Meryline

@blondie66 I think you are referring to me, and yes, me too. Sometimes I feel I can eat too much at just 6 months out. I was at a seminar last night with an amazing bariatric nutritionist, and she told us that bypass patients usually can eat more than sleeve patients. Not sure what you had, but I found that very interesting, since we have smaller pouches.

@KH1958 here is sort of a little recap My program is very different than in the US. The liquids, puree and solids stages are over in 4 days. Meaning day of surgery, nothing, day after clear liquids, then full liquids/puree, puree and solids by day 4. We had to chew everything to puree, but we could eat solids. There were a few exceptions. No seeds what so every, even from strawberries, no fresh bread, no food that could cause bloating. Meals should not last longer than 20min, and no more than 5 oz a meal. I meal prep, so I eat a lot of the same stuff throughout the week. Like I'll make stew, portion it out, freeze and have it basically every day. I eat 4-5 meals a day still, all around 5oz. If I have a salad it's more. At least 3 of them are warm. From an very early stage I got all my protein from food, and I think that is the key. A lot of people rely on the shakes for way too long. At this stage I eat anywhere from 900-1500 kcal a day, usually under 1200. I started weight training at 3 weeks out. I was cleared then. I had to because I have a bad back and have to keep it strong. And with the surgery you lose muscles as well, so I had to make sure I lost as little as possible. I walk everywhere. I was used to walking before surgery, but I have stepped up my game since surgery. I walk about 13 000 - 20 000 steps a day. I do strength training twice a week at this point. I also swim. I have been on a break all summer, but practice has started again. For now It's only once a week for 2 hours/4000m but after Christmas it will be 3 times a week. I used to compete as a kid. I don't really do other cardio. Some hiking. A normal day for me looks like this. I get up, get ready, walk to work. As I walk, I drink about 12 oz of water Once I get to work I'll have 8.5 oz iced latte machiatto light (80 kcal) Then I'll have protein rich yogurt, lately I have added flax seeds and sesame seeds (with the coffee it's at least 20g of protein) I wait 30 min and start drinking water. Between now and next meal I'll get 12-24 oz 2h later I'll take iron and bariatric multi vitamin 1h later I'll have a portion of food, 90% of the time it's stew made from lean meat, potatoes and carrots (around 20g of protein) Wait 30min and then back to water. Again between 12-24oz I try to get my calcium supplement somewhere in here 3h after previous meal I'll eat again. Often chicken with some cream cheese sauce, or chicken and veggies (at least 20g of protein) 30 min and then water 12-24 oz I leave work and get home. I'll often have fish and salad, or some kind of meal and salad. (20g of protein) 30min and then water Depending on what I'm doing I'll have another meal again warm, or just a snack, often protein rich yogurt with berries or just some string cheese. Once a week I take a high dose D vitamin and every day I take B12 drops Depending on how much calcium I have gotten through food, I'll take another supplement at this point. I land on 80-100g of protein from food a day. I should get minimum 60. Hope that helps you a little.

@James Marusek the mini is not that common yet. I was offered it as an option, but in the end the surgeon thought the regular one was the best option for me.

Sorry, didn't see which forum it was in. I' have the bypass.

Thanks! I didn't know that. That's funny.

I honestly feel so bad for you guys. In Austria, the whole different stages goes like this Surgery day - IV fluids Day 1 - Clear liquids Day 2 - Full liguids Day 3 - Puree Day 4 - Solids with some exceptions. I had no problem what so ever. Small bites and chew forever was the rule.

You need to look into research papers to get a good answer for that. I just accept it. I eat, I lose weight.

Stalls happen. And they happen a lot. It's part of the process. Weight loss is also not linear. And if you don't get any food/nourishment, your body is going to put an even bigger break on weight weight loss. You need to give your body something, even if it's just protein shakes. What several have discovered is that the less we eat, the less we loose. At least further down the line.

6 months post op, down 90+ lbs

I honestly feel so sorry for you guys who have to be on liquids and puree for weeks and weeks. My program had me on solids by day 4 (chew chew chew until puree) and it was such a blessing. A meal was half to one babybell, but it was amazing.

I have been able to get all my protein from food since maybe 4-5 week (Started solids by day 4 as per my program) We were told that each meal has to be 1 protein portion and on portion is 10g of protein. If you eat 6 times a day, you'll get 60g. I'm 6 months out, I now eat 20g pr meal, 4-5 times a day. The key is meal prep. Figure out how to get 10g of protein into a meal. We were told that 1 egg is considered roughly 10 g. I have found a high protein yogurt that will give me 11g pr 100g. You have fish, chicken, who are fairly light to digest compared to red meat. I make creme cheese sauce with my chicken so it's not so dry, chew chew chew, and it goes down. It is possible is you put some time and effort behind it. Also, track your protein, that is my biggest suggestion.

I was told right of the bat that portions should be no more than 5 oz. I never got a lower number than that. I couldn't in the beginning, but fairly quickly got up to 5 oz. I have stayed there since, but from week 4-5 on, I have gotten all my protein from food. (my program has you eating solids by day 4, I know it's not the norm). In my opinion, the quicker you are able to get your protein from food, the better. You have to be structures, meals will consist mostly from protein, but it's possible. I meal prep, portion and freeze, and my freezer is always stocked with 5 oz portion of food with a minimum of 20g of protein a portion at all times. I just grab 2-3 different ones with me to work every day. I eat every 3 hours, 4-5 meals a day. I'm just over 6 months out and down 92+ lbs, starting at 255 lbs.

Thank you so much guys!

Follow the rules, for as long as you can, follow the rules 100%. It took a long time before I tried different things. I will admit I have gotten a little slack now and then at this point, but I pull myself together. Also, move around. Walk as much as you can. Good luck!

Funny you should mention that. Most people goes down a shoe size when losing weight, although my feet are smaller, they are just as long, if not longer. And thanks!

Thanks @Berry78 And you have done and are still doing an amazing job. You are catching up with me, and like you said, I started lower than you. Also, you are taller than me. We'll get there, just you wait.

@MissT_SR I had back surgery in December 2015 and I was suppose to have a second one next Tuesday, but because of the weight loss, the pressure on the sciatica nerve is a lot less, and I don't need it. Thanks. I'm sure you'll do amazing as well.

Already corrected

Thanks! I used to run (including half marathon), but I'm not allowed anymore, so being able to compete with Nordic Walking felt great.

@MissT_SR Thank you! I forget that people using the app can't see the information in the sidebar. I'm between 5'5" and 5'6". My highest weight was 2 weeks before surgery at 255.7. today I'm 164.5. I do have some loose skin, especially on my thighs, it's the one place I believe I'll diffidently need plastics. My stomach is not too bad yet, and my arms don't really bother me.

For people that ask I say that I'm working with a nutritionist to get my weight down quickly at first and then working on becoming stable to improve my health and to keep motivation up. It's not a lie, just not the whole truth.

I'm striving to get back there. I was a competitive swimmer for years. I still train with a trainer 3 times a week, swimming up towards 7-10k a week. We just started back after summer break.

My surgeon never talked to me about a goal weight or a target weight. I picked normal BMI as my goal. I have 18 lbs to go at almost 6 months out from surgery. Anything after that I look at as bonus. Side note: I had my bodyfat tested, and according to the people who did the test I only need to loose another 6-7 lbs of fat to reach a point where my body would stay happy. I have been able to contain a lot of muscles during this weight loss phase.

Yeah, I feel amazing @Berry78. I still have some pain now and then, but mostly due to Sacroiliac dysfunction and not due to the herniated disk. If it can motivate him, share. Back pain is no joke. Any less stress on his spine he is able to do the better he is going to feel.