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I’ll be 5 years post op in October, and I was (and still am) an avid tracker so I log everything I eat, and my app figures out the cals and macros. During weight loss phase I focused on being ultra-low carb (under 25g NET carbs a day). I also went low-calorie but this sorta happened on its own cuz I didn’t really want to eat much anyway…I.e., by the time I got to goal, I was consuming sub-800 cals a day. lost all the weight I wanted plus a bit more, and looked like death’s older sister lolzzzzz. i eventually got over my fear of carbs during maintenance and by around 2-3 years post-op, was eating whatever carbs I want (not just good carbs, but the not-so-great ones as well…I’m looking at dessert and chips!) BUT I still make sure to stay within my maintenance calorie range1800-ish cals a day normally, 2300+ cals when I’m in an exercising phase. Its worth noting that I actually weigh LESS today (119 lbs) than I did when I was death’s sibling after reaching goal (127 lbs) yet I look waaaaaaay healthier (not so gaunt) now. I think it’s the carbs. While I really liked how my body looked back then when I was low-carbing, my face really suffered. Now, though my body looks less fit and “softer”, my face is also looking “softer” and is quite pleasing to look at in the mirror lolololzzzzzz. long story short, weight loss is ultimately down to calories in and calories out, however way those calories are comprised (carb, fat, or proteins). Stay under your maintenance calories and you WILL lose weight. The trick is finding out what your maintenance calories are at ANY GIVEN POINT IN TIME because it isn’t static and changes with age, activity level, health status, sleep patterns, stress levels, etc….which is why I’m a big proponent of food/body weight/activity tracking cuz all that data helps to figure out patterns and stuff. i get it’s not for everybody though. But I totally credit tracking to me staying under goal weight this entire time (5 years post in October). Good Luck!❤️

I don't have any experience with this specific device but as a general rule, weight can fluctuate from day to day and it is completely normal. I know for myself, if I weigh daily, I sometimes see a 4 or 5 pound variance. I would suggest maybe picking a day each week to weigh and try to stay off the scale otherwise. I know it feels counterintuitive, but weighing daily can actually be somewhat detrimental when we see those very normal fluctuations. I'm sure your partner is doing great!

I lost over 200 lbs and had a ton of it. It was very easy to hide in clothes, so no one knew it was there except of me (well, other than my husband and doctor). I eventually had it removed, but even if I hadn't, I would have taken thet saggy skin any day of the week over weighing almost 400 lbs again. ANY DAY! Here's a picture of me BEFORE I had my skin removed. See all that saggy skin? I didn't think so. Honestly, being severely obese vs having some saggy skin that no one can see? It was a no brainer for me.

Hi My partner had a Allurion balloon fitted 4 days ago. She has been losing each day but today she has put on 3 lb. She has been stringent with her diet. Is this normal when starting to eat pureed food?

If you count carbs you still have to be mindful of how many calories you consume. And if you count calories you have to be mindful of how many of those are from carbs. Fruits and veggies I don't worry so much about. I used the Baritastic app during my 3-month pre-op diet basically to show my nutritionist what I was eating and to make sure I was staying within my limits to lose the weight needed for surgery. Afterwards I don't use it. Logging and thinking about food 24/7 drives me nuts. But I do practice mindful eating and if using it helps keep you on track, then do it. I did like the recipe feature. Just add all ingredients and then your serving size. It does all the math for you. I pretty much know what foods to eat and which to avoid and the WLS restricts my amounts anyway. Portion control, I think is most important. By now I've gotten pretty good at eyeballing what I put on my plate. Some days I can finish it and others I push it away. As long as my weight continues to go down, I know I am on the right track. I'm hoping by the time the honeymoon phase is over and normal hunger returns, I will have formed new habits to maintain my losses and continue losing weight to goal.

I didn’t have to count carbs or calories either. Just told to keep my carbs (sugar, fat) low & given a list of carbs to avoid (bread, pasta, rice, etc. - anything low processed). Portion size was what I had to focus on (& protein & fluids of course). 1/4-1/3 cup from purée increasing to a cup at about 6 months. I still watch my portion sizes. I used to randomly check calories just out of my own interest while I was losing & I still do this. Simply because if you are consuming more calories than your body needs to function effectively you will gain weight. (An additional 100 calories a day equates to 10lbs over a year 😱 yikes!) But yes working out calories for complex meals like salads, soups, stews, etc. you cook yourself can be challenging & never completely accurate. I tend to focus on the protein content only then. I check the weight of the protein in the soup, casserole, etc. & work out about how many portions that would be of the finished meal. Hard to weigh meats with bones to work out the calories too. I go to recommended serving sizes then to help guide my portion. To eat carbs or not in the long term is really up to you and what works for you in regard to what types, how often, how much. I only ate rolled oats while losing and then could start adding other whole or multi grains carbs from maintenance. The carbs in vegetables & fruit were always okay & were a free pass. I only eat two serves of multi/whole grain carbs a day & still don’t eat bread & similar products, pasta, rice. They sit heavily. Don’t miss them & I do feel better without them - no bloating, less wind, etc. but that’s me. There’s nothing stopping you counting your own carbs & keeping them at a level you’re happy with while you’re losing if you want. As long as you monitor, the best you can, the calories your team is asking for. Remember once you work out the calories for a specific salad, soup, etc, you don’t have to do it every time you eat those recipes. As long as your portion remains the same (adjusting for the increase in portions as you progress) the calories will be pretty accurate.

I do both. Actually, I log my calories, carbs, protein, and fat. I'm so used to it at this point that it's second nature. One week I'll work out 5 days and rest 2. Then the next week I'll work out 4 days and rest 3. I also stick to my routine, but switch up the actual exercises within the routine so I "confuse" my body and what I'm doing continues to work. Workout days (alternate between heavy cardio, weight training, core/strength training, wall/beginner pilates): Calories: 1200-1300 (depending on what I'm doing that day) Carbs: 35-40 Protein: 90g Fat: 45-50g NON workout days (rest days): Calories: 900-1000 Carbs: 20-25 Protein: 60-70g Fat: 30-35g

I do both. I use the Baritastic app, and I set my calorie and carb goals and try not to exceed them. I think some people take issue with carb counting because there's good carbs and really, really bad carbs. For me, carbs are really important to monitor because I really don't like vegetables. I can eat a bit of fresh salad, but that's about it because I have texture issues. I can't stand cooked veggies, to me it's inedible slime. Lol! Obviously, good carbs are necessary for vitamins and minerals and proper digestion, but carbs with no nutritional value (junk food) only "nurture" us emotionally. Ironically, after we eat crap that makes us feel good momentarily, we start to feel like crap, emotionally (guilt, mood swings) and physically (joint/muscle pain). I stand by my carb detoxes. I never realized how mood-altering crap food can be. I was starting to use junk food like I was using alcohol, just for instant gratification and distraction, alcohol and carb hangovers be damned. However, I was extremely frustrated, and easily irritated all.the.time. My joints hurt when I eat crap. My sleep suffers too. Once I went below 50 carbs a day, my whole attitude changed. I felt better physically and emotionally. Very healthy proteins are moderately high in calories (beef, chicken, seafood), but protein is very necessary with our bariatric surgeries. This is why I give myself more leeway with calories than carbs.Bad carbs, on the other hand, offer nothing but momentary satisfaction. Momentary satisfaction is good once in a while, but the problem with loading up on bad carbs again is that, like a drug, the more we ingest it, the more we crave it. The less we have it in our system, the less it calls our attention. People think I'm being dramatic, but I know how I feel when I detox from carbs and when I start eating crap again. It just snowballs, and eating junk becomes more and more "important" as the day progresses. Using the app really helps me keep a realistic awareness of my nutritional goals. Because I'm only 3 months out, my goal settings right now are 750-800 cal, 70-80g protein, and <50 carbs. I have good days when I hit only 600 cals, 30 carbs, but 85+g protein. I also have my bad days when I consume 875 cals, 60 carbs, but only 65g protein. I think they really go hand in hand because the more carbs I eat, the more calories I'm consuming (and the less protein I get). I worry more about my carb intake because when I go over on my carbs, I know it's because I had bites here and there of junk food (not good carbs). At the end of the day, it really all comes down to what kind of carb intake you have. If your carbs are coming from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, then it's great! But if not, then maybe take stock of them. Either way, I wish you the best always on your continued weight loss journey! P.S. Prior to my surgery, my doc wanted me to lose weight (so he could help me lose weight) so I did a semi-liquid, hyper-low carb diet and lost 32 lbs in 38 days. Didn't count or give a flip about calories. I only drank 3 shakes a day, they wanted me to drink 5. Tan locos! I couldn't drink 5. I did 3 shakes and a hearty all protein dinner.

Hi, I am six days post op and feeling okay (except a little dizzy). I still have over a week of liquid diet let per doctor's plan--- but getting so sick of the sweet protein shake options. I have ordered a bunch of protein soups. Hope everyone one in August is doing well!

It was a blast! No it wasn't! But got thorough it! Dr. Released me three weeks later. Full time work. Do it all over again!

I never counted calories or carbs or much of anything else. Well, that's not true. I counted meals: 3. Each of which were 3oz protein + 1oz veggies. Most every plan has as the first rule: Focus on protein first. It's the rest that seems to vary. I often think that following your surgeon's plan is more important than what is in the plan. It's about learning to eat again with some form of discipline. In the early months you get the positive reinforcement of losing weight, which makes continuing the plan easier. Let's face it, doing it our way didn't work. Do it your medical teams' way. Good luck, Tek

I have heard that you can get one extreme or the other and I chuckled about feeding your pets I have Sugar Gliders and I feed them this liquid food that I make - pretty much baby food so I will keep that in mind I’m on my second week of liquid diet - and taking laxative & muralx so I am dead sure I have never pooped so much in my life - I think the rumor of 22 lbs of poo in you is true because with liquid diet I don’t know how there is so much unless it’s flushing out that 22 lbs lol on a good note I have lost 10 lbs have meeting tomorrow with anesthesia & some last minute tests - then Friday we do this!! I’m not looking forward to pain - that is my hope going in is that I won’t be in major pain

I have heard that you can get one extreme or the other and I chuckled about feeding your pets I have Sugar Gliders and I feed them this liquid food that I make - pretty much baby food so I will keep that in mind I’m on my second week of liquid diet - and taking laxative & muralx so I am dead sure I have never pooped so much in my life - I think the rumor of 22 lbs of poo in you is true because with liquid diet I don’t know how there is so much unless it’s flushing out that 22 lbs lol on a good note I have lost 10 lbs have meeting tomorrow with anesthesia & some last minute tests - then Friday we do this!! I’m not looking forward to pain - that is my hope going in is that I won’t be in major pain

1. Female, 48, 5’6 2. 7lbs 3. 321.2 lbs 4. 294lbs 5. n/a only 2 1/2 months post op currently 6. n/a 7. n/a

I'm almost 2 weeks post surgery. I'm feeling much better and starting to tolerate food somewhat. I managed to find a protein powder made with stevia and none of the sucralose which throws my joints into chaos. As long as I drink my protein 3 times a day I'll feel alive the following day. Yesterday I ate something besides mashed potato's. Meatballs, spag sauce, ricotta and parm cheese all pureed into runny much. It was delish. Could only get 1/4 cup down at 10am and I stayed full the rest of the day. Tried to force another "feeding" in at 3pm and managed to bloat. Maybe ate 1/8 cup and had to quit. I hate the bloating. Burping seems a luxury these days. I have 2 more weeks of the puree stage. Weight loss is super slow at this point. I know that'll get better too especially as I can increase my "feedings". I look forward to a new life with new knees (I'm already halfway to new knees YAY).

Had my surgery on July 10th so I just went to my 1 month checkup a couple of weeks ago and I'm down 40lbs.. So far so good even tho I feel like this week I'm hitting a stalling wall.

I just had my surgery Thurs 8/24/23. I'm still new to all yhis but started a very small support group as well in IG at #thesleevesuite. My goal is to show before , during the healing process and any tips or tricks that can help others. Personally I'll. Be upset if I have to get another surgery bcus I def was in pain but mostly from the air. I do notice that it's like all Drs GUVE diff advice which I find odd. I'm going to do some rewatch in the actual organization if these surgeries so I can see their guidelines. Bcus if can get confusing. I've just been recouping and like I can't sleep. I have insomnia. But idk if I can sip some zquil. I don't want to take the pain meds and /or Xanax if I don't have tok. So if anyone wants to post on the ig I literally just started and haven't posted thd pics yet I'd love to get any input or help to support this journey of mine. Now iv one of my sons can just show me a few more things ( like cutting my head and face off the pics to uploads Or like I never knew they fill us s air which truthfully caused my pain. But I feel like any support given and recurved is fear. I could never now drunk 3 full protein shakes plus all the whydratio so im grateful my son got me the 39 mg protein shakes. I am craving food but I feel full I'm just already sick of 3 days of this no flavor stuff which is why I'm so happy I found this site. It appears to have a lot of variety and Monday I'm going to order a little but if as much as I can afford. I'll leave reviews on here. Idk if I can on my IG w out permission from the company but if you want me to add your tips and tricks just leave me a message on #Thesleevesuite. We are all in this journey together. Anyone who thinks this is the easy way out is def clueless. I'm happy to see such variety avail on here. I can't wait til Monday to order some items but I'm in a tight budget. Any suggestion I need ideas for salty snacks when im iff the protein /clear liquids. Oh yea and I'm located in the Us but I didn't have to do a ord op diet except moo after. Midnight before surgery and my oysche even struggled w that and I snuck and ice cream sandwich!! But my surgery wasn't until like 1:3o pm. It's def a very odd feeling though to FEEL full but STILL HAVE CRAVINGS. HOPEFULLY THIS PART PASSES. MY KIDS DIED LAUGHING CUS I 1/2 joked that I'd love to just lick a pizza. Lol I'm so scared of this dumping thing though I'm going to ply it safe for sure. I will be passing this site in to my sister who has full bariatric June 8th. They have great items on here. Thank you!

Okay that’s it. Our friendship is over. How can you not like tomato based soups??? 😱 I love all soups as you know but my favourite soup since a child has been tomato. Tomato with lentils, with white beans, using fresh, roasted, or tinned tomatoes, … I’d very happily eat A’s minestrone except for the pasta of course. Mmm now I might make a pastaless minestrone this week (though is it still minestrone without pasta??) 😁😁😁

First week out from surgery, it's normal to have gas pain/incision pain. Walking is the best medicine to expel the air that was pumped into you while performing the surgery. If it's a different kind of gas from something you ate or drank then Gas X would probably help if you are allowed to take it 3 days post op. I didn't suffer from any of the horrid gas pains but did have a lot of the gurgling as you described. I made myself get up and walk every hour for 5 minutes. I was more worried about getting blood clots. Congrats on your recent surgery @Nissi88 and week 2 should be much better for you. Whenever I have a lot of burping, it's usually accompanied by the foamies and/or nausea. I read the foamies are the stomachs way of protecting itself from an irritant by producing the slime that coats the stomach. Early on that healing stomach can be easily irritated so I was careful not to force food or drink trying to meet daily goals. I just made sure I didn't allow myself to become dehydrated.

We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary (time flies) last week and we snapped some photos before going out for lunch at a Brazilian steakhouse here in Kuala Lumpur. Right is me on our wedding day (I was around 130 kg then) and left is me now (74.5 kg). My wife said we should take new wedding photos for fun.

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest some kind of food/snack/supplement that will give me a quick energy boost. I drink a protein shake that has caffeine (equivalent to 1 cup of coffee) once a day for breakfast. Sometimes, though, later in the evening, I feel a drop in my energy. I'm trying to keep my cal under 800, and my carbs under 40g. I don't want to consume more caffeine because it's a diuretic, and I have enough trouble staying hydrated as it is. Are there any snacks or supplements that will give me a quick boost of energy for the afternoon. I'm kinda dragging "(__(__)" during my last 2 classes at the end of the day. I'm taking my vitamins exactly as I should, and my numbers came back great on my blood work. I'd just like to know what, if anything, y'all use for a quick pick-me-up. TIA! EDIT* Just wanna add that I'm 3 months and 8 days out of my revision to bypass surgery, and I'm consuming 75-85g of protein daily.

@Shaqsback! Hi! By now you would have had your surgery. How are you doing thus far? My doctor informed me that weight loss is possible and that I will have to work at it. I would say we have 6 weeks of liquid to pureed to soft foods on LCD so we should take advantage! I don't need more sagging skin so hopefully I can walk on the treadmill and when I can do some light weight training to avoid this. My surgery is in 2 days! Monday 8/28 Give updates when you can. My sleeve was in 2017

I started my process at Maimonides, but the team wasn't responsive and I didn't feel I was going to get the best care, they basically handed me a paper, and told me I needed to schedule and complete appointments (no doctor recommendations or anything) and then come back when I had done all of those steps. I transferred to Bellevue and the process has been amazing. All of your appointments are scheduled for you on the first day you go in after they confirm you are a candidate (they take your height and weight, no self-reported anything). My surgery is Sept 27th, I started the process with them on July 14th. The surgeon, nurses, and surgery coordinates have all been so helpful. Would definitely recommend you check them out. They are really popular, so you may have to wait a bit before your initial appointment. I called them and maimonides the same day. Maimonides was able to get me in 2 weeks before Bellevue. Edit: My surgeon is Manish Parikh

I agree with @The Greater Fool. It doesn't have to be eggs. It can be soft/shredded chicken, tuna, or beef, a protein shake or high protein yogurt, or even oatmeal with added protein powder. I would cook my oatmeal til it was a little dryer and then add 3-4 tablespoons of my favorite flavor of protein shake for added protein.

Hi all, it’s been 3 days after surgery, I’m still having gas pain. It feels like air moving around in my stomach and it is painful only can do 2 0z of anything every 15 min. I’m not sure if this gas or I’m drinking too much. I drink 2 0z every 15 min all day to get my protein and water in. Any one have any thoughts to help me understand what is going on with this pain. thank you for your response that helps.