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@Msbosse I started the liquid diet last Wednesday and messed up the first day by choosing a yogurt with too much carbs. Got back on it. My other mess up but it was sort of planned was last Friday was hubbys birthday. we went out to eat. I did have a 4 oz steak and a side salad. It was a little more than the 1 cup of veggies and 4 oz of lean meat my pre-op diet allows. Yesterday I had a handful of nuts. Tomorrow is officially one week before surgery going to really work to not have one slip up. I'm more upset is that I still have this cough that won't go away even after medicine. I have bronchitis and doctors won't give me antibiotics which I know will help and have prescribed me prednisone which has made me feel better but still coughing up junk.

Ditto what AZHiker said. I'm back on keto with exception of fat %. I use vinaigrettes for salads and some salad dressings that straddle line between low carb and low fat. I use spray butter instead of butter, avocado mayo mixed with low fat mayo or greek yogurt and I use sparingly. Instead of full fat heavy cream, I opt for a splash fat free 1/2 and 1/2 )or vanilla protein drink). On rare occasions if overall carbs are low, I will use 1 TBSP of heavy cream in something but that is rare. I use fat free cream cheese, etc. - I think you get the picture. On top of this, since my calories are between 700-800 a day I still can be in ketosis sometimes partly from lower calories & part from low carbs. I notice when I stick to this, I lose weight faster. If I do some of the 'low glycemic carbs' like oatmeal, sweet baked potato, beans, I notice slow down in loss but I've had these items sparingly.. My surgeon is a keto fan after full healing when he lets his us start eating "regular food" . On the ongoing nutrition plan I just received, they had the macros as follows: 800 calories with 40% of total calories from protein, 30% from fat, and 30% from carbohydrates this should help increase your rate of weight loss. I can understand 800 cals & biggest % being protein but I was a bit surprised by 30% from fat part although I know they mean healthy kinds of fat like avocado, etc. Here is what plan says about fat: Limit fats to 2-3 servings a day; avoid unhealthy fats such as cream, lard, butter. 1 serving of fat should = 5g fat. Some examples include: 1 tsp. oil, 1 Tbsp. regular salad dressing, 2 Tbsp. reduced-fat salad dressings, 1/8 avocado, 6 almonds, 1 Tbsp. peanut butter. In looking at sample meal plans, I will revise it for me by removing some of the bigger carbs that the list has like once a day having oatmeal or 1 pc whole wheat toast as I need to keep overall carbs down to lose more quickly.

I'm four and a half months out and I've found I can no longer eat bread or pasta of any kind unless it's gluten free, and even that I can only eat small amounts of. I also have trouble with liquid dairy products. Whole milk is completely not doable, as is more than a couple of bites of normal ice cream. I do drink almond milk sometimes or have non-dairy ice creams or frozen yogurts, but not often. Cheese is fine though! It's just liquid dairy that does me in. Kind of a weird quirk.

I should say that liquids are ok, I can eat a tub of greek yogurt with no issues, so my surgeon doesn't see it as a problem until I can't tolerate liquids even. Until then they are in the wait and see mode that it could be stenosis that heals itself. It's just tough. I will keep an eye on it of course, just sick of liquids. Things like tuna, chicken or turkey, mashed potatoes have not gone so well.

I am only two months Post surgery and Since I paid cash did not have to deal with any of the Bullshit you guys did with insurance. I also have a brother 3 months ahead of me so between the two of us we got experience. To put this in perspective I got as confused and buffeted as you guys are on this site. My doctor had support groups and books and flyers and found it all to be one big jumble of a mess that was not easy to understand and Since I am a typical Male - Give me a damn list and i will follow it. So I went a different route and hired a Nutritionist in my area, one that specializes in Medical diets like for cancer! Here is the program that we got calibrated in under two weeks. Not going to give you the fluff just the program - 1. Forget Food - Food is a luxury and to painful to eat and to think you have to eat enough to meet your requirements - My view Screw food - 2. Get a Blood work up from a local lab - Full work up will tell you all your vitamin levels as you currently are - you have a baseline to work off 3. First few weeks are recovery - My view Survive, It sucks! 4. Now its time to set the Nutrition plan - 15 days after surgery 5. Protein shakes from Sams are key, Be careful some shakes are loaded with Carbs and sugar, Sams has the cheapest and the best for you. - FYI I hate protien shakes but trust me this will make your life a lot easier. - Here is my recipe but you need to set your own levels ------3/4 Protein shake, w/ 1 scoop of whey protein, Ice, GNC 50 plus vitamin Powder, Nutricost Pure D-Ribose Powder (250 Grams) , frozen fruit, 2 tablespoons yogurt, and two sugars. i drink a 8oz every morning by 10 am - You will be full of energy - 1/2 Nutrition vit and min. and No way you are hungry. ----- Twice a day i take the following pills - GNC multi vitamin and Cardio vit and Bariatric Vitamin. Around 1:00 and 3:00 - ---- Twice a day i Take a vegetable blend drink with Kale and other nutrients and mixes - I buy the pre made from Sams. That is pretty much it for me every day for the last few months - I don't need any food because i have exceeded my vit and nutrients for the day and the protein. Eating is to much of a pain in the ass to me, Hurts, and Just not worth it, I was going every week for a blood work up - after 5 days of above my levels were perfect, You will feel the difference and energy level will sky rocket! Most of the issues are mental, and i fully understand - But once you plow thru the head games and get calibrated - life is way better! Best decision i ever did

Thanks! The one on the left is chicken apple sausage, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potato (1 lb of each) tossed with lemon olive oil salt and pepper. The one on the right is ground chicken sausage with carrots, bell pepper, jalapeño, garlic, and onion with salt and pepper sautéed and then added to the ramekin. I then top that mixture with shredded mozzarella and add a scrambled egg mixture of egg, plain non fat Greek yogurt, pepper, green onion, paprika, and ground mustard and bake. I make the egg bakes every week for breakfast so I switch up what meat or veggies I use each week for some variety.

Every day and every meal can be different. Today it goes well and tomorrow I cant tolerate the same food. I was told no Hamburger/Pork/Steak for 6-8 months. They are to hard to digest. If I get the slime's back to full liquids for 24 hours. My rule is if there is no Protein in the food/water don't eat it. So far down 60lbs and it will be 4 months in 2 days. I can still barely handle 50-60gms of Protein a day and maybe 40oz of water, and that's with a lot of effort all day long. They still want me at 80gms of Protein but I just cant get that all in. Example a good day is; Decafe coffee( half strength with added hot water) with Protein Premier(1/2 bottle 15gms Protein) instead of milk. Then a yogurt for 15gms Protein. Then sipping on Protein water rest of Morning, Lunch I do 2-3 chicken meatballs or chicken Chilli with Cheese on top about 3-4 oz ( 10gms of protein). Sipping on Protein water rest of day. For Dinner 2-4 Scallops and a side of Zoodles for 3-4oz total ( 10gmsof Protein). Every Surgeon if different but honestly this slow progression has worked for me. The two times I vomited/slimed was all my fault. I didn't chew until the food was liquid in my mouth. the second I forgot and took a drink while eating. It amazing me what some people can tolerate at 3-4 weeks. I was told think of your stomach as a Newborn and treat it as well. Slow= easy= gentle. You wont give a newborn Hambuger or steak. Sorry for all the issues you guys have had to go through. BABY STEPS

Next time, try subbing 2% cottage cheese for your mayo (can't remember if you are lactose intolerant?) then add 1 tbsp Greek yogurt and a tiny bit of mayo and a little bit of dijon mustard (chopped up Claussen dill pickle spear and a couple of chopped green onions if allowed). It makes it so creamy, a better bang for your calorie and PROTEIN buck, and tastes awesome!

5'2", ♀️10m PO, maintaining 118.3 lbs this morning. So yesterday I decided to go on a pre-vacay-food-intake-plan (i.e., my old WLS diet, lol) in anticipation of all the mangiare bene that will be going on next week. It's weird that I find eating "bariatric-ly" easier than eating "maintenance-ly". It just feels like there is so much less effort, stress and thinking involved, you know? (or is that just me?) Menu for Yesterday, Thursday Sep 19: Totals --- 546 cals --- 62g protein --- 11g NET carbs --- 25g fat 9:00am (0 cals) black coffee + ½ packet Stevia 1:30pm (120 cals) protein shake: 1 scoop powder + 2 tsp Benefibre + 17g Clearlax + 2 tsp instant decaf coffee 6:00pm (421 cals) salad greens + vinaigrette >>> @MarvelGirl25 ..tried the cumin, not sure it went very well with my mix, lol, will have to try it with yours. 1 fl oz pumpkin seeds 100g grilled shrimp 1 poached egg avocado smoothie: 50g avocado + 38g spinach + 25g cucumber + lemon juice + garlic powder + cilantro + mint + black pepper + Greek yogurt + ice >>> @FluffyChix ...my first crack at this was too watery so I added some Greek yogurt. Then I added some mint and black pepper. Pretty yum ❤️ Yesterday's Exercise: 1hr hot yoga 30 mins on treadmill 15 mins strength training (arms)

My multi has iron and I take that with my first meal, along with B12. I wait at least 4 hours to take calcium and D3. It's best to take calcium in 500 mg increments, several hours apart, but I have been using 1000 mg since the beginning and my blood levels are fine. I take it with a bit of dairy (usually yogurt) with D3 in the evening, as I have read that the parathyroids work better at night to absorb calcium. Works for me. Be sure you are using calcium CITRATE, not carbonate.

Just want some peeps opinion. I have been through hell and back to get this surgery. went through my doctors entire program only to be told by Aetna last month I'm denied. I had lost 15 lbs following the drs program but but that stressed me out and I started eating bad...not so bad just normal and I allowed myself sugar and carbs. As of the 17th I had gained 6 lbs back. Well i did get approval finally after appeal and Tuesday (two days ago) I called and asked for an idea of the surgery date. They said I could do it Tuesday, Oct 1. yahoo, but then OMG! Well Tuesday night they e-mail that I have to start the pre-op diet immediately. So yesterday (Wednesday) I got up and just had coffee for breakfast. A protein shake for lunch. But I messed up with dinner and ate a yogurt with some fat in it. It was publix low fat greek but I realized it had 5 grams of fat and 35 carb. It wasn't low carb as my doctors office said. . Today I've been extra good and will be until my surgery but last week I was not eating on a good diet. Do you think 12 days is good enough time o shrink my liver. I don't want them to have to open me up and not do it laproscopically.

You are at least 7-8” taller than me, I’m basically 5’ maybe an inch more on a good day ... I think I’m finally in the high end of overweight category vs obese. For now i would be ok reaching the second goal and seeing how I feel. I never could seem to get below around 134 lbs. I’d like to at least reach 124 lbs. in my next goal, seems low but comparatively my mother is similar height and around 98 lbs, at my heaviest I was over twice her weight . Your frame size also factors into it and while I used to be larger boned, due to chronic illness I lost a lot of bone density and my frame size is more on the small end now. I think the frustration is that we ate the nearly same foods and for so long I was strict about carbs, no sugar, and low calories to try to compensate for very low metabolism. Yet I started gaining out of control. And even now I don’t think I will be able to eat normal calories. Anything over 400 calories and I stop losing. I keep trying to test it. I try not to focus on the numbers. I wish it didn’t have to be at the forefront, it takes a lot of energy to keep up, and I have little to no energy to begin with. People assume it’s my low calories, actually not but rather chronic illness. I don’t know, people think I’ll magically be cured because I fought to lose weight. It doesn’t work that way not for me at least. I just couldn’t carry the burden of 100 extra pounds of weight. I’m still on very basic foods and haven’t even tried purée again. At the most I have a protein shake, yogurt mixed with protein powder, cottage cheese, occasionally soft boiled egg. I did try mixing protein powder with egg and cooking it. I guess anything that isn’t dense and very easy to chew or barely needs chewing. I had a recent follow up and the nutritionist was helpful but I didn’t see my surgeon and the doctor I did see was not listening very well. But I am going for a colonoscopy so my gastroenterologist will do the endoscopy that my surgeon wants so they can check in on things. Sorry I went totally off topic.

I think whey protein isolate is ok with lactose intolerance. So you can make smoothies with Isopure Whey Isolate Protein, or use Jay Robb Egg White Protein, or soy protein (yuk on the taste). Use unsweetened cashew, almond, or coconut milk. Use coconut yogurt (Sprouts, and Whole Foods carries them...also almond yogurt). Use nutritional yeast to replace parmesan cheese. Think there are some decent cheeses out there that are either lactose free or are made with nut milks? Dunno tho. Sorry for the homeschool stress on top of what you are dealing with healing from surgery and PO life. ((hugs)) Try to treat yourself gently!! Rest when you can. Make great food choices!!! And walk and meditate/pray for stress relief.

This is a question for your surgeon and nutritionist. This is way too important to take advice from someone without the proper education in this field. Let them know of the discrepancies between the dietary information given and go from there. It is your health make sure you get the proper advice. I will say I recently had a stall and I on my own cut back my shakes and was getting protein thru yogurts etc. I had no idea there is a difference between how your body works with liquid protein and food protein. I upped my shakes to 2 a day and have been losing again. I would call and let your surgeon office know and schedule and appointment with your nutritionist. Good luck to you.

Try them soft boiled (6.5minute eggs) with a 1/2 tsp of real butter. Or a dollop of grk yogurt. They go down very very easily.

I had sleeve on 7/3/19. It’s 9/17/19. I feel like there is still a lot I can’t eat. Oatmeal and yogurt feel the best. You know that feeling when it kind of hurts when you eat something. For example tonight I made veggie crumble with taco seasoning (30% less sodium), cut tomatoes, cut avocado, and put mixture into lettuce. I have a slight feeling that I need to throw up. I only ate one leaf with the mixture. I get this feeling with a lot of foods. Can’t do any meats. (I was vegetarian for years). Even tofu gives me that grinding, painful feeling. I had hernia repair so that’s not it. It’s more of pain in stomach. Maybe too much food, maybe didn’t chew enough. Uggh. This is the only issue I have. I’ve been walking everyday. I’m down almost 60 lbs. Any thoughts???

Try blueberries instead or peaches. I used the Premier Protein Peaches and Cream, Fairlife FF Milk, Ice and frozen peaches. Plus you can add a spoon or two of yogurt or kefir for pro/pre-biotics and extra creaminess.

Sweet: 1) a dozen almonds with about a dozen raisins (big plump, homemade ones - really yummy). 2) frozen grapes 3) 1/2 milk with a couple TB Greek yogurt and a scoop of chocolate protein powder. Salty: 1) rice cake with peanut butter or cheese 2) a few gluten free, whole grain chips with hummus 3) once in a great while (once a month) - some popcorn 4) cooked veggies (esp. squash or broccoli) with nutritional yeast sprinkled on (salty and cheesy tasting) 5) cottage cheese + salsa + beans + a little shredded cheese with a few GF chips or veggie sticks.

You know! I totally get that! Like I think it might be affected by how rich the food is!!! I was thinking that just the other day. I ate at our little Italian place. And had the "baked ziti" but had it made with al dente garlic broccoli instead of the pasta. It's topped with meatsauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Comes in an oval individual ramekin and I literally ate maybe 1/8-1/4 of it and I was like...nope. I'm done! I was stuffed and that lasted hours! But I can eat the crap outta salad or raw veg! Today for lunch I had (ate the whole thing--no survivors escaped the island) 1/3 cup tuna salad with egg and cottage cheese made with Grk yogurt, dill pickle, dijon 2oz iceberg lettuce wrap 67g cucumber 28g baby carrot 28g red bell pepper. 😯🤔

Sweet: SF Jello Cups with a dollop of Grk Yogurt mixed with some liquid vanilla stevia SF Popsicles SF Buttermilk Lemon "Ice Cream" 35cals/serving homemade (frozen into a big ice pop) Plain Grk Yogurt Mixed with Vitacost Peanut Butter Slim Powder topped with Walden Farms Blueberry Pancake Syrup and 4g of sliced almonds or pumpkin seeds Mocha chia yogurt made with hot coffee, cocoa powder, liquid vanilla stevia, then plumped and chilled and stirred with some Greek Yogurt (a dollop) mixed with liquid vanilla stevia SF Lemon Match Greek Yogurt with Blueberries and Walnuts, Chia Seeds, Hemp Hearts, Pumpkin Seeds 1 square Lindt 90% Extra Dark Chocolate and 1/2 oz walnuts or pecans 1 GG Brancrisp topped with Vitacost Peanut Butter Slim Powder (reconstituted with WF Marshmallow Cream) and topped with cocoa nibs, 1/8 thin sliced banana and a squirt of FF whipped cream in a can (Reddiwhip) 1-2 oz Granny Smith Apple with almond butter (1 tbsp) 1/2 oz Lily's SF Chocolate Chips, 1/2oz Pecans on walnuts, 1/2oz frozen blueberries Salty: Pork skins + peanut butter or almond butter (the real deal) 2% Kraft Deli Deluxe cheese nuked into crackers and topped with almond butter, peanut butter or cashew butter Olives with pits Cucumber topped with either ACV sprinkles or with Tajin seasoning Jicama ice cold and crisp topped with lime juice and sprinkled with either smoked paprika or Tajin Rosemary Bar Nuts (limit to 1/2oz per serving) Jerky of any kind or sausage sticks like Ostrim Seaweed Snacks Edamame with salt Quest Protein Chips Kale chips Zucchini chips (or buy cans of freeze dried zucchini and spice them in the oven)

What healthy foods are helping you curb sweet and salty cravings??? My disclaimer* make sure all food examples/advice we share fit your food plan before you try them. Sweet: fruit dipped in sugar free cholate syrup dannon lite n fit Greek yogurt Salad greens, chicken, strawberries, blue cheese and pecans Skinny girl raspberry vinaigrette. Roasted pumpkin and apple drizzled with sugar free maple syrup sprinkle with cinnamon, (small amount with your protein goes a long way) Salty: Veggies dipped in hummus (cut calories by mixing plain yogurt in hummus) Chicken fajitas or taco salad (no tortilla) Parmesan cheese crisps Cup of chicken broth.

Way to go! You are getting your head back in the game. Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. I never use the bariatric store. When you deprive cravings, you want them more. Are there better options that you can buy for sweet and salty cravings? Hope others can jump in here and help with healthy sweet and salty snacks that are more cost effective. make sure food advice fits your food plan.. Sweet: Plain fruit, fruit dipped in sugar free cholate syrup Salad greens, chicken, strawberries, blue cheese and pecans Skinny girl raspberry vinaigrette. Dannon lite n fit Greek yogurt sugar free popsicles Roasted pumpkin and apple drizzled with sugar free maple syrup. sprinkle with cinnamon, (small amount with your protein goes a long way) Salty: Veggies dipped in hummus (cut calories by mixing plain yogurt in hummus) Chicken fajitas or taco salad (no tortilla) Parmesan cheese crisps Cup of chicken broth.

Volume is king. In the early days when you are only eating an ounce or two at a time, then you fill that meal volume with lean dense protein only. It gives the most satiety for the least carbs and fat. Then later as you progress and you are able to eat more like 1 cup of food, you can fill your cup with 3oz of protein per meal and have a little room left over for veg and a bit of fat. And pretty much, during the losing phase, if you do that--you will lose all the weight you need to lose very swiftly. Later on you can stress about adding carbs to your life. Carbs (other than veg) are added to a meal at the very very last. And if it were me and it is...lol. I add veggie carbs first, then nut/avocado/olive carbs next, then berry and yogurt carbs next. There is rarely any room for shenanigan carbs. And I keep chips and crackers far far away cuz they are my crack. You daily protein goal for a woman is somewhere between 60-80g per day depending on many factors. That's non-negotiable. The 3-4 non-negotiables are: Fluids Vitamins Daily Protein Goals Exercise (ie walking)

I know exactly what your going through. I was sleeved on 9/10/19. Gas pains are the worst. I’m still not sure if the pains are hunger, has, or my stomach spazzing out. I feel like I can drink more than 2 ounces. Today I ate probably close to 3 oz of yogurt. I have yet to feel any restrictions other than my stomach start to hurt. The gas pain radiates to my chest. Hang in there. Everyday should get better for us.