Search the Community

I agree, the commercials are a little cheesy and almost make you think the weight falls off by itself. There is still work involved. Yes, I am still hungry sometimes. If I go an hour after my usual meal time I feel very hungry, sometimes eat too fast and pb. Skipping meals is a definite no no for me because then I seem to stay hungry off and on throughout the day. However, in general I am not hungry if I stay in plan. I am almost never the same hungry as I was pre-band. Pre-band I could be starving and looking around the kitchen for something to hold me over for dinner immediately after work. On a scale of 1 to 10, I could reach about an 8 (i could eat a horse) on a daily basis. Now, unless I am not eating on time, maybe it is only about a 4 (a yogurt would take the edge off). Hunger for me is now manageable with the band.

hi sheila i was banded on the 23rd as well! (still on yogurt/pureed food) i had a horrible time on saturday while making my kiddies dinner i ate some cucumber with out thinking about it as i swallowed it it dawned on me what i had done, i discovered what sliming was and the chest pain was terrible, but it taught me that i used to eat without thinking and that i will have to chew alot. i saw my doctor today and he laughed when i told him, he thought it was funny i was feally the guilt over a piece of cucumber and not a donut!!!!. never again will i swallow my food without chewing properly i've learnt my lesson!

May 26th, my surgery date, has come and gone. Along with it, 18 pounds are gone. My pre-op diet seems like it is long gone, and that took 12 pounds along with it. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN....that is a GRAND TOTAL of 30 POUNDS GONE! Wow! That is pretty amazing, and I do feel like I should be standing in the center of a crowded arena, with a microphone in front of me, announcing that to the world. But, instead, I smile shyly and tell anyone who asks, how much I've lost. I am kind of shy about stuff like this. But I digress... So I had my 2 week follow up and there was some fluid built up around the port. The doctor drained that and removed the staples. Thank GOD! They were more than ready to come out. He told me to go forth and eat anything I wantd in pureed form. And to come back in 2 weeks to make sure I am not collecting more fluid. So...in the last 3 weeks, I have been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. More than 1...ok maybe 3 times I have cried like a baby. I believe I wept for the loss of an old friend, FOOD FOR NUMBING EMOTIONS. Come on, I ate when I was lonely, bored, scared, angry, happy, sad and anything in between. I believe I am formally in mourning. But, having a bit of experience in the loss of loved ones...I know the sadness never truly leaves, but it does lighten up and becomes manageable over time. I believe I am entering that stage. I am managing my mourning. I KNOW I can't use my crutch anymore. Food really did an excellent job of numbing pain. I mean, food has always stood beside me. It always was ready to offer me sustenance, even after my 28 year marriage crashed and burned about 6 years ago! But now I am eating pureed foods and that brings back FLAVOR! I have my protein shake for breakfast, 1/2 cup of oatmeal for a snack. Sometimes I reverse those 2 just to have some variety (hahaha). I have FF yogurt or baby food for lunch. I have SF pudding for a snack. And all day long I have a water bottle with me. That is a very good lifestyle change for me! My boyfriend is a food lover. Yet he does not suffer from obesity. Actually, he is a chef and a food lover...a dangerous combo. Last night he made me pureed chicken and pureed vegetables. Served me 1/4 cup of each for dinner. It tasted fabulous. The texture was a little weird, but the flavor was wonderful!! He sat there and talked with me while I ate....SLOWLY. He had a look of pain on his face. This diet is KILLING HIM! I don't think he can fathom the idea of eating pureed foods. But he is my soulmate, the love of my life. So he fixes me things of great taste and will stay with me while I eat. But he will not eat in front of me. That bothers HIM too much. I assure him it's ok with me, but he just won't do it. He says he will once I can eat regular food again. That should be next week. So it won't be long. I was in pain. But I didn't like the pain medicine. I NEVER like that stuff! It made me whiny and very confused and groggy. I used it for about 8 days, then I took myself off of it. Yesterday was the first day I stood up when I awoke and stretched and didn't cringe. I am HEALING!! I feel no pain!! And although I have lost 30 pounds, I am wearing the same clothes as before I began this journey. Only now, they are looser. Some are MUCH looser!! I am still a little sad at times when I see people gorging on some of my favorite foods (last Saturday was a graduation party for 2 of my nephews and there was a lot of good food there). But mostly I am awaiting the arrival of a different old friend...Happy, Healthy and Strong Mary....I hear she is on her way to stay with me. I can't wait 'til she gets here!! She's close!!! -mary

Daccop, I was banded in June and losing just fine (-30 in 3 months). Then I went into see the doctor and he was not there, so I saw a substitute doctor. He was an idiot and has since been fired. However, he told me to stop tracking my food (because that's real life and skinny people don't track their food) and get a fill. He filled me too tight and left me feeling miseralbe, but he convinced me that I was just fine and that is what banded life would be like. So, for the next 3 months I was getting stuck all of the time, not losing and thinking that was the way I would be for the rest of my life. I stopped going to the doctor for a few months because I was so embarased that I was not loosing weight. Then I went back in and they told me I just wasn't exercising enough. Which was true, but not the entire problem. Even with moderate exercise I was not losing weight because I was eating way too many sliders which were too high in calorie or carbs (frozen yogurt, oatmeal, extra mayo on tuna so it would go down, etc). So, I lost 30 pounds in the first 3 months and 3 pounds in the second 3 months. I kind of feel like a fat, fat, fat failure. But, I think things will get better. I'm tracking again and making much smarter choices. Also, with the holidays behind me, I feel ready to take on the next 3 months!

I order my protein off a website it's called baritrack it's specifically for sleevers my nutrionist and surgeon Made. They also have the liquid multi Vitamin lucky ! No week long liquid diet lol they have me on two shakes a day right now with one meal . A week before I start all liquid diet exciting . She's like if you get super hunger during liquid just have a Greek yogurt lol well gee that will do it . I actually just found out that I have a high school reunion august so I'll be in high gear for two months as well!

It takes a while for your stomach to get used to meats again. And as for bread......I was sleeved in May and this is almost October .....4 months and I still have trouble with bread. It fills me up in a most uncomfortable way. I started out at work eating yogurt, string cheese, chicken noodle Soup, turkey lunch meat the one sliced really really fine and chew chew chew, smooth Peanut Butter on saltine cracker more peanut butter than crackers though, poached eggs, refried Beans with grated cheese on top. Baked fish goes down really easy and I did alot of fish at first. I also like the imitation crab meat (which is really fish too). Stay away from greasy as that might upset tummy too (mayo etc). Ketchup & salad dressing is what I use for dry meals. Bread, rice give me a too full hurting tummy feeling. For some reason real chicken tenders fried go down better than baked.....but I only do fried foods once in a while. I would not suggest ground meat at first. Red meat (even ground) is hard to digest. Hope these tips help! Need to change ticker again.............163 yea!!!! It does get better!

Ok, lets think about this objectively. First off, you are going to be OK. Even if you can't tolerate milk or protein shakes/powders, you aren't going to starve to death in a couple weeks. You need to call your surgeon and get suggestions. Here are some things you can discuss: You do need to get calories on board, so what is liquid and has calories? Broth! Bone broth and homemade broth has about 8g of protein per 8oz. If you can drink 2 quarts of that a day you'll meet your fluid and protein goals. (Homemade should be made with meat and bones, and simmer for at least 8 hours. I like using a big package of chicken legs.) Fruit juice, vegetable juice (early for tomatoes, but other types may work) Thin, runny cream of wheat (not technically a liquid, so do not try without your surgeons permission) Chocolate milk (might go down easier than white. Sugar free flavorings would be better, but even regular sugar is better than nothing). Coconut water Liquid yogurt (thinned) has sugar and fruit, but if you can tolerate it...and you'll get some protein to boot. Once you get to purees you can start blending up real food and should really start meeting your goals. Hope this helps..

Ooooh I have a frozen yogurt place by me. We went there today, it's called 'yo luv it' it's totally non fat and about 13 grams of sugar for small cup. I got a small cup, no toppings ( that's where u go from good to bad!) and I only ate half. So half for tomorrow. It's my go to treat every few weeks or so. Only eating half at a time at only 6-7 grams of sugar is good

Ok, I did it. I gave in. I got some frozen yogurt, about three ounces. It was satisfying and tasty, no ill effects. In the future maybe a sugar free fudge Popsicle would work- it really wasn't that much better! But I had built it up in my mind... And nothing else would do. Thanks for your thoughts!

The wiring between your stomach and brain is all jacked up right now. This is why measuring your food at this stage is so very, very important. It will vary between individuals, but go into with the mindset that your stomach doesn't know how to tell you it's full yet. In time that will return. Also keep in mind that liquids tend to pass through the system quickly. Unless you are drinking too fast it's not often you'll ever get a full sensation. Same thing for foods like yogurt. If it can become a liquid at room temperature then it you can basically treat it like a liquid. Just remember - measure, measure, measure!

WOW! That IS restrictive!!! In my program, they wouldn't even let you leave the hospital until you could tolerate mushies... oatmeal, to be exact. When you get home, for three weeks you eat mushies, which include pureed food... cottage cheese, oatmeal, Greek yogurt, soft boiled egg, pureed tuna salad OR chicken salad, anything mushy. However, they specify really TINY quantities... like 1/8-C pureed tuna salad and 1/4 Cup chicken broth is lunch. Liquids DO feel best, however... lol. Maybe I'll dial it back a bit and cleve to the power shakes for the rest of the week. Thanks for the good advice!

I am only 5 days post op and am struggling with the liquid diet. Part of me is disappointed the surgeon didn't require a pre op diet to mentally prepare me for this. I'm having a hard time getting the protein shakes in......nothing seems to taste pleasant. According to my paperwork from the hospital, I can begin to add soft foods (yogurt, cottage cheese, etc) in 5-7 days post op. Do any of you think it's too soon?

I'm 2 weeks out from surgery. I like the Inspire Protein shakes. I mix the protein with skim milk, so one 8 ounce serving yields 29 grams of protein. That really helps me. Also, the Danon Fit & Light GREEK yogurt is really good. I get it in the 5 ounce size which yields 12 grams of protein. So, one Protein shake and one yogurt gets me more than half way to my protein goal. Also, you can add the unjury unflavored Protein Powder to your chicken broth or cream of chicken Soup (strained). Not bad. I think there are good medical reasons for waiting and following the dietary directions.

My diet is also restrictive, first day after surgery was only clear liquids. Then 14 days of liquid-protein drinks, yogurt, jello, low fat cream soups-strained. After 2 weeks I can move to mushies but no meat until week 4. then very gradually. My doctor's office has never had anyone with a leak with following this diet. I am looking forward to having some mashed potatoes but I am more than willing to wait for it. The thought of mushies scare me right now. I am just focusing on liquids and getting my proteins in.

[mention=313397]EmmyJ[/mention] I normally eat one egg with a tablespoon of turkey sausage crumbles and a tablespoon of low fat cheese for breakfast. Lunch is either a tuna packet or 2oz of deli meat with a light string cheese. I eat two snacks that are 80 calorie low fat Greek yogurt or 2 string cheeses (depends on if I had string cheese for lunch) and dinner is 2 to 2.5 oz of meat (chicken or pork) and 2 oz of a veggie. I normally drink a shake or a protein water in the evenings. Sound good? I'm really starting to 2nd guess myself. [emoji848]

Take your foods with you. Stock up on plenty of protein drinks, yogurt, popsicles, and juices. You should be fine. I would lift more than 10 lbs at first. Be sure to ask your doctor. Good luck. Its exciting.

I had bypass surgery on July 20th. It was nearly impossible to eat or drink when I transitioned to the purées stage. I have an appointment scheduled on August 24th for an X-ray with contrast die to see if there are any issues. I’m supposed to be transitioning to soft food in two weeks, which I’m excited about. I’ve been eating yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, protein shakes, low fat cream of mushroom soup, and retried beans. I was able to swallow scrambled eggs this morning. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. How are you or have you been making it through the early stages after surgery? Any food ideas?

Court12, I'm just now heading to families to be around food, so idk yet, but hoping and praying it won't be too hard! And I'm no Dr, but I'm sure the yogurt won't kill u lol I know the guilt tries to nibble at u. But honestly that was some of the things on our liquid diet for 1st 2 weeks post op. Well only had to do clear liquids in hospital!. Anyway, Congrats and Merry Christmas :-)

A liquid is technically anything that can go up a straw and at 10 days out they can be quite thick. There isnt any need to live on shakes. You could blend up a decent Soup - one that contains meat and Pasta for example. If you need to thin it, do so with some chicken stock or a canned tomatoes, Water or milk, depending what it is. You can also blend fruit, yogurt and an egg with some flavouring, it doesnt have that horrid soy-ish Protein shake taste. You can put bran or other Cereal in it too. You can thin anything to a liquid, even a roast dinner. Just make it into a savoury soup with stock. Just keep it to healthy, energy giving foods and dont eat them in solid form until you are allowed to.

Oh rosy that sucks big time! Do you not get any pain when you feel full? I know I hiccup and burp a lot, and will have bad acid reflux when I am full. I don't think you have to eat plain yogurt do you? I know that I buy carbmaster's from Kroger. When I first started food I was doing the same thing because I was dying for food, period. I mean who wouldn't be after basically starving and drinking fluids for 2 weeks right? I have pushed my sleeve too far many many many many times and although I have not thrown up I have started to learn my lesson. I don't know what to say about feeling hunger, I don't feel hunger at all. Many people will tell you it's acid. I don't have that problem so I dunno. I don't know if I am the best person to lift you up because I too have some wishey washy feelings about my sleeve. I hate it and I love it, but mostly right now I hate it. I feel like maybe I could have gotten some emotional eating help or overeating help before the sleeve and then I would be better off. I always want to eat. I eat a yogurt, and even though I know I am supposed to feel satisfied I am not. Belly is satisfied but my mind is not. This is still very hard for me as far as my mind goes. We get a pizza and I want to eat a few pieces but I can't, I have literally cried because I want to eat more and I can't. I know you have been through hell since getting the sleeve and I hate that for you, I truly do. I hope things get better and you can eat and not have any problems. You have lost of ton of weight though which is so great! Would you say that losing the weight is worth everything you have gone through? I hope so, but maybe not because you have been through a lot. I'm wishing you the best and letting you know I too am going through hell right there with you!

I feel like Indiana Jones on a search for the Holy Grail of flavor satisfaction. At first, when I found a gem, I would repeat eating it, but would eventually tire of it. I now search for the spark of flavor, then store that info in memory, coming back to that food only periodically. A few of my gems are Progresso Tomato Basil soup, Kippered Seafood Snacks, shrimp w/ cocktail sauce, Hormel tamales, garlic mashed potatoes, and pork chop. Almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews, mixed tropical fruit, LF yogurt, potato salad & cottage cheese are welcome and enjoyed. I love pickles & pepperocillies, but have not attempted them yet. Being Labor Day, I'm BBQing a steak today, making deviled eggs, and preparing some seasoned potato wedges. Portion sizes will be the most disheartening, but I know what my limits are. I will abide by the wisdom of the regemine and celebrate wisely. Have a Great Holiday Weekend...

I'm still allowed just full liquids, which to my doc means strained Soups, cream of wheat (watered down with milk), Greek Yogurt, and SF pudding. At my 2 week check-up, which is Tuesday, a day prior to my actual 2 week mark, I will get cleared to move to mushies. I can't wait. Liquids aren't filling me up as much as I expected them to. Oh, and I drink Protein shakes between meals.

I'm afraid to start foods. I have had 0 problem with pudding broth yogurt etc. I'm deathly afraid of vomiting! I WILL try, but I'm scared. What is considered a "soft" cheese? Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my 1 week post-op appointment this morning and it went great. My incisions are all pretty much healed and I have lost 12 pounds since last Tuesday! I was so shocked but happy. I have been following my liquids to a T and I guess it paid off I also graduated onto pureed foods today, so I came home and celebrated by eating 2 oz of pureed tuna and 2 oz of refried Beans. It went down great and I felt satisfied for the first time in a week. Now I'm eating some coconut greek yogurt, and it tastes like heaven! haha How is everyone else doing?

Mostly, I believe we figure out what our body tolerates the easiest. ( and is healthy). For whatever reason, I'm stuck on my home made split pea soup. Enough fiber and small bits of ham for protein.carrots for vege in there too I still eat fairly slow. And chew a lot. My protein bests: Fairlife milk. Yogurt BAKED tofu,. (Big difference) some nuts. Protein bars. Sometimes protein drinksSometimes eggs/ occasionally rejected ? String cheese Chicken thighs braised, fish After 10 years of experimenting, that is my go to list. Hope you find your list. It helps!