tv. Then around 1pm the doctor cleared me to leave and an hour later I was finally discharged and got to go home! The only thing I'd really suggest to bring is a long phone charger chord. I didn't end up needing much else! Good luck with your surgery! I know I spent a lot of time reading other people's surgery stories beforehand so I'd be prepared if anything came up. I can say the whole process was a lot easier than I expected it to be!!

My surgery on 10/25 went pretty well. I'm hitting my liquid and protein goals easily every day. Before surgery I was all about the milky vanilla/chocolate protein flavors but now after I can't stand them. They just taste off. I'm enjoying the fruity syntrax nectar flavors a lot though! The incision where they pulled my stomach out has been the worst part of it. Pain meds help a little, but it's bad when trying to bend over/stand up. Manageable though. I try to get up and do a lap around the house every 2 hours. I need to start putting more effort into walking more. Not gonna lie though this has all been a lot easier than I expected. I had almost no gas pain at all. My brain had no problem switching from gulping down water to sipping it (I was worried about that). Food cravings don't control me anymore. My hunger is non existent. Before surgery I read so many horror stories and negative things that mine seems like a cake walk in comparison. I'm not complaining, just pleasantly surprised!! 4 more days until I can advance to puree! Already got my fridge stocked. I think I'll try refried beans first. 😄

My instructions were eat until you get all your protein in, then stop. No calorie goal given. After 3 months when asked how many calories. They said to eat more, "at least 900 to 1000 cal" . But I didn't reach that till 12 months.

Hi Merri Beth, My surgery date is 11-08-22. I'm on day 6 of my liquid diet. It's hard but one of my nurses suggested to start drinking protein shakes for breakfast and lunch before my liquid diet started. I think it helps I just get hungry around dinner but once I fall asleep I know I'm a day closer to my surgery date. I hope it helps! Sent from my SM-N981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Well definitely do whatever your program tells you to do. It's crazy how they are all different! But also this protein water is pretty darn new to the game, too. My counting of the protein stuff definitely adds to my ability to hit all my fluids. But, as things heal up and time goes on, I hope to get back to drinking enough water to hydrate. At least I don't have to sip so much anymore, and can take more reasonable drinks. That helps, too, ha.

plans are all different. I'd check with your clinic. 1100 is a lot more than I was eating at two weeks out (I was probably about 10 months out when I was eating that much), but some surgeons like to start their patients out at higher calorie levels - so I'd check with him/her. and honestly, very few programs have you track calories the first few months - they're more concerned about meeting protein and water requirements.

I finally got a call back from Kaiser and the person I talked to said that anything with protein in it DOES NOT count toward the liquids. I even double checked and asked if I make isopurr with 16 oz of water does that water count she said NO. It only counts toward protein. They also said that they would send a referral so that I could go to the support groups. It isn't a drop in thing, I need a referral and then someone will call me. I am feeling less than supported by kaisers bariatric department. I have an appointment with the surgeon next week so I hope that goes well. Scared but excited.

I talked to a kaiser nurse and she said anything with protein in it doesn't count. Even if I mix the isopure with 16 oz of water, it doesn't count. I find that odd. Scared but excited.

I had Gastric Bypass Sept 2016. Started at around 330lb and was able to lose and roughly maintain 100lb weightloss. I also have Hypothyroidism, with new diagnosis of Hashimoto's, and PCOS. My weight has increased MAJORLY since having a Pannilectomy in November 2021. I've tried lowering calories even more, upping protein, engaging in more activity, weightloss medication to suppress appetite. Anything and everything I could think. Ended up consulting with my weight management doctor and we proceeded with a Partial Gastrectomy sinxlce they said there was a TINY sliver of stomach that they could still remove to maintain the pouch integrity. They confirmed my pouch was not stretched. So I had the Partial Gastrectomy on Monday. I didnt have any pain, just mild discomfort due to the laproscopic incisions. My stomach feels absolutely fine. I've not needed any pain medication outside of Tylenol. I've also been put back on the post-op diet. With all that being said... I feel suspicious of my lack of internal discomfort. My ability to handle 2 to 4 oz of fluids with absolute ease. More so that I am STILL getting hunger pains. It truly almost feels like they got in there and decided to not remove anything. My husband said that the status of "Moved to the OR", "Surgery in Progress", and "Moved to Recovery" was 25 to 30 minutes. This is supported by the board they post on and the texts. Just dont know if I am being crazy or not. Is this normal??? Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yup. These are the ones i get. They heat up in the microwave so its a nice quick protein source to get you full quick

Moon Cheese is my go to when I want something crunchy and salty. You get protein and no carbs and a good snack.

Hello All, Newbie here, 22 days post op and can only eat half of a scrambled egg. Is that normal? Protein shakes with some fruit in the blender is easy to get my fluid in . I add ice as well. I found mozzarella cheese melts in your mouth easy. 1 oz Cottage cheese and yogurt is all I want to eat.

Hello all, Oct 6, 2022 22 days post op down 16 lbs. I am only eating 1 1/2 oz of cottage cheese and soft water packed no sugar canned peaches. I can only eat half of one scrambled egg then my new stomach lets me know, that's it. It is so much easier to just do protein powder with unsweet vanilla almond milk and ice in the blender. The ice gives extra fluid intake. Anyone else here who can't or doesn' feel like eating food?

Hi, I just got my surgery date yesterday. It will be November 28, 2022. I am having my surgery in my hometown of Las Vegas, NV. Dr. LaDuc at surgical weight control center is performing the surgery. I met with him yesterday and he was awesome, spent a good deal of time talking with me making sure I understood everything. I have another pre-op appointment in his office on 11-22-22, to make sure everything is in order and I have the right proteins and vitamins etc ready to go. This appointment is supposed to take about 3 hours so I think it will thorough and a big help. i have a friend who went to Mexico for her surgery and she is doing great, I can't even remember seeing her overweight. You will do great as well.

I'm just a little over 2 weeks post-op. But I do believe those count, regardless of length out for my program. I can check if you'd like me to. Eventually the protein shakes no longer count, but the liquids do.

I feel like you mentioned the carbs because you sorta know you are having too many. Have you been logging them? Everyone’s plan is different, though. Mine didn’t really limit carbs specifically but in order to get In Enough protein there almost wasn’t room for alot of them. As long as you are sticking to your plan it’s probably just a stall which will break on its own but if you are having like a lot a lot of carbs this is definitely something you could consider cutting back on.

So many of us on the same day! I am on day 12 of the liquid diet. My surgeon only allows liquids - no food at all. Protein shakes, water, broth...it's a nightmare and I cannot believe I did it for 12 days. Weighed myself this morning and I have lost 22 pounds since I went on liquids. Good grief!!!! Feeling a bit better today knowing the end is so near. Let's keep in touch October 31st surgery people!!

I looked online and can only find the original at my store but I can check the others. Even the thicker one is 150 calories/ 25g carbs per serving. That’s not too bad. I had to convert the calories for the other one cause it’s a smaller serving but it’s 127.5 calories and more carbs (I didn’t calculate) and way less protein for the same slice. And the real one has less fat too. Wow. You were right that cauliflower stuff really isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. At least not that brand. I am so glad you pointed that out to me. I mean the cauliflower crust is not bad but it’s not the real deal. I’d much rather have that in moderation. Especially now that I know it’s really better for me.

Same! My program doesn't either. Stress protein and fluids and then a normal balanced diet. I quote my dietician here "Nothing is off limits, you just have learn moderation and a balanced diet" This is exactly why I always gain back my weight. The diets weren't realistic to a life long commitment. No carbs are impossible to maintain for the rest of your life. I lost about 170 lbs eating grilled chicken and a fresh veggie EVERY DAY it got so old I just cracked and ate everything i deprived myself of to loose the weight. Obviously gaining it all back. Some people need low carb, some don't. Some people can't eat dairy, some can. We are all different.

Walmart has store brand thin crust pizza crust. I love it, I make homemade pizza with it and the toppings are endless. I can eat a serving and the calories aren't too bad for the crust alone and if I remember correctly has 9g protein by itself! It was actually my first go at "real" pizza.

I had a spaghetti squash I needed to use so we just came up with something and it was DELICIOUS! Looks gross but was so good! Spaghetti squash, chicken, alfredo sauce and cheese spices and hots because I like spicy 28g protein!! I ate about 2/3 of it.