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I flew to Turkey for my procedure and I honestly don't know that it could have gone any smoother. The hospital in Istanbul was the nicest hospital I've ever seen and everyone was so incredible thorough. I am going on my 5th day post op mini-bypass and I was able to walk three miles yesterday. Going to see the Hagia Sophia today. So far, my only regret is that I wish I made the decision sooner. On another note, I didn't expect to feel hungry and crave food so quickly. Has anyone else experienced that?

I am on the exact same diet. It is not easy at all. My surgery date is on Tuesday. But girl, look how far you have come. This will all be worth it!! I keep telling myself that. It doesn't help my hunger pains. I have just been trying to keep really busy. Most days, it seems impossible and I'm not gonna lie, I had 1 bite of my daughters macaroni and cheese last night. It was amazing!! Sticking to this diet for 2 full weeks, is probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. And I have been through a lot! Why aren't you son's wife and kids speaking to you? You don't have to tell, but I do understand. I don't speak to my boyfriend's son's. I even kicked them out of my house. My boyfriend is "supportive" of my choice of surgery, but isn't going with me when I have it(surgery is 3 hours away). Because it is the last 2 days of hunting season, and he has to watch the dogs. All I can say, is I am doing this for me. Whether he or anyone else is around in the end, I am choosing to get healthy for me. I will be around longer for my kids and live a happier, more fulfilling life. You are not alone, even though it feels like it, especially when this world revolves around food! From every ad, song, conversation, anything. Just know, you aren't alone. You are beautiful! You are worth it! and I am proud of you! You have already come a long ways, and taking this step is courageous. Don't lose hope!

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.

@Arabesque Vegemite on toast with no butter is one of my favorite comfort foods recently. If Vegemite wasn’t so expensive here ($10US for the small jar!) I’d buy it more often.

Sounds delicious. Post the pxts on the food before & after thread. 😊

Well you started at 250 pounds and lost 50. If you started at 440 like I am I'm sure you would have weighed 300 pounds by now. I really hope within a year I could lose the weight. I don't want to be 400 pounds for forever. Honestly if I started at 250 pounds I probably could do it on my own. I lost 50 pounds when I weighed 350 before I met my wife. Wasn't super difficult for me I just stopped eating like a pig lol. I was eating a lot I actually weighed 290 when I moved out of my parents house and I gained 60 pounds in 4 months from all of the food that I was eating after I moved out so I was like "I'm going to lose weight". Now I'm 100 pounds heavier than that and I can't do virtually anything or I wouldn't get the surgery at all. But if my wife weighed 250 pounds I can see how she couldn't do anything either because she weighed 150 at her heaviest and lost 10 pounds when she got her job. Her job made her get a lot of exercise. If she weighed 100 pounds more than that she probably couldn't do much either.

Today I grieve fried chicken! I rode by Popeyes here in Texas and was literally salivating by the mouth! Some weeks are harder than others. Due to my addiction to food I do not have cheats days nor do I get to indulge. Much like a sobering alcoholic or meth/crack addicted individual one hit/sip leads to relapse. They don't get an opportunity to have a "cheat day". I am in the same boat I can not indulge. 1 day of pulling in to the drive thru will lead to 5 consecutive days of pulling in. Ahhhhhh FRIED chicken lmao

Yea. She can prep some things for you. At first you will be on all liquids and once you get to puree you will be eating tiny portions. By the time you get to regular food you will have dropped a significant amount of weight and may be surprised at how much better you feel. I have a tremendous amount of energy now. I haven’t exercised in 20 years but now I’m walking daily, doing yoga twice a week and just tried a cardio/strength class today that I think I’m going to keep doing as well. I started at a lower BMI than you so you may not be doing rigorous exercise right away but you will be able to do more than you can now for sure and each day you will be able to do a little more and more. You can always supplement with protein shakes anytime too. Sometimes if I’m on the run I will have a shake for lunch even though I’m back to regular foods and I have one mixed with coffee every morning (that’s pretty good by the way if you like iced coffee I make mine with decaf). Perhaps you and your wife can cook together once you’re physically able and while you’re learning. I did that with my husband for a while before he got too busy with work and it was actually kinda fun. Anyways, I’m really excited for you on this journey. This surgery is life changing. It takes a great deal of work and commitment but it’s well worth it.

I actually don't know how to cook my wife takes care of that to be completely honest. I told her if I ever lost sny weight that I'd be interested in learning so that I could make some things to eat while she is at work. Right now I am so heavy and out of shape that I cannot do pretty much anything by myself anymore and I need her help with everything. But if I lost 150 pounds I might give cooking a try and see what I can make. I definitely do not want instant food anymore so she is probably going to have to prepare me something to eat while she is at work for the first few months. I can make my own protein shakes but that's probably going to be it.

I wish I could do lean meat. I love chicken and fish. no sugar jello and the no sugar popsicles are actually really good. I'm just craving savory filling foods. Like cheese and pizza. All the stuff that put me in the position to have surgery in the first place. I think if I could eat the lean meats, I would be fine. My favorite meal of all time is a salad with chicken on it. But not being able to have anything, to me is just a recipe for disaster. It's turning me into an angry person. Trying to work full time, school full time, mom full time and go through a divorce. Let's just say the poor guy at Les Schwab got an ear full today. And the ex wasn't happy when I told him he wasn't my priority.

Yes. 5-6 Protein shakes and clear liquids. Sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles and low sodium broth(which is disgusting). That is it! I think it is ridiculous. I am trying my best, but it is not easy. I would love to have just a bite of anything!! They said I could have 1 bite of protein, but I know I won't be able to stop at 1 bite. Especially after not eating food for a week now.

Hello! My dietitian has been preparing me for the pre op diet for months now. I started it on 10/8. My surgery is on 10/22. The first few days weren't that bad, but around day 4-5 I was really hungry and craving my go to foods of cheesy-type stuff. I missed just being able to eat savory foods. I reached out to my dietitian and she said I was ok to drink some pickle juice and even eat one. It has helped tremendously. She even said if the craving is too much I could eat a small piece of lean protein, as the pre op diet is really a liver shrinking, high protein, low carb diet. I have stuck to just a couple pickles, but it is really hard. I suggest keeping in contact with your care team. They are very helpful. This diet is not easy. I am struggling and just want to eat a bowl of macaroni and cheese! Good luck on your surgery!

First time posting here! Surgery date is 10/22. I'm currently doing my 2 week liquid diet and struggling. I miss eating good tasting food. I'm not a sweets person and these sweet protein shakes are tough to drink. And I can only handle so much broth. Highest Weight: 395 Starting Weight: 261 Goal Weight: 180 I'm terrified I will be the person that doesn't lose any weight. I haven't told too many people about having surgery for this reason. I know my love for food is what got me to this point in the first place, but what I would give to have a plate of delicious nachos right now!

Well I got my basil plant today and I asked around and figured out there is a produce stand near me where they grow their own tomatoes. I went this afternoon but they were completely out. He said to come back Thursday and he will have more so I added to my calendar to go early that morning. Now I just have to figure out where to plant my basil plant. Is it sad that I actually can’t wait to try this? My life pretty much revolves around food and exercise right now. I guess there are worse things.

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

Yes. I’ve had the same email since dial-up. I’m nervous about the liquid diet. I’m basically broth & protein drinks. I live alone so I’m in the process of getting rid of all my food. Best of luck with the surgery. Let me know how it goes.

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.

TBH using fresh tomatoes is over rated. A good quality tin with a spoon of tomato puree works just fine. BUT, if you want to use them, Peel them first. Put in boiling water and then plunge in to cold. The skins will fall off easily.

I had the Gastric Bypass but had issues with keeping foods down and carried nausea bags around just in case. My nutritionist became concerned thinking I was developing a blockage perhaps, but for me it was just certain foods and textures that didn't agree with my tummy so I stayed on liquid/soft foods a lot longer than most do. I was fine with it. I learned over time what to eat and what to avoid and tried them again further on down the road. Some things I still struggle to eat like raw veggies, heavy meats and some fibrous fruit like oranges. Loose bowels can become a problem if you get dehydrated. Otherwise I think it's just part of the process. Your body getting rid of what it needs to and detoxing. But if you aren't keeping anything down and dehydrated, contact your doctor. Best of luck to you!

I'm hoping my nutritionist can come up with many things to eat that won't get boring and dull then. I guess I'll have a lot of questions on the 30th about my appetite afterwards for the nurse and nutritionist. I'm hoping that the hunger will go away forever or at least will be manageable because I'd like to at least stay around 300 pounds at the very least. I weigh almost 450 now so a loss of 150 pounds would make a huge difference. If I can keep it off that is. I'm hoping I can find a bunch of goof food to eat so that I don't go back to the diet I'm eating now. That or I'll at least be able to burn it all off.

Medically, everything is fine! Just looking for something more substantial in the Stage 2/liquid Stage. I found puréed soup bases are tasty. Two more days and I will be able to eat soft foods. I’m excited about getting to eat eggs! Lol I’m glad to know there is someone on here my age. How is it with you today?

Of course!! I have my alarms set for 9, 12, 3, 6 and 9 (every 3 hours). I am up before the 9am but I do my Yoga or walk in the morning and then it takes me a while to drink that big proffee drink so it’s usually 8:30 or 9 when I finish it. It’s more of a reminder if I set it down and forget about it. Lunch at noon, small snack at 3, dinner at 6 and small snack at 9. This works really well for me for food and I am able to get my multi, 3 calcium’s and then my magnesium and hair vitamin all separated by a few hours. Ooh and Chomps Turkey Jerky is a good snack to keep on hand as well. They have mini turkey sticks but the pepperoni ones are better tasting. I just eat half and save half for later. I also have a pack of ziplocks in my car.

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

It sounds like you’ve been through quite a journey, and it's commendable that you're taking such an active role in your health now. The feelings of frustration and sadness you experienced after your sleeve surgery are completely valid, especially considering how much effort you put into your lifestyle changes. Many people feel that the sleeve doesn't provide the same metabolic impact as other surgeries, which can lead to feelings of disappointment when expected results don't materialize. Your decision to pursue the SADI is a brave step, and it’s great to hear that you’re feeling more supported this time around. Finding healthier foods that you enjoy and integrating exercise into your routine are essential for long-term success. It’s understandable to have fears about regain, but it’s important to focus on the progress you’re making towards a healthier lifestyle rather than fixating solely on numbers on a scale. Setting realistic goals is crucial. It’s okay not to hit your ideal weight as long as you’re feeling healthier and more energetic. Remember that every step you take towards better health counts, and it's wonderful that you’re prioritizing your well-being over just weight loss. Celebrate the positive changes, no matter how small, and lean on your support network—they can be a powerful motivator! You're doing an amazing job, and your journey is inspiring to others. Keep pushing forward, and remind yourself that it's all about the journey to a healthier you! Thank you for sharing!