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Anyone her have the BPD/DS done? I am scheduled for surgery April21. Look for some advice on my 2 week liver shrinkage preop diet. What shakes did you like? What did you pick for your 4 meals that you can have. Those kinds of things. Thanks in advance!

Im two weeks post op. Started thinking about surgery a few years ago, but actually acted on it in late January if this year. Wrapped up my pre-reqs in a single week and cleared with insurance in one day. After that, had a week of food funerals (fun times eating things I wouldn’t be able to for a while), then started my two week high protein low carb diet. It was tough, not gonna lie. I weaned myself off caffeine during the same two week period and BAM it was suddenly time for surgery. By this point, I’d lost about 6 or 7 lbs. Rolled into surgery at 6am on 3/13, started on time at 8am, only discomfort afterward was nausea from anesthesia. No vomiting; they took great care to relieve the nausea immediately and sent me home with medicine to help. First few days, I felt hungry. Dreamt of food. Realized it was just gas in my tummy causing a “hunger” feeling. The gas went away within a week and so did the faux hunger. I tried to go off pain meds too soon, and that sucked. When they do the surgery, they will go through the abdominal wall with the scopes. I had pretty strong abs (yay…) and the scope caused a bleed that healed very slowly. Caused me some pretty serious discomfort especially without the pain meds. Went back on the meds and rested for several days, all the while working to get all my protein and fluids in. Lost 9lbs the first week and then stalled three days into week two. The stall just broke today, one week after it began. Total of 16lbs lost since the start of the pre-op diet. I’m three days into week 3 and just started soft foods. If I had to choose one hard thing, it would be the emotional response I had post surgery. I realized “omg, I cannot eat those things…” the choice was no longer mine. I was scared at first, almost grieving. And then I felt light because the pressure of making the “right” decision was out of my hands. Yes, I could still make a bad choice… and when I made brownies for my daughter the other day I was tempted, but I don’t want to hurt my body or deal with the backlash from eating so much sugar after barely having any for the last month. I can just imagine the sugar rush and terrible feeling I would get… it would suck. Not to mention, with VSG (my procedure), the first six months are critical. You’ll lose the most weight if you can just get through with as much discipline as possible. I’m thankful for my family and therapist; they’ve all helped me find my way in the dark. I’m so glad I did this. Even as I just ate my first egg in weeks, I still wouldn’t change a thing. It’s like experiencing food again for the first time but with a coach in my body helping out 👌😊 Good luck to you with whatever you choose!

We had surgery on the same day!! My weight loss has been less than I hoped for the first week but getting my liquids, protein and walks in. I am not having any issues holding down liquids (and while I am not pushing it - I feel like I would not have issues handling more liquids)

Hi everybody. Just had VGS surgery last Monday (Happy Spring). Started my initial bariatric journey at 241 and when I got to the hospital i was 229. Down 14 pounds this morning and seeing my surgeon tomorrow for the post-op appointment. I've been able to tolerate all clear and thicker liquids thus far and looking forward to purees next week. Right now it seems I can only hold 4 to 4.5 oz at a time but water and clear protein supplements I'm able to drink 32 oz. in 3.5 hours. Is that ok? Will I not be able to hold 4 oz of pureed foods?

I started my journey in January 2022, between all the appointments and getting approved for insurance my surgery date was August 2, 2022. The 2-week liquid diet wasn't too difficult up until day 10 ish I started to get a little over it, especially on the day of my birthday. I drank a lot of protein shakes (fair-life chocolate is still my favorite to this day) and ate a lot of applesauce, berries, sugar-free pudding, and Panera soup broth along with V8 & grilled veggie kabobs. I lost about 13 lbs on the liquid diet but aside from weight loss, the main goal is to shrink your liver. Day of Surgery I was scheduled to be there at 7 am and surgery at 9 am. I didn't go back till about 2 pm. My hospital stay wasn't bad at all. I actually was able to get around just fine with very little pain the entire stay. Getting in liquids was quite difficult but when you have nothing else to do watching the clock and drinking your liquids wasn't really that bad in the grand scheme of things. I only stayed one night and was discharged by 11 am the next day. First week home I was completely drained, and starving. Especially those first couple of days. I basically stuck to everything I had on my liquid diet aside from the berries and veggies. I got around just fine with very little help from my daughter. I was down about another 10 lbs in the first 2 weeks. 3 months out I was "only" 30lbs down from my surgery weight. I was really disappointed at the time but now looking back Averaging 10 lbs a month is pretty healthy. By that time I was eating pretty normally in the sense I wasn't as restricted. Exercising regularly. Had taken a week's trip to Disney World and had my energy back. On the downside, I got sick often. Meat of any kind never sat well with me or anything tomato based. I would end up purging often. I also had a lot of issues with constipation. I became slightly reliant on ducolax (would take every other day to avoid being bound up). I was very reliant on protein shakes, water, and v8. I remember thinking at one point if I knew it would be that bad Idk if I would have gone through with the surgery because I was so miserable (but so glad I did). 6 months out I was 45.9 lbs down from my surgery weight. I was low on iron and high on copper (pretty abnormal about the copper and they think there was a possibility that was inaccurate). I was completely drained and was blaming it on the cold and the weather, not really thinking my Iron was a possibility for how I was feeling. I didn't talk to my doctors about it sooner and I wish I would have. I was still sick often. Meat of any kind still not sitting well with me or anything tomato based. The doctors were kind of unhelpful and just kept encouraging me to keep trying, which was kind of frustrating because I felt like I wasn't being heard for the first time. My issues with constipation weren't as often and was only taking ducolax about 1 or twice a week compared to the months before. I became a lot less reliant on liquids. 8 months out I'm 55lbs down from my surgery weight. 83 lbs down from my highest. I work out 5 times a week and my eating has been dang near spot on, with a few occasional indulgences. If I feel drained I know it's because I missed a few nights in a row of my iron. I can eat pretty normal without the sick feeling but it still happens every once in a while. Constipation is super rare I feel like I hit a lot more stalls than probably most. Eating and physical activity def. go hand in hand and It can be really frustrating. Consistency is your best friend. Between logging your meals, protein & water intake & some sort of physical activity you'll get where you want. I don't think you will ever be fully prepared for what's ahead of you after surgery. I did the research for months to prepare myself and feel like it still wasn't enough. I feel so much more confident now, Clothes fit great. No worries about fitting into booths at restaurants or seats on roller coasters or seat belts on airplanes. I love to put on clothes that once couldn't fit and now are way too big on me. It helps me remember how far I've come even if the scale is disappointing. The biggest compliment I love to get these days isn't how great I look, but how happy I look. I get being nervous, we were all in the same storm as you just different boats. But rolling into that surgery room was the best decision I could have made. I feel like I got my life back.

Hello I have been referred by my pcp for weight loss surgery. I have a consultation with the surgeoun in about 2 weeks. I wanted to know if anyone had any experience with wait times and requirements dealing with California Medi-cal specifically Alameda alliance for health. Thank you

@dskg i’m on my 2 week liquid preop diet and it has been challenging. Days 3-4 were my worst days. The Headaches & the exhaustion was immense. But I pushed through. Days 5-present, surprisingly are much better. The Higher energy levels and the mental clarity on how my body will change, for the better, has been my motivation this week.

I’m just over 4 weeks post op. I’m not tracking either, but I’ve started getting into a rhythm. protein shake for breakfast cheese for snack lunch (varies - today was some corned beef hash) protein shake for afternoon snack dinner (today was like 1/2 a taco) and I might have a protein-y snack like these protein cookies by hold da sugar. my main goal is to get over 60 g of protein and a similar amount in oz of water. I can’t eat very much at a time but I am getting hungry frequently so I’m trying to listen to my body about that.

I cant believe that tomorrow I will be 5 weeks post op. Half the time when I eat a meal, when I'm half way through it, my stomach is like "I don't like thos anymore". I havent started tracking yet. To me it seems hard because If I don't eat all of it, how do I know what the calories are or the protein? I'm still not getting enough protein. Or fluid still. What is everyone doing at this point of their post op? I see the dietician April 5th. I'm hoping she can give me some meal options. I want to start meal prepping. What is everyone's favorite meals at the soft solid stage? Anybody experience foods that they used to like, no longer like now? There's a lot I don't like now.

Awesome Renee, do you start pre op on the 4th? What kind of pre op are you doing?? I'm doing Robard🤷🏻‍♀️ tomorrow I go pick up my two weeks worth of shakes and soups, oatmeal for $200 😨 so I hope I do it!

One thing I've noticed mentally with this surgery and I've already had to explain it to so many people that think it's th easy way out Is that ... 1) my stomach is the same as your stomach just smaller. 2) It just reminds you of what you already knew what to do, you just didn't. 3) I still have to work as hard as everyone else I just have a harsher reality check now because I lacked discipline or whatever. (Medical issues etc.) Like it's insane to me how much of this had to happen for half of it to stick. I know a lot was education the other half was convenience getting the best of me. My pcos etc played a small part. But I'm glad I'm here. And I am kicking butt and working through it.

Well, the long awaited day is tomorrow! I am having gastric bypass and hernia repair on 3/29. Thanks to this forum and all the wonderful people here, I feel mostly ready and know what to expect. Still scared of course, but ready. I will be back with an update...and probably lots of questions! Lol Take care, all!

I had surgery on 3/23. All went well and I have had minimal pain unless I sneeze. The only real pain is from the big incision where they took my stomach out. It's been surprisingly easy to drink and eat. I was on clear liquids (phase 1) the next day (Friday) after my swallow test showed no leaks, but was on full liquids (phase 2) on Saturday so right now I'm existing on protein shakes, yogurt, pudding with protein powder, jello, popsickles and flavored water. Gotta stay on full liquids for 2 weeks, then 2.5 months of pureed/soft food (phase 3). I'll be able to eat real food for the first time on 6/24/23, the day I get married.

Hello All, A brief on my endoscopy sleeve gastroplasty journey. I had my ESG in REGO PARK by Dr.Batash. Dr. Batash is very charming and a great provider. When I first met him for my consult I was concerned about ulcer erosions I've had from previous stomach ulcers, as well as IBS and GERD. He was very informative and open to many questions. The ESG procedure is not covered by insurance, but Dr.Batash is not selling it to you. Which I truly appreciated. My procedure was 2 weeks ago. My biggest struggle is the after-procedure diet. Week 1 - Liquids, Week 2 Purees. I am a picky picky girl.. week 1 was ok, being that I was healing and my appetite was off a bit. I did have Gatorade Zero, Lipton Broth, Jello, and Water. The water felt harsh... so a friend said, to drink alkaline water. I'm on week 2, purees ... what a headache. I can't fathom blending chicken and sweet potatoes, or greens at that. I bought baby food, which 4 OZ was filling. I'll stick to my broth until I can actually chew something, and protein shake provided by the office as well. I did meet with the Wellness Coach provided for 1 year or is part of the package. Lots of info on portion size and what to eat. Only wish they could email me the conversation as opposed to me writing it down. I've tried to walk the 30 minutes daily. So if you have any tips on how to make this smoothy or want information from me... Just let me know.

I just has my procedure around same date as you, on 23rd. Felt like absolute hell first 3 days but I'm walking out and about today! How are you doing so far?

Congrats! I’m starting my 2 week liquid diet Friday! The 14th will be here before we know it!

True! The yogurt is pretty smooth. I think I could have finished the container, but after 30 or so minutes I was scared I might stretch my new tummy. I think that’s my biggest fear while trying to “feel” my way through the last two weeks. Thank you for your thoughts!

I think it’s fine, I eat them all the time. I’m 4 weeks out. I can eat 5-6oz in a meal w/out issue.

Mine is April 5. I'm also excited. Do you only have to follow one week of pre-op diet or have you already done a week and have one week left? Veggie-wise, I've been having a lot of salad greens, mushrooms and some canned green beans. My biggest struggle has been with the headaches, fatigue and fogginess from the low carb diet. I'm having a hard time working.

Mine is April 4.. Only one week of pre-op diet... Very excited but would love some ideas for the veg part of the pre-op

I gave up the disgusting shakes once I was on purées. Found a high protein yoghurt (20g) & yoghurt drink (25-30g - you can make your own drink by blending yoghurt & milk). So much more tolerable to eat/drink. Still eat the yoghurt a couple of times a week if I’m a bit low on protein. Oh yeah, forget your PPI/antacid & you know it.

two months is long for a stall - you may have thrown yourself in maintenance. Have you tried cutting back on overall calories? EDITED TO ADD: If you were under 200 lbs - (you're 5'10", so pretty tall), I'd guess that it was probably because you're close to your new set point. But if your current weight on your profile is correct, you could still potentially drop quite a few lbs. I'd cut back on calories and see if that does anything.

I can totally relate. I've been on an extended stall for almost 3 months now. The weight loss is minimal to none at all. But I read somewhere that the rate of weight loss will decrease as you get closer to target. I noticed that I've started to lose weight again after I started fasting since last week. I hope it is not just water loss. I'm targeting to come out at least 5 kg less after the end of the fasting month. It can be frustrating but our bodies have their own way to adjust. Have you noticed any changes on the sizes? My measurements have gone down despite not losing weight.

I want to also add that I’m 9 years out and while I am not an alcoholic (I can be around alcohol without the urge to drink), it scared me how quickly alcohol hit after surgery and how often one glass hit like 3 used to. I quit pretty much all alcohol about 1.5 years ago now and am loving the growing mocktail and Non-Alcoholic Beer scene. If you feel out of control, it is not your fault and you can get help.

If you can finish, you absolutely should for the nutrition. Hit that protein goal! You're eating so few calories it doesn't matter! That's my opinion anyway! I'm almost 6 weeks out from bypass.