Search the Community

It is not, I assure you Have you factored in your implant weight? 5-7 lbs is not a big fluctuation if you ask me, people's weights can vary by 5 lbs a day. How's your cycle? Water intake? Protein? Muscle mass? Honestly, I don't think 7 lbs are worth stressing over at all, unless you see a steady pattern of weight gain over time, which in any case can be addressed and reversed. I say you are doing fantastic

So I’m 5 weeks post op and have only lost 13 lbs. I feel stuck and wondering if that’s normal to lose only that amount in a month? I feel defeated as I only have protein shakes for breakfast and lunch while I’m at work . but dinner is where i incorporate a soup or broth. I just don’t know if I’m doing this right? I’m supposed to be in the pureed stage and then go into soft foods next week.. I need advice on how to help my weight come off faster /better.. this has been a crazy mind game for me ..

For 4 med bagels: 2/3 cups flour 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt ~1 teaspoon baking powder big pinch of salt Prep: Preheat oven 350 Mix dry ingredients, fold in wet ingredients. Knead until smooth, add a dash of water if too dry. Hand roll into balls, poke middle hole for bagel look. Dip into EBTB seasoning, optional: egg wash if you’re filthy rich 🤑 Bake: ~25-30mins at 350 (adjust for elevation). Cool completely before slicing ❤️

My Sunday baking using protein wraps as the base and 4 eggs to help with the protein. Before Cut down to six portions so not exactly an after because I was able to eat the full portion.

Everything protein bagels! Made with Greek yogurt. ~5 g protein and 76 cals each.

We all felt that anxiety and worry about how things will change, as humans we don't like change much. But for most it's a good change aand whilst it's definitely not easy, it does get easier day by day, week by week from that surgery day! Eating clean whilst on the road is not easy, but also not too hard. You can always take protein shakes/bars etc with you for your small meals. It's also easy to find rotisserie chicken, or to ask for a burger without the bun etc. Remembering you CAN'T eat much, and have to prioritise protein first, so it is possible, just make better choices. The surgery doesn't mean you have to find organic salad all the time, you will be able to cope fine 😊

The basic procedure upon which the RNY is based has been done for some 140 years for a variety of GI maladies, so it's mostly a matter of billing codes, and some minor variations in configuration, that make it a bariatric procedure vs. one for cancer, gastroparesis, etc., so insurance shouldn't be a factor if that is what is needed. As to whether the "RNY" is needed for your case is a judgement call; try to avoid self diagnosis and let the doctors make the recommendation as to what is appropriate to treat your particular case. GERD is a classic symptom of a hiatal hernia, and given that you didn't have any particular problem with it for some years post op indicates that it is the hernia and not the sleeve that is the primary problem. Again, let the experts weigh in on this. My preference when considering something like this would be to seek out an opinion from a bariatric practice that is associated with a regional cancer center, as they tend to treat a broader range of GI maladies than a general bariatric practice, and will probably have a wider range of options to consider. If you come across a surgeon who quickly determines that you have GERD and a sleeve, therefore you need a bypass, without looking at any imaging, I would tend to move on to someone else - they probably don't understand the sleeve as well as they should to make that determination. My philosophy is to try to avoid going to a bypass is possible, as it does present some diagnostic and treatment limitations down the line should they be needed as we get older. The blind stomach and duodenum that can't be readily imaged or manipulated endoscopically and medication limitations (of which NSAIDs are the largest class,) are the primary things that come to mind. They usually aren't big deals if that is what is needed, but I don't like giving up options unnecessarily. RNY patients can develop GERD later on, and occasionally (though rarely,) such a revision does not correct a GERD problem, so we're talking more of a statistical improvement rather than an outright cure. If that happens, then where does one go - the bypass is something of a one way street surgically (though is can technically be reversed)? So, my inclination is to go one step at a time and treat the hernia and then go from there is that doesn't correct the problem.

So I had the Sadie, I have gas every day because the sugar alcohols in my protein drinks give me gas. I will also get gas if I eat Suda for a vegetables, high fats or simple carbs. The gas I really can’t control. It gets pretty abundant and I can’t always get to another room before it comes out. But go into the bathroom you can completely control. It’s not some sudden urge where you gotta go right now. If you’re not eating a boatload of sugars and fats you’re not gonna get diarrhea. You’re gonna have normal bowel movements and you can control them just the same way you did before bariatric surgery. Now they do sell tablets that you can take. It is a form of a business that deodorizes your body from the inside so that your gas is not as bad as it normally would be. It takes you back to pre-surgery gas smell. They also sell odor blocking underwear. But if you don’t take the proper steps, just know that the flatulence from the Sadie is a lot and it smells pretty bad, but if you take care of it preemptively you’ll be OK.

Thank you so much for responding, everything you said made me feel validated in my fear and comforted as well. I actually do love cooked vegetables and meat cooked in other ways besides fried. I like a variety of foods in fact. I guess I just see people posting such healthy looking meals that don’t look appealing to me and I’m just like “do I have to eat that?” Like I’m not a fan of raw vegetables and cottage cheese, for instance. I haven’t seen anyone post something that I like which makes me think that what I like to eat are things I won’t be able to eat. I’m not too concerned about not being able to eat junk food at all because I’m not really a junk food eater more than I am a comfort food eater. I just love a good meal and I just don’t see anyone posting good food. Food is a concern bc it’s important, but my biggest concern besides food is being able to get out of my head and an even bigger concern is the things that can go wrong! Being dehydrated, vitamin deficiency, extreme constipation, hernias, gallbladder removal, GERD, having to convert to bypass, being hospitalized for something. Like is there anyone who has not had a complication? Even people who don’t regret the decision seem to have so many scary issues. I’m so afraid of what could go wrong. I’m afraid of being sad about food the rest of my life. I’m sad now about the control food has over me. I feel trapped. I hate that I have to be fat and even go through all of this. I hate I’m on a forum complaining about being fat. Lol. I just need someone to tell me to do it and that it will be ok and worth it! I guess I just keep imagining I’m going to be sitting here physically feeling a cut off stomach, if that makes sense. Lol. Like, I know I won’t be able to eat a lot anymore, I know I’ll need to make the better choices with food which is fine, but I just don’t want my life to revolve around food anymore! I don’t want to sit around everyday worried about food. It seems like I have to go from thinking about what I’m going to eat everyday to worried about if I’m going to be able to eat enough or eat too much or get dehydrated or get enough protein or something with food! I’m just sick of food! Lol.. Will my life ever not be about food and weight?!! If the sleeve makes me go from worrying about weight to worrying about weight on top of a bunch of other stuff, is it going to be right for me? Am I trading one woe for another? I hope that makes sense.

Hello there and welcome! I was sleeved about 8 weeks ago now and I spent countless hours, days and months before surgery stressing about every little thing that I read and heard. Right up until surgery I was still hyperventilating! I totally understand how you feel right now. Now I'm on the other side I have to say there are some major challenges for me to deal with. I have been big my entire life and this is like a baptism by fire to me. What do I mean by that? Well I knew I had a food issue especially comfort eating but I didn't realise how bad it was until after my surgery. Head hunger is my biggest enemy I crave food a lot of times during my day. Interestingly enough I don't really crave junk food anymore because I have avoided that from the get go, I just miss the comfort of eating more if that makes sense. I did feel really drained and miserable months before surgery, I was so afraid of things going terribly wrong too, but I was Ok and it was worth it. I don't regret it and I am still early days. I have lost over2 and a half stone in that time and I am feeling much better than I was pre op. Now, you say you don't enjoy healthy food but what do you class a healthy? You will eventually be able to eat chicken, lean beef and pork mince, fish, cheese, yogurts, protein drinks, protein puddings and much more. You will also be surprised how much your tastes and cravings change post op, I know! I didn't believe it either! I make a healthy version of pizza with my own low calorie wholemeal base and low fat protein cheese with ham. It tastes better than the one I used to have before and it is a much healthier version. There's literally loads of ways you can alter your favourite foods to make them lower in calories and healthier too. Get on Pinterest and tiktok there's so much content out there for bariatric surgery patients. The main thing I should tell you with absolute certainty is that the sleeve is a tool not a quick fix. You really need to be fully prepared for the changes it will bring. You will need to put in the hard head work and explore a healthier way of life, Be willing to try healthier food and you may learn to like it. You will not be able to eat unhealthy food and get all the nutrients you need from your diet. If you are certain this is what you want to do then you need to research. you said you don't like healthy food but you also said you don't know how to eat healthy. This is where your research will come in. I noticed you said that you can't find the discipline but when you have a smaller tummy you physically can't eat as much, you will be in a lot of pain and then you will throw up! I wish you all the best on your journey, it's a hell of a ride! x

Same here! Overweight all my life. The only reason I had the surgery at 35 (5 months ago) was because the NHS here in the UK finally approved me for the surgery. They don't cover Wegovy etc for weight loss so this was my only option. I wish I had started the process of getting approved sooner, but it wasn't until I lost my mother and step-father within a year of each other (my stepfather died at age 62 from pneumonia and liver disease that certainly was aggravated by his extreme weight, and my mother died almost year later age 67 from a perforated bowel that they couldn't repair because of her gastric bypass ten years before). While I knew the risks, I knew I didn't want to go that young so I was going to take my health more seriously. I'm glad I did it and have no regrets.

You could mention to them that you feel like you just need a little more support and that you have other questions and would be willing to pay for an extra appointment here and there with the NP or PA so that you can get the support that you need. That worked for me. But do your research if you have other options. I would go ahead and make appointments now so that you have them coming up by the time you decide what to do. Just be sure to cancel then with notice if you don’t end up switching or for whatever appointments you don’t need so they can give them to someone else.

Hello and welcome. Don’t think in terms of why you didn’t start here because we all have our time that this is best for us and maybe back then you weren’t really ready. This surgery is an amazing tool but it’s really important that you are ready to do your part or you wont be nearly as successful. Sounds like now you know that the other options wouldn’t work for you and you are ready to do your part in making this tool work hard for you. You’ve got this!!

I would wait until you are sure but maybe do the research and know where you want to go or what you want to order so you can start trying them on asap. You will definitely be able to find one you just may have to pay more than you are used to if you are particular on pattern and cut. I had a real hard time when the options were so limited. When I gained weight I said that was one plus was the cups fit in the larger sizes so swimsuits worked. Ironically because I didn’t want to wear them then 😂. Anyways, if you do a search for 34DD and 34DDD swim (just in case) you will see that they are certainly available just not in every brand and style and not always so cheap. Some will come up and when you click on it they are actually sized S, M, L and don’t let them fool you they will not work for you anymore unless its a tie back in which case a too large band won’t be an issue. I just think you deserve the absolute cutest suit (or suits 😉) that you feel like a million bucks in so just don’t put it off until too close to summer and be upset that they are a little harder to find. The one thing you do have going for you is that you shouldn’t need much support so you can wear more styles than I could. That will increase your options some. If you go in person just plan a day you won’t be rushed or a couple shorter trips, Im sure it will actually be fun so long as your not rushed. 🛍️👙🛍️

Thank you hun, I'm so scared to indulge in anything I shouldn't incase it completely derails me. I eat loads of proteins very little carbs too. I think it's just the huge life change that will take time to adapt to. I just want to feel normal and at the moment I don't feel like me x

Hey sweet, I think what you are experiencing is something we all go/continue to go through! Although I still don't feel hungry very often, I crave certain tastes if that makes sense! I have found with a balance of healthy and high protein foods, I can still enjoy a treat every so often, as I know one thing that used to completely derail me was not allowing myself to indulge every now and then - it is now just about changing what we indulge in! Honestly it does get easier and easier to manage as time goes on, and you are doing amazingly already! x

For breakfast it’s almost always an omolette or an egg and cheese wrap. Either one I use whatever leftover veggies are in fridge. Chicken Cesar salad with a low carb wrap is my favorite option right now. That and fajitas are two of my favorites. My hubby makes a couple chicken breasts on the grill every few days and starting with the cooked chicken they are both quick and go down easy. I also do steak fajitas or cauliflower crust pizza with chicken or I do taco meat and make tacos or taco salad with the taco lean beef or chicken on them mini low carb tortillas. I am pretty fine having the same things over and over as long as it’s stuff that I like. And I always have a whole variety of chopped and washed fruit in the fridge and I have that when the sugar cravings hit. Probably way too often in terms of calories but hey at least it’s not ice cream, right? I have been doing a lot of skinny pop which I know is not really in the bariatric diet but it’s not horrible for me nutrition wise at least. Other than that it’s mostly yogurt drinks and nuts or cheese sticks on the run. What are your go to’s? How is the activity? Are you still plugging along with your classes??

Hi Kelly, Yep, I think all of us were in the same boat of some kind. I've been have been heavy all my life, since birth, I was a big baby. I never lost my baby fat, I just added more and more. I'm finally going through a RNY soon, I have done everything except one more nutrition consult after Monday's consult. I think I am doing pretty good. I have tried all kinds of protein shakes, clear liquid drinks with protein, and doing exercise daily for 30 minutes, either strength or aerobic. So...just want that date, and get that date as soon as possible. A 2-week "vacation" from work, and the support of my dear husband, I got this! I might be 60 years old, but I have to lose so I can have my left hip replaced. That's what started it all. My ortho won't do the surgery unless I lose 40 pounds. Having tried everything from diets, to pills, shots and the like, I finally gave in what I had started to research 4 years ago. I'm almost there. So Kelly, welcome to the group and ask whatever questions that you may have, we are a group of people who care about other people. Wendy

Thank you everyone, I hadn't considered fighting for coverage. I made an appointment Tuesday to at least talk to a surgeon to discuss my symptoms, options etc. It isn't my original as while I liked him quite a bit, Baylor Scott and White will never get another dime of money from me. My other concern is that I am already coming into this low grade anemic but having to take the acid reducers so frequently also messes with the iron absorption so that has also been a concern in the back of my mind as well. My insurance doesn't cover any bariatric anything regardless of the plan, I even double checked today to see if just waiting and paying more for 2026 coverage would be an option but unless I get a new job with better coverage it's going to be fighting or Mexico.

Hey y'all, Haven't posted in a while but I need some insight from the community. I was sleeved December 2020, took RX strength omeprazole for 90 days post op since that was what my surgeon did., had zero issues with heartburn incidences. However, heartburn runs in my family---in the males, I didn't have issues beyond maybe once in a frozen blue moon I MIGHT have a mild case that 2 Tums fixed before surgery. Fast forward a couple of years-heartburn incidences starts getting worse/becoming more numerous, would get up choking on acid if I laid down to soon after eating and everything seemed to cause it. Water, protein shakes, sugar/no sugar, etc it's just stupid. I had a bad attack of pain and nausea a few months ago that honestly had me worried about a heart attack but ended up with a CT scan and was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia--the ER doc I saw said my surgery site/stomach looked fine though. I have regained about 35-40ishlbs from where I was but I have maintained a loss of close to 80lbs. In order to survive mostly comfortably, I am living off of a lot of days multiple famotidines sprinkled through the day. Sometimes NOT eating also causes heartburn. I'm over it 120%. Here's my question---my current insurance covers NO bariatric surgery for ANY reason. Should I pursue JUST the hernia repair in the US or should I look into going to Mexico for a revision to the Bypass with maybe also a hernia repair if that's offered? The reason I went with the sleeve in the first place was my already mild anemia that is genetic-runs in the family on the women's side unfortunately and I didn't want to contend with possibly getting really anemic or not being able to keep up with the nutrition/vitamin requirements but I can't live with this heartburn issue for another 50-60+ years (currently 35 years old). Thanks for anyone who wants to give me some thoughts/input!

I am 6 weeks out and I take Bariatric PAL MV and I take a calcium soft chew by Fusion. I also do protein powder in my tea in the morning, 2 scoops that’s 30 grams, then I make the rest by what I eat. It’s funny, I loved coffee before surgery, but now it makes me feel awful🥺

Vegan protein powders would be your best bet. Just avoid the soy ones. Are you okay with seeds as some vegan proteins use seeds (chia, sunflower, pumpkin, hemp) as a source of protein.

have you all tried the Built Puff Protein Bar?

I am having a hard time finding protein without whey or soy in them. I'm also allergic to nuts so that makes it even harder. My surgery is set for March 10th of this year. So I'm worried I'm not going to be able to find enough food or liquid protein to have after surgery. Because almost everybody only carries whey products. Has anybody else ran into this problem.

My surgery was on the 16th Jan, I have not been losing quickly either, only lost 8kg since surgery. I also had a long time with no loss at all. I spoke to my surgeon at one month, he wasn't worried, he said it's quite OK to lose slowly, in fact it's good. He said it is because my body has been triggered into starvation survival mode, I know I am retaining water. Very frustrating for us slow losers I know, but quite ok, we have to learn to trust the process, so long as you're getting your protein and water as priority. I did get things moving again by eating more, pushed my intake to over 900 cals a day for a few days and this did work for me. I now eat around 800 cals a day, and slow and steady loss of about 1 kg a week for the last few weeks. Things to look at might be bowel movements? Maybe try eating more, Good luck and let us know how you go!