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I wish I could do lean meat. I love chicken and fish. no sugar jello and the no sugar popsicles are actually really good. I'm just craving savory filling foods. Like cheese and pizza. All the stuff that put me in the position to have surgery in the first place. I think if I could eat the lean meats, I would be fine. My favorite meal of all time is a salad with chicken on it. But not being able to have anything, to me is just a recipe for disaster. It's turning me into an angry person. Trying to work full time, school full time, mom full time and go through a divorce. Let's just say the poor guy at Les Schwab got an ear full today. And the ex wasn't happy when I told him he wasn't my priority.

Yes. 5-6 Protein shakes and clear liquids. Sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles and low sodium broth(which is disgusting). That is it! I think it is ridiculous. I am trying my best, but it is not easy. I would love to have just a bite of anything!! They said I could have 1 bite of protein, but I know I won't be able to stop at 1 bite. Especially after not eating food for a week now.

Hello! My dietitian has been preparing me for the pre op diet for months now. I started it on 10/8. My surgery is on 10/22. The first few days weren't that bad, but around day 4-5 I was really hungry and craving my go to foods of cheesy-type stuff. I missed just being able to eat savory foods. I reached out to my dietitian and she said I was ok to drink some pickle juice and even eat one. It has helped tremendously. She even said if the craving is too much I could eat a small piece of lean protein, as the pre op diet is really a liver shrinking, high protein, low carb diet. I have stuck to just a couple pickles, but it is really hard. I suggest keeping in contact with your care team. They are very helpful. This diet is not easy. I am struggling and just want to eat a bowl of macaroni and cheese! Good luck on your surgery!

First time posting here! Surgery date is 10/22. I'm currently doing my 2 week liquid diet and struggling. I miss eating good tasting food. I'm not a sweets person and these sweet protein shakes are tough to drink. And I can only handle so much broth. Highest Weight: 395 Starting Weight: 261 Goal Weight: 180 I'm terrified I will be the person that doesn't lose any weight. I haven't told too many people about having surgery for this reason. I know my love for food is what got me to this point in the first place, but what I would give to have a plate of delicious nachos right now!

The only way I can tell I am hungry is that I am tired or dizzy. Rarely do I actually feel hungry. I actually eat every 1.5-2hours. Small high protein snacks through out the day with 3 smaller more balanced meals (veggies, fruit, carbs ect). Its super important to feed your body so you can sustain workouts, working, or life lol I would try and make it a habit of eating more often. idk if you like to meal prep but egg cups for bfast, lunch chicken salad or a bowl of some time, snacks can be yogurt and granola, cheese stick and jerky...

It *could* be hypoglycemia. To prevent that, you're supposed to eat something about every three hours. Preferably a protein if it's WLS-related. Even a thing of yogurt is fine.

No I can’t do pasta or rice so I’ll have zucchini noodles if I want a pasta-like experience. Otherwise I just have the sauce (with whatever protein) alone. PS I planted my basil in a pot on my deck. Have chives & parsley too. You can keep the pot in a sunny spot in your kitchen too.

Okay. I don’t know that much about it, but it’s still appalling that any medical professional would just leave you to figure out some silly app while you were having any kind of blood sugar issues that they should’ve prevented to begin with. My guess is they probably have some kind of protein right next to the orange juice if that’s what people need. They have a little refrigerator with stuff like that in it. Stuff that they don’t want to have to go to the cafeteria for. It’s the same place They put the sugar-free ice pops for people who had bariatric surgery. I know because I didn’t like the flavors that they had and they asked if I could have my husband bring me a box and they said yes they were just put my name on them. And even if they didn’t have anything the Least they could do was order it for her. You learn a lot about things when you spend five days there walking laps around the halls

This explains the reaction from the WLS center from my recent bloodwork. I had fasted like they had asked and my blood glucose levels were at 70. That’s the cutoff within normal range. I’d never had a problem fasting before surgery, and was never diabetic. This must be a more common post WLS issue. I also asked why one apple slice can make me dump? The answer was that I’ve fine tuned my body for only low glycemic levels so little bites can send it spiraling. The doc and dietician said to eat protein to counteract it, and to pair (whatever) with protein. It was the same response Catwoman got.

the kind of reactive hypoglycemia that some people get after bariatric surgery isn't necessarily related to diabetes. It can happen to non-diabetics, too (I'm not diabetic). I've also seen it referred to as "late dumping", because it tends to happen a couple of hours after you eat (as opposed to soon after, as is the case with regular dumping). I mentioned in my response above that my physician couldn't find anything wrong with me when she did the workup, but she told me to let her know the next time I had that experience. The next time was a couple of weeks later. I'd been at a retirement party and had a whole piece of cake (instead of a couple of forkfuls, like I used to have back in those days). A couple of hours later, there it was again - dizziness, etc. She said it was likely reactive hypoglycemia (AKA post-prandial hypoglycemia), and it may not have shown up at the workup because my glucose might have been normal the day I went in for that. Anyway, yes - it's not uncommon after WLS, . It often appears when you're a year or so out (although sometimes sooner...or later). They say to eat protein - or a something paired with a protein - every three hours or so to prevent it (I know it's orange juice or something similar for regular hypoglycemia - but she specifically said protein with this type - may be something to specific to the WLS-caused version)

Thank you very much! Congratulations to you as well for your successful journey. It's amazing to finally be free of the fat and, more importantly for me, the addiction to food and the total control/power I have over food now. It's seriously my lifelong dream at 55 so staying motivated was baked in.. Thank you again. I am sure I didn't elaborate or explain my reasons enough but actually I am concerned about slowing down the weight loss. I still eat very small portions and am worried it would be hard to sustain on just protein, without carbs. I like my body running more ketogenic than carbed up with the ups and downs of carbs. Without adding fat, and with our malabsorption aspect of the surgery, I am wondering if its possible or not so much..If I am being honest, at 240lbs, I started eating dirtier with carbs to try and stabilize at 240 until I got my knee surgeries, but then just dropped another 20+ within a month and a half or so. My steps and activity increased, small by normal people standards, but a lot for where I have been, after I got another Cortisone shot to the knees. This just illustrates my concern once I reach goal weight and I am rucking, hiking, and lifting. Those three things will be lifelong for longevity and mobility going forward. Obviously everyone is different as far genetically and such, but I have been extremely low calorie, plenty of short fasts up to three days, and have plateaued at certain points during my weight loss, and after doing a refeed with carbs and basically whatever I want to eat, I recharged my metabolism for another huge run of weight loss. The refeed was usually only a couple days to a few days but less than a week. Now with this approach remember I am lifting weights. I mean hard as I can weight lifting 4 days a week. It sucks! Low energy lifting is not fun but the recomp.. I really believe the built-in calorie burn from lean muscle mass is the most efficient way to permanently stay in shape. Male or female doesn't matter. IMHO if your metabolism is slow and you are struggling with the last few pounds, I mean the literally like 5-10 pounds from goal BF, man or woman, start lifting weights. The body recomp will floor you. And that weight or really I think just your body composition after significant weight loss without adding lean muscle mass leaves you looking(Sometimes) like a no muscle bag of skin. Flat. It's not fun but the results.. Anyways thank you for the reply and just to make clear if any of the vets care to weigh in, the WLS gave me the tool, the only tool I will ever need again to lose weight. It's so powerful for me that I need to think about slowing down my weight loss combined with, if possible, being low carb and more ketogenic as a lifestyle choice I prefer. I just don't know if low carb is sustainable without the fat calories. that specifically is what I am looking for. Does anyone prefer low carb/ketogenic after surgery and is it possible? I already realize that fats can be problematic, is anyone doing carnivore after DS Sadi. Not my preference but the only option it seems for low carb without the keto fat plan. Thanks in advance for any tips.

I have it too. Random episodes but I also experienced it before surgery. Friends used to laugh and say it was an excuse not to do any strenuous type exercise (which was when I mostly had episodes) until they witnessed me experiencing it. Freaked them out. Yes, keep little snacks on hand. Eat to a routine. (I started to do this early after surgery because of the lack of hunger and any interest in eating. I knew I had to eat to get in the nutrients my body needed. I still do 5 years out.) Have an electrolyte drink on hand if you know your day will be busy and you may miss meals. (I added a hydralyte tablet to a bottle of water when I knew I would be out or at work.) And I plan ahead in situations I know may cause an episode. For example, sometimes I pop out before breakfast to grab a few groceries. To ward off an attack I’ll have a few blueberries before I leave. My last attack was 4 weeks ago at hospital. The hospital doesn’t provide the sandwiches or cheese & crackers after you have surgery any more. That night I had an episode. It had been 24hrs since I’d eaten and when I spoke to a nurse, she informed me o had to order my own meals through an app or ring an order through. Sorry but still rather out of it from the anaesthetic, sleepy and having a hypoglycemia episode does not make downloading an app and creating passwords, etc. easy. Plus the phone & menu was out of my reach because of the IV and being plugged into those pulsing leg wrap things. Due to my woozy befuddled brain, I totally forgot I had packed a few protein bars which would have got me through. And yes, I had identified I had hypoglycemia on my admitting records.

Yes. I’ve had the same email since dial-up. I’m nervous about the liquid diet. I’m basically broth & protein drinks. I live alone so I’m in the process of getting rid of all my food. Best of luck with the surgery. Let me know how it goes.

I never look at the scale at home. The only time I get weighed is at a doctor's and periodically, at my gym, where they use one of those impedance machines that distinguishes fat, muscle and skeletal mass. Instead of worrying, just stick to whatever program you are following---my appetite was severely diminished after surgery, I had one instance of the foamies early on, and I learned pretty quickly that eating the wrong food or too much to fast led to gastro-distress. I don't know how much exercise you are getting. That has been a big factor for me. I work with a trainer, and it isn't just building muscle, but a lot of attention was paid to balance-- Learning how to breathe is something I'm still working on- sounds stupid but makes a huge difference in your stamina. Walk. A lot. I wasn't a food junkie but like to eat. I'm now constrained, but the trade-offs are worth it. Give it time. If you are persistent and consistent, you will be rewarded--- I slug down a 30 G protein drink, work out, hit another 30 G protein drink, a light lunch, a dinner primarily of protein and veggies. There's a certain amount of positive reinforcement that comes from success. But you should not measure your success by the scale or any other external measure. Overall, I feel better, am far more ambulatory and that alone allows me to capitalize on the surgery--and that's where the self-reinforcement comes in. I would have been out of breath after a couple of blocks walk. Now, I can go miles and feel good while doing it.

Yes - I have that. Or at least that is what my physician thought after I had occasional symptoms like that and they couldn't find anything else wrong with me (had the workup about four years ago). She said to eat something about every three hours - preferably a protein or something paired with a protein. It works - I rarely have those symptoms any more. P.S. any kind of protein is fine - even a thing of yogurt.

@ShoppGirl Thank you for the suggestions, I really appreciate it I haven't actually tried making my own proffee yet - I tend to just buy protein coffee pre-made in cans 😂 Will probably be more cost-effective if I make my own so I will look into that! I shall get the snacks going & alarms set!

Yea. Just start with the times that you naturally do actually eat anyways and then pick other times that are convenient from there. I also do a proffee in the morning (just protein shake and coffee to make an iced coffee like drink). I really am not a breakfast person but I have to do vitamins 5 different times a day so I do that with my soluble fiber mixed in and take my multivitamin once I get that down. It’s fast and it’s liquid too so it’s a good start to the day getting fiber, protein, fluids and my first vitamin done. I like the premiere protein caramel and I just mix it with some chilled coffee. I use the whole shake in a tall cup and add coffee the rest of the way but I am one of those people that are asked if I want some coffee with my cream and sugar so adjust as needed. But for sure, start with the snacks. They are a must if you have reactive hypoglycemia. Then add alarms to remember to eat those snacks. Maybe around 1 if you haven’t eaten yet you need to get something soon or have one of your snacks to avoid the 2-3pm issue. Hopefully that will help.

Received a call at 8.30am this morning to be told that I was discussed in last Fridays MDT meeting and was accepted for surgery 🥳🥳🥳 I was then told I would be having a ‘One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass’ - huh?? The nurse repeated herself and I was still none the wiser. She said that she would ask a specialist Bariatric nurse to call me to discuss and would send me the info out. I asked for it to be emailed, which she did. I had a read through and did some more research on the internet, just to familiarise myself with what had been suggested. It’s the mini gastric bypass. The specialist nurse rang me just after 9am and explained that it meant that my ‘pouch’ is slightly bigger then that of a Roux-en-Y bypass and there is only one connection or ‘anastomosis’ which is from the pouch to the bowel. Apparently it’s not as complex with the op taking around 1.5hours and recovery just the same as the normal bypass plus the weight loss is expected to be the same. I was recommended it because of Fibromyalgia and the chronic pain I have with RA and osteoarthritis as it would be easier for me. That made sense, thankfully! The specialist nurse said it was a relatively new procedure to the hospital which is why it wasn’t discussed in any detail at the first education session I attended a few months ago. Fair enough, I’m happy to go ahead with it. The wait is around 4-6 months - oh 😒 I was honest and said that I was concerned about losing focus while I’m waiting and gaining weight once again (we all know how easy that is) She went through everything again with me - 3 meals a day, 20/20/20, use a portion plate if I have one (I do) focus more on my protein etc. She also said that if I do begin to struggle, to contact her and they would fit me in with the dietitian to go through things with me. I felt better for her saying that. I did reiterate that I am happy to take a cancellation. She said they do get cancellations but would have to make sure that I had at least 3 weeks notice to complete the LRD. I’ll be honest and say that I’m really, really hoping that the 4-6 months is on the outside and that the surgery is sooner! I know that whatever will be will be, so just to keep on keeping on. Gym is going well, 3 visits last week and I’m hoping for 3 more this week. I’ve upped my levels and weights and I’m burning around 600-650 cals in around an hour or so workout or so my Apple Watch tells me! I can feel muscle, it just happens to be deeply buried and camouflaged with fat 😮 I tried my smaller sized gym stuff on yesterday and, while I can get it on I wouldn’t say it actually fitted, so a few more pounds to go before I would feel comfortable enough to wear it. I bought a new black trench coat from Costco at the weekend. It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve been able to fit into clothing from there so that was a nice boost. It will definitely last me a reduction of a couple of sizes too. My weight is steady at the moment but I do hope to bring it down a little bit more before I have to do the LRD. Bloods to have taken yet again on Wednesday. If my liver is off this time then they will have to think of something else. I’ve not had my weekly jabs for 7 weeks, I’ve missed my other jab for 4 weeks plus no pain relief for 4 weeks either and it’s all wearing really thin with me now. I’m finding that I’m snapping at hubby because of pain and it’s not fair. The gym is really helping my range of movement but the pain remains. We’re out for belated birthday drinks on Friday (postponed because of blood tests ) and that’s about it. I’ve decided to crack on and make a start on wrapping Christmas presents this week. Thankfully my Christmas shopping is almost finished - hurray for sales! Wishing everyone a happy week 🥰 Onwards and Downwards!

I doubt I will ever know if I have it because I eat round the clock 🤣 . Sounds horrible though. Do you just get busy and forget or is it that you do not have anything with you?. I keep a protein bars in my purse in case I get stuck out and they have saved the day quite a few times. Even little nut butter packets would work in a pinch. I also have them little cracker sandwich packets in my car for absolute emergencies since they can get hot and be okay and they last a really long time. Of course that’s not a very nutritious choice. If it’s the former maybe set alarms. I have them set as recurring alarms in my phone that repeat everyday. I really find that eating on a schedule works best for me. I don’t think I could ever get all my protein in if I didn’t.

Don’t forget to tell them exactly what you’re doing fitness wise and ask whether you need to adjust your protein and carbs. Also ask what your portions should look like up until your next appointment portion wise. Also I thought of you while I was having my yogurt drink. They are just Greek yogurt and fruit with a little milk (I use almond milk just because it doesn’t expire as fast so I don’t waste as much). They sell some in the stores but you have to watch the added sugars and the ones without it are pricey. They are simple enough to make. I do them in the nutra bullet because I have one and you can drink it right out of that cup you blend in so you don’t waste as much when it sticks to the blender and then the glass. Anyways, this is a really good source of protein when you’re sick of shakes but not really hungry. I often end up having them for night snacks when I get to the end of the day and my protein is low.

Well I read that like 26% of sleeve patients end up revising whether it’s because of GERD, inadequate weight loss or regain. My surgeon said that it’s less risky and it’s a very good surgery that works fine for many people but it’s just not enough of a metabolic change for some. I honestly think he leaned towards it because my BMi was low (for this surgery at least). I was barely 35BMI but I tried telling him that was only because I was literally dieting my whole life and even then I didn’t eat that bad. I just ate a lot of food. I’m sure he hears that a lot but I think I just needed the bigger change from a more drastic surgery. From day one with my sleeve I felt like I was on a diet. I never did find healthy foods that I enjoyed, I ate chicken breast and one of the three veggies that I liked and downthe road I ate a tiny portion of something not so good for me (nothing terrible but not good either). I also never felt the spurt of energy that I felt this time so I never got into the exercise. It just wasn’t the whole lifestyle change. It was like any other diet when my hunger came back and my portions got bigger but it was healthy food at first. Then I started gaining and it just made me so depressed I was trying so hard and I was gaining already. I went to my surgeon and asked about bypass and he said he didn’t think it was a good option for me. I still don’t understand why he said that and later changed his mind. Anyways, after that I stopped following up with my team, stopped posting on here and I never went to in person groups. All of my friends and familY had already told me how big I was before thinking it was safe to say because I was thinner then so as I continued to gain I knew what they were thinking of me so my confidence just plummeted and that just snowballed into my gaining all of my weight back and then I just said forget it I guess this is just my life and I didn’t even try anymore. Finally one day my doctor said that I should really go ask him why it is that he doesn’t think it’s a good idea because they felt I was a good candidate and he said he would do it and asked me if I ever heard of the SADI. He sent me home to do research on that surgery and come back and tell him which one I wanted. I said I think the SADI and he said he needed tests to make sure I was a good candidate. He did an endoscopy, a barium swallow study and a gastric emptying test and then he said I was good and put me on the schedule. Then at the last minute they figured out I needed the nutritionist visit and the psyc eval that they didn’t think I needed so I did those in a hurry and started my preop diet. This time I told everyone about my surgery. Even though I have terrible fears that I will regain again I know that I need them cheering me on to keep me going as well. I started the In person support groups before I even had my surgery and I started posting here again as well. I have done so much more with finding healthy foods that I don’t dread and adding exercise so I can have things other than chicken breast macro wise as well. I also know this time that even if I don’t reach my goal weight or my secret goal weight that I already feel so much better and hopefully I can keep that In mind and not get caught up trying to do this just to be skinny because that isn’t the most important thing. Last time I reached the first goal I had set for myself but I never did reach the goal that I secretly wanted to get to. But I was only 18 pounds away and I let that make me feel like a failure. I would give anything to be that weight now. I just lost perspective I guess. Being healthy is really why I did it then and now and I’m already on the road to being a lot healthier so if I do lose more that’s really just icing on the cake. I just have to remember that and I think I will be okay.

I'm now 6 days post op and woke up feeling "normal" for the first time in 6 days. As in, not immediately in pain, actually ready to get out of bed and start the day. I haven't really bothered much with food since I don't want it and just want water. I went for a walk today and started to feel a little dizzy and then realised I wanted so food so I went home and had a protein shake. Dizziness was gone and I felt better. Getting water in all day. Then about 6 hours later, I had the same feeling, had some soup and it was gone. I genuinely have no idea what hunger actually feels like. I think forn39 years I just assumed I was hungry because I wanted to eat. How do I know when I actually need to eat anymore?

You're probably right; the InBody is likely more accurate than the smart scale, but it’s definitely not 100% either. I totally get where you’re coming from—I’ve also decided to move on from stressing about the numbers. I think I might be barely hitting my protein intake, and that could be part of the issue. Honestly, I feel like I should just be snacking on chicken breast to get those numbers up! I appreciate the reminder about protein and carbs; it’s helpful to know that our needs can change with activity levels. It sounds like you’re really on top of things with your goals. Keeping track of our intake can be tough, especially with everything else going on! f you don’t mind sharing more about your regain, I’d love to hear about it! I understand if it’s too personal, though. I’ve also been curious about why it seems more common to regain after sleeve surgery compared to bypass, especially since so many people still opt for the sleeve despite bypass being around longer. What do you think contributes to that? Thanks for any insights you can share!

The soup does sound good if it calculates to enough protein for me right now. I’m defintely gonna have to google that Tarka dhal. I have to try it now if it’s not too spicy.

I wonder if that uses the same technology as the little scale that I ordered on Amazon. It’s called a smart scale and it connects to an app on the phone and it logs all of your composition stats. I have heard from some of the veterans on here that those are not extremely accurate compared to their DEXA scans. Honestly, if that’s the case, I wouldn’t put too much Focus om those results anyways. It was a fairly small amount and if it’s not 100% accurate it’s possible it was not even correct for that little bit. I ended up returning the scale because I figured it would just be another thing for me to stress over every day like the weight that we shouldn’t really be measuring as often as I do. I honestly don’t see how if you’re exercising more now then you have that you would be losing muscle. I mean, I guess at some point we do need to add strength training and they warned me of that. And making sure you’re getting your protein is important they said if you increase your activity, they have me increased my protein. Did you ask about that? My surgery I have to do a little bit more. My first goal was 77 g at minimum. But at my postop appointment, I showed her my activity and she said I need to increase that to 90 minimum along with adding a bit of carbs. Remember, mine might be a little bit higher than yours because I had a different surgery, but I’m just saying I had to increase it by what 13 g because of activity. And that’s just the minimum the maximum goes well over 100.