ezbeinggreen

Agree 100% with @AJ Tylo . There is no one-size-fits-all formula, you just have to go with what works for you.

FYI I was an on-and-off vegan prior to surgery but went back to eating meat and dairy because my surgeon was also on the high-protein bandwagon. But after research I realized I could be healthy vegetarian with VSG, and I ditched the high protein myth shortly afterwards. You have to make a healthy plan for ANY way of eating, omnivore or otherwise. I find I meet/exceed all my nutritional requirements without even trying most days, more than I ever did as a meat eater. Apps that track vitamins and minerals as well as fat/carbs/protein like Cronometer really help! I am now 5 years out and my portion sizes are about the same as a normal person (ie. non-WLS patient of a healthy weight/healthy mindset around food). This is normal - you WILL be able to eat more over time, that is why you need to take advantage of the first 6-12 months to break bad habits. I definitely attributed eating mostly plant-based to being able to maintain my weight. I never reached my goal, but that's because I let high fat foods and carbs like pasta and bread and rice back in too soon, as well as cheats like pizza. Granted I still eat far less of these things... all things... (I can eat 2 slices of pizza max) but less pizza is still pizza!

It may be worth seeing a registered dietician who specializes in vegetarian/vegan diets, independent of/outside your surgeon's practice. The nutritionist at your surgeon's office is going to be biased and only advise you based on the surgeon's program.

Atkins/Keto/high protein diet for the rest of your life after bariatric surgery is old school nutrition nonsense. FYI most doctors only need to take 1 semester of nutrition classes and that was back when they were in in undergrad or med school. A lot has changed since then. As long as you eat a well-planned, plant-based diet (this applies to non-bariatric patients as well) you will thrive. I'd say success after bariatric surgery is more about using the time where you have restriction to learn better habits and ditch your addiction to empty calorie dense carbs like white breads, pasta, white sugar, etc. than anything else. You will eventually be able to eat normal portions of food so breaking bad habits is key. If you continue to eat a SAD diet and the crap that made you fat in the first place, even if just less of it, you will eventually experience regain. Immediately after surgery (first 1-4 weeks), you will be drinking/ eating very low cal in the ballpark of 500-800 calories. You will be weak some days because of lack of calories, not lack of protein. It takes years to become protein deficient! Then you'll probably be around 800-1000 until 8-12 weeks., 1000 - 1200 for a good while after that. I hovered around 1000 - 1200 for my first year post surgery. Look up Dr. Garth Davis, he is a bariatric surgeon who advocated a whole foods plant-based diet. I also like Dr. Matthew Weiner - he has a number of videos on Youtube, both have Facebook pages and groups to help you.

If you are 4 months out and still consuming under 1000 calories a day and exercising 4-5 times per week, you actually may not be eating enough. I would try to increase your calorie intake to 1100 - 1200 for a couple of days and see if the scale moves at all. Everyone is different, but I notice when I regularly only get 700 - 800 I stall. When I increase to over 1000, the scale moves in the right direction again. If you are 4 months out and still consuming under 1000 calories a day and exercising 4-5 times per week, you actually may not be eating enough. I would try to increase your calorie intake to 1100 - 1200 for a couple of days and see if the scale moves at all. Everyone is different, but I notice when I regularly only get 700 - 800 I stall. When I increase to over 1000, the scale moves in the right direction again.

I've tried a few and I find that the vegan Proteins I tolerate best are a mildly flavored vanilla blended with a plant-based milk and fruit. So far I like the Vega Protein and Greens Vanilla and SDC Nutrition's About Time Ve Vanilla best.

Awesome. Thanks @@OKCPirate!

I am looking at the listing on Amazon http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NBAHOLY?ref_=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t and Amazon has the directions as "For adults, add five (5) level scoops (28 grams) of whey Protein isolate powder to 8 ounces of cold Water, milk or your favorite juice and blend" - I am assuming that this is wrong? The label photo says 1 scoop is equal to 28g of product = 25g protein. Is this correct, so 1 scoop to 8 oz of liquid? I currently use the GENEPRO and have been happy so far (I don't agree with the naysayers about the nutrition claims) but this seems like such a better value! Is it too good to be true?? $14 is ridiculously cheap...

There are lots of non-carbonated mixed drinks (I hear ya though, I was a vodka and soda girl myself). Sea breeze, bay breeze, screwdriver, etc. but then you have to deal with sugar from the fruit juices. Wine? Or how about a vodka martini? Or a dirty martini? if you like spicy/savory, the vodka with veggie juice reminds me of a martini drink a friend turned me onto pre-surgery. Ask the bartender if they have any Bloody Mary mix made up. If yes, ask for a dry vodka martini with a heavy splash of Bloody Mary mix. Pre-surgery it would take me at least 30-40 minutes to drink one, I am thinking today it would take me an hour to drink one (and nibble on the olives) and probably knock me on my butt. I had a glass of wine on NYE and was buzzed on 1/2 glass. If you don't want to drink alcohol but do not want to let onto co-workers/friends that you aren't drinking, just ask the bartender for a small glass of Water or cranberry juice, and put a lime and a stirrer in it. No one will be the wiser.

Physically could you have a few tortilla chips - yes, I am sure your tummy could handle it but should you is a whole other story. To be honest, I ate a handful of them this week and I am only 4 weeks post op. Nothing bad happened, they went down and stayed down fine but I felt so guilty afterwards I haven't done it again since. For me, tortilla chips are a slippery slope (my weakness before was salty, cheesy, crunchy things) and something I personally need to avoid until I reach goal or beyond.

I was sleeved 12/7 so just one day before you! Hopefully that is OK?! I am in the same boat. I definitely feel hunger and some days feel like I can eat more than I should compared to some other folks who even at 1 - 3 months out are still really restricted to just a few spoonfuls. Especially soft foods like yogurt, soups, etc. I can definitely eat more yogurt than say chicken or fish. For example, I can eat an entire 5.3 oz greek yogurt now but maybe 2-3 oz of flaky fish. But as long as I keep my calories in check I feel like I am OK. My doc had me on purees and soft foods from the day I got home from surgery so maybe that is the difference? The people I know who are super restricted were on clear and full liquids for weeks before moving to purees. I am already eating regularly textured food at this point. The good thing about that is I can drink pretty much anything and tolerate just about any foods so getting my Protein in isn't difficult mechanically - I am just really sick of Protein shakes and don't want to drink them anymore! I started working out again today, took a really long walk this morning (I need to work back up to the gym). Felt good though - I am down 20 pounds since surgery (25 total since pre-op diet) and I felt the difference.

I am also self-pay because my health insurance doesn't cover WLS. I am from CT and cost of self-pay there was outrageous (they want $25 - 30K - $17K was hospital fees). I looked both in the states and Mexico. There are a bunch of docs in the 10 - 15K range. Mexico was $5 - 8K depending on the plan. I compromised and got my sleeve on 12/7 in Boca Raton, FL with Dr. Kahlil Shillingford for $10,500. My parents live about 30 minutes away so it was easy for me to stay with them during recovery and a go back for routine visits. That price is all-inclusive - hospital stay, labs, all office visits for 1 year, etc. I opened a CareCredit account but found out later the "low" interest plan was 14.5%. So instead I shopped around for another credit card - found a Visa card with a $10K limit and qualified for 0% interest for 15 months. The other dr I considered was Dr Paul Wizman - his VSG is $11K and he offers BLIS for another $1500.

Are you drinking enough liquids? Sounds silly but a lot of people mistake thirst for hunger. I agree with the acid too, that happened to me.

I would just be careful with trying to make 50+ g Protein shake. Your body can only absorb so much protein at one time so you might be better off using less/making smaller shakes 2x a day instead. Ask your NUT of course. I was sleeved 12/7 and I have been averaging about 60-65g per day. Unflavored protein that can be added to hot or cold food and drinks is the way to go until we can eat more volume. I have added it to both drinks and Soups. I really like the Musclegen Pro because it is 30g in a small one tablespoon-size scoop. They've figured out some way to make the whey protein isolate molecules smaller, they go into the science on their website. I just know it is a lot easier to get 1T of fine powder to mix into things than a giant 1/4 cup scoop.

My surgeon only restricted me to Clear Liquids while in the hospital but once discharged, he had me on phase 3 which includes full liquids, purees/mushy/soft foods like cottage cheese, yogurt, tuna. I was sleeved just over a week ago and stuck with full liquids, pureed soups, and yogurt the first week but I recently had some pureed tuna w/mayo, pureed rotisserie chicken with gravy and everything has been fine.