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Could add a few tablespoons of hummus maybe. I would say avocado to just add calories but not a lot of protein there. I’m not home or I would just look at the container but according to google four tablespoons has 5 grams of protein and that 106 calories. 1/4 avocado is 80 calories and 1 gram protein according to FatSecret.com.

What protein shakes did you use after surgery? Sent from my SM-G990U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi! Thanks ShoppGirl I don't have a calorie restriction. I have amounts I can eat, which is now 1/4c to 1/2c of high protein depending on the food and how my body responds. I have to be able to cut whatever I want to eat with a fork, if it has to be cut with a knife I'm still not allowed to have it. Plus staying away from things that are too dry (like crackers) and pasta/rice. When I look at what I eat, like 1/2 a Chobani with 5 blueberries for breakfast, 1/2c of refried beans w/cheese and taco sauce for lunch, and 1/4c-ish of canned chicken mashed with mayo or like 1-2 ozs of pot roast - I'm not getting 350 calories from any of those. I also have protein drinks, milk, protein water, etc and those aren't 350 calories either. I talked to my psychiatrist again and my regular doctor yesterday and both said that it'll just lower the efficacy, but if I'm feeling fine, then we don't need to change anything - and I'm feeling fine, if anything I'm more anxious, but that's because of all the life changes, so I totally get that, Latuda doesn't help with anxiety anyway. I am trying to think of things to add more calories to one of my meals and take my Latuda then, but it can't be more volume and it has to be high protein, gotta get the nutrition that I can!

I start my pre-op diet on Sept 19th. Mine is 11 days of full liquid with a minimum of 120g protein and 64+ oz of water throughout the day. Followed by 3 days of clear liquid, nothing red or orange. I will be having the bypass with hernia repair.

+1 on this. My team is also vehemently against patches. I started taking the Bariatric Fusion one-a-day capsules and tolerate them well, but always looking for more options.

One Month Follow-up I was sure I would get scolded for not doing better - but both the dietician and the surgeon are pleased with my progress. My BP was super low - could be mild dehydration, could need to transition off my BP meds - my extended period (or a combination of all three). I see my PCP Monday so hopefully we can work on that. I’m the meantime, my focus is hydration, work on bumping my protein and calories and increase my activity as I am able. I wanted to have lost more by now but both the surgeon and dietitian reinforced: I’m healing, I’ve had some added challenges and I’m doing well - stay on plan and track and things will keep progressing. The surgeon, who I expected to be the hardest on me, was very encouraging.

I would look up advice for bariatric athletes online. There's a few dietitians out there who are working with post-surgery athletes and some of them write articles and blogs, but the field is very, very new. Most bariatric dietitians are not going to have the knowledge to guide you if you are exercising seriously and most sport dietitians don't have the knowledge to work around your restrictions and different macro needs during the active weight loss phase and beyond. (And even at the intersection, most of the writing I've seen focuses on athletes after the initial weight loss period.) And I don't fault them for that entirely. Bariatric dietitians are focused on patient populations assumed to be only begrudgingly if at all active and sport dietitians are focused on patients who have no history of morbid obesity so... what can you do. Don't worry about not getting enough carbs and losing muscle though. It's protein that you need to build muscle and it a lack of protein will cause your body to break down muscle. Carbs are for immediately accessible energy during workouts and Crossfit workouts are not long enough to require any additional carbs like a marathoner might need. You will be able to work from what your body has available, which it can convert from fat (from diet or from your excess weight). I would go relatively low-carb per your program's recommendation and notice how you feel during workouts. If you're hitting the wall much earlier than you have in the past (accounting for the fact that you've just gone through major surgery and probably taken significant time off), then maybe try adding a small amount of complex carbohydrate before your workout (something like berries or oatmeal, not something high in sugar natural or otherwise) or switch around the timing of when you eat your carbs and see whether that improves your workouts. Crossfit folks generally recommend a low-carb diet anyway. Disclaimer: I'm not a dietitian, I'm just a Crossfitter who was very concerned about this at the beginning of my surgery process and did a lot of research. I haven't had surgery yet, so I can't give my personal experience.

You are very early on. Embrace this time. Take this time to get into good habits now while you still have appetite suppression. It is called the honeymoon phase for a reason (after all WLS). The majority will get their hunger back within the first year if not sooner. Mine began returning around the 7th or 8 th month. I am 13 months post-op. It's annoying lol. After the majority of my protein is in for day, I eat a lot on fruits and vegetable soup for dinner on those hungry days. That is what works for me.

Ditto this. I was concerned about it, too and my doc just said to focus on getting 40-64oz of fluids in and worry about protein after Day 4.

Are we supposed to be meeting protein goals during the clear liquids portion of the post op diet? I am not allowed protein shakes until Saturday but I have protein water and I’m not sure if I should be trying to drink it….

Hello New Beginnings! I am planning for an October sleeve, myself. My co-worker got his sleeve in December 2021, and has lost 75 pounds. He looks great and says he feels absolutely fantastic and healthy. He definitely stated the pre-op diet was rough, and admitted to sneaking in a few forbidden foods, here and there. I don't recommend THAT, but if you happen to slip up, I think you'll be okay. I have already started trying out new high protein shakes, soups, protein water, and even squeezable pack high protein smoothies, so I'll be ready with what I like/tastes good and so I won't get bored. PS Where in TX are you? I'm in Austin. 🙂

I actually thought you would be up to 350 calorie meal sooner than that. Does your team have you restricted on calories. I was just given amounts of food to have which if I was eating protein restricted my calories but by the time I got to regular food I could have eaten 350 calories at one of my meals if I tried. I personally have a shake for breakfast, a low calorie lunch and a higher calorie dinner so I would have taken it with dinner and made sure to add in something to get closer to the 350 if I had stayed on it. Of course if that puts you over calories for your teams plan then talk to your doctors first.

Hello all, I’m 3 1/2 months post RNY. I’ve been doing CrossFit for 15 months now. Now that I’m well past surgery and back into normal exercise I am having trouble finding any consistent advice on carb intake. My program focuses on proteins and fluids and does recommend around 100g of carbs or more once on maintenance. I’m not there yet but wondering what kind of carb intake do you all get doing fairly intense exercise like running, HIIT, CrossFit etc? I don’t want to stall because of too little or take in too much and stall as well. I’m still building muscle or at least think so and I know I can get too little and make my body just eat away muscle tissue too.

Believe it or not that 2 week liquid diet helped me prepare for after surgery. I’m 2 days post op….. in pain but I’m doing well over all. 2oz of protein every hour on the hour and water or tea every 15 minutes. Is not an easy task… I feel full constantly but I have to get that protein and water in… you’ve got this !

I'm also on the soft/puréed food phase. I can eat a whole yogurt (5.3 Oz) or a whole packet of tuna (2.6oz) or a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese or a whole 11oz protein shake (or even a whole 32 oz water) fairly easy with no fullness or restriction and it really is upsetting me so I understand

Remember not just about weight loss… but the other benefits too! I did notice when installed - I upped my protein and then I started losing again. I am 6wks out from surgery and had the same type of stall the first month. Give your body time to heal! You just had surgery and when it’s ready, changes will happen! Ps I’m supposed to get 80g protein a day… that’s why I mentioned maybe upping your protein. But always check in with your dr and or nutritionist! Good luck ☺️

When I asked my doctor he said to add more calories to help your body adjust, when I did that, I lost more weight. I only increased by 100 cal. but that was enough. The schedule my doc put us on was eating every 2.5 hours or so. breakfast - snack - lunch - snack - dinner. and multiple shakes were fine. The shakes I use are only 140 cal, but 24 grams of protein.

Yes to this! I lost every day the first week and now I am just about a month out and have only lost 1 more pound. I see my doctor at the end of the month and I'm afraid they are going to think I'm not following the diet. I am. I have a protein shake for breakfast, yogurt for lunch and an egg for dinner. I was told not to add any more protein shakes because those count as meals and I'll have too many meals if I do that. I am honestly sort of regretting the surgery a bit since I'm barely eating but not losing any weight. I could have just had the hiatal hernia surgery if I wasn't going to lose weight. I feel like I've permanently altered my insides for nothing. It has been very frustrating for me. A friend of mine had surgery and has lost over 100 lbs in 5 months and she has even told me that sometimes she cheats. I am happy for her, but frustrated at my lack of losing.

Five weeks after surgery today, and after more than a two week stall, I finally started losing weight again this week. Today, for the first time in more than a decade, I weighed less than 100 kilos (220 pounds). I'm 99.5 kilos or 219 pounds. I know it's just a number on a scale, but it made me so happy. I've lost 13.5 kilos (28.6 pounds) pre and post surgery, and I've already completed more than 1/3 of my final goal. What, if anything, have you done to celebrate a mini goal or the end of a stall? I feel like doing something, but I don't know what. In the past I would probably have bought myself something good to eat, but that's not an option anymore.

Try the clear protein drinks if things taste excessively sweet. I’m not sure why but I had the same issue and those weren’t nearly as bad. Also I found one flavor protein shake that wasn’t too sweet but it has caffeine so check your plan if you are allowed to have it try premiere protein caffe latte. I had the clear protein drinks by premiere protein as well but there are many brands that make them. I suggest trying to find these at convenience stores so you can try just one without buying a case. Walmart sells a four pack of the caffe latte though and it’s much cheaper than convenience store so may as well get that.

Celebrating my 11th year anniversary of my RNY. Age 78, height 5/8, 299 lbs. Lowest weight was 165 (ideal) but the COVID "home bound" situation has caused some gain that I need to work on . Age now is almost 84 and some health issues are adding to water retention that has add to my weight. My story is that I gained weight after having 2 sons, starting two businesses created stress and a lot of responsibility fell to me. Diabetes became a big issue and while I reached 299 lbs.... diabetes was a big concern. My decision to have Bariatric surgery was guided by the fear of how diabetes was not under control. I was very fortunate to live near Indiana University Med Center which we use on a regular basis. IU has a great weight loss center with excellent nutritional department, and surgeons that operate in the best hospitals. At my age, the cost was taken care of by my Medicare benefit. The Dr that was assigned to me was the director of the IU Bariatric Dept. The Center gives out excellent information for the rules and reasons to prepare for surgery. My April start was to be the start to lose 35 lbs in 3 months but due to summer vacations, etc. it was 5 months to surgery. In that time I lost 55 lbs and had the option to continue on my own. I seriously considered that but since I had, initially, needed help with my diabetes, I elected to have the surgery. I'm very happy that I did. The increase of energy was unexpected. The diabetes meds and insulin was eliminated and hasn't returned, largely due to the fact that I no longer like the rich cream and sugar loaded junk. The small quantities that I can eat are a constant reminder that I need to fill up on good nutritional choices. Calories naturally come up to Breakfast: approx. 350 and consists of a tortilla with one mushroom, one small egg, diced onion, 1/2 slice of crisp bacon, and a sprinkle of cheese. Lunch (2 pm) is veggie soup or salad, dinner is served about 8 pm and is a minimum amount of food. Portion limits are always followed as are the eating rules....small bites!. A big help is that we no longer have a pantry full of bad snacks. Sugared drinks and juice is no longer in the house. Another help is we are the only two in the house now. It is much easier if you don't have to prepare additional meals for extra family members. Keeping busy is a key to not thinking so much about food. I'm a designer and building a line of paper and textile designs for personal use and interior decor. It is a business that I've had for 50 years and thought I was through but I guess not.

That's where the bone broth comes in. Plus, I have some unflavored protein powder that I can add to regular broth or even water if needed. I just have not used it yet since I didn't have the need. Also, I'm only on liquid protein for days 4-7, then I can add in cottage cheese & ricotta cheese. At that point, the old standby Ricotta Cheese Bake may be my friend for week 2.

What will you do if after surgery you can no longer tolerate anything sweet..like the shakes, jello, pudding, etc? I ask only because I relied on those items and my Gatorade Zero w/protein and after surgery I have not been able to stomach any of them. I would not have survived if it weren’t for creamy chicken soup broth. 😂 Just something to think about. Tastes sometimes change drastically, apparently.

SO I've had a couple of NSVs lately and couple of learning how to eat episodes too. I'll be 1-month post-op on the 18th and this is what I've seen. Clothes that I haven't been able to wear in over 6 years are fitting me again. I've had people come up to me in the grocery store telling me how much different I look than the last time they saw me. And I've had to remove a link out of my watch band about my wrist! I've also learned that I need to drink my protein drink in the morning before food otherwise everything is just too dry all the way down. It's kinda weird. but starting the day with liquids helps everything else to follow. I had an episode where I overate because I was not paying attention. I'll NEVER do that again! It ruined the whole day and hurt like hell!! So no matter what, set your timers, eat slow, chew, chew, chew, and pay attention to how you feel after every bite! I've recently begun to start having family meals again no one makes comments or says anything unkind as to how little I'm eating. I tell them that I get dinner twice because I can eat the rest later on I'm so full that only one bite of dessert goes over the lips because I'm completely satisfied. So far, it's working!

Questions don't bother me at all! I feel pretty good, plenty of energy but I can't do much because stretching pulls my incisions, and while I can ignore the pain, I really want to heal properly. A spot that's maybe my shoulder blade is still sore, and I'm pretty sure it's from the surgery positioning, for days my shoulder and neck muscles were tight. I didn't really like sweet before, so the premier protein shakes are extra gross to me, but I can get it down slightly frozen. Fairlife goes down a little easier. Bone broth mixed with ramen starter broth is pretty good. I've gotten a little better, but I've been getting painful excess stomach acid almost every time I consume anything, even water, so it's making it hard to be consistent. I called my surgeons office yesterday and asked if I could take a Tums and they okayed one at a time and that made things a little better. So, we'll see how today goes lol.