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I haven't done the surgery yet but I'm a busy mom who has dieted a lot. In 2018 I did a lot of fasting and I mean like rolling 42-hour fasts. I was not hungry during a fast but I was so lethargic I struggled to keep the house. I did that for about a year and learned some coping skills: -Give yourself a lot of slack and compassion, take deep breaths, stay grounded. -treat it like exercise, push yourself while you are working but take frequent rests. -use electrolyte drinks more often especially if it's hot outside. -putting a small piece of salt in your mouth can boost your energy and halt hunger. -have as much of a routine as possible and keep it simple to avoid stress. Overall it is super hard having to deal with the stress of other people while your own body already feels so upset! I always put my kids first and it was to my whole family's detriment. Now I have to put the focus back on myself again and lose the weight once more.

Im a 3 yr old sleeve and i still dump (excess sugar is my personal kryptonite). As i got further out my sensitivity to sugar decreased. Where before just a couple sips of a sugary sake had me on the bathroom floor, alternating ends to face the toilet (no joke) and knocked me out for a few hours, now its more like 1/2 a scoop of ice cream will suction me to a couch or chair for 30 mins or so, likely followed by a liquid poop followed by an exhausted power nap. (oh, and sprinkle in some temp fluctuations, sweating, racing heart, difficulty breathing to both scenarios above) do i like that i dump?! H*lls, no. It feels like death. BUT i can appreciate how its just another tool to keep me where i’ m at. An annoying tool yes, but an effective one. Like those above, i’ve learned what i can do to avoid it, its just part of my habits now (i.e, I don't eat too much, too fast at a time; I make its not on an empty stomach; etc...) …:also i have an awesome fam who often test bites food and drink for me to report on its sweetness level before i have a go at it. I also notice that Mr often asks to share a dessert plate with me which I suspect he does to eat more of the dessert than I do…..he was the one that had to pick me up off the bathroom floor and carry me upstairs to bed that fateful first dump night…i guess it spooked him and does not want a repeat performance.

For the night eating try sipping on a sugar-free electrolyte drink that you like. Salt and minerals can really help you fast longer. Also try brushing your teeth with a strong minty taste. This will help trick your mind into not eating by not wanting to ruin that clean feel in your mouth. You've probably heard of these before but hope that helps. 😊

I have a date of November 9 - I’m tapering off coffee and have pre-op appointments next week. The time is going by fast, but I wish they could have worked me into the schedule earlier. I guess I’ll be in the purée stage by Thanksgiving.

You may discover that your definition of yummy changes. A lot of fast food, takeaways, sweets, etc. are really unappealing to me now. Watching advertisements for this type of food almost turns my tummy. When I was losing I ate the inside of a wonton (group of friends decided to order takeaway for dinner) but didn’t really enjoy it. I’ve had gyoza (steamed, inside only) twice & Chinese (braised chicken & vegetables) once since I started maintenance. Again a bit blah! I’ve also had some dessert & cake at Christmas, a wedding & a birthday but again honestly the couple of teaspoons/bites was more than enough. I didn’t get the same enjoyment from eating them. I do drink alcohol. About once a month & usually only a glass. Gin & tonic or champagne usually. Some people do have the odd pizza, burger, etc. eat the occasional biscuit, etc. but it’s an individual thing. Some have found healthy versions (like bun less burgers, high protein chips). You know your lifestyle best & how you will be able to manage adding some things back into your diet in the future.

I have really not craved anything at all to be totally honest. When I make up my mind to do something I go all in and will not stop until it is done. Just focus on the types of foods you CAN eat. After the first couple weeks when you get into soft foods there are enough choices to keep you satisfied. Some foods even when on solid foods will not go down right and you will have that pain in your chest from dry or food that is too large....or if you eat too fast. You will get into a niche of foods you tolerate well and introduce new foods every now and then.

A1 - If you are on extended-release medications, they'll need to be switched to standard or immediate release. I went from 150 mg Wellbutrin XL once a day to 75 mg Wellbutrin IR twice a day, and am about to drop the evening dose. I feel fine. A2 - Yes, but you can only take acetaminophen/paracetamol which is Tylenol in North America and Panadol elsewhere. You will be able to swallow pills, just perhaps one at a time at first. B1 - I was able go up and down stairs within hours after surgery. If your incisions hurt, take a pillow to brace. Ask your anesthesiologist for what's called a TAP block, it's like an epidural for your abdomen and lasts about 18 hours which is enough time to get used to stuff. B2 - An elevated bed will actually help because you don't have to squat down to get onto and off of it. But you could buy a little heavy duty stepstool if you want. Just make sure it's stable. B3 - You absolutely can wipe. Laparoscopic incisions are small. And, honestly, you'll probably be constipated after surgery and won't need to as often, especially if you are on opioid painkillers which back you up. The good news is as you lose weight (which happens fast) you'll become more flexible. A month out and I can wash my entire back without needing a long-handled brush. B4 - Varies by surgeon. Mine said I could shower immediately, but to avoid scrubbing the incisions, just gently wipe them with a separate cloth. C1 - Depends on what you do. I have two jobs; the desk job I was back to after two weeks (and could have done one if needed); the outdoor job I'm still not back at because my surgeon wants 6 weeks. C2 - I was cycling (stationary / assault bike) 2 weeks after surgery with the blessing of my surgeon. Ask anything, really. That's why we're here.

Thanks Sunnyway, I think that might be a bit hefty for the intestines at the moment but it sounds absolutely delicious and once I am recovered from what ever this fast moving intestinal thing is I will try that. I tried some vegetable broth last night and this morning it’s back to where I began on Sunday. I was so angry this morning I called my doctors office and said “ look this is not a gastrointestinal infection, I went to the doctor this is surgery related” I need to see the doctor. They said they would call me back.. I don’t know what is up with this office they have blowing people off down to a science. I’m trying not to take the Loperamide which slows everything down but if I don’t everything just passes through almost immediately. I’m starting to get rather sad. I’ve lost so much weight in 8 days it’s insane. I know that is the goal but this is not healthy. I went from 225 last Wednesday surgery day, to 205 today. I’m gonna do some more research and see if I can find out anything about what is happening, although I’m not completely sure what is happening!!!! Thanks again everyone, much appreciated.

Welcome to the club! It’s an exciting time for sure and you will have plenty more questions, so don’t ever be shy or apologize, we live for these kind of posts :) Meds: with a sleeve you’ll be fine. Some doctors will say crush it early on, many of us are given pills (antibiotics or nausea or acid reducers or all) right in the hospital, so it is my personal belief that any doctor that says no pills for X days is just being extra cautious - not that there’s anything wrong with that. NSAIDS…. Geeze you’re trying to start a fight aren’t you? Lol it’s ok. There is definite reasons to limit nsaids as much as possible but the occasional one likely will be fine. Use acetaminophen when possible. Many of the other questions will be difficult to answer accurately. Recovery time does vary. I would have been capable of any of those just a day or two post op, some people need a couple weeks. It also depends on your current physical condition, if any of those things are already difficult for you now, it will not be easier so soon post-op. I would aim for 3-4 weeks for the bike just to be safe. Wait until you lose weight and you have that “ahahahah!!!” moment where you realize how much easier wiping is in general. I can reach all sorts of places I couldn’t before :) oh… showering. They had me shower in the hospital the next morning. I had bandages on the small incisions and it wasn’t a problem. Their requirement was no submersion (pool, tub, etc) for four weeks for me. Keep asking! And again, welcome, it’s an exciting time and we all are wishing you the best, fast and easy recovery and weight loss.

Hang on a tick, I'm stuck on something here. Let me see if I have the facts correct: 1. Your dietitian thinks you're not losing weight fast enough. 2. You have lost 25.5 kg (56 pounds) in 7.5 weeks. 3. Your dietitian refuses to give you guidelines for what or how to eat beyond 60 g of protein and 2 L of water. 4. You're still on shakes at 7.5 weeks out from surgery. I think it is high time you tell the dietitian to shape up or ship out. There are plenty of dietitians out there who don't require their clients to be mind-readers. And who understand how bariatric patients lose weight. I mean, is this dietitian brand new off the wagon from dietitian school? You should be extremely satisfied. Most bariatric patients lose 7-11 kg (15-25 lbs) in the first month and then about 5 kg (11 lbs) a month thereafter, with several stalls that can last a few weeks. Expecting you to AVERAGE 2 kg a week when you have lost 25.5 in 7.5 weeks means that you could be stalled for 3-4 weeks and lose not a single gram and still come out okay. Expecting you to lose 2 kg EVERY SINGLE WEEK is—and I said what I said—daft. If you are stalled, try increasing your calories by about 100 a day for a week to see if that breaks the log jam. Even just 15g of peanut butter or something along those lines could do it. 100 cal a day times 7 days is not enough to make you gain weight.

I would say go with what u can handle…i know from being on these forums for 3 years that my daily cals back then were on the very low side of the range that most people were eating at the same stage. I was blessed (or cursed, depending in how u look at it) with very, very, very little interest or desire to eat. So going as low as i did was relatively low-effort and angst-free for ME. So long as u are consistently at a caloric deficit you will be successful. P.S. Fast forward to now and it now seems (based on what i’ve read on here) that i am on the higher end of average daily calories consumed for my size and stage post op. So who knows? We all operate on different gears…i am of the mind that success is based on one’s ability to determine that gear and operate effectively in it, as well as adapt when those gears change. Good luck! ❤️

Considering you aren't eating much real food (based on the above) and are throwing up, I'm flabbergasted that your dietician would claim that 56 lbs isn't enough. I had my sleeve done on Aug 16, the day before your surgery, and I have lost 31.1 lbs since surgery. And I am heavier than you. And I am pretty darn happy with what I have lost! My math says that you've lost 7 lbs week (56 lbs/8 weeks). I do not understand what this person is talking about. Frankly, I'd have a lot of trouble taking them seriously. Are you certain the dietician wasn't concerning you were losing too fast, rather than too slowly? That would make more sense given your trouble having anything but liquids.

Hi Peeps, I had my Gastric bypass (RnY) on Aug 17. My stats are as follows. SW: 302 lbs Height: 169 cm. CW: 246 lbs. Total lost: 56 lbs Exercise: Walking 10km daily However, I'm feeling I'm not losing fast enough, my dietitian thinks I should be losing about 4 lbs a week. I'm worried that I'm going to ruin this. Any tips on how to lose faster. Would really appreciate the help. Thank you.

Hi Peeps, I had my Gastric bypass (RnY) on Aug 17. My stats are as follows. SW: 302 lbs Height: 169 cm. CW: 246 lbs. Total lost: 56 lbs Exercise: Walking 10km daily However, I'm feeling I'm not losing fast enough, my dietitian thinks I should be losing about 4 lbs a week. I'm worried that I'm going to ruin this. Any tips on how to lose faster. Would really appreciate the help. Thank you.

I had gastric sleeve surgery almost a month ago and I am on soft bariatric foods. The biggest struggle I’ve had is learning to eat slowly! I started working on before surgery but I feel like I am still eating too fast, by the time I feel full it’s already too late and I’ve taken a bite or two too many because I ate too fast and didn’t let my body signal that I was full. Any advice on slowing down when I eat?

OH one is NEVER too young, old or cool for a pumpkin patch! What a gorgeous family, GT - you must be so proud. They are growing up so fast given past posts. Is that their beautiful big sister third from the left!? ;]

No one knows. Apparently, it happens sometimes. Most/many people lose their hunger after surgery, but some people are still hungry. And since I was told not to eat for more than 30 minutes and I can't eat fast or I'll be in pain, I can only eat a little bit, so I'm hungry all the time. The surgeon told me to meet with the nutritionist, but she had already told me to talk to a doctor about medication, which the surgeon didn't agree with.

I've posted on here a few times about how frustrated I've been at being CONSTANTLY hungry since my sleeve a month ago. Well, on Sunday I was out and it was cold and I was hungry because I didn't eat much breakfast because I had been eating too fast in my rush to get out the door so it got stuck in my chest, so I stopped after a few bites. Anyway, I was out at a festival and waiting to meet my friend and got hot tea with skim milk and splenda. I was fine for HOURS. Last night I had sugar free hot cocoa with protein milk, and today I had bariatric pal Chai Tea with protein (don't recommend it - very clumpy). Each time I actually felt like I had eaten enough that I was no longer hungry, which I haven't felt with any of the foods that I've tried. Should I just be eating soup?

Hello fellow September surgery buddies, I’m 18 days post op. Eating a little better now that I’m on soft foods. Talked to my dietician yesterday and my biggest gripe is remembering to take tiny bites and eat very slow and chew thoroughly. I forget sometimes and eat too fast and then I have a horrible uncomfortable pain where it feels food is stuck. But anywho my question for anyone really is, is it just me or has anyone else noticed that other drinks go down way easier than water? I have to take the tiniest of sips of water and wait but with tea for example I can sip more easily and without issue. Just thought that was interesting. Lol I had my surgery 24Sep and I was 210 before surgery and am now 197. But I’m pretty sure I’m in the 3 week stall people talk about as I’ve been this weight for a week. But I’m proud of the changes I’m seeing. I took a pic today to compare it and I can tell a slight difference already. There were times I was second guessing the surgery but I can now walk two miles without a lot of pain. I have osteoporosis and arthritis and break bones easily so the 30 + pounds I gained in the last year put a lot of pressure on my joints. I’ve broken an ankle three times and had a broken back. Just some background info, I started at 227 pounds. I was about 222 in the black dress and today at 197.

Total Scale Victory and Random Observations: I now have lost more than I weigh. I have lost 190 lbs. from my highest weight of 374. The first 50 was using Victoza for Type 2 diabetes. My bariatric program has my starting weight as 343. SW=325. CW=185. My program doesn’t give goal weights. For my own satisfaction, 174 would give me a normal BMI. I’d like to end about 170 knowing that some gain/loss is possible as things settle. I’m 5’10”. I have gone from a size 30/32 to a 14. I haven’t been this size since early high school. I look forward to doing things rather than dreading them. I’ve been off all diabetes meds since surgery. I am still using my CPAP although I’ve had the pressure lowered twice. I see the sleep program in December and we will re-evaluate then. I suspect I will still have a need for it. My cholesterol medication will be re-evaluated in December as well. My doctor thinks it likely I will remain on that med due to family history. That is the only medication I take other than my vitamins and supplements. I track in LoseIt. I track every bite, every day. It keeps me accountable to myself and I foresee it as something I will need to do forever. Today is the first time I ever exported my progress to a spreadsheet. On other groups, I see so many questions that ask how much someone has lost at a given point. I honestly never knew what I did. These are my totals lost from first to current month: 16, 19, 17, 15, 15, 18, 4, 9, 17, 10. I exceed my liquid goals every day and never tracked that after the first week. I’ve never had any trouble with liquids and I know roughly what I drink each day as I know what my mug holds. I also ran my macros for the first time. Since surgery, I’ve kept protein to 40-50% of my diet with fat and carbs 25-30%. I’m still at 800-1000 calories per day. My program has said that is relatively low at this point but as long as I am losing and not feeling hungry, it was fine. My hunger has not returned. I am grateful for that. I’ve tried to build successful habits that will serve me for the long haul. I’ve been walking since coming home from the hospital. I started at 5-10 minutes per day. Now, I try to walk 45-60 per day at a moderate pace. I use 5 lb. weights and do toning exercises for 10-15 min. most days. I’ve started seeing virtually a therapist recommended by my program. I don’t have a history of trauma or eating disorders but I didn’t get to my weight by having a healthy relationship with food. Plus, I was very moody and short-tempered following surgery. I feel great and have more energy than I have in years. But This. Is. Work. I’m ok with that and try to keep my focus on progress and health. I follow what my program suggests and make my own decisions within that framework. There is no short cut to this. There’s no pouch reset, fasting, diet pills and how soon can I eat at McDonalds. I ranted on here one time about hating the word “pouch.” I still do. I hate pouch reset even more. 🙄😫 I don’t believe in it. We don’t need to reset. We need to make the best decisions and choices we can without needing to be perfect. Sure, you lose weight with it, but it’s simply because you are going back to not taking in many calories….and most of us have been down that road before. I continue to absorb the wisdom I get here from those who have gone down this road before me or are on it now. I still hate shopping even though it is not as difficult as it once was. I’m still not sure who I see in the mirror and am uncomfortable with focus on my weight loss. I could eventually benefit from plastic surgery, but I don’t know if that will be in the cards. Enough for now……thanks for reading.

As others have said all programs are different. My program allows straws. I think after you cut out fast food fountain drinks most adults probably don't use them often. The only time I found a need for straws was when I had my skin removal surgery on my arms. Then I drank everything...even coffee...through a straw because I couldn't bend my arms enough because my incisions go past my elbows. I think we have to remember that we get "guidelines" not laws! As adults we have the ability to try things and decide whether it works for us or not! You know your own body and will figure out if using a straw makes you uncomfortable and will put it on hold to try again later after you heal.

Hi Soonlee_W! I'm sorry that you feel like you are losing slowly. It is frustrating when you feel like you are putting all this work in and not seeing the results you expected. I am Just throwing some questions and thoughts out there to see if perhaps they might be helpful. Was your doctor's only advice to increase exercise? Did he/she suggest modifications to your meal plan or suggest seeing the nutritionist? Are you having difficulty eating foods or just get full fast? Did you try looking at other food plans to see how it compares to yours? I know my plan put limits on the number of egg yolks per week (3). Are you looking at calories, fat, carbs in addition to volume of food? Do you track your food (i.e. Baritastic), so you can see if you are eating enough nutrients? Perhaps there is nothing to change, and it is just matter of following the plan & waiting it out. I think seeing a nutritionist might be most helpful, maybe they can help you find targets for calories that would maybe increase loss. Thank you for sharing, as others might be having this challenge as well. I hope you figure out what is causing your progress to stall & start seeing results that you are hoping for. 😊

I too eat entirely too fast and man is a tough habit to break!! That and not drinking while eating are both difficult for me!! Wishing you good luck and much success on your journey!!

I’m new to this site. I’m 5 weeks out from gastric bypass. I was home within 24 hrs after surgery. Soon after that I was walking around with no issues. Had no pain. The only trouble I’m having is relearning how to eat, I eat too fast or don’t eat enough. Already at the solid stage, finding it hard to figure out what I can eat, if I’m eating too much or drinking too much.

I am 7 months out now and just went through a month long stall. It is very unsettling but they do happen and they break eventually. When mine broke I dropped three pounds really fast which somewhat offsets the stall (I am towards the end so 3-5 pounds a month is about all I have been losing). Just stick to the plan and the loss will pick up again.