Search the Community

Hello everyone - Well, I had my banding procedure yesterday and now I am home. My doctor said the procedure went really well, and though I was terrified of the anesthesia, I made it through in one piece. So right now I am in some pain, more than I was in the hospital, but of course the drugs are better in the hospital. I imagine that this is what getting stabbed several times in the stomach feels like, but I cannot be sure. I have one incision that hurts way worse than the others. The area with the port does not hurt too badly yet, but we shall see. I just wanted to thank whoever suggested that I buy Gas-X thin strips and liquid tylenol - they have been life savers! I don't have so much of a problem with air in my shoulders or chest cavity, I myself am just kinda gassy. And the liquid tylenol provides just enough pain relief in between taking the narcotic pain reliever (I am on dilotid). I have had some issues with nausea, but mostly right after the procedure and this morning after the follow up upper gi test that I had done. My questions right now are: How long before I start to feel better? I know its only been a day but I am already getting antsy and am ready to leave my apartment. I walked outside some today, and my doctor wants me to get up to 2 miles per day (I went to the gym 4-5 times per week before the surgery). Like I said, I walked some today, but I was exhausted from walking around the block. Also, how does everyone handle the post-surgery diet? I am on a full liquid diet, where I can eat broth, creamy soups, yogurt, milk, etc. I have had some creamy sweet potato soup today, some hot tea and some water. I'm not really hungry and I was kinda just forcing myself to get some nourishment (the tea is for my throat which is so sore from the tube). I also had a protein drink just to make sure I was getting some protein. Does it become easier to eat during this liquid stage? I am on it for a week before I start with the mushy foods, and I just want to make sure that I am doing it right. I kinda feel as though I really need to succeed at this, so I think I"m putting some unnecessary pressure on myself. I feel as though this is somewhat of a last ditch effort for me to lose weight. I have been overweight all my life, and though I am only 27, I somewhat feel as though I am at my wits end. I really want to succeed at this. I'm sorry for my rambling post... I think it is partly the drug haze I am in and partly the stress I am putting on myself. The long road ahead is kinda daunting to me. So, I am open to anyone's suggestions.... hopefully some other people out there understand how I feel. Jenn:notagree

My nutritionist said up to 14 grams of sugar or less and only 5-6 grams of fat per serving allowed. Sugar in yogurt and milk is different than table sugar as well.

Hey i am 4weeks post op on Monday, if you can't keep up with protein don't worry as long you drinking enough fluids ideally with electrolytes as I think that's why you feel weak because of dehydration. Get electrolyte powder and add to ur water with water flavouring or squash, drink apple juice and any juices you like, have yogurts and make urself some meat/poultry broths and have about 3oz of that at each sitting ideally aim for 5meals aday and you will be okay. Sent from my VOG-L29 using BariatricPal mobile app

La Madam!!!U made me cry. You are so awesome! Always an inspiration to this forum!!!! Thanks. I agree 200% with the saying, Just because u can doesnt mean u should!!! I try to drink a Carnation Instant breakfast and it does great for holding hunger. Been doing Boars Head Sausalito Turkey and Fat free cheese, tuna, chicken salad, yogurt.....I even started doing situps yesterday, did 20 and 10 today. 8) AND i bought a Tae Bo DVD....havent been brave enough to try that though!! I have to remember to NOT snack!!! Thanks again!!!

I have been sick 3 or 4 times in 5 weeks. I am not eating anything bad, I have mashed vegies one of the days. I think that I ate them to fast, thats all I can put it down to. 5 weeks out and I am doing two Opti a day and frozen yogurt ice block for dinner. My Doc just said to eat slow and watch the amount.

Sw 265 Cw 225 I think. Need to weigh. I might be down more that was last week. Put on a pair of pants today that used to fit like a glove. There is a full 2 inches of room around the entire pant-size 18. Just last week I bought 2 pairs of size 16 pants so I have pants for work. I am currently in all my 'skinny' pants. Love that! Can't wait until I cannot wear those anymore!! For your food challenge I would say get some hummus and pita-heat up the pita-I get mini pitas and then smear some hummus on top and sprinkle with feta. I also love to make a quesadilla- put a little olive oil in a pan place a small corn tortilla flat is the pan let it heat up, smear a little salsa on the tortilla then sprinkle with lowfat shredded cheese. Also, I love beef jerky as a snack and Peanut Butter with crackers. I have a hard time digesting meat so I eat a lot of yogurt too. Mix in a little granola or some seeds or fresh fruit to change it up a bit. I love string cheese-best bariatric snack ever. The other cheese I like is the laughing cows-one of those and some crackers is good. Also, make some tuna salad or egg salad with lite mayo, some green onions. Get some variety in or you will be bored of food!

Feel great but have been feeling a lot of acid today. I am on Prilosec once a day. Took a tums earlier with no affect. Ate a couple bites of yogurt made it feel a little better temporarily but it's back. Any suggestions?

Feeling much better today. (Although I didn't flap my arms like a chicken) I did get out and about. Of all places, I went food shopping. The smells and sights actually didn't bother me too much. I'm starting to feel hungry. I've been just having jello, popsicles, water & decaf tea. I had a yogurt, but it's not sugar free. Can not find any sugar free yogurts. The doctor allowed me to start full liquids yesterday. I would love something to chew, but honestly I can wait. I noticed I've dropped 6 lbs. I'm keeping it hush hush in the house. That makes me excited! Hope everyone is doing well... Hugs

You don't say whether or not you're hungry. That's the sign of needing a fill...or possibly just not eating what your body needs. A few ideas though... Your meal should allow you to be hunger free for about 4 hours. If it doesn't, perhaps a small protein snack mid-meal would help (an ounce of cheese, hardboiled egg, etc.) . Yogurt or Protein Drink is fine for Breakfast if it gets you through the morning. lunch and dinner, according to my surgeon, should be 3 oz of protein, 1/2 cup of vegies and 1/4 cup of starch (maybe and only if I'm still hungry). Record everything you put into your mouth in something like fitday.com. You'd be surprised how fast the calories add up with cheese and Soups. Once you know for sure how many calories you're eating, then you'll be better able to figure out why your weight loss has slowed. Don't expect major losses. One person I know only lost 3/4 of a lb per week. I only lose 1 lb per week and that's only if I stick to a 1200 calorie diet. Have enough days at 1600 calories and I don't lose anything. A lot will depend on your own metabolism. Some people see a faster weight loss when they exercise. That hasn't been my experience, although I do feel better. .

I have discovered chicken spread, roast beef spread, deviled ham and potted meat. You could also get vienna sausages or spam and blend them. There are also some very tasty baby fruity baby foods such as peach cobbler, tutie fruity and hawain delight. Greek yogurt is very high in protein and so is fat free cottage cheese. You can also do fat free or low fat pudding. I would stay away from mashed potatoes though because they are so high in carbs.

Newbie here I have lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks since my sleeve. Does that sound like a normal amount? 2 Protein Shakes a day, 2 greek yogurts = 84 grams of Protein. 40-60 oz of Water. Walk 1.5 miles on the treadmill. Does this sound like I am on the right track. I start purred foods in 7 days. Can't wait!

It's weird because of can eat non fat yogurt but can't drink any kind of milk at all.

They are so correct....try everything you can to stay away from carbs..you want stay full long at all and that will just cause the grazing. A fill shouldn't be done until you are at lease 6 weeks out. So hang in there. Get some yogurt and add some unflavored protien...you will be suprised how long that keeps you full. Hang in there...

The shoulder pain is normal unfortunately. I was banded 9/4 and am still having the pain. Heating pad, GasX and WALKING are the only things that really seem to be reccomended for that. Stomach noises.. oh yes.. mine has been pretty noisey too. If you are having that much trouble with getting down a yogurt, I would stick to liquids. My doc had me stay on clear liquids for the first week anways. I just moved to full liquids, and then will move to mushies next week. But every doctor is different in what they reccomend. Hang in there.. I'm a week out.. it really does get easier!

I wouldn't puree my food either I had mashed potatoes, chocolate pudding, cottage cheese, and yogurt.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Keep them coming! I am currently trying to learn to love low-fat cottage cheese. I enjoy the Breakstones Cottage Doubles (low-fat cottage cheese and fruit sauce). The strawberry is awesome. Probably gonna replace yogurt in my diet with these.

What is it that you like about the shakes? The coldness? The creamy thickness. The sweetness? I am an ice cream junkie. It is a trigger food for me. And by the way, I love all of the above. This is what has worked for me. First, the greens plus with berry burst. It really has reduced my sugar cravings. Everyday, at some point, I mix vanilla Protein powder, a tablespoon of Greek yogurt, four frozen strawberries, maybe 10 -15 frozen blueberries, about 1/4-1/2 c Water, ice cubes when available and blend in my magic bullet. It's cold sweet, protein, and I think it's a milkshake. One of my band friends does the above with chocolate protein, and a spoon of Peanut Butter with almond milk and ice, a little Splenda for sweetness. banana is a nice change of pace too. Just slice up the banana in 1/2 inch slices with the skin on, put in a ziplock & freeze. Break off the amount of slices you want in your fake frozen but yummy shake! Hope this helps!

Thanks for the site! I had no idea milk and yogurt had potassium in it. I would definetly be ok with adding yogurt as a snack since it has good protein in it

i just can not get with the greek yogurt thing!! BLAH! maybe i could try it this way. i want so badly to like it, becasue of the protein, but just can not seem to find ways that are good. i find it dry and bitter! thanks for the recipe. i will try! kelly

Wow, thank for all the examples, I will put this to use immediately. I basically eat farina/cream of wheat in morning , a premier shake for snack , tuna or some eggs for lunch, Oykos zero yogurt for snack, and either flounder or chicken for dinner so that does get very old to me especially if I'm not good in the kitchen. Those sugar free ice pops are a life saver though LoL Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have eaten it a few times-- just limit to about 3 1/2 ounces and no toppings. It is wonderful and very similar to non-frozen sugar free yogurt.

I borrowed most of these from the thread chimboree26 linked you too, but added a few of my own things... food For Fluid stage: (depending on your doc's instructions) • Bottled Water – plain or flavored, some like Propel or Fruit 2-0 • Popsicles (sugar-free as needed) • Jello (sugar-free) • Gatorade • Bouillon or chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed)* • Clear Soups • Hot cocoa mix (sugar-free) broths yogurt smoothie drinks (not homemade) milkshakes – thinned sippy cups DRUGSTORE Tylenol (adult strength) Pain medications Gas-X cough drops sippy cups anti-bacterial soap a thermometer (my doc said to take my temp three times a day after surgery) OTHER THINGS TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE • Heating blanket squishy pillow favorite pillow SLIPPERS loose, comfy pj's and loose clothes a sports bra ipod books/magazines

I ate yogurt and cottage cheese and protein shakes on the mushy stage. I absolutely refused to puree my food or eat baby food.

LOl yep traveling... Flew out to see my Mom in CA. Thought no big deal..I will just take some protein powder to mix in water and then I could get some yogurt to eat in the airport... I am in the mushy stage. I soon ifgured out that getting protein powder into a bottle of water is impossible. Finding yogart in an airport... Well I finally found some with pomegranate... and seeds... can't have the seeds. After searching all over I finally bought a breakfast burrito and ate some of the scrambled eggs inside of it. Went most of the day with just water. Getting ready to do the same thing tomorrow going home. Khy

skittles108, Thanks that's very sweet, I hope he does too! Maybe there's something to that cheese if they've been eating it all this time and living such a long life! Remember the commercial for yogurt a long time ago where they made reference to people living long in Russia because they ate it every day. Maybe there's something to it. All I know is he likes it and would tell me if he didn't! What a blessing to have your dad live to 100! Thanks again, brandyII.