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Guys any veterans that can give some examples of what they can eat for a meal? Also can you only sip. Really freaking out that I'll only be able to eat a tiny tiny amount for the rest of my life

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When did you have surgery? I was freaked out for several months after surgery about not being able to eat much, especially when we would go out to eat. I did finally get used to it, though, and now it doesn't bother me anymore.

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When did you have surgery? I was freaked out for several months after surgery about not being able to eat much, especially when we would go out to eat. I did finally get used to it, though, and now it doesn't bother me anymore.

I haven't yet. I'm waiting on insurance approval, so hopefully just a few more weeks.

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It's funny. I used to freak out thinking about this, too. Now, I freak out thinking about the portions I used to eat! What I have come to learn now is my current portions are what my body truly requires and my old portion sizes were abnormal.

Funny ...

So, last night, I took my son fishing so we stopped at McDonalds after. We got 2 quarter pounders with cheese. In 20 minutes, I ate half of mine. I was stuffed.

For lunch today, I have 8 oz of chicken vegetable Soup. It will completely fill me up.

For dinner night before last, I had meatloaf and peas. I would estimate the meatloaf portion was about a half deck of cards. I put a piece of cheddar cheese on it. About 20 peas, I would guess.

Breakfast would be one egg, over medium, one piece of bacon and half a slice of toast.

** EDIT **

Forgot about the sipping ...

No, don't sip for the rest of your life. But ... you also can't chug the way you used to. I would say I now drink liquids like my wife does. Just normal drinks.

I'll be 3 years post in a couple months.

Edited by PdxMan

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Try logging on to MyFitnessPal. I'm under RecycledPlastic. You can view others food diaries and get ideas of what they are eating.

Also......you'll get past sipping and be able to drink more, and only eating a couple of bites will also increase some. Variety of foods will increase too with time. But there will always be smaller portions due to the size of your sleeve. You'll get used to it.

You'll be satisfied and not think much of it as time passes. Treasure it. The limits are what will get us to goal.

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I like the fact that I can only eat tiny amounts. I just wish that my taste buds would kick in a little more so I could really enjoy the tiny amount of food that I'm able to eat. I'm find that I'm having to make myself eat which of course, I need to do so that I won't further mess with my metabolism. Even my "mental" cravings have practically disappeared. The absolute best part of being post-op though is I no longer crave sodas whereas before I was a sodaholic!

Edited by SlowlybutSurely

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When did you have surgery? I was freaked out for several months after surgery about not being able to eat much, especially when we would go out to eat. I did finally get used to it, though, and now it doesn't bother me anymore.

I haven't yet. I'm waiting on insurance approval, so hopefully just a few more weeks.
Don't let the thought of eating less discourage you. I'm actually relieved now that I can eat less. Helps me feel a lot more control over what I do eat. You'll figure out fairly quickly what makes you feel full, as well as which foods make you feel terrible. Once you do that, it's pretty smooth sailing.

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I am extinguished about 6 oz of food and 800 calories a day. This is what I had yesterday to give u an example I am 3 months out.

Breakfast. 1 whole egg plus one egg white- over medium, 1 slice 40 calorie whole wheat bread, 1 t raw honey on bread

Snack..8 oz skim milk with one oz. coffee with a sweet in low. (Coffee milk)

lunch.. 6 oz boiled shrimp, 2 t catsup with 1 T of light mayo (for a dip)

dinner : shake. 1 cup skim milk, 1/2 cüp Greek yogurt nonfat, 1 whole banana , 1cup of diced fresh strawberry ..I add vanilla and a sweet in low with a little ice. It was. Delish

Evening. 1 chicken leg..cooked without the skin Tomato and cucumber salad.

That totaled up to 842 calories and 89 grams Protein. This was a high Protein day for me. I like yo get in at least 70 -75

If eat weight watchers mozzarella sticks if I need to get more protein at the end of the day.

Ps. I also had a sugar free Popsicle in the evening.

At the beginning u won't be able to eat hardly anything..Stick to exactly to what doc tell u to eat after surgery ..by week 6 ..I was ok to eat most things. But prior to that it was a hit or miss. I also had to stay on liquids one more week than suggested since the purée foods was tough on meet.

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Oops, I see now I'm answering in the "guys' room".in the future I'll see what group started the thread!

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Guys any veterans that can give some examples of what they can eat for a meal? Also can you only sip. Really freaking out that I'll only be able to eat a tiny tiny amount for the rest of my life

Huberm,

I'm almost 4 months out, so not exactly a veteran. I can tolerate anything, but portion size definitely varies by food type. I just came back from lunch out where I had a bowls of chili that was completely satisfying. Last night, I had 3 meatballs for dinner with some Greek yogurt for dessert. For most mornings, I have some cottage cheese and then an hour later a Protein bar. I know this sounds like a ridiculously small amount of food, which might be anxiety inducing. But being on the other side it feels completely normal. I've yet to "wish" that I could eat a larger meal. In fact, it's kind of liberating being satisfied with the new normal quantities.

As for drinking: On an empty stomach I can pretty much drink as fast as I used to. No, that doesn't mean chugging a full beer. But at the gym, I bring a bottle of G2 or Vitamin Water Zero and in between exercise take a few big gulps and then a few minutes later can gulp some more. The only thing I can't do is drink while eating -- there just isn't enough room. So, if I go out and want to have a drink, I get it and drink it BEFORE the food comes. Then I eat with no liquids and then ~30 minutes later, I can start sipping on something. This takes a little getting used to, but is a minuscule inconvenience compared to going through life as a fat person. Good luck!

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I'm 7 weeks post op and thus was the best thing I could've ever done for myself, I'm down about 40+ lbs started working out regularly and feel great. The sipping goes away a couple weeks after surgery, you just not able to gulp / guzzle drinks, and the small portions aren't a problem, my wife calls me a cheep date now since all I'll have to set when we go out is a cup of Soup or something off the app menu and some Protein off her plate.

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Reading this has helped immensely Thankyou everyone x

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I am 10 months out now. I start my day with a 20 oz g2 Gatorade than after my shower and dressing for work I have 16 oz of coffee then my Breakfast which is either 2 eggs and a slice of toast. Sometimes I eat all of it, generally just the eggs and 1/2 the slice of toast depending on how I feel. Sometimes I have a cup of steel cut oats with apples (we make a crock pot full a week then heat it for breakfast). I have a greek yogurt for midmorning, a sandwich with 5-6 oz of meat but find I only eat about 60% of it then eat the rest about 4 pm with a few apple wedges or a banana., I have dinner, usually about a desk of cards or smaller amount of Protein, half that of veggies. I can drink my 20 oz Gatorade in 2 -3 min easily if I have not eaten. I can't drink anything for 30-60 min after eating depending on what I've eaten. Hang in there.. you'll be drinking more easily at some point and the eating improves but it's only going to go so far. No complaints for me, it's a very helpful tool in eating healthier and losing weight.

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For breakfast I eat 1 cup of Go Lean Cereal with a few strawbs or half a banana. Before could only manage 3/4 of a cup. For dinner I found I can eat a larger portion more recently as I pasted the nine months mark, probably a cup and a half but still a small portion compared to the rest of the family. Take care and yes I can drink more easily now too but still have to wait a while after eating.

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Almost 4 months out here and I can tolerate pretty much everything...I'm still measuring my foods religiously with my food scale but I find that 3oz of dense Protein (chicken, fish, beef, etc..) with a 1/2cup of veggies will satisfy me. I drink my fluids usually right up until I eat, and then wait 30minutes after.

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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