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Sure. She was concerned that I was eating too fast when I told her that I was eating my meals within like 5-10 minutes. She said that I can't do that with the surgery because not only will I be miserable with vomiting and diarrhea and nausea and the like but I likely would undo the gastric sleeve surgery. She said I should aim for eating my meals in 20-30 minutes preferably 30-40. This seems like an impossible goal for me especially when I see her again in just 2 weeks. She also wants me to savor each bite and focus on the food or something like that. I don't really understand it to be completely honest with you. Mostly I just wanted to work on eating slower over the next two weeks so that when I do get the surgery I don't get sick and undo the surgery and "pass" with her so I can get the surgery. I can fake my way out of the mindfulness part of it or just tell her that it won't work for me and if it's a crucial part of the surgery than maybe bariatric surgery isn't the right option for me.

Hello and welcome in the forum. There is a whole thread listed as Bariatric grief, its very worth a read. I had mine pre surgery. Anything with noodles was my thing. I had lots of Asian food funerals. I promise, it gets better. I eat everything I feel like except I cook it or it comes from a quality restaurant. I live in a part of the UK with out fast food places and the only one is a Dominos Pizza, I dislike the price £20, so would make it at home if that was my thing. I can eat a good amount of good icecream and some good chocolate, too much and I puke. I can eat a Magnum for instance. I eat Falafel with Tzatziki regularly and thats the first time I ever heard of it being off anyones menu. I bake it rather than fry it. I have had some Pad thai but its not really a thing for me anymore as I can eat so few noodles. I will go for Tom Yum or Tom Kha at our Fav restaurant. I can not eat anything ultra blitzed like Guacamole, shudder ... the puree stage has left a memory on my soul. I tried making it chunky but my brain will not accept it. All those slimming classes did have something to tell me after all. Being skinny is better than a bowl of the very best tasty noodles. Saying that .... if I could eat them I would, but not every meal, every day or week.

He just had me work an elastic band and said to do that but I ended up not doing it. But I can walk probably for 2 minutes or so everyday and increase it to 3 minutes next week. Especially when I have to go to saranac next week for my last followup before my surgery. I kind of want to tell them I've been exercising. I don't have a smartphone my wife has one and brings it to work with her everyday but I have a computer that I can setup reminders on. I go on it every morning so it would work perfectly. If that doesn't work I do have a tablet that I can use for reminders but I'm not on my tablet very much. I mostly just go on my tablet to check my email once every few days. My team will be taking good care of me after my surgery yeah. Even if I choose not to have the surgery they want to keep me in the program because I'm overweight and eligible. But I want the surgery because it should be a good tool for losing weight. Next Wednesday is just around the corner and hopefully I'll get all of my questions and concerns answered. I think even if I'm hungry though as long as I fill up fast I don't think I will eat as much as I am now. My problem is I am NEVER full even if I eat 3k calories in one sitting. It's ridiculous. The surgery should definitely change that.

7 years out this November (I can’t believe it’s been that long!) 1. The surgery did all of the work. I didn’t wake up hungry, I didn’t feel like I could eat more than recommended. I didn’t have any (initial) complications that slowed the weight loss process. 2. I was really strict and followed every rule pre and post op. I was super serious because I absolutely needed this to work. My motivation remains for medical reasons first and aesthetics second. 3. I limited calories from liquids. 4. I am finally ready to admit that I have a narrow palate. I don’t like most food and definitely not most fast food but in a pinch I will eat it *some* things. I cook the vast majority of my meals and most are very boring by foodie standards. 5. I was converted from VSG to RNY at my goal weight (GERD etc) and I’m sure the durability of RNY has made a difference in maintaining. 6. I was given a higher BMI range by my surgeon and thank goodness because getting any lower would have been a real struggle without added benefits. 7. I invested in plastics. I shouldn’t make sense or a difference but I didn’t want to mess up the work I had done plus removed skin and fat cells are gone forever. 8. I address the smallest regains IMMEDIATELY adjusting behavior and intake. I’m not ashamed of it or ignore it, I weigh often to stay accountable to myself. 9. I found what works for me and focused on that, adjusting as needed. I try very, very hard not to compare myself with anyone else. I never attached self worth or morality to weight (gained or lost). I think it helped immensely that no one ever bothered me about weight. I realize it maybe a different story if this wasn’t the case. 10. I check in yearly with my bariatric team.

I'm 4 years out and have maintained a stable weight for over 2 years. I've taken a lot of cues from the WLS veterans on this forum because I'm acutely aware that a lot of WLS patients experience significant regain, and I live in fear of that because I've gone through a lot to lose 200 pounds and I don't ever want to go back to obesity. I learned early on that one of the keys to long-term maintenance is closely monitoring and tracking weight, and taking action promptly if it starts to creep up. I weigh myself on a daily basis (usually more than once a day). My weight can fluctuate quite a bit, sometimes by 5 pounds within a single day, so I consider my normal weight range to be 135-140 pounds. As long as I'm within that range, I don't give it a second thought. I may be outside of that once in a while, but I don't worry about it too much unless I stay outside that range for more than a couple of days. I've continued to track everything I eat and stay within a calorie limit. Five years ago, I would have been horrified to imagine tracking my food long-term, but I actually think it makes weight maintenance more sustainable. I could probably get away without tracking at this point because I habitually eat healthy, low-calorie meals, but much like having a financial budget, having a calorie budget allows me to prioritize and make conscious decisions about what I want to consume. If I'm tracking my food, I know whether I have room in my budget for a treat today, or if I want a specific treat, I can make sure to leave room in my calorie budget. I think this is really important because I don't have to go off track or have an out-of-control "cheat day" to eat what I want. I eat healthy foods most of the time (with the occasional treat within my calorie budget), and I've completely overhauled my diet. I've gotten the sense that one of the pitfalls that can lead to regain for WLS patients is that we can rely on our restriction for the first year or so to limit our calorie consumption, but if we continue to eat high-calorie foods like fast food and highly processed snack foods, once the restriction is weaker, we can eat enough calories to regain the weight, and/or eat around the restriction by having multiple smaller portions of high-calorie foods. I eat a lot of vegetables and salads, lean protein (chicken, pork loin, seafood), and legumes, and avoid sugar, refined carbs (rice, pasta, bread, crackers), fried foods, and other calorie-dense foods like cheese. I've discovered a lot of healthy foods that I love eating, so I don't feel deprived with delicious low-calorie meals. Initially, I was very strict about weighing and tracking every bite of food, but I've gotten much more relaxed about it and I just eyeball things that are negligible. I still weigh and measure things with higher calorie density like meat or oil, but I don't measure lettuce because even if I underestimate, it will be a 10-15 calorie difference at the most, and I log half a tomato instead of weighing the exact number of grams. This is another reason that weighing myself is key -- I know that if I'm maintaining a stable weight, my guesstimates must be close enough. Exercise wasn't a huge part of my weight loss strategy; I didn't do any exercise at all for the first 75+ pounds, and then I just did YouTube videos at home. Exercise has become a huge part of my lifestyle in maintenance, though. Not only do I do cardio at home on a daily basis and a minimum of 15,000 steps per day, but I also take fitness classes including strength training a few days per week.

I went through a period of having dizziness & blurred vision in my early days, specifically when getting out of bed in the morning/standing up. Now I just tend to have a bit of dizziness when I stand up too fast. Definitely check with your healthcare provider though, I hope you are okay x

Gastric Sleeve Surgery is October 28. I've waited over 25 years for this. Finally doing something for myself. Self pay and by myself. (My husband is supportive but is a junk food/fast food junkie and "can't" change that. He's 5'11" 180 lbs. Eats enormous amounts of food daily. It's not always easy to watch. (Like the two huge plates at my son's wedding, two cupcakes, and doughnuts." I'm forced to use a restroom at work that is through the kitchen, constantly heavy ladened with junk food and snacks. Yet here I go. Started the process April 11, 2024 at 314 pounds. HW: 350 SW: 314 CW: 262.8 GW: 120 Surgeon requires a 14 day liquid diet. 4 protein shakes a day. 64 oz of water or other liquid (broth, SF popsicles or jello, etc). Haven't had food since Monday and the days of hunger pains have been the same amount of days. I'm tired. My son's "wife & kids" aren't speaking to me. The wedding was a lot of mutual acquaintances staring and whispering without speaking to me. My husband and I sat alone with everyone else as far away as they could get from us. His one childhood friend got drunk and was belligerent towards me. I felt so alone. Kept it together and got out as soon as I could, without eating. Took today off because I'm just struggling to get through the day until surgery. No one knows it's coming up except work, because they have to know. I feel so alone in this. And just want to be past the hard stuff and eat again.

Oh yeah. Been there. Even now 5 years out & I still can’t tolerate more than 1-2 mouthfuls at a time. Was having trouble swallowing a fast dissolving tablet one morning (it was sticking in my mouth) and had to take 4 mouthfuls to finally swallow it. Took four steps from my kitchen & up it all bubbled … including the damn tablet! So yes, sip slowly for now. It will get easier as you progress. Many find they get gulp down whole drinks again. I’m just an outlier in not being able to drink more. (I say I’m special that way. 😂) Doesn’t bother me. Just a quirk of my tummy.

Hi, I am almost three weeks out from a bypass and started experiencing the feeling of liquid coming back up into my throat after drinking, similar to reflux. I had a couple days where I vomited and I think that is be ause I was putting too much in my stomach too fast. (Only took 3 sips to do it). I saw my surgeon yesterday and he explained that there is still swelling inside the stomach and that I need to take the drinking a little slower, but to keep with it. I may get some IV fluids for it, but I just keep woking on sipping fluids to get my liquids in. I have to remind myself it is a marathon, not a sprint. Hang in there!

thanks for the tip we sill need it, and hope for a fast recovery for you

I literally just posted about this!!!! I freaked out because my eyes got super blurry. I fasted for spiritual reasons and didnt eat all day. I cannot do that again

This explains the reaction from the WLS center from my recent bloodwork. I had fasted like they had asked and my blood glucose levels were at 70. That’s the cutoff within normal range. I’d never had a problem fasting before surgery, and was never diabetic. This must be a more common post WLS issue. I also asked why one apple slice can make me dump? The answer was that I’ve fine tuned my body for only low glycemic levels so little bites can send it spiraling. The doc and dietician said to eat protein to counteract it, and to pair (whatever) with protein. It was the same response Catwoman got.

Thank you very much! Congratulations to you as well for your successful journey. It's amazing to finally be free of the fat and, more importantly for me, the addiction to food and the total control/power I have over food now. It's seriously my lifelong dream at 55 so staying motivated was baked in.. Thank you again. I am sure I didn't elaborate or explain my reasons enough but actually I am concerned about slowing down the weight loss. I still eat very small portions and am worried it would be hard to sustain on just protein, without carbs. I like my body running more ketogenic than carbed up with the ups and downs of carbs. Without adding fat, and with our malabsorption aspect of the surgery, I am wondering if its possible or not so much..If I am being honest, at 240lbs, I started eating dirtier with carbs to try and stabilize at 240 until I got my knee surgeries, but then just dropped another 20+ within a month and a half or so. My steps and activity increased, small by normal people standards, but a lot for where I have been, after I got another Cortisone shot to the knees. This just illustrates my concern once I reach goal weight and I am rucking, hiking, and lifting. Those three things will be lifelong for longevity and mobility going forward. Obviously everyone is different as far genetically and such, but I have been extremely low calorie, plenty of short fasts up to three days, and have plateaued at certain points during my weight loss, and after doing a refeed with carbs and basically whatever I want to eat, I recharged my metabolism for another huge run of weight loss. The refeed was usually only a couple days to a few days but less than a week. Now with this approach remember I am lifting weights. I mean hard as I can weight lifting 4 days a week. It sucks! Low energy lifting is not fun but the recomp.. I really believe the built-in calorie burn from lean muscle mass is the most efficient way to permanently stay in shape. Male or female doesn't matter. IMHO if your metabolism is slow and you are struggling with the last few pounds, I mean the literally like 5-10 pounds from goal BF, man or woman, start lifting weights. The body recomp will floor you. And that weight or really I think just your body composition after significant weight loss without adding lean muscle mass leaves you looking(Sometimes) like a no muscle bag of skin. Flat. It's not fun but the results.. Anyways thank you for the reply and just to make clear if any of the vets care to weigh in, the WLS gave me the tool, the only tool I will ever need again to lose weight. It's so powerful for me that I need to think about slowing down my weight loss combined with, if possible, being low carb and more ketogenic as a lifestyle choice I prefer. I just don't know if low carb is sustainable without the fat calories. that specifically is what I am looking for. Does anyone prefer low carb/ketogenic after surgery and is it possible? I already realize that fats can be problematic, is anyone doing carnivore after DS Sadi. Not my preference but the only option it seems for low carb without the keto fat plan. Thanks in advance for any tips.

Firstly...big congratulations on your weight loss success. Amazing results from a recliner. Wowo!!! I didn't have DS and haven't tried Keto post surgery. But I did the diet for a year right before WLS, coupled with intermittent fasting. Despite my efforts I only lost 30 pounds on the average then hit a wall. Eating high fat meats might not be the best for you at this point but everyone is different in how their body responds to food after WLS. Lean meats and veggies is pretty much our food plan now. I am interested to hear what others have to say on this subject because although I have been able to lose weight adding carbs to my diet (at the urging of my nutritionist and to my keto minded horror), I haven't tried any types of "diets" to get the last few pounds off post surgery. Some say I have probably met my goal weight and the excess pounds are lose skin?? But I don't have a lot of excess to be honest, so not sure about that. I am also a big advocate of extended water fasting a couple times a year for cleansing purposes, but have not attempted it post. I was told it might mess up my sped up metabolism tool. I don't want to risk that happening. Also, I don't relish the idea of returning to a diet mentality. And I will admit, I enjoy being able to eat some carbs now where before, I could just look at them and gain weight. LOL Godspeed on your healing process for the bilateral knee surgery. I have a feeling after you are able to get up and move around, you just might lose those last 40 pounds without the Keto, GL

I never look at the scale at home. The only time I get weighed is at a doctor's and periodically, at my gym, where they use one of those impedance machines that distinguishes fat, muscle and skeletal mass. Instead of worrying, just stick to whatever program you are following---my appetite was severely diminished after surgery, I had one instance of the foamies early on, and I learned pretty quickly that eating the wrong food or too much to fast led to gastro-distress. I don't know how much exercise you are getting. That has been a big factor for me. I work with a trainer, and it isn't just building muscle, but a lot of attention was paid to balance-- Learning how to breathe is something I'm still working on- sounds stupid but makes a huge difference in your stamina. Walk. A lot. I wasn't a food junkie but like to eat. I'm now constrained, but the trade-offs are worth it. Give it time. If you are persistent and consistent, you will be rewarded--- I slug down a 30 G protein drink, work out, hit another 30 G protein drink, a light lunch, a dinner primarily of protein and veggies. There's a certain amount of positive reinforcement that comes from success. But you should not measure your success by the scale or any other external measure. Overall, I feel better, am far more ambulatory and that alone allows me to capitalize on the surgery--and that's where the self-reinforcement comes in. I would have been out of breath after a couple of blocks walk. Now, I can go miles and feel good while doing it.

Hello everyone. My name is Tom and I have been a lurker for years. I had my surgery 11-22-22 at 471lbs. I weigh 214, for the moment, as I continue to lose. What a powerful tool this has proven to be! I am so blessed and thankful I couldn't possibly articulate it. With that being said, I feel I could help anyone that needs it just based on my own research for years into nutrition, fasting, and the many diet plans out there. I would be happy to give my own anecdotal experiences as well through losing the 255 lbs so far. But the point of this post is for me to lean on some of the vets of duodenal switch. I am approaching maintenance phase in around 35-40 more lbs. Does anyone do low carb in maintenance? If so what does that look like? Am I right to assume for us keto is out correct? The fat would be an issue or maybe someone has tried it? My concern when asking about low carb, for me specifically, I have protected my pouch size. I can still barely eat a few ounces of meat or whatever. I could, and may consider, actively stretching it a little when I get to maintenance, but as of right now I am not sure I could sustain on just meat once I am down to maintenance. I have Bilateral knee surgeries coming starting in Jan. I have lost all this weight in the recliner due to health issues. I am lifting, once I hit 300lbs weight, hard 4 days a week. But 0 steps for the most part. That's important because my exercise will skyrocket once I am healed from the surgeries and I will need more calories eventually. Carbs and fat are obviously the most calorie dense so.. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!

Yea. Just start with the times that you naturally do actually eat anyways and then pick other times that are convenient from there. I also do a proffee in the morning (just protein shake and coffee to make an iced coffee like drink). I really am not a breakfast person but I have to do vitamins 5 different times a day so I do that with my soluble fiber mixed in and take my multivitamin once I get that down. It’s fast and it’s liquid too so it’s a good start to the day getting fiber, protein, fluids and my first vitamin done. I like the premiere protein caramel and I just mix it with some chilled coffee. I use the whole shake in a tall cup and add coffee the rest of the way but I am one of those people that are asked if I want some coffee with my cream and sugar so adjust as needed. But for sure, start with the snacks. They are a must if you have reactive hypoglycemia. Then add alarms to remember to eat those snacks. Maybe around 1 if you haven’t eaten yet you need to get something soon or have one of your snacks to avoid the 2-3pm issue. Hopefully that will help.

Don’t forget to tell them exactly what you’re doing fitness wise and ask whether you need to adjust your protein and carbs. Also ask what your portions should look like up until your next appointment portion wise. Also I thought of you while I was having my yogurt drink. They are just Greek yogurt and fruit with a little milk (I use almond milk just because it doesn’t expire as fast so I don’t waste as much). They sell some in the stores but you have to watch the added sugars and the ones without it are pricey. They are simple enough to make. I do them in the nutra bullet because I have one and you can drink it right out of that cup you blend in so you don’t waste as much when it sticks to the blender and then the glass. Anyways, this is a really good source of protein when you’re sick of shakes but not really hungry. I often end up having them for night snacks when I get to the end of the day and my protein is low.

Hey all! I had the sleeve in 2017 and never got to my goal weight and I had GERD. So fast forward to 2024 and had my sasi. All is well except now I can’t keep any food down. I’m having diarrhea several times a day for the past month. Any one else had issues like this? Oh and then I found out I have fatty liver. 😫🤷🏽‍♀️😵‍💫 scared! Smh

Hi I had Gastric Bypass 4 years ago, lost 120 pounds, kept it off. Now in the past year I have noticed that I have been getting extremely sleepy after most meals. In the evening its ok because I just head to bed, but after lunch, at work, it can be a bit of a problem. The effect only lasts for 30-40 minutes, but I'm so groggy I can barely function. Is it dumping? Sometimes I feel flushed and my heart is a bit fast, but It happens for all food, with sugar or not.. Is it age, I'm 62 now.. Something else? Anyone else have similar issues?

2kg according to google is 4.7 pounds. That’s a lot for a week for most people at this point. Unless they have a higher starting weight. I mean of course some people do lose that fast but I don’t think it’s the norm just like some people lose it really slow. We will all get there though. As much as our bodies want to fight to hang onto it, it really just can’t with how little/healthy we are eating. Congrats on your loss. It feels amazing, doesn’t it.

I'm finally on the other side of the surgery! I'm abou 10 hours post-op! I've never been so thirsty in my entire life, but otherwise I'm doing OK. I'm in some pain when I try to stand op and I sipped water too fast so that cause some pain, but I don't have any regrets! This is the beginning! I'm so ready!

Why do you think its not what he said? Just curious. You didnt mention how far out you are or where you are at in your journey. In my experience even as far out as I am from my surgery if I eat too fast, I can experience these same symptoms.

Thank you so much. For the detailed repsonse i am indeed fed up of nuggets and shrimps which’s what my diet is predominantly composed of not bec of any indigestion but the restriction of the sleeve and my no interest I. Cooking I don’t like Greek yogurt. would love trying oatmeal but thought that would be too high carb frutis fill me fast at the cost of protein and fluids soups sound divine and recipes would be welcome ideas to diversify proteins beyond baked chicken and nuggets would also be very very appreciated

I think when your body changes so fast it takes awhile for your mind and perceptions to catch up! I went from a 4x top and size 22 pants to a large tee and size 10/12 pants and only recently can I hold up a shirt or pants with confidence of what will fit me now without "oversizing" because it's been plus sizes for for me over many years ❤️ I try to not overthink it too much and just tell myself to enjoy my hard work paying off. Hang in there!