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I prefer protein powder over ready-to-drink shakes, and powder tends to be less expensive. My favorite brand of protein powder is Ideal Lean, but it is really a matter of personal taste. For ready-to-drink shakes, Equate brand is pretty much the same as Premier Protein but priced much lower. I am almost 2 years out now and I no longer drink protein shakes. I get plenty of protein from food, and I'd rather eat food than drink a protein shake. It is really important to budget for what you'll need post-op, and don't forget about vitamins. The best value in bariatric vitamins is the BariatricPal brand multivitamin, which is $99.99/year for a subscription (I recommend you buy a smaller bottle first and make sure you like them before you subscribe; also, you'll probably need chewables for the first few months after surgery). Depending on your program/bloodwork, you may need additional vitamins (I take calcium, chelated iron, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, and biotin in addition to the multivitamin, and I also use pre-workout and essential amino acid supplements). Vitamins are super important for gastric bypass patients, so you have to make sure you're prepared to buy them before you have the surgery. In the early post-op stages, I was eating so little that the costs balanced out. Now that I'm eating regular food and larger portions, though, I am spending a lot more on food than I was before surgery, even though I'm eating less. I used to shop sales and buy cheap food. Things like chips, crackers, cookies, candy, frozen meals and snacks, baking ingredients (sugar, flour, oil, butter), etc., can be very inexpensive when you buy them on sale. Now, I buy a lot of fresh produce, meat, fish, herbs, and spices, plus some healthier substitutions (sugar-free sweeteners, protein bars, low-calorie salad dressing, sugar-free condiments, olive/avocado oil, coconut flour, etc.) and prioritize health and taste over price. I'm sure I could spend less and still eat healthy if I really needed to, but I have invested so much into this surgery and losing weight that I'm willing to spend more money on food that helps me stick to my plan.

Like most surgeries, my first three days were rough. I did make myself start walking right away. First day wasn’t much, maybe a block or so. I slowly increased every day. I’ve always felt gentle exercise helps me with pain control, plus it’s good for prevention of post op complications like blood clots and pneumonia. By week three I was back to work full time as a nurse.

stretching out your stomach is pretty rare - you'd have to REALLY overstuff it day after day to do that. Liquids for sure wouldn't do it - they pretty much go right through you.

Those powder protein shake mixes do seriously suck. I'm a fan of Fairlife shakes now. It's basically just ultra filtered milk. So it tastes whey (way) 😂 better.

I haven't lost any more hair or thinned hair more than it already was due to thyroid issues. I didn't have dry skin either post -WLS. I've tried everything: biotin pills, Rogaine, Nioxin . . . none if it helped.

You have nothing to worry about. Get in the liquids and protein. Your stomach will not stretch like that... liquids tend to go from your stomach to your small intestine in less than 30 minutes.

I had to keep a bottle of fluid in my hand all the time, and I had to keep rotating them so they were iced cold. I still don't really like water unless it is iced cold. I drink a lot of iced coffee and hot tea, as well as water mixed with flavor packets. Don't worry in the first few weeks if you don't get 60+ g of protein. Focus on the fluid first. That can get you messed up first, dehydration. Several posters here have mentioned juices, but I wasn't allowed to have sugar, so I found sugar free juices (5 calories per 8 oz serving) that I really like.

I'm struggling with internalized fatphobia. I am getting much better as I've lost weight, actually. I was bullied growing up, and my grandmother, whom I loved more than anyone, would tell me I had "such a pretty face"... which we all know is code for you're fat. I had a guy break up with me (after I had lost 100 lbs) because I wasn't his ideal body type. Now I'm terrified to even consider dating. (Although there are a lot of issues there...) My family and friends have always been supportive, but my mom always has been a bit of a "concern troll." ("I'm scared for you!")

So incredibly happy this two week liquid diet is over. Surgery is tomorrow!!😍

This has opened a whole pile of repressed memories and I am having trouble writing about it. This is my 3rd go at it. I have had a lot of therapy because of my mothers idea of fatness, whilst feeding me the most unhealthy food and telling me to empty my plate or I would get it every meal till it was finished. It happened. The day before she died of cancer, weighing about 50 pounds, she admitted that she had finally got to her perfect size ! I am the person who always tells friends and random strangers that their clothes, shoes, hair, and make up are fabulous . This is because of the nasty remarks people have said to me. A kind remark does wonders to some ones ego and I can not understand why a person would want to be so cruel and say something so negative. It has made people Anorexic or Bulimic or in some cases kill themselves. I would never want that on my conscience.