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You don't have to drink the Protein shakes to meet your protein requirement but at 4 weeks, I also wouldn't be eating protein bars and potatoes. Even if you think you are tolerating them well your stomach and staple line is healing. High protein soft foods are 1% cottage cheese, plain non fat greek yogurt, eggs, tuna fish, tilapia, cream of chicken and split pea soup, injury chicken soup, turkey chili. These items were my main foods for the first 7/8 weeks. I did have protein drinks for the first few weeks but you don't have to rely on them if you can't stand them. Good Luck!

Well, I have had lots to say since the day I started talking but never put it in writing before. This should be interesting. Too bad I have to type it all out -I'd rather just talk into the mic like I do with texts on my iPhone! Ok - 6 weeks out of surgery... Week 1, down 7 now THAT's what I'm talking about!! (290) Week 2, down 6 Oh I got this... so easy! (284) Week 3, down 6, More food choices and it's still dropping away. Finally under 283 - that hump from hell I couldn't pass on my own! (279) Week 4, down 2, Hmm, well ok, not great but still a loss. (277) Week 5, down NOTHING! OMG!! Nada, Nyet, Rien!!! how can this be? How can the famous 3-4 month honeymoon phase be over already? I knew this was too good to be true. I'll probably wake up tomorrow and have gained 30 pounds! WTH! Ok, now really bummed. Am I really sticking to the program or do I just think I am? Maybe it's a fluke. Bad scale at gym... It did just get fixed so maybe it's way off. Hope so. Week 6, down NOTHING! Ok now wait a darn minute. Depending on the scale, even gained 2! Although it seems like I'm taking in less than 800 calories a day, I think I need to be even more vigilant. Maybe it's what I'm eating. No more pudding and small pieces of bread. Maybe it's not about what I can tolerate as the doc says, but making better choices? In the first months you're supposed to lose almost no matter what you eat since you're eating so little. Maybe my body is used to the smaller amounts because of my pre-surgery diet and so there's not much impact. Ok, I'm not giving up, I'm getting tough (and mad) at this fat. IT IS GOING!! So for the last 10 days I have had virtually no simple carbs and no sweets. Nothing but protein shakes, cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese stick here and there, and mainly fish with a few veggies. Also did some research on the rules and why they are as such... seems I was taking a few for granted, like the "no drinking with or 30 mins after a meal". Now I realize it's to keep you full longer as well as not wash the nutrients away before they're digested. Good to know. Also, protein and heavier, thicker things stay in the stomach longer than say... all the soup I was eating, so those food should keep me full longer. I have noticed that I get hungry more often, obviously because my stomach empties more quickly. I like the protein shakes but I'm hungry not to long afterward. Hmmm. Need to get with Katie, the nutritionist to make sure I'm doing things right. Eating about 6 times a day but small and full of protein. With -315 or so from the gym, my calorie count is about 500-600 a day. So, why the hell am I not losing? Theories - Maybe my body is used to the smaller amounts because of my pre-surgery diet and so there's not much impact. My body is in shock form the quick 19 pounds loss and is hording the calories fearing starvation? According to Ruth you always gain a pound or two before you lose a big amount. Rather than steady decline, it's a step like scenario, and I'll catch up with a big loss soon? 800 is too low, shoot for higher or your body thinks it's starving. There are apparently many posts on this 4-6 week stall - happens to lots of people so I feel a little better about that. If I stay very much on track, then the laws of physics should apply soon. They have to. In the meantime, it is sure disheartening. I even cried. Feeling like the whole thing was pointless if I have to struggle so hard already. Really, it's the same damn policing work since now I'm going for 800 instead of 1,200. I was hoping that it would be simpler... not such a fight. I knew I'd have to eat well, but I thought I'd have no more hunger pains pulling at me. I thought the sleeve would make it easier to stay within the calorie count of 1,200. I chose 800 to speed things up and make the most out of the first year of tremendous weight loss, since I have so far to go. I wanted 20 in month 1 and 10 per month thereafter, hoping for a loss of 60 and a weight of 237 by the time we go skiing in December. Stay tuned. In the meantime, gotta stay devoted, focused, upbeat, and fierce.

So Diane from True Results calls me today to follow up on how I'm doing. I tell her I think I'm doing great and seem to be doing better than most. We go over incisions, etc... she agrees. Then she says do you have any questions. So I say well yes actually I do, why is it I'm supposed to be be on liquids when I can eat things like chicken salad as long as I chew it up. Her normally friendly up beat voice changes into this motherly tone "Now Yvette, we went over this, you don't want anything to get stuck, you're still swollen and you don't know what will happen." "Ok ok, but I was reading on lapbandtalk.com and other people..." she stops me short - "This isn't about other people it's about YOU so you need to do what your doctor told YOU to do. If you want to be on full liquids fine, but don't go eating any meat or vegetables" she says sternly. "So you're saying I probably shouldn't be eating cream of chicken and mushroom soup together?" - Silence on the phone. "Hello".... "Yvette we've been over this, no meat, no vegetables and NO chicken salad!" Sigh.... Mmmm yogurt!

These are great ideas, thank you so much. I've had more Water today than any other day, but that's still just about 20 oz. I also did my Little Peanut Butter concoction earlier, and I'm in the process of trying to get down a banana shake ( 1oz banana, 4 oz nonfat milk, 2 oz plain Greek yogurt, and a sprinkle of Equal) to try and get some more potassium in. After I wrote my earlier post, I went to lay down and started with terrible calf cramps. I've got the crystal light but I definitely need to get some of that protein powder to add to EVERYTHING. I'm going to set my phone alarms now too!

Its hard, it really is...I am 8 weeks now & still have little minor problems..I could not get anything in either. I was told no fruit of any kind..to much sugar (including natural)& no protein in it..I still don't eat fruit..Just stay with the Greek yogurts..Dannon lite & fit has lower sugars & higher protein..you might get in 2 bites or egg salad with lite mayo..a couple of bites, but you have to get that water in..get crystal lite..it goes down easier when its warm & a protein shake, add skim milk for more protein..Get PB2 powered peanut butter, Walmart sells it..I at mashed potatoes early on too..I'd get a small container at KFC & that would last me all week...You'll feel better, I promise...and walk, walk the house back & forth if you have to...

Okay so, I thought I was doing really well. I was even discharged the day after surgery. I'm lucky enough to say I don't have any of the major medical complications that are associated with obesity. Here I am post op day 4 and I'm having a terrible time getting enough Water, nevermind Protein and "full liquids." The foods that process the easiest are those that have the least to offer - sugar free pudding and Jello...and a very small amount of light Greek yogurt. I have a lot of nausea, almost constant, and the gas pains are better but still NEARLY constant. I have no energy because I'm taking in so little and terrible headaches. On the plus side I'm sleeping better and for longer periods of time and I'm down to 2-4 pain pills a day. I'm so not a sit around and do nothing type person; having so much soreness and feeling so blah, I'm just feeling stuck. Because I've been having such a hard time getting some type of protein, my husband suggested I try a little Peanut Butter. I mixed 2 tbsps of peanut butter with 4oz of fat-free milk and blended it in my food processor. That was 9 grams of sugar (supposed to keep it under 10) and 11.5 grams of protein. It wasn't bad and it settled pretty well. I had a little cramping but nothing I'm not already experiencing. I'm handling my Calcium chews, multi-vitamin, and Pepcid well...and I'm grateful for that! My potassium crushed in applesauce (or yogurt or pudding) isn't going well. Not only does it taste terribly BUT I get a lot of cramping and gas pains shortly after. My husband is picking up some light vanilla Greek yogurts and some peaches (packed in water) now for me to try blending to get more protein. Ladies...any suggestions or tips for these early stages? Thanks so much!

Hang in there.My surgery is December 28.What is different is my doctor prescribed a soft foods ( no sugar kind of pre op diet.I can have cottage cheese,yogurt,protein drinks and one protein with salad for dinner.Now since my surgery is on December 28 ... Countdown 2 days away.I am going to flush my system out starting this evening.2 to 3 bottles of citrate of magnesia ,Miralax and lemon tea to ensure my bowels are flushed out and clean for surgery.I am also going to get " Hibiclens "antiseptic wash and bathe/shower with it and use in hospital.Too many bacteria in hospitals....germaphobe here.The day before is all liquids...this is important...very important...We are both on our journey...,yahoo!!!

Tuesday meal plan Breakfast: deli ham and turkey rollups with romaine, tomato, light miracle whip and Hormel bacon bits Lunch: romaine lettuce, guacamole 100 cal cup, salsa, moose taco meat Dinner: chobani greek yogurt, planters cocktail peanuts 1 oz snack: Syntrax Nectar chocolate truffle protein shake with fairlife milk, collagen peptides

I'm scheduled for July 4, gastric plication with dr. Ponce de leon, I have read you should take : Gas-X strips and Sleep-Ease strips.......I think you will be fine when you get home, get some treats for your faithful little dog who will be your best companion during that time.. awry' timestamp='1308935981' post='168932'] Hi All - My surgery is scheduled for Monday and I'm really ready for this. I've been pretty good with the 2 week pre-op diet. I did fudge a little bit but in the scheme of things, that cheat was nothing. Guess what? I ate some plain greek yogurt in place of a shake a couple of times and I had some tomato soup just for a change - These items were not on the sheet. Even so, I've lost 15 pounds in 11 days. Not bad for someone who usually takes 2 months to lose 5 pounds! Anyway, any advice on how to prepare for Monday, what should I take with me to the hospital? what should I have ready at home? Will I need much help and for how long? I live alone and have a little dog. Anything will be appreciated, prayers too. B.

Welcome to the forums! Congratulations on making the decision and getting your date! That is awesome! Every surgeon is different in their requirements for food plans. Follow the directions that your surgeon gives you as they know what is best for their practice. When I was on my pre-op diet, I could have Protein shakes as well as "real food" items like salads. That made it more bearable. A full liquid only diet would consist of clear fluids - Water, crystal light, Isopure, broth, sugar free jello; as well as liquids that would fit through a straw - milk, yogurt, Protein Shakes, pureed Soups, etc.

Hi everyone. I'm 3 weeks and 5 days post op. I've had a bumpy journey so far. 2 days after surgery I was doing great. Ready for discharge.. And right when I got up to sign the release I dislocated my kneecap, chipped it, and tore the connecting ligaments and tendons. So I got to stay in the hospital an additional 3 days. The first week or so at home went fine.. No vomiting, I was able to transition to full liquids with no problem.. Then I went for my 2 week check up. The surgeon said I looked great.. 25 pounds lighter, I felt awesome. As soon as I got home from the appointment everything changed. I started vomiting after every meal. But I could hold down milk and water.. So I was fine with it. I had a few bites of yogurt here and there.. And that was ok. All until yesterday. I can no longer eat or drink anything. Not even ice chips.. So what should I do? I haven't slept from the constant vomiting. I'm scared that I might of developed a stricture.. Even though I know it usually takes 4 weeks. Any advice?

My plan was different, I was only on clear liquids one day after surgery then went to full liquids for two weeks. I only had Protein shakes and Water. I'm in week 1 of soft foods which is a 2 week phase. I eat scrambled egg, cottage cheese, puréed foods, Greek yogurt, shredded soft cheese, Soup, etc. My team doesn't want me to worry about fat content or calories for the first two months-- just focus on liquids and protein. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just wrote a huge log and found out that I was not logged in. So, I am going to do the short version now.http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/faint.gif I had my lap band surgery on March 15th, 2007. It is now three days later and all is well. My incisions are painful when I move. The port incision is red and sore. I am going to call Barix in a few minutes to make sure that it okay. I gained nine pounds in the hospital and have lost seven of them so far. Today I have eaten half of a banana-milk-yogurt-sugar-free chocolate sauce shake, half of a chicken broth and a few sips of water. In a few minutes, I plan to finish the broth, drink more water and have a sugar-free fudge pop.

It is really hard around the holidays and I get alot of support from home and co-workers etc. But I think it is a little more difficult in this month due to celebrations and festivities. My husband is supportive, but I do not think it is fair for me to change their diet and cook "differently" for them. Its hard enough that I am not as festive as usual and choose not to travel. So I just carry on as usual and when its mealtime, I go in my room with my shake and a diet soda:rolleyes2: I tell my husband to throw away all leftovers down the disposal when they are finished eating so I am less tempted to take a bite of the leftovers. What is everyone's pre-op diet? Mine seems extreme (shakes, yogurt, and clear liquids). ~Jackie~

I just got back from the hospital this afternoon. So far, I'm not experiencing a lot of reflux or nausea after eating. Of course, I'm only eating a couple of ounces of full liquids every once in awhile. My largest incision is very sore and tender. I'm also experiencing a pain in my chest. The doctors say the pain is not my heart but my being full. He explained that this pain will go away later but right now my esophogus is very swollen and every bit of intake SLOOOOWLY moves into my stomach. While reading the forums I'm remembering things such as, "no sugar added" foods and not to eat while drinking. Am I supposed to be following these rules right now? I can't eat yogurt and take in some Water? Or is this rule only for those who have advanced to real food? I'm really sick of feeling so awful. I am not sure I made the right decision. Their were others in the hospital who got to go home sooner after their weight loss surgeries. The pain is pretty bad. The meds they gave me wear off too quickly. Also, my daughters birthday party was today, my husband served hotdogs and hamburgers and of course cake was involved. I didn't eat a bite. But I sooo wanted it. I heard I can get really really sick if I don't stick with my doctors plan. Did anybody else crave food so soon after surgery? Thanks for any adivce you are willing to give. Cynthia

I had a lot a chest pain the first few days from the gas pumped in. I wasn't cleared for yogurt until 2 weeks out but I don't even eat the stuff, however I do mix it in my protein shakes. I will take a sip of protein then a sip of water.

I have mine set at 50/30/20 and avoid sugar like the plague. And heed her words on avoiding no or low fat products outside of dairy...that's usually a sugar trap, as she stated. If you are trying to save calories and focus on Protein, I hope you like fish! I don't eat beef. I eat some chicken (usually canned for chicken salads), a ton of fish (especially salmon) and a ton of broccoli, brussel sprouts and asparagus. Cottage cheese (Walmart full fat large curd is so yummy), light string cheese, yogurt (Walmart light), Isopure drinks and Premium Protein Drinks are all staples every day. I have a million bariatric recipes, but I am personally a repetitive eater....I eat the same things all the time. It's just easier that way and I always have a cheat (within reason, of course) on Sundays...mixing up the caloric intake to keep my metabolism guessing.

My surgery is the day after yours. Good luck to us both! Here is what I am allowed the first week after surgery - but remember every surgery/surgeon may be different and require different things: Priority #1: 64+ ounces of Water a day. Priority #2: 60+ grams of Protein a day, using liquids like pre-made Protein shakes (>15gm protein, <5gm fat, <5gm sugar per serving). Main ingredient must be whey, soy, casein, milk, hemp, or albumin (egg) protein. Cheapest source is "Double Protein Milk" which is 1 cup low fat milk + ⅓ cup nonfat dry milk/powdered milk. Week 1: pureed liquid diet - high protein, sugar free, low fat. Sip on liquids, food should be the consistency of applesauce or even runnier. No fizzy drinks. For example:Protein:shakes or double-protein milk pureed fish, seafood, poultry, meat pureed eggs, egg substitute pureed cottage cheese, yogurt (no sugar), cocoa (sf) pureed beans/lentils, pureed/strained black bean Soup strained low fat cream soup Vegetables and fruits:No raw or uncooked vegetables or fruits Baby food "Stage 1" Pureed water-packed fruit or cooked vegetables V-8 or tomato juice as long as NO sugar (i.e. V-8 Splash may have sugar) fruit juice <½ cup per day StarchesCooked strained Cereal like baby food Mashed sweet or white potatoes - can add yogurt or milk to make them more mushy Soup mixed with Protein powder sugar-free popsicles Now please keep in mind that I have not had my surgery yet either! A lot of sleevers swear by the sugar free popsicles, and they count as Fluid by my doctor. And some people say water is hard to swallow unless you add Mia Drops. Good luck!

hey does anyone have any problems with dairy post op? i was banded a week ago and my nutritionist said we could have drinkable yogurt on day 4 and milk on day 6 and protein shakes. I cant figure it out, but something is causing me to have diarrhaea. Has anyone else had this problem? Also the yogurt is the activta kind (well I have tried both) any comments?? anyone?

I had the same problem. My doctor told me you can become intorerant and need to have only skim milk,nonfat yogurt, and try lactaid. Ask your doctor first though or go back to the nutritioist with some questions.

Hi my fellow sleevers! I thought this was very important to share since it broke my 6 day stall. I understand that people have different diets according to the doctor who sleeved you, but I think your body also plays a great part in this stall. So you need to listen to it. My doctor's daily diet for me was the following: scrambled egg white (I use eggbeaters) with any veggies fruit in mid morning chicken or fish for lunch with a little portion of veggies or lentil/ beans/ chickpeas Soup yogurt at mid-afternoon 4 oz of Protein shake for dinner another fruit 2 hours before bed I did this to the T and it wasn't working. I had lost 9.8 pounds my first week and only 2 pounds my second week. Now I was stalling. I had read everyone's posts and was ready to go back to my liquid diet as one of our sleeved guys suggested (his dr. or nurse had told him to do that when stalling). But then I remembered that back in the day when the "anti-diet" came along (eat lots fruit only before 2 pm, amongst other rules) and I tried it, I hadn't lost any weight. Every diet I went on that involved too many fruits never worked for me. So, I did what usually worked for me. All protein, all day. I had 3 turkey pastrami slices (they are really small) with a tablespoon of hummus (it only has about 4 carbs) instead of my Snacks and dinner. AND VOILA! I lost 1 pound each day that I did this and broke my stall. I do plan on telling my doctor. But I thought I'd share it with you first. I don't know what he'll say. Maybe you should talk to yours before you try this if you want to try it, but I doubt eating all protein all day is bad for you (if you are having your Vitamins and minerals, etc.). HOPE IT HELPS!

Hi guys - Did anyone else ever just get an old fashioned stomachache out of the blue after surgery? I will be 3 weeks out on Friday and have only had yogurt and pureed cottage cheese so far along with my broths and jell-o, etc. So I don't think it can be something I ate, as those things have gone down fine. It's a weird, achey, ugly sensation in my belly and it's making me so nervous. I don't want to eat anything, it just feels gross. I've been sipping Water and took a chewable Tylenol, which has been taking care of any discomfort, but not this. I hate this, has anyone else had it?? I've been feeling so normal until now!

I have United, they are a pain. Keep working on the insurance approval and follow exactly what they want. I started at 370, did my 6 months in which I was definitely expected to lose (modified South Beach Diet for 4 months then I ate like it was my last meal! I stayed at about 310 for last couple months.) My surgery was Dec. 10 lost about 37 since then, My goal is to be under my college weight of 227. I am at 269 this morning when I stepped on my home scale before getting dressed. United wants you to prove to them that you are serious about losing weight and that you will keep at it. They require you to go to Diet Dr. or equivalent every month. It was a great way to get used to bariatric foods. I found I could eat plain nonfat greek yogurt with Peanut Butter powder, fresh fruit, or even diet maple syrup mixed in. I learned how to eat 60 grams Protein a day and to follow a tight diet while walking a bunch. I was worried about losing too much, but that is unlikely. My Dr. told me that if I started losing too much she'd put me on a Golden Corral diet for awhile. I also think United wants people to re-consider if they are doing really well on their own diets and NOT get WLS.

I've only looked for the chicken and apple sausages at TJs, but I'm certain that I've seen it at a local meat market in the past. Definitely give the Herbal Water a try, I am in love with the Lemongrass Mint Vanilla. I just can't describe how it is so fresh and really not at all sweet. I'm going to have to nix the Butternut Squash Crab Bisque, though. I did okay on a 1/2 serving when i tried it Wednesday. I ate closer to a full serving on Thursday, and it caused me to dump shortly after. I'm going to play with the recipe and see if I can come up with a more WLS-friendly version, with less fat and butter. Of the yogurts that I've tried so far (the date & fig and honey vanilla bean), Honey Vanilla Bean is my favorite. Rich, decadent, not overly sweet and very satisfying.

Thank you both for the great advice. I do try to plan my meals out. I usually have a granola bar and yogurt for breakfast, a lean cuisine or smart one and a sugar free pudding for lunch, and two healthy snacks one at 10 and one at 3. Dinner seems to be the problem. I plan a healthy meal but end up overeating so it doesn't even matter how healthy it was b/c I end up having 3-4 servings. My main problems are eating out and portion control in the evening. @laylasmonjo - I bought the womens Once a Day vitamin but everytime I take it I throw up if I don't eat something IMMEDIATELY after. I mean like take it and then shove something else down there before it comes up. I guess I just have a really sensitive gag reflex. I will try to see if I can find something that goes down better. My other thing is that it is just me and my son so we have a lot left over and it usually gets wasted if I don't eat it. Thank you for the support. @tdov1 - I loved my crockpot but mine caught fire and charred the wires. lol! I had it on the stove and turned on the wrong burner. I need to get a new one. I tried WW too and it worked very well for me but I don't have the money right now and keeping track of the points was really time consuming. Thanks for your great advice.