Search the Community

I keep reading about people only able to eat 2 tablespoons post sleeve…. I am almost 3 weeks post op, and on the purée phase. I am prepping in 4oz containers. I can eat 4oz of puréed soup with no issues, the same with puréed cottage cheese, yogurt, jello or pudding. I do get fuller after hummus or ricotta … but can usually do about 3oz of those with no issues. I do stop at the 4 oz even if i don’t feel full. I really dont want to over do it. I am not having nausea or pain at all and haven’t since day 1. I can also drink more than a sip or two at one time. If I drink too much I do get a pain from that but not bad. I think I am afraid the surgeon didn’t make my stomach small enough or I have already stretched it out if that is possible this early….. I just want to get this right. I am getting between 600 and 700 calories a day and on average 55 to 60 grams of protein. Doing pretty good with the 40/40/20 split protein/fats/carbs. Any help, advice or re-assurance welcomed

I couldn't eat for my first two weeks after surgery. I lived on clear protein drinks (not shakes). They were good because 1) I could swallow them and keep them down, 2) they kept me hydrated and 3) they gave me protein as well. It was week 3 when I started eating again (things like yogurt, pudding, etc.)

The pre-op diet sucked. Mine was a 10-day liquid diet and I broke down on day 4 or so and ate a yogurt. It was just really difficult for me. Hang in there, this too shall pass.

Have you tried broths? I loved Swanson’s sipping bone broths. I threw up for a few days. Old blood mostly, which is normal with my surgery. The shakes make me sick and I end up throwing those up too. But the sipping broths were amazing! I also found my tummy likes warm drinks compared to cold drinks. Have you talked to your nutritionist? When you do start to eat, eat slowly and with a baby spoon. Take your time. I take a bite, put my fork down, maybe take a walk around my living room/ kitchen and then take another bite. It was glorious when I could mash an avocado with fresh tuna. I had my first chicken salad (canned and made with Greek yogurt with dill) today. It was sooooo good! You got this!

I appreciate everyone’s advice! I Was just hoping to see a faster weight loss at this point in time. But I do agree that cutting out the yogurt and oatmeal may be a good start and trying to eat less carbs and more protein in my diet along with more liquids…I’m only getting about 60grams of protein daily so that may also be causing the slower weight loss….I’m just nervous because My surgeon told me that the first three months will be the quickest weight loss I will experience and if it’s only 25 lbs that doesn’t feel like a lot since I have another 40 lbs I’m hoping to lose here.

First of all, congratulations on your weight loss! 25 lbs is great! However, I do understand how you feel when your weight loss slows or stalls. What I did recently was cut back on dairy and carbs and started incorporating more healthy fats like avocado and green olives. I even started drinking bulletproof coffee in the morning. (Coffee with a teaspoon of Kerrygold unsalted butter. Trust me, you can’t taste it.) I stopped drinking protein shakes and use GenePro protein powder to supplement my protein levels. I use MyFitnessPal app to track my macros and keep tabs on how many calories I’m eating. I can’t exercise very well because of a spine condition but I try to stay very active around the house doing chores, etc… Watch your sugar/carb intake through yogurt and oatmeal. Try switching to boiled eggs in the morning. These are things that have worked for me. I know everybody is different but these are just suggestions. Just thought I would share. Take it one day at a time, listen to what your body tells you, and keep going! You CAN do this!!!

I had the gastric bypass the end of April and have lost 25 lbs over the last 2.5 months.. I feel my weight loss has literally halted here. Does anyone have advice on changes they made when they noticed stalls? I drink over 50ozs of water a day a protein shake and yogurt { Danon light and fit with 12 grams protein and also try to eat some oatmeal for breakfast and veggies and grilled chicken for dinner. Along with waking 2 miles every day. I’m following all of the advice but have literally only lost 1 lb in the last 2 weeks which is very frustrating. I’m shocked to see how slow my weight loss has been with such a calorie deficit.has anyone else experienced this issue and if so do you have any advice? My nutritionist does not advise using the shakes more than once a day but they do offer a lot of protein. I’m curious to hear about others experiences and what foods they have chosen that helped in their weight loss journey…Thank you in advance!

I had DS. I’m 11 days post op. the first two days I was throwing up old blood, which is normal. I had the nurses give me those chuck bags to throw up in. I didn’t really “drink”. I ate ice cubes, slept at a recline on a couch (legs propped up), walked around my hotel room, used the bathroom a lot, and just slept! Take your nausea meds and pain killer. It helps! Try to stay positive and think about how healthy you’re becoming or what you want to do when you lose x amount of weight. On day 3 of post op, my dr prescheduled 2 IV bags. They were very helpful! That night I was able to sip 2 oz of broth or soup an hour and have an ice cube. Now I can drink about 10 Oz of bone broth in an hour or two. I recommend getting Swanson bone broth sipping cups. So yummy after all the sweets drinks. I dislike all these protein drinks and my stomach gets so bloated from them. So I mix a scoop of unflavored whey protein in my Greek yogurts. I’m still struggling to get the recommended amount of protein and water in. But I feel better now that I’m getting at least 40 Oz of water plus some liquid foods. I walk about 2 miles a day. Sometimes one mile in the AM and a mile in the PM. I always sip water, and I mean tiny sips, thru my walks. One thing I highly wish my DR told me was to use benefiber or miralax pre op and post op. I was constipated these last few weeks! Im talking pebbles type of BM after 2 WLS of nothing. Ive been mixing miralax in my morning tea and used fleet suppositories and that has been helping me finally. But goodness, I wish I was on benefiber preop. Also, I’ve taken gas-x three times since surgery and it has helped! Hallelujah! I hope you feel better quickly!

Sometimes it’s trial & error to find foods that work. I still can’t eat much of an egg, and pork is too dense for me at nearly 2 years post op. Go back to soft foods like refried beans, yogurt, soft fish, and cottage cheese. Eat the things you can, supplement with protein shakes, and keep up with taking your vitamins. Every couple weeks try something new, and go back occasionally to foods you couldn’t previously tolerate. Something I had to learn the hard way was to SLOW DOWN! I was always a really fast eater. I get sick and vomit when I eat too fast now. It’s a process, hang in there!

I'm 7 months out. I've actually been travelling for the past 5 months through Armenia, Lebanon, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Greece. It's really not hard to travel after surgery. Sometimes I think people get unnecessarily dramatic and freak out about how many supplements they need. The things I do are just make sure to book a place with at least a mini fridge and microwave or cooktop. I also always have some kind of high protein food with me. Cans of tuna are available everywhere. I always keep some low fat cheese and yogurt in my fridge. Otherwise I get meals at restaurants and usually get an appetizer and take the leftovers home. Also-I'm assuming you're from the USA. The American version of Italian food is not healthy. The Italian version of Italian food can be very healthy. You can easily find lean protein options on any menu. All of the supermarkets also have take away salads and deli meats. It's super easy. Japan is also no problem and you can get fish or other seafood all over.

I’m jealous. I started my preop diet Monday and was told to only do liquids no food except yogurt jello and pudding. My head hurts like crazy and my stomach is killing me. I’m doing a revision because of gerd I do not remember feeling like this the 1st time. I breezed through it. I’m suffering right now

Hey everyone! Gastric Bypass July 9th here. I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and they were extremely thorough! For those interested, I wanted to go over the details of what my process has looked like so far: - My insurance required an EKG, blood work, and gallbladder scan. So, during my pre-op, they redid all of those to compare the previous values with the most recent results. normal EKG, no high cholesterol, no high BP, no gallstones, normal thyroid levels, higher-ish estrogen, and borderline pre-diabetic which was NOT fun to hear but will hopefully be resolved with Bypass. - I spoke with the nurse and my (very handsome lol) surgeon, who re-reviewed all possible risks and complications. He explained how he would do the surgery (five incisions, robotic) and what to expect before and after. He also checked me for hernias, which I don't have. - Met with my dietician to re-review my pre-op diet and just to check in with me. She provided me with info on how to set up future appointments if needed as I transition through the phases. - The clinic gave me information on how to get my family member informed on what was happening. The hospital I am using has an app and the surgeon's team will text updates periodically. - I'm expected to be in-patient and will stay for one night unless I have complications. - They provided me with the sterile soap, Hibiclens and instructions on how to use it. bathe with half the bottle the night before, the other half the morning of (they gave me a sheet i have to mark down the date and time of the wash and turn it in the morning of). wash hair, no products, no contacts, no invisalign, clean sheets, clean pajamas. - the doctor gave me my prescriptions, which include: Gabapentin, acetominaphen, ondansetron for nausea, promethazine syrup, ursodial to prevent gallstones (thankfully i don't have any), and prilosec (OTC). - I had a chest xray and was asked if I had any implant anywhere (i don't.) all came back normal. - spoke with the anesthesiologist who weighed me, took my height, and explained the overall process to me. i've only been under once for a 70-minute MRI a few years ago but i know approximately what to expect. I will also be getting a 96-hour abdominal block to help with pain along with my (very strong) medication. - They provided me with information on what to eat and drink the night before (light breakfast, protein shake, clear liquids, and then four hours before the surgery, 16 oz of water), day of (clear liquids) four days after, two weeks after, (heavy liquids) one month after (maintenance phase). - set up a post-op appt 10 days later, and another one a month after surgery. - The morning of the surgery i arrive at 7:30 am, am checked in and put in pre-op, surgery should last two hours, one hour of recovery, and then moved to my private room where my sister will be waiting for me. no overnight guests because of COVID but this hospital has a designated bariatric surgery floor so all of the nurses are specialized in this, and even nicer, all of the equipment accommodate larger patients. so, large recliners, large beds, laaarge gowns, large chairs, sturdy IV machines, belly bands. very comfortable. - i'm planning on bringing an ipad, books, lip balm, lotions, warmer socks, grippy sandals, button down pajamas, a small pillow they recommended as a "splint" when i get in and out of bed, and toiletries. I feel pretty ready i suppose, but it doesn't feel quite real yet! crazy to believe that in a few months i'll be down a significant amount of weight (hopefully) and look slimmer. I am on my two-week pre-op diet which consists of two protein shakes and one light meal a day, with "free" snack foods including fat free cheese, lean meats, sugar free jello popsicles and pudding, high protein yogurts, and non-starchy veggies with light hummus or light ranch. hasn't been super easy but I'm trying my best. and LOTS of water. Let me know if you have questions, i'll be glad to answer them.

I got a little bit of cramping and increased my potassium intake via adding in some avocado and bananas to what I was already eating. For example, I'd put avocado in egg, or banana with my yogurt. I don't know if the muscle pain you're getting is from cramps, exercise, or just general pain, so I don't know if that'll help. The only time I've taken magnesium citrate is for constipation, and that was pre-surgery. If the pain is a constant, I'd call the doctor.

this sounds really weird, but I always strove to be a super healthy eater, so I'd eat all this food to make sure I got all of my nutrients for the day. For example, my usual breakfast pre-surgery was a smoothie. I would throw in a bunch (and I mean a BUNCH) of soft tofu or Greek yogurt, a banana, two or three peaches or an equal amount of melon or cantaloupe, several berries, some nonfat dry milk, and then enough orange juice to get it going in the blender. So that was like 600 kcal before I even walked out the door. Mid-morning I'd usually head downstairs to the coffee shop (I worked in a library) to get a coffee and an oat scone. Oats are good for you. So there's another 500 (or more) calories. Lunches were always leftovers. I can't remember if I usually had afternoon snacks or not (it's been six years since surgery), but if I did, it probably would have been a packet (or two) of cashews from the vending machine. Nuts have lots of nutrients, you know. Then I'd come home and snack while I was making dinner. Dinners were often some sort of ethnic fare - Chinese or Thai or Indian - so chicken (usually) plus heaps of vegetables in some creamy sauce (that is, if Thai or Indian) served over about a cup of brown rice. So yea - healthy - at least nutrient-wise - but probably 3000 or so calories a day, give or take. I still worry about not getting all my nutrients every day. Like - always. But then I remember that I DO take vitamins, so I'm getting some that way - and over the course of several days, I probably DO get all my nutrients - just not all in one day. But I still find myself thinking about this - and thinking that I should go eat some nuts or something because they're nutritious.

Hi em, such an exciting time! What guidelines have Ramsay Health given you? I had my bypass on 15th June, did a 10 day pre-op diet. Spire Healthcare gave me 2 options, one was loads of milk, yogurt, fruit and a serving of home made vegetable soup and the other was more food based. I mostly stuck to the milk one, but had a bit of fish with veg instead of the soup some days.. I think the constant chugging of milk stopped me feeling hungry, protein is pretty fab for that. Have you met with your dietitian to discuss it? I kept myself busy and distracted during that time doing a deep clean of the house and getting everything ready for when I would be feeling delicate after surgery, and I am so glad I did!

Another day of packing my meals. 1/2 cup Napa almond chicken salad, 1/2 cup bell peppers, protein shake for coffee, Greek yogurt, chicken Caesar salad, 1 cup frozen blueberries, onion soup packet, a beef stick (fingers crossed it sits well), and a pack of kodiak cakes granola bars (they’re so good!)

My surgery date was 5/28, so today is one month later. The good: My pain was only moderate, and was manageable with just acetaminophen after the first couple days. I haven't had too much gas pain or nausea, either. I'm never hungry. I've lost 23 pounds since the surgery (33 including the pre-surgery diet). I'm wearing one size smaller jeans, and after losing another 5 pounds or so, I'll try the next size down. I'm also wearing one size smaller polo shirts. The bad: If I eat too much or too quickly, I get quite uncomfortable. One one occasion, this resulted in vomiting. I've also had some constipation. Crushing all my meds for the first week was awful. I was mixing them with yogurt, and they cut right through the yogurt flavor. The chewable vitamin I'm taking is unpalatable, and makes me slightly nauseous. I do all the cooking in our house, and preparing separate meals for my wife and for me during the first few weeks was time-consuming. I need to do better on planning my eating and drinking. I'm drinking way less water than I used to, and I'm afraid I'm not getting enough calories either. I know I'm getting the recommended 60 to 80 grams of protein because of protein shakes. I'm also not getting on the exercise machine enough. (I have a bad hip, so I can't take the long walks I used to take. The hip pain is decreasing a bit, though.) I'd be pleased to hear observations from more seasoned surgery veterans about what to expect in the coming months, and any suggestions you may have to offer.

Hi there to all the April surgery buddies! I had my surgery on the 29th and I am down 50 lbs! 🥳. I am very happy about that. I have a really hard time eating protein though, if it is chicken, beef, fish, eggs, etc. it feels like a brick is hitting my stomach… I don’t know how else to describe it. I stick more to cheeses, protein bars, yogurts, milk for now. is there anyone else that’s dealing with the same type of situation?

6/15th too! I don't think anyone could have prepared me for how hard these two weeks would be. I have zero energy probably because i can only get like 300 calories in a day at most! I just had such an easy recovery and then this is really hard. I am drinking fine but the shakes are hard to get down. Talked to the nurse that said to try greek yogurt which was good. I love SF popsicles so she said use protein water to make popsicles and get more protein that way. he also said it was okay to try a pureed soup or jello. I made my own jello and added protein powder to it. I am really looking forward to trying eggs and then some tuna.

I’m 4 days out of DS and I’ve been trying to sip water all day! I only got about 18 Oz down. I also sipped 2 x 3 oz strained miso soup ate 2 x 2oz sugar free protein pudding, 2 Oz sugar free protein jello, and 1 tablespoon light Greek yogurt. I’m feeling quite week. I do keep my bottle Igor next to me and I take tiny sips every 10 minutes. If you’re in the liquid phase, how are you doing sipping? Any tips?

Did anyone else feel hungrier once they made it to the soft foods phase? I barely ate anything on liquids and puree. I'm thinking it was a mix of being so soon out from the surgery and also just being uninspired by the lack of what I was able to eat. Now that I'm on soft foods, I feel like I'm hungrier and I actually like the food I get to eat now because I have a lot more choices. I'm sticking to all the prescribed amounts, but I have an underlying fear that I'm eating too much or too frequently and I'm going to stretch the pouch. Has anyone been told what it feels like when the pouch stretches? Is this something that you are able to feel? I've never felt nauseated or sick after eating so I'd assume that means I'm in the clear, but I want to stay hyper vigilant. I suppose it is also just a kind of shocking transition from going from puree where I really only had protein shakes, yogurt, and mashed potato to entering the soft food phase where I can make more "meal" type things with real meat and veggies.

The notes from the upper GI series says they detected a "moderately large" hernia. Actual surgical notes on the repair say "Given that the patient has already had a sleeve gastrectomy and is not a candidate for any form of wrap, I choose to place a bio A absorbable Gore mesh to reinforce the diaphragmatic repair. Once positioned appropriately the mesh is secured in all 4 corners with Ethibond suture. The apex of the sleeve is secured to the diaphragm medially and laterally with single interrupted Ethibond suture." I'm doing... ok, I guess. I found the hernia surgery harder to tolerate than my sleeve surgery was. My hernia surgery was on Tuesday morning and they discharged me on Thursday afternoon after they "achieved appropriate pain management," making me 3 days post-op. I thought they were only giving me Tylenol via IV, and oxycodone on request. Turns out this was true, but they were also giving me gabapentin and the oxycodone in addition to the Tylenol; I could have had additional oxy if requested, as well as dilaudid. I won't lie; it's been rough being home. I have five oxycontin pills to get me through, as well as Tylenol, of course. I have had enough pain that I'm calling this afternoon to get more oxy; my pain this morning was easily a 7 on a scale of 1-10. I haven't had any acid issues, but I haven't had any real food yet. I'm allowed a soft diet but I know I'm not ready. I've stayed on full liquid (which is where I was in the hospital) with a few bites of yogurt or pudding with not great results. It just hurts right now, feels like I have a giant block in my chest and a huge lump in my throat. I am SO GLAD I took 2 weeks off from work for this!

I tried an unflavored protein powder in it, but since surgery, protein powders taste so metallic to me. I add a TBS or two of yogurt. I have started adding a few dates to my smoothie thought and it gives it a great natural sweetness.

Yesterday was the first day since surgery where I had a 'good' food day. Everything I ate was tolerated well. I got in my liquids. I had a nice diverse meal day...egg and greek yogurt with strawberries in the AM, chicken salad at lunch, homemade crab cake for dinner. Get on the scale this morning and up .8 of a pound. Really? Sooo frustrating because I had so many bad food days in the last 2 weeks during pureed and early soft food stages....learning about so many new intolerances (lactose being the biggest of them) and then I have a great food day and...weight gain.

I was told I could have tuna fish with light miracle whip or light mayo, chicken breast with curry/mustard/light mayo or a little bit of sugar free bbq sauce, salad with dressings that were 50 calories or less per serving (I have to keep carbs to 50 grams/day or less). I plan to eat a lot of salads with chopped deli meat or tuna because after surgery it will be a while before I can eat salad again and I love salad. I like the bolthouse yogurt ranch and it's 45 calories for 2 tbsp (30g). It's the the refrigerator case in the produce section usually. I have to have light greek yogurt or a protein shake for breakfast.