Search the Community

Can I have this yogurt in week one? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes its the worst. After four or five days you will feel less hungry and just knuckle down and get on with it. I had three weeks. I just could not wait for it to end it is so boring. It felt like some cruel game some Doctor had conjured up just to make their day better. The diets are so random from doctor to doctor

Yesterday I had the last of my appointments, tests and virtual check-ins (or so I thought). I got a call after my last appointment - expecting it to be a scheduler to set up a time to meet with the surgeon. Instead, it was a question about my cardiac clearance - “did they do an echo while I was there?” (they didn’t). They said I would need one - sorry it got missed (irritated it’s another copay 🙄) … hoping they could get me in before my new insurance year (July 1st) but grateful they got me in on July 1st. At least it is not a long wait. I’m worried that’s going to push out my meeting with the surgeon… and back things up a little. I know I will have a 8 day pre-surgical liquid diet to do prior to my surgery…. but my question is - how long after your last meeting with the surgeon was your surgery scheduled for? My husband is a teacher and I’m hoping to have the surgery before he goes back so he can be around that first week or two at least. As June turns into July… (he goes back mid August for in-service) I worry that might not be possible. I’m not worried about the insurance part, I’m confident that is already good. I’m not worried about the echo (I have no cardiac issues… it’s just the programs requirement). So it’s really just the surgeons availability that’s the last piece of the puzzle. Thanks for any insight you can give. I’m trying not to stress - but the closer I get to the pre-surgical requirements being done … the more anxious I get.

Good afternoon, I'm officially 10 weeks post op after VSG. I've only lost 48 lbs, but I'm feeling SO much better than before. Just curious for anyone who's been out of surgery around the same time (my date was April 13th) and what you've lost during this time. I'm not worried about not losing more because 48lbs in 10 weeks is still a great amount to have lost, but my surgeon said I would've lost between 50-60 lbs by 8 weeks out, on average. Weight loss is consistent now, I didn't lose anything for about 3+ weeks after week 3 while I was healing, but now it's consistently about 3-4 lbs down every week. I've also found it helpful to include at least 2 tbsp a day of some type of grain or starch (nothing processed/white/wheat). When I stay lower in carbs (below 35), I don't lose weight at all for that week.

Ugggg, I forgot how much the preop diet sucks. I'm being revised from a lapband to gastric bypass on July 6. My band has been unfilled since December, so I've been able to eat normally since then. My current surgeon has me doing two weeks of shake for breakfast, shake for lunch, healthy choice steamer for dinner. Last time I did all liquids, staying under 20 grams of carbs, but it was only for a week. From what I remember, the first days of the preop diet are the worst and then I kinda got numb and it wasn't so bad. But I'm in the thick of it now. And staring down two full week of this is daunting. I made it last time, I'll make it this time, but just uggg.

At 3 weeks I wasn't eating any carbs at all! But I'm getting hungrier and hungrier as time goes on. Real hunger, not "head" hunger. I know some people have to deal with more than others. I started getting hungry ast end the end of my first 3 weeks. Added proteins and some vegs in, that helped. As I get farther away from surgery the hunger is getting worse. I'm trying to get an appt with my surgeon to talk about this again. Of course the type of Carb makes a big difference. But I noticed any carbs, even high quality ones with loads of fiber still slow me down on losing.

Question - I get sharp pains in the top of my stomach when I drink anything. It's intermittent. They don't even last a second but I was hoping they would get better a week out, but it's the same. I'm thinking it's the hernia repair I had at the same time, or could it be common to the sleeve?

June 14, a week ago. SO happy!!

One week, 20 pounds!!! I know we're not supposed to weigh ourselves much, but, Hurray! I really notice the difference in not having to haul that around. Question - how's everybody's energy doing? I'm really struggling with low energy. Okay, I'm 74, just had major surgery (including a bonus hernia repair), and yesterday was the first day I was able to get in 800 calories, so I guess the answer to my own question is simply, "Patience." ---sigh--- (Not my strong suit)

One week post op and I can get out of bed without straining myself.

I'm one week post op, terrified the entire time leading up to the surgery I would drop below BMI and lose my chance. Obviously successful. My surgeon told me to skip the liver shrinking diet as the BMI was more important. How INSANE!!! Well, it is what is. My mindset dealing with pre-op was that I knew I was stuffing myself with food that wasn't good for me and that I didn't even want to eat but it was for a short term, specific goal. It was SO hard! At the same time I really concentrated and meditated on post surgery/rest of my life eating habits, why I was going through this and what I wanted to get out of it. My first thought waking up after surgery was that I didn't ever have to do that again and felt so relieved. This is just the price of admission to a fabolous tool that, if used correctly, will make a huge difference in the rest of my life. Hang in there and commit to the work after. And DON'T get me started on the absurdly, inaccurate and arbitrary decisions based on outdated BMI requirements!!!! LOL

I had my one week consult. Everything is going well. No problem working out but they want me to make sure I listen to my body. I’m moving my liquids to 100oz and protein to 100gr. I know it all water weight but down 13 lbs.

Hi yalllll, So I’m rlly just wondering if I’m fucking this surgery up 😞 I am able to eat a yogurt (6oz) in like 20 mins and I don’t feel gross after. My brother who also had the surgery two/three years ago is telling me I’m eating way too fast, but I don’t like understand how or what he means? He won’t rlly help me understand either 😞 I just don’t want this all to be in vain, I’m a worry wort as you can probably see but I have lost 12ish lbs and I wanna keep the momentum, and make sure I’m not doing anything dumb to jeopardize my success. Any input would be helpful! Xx

Hi Dolly - I'd love to share my experience. I did the travel program through Alabama Bariatrics. My surgery was scheduled on a Tuesday. I had to be in Alabama for an in person consult and final labs on Monday, surgery on Tuesday then I stayed overnight at the hospital until Weds. I was discharged to a hotel and had to stay local that night then I was able to drive home on Thursday. All of the pre-surgery labs were done through my primary care physician. My initial contact with Alabama Bariatrics was at the end of November 2021 and my surgery ended up being March 2022. It could have been much sooner but I didn't have a primary care physician so I had to wait almost 2 months for a new patient appointment which delayed things. Also, I could have gotten surgery in mid-February but I chose to wait until March so I could have it done the week my kids were on spring break so my parents (babysitters) didn't have to worry about taking them back and forth to school. Here's their website: https://alabariatrics.com/ feel free to ask me anything! I would highly recommend them, the entire process was super easy.

Hey all, my wife is looking into the gastric sleeve surgery, of course I am the one with all the questions about it. Hoping maybe someone could help with any anecdotal evidence at least. I'm trying to reduce the "I wish we knew x before doing this" ... Anyway, for obvious reasons we are looking at Mexico. The first one she sent me was Elias Ortiz out of Tijuana. So I looked into him more, and read about some very poor (in my opinion) things about him, I think mostly when he was with ALM (or whatever it's called). Of course the first surgeon we look at giving me the eebie geebies is not a great start. He's not officially out of running, but we have looked into the following now. Odd that there didn't seem to be lists of them. Haven't looking into everything equally, our spoken to the coordinator on prices or anything, but these are probably in order of what we like. Endobariatric in Piedras Negras with Guillermo Alvarez LIMARC in Tijuana with Liza María Pompa González Obesity Control Center in Tijuana with Ariel Ortiz Elias Ortiz & Co in Tijuana VIDA Bariatrics in Tijuana with Gabriela Rodriguez Ruiz So I guess the questions are the following. If anyone could answer whatever question you may be able to add to, that would be great. Thanks!! 1) After deciding on Mexico, what was the overriding determinant in picking a surgeon, was it only price? 2 Did you get to pick the bougie size? I read a study (odd that I only found one) about bougie sizes - apparently 32 fr and 40 fr are the 2 commonest sizes? Anyway the study said that there was no materially significant weight loss difference between the two sizes, but there were less complications with the 40 fr size. Also in her situation, she's 5'10", and her general body type is such that her most healthy weight is going to be more than others her height, so I fear something too restrictive could come with problems of their own. 3 I've read about issues where people's Drs don't support post op care for out of country surgeries. This was old info though. Have people found this to still be the case? Is it only for the primary doctors, or only bariatric doctors? Or both, or is that not really a thing anymore? 4 What about complications during surgery. I have to imagine they send you to an ER in the states. I understand at that point our insurance will cover the emergency internationally, but not sure the MX hospital would be adequately staffed, and may have to send us to a place in the US. Any issues with transportation delays having to cross border? 5 Complications after you return home... I assume no, but are there any that, if we are about to make it back out, would fix the problem for like no cost or reduced fee? 6 Post op care. Like weeks/months/years... Is there a type of support you wish you had but was not provided? Nutritionist, or type of PT or psychologist/psychotherapist that focuses on mental issues that may arise after the big life change, to avoid body dysmorphia from moving to a different body part... I know the OCC place mentioned 5 years worth of support. Not sure if that is worth it, or if it's just something out there for fluff because it seems like something that would be useful for patients, but actually patients after the fact realize it's not helpful. 7 anything you know now, but would've been really helpful to know beforehand? Whether generally, or issues that would be specific to MX vs going to a place in US? 8 wondering the success of people with situation like her... In my opinion her problem isn't with overeating/the size of her stomach. She doesn't eat because she's hungry, so I'm not sure the impact this has on ghrelin will be a huge help. She invites an environment where she keeps low metabolism, skips meals, snacks on crap, drinks artificial sweeteners, takes medication that has been shown to lower metabolism. I tell her she needs to eat more protein, fiber, and 'eat like a diabetic' and when she works out (which she doesn't even do anymore), it's more of a benefit to go shorter sessions, but with more intensity, as that is best for your metabolism ... She says "Believe it or not, I actually learned this in college (for her nursing degree) and I know what I need to do" but yet does not do at all what she needs to do - and yet also simultaneously complains that she's tried everything to lose weight, even though that's not the case, particularly in last few years when she's out on anywhere from 20-40 pounds (guess). Looking at all the pre and post op diets, it looks like there's a focus on protein (as one would expect). So she's like, addicted to the dopamine I guess that she gets. She eats because she knows it's there. So while I am sure she will lose a bunch of weight offer the first 6-12 months, I tell her I'm more worried about being back where she is now 5 years after the fact, due to her behaviors that have put us in this situation in the beginning. There have been a handful of things that she's done (each successive thing being more expensive), where she's like "if I get x then it will force me to do y" and that's basically her 'argument' here. 9 related to above, how does one stay hydrated while exercising, esp in heat? Or even being sick? Is it recommended to drink warm water, due to the quicker absorption than cold?

You don’t have to make your own cream soup. Just buy them from the supermarket. That’s all I did those first two weeks. Made my own soups after then but honestly couldn’t be bothered to cook anything that first fortnight. Heat or shake were my cooking limits. 😁 Any broth works including the broth from wonton soup or pho (jus drain & strain the solids out). Bone broth is the best but it can be salty. Just watch any fruit chunks in the yoghurt. Strain it well after blending it with the milk. Chobani yoghurt was recommended to me but I found it too sweet. Found a less sweet one with more protein (20g) which also had a yoghurt drink. Think it’s only in Australia (Danone yopro) but the don’t do the drink anymore. Mine didn’t have to be ‘lite’.

May be it’s the type of carbs? From purée stage I was allowed carbs: rolled oats & vegetables (not potatoes), then fruit later on. So instead of saying ditch the carbs I should have said reduce the carbs & look for more nutritious complex carbs like in multi & whole grains (low processed), seeds & vegetables. If you’re able to eat bread & pasta on your plan look for the low carb, high protein & multi grain versions. And of course leave them to last when eating: protein first then vegetables & then carbs if you can. But maybe it’s a case of discovering what works for you and it may be reduced carbs or only complex high fibre carbs. Ketosis didn’t last for my whole weight loss phase, just in the beginning. (Thank goodness - those bad body odour, bad breath, keto flu, etc. side effects are awful.) You don’t have to be in ketosis to lose weight. That’s just one way. Continuing to be calorie deficient will enable you to lose weight. I haven’t eaten pasta, rice or bread since before my surgery three years ago. I go out often including to Italian & Japanese restaurants & haven't felt like I’m missing out yet by not eating rice or pasta. Plenty of other options on the menu. As for bread - I have 7 specialty bakeries & patisseries within a 2 km strolling radius of my home. Don’t feel I’m missing out with them either. It’s just how you look at it. But that’s me. You have to discover what works for you.

by light yogurt I'm guessing she means something like Dannon's Light & Fit (which you can get anywhere), Kroger's Carbmaster (at Kroger and Kroger affiliates), or the 100-calorie "protein Greek yogurt" that Aldi sells in a 4-pack. But there are others. There are others out there as well - but those three come to mind.

Hello all, according to guide I have from my doctor: this is what I can take week 1 below. I am confused on how to make a creamed soup as I don’t soup. Are there suggestions for a soup for week 1? Something that is easy to make? Can I have chicken broth instead of a creamed soup? My second question is about light yogurt blended with skim milk as that it was it listed in the picture I have posted. Any recommendations of a yogurt I can pick from target or Walmart to satisfy this requirement? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hubby grilled this tomahawk steak Father's day. It was amazing! We are enjoying the leftovers this week. Pair it with homemade broccoli and cauliflower salads - for a lighter touch side dish. Can only tolerate about 10 tiny bites of beef at a meal.

I think that's why they should have waited. The issue was because I had seen my PCP a week after surgery and my BP was fine so she was fine with me not being on any, wasn't until a week or two later that it rose back up. Hopefully mine will drop down as time goes on.

Hi Tela - Tomorrow will be one week for me post ESG. I had very little complications, nausea gone within 48 hours and back working already . Per my doctor, I don’t have any restrictions but I’m pretty tired. He thought it would take 2 or 3 weeks, but more about being tired. The restrictions are much less because there is not cutting. I have zero problems with getting enough water. I do mix in vitamin water zero, and crystal light lemonade. I have no problem with getting protein. The majority through fairlife protein shakes but I’ve started to do some unflavored isopure. Without solid foods, I think it will be hard to get much more calories. But I feel like I could eat solid foods but will follow the guideline Lets keep in touch. Good luck. Oh, i have a consult tomorrow. I’m going to be asking a similar question.

There seems to be no 'normal' when it comes to pre-op diets. Everybody seems to have a different one. Mine was two weeks of non-fat milk, 20oz, three times per day. Plus water..... Other people get meat and veggies. Most seem to get protein shakes.

So today is my weekly weigh in day, and I weigh 349!!! It's the first time in 2 years I have been below 350 (1st time was when I did keto, but as soon as I hit 320 it literally came back up and I never lost a single pound after I went back to my original weight). I'm figuring out the food portions, timing, measurements and I think I have it down!!! You guys have all been so amazing with all the meltdowns, crazy questions, doubting myself, etc I've done on here (I know, I was a bit loco lol ). But I seem to be losing at a nice steady pace (5-7 pounds per week) and I have to say, I'm really liking it. I feel like this is much more sustainable and maintainable than when I was doing keto (and surprisingly, a lot less restrictive! ) I'm 7 weeks post op today and honestly, other than my scars on my tummy, I would never know I had surgery. No pain, no more limitations, no problems at all. I still have to be mindful of how much I eat and how often, because as I have said before, I never lost any of my hunger hormone. But I make homemade smoothies with fruit or I drink a protein shake if I need a little extra protein, or I just keep busy until I can teach my stomach and body that I'm NOT hungry and I HAVE eaten enough and I will NOT be eating anymore because I had my allotted amount and that's it. It's harder when you're still hungry, but it CAN be done. Especially when I see the progress on the scale. So so glad I had this surgery. I don't regret it at all. Not even a tiny bit. I just wish I had done it sooner. But I guess we all do, don't we? lol

I only weigh once a week at most, sometimes every two weeks. I would drive myself nuts weighing every day, because a salty meal and I can gain 5 pounds! I learned not to do this to myself awhile back. Everyone is different, some people can handle the normal fluctuations.