Search the Community

Hi! I’ve lurked for a week or now. I finally got the courage to post. I have a question about the eating phases that you all were told to follow. My SD was on 12/14. I am on full liquid diet for a total of five weeks (protein shakes, blended soups, oatmeal, yogurt, SF jello, SF popsicles, applesauce,etc. ) all only 1/4 cup at a time. I’m concerned that I will begin solid foods without a real transition to solids. Also, I am having a hard time with drinking water, protein shakes and eating. It’s a juggling mess right now. Can’t get it all in. What were you told to eat and when? Do you have any sample schedules that you can share?

I never hit my goal weight either, and I've regained since then. Not sure how much: I'm afraid to look at the scale. I hope it's only 15, but I think it might be closer to 25 or 30. I've gotten addicted to processed carbs again, so I need to go off them, but it's tough. I was near perfect on my diet for a year, but never did any exercise. I think that really prevented me from reaching my goal. I'm feeting very motivated to exercise now; in fact, I'm going tomorrow to get a gym membership. (I do much better at exercise with a gym membership than working out at home.) I'd like to do keto because it's so effective, but since the surgery, my body really does not like it when I eat much fat. Also, there aren't a lot of protein sources I like, so I'm thinking about looking into a more plant based diet. I like the idea of fruits, vegetables, beans, string cheese, Greek yogurt, eggs, and some meat here and there. I should go back to protein shakes, but I drank so many for so long that I'm really tired of them. I think I'll start the Pound of Cure diet and see where it takes me. Anyway, good luck to you! It's tough when it seems that everyone else has been so successful, but tomorrow is another chance at success.

I'm really struggling with this too. At my new job, I got into the terrible habit of snacking at my desk, usually chocolate or other sweets. Thanks for the tip about Lily's Chocolate. I need to go back to the jello and jello pudding treats, which I ate quite a bit after surgery. For me, I think the problem is that I get hungry around 3 pm, and I haven't planned for it, so I just grab whatever is near, which is never anything healthy. I need to plan for it and have something healthy and satisfying at hand. Maybe that will help you too? When I worked from home, I ate a lot of fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, string cheese, and frozen Chobani tubes. But it's more difficult now because the fridge at work is disgusting and I don't want to use it. Maybe I'll get a cooler and pack it every day with healthy things.

We carry *MANY* chewy protein bars at the BariatricPal Store. Order a variety pack to get an idea of how some of our best sellers taste. Here's a list of a few popular chewy bars that come to mind: BariatricPal High Protein Bars - Caramel Crunch BariatricPal High Protein Bars - Peanut Butter BariatricPal High Protein Bars - Caramel Nut BariatricPal 14g Protein Bars - Rockie Road BariatricPal High Protein Bars - Strawberry Cheesecake BariatricPal 14g Protein Bars - Chocolate Mint BariatricPal Protein Bars - Peanut Butter and Jelly BariatricPal Protein Bars - Oatmeal with Vanilla Yogurt Drizzle BariatricPal Protein Bars - Fluffy Caramel Nut All Quest Protein Bars

Preop is going OK so far- was a little hard as we were traveling for the holidays, but hopefully will get easier now that we are back home. I’m on mostly liquids (protein shakes/soup) with also some yogurt and sf pudding/jello- also raw veggies if I am still hungry (which I am). I also noticed that the first two days were really hard- I had a terrible headache, but the third day felt much better. Must have been withdraw from carbs/sugar/caffeine. A bonus is that I’ve lost 7 pounds in 4 Days- woohoo! Kind of surreal to think this is actually happening after so many months of waiting. Hope you are all doing OK on your preop diets! Surgery Date: January 8, 2018 Sleeve Gastrectomy

For the early January Sleevers, how is everyone doing on their preop diets? I'm allowed to have 2 Protein Shakes, 1 can of broth based Soup, and 2 Snacks (sugar free Jello, fat free yogurt or cottage cheese). Im on day 3 and down 5 lbs. My cravings and mood were terrible for the first 2 days but today is better. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My food scale. Small plates/bowls (kiddie size - cheap ones from Ikea). My Ninja blender. Oikos Triple Zero Yogurt (15 g protein in a serving) Fairlife Skim Milk (13 g protein in 8 ounces) Premier protein pre-mixed shakes (I liked their taste best) I still use all of these today, 15 months post op. Best of luck

Hi! In general, dairy doesn't bother me. The flavorings and sweetener used in things like flavored protein shakes and the Triple Zero yogurt. Good luck to you, as well!

Hang in there. Things for me got way better around day 10. I still had shoulder and neck pain until a few days ago. Take your pain meds and it will pass with time. Drinking or eating too much or too fast may make it worse, as will certain sitting or laying positions. It does get better and quickly. Yogurt already is good I wasn't even close to water or protein goals until day 8, a few days out and even tiny pills stuck in my throat.

Hi Morgan! I was sleeved on 12/4 so about same timeline. Does milk bother you? I drink Fairlife ultra filtered, 13g protein per cup and lactose free (I was having issues with lactose post-surgery). Also Oikos triple zero Greek yogurt has worked well for me-15g of protein, sometimes I will blend with unflavored protein powder, milk and ice to make a shake. Good luck! Sleeve date 12/4/17 SW: 318 CW: 290

I drank a lot of water, about 10 oz of protein shake and one full yogurt today. I’m not really hungry, but I also don’t know how much is too much. Is that a lot for day 3??? How much are you guys eating right now?

Hi everyone. I’m home from the hospital. It’s day three and the pain in the back of my neck and shoulders is unbearable. Nurses said it’s just gas, but I’ve been walking a ton and taking a Gas X strips and it doesn’t go away! This evening I’ve been watching vlogs about post op days 2-5 and it’s got me pretty discouraged. Most everybody talks about how the pain is not so bad etc, and I’m over here with a heating pad on my neck and the feeling of daggers in my tummy each time I take a sip. Luckily, I have not thrown up yet. I’m worried I’m drinking too much and that’s why I hurt. But they tell me to drink drink drink, and if I stopped sipping when it hurts, I’d be dehydrated. So, here are my questions: 1. How much did you eat days 2-4 post op? Today I ate 3/4ths of a yogurt in the morning, a couple ounces of protein shake for lunch, and then about 5 oz protein shake for dinner. I’ve also been drinking a ton. Is that too much? I can’t read my body very well yet. 2. Did any of you have super sharp gas pains in the back of your neck and shoulders. It really hurts and pain meds don’t work. 3. When did your swelling decrease. I’m puffed out like a balloon and very uncomfortable 4. How long after coming home from the hospital did you continue taking your pain meds? 5. Will my stomach ever not hurt when I eat again? I know it’s just day three and I need to be patient, but I’m hearing so many others talk about how easy their experiences were and I’m starting to wonder why I’m so miserable right now. Thanks.

Hey all - less than a month out from surgery and looking to prep. Reviewing the NUT info, they recommend mixing unflavored protein powder in things like applesauce or yogurt during the pureed stage. Tells me to look for powders with at least 15g protein and less than 3 g sugar. Had been looking at syntrax, but that's only 10g protein. Any recommendations? I've heard of genepro and isopure. Haven't found a local GNC yet (moved a year ago and haven't needed one til now) but have been browsing amazon. Thanks!

I'm not sure of what you mean by non-protein diet. I was on full liquids with my proteins coming from shakes or Oikos Triple Zero yogurt in the first two weeks after surgery. My surgery was on a Tuesday. I came home Wednesday. By Saturday, I was at the gym riding a recumbent bike for an hour (slowly, but riding). I walked extensively and after my first post-op appointment - a week after surgery - I was cleared to do what I wanted in the gym so long as it didn't hurt - but not lifting more than 15 pounds in the first four weeks. I was doing cardio in the gym 2-3 times a week - walking on the treadmill, riding a recumbent bike. Are you getting enough water in? Dehydration can make you tired.

Removing the lapband will not bring your heart back to where it was prior to the AFib setting in. AFib is a chaotic rewiring of your heart's electrical pathways. The AFib permanently alters how electricity moves through your heart, electricity meant to keep your heart it in sinus (normal) rhythm. So even with my band loosened or removed, the electrical currents have been disrupted and that is for life. I "should" have my band removed at this point, since it serves no purpose and can in fact cause other issues (as you have probably read about now that there is a vast body of post-WLS literature on this particular WLS), but I just cannot bring myself yet to go under the knife. Because now with Afib, that's another risk factor anytime you have anesthesia...you can be on the table and go into an episode. Terrific! One of the self-defensive comments my surgeon said when I asked about the link between the band and Afib was him saying that all "those patients" would've ended up with AFib anyway. In other words, there is no proof between the band and Afib. That's a really convenient excuse for him, as you can't disprove what he is saying. I know there is a link because my first episode of Afib was undeniable linked to my swallowing food. For three days, each time I swallowed a small bite of food, my heart would go into arrhythmia as the food passed through the band. As long as I didn't eat anything, my heart stayed in sinus rhythm. But one bite of food would set off the Afib. It would calm down after an hour. But another bite, even of yogurt by the third day, and I'd go into arrhythmia. This is clearly an irritation of the vagus nerve, which is involved in digestion. The band, sitting on the nerve, would compress against it as the food passed through. I'm lucky I went to the ER when I did. When I walked in, they admitted me immediately, once they saw my heart rate and crazy arrhythmia. I saw the chart, upon which was written "ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY". I was very close to having a stroke from throwing a blood clot. The meds are a drag but like you, I'm holding off on the ablation. You always want to have a "next step" with Afib because it will increase as one ages. So meds first, then ablation, then pacemaker.

I'll admit for starters that I haven't been tracking my food lately, so I don't know for sure what calorie counts I've been hitting. On the other hand . . . losing still. Breakfast is usually either high-protein cereal with fruit (blueberries, a banana) or an egg with some bacon or sausage. Lunch is often either a protein shake or some cottage cheese with pineapple. Dinner is protein and veggies; because I'm staying with a friend, I'm very often given potatoes or rice or noodles of some kind. When I'm cooking, I try to avoid these things or I use high-protein noodles (made with lentils--surprisingly good). This may sound boring, but the dinner can be soup or a stir-fry, for example. A good snack for me is an ounce or so of cashews. I drink water, often with some Crystal Light or other flavoring added, and coffee, in direct defiance of the rules I was given by my doctor. I could not give up coffee for long! I hope this gives you some useful ideas. The cottage cheese, for example, is something I really like, not just for itself, but because it's so easy and has good protein. Sometimes I have yogurt instead. Good luck!

I tried about 12 days out (purée) and it did not go well. I'm having lots of luck with Greek yogurt or puréed lentil soup and vegetable beef soup, good flavor and it's very liquid. I'll try tuna again later this week, I knew after one tiny bite it was a no go last time.

I am still on thick liquids - creamed soups, yogurt, broth, etc. Mid-week next week starts soft foods. I'm a little bored with my choices at this point!

Propel. I felt really dizzy in the morning and that helped replenish me enough that I would feel better within an hour or two. Blender bottles to shake up protein powders. Oikos zero yogurt was a huge life saver. I basically only ate that and shakes for a couple weeks. Memory foam pillow. When my stomach hurt it felt so nice to hug the pillow. It had enough density and was also soft on my sore tummy. I agree that those gimmicky vitamin machines are just unnecessary. My NUT recommended Flinstones vitamins and I've been taking them ever since now 8 months later. All blood work has come back normal so they seem to be just fine. They have more iron than adult chewable and WAY cheaper. Ask your doctor/NUT if they recommend them for you.

Your not alone! The best part now is it doesn't take much to fill me up and complete a meal. I'm also rather lazy but it's a lot easier post op. Protein shake for breakfast and it's filling! It doesn't get any easier than that lol Couple of ounces of meat for lunch, or a yogurt with fruit, couple of ounces of meat for dinner. Squeeze in a couple of pieces of veggies and fruit along the way and I'm good to go.

I'm about 8 months from surgery and I've only just started to add in very small amounts of rice or bread once or twice a week. Usually 1/4 or 1/2 a serving. My nutritionist recommended adding these in small doses around the 6 month mark to help with workouts but I was nervous and when I did it was uncomfortable and hard to get my protein intake. I increased my protein shake to make sure I get as much as I need. At the 7 week mark I was only having protein shakes, yogurt, fruit, veggies and lean meat. Definitely ask your nutritionist to see if they have a specific recommendation for you.

I was starving at 5 days too! I started with Greek yogurt and that helped a lot - protein and it filled me up!

Wow this is my first day on my diet for my surgery and I have sort of cheated and I say that he my Surgeon gave me two choice of diets to follow and it's not particular a liquid diet it's 1000- 1,200 and or a meal replacement option and I would rather just do the liquid I choose to do the meal replacements diet which consists on drinking the protein shakes basically and having a boil egg, piece of fruit or greek yogurt for a snack and a Protein shake for lunch and Dinner 3 to 4 oz of lean protein unlimited non-starchy vegetables so I tried my premium Shake for breakfast but anyways I love the pasta my sister made for Christmas so I ate abt 2 tablespoonful and I ate a pinch of pound cake so I'm done with cheating hopefully be I've come to far to not get this done. But good luck to you.

The Perfect Plate idea helps you make diet-friendly meals with a minimum of fuss. Just put the right amount of each food group on the plate, and you can be confident that you will be on your way to a balanced meal. The Perfect Plate was not designed specifically for bariatric surgery patients, but you can use it for losing weight. Just make modifications as needed! The Basic Perfect Plate The classic perfect plate is designed for a full solid foods diet., but you can use it for losing weight if you are eating solid foods, you can tolerate vegetables, and you are not having trouble hitting your protein goals. Here it is: Fill half your plate with vegetables or fruit. Divide the rest of your plate in half. Fill one section with lean protein, such as chicken, egg whites, tuna, cottage cheese, or tofu. Fill the rest of your plate (1/4) with a nutritious starch, such as whole-grain pasta or cereal, brown rice, sweet potato, corn, or oatmeal. Add the occasional healthy fat, such as olive oil for cooking, salad dressing, or a slice of avocado. Examples include chicken breast with broccoli and brown rice; hash with bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions, sweet potato, and lean turkey sausage; yogurt parfait with toasted oats and berries; and a Greek whole-wheat pita half with sprouts, lettuce, and tomatoes, and falafel. WLS Modifications Now, that classic Perfect Plate may not work perfectly for you. You can still use the concept, but may need to modify it slightly to meet your dietary goals. Compared to someone who has not had WLS, you might notice these differences. You get full more quickly. You might need to skip the starch and/or take a smaller helping of vegetables. You need more protein. You can increase the protein and decrease the vegetables You cannot tolerate vegetables as well. You can take fewer vegetables, and/or cook them very well. Fruit does not fit. It might give you dumping syndrome or have more sugar than you want to have. You can focus on vegetables for that half of your plate. You are eating low-carb. You do not need to have a starch at every meal. You can skip it entirely at some meals, or replace it with an extra vegetable or protein. Pureed and Semi-Solid Foods Stages You will move through the pureed foods (“mushies”) and semi-solid foods stages before you get to the solid foods stage. While protein is your main focus soon after weight loss surgery, you can start to think about laying the foundation for a healthy, balanced diet. Protein comes first. Your first job is to eat 65 or more grams of protein per day. This may mean you do not have space for vegetables and starch. Extras do not fit. Your sleeve or pouch is small. You probably will not have space for non-essential foods, such as refined starches. Creamy, not crunchy. Cooked carrots, pureed green beans, and steamed zucchini are in; lettuce, broccoli, and apples are out. Perfect Plate Helpers Bariatric Dinnerware can make it even easier to make your Perfect Plate every time. Bariatric Dish Sets and Place Settings have stylish designs for your table, with easy-to-see markings for serving yourself. Bariware Portion8 sets are portable containers that you divide using movable rings so each section is as big or small as you need. The Perfect Plate can help you put together a nutritious meal without doing any measuring. Adapt it to your needs, and it can be another weapon in your weight loss arsenal.

The Basic Perfect Plate The classic perfect plate is designed for a full solid foods diet., but you can use it for losing weight if you are eating solid foods, you can tolerate vegetables, and you are not having trouble hitting your protein goals. Here it is: Fill half your plate with vegetables or fruit. Divide the rest of your plate in half. Fill one section with lean protein, such as chicken, egg whites, tuna, cottage cheese, or tofu. Fill the rest of your plate (1/4) with a nutritious starch, such as whole-grain pasta or cereal, brown rice, sweet potato, corn, or oatmeal. Add the occasional healthy fat, such as olive oil for cooking, salad dressing, or a slice of avocado. Examples include chicken breast with broccoli and brown rice; hash with bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions, sweet potato, and lean turkey sausage; yogurt parfait with toasted oats and berries; and a Greek whole-wheat pita half with sprouts, lettuce, and tomatoes, and falafel. WLS Modifications Now, that classic Perfect Plate may not work perfectly for you. You can still use the concept, but may need to modify it slightly to meet your dietary goals. Compared to someone who has not had WLS, you might notice these differences. You get full more quickly. You might need to skip the starch and/or take a smaller helping of vegetables. You need more protein. You can increase the protein and decrease the vegetables You cannot tolerate vegetables as well. You can take fewer vegetables, and/or cook them very well. Fruit does not fit. It might give you dumping syndrome or have more sugar than you want to have. You can focus on vegetables for that half of your plate. You are eating low-carb. You do not need to have a starch at every meal. You can skip it entirely at some meals, or replace it with an extra vegetable or protein. Pureed and Semi-Solid Foods Stages You will move through the pureed foods (“mushies”) and semi-solid foods stages before you get to the solid foods stage. While protein is your main focus soon after weight loss surgery, you can start to think about laying the foundation for a healthy, balanced diet. Protein comes first. Your first job is to eat 65 or more grams of protein per day. This may mean you do not have space for vegetables and starch. Extras do not fit. Your sleeve or pouch is small. You probably will not have space for non-essential foods, such as refined starches. Creamy, not crunchy. Cooked carrots, pureed green beans, and steamed zucchini are in; lettuce, broccoli, and apples are out. Perfect Plate Helpers Bariatric Dinnerware can make it even easier to make your Perfect Plate every time. Bariatric Dish Sets and Place Settings have stylish designs for your table, with easy-to-see markings for serving yourself. Bariware Portion8 sets are portable containers that you divide using movable rings so each section is as big or small as you need. The Perfect Plate can help you put together a nutritious meal without doing any measuring. Adapt it to your needs, and it can be another weapon in your weight loss arsenal.