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Everyone is different. I am almost 6 years out. I made it to my goal weight about 1 1/2 years after surgery using the Fast Metabolism Diet for the last 6 months of that. I went back up 15 pounds but my body is happy here. I have never thought about calories. I have always concentrated on how many ounces I eat at a meal. I never go above 3.5oz total. 2oz protein & 1.5oz. I also eat 5 times a day. 3 meals & 2 snacks like cheese or fruit. You have to figure out what works best for you.

I don’t add protein powder to mine but you could. Just started adding collagen powder to mine for no other reason than to make me look young & beautiful again LO!!

all good comments thank you! I am on plan 90% if not 95%. I do eat the alternatives but sometimes they aren't the option (such as this restaurant) and I wasn't sure If I was alone but it seems like everyone has a different perspective. My hubs even asked if it was okay that he could eat it another time without me or something (he has no weight problems). I am proud of myself that the meal didn't end up being going into an uphill battle to get back on track. I felt guilty eating them and felt like I messed up, but just continued the next day. I feel as though that mindset is getting me out of the "diet" mentality and allowing me to live this way forever.

I made a batch of overnight oats last night and it was pretty good. I did 1.5 cups rolled oats, 1.5 cups Fairlife skim milk, 3 scoops of Syntrax unflavored protein (30g), 3 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 Tbsp raw honey, 1 Tbsp apple pie spice, 2 navel oranges cut into small pieces, and a pinch of salt. This makes 6 servings.

I specifically made sure that purée was one of the options @ShoppGirl. I can’t say that the thought of puréed food thrills me but the hospital says that, if you have a bypass, the puréed stage is for 6 weeks (4 weeks for a sleeve) If nothing else, it allows hubby to have a play when he’s prepping meals for me too! I’m reigning in the free fall @Arabesque This is where things can go wrong for me as I’ve experienced many times in the past. It can be a delicate balancing act at times. This is why I feel I will benefit from WLS because it’s difficult to be make good choices all the time when something inconsequential can send me spiralling into unwise food choices. Willpower can get me so far but I know myself. If I was able to be moderate in my choices, portion sizes etc then I wouldn’t be in this position now! Oh, I have an electric heated throw that I use for the sofa plus we have an electric blanket for the bed which we haven’t put back on for the colder months yet. It’s difficult isn’t it, when you feel the cold has seeped through to your bones? I’ve always been a warm person - windows open, fans on all night so feeling cold is a strange experience 🥶

Have you tried clear protein drinks? They have several brands out there. I liked the premiere protein fruit punch. I suggest trying a larger convenience store to see what they have so you can buy just one of things to try.

Just an update. My team had me start with a high ADEK chewable and switch to capsules when I got to purées. I started with the Procare health all in one multi with 45mg iron that I took after a protein shake in the morning and switched to the SADI specific one once I was able to drink the shake a little faster (just to make sure that there was a whole shake in my tummy with that higher level of iron) so it didn’t come back up. That seems to have worked I get my labs near the end of month so we will see what they say.

Hello folks! It's been a while since I posted; been somewhat all over the map just trying to figure out what and when to eat and how to up my hydration. I finally settled on the fact that I'm just still not liking eggs, which is annoying, that tuna, salmon, and chicken are my go-to protein sources, and carbs?? UGH. I literally had two providers in my back to back nurse practitioner then nutritionist give me conflicting advice regarding carbs at my one month post op. Due to a rescheduled appointment I had that appointment on 9/11 as opposed to the week earlier - my surgery was on 8/5. The nurse told me that my energy level was probably flagging because of not hitting my hydration goals and that eating carbs after hitting my protein goals was fine, as long as I avoided sugar. Then the nutritionist came in and talked about how I should still be avoiding carbs in order to hit ketosis, and that supposedly once I hit ketosis I'll feel like a million bucks. Eesh. I've been tracking everything in my Baritastic app and I have only gone up to 31 carbs like, two days since my surgery, and it was because of applesauce and cream based soup. I'm wondering when I'm supposed to start feeling fantastic?! The third week plateau was REAL and incredibly obnoxious; I didn't see movement on my scale for almost a week despite hitting my protein goals and struggling to hit my hydration goals. I broke through it, though I'm still not losing as quickly as I'd like. I find that eating Greek yogurt in the morning serves me pretty well, and I've also noticed that sometimes I have to split my meals into 'part one' and 'part two' in order to hit my protein goal. Like; I'll have my yogurt, wait the thirty minutes, hydrate for a while, hit the timer, then 30 minutes later have another small protein snack. It's definitely been a struggle to keep my energy up and not get burned out on this whole thing. I felt like I was rocking along until after purees, then I just ended up baffled as to what I could or should eat. Honestly, the limits on vegetables don't seem to be holding particularly true for me; I've been fine with tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onion, mushrooms, carrots, and beans. I've not had much as far as fruits - one day I was out and didn't have any food with me so I got a kids meal from arby's with a bottled water, just the meat from a slider, and a packet of applesauce. I split that applesauce pouch into three portions, honestly, and only ate about half of the deli meat they gave me. Maybe I'll try to find more recipes using cream cheese - I'm annoyed that my grocery order didn't have the cabbage I ordered because I was looking forward to making some of the unstuffed cabbage rolls for this week. Guess I'll have to suck it up and go to the store for the missing items tomorrow. I bought an exercise bike I'm looking forward to using - It's a recumbent bike and I haven't figured out the right TIME to try to use it. It's been a bit of a struggle to find the timing between meals, hydrating, meds, vitamins, housework, etc but hopefully returning to this forum will help me get more on track. For anyone it might help - I've found that low fat cottage cheese and tuna melts made on a zero net carb small tortilla with 1/3 a can of tuna and two thin slices of colby/jack or a skim/reduced fat mozzarella string cheese are my main sources of protein. A couple of days ago I made a veggie mix of zucchini, broccoli, bell peppers, and a bit of diced onion. I've sliced up thin bits of both chicken and pork separately and use some of that zero sugar stir fry sauce to make meals of them. It works, even if not particularly exciting, and has a nice flavor at least.

I’m glad you’re doing better. I’m always looking for the best prices. Lol I bought muscle milk protein shakes, o carb, chocolate flavor, at Sam’s Club. I don’t like the flavor either, but I’m drinking them because it was $25 ish dollars for 18 bottles. I put a 15 minute timer and I drink my one ounce of protein and liquids. I have to alternate, 1 protein, 1 clear liquid. The protein is heavy on my stomach. Little by little I’m checking what I can have and not have.

Has anyone tried the gardencup meal delivery service? Everything is in a cup to take to go they have soups, salads, power cups, produce cups, and dip cups as well as snack cups. They are $10-12 each so kinda pricey but I’m justifying it for myself since my husband doesn’t eat what I eat and produce tends to go bad on me before I can use it all as do all the different cheeses and stuff to make a variety of salads. That plus the convenience factor are making them enticing. I am looking at the protein and the mini cup salads have less than the regular sized ones which is unfortunate since post surgery the mini one will probably be the better portion size. The minis are around 15-20g protein. I’m Just curious if anyone has tried these or has any thoughts on them. I’m thinking I may have to switch out the dressing for a lower fat option or have no dressing but that’s with premade salad from anywhere. I usually get the southwest or market salad at chick fila with an extra chicken filet on the side. I take it home pull off the toppings and a little of the lettuce and that’s plenty for one day then the next I can make a chicken ceaser salad with the extra chicken, the leftover lettuce and my own yogurt dressing but that’s only when I’m in town anyways. I don’t like to make a special trip just for salad plus those aren’t prepared to grab And go like these cups are. They would fit perfect in a cooler to take with me when I’m out for the day

Definitely go back to your prescribing doctor. Meds are absorbed in different parts of your body (stomach, intestines, kidneys & liver). It may mean changing to a more rapid release vs slow release or a different med. My experience was the absorption of my HRT but after my gall was removed. My doctor switched me to a patch to ‘completely avoid my digestive system’ & all was good again. But that likely won’t be an option for the meds you are on.

If you feel hungry grab a tsp of peanut butter. It helps and you get some protein. Dietitian just told me that yesterday I am 4 weeks post op

So I'm considering getting the gastric sleeve surgery. I'm almost 40 years old and weight almost 440 pounds and have a BMI of 67 and ive tried literally everything to lose weight and nothing has worked. I've never lost more than 20-30 pounds at a time.Bariatric surgery is really the last option for me. So I'm in a bariatric program right now and we've decided that the gastric sleeve would be the safest operation for me. The problem my team including my surgeon is trying to address? I'm schizophrenic and Bipolar and take Antipsychotics. I've maybe gained 100 lbs over the course of trying meds since 2011 to find the right medicine combination. Right now I'm taking Latuda and Seroquel for antipsychotics. My GP has stated over and over again that Latuda might not be the greatest medicine for me to be on because it requires me to consume 350 calories in order for it to work properly. But reallym the medication does wonders with me. When/if I get bariatric surgery that's going to be a challenge for my bariatric team finding a meal or snack that I can fit those calories in. Not to mention my surgeon has mentioned that it will be an extra challenge for him to try to work around my anti psychotics. He didn't say it was impossible but he did call it a great challenge. I guess why I'm posting here is to ask is, is the gastric sleeve an option for me? Or should I consider the switch instead? My bariatric team pretty much flat out said that the bypass would be too risky of a surgery to do with me and they don't do the lap band anymore and my bmi is too risky for the lap band anyway. But before I go and permanently change my stomach I'd like to know what my options are. My team hasn't really been forthcoming and just seem to want to do the surgery as soon as possible. But, I'd like it to be a success as well. Especially when the sleeve is a permanent change to my body.

Well, it was a liter and a half of fluid and I started the day before. I had to get down 3/4 of it that day and evening. Save a 1/4 of it for the next morning and drink the rest. I had to get up at 4 am in order to finish that 1/4 of it since my procedure was at 9 am. I had to stop drinking fluids by 6 am. I've not had any issues with liquids, so I'm not a good gauge on that. I typically get 96 ounces or more a day. So, I really didn't have any issues. Though, the taste was odd but they had a lime powder pack i could add. Which didn't help much. The last time I had colonoscopy I was given a choice between having to drink more liquid and it being cheaper in cost, or I could take the 32 oz stuff that cost A lot more but not as much to drink. However the other drawback is that it was super charged how fast and violent everything moved. But this time I didn't have that option.

I am really hoping that my husband and I can go on a vacation. Any vacation honestly. It has been so many years since we have had one. Between my insecurities and anxieties about my weight and the physical limitations we just haven’t found anything that seems exciting enough both of us to justify the expense. We could really use some“us” time and my husband would never admit but he would benefit from some time off. I think I may suggest to him that we go somewhere to celebrate when I hit my goal. Then we have a while to work out the details. I always wanted to go to Alaska but I think that’s mostly because I knew that it wouldn’t be too hot for me like so many other common vacation spots. I really hope that my heat tolerance goes up a bit and I can expand my options to different places. I am still only a week out so I have time to add to my list. I’m sure as my mental health improves jt will be easier for me to imagine some of these things for myself.

My bariatric team and GP both suggested it when I hit a three month stall and was becoming discouraged and angry. I was prescribed Ozempic and it broke my stall the first week! I've lost 10lbs in one month so my stall is over. I stuck to my "diet" plan the entire time so some might just say it was nothing more than my stall finally ending, who knows? I receive the compounded version with B12 and its $120.00 a month without using my insurance (I didn't want to go through the hassle of pre authorization). So, its a possible option for you. I've had no side effects as of yet, I'm starting on my second month with a higher dose so I can't speak on the head cadence beat of the drum to EAT yet, perhaps its diminished a bit and my hunger has quieted. Your best bet is talk to your doctor they'll know what's best for you and it can't hurt to ask. I hope this helps. Good luck!

I can answer a couple of your questions. Yes, you will likely need to get your dentures re-fitted. I’m a nurse and have patients who have had large weight losses and they have needed to have this done. Protein shakes will depend highly on your taste. What tastes good to you now may change post op. I wouldn’t buy a large quantity of anything, Rather, just a single serving to try out post op. I personally really like the premier and fair life protein shakes, but others hate them. I took three weeks off work, but could have gone back after two. I really only needed someone there with me for the first couple days then would have been fine on my own. The sooner you get back to gentle activity, even just day to day care of yourself, the quicker you’ll recover.

Not sure about what stage hon in but nutrition wise The only ones I see have bacon which may not be ideal in the weight loss stage. What about boiled eggs? . They are high on protein and pretty portable. If you need to keep the calories lower just bring a couple and don’t eat the yolk.

I look for any excuse to get some extra walking in -- like @ms.sss said, takes the stairs when it's an option, park further away. I like to find different parks and trails to visit on weekends for longer walks -- even mall-walking can be entertaining if you switch it up. Most of the community centres in my city have drop-in classes in a heated pool -- some for therapy, others for strengthening or low impact cardio, etc. It's a nice way to get a taste of a few options before paying any full-on membership dues. Maybe check around your local area for something like that -- or a gym that offers a one month trial, etc. (Honestly, everytime I've bought a membership to a gym, I'm awesomely committed for a few weeks and then never go back -- so I stay away from gyms myself) I also bought a foldable stationary bike for at home (like $130 on amazon) for days when the weather is too wet / hot / etc for me to enjoy a good walk. (When I was younger, I loved this exercise series called Power90. It's super out-dated now in terms of style (etc) but I found it on youtube recently and will probably give it a try again once I'm a little further into my recovery. Short 30-45 minute workout videos, I think the only thing you needed to buy was either a resistance band or light handweights, and a yoga mat if needed. They have updated versions throughout the years with more flash and pizazz but I'm a fan of simplicity.)

I am one week post op and I am struggling to sleep. I am normally a side sleeper so I think a lot of it is having to sleep on my back… and in socks, which I hate! Im doing good getting the fluids I need but I nervous to go back to work next week, because I feel like it will decrease. My biggest issues is that I’m so tired of the after taste of protein drinks! It makes me not want to drink any!

The few I like / can handle are all milk-protein or whey protein, lol. It's this ridiculous little circle of "Ooh, this one isn't dairy/whey! But wait, look, stevia which always tries to murder me. Okay, this other one has sucralose and I'm okay with that -- but it's milk-protein so fml." I do have one shake or (decaf) profee a day, but usually either split in two as a snack or to replace my lunch (cause lately lunch doesn't want to sit right 80% of the time, unless it's yogurt or shake). Either way, it usually doesn't happen until after 10am because again, dairy/milk and my meds absorbtion issues. I was really frustrated for a while when I first was having meds / supplement absorbtion issues due to how ridiculously I had to time everything. I've ironed (hehe) out most of the drag so it's easier to handle, but it's still frustrating when I seriously just want my cup of comfort coffee earlier, or am really feeling yogurt for brekkie. My care team says it might be something I have to do for the rest of my life, but my PCP and endocrinologist both say that when my labs come back improved enough that I can cut out out more meds / supplements, I should be able to have a less annoying schedule. We'll see.

Just a bit of an update; I'm currently sitting at 142-145lbs (at 6'1/male) and I was hoping to be around 150-160lbs. I'm fine with how I look and I'm pretty content with it so as long as I don't drop any further, but seems like it's been stable now I'm a full year (and a few months) post-op. I'm currently trying to get some weight back, hoping I can get it via muscles; just gonna have to figure out how to bulk with a smaller stomach, but I guess that's what the protein shake is for.

Is there anyone else who used this method instead of protein shakes? I’m really interested in it. If so, what amounts do you use?

I am actually doing pretty good now. I am able to take bigger sips, getting a lot more of my protein down, and how is chicken broth so delicious. I have been getting down most all of my pills and vitamins. Tomorrow I start mushy food and creamy soups (no chunks). I'm excited.

Hi everyone, I am 7 days post-op. Today, I was able to add 1 protein shake to my clear liquids. Taking it a little slower than normal to get my fluids where they need to be. My nurse advised me to go at the speed my body will allow. Tomorrow I will add the second protein shake and see how that goes. Maybe then I will be able to start adding some puréed foods. I was also advised to take my Levsin to prevent stomach spasms and Zofran for the nausea. Also taking Omeprazole. Holding off on the vitamins as they can cause nausea. As far as gas, it was mostly the first 3-4 days and now just infrequent burping. Because it is an inert gas, there is no smell. But the family found it hilarious. lol Getting up and down, and walking is getting easier. Believe me that is a great thing. The best tip from my nurse is that right now the full time job is getting in your fluids and walking.