lunadreams

I'm pescatarian, but my diet is mostly vegan. I hate soft cheeses like ricotta, and generally, things like soft cheeses, mayo, etc. I see a lot of this type of thing suggested for the pureed/soft stages. I'm wondering what are good vegetarian/vegan options during this time?

Any recommendations for dairy-free protein shakes for the liquid pre-op and post-op periods? I hate protein shakes, and am dreading choking them down. Which do you think have the best taste and texture? Ready-to-drink would be easier than powder.

I'm allowed to start fork-mashed white fish and tuna, but was told to mash them with something to keep them moist. Any ideas of how to cook white fish in some liquid that'll keep it moist? And what can I mash tuna with that is NOT mayo or dairy? I don't eat dairy and hate mayo more than words can express!

I didn't do medical tourism, but just wanted to say that Zelle is pretty solid. I am with a major US bank, and it's integrated into our banking software. Good luck!

They should. My surgery program had a template for them to follow.

My VSG on 7/20 reportedly went well, but I had to stay in the hospital an extra day as due to pain and not feeling well, was pumped full of fluids (today, I am still eight pounds higher than my surgery weight, and look pregnant), was discharged on Thursday, went back to the ER on Friday and was diagnosed with a superficial blood clot near where my IV was), and ever since I started trying to add back diluted Protein Shakes yesterday, it's been awful. Every time I tried to take a teeny tiny sip of the diluted Protein Shake, I would burp, my stomach would make horrible noises, and I eventually had to stop (I drank about 2/3 of the bottle between afternoon and evening) because I was fighting so hard not to throw up. I haven't tried a Protein shake today, but the burping and nausea (despite the Zofran I was prescribed) are happening constantly after I take tiny sips of clear fluid. I'm trying to drink protein Water, which is a little better, but I'm still struggling with it. I'm really worried that I can't drink even tiny sips without either burping and/or fighting the urge to vomit. Did this happen to anyone else? Did it go away? I hope this isn't a serious complication.

I'm having a really hard time with anything that isn't warm broth or water-consistency. I was actually wondering if I could try warming a watered-down chocolate shake...

I spoke with the NP on call this week-end, and they said it may resolve and focus on hydration. But if it's not any better by tomorrow, I'm going to call again and try to speak with a doctor tomorrow. My shakes are plant-based, but I can't tolerate them. I'm trying protein-water, which is whey-based, but that's not going a lot better. And I am so hungry, because I've had like no calories in almost a week... 😭

Thank you! Did you have to go back to the hospital for IV fluids, or if you couldn't get enough protein in?

My surgery on the 20th reportedly went well, but I had to stay in the hospital an extra day as due to pain and not feeling well, was pumped full of fluids (today, I am still eight pounds higher than my surgery weight, and look pregnant), was discharged on Thursday, went back to the ER on Friday and was diagnosed with a superficial blood clot near where my IV was), and ever since I started trying to add back diluted protein shakes yesterday, it's been awful. Every time I tried to take a teeny tiny sip of the diluted protein shake, I would burp, my stomach would make horrible noises, and I eventually had to stop (I drank about 2/3 of the bottle between afternoon and evening) because I was fighting so hard not to throw up. I haven't tried a protein shake today, but the burping and nausea are happening constantly after I take tiny sips. I'm trying to drink protein water, which is a little better, but I'm still struggling with it. Did this happen to anyone else? Did it go away? I hope this isn't a serious complication.

For real! My session with the dietician also consisted of her just reading through the packet to me, and her being unable to answer any specific questions. I'm pescatarian, and don't consume much dairy, so the only animal proteins I eat are fish/seafood and some eggs. She had no idea about recommendations for non-dairy protein shakes, and no ideas about customizing the puree/soft foods phases to be things that weren't all ricotta, cottage cheese, and yogurt. This is a major university bariatric center. Asking about plant-based alternatives shouldn't be so befuddling. I'd love some specific recommendations and recipes, but yeah, if you can't do that, give me the info to do it, myself, and don't charge me hundreds of dollars for a service you aren't really providing.

I had something similar happen...I have a hard time with protein shakes, and was just told to do protein waters instead, but not adjust the calories. Honestly, my dietician seems pretty useless. Thankfully, I was able to find some protein shakes that were tolerable, because I could not function on 500 calories a day!

I just got a voicemail from the surgical coordinator to schedule my surgery, so I'm assuming insurance has approved me! I'm looking at mid-July, and...I know in my head and heart that the sleeve is the right thing and I definitely want to move forward, but am also feeling super anxious about the pre-op diet (I have difficulty choking down protein shakes and get queasy without solid food), and even more so, about the recovery and all the long-term changes ahead of me, as well as the whether or not this will be sustainable over time. It's scary to read of stories of people's hunger coming back and regaining weight after all the effort. I just really want this to work. Any words of wisdom? 😊

@MotoZen, I'd read that the author of Proteinaholic was a bariatric surgeon. Does he have anything written about pre-op and post-op plant-based diets, or would you be willing to share information from your nutritionists there? I've tried asking the dietitians at my program about plant-based options and they are really not helpful. I'm not 100% plant-based, but mostly plant-based, and I don't eat meat or consume dairy. I was really curious for his recommendations...

Just starting my pre-op diet tomorrow for surgery on the 20th...and I am so unprepared! I bought five different single-serving plant-based protein drinks to try that have been sitting in my fridge (because dairy and my sinuses don't get along, though I may try whey shakes if I really can't stand any of the vegan ones), because I hate protein drinks with a passion. Going to try them soon, see which is the least gross, and go buy more tonight. I really feel like I'm dreading the pre-op and post-op liquid diet more than the actual surgery. Someone talk me down?! 😂

I am so sorry. Wishing you peace and comfort. ❤️🙏❤️

My endocrinologist told me she's had even just overweight patients with severe/uncontrolled diabetes have the surgery. It's possible if there is a serious medical reason. Probably also if someone is self pay?

I've been planning to have the sleeve, and have done all the pre-op requirements. If all goes well, I want to do WLS over the summer. I've been planning on the sleeve, as it's what my surgeon recommended for me, but now I'm wondering if I should go for the bypass. I'm in my late 40s (done having kids, so fertility/pregnancy is not a factor in my decision), have a BMI of just over 35, with PCOS, diabetes, hypertension, and recently diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy (we're not sure of the cause, though I've read a study showing WLS improves symptoms). When I asked my surgeon why she recommended the sleeve, she said it's because I have relatively less weight to lose, and, although it will require work and being vigilant with diet, she thinks it will be successful for me, and is less invasive and risky, though she also said she would be willing to do the bypass if it's what I want. My endocrinologist said that the bypass has additional mechanisms by which it can resolve metabolic issues, but she'd suggest asking my surgeon about her rate of complications with bypass. She also said she'd be less inclined to push bypass for me, though, because my diabetes is well-controlled on one medication (A1c is usually between 5.7 to 6.0). My cardiologist strongly advised me to go with the sleeve, because she has a number of patients who were a "hot mess," medically, after bypass. I want to resolve my cardio-metabolic issues, but the risks of bypass also really concern me. I've never been anemic, but I've been deficient in other vitamins and have experienced hair loss and other issues as a result, so I'm concerned I may be at greater risk for deficiencies and other unwanted consequences with the bypass. I'm not sure how to decide this...help?

Not sure if you saw my update, but after speaking with my neurologist, I decided to go with the sleeve. She told me there is more of a risk of complications involving neuropathy with the bypass, and I don't want to risk that. From what I've seen, bypass is somewhat more effective for resolving metabolic issues than sleeve, but sleeve still has a very good showing in terms of that. Good luck, whatever you decide!

I think there are six of us in this thread for July 20th! 😊 I'm sorry about having to reschedule so much...here is hoping! 🤞

I had an ulcer, which was noted to be healing on endoscopy. My surgeon was not concerned because it was not around the part of the stomach on which she would be operating, so that may be a factor.

Thank you so much! Good advice. Did you try adding unflavored protein powder to soups? I've heard of some recommending that. And I fully expect to be f*cking terrified the day of...I just terrified myself today realizing I have to start the pre-op diet in two weeks! 😂 I'm sorry you've been sick so much...I hope you find what works for you!

Thanks! I tried the Premier Protein water and couldn't stand it...just got a Protein20 to try, and hoping that goes better...

Just got my date for July 20th, pending insurance approval and clearance from my PCP! I'm both excited and freaked out...

I just got a voicemail from the surgical coordinator to schedule my surgery, so I'm assuming insurance has approved me! I'm looking at mid-July, and...I know in my head and heart that the sleeve is the right thing and I definitely want to move forward, but am also feeling super anxious about the pre-op diet (I have difficulty choking down Protein Shakes and get queasy without solid food), and even more so, about the recovery and all the long-term changes ahead of me, as well as the whether or not this will be sustainable over time. It's scary to read of stories of people's hunger coming back and regaining weight after all the effort. I just really want this to work. Any words of wisdom? 😊 [Sorry for the x-post, didn't get any replies today in the pre-op forum]