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Hi Lisa! One tip is give you is that: fat isn't "weight" and that you're definitely going to have weight stalls but that definitely doesn't mean you aren't losing fat - so make your peace with that from the get go to avoid disappointment later on.

So, I'm coming to the end of my soft foods period in a couple of days. I'm still nervous about eating raw vegetables and meat. So far I've been doing protein yoghurts, fat free cottage cheese, a little peanut butter, hummus etc. In the absence of guidance, what should meals look like at this stage (5 weeks out)? And how many meals per day? I can't eat much so lately I've been stretching out my pot of cottage cheese over 2 hours to get it down but obviously don't want to continue with that habit.

Oh yay. Can’t wait! No they haven’t but I’ve got an appointment with dietitian next week and hopefully get an idea. I have bought some protein shakes and meal replacements to help with liquid diet.

Throughout my sleeve, I used PatchMD and blood tests were always good. I now use the PatchAID multi plus since PatchMD changed their amount on a couple of the vitamins. Because I wasn't sure how the PatchAID worked, I was a little nervous but two weeks ago, I received my 6 month comprehensive blood test results (revision VSG to RNY), and everything was in range. The iron, ferritin, calcium, Vit D, A, E, Zinc, Magnesium... Etc. were all in center range. If any were low, I was planning to go to chewables but since everything checked out ok again, I'll probably still continue the patches since they are convenient. Right now my average calories is 715 calories per day and I know it is hard to eat nutritionally sound on <800 calorie diet so I think the patches have helped.

On the weight loss slowing, everyone here has already said that's totally normal. But since I'm a total nerd and tracked my weight loss, I can tell you exactly how mine slowed down. I've lost a total of 70 lbs over 23 months. Month 1: 3.5 lbs a week, reached -22 lbs Months 2-4: ~1.5-2 lbs a week, reached -41 lbs Months 5-12: 0.5-1 lbs a week, reached -63 lbs and passed my original goal weight at 11 months out Months 13-20: 0.2 lbs a week, currently at -70 lbs, 12 under my original goal Does this mean that you pretty much never dieted before you got surgery? Or are you comparing now to the first 6 months after surgery, where you didn't care about food much simply because you weren't hungry? After reading these boards for a few years, it seems that the people who have long term success do have to pay some attention to their diet to maintain their weight loss. But that takes a lot of different forms according to the specific issues and goals of different people. You won't necessarily have to pay as much attention to it in the long term as you do right now. Right now you're learning what works for you; later it will become habit. Especially if what you said above means that you never dieted much before - in this case you would be learning about what works for you for the first time. But for everyone, after bariatric surgery, you have to learn what your "new normal" is. Personally, my long term goal has been to maintain without having to calorie count. Before surgery, I was pre-diabetic and low carb was the only thing that ever helped me lose weight. After surgery, carbs are still an issue for me, though much, much less of an issue than before. Rather than limiting/counting carbs every day, I've found that having a 4-5 day period of low-carb every 3-4 weeks keeps my carb cravings in check. I still start my day with a protein powder latte and make sure that I have protein with every meal. Veggies help keep me full. If I feel hungry, I eat a snack, but I usually start with a piece of cheese or a few frozen meatballs (I love these things) before I have anything more junky. I eat sweets some days, but not all. I use things like sugar free ice cream or low sugar yogurt for a bit of a treat on other days.

I'm going through the same thing--exactly. The doc sent me home with an anti-nausea patch, an anti-nausea pill, and when I called, still after 4 weeks of nausea, added a suppository. 😳 I have heard that nausea can linger for months. But the suppository worked for me. P.S. go ahead and get that burger....then just nibble at the edges. You will fill up on about 2 or 3 pinches...throw the rest away. Do not feel guilty, I don't.

I went from gastric band to RNY. Like you, my band didn't work. I've only told my wife. Told other people I had a problematic stomach ulcer that needed treatment and then hospital observation and I had to be very careful with what I ate for a couple weeks after. Everyone bought it. Edit: my brother knew I had the band and I had to be more truthful with him for organizational reasons so I said I was going in to have the band removed. Which had the added benefit of being literally true.

Hi Ashley, I'm one day before you in Vegas. My preop diet is 2 weeks though. Are you flying? I am nervous about blood clots and the flight home

Hello everyone! This is my first post and I’m excited yet also nervous. My vsg is scheduled on March 25th at Hospital BC with Dr. Illan in Mexico. It would be lovely to meet a surgery partner on here! I will be starting my one week pre-op diet on March 8th. HW: 215 CW: 210 GW: 130-140 Height: 5”4

(2018) I was around 211 when I got pregnant and delivered at 240. I still had elevated blood pressure throughout my pregnancy. I also did have gestional diabetes so I was induced at 37 weeks & 3days. With my second(2020) I was 220 when I got pregnant and delivered at 240 again. He is now 14 months and I'm 139lbs. So it did take me a lot longer to loose the weight, but I was only 22 when I got the surgery. I don't regret taking longer to loose the weight.

I felt the same way about my psychologist. I just thought I was being angry since she postponed me 2 times now for not "being fit with intention." I even asked her to clarify what that meant since I got a ring fit on the switch and religiously would do that as a workout routine with my son. We had competitions on that thing and the ring itself is a resistance band. It was so much fun. I even took the stairs versus elevators, walked 2-10 miles every day and went swimming 1-2 times a week. She told me she was concerned because I wasn't doing it with the intent of fitness I was just doing it because I liked it. She also told me at one point that she didn't like the ring fit because I couldn't tell her the muscles the were targeted even though I took screen caps of how many reps and the highlighted muscle groups. We touched base earlier this month and she told me she never said that and she couldn't assess me for my mental needs it was up to the therapist programs I completed this passed year to tell me if I was a good candidate and that they needed to submit support letters to her proving that I was active in therapy. I got a little annoyed with her and told her," with all do respect I have not received a whole lot of support in this program. I get told vaguely what I am supposed to do and expected to know how to do it like a professional after 1-3 months. It's a lot to expect from someone that has always been an outside girl to focus 110% in going to the gym and not even know what to do to benefit me. You said go to therapy, I did and not just one therapist but 2 and have worked through a PTSD course with flying colors and continue to make huge strides in mental health. The intentional fitness... Why else do people get active the way I have? because they want to be couch potatoes? You give the option of netflix and chill or kick your butt walking, swimming and ring fit they would choose netflix every time." I just felt hurt and invalidated in all my hard work. like none of it mattered despite the fact I literally did this 100% on my own because I was motivated to be better. I kicked my food problems and at super tiny portions. No more snacking late. conquered my pop addiction. Went to the gym . Made even small changes like stairs vs lifts. Got back into the things I loved to do that made me happy. Therapy. All of it. It's been on my mind a lot on what I should do If she denies me again since I passed my PT with flying colors. Sorry I kinda went on a rant there. It felt so good to let it out. *deep breathes* Thank you so much for helping me not feel like a crazy person. I keep getting told do what she wants if it means you get approved. I have and still no results. so... *shrugs*

2 week post sleeve check-in. Down 30 lbs (including Pre-op diet). I've been very fortunate to have no naseau or real pain. Biggest issue was insomnia the first week after surgery. That seems to have fixed itself with increased activity over the last week. So excited today to add pureed foods. Had eggs with hummus for breakfast. Did my first food prep session. Made a huge mess but was able to make enough meals for myself and my husband to last a week. I think practice makes perfect on this. Incisions mostly healed. When they start to itch, I take a half of a benedryl. Walking about 15 to 20 minutes 2 to 3 times a day on the treadmill. Looking forward to the spring so I can walk outside. Still building up stamina on my lower calorie intake to get back topre-surgery goal of 10k steps a day. Also set my watch to remind me if I haven't moved in an hour. Just walking around my house and up and down the stairs to get in those steps. Starting to see increased exercise is leading to more overall energy. How are all my 2 week post surgery buddies doing? Sent from my SM-G970U using BariatricPal mobile app

Lots of good questions, some of which I’m still trying to figure out. I’m concerned about the volume of food I’m able to eat 1.5 years out, BUT I have made major changes to what I eat, so my calorie consumption is still quite low. I have some go-to desserts: Protein bars - there are some incredibly delicious ones out there that taste like candy bars. You do need to be careful because some of them are loaded with sugar and high in calories. My favorite is Built Bars, which taste amazing and are lower in sugar and calories than most brands. Meringue - egg whites are MAGICAL. I use the same basic recipe three ways. For 25 calories, I take 1 serving of pasteurized egg whites (from a carton), 1/8 tsp cream of tartar, pinch of salt, 1 tsp flavoring of choice (I like half butter flavor + half vanilla, and there are tons of options if you look at LorAnn or One On One flavors), 1/2 cup Splenda, and whip in a stand mixer to stiff peaks. I eat it fresh over sugar free Jello (it’s very similar to whipped cream). Or I freeze it and it tastes like ice cream (makes about 1 cup, for just 25 calories!). Or I pipe it in little circles and bake to make meringue cookies (I usually get about 20 cookies in a 25-calorie batch), sometimes using light yogurt as a dip/icing. Plain rice cake (35 calories) sprayed with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray and sprinkled with brown Swerve and cinnamon.

You guys, I am getting so close to my 2 week diet and I am so excited about it. 2 weeks ago I cut out coffee, this week I cut out sugar and so far I have been feeling pretty good. I'm confident that starting my two week diet on the 22nd will be a fairly easy transition on the home stretch to this goal. I need to lose weight ( I gained 120lbs. since November 2019). I was active duty Air Force for 15 years before and this weight has been accompanied with a lot of stress. We lost our baby at 25 weeks in August 2020 - my ultimate reason for this procedure is fertility. I really hope to be pregnant as a result of all this .. and be a super cute mom who can't teach her kids the same bad habits that I picked up by default.

I’m hoping to be getting my surgery date in a couple weeks. I’m hoping it will be in May,2022. I’m so ready to get rid of this fat and it stay off.

Hi NeedtoLoseWeight Yay! Same date as me! I don't have a liquid diet prior to surgery mine is 2weeks of 1000 calories a day. I'm apprehensive about the post op 4 week liquid diet though!. Has your surgeon team given you an idea of what you can have liquid wise that will still fill you up? xx

At the moment speaking to the receptionist at our doctors is a rare treat so no I never got any bloods done before yesterday. Since last June. I have a phone consult with a doctor next week about my results of yesterdays blood tests. My BP is so good maybe I can come off some tablets. I expect they will schedule bloods and results before the jab in future.

I had a 3 week veg diet and it was 3 weeks too long IMO but I gritted my teeth and got through it. It taught me some big lessons like I could exist with out takeaway. At 62 years old I expected the operation pain to be brutal but I had no pain and no painkillers. I could jump in and out of the hospital bed, which was a blessing as I had the worst tummy upset. My last veg meal was a curried concoction that would have caused it and I should have known better. I was told not to shower till the stitches came out, 3 weeks ! Eeuw thats nasty, so I wrapped my middle in Cling wrap and managed { I dont know what you call cling wrap in the US } I bought gummy vitamins, soluble calcium, soups, broths and low calorie popsicles and a few different kinds of protein drinks. Dont over buy anything your taste buds will change. If you have time on your hands read back pages of the forum, I did and found it so useful. Good luck and keep us posted on your recovery and ask away, there is always somebody on the forum at any time of the day

Are you on anti nausea meds ? I have been told we may need them for a year. In the early weeks lots of us have buyers remorse a few weeks in and then as soon as we can begin eating more normally things improve. Being tearful is normal, we think we have ruined our life for a while. Hang in there, give yourself a big hug, we promise you that soon things will improve. I used to nibble on tiny slivers of cheese and these helped with the queasiness and it tasted heavenly. I had such a filthy taste in my mouth all the time. No amount of tooth brushing helped. Just do what you have to so you get through this healing stage

Pretty worried about the 2 weeks liquid diet prior to surgery. I guess it’s good practice? And ideas on food/drinks to have? Any good tips?

I’m booked in for gastric sleeve in a couple of months. Is it true that you have to go on a liquid diet 2 weeks before? I have a function a few days before surgery and will find this hard

The standard recommendation by medical professionals for all adult humans is 150 minutes/week. That's how they come up with 30 minutes a day 5x/week or 10,000 steps a day on average. It's just a benchmark. You can do lots of things with resistance bands and non-impact exercises like yoga or stretching that shouldn't aggravate your pre-existing injuries. What about water fitness exercises in the pool at a local gym or the YMCA?

I’m 3 weeks post op and so depressed. I’m craving a double cheeseburger from McDonald’s. But can’t even eat because I get so nauseous. This sucks. How can I control my mind from wanting all these bad things?!!😭😭😭 I’m so mad and just want to cry. What did I do to myself.

Hello Everyone, I am new here and am pre-op. I have been working with my bariatric team for about a yr or so no give or take and looking forward to getting the hopeful green light for surgery. It has been a wild and crazy journey to say the least but I am so excited to be on it. My whole thing is trying to figure out what is the best to staying motivated working out. So, a little back story on this. I have had a few injuries over the yrs. I had and ACL injury in my 20s and a neck injury in my early teens. I have been able to go to the gym for a max time of an hr lately (which is about 1x a week or 2x a week). Sadly I feel like I have lost motivation because despite feeling goo while at the gym and so proud of myself I ended up getting the worst migraine and neck pain of my life since I had worked on my shoulders and back muscles that day. Needless to say this has made me a little unsure about going back due to the pain and a reward for the hydro beds at the end. But if I don't my team is worried I cant maintain it when surgery is over. I feel so stuck. I also feel stuck because PT therapy walking was ok as long as it was 30 minute min. a day but my psychologist wanted more like 150 minutes a week and weights then recanted. (ugh sorry I am rambling and all over. Please be patient with me it is 1:30 am here) I guess long story short here I am wondering: 1) What were you recommended from your teams? 2) What work outs work for you? 3) What keeps you motivated? 4) and if you have an injury, disability or pain what do you do to overcome fears at the gym with it? Thank you. Have a good one, Destiny

If it wasn't for protein water, I would have struggled to get my 60g daily protein in the first weeks and months post surgery. I couldn't handle the protein shakes beyond the first two weeks. The protein water I swear by has 28g of protein per serve and adds to my daily water intake, making things SO much easier.