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Sorry what did you mean by that? As in body can sustain on 700 cals/day efficiently? And thanks for the advice, I'll definitely go based on how my body reacts. I am not planning to cut down on any specific food group as long as I can tolerate it. Though I also want to make sure I don't overshoot the calories intake. Let's see, may be I'll have a better idea once I am in my phase 3, which is in about 6 days. Full fluid phase - 2 weeks over and only lost about 3 pounds on it lol. 12 pounds came off from the clear liquid phase. So it's all weird how body reacts to different phases. One more weeks of full fluids and almost 1 month post-Op.

Seriously, don't worry about it. It'll fly off soon, but the first weeks are very ... YMMV. Some lose a pound a day from the get-go, others' bodies hold on to fluids and such for a few weeks. Just focus on your plan for now

I just did mine at Sebastian last week. Biggest advice...walk walk walk right after. That gas pain caught me by surprise! Message me if you need anything!

Not to worry, Msleo88. Many bariatric veterans suggest that you not weigh for at least 3 weeks post-op due to the crazy weights fluctuations caused by fluid. I know it’s hard to resist weighing, but stick to the plan and you’ll see results.

Someone brought home the Rona so most of my meals the past week have been easy or super easy (hence the salad yesterday) or I haven’t eaten much at all because I’m exhausted! Today was no different- chipotle pinto beans and wheat toast. 240 calories total… and then another 140 for 8oz of nog (not overly sweet and I think it said less than 15g carbs per serving).

Oh you're having some big losses here - that's lovely to see, makes the whole thing worthwhile. Meanwhile I am still crawling along - one more pound off this week. I know it's a loss and all that but it means I have lost a total of just 9lbs in 5 weeks. I need to lose at least 100lbs and am hoping that this is just a long 'stall' and I start to see some decent losses soon. I am doing everything according to plan and I'm not really looking for advice at the minute - just checking in with my November buddies, as I like to do. Keep the faith my friends!

Im 1 week Post Op today and my incision all itch like crazy. Sent from my LM-G900 using BariatricPal mobile app

there's no way that's a true weight gain. I would guess you're retaining water or your intestines are full. a lot of people don't lose much the first week because of the IV fluids you get in the hospital. In fact, some people "gain" on that (not really a true gain, though - it's just the fluid). I've heard of people "gaining" as much as 10 lbs in the hospital! It can up to a week for all that fluid to work its way out of your system.

Sleeved 11/29 Down 20 lbs at one week appt. Started on soft diet. On soft diet 2 weeks- down 10lbs. So far so good. I noticed that I fell back on my Water once I started on the soft, and I could tell. So I worked on that and back up. I'm comfortable at 3-4 ounces of Protein but that's as far as I can get. I'm severely lactose intolerant so I can't eat "regular greek yogurt". But I found this yogurt by Ratio its Keto friendly and it doesn't bother me at all.its a thicker consistency and definitely filling. 4 oz and I'm done.. I use Isopure for my Protein Shakes it's whey isolate and doesn't bother. I can use Atkins but not everyday. It's a process learning what works and what doesn't. Definitely not boring!! [emoji23] I went back to work on 12/20 and was exhausted. Today was a little better not so wiped out but still tired. I hope everyone has a blessed holiday. Nannette

Pre-op, I was never a breakfast-eater: I started each day with a protein shake for years (an Atkins one with only 15g of protein). Surgery was 29 days ago and I transitioned from liquids to soft foods a week ago, and at first I was eating breakfast every day: I'd have an egg and/or a little oatmeal. It always went down fine, but I'd follow it with a protein shake and then I found that it was really hard to get my hydration in. A few days ago I started just having the protein shake for breakfast, and hydration has become much easier. My nutritionist probably wouldn't be happy if she knew, but this seems to be what's working for me. For now.

Yeah, I mean we're all going to get it, but if it's within 2 weeks of surgery, it'd be a shame.

Hold on, I'm about to use SCIENCE! Your body has a set number of calories it burns even if you are completely inert (sleeping, G-d forbid in a coma, etc.). It's called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). It fluctuates with your weight and with how fast your metabolism is. For, say, a 40-year-old, 5'4" woman who weighs 250 lbs (not unusual for a bariatric patient), BMR is around 1800. Now add on any kind of daily living to that, which required calories, and you end up with a number called total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). If you're the same woman above and you're sedentary, your TDEE might be 2200; if you are one of those nutters like me who goes to CrossFit and goes running and works a physical job, your TDEE might be as much as 3000 calories. Now. You've had your surgery. You are not physically capable of eating anywhere near that amount. Let's say you're at 800 calories a day. Simply by eating those 800 calories and existing, your body will naturally be in a 1000 calorie a day deficit. Add in sedentary lifestyle, and you're in a 1400 calorie a day deficit. Generally speaking, about 3500 calories is a pound lost (this is not always true and can be overcome by fluid retention, fluid balance, hormonal changes, menstruation, eating really salty foods, vitamin deficiencies, etc.). Now let's say you're "overeating" and you're doing 1200 calories a day; you're still 600 calories short of your caloric needs just to exist, and 1000 calories short of what you need for a sedentary lifestyle. You are going to lose weight. You are not going to 'ruin' anything. What is happening to you is your body is rebalancing its fluids. That is why the "three-week stall" happens. Every body is subject to the rules of CICO (calories in calories out), and eventually CICO will take over from your body's rebalancing and the numbers will drop again. And do measure yourself once a week! Bust/chest, waist, abdomen, hips, thighs, calves, biceps, neck. This week I didn't lose a ton of weight BUT I lost a half inch off my waist, and I can tell because my trousers keep slipping and I had to put a new hole in my belt. One suggestion: don't weigh every day. And if you can't help it—some people just have to, I'm one of them—keep a running tally and then pick a day, let's say Tuesday, and average your weight over the last seven days. Then use the average weight to gauge progress, not the number on the scale that day. Where the thick smoothies and things come in is that your stomach is still healing from the trauma of surgery. But here's the thing—your body will TELL you when it doesn't like something you eat. It will clam up your stomach. Or make you nauseated. Or have unstoppable hiccups until your stomach empties. Or give you the sniffles (which is SUPER AWESOME during a respiratory pandemic, let me tell you). I ate a bite of an egg roll yesterday and got punished for it. So... tl;dr... don't worry too much about it, especially at first. Feed your body the protein and liquid it needs, and then move on to other foods.

I mean, for me it would depend heavily on whether "a few weeks" is within 14 days or not - and on your general health. If it were me pre-surgery, before I dealt with my head and the mental side of being obese, I'd honestly be reluctant to go. Not because of covid, but because of the change of plans from family to 75+ people. Somehow, being obese in such large settings always made me want to cancel. Covid would be a welcome excuse for me, but it wouldn't be the real reason I'd want to cancel. Maybe some of that is at play here? I mean, I'd be pretty pissed if someone just changed my Christmas without asking me.

I am 1 week post-op and I have the same thing on 1 out of 2 of my incisions and my doctor just told me to try to not wear a bra because any kind of build up of moisture, sweat, all that good stuff can create irritation for the incision sites. Just put some A&D around the bumps not the incision and it will help calm the itching sensation down. Works miracles for me. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey!! I am a week post-op and I can start soft foods tomorrow. Honestly the first week was rough, and I originally didn't wanna go to families either because I either thought it would mess me up mentally or just make me feel weird only having fluids. But even now I can have Soups and stuff and I prefer my Protein Shakes. For me though I could eat so much before and now I eat 3-4 bites of cheese and broccoli Soup and I'm full. So honestly it doesn't bother me, and I'm 14lbs down in 1 week. So this whole journey is becoming more and more motivating and you kind of just start to blur things out that you may have thought would have made you uncomfortable. It's an amazing journey. Good luck on yours hun. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey!! I am a week post-op and I can start soft foods tomorrow. Honestly the first week was rough, and I originally didn't wanna go to families either because I either thought it would mess me up mentally or just make me feel weird only having fluids. But even now I can have soups and stuff and I prefer my protein shakes. For me though I could eat so much before and now I eat 3-4 bites of cheese and broccoli soup and I'm full. So honestly it doesn't bother me, and I'm 14lbs down in 1 week. So this whole journey is becoming more and more motivating and you kind of just start to blur things out that you may have thought would have made you uncomfortable. It's an amazing journey. Good luck on yours hun. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Are those with surgeries soon skipping holiday gatherings due to eating restrictions or Covid fears? How are you navigating the holidays this year? I thought the Christmas celebration this year would be with immediate family only. Now, it's turned into a sit-down dinner, 75+ person blowout. I'm nervous because I'll be on the liquid diet and will be having surgery in just a couple of weeks.

Me! Surgery was December 16th! I’m ready for my new journey, week 1 has been a little hard but looking ahead and staying positive 😁

Down 110 pounds since surgery on June 20. I’ve decided this week to not worry about losing and just maintain. I’ll start losing again next week. I find that I can eat absolutely anything, just not a lot of it. Yes…you CAN have three dessert ( answering the above post), but just one bite of each. Not every day. Not even every other day. But once in a while. I have begun to try and eat more normally in the past four weeks. I get in my protein and nutrition….but I’ve begun to eat pizza and an occasional cookie or maybe tortilla chips with salsa. But I have two bites of pizza, one bite of a cookie, or 11 tortilla chips. I’m eating it all but very very consciously.

I have a spouse who doesn’t want me to have the surgery. I’m having the sleeve tomorrow and today I am 5’7 and 211. I am a severe diabetic and to the point I have to have this even though I’m at a 34 BMI due to the diabetes and health issues with that my insurance is paying 100% of the surgery. But Mr has brought me my favorite things, tried to take me to dinner and get mad when I say no during the liquid phase. The closer to surgery the more insecure he is becoming (married 20 years) I am seeing my therapist more the past week then my entire life. I will choose life and health over his insecurities and sabotaging me. I lost my very healthy thin father to diabetes when I was 17. I want to be here for my kids and grandkids. If you want this, you want life and choose, as someone here told me yesterday, to learn to love yourself then this will work and you will be successful. My sister had bypass 25 years ago and still maintaining her weight loss, her daughter had it 3 years ago maintaining her weight loss. I could go on and on but I won’t. I think the first step is seeing a therapist to find out why you are killing yourself with food. Because that is what is happening. It’s a tool, it’s up to you to succeed. And I am fighting against all odds with my Hubby but I will choose life and make this successful if that means leaving my 20 year marriage. If he loves me he will support me and help me - period

There are a few possible 'full' signals of which I've heard over the years. The first 6 weeks for me was pureed food and I would get a runny nose which I came to believe caused the foamies. Unfortunately, even as small as my portions were the sniffling usually started before I could complete it. When I advanced to normal food I also advanced to sneezing. Twice. If I take another bite I'll usually end up wretching. I try to stop before I hit 'full' so I keep my portions appropriate. But when the two sneezes occur it's time to put the utensils down and walk away. Even after 18 years, there are days where I sneeze after the first bite. And yes, it means the meals over. I can try again later if I feel the need and ability. Good luck, Tek

Thank you so much. ❤️ Thank you!! That is what I have been doing... Enjoying and eating what I can. I am functionally a vegetarian and luckily live in a large metro area so getting vegetarian meals is easy when I don't want to cook at home. I've resigned myself to having to drive further out for that, but it helps me feel "normal". Thankfully my family and friends are soooo supportive. I think this would be a lot worse if I didn't have them rooting. I will do that. I'll start looking for a therapist with disordered eating experience. I'm very worried about going in the opposite direction after WLS. I think maybe a GI will help as my PCP did ask if I wanted a referral after my stool test was basically inconclusive but I declined at the time because thanks to WLS, I found a tumor (benign! And that surgery was a success) and was getting prepped for surgery so I didn't want to do two health things at once. I'll get to looking and see if I can get someone before the end of the year. Thank you! That was my concern as well and why I posted. When I search, it's people only a few weeks out which I was already told it's normal. I've posted in other groups and keep getting told wait a year. Or I get snarky comments about being too fresh and just wait a few years until I can eat a whole pizza again. Well ... now I'm here, a year and two weeks later with no appetite and can only eat a quarter of a normal sized sandwich so I'm not sure how'd I'd be eating pizza! I also don't want to wait years and hope these issues resolve considering I did get some folks 3+ years out who still have pretty decent food restriction and intolerances as well (though never severe as mine). I really appreciate you all for responding. It was a good thing to wake up to.

if you feel nauseated, then I'd stop even if you haven't eaten the whole measured-out amount. Some people's systems just aren't ready to progress as quickly as others. Some people have to back up for a few days and then try again. And the above person is correct - a lot of us are on liquids or purees for the first two or three weeks ANYWAY. I'd contact your clinic and just let them know what's going on and see what they suggest.

Team June 2021, I hit my 6 month mark today! Since surgery, I am down a little over 80 pounds and a little over 100 pounds. Overall, I feel so much better! My daily feelings vary though. Some days I feel on top of the world (very healthy/slim) and other days, I feel like I have a long way to go and wonder if I will ever make it to goal (very fat). I have more good days than bad and I am happy for that. I move much better and exercise daily, either walking 3 miles, lap swimming, or playing adventure fit on the nintendo switch (aerobic exercise). I also lift weights three times a week. I thrive on consistency and I track everything. In regards to the upcoming holidays, it has brought on emotional feelings and this is the first time I have had doubts about having surgery (so I can never eat three different types of dessert at one time again...like ever?) It has come on in the form of anxiety and I know my hormones are out of whack; I can quite literally feel them coursing through my body it seems. I am working through this and I think I figured out this wave of emotion is because I previously associated celebration, family, and relaxation with food very deeply. So, while I have no cravings or real fear about making healthy choices, I clearly need to re-read chapters that cover emotional eating and relationship with food. May this holiday season be everything you desire - time with family, time alone, rest, a time to get pesky tasks done, inspiration to set new goals - whatever you need! Take Care All!

I’m a juney! I’m still hanging on! I’ve lost 54 pounds, total since the beginning of my journey ( august 2020) is 111pounds. I’m not losing ‘very fast’, but I’m totally OK with it. I’m not perfect, but I aim for my protein and water, and get them in MOST days :) exercise at the gym at least 3 times a week.