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Hi everyone, I'm having my bypass next Wednesday, 7/22. I was calm for the most part until the past few days, when I started getting nervous, but that was the nervous that I'm assuming everyone feels when surgery gets close. For some background, I'm 22 years old, 5'1, and started working towards surgery in October of last year at 260 pounds. As of today, I'm 50 pounds down, and that's of course on my own, before having surgery. Yesterday, I started having serious second thoughts. These normal nervous thoughts had me wondering if I could do it on my own since I've been able to lose 50 pounds by myself before surgery, and I keep telling myself I worked hard for this, and surgery is right around the corner, and if I didn't think I needed it, I wouldn't have started the program in the first place. Like I said, I was calm until a few days ago, but yesterday it really started hitting me. I started getting the feeling that I'll be unsuccessful with the surgery. Most, if not all, programs require a high-protein diet after surgery, including my own program. My issue is, I'm an extremely picky eater. I'm a vegetarian, and while I'm not totally vegan since I'll eat products containing milk and eggs, I prefer not to eat (or drink) those things if I can avoid it. So aside from not eating meat, I don't eat cheese or regular eggs prepared in any way (if I try I will not be able to stomach it). I also am grossed out by tofu. This honestly leaves my only options for protein for the rest of my life to be protein drinks and yogurt (which I would prefer not to eat all the time, it's not my favorite thing). My nutritionist said lentils and beans are ok, but they have a lot of starch so to eat other things if I can. I'm on my pre-op diet so that means I'm stuck on my protein drinks and yogurt for now, and after talking with my nutritionist a few times yesterday, the nerves I was already feeling worsened, and I started having normal doubts to real second thoughts. I was wondering if I'm actually cut out for this kind of surgery since I know I can't keep up with the protein that I'm being asked to eat, and I'm not sure I can compromise since I already know I won't be able to handle things like eggs, cheese, and tofu. If this kind of thing relies on me eating protein all the time, what kind of success can I have if I'm not able to do that? Yes, it'll physically restrict me from overeating, at least for the first year or two, but I'm afraid of a stall after only losing a small amount, or regaining the weight and having gone through all of it for nothing. I'm also thinking how if I lost 50 lbs on my own, I could try to lose the other 100 lbs on my own too, even if it's not the rapid weight loss that the bypass would give me. Like I noted earlier, though, I wouldn't have started this program in the first place if I didn't feel like I needed to go through it and wouldn't have worked so hard to make sure it happens. I'm 22 years old, should I wait a couple of years since I'm having these thoughts and try things out on my own and see how things go with that? Or should I go through with surgery next week? I have no idea between my doubts and the hard work I went through.

That’s good information! Right now I’m having a hard time feeling full with 1/4 cup of food, maybe cause the food is very light that I’m eating! I think yogurt is the way to go I’m already super excited about eating parfaits this Wednesday when I can eat that! I only worry about that dumping syndrome that I bet sucks!

@OshunKilgore welcome newbie, congrats on your early success.☺️ eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese are great soft protein foods. i can tell you are going to do great on your journey. keep the success up, while your weight goes down good luck kathy

If you don't like the milky shakes, try isopure zero carb. They taste like fruit juice and have forty grams of protein per bottle, no carbs, no sugar and no fat. I don't care for the thick shakes either, except the premier protein cafe latte flavor. It tastes like a starbucks latte but has 30 grams of protein. I live on those, beef, shrimp, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, cheese and eggs pretty much. Surgery was 12/18 and I am down 80 lbs

I also have bad nausea, if I drink anything other than greek yogurt. Try greek yogurt lassi, 1 cup yogurt, 4-5 ice cubes, little puryne ( I think that is stevia), and little salt to taste, mix into liquid at nutribullet. It is so refreshing. The probiotics in the yogurt also help with my BM. I cup yogurt is like 15-17 g protein.

Hello, I am a newbie, and this is my first post. I have lurked on this forum a lot but never posted. I got my vsg 0n 29th June. Its been a rough ride. First I was in a lot of pain, and nausea. That ended by first 4-5 days. But now the only food my new tummy seems to be tolerating is greek yogurt lassi. Protein shakes make me gag I do think I am getting my protein though. Since this forum has helped a lot, I feel I should also share what is working for me. The greek yogurt (chobani 0%) is protein-rich, and I think I am getting ~40g protein (1/2 container) or more from it every day. The Protein2O tropical coconut is also saving me, I drink ~2 bottles or more - 15g protein/bottle/ I cannot tolerate many flavors, but this one is so soothing with coconut and pineapple. Also, I take everything very cold, like freezing, nowadays. Another thing I love is making popsicles from syntax nectar flavors. I ordered some, and though I feel by itself it is too bland for a popsicle, I add tang(no sugar) 1 tbs or more in 20 oz water and 1 or 2 pouches of nectar. Then freeze as popsicle- makes 6. That is like 4 g protein/popsicle, and I love SF popsicles currently. I also love putting some fruit chat masala on my popsicles, gives me the savory taste. This chat masala is from Indian grocery. From reading another thread I also got a pregnancy pillow from Amazon and I am using it continuously, for sleeping or while sitting. I love my pillow, it has made such a difference in comfort. I have to sleep on my side(right), and I can do that with this pillow. Also I put one side on my tummy, then sit and type on the laptop, and do the same thing when sleeping, to prevent my dog from jumping on my stitches. This was very helpful when the incisions were fresh, now I feel they are mostly healed. I hope this helps someone.

I am getting all my protein from natural foods. I eat plenty of turkey and chicken. I have eggs 3 - 4 times a week. I have cereal with milk the other days. I snack on yogurt daily.

Hi. I am wondering if anyone is able to get enough protein, per day, by food. I am 10 weeks post op and have been on “normal” food for over a month. I absolutely detest protein powder, protein shakes, protein drink and any form or protein supplement. Not only do I detest, but it doesn’t sit well inside my stomach. I try to eat protein throughout the day (eggs, chicken, turkey, Greek yogurt, tuna, some cheeses) but I feel like I am no where near my protein gram goal. Wondering if anyone is hitting their protein goal with actual and food and what you are eating. Thanks.

I usually have this as a treat (1/8 of a piece of "pie"), but today I had it for lunch instead, so I had 1/6 of a piece. It's my take on a zero point WW yogurt pie recipe that a friend of mine gave me. This version is made of plain Greek yogurt (4 C), 3 eggs, 2 boxes of sugar free Jello cheesecake pudding (mix only), and a couple scoops of vanilla protein powder. it's topped with light Cool Whip and a strawberry compote I made by cooking down strawberries with some SF Torani syrup (sometimes I use Splenda or Stevia instead) and a little vanilla and cinnamon. The strawberries kick out a lot of water when they cook down, so I usually have to thicken it once it's done.

I had trouble too. I still do & I used to drink a lot of water so this is weird for me. Hasn’t stopped me peeing all day & night though lol! I added extra water to all my shakes, soups, purées etc. as I progressed through the stages. That way I was getting more fluid in as all liquids count towards your 64oz daily requirement. I drank green tea, high protein drinking yogurt & kept a bottle of water on my desk at work, in my kitchen, by my bed, in my car, by my lounge so there’s always water at hand. Still do. I also used a straw (ssshhhh - I know I wasn’t being environmentally aware) because it was easier to sip that way. Eventually you’ll be able to drink more than a sip at a time but even 14months out I struggle with more than a mouthful at a time.

My nutritionist doesn’t allow cheese this week I can only have week three egg, tuna and canes salmon. I can also have things from the previous week such as applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal low sugar.

My doctor lets me have plain greek yogurt but I hate the taste of it so I add in my favorite liquid crystal light and it tastes amazing! That's like the only recipe I've been using, everything else has just been store bought single portion stuff.

Some of my favorites were cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and scrambled eggs... also you could try baby cereals with a little flavoring and/or pureed baby foods with some flavorless protein powder. Good luck! Sent from my Alcatel_5008R using BariatricPal mobile app

I had shakes, sugar free or fat free versions of pudding, Jello, popsicles, soup broth, gatorade, yogurt and milk.

Just over three weeks post-op, and I'm feeling so much better. Still not getting enough protein, but I'm trying. I am finding eating in general much easier, and I'm transitioning from purees into real food chopped up small and chewed thoroughly. I'm just so happy not to be stuck on liquids anymore! I've been eating: - unsweetened apple sauce, apple juice, popsicles, Honest Kids juice pouches, no-sugar fudgsicles - watermelon (a LOT of watermelon), cherries, frozen berries in my protein smoothies - cooked chicken thighs, shredded cheese, string cheese, cottage cheese, hummus, tzatziki sauce (on chicken), greek yogurt, veggie and meat baby food My last class with the nutritionist was very helpful. She told us to focus on protein and hydration, but clarified that yes, if you can handle it, it's ok to eat a little fruit. She said the sugars that occur naturally in fruit and milk will never cause dumping syndrome. I switched from the multi-vitamin with iron to one that doesn't have it. I am menopausal so I don't need the iron, and it was making my bowel movements very...unpleasant. I think it was also contributing to my constipation. Feeling better now. I had this hilarious dream the other night that I was eating some kind of dessert with creamy filling and frosting and I was enjoying is SO much when I suddenly realized I was going to give myself dumping syndrome big time and I started panicking! Then I woke up. HAHA!

Protein shake twice a day, crystal light, broths, sugar free jello and popsicles, 1 cup raw veggies (lettuce, cucumber, tomato.) with Greek yogurt with no fruit....with which I add crystal light to or I'd go insane. My liquid diet starts tomorrow but I started it on Monday. I'm surprisingly not hungry or craving food anymore, surgery on the 16th.

I do think my body is where it is suppose to be. I am at my high school weight pretty much. I have not had anymore dumping episodes. ( I do sometimes feel yucky after eating ) Breakfast is usually yogurt and fruit or scrambled egg and sausage or bacon Lunch has been leftovers or salad the last few days with some tuna Dinner is chicken, beef , fish, or pork and usually a potato ( or rice) and veggie. Snacks are normally fruit. Berries, pineapple, and watermelon. I also bought some 2 carb fudge bars and frozen fruit bars. . Protein shakes too. Tonight I am having pork steak on grill with veggie. I am going to drop the shakes after this box is gone since I am eating pretty well and getting in up to 1200 calories a day. I am going to tweak some things and see what happens.

My go to now is Fage, plain, non fat greek yogurt. My dietitian allows me to add hidden valley ranch to it. It might be weird but it's easy to digest and I think a 1/2 cup has 17g of protein.

Tuna at 3 weeks would have been hard for me. A few things that worked well at that stage were greek yogurt (my nutritionist recommended the OIkos Triple Zero - I'd eat around 1/2 a container for a meal at 3 weeks). Cottage cheese was also good at that time, around 2 oz. I also did beans which I pureed REALLY well and added some salsa too (also pureed) to get to a more liquid texture.

I eat Greek yogurt with strawberries a lot this time of year, too! In fact, that's probably my most frequent breakfast this time of year...

my first time posting on this particular thread - it came highly recommended! this is my breakfast - a grilled peach topped with vanilla Greek yogurt and sprinkled with cinnamon (a food photographer I am not, obviously!). I love this dish in the summer during peach season, but I usually have it for dessert or a snack. But I woke up this morning wanting it for breakfast. So...here it is!

Question, i was sleeved 6/29 and am 5 days post getting up to about 70 grams protein/day now (2 mixed proteinshakes and 2 Greek yogurts) anyways my question is how long before you were sleeping comfortably at night and how long before you stood all the way upright? I’m not able to yet and have developed HORRIBLE sciatic/lower back pain on my right side from not being able to sleep like normal or walk like normal. HELP! The lower back pain is now making it harder for me to get around than just my incision. Any ideas or insight

... but not for the reasons you might think. I questioned whether I should make this post in the preop section or here, but since it's my first post on the forum, it might as well serve as an introduction as well. My apologies in advance for the verbosity, as I have a tendency to ramble. At age 54, I've been morbidly obese since I was a teen. I have no personal frame of reference as to what it means to be fit or eat healthily. Sure, there's the cognitive recognition of what those concepts are and what they should mean, but nothing in my own life experiences that are relatable. I'm 6'1" and at my heaviest weighed 410. Five years ago I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, which medication has fortunately kept under control. In June of 2019, when I weighed 385, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It was at this point, that I realized I actually needed to do something about losing weight beyond paying lip service. I've been feeling it more in my knees and ankles the last few years, and the notion that should I ever need a knee replacement or other major joint surgery, that I would likely be denied due to my weight wasn't an enticing prospect. I've made token efforts at points in my life to dieting and exercise, but nothing consistent; nothing that "stuck". So I spoke with my primary physician about bariatric surgery options and started down this road. After consultations and doing my own research, I decided on the sleeve gastrectomy. Over the several month "trial period" (not sure what the technical term is), meeting with dieticians, the surgeon, the psychologist, etc., my surgery was approved and scheduled for mid April of this year... well, you can guess what happened. Thanks to COVID-19 everything was put on hold. I freaked out a bit at that point. My work schedule is such that certain times of the year are no-go as far as being away for extended periods. What if my recovery takes longer than expected? What if due to the quarantine and stress eating (believe me, it's a thing), I gain weight again and they kick me out of the program? Having all this uncertainty on top of all the uncertainty going on in the world... being in a high-risk group for COVID, the business I work for having to completely retool how it does business, the financial market crash (at the time), the civil unrest in an election year, etc.,put my head in a not very happy place. I'm also stressed by the fact that I have no immediate support structure in the event things go wrong (either medically or if I slip with respect to eating habits). I have no family, no significant other, and I live alone. Under normal circumstances, I'm perfectly fine and dandy with all three of those things, but for the first time in my life, I'm faced with the prospect of not having support when I might need it. I've never head surgery in my life, outside of two colonoscopies, which all things considered, I've been blessed in that regard, but again I have no frame of reference of what to expect and what to do in the event things don't proceed as planned. I've avoided reading many of the threads here simply because I don't want to read about worst-case scenarios, as I know that my mind will tend to drift there, and I don't want the negatives of what *might* happen to dominate my thoughts right now. So back to the present... at the beginning of June things started to open back up in the state, at least as far as allowing elective surgeries to be back on the docket. I'm scheduled for surgery on July 13. The 14-day preop diet (which I started on June 29) that my hospital prescribes is more restrictive than many others. No meat in addition to no carbs or fats. It's a 1000-1150 calorie per day diet. As someone who normally would eat 3000-5000 calories per day, that's effectively a snack. So I'm in the middle of day 6... and everything is fine. And I have no idea why. I *SHOULD* be frothing at the mouth, hangry, threatening to eat the neighbor's cats, etc., but for some reason I'm not hungry at all, and this cognitively makes no sense to me based upon my "normal" eating habits. I've been actually eating less than 800 calories per day, not even up to the recommended 1000-1150 calories. Breakfast: protein shake (30g protein, 140-160 calories depending on brand) Morning snack: Yoplait light yogurt (90 calories) Lunch: 12-oz pouch of steamed vegetables with garlic and pepper (80-140 calories depending on what mix I use) Afternoon snack: apple slices (50-80 calories) Dinner: Another protein shake (140-160 calories) Evening snack: another yogurt (90 calories) I'll mix in sugar-free jello (5 calories) throughout the day or some celery sticks as needed, and if feeling peckish will do an extra pouch of steamed vegetables. What's freaking me out is why I'm not freaking out... if that makes any sense. It shouldn't be this easy, and I worrying that I ma be lulling myself into a false sense of security/complacency. Or is my brain somehow making this easier on me, as somewhere deep down in the depths of my subconscious I fundamentally realize that I *have* to make this work? I don't know; it's hard to convey. I was at 351 on Sunday prior to starting the diet (and yes, I pigged out on Saturday and Sunday knowing what was ahead) and am now down to 339 as of this morning, which is a good thing. Just trying to get a handle on why my brain is operating the way it is... At any rate, good to be aboard.

Hey Meow and everybody! Hard to believe I'm 18 days post-op now, it feels like longer! I'm still not getting quite enough protein or water, but I'm trying. It's easier now that I can have soft foods. I'm taking my vitamins and my calcium chews. I rarely feel hungry, and when I do, I'm quickly satisfied with a very small amount of food. What a revelation! Also I'm sleeping better (hubby says I have stopped snoring) and, strangely enough, I've stopped having hot flashes without going back on black cohosh etc. In fact, I'm kind of cold all the time! I feel a million percent better than I did that first two weeks. I still nap regularly but I'm not exhausted like I was. I walk the dog as often as I can. Working up to using my stationary bike again. I've been eating cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, scrambled eggs, cream of wheat, and applesauce. Tried some tuna, but even with mayo it still seemed too dry. Tonight hubs grilled me a chicken thigh on the grill, I ate half and it was delicious but half was PLENTY. I still drink a protein shake most days, or some milk with Chocolate PBFit in it. But after the liquid phase, I was pretty burnt out on protein drinks, so it's nice to cut back on those. I've had fresh blueberries in my yogurt and cream of wheat and that was fine as long as I chewed them thoroughly. I've also had watermelon several times and it was HEAVENLY. I can only eat about 1/2 cup but I enjoy the hell out of it. Pain almost completely gone. Occasionally one of the incisions is painful if there's some kind of pressure on it. I've lost 21.2 pounds total and some of my pants are looser. Yessss! ===TMI (pooping) starts here=== I pooped four days after surgery, and then six days after surgery, and then not again until today! Lucky for me, I didn't really feel uncomfortable until a few days ago. Been using about a teaspoon of Miralax in a drink every day but it didn't do much. Last night I took a Colace and that obviously helped. Might have to take them regularly until my system figures itself out again.

ovo-lacto should be fine. Vegan would be more of a challenge. I do eat meat, but maybe only twice a week. I get a lot of my protein from Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, protein shakes..