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I'm not sure you're going to be able to get the kind of advice you need for your situation here. You're looking at bariatric quantities PLUS vegetarian diet PLUS powerlifting specific needs to build muscle and burn fat. I'd look to a nutritionist and perhaps a personal trainer to get specifics on what you need. All I do know however is PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN. You need a lot of it and if you aren't supplementing your food with protein drinks - be it plant or whey based - you aren't going to get the results you want.

Darktowerdream: Many congratulations on your almost 40 pound loss! That's really something to celebrate, indeed! You must be feeling a bit better daily despite other chronic issues. Keep working the plan and remain diligent, and once reaching your goal weight (while not a doctor, of course) maybe other issues may calm? I commend you for taking control of your health and food environment. So often we find ourselves around toxic food environments and insensitive people. Regardless of what other people want from you right now - I think it best to put ourselves before another's agenda. Set in place strong healthy boundaries and concentrate on making yourself first priority. Your longterm success depends on this. Additional perspectives and helpful insight that might be helpful - Are youtube videos and books by Dr. Matthew Weiner and Dr. Duc C. Vuong. One can be very inspired, encouraged and feel supported engaging these outside your world. Might I suggest the following to keep you focused and encouraged: Weight Loss Surgery by Lisa Kaouk and Monica Bashaw A Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success by Dr. D. C. Vuong The Emotional First + Aid Kit by Cynthia L. Alexander Each address facets of interest in protein, nutritional needs, exercise, chronic conditions + disease along with the emotional and social connections after bariatric surgery. And, many best wishes on your journey. Despite the extraneous challenges you face, you are moving forward in a heroic way! ;]

I am also an Autie, at the Asperger end of the Spectrum, but never got official validation until after 70. Oh I think it always was there, feeling like a square peg in a round peg world. Much sorrow but now I know, I can acknowledge it, use it for my good and I am ME and that is fine! Our motherboards are wired differently but we all are good people, and more than worthy to be here. Well you know, when we are interested in something we can be almost obsessive? I used that tendency to center on preparing for my RNY Surgery and let nothing deviate me from that goal. Dr Kramer, my Bariatric shrink , said I would be that way and he was correct. Still following my case and may the rest of my life, that's okay. Perhaps it will give new insights that may help others. So anytime you want to chat,PM me or look for me on here. And I will be cheering for you too.

Or me either at 10 months, and thought I was perfectly ready, cool, calm, ready to start living the Bariatric life. And I read all the "pie in the sky" pamphlets I could get my chubby little paws on. Nobody mentioned my Evil new Friend. Stoma-stenosis and his sidekick jejunal ulceration. And I did not realize it takes it seems to take forever to heal. I have been on Carafate every 6 hours since October 12, 2018. I used to joke at autopsy the medical examiner would find my spine consisted of Halls cough drops, well now it has changed to oval white caplets of Carafate. And I am happy- proud of losing 125 since surgery , but Me Oh My, what I have gone through to get there! And when I try to talk to someone about my qualms, all they see is the thinner, more shapely body like a so-called Normal woman and they tune me out. I fear I will turn into a thinner corpse, easy on the pallbearer but actrifle harsh for me. And I am still on pureed,protein shakes, soups, broths and approved no calorie liquids. Know anyone else on basically a pre- surgery liver shrinking diet for almost a year? Except on it I got a 300 calorie Lean Cuisine every evening . Now I don't even have that! And when I try to advance my diet, Precious Pouch slaps some sense into me by vomiing EVERYTHING up. Why.can't I get a little honesty? If I am going to be a Gastrointestinal Cripple the rest of my fool life, OWN UP TO IT, I promise I will be less angry than I am now being ignored by the Clinic for 4 months. I reached out once, was told I was delusional, there was nothing wrong with me, this after not being able to keep anything down for 16 hours, and was advised to seek mental health help in my County. Relatively certain we have no one here. Local ER dreads seeing me, not sure how to treat anything beyond basics. They say "What can we do for you? We know little if anything about recovering RNY patients." Well my Bariatric surgeon is in Columbus, 50 miles away , Tomkitten and I don't drive, local transportation group wants 2 weeks prior notice so they will transport for scheduled appointments, but anything emergent, Forget about it! So I chug along, venting on here, praying still there is a Good Resolution to all this. Less than 25 pounds to Goal, now my PCP who I thought was in my corner is getting some sort of Cold Feet. Told me last week he only expected me to lose 70% of my excess weight, I have lost 68.3% and have 2 months before it's a full year. Some people you just can't please & he was the one 2 years ago dancing around ,singing. " Obesity gonna Kill You!" now I'm too thin? Oh come on, you were one of my Weight Loss Godfathers, and now you're backing Down? When I need some on to talk to about this, not even YOU WILL HELP? I feel rather abandoned by all, so I keep trying my best, and wistfully praying it is enough.

I never really had a moment just a lot of things that collided and me randomly thinking "bariatric surgery"! I don't know why it crossed my mind, but it did so I looked up if it was covered and it was so I started the process. I have been thin most of my life, but when I got pregnant with my son I gained 70lbs. With my first i had a military doctor and they did not listen to me at all. I knew something was wrong I was gaining like crazy, but not over eating I couldn't eat I was throwing up all the time. I had preeclampsia too and they made me go a week overdue because they wouldn't listen. Delivered a 10 1/2lb baby! With my second child 5yrs later my new doc said she thinks I'm borderline with gestational diabetes thats why my son was so big and I was gaining. They monitor me with my daughter and I gained 35lbs and lost it. But my PCOS kicked in inbetween having my children and it caused me to have a metabolic disorder and through the years I have just been gaining. With PCOS comes a ton of symptoms which is the weight gain, acne, abnormal hair growth on the neck and chin. That is what I hate the most. I knew losing the weight would help with the symptoms, but PCOS weight is different and extremely hard to lose because of the metabolic disorder. So that's what made me think of bariatric surgery. I'm a size 18 and weight 255.... I don't take pictures with my kids and I feel so bad. I'm ashamed of my weight even though technically its not fault but my condition that I happen to be born with ughhh lucky me! I was starting to back out of not wanting the surgery. Then some kid called me fat from the school bus passing our house. That hurt my feelings and pushed me more into pursuing the surgery. I don't want to embarrass my kids eventually when they get older and notice. My son is 10 and he tells me nothing it wrong with me and that I'm pretty lol bless his heart! I got a candid picture of me the other day and omg I am the same as you that I questioned is that me?!? I swear when I look in the mirror i dont see it... I see a thin person, but honey my eyes are deceiving me! Ill attach the pic... ugh so embarrassing! Anyways my surgery is July 23rd and after seeing this picture I cant waittttttt for my surgery to come. 2 more wks! Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I too was always a Plump Princess, even from birth. I had under control, I was big yes but exercised, was a player of sports, basketnall, softball and neighborhood baseball. I was stable around 230, then suddenly I ballooned to 365+ and was on Phenteramine, team I broke out in fat.Was told I probably had a couple years to live if I were lucky. And suddenly I never stood if I could sit because it hurt my 2 artificial knees so badly, I was short of breath, couldn't climb steps, that turned to don't sit v if you can lays down and why bother with anything if I was on the slick glide path to mortality. I heard about Bariatric Surgery, oh I thought it would be only for Chickee babies who were 20s and 30s. But my Red-head stubbornness kicked in, Wasn't I just as good as them? Shoot I have lived longer than them, and so I said DON'T COUNT ME OUT! Yeah I am a Greandma, but I won't be a fat one anymore, didn't want my grandbabies ashamed of me but even mote I DIDNT WANT TO BE DISAPPOINTED IN MYSELF. If it killed me having surgery , so be it. Everyone expected I would blow up, family already deciding my pissessoonscamong them. Am I sorry for it? Well yes and no, I am glad I had a good surgery, I started malfunctioning, and my recovery has not been picture perfect, but I still believe it can be ! I am a cock-eyed optimist and I shall not be a loser, Wasn't born for that and why week to be average when you can be Outstanding. So I chug chug toward the finish line like a brave little jalopy🚘, scratches, dings, lost a fender skirt somewhere, don't know for certain whether the chassis and engine will hold up, but I am worth more than thec$250 local guys charge such things like me. As long as I keep moving , them and the repossessers cannot hook a cable to ME!

My moment was honestly maybe 2years ago, diet and workout wasn’t working for me so I did my own research on WLS. I didn’t do anything about seeing a surgeon back then because I didn’t know how. Fast forward to November 2018, I went in for an emergency gallbladder removal because I was in excruciating pain. Then here came my one week check up but the surgeon who did the surgery didn’t have an opening for over 2 weeks but she still wanted me to see someone. So they made my appointment and I met with the surgeon and at the end of my follow up he asks “by the way has anyone talked to you about weight loss surgery?” (Now for most people I think would have gotten offended but I didn’t). I told him no but I am interested. Turns out he was a bariatric surgeon. He gave me his card to call to make a consultation appointment and I did, the minute I got home. Dec 5 2018 came and I had my consult and at the end he asked me if I would like to go forward with the process of getting approved by insurance and I said. Got approved May 30th and I will be getting VSG on a August 19th 2019

I’m on month 4 of 6 of my insurance required visits. No surgery date set yet but hoping for late September or October. Not a day goes by that I don’t do at least one of the following... research online, watch YouTube Bariatric videos or browse here and several Facebook groups. I’m pretty anxious now. I originally started the process 4 years ago but only went as far as the first visit. I felt surgery was too drastic at the time and I thought I could lose the weight on my own. After many ups and downs (biggest loss of 50 pounds) and gaining it all back my pcp referred me to a weight management center. I feel comfortable with the staff/doctor. I hope the remaining months go by fast. I’ve never ever wanted summer to be over with. Lol.

https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/bariatricpal-15g-protein-shots-pink-lemonade I got 4 flavors of this in my bariatric pal box & I was hesitant but... I've had the pink lemonade & orange & they're actually really good. They can down the tiny bottle like a shot, but I dump it into a bottle of water & liked it. I wasn't as bad off as you my first two weeks with the protein- it didn't make me sick but mentally the taste of most all of it was just gross. I enjoyed the premier protein shakes prior - first 2 weeks after I didn't really want to drink them. (Now that I'm farther out they're good again). I also liked the premier protein clear drinks prior. I STILL don't want to drink those & now I've got 20 of them piled up in my pantry. Whomp.

read this study on bariatric surgery performed on lower BMI patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5803286/ opinions and anecdotes are good to form a support system but look to research to be fully informed re: low bmi barbaric surgery.

The foods you made sounds awesome. I’ve made chia seed pudding with Greek yogurt and cream in the past. I haven’t made it yet post op. Sorry my reply turned into a long winded message ... I’m in Florida too. I went to Shillingford but it didn’t work out and I ended up going to Cleveland Clinic. I needed gastric bypass due to severe GERD and Dr. Shillingford didn’t even discuss it. He made a lot of assumptions without hearing me out. Insurance doesn’t count metabolic disorders as a comorbidity, I had enough of them but never had high BP and did everything to prevent diabetes due to pcos. I didn’t have the energy to prove my sleep apnea. I couldn’t deal with a sleep study. Even fighting my weight I ended up hitting the 40 BMI mark. I dreaded that. It was an endocrinologist that helped confirm having bariatric surgery was my last method of treatment, or at least a tool to help fight my weight against several metabolic disorders. She referred me to Cleveland clinic. The one 4th of July bbq I went to was tough. All my mother’s friends. I ended up doing the work rather than eating anything. It was Saturday and rained on an off. (Drenching rain) Besides the person who always mans the grill, and my mother, no one did anything except say where’s the food. I felt like if I didn’t help, no one would halve. At one point I had to hold an umbrella over the grill. Would have been funny had I not been exhausted. I wasn’t feeling well so had not planned on going but my mother wanted me there. I haven’t been able to shift past let alone into the purée phase. (And I’m about 9 weeks in, I should have been moving into phase 4) There wasn’t anything I could eat. That didn’t bother me as much as being asked how I am knowing they expect me to say just fine, if I say otherwise it’s, it’ll get better or but you look good. Words hard to deal with because of living with lifelong chronic illness that no one can see. I will never be better. But need to get to a healthy weight to ease some of the burden on my messed up body. I have a upper endoscopy the 11th, I’ve got some kind of hiatal hernia, a stricture (3mm narrow gastrojejunostomy) and a Schatzki ring. I don’t know how the doctor will address that since I didn’t hear from them about the gi fluoroscopy results that showed these things. I’m almost tempted to cancel the endoscopy. I’m also seeing a neurologist about dysphasia separate from those things. I guess I’m just not good around people. I don’t expect anything. Definitely not pity. And I don’t mind helping either. But when I feel like that’s all I’m good for even though my body took a heavy beating from doing so ( and no one can see it) I don’t feel very welcome. Sorry. I have rambled on. My weight is going down thankfully. Sometimes it stays the same for days on end. I weigh myself each morning after I’m dressed. I mark it on a calendar I printed out. I started taking some notes on my tablet for each day my weight and what I’ve “eaten” calories and protein. To make sure I get at least 50 grams of protein. I have the same protein shake almost every morning mixed with ripple milk. To get 30 grams. Probably is not smart but I haven’t eaten lunch. I get the rest of my protein at dinner. I’ve read some research that it’s good to have protein at rest, vs prior to exercise. im always worried my metabolic disorders will get the best of me And sabotage my efforts as it did before. How few calories should a person eat. I thought I was doing alright before, I didn’t eat sugar, ate low carb ... everyone talks about exercise. I cannot. It’s hard to get even doctors to understand that I’ve one of few medical conditions that exertion causes literal damage and worsening of my conditions. Just doing what needs to be done takes it all out of me.

YOU GOT THIS!!!! My date is 2 weeks after you - on 7/22 & I am P*U*M*P*E*D!! You know what helped/inspired/encouraged me? YouTube videos!! Just search "VGS" "BARIATRIC" & "BARIATRICPAL" (YES!! BP has YouTube videos!) You'll see people who have gone through this whole thing! They tell you what you might experience, before & after. They offer tips. There are even some who were VLogging the DAY OF THEIR SURGERY!!! Also -- if you're not the squeamish type: there are videos of the actual surgery!! I found it fascinating, but I like watching that type of thing! LOL! Watch some of the videos- they really help!

Thank you for your positivity and energy. Wishing you all the best through your journey. You’ve got this- we’ve got this. I’m going to have to invest in Premier Protein. I have Bariatric Advantage and the flavors as you have stated are very sweet.

I take ibuprofen 800 prescribed to me by my bariatric NP . Sleeve patients here can take it, but not by pass patients.

All plans are different. Trust your medical professional before anyone’s opinion. Eat what’s on your plan. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. No ones plan is better than anyone elses. *eye roll*🙄.... No one on this forum or in the USA is on a “NO CARB diet” Carbs sources may look different on each plan. Many of us are successful on our dietitian’s low carb plan. I have no reason to bash any medical professional’s bariatric instructions. We are adults, choose how strict or lax you want to work your plan. These choices will affect your weight loss surgery outcome. Things to think about: Are your food choices slowing/stopping your weight loss? Are extra carbs and real sugar causing cravings/hunger? Are you able to stop at one indulgence item - will you continue to make it an entire meal or eat over your calories? Can you keep food items/choices and stay within your calorie/protein/carb goals? My maintenance food plan looks much different than weight loss mode. I eat low glycemic carbs to slow/stop my weight loss, (Sweet potato, brown rice whole wheat breads and pasta nothing white or processed). Rice expands in the stomach and bloats me. I’d rathe have other carb sources.

Yes, there is but I'm not talking about "can't stomach this" here. The restrictions of the peri-operative diet are necessary but anything beyond the healing phase is different from county to country, even different from treatment team to treatment team and what is "allowed" or not is about 100% arbitrary. I've never heard of this "no starches" for whatever period of time before coming to a US board. Mashed potatoes are a staple food of the German mushy diet phase. Also bread is part of a normal post-op diet once the healing phase is over. We were supposed to start with not-toasted toast when introducing bread before upgrading to normal bread (*yuck*, btw). I'm still waiting for someone coming up with a study proving that the "no starches, limit carbs and calories to ridiculously small amounts a day" is more successful in the long run than other less restrictive approaches. And I'm not talking about follow-ups up until a year but way beyond that time period, lets say 5 years and beyond. I also wonder what the next post-bariatric diet hype will be.

Thanks for the info Bill. I did do further research on Dr. Illan and was his accreditations and memberships. I don’t see VSG listed as subspecialty or clinical area of practice on the FACS.org website: Subspecialties and Areas of Clinical Concentration Bariatric (Severe Obesity) Procedures Bariatric (Severe Obesity) Procedures biliopancreatic diversion gastric banding jejunoilial bypass laparoscopic gastric banding laparoscopic gastric bypass roux-en-Y gastric bypass Is this procedure one that he performs often and just isn’t listed? I also saw Oasis Hospital Tijuana, BCN Active 08/2016—Present Hospital Regional No.1 IMSS Tijuana, BCN Active 01/2011—Present listed as affiliated hospitals. Can you clarify where his surgeries are performed? I appreciate your prompt responses!

My "moment " came in May of 2018 with a series of events. I was 246 pounds, and didn't want to hit 250. I was wearing a 3x in clothes and they were getting tight, and I didn't know where I'd find clothes. I was out of breath and sweatty just walking to my car from work, and I had diabetes type 2. High blood pressure. I was literally a hot mess, and I said to myself "that's it!" I went to the informational session with my husband at my bariatric surgeon's office on May of 2018, completed Anthem's 6 months of requirements, and had my gastric bypass on March 27, 2019. Although I've had complications Im thrilled that I had the surgery! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you everyone for your kind words! My husband and I are both in grievance counseling & yes my Bariatric Dr has a forum on his website along with in person meetings in a large group setting 2x a week. Sent from my DL7006 using BariatricPal mobile app

It took me 2 weeks and im still a little sore...but i had a umbilical hernia repair with my bariatric surgery Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello, I'm Tracy age 45 mom of 7, ages 30 to 1½. I'm originally from southern California and now reside in Alabama. I had the Roux en Y procedure 12/26/2001 almost 18 years ago in Whittier California at age 28, my weight skyrocketed to 407lbs at 5'2"..! Luckily with no other conditions i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure etc so I was a great candidate. My lowest weight was 148. I maintained for many years until 2006 after my 5th child and a nasty divorce and with that came my depression & over eating. In 2007, I moved to Alabama and weighed 189, got remarried in 08' and had 2 more children. After having my 6th child in 2011 my weight got up to 203 & there it stayed until January 2018, after giving birth to (my 7th baby) our precious full term daughter who sadly was stillborn at 41 weeks, and 10 months later in October, I lost my best friend/my momma to liver cancer at age 66. After the devastation, I no longer cared about anything, I didn't even care if I lived or died. I turned to eating and was on a lot of medication for anxiety, depression and a mood stabilizer which added another 57 lbs. After going to therapy, getting off all my meds, returning to my faith/church I decided 2019 would be my year!! I made that promise to my momma on her death bed! I went ahead and had my oral surgeries, another back surgery, another mammo/biopsy (I also lost ¾ of my left breast last Aug) saw my cardiologist, changed my diet to all Keto. But the 19 lbs I lost in 5 months came right back. So on June 7th I met with a local Bariatric Dr, June 27th did my pre-op tests and just 6 days ago July 2, I had my revision done to a gastric sleeve. I was 251 day of surgery and I'm at 142 lbs as of yesterday. I had zero pain except for the horrific gas pain in my upper chest, shoulders & back because once they got in there, they discovered a huge hernia behind my liver & fixed that. My first gastric bypass I was cut open 16" so having it done by laparoscope was amazing just 9 little incisions. I feel great and I'm excited for my new life & 2nd chance! Thank you for reading and God bless! Sent from my DL7006 using BariatricPal mobile app

Look for the website called the world according to eggface she is a bariatric patient that has awesome simple recipes for each stage. Most folks love her ricotta bake recipe including myself. I would eat refried beans with some mozzarella salsa and sour cream before kidney beans. I think that it would be easier to digest. Good luck and hang in there

looking at OCC for VSG. my red flag is visiting hours ending at 4pm and no family allowed to stay overnight with you in hospital / clinic. it’s odd. anyone who had surgery at OCC have issue with this? i also read some people state that the payment was sketchy in that credit cards aren’t taken and wanting cashier checks? is this the case? ortiz is board certified and clinic is joint commission compliant. strict visiting hours are odd though. lots of + reviews for dr. illan... i can find info on the facility and it doesn’t seem he’s board certified bariatric surgeon. thanks in advance for any info-

My bariatric coordinator told me that they can't schedule my surgery until I have gotten and started using a CPAP. I had an at home sleep study and now am scheduled for a sleep clinic sleep study on 21Jul2019. How long after your sleep study did it take to get the CPAP? What is it like to try to get sleep with that thing on your face? I am feeling frustrated because I want my surgery date and to get my 3 week liquid diet out of the way.

After working with my bariatric team since February, I was scheduled and had my surgery on July 1st! I am almost a week in and am generally feeling pretty good. For me the hardest thing has been the liquid diet. I can't wait to be able to eat real food again. I'm currently counting down to July 18th, that's when I progress to Phase 3 of my diet and can have scrambled eggs! I can't wait! 😁