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What’s normal? One thing I’ve learnt since my surgery is there is no normal or only one right or wrong way about our recovery, weight loss, food & eating just what is right or wrong for you. There will be similarities & there will be differences too because we’re not the same. And yes it will be different from what was right or wrong or usual for you before surgery because simply what we did before did us no favours. Will it get easier? Yes. Does it take time to meet all your goals? Yes. As long as you’re making an effort & getting closer it’s okay. Will you have good days & bad days? Yes. Will your tummy be sensitive & fussy about certain foods for a while? Yes but that’s the healing process. Will it take time to learn new eating habits? Yes. Will you learn all your signals for real hunger, fullness/satiety or feel your restriction? Yes. Nerves were cut during surgery & they have to heal. Your signals take time to register & they may be different than before surgery. Will you be able to drink more than sips? Yes though how much & when is individual. Will you be able to reduce the amount of time before & after eating to drink? Yes but again when & how long is individual. Will you eat your old favourites again? Yes, once your weight has stabilised. Though it won’t be in exactly the same way. You’ll work out variations, & how much & how often is right for you. I’ve made quite a few changes to what & how I eat. Like I don’t skip meals anymore & there are certain foods I don’t or rarely eat. Some are my choice & others because they don’t sit well in my smaller tummy. I don’t feel I’m missing out on anything I chose not to or can’t eat. It did take time to work out what was right for me - food choices, calories, nutrients, portions, frequency of eating. Once I reached maintenance I slowly added new foods, recipes, adjusted portions, etc. to see how I’d go & made modifications for probably a good year after I reached goal. I did keep losing for about 11 months after goal while working it out but have basically maintained since then. I’m four years out from surgery. I’ll make further adjustments as I need - lifestyle changes, age, health issues, etc. PS There is an exception to the no one right way to eat & that’s in the first weeks when you’re following your staged return to eating. That plan supports & protects your healing tummy (remember all those sutures & staples holding it together). Check your plan on what you’re allowed to eat. Yes, plans can be different but being allowed eggs & peanut paste three days out from surgery sounds highly unusual. All because you managed it doesn’t mean you can do it again or it didn’t impact your recovery in some way. Be careful.

Now that I am strictly on liquid three days out from my operation I'm only using two protein shakes 11 oz of chicken broth twice a day unlimited water jello, popsicles, pudding. but that's cuz they told me yesterday that we are only supposed to have 60 grams of protein on this liquid diet that's why I cut it down to two protein shakes.

I had my final pre-surgery appointment with my surgeon today, it was my pre-op appointment. My surgery was supposed to be scheduled for 6/16, but I found out that it was pushed to the 23rd because my surgeon is going on vacation. I have to start my clear liquid diet on 6/15 and I'm not looking forward to that. Aside from that, I have to pre-register the week of the 23rd and do a blood test and that's all I have left. I'm actually kinda scared and worried. Aside from a sleep study test, I've never stayed in a hospital overnight, let alone had any surgeries or anything. I was reading online that that death rate for this surgery is 1 in 1,000. I nervously asked my surgeon today if he'd done a lot of these sleeve surgeries and he responded that he'd completed his 1,000th not too long ago... 😬😂 My biggest concern is blood clots and dying from it. I have four kids and three of them are under 7 years old. My doctor is a general surgeon that specializes in gastric sleeve. Initially I wanted the full bypass surgery but he told me that he didn't do it. That it was "physiologically not natural." In the area that I live in, I had two surgeons that accepted my insurance, him and another guy that's from another country and was a couple hours away, so I decided to go with him and trust him. He's been pretty great so far. I've had countless people (not surgeons or experts) telling me that the sleeve would be useless for someone that needed to lose over 80lbs. Then again, I've seen people telling their stories on YouTube that had the sleeve and lost 150-200lbs. It's hard to really know what to believe. I know that I need help, regardless. I'm sorry for the long pointless post, but I wanted to post my thoughts and feelings, if for nothing more than to look back on them in the future.

Two eggs & some grits? You’re doing well. A lot if it just comes down to how we heal. Actually two scrambled eggs would take me three days without r eating anything else. I can eat about two now at four years out. But that’s an example of how different we all are.

I’m three weeks post op today and was able to start soft foods. It look me like an hour to eat 2oz. Idk what is wrong with me lol

I started binge watching Mike and Molly TV show when I was recovering from surgery. For a few different reasons: One, never watched it before and found it made me laugh. It deals a lot with food and struggling to lose weight as well. Two, my doctor calls me funny lady. Says I make her laugh and remind her of Melissa McCarthy. I'll take that. Loved her on SNL and the movie Bridesmaids too. Three, Billy Gardell. Have you seen this guy's transformation after Gastric Bypass??? Amazing. He's quite open about how he lost the weight publicly. Said he wants to live to see his son get married. His weight loss makes me smile. People talking negatively about his choices, not so much. People are saying he's no longer funny after the weight loss. I blame it on his new sitcom though. Do you think people are less funny after losing weight? Check this out...

Try spreading your meds out across the day and yes definitely look into other vitamin formulations as others have suggested. Some even come in a spray - one squirt under the tongue -easy. A teaspoon of liquid at a time every couple of minutes is pretty much the way we’re all like. Sip, sip, sip. Keep your drink next to you at all times. I even sipped during the night & still do. I too found warm drinks easier to tolerate - more soothing. I even warmed my shakes. You’ll find it easier to meet your fluid & protein goals over the next couple of weeks when you’re more healed. My surgeon said as long as I was making an effort & getting closer he was happy. Don’t forget your shakes & soups, broths, etc. all count towards your fluid goal. Your skin dryness could be from the anaesthetic. It’s likely not from not meeting your fluid goal unless you’re a long way off your goal. Especially if you’re not experiencing any symptoms of dehydration as well (dry mouth tongue & lips, rarely or not peeing, dark & strong smelling urine, rapid heart rate &/or breathing, extreme thirst, irritable, confused, headaches, dizziness & lethargy - though the last three can be part of your recovery). If you have any of these symptoms seek medical help as soon as possible. You’ll get through this. Just give yourself time to heal & work out how best to manage everything for you.

I didn't have a three week stall, but I'm about six months post-op now and have been teetering on 2 pounds. HOWEVER, measurements do not lie. From last month I've lost another two inches off my waist. I'm struggling mentally with progress/body/eating right now, so the inches lost are a huge help to see, but I totally feel you with the stall pain.

Hi Carla, I was on the same diet as you and I barely lost 4 pounds, so please do not worry. I think they recommend the number of protein shakes based on height and weight, some are on three, some on four. My surgery is in 6 hours and I will ask if the fact that I lost only 4 pounds is an issue, but I do not think so.

Had my first visit with the surgeon last week about getting the sleeve. Did heaps of research and checked out forums prior to appt. Surgeon suggested getting the bypass. Said research shows it is more successful long term and as I am in my 50s I wouldn’t want to be doing another op in my mid 60s. Bypass is also reversible. I agreed to a bypass on the spot as the surgeon should know what’s best for me. He said he has even reduced the cost of a bypass to match the sleeve so patients would not be deciding on a procedure based solely on cost. Surgery next month. Very worried about ever being able to go to a restaurant in the future due to lack of suitable menu choices and ending up with dumping in a public setting. Not sure how I would cope when travelling as will be relying on others to prepare my meals. Any advice on these scenarios would be much appreciated. I just spent the weekend donating many of my gorgeous cookbooks as I can’t see myself ever using them again. I have another three bookcases to go through. Next step will be digging out the smaller clothes I never donated as I really liked them. I have a feeling I won’t be interested in many of my old clothes anymore and will want to celebrate my new figure with some new items. I know my smallest clothes are going to end up too big in the near future. Can’t wait. Would love to hear from others about their journey and any tips or tricks you can offer.

My doctor only does three shakes a day, not four. Maybe that could be it. Also I see you have four shakes and milk too! Gosh.

Welcome. I don’t think there is a tutorial or help materials (Alex will probably let us know if there is) but you seem to be doing pretty well so far. You’ve started a thread. Responded to other posts. Set up your stats in your profile. This was my first forum too but it didn’t take long to work it out. People here are always happy to share hints & tips on how to get the best out of the forum. So never be afraid to ask. We’re always happy to help, share experiences, offer support, etc. on any question or topic you raise. 😁 As to your specific questions: You can quote a post by selecting the quote button at the bottom of the specific post you want to respond to & this will appear in a box in your response text box. The date a thread began can be found under the thread title & with who started the conversation. Each post also has the date it was posted in response too. You can follow conversations in threads you responded to by selecting the three horizontal lines in the top right hand corner & then clicking the world icon. If you want to follow a thread without responding, click the pink follow button under the name of the person who began the thread. Most recent threads are listed near the bottom of the home page. Also you can edit your post for a short period of time by clicking the edit button under your post. And you can add pxts to a post by choosing click to choose files.

I wasn’t allowed to snack until solid foods - three meals only in purées & soft. And then it was one snack: a high protein yoghurt (was already eating that as a meal option in purée stage because I stopped shakes once liquids ended) or soft cheese (I liked Jarlsberg & string). After a couple of weeks I could have certain fruit as a snack option too or sometimes ate a wedge of cucumber (peeled) sprinkled with salt. Didn’t have other snacks until I was starting maintenance & I needed to up my calories. But plans are different. Check with your dietician for ideas that are suitable within your plan. PS - Yoghurt drinks are great too - blend your high protein yoghurt with milk.

That’s a tough one to answer & really up to how you personally recover. Some are fine after a week & easily return to work. Some need two, three or four weeks. I took four weeks & needed all of them. I struggled with low blood pressure (which was a pre existing tendency), lethargy & would get doughy in the head at times. But I am someone who always seems to take longer to recover from everything even a cold. Discuss returning part time to begin or with reduced hours each day & keep the option of maybe needing longer open if your employers are willing.

I had GERD and my surgeon said because of that I should at least consider bypass, although he'd do either surgery I wanted. Bypass usually improves if not outright cures GERD. My GERD completely went away for the first three years post-surgery. I have it again, although it's milder than it was before. I just take an over-the-counter antacid (like Rolaids) when it acts up, which is maybe a couple of times a week. no cautionary advice - I love my bypass and would do it again in a heartbeat.

So I was pretty unlucky with the nightmare complications. Two weeks after my bypass, I needed emergency surgery because internal adhesions caused a complete blockage. Two days after that surgery, I was getting my second emergency surgery for the same issue. They also decided to place a g-tube in the bypassed part of my stomach for drainage, and I had to have that for three months. Right after that, I would experience random attacks of intense pain and we finally, finally think we figured out why (sphincter of oddi dysfunction). That being said.... ...I would do it all over again in a heart beat. At no point did I have any regrets. Yes, it sucked having to get two "bonus" surgeries, but it was a minor blip in the road. The random pain episodes sucked, but now that we know the issue, there are things I can do to prevent it from happening. Compared to how life was before my bypass, I feel SO MUCH BETTER. My blood pressure is normal, my joints don't hurt constantly, my energy levels are through the roof, I run and kayak and hike regularly... and then there's the 'vanity' aspects too - every store carries my size, I love shopping for clothes because they look good on me now, I'm not hyper-aware of my size constantly... the list goes on. I really did not release how miserable I was being obese until I wasn't. It's surgery! I don't think it's right for everyone, and I think people should be aware of the potential for complications... but those complications are pretty rare, and it's still the gold standard for long term weight loss.

I am three days post-op (May30th), and I am excited to see where this journey will take me!

I have all three of your nightmares. I knew all about them. I did not know I would get GERD too, I hoped to swerve it. My hair is growing back very slowly but I have begun to love the new me in a pixie cut My Nausea and GERD are under control - ish, I still get bad days and nights where acid wakes me Throwing up foam is called the foamies. Eat too fast, eat too much or eat a wrong food and yep that's a pain in the a--chest until its either vomited or it works its way through my stomach. So knowing what I know now about all that and the frequency that I get it, would I have this surgery? Hell yes, in a heartbeat. My life has changed dramatically. I feel as if I have lost 25 years. I have a life. I don't hide away anymore. I am super confident. Now what you must decide is - if the pendulum swings your way and you get these side effects, is it time for your surgery ? You are always going to mess with your insides, you are loosing most of your stomach. For lots of us with lots of medical problems its a no brainer and last ditch effort to save our lives. This surgery is not an easy option. I hope you work it out

Its officially JUNE!! Happy surgery month everyone! I have three days until surgery and I'm starting to get that nervous feeling

What were you expecting to lose? If you're looking for 30+ lbs the first month, that's pretty rare unless you're the size of someone on "My 600 lb Life". For most of us "average" WLS patients, that much loss the first month is pretty unusual. Most of us lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range. Plus most people don't lose much the first week because of the "gain" from the IV fluids you get in the hospital (which of course is just water) - and then there's the infamous "three-week stall" that many of us experience, where you can go a couple of weeks (usually 1-3) without any loss, because your body is kind of recalibrating after the surgery - so you may be experiencing that as well. you're not going to lose the weight any faster than if you ate the same thing without surgery. With the extreme calorie deficit we have the first few months out, you'd probably lose about the same regardless if you had surgery or not. The difference is, it's much more easy to sustain that deficit with the surgery. Most people probably could not go for months on end eating something like 800 calories. But with the surgery, you can. Your hunger is suppressed, your stomach is tiny, etc. The most I could ever lose before surgery was about 50-60 lbs. With this, I lost over 200, and have kept it off for eight years. No way could I have done that without the surgery.

Hey I am right there with you. Day three and I have considered eating my dogs at this point. As dumb as it sounds getting on here and reading about everyone else's suffering really seems to help. Partially because I am an A-hole but also to see that we are not alone. I have noticed today seems better so far as I am getting use to it. My wife also suffers from my condition (A-hole) and brought a bunch of chips and junk food in the house the first day. She also wanted hotdogs and crap for dinner last night (I do all cooking) so I made them that before eating my cabbage soup with a nasty protein drink (Root Beer Float sucks). Dependant on what she wants for dinner tonight I may have to let the dog lick it first! So I guess being petty is my coping mechanism.

Hi Carla - don’t know really. I was swimming for half hour each day up until three days ago as they physiologist recommended it though it’s not a must. It might be because it’s liquor. The milk diet I’ve been given does not include shakes or anything like that.

not sure what exactly you're asking. I do occasionally take pills after eating - a swallow of water (enough to get a pill down) isn't going to violate the "wait (x number) of minutes after eating before drinking anything" rule. I take vitamins twice a day - first thing in the morning and late afternoon, usually. About three or four pills at a time. So yes - you can take multiple pills at one sitting.

No I only had a final goal weight and to be honest that was purely aspirational - I had no idea whether or when I would reach it! It was a weight I had reached previously by diet and exercise and felt good at. Hunger returned when I had lost approx 100lbs - probably a quarter of that on my long pre-op diet and three quarters in the 9 or 10 months post op. I went on to lose about another 40lbs. But honestly it is so different for different people. That's just how it went for me. Very best of luck to both of you.

Hang in there! This is a great video describing what is going on: The TLDR Version: In the first three weeks, you are losing more weight than is possible given your calorie deficiency, that is extra water around your body. You actually become dehydrated in those first few weeks until your body regulates itself and starts to store some more water to get you out of that dehydrated state. That usually happens around week 3, so you stall. You are STILL losing fat, you are just retaining more (needed) water than the fat you are losing that week.