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I second the suggestion of getting a few four packs and seeing what you like after surgery. I drank protein shakes the first couple of days when I could barely stay awake to drink them and get my water in. I liked the Fairlife ones the best but many like Premeir. I’m on day 8 of post-op full liquid now (3 weeks for my program) and have shifted toward the savory. I made a turkey bone broth and a beef Asian spiced bone broth before surgery and froze in pint containers. You can buy bone broth or bariatric broth packets as well. I've been rotating between those and “healthy” canned cream soups mixed with Fairlife milk - adding additional protein powder as needed. I spotted my miso in the back of the fridge tonight and am going to add that to the mix tomorrow. I strain everything I make through a fine mesh strainer and add plain protein powder to meet requirements. I think the variety of options is helping me get thru.

I’m no dietician and very new here as well, but if you really have no access to other food (hopefully on a temporary basis), could you just order the protein and veg? Maybe skip the rice and noodles? Consider adding another protein and veg combo like shrimp and veg instead of the lo-mein. I’ve noticed many Chinese restaurants have “diet” offerings with low oil sauces, sauces on the side, etc. And sorry, I’m only 8 days post-op so have no idea about food fixations at this point. 😄

To be honest, early on I had lots of problems with nausea and vomiting eating normal solid foods when it was allowed for me. I stayed on liquids and soft foods maybe longer than most. But it was easier for me. I figured my tummy just needed more time to heal and really had no reason to force it just because I could have it. So, I prioritized getting my protein and liquids in first in the form of shakes, milk, yogurt, soups etc. I've said it here before, that you are better off staying hydrated if eating solid foods is keeping you from that, timewise. (30-minute rule) I simply preferred that to feeling nauseous and figured I had the rest of my life to eat solid foods. Becoming dehydrated can cause stalls and constipation. I also have trouble drinking plain water but found if I add Crystal Light I tend to drink more in a day., I also take a stool softener twice a day since WLS, recommended by my surgeon. Of course, like everyone else here said, periodic stalls are normal. Long term you have to question what you are doing. Now at almost a year post op, I can pretty much eat and drink as needed. I just came off a stall and since I'm nearing goal weight, those last few pounds are coming off slower. I don't weigh myself as often so as not to get discouraged. But I'm pretty damn happy with where I am. Try to get those liquids in... it's important. GL

I have a choice of 2 breakfasts, either 150 grams full fat Greek yoghurt with berries 170 cals and a homemade latte, 100 cals and all this adds to about 25 grams of protein or a 27 gram sachet of porridge oats with milk and added ginger jam to sweeten it and a latte. I love ginger jam. This adds up to 25 grams of protein and 280 calories Lunch is either home made soup with lentils and bacon/ chicken added for protein or a 2 egg cheese omelette, scrambled eggs or fried eggs. Around 250 calories and up to 20 grams of protein. Snack, Milky coffee, a piece of fruit and some blue cheese 200 cals and 8 grams of protein Evening meal, Homemade family meal minus the carbs or a salad with fish or meat. About 250 cals and 15 grams of protein. Snacks of either fruit and cheese, fruit lolly or a almond magnum, packet of low fat crisps and a homemade cheese dip. I aim for 60 grams of protein and 1500 calories for maintenance. Once a week I may go over on a hungry day and one day I will forget to eat and be miles under so it all balances out. I realise I eat a lot of dairy but my cholesterol is ok at the moment.

I'm apparently more anal retentive than everyone else who's responded so far, but most are in maintenance so they can and have learned what works for them. My daily intake is very structured because I really don't like cooking or trying to figure out what to eat. Plus, unfortunately I'm a slow loser. Breakfast: Either I have 1/2 cup high protein overnight oats made with Fairlife Core Power milk (42g protein) but only use half of the bottle so 21g for a total number of 30g +- or 2 low fat turkey bacon slices and 1/2 bottle of my fairlife protein milk 30 mins later, either meal with a half cup of coffee 30 mins beforehand. Lunch: 1/2 c homemade turkey chili with 2 tablespoons Fage Greek yogurt 14g+- protein total or Pacifica organic soup 1/2 cup Dinner: Either the turkey chili again with added 1 tablespoon cheese on a low carb high protein tortillas or 3oz chicken (20g protein) cut into cubes with G.Huges chili Thai dipping sauce (low carb - 2 carbs, low calorie - 5) 2 small florets broccoli, 1 tablespoon skim cheese and Fage Greek yogurt on a low carb high protein (7grams) tortilla 32+- total grams protein Snack: 1 no sugar added fudgecicle (40 calories) or 1 tablespoon no sugar added chocolate chips (70 calories) or a fiesta string cheese (70 calories) or Homemade "brownie batter" or "chocolate chip cookie dough" protein balls (neither really taste like the title says, but its what they're calling them on the recipes 😋 This works out to: 80 grams protein 800 calories 50 net carbs 19 grams sugars Fat 16 - 28g Boring I know, but as I said if I think about what I want to eat to much..its not healthy foods or foods I'm allowed to have 6 months in. I'm trying to eat to live not live to eat.. So I keep it regimented so I know where I stand. As far as exercise I was walking 3 miles a day with light weight training..but I'm having hip abductors and hip flexor issues now plus my bum hurts (I never contemplated before surgery losing weight would make sitting/bum hurt) so I'm starting PT on Monday so the exercise has stopped for now.

Ratio Protein ... I find at Walmart... it's like yogurt, 28g OWYN 32g Prorein shake. Not as cloying as others I find...still getting sick of them though Tuna w Iight mayo 17 g Some scrabled eggs and I am over 80 every day!

If you love soups here is a recipe I found that I have made twice now recently and really like; https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spiced-carrot-lentil-soup I made it in the slow cooker and added 2/3 of the carrots for the whole process so they were soft and then added the other 1/3 in for the last hour or so to have a bit of bite to the soup even after blending down. I did peel and chop the carrots, did not leave the peel on. Also I did not use the oil or yogurt and went with more than a pinch of chili as it gives it a really nice kick. I got 9 to 10 servings out of the recipe instead of the indicated 4 so the nutritional values according to MyFitnessPal are; If I need to up my protein intake for the day I add some protein powder to the soup.

Congrats on your loss so far. Don't worry it seems to be very common to stall a few weeks to a month after the op. I had a sleeve so not sure if there are different 'rules' but I was told it is just 30 minutes each side of eating that you are not to drink fluids but either way I agree with you, I feel that there is not enough time in the day that I am awake to drink the amount of water they say. It took me a long time to get to the protein goals, somedays I only got 20 to 30g so for me a 'trick' I have done for upping my protein is to include a scoop of collagen into my coffee twice a day as each scoop is 10g protein, the collagen is supposed to help my hair, nails, skin etc plus I am getting in some fluids. A bonus for me is that I don't mind cold coffee so if it takes me a while to drink my cup it is ok and it immediately means I have got 20g of protein in before even including food. I also have a lot of soups that I incorporate protein into be it with protein powder, lentils, chickpeas etc. as I find they don't leave me feeling so full as I blend them down a lot. I love soup and would have had it often before my op as well so the only difference now is trying to put the protein into it and not having bread with it

I have been tolerate eggs, hard boiled and scrambled I will usually do hard boiled 2 for breakfast with my decaf coffee with sugar free creamer, or I have tea with a tsp of honey. I also will do 3 oz of egg whites, with 2 oz of turkey ground and will add some buffalo wing sauce. snacking I will usually do a protein shake (premier) or I will make one of my vanilla Isopure with unsweetened almond milk and drink that, and/or I will have cottage cheese 3 0z, or applesauce unsweetened, hummus 2 oz, turkey sticks cut up about 2. water in between those, then lunch will be chicken salad that I make from scratch, I just take chicken in the can add tbsp of light mayo and some shredded cheese and mix together. ( I prep a lot for the week due to work) I will do avocado smashed 3 oz of that also. I usually cannot get all that down. so I will go back later and eat the rest on break. I will also have another protein shake later with my snack. For dinner, I have chicken salad and broccoli and or shredded chicken 30z's and some veggie. I do like to have a snack later after dinner about hour or so. I do turkey stick or I have a Popsicle.

I am a month out now and I am happy I dropped 18 pounds but now it seems I am on a stall already. I am still not making protein or fluid requirements. I never drank 100 oz. A day of water in my life. I am so full I can’t seem to reach this 70 - 80 of protein. I am on foods well chewed now. I feel like every 21/2 hours drink then wait eat then wit drink shake. Nothing to drink a hour after you eat. There are not enough hours in the day! Ia week after my surgery I got Covid and my age it wasn’t easy. I am still out of sorts. Doc checked me and I’m ok. I need to do better. I just started walks and some bicycle. I am hoping my stamina gets better. If anyone has any tricks they do about how to manage better with foods, I would appreciate if you can share! Thanks so much!

Yes, my daughters were of differing opinions about the chicken sausage. I put it in for the extra protein and the older one loved it, but the younger one thinks it would be much better without. I think I may agree with her, as the precooked chicken sausages have an odd texture, although the spicy flavor was nice. I wonder if there's a way to get that extra kick in another way.

I've been making a smoothie most mornings with frozen fruit, spinach, and unflavored protein powder. I was having that most mornings before surgery, so I've just tailored it to be a little thinner now with water or milk, and I seem to tolerate it well. I've done well with eggs of every variety, and also smoked salmon, which is so delicious. I can generally eat 2 eggs or 2oz of the smoked salmon. Cheddar cheese is good, as is cottage cheese with peaches. Oh, I also adore edamame! They have it shelled and lightly salted in the produce section of my grocery store in a small tub and it is so pleasant to eat, kind of snack-like, I guess. Tuna salad has been nice, too. I've done okay with ground turkey and chicken, but it's not as appealing right now, although I do like a turkey sausage breakfast patty. I made a ricotta bake that was really good. I mixed 8oz ricotta, an egg, and some chopped spinach (thawed from frozen with water pressed out), and spread it into an 8x8 baking dish, topped with some diced Italian chicken sausage, then covered in marinara (look for one with no added sugar), sprinkled with mozzarella, and baked for about 20-25 minutes until the cheese was a bit browned. Like a lasagna without the heavy noodles. I wouldn't be able to hit 90g without significant use of protein shakes, which I also can't stand because of the artificially sweet flavor. But maybe you can try making some soup, like a pureed bean or carrot ginger, and add unflavored protein to it? I plan to try that next week for variety.

Oh my gosh!! The foamies! One of my friends thought I was crazy when k said I was foaming then started vomiting. My starting weight was 210lbs and my b/p was out of control. As of now I’m still on b/p meds but when I went in last week it was lower than it had been in over a year. I had the pre-op diet and dropped down 10lbs. When I came out of surgery I was puffy and weighed 203 again. Right now I am at 189lbs which has been the lowest number I’ve seen in years. I was told to get 64oz of water and 90 grams of protein a day yes 90! I’m struggling with it. The water intake I’ve done well except one day and nausea hit me soooooo fast. The protein has been hard for me. Sweets nauseate me and it seems most protein shakes and stuff are sweet. It is so nice to have someone experiencing the same things so I don’t feel so alone. I would love to hear where you’re finding the easiest protein sources? I think at most I hit 60-70 grams and that’s not every day. It’s a work in progress and definitely hit and miss.

I am almost two and a half years post sleeve. At your stage I was eating around 800 calories I think, but if I've learned anything it's that we're all totally different! Well into maintenance, my typical day is: Breakfast: full cream milk latte. I have never eaten breakfast at breakfast time and never will. Mid morning: one or two fried or scrambled eggs, depending on how hungry I am. Generally one. Lunch: a salad with some protein (last night's dinner meat, tinned tuna or deli meat - sometimes cheese). Or more often soup - usually homemade and usually with either chicken or pulses for protein. Or occasionally, if I'm feeling really lazy and can take the sugar hit, 100g tinned baked beans with cheese and hot sauce. Snacks, probably three a day at this point: cheese (and usually a couple of crackers with that); 150mls [approx] full cream milk kefir or a kefir yoghurt; nuts (30g approx); seeds (20g probably); deli meat; fruit (I eat at least one portion of berries or an apple every day). I tend to keep lots of meat snacks in the fridge as they're filling and help me reach my protein goal. Dinner: whatever I've cooked for everyone else but without the carb element, or just a tiny bit. Basically protein and veg - in that order. But that includes fried chicken, bolognese, casseroles, sausages, roast dinners, fish pie (no potato topping) - everything I used to eat before my sleeve. Supper: I do most of my carb intake here. Toast and butter, porridge (oatmeal to you lot) with stewed fruit, crackers with butter (or cheese if I haven't cheesed out by then). Exercise: I do a 1 hour aerobic exercise class 3 days a week. I walk between 2 and 4 miles every day and I jog about a mile once or twice a week instead of walking. I am still amazed by what my new body can do. I probably should do more. This is my diet 90% of the time. I have lots of days when I stray badly off the path and eat chips (crisps) and occasionally chocolate. I also drink wine every weekend, which I accept is totally empty calories with no nutritional value. I just track everything and try to adjust if I can. I've had a couple of regains of a few pounds now (4ish), but so far I've been able to jump on those, ditch the rubbish (carbs mainly), up my exercise and get back to 140 or thereabouts. It's no problem at all - a couple of weeks of being more vigilant about what goes into my mouth and a few runs instead of walks. I really hope I can keep doing that. I may have to accept that my set weight is higher than 140 but I am loving it here!

Hey there! Would love to hear how it's going for you! Here's where I am: My highest weight was 251 back in the summer, which is when I was referred to the surgical program. I started making changes to my eating following the Pound of Cure book by Dr. Matthew Weiner and was down to 238 on Feb 7 when I started 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I was 223 the day before surgery, so 15 lbs down in two weeks. That's compared to 13 lbs in 6 months, which is crazy, but I also know that I wasn't trying to lose weight during those months so much as make healthy choices. I didn't count calories or other macros. I just made an effort to reduce processed foods and eat a pound of vegetables most days. Whereas the liquid diet was pretty much me starving for 2 weeks. But I survived! Since surgery, it's gone a bit slower, which is in part due to the fluid shifts from surgery (according to my meeting with surgeon last week). My weight this morning, 3 weeks post-op, was 217 lbs. So, 6 lbs down since surgery. I'm healing pretty well, meeting my 60g protein goal and 64 oz water goal daily. I did have one incident of foamies / vomiting two days ago that set me back a little on food tolerance, but I think I'm doing better today. I go in to see the dietician on Monday. The first week I was getting around 400 calories per day. Last week and this week have ranged between 500-700, depending on the day and what food choices I make. I haven't really experienced anything I would call hunger. As for non-scale victories, I had to pull out one of my smaller bras yesterday that I still had from about 5 years ago! I also fit into an outfit I bought last year that I wasn't able to try on at the store and discovered was too small when I got it home. But not anymore! And I'm officially off blood pressure meds!

I made my own granola in the slow cooker, just cooking on low for a few hours using egg whites, oats, half fat butter, fruit mix, nut mix, cinnamon powder and a small bit of honey plus vanilla essence. I am now using a shop bought one. All granola is going to have carbs but that doesn't mean you avoid it, just need a good balance. The PB chicken I found here https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/peanut-butter-chicken but I substituted a bit so no oil, skinless breasts instead of thighs and I used a chunky protein peanut butter (My Protein) instead of regular shop one plus I doubled up on the chili. I just put everything in to a slow cooker and left it for 6hrs. I got 10 or 11 servings out of the recipe instead of the 4 indicated in the recipe. Actually I just rechecked MyFitnessPal where I logged it all and it works out at 211 (instead of 241) calories, 7g not 8g fat, 9g not 14g carbs and 24g not 26g protein as I had double logged the tomatoes.

You and I have similar starting numbers, HW was 297 and when I started my journey I was 270 and am 5'9. What was your original weight loss goal? I am shooting for 190 but the way that I am losing weight I think I am going to surpass that. What was your typical day in your weight loss phase? How long did it take to get there? Right now I am eating about 1000 calories, 100g of protein, 50g of carbs, 25g of fat. I am not sure if I am eating too much, the scale says I am not but I also do not want to stretch out my stomach. When did you start HIIT? I miss it so much but right now I just walk 35-55min a day (I know odd it just depends how long I can squeeze time outta my lunch break lol) Sorry for all the questions LOL

For me now I am still trying to get into a routine of what I can and cannot tolerate but it is usually; Breakfast - pot of greek yogurt, tsbp of cinnamon (good for inflammation) and a 1/2 cup of granola or oats. (approx 20g protein). At weekends I do a protein pancake with fresh fruit. (15g protein) During the morning/afternoon - coffee with a scoop of collagen powder (10g of protein in the scoop) * 2 (20g protein) Lunch - usually a soup I have made in my slow cooker, at moment red lentil, chili & carrot which is delicious. (5g to 10g protein depending on the soup) Dinner - again something homemade in my slow cooker like a beef goulash, bolognese or chicken dish. I don't usually have a side with them, as not eating enough to sacrifice stomach space for a non protein element, but I do include some veg within the cooking process so I am happy with that. A few times I have had rice with the dishes but at the most 1/2 cup each time. Sometimes I will have the same thing for lunch and dinner as I batch cook so much my freezer is overflowing. The protein amounts very from about 8g to 25g depending on the food, for example a peanut butter (protein) chicken dish I made only has 241 calories, 8g fat, 14g carbs and a whooping 26g protein. On a Friday I treat myself to a 1/4 of a frozen protein vegan pizza (11g protein). It is the one thing really that I don't prepare myself. During the day if I remember to eat I might also have a protein bar, some nuts or 2 squares of dark chocolate. I am trying to get some fruit in also but it is hard to find the stomach space and the time (considering not being able to eat 30 mins either side of a drink). On activity, I have started the One & Done 7 minute exercise program, it is just three times a week as I am a beginner. I do 45 minutes of aqua aerobics once a week so that is four active days more than I did pre-op I try to get a walk in a couple of times a week also but find it hard to be motivated to do that unless it is around the shops which is then dangerous for my wallet!

I’d worry about ensuring you’re getting in all your nutrients too. Do you track your food? It maybe an idea if only for a couple of weeks. Check your plan in regards the rice & noodles. Most plans say no to these as they are so filling, have no real nutritional value & limit your ability to consume your necessary protein. Your dietician should be able to give you ideas & recipes you can put together with your limited cooking capabilities. Otherwise google can be your friend. There are so many things you can cook using just an air fryer & microwave that will ensure you meet your protein goal & are getting in nutrient dense foods. I’m a proponent of cooking as much of your own food yourself as you can. It’s the only way you can be sure of the ingredients (including preservatives & additives) & the cooking methods. Plus means you eating low processed foods which is way healthier than takeaways & other highly or ultra princesses foods. (They’re known to change your digestive hormones to increase your hunger & decrease your satiety hormones plus the other impacts on your general health.) Plus eating the small portions you are at the moment you can get away with only cooking every couple of days. Less if you have a freezer compartment in your fridge.

Like @GreenTealael I have a routine too. It makes me comfortable about my choices & I don’t have to think too hard about what I’m going to eat, how much, am I meeting goals, & so on. Breakfast: rolled oats & milk with high protein yoghurt, mixed seeds, dried cranberries & blueberries Lunch: multi grain crackers with labneh & tomato or with liver wurst & pickled onions. Occasionally gyoza or calamari. Used to have salads with chicken or prawns but got tired of it & then was making omelettes with lots of vegetables & cheese but my tummy decided it didn’t like eggs (after 4 years 🤷🏻‍♀️). Dinner: usually pretty simple - a protein (last night was trimmed lamb cutlets with a dukkah crust, the night before chicken breast & gravy) & vegetables (green beans, sugar snap peas, asparagus, broccolini & zucchini or cauliflower). snacks: 3 of either macadamia nuts, grapes, string cheese, peanut paste, protein bar, left over breakfast or similar Activity 4 sessions of about 5 minutes (3pm, 4 pm, 5 pm & 9pm) of stretchers & resistance bands. Usually do this every day or a modified version of them. There will always be days when we eat a little more of this & a little less of that, skip a meal because of the busyness of life, etc. like @GreenTealael referred to. Same with your activity. As long as you aim to do your best most days, it all works out in the end. PS - Glad you’re back on track & feeling stronger about moving forward.

I'm transitioning to maintenance phase, so I don't have a typical day nailed down yet. But I aim for at least 80g of protein, and usually end up getting 90-100g. My activity level is quite high with at least 60 minutes of exercise or training every day. Swimming, yoga, HIIT, walking or jogging with my PupTart, dynamic stretching, PT for the hurty bits, and strength conditioning are my primary activities. All of that training allows me to go hiking, bicycling, backcountry camping, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. I love being active and hope to keep it up for a loooong time 😁

I relied on a bottle of ProT Gold to help me meet my protein goals right after surgery. It was given to me when I was in the hospital, so I reckoned it would be fine to keep using it.

6+ years post op: I have a routine. I always starting and ending my day with a cup of tea. Everything in between depends on how hungry I am, however it is mostly liquids. For instance I didn’t eat today until 6pm because I was busy, so I won’t reach my protein goal (I usually do) but I will still easily reach hydration goal. Typical snacks are fat/carbs: nuts, cheese, fruit, cookies, chocolates Typical meals are mostly protein/carb combos: -breakfast sandwiches (egg/bread) -cold salads (egg, chicken, salmon/ vegetables/crackers) -meat and potatoes (chicken, lamb, turkey/ mashed/baked/fried) -soup

Thank you all! I've been doing one for breakfast typically as I was under in calorie goal and it had been stalling me. I've actually finally started dropping weight again. I'm typically hitting 1100-1300 now and am doing one protein shake and one to two meals consisting of a protein (steak, chicken, or eggs) and vegetables and sometimes more carbs (1/2 bagel).