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Yogurt is a slider for me so I have to chunk it up to give myself something to chew on (which is what activates the brain to give the signal for satiety). WOW! This post was worth these sweet words of wisdom! I DID NOT KNOW!!! Thank you!!! Thank you for all the ideas too. Sounds like you are a wonderful cook! YUMMY!

you can eat deli meats like turkey and chicken breast, low sodium ham, american and munster cheese. Mashed potatoes, soup, pudding, yogurt, ricotta, cottage cheese.

Welcome to my world! I'm writing this as I am on a plane bound for SLC tonight. i will be working all day and flying back tomorrow night and will fly out again Saturday morning. Day started early so I was able to eat eggs at home, coffee Protein shake on the way to a client meeting, Quest bar at the airport, 1 oz of cheese from the "protein box" I bought on the plane (the one with very little protein), and will probably eat the dried edamame I'm carrying it's me once I land at 9 pm. I will have walked 2 miles by the time the day is over just running from one place to another and that will have to do for my exercise today. I have some Jerky that I may have to nom if I don't make my protein today, and I bought stuff to drink at the airport. I also have one packer of Protein powder that I will sweet talk a barista at Starbucks into making for me at some point I thus trip. You get used to planning ahead, carrying acceptable Snacks, and being utterly shameless about eating in the middle of meetings when NO ONE ELSE is eating! I often cook like a mad woman on the weekends and we eat that through most of the week,and rarely eat out more than once a week if I'm not traveling. I also know what I can eat at airports: Wendy's chili, the insides of any places sandwiches without bread, and SF geek yogurt. That's it really. So a lot more planning and forethought but totally doable.

K I'm 3 weeks out Tuesday. The first week n half were hell. Went to the dr and he cleared me to do the purée diet or eat what I can tolerate. Well I have days where I'm sick n can't or don't wanna eat ne thing. Then I have my days where I'm hungry and I eat like a yogurt for breakfast lunch tuna or chicken salad and tonight I made a minni veggie pizza and ate the hole thing w no problem. I can tolerate pretty much everything I been tryin. This SCARES ME TO DEATH!!! I can eat sugar free ice cream no prob althou it's a couple spoon fulls. I'll eat nuts no prob. Am I over doing it? Am I gunna stretch my pouch? What do I do? HELP ADVISE???

My question is basically for those that have been through the liquid diet part of the RNY surgery. I was told that the liquid diet is basically Protein shakes. So I have picked up some Premier Protein drinks. I have both chocolate and strawberry & cream. I have to be on this 2 weeks before, and 2 weeks after my surgery. I was wondering about other liquids like V8 Splash Diet. Drinking plenty of Water has never been a real problem for me. So what would you suggest to break it up, so I am not drinking 4 shakes every day. I did buy a Ninja blender to make smoothies. I have been experimenting with that, and ESA Protein powder. Mainly Greek Yogurt based smoothies.

That sounds like perfection to me! I'm 9 months out and feel like I eat waaaay more. I fell off a couple times here and there. But for the most part I'm feeling in control. On a good day i eat Premier Protein shake with half of a banana and a scoop of PB2 lunch is usually a protein (kofta, Shish or chicken kebab) with a small salad. Snack on a Quest bar or cheese dinner is the same ( I work at my parents middle eastern restaurant) Snack a light and fit Greek yogurt or other high protein snack. Being a server I'm pretty active if we are busy. But I'm really trying to buckle down and get to goal. 15 more lbs. some days I hit the gym before work and do cardio. I will start toning really soon. HW 274 SW 244 CW 170 GW 155 Surgery date 2/22/13 Everyday will always be a struggle for me. But I'm only human and I make mistakes. But if I'm accountable I can always pick up the pieces. Logging my food is my go to always.

Sounds great. I'm 9 months out and definitely consume more. I also am pretty active and workout 5 days a week. Breakfast - 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese, fruit or fat free greek yogurt with fruit lunch - 1 cup Progresso Soup or tuna or egg salad with light mayo dinner -3 ozs of chicken, fish or beef with 1/4 cup of whatever side i've made the family Snacks - mini baby bel light cheese, EAS Protein drink, 2tblspoons Peanut Butter, or cottage doubles It usually adds up to about 1100 calories per day.

I am struggling to find anyone else for support who is in a similar situation - whether it is because I am a rarity or that those of us with this issue don't frequent the support forum... I am not sure. I am getting frustrated over time and tired of working hard not to lose weight. I would never have expected this to be a problem! I had my surgery in May 2012 at 255 lbs and have been at goal for a bit over a year. I am currently struggling with a recurrence of depression, so the energy that I have typically been putting into getting all of my calories and exercise is flagging - I am getting treatment for the depression but it takes some time. I have worked very hard not to lose weight during this time and to keep my calories up. Typically I am very, very active. I expect that within a few weeks I will be feeling enough better to be back to exercising more. I usually exercise about 15 hours per week, taking one or two days off. Usually at least one day per week I get four to six hours of exercise, even as much as eight hours. I am an avid cyclist, hiker, skier, etc. My problem seems to be that I have a very high BMR of 2,000. So, I need at least that many calories on days with no exercise. Then, add exercise and I have days where I need 5,000 and even up to 7,000 calories in order to maintain my weight. Obviously those super high calorie days are rare, but I regularly have 3,000+ calorie days. Typically I am using lots of whole milk (at least 750 calories of whole milk per day) and on days when my weight has dropped below my comfort zone I start adding heavy cream or half and half. I also eat avocados, nuts, olive oil, butter, premier Protein shakes, etc. I also make green shakes - blended Protein powder, Greek yogurt, fruits, veggies. I use chocolate on days when I am desperate for more calories but don't have more room for real food - it's a total slider. I probably get minimum 1,000-1,300 calories from liquids and the rest from solid food. I have to choose the highest calorie foods out there - looking at a menu I will intentionally choose whatever has the most possible calories. My goal is to maintain at 130 when not working out and up to 135 if I am working out a lot. I was at lower weights initially (down to 123 at 5'6") and looked way too thin. At the lower weight I had too little muscle, was a size 0, and was told that I looked like a victim of weight loss. It wasn't a kind thing for someone to say but was accurate - at just a slightly higher weight I look far healthier and more proportionate. I am on the mobile app and have not updated my ticker from my lowest weight probably - but that is where I am at today and what I have decided is healthiest for me. It took a lot of effort to add muscle weight. When I was obese I didn't exercise and I am sure my metabolism wasn't this high. But now that I have lost the weight I worry that I will be thinner, fit, and set myself up for the same health problems by eating unhealthy foods in order to maintain my weight. I hear that weight gain is common at the 3 year mark. I also worry that the way I have to eat now in order to maintain my weight could set me up for problems later on. I currently weight myself regularly to make sure I am not losing weight rather than to make sure not to gain, though. I think if the depression would improve I would have more energy to pursue healthier high calorie food options. Looking for suggestions and other people in the same boat...

I'm on my 2nd week after being banded. I'll have my post op visit next Tuesday and will be able to start mushies after that. I'm trying to decide which diet plan I will follow when I start solid foods. I've done both low carb and weight watchers in the past with good results from both. I love cheese and sauces that are allowed in the atkins type diet, but wonder how well meat will be tolerated. And I wonder how much sucess people have had with a less strict plan that allows occasional Pasta and rice dishes. Not having bread won't really be a problem for me. But I'm worried that if I get off the plan after I loose a lot of weight, I might gain it back if I switch to another plan "for life". The weight watchers type plan seems more realistic in the long term "for life" eating. It allows fresh fruit, Soup, and yogurts which I love, and has easy ready to eat meals that i can fix quickly and will be able to take to work, but doesn't have great flavor with low fat cheeses, sauces, and dressing. Would you long term banders please share your success or not so successful stories with me?

My surgeon talked with my dietician and she totally revised my eating plan. He said that the diet is per Doctors orders and the nutritionist's job is to make sure calories and nutrients aren't being sacrificed. Well with that said I told him about not being able to have yogurt or cream soup stuff or sf pudding etc. He had her change the diet. I can have thin deli slices, yogurt, sf pudding lowfat cheese slices, eggs(soft scrambled or poached). My surgeon said that the liquid phase was okay for a week and full liquids does include cream soups thinned etc. Kathy I can have egg drop soup with the egg but to got slowly! I feel so much better now. he also said I ws doing very good and the weight loss is great but not typical so don't get discouraged if it slows down after the next 4 weeks. He said that all the surgeons who perform this procedure have different diet plans. Unfortunately my dietician had RNY in mind for me and that is the diet plan I was on. I guess she got confused since the majority of the patients are RNY. I had a slice of lowfat cheese..yum and 3oz of fat free turkey and ham... and I was full WHoo Hoo! I am on my way.

So im having a little panic attack right now..worrying that i am eating too much food..can anyone help me understand if this is too much food? Typical day Breaky- 1/2 cup instant cream of wheat w/ 2tsp of vanilla yogurt(not greek) and 1tsp of seedless raspberry jelly Lunch- 1/2 cup of pureed fat free refriex Beans w/ 1tbsp full fat sour cream and 2tsp of pureed salsa Dinner- same as lunch OR 1/2 cup of organic pre made tomato Soup Snack: 1/2 cup fat free chocolate pudding Am i eating too much???? Im scared that eating 1/2 cup servings of beans is too much..I dont feel overfull..just full but last week i could only eat 1/4 cup of refried pureed beans.. I am concerned that even though im measuring everything i eat..im eating too much..Whats normal for a serving in purees for beans??

Non fat plain greek yogurt (and a baby spoon of sf ff pudding mix) Cottage cheese Anything I make with ricotta cheese (just mix well so it doesn't clump)

I am 8 days post op and I am a little worried that I too do not have any problem with water and 6 oz of yogurt go down just fine. I hope that the full feeling will kick in when I eat solid food again.

The unflavored protein powder has been a life-saver for me. The flavored powders I used before surgery just sat like a rock after surgery. I've mixed the unflavored powder in broth, soup, yogurt, flavored water, virtually anything fairly thin. I add sugar-free Torani, DaVinci or Walden Farms syrups to make my own flavored shakes.

hmm...i am probably not one of those that looks like I'm getting too few calories, but I do get in all my Protein. That's really my main focus for the most part. I remember thinking what you do. I would see some people's diaries on my phone and I wonder how they got the protein in. But then I look at the same people's diaries on the computer where you can see all the macronutrients, and I realize that many of them are getting in significant chunks of protein. One of my friends there puts in espresso coffee (you know who you are puresouthernsoul!) and it looks like nothing right? Cofffee?? But that's her recipe for something that has greek yogurt, coffee, and a scoop of Protein powder, so the label is a bit misleading. Wonder if some of that is happening with you? Do look at the diaries on the computer and you can see how the protein gms add up.

I had a horrible time after surgery. Surgery was Aug 26th....Horrible pain and since I can't keep down liquid medicine I just had to suck it up and deal with it. Could barely sip Water the first week so I lost 18 lbs. I'm dehydrated still, anything sweet like Protein drinks, yogurt, fruit make me soo sick. I've been the exact same weight for two weeks and I'll see the surgeon tomorrow for my first follow up. Needless to say I never thought this is how it would be. Not happy with the sleeve and don't know why I did this to myself. Can anybody else idenitfy with anything I've said. I'm sure if things pick up then my feelings will change but I'm hungry all the time and didn't think that was normal! Help!

I think because of the pre-op no food and now the post op no food - yes - i could really use a bite of something "real". I am looking forward to the scrambled eggs or at least some yogurt!

Hi Melisa, Most bandsters with good restriction have trouble eating breakfast. The band seems to be tighter in the morning for most of us. Not a unique problem. My best suggestions are to have a Protein shake in the morning so you start the day with nutrition. You could also try drinkable yogurt. Instead of oatmeal, you could try farina (Cream of Wheat) really watered down. The problem with boxed cereal is that when you add milk to it, it expands and can cause great pain for bandsters, whereas the cooked cereals already have expanded during the cooking process. Hope this helps!! Babs in TX 334/180 -154

Ok, here's my suggestions: Protien bars (there are a few tasty ones out there), protein shakes - I prefer the Benefit Bars and HMR 500 shakes from Hackley Health Management, scrambled eggs topped with a LITTLE melted cheese, cream of wheat (I add sugar free maple syrup and it's only 35 calories) you could also add cinnamon for flavor, same with oatmeal - I despise it but if I add the cinnamon and SF maple syrup it's not too bad, Yoplait light yogurts, occasional no sugar added applesauce. My Dr said in the am if you're feeling too restricted to have something warm - like tea or coffee to loosen you up a little.

Fluff is right on...You may not feel restriction right away. I didn't. I'm still trying to figure out what full feels like and I'm almost 2 months out. I measure and weigh religiously. Another thing is wet food vs. dense food. I was surprised to find out a couple of weeks ago that I ate 1/2 cup of chili (I was allowed to eat as much as a 1/2 cup, but had not done so to that point). I panicked - did I eat too much? How could my sleeve allow me to eat that much? Then I realized, the chili is wet and some of it probably slid thru the sleeve. The next day I experimented with chicken - I ate only chicken and could only get 1/4 cup down before feeling the restriction. The chicken was much more dense. You're probably seeing the same thing with yogurt - you'll probably be able to eat more yogurt than say scrambled eggs. My doc made of point of saying, "Eat what's on the plan in the portions you're allowed. Remember, you don't have to eat it all. Stop if you feel feel or restriction." I have found that there are times I will do a hiccup and burp at the same time, that's a clue that I'm getting full. Other times I my nose will run. Sometimes I feel a "poke" not a pain, but a feeling in my stomach. Once I feel any of these things I stop eating. You guys are doing great - it's all a learning process. Just listen to your body and stick to your portions.

I am 4 weeks post op and have never been able to get down protein shakes. I get all my protein (and meet my requirements fully) from natural sources. My nutritionist said I can't do it but I did! My main sources are 1% and fat-free milk, cheese, fat-free greek yogurt and lean small meatballs. Thankfully I'm not lactose intolerant!

On Nov. 28, 2009 I had lap band surgery in Burlingame, CA. My suergeon Dr. Pamela Foster is great. Afte about 6 months I was throwing up all the protein I was eating. I could keep a little soup and frozen yogurt down. After 8 months of constant throwing up and every test known to man kind they decided to remove the band. They did a sleeve so I wouldn't gain any weight back as I had lost about 70 lbs by then. While they were in doing the sleeve they found the scar tissue had wrapped around my esophogus and had been causing all the sickness. The opened it up and once I learned how to eat again I lost another 30 for a total of 100 lbs. I had the sleeve surgey Nov. 3, 2010. I feel great and look pretty good but my stomach is still na little sore and would love to find out what I should be eating. I was trained what to eat with the lap band and keep going back to that mind set. I would love to find a menu of what I should be eating with the sleeve.

As I approached goal, I added more fat (1% or 2% milk instead of skim, full fat yogurt and cottage cheese, 1/2 and 1/2 in my coffee, avocados, Peanut Butter instead of PB2, lots of nuts, etc) and more healthy carbs (lots of fruit, whole grain bars, whole grain cereals, bread, starchy veggies like corn, potatoes and yams). I make sure I still get my 60g Protein and 64oz Fluid everyday. I didn't stop losing completely since I'm 12 pounds under goal, but I slowed my loss to only 10 pounds in the last 3 months. I figure our bodies will stop losing when we find our new normal balance. I am able to eat a lot more now than I could at 6 months out, so you might, too. And it will be easier to stop losing once you can eat more.

I was required to attend a Nutrition Class, and got a handout describing what is allowed in each "phase". Although I still have a few questions before surgery. My date is 3-6. Lap Sleeve. Week 1: Clear liquids (broth, Water, Crystal Light, SF Popsicles) Week 2: Liquids, also includes SF pudding, Greek Yogurt, Cream of Wheat, Tomato, Butternut Squash Soups. Unsweetened applesauce Week 3&4: Puréed (Baby food, whipped Low fat Peanut Butter, almond butter,) Week 5: Ground meats, string cheese etc. You should still get more instructions from your Dr., I'm not sure why, but everyone on here has different guidelines per their surgeon. My surgeon group/dietician doesn't like Protein shakes etc. But I'll be asking about the Unflavored no carb whey/isolate powder to add to Soup.

I have been wondering the same thing and have the same response from my drs. office. They want me to focus on getting in the Protein and Water and nutritious food and not worry about the calories. However, I have had a day here and there where I was at 1300+. I have had several at the 1100 range. I went on a website and put in my age, height and activity level. It gave me the calories needed to maintain weight, lose weight (1-2 lbs/day) and to lose weight rapidly (2+ lbs/wk). I can't find that website right now or I would put the link here. However, it gave me a good target to shoot for. I think the further out we are and the more we can tolerate, it becomes increasingly important to make smart food choices. There are many choices that I have that are good for me. Some are higher in calories. If I choose a lot of cheese and nut Snacks, I might choose to end my day with an 80 calorie greek yogurt rather than Peanut Butter. I hope this makes sense. I am 5' 4" and feel I need to stay below 1300 to continue to lose 2 lbs a week with a light activity level. I am not exercising as much as some. I had a complicated sinus surgery procedure a couple weeks ago and my dr. does not want me straining, lifting, breathing heavy (as with cardio), etc. for a couple more weeks.