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There is no one right way to recover. There is no only one right plan or only one right calorie goal, protein goal, etc. There’s no specific minimum time frame to eat a meal or drink a cup of liquid. There are, however, generalisations, averages, some can, some can’t, etc. things. We’re all different & have different needs & are able or unable to manage different things at different stages. If your body can manage it without causing you discomfort or pain you’re ok. Your body will tell you pretty quickly what is too much, too fast, what it likes, what it doesn’t, etc. You’re following the plan your surgeon gave you so all is good. My surgeon considers each patient’s starting weight, health status, weight loss history, etc. when assigning plans. My post surgical plan & recommendations had similarities but also differences to what a friend who was also a patient of his had. Our pre surgery diets were different too - mine keto & hers shakes only. We’re not the same people so it makes sense our plans weren’t exactly the same & neither were our experiences but we both reached our goal weights. There will be times you may stall or lose more one day or over one week & less the next. As long as the general trend month to month is downwards you’re golden.

The first day or two are bad, there's no getting around it. Hard to take in enough fluid or protein, hard to change positions, and all that mufferthunkin' gas. Make sure you're walking a few times a day. I promise, it gets better, and FAST.

I am six months out and I already incorporate healthy fats like avocado and nuts/ nut butters in moderation. As far as fasting goes and days with no protein the sleeve will not prohibit you from doing that. If anything it would make it easier because of less appetite. The surgeon may or not be on Board with it but I can’t imagine it has anything to do with the surgery, just personal preference of whether that is a healthy practice. I am pretty sure they would tell a non WLS patient the same things about the importance of protein. If that makes sense. If I were you I would at least meet with the surgeon or NP and ask them these questions though.

as long as you're following your clinic's plan, you'll lose the weight, whether fast or slow. Although 17 lbs during months 2 and 3 post-op isn't unusual. Most people see their biggest drop during month 1 (and honestly, a big chunk of that is water). They then settle in to a more normal pattern. I lost about 10 lbs a month from months 2-6, but then, I started out much heavier than you did. And your 17 lb vs my 20 lb loss during those months, esp given the huge difference in our starting BMIs, isn't statistically significant. stalls typically last 1-3 weeks - but a month isn't unusual. Just make sure you're following your program to a "T", and the stall will break.

My recovery was fairly easy. I had the "foamies" a couple of times from eating too much or too fast. Some foods felt bad in my stomach initially but I just put them on the list of "try again later." Eggs were probably the hardest to reintroduce. No matter how I ate them, boiled, fried, scrambled , I felt like I ate a rock. It was at least a year before I could eat them comfortably. After about 6 months I could eat most anything I chose to eat in small portions. I had very little pain after surgery. The worst part was finding out I was allergic to the surgical staples and had horrible dermatitis around each incision. I thought I would scratch my skin off. Removing the staples and a little hydrocortisone cream cured that. I was a slow loser but I tried not to compare myself to others. I just told myself, it will happen eventually! I never had a stall, all the way to goal. Now, almost 3 yrs later, I continue to follow the guidelines I was given, track my protein and have had no problem maintaining my weight. Sometimes I'll look at "junk food" and have absolutely no desire to eat it. All I have to do is look in a mirror and I think to myself, "I'd rather look like this than taste that!" I've now paid for 2 skin removal plastic surgeries (a lot of money) also and don't want to undo the progress I've made there! I don't think you have to suffer to have great results. There is nothing wrong with having a smooth course. I've had 4 surgeries in the last 3 yrs and have followed "doctors orders" with each one and had great successful recoveries. I just don't dwell on any little "bumps in the road" in the process. With time it all works out. For me, best decision ever!

It amazes me how quickly some of you sleeve folks go home. I didn't even go home that fast after my gallbladder removal, which barely hurt at all post-op.

I had a great super fast and pain-free recovery. I was told I'd need at least a week to drive again, but I was driving 48 hours later. I was told it would take at least a couple of weeks, maybe longer, before I'd be back in action, but it only took a week. My surgeon said it was just good luck. But it definitely does happen for some people.

I am an advocate of finding the food choices & way of eating that works for you.There isn’t just one totally correct way to eat eat. It may be vegetarian or meat focussed or Aitken or vegan or keto, intermittent fasting or frequent eating, etc. or include aspects of a number of eating styles. The only thing you can trust will work for everyone is portion control - eat more than you need you’ll gain weight. Once you get to maintenance you can really embrace your new way of eating but you could start to incorporate aspects while losing as long as you’re still meeting your plan’s requirements & expectations. Have regular conversations with your nutritionalist & surgeon to discuss what you could start introducing & when. Your regular blood work will influence their advice & recommendations. You may (or may not) have to make adjustments to your weight loss plan & future eating style because of your personal physiological needs. Some may be pre existing, some may arise because of the surgery or be discovered as a result of all the additional medical tests & monitoring. I’ve never been great with too fatty or too oily food. I was low fat while losing but added some more good fats from goal. I was low carb while losing too & then added some whole & multi grains carbs. Since my sleeve, rice, bread & pasta sit like lumps in my tummy so I still don’t eat them. Protein has become even more important to me since I had my gall removed 4 months ago as I don’t absorb it properly anymore. I’m a carnivore but include vegetarian meals occasionally. 40+yrs of fasting & skipping meals killed my metabolism. I feed my much faster metabolism now - 3 meals & 3 or 4 snacks a day. These things influenced how I chose to eat now & it’s been working for me. Your enthusiasm for researching & adopting a new way of eating & making the changes to take the best advantage of your surgery is fantastic. I hope it motivates others starting the process too. Good luck.

Its hard to believe it’s been 6 months since I “went under the knife”. What a 6 months it has been. From nervousness to excitement, from regret to happiness. The emotions have been all over the board. It definitely hasn’t been easy and it’s really only just began. I wanted to share a little of my journey thus far for folks that are considering the surgery, just had the surgery or anybody else that can relate or possibly get/stay motivated. Like most, the beginning was very difficult. I did a ton of research before the surgery. I thought I was prepared. But as the old adage goes, “you don’t know until you do it”. I struggled with drinking enough water/fluids, not getting enough protein, feelings of despair as I could only eat a tiny amount of food, total regret of having the surgery and wanting to call up Doc Brown to see if I could borrow the Delorean to go back in time. But around the 6 week mark, it seemed that everyday my attitude got a little better. I started to walk a little bit to clear my mind. I started just walking around the block. It’s about all I could do and I was a little paranoid of doing too much (silly in hindsight). I tried to really stay focused on sticking to the plan and just taking each day as it was and not look into the future. I started incorporating fish into my diet and nuts and I started walking around the block twice. I just kept telling myself that things will get easier. And before too long, they did. Fast forward to today and I’ve lost 164 lbs. I’ve lost 33% of my highest body weight. My BMI has gone from 58.3 to 38.9. I’m now walking 5 miles at a time, about 5 days a week. I eat mostly fish, salads, veggies and nuts. I actually eat carbs and some stuff that they probably don’t want me to but it’s limited and I’m burning so many calories exercising that I can handle some extra calories and not worry about it. I think I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve consistently lost weight every single week except in week 3 (seems like this is the week everybody tends to stall). I’ve learned to give myself a little credit instead of giving it all to the surgery. The procedure definitely deserves most all of the credit but I wouldn’t be where I’m at now had I not stuck to the plan, pushed myself to stay mentally strong and built a routine of exercise. Giving myself that little bit of credit has helped me in so many ways. I’m still about 80 lbs from my goal. I have a long way to go to get to that goal and of course even longer for a lifetime commitment to being healthy. I know whoever reads this has heard the line “if I can do it, anybody can”. I hate to use that but it’s so true. I used to lack motivation to get out of my Laz-E-Boy to even walk around the block. To put down the soda, stop eating a large pizza by myself, fries, Chinese food, burgers,wings, you name it. I found something inside me that clicked to get curious about the surgery. Then to actually go thru with it. Then to implement and execute the plan to improve my life. I wish I could say that I’m 110% confident that I’ll never gain weight again. That I’ll never binge eat again or go off the rails. I’m confident right now that I’m fully committed to a new lifestyle. I’m only 6 months in. I’m still not even that hungry. I can still only eat a little bit. At some point, those things will change. But I know that I never want to go back to what I was. I haven’t changed as a person in the last 6 months. But my attitude, goals and purpose has. For that I’m grateful. I wish all who reads this much success in your journey. Know that it will be different from mine and all others that you come across. There will be many similarities but your journey is your own just as mine is for me. If I can do it, anybody can. 👊🏼✌🏼

Hi! Mine made me separate by a minimum of 6 months to give the scar tissue time to heal. He said the longer the better, but 6 months minimum. I’m having my new surgery done next week! I was upset about waiting too but it goes fast and in the bigger scheme of things a few months is nothing. I had to wait 3 months for insurance approval anyway, so it was only an extra 3 lol

Hi there!! so my first flight was 5.5 hours then the second was 3. We barely made it to my second flight because I did not use a wheel chair. USE A WHEELCHAIR if you can and have someone get you where you need to go. I ended up nearly running and it was awful.Blossom gives you these leg compressors that were really great to use just make sure they are charged. I wore a long maxi dress to be comfy in and it hid the leg compressors. Blossom will give you paperwork that will allow you to check in and get through security with them on. It’s not perfect but it’s really not bad. Honestly. Can you believe how fast the week went?!! I’m really excited for you. It’s going to change EVERYTHING.

Just had my Sleeve surgery today, got there at 7:10 am and was on the way home 11.30. I did not or have not had any nausea at all. my chest hurts, the walking every hour is tough , because i want to sleep. nothing to eat for two full days now, will try a protein shakes tomorrow, they wanted me to do liquids today. doing OK, but on the way home noticed all the fast food restaurants. and when i got home, everyone was eating in front of me, and there were some nice looking muffins on the table. I'm working on not letting that bother me, but I'm still not hungry , time to take some drugs and get some sleep.

One can fast and incorporate good fats with no problem. Many VSG patients are on the keto diet and/or intermittent fasting. Surgeons each have their own philosophy about diet after WLS and they vary drastically. The one I like the best is Dr. Duc Vuong (Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success). I also love his YouTube channel. I'm currently reading Dr. Weiner's (Pound of Cure) so I can't remark on that one yet but others have but so far, it's really enlightening. https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Gastric-Sleeve-Success-Practical/dp/0615830447

YESSS I WAS WAITING FOR THIS THREAD!! lol I’m kidding but this whole notion of no straws drives me absolutely bonkers. most of this I’ve said before (like 94% of my posts) but…. Your stomach doesn’t suck (as in create a vacuum). Your mouth creates the negative pressure needed to draw fluid up a straw. Your stomach doesn’t have anything to do with it. You can prove this very simply (and don’t worry, you’re not even going to swallow the water in this exercise). Take a sip of water from a cup. Don’t swallow it. Just let it sit there. There is now water on the bottom of your mouth and some air up top (even if you try to void all the air out there is still some there). Now spit the water out. Now take a similar amount of water into your mouth via a straw, and again don’t swallow. Just let it sit there… is it really any different than the water you took in via a cup? You can still void out most of the air in your mouth like before. Now spit it out. At no point was your stomach involved in this. Yet we find countless examples online of experts saying things about straws and swallowing air. What actually matters is how you swallow and this applies to eating and drinking (with or without straws). Drinking or eating too fast is the most common reason for swallowing too much air.. we’ve all done it, gulping drinks or wolfing down food… but you can control that independently of whatever utensil or device you use to put stuff in your mouth. That’s what doctors should be telling us (and in fairness most do). Slow it down, take our time, chew food thoroughly, have purpose to our eating and drinking etc… and with those behaviors the amount of air we swallow will naturally be reduced (reduced not eliminated).

Thank you so much for the many constructive and helpful responses. To clarify my worries, here it is distilling them to two points of greatest concern: Ability to incorporate good fats into a post-gastric-sleeve diet The foundation of my current diet (that I would be happy to keep for the rest of my life) consists of lots of vegetables, moderate amounts of high-quality protein, and the inclusion of a good amount of healthy fats (avocado, EVOO, butter, animal fats from pastured, organically raised animals). This is supposed to help the body adapt to regularly burning fat (whether from the diet or from our own fat stores), and to much more easily reach satiety and control hunger, in addition to the various documented nutritional benefits of these fats. I read over and over again about directives to keep post-bariatric diets very low fat for the rest of the life of the patient. Also various posts from patients about not being able to tolerate fats and struggling with digestive issues. How much of a problem is this universally (realizing and respecting that everyone's body, digestive system, and hormonal balance are different)? Ability to do fasting and support periodic zero-protein day(s) I have started to incorporate time-restricted eating (16/8) with great success and starting on my first 36-hour fast over the weekend. I have not only had great results on the scale, but starting to see amazing physiologic benefits outside of simply lowering my body weight. I definitely would want to have the ability to have a longer (3 day?) fast once in a while to trigger autophagy and reap some of the other benefits related to insulin and metabolic issues. I realize that for a period following surgery I would have to be adhering to the physician-prescribed diet aimed to maximize healing and avoid complications. But what is the situation six months or a year down the line? Can I incorporate fasting then, or am I eternally tethered to a 70g-minimum-per-day protein intake that I cannot violate without risking my health? Your help and insight are appreciated!

A nutritionist/dietitian and a therapist are extremely helpful in a weight loss journey. The nutritionist/dietitian helps set you up with a diet plan and helps get you into better eating habits prior to surgery so it's not such a drastic change once you actually HAVE the surgery. The therapist helps you work through if you have disordered eating (such as binging) or if you're going through some other stuff in your life such as depression, stress, anxiety, etc (which are known to add to weight gain). Weight loss is never easy and one of the most difficult things is finding support in those you live with. You'll be on a special diet and it'll be easier on YOU if those you live with aren't bringing in the things you used to eat which would tempt to cheat on your diet. Try and talk it out with them and stress how important to you it is that they don't bring junk food into the house. Willpower is such a difficult thing. I admit, that if I hadn't developed a wheat allergy after surgery what would have ruined me is the junk food that my family brings into the house. Because of my wheat allergy, I can't eat that food. Nor can I get fast food (of which they eat a LOT). So the wheat allergy is a blessing. A sucky as hell blessing, but a blessing none the less lol (there is only a 3% chance of developing a wheat allergy or Celiac's Disease after your surgery. So chances are you'll be fine. My luck just sucks. Well, maybe not, because I really do consider the allergy a blessing in disguise as it keeps me on track and stops me from cheating as I, quite literally, have to keep track of every little thing I eat and the ingredients in what I put into my mouth).

Congrats on what you have achieved so far. Fantastic. I’m very glad I did the surgery. Like a lot of us, I’d tried many, many diets over the years. The two things they had in common was that if they worked I’d lose some weight & then put it on again (start gaining again a couple of weeks later). With the surgery I’ve been able to maintain my weight for about a year. I know I’m a newbie when it comes to maintaining but it’s been pretty astounding that I’ve been able to do for this long so far. The surgery afforded me the opportunity to reassess how I ate, what I ate & why I ate & I’m way more mindful of these now. The physicality of the surgery also helps me to keep to smaller portion sizes & the restriction reminds me very quickly if I eat too fast or too much. It also boosted my metabolism which I had killed through decades of not eating in an attempt to maintain my weight. I did quite a bit of reading too & worked out a way of eating that works for me. I wanted to ensure the changes I made to how I ate (I don’t like using the word diet much - too negative) was practical, sustainable & didn’t compromise how I wanted to live & enjoy my life. The surgery doesn’t stop me going out to restaurants, socialising with friends & family, etc. I don’t miss out on events. Honestly, my long term sensitivity to spice & chilli is much more restrictive on what & where I can eat than the surgery. Personally, I chose the sleeve because it altered my digestive system the least & had fewer possible restrictions & requirements (less chance of dumping, less absorption issues, etc.). Life has the unfortunate habit of throwing a heaping pile of crap at us at times, so we don’t know where we will be in 5 years. But even if in 5 years, you’ve settled at the average weight loss of 65% of the weight you had to lose, that’s still better than where you are now. You’ll be healthier, eating better & enjoying life more. That’s my thinking anyway. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

I am a 50-year-old man who struggled with my weight most of my life, starting with being an overweight kid. No diet or exercise program produced tangible, good results. At my annual physical in March I weighed in at 405 pounds. I take no meds, and up to this point, my most serious health issue has been sleep apnea that I was trying to handle with CPAP (mostly unsuccessfully). Given my alarmingly high weight, my doctor recommended that I look into the bariatric surgery option. I eagerly started the process, looking at it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance for getting back to normal body weight and gaining a quality of life I have not enjoyed for a long time. The bariatric program I joined requires that patients lose 10% of their weight before even being scheduled for surgery. Insurance also requires at least 3 months of engagement with a managed weight loss program. I was determined that despite my past struggles with diets, I will do whatever it takes to make the cut. I met with the program's nutritionist and had a very nice discussion with her. Then I went home, and threw out the materials she gave me (calorie counting book, etc), and ignored all her directions and advice. I dove into reading and research and started implementing a diet largely based on Matthew Weiner's A Pound of Cure vegetable-focused program. I had immediate success, losing 20 lbs in the first month (guaranteed, a lot of that may have been water weight held onto by insulin). I kept reading and experimenting, incorporating advice from Sten Ekberg (Master Your Health), Eric Berg, Dave Asprey (Bulletproof Diet), Jason Fung (fasting strategies), and many others. At this point, I am three months into my pre-op personally directed diet. I have lost a total of 70 pounds have a current weight loss rate of 1 lb / day feeling great COMPLETE resolution of my sleep apnea issues 120/80 blood pressure (was somewhat high at the beginning of the program) went from a size 4XL to wearing 2XL (depending on cut of clothing) 48 inch waist to 42 inch waist not counting calories no hunger or craving issues I am just starting to discover the research (a recent Nobel Prize-winning one) regarding Autophagy and its related health benefits brought about by intermittent fasting, and many other possibilities. Next week I am scheduled to meet with the bariatric program's PA, do my weigh-in, and (pending insurance approval) schedule the surgery. I am torn and in doubt. The last few months have been some of the most exhilarating experiences in my life. Gaining control of my body and my overall health in the way I have done in such a short period of time is amazing. The bariatric surgery option, which just a short while ago seemed like a Holy Grail lifesaver to me, seems full of pitfalls and restrictions on the methods I can do to manage my body weight and health. I was looking forward to trying out possibilities with time-restricted eating, and using longer fasts (triggering autophagy) to eliminate loose, hanging skin that might come about otherwise with significant weight loss. On the other hand, I still weigh 335 pounds and am nowhere near my goal of a healthy 200. What if my weight loss stalls out well short of that goal? The sensible answer might be to simply wait, see what happens, and re-engage with the program if it seems necessary to keep pushing past a stall point. However, for reasons I do not want to detail, I might not have this option after this year. Under these circumstances, if this was your only chance to move ahead with a Gastric Sleeve operation, would you do it? Any other thoughts? Your help is greatly appreciated.

My doc told me that I would not be able to have caffeine again. I'm okay with dropping soda but I had coffee the other day and I forgot how much life it gives me! Anyone know the reason we shouldn't have it? I'm wondering how hard and fast this rule is? I'm 7 months out of my surgery for reference. I'm thinking one cup in the morning can't be that bad?! Maybe?! My next appointment with my doc isn't for another 5 months.

My surgery was April 23rd and I’m down 50 lbs, started at 206. Slow going but going. I got stuck in the 160s for a while. No big issues, just when I eat too fast. I’m happy I had the surgery; it changed my life.

Amazon has cards to show waiter so you can get kids meals, but you'll still have leftovers at home. Sent from my moto g fast using BariatricPal mobile app

I lost alot. Then after time, I could see short hairs above my forehead. My combs and brushes still grab a lot. I have used shampoos and supplements that are supposed to help. I'm probably not getting enough protein again. Lack of protein is the cause. I am almost 2yrs post-sleeve-op. Sent from my moto g fast using BariatricPal mobile app

I had lost 36 lbs at my 6-week checkup. Another woman who had her sleeve done the same day had also lost 36 at 6 weeks. That may be a guideline for you. Liquid and soft foods, concentrate on protein, drinking before and after by 30 min, remembering your stomach can only handle up to 2/4 cup, throwing up, that all makes the weight go. Sent from my moto g fast using BariatricPal mobile app

Your surgery was May. You',re at 4 months. It's 1/4 cup for the first three months. Then progress another 1/4 at six months to give you 1/2. You have two more months to go for that. 3l4 at 9 months. 4/4 at 1 year and the rest of your life. You should only be eating 1/4 cup every 2-3 hours and no more! My stomach barely fit 1/4 and I three up if I went over. I went to a class and had material telling me what to eat at so many weeks. You can find that online. My doctor told me, but you should find online that you start at 1/4 cup. Sent from my moto g fast using BariatricPal mobile app