Search the Community

I'm just shy two weeks out, and this is honestly the only thing keeping me from loosing it. I've had my pureed/soft foods grocery list made up for at least a week and I frequently add to and revise it. It's the only way to convince myself to drink yet *another* protein shake.

I've used the Hot Chocolate from the Bariatric Pal Store right here. Right now it's on sale for $13.99 for 7 packets. Here's the info on the basic Chocolate. There are other flavors available. BariatricPal Classic Hot Chocolate Protein Drink Highlights: 15 grams of protein 80 calories 15% of the daily value for calcium Suitable for the Pre Op and Post Op Liquid, Mushies and Pureed Foods, Solid Foods and Maintenance diets Suitable for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, duodenal switch and gastric band patients Suitable for anyone watching their weight Enjoy anytime Aspartame free 7 X Classic Hot Chocolate Protein Drink Packets Per Box Ingredients: Calcium Caseinate, Hydrolyzed Gelatin, Non-Fat Milk, Cocoa Powder, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Potassium Citrate, Titanium Dioxide, Sucralose, Soy Lecithin. Allergy Information: Contains milk and soy. All products listed have been manufactured on equipment that has processed milk, wheat (gluten), soy, egg, peanuts and tree nuts.

Hi, For Vsg revision to SADI on Dec 6. Anybody want to share their experiences? Bathroom issues?

I'm having problems with my birth control, I'm on an extended cycle pack due to horribly painful periods but have gotten my period 3 times with one lasting two weeks since I started this pack. My OBGYN said that I could need an increased dose but to finish this pack and call him back if things don't change and he'll change my pill. I did some research and found that most oral contraceptives are thought to be mostly absorbed in the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine that is bypassed in gastric bypass. This could explain the issues I've been having. This article does a good job at explaining how different meds are absorbed post gastric bypass.

I had the bypass done on August 28 and just had my 3 month post op visit. My surgeon is beyond thrilled with my results! I have lost over 50% of my excess weight to date and he said he wouldn't be surprised if I was near or at goal by 6 months. I also met with the nutritionist and she is perfectly happy with how things are going as well. I told her there are days I don't want to eat very much, if at all, and she said that's totally normal and fine but not to force myself to eat. She's ok that some meals I only get 1/4 cup of food and others I can eat a 1/2 cup. My goal is to be 199 by the new year, and if I keep losing at the rate I have been it's a very feasible goal! My surgeon also said that I could start looking for a plastic surgeon to get rid of the some excess belly skin because I'm already getting rashes and having pain from it, that won't happen until later next year though as summer 2020 is already filling up fast. I also bought a new swimsuit for our cruise in June, in a MEDIUM! I tried on the medium top yesterday and while it was a little snug fingers crossed it should fit perfect by then! It was on clearance so even if it's too big by then it's not a huge loss of money. I also got bottoms in a medium!

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is the feeding of specialist nutritional products to a person intravenously, bypassing the usual process of eating and digestion. The products are made by specialist pharmaceutical compounding companies and are considered to be the highest risk pharmaceutical preparations available as the products cannot undergo any form of terminal sterilization. The person receives highly complex nutritional formulae that contain nutrients such as glucose, salts, amino acids, lipids and added vitamins and dietary minerals. It is called total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or total nutrient admixture (TNA) when no significant nutrition is obtained by other routes, and partial parenteral nutrition (PPN) when nutrition is also partially enteric. It may be called peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) when administered through vein access in a limb rather than through a central vein as central venous nutrition (CVN).

I decided to start a topic because I tested eating out for the second time. My mom and three of her friends wanted to go to Ichiban buffet. I’d been there before my surgery. I asked if they could mention to the server before they bring the check before we started eating to mention my card, that I had gastric bypass and request a child’s menu. It was overwhelming when I first got there so I couldn’t when I’m sensory overload. No one wanted to just ask. I dropped the issue. I wanted to test myself eating out. I still need soft foods, easy to eat things but I did a test for myself. To try. It was a Japanese buffet so they had some sashimi and they had nice cooked fish and shrimp. breakfast I had a 5 oz cottage cheese 110 calories and 19 grams protein, lunch I had a protein shot with tea 60 calories and 15 grams protein. I usually have 48 grams protein a day and max 400 calories average 380 for reference. im guessing my meal at no more than 230 calories, I’ll overestimate. Maybe 5 ounces of food at most. And approximately 20 or so grams of protein. i took a small plate of salmon sashimi maybe 3 oz at most. Approximately 128 calories, 12-13 grams protein. My cheat was to have some wasabi with tiny bits of soy sauce And ginger. I love salmon and wasabi. It was a nice treat in miniature. The salmon goes down easy compared to heavier proteins. I had nibbles of cookes salmon and swai. I had two small soft cooked shrimp. Maybe an ounce which is about 30 calories? 6 grams protein? I ate very slow. I used chopsticks. I did allow myself a tiny cheat at the end. I knew they had a little soft desert sort of like tiramisu I took a piece, a tiny teaspoon of coffee ice cream, and some sort of eggy flan. But took nibbles with the chopsticks and then covered it with a napkin and was done. I didn’t drink anything. I actually felt more sick trying to drink something to take medication when I got home. A few sips of water. I worked hard to eat right but let myself have a very tiny bit of something. I felt the need to test. I’m nearly seven months out and can’t eat regular foods but sometimes we need to be able to feel like we can join other people when they eat and not be tempted. The others ate plates and plates. I ate a few ounces. But it was ok. I got upset when they paid the bill and could have asked for mine to be a child’s portion but didn’t care to ask. I stepped away and despite my autism got up the nerve to go to the desk and mention my surgery and they would have accommodated me had they just asked when we sat down. But I wasn’t in a place to ask I rarely if ever eat out. So don’t be afraid to ask. And get the little medical card from BariatricPal you never know when a restaurant will be open to it. will this be helpful to anyone I hope so. I made sure to eat protein first and fill up. And just a tiny taste of the coffee flavor desert that I remembered liking before surgery. Just a taste. i was worried and I am trying to do little things without stressing too hard. Just keep in mind my own personal rules and foods I can manage. third edit. I think I am learning that due to a neurological form of dysphasia, water and thinner liquids actually make me feel more sick, thN soft easier to digest foods, it’s crazy.

@Sweetsoul oh how I understand how hard it is. I am 7” shorter than you. I can’t excercise due to chronic illness but I understand avoiding the gym. In all reality exercise does not help with weight loss. Building muscle (which I cannot do) helps burn fat, but I meant to say is I’ve been here before and I fought so hard the first time and it’s hard, I was losing my ability to taste food and I wasn’t getting hungry or full signals but I felt that needs to just want something good, something rich with flavor, strong taste. Never was a snacker either, love salt need salt fo orthostatic intolerance. I tried vegetarian back then too when I couldn’t tolerate meats. I had been doing extreme low carb and calorie counting to lose weight And I finally did but it was extreme under 10 net carbs and very low calorie. but wanted to add more vegetables and vegetarian foods. I was feeling sick. And guess what my weight crept up. Somehow I managed the best I could but always on the brink of gaining until I eventually ended up having drastic weight gain. Maybe because my gallbladder went bad and I wasn’t processing fats but I was eating more greens, kale salads, vegetarian foods and 800 calories yet gaining, no snacking, I felt like a total failure. And I eventually was able to seek out gastric bypass surgery. And have had to recreate my way of eating. I’m finding salt and fats an issue now and vegetables even though I relied heavily on them before I can’t eat much salt and will need to treat my orthostatic intolerance some other way. But you are right in your approach to understanding the problem. I feel you I do. It’s my fear long term so I’m working so hard on what my long term habits need to be especially as things change. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your surgeon and the nutritionist you worked with too and re-evaluate where you are now. I know it’s easier said than done I’m afraid of my surgeon visits after some issues from my own surgery. That they don’t understand my medical issues outside of surgery. But you won’t know unless you take the step. try to find other things to compensate for what salt offers. It’s hard. I hope my response isn’t too forward. To obnoxious. You came pretty far and maintained well and maybe at some point you can take a step further don’t worry. I’m slow in moving forward with food, I have food issues. You are fairly tall too and some people are naturally curvy. I just know you didn’t fail especially because you are giving it good honest evaluation and thought.

We should all know that with gastric bypass surgery NSAIDS can NEVER be taken again as they can cause bleeding ulcers. Additionally, during my pre-op education I didn’t understand the ramifications of time released medication and potential dosage absorption issues. (These facts were disclosed but until I was effected, I didn’t get it.) After surgery it took forever for my time-released medication to kick in and I had issues with two other medications. I was able to switch to a similar medication that isn’t time-released with the option for a second daily dose. As for the other medications that lost their full effectiveness or I could not tolerate due to nausea, my dosages were split from once per day to multiple smaller dosages throughout the day. I hope that this helps someone have a good discussion with their doctors and bypass surgeon.

I had both a hiatal hernia repair and a gastric bypass on August 15,2019. Just had a three month follow up and have lost 33 pounds. My surgeon said based on where I started with a BMI of 35.5 10 pounds per month was right on schedule. It sounds like you’re doing well! Getting used to not drinking water with my meals yet getting enough water has been a big change and challenge! I use peppermint Altoids for nausea when I eat too much or something that doesn’t sit well in my pouch! I hope you continue to be blessed!

I forgot to mention that I'm a 55 yr. Old female and that I'm having the bariatric Bypass Surgery Sent from my moto e5 plus using BariatricPal mobile app

I had both a gastric bypass and a hiatal hernia repaired the same day. If you’re considering surgery in the DFW area I can highly recommend my doctor. His name is Dr. Bagshahi (pronounced Bag-sha-he) he and his staff are amazing and treat your overall health. I believe that they do offer payment plans including Carecredit which can be applied for online. His website and YouTube channel are very helpful. He is with DFWWeightlisssurger.com

Congratulations! Unfortunately gas may increase as a lingering result of the surgery and the smell may not be nice to say the least. I am 3 months post op and just started taking Phazyme for gas and Devrom for the smell. Both were recommended by my physician and are over the counter. BTW I had both a gastric bypass and a hiatal hernia repaired the same day. If you’re considering surgery in the DFW area I can highly recommend my doctor.

Doing good only 2days left on my Liquid diet then it’s off to the hospital on Monday for my gastric bypass surgery.A little nervous

I think give it time, I couldn’t tolerate chicken, tuna, sardines during the soft phase no matter how slow or how wet i made it but honestly my body was having a tough time with meat And fats prior due to my gallbladder and food allergies. I did tolerate beef better but grass fed organic beef, and vegetarian organic chicken (green wise Publix store brand) I would just buy and eat less or when chicken went bogo. It depends on the quality meat. But for now I’m working on high protein veggie burgers that have pea protein and vegetables. never cook things dry, keep meat portions smaller too. also can I suggest getting a good digestive enzyme like garden of life chewable, something with a range of enzymes that will help you with the hard to digest foods. I buy from vitamin shoppe or vitacost. I dislike our local gnc it’s a franchise ... but if you have a good shop you can ask about digestive enzymes. also as I said, give things time and try them in small doses even with sleeve. (I had bypass) digestive enzymes can help with preventive for developing GERd.

December 5th here for gastric bypass! Started the liquid diet and I’m ready to kick a** and take names!

Hi! I had my revision from band to sleeve 11/13. I also woke up full of regret and pain. My husband went back to work today and it’s just me and the toddler today...hope we survive 😂. I’ve only lost 10lbs so far so I’m a bit discouraged. I was hoping to be at 12-23 lbs down today. I am having a hard time getting protein in but liquids are going much better.

Happy Friday Everyone!! 🙋🏽‍♀️ Hello, I’m Denise(@200poundsgone) Back in 2005 I had Gastric Bypass Surgery(RNY) & I have lost approx -203lbs. I have built a platform based off my weight loss & others amazing weight loss transformations. Sharing my own as well as others amazing transformations, has aloud me to Motivate others, that they can do it too!! People need to see the struggle so they can appreciate their RISE. Want to build your following, get your Brand out there? My objective is to Not only promote your journey on my platforms, I want teach you how to continue building on your own. Contact me Instagram @200poundsgone Email: gone200pounds@yahoo.com Any questions, please let me know & Thank You!! ❤️ -200poundsgone

Hi ! I can feel your pain, keenly lol. I also gave up coffee for my revision surgery and it was also cold turkey. Glad you're in a better place! You'll do fantastic. 💙CONGRATULATIONS💙

@Kimberly3 my pain also started in my back and traveled to my chest under my rib cage. Dealing with chronic pain I actually tended to downplay it. I have high tolerance but at some point I was like enough is enough please do something because pain is exhausting. to the OP. Persist in getting answers and a solution that works for you. Mine was having my gallbladder removed during my gastric bypass surgery. My doctor almost didn’t want to because of the risk but thankfully he did. it is extremely common for rapid weight loss especially after bariatric surgery to cause gallbladder problems that need surgery to remove it (cholecystectomy)

I was wondering if any who has the lap band has pain at the port site? I'm the process of having a revision with the gastric bypass because I plateaued about 7years ago and there a lot of issues with it like acid reflux, getting food stuck and then vomiting and having port pain too. I had the band since 2009 . Sent from my SM-G930P using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone, I am scheduled for a sleeve revision to sleeve on December 2, 2019. I am 46 years old and have been significantly overweight since I was 20 years when I was pregnant with my daughter. I called this thread 'Weight loss 2.0' because my previous gastric sleeve was December 3, 2013. Looking back, I believed the surgery was the magic fix to all of my problems. At first I had considerable success and dropped 100-120 lbs. Then,life happened - well bad things in life happened. I survived two violent attacks, the first in 2014 which left me with physical challenges, and then in 2015, after a sexual assault, I attempted suicide twice. It took me two years to get to a place of mental stability, but by then I regained my weight, plus more. In 2017, I began discussing with my doctor the prospects of having a revision surgery or bypass. For health reasons, the bypass is not an option. I discussed the options and decided I would not get back on the surgery table until I knew I was truly ready for change. What I have learned though, is that there will never be a moment when I will be truly ready, but it is about making a decision to change my life and working hard to do so. I am very good at self-sabotage and while awaiting my final doctor's visit to schedule surgery, I went over in my head all of the reasons I should and should not have the surgery again. After all, my first sleeve in 2013 was a failure and I stretched my sleeve to 2.5 times its size at surgery. There is a million little things that added up to me regaining weight, but I could not stop wondering if I had the fortitude to stick to it this time. All of the questions and doubts went away when I fell out of my shower two weeks ago yesterday. My spine is fused from C2-T1 and I handed on my back with my head and shoulders against the sink cabinet and the shower curtain rod jammed against the bathroom door. Short of the fire department tearing the door down, I had to find a way off the floor. It was early in the morning and my pride/embarrassment was too much to ask for help. Eventually I painfully got up off the floor. In that moment, I felt there is no reason at 46 years old I should not be able to get off the floor. I went to the emergency room to make sure I did not suffer any real damage and then decided to schedule my final appointment and pick a surgery date. I am teetering through excited and terrified because I have been down this road before. In my gut I know it will be different because I am in a different place and have already made changes to start my journey. To commemorate the start of my pre-op diet, I gave up coffee, sugar, snacks, all at once. For some reason last week, I kept eating things I figured I would never be able to eat again and then went cold turkey starting Monday morning. The lack of coffee and sugar alone makes me feel like crap all the time, but I am keep working at it and already lost 3.5 lbs this week. I had a protein bar today that somehow tasted like a mixture of cardboard and paper mache paste dipped in cocoa powder, which was some sort of scientific miracle that allowed it to be stamped as a food product. But it had 20 g of protein and 3 g of sugar. (definitely will not try that one again). For any other coffee addicts out there, I found that hot tea with dry non-dairy creamer (no sugar) is enough to trick my brain into thinking I had my usual coffee drip. The good news I no longer feel like I am losing my mind. The sugar substitutes are just not my thing. Fortunately, I love water and the many trips to the second floor bathroom have been a kick-start to my exercise regime - that is after many years of couch surfing. I found a 64oz water bottle that has times on one side and inspiration on the other, but I feel like I will start floating soon. I truly never realized how dehydrated I was, probably from the excessive amounts of coffee every day. I am less than 2 weeks away from surgery now and I am grateful that I have a sense of hopefulness, mixed with the reality of knowing that after surgery is when the hard work starts. A part of me is grieving too because I need to give up this life-long terrible relationship with food to live a fuller life. Thanks for reading and happy to be here to share my story. I look forward to learning more about other people here. Mya

@AJ Tylo you are right about carbs after bypass especially. never heard of crackers or protein bars week two. Get protein, enough but not too much. I just started trying soft protein bars. I dumped the first time. Second time didn’t. Be careful what bars. You need protein first, some fiber and little to no sugar or carbs. I recommend oh yea one bars, no cow bars, BariatricPal bars, quest bars maybe. But not this early. you can get protein crisps but also not this early. I’ve fatigue and weakness from lifelong chronic illness but you need vitamins and protein and nutrition and avoid things that causes the dizziness and weakness. Hard for me to judge since those are some symptoms of chronic illness but I back off foods that cause trouble after trying them slowly and twice. If they cause dumping or stall I back off. dont rush to solid foods or even soft. Slow and steady and back track if you get sick. And if you have issues talk to your surgeon or his assistant or nurse.

Prior to surgery, during my first weight loss effort I didn’t realize I was starting to have gallbladder attacks. Over time I tried avoiding certain foods like meats and fats. I’d started getting worse attacks. It wasn’t until last year maybe when I mentioned to my gastroenterologist the symptoms, like burning pain, spasms, sorry I can’t think of them all. He finally did a hida scan. This was when I started seeking out gastric bypass surgery when I was suggested my gallbladder was low functioning. They didn’t see stones but when I had my surgery it turned out to be chronic inflammation. My suggestion is see a gastroenterologist about a hida scan. Mine recreated the symptoms of the attacks. Your body doesn’t process fats properly, nor fat soluble vitamins. Most doctors don’t discuss that part. Take digestive enzymes to help with certain foods but likely the only relief is cholecystectomy. And dietary changes. Plus bile salts and digestive enzymes. My doctor didn’t quite believe it was a problem until they took it out.

I was recommended thickenup but it contradicts with gastric bypass, my food intolerances, my pouch. It tends to fill the belly that I need to be getting protein and vitamins into. I have trouble with the ingredients I can’t recall them. There’s a jello but it’s very expensive. Small sips from my water bottle sets it off. I try to have wetter foods and no meats. The more I drink the more pain. And swallow what I can. Priority is protein. And vitamins. And just enough calories. I’m trying to split the breakfast, lunch and dinner protein more equally instead of skipping lunch. I need to follow up with a different neurologist. The neurologist I saw says I need a diagnostic hospital or clinic. But I was also told even if they figure out what the cause is it can’t be fixed if it’s neurological damage, that was my pcp. Yet she doesn’t quite take it seriously I guess because I, not totally dehydrated. I was asked if I was suggested to have a feeding tube, I’m not there yet. I want to give foods a chance even if I need to eat nutrient dense very small portions ( and still feel sick.) I bought some of my teas I could find like Yogi teas, natural India tulsi tea. I buy 5 calories ocean spray crab grape usually but now they have grapefruit. I make a small herbal tea, ice it, mix in ocean spray 5 calories juice (hardly any sugar) and sometimes protein if I need it. I have only one vice I started and that’s a small cup of cafe bustelo in the evening, seems the only thing to keep my heart racing into oblivion as it does all day. Instead of milk I take a rtd protein shake with 30 grams protein and use a little bit like coffee creamer. so far I’ve tried Dr. Praegers pollock burger as lunch when I need less protein, one pollock burger is 90 calories and 9 grams protein. I had two since they are tiny. Then there is a plant based burger (I couldn’t find more today) but it’s 4 ounce 240 calories but 28 grams protein. They use pea protein and vegetables. I got anoTher plant based dr praegers perfect burger 4 ounces, 230 calories and 20 grams protein. (They only had one) so I got the all American burger same size and calorie with 22 grams protein. I’m just not a big fan of onion in it. I normally like Gardein best. But these were bogo sale. And I’m looking for whatever has vegetables with more protein for the least calories in the smallest portion. So I get it all in one simple to prepare portion. i do soft boiled eggs even though they don’t like me so I go easy on that. a few BariatricPal protein foods are good low calorie meals for 15 grams protein like their pancakes, mug cakes, protein shots, I had my first soft protein bar finally. Admittedly I ate that between sips of yogi slim life tea with ripple milk. i like their soups and protein pasta but they do make me bloat on a bad day. In a pinch I grab a Koia plant based protein rtd, the cottage cheese is a very small finely blended cottage cheese and loaded with protein and probiotics. that goes down easier I sometimes put a little low sugar chia jelly. Maybe a teaspoon. my nutritionist recommended 2good yogurt. It’s good to blend with protein powder. Now I do a smaller portion. I bought aldi plain yogurt and mixed 3 ounces with a little pea protein ripple milk and BariatricPal toffee flavor pudding mix and it’s really good and 140 calories, 20 grams protein. The stricture is still a issue but if I’m careful I get the nutrition I need. I log my food by calories and protein but mostly low carb. Each day I make a quick meal plan, write down my weight and what main task I have that day if any. Usually a dr appointment or laundry. my biggest cheat, (for the fiber) I had an apple peeled and cut up what I couldn’t finish I feed the birds. They do get my leftovers sometimes. I tried protein crisps once. whatever takes the least chewing to dissolve so there isn’t too much to swallow l chewing tires me and I have to be careful. One would think I was older than I am. Hopefully this information can be helpful. Almost seven months out I’m actually taking it slow and doing my best to keep things moving along, I’m working on the forever “way of eating “ admittedly dairy is a bit of a allergy trigger but low fat dairy does help progress weight loss. Like TwoGood yogurt, good culture cottage cheese. the hard part is the neurological problems, dysphasia, inability to truly taste food. I sparingly add things to add punch. I’m also now officially in menopause. I’m working against a lot. Not for attention or accolades or pity but in hopes that something I say can benefit someone.