Search the Community

As you said liquids are the first challenge for nearly everyone from what I have read and experienced. What's worse, mostly everyone does not realize how sick and weak you can feel when you don't get at least the minimal requirement in. My surgical team required the whole first week of Clear Liquids and when I look back on it, I know it is because fluids are so critical, even more important that Protein at that stage. Staying hydrated is #1. Unfortunately it took me longer than a week to master getting enough Fluid in me to keep me from feeling weak, nauseous and having a headache. I finally learned one trick that actually still works for me today. I had to literally hold a cup in my hand for the first couple hours of the day and constantly sip so that I had a head start on my liquids. Even today nearly 2 years later I start my day with a 20oz bottle of Water, followed by a 30g Protein shake and then 30 minutes later another 20 oz bottle of water. This really sets me up for a good day. You have to figure out what works for you. Some people set and alarm for every five minutes or so to take a sip, that didn't work for me. I had to hold the cup in my hand. Of course in the first few weeks I could not even get that 11oz protein shake down. It would take me most of the day and I had to thin it out with milk. But by 4 weeks I was able to get all of my water and protein down. Of course I had advanced to full liquids week 2, pureed foods for weeks 3 and 4. I did not do well on the pureed diet. It was just too soon to be trying pureed meats. And eggs did not work for me at all and still don't. So for those two weeks I ate a lot of yogurt, cottage cheese, cream of wheat with Protein powder, Protein shakes, pureed veggies and creamed soups. I think the biggest learning for me was, just because your surgeon advances you doesn't mean that you cannot take it slower and go back to the previous stage. In fact if you are having trouble, call them and likely they will have you go back for a week or two. This allows your new tummy to heal better before advancing. This is just my opinion but advancing ones diet too quickly can actually cause you to not focus on getting the fluids in and building that good habit.

@@Jane1979 The other person who commented was right in that you can use the blender ball cups...I don't love them because I like things that are frozen. I really just don't like Protein shakes that don't have add-ons in them. Last spring I went through a kick where I made about 10-15 protein shakes over the course of a few weeks, but before that I had less than 5, mostly because the pre-made ones are gross and just mixing powder and milk, or gag, even worse, powder and Water was disgusting to me. You can get a blender that works fairly well on Amazon for cheaper than other places. An example of the only Protein shake I have ever really made and drank a lot of (as in 10-15 of them, lol) would be the vanilla ice cream flavored Syntha-6, a half scoop of PB2, a frozen cup of the Yoplait Greek yogurt cupcake flavor, and enough vanilla almond milk to get all of that to blend into the consistency of a milk shake. In the end, it has a reasonable amount of protein, for a reasonably low amount of calories and you end up with a pretty big cup of it. I usually drank about half before I was really full. It tastes like a cupcake batter vanilla milkshake, and while it takes a lot more effort to make, it is so much less disgusting than the pre-made kind. As for feeling full- I am consistently amused by this even now. Like you, I could easily eat an entire pizza by myself, although my preference was more for bakery items. I also really liked Lean Cuisines and Lean Hot Pockets, which I could eat 2-3 boxes of them as one meal. Now, for whatever reason Lean Cuisines takes gross to me, and while I still like lean hot pockets I rarely eat them because they are something that makes me gain weight fairly quickly. This past week I had mandatory things scheduled all week (I work at home so I'm not used to having to be someplace every day all day), and most days I totally didn't care that I got no food. I had a Benita bar around 10am most days, either half a sandwich or a pack of goldfish crackers for lunch, and then dinner was whatever I found in my house, which was pretty much goldfish and the vegetable steamers I keep in my freezer for when I want real food but don't want to leave my house to get it. One day I had 3 wings...they were the bad for your, Ranch flavored wings, they were good, but after 3, I have zero interest in eating any more. One day my sandwich was a fried chicken slider thing from Target- also not very good for you, but something I eat very rarely and I had half around 4pm and half around 7pm. Last week I actually lost 2 pounds because I didn't have time to eat and I wasn't very hungry. It's really nice though, once surgery is over and you're at your goal weight, to be able to have a few bites of food that is bad for you and then have no need to eat any more of it. I usually avoid sweets, but the other day I had about 2/3 of a mini scone from Panera. It was good, but once I had a few bites I was completely content. I am lucky that my stomach doesn't have a high tolerance for junk, so that helps me avoid unhealthy food too, but overall, my food bill is not only much less now than it used to be, but I still get to eat some of the junk I had before, I just have no interest in eating any more of it than an average person who didn't have to have their stomach cut out to be able to be thin.

Sugar alcohols are very common in "sugar free" sweets and they are extremely hard on the digestive system for anyone, let alone someone with a tiny, traumatized stomach. You learned a good lesson -- sweet food, even fake sweet food, should not be what you are trying to justify to yourself right now! Just put it off the menu of possibilities entirely for right now. To make yourself maybe feel a little better, read the critical reviews on Amazon for sugar free gummy bears (which contain sugar alcohols, like most sugar free yogurt). You are not alone in your suffering! https://www.amazon.com/Haribo-Sugar-Free-Gummy-Bears/product-reviews/B008JELLCA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt_rgt?filterByStar=critical&pageNumber=1

I was allowed unlimited amounts of leafy greens, but only allowed calorie-free dressing. If I recall correctly it's something like 4 cups of leafy greens a day... but only lemon juice or vinegar for dressing. Once again... talk to your nutritionist!Lemon or vinegar here as well but I'm also supposed to get in some plain Greek yogurt daily to promote good bacteria in my stomach. I mix the lemon juice and a spoon full of the yogurt and it is a pretty tasty dressing.

My husband had surgery about 3 and a half weeks ago and eats almost nothing. Says he just can't, nothing taste good, and says he just feels full. He eat about 3/4 of a yogurt for Breakfast and maybe a few more bites of it for lunch. That's its nothing else. He does drink lots of Water. Has anyone else had this happen? He's just very weak and has no desire to try and eat. I had bypass 4 months ago and felt nothing like that. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ok, so My surgery was on 8/15/16, the first two day I slept the entire time from the time they rolled me out the OR. I don't Remember anything! Day 3, I slept most of the day as well but did come home. I took very little pain medication in the hospital but still couldn't stay up long enough to even talk to anyone or reply to a text! Day 4, I laid in my recliner and continued to sleep with only one dose of pain medication and Zofran. So, day 5 I had to get my butt in gear, my 2 and 4 year old children where coming home from my sisters house and as a single mother with very limited help I knew I didn't have a choice but to suck it up! I slept agin most of the morning until they arrived around 4pm. My daughter starts kindergarten in two weeks so I forced myself to go to a back to school picnic with the assistance of my mother. I was able to walk for an hour and felt really good. Slept through the night and woke this morning feeling amazing!! (This being day 6) So, my children and I went and ran some errands. I felt really good and remained very well hydrated. I didn't lift them they walked and are able to get in car seats alone. So, we stopped to get frozen yogurt at a really good shop that offers gluten free, sugar free yogurt. So, yes..... I ate some. Bc tomorrow I was suppose to be able to move to yogurts. I barley made it to the shop next door before I thought I was gonna die. I had horrible diarrhea and wasn't sure I could physically get back to my car after. But, I did with unknown strength! Decided maybe I needed some cold ice Water, went literally across the parking lot to sonic ordered water and a drink for my children and it hit me again!!!!! (My poor kids!!!) So, I've had horrible nashua, abdominal pain and diarrhea since! I'm laying in bed just feeling like I failed myself and my kids and probably over did it! Worse part is........ I work for my surgeon..... Yes, I said it... This is a program I've helped others with for over 5 years!!! It's so hard being on the other side! Any advice I'll take.... Please!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Honestly it could lead to bad behavior again. Maybe some Greek yogurt. Also Look up Protein mug cakes from "the world according to eggface". She has some really tasty recipes and 1 recipe makes about 4-5 servings. Something with some nutrition http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2010/04/that-takes-cake.html?m=1 Dub that's not sweet!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had capsules and had to open them and put them in a spoon of yogurt. It still tasted like crap but it was better than trying to use a sip of Water. Thank goodness they stopped having me take them one month post op.

I pay exponentially less for food now than I used to. Immediately after surgery, I had Jello and Protein shakes- sort of. I didn't like protein shakes so I didn't drink them much, but I did buy them. It was a lot cheaper to just get the big vat of powder and mix it with ice and milk and it tasted less gross. If you blend Protein Powder with milk, or almond milk, a cup of frozen Greek yogurt (the kind that comes as regular Greek yogurt and then you stick it in the freezer) and throw in some PB2, mmmmm....so much better than the pre-made shakes. I'm a little under 3 weeks short of being 3 years post-op and my grocery bill is really not at all like it used to be, so even if it's a little pricier to start off with until you find what you like in Vitamins and healthy food, in the long term, it's less expensive. Don't take my menu as a sample of what you should eat- it works for me, but I've never been a rule follower. I've stayed at goal for almost a year and a half and I've been within 4-5 pounds of goal for almost 2 years (the last 5 pounds took months). For Breakfast I had a handful of oatmeal square Cereal, lunch was a snack bag of goldfish, and a cup of onion Soup from Panera (technically it's French onion soup, but I don't add the cheese or croutons), snack will be a Fiber One bar, more goldfish, and dinner will be the other part of my Panera Pick 2- a Mediterranean flatbread. Most days I don't order Panera, and I'll have a sandwich- half for dinner, half for lunch. So, my food bill for the entire day was less than $10, which I used to be able to eat for a snack, lol.

My full liquids included pudding, Greek yogurt, etc.

My full liquids included Jello, yogurt and pudding.It was anything that turned to liquid once eaten. It had no fruit bits or anything mixed in. I was on full liquids from day 1 post op. I'd try mixing it in a little bit of s/f pudding Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The primary focus right now is getting in all of your protein and fluids. You need protein and fluids to heal and to lose weight. What is your protein target? How are you doing at reaching that target? Your calories are relative to your protein. If you are eating a 1000 calories and getting in all of your protein, then that is great. If you are eating 1000 calories and not getting in your protein then it isn't. 1000 calories of donuts is not the equivalent to 1000 of Greek yogurt or turkey breast.

My surgery was at Cleveland Clinic and they do not do a swallow test either (even though its mentioned in their handbook). I was thrilled. Water is a big issue for many patients. I too use to drink lots of water pre surgery. Bottled and/or from my faucet. I also did a lot of research. One wonders how can water be difficult to drink after surgery. But it was for me as well. Regardless warm, hot, cold or room temp. It just sat in my chest. Even the smallest sip. What I read and is true for me, you need to soften it with something, anything. Cyrstal light, ice tea, warm tea. When I do this, and I rarely use an entire packet I can drink my water just fine. I spoke with my nutritionist yesterday and she said, if I want just plain water, to try distilled water and I will find that easy to drink. Either way, she said, I will eventually be able to drink plain water again as I did pre surgery. I didn't ask her how long. I had an early appointment yesterday and since it was really my first day out on my own, I decided to run a bunch of errands. Its amazing how easy life interferes. By the time I got home at 1 pm. (I left at 8), I realized all I had drank was one 16 ou bottle of water (with crystal light). I thought about stopping and picking up water, but I knew its too hard to drink now. Here it was 1 pm. and I was far far behind on my Protein and water intake. My NUT cleared me for yogurt, but I didn't want to chance trying that on the road. By the end of the day, I just was kind of quesy so passed on introducing yogurt or cottage cheese into my day. I know this is a full time job now to stay on top of my liquids and protein.

Not much but my surgeon said to concentrate mainly on protein! 6 months out and I only eat 500 calories a day and some days less! Try to only look for Protein i.e., Greek yogurt, almond milk Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So glad you're here. Good luck with your next stage. Hopefully things get better. Yogurt! Keep us posted. HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15 SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16 CW: 204.8 on 8.17.16

I grow mint and it's get versatile. I have a Brita Water filter. I filter the water and put in another pitcher, throw in fresh mint, let it sit in fridge and enjoy. Add Stevie if u want. Also great with fresh brewed tea. I chop it and add to chopped cucumber and plain great yogurt as salad dressing, spread or dip. Its also good chopped and added to chicken salad. I use the extract in chocolate shakes too Sent from my VS986 using the BariatricPal App

Just had surgery Monday. I was worried all morning, i had an afternoon surgery. But I talked to the anesthesiologist as mentioned above. We spoke until i was out. As far as diet I am trying to drink all my Water. It's hard. I am eating yogurt. Protein shakes. Etc now. After a couple of weeks if I went out to eat I'm sure I could find something Just imagined yourself one month down the road, two months etc. best of luck and keep. Us posted Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I was told to only have full liquids tho. Thats why i haven't tried pudding or yogurt. Do you think its ok to do so im only 4 days post op tomorrow. Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

I mixed mine with Water, Powerade zero, yogurt and pudding (I was on full liquid). It lasted for 2 weeks and then I began to swallow them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery on August 10th and my Doctor and Dietician just this past Wednesday added Greek yogurt and cottage cheese to my shakes and clear fluids. It is getting really hard. I want eggs and mashed potatoes at least.

Well, I bought a ton of liquid stuff before the surgery. But my hospital pulled a fast one on me and told me that my stay would only cost $150. I only get paid $640 every 2 weeks. Well, when I arrived at the hospital, I found out it was actually going to cost me $350. I had no choice but to give it to them. That left me with only $70 because the rest went to bills. So I bought nothing but liquid to last me for a week. Protein drinks are not very cheap (they are about $8.00 for a pack of 4). I bought 3 packs which cost me about $25 plus tax). The rest went to broth and medication. I now only have $7.56 in my account and I don't get paid until tomorrow. So, it was impossible for me to buy anything else. Once I get paid, I am going to buy soup and eggs and more protein drinks.Greek yogurt is pretty inexpensive, especially if you buy it by the larger container. Do you have a store like Aldi nearby? They are pretty inexpensive. I do have an Aldi that is about 10 minutes away. I'll go there today. Mmmm greek yogurt! I do have a store close by. I usually stock up on protein shakes and soup. I never get things that seem iffy, lol. Thanks for the advice.

I made my first smoothie today: 1 cup nonfat greek yogurt 1 large banana 1 scoop chocolate isolate Protein powder 4 ounces of coconut Water Tastes better than I anticipated and with that amount I made myself 3 protein smoothies albeit small ones. HW 341 lbs 07/19/16 - 298 lbs 08/09/16 DOS - 286 lbs CW 270 lbs

I was sleeved 08/09 and ate some nonfat greek yogurt today and it was great. Like the person before me said it could be an intolerance you've developed. I've eaten boiled eggs all my life but last month began to get headaches from it, guess who developed an egg white Protein intolerance, yep this lady. Intolerance aren't so bad, you won't die usually just feel blah to barfy. Heh HW 341 lbs 07/19/16 - 298 lbs 08/09/16 DOS - 286 lbs CW 270 lbs

You might try thinning it out some. Or you may have developed some sort of intolerance. I had some weird taste changes and couldn't stand yogurt for a few weeks. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi sounds like we are on the same path. Glad to hear everything is going well with you too. I just got back from my post op appointment. Surgery was August 11th so a day over the 1 week mark. Pain has been tolerable, vomiting stopped the first couple of days, and getting Water in hasn't been as much of a chore. My surgeon and his assistant examined my incisions and answered questions. They want me to start more than just walking and add treadmill, elliptical, or cardio exercises. I haven't heard or read anything about "boogie size" - what is that? I have 4 incisions and the one on my left side has the most discomfort however they told me today my stomach was removed out of the middle and the left is just where the pain is felt. I can get up and down with some discomfort especially by the end of a long day. Same for me swelling will be fully down in another week or so. I guess they do phases differently. I like you have been reading everything possible. I was never given a week 1 diet just verbally told Clear liquids broth Jello etc. I had incorporated premier Protein shakes on my own because I saw most people had incorporated by week one and I know my NUT mentioned it to me at some point. Apparently I was NOT supposed to start until the second week but because I tolerated it I was ok. I will be on my stage 2 for about two weeks. I am able to take all pills as needed and the only Vitamin should be my Multivitamin. I use Flinstones chewable but was cleared to start the gummy- yay! Mine must be conservative as well because I am not allowed soft or puréed foods. I am allowed ONE "food" a day and must have 2 Protein Shakes a day. My foods include: soups- low fat- no meat rice no Pasta and blended, SF pudding, LF yogurt, LF cottage cheese, oatmeal, cream of what, farina, home made mashed potatoes (chicken broth, fat free milk, smart balance) and baby food. Mine was OK with soup but again only allowed one meal a day... I found on Amazon this brand called "proti" which my NUT said was okay they had tomato, cream Soups, and oatmeal with 30g of protein. She approved all for this stage (contradicts diet but whatever) I am scheduled for my lab work as well and they want me back in two weeks. September 12th. That was my experience - I know we should follow what our own doctor says but it's just difficult when I know that my doctor and NUT are giving me the same plan as other patients while yours is giving your plan to his other patients they are not specialized to just us. So to me if there is something in your second step that works why can't I try it? Maybe I'm just cranky from my week of liquids but I'm a little indifferent after my first appointment. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App