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I lost weight just fine pre-op drinking Premier Protein. Our plan was 3-4 shakes a day, plus 1 fruit snack and one real meal (3-6 oz lean protein & a serving of veggies). I lost weight just fine, as did my husband who went along with the pre-op diet to make it easier on me). I'm still using it post surgery even though it tastes too sweet though I also use Unjury protein powder mixed with unsweetened soy milk. I really like the Unjury Chocolate Splendor flavor; the vanilla and strawberry are also nice. I find it hard to believe that the protein shake brand is the problem when so many people do just fine with it.

I'm in the same boat. My surgeon, when I brought this up, sort of smirked a little bit and said, "I will tell you what. Go and scramble an egg. See how much you can eat." Three bites later I was DONE. Like, maybe a third of a scrambled egg. This, from a guy who would easily knock down 6 or 8 if I was in training for a competition. So strange, yet so strangely comforting. He also was completely nonplussed that I was consuming 600-800 calories. Quoting verbatim: "You were probably eating 5,000 before, so the difference between 400-500 and 600-800 is negligible for you. When you lose more weight the calories will be more important. Right now, eat protein." The hunger is a lot better two weeks out than it was the first few days.

I am pescatarian and eat 2 meals a day. My day usually consist of: protein shake for breakfast, fish and veggies for lunch and dinner. My snacks are cucumbers, avocados, nuts, etc. I log everything I put in my mouth down to my vitamins. I meet with my nutritionist on Wednesday so I can her take on it. I agree that I am more than likely taking in too much protein which is stalling my weight loss vs. the brand. So 1 protein shake or protein water a day for me. For those who had the surgery… did you encounter any let downs or difficulties during that phase.

Yes, stalls are normal, and sometimes it's best to just let them take their course, but you can also try to "mix it up" a bit. Try to eat a bit more for a few days, or increase carbs, drink more water, change your exercise routine. Try taking your measurements instead of your weight for a few weeks to see if that makes you feel better. If you're always eating the same thing for breakfast, try something different. I don't know why, but sometimes changing things helps us get going. Also, track your calories for a few days to see if you're really eating what you think you are (you will have to weigh/measure all your food to do this right).

I drink Optimum Nutrition whey protein. We have the strawberry and double chocolate. My husband is a a body builder - it is what he drinks to shred and what I drink to lose weight while getting all required protein per day.

First and foremost I understand that stalls happen and patience is required. I'm only 4.5 months post so I know my journey is unlikely to have stopped this early. That being said I'm at a weight I've gotten to before when I've been successful with dieting. Twice prior to surgery I was able to lose 40-50lbs and get down to right around 200lbs and then that's typically when I started to regain. So I do think this is a bit of a set point for my body. Is there anything to do in a stall beyond waiting it out? Increasing protein, decreasing carbs? Or is it best to just stay the course and let my body do it's thing? I think it's extra frustrating being so close to one-derland and not being able to get over the tipping point. 😫

You have a window of time after surgery where you literally could not binge eat even if you wanted to. But that is time you NEED to be spending getting your impulse to binge eat under control, because if you don't, when the restriction eases and you can binge eat once again, you'll gain weight again.

I'd say it's unusual, but your weight can fluctuate for any number of reasons. Are you drinking a lot of salty stuff (broths)? Are you close to getting your period, if applicable? Are you under more stress than usual (duh)? Are you walking?

As others have indicated, there isn't a lot of difference, once beyond the first few months' transition period, between the two as far as eating and socializing. We eat out monthly with a group of DS patients (somewhat more extreme malabsorption than the RNY - no dumping tendencies but sometimes reputed to be worse on potential bathroom issues) and you can't tell who is who - DS, RNY, VSG or no WLS. There is a transition period the first few months or year where the body is adjusting to the changes, both physical and dietary, where GI issues are not uncommon (do a search for the Al Roker White House SHART story; yeah, he pooped himself at the WH.) The VSG leans more toward constipation for a while (RNY can, too) but that's primarily from the limited diet - lots of protein and minimal carbohydrate/fiber and fats to keep things moving,) Fiber supplements are the order of the day for a while, and probiotics can help with general adaptation of the gut. The RNY will be somewhat fussier on supplement need, all things being equal, to counter the malabsorption. That usually isn't a problem if people are reasonably diligent on such things, but can be problematic if one tends toward being overly casual on such things. Some things may not respond to normal oral supplements; infusions to maintain iron levels are not unusual with the RNY (or DS) but are uncommon with a sleeve. You may run into medication tolerance issues - NSAIDs are the most common class of drugs that are sited (a big NONO with the RNY, but a better tolerated little nono with the sleeve or DS) but one may run into other drugs during ones life that may be restricted with the bypass (some of the osteoporosis drugs come to mind.) Other things that may be of concern, particularly as we get older, that aren't specifically lifestyle oriented are some common medical treatments and diagnostics are off the table with a bypass - owing to the blind remnant stomach and upper GI, a number of common endoscopic procedures aren't available (they're available by normal surgical means, but not endoscopically.) You mention longevity, which I assume you are referring to longevity of weight loss or resistance to regain. From what I have seen over the years, there doesn't seem to be a significant difference between the two - people seem to be as prone to major regain problems with either, to a roughly equal degree. The caloric malabsorption of the RNY tends to dissipate after a year or two, so metabolically, one is left in about the same position as one who had a sleeve (though the bypass patient may have lost weight a bit more easily.) To get a significant difference in regain resistance, one needs to look into the DS, particularly the "traditional" BPD/DS. It has a somewhat different set of trade offs, but is worth considering (particularly since the bypass is so difficult to revise if it doesn't yield the desired results.) Good luck - lots to think about, and none of it is easy!

Hey all!! Today I had my first weigh in appt after the consultation. It sucked…. I did not lose any weight. The doctor thinks it’s because I’m either consuming too much protein or the type of protein. I was drinking 3-4 protein drinks a day due to my wonky job schedule. I’ve been drinking premier protein and protein2O. My doctor said that he’s noticed that the patients that drink the premier protein are either not losing or they are gaining. This was really frustrating being that I have been diligently working hard at losing weight. So I will now only drink 1 protein water and 1 protein shake a day. My questions are… what protein shakes are y’all drinking during the pre-op weight loss phase? Has anyone noticed an increase in weight with the premier protein? They keep pushing bariatric advantage, but I fearful because my stomach is ultra sensitive to some dairy things. im really trying hard to not get discouraged. I would help to hear others difficulties during this phase to know that I am not alone or weird. Thanks a lot. Trying to live a good life

5’6” HW: 295 lb Surgery Weight: 227 lb Weight at 6 month post-op: 150 lb Current weight 8.5 post op: 138.8 lb

Congratulations on your amazing progress. Are you able to describe some of your challenges that you think you will be able to manage with the help of a therapist? What are some of the issues within your weight loss / bariatric experience that you think will require work and extra assistance. Also, you mentioned the foamies... what is your general daily eating experience, and are you happy with how your current diet seems to serve your overall health (besides weight loss)? Your perspective is greatly appreciated.

I have fried foods on the regular and manage just fine (btw, im 3 yrs post op). Plus i think its delicious. There was a period (i.e., during weight loss phase and some months after) that it was just unappetizing…but then again most foods were. I still have my share of “healthy” foods (i do love me some salad) but fried foods - pan fried, deep fried, whatever - are definitely common items in my menu rotations. Everyone will have different tolerances and preferences towards all kinds of food. You won’t know how you will fare until you do. Good Luck! ❤️

Exercise actually has much less impact on weight loss than calorie consumption. There are MANY on here who don’t do a lick of exercise and still lose weight (but of course exercise is still strongly recommend for health and well-being…) Same goes for vitamins. Do you know what your daily average calorie intake is?

I’m 52, 5’9” and my HW: 275. My pre-op weight was 242. I’m currently at 195. My surgery was February 9, 2021. I feel like I should have lost more by now and I’ve been in a stall for about 6 weeks. I’m happy being down 80 lbs but I do understand the frustration of a stall. My doctor wants me to try to get to 163 and being stuck in a stall for so long makes me wonder if this is all I’m going to lose. I would give anything to be down a hundred lbs!!! I’m not giving up, though. Everyday is a struggle to stay on track but I do. I’m being positive that eventually those last 32 lbs will be gone. It just might take me longer than most given my age, being post-menopausal, and having hypothyroidism. Everybody is different and we lose at different rates. Keep your chin up and feel proud of what you’ve accomplished so far!💕

Thank you so very much for your reply! That is amazing and gives me so much hope and inspiration! Congratulations on your weight loss and your liver enzyme numbers - that is fantastic!!

Is normal to gain weight because I've been on my pre-op diet for 3 Days liquid diet and I have gained four pounds

I’m 4 weeks post op today and I’m 2 weeks away from turning 29 😁 My recovery has gone super well, I have just been tired but that’s to be expected! I mainly chose to have this surgery because I have struggled with my weight all of my life and had had enough of not participating in life and enjoying life as I should be. I also would like to become a mother and would hate to struggle to conceive (I know I still might but this should help at least), I would hate to struggle to keep up, or to teach my child bad habits with regards to food. Also, maybe a bit shallow, but fashion is one of my hobbies and I just 🥺 want to be able to buy affordable and cute clothing that really represent who I am! I did a lot of soul searching during COVID and I was finally able to acknowledge to myself that I was not ever going to get to a healthy weight and maintain without surgery. It was painful but liberating. I am the type of person that once I decide on something, it’s happening and I prefer not to wait a second longer than necessary. So off I went 😊! I’m down over 35 pounds now and I only need to lose 5 pounds more to weigh less than my husband for the first time EVER! I am excited 🥰

I've been on my liquid diet for two and a half days and why I gained 4 lb I was weighing 273 last week now I'm at 277 today

I am almost 3 weeks post op and I am 33. I decided to have the surgery because I was starting to have medical concerns due to weight. But In all reality I was uncomfortable in my body. I didn’t like to go out and do things because I was so bothered by it. I would dress up and feel confidant only to see my reflection and it would crush me. Or I would spend the majority of my time at a cook out or gathering overly fixated on my shirt being too tight or really anything. I want to get my life back on track. Even more important then all that I need to set a better example for my daughter and teach her how to eat appropriately.

I had my gallbladder out 6 months before my wls. Overall, it was a fairly easy surgery, but I found it more painful than my wls. I had much more gas pain with the gallbladder than wls, but I did have nausea and vomiting after my wls, which for me is worse than pain. As far as surgeries go, and I've had 7, I found my wls to be one of the least painful. Since a large amount of weight loss can cause your gallbladder to act op, it's actually good to have it out before surgery. I'm glad I did. It was one less thing to worry about. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have NAFLD. I also had my gallbladder removed and a liver biopsy at the same time which showed hepatic fibrosis (scarring). This was the reason I decided to get wls. The pre-op diet shrinks your liver to make surgery safer. Any weight loss you have before surgery should help. It has been 14 months since my wls and my liver enzymes are now normal. I have lost 179 pounds total. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Its been 14 months scince i had y@r surgery and my weight loss is just stuck on 108kg Had lost 23kg Any ideas on how to kickstart the weight loss Sent from my SM-N986B using BariatricPal mobile app

Five days post-op, so thought I'd update. My swelling/water retention has gone and my weight's now starting to drop. I never knew my starting weight before the pre-op diet. A year ago, I was 125kg, and I KNOW I had gained a lot more in the last 12 months and am pretty sure I was at least 130kg. My hospital admission weight was 127kg, then when I got home, the water retention and swelling had added 2kg! The scales this morning are 125kg. So It's a nice feeling to be losing at last! The slow steady march begins! My pain is a lot better, though I'm still taking my opioids as I'm still quite sore. My wounds are healing well. When I'm in bed I have to have a pillow clutched to me abdomen as protection from a certain giant Siberian cat that loves to jump onto me. So far so good, I've managed to steer him away without denying him cuddles. I still have zero appetite, zero hunger, and would honestly be happy to just drink water all day if I didn't have protein goals to hit. It's slow going, but am getting shakes and protein water down no problem. Everything my partner is cooking for himself SMELLS great - even porridge. "It's gruel, Oliver!" He said, but I can't help what my nose likes! That said, I don't want to eat any of it. It's an odd thing! I've become very sick of sweet things though. The protein water tasted nice to start with, but I've quickly become very tired of the sweetness, and even the flavoured protein shakes are borderline too much. Walking every day, energy levels are good.