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protein bars are good to take. I used to sometimes take beef jerky and cheese sticks with me, too (they can be out of refrigeration for quite awhile - as in hours if not a day or so). Once you're there, you may be able to find a grocery or convenience store that has things like yogurt, cheese sticks, etc.

some stuff i ate today: - 1/2 a chicken pot pie: 280 cals - leftover desserts from yesterday (1 mini tart + 1 mini lava cookie): guessed 236 cals - 3/4 cup congee: 256 cals (also had 2 glasses red wine, slice of whole wheat baguette w/ peanut butter, 1/4 of a shrimp rice roll, beef jerky, cucumber and carrots with blue cheese dip, some salt and vinegar chips, and yogurt w/ pumpkin seeds throughout the day...that i didn't take pics of)

I’m struggling right now too. I’m not regretting but wishing there was a fast forward. Like you I take adderall for adhd and had similar eating pattern before starting this process with not eating much during the day but then a huge meal in evening -often a take away when the adderall wears off. I’m having a bit of the opposite problem. I’m finding food really unappealing right now. Just looking at a piece of meat (especially grilled chicken and Turkey meatballs)or smelling it is enough to turn me off. I’m struggling to tolerate vegetables, I’m still experiencing nausea semi regularly. Worse than all of those things I have really low energy. I may be 60lbs lighter than I was 6 months ago when I had my first consultation with my surgeon but I the tiredness I feel 10 weeks out from surgery is as if I was still dragging that weight around. I try to be very active and truly enjoy excercise esp swimming and weightlifting which I do in the mornings but by 4pm the exhaustion strikes and by 6p it’s like the thought of getting out of bed let alone preparing dinner feels like a gargantuan task. I’m exceeding my Protein and hydration targets and feel like I’m following all the rules, the weight loss feels controlled and stable, but I now seem to dread eating and am dreaming of the days I’ll see my pre surgery energy level. So even know I remain positive about the outlook overall in future, real time feelings in the present moment are like you somewhat miserable. And you know what, I think it’s okay to feel that way and not pretend everything is great. The reality is change comes from struggle and rewriting a lifetime of psychologically treating food as a comfort or enemy, or indulgence rather than what it truly is - the fuel for our bodies - at least for me probably requires this misery to reset. Wishing you some comfort to cravings. One food joy I was able to find was creating a Greek yogurt topping bar, having previously never liked Greek yogurt this now is a bright spot in my food day. I hope can find at least one comfort like me. Early on I did also have mental craving for egg rolls and other normal foods so I think what you experiencing is probably normal - since you mentioned Chinese I’m linking to a recipe that satisfied that craving for me. You should be able to have it as soon as you are allowed veg. https://stylishcravings.com/low-carb-easy-make-egg-roll-bowl/ Again hoping you find comfort soon and if you ever need to vent feel free to message me.

I need everyone to know that I was rushing this morning and tried to drain the excess liquid from a Greek yogurt and 90% of it fell out. There was no way I was opening another or taking a pic for this thread so I just ate an abnormally small portion despite my last post 🤣

So great news. I had an hour personal training this morning and despite literally dragging I was so tired last night, I woke up and rather than my standard protein shake I made 2/3c Fage 2% Greek yogurt with 2/3c chopped strawberries, 1 Tb PB2, 0.5 T chia seeds and had in a protein2O. on my way to the gym and killed the workout only feeling lightheaded in the last 5 minutes of the hour!

We have a confirmed date of February 20th! Today was day 1 of my liquid diet. So far, so good!! Breakfast was plain oatmeal with a little protein shake in it for flavor (Premier Protein- chocolate peanut butter) and the rest of that shake. Lunch was a Dannon Light & Fit Strawberry Cheesecake yogurt. In between I've had about 4 oz beef broth and some Peach Tea Crystal Light. Still fighting to finish my second shake (Cake Batter). I'm finding it tough because everything that has any consistency is so sweet. Just gonna have to try harder. Any tips are appreciated!

Here are some additional items you might consider adding to your monthly order list: Greek yogurt: A good source of protein and calcium. Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are a healthy snack that can help you meet your protein needs. Hard-boiled eggs: A convenient and portable source of protein. Berries: Fresh or frozen berries are a healthy and low-calorie snack. Vegetables: Carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, and other vegetables are a healthy and low-calorie snack. Low-fat cheese: A good source of calcium and protein. Deli turkey or chicken breast: A low-fat source of protein that can be used in salads or sandwiches. Nut butters: Almond, peanut, or sunflower seed butter can be used as a spread or added to smoothies. Whole grain crackers or rice cakes: A low-calorie snack that can be topped with nut butter, cheese, or avocado. Meal replacement bars: A convenient option for when you're on the go and need a quick and balanced meal. Also, check out The BariatricPal Store! They carry over 7,500 Bariatric friendly products for pre and post-op! Check them out at https://Store.BariatricPal.com.

My preop starts Tuesday and I can't believe it's already here! It's coming quick. I prettyuch have everything I need now. What soup broths does everyone like that has low sodium in it? Also what does everyone like for yogurt? I like the dannon light and fit. Oikos is close in nutrition facts, but a little better. They don't have as mamy different flavors tho

Oikos triple zero yogurt is also great to add to the list.

One of the most difficult challenges is probably going to be decreased levels of energy, especially with the long shifts. I’m a nurse and struggled to get through my 8 hour days on my return - although I only took 2 weeks off. Now I’m 2 months post op and can do my 8 hour days but on my 12 hour days I’m exhausted. Protein shakes will be your best friend! It sounds like you know a lot about the recovery period but you may find it difficult to manage eating every 3 hours while also getting adequate hydration. Sometimes it takes me an hour or more to eat a yogurt due to patient care and then that’s more time taken away that I can drink fluids. One of the hardest things has been no caffeine and sugar for the energy boosts.

I am one of the lucky ones, I don't have any hunger 27 days out of 28. I find if I eat 4 or 5 small meals a day works well. That way I can get all my necessary food groups in. Pasta, bread, and potatoes are off my menu, no tolerance of them yet. It has taken me almost a year to master this as I was on really low calories for a long time due to severe restriction and nausea. I can manage to get in 1000 to 1300 calories a day this way and all my protein requirements Breakfast will be a protein yogurt Mid morning a small glass of milk Lunch is usually homemade soup, veg, lentil, mushroom, Thai style or Pho Mid afternoon - a piece of fruit and a small piece of cheese Evening meal - meat and salad or vegetables On my hungry day, I don't let my calories get above 1500 by eating lower calorie foods than on other days

Many people don't realise how big a surgery this is. Our bodies demand a slower pace of life for a while until our calories increase. Rest and recover is the order of the day. I was only on 400 cals a day for so many months, no wonder I struggled to do anything around the home. It took me some months to increase my intake and I still have to bump my calories and protein with milk and yogurt. Now I am on about 1200 -1400 a day I feel like Superwoman again. Give it time and you will be the same too Sent from my Lenovo TB-J606F using BariatricPal mobile app

I was about to take them in pill form. I take two different ones, the one is super tiny and the other is a bit larger. Sometimes I would take it in a small spoon of greek yogurt, unsweetened applesauce or with a sip of protein shake (this helps to "coat" it so to speak to get it down better). As time goes on, things get easier and easier too.

For me, I've rarely experienced Dumping Syndrome. I had my gastric bypass 9 months ago. I had more issues with the "Foamies" but haven't had that issue in at least 4 months or longer ("Foamies" is when you regurgitate what you've just eaten and you over-produce saliva and start vomitting - for me this was a very slow process and not pleasant - it happened if my pouch couldn't break down what I was eating - i.e. I had a hard time processing chicken breast even if it was so small, etc - this was during the stage of real food, not purees or soft ....anything stringy like kale, spinach, celery, etc. And...if I ate too fast). As far as Sugar & Fat, I never had that issue and I never went Fat Free/Sugar Free either. However, that being said....I don't want to eat fat - especially animal fat, as it made me pretty sick even before my bypass....but I don't necessarily eat Fat Free Yogurt. I tend to look at Nutritional Labels focusing on Protein, Fiber, Carbs. For example, it really depends on the product and it also is a lesson for everyone going through Weight Loss Surgery in Trial & Error. So, you have to see how your body does and if you have any doubt, don't do it. But at the grocery store, I might look at the labels and see what looks like a better fit for me and see how my body does - the Siggis Icelandic Yogurt has less sugar higher protein and my body does great on it. Say for a cheese stick/snack, a regular piece of cheddar is easier for me to digest than fat free. With fresh fruit, I think it's so important to incorporate, along with fresh vegetables. As far as worrying about the sugar content of fruit, I don't think that's an issue at all. I think it's smart to incorporate fruits into your diet - whole fruits whether fresh or frozen, because it's a good, healthy habit that's so good for your body. I've never had ill effects from eating bananas, berries (some of the best fruit for us!), citrus, you name it. Mind you, I'm a former Type 2 Diabetic. One thing that I have had issues with is sugar free products. I think that could be with anyone - I find that monk fruit and stevia are so much better on my body. Most definitely too much sugar free products (ethythritol, xylitol, etc.) can have major negative effects on your system. I have learned to proceed with caution - before and after surgery - with sugar substitutes. Also, your taste buds definitely change after surgery as well. I love using olive oil for cooking. I try to stay mindful and definitely tracking (Baritastic App is my favorite) helps create good habits. Avocados are wonderful, good fats and I try to eat these. I will tell you that my body has "learned" what makes it feel good. For me, the things that make me feel good are oats - just regular, plain oats (not packet) and steel cut are my go-to. Fruit does make me feel good too, I love adding in smoothies with protein drinks and ice and helps me feel great. Greek yogurt does the same. Nut butters without added sugar helps me feel great also. Veggies sautéed in olive oil help me feel good, a light salad and most fish (easy for me to digest and good source of protein). It's all a matter of trial and error but honestly, this is the best thing I've ever done for myself!! I hope sharing my experiences helps you and best of luck to you!!

@ynotiniowa I'm a nurse working crazy hours in hospital too. Donuts, cookies, cupcakes and candy on every counter, that's a nurse's life at work, that's why I needed bariatric surgery...lol. I went to work after 6 weeks, so I was eating regular food and it was not so obvious to others. You will survive 12-16 hr shift by eating Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, boiled eggs, protein cereal with Fairlife protein shake, tuna pouches and prepackaged small containers with protein rich/nutrition foods (chicken, turkey, chili, veges etc). Wish you good luck and success!

Hey! I’m not a nurse but a monitor tech and work 12’s. Your best bet is loads of little things starting out- Greek yogurts, eggs and cheese, string cheese, taco meat, chili, etc. condiment or mini lunch containers are great. Take the time and walk away from the floor! You and your health are just as important as your patient. After all you’ve taken the steps to get to where you are now, don’t let others derail you by being unprepared for success when you come back. Also, water bottle at the hydration station and a phone timer to schedule breaks.

Thank you so very much for your reply and advice. I will try everything you mentioned. I know I am dehydrated, I have been setting a timer on my phone to drink at least every 30 minutes. My hot flashes come with just one bite, so it’s not that I am over eating. Since my procedure I can not tolerate milk and dairy. I did try milk last week and got sick with just 1/4 cup. Many months ago yogurt was my go to, but it too started to make me sick. I will try yogurt again today as well. I do mix unflavored protein in to my water and tea or coffee. I have not been tested for anything. I have only had phone appointments and am told to consult with the nutritionist on different things to eat. I will call the doctors office this afternoon and see if I can schedule an appointment. I appreciate the time and thoughtfulness you put into the post.

You need to do as your pcp says and eat. First find things to drink, you sound as if you are dehydrated. Water and milk and thinned protein drinks are safe starting options. Have you tried protein water? Have you tried broth? Find the temperature you can tolerate. I managed hot drinks better than icy cold. You need to eat and the calorie content will not matter for a couple of weeks. Once you get some calories in you will start to feel better. To start you eating again, can I suggest yogurts, high protein tinned or homemade soups [blitz it if you need to] mashed potato and gravy, Custard, instant porridge. and soft baked crustless quiche or cheese souffle. Aim to eat [ or drink your food ] a good amount of foods every 2 or 3 hours. Eat whatever you can, its critical to you getting and feeling better Lack of protein will make you weak. Lack of liquid makes your throat slimy. You feel nausea because you may not be drinking enough. Getting hot or in my case shivery cold is because we have overeaten. Getting the foamies [spitting out foam] is because you have put too much in your new stomach in one go. Eat or drink smaller sips until you get a hang of your limits. Lastly, have you been tested for a stricture? because I had similar problems until about 10 months out because they found my internal stitch line was still swollen. I just had to do the best I could until it settled. You should be getting more help from your team than you are, when did you last speak to them?

Greek yogurt with toppings (pb2, chia, hemp hearts, goji berry, pepita, cacao nibs) and finished it! Making a yogurt bar has added more joy to my life than expected.

I'm on day 11 of my liquid diet. I've been having my protein shakes, water, sleepy tea with skim milk and no fat yogurt. I make sure to drink 64 fluid oz. of water daily----- and I JUST WANT SOME FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want grilled chicken! Hahahahaha! I have surgery Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. So- I won't eat anything solid, but I am exhausted, feel sick to my stomach, and have a massive head ache. Hopefully, after surgery, the headache will be gone, or someone will give me something for it. I'm excited to have my surgery!!!! I'm not nervous at all. I know this will be over and done and I will be healthy and happy. So, one day at a time I will get through this! You can too! Just.... ignore your sloshing tummy and try not to stay in the kitchen when your family is eating! Good luck everyone!

Congrads on your success so far. I think I was down only about 18 pounds on day 30. For some reason I have not had a stall yet (knock on wood). I am now coming up on my 11th week and my tastebuds are constantly changing. For example, when I first went on solid foods, I was loving my cheesy-scrambled eggs. Also some chicken in sauce, but now don't care for either. To be honest, I am not a "kitchen guy", don't care to prep, cook, or cleanup. So for now, right or wrong, I sticking to yogurt, cottage cheese, protein drinks, ready made low cal soups, and microwavable low cal dinners from "Atkins" & "Realgood". Still can't eat any read meat but tolerate pork. Feels like more of a mental thing than an actual stomach issue. Hopefully later in the year I will try different food plus looking at getting back on the grill this summer. Saltwater fishing is a hobby and I am not one of those "catch & release" anglers, more like "catch & grill". 😁 But my first dinner on solid food also happen to be a birthday dinner for a relative at Outback restaurant where I ordered Wood-fire grilled chicken breast topped with sautéed mushrooms, crisp bacon, melted Monterey Jack and Cheddar and honey mustard sauce. I ate half and was very, very happy.

One thing that I found helped me was taking probiotics (either a supplement or Greek yogurt) at the same time as my fiber. The fiber acts as "food" for the probiotics and it overall helps digestion and helps to keep things moving.

You seem to like and tolerate dairy products; if you're not tolerating meat maybe consider adding something like yogurt? How do you feel about eggs?

Before this surgery I would have lived on fish and seafood if my pocket could afford it. Over the last 13 months the thought of it revolts me and try as I might, I just can not eat it. I eat all meats, I don't want to eat it but my body needs it. I have started eating beans, pulses and lentils as meat replacements and prefer them. I have very little room for rice, pasta, potatoes or bread yet but can manage a desert spoonful occasionally after my vegetables I have no issues with cheese, yogurt, milk and eggs. I hope I can eat normally at some point

I have had a difficult time with pain after eating yet felt like I was starving. The protein drinks were making me gag and I stopped drinking them. I knew I had to get protein so I began drinking Fairlife and eating Oikos 15 gram protein yogurts as well as canned chicken. I eat very small amounts of food but I'm just wondering when will the pain go away? I feel most of the pain is at the stomach entry. I CHEW CHEW CHEW too. Even liquids hurt. I keep a lot of ice packs in the freezer because I need it on my stomach all day. Feeling anxious. Any advice is appreciated.