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Wow, a LOT of surgeries on Halloween. 🎃 One thing about that pre-op diet, though, is when you go through 2 weeks of liquid diet, it kind of becomes the "norm" - and I think it made the post-op part (since it's basically the same diet) easier and less of a transition. I am in no way saying it's fun at all, but it serves for more than a liver shrink. I also never want to do it again, so I feel your pain! Two more sleeps! Best wishes to you all.

Thank You, yes I’ve spoke to my team. I’m doing a pouch reset, just to see if I can resume food again. Just started this week. I’ve always been able to drink, but trouble with food intake since surgery. Team also says everyone is different and tolerant at different times.

Oddly enough I didn’t really notice “restriction” as much in the first two months of my surgery as I do now, especially with liquids. I was downing liquids with ease wondering - is this normal. Now I actually feel like - I can’t take another sip right now. (I’m about 10.5 weeks out from surgery). I even notice more restriction with soups and other things now - that I didn’t have before. Do you see an endocrinologist or a regular PCP for your POCS? I ask because my Endo had a much different approach to my metabolic and endocrine issues that general practice doctors. Things have been nicely dialed in and when things fluctuate (as they do) he is really good about adjusting meds to quickly address side effects from those fluctuations.

Little update: it’s been a long couple of months, but I am seeing some progress. Most of my challenges have nothing to do with the surgery… I have non-weight related health issues that have been flaring up. About 10.5 weeks out I’m about 34 pounds down since surgery and about 91 pounds down from the beginning of my journey. It feels awesome being in the 200’s after 20+ yrs!! But I still have a long way to go. I’’m looking forward to seeing 100 pounds gone! Which is my second “mini” goal (my first was being under 300). I’m 9 pounds away so I’m hoping soon. I’ve been sick for the last several weeks (sinus issues turned into a full blown sinus infection) - so that’s added a few challenges, I’m sure slowing my progress. I’m having trouble staying hydrated, between being sick and trying to time my eating and drinking (I’m still only able to eat small amounts so I need to eat frequently) The weight on the scales is coming off slowly, but clothes are getting bigger and NSV are definitely apparent. It’s helpful to have the NSV as reminders of what’s going right. My knees are feeling better since weight loss, I’m hoping more weight loss will equal more improvement. My energy has not rebounded like I’ve hoped, but I’ve also been sick for the last couple of weeks - so I’m hoping as I recover from that, I will see some improvement in my energy as well. I had hoped I’d be further along than I am, but I’m trying to be content with my progress so far. The one advantage I’ve seen to the slow progress is the skin on my abdomen seems to be responding nicely with the weight loss… my arms are very flabby but I don’t really mind, I will work on building some muscle when I’m feeling better. My lower legs look pretty good, but from my knees up to my hips… well that area is just refusing to keep up with proportioned loss! That area still looks very heavy and I think is why I’m not noticing as big of a body change (personally). If my thighs, butt and hips ever decide to join in on this progress, then I’ll probably notice more! Now obviously I am loosing in those areas, because I can fit into chairs I previously couldn’t or struggled to sit on, I’m just loosing from there last and that’s where I hold most of my weight. I know we can’t target where we loose with from, but when I’m back on my feet, I’m hoping to be able to do some exercises to tone and strengthen those “problem” areas. In my ideal world I’d like to get into the 150-170 pound range. I’m not sure how “realistic” that is … given my starting weight, surgery & other health issues … but take the process one day at a time knowing that any loss is progress.

So sorry you’ve been going through this. Even though they only removed a small slither of your tummy, nerve endings were still cut & you likely aren’t getting your messages through to tell you you’ve had enough or too much. Remember you will be healing for a while & will need to take it slowly for a few weeks just like you did in 2016. As to the hunger it could be stomach acid (extra being produced in response to the surgery) which can cause hunger pangs like pain. Are you on a PPI? All the best with your recovery.

Almost 3.5 yrs out & I still eat slowly, 30-45 mins, leaving a couple of minutes between bites. Sometimes I take longer depending upon what I’m eating & how I pace myself. Salads with lots of leaves, yoghurt & prawns can take 50-60mins. Gotta allow time for the message you’ve had enough to get through. In the beginning, because you’re eating so little you won’t take 30mins to eat a meal more like 20. I used a teaspoon & only dipped into what ever I was eating, never a spoonful. I also used a cocktail or buffet fork (spork) & again only used the tip. There are little things you can do to slow yourself down & take breaks between bites. Take a bite during the ad break, or play a game on your device, respond to someone on this forum or read a thread, read a couple of pages of a book, etc. Eating with others? Then take a bite in conversation breaks, put your cutlery down & sit back from the table between bites. You’ll work out what strategies work best to help you slow down your eating. Eggs can be a little rich & filling @Smoothiegal which is why some people struggle with them. I used to scramble two eggs which would take me three days to eat so only being able to eat half an egg at your stage isn’t that unusual. At 6-8 months I could barely eat one egg. I ate two scrambled eggs for the first time last month.

plans are all different. I'd check with your clinic. 1100 is a lot more than I was eating at two weeks out (I was probably about 10 months out when I was eating that much), but some surgeons like to start their patients out at higher calorie levels - so I'd check with him/her. and honestly, very few programs have you track calories the first few months - they're more concerned about meeting protein and water requirements.

I finally got a call back from Kaiser and the person I talked to said that anything with protein in it DOES NOT count toward the liquids. I even double checked and asked if I make isopurr with 16 oz of water does that water count she said NO. It only counts toward protein. They also said that they would send a referral so that I could go to the support groups. It isn't a drop in thing, I need a referral and then someone will call me. I am feeling less than supported by kaisers bariatric department. I have an appointment with the surgeon next week so I hope that goes well. Scared but excited.

Oh you poor thing! It’s the worst! Thankyou for your feedback.. this is what I wanted to know- how many found they had reflux and for how long it lasted.. i really don’t want this to hang around. I am due to be discharged from hospital today and I now the surgeon wants me to take antacid for 4 weeks. Hoping that will be all I’ll need! I’m glad you’re over it. Yep- I felt pretty regretful and low in mood last night fearing this would last forever!

So i went to the movies last week to see black adam. i grabbed a fountain drink because they had sugar free juices and as for the snack i grabbed some cookie dough bites. They had the lowest carbs/surgar out of all of them. i poured me out about a serving and a half and i slowely ate them throughout the movie tho it only lasted like 30 minutes lol.

i had reflux for about 2-3 weeks after surgery and it was some of the worst pain i ever felt. I completely regretted the surgery. but it did eventually go away completely.

that is exactly how I hope it goes for me … going to dl shows to my ipad in case the wifi isn’t great and hope for an uneventful night! I have a big unknown which scares me.. not my sister and mother being extremely ill after general anesthesia (nausea and vomiting) for two or three DAYS post op…. i have never been under except for the endoscopy and that is lighter sedation so don’t know how i will react.. i hope I take after my Dad for that lol he is a champ and shakes it off easy

The liquid diet is 100% the hardest part. Just remember the liquid diet is only going last for a few weeks & eating that way is only gonna be easier when your stomach is small. I was miserable & now I'm beyond glad I stuck through it! You can absolutely do it. It's just a small hump in a giant life changing event!

I believe if you have a pre-op time schedule to go by it will help. I've attached a copy of a sample schedule they provided me for Week 1 & 2. I was told that 4 oz will take about about 15 min. to drink. Maybe some of these folk who have alreay passed this phase can chirp in. How many vitamins do they have you taking the first 2 weeks? All I am required is the chewable Bariatrc multivitamin 4 times a day and a sublingual B12 over the counter 1 time a day. A November to Remember!

I also work at a desk job and go out into the field often. I work in child welfare and go into the field to visit in foster homes, attend court, and whatever other tasks require me to be out and about to help families. I have scheduled for two weeks off but will request more time if needed. I am concerned about all the movement even at two weeks out.

Oh a three day liquid diet sounds fantastic. I have to do a two week liquid diet and it starts soon, my surgery date in November 28, 2022.

Thank you for this post. I am getting ready to start the liquids, my surgery date is 11-28-22. You laid out some of my worst fears, can I do the liquids for two weeks and not cheat especially with thanksgiving smack in the middle! I also relate to your relationship with food. I have also struggled with my weight and overeating most of my life. I talked with my surgeon about all of it. He did tell me that the pre op liquids phase is the hardest. He said that by the time I feel like I can't do it anymore that surgery date will be here, I know i play mind games with myself about it already and I need to focus on what I can do and put the thoughts of the end goal in the forefront of my thoughts. I think we can both do it!!! Like someon said I might just have to "white knuckle" it. I think keeping the end goal of better health in mind will be a big help. I am diabetic and have other medical concerns that 4 different Dr.have said could be lessened or resolved with the surgery so I am committed no matter what it takes. I wish you the best going forward and have faith we can do this!!! P.S. I am very new to this site as well still trying to figure it all out. I can't even figure out how to update my profile or find my ticker so you are doing great.

5 wisdom teeth!! you are super rare! I had 4 removed in my 20's (under general as well). now that i think of it, recovery from that was pretty rough too. (i must have blocked that memory!! lol) my jaw was HUGE with swelling. i had trouble swallowing (so my throat was sooooo painfully dry) and of course i couldn't eat. if i remember correctly i didn't eat for over a week and lost 10+ lbs...and i was like 115-120 lbs to begin with so i looked pretty wrecked.

I'm just a little over 2 weeks post-op. But I do believe those count, regardless of length out for my program. I can check if you'd like me to. Eventually the protein shakes no longer count, but the liquids do.

I feel like you mentioned the carbs because you sorta know you are having too many. Have you been logging them? Everyone’s plan is different, though. Mine didn’t really limit carbs specifically but in order to get In Enough protein there almost wasn’t room for alot of them. As long as you are sticking to your plan it’s probably just a stall which will break on its own but if you are having like a lot a lot of carbs this is definitely something you could consider cutting back on.

8 week post opt gastric bypass yesterday I did have two small broccoli pieces and a half of a baby carrot .. chewed it wrr we kk and thankfully no problems at all it’s been a challenge but everything seems to be on a trial and error basis for myself.. good luck everyone

I left messages to attend the support groups and I'm waiting for a call back. I do have my followup next week. Thank you for your help, I stayed up until 1 am the other night trying to get my liquids in. I don't have social media, this is the only one I have. Scared but excited.

Oct 31st is my VSG date! So excited! I’ve only lost 2 pounds during my 1 week pre-op diet, but I’m trying not to get discouraged.

Hey, no pre existing reflux for me. It’s just started today which sucks. I have been given IV antacid and apparently I need to take antacids for 4 weeks. Fingers crossed it eases and disappears. It’s awful!

Stalls happen, it sucks. Your body is adjusting constantly through this process, huge changes from a major surgery to your new diet. Just keep chugging along, follow your diet, work with your team/dietician and you will loose the weight. Try to weigh yourself less, measure or look for other non-scale victories to help you during these stalls. This will not be the last one, you got this!