Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Nutrition Advice Please :)



Recommended Posts

Hi Peoples,

I was sleeved on the March 21st, so I am 3 weeks out. Unfortunately my surgeon had only performed 3 sleeve surgeries prior to mine, (but been an gastroenterologist for 10+ years, just never offered sleeve surgery before). But my problem is that now due to myself being one of his first patients, I really feel like I am doing this blind. I do have a dietician and I saw her prior to surgery during the 3 week Optifast stage and 10 days after my operation, but I felt like I didn't ask enough questions in her office and the 3 A4 pages she photocopied for me to follow from week 3 to 5 didn't contain very much information.

I feel great and already I seem to be able to eat anything, I haven't felt sick and haven't vomitted. I have been basically eating or having small tastes of 'most' things since a week ago (2 weeks out)... Is that bad? and am I putting myself at risk??

I take: a multi-Vitamin 2 x a day, which contains a good amout of B group Vitamins, high-strength fish oil, Vitamin D supplement (because my blood was low on omega's & Vitamin D) & Nexium (prescribed for the next 3 months)

I try to incoporate more Protein into my diet.. is 40-50gms the target to reach of Protein a day?? I try to drink 2 glasses of L/fat milk, have a yoghurt, some cheese and have some meat with dinner (not steak or anything).

I also try to have a high-fibre Breakfast Cereal every other day to keep me regular... but apart from that I don't know what other things I should be doing or if anything I am doing so far is wrong?

I worry that the ease in which I am managing this means that my surgery wasn't as drastic enough or my stomach wasn't restricted enough and I may not be successful in keeping my weight off in the long run.. or may not lose very much at all. So far I have lost 6kg since surgery (13.2 pounds) and have another 26 kilo to lose to reach a BMI of 24, which is 57 pounds (in 3 weeks).

Any advice anybody can offer would be greatly appreciated because I really want make sure this surgery actually extends my life, not shorten it because I failed to get the right nutrition. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have had a very easy recovery, and I was also moved to full foods four days post-op. I have not had any problem eating (chewing well of course) and I have had energy and felt well. My program doesn't have calorie or Protein targets, you're just meant to eat a quite balanced diet, including Protein, fruit/veg and carbs. I have three meals and three Snacks per day, so my blood sugar stays fairly steady.

I didn't feel that restricted at first either, but I think it was due to the nerves not being up and running again. I do feel it now. Before I felt it, I just made sure to not eat too much.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Here's a couple of other guidelines that I found helpful in addition to my program:

http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf

http://www.laplose.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf

And from the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) they're the ones that follow surgery outcomes, complications, risks, long term effects etc etc, give guidelines, and monitor vitamin/nutrient deficiencies.

http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/resources/bgs_final.pdf

Make sure your multi has Iron since it's difficult for us to eat enough Iron rich foods, and it's recommended to take a sublingual B12 because the portion of the stomach that is removed is where the intrinsic factor is produced and that is needed to absorb B12 properly. Our stomachs can not produce that factor anymore so popping a B12 under the tongue or getting injections is the recommended source for B12 absorption.

Calcium Citrate is also recommended. 1200-1500mg per day through my losing stage, and now in maintenance I need 1000mg per day. I chose calcium citrate Plus 500s from Celebrate Vitamins as my Calcium because I only need 2 per day vs. 6 of other brands. Plus, the taste yummy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you both, It was a relief to hear I wasn't doing too badly.

A special thank-you to Tiffykins, I printed out the information from the 3 links you gave me and got them bound into 3 booklets so I am able to read and refer to them easier. The information from ASMBS was particularly great information to have hold of at this stage, to make sure I do not end up one of the statistics!

I have changed to a Vitamin D tab that includes Calcium, and I am trying to find Vitamin B in 'under the tounge' form (or at least chewable). I am from Australia, so I don't think we have quite the range available in the US.

I really appreciate all the information you have given me and the fact that you have taken the time out from your busy schedule to help me & all the fellow sleevers you tirelessly help, especially with Lil' Sprout on the way - CONGRATULATIONS :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×