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Hello everyone! I had my surgery on Aug. 16th. Im 4 wks post op & have lost 22 lbs so far. Oh and im 62. The only problem that recently started having since im now on pureed foods is getting in my protein & water! When i was on full liquids I did really well! I was drinking Premier protein drinks most of the time & using unsweeten Pea powdered protein to mix in my puddings or yogurt. But now Im finding it difficult to drink the premiers. They seem to make my heart fludder of to beat hard. I even had problems with the brand of chewable vitamins( BaractricPal) it started taking. The liquid vitamins (Baractric Advantage)worked really well but its too expensive. Thank goodness my surgeon said its ok to take tablets or caps. Now I just have to find a better protein sourse. Any suggestions? Sent from my SM-T530NU using BariatricPal mobile app

HI all, I am approaching the 6 month mark and have been in a 3 week stall. I am wondering if I am eating what I should be. I average about 800 calories a day and I am not sure if I am eating too much. Average Day: Breakfast: 3 oz greek yogurt Snack: reduce fat cheese stick 1 or 2 Lunch: Turkey and reduce fat cheese roll up (4 oz) Dinner: Ground turkey meat (4 oz) Snack/ meal: spinach and cheese (3- 4 oz) Just looking for some direction or what other people at this stage are doing?

I went out and had gauc and black beans. It was amazing!! Would be pretty easy to make at home. I think your idea of ricotta and sauce sounds delicious! I've had a lot of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, ( I put hot sauce on mine), sometimes a just have a little bit of peanutbutter.

I'm 10 months out and here's a typical day for me: Bfast: Premier protein shake 9am: Greek yogurt with couple of grapes Lunch: half an Atkins meal PM Snack: cup of coffee Dinner: 2-3 oz mahi and asparagus If I'm low on protein I'll supplement with a little genepro. I always get in at least 125 oz (about a gallon) of water each day. I'm still not hungry most of the time so I have to make myself hit the daily goals. I'm currently down 95.5 lb and am losing 5-7 lb/ month. I have 30 lb to goal weight. Stats: Height 5'11" female SW 295.5 11/14/16 CW 200.0 (almost there!!) GW 170

Hi all, here is my Journey so far. I was one of the lucky ones (NOT) who had a JP Drain. I hope my story helps others. So far, so good - no regrets at all!! June 2017: My ins just dropped the numerous lengthy requirements and is allowing sleeves. I jumped on it, and was able to navigate thru the list quickly. Start to finish took me about 2 months. Do Ins companies really think we haven't tried every program out there prior to considering major surgery??? Stupid! They no longer require 6 months of Dr administered weight loss program, but my Dr watched me for a few months, and submitted it just to make sure I would not run into any problems. I was approved 10 days after submission. I hate having to jump thru hoops, but the savings was worth it. Altho, I would have paid out of pocket if denied. Check off the requirements, and you should be fine. Most Drs have a good relationship with the ins claim reps. My daily (boring but working) pre op intake is: coffee with a splash of Premier Protein banana or caramel , then the rest of the Premier Protein Shake for Breakfast, at 10am I have 2 C of chicken broth, at Noon I have 2 C chicken broth + another Premier Protein shake, at 2pm I have 1 sf Jello cup, at 6ish I have 2 C chicken broth (appetizer ) and another Carmel Premier Protein shake, 8pm snack another sf jello cup. I don't really like any other flavors of broth or I would have those. My shakes have to be under 200 calories, high protein (these are 30g) and as low sugar as you can find (1g). Premier is handy, pre made, and I like the flavors (Caramel, Banana, and strawberry Cream are my favorites). I SWEAR I have not had any headaches, and my energy level is really good (just fall asleep earlier which helps me not dwell on food). Aug 25/2017: Surgery day and I couldn't be more excited!! My surgery went well except that I needed a JP drain that will remain in for about a week. I was up walking 2 laps of my floor that night. The nurse said she had never seen anyone do as well as me. She said my positive and excited attitude surely helped! My pain never got above 2 or 3 and I needed very little pain meds. 3 ice chips made me nauseous, so I did not eat or drink anything the first night. I do have to give myself shots in the stomach of Lovenox (blood thinner) to prevent blood clots for 2 weeks. Aug 26: Got discharged this afternoon after my upper GI and chest xray came back ok. Was able to keep down 4oz of liquid before I left the hospital. I'm off the pain meds now, and don't even feel the need for Tylenol. The Lovenox shots are not as scary as I thought they would be. The trick is to freeze the area for 10 minutes before you give yourself the shot, and put the ice back on right after you are done (the after affect feels like a wasp sting). Now I just need the gas to pass (pun intended). All said and done, I feel great for what I've been through, and lost 12 pounds pre op. I will keep up with updates. Thank you for all the support and info. This Forum is great, and I hope to pay it forward. Aug 28: Ok, so to continue my journey, I am 4 days post op and my drain is still working over time Im not concerned, but can't go back to work until its removed. After having little to no pain, this morning I noticed pain on my right side - like a stabbing pain. I have to hold my stomach when I walk for any relief. Seeing as most of my stomach was sliced off, I am assuming that now that the swelling is going down, some of this is "normal". Its definitely NOT gas pains. I don't like taking the liquid pain meds so am taking tylenol only. liquids are going down no problem. Energy level is up, and I'm looking forward to Protein Shakes on Friday. Update: Dr said my drain most likely moved which is causing the pain. Its pretty intense. Good thing is they will be removing it on Thursday. Bad thing is I will be living with the pain and have to take the liquid pain meds until then...a small price to pay I've discovered a love for tropical flavored sugar free popsicles !!! Aug 29: Having a good night and a great hair day so I'm psyched! Lol. My incisions are dissolvable stitches with a rubber cement waterproof type paint over them. The stuff just flakes off when healed. Easy peasy. I SERIOUSLY think I could have returned to work tomorrow if not for the JP drain. All bodily functions working perfectly, and no hunger pains. BUT I know that even tho I feel good, my body is still recovering from major surgery, so I am working from home Thurs and Fri and returning full time the day after Labor Day = 10 days post op. Knowing that there is still swelling and fluid retention from my hospital stay, Im staying off the scale until my post op appointment. I have ankles again!! August 31: Got my JP drain out today (yes, it hurt), but as soon as it was removed, the pain went away!! I feel like a million bucks Sept 1: Diet additions today!! I get to have protein shakes again, yogurt, milk, and cream soups. Still not feeling hungry and am down 18lbs. Had half a protein shake for breakfast, yogurt with sugar free cheesecake pudding mix stirred in for lunch, broth and a half glass of milk for dinner and sugar free jello with sugar free whipped topping for dessert. I heard that some are lactose intolerant after surgery, but I had no issues with anything I ate. I'm paranoid of gaining anything back, so am kind of afraid to eat. I will have to watch that. Having cabin fever so decided to venture out for the first time since surgery. I have a tendency to feel good and over do it, so wanted to be careful. Took a quick trip to the store, and then for a well deserved pedicure. Heaven. Energy level is still up. Since my boyfriend took good care of me, I decided a date night was in order and we went out. Challenging to say the least. How do you go into a bar without ordering a drink?? Pre planning helps. THIS IS A NO JUDGEMENT ZONE!!! I ordered a tall glass of water with lots of e and 1 small shot of vodka. Then I added Crystal Light cranberry to it that I brought along. Nursed it for 2 hours and did not even finish it. I have read others say alcohol hit them quicker after surgery (no noticeable change for me) and I KNOW that its not allowed (this soon or in some minds at all), but I am human. I gave up diet coke for Gods sake Next challenge coming up = lunch with friends in the liquid stage. I am mentally preparing already. Eat before, and take my Crystal Light. Since I am keeping my surgery secret, the only viable option is to say Im having a little tummy issue. Stay tuned. Sept 2: More milestones accomplished today! Ride my motorcycle - check, go boating - check Sept 3: Lunch with my man and his mom.....First I had to reassure my fiance that he could eat in front of me, and I would be ok. He was considerate enough to make sure that it was ok to plan lunch with his mom. Sweet man. I had a protein shake for breakfast and some vitamin water. We chose a restaurant where I knew they had soup on the menu. I told my future mother in law that I had been having stomach issues, and was changing my eating habits. I am not telling people I'm on a diet, or that I had surgery because history has shown that when you do say these things, people watch what you eat, or fill your ears with "helpful" tips etc. I'm not having it. So I ordered water and a cup of soup. Ate the broth and inconspicuously covered my cup with my napkin and handed it to the server first chance I could. Mission accomplished! You can go out to eat when in the liquid stage. Sept 4: Family bbq planned today.......Again, I will eat before we go. My fiance and I came up with a plan. We will both take plates and put food on them, he will then eat his plate of food, and then mine. Oh the games we play....Again, sweet man! I really don't care what anyone thinks, or surmises, this is my Journey and I will do it my way. 2 more weeks til I can eat real food The bbq was great. Truly a testament to the fact that it isn't the food, it's the company. I drank a shake for breakfast and then had some Greek yogurt before we left. Packed some So Be Life Water (my new staple). My brother in law tried to tempt me with Sangaria and grilled pineapple and I simply told him that I was trying very hard to eliminate sugar from my life plan and I was feeling GREAT so I must be doing something right. My fiance and I carried thru with our plan, and as we went thru the food line, he put on my plate half of what he wanted and then ate everything on both plates. Nobody said a word!! Not even my brother in law who notices, and comments on everything. That night we hit one of the last post op milestones Sex 10 days post op is just as fantastic as pre op. Yay! Sorry for the TMI, but this is a question that others are wondering about. Sept 6: Planning our road trip evac for hurricane Irma. I am packing protein shakes, cream soup packets, SoBe Water, crystal light packets, cottage cheese, yogurt and sugar free pudding mix for my yogurt. Wish us luck! Sept 12: The past week has been hell thanks to Hurricane Irma. Prepping 2 houses and 4 days of travel thru 3 states.....Boy, if I ever needed comfort food, or wanted to garbage up, it was now. But I stayed true to my plan by packing a cooler, and was never hungry! Sept 14: I am now in the puree stage and happy to be "chewing" kind of. I still love my sugar free popsicles. I have been switching it up with egg salad, tuna salad and lots of soups. I am surprised that I do not have any hunger pangs. So far I have not had any issues keeping food down. Watching my fiance eat the foods I used to eat does not bother me because I am so looking forward being thinner and healthier. So far I am down 24 pounds in 1 month (that includes my pre op diet week). Yay!

Yea I had the same problem for a few days post op, just hang in there and give it a few more days. With the small amount of calories that you consume in your protein shakes there really isn't any need to count calories. I know that I could not "eat" more than 600 calories for several weeks post op because my pouch was so small and I really had to force myself to drink a shake at times. The shakes that my Dr. sells are about 200 calories apiece and make 22oz it would take me about an hour to finish 8 and at that point I was done! I would drink about two of those and maybe eat a container of 100 calorie greek yogurt and I was pretty much done for the day.

Yes all food is pureed or already soft like Yogurt for bfast with protein powder, egg whites for lunch and then dinner a shake usually which is fine and like u i am not hungry. Just trying to defer from shakes lol

I had seen a recipe for combining protein drink and pudding mix that I was actually excited to try, but unfortunately I'm not allowed yogurts or puddings until phase 3 - at least according to my doctors guide What cream soups did you have? Just mushroom and tomato? I was hoping to make different soups like cauliflower or roasted carrot and "creaming" it in the blender but not sure if that would be allowed lol Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

I have one more day of Phase 2 . . . most days I have a protein shake (yuk) and protein water, about a half a container of yogurt (Oikos triple zero), and some cream soup. I may have slightly violated the plan by blending a non-cream soup, a beef vegetable one, but I was so thrilled to have something not sweet . . . Many people are happy with broth but I found I couldn't stand it. I also made some pudding with a couple scoops of protein powder added. I've made shakes with the powder and 1 percent milk, but today, on the advice of a friend, I bought some unsweetened coconut almond milk to try with the powder. Might be interesting? Oh, and also had an occasional popsicle or fudgesicle.

Eating a whole container of yogurt isn't a problem. My program recommends 2-3oz of lean meat or cheese, and the equivalent they list is 6oz of greek yogurt. Measuring is definitely an excellent tool (I do it,) but that much yogurt really is fine. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

I have only had yogurt, chicken broth, sugar free popsicles and jello, so I am not sure. Sent from my SM-G925V using BariatricPal mobile app

That's a good point. I should be measuring out all my food. I guess I just thought a yogurt would be fine. Especially since it was Greek yogurt with no sugar added and 16 g of protein. My bad for assuming. Will do better tomorrow. Thanks for responding. "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying" HW 237 SW 225 CW 214 GW tbd

Hi all. I had my surgery consult last week and will be doing 6 months of supervised weight management in preparation for the surgery (RNY bypass). The guidelines the nutritionist gave me for eating during this phase included eating 60-80 grams of protein per day and eating low fat. (Low carb was not included as a guideline but avoiding processed carbs, flour, sugar, etc. was.) Could someone let me know the rationale for eating low fat, both during this time period and following the surgery? Up to this point, during periods in which I have been feeling my best, losing significant amounts of weight, and managing my blood sugar levels well (I have type 2 diabetes), I have eaten a whole-foods, low carb diet focusing on eating by hunger and satiety rather than counting calories, and my diet has been high in fat and protein. Not in fried foods and such, being that I wasn't eating things like french fries or breaded foods, but I was eating full-fat cheese or yogurt, for example--whole foods. The fat increased satiety and helped slow the release of glucose. It feels strange to me when I'm focusing on my health to buy non-fat or low-fat versions of foods that may have additives or other ingredients to compensate for the removal of fat, and so I'm struggling a bit. If I better understood why, then I wouldn't struggle quite so much. Is it simply that a gram of fat has more calories that a gram of protein or carbohydrate, and the thinking is that low fat eating will lower calories? Or does fat promote sliding through the pouch? I thought dumping syndrome was more related to sugar/high carb foods, but perhaps I am wrong? Thanks so much for any information!

Three weeks out from VSG. I just ate an Oikos Triple Zero peach yogurt. It was 5.3 oz. I had no idea it was that much! I didn't look at the size until I was done. It took 45 minutes to eat it and I was sitting at my desk. Should I be worried that my Sleeve is already stretched?!! My doctor said I should be eating 2-3 oz at a meal. Please tell me what you think! "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying" HW 237 SW 225 CW 214 GW tbd

Liquids up to two weeks. Soft foods (yogurt, cream soup, cottage cheese, protein shakes) for another 4. Don't advance your diet any quicker than the guidelines.

What about berries pureed with yogurt, then?

I had the procedure on the 15/08/17. The bad news They said there would be some mild nausea and it would settle about 8 hours after the surgery. Well it didn't. It lasted 10 days. I lived on the vomit wafers. The pain from the gas also killed for 2 weeks constipation is also difficult I'm used to being daily now it's at worst weekly at best every few days Good news is ; no pre op diet , BMI started at 33 I'm 167cm / 5ft 6. I started at 93.7kg. In first 2 weeks lost 7kg. Been at a stall for the last 2 weeks. With a fluctuating gain of around 500g up and down. Restriction is real. I've just moved onto soft foods so feeling a bit better. Exercise (weights) restriction until end of week 6. So 2 more weeks to go. Struggling to drink my 1.5-2l a day. Can't do protein shakes of any type. Trying to reach 50-70g of protein per day. Some days is a struggle. My diet looked like this. No pre opt. Day 1-14 fluids only that can pass through a thin straw. Day 15-28 purée fluids that can pass through a thick straw. Day 29 -42 soft foods / mash. Day 43-56 start moving to a normal diet. Just now I'm day 29 and my diet looks like this. Breakfast - 1 egg scrambled, morning tea - cheese stick. Lunch slow cooked roast pork 100g and tablespoon apple sauce, afternoon tea yopro yogurt, dinner fish, with garlic butter. Dessert custard or chocolate milk or a banana paddlepop(125ml) around 60g protein and about 800-900 cal im trying to walk about 30 min at least 3 times a week will be hoping it to more when I can eat real food I find right now I fatigue very quickly and am still recovering from spinal fusion 10 weeks ago favorite thing in liquid stage - cauliflower soup favorite thing in purée stage - mince blended, guacamole and cheese was nachos without the chips good luck everyone

I don't do artificial sugar, I think it tastes like chemicals. I am okay with the taste of Stevia in my coffee but I use very little. I like the liquid Stevia drops from Trader Joe's because I can use about half the regular amount. A bottle is going to last me years. I can't do dairy since my WLS so I don't consume sugar in yogurt or pudding. When I want something sweet I eat something with real sugar, just a really small serving, like a fun size candy bar. It doesn't bother me at all.

I also like the bento box for portion control. I might have a boiled egg, nuts, cheese stick, yogurt, and of cigar coffee since I work graveyards.

I was so relaxed, they gave me something because I was so nervous!!! I was going out while they wheeled me into the OR. But I do remember scooting accross to get on the table. But...now I don't want to sound like a B**CH but with my past experience's with my Dr Tersigni ( he was a very cold man and had no bedside manner at all) as I was getting ready for yet another Endoscope w/ dialaton. I seen him standing outside my room with his bright hat eating a yogurt (no problem him if I was to be put out with that but when I go without my coffee and they come in with their cup I almost go physio) I started saying is that Dr. Tersigni is that the DR? Don't let him TOUCH me until I have got my stuff to go night night. Please don't!! She aske him if I was going to be put out? He said, "we always do!! I had seen him put his scissors into my hubby's infected stomach without numbing it at all. So with all of that stuff I FIRED HIM!!! We now go to one of the best Bariatric Center with the EXCLLENCE CERTIFicate. Not saying that our Tersigni didn't have that too but this is a whole different ball game!!

I was prescribed clear liquids for 1 week after surgery, then full liquids for 1 week, then pureed foods for 2 weeks, then mechanical soft foods for 2 weeks. In other foods, I wasn't eating regular food until 6 weeks post-op. 2 weeks out I ate pureed consistency foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, and cream soups. Some people use a food processor or blender to prepare pureed meats, but I was too lazy to wash a blender after using it, so I didn't bother pureeing anything.

Thanks for the response! I spoke to my surgeon's office and they pretty much said the same thing. "Stay the course" be patient, things will pick up again soon. The only "real" food my doc suggested in week 3 was lean ground beef, eggs, ground sausage, and very well cooked veggies. So that's what I'm doing along with all the apple sauce consistency foods like yogurt, oatmeal, cream of wheat, etc. I'm thinking about adding that clear fiber stuff to my diet to help with regularity. Doc said that was ok to do too.

I do the same as rainbow. I consume food in its normal form. Milk is just plain, whole, milk. Yogurt is plain. Can add plain whole berries to it for a bit of sweetness. I do add butter, ground black pepper, garlic, and salt to things I'm cooking. I have been putting milk in my tea, but adding a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup would be fewer calories and help me transition away from dairy (dairy was my bestest friend immediately postop, but it's not as good anymore). Plain tea doesn't work for me. My vitamins are full of artificial sweeteners, but they work ok so I'll keep them. The idea isn't to be devout.. it's to retrain yourself in the direction that makes sense for you.

I hear you on the protein shakes--I've been trying to be creative in making sure I get enough each day. I drink protein water, killing two birds with one stone, as it were. And I also struggle to get enough water in. I have some yogurt--like, half of one a day. I also made some sugar-free pudding and added two scoops of protein powder, so that's a little different. But I totally agree with the advice that you attack your food addiction with the therapist. The surgery won't help in the long run if you can't tame that beast as well. Best of luck!

Hi. It really depends on the person and how your doctor and nutritionist are seeing your recovery. The y started me on purees and creams and greek yogurt after 1 week postop. But you really need to try to find a way to get the proteins in because they are like (beside water) the most important thing. I think they sell like shots of protein and I know the protein tastes awful but it is what it is. Or talk to your doctor and try to find a solution together Sent from my F3313 using BariatricPal mobile app