Flikka

Hi all My surgery is scheduled this Saturday and one of my key concerns is my inability to have any kind of artificial sweetener including Stevia - it gives me an instant horrendous headache. I’ve managed my pre-op prep with Isagenix shakes which have no artificial sweetener. However all the post op advice focuses on sugar free items. Anyone else have this issue? Advice? TIA - Flikka x

Oh no. That’s disappointing. We’re all so different aren’t we. x

How fantastic! I’m very envious!! I can’t wait to get back to it. xx

I spent 2 years working out but due to overeating/poor food choices the scale didn’t move. I went on a weekend away hiking with a friend and although I was fit enough to do the hikes we chose they were far harder than they should have been given I was carrying 130lbs extra!! Until that point I’d hidden behind “I’m fat but fit” but now my weight was seriously stopping me do things I wanted to do! After almost 30 years of dieting I decided it was time to get serious.

Very sImilar to my pre-surgery routine. I’m not cleared to lift any weights for 6 weeks post surgery. Have you been cleared already or are you working around that?

I am so so sorry to hear about your surgeon and staff. How awful!! I can only imagine how much more difficult they have made a stressful time. I hope you get through the next few weeks ok. I agree with Arabesque that people here are a wonderful support. xx

5 weeks post surgery and your story was mine to a T on the liquid phase. I ended up having a few mouthfuls of shake then waited until I was hungry again and repeat. My dietician was more interested in me keeping up protien and fluids than me not eating between meals. I also found adding an extra 150mls of water to the shakes to thin their consistency helpful. Once you get on solid food this problem goes away. Hang in there. It gets better and the journey is different for all of us. If in doubt always check in with your dietician. They really are the experts and have lots of good advice. I wish you well x

I had initially planned to be open but after raising the topic with a close friend and family member and getting into an argument about how ridiculous and unnecessary it was I decided to keep it to myself. I don’t owe ANYONE an explanation about the decisions I make about MY life.

So glad to find this thread! I had my surgery on 4/17 have lost 28 pounds since my pre-op diet started and also stalled just after I started soft food. My dietician told me today a stall at the three week mark is very common and this thread seems to support that! I started at 313lb and my goal is 176lb so a long way to go. I have to keep reminding myself this is a marathon - not a sprint! 🙂

I am a week ahead of you and I’m the same boat. My dietician said not to worry as soft foods are not as restrictive as regular foods. She said once I start eating regular food (on Saturday for me) I’ll notice a big difference. in terms of why some of us can eat more than others she said mostly that comes down to surgery trauma and healing which is totally individual. if in doubt though contact your own nutritionist - I was glad I did. It gave me much better peace of mind, best of luck!

Thanks Lizonaplane - great suggestions!! The idea to make my own popsicles is an especially good one - I could probably flavour them with a little lemon juice. Never be concerned about suggesting brands to us Aussies - online shopping makes most things available. Thanks for the speedy reply! xo