Berry78

9/1 222lbs.

There are several different things that might cause that result. If it is an actual stricture, I will be surprised. It's more likely that it's a motility disorder (which can range from mild to severe). Yours is likely not severe since the liquids go down. Here is some info that may not even be applicable (I'm not a doctor! And I don't know what is happening with you.. these are just guesses)... but at least you can learn about motility disorders... https://ctsurgerypatients.org/lung-esophageal-and-other-chest-diseases/achalasia-and-esophageal-motility-disorders

This is a big question mark for me. I think we can get away with it because of the protein shakes and vitamins.. but most of us can still lose effectively eating 1200, so why not? Better safe than sorry.

Aww.. thanks! I'm happy to help! I'm learning so much by being here too!

I did want to interject a morsel. For those that find they still need a bit of animal foods, don't despair. The Okinawans of Japan DID eat a primarily vegetarian diet, but even so, they did also consume a couple eggs a week, the equivalent of one 4oz serving of fish a week, and two 3oz servings of pork a week. If you add that up, they had a full-size portion of animal protein 4 nights of the week. Which is substantial for us bariatric folks. (It's just not much when compared to the lumberjack that eats 4 eggs and 1/4 pound of bacon for breakfast, 8oz of hamburger patties for lunch, a 12oz ribeye for dinner, and a pint of ice cream for dessert.)

1970???!!! That is outstanding!!! I'll say that having the higher body fat is a good thing, so when you dip down below 150lbs, you aren't gonna panic. Shoot, now I need to go get me done! (Have to wait a couple months to have the money though... maybe for my birthday in November). Ok, so.. difference between % body fat and BMI.. your BMI is 25ish, percent body fat is 34 (I actually thought there was a closer relationship between the two). Healthy for women is considered 21% to 33%.

As posted on another thread: Ok, so a preliminary google search HAS turned up several books that coorelate DS and stool/body odor. Also several Bariatric practices mention the same. So, I feel comfortable saying that malodor is a relatively common side effect of the DS. What to do about it.. there were several references to dietary control. Carbs can cause it (that's a new one on me! There must be a fine line between being in ketosis (keto breath!) and too many carbs...), as can too much fat intake. Other than controlling diet, there are internal deodorizers, such as chlorophyl and devrom, that can help remove the odors. RNY doesn't result in odor issues as often as DS, but it can happen. It's the malabsorption component that causes it.

Ok, so a preliminary google search HAS turned up several books that coorelate DS and stool/body odor. Also several Bariatric practices mention the same. So, I feel comfortable saying that malodor is a relatively common side effect of the DS. What to do about it.. there were several references to dietary control. Carbs can cause it (that's a new one on me! There must be a fine line between being in ketosis (keto breath!) and too many carbs...), as can too much fat intake. Other than controlling diet, there are internal deodorizers, such as chlorophyl and devrom, that can help remove the odors. James, if you haven't tried one of those internal deodorants, you may want to give them a try. Apparently they can help breath too. RNY doesn't result in odor issues as often as DS, but it can happen. It's the malabsorption component that causes it.

No need to apologize.. you were talking about hearing that this is a problem specific to DS patients. I would like to hear more about this topic as well. There was someone asking (probably a month ago) about the body odor issue. They were preop and their surgeon told them it would be a real, lifelong thing. Social pariah and all that. The responses here kinda poo-pooed the whole thing, but here you are asking about it.. I'm gonna go do some research...

Protein foods.. Cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, milk, kefir, tofu, beans, lentils, nuts, peanuts, seeds, eggs, meat, fish, seafood. Oats have 5g per serving. Some of these aren't soft.. nuts and meat especially. You could make a smoothie with yogurt or cottage cheese or milk and peanut butter and banana.

Many people think we'll lose a pound a day postop. It rarely works out that way. Typical losses are 15-20lbs the first month, then 10-15lbs for the next couple months.. then less after that. Over a year it averages out to 10lbs a month, give or take.

Dreaming small actually hasn't fallen off the plan.. she's just in an old fashioned stall. Happens to the best of us!

Cereal can be soft. A question to ask yourself is whether cereal is the best choice. It has quite a few calories, but almost no protein. Protein foods include yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, beans, and soft meats like tuna salad or soft white fish. If you are getting plenty of protein and need calories, then cereal IS a good idea. It all depends on how your eating day unfolds.

The same every day! Yup. But since these are food groups, it can be mixed up. One day its hamburger patty and green beans and sweet potato and another its salmon and zucchini and a peach. Plain greek yogurt and cottage cheese are interchangeable too. It's enough variety for me and I love the freedom of not wondering what to eat. Meat is a pain.. I like it freshly cooked, but don't want to cook it several times a day. So keeping it to one meal works for me. In fact, that used to be the hardest meal to get in, but now when I'm really hungry it is the most satisfying.

Woo hoo!

They have something called ketosis test strips. You can test your urine to see if you are in ketosis. (Will wonders never cease, right?) The 50g line is a general number, still may not apply to you specifically.

My understanding is you'll absorb carbs about normally. Proteins and fats, not so much. (Confirm this with your doc). 50g of absorbed carbs is likely enough to knock you out of ketosis... so it's possible to get out of ketosis during the weight loss phase. Discuss the possibility with your team if you are interested. Personally I got out of ketosis 2 weeks postop and haven't had trouble with weight loss... but everyone is different in that regard.

So sorry for your losses. [Hugs]

At the moment, it seems surgeons like the sleeve as the default surgery, and only look at bypass and DS if sleeve isn't the best fit.

There is a thread going on right now... https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/400107-proteinaholic-by-dr-garth-davis/?page=22#comment-4512445 Essentially you'll have to rely on protein shakes for... months, if not the first year.

My daily meal plan: 1. 4oz cottage cheese 2. 3.5oz fruit or sweet potato 3. 1 egg and 3oz black beans 4. Veggies 5. 1oz nuts or seeds 6. 4oz meat or fish 7. 1 cup milk and 2 cups coconut water I frequently can't eat it all, but it gives about 1200 calories, 70g protein, and 75g carbs.

Ok, so I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but I don't have OCD. I honestly have no idea what it is to live with such a difficult dx I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. I'm really trying to see the pitfalls of our typical recommendations. Usually I can tell someone.. ok.. eat 3.5oz beans. And they can take out the scale and weigh 3.5oz beans, and they are satisfied that they have met the requirement, eat their beans, and go on with their day. But if your thoughts keep intruding.. saying "what if the scale is wrong, what if that wasn't REALLY 3.5oz beans? Should the beans be completely dry? Should I rinse them?" Then it's impossible to know whether telling you to eat 3.5oz of beans is the right thing after all. Or my saying, hey, just guestimate 1/2 of an 8oz container, and that will be fine.. well, obviously the "guestimate" MIGHT be more anxiety-provoking than simply weighing the stuff out to begin with (since you never can actually be sure HOW much you just put into the container). So, these are all the thoughts that I'm having, when trying to sort through what you might be experiencing.. so it's good if we can get to the bottom of what will WORK for you with the least second-guessing and anxiety. Techniques: 1. Weigh or measure everything. Usually goes along with a restricted "menu" of foods that is repeated daily. 2. Eat only "permitted" foods that are difficult to overconsume. Lean meats and non starchy vegetables are virtually impossible to overeat, so weighing and measuring aren't required. 3. Combined 1 and 2. Don't weigh your meats and veggies, but do measure starches, dairy, nuts, etc. It's good to try and figure out now what will work (and what works at 8 weeks may change to something different at 8 months.. this is all a learn-as-you-go situation.) What makes you more comfortable? Do the 2oz containers work for you? Will they work long term? Each of us has to figure out what works for us, and it can definitely be trial-and-error. There is no one-size fits all in this journey.

Ok, so you are right about getting full. I do too, and so I don't combine my food, I eat one thing at a time for the most part. Since the scale is a problem for you, it IS a good idea to get rid of it for daily use. Taking a day to do some reorganizing prep work will pay off. My main dish I use all the time is an 8oz bowl. See if you have a container that size. Use your scale for this. You want the container to hold 8oz of water comfortably; full, but not right up to the brim. You can practice putting 4oz of various foods into this container to learn what 4oz looks like. Then put the scale away. If you usually eat out of this container, then you will always know how much to eat. If it is a little less or more than 4oz, it doesn't matter. Your stomach will tell you when you are done. If you want help creating a meal plan, PM me and I'll be happy to go over some ideas.

It's true that some programs have people on solids right out of the gate. She didn't say that was allowed on her program, so it sounds like she didn't follow her doctor's orders. We don't know her medical situation and whether solids could be a problem for HER. What is even more concerning to me though is the mental aspect. For food to be so important that she risks her health....

Umm.. whoa.. stop and take a breath. ... ... ... I'm hearing major trust issues right now. You don't trust your body, or the process, or even your kitchen scale. It's a good time to take a moment and think through what is happening. Surgery, healing, diet, stressing about hopes and dreams... etc etc. Super low carb diets are notorious for causing emotional instability. That is part of the reason I brought more carbs on board (for me it was helpful.. but it's a personal decision).