Pre-Op and I'd like to know what your Post-Op diet is like

I'd love to hear what everyone is doing. I want to know how my eating will change and prepare myself. THANKS!

You can expect a low carb, high protein (80+g/day) diet and somewhere between 600 and 800 calories per day and lots of water. Expect to drink protein shakes to hit your protein numbers.

Im okay with protein shakes! Did you find it hard to coordinate your daily life with your new diet

It is a challenge at first because it is all new and you will make mistakes. Once you get past the liquid, puree, and soft stage and get back to full foods its easier but you will have to figure out what you can tolerate and when. Just because you can't eat something at first doesn't mean you won't later. For example any time I ate chicken I vomited. Then at about 9 months it was difficult but more tolerable. Now I don't have an issue but chicken does make me feel fuller than any other protein. So it is a bit of an ongoing experiment. The one thing you want to always be careful about is not eating too much. Do not rely on your stomach to tell you when you are full, measure and gauge so you don't get into a pattern of overeating again.

That's good to know. I'm terrified of throwing up so I will probably be very strict with my diet if it means I will vomit. I do not want to over eat again so I am glad I will have this tool to help me. I am terrified of the change but I welcome it as well.

Chewing thoroughly and eating slowly are both keys to not throwing up.  The only case of foamies I have had were after eating some shredded chicken too fast.  That was about a month out from surgery.

Breakfast for me is a protein shake and my vitamins.  Dont laugh, they are big and filling.

Lunch 3 oz of chicken, beef or other protein.   Today, I am eating a lean chili.

Dinner will be 1 oz of pinto beans and 3 oz of lean brisket.

Not doing much in the way of veggies right now.

My snack is usually beef jerky or a pickle.

I am 2.5 months out from surgery.

There's a post here every day for people to post what they're eating. You should check it out!

My guidelines are three meals a day, no snacks, 60-80 grams of protein, and over 60 ounces of fluid. I do have a daily shake in addition to my three meals since I can't reach my protein goal otherwise. I can eat 2-3 ounces per meal at this point. 

My meals are usually boring during the week, but on weekends I'll get in the kitchen and experiment.  Weekdays all look like this:  

Breakfast:  greek yogurt, or eggs with bacon or sausage

Lunch:  chicken or tuna, or leftovers from the weekend

Dinner:  beef, chicken or turkey with a very small portion of veggie

Snack:  nuts, cheese, deli meat or a protein bar or shake

Most surgeons have a specific plan they recommend immediately post surgery.   Mine was:

• Two weeks liquids
• Two weeks pureed foods
• Two weeks soft foods
• Gradual introduction of other foods

At six months post-op, I eat approximately 80-90 grams of protein, 30-40 grams of carbs per day.  It does take some time working out the kinks and details of how and what you'll eat, but it will become very easy.

There is a forum on the VSG board called "What are you eating today?" which will give you an idea of the variety of foods that people are eating after surgery.  I still drink one Premier Protein RTD shake every day for breakfast, and I have Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt daily for the additional calcium and protein.

What will change is the quantity you eat.  I still measure everything out because my fat eyes still think that 3 oz will never be enough to satisfy me.   You will also eat a variety of dense protein that will satisfy the hunger that you might feel.  Low fat cheese is a quick and easy snack.  I'm not big on the protein bars, but I have them for emergencies.  I try to eat food that is less processed.  My refrigerator is still in shock from all the vegetables that it now houses.

Good luck in your journey.  It's so worth it.