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how are you feeling today? hope all is well. my surgery date is 10/29 so soon to be starting my liquid diet

I had a post op appt with my NP yesterday. She is please with my nutrition even though it’s not quite status quo. I am still doing chemo with steroids so I have some pretty intense cravings but for now the chemo has made me hyperthyroid so I am maintaining despite a lot less exercise and a less than perfect bariatric diet. Sounds like a blessing to be able to eat more but I’m still having to rein it in because I am ravenous 24/7 and of course there are some real health risks with hyperthyroidism so I have to closely monitor things. I am really hoping it goes away or I’m going to go broke trying to afford healthy food in the quantity I am able to consume. I have mostly nutritious food but I’m not counting calories or quantity for now. Plus with the tiny stomach I eat like 10 times a day so it’s pretty time consuming. On a better note I had a PET Scan the other day and my treatment is working!! A couple more months until the chemo should be done as long as I stay healthy enough to keep getting it. I hope a couple of months later things will be back and I will have a normal amount of cravings that I should be able to handle. I’m gonna need some emotional support kicking the carbs though for sure.

Again, If what you're doing is working, then I don't see anything that needs changing. If you're in the range of 100-115 grams per day, then you're already eating what I'd call protein forward diet and about where I'd typically recommend for most people. Keep in mind what I mentioned, calories are king. You only lose weight when you eat fewer calories than you burn. Thus if you did want to add more protein, you'd have to do so at the expense of other nutrients. When eating as few calories as you are right now, dropping any more on carbs & fat could have negative effects on health. It's important to get sufficient essential fatty acids since your body can't make these (that's why there called "essential". Technically you can live without carbs since your body can manufacture glycogen from fats and protein, but the problem is that if you reduce these even further, you're going to also have to reduce your intake of fruits and veggies and these convey a lot of other benefits to you nutritionally. Here's what I'd ask your nutritionist about. The most up to date clinical practice guidelines from AACE/TOS/ASMBS/OMA/ASA say to focus on protein intake of 1.2g/kg of bodyweight. https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(08)00163-9/fulltext I recognize that you are not from the USA, but I dare say these organizations have a significant level of money and experience going into these recommendations since obesity is rampant in the USA. For what it's worth, some recent data I saw showed that the USA does far more bariatric surgeries than any other country. In fact, it was roughly the same number of bariatric surgeries as the next 10 countries combined. An impressive but sad statistic. Protein is highly satiating compared to carbs & fats, plus protein takes longer to digest, meaning you'll be full longer. Being full longer equals less cravings and better dietary compliance. Protein has a small but meaningful effect on overall energy balance because on average, for every 100 calories of protein you eat, you burn about 20 calories just to digest it. This is way more than carbs or fats which range from 0 to 3 for fats and 5 or 10 for carbs depending of fiber content. This means the more protein you eat, the better your overall energy balance compared to eating the exact same calorie amount of other foods. Granted, this isn't a lot, but it all adds up. Higher levels of dietary protein help you preserve more muscle mass as you lose weight. (It helps prevent muscle catabolism which is a real risk when eating a very low calorie diet.) Because muscle is more metabolically active than fat, the more muscle mass you preserve as you lose weight, the more calories you'll burn, even at rest. Studies suggest anything above about 1.2g/kg (95% CI), is sufficient for most people to stave off catabolism, which is probably where the dietary guidelines linked above came from. You mentioned something about body recomposition, so I want to touch on that briefly. I LOVE the idea, but you need to understand it's extremely hard (bordering on impossible), to add muscle mass while on a very low calorie diet like you're eating right now. For most people, you actually need to be eating a significant surplus to add muscle mass, so I honestly wouldn't even try until you get closer to your goal weight. If you do decide to add mass, then yes, higher protein amounts than what you're eating now would be recommended (Roughly 2g - 2.5g per kg of bodyweight). This also would require a dedicated hypertrophy training plan though, and that's a bit out of scope for our discussion here. Best of luck.

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hi and welcome, my surgery day is 10/29 and I have my pre-admission appt on Thursday, is that when they gave you instructions on when to start your pre op diet?

I had gastric sleeve surgery on 10/23 and I’m currently 1week post op and I have been having horrible pain from my biggest incision on my right side all the way around my back that I can barely walk it hurts so bad. Good luck I’m seriously regretting this surgery right now due to the pain.

I am by no means a fitness expert but I think so long as it is a pretty intense workout for you now it’s still giving you the same benefits as what you had worked up to before In terms of cardio. I assume your heart rate is just as high as it was before when you were doing more 🤷‍♀️. Regardless, you will be back to your pre surgery activity soon enough. The fact that you started back is what’s most important in my opinion. You’re still in the habit of doing it. That’s the most important thing. Although I totally get it. I am immunocompromised because of chemo and a simple cold landed me septic and neutropenic in the hospital for 10 days and I’m home now but still recovering from pneumonia and a sinus infection with very low red blood cells and my white blood cells keep dropping every few days after I get the shot to bring them back uo. Anyways, I haven’t been able to do much either. I am back to walking very slowly like a quarter mile a few times a day But, I’m still trying and to me that’s how I know that I will get back to it just as soon as my body is able. I haven’t broken the habit and you haven’t either. I’m glad to hear you were finally cleared to get started.

I think you're looking very healthy! Glad your numbers are looking good and I hope your energy will start to improve as your body adjusts to maintenance. Also, I think it's funny how different we all are in size vs weight. I'm an inch taller and 10 lbs lower than you and I am still mostly in a size 14!

I am in the 1st stages of my journey. I meet with the team for my 1st consultations on Jan 2nd. I am @ 250 lbs. I have cronic back pain. I just had back surgery in Oct. I am doing the surgery because the weight of my stomach is pulling my spine forward. If i don't do this i might have to have another fusion in my back later on. Plus i am so excited to get this done. I have hit a plato and i cant lose any more weight i bounce around 250 lbs up or done by 10 lbs no matter what i do. I was @ 285 lbs I lost 60 lbs and it all stopped.So i have been hovering around the same weight for years.I am so excited to get this done.

GOOD MORNING , MINE IS 10/29 AND I HAD MY PRE OP THURSDAY AND THEY HAVE ME ON A LEAN AND GREEN DIET IS WHAT THEY CALL IT HERE AT THE HOSPITAL , BASICALLY NO FAT OR SUGARS AND STUFF, MY LIQUID DIET STARTS AFTER SURGERY .

On 1/22/25 I had surgery initially to bring my remnant stomach down from my chest and they said while they were in there, they'd repair a hernia.. It was done robotically, so I anticipated the dreaded CO2 shoulder pain. I was up & walking, doing what they recommended & was discharged the next day.. After about 48 hours, it had subsided but had occasional twinges.. Unfortunately, I wasn't informed that I would need to be on straight liquids, but I had a Roux-en-y in 2008..so piece of cake. What wasn't so simple was taking my various pills & having one get stuck 3 days post-op. I had no choice but to throw it up. Apparently that caused swelling, so I ended up in the ED... After about 10 hours, the swelling reduced & I was able to swallow again. After a few days of taking bare necessities, I flew home to CO. I will be doing my 2 week surgical follow-up via tele-health. However, I am now 10 days post op & I am having intermittent what I assumed was CO2 shoulder pain. It is excruciating and extends up my neck & radiates into my ear. I couldn't figure out why I was suddenly having shoulder pain again as the CO2 should be out of my system by now. After reading about everyone else's experiences, at least I know I'm not crazy but hope that the stress and swelling after the pill incident didn't mess things up. Needless to say, I will be calling my surgeon first thing in the morning. BTW.. Even though I had some complications after my bariatric surgery in 08..I would do it ALL over again. No regrets.. I was 333 pounds the day off my surgery and 169 today.. And here's something only a bariatric patient will appreciate.. At 5'8", I was no longer considered OBESE, just overweight.. That is until osteoporosis hit and I am now 5'3, still 169 but back to being obese.. It sucks cuz I have maintained my weight between 167-169 for over 15 years but I can't control the fact that I shrunk 5 inches in the past 6 years.. The joy of getting older 😁 Thanks to everyone for sharing and saving my sanity..

I was wearing a 42DD pre-surgery at 251 pounds, and at 165 pounds, I am in a 38DD. If I lose the last 10-15 pounds I hope to lose, I doubt I will change band size, honestly. The reason I say this is I run my hands around the area where the bra bad goes and I have almost no pinch-able fat left. I could see dropping to a D cup because the breasts themselves still have plenty of room to get smaller, but the band size is limited by the size of my ribcage, which I can feel prominently in that area. In the past few months, I dropped more than an inch from my bust and less than 0.25 inch from my band. In an ideal world, I think I would like to wear a 38C, but that's just my preference. And I am so amazed by how well you are taking all of this. I'm really wishing you the best with the cancer treatment and hoping you are well again soon!

The pre-op diet is probably the hardest thing you will do for the next 10-12 months. It's honestly so difficult, but you can get through it! Once surgery was done, 400-500 calories per day felt totally normal to me for months. A few things that helped me were sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, and the Millie's sipping broth. Almost no calories in any of these, but you get sort of the feeling of eating, which helps combat the head hunger. Is it perfect? No. But it kind of helps. Also, sugar free gum might help. And if you're truly hungry, ask if you can add more non-starchy veggies throughout the day. I wasn't allowed any meals or veg, just liquid, but since you are, the difference between 2 cups of broccoli and 3 cups, calorie wise, is pretty much nothing. You can eat a whole cucumber for barely any calories, or a salad with baby spinach, cucumbers, shredded carrots, and balsamic vinegar (no oil).

Interesting to read the replies here. As a man, you get used to not receiving compliments (btw ladies, one of the easiest ways to get a mans attention is with a compliment. I promise you he will remember that 10 years from now). So when I began to receive recently compliments from friends and coworkers about my weight loss it was really awkward but it does feel good, and it helped with my body dysmorphia as I don't see myself that much different even with the 100+ pounds total I've lost and multiple clothing sizes I've dropped. I personally enjoy them now, and use them as motivation to push harder to my goals.

Finally getting round to putting on my measurements 🤣 01/05/24 - Just before I started my liver reduction diet. HW: 20 stone 1lbs = 281 pounds =127.4 kg Neck: 16" Upper Arm: L: 19.5", R: 18" Chest: 53" Waist: 45" Thigh: L: 32", R: 33" Calf: L: 17", R: 18" Stomach: 56" Hips: 56" 26/08/24 - not the MOST recent, but close enough. Weight as of 13/09/24: 15 stone 6.3 lbs = 216.3 lbs = 98 kg Neck: 14" (-2") Upper Arm: L: 17" (-1.5") , R: 16" (-2") Chest: 45" (-8") Waist: 36.5" (-8.5") Thigh: L: 28" (-4"), R: 29" (-4") Calf: L: 16" (-1"), R: 16" (-2") Stomach: 47.5" (-8.5") Hips: 49" (-7")

Hi there!! New to this forum, but just starting my 2-week pre-op with a surgery date scheduled for 10/15!! Nervous and excited all at the same time!

George was 19 when old age got him ☹️ We lost 3 cats in 2 years - 2 to age, 1 to cancer. We’ve been cat-free for almost 12 months now and I keep pondering on whether to get another. We can’t have a rescue cat as we live on a main road so will have to consider a kitten as an indoor cat. I’m still not 100% so will ponder a little longer 🤔 I hope you’re managing to shake off Covid and it’s not being too much of a 💩 with you 😉

Sleeve Oct 2024. Band remove March 2024. Did all pre & post instructions, After solid eat stage I can eat large amounts of food without feeling full. For example, 3 turkey wraps with cheese and lettuce, had a T Bone for Thanksgiving. I'm stalled right now and don't know if drinking more water will help. Dr said need to loss 15% the first 3 months which is 56lbs, I'm only at 10%. With the band I could feel the restriction up high but now it's like relearning how to feel full, it's in my belly not my throat like before. I wish doctor would have use a smaller bougie, he uses 40's Last visit the nutritionist said "He does not do revisions" like to warn me. 383 start now 344 Need to be 325 by this month.

Hello, Wendyjane! The NHS is the National Health Service - socialised tax-funded medical care provided in the United Kingdom. The tier system is basically various levels of care for varying conditions. For those seeking weight management help through the NHS. Google AI summarised it really well for me: Hospitals are grouped into governing bodies (trusts), and each trust, I believe, decides how to invest in the tiers, which in turn impacts just how much and what kind of support is given. For example, when I went through Tier 3 in my trust, I was given 1:1 virtual support (zoom meetings) once a month for a year with a nutritionist to help me implement healthier lifestyle changes, and during that time, I also met with an NhS psychologist for 3-4 months to work through any issues I may have regarding food and mental health. I really enjoyed the support I received from my Tier 3 programme (“Weigh Ahead”). I was also held accountable for my weight, blood pressure, and body measurements. Tier 3 aims to help you lose 5-10% of your total body weight in order to be referred to Tier 4. The current Tier 3 service in my trust now allows patients to receive prescriptions for Ozempic and Mounjaro to help with weight loss. (I’m sure you can imagine I was sorely sad to find out I missed that opportunity! Whereas I think the injectables will be available to me only in Tier 4 and from the bariatric surgeon?) Also, in Tier 4, if you so desire to go forward with bariatric surgery, then you have multiple appointments with various consultants: the bariatric dietitian, bariatric nurse, bariatric psychologist, the anaesthetist, and finally the surgeon. Once your appointments with each of these completes, then they meet together as a “Multi-Disciplinary Team” to discuss each case and decide if that patient is a good candidate to go forward with surgery. If yes, you’re then placed in another waiting list. According to my trust, I am not meant to gain any weight from the time of my Tier 3 referral until surgery. This has been really, really challenging… and at times, frankly speaking, exceedingly discouraging. I hope this helps as an explanation. ☺️

I had gastric Bypass in 2019. I have gained about 13 pounds back, but pretty happy overall. Last year when I was laying flat on the floor and went to sit up I felt the oddest sensation. It was a pain and pressure along with a knotty feeling protrusion that popped out in my stomach right below by right ribs. I was able to push it back in. I saw my gastric surgeon, who couldn't feel anything but sent me for a CT. The CT showed nothing. However, this protrusion has happened many times since. I even had my husband feel it last time to ensure I am not going crazy. Has anyone else had anything similar? What are your symptoms and what has been done for you? Any advice? Thanks! Lynda

Some theatres in the US you are allowed to bring food in as well. The ones in malls especially. It supposed to be food from the malls food court but I have never had them say anything about bringing In my own food at those theatres. I think it’s just about money honestly. The snacks are astronomically more expensive than they cost in stores. The exact box of candy that you can buy for $1 in the store is $6. A regular popcorn is $9 and regular drink is $8. You get a little discount if you get a rewards card and go often or go on special days but it’s upwards of $10 for a small popcorn and drink on the cheapest day. You can get a popcorn/ drink combo at a food court in a store for $2 just for reference. I almost always bring my drink from home at minimum to save money. Post surgery I bring my snack. Usually a little bag of skinny pop and I make sure to eat food food before I go.

Hey guys, How is everyone coping with life after being sleeved? I am doing a lot better than I was a few weeks ago but I still have a long way to go! My surgical wound that would not heal had to be packed by the nurses for a month. I'm 10 weeks post op and it has finally closed but it seemed to take forever! The head hunger is very up and down for me and torturous at times.... but I am starting to learn new things about myself when it happens. I am still very much navigating my way through dealing with it, I have good days and bad days depending on what's going on in my life. Depression is definitely a thing for me, I am very up and down. I have suffered with it on and off my whole life and at times I feel so lost. I am snappy with my poor hubbie and I am forever apologising to him. I have times where I feel as though I am crawling around on my hands and knees in the dark searching for the light switch that never seems to appear. I am distant at times even from my family but I don't want to be alone, probably because I don't wanna sit with my thoughts because I can't deal with them. I notice that when I am feeling low the obsessive food thoughts creep in to torture me. I am starting to look into getting some therapy for this, it may help. Anyway enough about me tell me about how you are doing! How much weight have you lost, how are you coping with your new lifestyle and please show us some progress pics! xx

Welcome, I’m having my pre op exam today and my surgery is 10/21. I think my primary waited too long to get approval from insurance but we will see? What is a ballon gastric surgery? I haven’t read of that one?

as usual, I agree with everything Arabesque said. A 10-20 lb bounce back regain is very common after you hit your lowest weight. It's your body settling in to where it's comfortable. You can always lose it again if you really work at it - although if that new weight IS your body's new "set point". it'll be a challenge to get back down there and stay there - but it's not impossible.

Hi. I'm having some huge issues with my weight and could really do with some help and advice please. In December 2018 I had a gastric bypass and on the day of the surgery I was 24 stone (336 lb). Over the next year I got down to 15 stone ( 210lb). All my friends and family was concerned I wasn't eating enough and said I looked ill due to the rapid weight loss so I started eating a it more. Fro. 2019 to 2023 my portion sized grow and I was no longer eating the correct foods resulting in me being 21 stone (294lb). I'm currently on the path to getting my health back on track but I don't seem to be losing weight. Im one of them people that will eat the same meals every days and this is my current meals all eaten on a bariactric plate. Breakfast = 2 hard boiled eggs. Lunch = hath a steamed chicken breast, 2 steamed mushrooms, 4 seafood sticks, 2 slices of onion cooked in the air fryer, hath a Peper cooked in the air fryer and 40grams of mozzarella. Dinner= hath a steamed chicken breast, 2 steamed mushrooms, 4 seafood sticks, 2 slices of onion cooked in the air fryer, hath a Peper cooked in the air fryer and 40grams of mozzarella. I'm also walking on average 6 miles (9.6km). In the past 6 months of eating like this my weight has hardly changed, 1 week might be 1lb loss then next week will be 1.5lb gain then 2lb loss ect. Over 6 moths my weight has only gone down 7lb and I don't know what's going on and I'm starting to get very depressed and I seem to be eating well and being active but the weight scales don't reflect that. Am I missing something that's preventing me from losing weight? Thank you