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My Doctor has warned me several times about any carbonated drinks and having caffeine. I used to drink diet soda's and sugar free energy drinks several times a day. I've not had one since December. I've had some caffeine in the way of B-12 energy shots, but it has been very little compared to the energy drinks I used to have daily. I can't say I miss the soda, the energy drinks I do. Especially since my energy has been sapped these last few weeks.

Don't be in awe of me lol I've had my fair share of ups and downs in this, but I found what works for me personally. Take what you want from my suggestions and toss the rest. But for ME, I noticed that I'm sensitive to carbs. I tend to respond better when I am at lower carbs. I don't eat bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, sugar, little to no salt (and when I do, it's pink Himalayan salt), or fruits high in sugar and carbs (grapes, bananas, and I limit apples). I'm not a fan of chocolate (if I eat it at all, it's in the form of keto brownies and I eat 1 small brownie every 2 days or so). I avoid Starbucks now (didn't used to and noticed my weight would stall a lot more). I avoid cow's milk (almond milk has more calcium and nutrients in it) and if I want ice cream, I get Rebel ice-cream from Walmart (2g or less of carbs for the whole pint of ice-cream, lactose free, 5g of less of sugar for the whole pint of ice-cream depending on the flavor). There's keto bread and keto bagels that I eat when I REALLY want something that requires those (my avocado toast is something I have 1-2x per week, or I have a keto bagel with sausage, egg, and cheese on it maybe once a week). If I want pizza, I get the ones that have cauliflower crust (omg so good), I have cauliflower rice, and mashed cauliflower if I'm wanting mashed potatoes (cauliflower has almost no flavor so it takes on whatever flavors it's mixed with). If I want sweetener, I use monk fruit sweetener (doesn't raise the blood sugar at all and actually tastes sweeter than sugar). If I want a nice flavored coffee, I buy the coffee shop coffee and make it at home, add almond milk, and put in Jordan's Skinny Syrup (no sugar, no calories, no carbs) in any flavor I'm wanting (they basically have every flavor you can think of). If I want fruit juice, I go to Walmart and buy the sugar free mango splash or sugar free fruit punch. Absolutely DELICIOUS. I drink a lot of flavored water with the sugar free powders, Gatorade zero, and Propel waters. For me, the trick has always been to eat within the boundaries of my diet while not feeling like I'm depriving myself. Everything tastes delicious and feels like I'm eating like everyone else, but I'm keeping to what I can eat without having to cheat to feel satisfied. I like sugar free tropical popsicles for a treat while my husband and daughter eat the regular stuff. We can all have popsicles together and I don't feel deprived or left out, yet I'm not breaking any of my personal dietary rules. I also make sure to change up what I do in my work outs. If you do the same things in the same order every time, your body gets used to it and the exercises stop being effective. If you do different exercises in a different order periodically, it will "confuse" your body and everything you do will have a greater impact. For me, not only does exercising help me lose weight, it also makes me feel good physically and mentally. I was 421 pounds and needed a cane to help me get around. Being able to hike 10 miles with my son means more to me than I can even express. So if you're working out, try to confuse your body as much as you can. I hope some of this helps you out. I never want anyone to think that my way is the only way to do things, but maybe something in here will give you some help with getting out of your slump and back to losing weight at the rate you're most comfortable with

I also suggest checking out you tube - exercises for those with mobility issues. I don’t have knee issues but I have lower back problems. I do my stretches & use my resistance bands sitting or lying on the ground. (I have an inch thick foam mat to protect my bony back 😉.) Also you didn’t have to do 20 - 30 odd minute sessions. I do 4 sessions of about 5 minutes (6 days a week). And I sometimes do some extra random stretches - like calf stretches when cooking or prepping a meal. You may find these short bursts less stressful on your knees.

Just placed an order for $118.40US for 2 households (mine and my mom’s) the following- 5 English cucumbers, 3 12pk 12oz of gatorade zero, 4 6pk Diet Pepsi, 1/2 gallon chocolate milk, 1/2 gallon skim milk, Texas toast cheese bread slices, 1 jar Classico pasta sauce, 100ct paper plates, 1 tub sugar free vanilla ice cream, 1 3pk Sargento balance breaks (cheese and almonds), 1 30pk capri sun drinks, 4 red/orange bell peppers, 2 Keebler fudge stripe cookies, a bag of US smarties, 2 6pks viva paper towels, 1 gallon dill pickles, 1 bunch vine ripe tomatoes, 2 broccoli crowns, 1 pint blueberries, 1 skinny pop white cheddar, 2 6oz blackberries, 2 8ct gogurt tubes, and a bag of takis. And I’m absolutely hating that it’s costing that much. 😭 5 years ago it would’ve been half that.

Hello! Nice to meet you! I see you're in the UK. We have some wonderful friends who live in Leeds. We met them on a cruise several years ago. We hit it off immediately. We took a tour to Ireland and Scotland last year and spent one day in Liverpool and they drove over to see us. It was so special! Love the UK. As far as shakes, the only ones I have stocked up on are Fairlife chocolate shakes. I have tried several other brands, and they are the tastiest. I bought a case at Costco, but they are available from Amazon also. I think we need to try to stay as bust as possible for the next few weeks to keep the anxiety at arms length.

Loads of useful suggestions here (as ever!) Seems such a long time ago now. I am the exception to the rule - after 2 weeks of pre-op protein shakes and 2 weeks of post-op liquids my first pureed meals were like the tastiest things I've ever had. I lovvvved them. I basically pureed a selection of whatever my family were having (I cook for everyone) with a bit of extra liquid (gravy was best) and gobbled it all down! Saved a couple of tiny portions (like a tablespoon or two) for my other meals that day or the next and hit my protein goal mainly from protein yoghurts and protein shakes. Strangely I didn't have soup until the next phase but it's still a big go-to for lunch now, especially with lentils for added protein.

Officially 2 weeks post op as of yesterday and i feel like i’m finally in a groove : i can serve food and know if it’s too much. I’ve mastered what my new normal portion is. I have also managed to make sure my water intake is ok (not great, around 1.5 litres per day should be a little more). I feel much better and have even had morning or afternoon snacks on the go which is great as i feel i’ll be able to manage once i go back to work next week. I’m not getting enough protein in daily yet because i can no longer stomach protein shakes, they feel heavy on my stomach and have made me throw up the last 2 times i’ve tried them. I have a couple more brands to try and hopefully one of them works. I tried protein water but honestly i can’t stomach it either (taste wise) - everything seems so sweet … I don’t have much room for vegetables and i’m craving some so badly. I’m going to try and incorporate some but i have to prioritise the little protein i’m getting in so it won’t be easy. One thing i’ve learnt this past week: some days i can eat more than others. It almost scared me one day but the next few days i ate so much less than i realised we just need more sometimes ! Weight wise i’m at 10.9 kgs (24 lbs) down which is great so far :) I know a stall is near as everyone mentions the 3 weel stall so i’m’trying to be reasonable and weigh in less ! My new goals for the week are to make sure i reincorporate vitamins and minerals that will help me fight any fatigue next week when i go back to work. And also, to up my protein intake ! Hope everyone is doing well :)

I have bad knees, no cartilage in either, which I have been told will need to be replaced in the years to come. I see you don't have a pool close by that is not cheap but I do aqua aerobics once a week and feel the benefit of it so if you could even afford a class once a week it might do you the world of good. I am lucky that my hospital run the class so I just have to pay about €100 by way of membership for the year and the classes are 50 weeks of the year. I also have an exercise bike that I go would go slowly on for about 20 minutes three times a week. Now that I have lost more weight and the weather is improving I find I can do short walks of about 20 minutes/1.5km. My knees do ache afterwards at night but not as bad as before when I was heavier so I feel it is worth it, put a bit of gel on them and it helps me sleep easier. I now also do the Svelte 'One and Done' exercise program, just the beginner level, three days a week. There are some exercises I can't do as they require knee movements I can't do but from what I have seen so far there is always an alternative exercise shown if movement is not possible. You could always check out their YouTube site as they have plenty of exercises that you don't have to pay for. Even though my weight loss has slowed down I can see where I am still losing cm's.

I was only eating around 300/400 calories at the soft food stage so these wouldn’t have even have been a consideration. My meals were often just protein because I couldn’t eat thing else. I was advised 1/4 - 1/3 cup of food from purée slowly increasing to a cup at 6 months. Protein first, then any vegetables & then only if I was able any carbs. I was never able. 🙂 I’d think these noodles could still be considered a carb. I still struggle with bread, pasta & rice at almost 5 years out. They sit like a weight in my tummy & that includes vegetable pastas/noodles. So I don’t eat them. (Did try a hot cross bun at Easter to see if there’d been any change but no, that lump sat in my tummy for hours.) But plans & experiences differ so check with your dietician to be sure.

First, there is no one right way to eat to lose or maintain your weight. There’s just the right way for you. I agree to the suggestion to get in contact with your old dietician or find a new one. I’d also teach for a couple of weeks just to check your calorie & nutrient intake. I’d also get in contact with your surgeon as well to see what other options you have - revision surgery or maybe GLP - 1 meds. You’ve likely reset your body’s set point. The surgery lowered it but returning to larger portions, poor food choices & bad old habits have raised your set point again. So you’re actually fighting your body now. You’re trying to lose weight & your body is doing all it can to hold on to it. Have a look at Dr Matthew Weiner’s Pound of Loss metabolic reset diet (not that I’m an advocate for any ‘diets’.) It may give you some ideas you could try to see if works for you. He’s a great source of information around all things weight loss, bariatric surgery, etc. (He has a website & a you tube channel.) If you like being active, I’d add in some weights. Building muscle will help burn more calories & help counteract any muscle loss you experience while losing. Walking will help with general fitness. Remember though, activity only contributes to about 10% of any weight loss. Oh & don’t listen to your family & friends when they offer advice about your eating, nutrition or weight loss. They mean well but unless they’re qualified nutritionalist, dieticians, bariatric surgeons or medical doctors or had bariatric surgery they really don’t know what they’re talking about. And they’re not you. You know yourself best. You know your psychologically, physiologically & emotionally self best & know how you want to live your life. All the best.

I’ll have to try chicken salad. I do good with tuna and salmon and ground meats are usually ok as long as I take little bites. I’ve seen everyone on here not tolerating some foods and drinks recently. Mine is yogurt 🤢 I used to love it but I can’t stomach the taste right now. I’m going to try and keep moving a little more each week. The warm weather helps. I swear I like to hibernate like a bear when it’s cold out lol.

1-2 pounds per week is actually a healthy rate of weight loss. That's where doctors and nutritionists want to see a person at. But if you want to change things up, try changing your workouts, giving yourself variety in what you eat, weigh and track your food so you know where empty calories and carbs are coming from, Typically, the first 6 months after surgery is the time when we lose the most. After that, weight loss slows way down (you can still lose, but not at the rate that you were). We can definitely still lose weight, but it slows SIGNIFICANTLY and we end up "fighting" to lose more weight. I'm still losing, but it's slooooow going. Slow and stead wins this race.

A couple of things here.... 1) you might need to stay at the 1200 calories since you're working out. If your body thinks it's starving, it'll hold on to absolutely EVERYTHING. If you're getting in your fluids and protein, and you're working out a lot, then you may need to stay at the higher end of your allotted calories so your body knows it's not starving. 2) what kinds of exercises are you doing? Are you switching things up to "confuse" your body? If you do the same things every time, your body will get comfortable and the exercises will stop being effective. 3) are you using a tracking app to keep track of your calories, carbs, protein, fats? That's so so important, because it's so easy to forget to count drinks or sauces or fruits and veggies. You need to track absolutely everything that goes in your mouth so you can really see what you're eating and drinking. 4) are you getting in your protein and fluids? That's so key, both pre and post op. Protein helps you get, and stay, full longer. And fluids are your best friend. But you want more than just plain water. Gatorade zero (they even have protein gatorade zero) Propel flavored water, sugar free fruit juice, protein shakes, etc... it all counts. 5) start cutting your sugar and salt intake WAY down. Both of those can add, or hold on to, fat and calories. Limit any alcohol you might be drinking. Limit your snacks and be mindful of what you have. 6) No cheating. At all. During pre-op and also the first couple of months of post-op, absolutely NO cheating. That's really important. As time goes on and you're further out, you might be able to navigate a cheat meal here and there, within reason. But right now? No.

I thought I was gaining ground and hadn’t thrown anything up in several days, but then I attempted to eat chicken breast for dinner last night and after only a couple bites I was sick because it felt stuck. I just can’t seem to chew it rough or eat slow enough. I only keep attempting it because it seems to be higher in protein than a lot of other meats. The scale is moving for me again so woohoo!!! I’m down to 176lbs. I was 207lbs when I started. I got a new ring that monitors activity so I’m up and moving now. Only 6000 steps a day but it’s a start! Thank you to everyone in my little group here for all your posts. My surgery was February 22nd. I have my post op appt next week on the 25th. I’m hoping my weight loss is on track.

Hello my operation is on 31st May 1: Not really nervous more excited. I have done my research. I am a little nervous about head hunger 2: Bag will have slippers, change of clothes, charger, headphones, toothbrush. Reading others will put in lip balm 3: Most excited to fit in my old clothes and be more active with my son. Just better health overall

Meowdy, friends! 😸 I had VSG on 11/22/23 (the day before Thanksgiving here in the USA 😂, almost 5 months ago), and I have not been a very fast loser. While some people may have dropped 20 lbs in each of the first two months post-op, I'm just at almost 40 lbs down since surgery. My Physician's Assistant (we don't meet with the surgeon at all post-op in our program) said I'm definitely a "slow loser" and am about 12 lbs higher than they'd expect me to be right now. Anyone else out there only losing about 1-2 lbs per week? Anyone who was in this situation and managed to kick things up a notch? And also, anyone who was a slow loser who eventually met their weight loss goal? I've always been awesome at getting in my water, protein, and vitamins each day. My program pretty much refuses to give us macro goals other than protein, but I know I'm generally under 100g of carbs daily (sometimes much less). Protein, I'm usually at 80g+. Calories, I float around 1000 per day. Water, I get a MINIMUM of 64oz. I took a week off of exercising (elliptical and weights) when I was sick with a cold, and I actually lost the most in that week, so I laid off the exercise for a bit, worried it was slowing me down. I'm going to start back up on it, just because it's a good habit to get back into. When I do the elliptical, it's usually pretty vigorous for 30 minutes, sweating profusely and burning ~400-500 calories. I put on some very loud heavy metal and take out all my frustrations on the machine 😅 I'm worried I'm going to be stuck at this weight and that I'm "wasting" this tool and opportunity, or that maybe I chose the wrong surgery. Granted, my current weight is way better than where I was before starting the pre-op diet, and my mobility and endurance are IMMENSELY better, and my IBS-D has basically disappeared (THANK THE LORDT), but it's still not where I'd like to end up. The PA told me that sleeve patients can lose for at least 18 months post-op, so hopefully it's just a slow-but-steady race for me. I guess I could just use some encouragement or advice or anecdotes from others who were slow but successful, or if someone sees something glaringly "wrong" with what I'm doing.

Mushrooms offer some fiber and are relatively low calorie, so I wouldn't worry about a few of those and are approved by my bariatrc team. The cheese is too much, in fact it looks like the largest quantity on your plate. You should get at most something like one full skim string cheese stick a day. Add next non starch veggies at most 1/4 cup per meal and 3oz cup of lean protein and one tablespoon of starchy veggies - that's it! I'd also eliminate the imitation crab/fish sticks, too much protein. So it should consist of: 3 oz lean protein / protein shake is calorie. 1/4 cup non starchy veggie 1 tablespoon starchy veggies and in between meals 64oz of water. Snacks can be the string cheese (skim) ..this type of thing... What you had on your plate isn't bad, but it is closer to a maintenance diet after you've lost the weight plate of food!

I'll be "exactly" 5 ½ years post sleeve next week...started at 235 lbs. been maintaining below goal weight this whole time. depending on the day, i lost anywhere between115-120 lbs total since settling into the 115-120 lb range for over 4 years now. i do have a bit of an annoying reflux issue i have to deal with (i take the min dosage omzparole once a day), but other than that, no real complaints and life is more than good.

1. Iv been eating like this for about 6 months now. 2. 5 foot 11inch (180cm) male. 3. The only thing I do suffer from is reactive hypoglycemia which means when I eat cars my body produces to much insulin and my sugar levels drop very low that's why I try to avoid cars. When I spoke to the hospital last I was talking to them about portion sice and calories ect and there reply was as long as I stick to the bariactric place then calories and portion size will never be an issue

@Tazrok you will get lots of different advice here due to the plain fact the we ALL were given different advice as well. there is no one right way to eat really. but since you came in here asking if you are possibly missing something, ill dip in first a couple questions: 1) how long have you been eating this way? days? years? months? based on your descriptions and pictures, im guessing you are probably taking in about 1100-1200 cals a day (so long as there is nothing else u are eating or drinking?)...this leads me to my next question... 2) how tall are you? 3) are u insulin resistant? suffer from hypothyroidism? have PCOS? depending on your answers the responses to your post may change. as an aside, for most of my loss phase, i barely had any veggies myself. i had very little stomach real estate and chose to eat protein forward, up to about 5-6 months post op. (though this changed near the end of weight loss phase when i became a salad junkie ha). while the make up of your intake doesn't matter as much as the amount, the make up (i.e., nutritional value) is important for overall health and well being. same goes for exercise. p.s. i am also a lifetime grazer. it became necessary after surgery because i just could NOT eat alot at once and it has just become the way i eat now (i am 5+ years post op...and yep i have managed to stay below goal weight this entire time).

I am on the diet before surgery and they want me to lose 30 lbs, but I am not seeing the scale move. I eat between 800-1200 calories a day I only drink water and I have been exercising. I am worried and I don't understand why I am not losing anything. For the last week I have even been doing just two shakes a day for breakfast and lunch then a healthy dinner. Does anyone have any ideas?

Mine never would. None of those are as good as broccoli or cauliflower, cucumbers, when it comes to nutrition. The amount of protein, the reason why I said measure it is because you'd see a lot of calories in there. The chicken isn't plain, so there's calories in what it is cooked in. Mozzarella is never ever recommended for us because its a lot of fat. That's another reason why I said measure in 1 ounce cups. You need 60-70 grams of protein a day. 2 eggs in the am is 14 grams. 1 ounce chicken is 47 calories if boneless, skinless. 8 grams protein. 3 ounces or even 4 ounces is about 150-200 calories and 24 grams of protein. 30 at the most at one time. So there's where your calories are coming from. That doesn't include anything else on the plate. This is why I said measure your food. The calories are coming in there and I bet those sticks are also contributing to potential fat and the like. I have carbmaster yogurt. Don't see that and it is 3-5 grams fat, lots of protein, w/no carbs. That's another low calorie option - 70 calories that works too.

Hi. I'm having some huge issues with my weight and could really do with some help and advice please. In December 2018 I had a gastric bypass and on the day of the surgery I was 24 stone (336 lb). Over the next year I got down to 15 stone ( 210lb). All my friends and family was concerned I wasn't eating enough and said I looked ill due to the rapid weight loss so I started eating a it more. Fro. 2019 to 2023 my portion sized grow and I was no longer eating the correct foods resulting in me being 21 stone (294lb). I'm currently on the path to getting my health back on track but I don't seem to be losing weight. Im one of them people that will eat the same meals every days and this is my current meals all eaten on a bariactric plate. Breakfast = 2 hard boiled eggs. Lunch = hath a steamed chicken breast, 2 steamed mushrooms, 4 seafood sticks, 2 slices of onion cooked in the air fryer, hath a Peper cooked in the air fryer and 40grams of mozzarella. Dinner= hath a steamed chicken breast, 2 steamed mushrooms, 4 seafood sticks, 2 slices of onion cooked in the air fryer, hath a Peper cooked in the air fryer and 40grams of mozzarella. I'm also walking on average 6 miles (9.6km). In the past 6 months of eating like this my weight has hardly changed, 1 week might be 1lb loss then next week will be 1.5lb gain then 2lb loss ect. Over 6 moths my weight has only gone down 7lb and I don't know what's going on and I'm starting to get very depressed and I seem to be eating well and being active but the weight scales don't reflect that. Am I missing something that's preventing me from losing weight? Thank you

Congrats on the surgery and taking a huge step forward in improving your health! Also, welcome to the post-op malaise phase of the process, haha! I was there a few months ago, and I think its a rite of passage to be like "What have I done?!!" somewhere in the first 6 weeks. It does get better gradually, but the first month is the roughest. You will be able to eat "normal" foods again soon. I think I was able to eat most things again around the 3 month mark (mostly excluding carbonated drinks and alcohol). Just take your time and listen to your body. Some things will fight back, and if they do, just wait 3-5 days before trying again. I had a lot of trouble with green veggies initially, but was able to handle them around week 6. Also remember the weight loss pattern will resemble stairs and not a straight line. You'll have periods of weight loss, followed by a couple/few weeks of stalling and slight regain. This is just your body recalibrating itself after a large loss to ensure its safe to continue letting go of fat reserves, because it mistakenly thinks you're in a survival event and doesn't want you to starve to death. Just remember this is part of the process, and its not a failure. This really got me down initially and compounded that regret feeling, but after a long stall I'm making progress again. Also, Cipro is very likely the culprit in making you feel sick. it's a very strong antibiotic, and good at its job, but the side effects can be harsh. I've developed some partial hearing loss because of it after years of taking it for recurring Diverticulitis. Ask your doctor if there is another antibiotic that can do the job, but with fewer side effects. Good luck, and I wish you luck on your journey!

Raw veg still fills me up very quickly and stays a long time in my stomach. Especially carrots. I do like a salad though so I eat half and about 3 hours later I can finish it.