Search the Community

The waiting has been the hardest part for me. I’m a stay at home mom, so I don’t have work as a distraction. I spend A LOT of time online researching anything and everything about bariatric surgery. I also go to YouTube and search for “my bariatric story” and watch those videos. Another good YouTube search is “what I eat in a day” to get examples of meals and shake ideas. I take a lot of notes. I have a list of tips, a list of things to buy, a list of questions for the dietitian, questions for the surgeon and finally a list of projects to do before surgery since I will be recovering for a while.

Hey. We NEED a bariatric food critic. I was just saying that on another thread. At least I do need someone to tell me what’s good and where to go for stuff that I can actually eat. I need variety and Thats tough. Please please start a thread post surgery when you can eat normal food again with products and restaurants, etc. a bariatric friendly food critic.

Thanks for that. I was telling my aunt the other day that we need a bariatric food critic here to compile all the tips and tricks for eating out. Looks like someone started.

I’m glad I found this thread. I’ve been a mostly vegetarian eater for the past few years too and all the articles I’ve read online say it’s very difficult to get the necessary protein without eating meat, which I find hard to believe. Have you had any assistance of a nutritionist with your bariatric program or have you been figuring it out yourself? I have my appointment for my sleeve in May so I’m trying to get prepared.

First of all it's, "You're" 🤦‍♀️ You just can't comprehend the English written word. The sleeve surgery isn't personal to me. I was simply voicing that GERD is real and more severe than typical GERD a non-wls patient might experience. But you take this soooo personal. And I don't need help with anything. I've been a part of Bariatric Pal and a wls patient for nearly 10 years and have a lot of knowledge from reading over the years and nearly 10 years of personal experience. You're a few months into the journey and have a lot more to learn. Moving on! Moving on...

If it's possible to buy only one or two to try, do that. Our tastes tend to change like @kcuster83 mentioned. Also Bariatric Pal has a store and they have "protein shots" I've never tried them, but I recall Alex saying his favorite is the crisp apple. He mentioned that it's tart. https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/bariatricpal-25g-whey-protein-collagen-power-shots-crisp-apple?variant=31264231325773

Hello. 48 year old married female mother of three here. I've been reading these boards for a while as I make this life changing decision. I have my first pre-op appointment tomorrow with my bariatric surgeon and can't wait. I've been spending the past several weeks working on my list of questions and trying to change my habits. Last fall I put a sticky note on my monitor with a symbol representing the need for change, and that if I did not succeed on my own I would start researching other options. Long story short, the day for other options is here as I weigh about 20 pounds more than I did last year. Like many here I know I can lose the weight. However, the day always comes when I can't white knuckle it anymore and then comes the regain and then some. Dieting interspersed with hectic lifestyle choices has resulted in my weighing 100 pounds more than I did 2 decades ago. I consider myself lucky that I have relatively few health problems, however I also feel my body is a ticking time bomb. I have fears, but for me I have decided that the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. I can't wait to work in the garden without my joints hurting, go ice skating again and have the ENERGY I once did for traveling, physical activity, just cleaning up the house. I can't wait to travel without being so self conscious. I once got off of a plane in Ireland (as a size 18) and a woman came up to me and said "are you American?" I have no idea why she asked, but she marked my response down on her clipboard and started looking for other people to talk to. It was nothing to do with customs/etc. I was horrified and walked away quickly, jumping to the conclusion she was looking for overweight people to poll for some sort of research project. Weird I know, but I've thought about it ever since (she didn't bother to ask my naturally skinny husband of course). Now I hope to return to Ireland one day and actually do those things I chickened out of like climbing Skellig Michael (all 618 steps). One of my biggest fears oddly enough is the inevitable well meaning comments/complements. I really struggle to tolerate unsolicited comments about weight loss and find them to be a terrible invasion of privacy. What's even worse are those comments along the lines of "you've lost enough, don't lose too much" when you're still 50 pounds overweight (which I've experienced SO many times). I'm already working on my polite replies to this which will hopefully put an end to that subject while also educating the person about healthy weight AND boundaries :). I am a very private person, with posts such as this being a first for me. I've really enjoyed reading all your posts and feel well prepared for my appointment tomorrow. Thank you.

Thanks so much for your comments...they are so appreciated. I have made an appointment to be seen by a Bariatric Doc here in Vancouver, WA. I have to wait a month to be seen, but that doesn't seem to long away. I will need to wrap my brain around possible surgery. Ugh.

Hello I'm new to this group. I do have a question, I'm in my one month post op and still on my pureed phase. I know others by this time are on solid food, for some reason my bariatric Dr and nutritionist have the phases this way. However, I'm finding it really difficult to find things to eat. I didn't do well with the Greek yogurt nor with the cottage cheese. I am eating pureed beans, tuna, eggs and broths. Lately I have been feeling really lightheaded, shaky, and really nauseated. Sometimes even weak! Have any of you felt this way. Is this something I should be concerned about.

I'm going to go out on a limb here, and maybe a lot of people might not agree with this, but I wonder if during the pre op diet if bariatric surgeons would prescribe GLP-1 agonists to help survive the pre op period, it would help with compliance. I mean the goal is to eat less and healthier and to shrink the liver. It's a tool that could help get a person through the pre op period successfully. It's a tool just like our surgeries are a tool we use to get to a healthy weight.🤷‍♀️

Thanks all. While I did have gastric bypass in 2015, and pretty much aware of my issues with digesting some things, I just started MM last month, so...had no experience with this. The edibles are gummies, and I've tried both chewing them up and swallowing, or just keeping in my mouth as they dissolve and get the same results. At my next prescription renewal, I'm going to get all tincture, with no edibles.

Immediately post op I took the bariatric advantage chewable. I was able to take it without food even and it didn’t upset my stomach. Of course everyone is different but I did well with it.

I use Bariatric Advantage complete EA chewable multivitamin, Target brand B-12 melts, nature Made B-6 chewable, Natrona Vitamin D3 chewable and Caltrate calcium chewable. All approved by my doctor. I hope this helps Sent from my SM-N986U using BariatricPal mobile app

My Bariatric center has a monthly support group via zoom and they have a facebook group too. I dont participate in them. Only 1 session was required as part of the pre op stuff. The one i attended on zoom was like 75 people in it... The nutritionist the one who host the zoom meeting.

I remember having done with this diet about 15 yrs back. Lost weight and put it all back on plus more. Ever since that diet, my metabolism has been a wreck. It also triggered binge eating disorder in my case which never really went away with the cycle of yo yo dieting. Dr. Bernstein diet or any other such restrictive diet, I wouldn't recommend it anyone. Dr. Bernstein's diet is not only low carb, but also an extremely low calorie diet. I used to consume around 500ish calories in a day and back then I was too young and inexperienced what that can do to one's biological system. They also don't focus on getting appropriate protein in. Their main focus is to cut down on all macros to make sure you're losing weight. That also meant you would be losing your muscles along with it. I have faced the repercussions of that diet for over a decade. In my case personally, I wouldn't recommend any sorta restrictive diet for life because it can trigger binging which can be catastrophic. One of the reasons, I opted for bariatric surgery is because it does provide restriction on protion control but also helps with stabilizing the hormones and thermostat. I don't anymore have the tendency or feels to binge. My cravings aren't crazy either nor do I think of food all the time. The constant head hunger isn't there nor do I have the constant voice telling me to order this food or that. Anyone who struggles with binging, please do yourself a favor and don't ever take the route of restrictive diets especially after you're given a shot to fix your mess with this surgery. Yes, bariatric surgery also comes with its limitations and lifelong committment, but it is something that is sustainable if you keep your focus. So, in my opinion, I wouldn't recommend it especially Dr. Bernstein's diet. __________ And if you wanna replicate its diet, modify it. Keep it low card but make sure you get enough protein and calories. You also don't need that kinda Vitamin B12 intake. Oral sublingual pills are enough to keep your B12 levels normal. Just got my levels tested 3 months post-Op, and they are in the normal range.

Have you guys looked into this site's formula? Bariatric pal has many varieties with varied flavors too to get you started. Plus they also have baraotric special where you only need to take once a day instead of having to take multiple pills a day.

If you still a recommendation, Bariatric Vitamins from ProCare are wonderful!

I know that the diet works for sure. It’s very low calorie. Just wondering if those who got bariatric surgery would qualify.

We have some podcast episodes published at https://www.bariatricpal.com/podcast/ . You can also find them by searching for Your Bariatric Journey in your favorite podcast player.

I'm prescribed MM for diabetic neuropathy pain, and got both tinctures and edibles and they do quell the pain and burning enough to allow me to have a restful sleep. Taking the same amount with both, the edibles are way less effective, so...I'm thinking I can no longer process them correctly due to my bariatric surgery? Does anyone have any experience with this or know that this is a fact? Thanks.

Hi all. I'm scheduled for VSG May 2022 and am looking for Podcast recommendations. I'm not going to Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas, but they have a very informative podcast and I've covered every episode. I've covered Your Bariatric Journey also. Any other suggestions?? Thanks.

After years of consideration I am going to gave gastric bypass surgery. I have a great doctor and will discuss this with her in a few weeks. I have very good insurance and the freedom to choose from a wide variety of surgeons. I am grateful. Is anyone from the San Diego area who can give a recommendation on a bariatric surgeon? I know my doctor will have info but I’d really love to hear from GP patients as well. Thanks

How does your husband know? Has he had a bariatric procedure in the past? If no, why would you even listen to him instead of your body? And if yes, well his experience doesn't necessarily have to be same as yours. You're only about 10 days post-Op. Because it's just the beginning, you won't have clues of fullness, at least I didn't. During this phase I was on full fluids. Fluids glide through, so I never had much of the restriction then. With full fluids, I was having yogurt, cottage cheese, soups, milk, oatmeal/wheat bran etc etc etc. These wouldn't give you much restriction and you would definitely be able to have many spoon fulls of these items. Also 1st month, your body is recovering along with nerves, so another reason why you may not get the full signal. Go with your provided instructions and you'll be fine than taking on extra baggage of worry. With water, I was also only about to do few sips at a time or 2 gulps. Other than that it wouldn't slide through as it did pre surgery. For protein requirement, try protein shakes or powder. If they don't work, go for Skyr (ice landic yogurt). Skyr has done wonders for my protein goal.

Thank you Greentealael and Tuffla for you responses. I so appreciate it. I have been trying to tolerate the discomfort after eating anything and the GERD for years now. I didn't have insurance for quite awhile, but now that I do I will make an appointment with a bariatric surgeon this afternoon to get checked out. Thank you again!

I'm in Amarillo with Dr. Blue Schniederjan from Panhandle Weight Loss Clinic. Yes, can't wait until my surgery date. I could have gotten mine done earlier too, but I had to pass my cardiac test also. I had blood clots, but I finally passed the test and got my surgery date. So excited. Sorry you had to postpone yours. But, now I have a fellow Texan bariatric buddy that we can talk to going through this together. It will get here sooner than we think.