Search the Community

That's not really an option. It's the NHS so it's just the one appointment through the Bariatric multidisciplinary team. Therapy is really hard to get and the waiting lists are long. Once you get an appointment, you get 12 sessions or about 1 a week for three months.

Thank you,i hope your husband is well. I can only imagine that being the caregiver that this hasn’t been easy on your bariatric journey either. Just being post op is pretty time consuming in itself (or at least it has been for me) and any big life curveball you throw in I assume makes for a pretty crazy schedule which make healthy choices that much harder. I know for me that I don’t need much of an excuse to be tempted to eat off plan so having no time to plan ahead makes the little obese voice in my head say it’s not your fault your too busy right now it’s okay to stop and have fast food just this once. But then this once turns out to be more and more often. That’s how I got to be obese was listening to that little voice too often. Luckily I did have a solid three months to get into some pretty good habits and I have really been trying to stick to them the majority of the time. I have a whole bag of healthy protein snacks that I just keep with me all the time in the car (I rotate them out so don’t stay there too long) since you rarely know when you start out what your day will end up bringing with these doctors. Or at least that’s how it has been for me. You start thinking it’s just one appointment at 8:30 am and don’t get home until late at night because you don’t even get seen until 10:30 and then they want two other things which you have to wait around to be squeezed in for those as well. I hate paying For and stoping for water so I bring a cooler with bottled water and protein shakes everyday since my surgery in case I get stuck out and don’t have time to eat on plan but now I also have my big bag of non refrigerated protein snacks with me as well. I can’t say it’s made me be 100% perfect but I’ve done far better than if I had to keep stopping on the road for sure. My favorite on the go snack is chomps pepperoni flavored turkey jerky right now. I do half a stick of that with a mozzarella string cheese or a baby bell light. Just 85 calories for 11 grams of protein and they are actually tasty. Them and the quest protein chips are my favorite go to options. Sometimes that’s lunch and then I end up eating what would’ve been lunch as a snack a few hours after dinner to get all my protein for the day since I need 90g.

I had my sleeve procedure on Jan. 21st, I feel as if I have conquered some areas - cruising along through gas pain, learning how to eat/drink, and my vitamins!!! BUT I notice I have high anxiety regarding my protein intake, my exercise, food variety and my weight loss and feeling hungry an hour or so after meals as well as some constipation/diarrhea. I stress about not getting enough protein when it seems like I am getting enough in protein shakes (at least 2 shakes w/ 25 or 30 grams) and food (20g w/ yogurt), right now I'm only walking but very slow paced with upper body, and now on phase 3 that's leaving me clueless on getting again enough protein and variety where I should be avoiding high fats, sugars, carbs, high cal....I know the stress will surely limit my weight loss... I'm down 24lbs, I feel like I'm sabotaging myself with worrying - any advice/suggestions!

I’ve been here for 6 years now and I’ve see a variety of protein goal recommendations so I don’t believe there is a right number or a wrong number only what you & your team thinks is best for you. For example I was told 60g was my goal from the beginning. Certainly in the first months when we’re healing and not eating large portions focussing on protein is very important. Now at 9 months, you’re eating more and a greater variety of foods ensuring you’re getting in a balance of all your nutrients is just as important like @spartanmaker mentioned. Maybe this is why your dietician has reduced your protein goal or did they mean 65g is more a minimum goal??? As for should you count calories or other macros, my feeling is you have to do what you feel most comfortable with. Another case of you doing what is best for you & much like what you said about exercising. Focussing on counting calories messes with me so I’ve always done just random checks of calories & portions. I probably was & still am more concerned with specific food choices and ensuring I was consuming some complex carbs, fruit and vegetables every day, reducing added sugars. Though I know others who value the accountability of calorie and macro counting and feel doing so keeps them on track - what’s best for them. @SpartanMaker has given you some fabulous information for you to consider &/or adopt or for more rigorous conversations with your team.

I had no idea gastric balloons were even done any more. Unless this is a different procedure from the days of yore? I think most surgeons abandoned balloons for the safe and considerably more effective sleeve and bypass options. I know those mightn't be an option for everyone of course. Best of luck and I hope it works for you OP. Sounds like you're in a good mind space and that's worth a lot.

I know nothing of Herbalife so I am half informed. I know that any gain in this early stage is of benefit. Its tough to drink enough never mind eat our protein quota. I would say - go with what works for you until you can manage something better.

I try to get my 'sweet' through protein snacks, which are processed I know but at least I can be sure I get some protein in and I feel like I have had a treat. Considering, apart from my daily yogurt, everything else I eat is either a raw (nuts, fruit, veg) or made from scratch by me I don't mind the Fulfil or MyProtein snack. Shop wise, I allow myself dark chocolate such as Lindt with a flavour like chili or raspberry and I have two squares post dinner when I have it. My boss gave me a box of delicious Belgian chocolates recently so yes I indulged, though did share some. Twice now I have made delicious brownies using dates, yummy and gooey - https://nourishedbynic.com/brownie-protein-bars-nut-free-gluten-free-no-bake/#recipe Couldn't find a seed butter so I adapted and used a spread here that is made out of biscuit (Biscoff) so increases the sugar but by the time I portion it all out there is still not much for the deliciousness it gives (approx 250cal, 25g carb, 10g fat & 10g protein). I try to limit myself to one a day and freeze them.

Okay I am about to give you a list lol If any of these sound appealing I can get you the recipes! -Chicken Fajita Spaghetti Squash Casserole -Cottage Cheese Queso Recipe -Low Carb Enchiladas -Crustless Quiches -Chocolate Protein Oatmeal -Protein Pudding -Chocolate Chunky Monkey Protein Drink -Ricotta bake -Mini Muffin Ham Frittatas

I’m 13 years post-op and pretty much have my hacks for getting in the amount of protein that I need to stay healthy and strong. However, I have booked a cruise for the fall and am concerned about how I will do that without my usual routines? Any tips that don’t require taking half a suitcase of protein shakes with me? LOL

I have been taking the vitamins I was given preop... Mix with water they taste like tang ... For anyone that remembers tang... I am now 3 weeks post and it is making me gag... It was suggested I mixed it in my protein drink ... Totally gross... I want to go back to my gummies... Vitamin c... B12... Woman's gummy... Coq10....anyone taking these! Alyce

Yeah, the new sizes and THE OPTIONS are a real head spinning thing for a while. Well done!

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.

My base recipe is mostly: Either ~12 oz of a fairlife protein drink, or fairlife whole milk depending of what flavor I'm going for ~1.5 Tbs unflavored whey protein isolate ~2 Tbs instant pudding ~1 ts extract of your choice Add additional sugar substitute of your choosing if you like it sweeter This normally takes 1 spin on Lite Ice Cream and 1-2 re-spins. For me this is 2 servings, though YMMV. Sometimes, especially if I used a protein drink as the base, I'll use a little less of that and add in some Greek Yogurt to make it creamier. I personally don't like it if it's more than about 4 Tbs because it tends to be a bit tart for my tastes. Here's a more specific example I made recently (and just finished off today): 12 oz Fairlife whole milk ~1.5 Tbs Isopure whey protein isolate ~2 Tbs Butterscotch instant pudding ~6 drops ultra-concentrated Rum Extract Splenda to taste (I didn't measure) I added walnuts as a mix in Now it's your turn to share!

yes!! In another video he shows him eating a candy bar...He says I am eating this before my cravings get to out of control, so if you eat what your craving when its a level 2 instead of a level 10 you wont get out of control. When we restrict ourselves so much is when we tend to fail and that balance is so important. He also focuses on protein with every meal. This is so true for me. I eat for the most part really well, whole foods, high protein, low in fat and moderate in carbs. But I do eat something sweet every night lol! usually a Yasso ice cream bar or a protein ice cream I make in the creami. But I def will have a mini snickers or two lol

I am sorry to say this but you will either loose hair or you won't. There is nothing you can do about it. Its a fact. Muscle is a different matter, protein does help there. I had a super fierce restriction due to swelling. I had to eat tiny meals about 8 times a day. I split my 3 meals into little pots and as a grazer this may be a way forward for you. I struggled to make my 60 gram protein quota. I survived, and eventually so did my hair. Look for protein yogurts in the supermarket. A 200 gram yogurt will have 24 grams of protein in it. They were a game changer for me.

I never* used them. My plan called for 3 meals per day, each containing 20+ grams of protein through meat (usually). Days 1 - 30 post-op were the same plan pureed. Day 31 forward not pureed any longer. How much protein, of what sort, and how often, is very much a personal decision in consultation with your medical team. Good luck, Tek * Never in normal times. However, when I was binge running, ramping up for marathons, my plan increased from 3 meals per day, to 4, then 5, then 6, then 6 + a protein drink. I fealt like I was eating all day long. I hated it.

Not that uncommon and comparatively not more strict. There are variations between surgeons and surgeries with many of these things. Sometimes it’s also related to you, your health, how much weight you have to lose, your relationship with food, etc, Not being allowed carbonated drinks is common. The differences arise in length of time of this avoidance and then whether you can tolerate it. Also you may be allowed sparkling water that you let go flat a bit but not sodas. Same with alcohol avoidance but there are three main reasons often behind this. One is concern for addiction transfer which can occur after weight loss surgery. Secondly, alcohol is calorie dense and offers no nutrients which are vital while we are losing and eating small portions and lastly it will slow your metabolism & dehydrate you. Again some surgeons just put a time frame on it but it does depend on your surgery too. Caffeine is another thing that is allowed by some surgeons and not by others and again there can be differences in for how long you should avoid it. Deconstructing meals is not a forever thing. Certainly while losing, focussing on eating the protein component of your meal first is very important. If you are able after you’ve eaten the protein in your meal. you then can eat your vegetables then any carbs you are allowed. (There were many times I could only eat my protein at a meal and nothing else.) This is because of the small portions we can eat initially & the necessity of getting that protein in to meet your protein goals. It does make tracking your food much easier too. When you near your goal, and are eating larger portions, it’s not as important to eat your protein first but you must continue to hit your protein goals forever so it will be something of which you are aware when you’re eating. In saying that I often ate soups, stews & casserole type dishes, omelettes, etc. which combined protein & vegetables while losing but not every meal and not every day. Actually not allowing protein shakes is also not uncommon. For example, in the UK, many aren’t allowed protein shakes in the pre surgery diet (they drink milk instead). Protein shakes aren’t the sole source of protein & nutrients in that first stage after surgery. Bone broths, consommés and cream soups are also options. Thank goodness too because after surgery those protein shakes can be disgusting. I found them unpleasantly grainy and crazy sweet & struggled to drink one a day. Best advice is to follow your plan while you are losing.However, if you find it difficult to tolerate your food options or to reach your goals ask for alternatives that will allow you to still meet protein goals & other nutrient requirements within any calorie guidelines you are given. How and what you eat once your weight has stabilised is up to you, what you’ve learnt about your eating and relationship with food and if it allows you to maintain a lower and healthier weight & lifestyle.

Thank you! I think I have all those loss of nutrients and certainly lower protein.

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.

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 😊

Mostly protein shakes, yogurt and soups.

So a month and a half ago I started working 12 hour shifts overnight 3-4 days per week. Everyone said by now my body would adapt, but that hasn't happened. Instead, as time goes on, I'm getting more and more fatigued. I sleep all day and wake up feeling like I haven't slept at all. My joints hurt all the time. I talked to my doctor and my nutritionist and they said to get more rest, eat more dark leafy greens, increase my protein, and maybe drink some coffee. I've done all that and it's been no help at all. Then I was told "maybe you shouldn't do overnights" but that's not an option. It's a requirement for my job. Energy drinks don't work on me (I'm not caffeine sensitive so no matter how much I drink of it, I don't get any kind of a boost) and b-12 doesn't do anything for me, either. I'm at a loss now and I was hoping some of you might have some suggestions. Thanks in advance!!!

Generally, the closer you can get to a natural, whole food diet, the better. The goal is to get your protein from real food and to learn recipes and choices that will work for you forever. Having said this, it all depends what you like and what you can tolerate. Personally, I hated protein drinks but I did find a powdered one I liked and ended up having one per day at breakfast until I hit about 8 months post-op, but that was because I pre-bought a ton of the stuff on a big sale and wanted to use it up instead of wasting it. Once you can manage a Greek yogurt, a couple eggs, and 3-6 oz of meat over the course of a day, you probably don't need protein supplements.

You have to let me know some of your protein recipes. I tried the pancakes with protein powder and they were not fave but I need a few new recipes to shake things up so if you find any real good ones please share.

I drink the regular 2% fairlife milk and use it in just about everything I make, like pudding, etc. I've been drinking it for a while though, I developed some lactose intolerance after having my child in 2020 and found that it settled better on my stomach. I am now back to tasting the difference between it and regular milk thanks to taste changes, but it's nothing super terrible. I agree that the 42g are the best bang for the buck. It was easier to down them when I could chug them, but now they are just very whey-like and gross to me. The regular fairlife nutrition plan shakes are easier. Sam's club has them back in stock now so I picked up a case. Per the nutritionist on my surgery group's facebook page, the BariatricPal protein shots are about 7g whey protein vs 23g collagen protein, and that we don't absorb collagen well. I will instead use them to supplement my protein intake instead of just using them as primarily protein.