My surgery was Oct 2. All I do is research. Different sights give different information. I read clementine oranges are acceptable. However, they send me running to the bathroom. Which actually I don’t mind because otherwise I go about once a week (that’s with stool softeners). But I just read the sugar in fruit can mess up weight loss. Anyone know the truth?

What does your team say? I was not allowed fruit until I was about 4 months out - mostly sugar, little fiber and lots of carbs. At about 6 weeks out (where you are) I was just going to all foods and not eating more than about 400-600 calories a day. Since I needed to get at least 60 grams of protein, I wasn't wasting 100 calories on fruit when I could be eating something with protein. usually, if anything, i would throw 1/4 cup of frozen fruit - usually strawberries, into my morning protein shake for some variety.

I’m 6 weeks out exactly. Have only had clementines twice. I’ll pull back on them. It’s really the only sweet I’ve had. I can’t handle sweeteners. Not even truvia/stevia. I guess I’ll go back to unsweetened applesauce. At least I can add protein to that. Thanks!

Fruit was allowed on my program.

How and when I introduced it was when I could get all my protein in for the day through food, and still had room left over for a serving of fruit.

In order to meet my protein requirement I had to eat:

4oz cottage cheese

1 egg

3.5oz drained beans (pinto, kidney, etc)

4oz meat or fish

2 cups milk

1oz nuts, peanut butter, or cheese

As you see, I didn't have room for fruit right away... or even veggies for that matter.

Before I could eat that much food, I drank a lot of milk (8 cups of milk meets protein and fluid goals during full liquid phase). I just exchanged milk for food as time went on.

By time I was 9 or 10 weeks out, I was getting that list of solid foods in. Fruit or veggies came along around 12-16 weeks post.

For me, naturally occuring sugar hasn't been a problem. Weight is lost through calorie restriction, not necessarily mattering from whence the calories come.

Sometimes eating fruit messes with a person's blood sugar or sets up cravings or causes dumping. The acid may irritate the new sleeve or pouch. These are good reasons to avoid fruit.

Fructose (part of the sugar in fruit) should be consumed in limited quantities. The fructose contained in one piece of fruit is about the daily limit.

So, even though I could easily eat more fruit now (8 months postop), I keep it to one piece a day. I also only eat whole fresh or frozen fruit. No juice or processing.

Thank you so much, Berry78. This was so helpful. I’ve been doing Milk. I may reset and do what you did. I may do full liquids(milk) and slowly replace with food. I just can’t eat enough yet to get protein in. If you any other tips, I’ll take them.

Ok, so just to clarify, I couldn't tolerate protein shakes postop, thus using real food.

Since you are 7 weeks postop, you've probably been on solids for a little while. What and how much are you eating now?

My protein list is what I still eat, since it pretty well covers all the food groups. The nuts and cheese have a ton of calories, so are optional.

If you drink a lot of milk make it low fat (1%). Too many calories, otherwise.

Cottage cheese is the most concentrated source of protein (besides meat and fish). 12g for 4oz. Early on I got more protein in by concentrating on those concentrated sources. 4oz of tuna plus 8oz (one cup) of cottage cheese, plus a couple cups of milk, and you've met your protein goal for the day.

I’m still not eating a lot. Certainly not a whole serving of anything. That’s what’s messing me up. I can eat about 1/2 a turkey burger, about 4 or 5 small bites of chicken, half a protein bar. It takes me about a 1/2 hour to drink two cups of milk. I can eat about 2 table spoons of mashed cauliflower. I only drink skim milk. I try to make it Fairlife so I get the most protein. I’m not a big fan of cottage cheese but I may have to get over it. I can’t stomach a protein shake or broth.

I'm 5 months out and I eat apples and peanut butter pretty much everyday. I know it's probably not the best choice but it agrees,with stomach. The peanut butter is my protein and I make lunch out of it. I'm down 110 lbs so must be doing something right. I also drink trop 50 orange juice at least 4 days a week. It's my favorite 50% less calories and sugar. I think everything in moderation.

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110 lbs in 5 months??? Amazing! Congratulations! I’ve been pretty discouraged. I’ve lost 27 lbs. I thought it would be more by now. I’ve got to get that protein in.

Kirsten.. sounds like you are right on track. It appears you are eating about 2oz of protein food at a time which is what I was doing at your stage.

I just ate really frequently to meet my goals. Every 2-3 hours.

If you don't like cottage cheese, then do something else. This whole adventure is much more fun if you like your food. Greek yogurt has the same protein as cottage cheese. (Too sour for me now but I ate it early on). Protein kefir was do-able early for me too.

If you prefer chicken and other meat, that's fine too. Your job right now is experimenting to find your personal system/rhythm.

Thank you, Berry! I was doing yogurt but can no longer take the taste of artificial sweeteners even Stevia. I liked cottage cheese as a kid. Maybe I can tolerate it now. You’re right. I need to keep experimenting. If you think of anything else, I welcome your ideas and tips.

27 minutes ago, Kirsten21 said:

Thank you, Berry! I was doing yogurt but can no longer take the taste of artificial sweeteners even Stevia. I liked cottage cheese as a kid. Maybe I can tolerate it now. You’re right. I need to keep experimenting. If you think of anything else, I welcome your ideas and tips.

I have issues with artificial sweeteners as well. I started getting my Greek yogurt at Trader Joe's- excellent.

I have issues with artificial sweeteners as well. I started getting my Greek yogurt at Trader Joe's- excellent.

I’ll try TJs Greek! Thanks!