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So my goal weight was 165-167 but Ive found I look more sickly like I have a disease so I have been told people were telling me that I was getting worried about you so then I gained a few pounds although my Dr says I should be around 170 safely this is about right I am 5 ft 9 3/4 a tall lady so I feel pretty good but I think I look better with 173 or so and all my size 4 clothes fit without bulges. I want to go through tummy tuck and breast lift surgery now though since I do have that sagging skin around the tummy which looks worse although I can hide it with clothes Its annoying...and looks all crumbled and pudgy. I can't wait to do this procedure. I literally had to do a reset when I hit 180, because the weight can come back in a heartbeat if you're not monitoring it closely! I started with yogurts soups soft foods again and Herbalife Shakes...I am back now to 173 more healthy and not that puffy feeling...I wish the best for all of us struggling with this weight issue.....Our health and you are the most important TO BE YOUR BEST SELF!

@Jneal7752 add a few calories - ie 100 more or less. sounds crazy, - but it can help experiment, change a couple of foods, - get out of the same rut. (i say this with the fact that i have Fage yogurt for lunch everyday LOL ) -exercise do weights first and then cardio-or other way around. add different exercise too. main fixer upper to stalls are PATIENCE (easier said than done!!) but at the end of the day - 2 things you can be sure of - stalls and shitttttttt - these two shall pass kathy

I was sleeved 5/3, 10 weeks ago yesterday. I can't figure out how to update my weight info. on my profile? I'm doing really good. I had a big problem with GERD, which I mistook for lactose intolerance, and has resolved with medication and staying away from acid producing foods. Constipation was also a problem and some of what I tried made GERD worse. I'm now taking 2 tsp. Benefiber with 1/2 dose of Miralax along with a probiotic once daily and it's working great. I also have Siggi's brand Icelandic FF, plain yogurt everyday (25 grams protein per cup) mixed with strawberries and Splenda. I love that it's protein, calcium and probiotics all in one and it's delicious. As of today, I'm down 29.8 pounds since surgery, almost 40 since high of 235 pounds before pre surgery diet (12 weeks ago). I'm UNDER 200 pounds!!! YAY!!!!! I've also had feelings that I, considering how little I eat, I should have lost more weight by now. I've had stalls and wondered what I'm doing wrong many times since the surgery. Still, 12 weeks ago, I weighed just about 40 pounds more than I do today. There's no other way that would have happened so I'm very happy. My concern now is that my/our metabolisms are slowing down to a point they won't recover from. I guess time will tell. I've been mostly good with diet. Getting 60-80 grams of protein in everyday with help of protein drinks. Drinking a full 60 oz. of water daily. I have 1 fruit and at least 1 veggies everyday. Small portions, but slightly bigger now than a few weeks ago. WORD OF CAUTION: I decided a few weeks ago that I would have some M & M's everyday (plain). I began eating one at a time and really relishing each one. Next day, I ate 3 handfuls one at a time. For about a week after that I had the 3 handfuls every day, 2-3 at a time. Of course, the scale went up. My appetite and the amount of food I could consume also went up dramatically. I wasn't surprised by the scale, I was VERY surprised that, somehow, eating the sugar dramatically increased the amount of food I could consume. I can't explain it. So, of course, I stopped. I didn't go through all of this the be taken out by some M & M's! Once I stopped, the amount of food I can consume went back to a little more than where it was. I have deliberately had some fat. Like 1/2 of a real hamburger at a BBQ. I really don't want to have to have my gall bladder out, so that's why I've done this. I'm not talking about a lot of fat, just some. I also stole 3 french fries off my husband's plate, things like that. I also eat a lot of salmon and have had steak a few times. I need to be sure that my diet is sustainable. If it's tooooo restrictive, I won't be able to stick to it. Like I said, mostly good. I'm 65 and so far have just been walking for exercise. The BEST news is I feel MUCH better, more energy, etc. Pre op I would walk a 21-22 minute mile, huffing and puffing the whole way. I'm now doing a 17 minute mile with ease. I can cross my legs. Overall, my movement and body aches and pains are much better. I'm SOOOOO happy!!!! This alone makes it all worth it! At 3 months out I'm going to add lifting weights and elliptical and squats, etc. at the gym. I'm sure I could lift light weights now but doctor said to wait till 3 months. My gastroenterologist told me our stomachs should be mostly healed by 3-4 months post surgery. He said some people take 6 months. The closest I come to stretching my new stomach is when I drink water. Other than the above mentioned M & M's. It's summer where I live and hot and humid. A few times I drank too much at once, cuz I'm thirsty, and I could really feel it. So I have to watch this carefully. I know it's crazy, but there are times, already, when I forget I just had the surgery.

I'm prescribed Dronabinol for my sleep issues, so sometimes I get some munchies from them. Stick with healthy options. Fruits, veggies, depending on your craving. Just really keep yourself in check with portion sizes and really hammer that water intake as well. Having good options around is the key here. Halo Top ice creams, fresh or frozen fruits, sugar free options. I'm a huge fan of Kay's Naturals Protein snacks for all sorts of different "needs", high protein, low carb, low cal snacks that actually taste really good and they have all sorts of options from sweet to salty to cheesy. For when you just need to crunch through a bag of "chips". I find a bowl of strawberries and a banana a really great sweet treat. Or yogurts with some Cacao powder on it.

at 5 weeks I had tea for breakfast and sometimes blended low sugar oats and mostly ready made protein drinks. I really liked the Glucerna steady carb protein drinks and I would just add some more protein powder to them. At 5 weeks only pureed things would stay down. Jars of low sugar baby food too. I am 6 weeks 4 days post op and can eat some solid foods like a rice cake with peanut butter, soft fruit, Greek yogurt, soft scrambled eggs. I ate 3 small soft meatballs tonight for dinner which went down just fine but chicken gives me difficulty so I will wait a bit longer before trying it again. I also drink smoothies with lower sugar fruits, spinach, yogurt in it with protein powder. You can look up low calorie/carb smoothies. I like to use a half of a beet, some cucumber, fresh ginger and mint and all that stuff to make it really tasty and nutrient dense. Sometimes I add about 8 almonds but you have to watch how much ingredients you put in and tally up the calories. you want it to be 200 calories and under. Berries are low glycemic so I use those the most. Half of banana since they are high sugar, I like peaches, etc. Make sure you put your protein powder in them. All depends what your taste buds are like. I live in a hot climate so a cold smoothie for lunch suits me fine and I enjoy sweet tasting drinks

And I hate greek yogurt :(

Are you allowed any food at all? Greek yogurt and cheese sticks were my best friends for the two weeks. 3 protein shakes, chicken broth and popsicles helped too.

So sorry about your dad. Been there, done that, and it's just hard. How do I deal with emotional triggers like that? Sometimes I just plain screw up. And get up the next day and try again. Sometimes I try to redirect....to a comfort food that is a better choice. My current favorite comfort foods are Yasso frozen greek yogurt bars and watermelon. Sometimes I just say to hell with it...and let myself have them. At least it's better than really awful stuff. Sometimes I do really really well....and stay away from food entirely and get into a bubble bath with a good book, or call my best friend, or go for a walk with my hubby or daughter...or even my dog. Have some compassion for yourself. Losing a parent is a lot. If you screw up, just don't throw in the towel. Get back on track. Screw up again, if you have to....but don't stop trying to get back on track.

I'm sure we'll experience a loss soon? We have to! I'm sure our bodies are just in starvation mode right now. What is your diet like right now? I'm curious about everybody. I'm feeling a little more hungry today as I haven't had much food at all post-op. I do fill fast though. I'm planning on adding another protein shake per day to the below: Water - 45ish ounces per day - trying to drink as much as possible Breakfast - 1 Premier Protein Shake Snack - sugar free Pudding Lunch - maybe like a 3/4 cup Creamy Soup - strained Dinner - 2 oz. low sugar Yogurt

No, this is what the therapist didn't understand. Maybe 4 "meals" are for protein (counting protein water), but the other 2 are all about the party in my mouth, and that's bad! Even if they are "healthy" choices like the curry or cooked veggies. Like you, my capacity is very small, Unless it's totally liquid, I can't usually get more than 12g of protein at a time (hi-pro yogurt). So, it takes a lot of meals to hit my protein target (75g min) and I'm really wasting 1-2 with fruit or veggies or SF fudgesicles.

Hey Bryn, trust me you are NOT alone. I often find myself slipping with my diet as well feeling like I have a "free pass" as you put it. I typically recognize it and try to find a healthy alternative. Last night I really wanted some ice cream; where I live there is place called Ted Drewes that is famous for their frozen custard; yes CUSTARD! Lol it is SO good but being custard you can imagine how many calories are in it. So instead of getting Ted Drewes I went to the store ad got a box of Yasso Greek Yogurt ice cream bars; it was only 100 calories and it totally satiated my craving. I have similar thought about myself as well, but I have yet to see a psychiatrist yet; I need to badly though. I never thought about journaling but that's a really good idea. Thanks for the well wishes <3

My first post-op appointment went well! My next appointment is in five weeks. He even released me to the pureed stage a couple days early, so I can start that on Saturday. Even though I'm not hungry, I'm excited to start eating real food again because I need more energy. And need to get "things" aka 💩 moving again. I was up half the night last night with bloating and constipation. The milk of magnesia didn't work so well this time around. My surgeon recommended I take some probiotics daily until I can get enough fiber from food to keep things moving. So I picked some up on the way home. I also picked up my new toy, the Instant Pot mini. Even though they're all the rage I hadn't bought one yet, but since they get meat so much more moist than other cooking methods, I decided I needed one. Plus I got a pretty good deal, about $67 with tax. I think Saturday I will roast a whole chicken and make some mashed cauliflower in my Instant Pot. And I'm planning on having a scrambled egg with cheese for breakfast at my first meal. I hope I can tolerate this stage as easily as I've tolerated everything else so far, like my water and yogurt. I really, really, really hate vomiting. It's not like anyone likes it, lol, but I really hate it. One disappointing thing my surg told me is to reduce my walking to only 30 minutes per day. I had been walking quite a bit the last few days, more like 2 hours per day (broken down into six or so walks). While it does make me more tired, since I'm just sitting at home I really wanted to walk a lot to jump start my results and build up my endurance for when I'm released to full exercise. I really do follow my surg's instructions to a t, but might not on this aspect. He did have a good point about the heat here right now, so I'll do the treadmill instead. And maybe scale it back a little. Because otherwise my butt is sitting in my recliner or on my deck not moving at all!

Yup, that's me to get to 800-1000, slider foods galore (she types as she finishes her second yogurt of the day )

I just finished pureed and I'm now on soft. During pureed, I ate a lot of greek yogurt with an oz of pureed fruit. I pureed various meats and had the stage 2 baby food veggies. My yummy favorite either for breakfast or evening snack (low fat ricotta cheese, cinnamon, 1/2 packet truvia, nutmeg, vanilla, 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (for an extra protein boost) and diced peaches). Taste like the filling of peach cobbler, especially when zapped in the microwave for a little bit. Apples would probably work too. On softs now, I'm really enjoying chili.

Here's what a day of eating looks like at my house:) There would also be piece of fruit, and PP shake coffee in there somewhere:) Prolly another snack, too, like yogurt or a packet of oatmeal. I eat A LOT. But I do keep calories under 1200! PS...I make the ice cream out of frozen bananas, splenda, and coco powder...it's awesome!

I find it so strange to learn how each doctor is so different with their pre-op diets. I do understand that every patient is different, but how doctors all differ so much boggles my mind. My doctor requires 1 week of liquid diet (clear liquids day before surgery). My meal plan that week is- 3 protein shakes , 64 oz water, 1 yogurt (no chunks) and 1 sugar free jello. I can add some broth if i want. my liquid diet starts on Monday. I'm jealous that i cant have cheese or salad, or anything else! Rant over, thanks

This isn't true for every WLS patient though. At 5 months out I have a lot of restriction. My max capacity is about 2 oz by weight of most solid food. A typical meals for me Sandwich made with 1/2 a slice of bread, 1 slice turkey Protein pasta (1/2 oz dry), 2 tbls marinara and a 1/2 meatball Quesadilla with a 1/2 a low carb tortilla and a 1/2 oz of cheese A typical snack for me Slice of watermelon (little less than 3 oz net) Laughing Cow Cheese and 34 Degree Crackers Jerky (1/2 - 1 oz) Cheese (1 oz) Cucumbers w light dip On an average day I'm eating from home, I'll have a protein shake, 1 meal, 2 or so snacks, plus yogurt or a protein bar (low cal) or protein fortified soup, as needed to get to my protein goals. After a meal, I'm stuffed. After a snack, I feel satisfied. I know it looks like, and is a tiny amount of food. But I freaking LOVE being satisfied and full with these sized portion. I also don't feel at all deprived. I have no food that is forbidden, but obviously try to stick with healthier options. The only time the reduced portions get awkward is dining out with people who don't know about my WLS. The amount I can eat is so tiny, it doesn't make a dent in a restaurant portion. It almost inevitably gets noticed by those dining with you and or servers. So just be prepared with answers.

I wouldn't recommend using protein shakes prior to the pre op diet. You will get sick of them, why rush the timeline. Can you do a lean protein and veggie diet? Cut all carbs down, put your body into temporary ketosis. Its the same concept as the liver shrinking diet. You don't have to use protein supplements to do this. This would be develop great habits for after surgery too. Measure out your food, because its harder to actually eat food and not overeat (prior to surgery). But I'd much rather do this, than drink nasty protein drinks. Plus, there will be plenty of time for that, after surgery when you have to drink them. Something like this: Meals:  3-4 oz lean meat o Any lean meat (fish, chicken, beef, pork, lamb) - No fried meats o You may use seasonings such as garlic, pepper, old bay, etc.  2-3 cups non –starchy vegetables (cooked or raw – NOT FRIED) o NOT ALLOWED – bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, legumes/beans, peas, corn o All other vegetables are allowed – broccoli, peppers, squash, tomatoes, carrots, green beans, eggplant, asparagus, cabbage, mushrooms, cauliflower, zucchini, cucumber, onions, spinach, greens, Brussels sprouts, etc. o Vegetables may be cooked or raw/salads Snacks: 6-8 oz light yogurt or light yogurt smoothie that is less than 90 calories (ie. Stoneyfield farm fat free, Yoplait light, Dannon light n’ fit non-fat yogurt or light n’ fit smoothie) ½ cup non-fat cottage cheese 1 string cheese 2 oz deli meat ½ pack of tuna Low fat jerky

You’re welcome! And yeah, I tend to see how my pouch reacts to what I am consuming. Post op, I don’t think it cares for yogurt anymore, makes me gassy. I stick to protein and broth. I bought very tiny serving size bowls I found in a dollar store, lol. So ready! And congrats on sleeping in your bed. I think last night was the first night since I got home that I didn’t sleep propped up on a pillow. Shocked myself! Happy healing!

I’m with you. The sight or thought of it literally turns my stomach. I’m on Carnation Instant Breakfast No Sugar Added and lots of Greek yogurt. Starting solids tomorrow so protein bars will be in my future.

I'm 5 months out. I'm at the low end of the calorie scale. I have a lot of restriction, and not a lot of physical hunger. I usually have shake in the morning, and 3 or so meals/snacks. As I said I have a lot of restriction, so a meal/snack is 1 oz of cheese or jerky, 1/2 to1 cup of soup, cucumbers with dip, laughing cow cheese w 34 degree crackers, coleslaw w light dressing, dehydrated cheese crackers, sandwich w 1/2 a slice of bread, 1 slice of turkey, mustard, ff mayo and lettuce, protein pasta w a 1/2 a turkey meatball and marinara sauce (2 oz by wt), greek yogurt, sf jello w greek yogurt, slice of watermelon 1/3 a Chicken or Mahi burger patty only (TJ's), quesadilla w a 1/2 a low carb tortilla, 1/2 oz cheese and salsa. So basically a shake, and mix and match from the other items I listed.

Hi July Sleevers, I'm new to this group. I had my surgery on July 3rd. I'm down 22 lbs total from heaviest until now. I really didn't have too much pain in the hospital and at home thank God. I do get nauseous. My biggest problem post op is getting enough water and protein. I think I'm going to go back to the premier protein since I got more protein per shake. I have a second follow up in 2 weeks to get off of the full liquid diet and move onto puree. I can't wait to be able to eat whole food again. I can pretty much only tolerate sugar free popsicles, light and fit greek yogurt, and fat free cottage cheese with Polaris all fruit and protein shakes of course. Any suggestions and tips because it's getting a little frustrating. I cant wait for the recovery to be over.

I agree, protein drinks. I also cannot get all my protein from food, unless I were to basically eat all day, which I obviously don't want to do. Edit to add: Greek yogurt, protein fortified soups from here on Bariatric Pal, Fairlife milk and jerky, could get me to my protein goals if I really worked at it. I find it easier though if I just start my day with a protein shake. That get me over half way there, so the rest of the day I can usually get there easily.

When I was in Europe, I shopped in the local markets for nuts , yogurt , cheese, tea, etc..

its hard to tell. The hidden valley brand is really strong, and it may mask that taste. it could also be the yogurt, because I bought a generic from Aldi one time, and I didn't care for the aftertaste.