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I start soft foods tomorrow....My information packet from my nutritionist has these foods listed (eat at your own peril)... Canned fruits packed in juice, not syrup...peaches, pears, fruit cocktail Canned vegetables - green Beans, carrots, peas, etc. Baked potato (no skin), crackers, hot Cereal, Pasta (?) its on the list... Fish - canned or fresh (nothing fried, no shellfish) Soft mild cheeses, cottage cheese, yogurt eggs Tofu

Aaaaahhhhh....much better :thumbup: Got .5 taken out today. I was able to swallow Water again immediately and then had a bowl of veggie Soup (mostly broth) for lunch. The surgeon who did my fill was in surgeries today so his PA did my unfill. She did a great job and wanted to go the whole .5. I asked her if we could do .2 or .3 as I was trying to avoid feeling the NO restriction feeling again, but she assured me that it was best to go .5. I was very swollen and got immediate relief. I still felt some restriction with the soup (probably mostly the swelling) but I'll take it. Being overfilled is miserable! It kinda made bandster hell seem OK. It was a learning experience I couldn't even exercise this morning because of the weird feeling in my chest after just 2 sips of water! My next fill is in 5 weeks. She made the observatioin that most people with the 10cc band that I have feel restriction between 4-5 ccs. Maybe the 3rd one will be the sweet spot! I'm at 3 now after the partial unfill, plus maybe a touch more from the priming procedure during surgery. Kydman - my doc says eat "lightly" the day of the fill, then after - clear liquids only for 24 hours. Then pureed for 24 hours, then soft for 24 hours, then regular food again. I can tell you that with my first fill I had no problems whatsoever. I felt I was pretty swollen from the surgery for only about 3-5 days. After that initial period I didn't necessarily feel hungry, but I could eat a container of yogurt or 4 oz. of cottage cheese, etc. whereas the first couple of days I could only do a couple of bites. I remember thinking that I might not get my first fill as scheduled because I really wasn't hungry. By the time the date rolled around, I felt like I could handle it and did fine. My doc, however, is only 20 minutes away, so I always have an option. I know some folks travel quite the distance to their docs so you have to choose what makes sense for you. One more week into the healing process can make a HUGE difference in how you are feeling

today is day 5 post op, i was a day ahead of myself. The port site still slightly tender but much improved. I attempted some milky oatmeal this am, ate 1/2 and feel really full. I hope this fullness lasts until my first fill and beyond. Will do a yogurt smoothie for lunch. YUMMMMMMMMM. good luck to all my fellow bandsters on our ongoing journey!!!!!

This isn't going to fix a lot but, try making ranch dip using a dry mix and Greek yogurt, then add a scoop of unflavored protein powder. Use that to dip fresh veggies in. 2 birds 1 stone.

In the beginning adding protein to regular yogurt is fine but when you get to the point where you want to lower your calories and stay full adding 100+ calories to regular yogurt won't make much sense.

There are many regular yogurts that are high in protein too. Just have to shop around

It usually has 2 or 3 times the protein as regular yogurt. Plain it is gross, tastes like sour cream. I flavor mine with vanilla flavored stevia. It is also a lot thicker than regular yogurt. I always tell people do not eat it plain. But don't buy the flavored ones either, most of the time they are flavored using sugar and high in carbs. You could mix protein powder with regular yogurt, but not sure how well it would dissolve.

If its just regular yogurt with the Water taken out, how does it get more Protein? I remember letting reg. yogurt filter through a sieve to make "yogurt cheese" but I'm not getting how that can possibly increase the protein?? Not being a smart-ass, I really don't know:)

I guess I could talk to my nut about this but is the nutritional value in greek yogurt better than regular? Suppose that both kinds are fat free and sugar free what is the difference? Plain greek yogurt (without fresh fruit) makes me wanna gag so I have stayed away from it. It also wasnt until recently that it was a big deal.

Anyone tried blending some greek yogurt with some flavored protein powder?

I think it depends on the type of food. I can eat 6 oz of yogurt in 20 min, It takes me the same amount of time to eat 2 oz of chicken or beef Jerky. Its not stretched. I am sure your not self abusing.

I have my morning coffee (no breakfast - as I am almost never hungry for it), around noon I would have a salad with fixings and FF Italian dressing, a cup of coffee in the afternoon after work, for dinner some chicken or whatever meat I made that day and veggies (the vegetables in those steamer bags ), and at night maybe some frozen yogurt or pudding with coolwhip. Although lately I can't even eat anything! This morning I tried some egg beaters in the microwave with about 1 Tb of cheese and I can even eat it.... water is hard for me now.... I have bad (and I mean BAD) acid reflux at night and during the day but worse at night. I have to sleep sitting up right... I can hear my esophagus all night long... it gurgles.... all night... no matter what antacids I take its horrible. ....

Yes I have gone through a few long plateaus! I guess it will depend on a few things, how much you eat, what you eat, how much you have to lose etc.. What I did and it broke my stall was basicly go back to basics, grilled chicken, deli meats, tuna fish, veggies, yogurt, Protein shakes, cheese, nuts, I try my best to stay away from white carbs (bread, rice, potatos) If I want some bread type stuff I have low carb wraps, or the lower carb wasa crackers.

@@Eclectick I could not drink the shakes post-op but my NUT kept after me to do so. I have tried and returned several in the past 3 months. I have finally found PE Science Snickerdoodle..OMG...so good, I could eat it by the scoop. I mix it with 12 OZ of fair life milk for a glorious 44 grams of Protein. I eat lunch that consist of a lean protein and a veggies...a nectar shake-fuzzy naval at the gym and then a small dinner usually cottage cheese, protein and veggie or yogurt. I usually end up at about 90 grams of protein and 500-600 calories. Put you Vitamins in a med box and carry them in your bag..set an alarm on your phone and take them. Always have a bottle or glass of Water with you and drink...This is the hardest thing I have every done and I have struggled but it's your life and your future. Take care of yourself. Be well!

Mine to and it hurts sometimes. Guess its norm. Hey Sh#t happens about the TMI. And remember to much antibiotics give us those dam things Eat yogurt.

Core power is a good Protein Drink if your stuck out. Btw greek yogurt may have been your better choice for protein. Another tip is to carry some Protein powder with you. In a.pinch u can add it to water and mix it up and drink it. You will get better at preparing for any happenings. Good luck to you.

There are lots of great options out there. I was more than happy to ladle out broth when I needed to. Panera and other restaurants will be glad to do it, too. Most customers want the opposite, so they will happily give you a cup of broth. Squeezable apple sauces are good, single serve hummus cups (sans the crackers) or cream cheese with a spoon are fabulous. My NUT also recommended KFC's mashed potatoes and gravy on puree because they have no lumps. I love my Wawa (gas station and convenience store) for Jerky, string cheese, fruit cups, hard boiled eggs, almonds, yogurt tubes... Don't forget the deli at your grocery, too! They are happy (well, maybe not, but I don't care) to slice one or two cuts of deli meat or cheese. I often have them cut me a bit of roast beef and horseradish cheddar, grab a few olives off the olive bar, and have a great lunch for under $2. The salad bar always has chicken salad, seafood salad, and Pasta salads with Protein mixed in. (I am not above picking out the protein and leaving the pasta!) The seafood counter always has cooked/peeled shrimp, so I will buy 3-4 of those at times (less than $2!) and add them to my seafood salad. Lots of options. You just have to ASK for them.

Ok, so I had a protein shake for breakfast, a protein shake blended with a banana for lunch, lite yogurt and 1/2 of a protein bar for a snack, before ending my day of eating with tomato soup and sugar free cherry jello for supper! I work as a counselor at a residential treatment center so the kids and my co-worker had HOMEMADE lasagna, green beans, and the EVER SO WONDERFUL garlic bread! Talk about torture, BUT I MADE IT!!! I'm proud of myself and actually was only hungry once today and a little now, but am going to bed soon, so I'm not eating anything else. OH! I also worked out for 25 minutes on my elliptical before going to work today! It felt AMAZING! I LOVE to work out, even though I'm fat! IMAGINE how it will feel to work out when I'm smaller! I'm excited/nervous for my banding, but really want to get these two weeks of one last DIET out of the way! This diet would NEVER work for long term...once you've realized diets don't work, it's almost embarrassing to have to tell someone your on one!!! So, anyway, that was my day. Off to sleep now! Night everyone!

So today I had a great day of eating NOTHING! LOL!!! I wanted to feed my emotions a giant cheeseburger and fries, with a side of chicken strips from the local Casey's store! BUT I didn't! I am proud of myself for staying strong! My boyfriend got admitted into the hospital right before I went to work today to work 13 long hours! He's ok though, just needed to get hydrated and his blood sugar back to normal. I'll be sleeping along tonight So I had a protein shake w/ banana for breakfast around 10 a.m., another one for supper around 5 p.m., and a yogurt, and some sugar free jello around 9:30 p.m. My tummy is growling, but I'm not hungry, just a tad gassy, it's weird. I didn't get a workout in today, but feel good about eating liquids only. OH! I also had 64 ounces of water both days and a YUCKY flinstones chewable multivitamin UCKY!!! So, I have my pre op class tomorrow as well as my last required diet/nutrition class. I'm SO HAPPY there is no snow in the forecast and I pray it stays that way!!! My 2 hour drive there and 2 hour drive back already causes me much anxiety without the snow! I will have my panick attack med on hand in case I need it, but really pray I don't!!! Anyway, thanks for reading about my day and DAY THREE HERE I COME!!!! I'll be in classes until 10:30 at the hospital and then have to have labs drawn FASTING, so I won't get my first liquids/food until around 11 tomorrow! That's gonna be tough! Leaving my house at 6 a.m. for dr appts/classes and not being able to eat/drink anything until 11 a.m. and THEN when I can, it can only be LIQUIDS!??? WTF! LOL, I'll get it done though.... I have to! Good night all!

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. I guess I imagined that if I took small bites (which to me is basically about 1/4 teaspoon), chewed really well, and waited a couple of minutes between bites then I wouldn't have any problems. But after thinking it over maybe my bites were a little larger than they should have been and maybe the couple of the bites I didn't wait long enough. I completely get the restriction part and so glad that I have this working for now. I am just going to have to give it some time as far as capacity. Tonight for dinner I boiled and egg and made some egg salad (using light mayo, greek yogurt, and seasonings) and it went down really well not to mention I didn't miss the gobs of full fat mayo I used in the past to make it. Thanks again for all your help and advice!

okay guys, I am one week out of surgery as of today! I had my post op appt. yesterday and I've lost 13 lbs since my pre op. My question is this: my doctor allowed me to move up to soft foods yesterday as tolerated. So, this morning for breakfast at 7 a.m. I had a chocolate carnation instant breakfast. Then, at 9:30 (just now) i was still hungry!!!! So, I went into the kitchen and had about 1/3 cup of cottage cheese with a half of a pear (no sugar added, of course!) Now, i feel full. I am hoping that I'll be okay until around 1 p.m. or so. I just don't want to over eat. I mean, that's what got me here in the first place. I have no restriction in my band. I won't get a fill until about 3 weeks. Last night, I had about a 1/2 cup of food... mashed potatoes and squished peas (without the hull). I was still hungry an hour later... and then I ate about 1/4 cup of frozen yogurt.... STILL hungry about 30 mins later. SO, i had about a 1/3 cup of cereal with skim milk. I woke up starving!!!! And that's when I decided to do the Carnation Instant Breakfast drink. SO, what do you think???? Please, be brutally honest. I do not want to screw this up. But, my doc keeps saying that i shouldn't be hungry. so, LAPBANDSTERS, I am begging for your opinions!:thumbup:

Well, I am a self-proclaimed Protein "snob" Many of the brands and flavors suggested by others often did not work for me. I have decided it is a personal preference. The ONLY one I can tolerate is UNflavored unjury. I add it to the Dole Shakers and Yogurt each day. One scoop is about 21 grams of protein. My lap band doctor carries this brand in his office; so, I don't have to pay for shipping. Good luck on your journey.

Hi very.rara I was banded in Perth by Dr Stephen Watson in December 2007. I have to say that it was, hands-down, the best thing that I have ever done for myself and I have not regretted it for an instant. I think I can safely count myself as one of the "success stories" , as I am now just 5 weeks post-op from having plastic surgery to repair all the damage that I did to my body by carrying so much excess weight for so long, and I feel FANTASTIC! With regard to your questions: What can I really expect from the surgery? If you've ever had surgery before, you can expect that this will be an easy one in comparison. If you've not had surgery, it is hard to know what you are up for and some people have been surprised by the fact that cutting through skin and muscle will actually hurt somewhat and take some time to heal. I've had a lot of surgeries over the years and the band was one of the easiest but it IS still surgery and you don't get over it completely overnight. how long were you in for? Hospitals are not my fav place in the world. I was the first patient in the theatre in the morning and consequently was allowed to go home that evening - if I had been scheduled for later in the day, I would have had to stay overnight. As like many I hate vomiting, so at all lengths I want to avoid it, what foods would you advice I stay away from? You should get an eating plan from your surgeon but here are some pointers in general: Immediately after surgery and for the next 4-6 weeks, you will be on a special "recovery" plan. The time periods differ from surgeon to surgeon but they all have the same basic pattern. Mine was: Days 1 to 4, Clear liquids (clear Soups, jelly, juice, teas such as peppermint or ginger ), Days 5-14 thick liquids (creamed soups, yogurts, milk/fruit smoothies, etc), Days 15-21 very soft foods, called "mushies" in this forum (scrambled eggs, chunky soups, really soft casseroles, tuna with mayo - fat free of course!, etc), Days 22+ gradually work back to normal solid foods, focussing on lean meats, vegetables and fruits and avoiding processed white carbohydrates such as white bread and Pasta. You'll find a lot of advice about food here but there does seem to be a real split between what our Australian doctors advise and what most of our US counterparts are told. The US seems to have an obsession with Protein and Protein drinks and with avoiding carbs at all costs. I don't subscribe to that opinion at all and truly believe that protein drinks are one of the worst choices you can make after you've finished with the healing process and not much of a choice during it - there are so many better tasting options out there!! You'll find that as you heal (probably about 2 weeks post-op), you'll start to feel hungry again and feel that you can eat anything, especially if you chew it enough. DON'T DO IT! You won't have "restriction" at this stage, so it might be easy but it can be damaging long term. The soft diet isn't because eating will be hard at this point, it is mostly to stop your stomach from having to churn to digest the food, which can prevent the stitches holding the band in place from healing properly and can lead to slippage much later down the track. The best advice I can give to avoid vomiting (after the healing phase) is to chew every single bite slowly and thoroughly and to stop and listen to your body in between each bite. It takes time to change the eating habits of a lifetime but it can be done. If your band isn't too tight, you should be able to eat just about anything you want if chewed slowly and thoroughly but you should find that you can only eat between a half and a whole cup of food at a time. Try to eat solids rather than "slider foods" like chocolates and icecreams, so that your band has something to work on. The whole point of the band is that it holds solid food up at the top of your stomach, triggering the Vegus nerve and fooling your body into thinking that you are full. If you drink your calories or eat foods with no fibre/substance to them, they will slide straight past the band and you won't get the "full" feeling. I think I've been pretty successful with the band - over 2 years now, down over 50 kg and feeling fabulous. If you want to ask any other questions, feel free to send me a private message or post the questions in this thread. Good luck!

For the PICC line, watch the nurse change the dressing, I walked my husband through it after I watched the nurses and it just needed to be changed weekly. I had a feeding tube for little over two months - but mine was inserted through the abdonminal wall to the intestine not down my nose. I could easily hide it under my clothes although I was" feeding" 16-22 hours a day, consuming 2100-2600 calories a day - thus no weight loss. My doctor is very cautious and had already removed the drains and tubes thinking there was no leak and tried to talk me into reinserting the feed tube to make sure my nutrition stayed on track - but I refused. Having it in had an emotional impact that I couldn't explain, having it out gave me mental strength. I have eaten steak, refried beans, tilapia, tuna, soups, yogurt, etc. I can't eat a lot - 3 oz at a time but I believe the natural protien is superior to the medical feedings for making me feel better and exercising. The hole will heal (doc promises) and it gets better daily. Your boyfriend's will too. I hope that he tolerates the stents. It is a very weird feeling but I had one in stomach and another anchored in esophgus (sp?) which is why it effected me so. I researched stents and they will help him eat and drink while leak heals. Again, good luck!!! Best wishes to you both.

The countdown is on....11 days to surgery! I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow~it can't come soon enough! I am so excited! I was instructed to do the "slim fast" shake diet or drink two shakes a day and eat one meal. I have found a chocolate shake that I actually like. I mix it with skim milk and ice. Tomorrow I have decided to add a little bit of vanilla yogurt. We will see how that goes. I have been a little emotional today. I am not quite sure why. I think I spent tooooo much time worrying and thinking about the surgery. I have my fears but its a very important step that I have to take. I am so sick of being unhappy with my weight. This is a step in the right direction. Thank you for all the blogs. I really enjoy reading everyone's views and everyone's experiences. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate your support and positive words!