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I was told I had to crush my meds for a couple of months. (These were meds that had nothing to do with my gastric bypass.). They were absolutely disgusting, and there was no way to disguise them. I tried them in water, protein drinks, yoghurt, etc., and finally just decided the best way was to slug them down as quickly as possible. It was a very happy day when my surgeon told me I could go back to taking pills!

I'm going on day 5 post opp and I can't even hit 40oz of water a day yet. So good job on that, second ive been having to drink only things with protein in them because of that, so protein shakes, protein waters, ect... because of that I also bought isopure protein powder (unflavored) so I can add it to things, maybe give that a try.... but also my doctor said #1 priority is fluid then protein, so try not to make yourself sick over it, and just get in what you can for now... as you heal it should get easier... if you are still concerned you can always reach out to your medical team and ask questions... best of luck hun [emoji3590] Sent from my SM-G996U using BariatricPal mobile app

How long did it take everyone to meet their protein goals? I am 4 days post op and STRUGGLING. I'm hitting my fluids no problem, but I'm getting maybe 20 grams of the recommended 60 and it's starting to stress me out. I have no desire to eat anything, so I'll force myself to choke down a small amount of soup... and then I feel so icky and stuffed that the thought of eating that particular thing again makes me incredibly nauseated. I'm only on liquids for 3 more days after today, and I'm hoping that moving to a wider variety of foods will make it easier to hit my protein because right now, it's yoghurt and protein shakes... which I never want to see again in my life.

My philosophy is that you don't pick a goal weight -- your goal weight picks you. That probably sounds silly, and it's sort of an exaggeration, but when you're talking about the massive weight loss one gets from weight loss surgery, it's not necessarily practical to target a specific number on the scale. I didn't really have a "goal weight" -- nor did my surgeon -- until I went to my psychological evaluation and the psychiatrist asked me. Even that, I think, was mainly about checking to make sure I had realistic expectations. The number I gave was based on the average/typical weight loss for gastric bypass patients. I think I went with 180 pounds, but I actually ended up around 140. To me, the number on the scale is pretty meaningless. And I say that as someone with an analytical mind, who loves numbers and spreadsheets and graphs. The non-scale victories are far, far more important to your quality of life. First, and foremost are the health goals -- things like getting off of medications, having a healthy blood pressure and blood glucose, etc. Then there are the physical benefits like being able to walk a mile without sweating or a few flights of stairs without getting winded, and not having constant pain in your feet and knees. And of course the social benefits of literally fitting into the world -- flying without a seatbelt extension, sitting in a booth at a restaurant, not having to worry about weight limits on furniture. Finally, being more confident and satisfied with your body/appearance, having more clothing options, and being more accepted by people and society in general (which is really sad, but true). I think if you are fixated on a specific number on the scale, you can lose sight of those important non-scale victories. I'm not saying you shouldn't track your weight (I weigh myself probably more than I should, multiple times per day) or that the scale isn't important to your progress, but you don't know what the number will be when you hit the point that you have lost enough weight to improve your life. That's especially true when you start out at a high weight, because your body will not be the same at 220 pounds (after losing 200+ pounds) as someone who has never been higher than 220 pounds, because your body will have more skin and bigger bones even with the same amount of fat and muscle.

What has your doctor recommended? If your bone loss & calcium absorption level is poor they should have you on appropriate meds, etc. to help you better manage it. A friend was put a high calcium diet (including more dairy, oily fish, tinned fish with soft bones -salmon, mackerel, beans, etc.) to support hers. She walks a fine line though as she also has a heart condition & too much calcium cause heart issues. How are your vitamin D levels? Your body needs D to help absorb calcium. Not sure if you drink alcohol but it impedes the body’s ability to absorb calcium & vitamin D. I was prescribed Creons (pancreatic enzymes) to help with my protein malabsorption issues. I believe they can help many malabsorption issues. Worth asking your doctor.

I would ask your team the reason for the no sodium disclaimer. I was allowed full sodium options and I imagine if you don’t have high blood pressure it would not be an issue but I am not a doctor. This could be for a reason that we do not understand so I would contact them and ask.

So I've been told (from the book I got at my doctors) I can have low-sodium broth, sugar free jello and sugar free Popsicles. However I've seen people have broth from like chicken noodle soup (not low sodium), or pho or even vegetable soup just take out all the chunks and said it really helps. However I thought we couldn't do anything with full on sodium? I had my surgery the 27th so it hasn't been that long but I was wondering as to what other options I can have at this time. Sent from my SM-G998U using BariatricPal mobile app

I also felt that waiting wasn't an option and paid for my surgery. I don't regret a penny of the £12,000 I paid in the UK. I have heard really good things in this forum from that hospital. Let us know how you are getting along and if there is anything you need help with, please post and we will help if we can. Good luck next week

Don’t be hard on yourself. Life sometimes throws crap at you & health issues & related pain stress are big ones (mean your back not your pregnancy of course). And one you have little control over. Stumbled across this article a little while ago about the pouch reset diet. https://emergesurgical.com.au/does-the-pouch-reset-test-work/ Maybe better to go back to your post surgery diet - meeting protein & fluid goals, watching portion sizes, looking for more nutritionally sound food choices, etc. All the best.

I have been doing a low carb diet except for today. I went out to dinner with some coworkers and had some sushi so the rice was bad. I have shakes but they only have 15 grams protein but the others are soooo gross I can't finish them. I have been doing atkins shakes for breakfast on the way to work and then egg muffins (eggs with spinach, mushrooms, onions, bellpeppers baked in cupcake tins) at work and then one shake with my lunch which is just a low carb tortilla with turkey meat (93/7) with some taco seasonings. For dinner more turkey. I'm just eating the same things day after day to make sure I don't mess up. It's easy to make and the prep time is short. I'm not hungry anymore. It seems like a lot of food but the calories are pretty low for each. We are almost there!!!! We got this!!! Our hard work is paying off! There might be a recipe area on this site, I'm not sure. That may help. Scared but excited.

That’s a good idea. I just usually eat it as is. Let us reduce so it gets pretty rich. Been thinking of adding some white beans next time to boost the protein & fibre.

not everyone will experience it. and no not really. I get way more than enough protein. But it will grow back.

Does everyone have hair loss/thinning hair? Can it be avoided by making sure to continue to get enough protein?

Hi Emily. I had to have my oesophagus stretched a little at the entry to my stomach. I was also told to have 100-150mls at a time. But I still struggle with vomit and nausea. The dietician said to skip purée to soft foods but I’m struggling so staying on purée and liquids. I use a protein powder called rule 1 (r1) first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It seems to help. My surgeon is on leave till 14 th oct. And my gp said if I can’t get fluids in and under control by next week I will be hospilized. I am skeptic to eat/drink due to vomiting too. I have set an alarm every hour to drink or eat. Mostly drink smoothies and soups. I started back walking last week and this week I’m back in the gym. Like everyone else my weight loss has slowed.

Okay Y’all. I am 6 weeks post op. It started probably Sunday? I have been down right sick about food. I have no appetite I cant hardly eat or drink. I know im not getting my protein in or water intake. I wake up out of sleep at 5am gagging and will throw up bile but I cant eat anything because the thought of it makes me throw up. When I do Eat im either nauseous or I end up vomiting. anyone know what could be happening??? Will it pass?? I am depressed over this.

I had surgery monday 9/26. Everything went well. My pain was alot so I stayed in the hospital till Wednesday morning. While in the hospital I had broth, but hardly ate it. Since today is my first day home I've have 2 premier shakes equally 60 grams of protein. I've successfully consumed at least 60 fl oz of fluids today. My scars ache a bit but I've been moving around and plan on going for a walk tomorrow. Gas pains are the absolute worst. I'm on a 2 week liquid diet, can't wait to actually be able to eat food again. Also any good recommendations for belly binders?

So good that you've found this forum - everyone here is so supportive. Sounds like revision is the right thing, particularly given your GERD. And congratulations on your new arrival (maybe not so new now?)!!! My pre-op diet was 2 weeks of 800 calories a day. I could do it whatever way I wanted. What I did was three meal replacement shakes or soups (or whatever) and a small protein and veg meal in the evening. I should say I live in Ireland so it's likely to be different for you. My original surgery date was cancelled the day before I was meant to have it and not re-scheduled for 2 months so I ended up sticking to the 800 calories (give or take) all that time and losing 25lbs. I now view those as pounds I don't have to work hard to lose now, although at the time it was absolutely agonizing waiting for a date!!! I wish you all the best on your weight loss journey. I think your experience with the sleeve and the challenges you faced along the way will really help you get the best out of a bypass.

Thank you Kim. That's nice that you have options. Yeah if I do eat anything it will be low carb for sure. I think for at least the first week I'll do just liquids then add some low carb food.

good for you to tackle the problem from several angles at once! as long as you are trying you are NOT a failure but a work in progress!!!! i am pre op but was given the choice of 2 diets; 4-5 premier protein or similar profiled shakes shakes a day and one meal of vegetables and lean protein or 50 total (not net) carbs a day max. i am doing the 50 carbs a day and have been since august. lost about 23 since i got down to 50 carbs a day (5-6 weeks; dropped down carb count for three weeks previous to get used to it) and 16 lbs since August 29th. I am excited for your new start!! i hope you find success to propel you.

@hope4newme honestly I’ve been pureeing the same meals I cook for my family, just adding a touch of bone broth. I usually do 2 oz protein and 1 oz veggies.

Those on pureed foods, any favorite thing to eat? I'm only on day 3 and I'm loving eating food and never want to look at broth ever again. I am eating the ricotta bake and surprisingly my favorite is fat free refried beans with taco bell sauce on it. I was worried about the hot sauce but so far no issues and all the fiber is wonderful for my constipation issues that are already starting to disappear. I'm eating about 3 oz per meal but I'm eating about 4 times a day. Think my average calories is about 500. So I think I need to increase that but at the same time I'm afraid to because I don't want to stop losing. I'm having a little more trouble getting my protein in because I am only having 1 protein shake a day and I'm not really eating meat still. So I need to work on trying to add protein powder to my food. I'm afraid I won't like the taste though but I won't know until I try. Any tips or tricks for using protein powder in food? I have the isopure unflavored kind.

This might be a stupid question but can't your OBGYN prescribe hormonal replacements to help balance it out? Or, if you can't have kids is a hysterectomy an option? I know it's invasive, but then your hormones would be replaced my monitored therapy and be more stable? Don't give up, it might be fluctuation as your body readjusts too. Or, temporary.

I haven’t tried it but have heard of people freezing their protein shakes and eating them the same way if you are having a hard time getting protein as well. Or you could get the clear protein drinks and freeze those. I bet it would be alot like a popsicle

I drink Protein 2 O Sent from my octopus using BariatricPal mobile app

Re: does it really matter I mean, yes. There are other possible bad outcomes besides literally dying. If the effectiveness of bariatric surgery comes down in large part to microbiomic changes, for example, suggesting that I remove all fiber from my diet until over 6 months post surgery and introducing large amounts of artificial sweeteners into my diet could in fact work against positive changes to the gut microbiome. If my ability to lose weight pre-surgery comes down to emphasising foods that extend satiety (fiber, protein, fat), dramatically reducing my fat and fiber intake before surgery could cause me to overeat or binge eat and my weight loss to stall or reverse. If long term success comes from following one's hunger cues, teaching myself to eat according to the clock they've set, whether I'm hungry or not, in order to meet arbitrary goals could limit my weight loss long term or trigger binge eating again. They're not suggesting I take a spoonful of arsenic at bedtime, but that doesn't mean that their suggestions are neutral. They have no systematic evidence that their program creates success for the average patient or not. (The great part of this sort of program, from the practitioner perspective, is that you can almost always blame poor outcomes on non-compliance.) Some of the program requirements for the pre-surgery diet are literally impossible to follow at the same time. I can't take one or two bean-sized bites per minute, finish meals in less than 30 minutes, and eat 2200+ calories per day without a significant portion of those bites being high fat meats, full fat dairy, or, I dunno, peanut butter straight out of the jar, all of which are verboten. So regardless of what I'm doing now, I'm not compliant. It's not possible to comply fully. (The handwavy answer was "healthy fats". I have no idea how much avocado my dietitian expects me to be able to eat. I suppose technically if I ate just chicken breasts with avocado and nothing else...) I'm also not the average patient anyway (it's probably pretty clear at this point that I'm not neurotypical, for example, I understand that people with regular would either comply or lie without much difficulty either way), so even if their arbitrary program did create success for the average patient for whatever reason that means very little for whether it would work for me. The arbitrariness and the ultimatum annoy me. The fact that I'm being asked to disregard everything I know about how I personally deal with change to adopt a post-surgical style diet (low-fat, regimented, and frequent) half a year before any potential surgery date with an intact GI system, that I'm expected to throw away everything I know about what I need to lose weight, stop binge eating, and have the energy to do intense exercise frightens me. I'm terrified that I'm going to gain weight or relapse into binge eating (thus getting denied for surgery) and I feel like they're pushing me into that direction. All because Typical Tammy deals best with gradually introduced changes over a long time period and simple, unambiguous, authoritative instructions from medical professionals she sees as trustworthy experts? Nah. I mean, I'm sure there are, but this is the only one I have access to. And, ultimately, it doesn't really matter, as long as I can jump through their stupid little hoops, I can get what I need from them. It's just.... a long and irritating process of circus training. I'm not really looking for advice or anything, I understand the options and am resigned to them, this is a rant and rave.