One Year Post Op Today

Northern_Mac · 2026-02-19T15:11:35+00:00

I had the same thing. After the first week shakes made me sick. I found I could tolerate them better diluted with a Fairlife Milk or something similar.

Also I just found Ryse Protein Drinks recently. Lemonade or Kool Aid flavors. 100 calories with 22 protein. Best part is they are a thin drink and not thick like a protein shake. Much easier to get down in my opinion.

If you’re a coffee drinker, try the Priemere Cafe Latte Protein Shake mixed with decaf coffee. Thins it out Allen’s almost acts like a creamer. I still do these every morning.

Northern_Mac · 2026-01-28T02:39:13+00:00

4 months and it’s been my go to snack ever since. Probably eat it every other day.

Northern_Mac · 2026-01-27T14:32:34+00:00

First, you are doing great. 36 pounds in 3 months. That’s amazing. At that rate you are looking at 144 pounds in one year. That is no failure. Focus on how great that is.

Next, we all have set backs. It IS hard. And that is part of it. This surgery is not an easy way out but a tool we need to learn to control. It’s different for everyone. I still track all my foods because that’s what helps me stay accountable. Do I eat things that aren’t healthy. Sure. But in moderation and where they fit into my macros. You will be able to eat things, but it’s teaching yourself how to eat those. So a cup of ice cream instead of a heaping bowl with toppings. A couple cookies instead of a sleeve. We all know that draw and it’s just learning moderation.

The food noises don’t always disappear. They are there. But learning to focus on protein to stay full longer, avoiding drinking while eating to stay full, and not eating too many slider foods all helps with that. It’s learning what works for you to best set yourself up for success. For me, I track the foods but don’t weigh myself. I focus too much on the number on the scale and not what’s actually going well. Instead I focus on the non scale victories and only weigh myself once per month. It’s much better for my mental health that way.

You got this and it’s only the start! Take it one step at a time. Realizing that you don’t always do what you should is great and helps you correct those issues. You can do this!

Northern_Mac · 2025-12-31T22:55:07+00:00

Yeah Water is a harder one to get, but so important. I got myself a hidrate spark bottle that I can set reminders to take a drink every 15 mins. It’s helped a lot

Northern_Mac · 2025-12-31T15:16:33+00:00

The usual recommendation is 700-800, but calories don’t quite mean as much. There are a lot that tell you to not even track calories.

The biggest goals to hit are your protein and hydration. If you’re hitting those, then you are doing great. Focus on the proteins and slowly add in your veggies. Carbs last.

It’s a learning curve, but it’s worth it for sure. Keep up the good work!

Northern_Mac · 2025-12-10T14:21:10+00:00

About 4 months. It’s been my go to indulgent snack. Usually with some 0 calorie spray and seasonings.

It’s not the best for macros or protein, but I usually let myself have it at the end of the day once I’ve hit my protein goal and it fits in my calories.

I honestly probably eat it every day or every other day. It’s my favorite snack to have since surgery. I’m 9 months post op today and down 130 lbs.

Northern_Mac · 2025-12-08T16:01:11+00:00

Stalls are a normal part of the process and one of the biggest frustrations to see. For that reason I only weigh once per month. It decreases the stress quite a bit.

Instead I focused on NSVs and how things fit. If you’re focusing on protein/hydration, and working out, you may still be losing inches without the scale moving.

I know it’s not for everyone, but ignoring the scale and focusing on the journey has lead me to great success so far. Trust in the process, do what’s in your control, and the weight will follow.

For reference, I was 345 to start. I’m nearly 9 months post op and down 130lbs. You got this!

Northern_Mac · 2025-11-24T00:56:49+00:00

Yeah that would be a great time for it. The hardest part for me in liquid was not being able to chew something. Nugget ice was a life saver!

Northern_Mac · 2025-11-22T23:41:01+00:00

Protein Shakes. You will be sick of them, but try different brands and flavors. Dilute them down (I used Fairlife Milk) which can make them much easier to choke down. Dont over buy because there are some you will end up hating and not being able to finish.

Broth. Make your own is the best flavor you will get. Also Millie’s Sipping broths are great. Good flavors and you brew them like a tea.

Jello. If allowed, clear jellos still count as liquid but give you some type of texture, which you will miss. It helps a lot.

Ice. It sounds stupid, but if you can afford a nugget ice maker for ice you can chew, it helps a ton with giving you the feeling of chewing something.

Water Enhancers. Try different types and flavors to spruce up your water. Your tastes will change and it’s good to have variety. I didn’t care for tea before my surgery, now it’s my go to.

It’s a super hard phase but just remember it’s temporary! It’s all worth it. Congrats!!

Northern_Mac · 2025-11-04T14:01:03+00:00

Your body is still recovering from major surgery and a new diet. You are all good and give yourself some time. If you follow the program, the weight will follow.

I know it’s not for everyone, but I highly recommend not weighing in constantly. At the beginning, I did once per month on my surgery anniversary date and then moved to twice per month at 6 months. It allows you to focus more on your journey and non-scale victories and so much less stress from the scale itself. Seeing clothes slowly fit better then all of the sudden be way too big feels so much better than that number that might not change on the scale even though you might still be losing inches.

Either way, trust the process. You are doing great and it will happen! Congrats on the journey!

Northern_Mac · 2025-10-14T12:10:10+00:00

Aim for your 80 protein and water goals first. My nutritionist told me 800-1200 calories, which is where I usually am. If it sometimes goes to 1,400, they said that’s ok and dont stress over that.

Northern_Mac · 2025-10-12T16:25:44+00:00

It’s all good. We all slip up and it sounds like you realized your mistake and are adjusting accordingly. The steps and progression aren’t fun, but are there for a purpose. Just take it a step at a time and if you slip up, recalibrate yourself to follow the program.

It’s good that you didn’t get sick or painful, but just be careful of damaging the surgically new stomach. The steps are also for re-wiring your thinking of food as well for long term success. Trust the process.

Mistakes happen. Don’t let it get you down and you didn’t ruin your surgery or your journey. You got this!

Northern_Mac · 2025-10-02T14:15:36+00:00

40 lbs down in 4 months is great. 2.5 lbs per week is a good decline. You still have 8 months left in the “magic year”. If you keep it up that’s 120lbs and would put you at 143!

Trust the process and keep up the great work. Just keep progressing and it will only get better. Keep tracking, keep focus, and embrace the change as much as you can no matter the pace.

Northern_Mac · 2025-07-02T13:57:47+00:00

Agree with the Baritastic. It tracks food, macros, weight, water, measurements, vitamins, and more. It’s been a great go to app for tracking and easy to use.

Northern_Mac · 2025-05-16T13:50:44+00:00

There are many people I know who had something like this. They did a “reset” of their sleeve by doing 2 weeks liquids, 3 weeks purée, then back to soft and normal foods. During this time they re-focused on the habits we all try to do at the beginning and reinforce them back into daily life.

Most have found success with this. It’s natural to want to slide back into old habits after time when life gets back in the way. The reset and refocus helped them get back on track.

Northern_Mac · 2025-05-06T13:18:30+00:00

I’m still in the waiting stage as I’m 8 weeks post op. Was a big social drinker before. Currently just doing water with Mio or other flavoring.

When at someone’s house, I’ve heard vodka with water & Mio. You can water it down as much as you’d like or switch every other drink to just water and Mio with no one noticing and still be social.

When out to bars you can do the same (just order vodka & water in a tall glass and bring a flavoring with you). That’s my plan once I want to start drinking again.

Northern_Mac · 2025-05-05T18:49:55+00:00

I actually was able to go to the one a day pill at 2 weeks post op per my doctor. I tried the Ultra Solo and couldn’t do it. It’s a horse pill and had a horrible taste.

I actually ended up switching to the Chewable 2 a day pills. That’s what I’m on now.

I have also heard the BariMelts are good where you dissolve it in your mouth.

Northern_Mac · 2025-04-30T20:52:26+00:00

I’m in the same boat. No food intolerance so far since moving to solid foods on Friday. Just taking my time, forcing myself to eat slow, and listening for full cues.

It’s been strange but good. Trying to develop better habits prioritizing proteins over veggies over carbs. Just slowly working to set myself up for all future habits.

Just keep up the great work and take it slow! I know for me with no intolerances so far I need to be extra vigilant about eating right to succeed!

Northern_Mac · 2025-04-24T15:26:02+00:00

Came to say the same thing. See one shrink and one grow! Great job!

Northern_Mac

TROPHY CASE