Eating after WLS

I had an interesting conversation today at the dentist office. One of the office workers has a sister who is looking into weight-loss surgery. They attended a support group (don't know the doctor ... someone in the Grand Rapids area) and several of the people in the group talked about how they practically lived on protein drinks and protein bars even five years out. She said that scared her sister. I told her this was not normal. I am nearly two years out and I like my AchievOne protein drink in the morning for breakfast (it combines protein and caffeine) but for the most part, I don't do the protein drinks or bars except when I need something on the run. I eat regular food like a regular person. And that's what my doctor told me to do post-op. Eat like a regular person, three meals a day, one snack, smaller meals, eat healthy, drink water, exercise. And don't do the protein drinks unless you can't get your protein through regular food for whatever reason. What is your experience? I may be talking to this person and would like to give her some other viewpoints than what she heard in this support group. Thanks Eileen

I think post-op nutritional advice varies greatly from one program to the next. My group says to eat 5-6 small meals per day. I know others that say 3 meals and 2 snacks. My sister was told NOT to eat snacks because it gets people back into the routine of grazing. I know some people on the board who live on shakes and bars because they can't eat meat and throw up a lot. I personally don't understand that because I have never even come close to throwing up. However, different people tolerate different things. I think the best advice to give anyone is that any WLS requires lifestyle changes. They have to be prepared for change. Just what that change will be depends on what individual tolerances are. I think I eat pretty normally. Other people at work know I dump easily on sugar and think it is bizarre that for the rest of my life I have to avoid sugar products. To me, I've adjusted fairly well and understood, before surgery, life would be different. It is a matter of mind-set. If someone is SO worried about what those lifestyle changes are that it makes them second guess the surgery - perhaps they are not ready. Or at least not desperate enough. I was at a point in my life that I knew if I didn't do something drastic, I was nearing the end of the road. I HAD to change. Some people just aren't there yet. Do I eat normally? I think so. However, "normal" is a pretty relative term. I wish that woman well in whatever decision she makes. Jon

Hi Eileen I think i eat pretty much normal foods, but i do drink my protein shake 2 times a day just to make sure to keep my levels good, and they always are. I havent' found any protein bars i like, so i dont' do those. I eat about 5 times a day and once in a while have a sf fudgesicle or sf popsicle. But every program is different. Tell her not to be scared , every program is different. Linda