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What's your post-op diet look like? I'm clear liquids for a week, so I have Premier Protein Clear, Bone Broths, Jello, and Popsicles ready to go. My surgeon allows sugar in the first week after surgery due to calories being so low.

I had mine about 2 weeks ago, about 9 weeks post op. I only ate 2 pieces to try it out but I was so happy and it sat fine! I had it again last night. 4pieces! I just make sure I already hit my protein goal because there isn't much protein in the small amount I can eat.

Heading into 5 weeks out from surgery and my calories are anywhwere from 480-700 per day. I focus more on getting 70-80 grams of protein per day and meeting my water goals.

Find a protein shake or drink you really like. That makes things a lot easier. I found drinking water in between sips of the protein shake made me less nauseaous. Plan for light activity those first three days. I was moody, grumpy, tired, and achy.

Well I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and everything is a go for next Tuesday. The one question I totally forgot to ask the Dr. was, what will my goal weight be. I could barely sit still since I am so excited. Thinking about drinking shakes for another week and a half is still not that great, lol.

Hi Healthy4longerlife: I'm only two weeks post-op but can really appreciate what you are saying about how challenging it is to manage the relationship with food. I was already in therapy prior to surgery (mostly for anxiety but then to help me wade through my feelings and emotions related to having the bypass surgery as well as my relationship with food). I highly recommend exploring therapy as an option. I have no regrets in working with a therapist. For me, my emotional eating is directly related to my anxiety, so having that avenue to work things out is really helpful and then I don't feel like my family has to bare the brunt of my emotional upheavals. I'm a better mom and wife for it. I did OA off and on for many years, and it can also be a helpful place to land - especially if it works well for you to have a group and/or sponsor to be accountable to on a daily/weekly or more basis. Both options require personal work and delving into what is "poking at you" when it comes to using food for more than just nourishing your body. I suspect I will continue to struggle with this aspect of my relationship with food. Self-awareness is key to working through it, and you seem to have that! I'm rooting for you to find the best option for you. The WLS is just a "tool" - we all still have to work on that "head hunger." Here's hoping that there are better ways to quiet that voice inside that says we must eat in order to feel.

Yes its very common. I personally had a 5 week stall at 2 months out but I was not getting in enough protein or water for my daily diet. My dietician said it was like a flight of stairs - plateau's and down wards, over and over. You will get very use to it on your journey. Good luck with a drop soon

10000000% common and normal. Weight will fluctuate, stall, plateau, and do all sorts of other things. I'm 9 months out and it has NOT been linear. The most important thing to do is just stay the course and follow your plan. You don't need to exercise 5 hours a day, do a pouch reset, bulk up on laxatives, or any of that crap. You just need time and consistency. Hang in there, I know its frustrating but you're right where you should be!

So this kicks off month two post sleeve surgery and my weight loss has slowed down some. I had the three week stall; had a little movement last week and then nothing again. I havent changed much; the only thing I've added is veggies (zucchini, tomato, and mushrooms have been added back). PRotein is still the same, exercise is still the same or higher since now I can swim. I'm sure hormones are just f'ing with me, but is this common?

I have lost 100% off my excess weight, as I now sit at a “healthy” BIM. My loss just stopped when I hit 168. I thought, ok fine, maybe this is ever I was meant to land. 3 months later…the scale has started going down again. I didn’t really change what I’m doing food wise, just started walking more as the weather has improved. So a year out, things can still go down 😊

What about soups? I am in week 5 post-op and STILL resort to soups when I am not "feeling" other foods I'm allowed. A hot soup just seems to go down easier. If you can pack it with protein, even better! Beats a shake (at least for me)

My biggest tips- Make a plan and start small- Having a general idea of the meals you want to make for the week and going from there makes things easier. If planning a whole week seems impossible (for me it is) then break it down by 2-3 days or even daily. Know yourself- I know that I personally am not a fan of leftovers but I don’t mind makeovers- roasted vegetables one night might not be appealing the next day, but soup? Boy, howdy I’m all aboard that train! If you don’t mind eating the same thing for several meals then plan that way. If you ride the leftover-hating struggle bus then simple preparation one day might yield a more complex dish the next by reinventing those same foods. Meal prep takes time- A lot of it can be hands off- pickling vegetables, roasting things, marinating meats, soaking beans, etc. Just make sure you allot for that time when planning your meals. That being said, yes it’s cheaper and more convenient to buy canned beans or granola but by making/prepping it yourself you get to control the nutritional value. You are worth the effort/time it takes to make healthy, nutritious meals for yourself. Above all- be patient and kind with yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day. New habits/skills take time to learn and master.

The first three days are pretty awful. It gets easier after that. During those first three days, be constantly drinking anything that you are allowed to drink. And eat so many popsicles. You want to do everything you can to avoid feeling hungry.

At your surgery date weight, those are high expectations. Certainly puts the pressure on you particularly given a lot of people experience a stall 3 or 4 weeks post op.. You are doing great as you are and don't let your doctor tell you otherwise.

I promise it will get better. I’m 3 . 5 years post op and I eat pretty much whatever I want , just much smaller amounts . I do watch my sugar and carbs intake , I do eat them but only tiny amounts . I still enjoy going out to eat with my husband and I still love cooking . Thankfully I have maintained a steady 105 pound weight loss. Good luck and keep your chin up . You will come out of this phase soon , honestly. Try to find a new hobby as soon as you’re up to it . I discovered spin class 4 times a week and it helps me so much with my mental attitude , and allows the indulgences once in a while

I think it would be a safety precaution too - putting you in a better & healthier place for your surgery. My surgeon puts his patients on different diets based upon their weight, eating habits, weight loss & medical history. Some are on all shakes or 2 shakes & a meal (under the hospital’s weight loss clinic) or keto with a dietician which I was on. I did the 2 shakes & a meal for a good 3 months some years ago. My meal was at night. It is hard to begin because you’re breaking a lot of habits & addictions (salt, sugar, caffeine, etc.). The first week is usually the hardest but you will lose weight. You got this. Watch the pickles especially the number you eat. Those extra calories quickly add up. If you feel hungry, try a green or herbal tea. Also see if they have soups as well as shakes. (The hospital weight loss clinic program offered soup & shakes mixes as did the pharmacy brand program I followed.) Drinking soups can seem more meal like & can be more satisfying.

I do not like having my photo taken, but here goes. My surgery was a week ago today. The photo in shorts was 3 days post op. Photo in white pants is one week post op.

You will do great! I am one week post op, and I would not ever have believed that I could feel this great! Best of luck!

Hey Health4longerlife, First thank you for being so transparent about your current and prior struggles. I just had my RNY surgery about a week ago and have gotten so much from reading others posts. I applaud you for making this decision for bariatric surgery, no matter what your "why" is. I feel you have a clear idea of what is going on and what to do but now you just have to take that step. I would advise you to look into therapy. I agree that the cost can be high but the rewards will be immeasurable. I have used https://www.psychologytoday.com/us to find a therapist. They will list their pricing on there as well. Please consider this for yourself. You have already come so far and I know there is so much living left for you to do for you and your loved ones. We are here for you! Therese

I have found I can drink right before I eat, even seconds before and I am fine, but after eating protein or a meal I need to wait at least 30 minutes, otherwise I will feel pain when trying to wash down chicken or tuna or whatever. So for meals that I am eating soup, I will just eat the soup first and then can have the protein. My bigger issue is snacking on candy, junk. cookies, Its a constant struggle for. I realize my brain and body are not on the same page. My body needs to eat slowly and doesn't care to eat out since I would end up overeating and being in pain. But my mind is still thinking of eating out 3 times a day and in 3 more times and midnight snacks. I never cured my addiction, its tough, I find myself getting much quicker to anger at my wife or kids since i am having this internal struggle. I keep saying I need to see a good therapist or go to OA, get a sponsor and give it a good go. But i say I am too busy or its expensive. As is I am saving more than $1000 a month than before surgery. That is just for my restaurant bills , that I would go out and eat myself like lunch twice a day, like sushi with a friend and then Italian myself.... Its also tough since my energy levels are the same as before. I was always a high energy person. so i feel the same, except when exercising or walking I NOTICE A major difference. . I now weight 236 pounds( 107 kilo) and 6 months ago I was 366 ( 166 kilo) , like not out of breath, I started playing basketball twice a week and can play for 2 hours straight. But i lost that relationship that was my everything ( food) and I knew how addicted I was, I just didn't give a ****. It made me always soo happy. I did not get the bypass for looks or to feel good. I only got it so my wife is not widowed in 10-15 years, I am 35 and she is 31, and I owe it to her and my 4 kids to live another 40 years minimum. pre surgery my blood pressure was 175 /125, way to f**ing high!! Its just freaking hard as hell. Im venting since I need to right now. Im still the same funny as before, I know that and friends and family say it as well. But there is still a huge change. I am eating way to much junk but at the same time I dont even feel like I enjoy it close to as much as I use to, like only 20% as much ( If I could put a number) and that is because I cannot pound it. I used to love eating like 3 burgers in buns in 2-3 minutes, thats the part that felt so amazing when my mouth was stuffed and my belly filled. I cannot look to other areas, I already had a life of drugs from 13-23 , went to rehabs and now clean for many years, although I picked up smoking weed again right after surgery to help cope with the loss of my comforter, my right hand man, my happy self, my food... but I only smoke on weekends 1-2 times, since that is when I am not working. So not heavy at all. Cigarettes I stopped 16 months ago. But have had like 4-5 of them in the last 2 months, but wont let myself start again, so no wiggle room. I guess I am saying I need support, any support will be welcome. Its just hard. that is all !

yes I agree with you !!! I am not going to try new things on vacation and everything is at a different pace. A few weeks ago I couldn't do mango or pineapple this week I can smoothly. Chicken is by far the worst

Since you're so early out from surgery, I can tell you this is normal. Hormones are wacky because this is a MAJOR surgery. The first 2 weeks I couldn't drink very well at all. I was on an all liquid diet for 2 weeks post op and it really hurt to drink. But, and I know you don't want to hear this, but it got better. IT WILL GET BETTER. Once you get to the mushy stage, it'll be Heaven. I'm 6 weeks out, and I can eat normal foods. The trick for me, since I never lost my hunger hormone and don't have restriction, is to stick super close to my bariatric diet. But I can tell you, you will be able to eat normal foods again. Maybe not rice or breads or pasts (or if you do, extremely small amounts), but meats, veggies, etc will definitely be ok. You just gotta get there. I know it's hard, but the end results are so worth it. I've lost 33 pounds in 6 weeks (an average of 5 1/2 pounds per week). And I had a miserable 2 week stall where I actually gained 5 pounds. And since then, once the stall broke, I lost those 5 pounds plus more. So while it's tough right now, make sure you get in your protein (shakes, protein water, etc), and make sure you're walking everyday. It really will get better. It took 3 weeks before all of my pain went away, but now I can do whatever I want exercise wise, and I can eat what I want as long as I make sure A) I don't eat portions that are too big I don't graze throughout the day C) I only eat what my stomach can tolerate (lettuce is a no no for me), and D) I stick to 60-80g of protein a day, less than 50g of carbs a day, and less than 50g of fats per day. You'll get there, and you'll look back on how you feel right now and really feel proud of yourself for how far you've come.

Thank you! That does explain why people experience the stall without being constipated. It may have been a concurrent phenomenon, but all I know is that as soon as I got all that stuff out of me, my weight started dropping again and is continuing to. I also wish my surgeon had warned me. I’m going to ask if she agrees with the concept of the early stall.

That's interesting. Every body is different, so I'm not saying that you didn't have a stall, but rather constipation, but the stall is a medically known and explained phenomenon. This video explains it.

When i had to do the total of 3 weeks, I made sure to have a variety of protein shakes (my favorites are from Fairlife and Premier) as well as a variety of protein flavored waters, sugar free protein gatorades, and protein smoothies. There's also sugar free jello you can have. And sugar free tropical popsicles. This is what got me through, helped me get my fluids in, and got me to my protein goals. I still drink a protein shake in the morning (has 30g of protein and caffeine). Make sure you give yourself variety so you don't get bored.