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I am now restriction free. My doctor told me NOT to count anything, to simply eat. Lots of protein first, a little veggies next, and a tad of cards. He also said that if I am eating the right real foods, I will not need to supplement it with powders and such. It has been working....

Totally normal. I mean everyone is different, but this is a pattern many of us see. My doc/nutritionist didn't tell me specific amounts I had to get "up to" but I couldn't have eaten 3oz at 5 weeks. I still have days I can't eat 3oz of a protein like chicken. Other days I can. And I am four years out! And I had no interest in food for months. Some people are different, but this is totally normal!!! Don't push to eat more than satisfies you, it's a bad bad habit to get into... it's over eating. And it will change and improve. You will be able to eat more and the desire to eat WILL come back. So make the most of this window!

I will be 7 weeks post op from my gastric bypass when my husband and I head out to Las Vegas in mid November. We are both on vacation and hunting for a home out there for 10 days which is the longest we have ever been there. I moved to the soft food stage last week and I am doing very well with most foods on the plan although eggs and I are having a love hate relationship. I love them, depending on how I eat them, they hate me. I am a little concerned about eating out that much while I am in Vegas and I am looking for some tips. My nutritionist suggested taking protein shakes and even some quest bars to ensure I keep up my protein. I do not eat beans of any kind, I just cannot get them down. Does anyone have some tips for eating out in restaurants at this stage? Seems crazy with what little i can eat to order meals. I am guessing you all have some experience with this? Thanks so much!

Lynn thank you so much for some great advice. My husband will be here to help me & my doggies will be here to comfort me also. I'm from Ohio 5'8 290lbs will be 50 in july YEA HA.....I would like to stay in touch with you for pointers & friends. What kind of chewable vitamins do you take.Yes I'm going to the store this week and getting s/f jello,broth,popsicles. Also what kind of protein drinks do you use?I'm glad your doing well & have the support, this is a life style change for all of us & a good one. I'm really excited about the surgery. I'm not doing so good on my per-opt right now but I'm trying , how do you do on your per-opt?The weather here in Ohio is so cold about 20 degrees & we have about 13/15 inches of snow on the ground & suppose to get more tonight or tomorrow, I'm so ready for Spring. We just bought a 25ft camper last Oct & only got to use it once & looking forward to this summer. Well you take care keep in touch & Happy Valentines Day... IzzieBell

i got banded 7/26/07 start weight 238 lbs. now only 206 lbs. i thought it would happen faster i go to kickboxing 4-5 times a week i follow weight watchers get lots of water and protein is this normal in 5 months to only lose 32 lbs or am i just rushing things ???? ( i have gotten 2 fills )

This is normal don't panic, you prob won't be able to get your full requirements of fluid or protein in until you are on full foods. Just remember to try your best with the fluids because you don't want to become dehydrated. You will also probably be a little weak until you can get your proteins in which is also normal.

My weight loss has been incredibly slow this month. I decided to go back to very basics. 2-3 oz Protein three times a day with 1 shake a day. I also need to move more. The rain is supposed to stop this week so I'll be able to walk to work several times. (20 minutes each way) I plan to get into the gym as well. Excited, 8 pounds is awesome. Congratulations!

Hi, I had my surgery 2 months ago and until I had my 2nd fill last week, I was doing great. I've been reading some of the posts from others, and it's glad to see I'm not the only one experiencing some of these things. I could feel the restriction right after my surgery. My surgeon told me he had put 3 cc in my band. I got to where I could eat almost anything without any problems, just not as much as before. At my first fill, he added another 1cc. I cut back to soft and liquids for a few days after my fill and then I could eat almost anything again (except bread), just less than before. I had my 2nd fill about a week ago, and have noticed a definite restriction. I again went back to soft foods and liquids for several days but haven't noticed any improvement. I tried to eat some eggs, but they got stuck which was a horrible feeling and persisted for a while. I wasn't able to get it to come up. So, I had to suffer through it. I've been very careful since, but everything seems to cause what I can only describe as a spasm like feeling as soon as it hits the bottom of my esophagus. I've tried increasing my fluids, but it doesn't matter what I eat or drink, I get the same feeling. Which is quite uncomfortable. So, I've been drinking/eating hot liquids, thick Soups plus my Protein shakes. I plan to go my surgeon on Monday and have him remove at least part of that last fill. I'm glad I found this site. I have only told a couple of people about my surgery, as this was a very private decision for me. Any other suggestions I should try until I can see my surgeon?

I am pretty much where I thought I would be at this time...and hoped. Down 98 lbs ...10 of those were pre op. Weight is coming off slower and I do experience stalls and then go back into a losing trend. I just lost another pound after experiencing a stall for the last 10 days. I am 57 lbs from goal. I am eating about 1000 calories a day. Averaging about 900 to 1100 calories a day. Protein is 60 to 75 g I am avoiding carbs as much as I can comfortably. Not eating posts, rice..crackers but I'd they are naturally occurring in a healthier choice.. if anyone is reading this who is trying to decide on actually having w l s. It took me a long time to go thru with this...I was terrified on so many levels. It has enabled me to get to a place I wouldn't have been able to without it. I still have my issues with food...still think about it easy too much and still need to make the right choice but the restriction the sleeve has given me is amazing. I am still amazed when I cannot finish my meal and I do try to measure so I don't overeat. I track my food so I can keep an eye on my nutrition. Hoping to be at goal by my 1 year anniversary

I'm 15 months post op, and for me, it's easier in the sense that I cannot eat a whole pizza, or a bucket of chicken. But I can eat all the candy and ice cream I want with no restriction. Even the amount of healthy food I can eat now is fairly high. I typically eat 2000 calories a day and can hit 2500-3000 with no problem....and that's eating alot of lean Protein and healthy fats, fairly low carb and very few "treats." I can gain weight fairly easily just by not logging my food for a few days, eating whatever I want and indulging in too many sweets. I've bounced up as much as 17 pounds in 2 weeks since surgery. Of course, I can get it right back off just going back to my tried and true methods of protein, Water, logging and exercise. There is also a reduced metabolism component to losing weight that will reduce your daily calorie expenditure over time....massive weight loss and prolonged calorie restriction contribute to this. Thus, making it easier to gain weight on less calories than needed before surgery. Lifting weights and building muscle help with this, but only "help", not prevent. However....yes....it's much easier now. The surgery gave me an edge. A window of time to lose weight and rethink my priorities. I got my head on straight. I changed my lifestyle. I changed my relationship with food....basically I broke up with food, although I'm still tempted to go back for a little post break up indulgence every now and then. The honeymoon phase was that window of time. And by the time it was over I knew I never wanted to go back. I have to work much harder now than I did 12 months ago, but I'm motivated to do it. I can't imagine quitting and going back....I won't.

Just made it up and tried it...yummy! 1 scoop strawberry banana Protein powder (I used optimum nutrition gold standard...any would do..even plain strawberry) 1 cup vita coco coconut Water with peach and mango flavoring 1 tbsp sf ff banana pudding mix (instant dry measure) 1 cup crushed ice Mix first 3 ingredients in blender briefly. Put in ice; pulse and blend until iced smoothie consistency. 200 cal 24 protein (depends on powder) Lots of potassium in coconut water...good for electrolyte imbalance

Aw man, your story was one tough read. I couldn't begin to tell you how sorry I am that you went through all the hoops for five months, preparing mentally and physically for the surgery, and waking up to such horrid news! As I read your post, I half expected to be reading on about a defeated soul. But NO, you were/are strong and persistent! I can see why the option of a non-laparoscopic sleeve operation would leave a bad taste in your mouth, you just had surgery! If you do decide to go the sleeve route, I wish you the best and I hope you awaken from surgery with a different result than the one you just got. Also, IDK if you know, but there's a sleeve forum link on the bottom of this page, maybe that would be helpful? You have a strong drive to be healthy, and I know you will be soon enough! Just take each day one day at a time. We all have faith in you.... :wub:

Next week will by 8 months post surgery. I have been happy with the weight loss. I have gone from 280 lbs to 168. Overall, I have done a great job of sticking to it. I exercise regularly and really monitor what I eat. With that said Yes, I have snacked but rarely and No some days I do not exercise but I follow things pretty closely. The weight came off prett well but now things have come to a standstill. Some say that will happen between 8 and 10 months post op and the body will start to gain weight without an increase in calories. That is what seems to be happening to me now. For those newbies or those thinking about the surgery just keep in mind you will get results but it is a tool. You will start to see some changes like food not tasting quite the same as it did before. Like they operated on your taste buds. As for exercise - do it - if you are struggling try something - anything but get moving. The hardest thing after surgery is more psychological - the fear that after going thru everything that when you reach a pleateau that that is the end. It is not. You may hit a plateau or two but keep doing what your doing it will come off. A couple of things you can if you did a plateau however like increase the intensity of your exercise - really create a sweat. Change the type of exercise you do - if your using a treadmill switch to a bike or a hard walk. Drink more Water and watch your carbs. If you have a support group that you can attend put everything else aside and attend it. They are great. It helps so much to be in a room with others who have had surgeries and just talk about many of the same things as this site but you get the human interation. If you don't have a support system then visit here. Do not try to do it alone. At the start when the weight comes off you will think you don't need any help but you will. Many have joined weight watchers and attended the weekly meetings. They have a good support system and it keeps you motivated. You will notice things with family and co-workers as well. SOme will say things like "you cheated" or "took the easy way out". Yes, that is stupid but that is how some people think. The easy way out is not commiting ourselves to a major surgery and the risks involved but you will have people say that. You might also see friends be less supportive than you would think - some of it is jealously some just don't want change but you will see it. Also, what you do DOES affect other people. YOU have opted for the surgery so you have to balance the best way to handle it. If your married then you struggle to find a balance between not having certain triggers in the house for food however, that is not fair to others in the household after all why should they suffer for what you chose. There will always be a McDonalds weather you choose to have the surgery or not and you will HAVE to face those issues. You will have those that just don't get it - they will say "oh, just eat you look great" or something like that. IT will happen so be prepared. There will be times when you are not hungry but just feel like chewing or feel the need to eat. Keep lots of Protein available and keep the water cold. Hard boiled egg whites are great protein and only 17 calories. At the start you will feel like you are alone. You will not be sure what to eat, when to eat. You will be concerned your not taking in enough protein or water and sometimes you just won't. That is normal. Do the best you can. Eventually, drinking water will not be an issue so don't get upset if you can only drink limited amounts of water - do the best you can and work up to it. As I said it has been 8 months for me but things have slowed down. My goal is 155 lbs. I had gotten down to 164 and started to gain without doing anything different. I have heard about a bounce as the body adjusts but being so close to my goal was hard. For my weight I should be taking in 2300 calories to maintain however I take in about 1000-1200 calories a day plus I burn about 500 with exercise. Knowing that a pound of fast 3500 calories if I were to reduce my caloreis from my maintain 2300 calories by just 500 calories a day I would lose 1 pound a week. Well I have reduced my maintain calorie number by 1,000 and added anthoer 500 calories for the execise and logically that should allow me to be losing 2-4 pounds a week now but that is not happening. It is just something I have to work thru. I wish you all the best. I know we all say it is a tool but it is. You will do fine but the harder part will be afte the 6 months post op and that is when you will need to work a bit harder. One more note: This is a journey. Take it one day at a time. Your stomach is now about 70-80 smaller so many of the things that were difficult will be bette but you can't drink milkshakes all day without gaining. You have to change your diet. Things will be different but better. With your full size stomach we always had a goal but when we got close somethign would blow it - a holiday, birthday or summer BBQ. Now you have a smaller stomach and that will not change -ever. So use the tool. The one thing about this website is that only we who have had the surgery or thinking about it UNDERSTAND what we have gone thru all our lives. It is not a decision we did quickly and we have all probably done as much research as any doctor or nurse. Certainly more than any dietiticain we have ever met. We have all cheated and fooled ourselves that it was anything else but eating too much and too many calories. THe thing about this site and support groups are you soon learn you can't kid a kidder. We have all done it. We have gotten angry at the scale, we have moved that thing an inch to get the best reading and then when it showed something we would get on it multiple times a day. We let a little number guide or lives. We have grazed in the middle of the night and eaten cake batter, we have struggled and succeeded and then lost and we have done it so many times others would not understand. Finally, we had to make a decision and that is why we are all here. In this new way of living you will meet medical professionals, doctors, nurses and dieticians and all will have book knowledge but they will not really understand. No one really understands but those of us who have lived it. You will get conflicting information from others who have had the surgery, nurses etc. One will say you have to take a particular kind of Calcium like calcium citrate, my particular doctor said any calcium will do including tums. You will compare notes and one doctor will say you can't have carbinated drinks because the bubbles expand in the stomach and another will say that is foolish the reason is because they stimulate the appitite for more sweets - BUT IT DOES NOT MATTER. Listen to all the advice and DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. A lot of this is mental. We have spent a lifetime thinking about food a certain way and that does not go away quickly. We will go to a restaurant knowing we can't eat it but order it anyway because we used to. It will look and smell good but what you did before you surgery will not work now. Your mind is the same person but our bodies will not be. IT will be like two different people living in one form. The mental part is hard. I remember how devisted I was when I hit a plateau for a week and was about 60 lbs down. The emotional aspects of feeling that the surgery did not work or was not working was hard. Day by day I would get angry with myself for undergoing this surgery for just 60 lbs and all the "medical pro"s " were no help. THe thought of the surgery not working is very hard to deal with but then WOW - you will get on the scale and be down 5 lbs and it will start again. Realistically give yourself a hard year to work. Commit to it. You will lose much of the weight in the first 6 months but after that it will come off slower. We can help with mental part so ask all the questions. People here are great. . Good luck sleevers - you can do it. You will be frustrated and scared and wonder if its working but it does and enjoy your new life. Yes, you will be able to fly without your body going to someone elses seat, you will be able to go to a football game and fit in the stadium seat, you will be able to do so much more and it will feel great. Those are non scale victories. Enjoy them.

I think you just need protein powder is the main thing. I have food allergies and diabetic and they told me I could make my own popsicles and home made broth as long as it's not fattening lol

Hi everyone! I am 4 weeks post op and it seems as though I am beginning to have some issues I am completely exhausted all the time.. And still don't feel like myself. I am still having difficulty w getting in my protein and water. As of last night I am now getting extremely nauseated after I eat. The food feels stuck and then I vomit. My next appt w my surgeon is next week but ugh! I also have pain in my lower abdomen

I am also on my pre-op diet. Actually now I don't feel quite as bad. My doc has me on 2 protein shakes a day and a protein and veggie dinner. It has been hard during the day but going into my 4th day it does seem to get easier. I am praying for strength over the weekend - I think that will be hardest for me. Keep up the good work and positive attitude and we will make it.

With my anti-gall stone pill and Nexium pill I eat 2 bites of cottage cheese. Per surgeon I need to take with dairy. Breakfast is Protein shake Morning snack: eggs with canned ham, Rotel (canned diced tomatoes/green chilis), tiny bit of cheese. (I made a batch and portioned out a few days worth) Lunch: Deli ham, 1 slice provolone Afternoon snack: Ground beef with Rotel and taco seasoning Dinner: probably left over Rotisserie chicken and broccoli Earlier in the week DH and I went to Outback. I had the Ahi-Tuna appetizer and mixed veggies (broccoli, snow peas, carrots.) I stole 2 of his croutons and nibbled on them. During a snow day this week I had an Avocado baked with an egg in it. Didn't care for the taste. But it went down fine. Last Friday I made Shrimp Alfredo with Linguine. I use low-carb Pasta. I had a few shrimp, 3 noodles and some broccoli. I like egg salad or chicken salad. I mix the salad using Hellman's light mayo and fat free yogurt to keep the fat grams down. I add a tiny bit of Gulden's mustard to the egg salad. I just cannot stand fat free mayo. I also only like Hellman's. I have had chicken breast but it has to be pretty moist or it is tough to get down. Rotisserie tends to be good for that. It is harder to not get grilled breast to be too "dry". I have had crackers a few times over the last week. At most I will have 2 club crackers at a time with either the deli meat or the egg salad/chicken salad. I had salmon a few weeks ago. I have some tilapia in the freezer that I will eat some of this weekend. I had some fresh fruit this past week- strawberries, blue berries, orange wedge. I avoided the apple as it had peels on and was finely diced so no way to avoid the peels. I have not ventured into trying lettuce or raw veggies yet.

My NUT said no raw veggies Til 3 months and no carbs breads and stuff til 5-6 months and no tomato sauce! I'm wondering at what point can I have protein bars and fruits? I use fruit in my shakes but haven't had raw yet. Everything I've eaten has been fine, never been sick yet. I haven't branched out much besides chicken, fish and eggs.

If I have not had enough protein during the day I start to get sluggish. Make sure you are keeping up with that!

I am starting to loss the nervousness and gain excitement about this journey. I meet with the BariatricPal NUT last night and got lots of positive comments and made a plan for this month of food log weighing Protein and healthy eating out choices.( also only eating Out twice!) shall be interesting! April surgery date seemed a reality to her if not even march! Seems surreal a bit still but so excited and the positive changes are helping me emotionally. Here's to starting the new year right! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am in Tulsa. I am drinking decaf tea (water causes intense heartburn). My protein drink is EAS right now. How about you?

I know, I know...dont get hung up on the scale....BUT I'm about 6 weeks out & last Saturday I weighed 283 & today I weigh 285. I am averaging 5-600 cals a day. And I don't have a TOM. What the.... Maybe it's what I'm eating? Here's an average day. I'm not big on variety yet cuz my sleeve is picky....realllly picky! Also not a big eater...just can't do 6 meals a day. Am. SF vanilla latte w/ 2% milk. Takes all morning to drink lunch. 1/6 of a flat out whole wheat wrap w/ 2 tblspn of cram cheese & 2 oz of smoked salmon Snack. Protein shake w/ 30 g protein...can only stomach a little over 2/3 of it dinner is the same as lunch. Well, thoughts??

Are you keeping an actual food journal to log the breakdown of your calories/fats/carbs/protein? Sounds like you are getting in an OK amount of Protein, but might need more. At 6 weeks you should be aiming to get 80-90g at a minimum. And it's good if you can get half of that in before mid-day, rather than lumping it all in the afternoon. If you can, mix up what you're eating rather than eating the same thing more than twice a day. Are you logging your fluids as well, 64oz or more per day? How much are you exercising? It might be time to bump it up a little, like 10% more. More than likely it's just a stall. The human body is not a perfectly tuned machine and can have it's quirks. Be patient, I'm sure it will break soon!!

Has anyone tried other types of Protein powders, such as hemp, brown rice, goats milk, quinoa? I occasionally buy from Azure Standard, and most of their protein powders are from these other ingredients. Just curious! Sue

I was like that too. But Day 5 I woke up a new person. I struggled to eat and drink and lost 8 lbs the week of surgery. It gets better. Sip all day. Take in a spoon full of protein when you can. You got this [emoji173]️