I have not had surgery, I came upon this site looking for feedback from others who have had bariatric surgery, as it was suggested to a family member. I saw you post about gluten, and know from experience, the effects gluten has on a person's gut. 

I've been overweight most of my adult life, and battle with IBS, a peptic ulcer, and gallbladder issues. A few years ago I lost about 95 pounds, and started noticing how different foods made me nauseous, and bloated. After reading a book called Grain Brain, by Dr. David Outputted, I went gluten free. After 15 days free of gluten, my body felt great. I have a few health issues that cause pain, and I was taking naproxen everyday, now that I'm gluten free, I don't take anything for pain, I don't feel bloated after eating, and my IBS is under control. I buy my vitamins at GNC because they make gluten free vitamins, but I'm sure that other companies make gluten free vitamins now. 

I've read that gluten has inflammatory properties, and from what I've experienced, I believe that is true. I have been tested for Celiac disease, and don't have it, but my doc is pretty sure I have some intolerance to it. There is a test that checks something like 22 types of gluten intolerances.     I do hope this little bit of information helps, check your library, they may have the book mentioned above, or can interlibrary borrow it for you, it has a ton of great info about the affects of gluten.  You might also find two very wonderful gluten free cookbooks that have amazingly tasty AND healthy.

 Wishing you the best, in all that you do ? ! 

My Surgery was 6/9/16-I was worried about the Coffee too. I had a decaf coffee recently-tasted great! Best advice ask your team I will be doing that this Thurs on my 4 week postop. Good luck!

I'm "plant-centered" in that I will eat poultry & fish if I really want it, or if I'm out to eat and that's the healthiest option.  I still eat some treats that contain dairy, but am trying to invent dairy-free options so I can eliminate those too.

I'm 6 months out and so have had two bloodwork checkups.  I use the PatchMD multivitamin/mineral patches.  My nutritionist is happy with my food choices.  In terms of weight loss, they said I am WAY ahead of the others who had surgery at the same time (none of the others are plant-based eaters).  Best of all I feel great.

"How soon post-op did you start eating this way?"  I intended from the start to become mostly plant-based (based on the research and on previous life experience, it's the healthiest way to eat -- I just could never eliminate the cakes & cookies long enough to keep weight off!). Legumes agree with my new tummy way better than any flesh foods or eggs (this is true of most people who try them).  If you are new to eating legumes, though, start with just a little each day and be sure you are drinking plenty of water.  If you get gassy, use Beano at first until your body adjusts to the increase in beans.  

"What do you eat?"  Typical day is as follows:
Breakfast:
- Burrito shell, slathered w ff refried beans & toasted. Add several leaves of crunchy lettuce before folding over into a "bean quesadilla". Previously I also added some lowfat cheese to bump up the protein content a little.
- 1/2 to 1 orange.
Lunch:
- Salad w/lots of chickpeas or edamame, sunflower seeds, a little bit of cheese, & about 1 tbsp of whatever dressing I'm in the mood for.
- A little of some filling, healthy starch (e.g. a few pieces of baked potato or sm portion homemade mashed potatoes).
OR a small frozen dinner, usually Lemon Pepper Fish (I don't eat the apples - too sweet!) or Santa Fe Rice & Beans.
- A small portion of whatever fruit I'm in the mood for (lately, peaches!!!!).
Supper:
- Edamame in the pod + home-popped popcorn (no oil) w/spritz of low-salt soy sauce & at least 1/4 c nutritional yeast + piece of fruit; OR
- Whole milk plain yogurt (I'm trying to find a decent-tasting plain soy yogurt) w/banana & other fruit + sliced almonds; OR
- Tofu & some veggies + piece of fruit.
- If I'm really hungry, I'll sometimes have baked chicken, some instant mashed potatoes, & steamed broccol, + piece of fruit.
Snack:
- Popcorn & nutritional yeast (if I didn't have it for supper); OR Pear/cashew "pudding"; OR Carrots w/hummos; OR Arctic Zero ice cream

Any gas, bloating, digestive issues from eating this way and solutions to them?
- Anything w/dairy (esp if it contains whey) makes my stomach hurt and makes me constipated. I'm looking for substitutes, and in the meantime take a digestive enzyme from CVS with the first bit of such foods.
- I've been eating beans for a long time so they don't affect me at all.  What bothers people is either the sudden increase in fiber (which is why you increase them slowly, & increase water intake), or the particular sugar in legumes that isn't easily digested (which is why you can use Beano with the first bite until your body adjusts).  I also find that using Eden canned beans or cooking them myself in the crockpot overnight takes care of the gassiness. There's no need for all the complicated pre-soaking etc. Just put dry beans in the crockpot and cook on high overnight.  Don't add salt - it keeps them from getting soft.

"Why did you start eating this way?" Because I'm a scientist and the genuine science on eating a whole-food, plant-based diet is unequivocal: the more you move in the unprocessed, plant-based diet, the healthier you will be. 

"How is your bloodwork?"  I've had my 3- and 6-month followups.  Everything except ferritin is excellent (yes, my protein levels are excellent too).  My ferritin (iron stores) has decreased a little, though I'm not "anemic" at this point.  Which tells me that the PatchMD probably doesn't work, unfortunately.  Assuming that's the case, though, then my overall diet is giving me plenty of everything except iron.  I will be supplementing for the next 3 months while I look for ways to add iron-rich foods (like tahini) to my daily diet.

Healthy diet, Regular exercises, Positive mind are the easiest way to reduce your weight. No magic can be done for losing weight. Better you prepare a diet plan with the help of dietitian. 

I eat Starkist Tuna packets like they are going out of style :)