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Thank goodness I found this group. Today will be 1 week post op for me. I also had a large hiatal hernia repair at the same tme. I was in the hospital 4 days. I've struggled with nausea. I'm proactive now and take my nausea meds regularly. Protein drinks never have bothered me but now the thought of them, yogurt, etc makes me nauseated. I have no issues with Protein 2.0 or jello and they are my go to for hydration and protein. Problem #1 Getting in more than 40 ounces of fluid a day has been nearly impossible so far. #2 Protein 2.0 only has 10 grams of protein. I am barely getting in 30 grams of protein a day. What risks does this run with low protein and what can I do to stay liquid without heavy sweet protein shakes? Today I am going to start walking so I am really needing to figure this out quickly. Thank you all so much. Nervous Newbie Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I’m 4 months post op and was experiencing pain when I ate when I was a few weeks post op too. My dr had stated that it may be too early for me to have for some meats. I had to give it a few more weeks before my stomach was ready for meat. I stuck to softer foods like yogurt, eggs, banana, etc. hope you feel better

I travelled on Thanksgiving, 6 weeks after surgery. I bought a big bottle of protein water in my checked luggage, but I didn't really need it. I ate yogurt, hummus, sliced turkey, vegetables, bananas, sashimi, etc. all of which I was allowed at that point.

I"m very active on that other site. AMAW is just all meat. CAMAW actually stands for "Critter", which means any animal protein is allowed - eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.

I've felt hunger since the day after my surgery almost 8 months ago. (I swear if someone tells me it's head hunger one more time...) I plan all my food out that I will probably eat for the day in my Baritastic app so I know the calories, carbs, etc and pack most of it in my lunch bag. I obviously delete what I don't eat and add anything extra (I leave room for something extra if need be) and I spread out my meals. I have my huge water bottle and drink most of the day and wander around if I think it might be head hunger. Thing is, I hate salad, I always have and always will. Not even just the veggies, I hate every kind of dressing. I won't eat something I hate. I do like cucumbers with hummus, or plain. Still scared to eat raw carrots. I had a Greek yogurt with protein powder about an hour+ ago and this hunger feeling is probably head hunger, but it's like an empty, gnawing feeling. It will get worse and worse and by 2 hours from now I will feel awful. I'll just drink my water, do a bunch of busy stuff and then have some leftover chicken. It sucks, sucks even more when you have the surgery and everyone tells you that you will never be hungry and you are from day one. Oh well, I'm closing in on 100 pounds lost.

I eat a hard boiled egg and a yogurt for breakfast every day. I don't eat anything else for breakfast.

I have what we (my PCP and I) think is RH. It started at about three years post-op. She suggested I eat something every three hours or so to keep my blood sugar stable. I usually eat something like a Fit & Light Yogurt - or a tablespoon or two of peanut butter on celery. It does seem to have helped - I rarely have "episodes" any more.

I'm 2+ years out. I've lost 95% of my excess weight. I have not had plastics - which would account for that last 5%. I eat a high protein, low carb diet and exercise 7 days a week. I eat roughly 1500 calories a day. I exercise at least 1 hour each day. A typical day is: Morning - coffee - black, greek yogurt (Skyr Icelandic provisions), 2 tablespoons of granola Mid morning - protein shake (1 cup fairlife skim milk, 1 scoop protein, handful frozen fruit in blender) Lunch - 3-5 ounces of chicken/turkey/beef, 2 cups of green salad mix, 1 tablespoon balsamic dressing mid afternoon - 2-3 ounces cheddar or other hard cheese Dinner - 3-5 ounces meat, salad or green veg and 1/4 c of a starch. I have had to increase my carbs to about 110 g daily due to my exercise load. I fence (en garde) 6-8 hours a week, do Cross Fit 3 hours a week and pilates and strength training another 1-3 hours a week. I eat about 110 g protein daily. I eat protein first. I drink close to a gallon of water a day. If I want a glass of wine or a cocktail, I have one. At my high point, I was over 300. I now sit around 152 with 29% bodyfat. I can deadlift 250 pounds and squat 235. I'm nationally ranked as a fencer in my age group. How well you do it up to you and your commitment to it. I've gone from a size 24 to a size 6.

Hi! I am 15 years out from DS. I will tell you what I was told not only by my surgeon but more or less everyone in my support group. I say from my support group because when I had surgery there was no DS Surgeon in our state and everyone left the state to have surgery, hence I don't think any of us had the same surgeon other than a married couple. EMBRACE THE FAT!!!! Number one rule! If you don't see fat in your toilet your not eating enough. My skin gets extremely dry any time I cut the fat. I am shocked that you were told or assumed that low fat was great for you. Protein should be about 100 grams a day split up in 20-25 gram servings, so any fatty meat is good!!! Avoid sugar. Sugar isn't as bad for DS'ers as it is for RNY, we don't dump. However, we absorb 100% of the sugar we take in. I am also surprised you can eat bread at all. Most DS'er will have bloating and serious gas issues from bread. For me (and from most I have heard from) the gas hits at the night so you may not be aware of it. For me it has been so bad the stink wakes me up at nigh, thank goodness I can blame the dog Try going flour free for a month then reintroduce it to your body, if you have a reaction please stop. To make your diet easy for you, the order you should be eating your food, fatty meats,non starchy veggies with butter or olive oil, if your still hungry go back to fatty meat you didn't eat enough!!! Go easy on the starchy veggies. IF you need bread and desserts, no more than a bite or two. But as my surgeon says, if you still hungry by the time you get to bread and dessert your out eating your surgery! As for malabsorption, you absorb about 20-25% of fat, 50ish% of protein and 100% of sugar (carbs are sugar, stay way from carbs that are not veggies) You need to go back to experimenting with your body, bread...flour based food give me gas, bloat and in the end a lot of time in the bathroom. I also feel like I have the flu. My husband will look at the cookie in my hand and will ask me if I have plans for tomorrow and is it worth being sick on the couch for. Most of the time it isn't! I also have issues with rice, it will clog me up. I have heard of other DS'ers with that issue with rice too, but many more with flour. Sugar will cause the scale to go up. I still eat sugar, but it is a rare treat, not a daily ,weekly or even monthly treat. Mostly a yearly treat at this time of year. But I still very easy on it because to much will cause bloating and gas too. That is normal for humans who don't eat sugar, not just DS'ers. On the sugar note, if your craving sugar your going thru withdrawal or some protein drinks will cause cravings or you need to up your vitamin Bs special B12. Ok, what to eat on the go. I drive for a living so I have this down. My favorite is meat and cheese roll ups. What ever meat and cheese is on sale at the deli. In the roll up I will put a slice of red pepper or a some cream cheese or a smear of spinach dip (fat is your friend!!!) Jerky and beef sticks are great! Nuts. Costco has parmesan cheese chips, LOVE THEM! Tuna salad eaten with a fork with a cheese chip on top. I get the fatty tuna and a bit of crunch from the cheese chip. Love it! Salad with LOTS of meat. I can do chicken strips, bunless burgers, salad at any fast food place. Be careful of yogurt, most are low fat and high sugar. Actually in general avoid any food that is low fat, the sugar is crazy high. If you want yogurt, plain and add your own fruit or sugar free jam to it. You can eat fruit, pick higher fiber ones just be aware of the amount of sugar your eating. I do apples slices and berries mostly, easy to pack for the road. These are treats, not staples. Depression, I never had depression issues before surgery and was not prepared for it after. It hit me about a year out. I take lexapro now, it does not cause weight gain. I have noticed that when I eat more fatty fish, salmon or can tuna in fat (hard to find anymore) I feel better. I upped my omegas when I caught that, so now I am taking those with my vitamins. I would suggest talking to your primary about depression and then getting a therapist or councilor to talk to. Not only for everything going on in your life, you have a lot! but also for food addiction. Surgery will not fix food addiction and if you don't get a handle on it, you will eventually out eat your surgery.

For proteins ...I’m addicted to dried seasoned chick peas !! And turkey jerky. Also try oikos triple zero yogurts for protein too!

Me too. I've been living off of greek yogurt and pinto beans. They both are packed with protein. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

I've been living off beans and greek yogurt for the last 4 days and I need ideas for purees. What is this ricotta bake everyone is raving about? Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Good point about sodium. I went from shakes and yogurt to beans and cheese in the purée stage, that might be it, thank you!

My doc says that of something doesn't work for you, try it again in a couple of months. I wouldn't force yourself to eat stuff you can't stand. Some things that have worked for me: Ricotta bake (google eggface's ricotta bake). Pureed black beans with a bit of cheese Lentils Homemade cocoa (1c fairlife fat free milk, 1TBL unsweetened cocoa, 1 packet stevia) eggs white fish yogurt - no sugar added (maybe try different flavors to cut up the monotony) - I like Oikos tripple zero and Chobani Good luck - I'm sorry you're going through this.

Gosh so sorry about the c-Diff stuff. That's just brutal and it could also contribute to taste changes and food aversion. I'm sorry you're experiencing this problem on top of everything else. My only thought to you is...it's kinda a compromise ok? Mind-set wise that makes it easier is to "Embrace the suck." And just move forward cuz realistically there will come a time down the road where everything tastes AWESOME SAUCE and you find yourself struggling with old habits and bad behaviors. LOL. So kinda make hay while the sun shines. BUT... and it's a big butt... You still have a responsibility to satisfy those needs that are gonna keep you healthy: 1. Fluid requirements 2. Vitamins/supplements 3. Protein requirements 4. Exercise/movement (ie walking) And honestly, beyond those big 4, everything else is optional. Some how, some way, that is non-negotiable, you must drink a minimum (and it's a bare naked ladies minimum) of 64oz of fluid a day with ideally 36-40oz of those being water. But it's more like 100-120oz of fluids daily. You must get your vitamins and supplements down some how, some way. You must get your protein in (60-80g per day). If yogurt floats your boat? Why not. It's gonna help build your gut, but don't add sugar. Use Greek Plain Yogurt and add liquid stevia or some small amounts of berries, vanilla extract, etc. Sugar will only populate your gut with bad bacteria. Try kefir plain too. It will also help re-populate your gut. White Mountain Yogurt is a Bulgarian yogurt that has an excellent probiotic combination. Flavor these plain yogurts and kefirs with things like Walden Farms Blueberry and Strawberry pancake syrup, or SF DaVinci or Torani syrups or liquid flavored stevia. Also powdered peanut butter can add protein as well as yummy flavor. Maybe even use a tiny bit of smashed banana and applesauce (no sugar added) if you tolerate them. Also, when you can, try adding small amounts of fermented veg. but that will be much later down the road. Much much later down the road!!! Try adding just a small spoon of protein powder (any low carb/low sugar flavor) to your yogurt. Not so much that it taints the taste, but enough that it adds about 6g or additional protein per serving. Also, try Fairlife Milk (high protein) and fortify it with either protein powder or Powdered Milk. Then make SF Chocolate Milk using Hershey's SF Choco Syrup. But milk may give you probs after c-Diff...so you gotta balance it. Try easy to digest proteins like white fish baked in a foil pouch, or tuna mixed with cottage cheese. Try spices!!! (not hot spices, things like Everything But the Bagel Spice from TJoe's) Vary temperatures! If hot is hell, try cold, or room temp. Some how you will find what you can tolerate to the extent it allows you to have 60-80g per day. I often think the people who develop lots of food aversions and nausea and taste changes are those who have gotten "too deep down the rabbit hole" of dietary ketosis. So they are semi-anorexic because of higher ketone levels in the blood. You change those levels by eating food. So yeah...you gotta eat through it to feel better... Anyway, hope this helps!!! Take things slowly with the c-Diff gut. It's gonna take some time and figuring things out. Bone broth is literally your best friend. As is small bites of things like avocado. Think baby. You have to reintroduce food like a baby tummy. Pumpkin canned and seasoned slightly, butternut squash roasted, those kinds of bland foods. You can add tiny spoons of protein. Small amounts of protein powder added to everythign that goes down your piehole will allow you to get your protein in without as much angst. Also protein water helps too--dilute it and vary the temperature if you need to! Or make popsicles or ice cubes or slushes out of it with Sonic ice! You can do this. You just have to be creative. ((hugs))

To be fair, when most nutritionists say "no carbs" they don't mean "no egg yolks" or even (usually) "no plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese." (The carbohydrate in an egg yolk is so very small. It's a little higher in dairy foods, but it's still not that high. Reasonable people classify eggs, plain Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese as sources of protein.) Most don't even mean "no vegetables," because one of the few areas where there's scientific consensus about nutrition is the statement "vegetables are good." They probably mean "don't eat bread, pasta, rice, etc.," or phrased another way, "don't eat foods that are primarily composed of carbohydrates." They might also want you to leave out beans and fruit, but only if they are monsters. (OK, now you know where I stand.) By most anti-carb nutritionists' rules, broccoli and cauliflower are borderline (OK in moderation), and tomatoes and any kind of potatoes are right out, but kale and other lower-carbohydrate vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, ... eh, there are lists) are OK. ... I mean, obviously, check with your team, but I'm pretty sure they didn't mean that extreme a rule, at least not for long-term. For now, maybe they really do only want you to eat high-protein foods; mine sure prefer that I focus there, though I'm allowed to have a little fruit in my cottage cheese and a couple of crackers with my tuna salad, you know? At least when I talk to the nice nutritionist; there's a hardliner at my surgeon's office who I avoid, and she might not allow those things. Also, for dairy with a bit more protein and less sugar, I really like Fairlife milk. I usually prefer 1% when I'm drinking normal milk, and I'm really happy with their skim. My spouse, whose preferences are even stronger than mine, is also happy with their skim.

I have had a number of complications including cdiff after surgery so I am behind on the food progression. Cottage cheese didn’t work well and the only thing I can stomach the thought of is yogurt. I have tried tuna, canned chicken, and gauc. Pre-surgery I would have gladly eaten it all but post-surgery it all grosses me out. Does this pass? Do I need to force myself to eat stuff so I can get past it. I can also no longer handle anything sweet. And the protein drinks aren’t working very well for me. Any suggestions?

I ate a lot of yogurt in the first few weeks. It was high in protein and made me full. I ate the Oikos Triple zero.

I just came back from my one month checkup with my surgeon. He informed me not to have any carbs just protein and to eat only 3 meals a day. I don't think that is right for me as i still can only tolerate about 2 ounces a food at a time and I don't think 6 ounces a food a day is good for my system. I will still continue to eat 5 small meals a day. He did state for me to still have eggs and vegetables, just no bread or pasta. He also informed me that i was having too much dairy in my diet (i.e. protein drinks, yogurt, lowfat cottage cheese).

Visit a local GNC, vitamin shop, etc to get a recommendation for a (gains or builders) protein. They will likely recommend something higher in quality than Premier and if it's causing intense hunger oatmeal may just be out for you. If you want to continue with it, try eating yogurt or cottage cheese along side the oatmeal instead of Premier. If that doesn't work you may have to learn to drink away hunger. Or adding low GI vegetables in a salad that is filling for very little cals.

Thanks all for your replies!! I just ordered the 6 qt one from Amazon with accessories so I can make yogurt and cook eggs, too!! Excited to get it.

Just to update everyone. I called my surgeons office and they changed my nausea medicine and I’m doing much better I am now able to tolerate water and broth at least I even ate a couple bites of protein yogurt today so I feel successful.

Follow-up to this post. This went away a few days after I posted. My theory is that I got a pill stuck (a large antibiotic) in my esophagus and it caused a bit of a burn. I took the pill before bed without enough water. Just took a few days to heel. I'm now 3 weeks and 3 days out. Have lost just under 20lbs thus far and its been pretty painless. I have noticed that my restriction isn't where it was in the first couple weeks but if you eat enough it certainly lets you know. The biggest benefits are lack of hunger pangs and a built in portfolio control mechanism. It would be easy to graze all day especially on soft foods. One must guard against that. My typical day (though Thanksgiving and a big birthday party yesterday were exceptions looks like this): breakfast: fage 2% yogurt (with a little splenda and some cinnamon) or atkins protein shake ~200 cals lunch: small or medium soup or chili from soup place near my office ~200-300 cals dinner: 3.5oz tuna (half of 7oz can) or similar amount of canned chicken, celery salt, a squirt of avocado oil mayo (Sir Kensington), and half of an avocado. ~400 cals late snack: half a fage yogurt or cottage cheese. ~100 cals This is the first time in my life that I've ever been able to eat "half" of anything. I probably need to tone down the tuna at some point due to mercury. Lastly, I can't get the water down that I need to. I'm just not thirsty. That remains an uphill battle.

That is the question. Upon close examination of my eating habits, I find that I am more likely to snack and feel head hunger when I eat breakfast within an hour of waking vs. many many hours later. This was true for me pre-op, but my nut and docs were adamant that I include breakfast in my daily diet. I have eaten 1 scrambled egg white, 3oz of turkey sausage coins, and 3oz of caramalized onion/sauteed mushrooms every day since introducing "real" food again. I wake up at 6am and eat no later 7am, even if I'm not feeling hungry. On the very few days I don't have time to make myself breakfast I pack an extra yogurt, head out the door, and forget about food until about 10:30 or 11. Has anyone else experienced this? Do you trust your gut (pun intended) or stick to the doc's orders? I am curious to know if there are long term cons to not eating breakfast within a certain time past waking up.

I had surgery Oct. 31, 2018 and I'm heading to the doc now for an EGD. Pretty sure that I have a stricture as I can't even get yogurt down. Some regrets but I'm sure when the weight loss is evident, all the regrets will disappear. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app