Search the Community

That is quite difficult. I am allowed pills, have been since day 2. I am not supposed to use straws. I can tell you what my nutritionist says.... Full Liquids: 60g of Protein, portions are around 1/2C and you are taking that in around 6 times a day. Water around 64oz a day. My rules are 5g of sugar or less and high protein for Protein drinks. I start Mush/Fork soft foods at 2 weeks: Rules: Meals are 1/4C to start and 1/2C as you get further in. Protein first, 20-30m to eat a meal. Recommended: eggs Light/LF yogurt Flakey white fish Tuna Small shrimp Tender cooked or ground beef, pork or poultry Beans and Lentils FF refried beans LF deli meats LF cottage cheese Shredded or soft skim or 1% milk fat cheese Tofu Other Foods: oatmeal Cream of wheat Soggy Cereal Cooked soft veggies Soft fruit without skin Crackers and toast chewed well Potatoes, soft and mashed Low fat soups w/o large chunks of meat or veggies Avoid: Fresh bread sticky rice Pasta Mac n cheese melted stringy cheese Peanut Butter Raisins (dried fruit) all raw veggies, salad, all lettuce skins of fruit or veggies nuts, seeds, granola popcorn chips coconut tough or chewy meats: steak, pork chops, ham, hot dogs corn/peas (unless pureed) Butter salad dressing sour cream cream cheese mayo gravy fatback/bacon sausage whole milk whole milk cheese fried foods processed meats Chips Desserts: cakes, Cookies, ice cream etc... I am on that for 10 weeks. Good Luck!

I was sleeved on the 14th of July. I've been able to eat like cooked salmon, scrambled eggs, boiled chicken, refried beans, string cheese, greek yogurt, meatballs and really soft stuff. I have noticed that my stomach can't tolerate sharp cheddar cheese because anytime I have put that on beans or eggs to melt...i get a pain in my stomach...Also, I need to remember to slow down and take smaller bites because when I don't, I get these painful cramping things in my stomach...its like a few stabbing pains like my stomach letting me know it didnt like it and then it goes away a minute or two after. I am not drinking nearly enough liquids as I should and not getting enough protein in. I've been at a stall for a week and ahalf. I need to be better about my liquids and protein and walk more.

ella37, I am much better. I am still struggling to get down liquids. I'm supposed to have added yogurt and broth but they don't go down well thanks for checking on me Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

There are many many times when I feel like this is a real test of our own will power--but with the third fill I got, I finally got real restriction for two weeks. So there is a light at the end of the tunnel, Ang--I KNOW it's there for us! I'm sure with the move coming up on Saturday, your mind is certainly on more than "what am I going to cook for dinner?!" Moving is your main priority right now (and by the by, your pain on the left hand side could be your port--have you been packing and lifting boxes??? Your port is sewn into the abdominal muscles and they could be getting sore from the workout you're giving them!) I wouldn't be too concerned about the cooking--there are tons we can eat that don't require cooking (yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese) and I find that Michelina's makes a great little microwave meal that done in a jiffy!! Life is too short and there are many many food options, m'dear!! :thumbdown: PS Just make sure you get back to Curves next week!!!

Hi All, Well there is definately a difference between my first band surgery and my revision. There is no fill in the band at all and I am STARVING. I've been on Clear liquids up until I had some tomato Soup this evening (same consistency at Slim Fast) and that finally took away the terrible hunger pains I was having. I mean, it was actual PAIN. And it's only been four days since the surgery. I am surprised I am so hungry even though I don't have any fill. Anyone else here had a revision have the same experience? The doctor did mention to me I didn't have to be on the clear liquid phase for as long as normal because I would be hungrier, but this is bad! Hopefully when I add yogurt to my diet tomorrow that will help some. Any thoughts? Mae

Nursing on 1000 calories a day!!!!!! You are putting yourself at great risk doing that, your baby is getting everything he/she needs but you're leaching your bones of their calcium and severely depriving yourself of energy. Seriously you need to eat more. You could be anaemic or just plain exhausted and depleted. Its hard enough to run just your own body on that small an intake. Since you're banded and therefore limited in what you can physically fit in, you really probably should see a nutritionist - even if it means getting in some calcium and energy in liquid form - like fruit smoothies, yogurt and pureed fruit etc.

I have to take pills in the morning and at supper time. I take them with yogurt. I take my capsel apart and mix it with the yogurt and yuck but I do it every day and I have a pill crusher for the rest of them and put them in the yogurt. It has worked for me since Dec 31st when I had my surgery. I did get a fill that was too much and could not take my meds the one night because I could not even get a shake down me without it coming back up but that was my fault, I talked the doctor into giving me too much. I won't do that again. 24 hours after the fill I tighten right up, I guess I was swollen. I was told after a fill it does get tighter but then will get looser. I am trying to find my sweet spot also, I am at 5.5 cc. I am hoping 6 will be it. I go again next week for another fill. Good luck in finding your sweet spot. Judy

Just curious how much everyone is eating for lunch and dinner. I don't know if I am eating too much or too little. I starting weighing the Protein (chicken, pork, turkey- my 3 main proteins) and eat about 3 oz. at each meal along with a little Greek yogurt or cottage cheese and a few edamame . Is that too big a serving of meat? I know I'm getting in my protein but just want to make sure I'm not eating too much. Don't want to stretch the pouch!

I am now freaking out that I am eating too much! I was sleeved on August 27... I am now eating 1/3 cup of egg whites for breakfast... 2 hard boiled eggs for lunch... No yolk...a cheese stick or yogurt for snack and 1/2 cup of chicken or fish for dinner and veggie... Have I stretched my sleeve ? I also just added some peanut butter on celery for a snack...I don't feel that restricted feeling that I use to feel after a couple of bites but I just stop after I eat those amounts. Am I eating too much!

Update on Whole Foods Plant Based diet. I continue to lose weight - I think 3 pounds in the past couple of weeks. I am not yet 100% plant based (still using some Greek yogurt, whey protein, and occasional egg in chaffles), but 90 % plant based. This means a lot more legumes, nuts, seeds and whole cooked grains. I am getting plenty of protein - no issues with that. A lot more carbs, which is so counter intuitive with weight loss, but it is still coming off. This morning before my bike ride I had a bowl of Old Fashioned oats, cooked with quinoa, teff, and amaranth. Added some hemp hearts, flaxseed meal, and barrel cactus seeds (like chia). Sweetened with raisins, and a little banana, with soy milk. Very yummy and filling. I ate this 2 hours before my ride. For lunch I had split pea/lentil soup with carrots, celery, onions. Also some fruit (cantalope and berries.) I added half a scoop of pea protein to the soup. Also had a spoon of peanut butter after my ride. Dinner will be a "Budda" bowl with shredded Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, romaine, spinach, cucumber, tomato, avacado. Cashew nut/nutritional yeast "cheese" mixed with apple cider vinegar for a dressing. Topped with slivered almonds, hazel nuts, dried edamame, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, barrel cactus seeds, and hazel nuts. Cooked beans, butternut squash, and cooked buckwheat on the side. If I have room, I will steam some squash and beans from the garden, along with some broccoli. I may also have a couple mini corn tortillas with refried beans and salsa. Evening snack is soy (or Greek) yogurt with mixed berries, mandarin orange, slivered almonds, and homemade granola. Sometimes I have a square of 80% cacao chocolate. I eat about 2 pounds of vegetables/fruit per day (mostly veggies). Legumes every day, seeds/nuts every day, whole grains every day. I am completely full all the time - never hungry. With prepped veggies always in the fridge, there is always something to grab if I feel the need for a munchie. I feel good - mentally alert, physically strong, sleeping well (better, in fact). I don't feel as "heavy" inside as when I was eating more meat. However, I do have to be careful for bloating and smelly gas. I found this to be a problem with raw broccoli and beans that I cooked without draining the soaking water. Even Beano did not help. Canned beans do not do this. It can be a problem with bypass patients, as our gut biome changes, and it is harder to digest and break down those particular foods. I just have to cook the broccoli and be careful with the home cooked beans. So far, so good. My fear about inadequate protein is completely dismissed. I am getting so much good nutrition and I hope inflammatory markers will be way down with my next lab draw in Feb.

Lots of soft foods have protein. Greek yogurt, oatmeal, refried beans, cottage cheese, soft poached fish, split pea soup Also, you might be able to tolerate protein bars soon if you stick with smooth texture ones that don't have seeds and nuts.

I agree with this poster. I see this frequently when people join AA. they develop another addictions. Often to cigarettes and coffee. It is a very good idea to seek some professional help. I have lost about 50 pounds in a year with about 30 more to go. i spent a lot of time in shopping malls over the summer. I needed to buy some new clothes, but I also discovered that every mall now has those frozen yogurt shops . You pay by the amount you put in your cups. I only lost 4 pounds in 3 months, because of my desires for the frozen yogurt on a hot day. Thankfully it is getting cooler and my closets are full so my desire for the frozen yogurt is waning. i just hope I can get rid of this left over Halloween candy now!

Eventually you'll be able to have snacks--just choose the right things. One of my favorite things is a handful of cashews, for example. Or eat a yogurt (such as Oikos triple zero)--I find that I can take a very long time to finish one of them even now, and back in the early stages I could only eat a half a one at a time. Or maybe a stick of cheese? You'll find things you like that won't seem strange to other people if you choose them instead of something like cake.

Thanks Tammydago, I too often get discouraged. Many from my group who had surgery months after me have lost more, but I know they are much younger, are lower BMIs than me, and my exercise is all in the pool and they are running and doing "boot camp" type things, which I am not up for now. I also choose to eat real food, not everything that's low-fat or whatever because I want to have my habits and portions reflect what I know I can keep up forever. I felt if I did all the yogurt (which I hate), no-fat cottage cheese, etc. I knew I couldn't sustain. So, eventhough I have had long stretches of no loss, I know I can maintain...and my measurements still change, so I try hard not to focus on the # on the scale.

GREAT thread idea - thank you! I'm 9 weeks out... First thing: Protein hot cocoa (Unjury chocolate splendor, 8 oz warm milk, 1T unsweetened cocoa & salt) Breakfast: 3 egg bites (Eggface recipe), or 1 egg / cheese "omelet", or 3 oz chobani greek yogurt Lunch: 2 T Peanut Butter w/ 3 mini crackers, or tuna/cottage cheese / lemon pepper, or sliced lunch meat / cheese, or 3 oz grilled salmon from the salad bar place downstairs (my new favorite!) Snack: Protein shake of some kind - usually a nectar one Dinner: Some kind of saucy meat. (probably need to add a few veggies / carbs here) I usually get 40 - 45 minutes of cardio exercise / day - stationary bike, treadmill, or hill walking. Some days I think I'm lower in carbs than I really want to be. Like, under 20 grams. I'm still tweaking...

I am 10 days out from surgery...and I am a little hungry...started yogurt, and mashed potatoes today, but omg...do I want real food! I find my self thinking of food I am craving and picturing myself eating it. I even caught myself thinking.."what could be the worst thing that could happen?" Then I quickly yell at myself and try and snap out of it. I am thinking, damn, why didn't I eat more of this or that...its bad. I am sure it is the mourning of food etc. I know, it will all be worth it. But I really find myself saying...will being thinner be better than the foods I want? Right now, not convinced. I have been fat my whole life, and happy...I did this for health. But now I wonder....what the hell have I done?

I start every day with Protein hot cocoa, but you do have to watch the temp and warm it up slowly. I warm a cup of unsweetened almond milk in the microwave, add a scoop of chocolate Protein Powder and 2T unsweetened cocoa and a dash of salt (cuts the artificial sweetener flavor), and mix very well with a whisk. Sometimes I thin it a bit with some hot Water, or microwave it a few seconds longer to warm it up, but it will thicken a lot if you get it too hot - the protein "firms" up (like cooking an egg). You can actually use this tendency to cook to your advantage - there are a lot of recipes "out there" for protein "cake" or "muffins" or even "cookies" made with protein powder and often eggs, other liquids, sweetener, etc. cooked in a minute or two in the microwave. Some flavors of protein powder are really good added to plain greek yogurt - I like the nectar twisted cherry this way. Or, blend with almond milk and ice cubes to make a kind of soft serve ice cream. I've always been told the best protein is whey protein isolate - it's best digested by your body so you get the most benefit from it, but it's also the most expensive, so for cheaper brands you'll often find a blend of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate.

Is it bad to add raw spinach or fresh fruit in my smoothie (protein drink/yogurt blend). I am about 6 weeks out.

I agree with Jen, skip the Banana- you need protein. I know it is hard when you are still on soft but go with greek yogurt if you can or ask the NUT or doctor.

I don't know if any of this will be helpful, but during this stage, I stuck with 2 Premier Protein shakes per day (to get higher protein numbers and it counts as liquids), plus I ate refried Beans (mushed up and chewed to liquid) and Laughing Cow cheese wedges. On rough days, I had 3 Premier shakes to get my 90 grams the easy way. When I wanted flavor, I had my Better Than Bouillon cup of broth, or I'd go to Panera for chicken noodle Soup and eat only the broth. From time to time, I would have instant mashed potatoes with a little bit of chicken gravy. It tasted so good and went down easily. I am an uber-picky eater as well, so this is what got me through. I would not eat pureed meat or baby food. I don't like yogurt and can barely stand pudding. Also, I hate the taste of whey, and only the Premier Protein Shakes taste good to me. So, I was very limited too, and sort of mixed the full liquids and pureed stage into something I could handle for that 2 week period. I absolutely do not think he should move to the next stage early - follow the doctor's plan to a "T." His huge staple line is healing and you don't want him to do anything that could cause a problem during these early weeks. As my surgeon explained to me, these are the crucial healing weeks - it is not about weight loss right now, it's about healing properly - since the "harm" could be damaging the staple line. But, as always, check with the doctor before deviating even a bit from the program that is outlined. Hang in there! ETA: Also, during these early weeks it's rare to feel hunger - I was super bored which made me want to eat, but I didn't actually feel like I needed to eat. And of course, this is how we get dehydrated and end up back in the hospital. It's such a balancing act - for 2 months I couldn't seem to get in my daily Water requirement and even now I sometimes miss it and feel so dry. Hunger does return but those first weeks are just regulating oneself to the new circumstances and the new stomach!

Thanks for your thoughtful replies. I am trying to figure out how to tackle the weight gain...I only lost 30 lbs after the sleeve (a huge disappointment for me), have gained almost all of it back. My Breakfast almost never varies, 1/2 cup greek yogurt with 1/4 cup granola and 1/2 cup of fruit; then a low fat cheese stick or 1/4 cup of nuts two hours later, then 1/2 of a sandwich or a salad, then veggies or a piece of fruit for a snack, then dinner is at 5:30 - which I'm still happy to say is very much limited in portion compared to pre-surgery. I am horrible at night though, from 7 on I'm snacking on something...1 cup of tortilla chips and salsa w/protein or pretzels w/peanut butter, or Protein drinks. I'm going to at least try and stop the night Snacks...they seem superfluous and a hold over from when I wasn't eating much and needed extra protein. It is never hard for me to get Water in now that I'm two years out. I've always loved the taste of cold water and plan to try and add that for the night snacking I've gotten used to. I appreciate all the reminders of how hard it really is to do this every moment of every day. I was so hoping the struggle would diminish...but it is just as fierce as it always has been and will likely be until I leave the earth. Let me don my armor and sword!!!!

@@Polarbearwifey I am trying to add it to things to beef up the Protein. For example, back then it was Egg Drop Soup. These days it is Wendy's Chili. That is working very effectively. But not yogurt. I eat that just by itself. I am supposed to get between 80-100 grams of protein in a day. 11/11/16: HW 380 11/28/16: Duodenal Switch Surgery 11/28/16: SW 374 lbs 12/19/16: CW 346 lbs

I just ate a whole cup if Greek yogurt..and looked on the side and realized that's 5.3 oz! Can you guys eat a whole one?

I got my coffee protein at vitamin world. But u can order click at GNC.com. Not sure about anyone else but my liver is enlarged and my liquid diet is to hopefully shrink down the size of my liver before surgery. My instructions after surgery are the same 7 days liquid post op! It's becoming increasingly hard to stay focused. I'm get the shakes and a massive headache and I'm only two days in. My stomach isn't growling today which is good but now it's the mental need for food I think I'm fighting! And that has made me irritated and emotional. I was just told I can do Greek yogurt and jello so that may help my need to eat!!!

Try blending your soup so that it doesn't consist of chunks and watery liquid. Also soup isn't one of the best foods post band as it is normally a slider - you should focus on solid foods that fill you up for longer.Maybe the rice is swelling and causing an issue so you could try skipping the rice. I've never actually had rice in soup before! Eat your cereal with just a dash of milk or try eating it with yogurt instead.