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I'd do a shake, also small things like cheese sticks, babybel cheeses, deli turkey or ham rolled up, yogurt.. Do you have access to a fridge?

Okay…..so I am officially 3 weeks post op today, May 20, 2008 and am seriously ready to eat a cow :thumbdown:. I have been this way since last week and the doc, oh I love him but hell, told me that as long as I am losing weight he is not too concerned about anything. My issues, I am not eating the 4oz that is suggested, but more like 10-12oz, and he said that is fine because I am losing weight so long as I am not eating crap. :sleep: I must confess, I did have 3 cookies last week although totally drowned in milk, I did eat them and I told him this:thumbdown:. He asked if that was it and I honestly told him yes. I had not even eaten the recommended oatmeal, mushy cereal, in fact no breads, rice, pasta, etc. Right now, I want to dive my big ol but into a plate of nothing by carbohydrates or a greasy cheeseburger with some chips and queso, but I have refrained. :thumbup: Quitting sugar and, well hell the “good foods” (aka: fattening foods) the way I did was like telling a drug addict, alcoholic or smoker to stop cold turkey. I was told my insurance approved me on April 18 and I needed to start my liquid diets because they were scheduling my surgery for April 25, which ended up getting pushed back to April 29, 2008. Now, I am not ungrateful because I appreciate the opportunity to have this surgery, I am sure as much as any of you, but someone please tell me what I can have because right now I want to cave in and eat something that I know I do not need, should not eat and is totally against what this procedure is for. BTW……I have eaten the sugar free jellos and puddings, the sugar free popsicles and the yogurts, but I think it is the bread my body is craving as I have had ZERO of that (except those three cookies). I feel tired, worn out, not really wanting to do anything, which I am thinking is the lack of carbs as my intake is very minimal right now. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!!!! :thumbup:

What? Me? Really? Yes! It’s true—I’m back with a blog update. I’d love to give you some grand reason for my disappearing act, but the truth is just that life has just gone on. Being banded was a huge life altering experience and for many months it affected everything. In a way, it defined me, just as being fat has defined me for the past 20 or so years of my life. Being banded affected my daily routine—what I ate, how I moved, work, the gym, doctors appointments. And then slowly, it affected me less. Life went back to normal. I stopped feeling sore, I went back to the gym, I started being able to wrestle those big dogs I work with again, and I stopped agonizing over every morsel I put in my mouth. My band became a part of who I am and stopped being everything I am about. And as life went on without me having to stop and contemplate my band every other minute, I stopped having new and exciting things to say about it. That’s not to say that everything has gone back to the way it used to be, although my life is not yet as completely altered as many of my pre-band fantasies projected it to be. A lot has happened in my life both related and unrelated to my weight-loss journey. I believe last I left you guys, I was plagued with a big pain from a little kidney stone. Who knew something smaller than a pencil eraser could cause so much trouble? Well, in case you were wondering, the kidney stone did not pass on its own. After my trip to the hospital and the very happy drugs they pumped me with, my pain was gone. I followed up with an urologist anyhow and it was a good thing since he informed me that being pain free did not mean being urolith (big, fancy, medical word for a kidney stone) free. And low and behold, the night after my appointment, I had another bout of excruciating pain. The pain came and went for the rest of the week until my follow-up appointment at which point my doctor and I decided to schedule lithotripsy—a non-invasive surgical procedure used to break up kidney stones using shockwaves that pass through the body wall. Unfortunately the first available appointment for the procedure was not for another 2 1/2 weeks. The pain was sporadic in the mean time, and while I had some hefty pain meds, I was unable to use them at times—ie when at work. So, I used Ibuprofen instead—after all the PA at my docs office said it was okay given my situation as long as I took certain precautions. Well, I don’t think I took enough precautions, or I just took too much Ibuprofen because after a few days my stomach got all funky and I was sick for a good 2-3 days. I stopped the Motrin of course, and got better. Finally I went for my scheduled procedure and they took an x-ray to locate the stone, then hooked me up to an IV and knocked me out. I woke up shortly after and everything went smoothly. Of course the lithotripsy only broke the stone up to smaller pieces and didn’t get rid of it, so for another week and a half I waited for the stone to pass—with even more pain than before, as well as several bouts of nausea. At last, my stone was gone, and with it, the pain. In addition, I felt energetic and just plain good for the first time since it happened. I turned the stone in for analysis and did some extra urine tests and next week I return to my doc for the results as well as a discussion on nutrition to help prevent further stones. I’m a little worried about how that will go and how his nutrition advice will work with my band. Obviously drinking plenty of water is paramount for both my situations, but I have a feeling he’s going to tell me to cut back on my protein which will not bode will with band eating. He says he’s seen many bandsters getting kidney stones 3-4 months after surgery and on the one hand, that probably means he knows our nutrition restrictions, but on the other hand, it probably means the diet change helped in the formation of the stone. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. Despite the passing of my kidney stone, I am—sadly—not yet a paragon of health. I’ve been having some trouble with my shoulder. At first I just suspected a pulled muscle or something, but given my kidney stone-ibuprofen snafu, could not treat it properly with anti-inflammatory meds like Mortrin. I finally sucked it up and got myself to the orthopod who examined me and took an x-ray. He said the x-ray looked pretty good, but he did see a small bone spur which probably caused some bursitis. Normally he would have just had me treat it with NSAIDS (if it was that easy, I wouldn’t have needed him) but instead he gave me a cortisone shot. Sadly, it didn’t work. He also gave me a prescription for physical therapy if it didn’t work. I think I’ll probably have to use it, but I’m going to try my sister’s acupuncturist first (I saw him once before and he actually predicted my kidney stone by feeling my pulse—well not a kidney stone exactly, but he told me the “kidney” part of my pulse was weak—how crazy is that?) Of course, I think I’m starting to sound like an 80 year old, going on and on about my health problems. I’ve been sicker since getting my band than I was before—how did that happen? In other—non-medical—news, in the end of August, I finally moved into my new place. Having my own refrigerator to stock with all my own food has been helpful. I pretty much live off rotisserie chicken. I’ll have a quarter of a store bought chicken, no skin and I’ll pair it with some fruit, or carrot sticks, or tonight, a small baked potato. Yum, yum. My lunches vary, sometimes I’ll have a lean cuisine, or I’ll have a salad from the salad bar down the street. My usual breakfast is either a protein bar, or if I get up early enough, a 100 calorie whole grain English muffin with 1 egg, 1 egg white, and piece of low fat cheese. I do still have snacks. I believe in eating when I’m hungry. I’ll usually go for either a yogurt, or a high protein snack bar—Slim fast makes a yummy caramel nougat one, and South Beach has a chocolate raspberry one I love. Like a bad girl, I have taken to drinking diet soda again, but only 2-3 times a week instead of 5-6 times a day like I used to and of course, plenty of water is still a must. I stalled with my weight-loss for a while, not because I didn’t have restriction, but because I was making bad choices and eating a lot of junk food again. So, I started going to Weight Watchers. The band helps me monitor how much I eat, and WW gives me the tools to help me make better choices. Having to figure out how many points everything is makes you stop and think before eating it. I only have so much room in my new little tummy pouch, and I need to make each bite count. That’s not to say I’ve given up all the good stuff—I still eat the foods I love…pizza, bagels, ice-cream, etc, but not on a regular basis. I really feel like I eat like a “normal” person now. I can eat a slice of pizza, without eating 3. I can have a turkey burger and leave half for the next meal. Anytime I order out, my food lasts a good 3 meals instead of finishing the whole thing and wanting more. It’s amazing how normal that is for me now. My loss is picking up again and I still have hopes of making my goal of losing 75# by my sisters wedding which is October 25. I’ve got to lose another 5 lbs and I’ve got 10 days to do it. Holly, this entry is getting long. I have more to say about how I’m feeling about the changes the last 6 months have made to my mind, body and soul, but I’m working on page three of this thing now, so I’m going to cut it here, and save the rest for another entry. Here’s to not letting another 3 months go by before that happens Tootles.

I'm 7 months post op, and have lost 98 pounds. I want so badly to hit that 100 pound mark, but I just cant seem to get there. I've been bouncing the same 2 pounds back and forth since early December. I know most of it was Christmas. I ate more than I should, and ate things I shouldn't have. But for the last 2 weeks I have really been back on track, and still nothing! I got down to 1 tenth away from my goal, then will gain a pound again. I went back to the basics, and started tracking all my food intake. I am staying between 900-1100 calories per day, drinking lots of Water, at least 80 grams of Protein per day, staying under my limits for carbs and sugar. I just don't know what I am doing wrong? I know my exercise specialist said this was to be expected at this stage, and it happens to everyone. He said you wont see a loss for awhile, but you are still losing inches. And it will cycle back and forth every month. He said to only worry if I don't see a loss for 2 months in a row. But I'm getting close to that 2 month mark, and still no loss. Any ideas on how to break a massive stall? Here's my food for the last 2 days, any advice? Breakfast: 2 envelopes sugar free hot cocoa 1 dannon light and fit greek yogurt Lunch: 1/2 cup raw carrots 1/4 cup raw snap peas 1/4 cup hummus Snack: Isopure Protein shake Dinner: 4 ritz crackers 2 tablespoons Peanut Butter 1/4 cup cottage cheese Totals: Calories: 927 Carbs 32 Fat 32 Protein 93 Sugar 30 Breakfast: Sugar free Cappuccino Tomato juice Dannon light and fit greek yogurt Snack: Isopure protein shake Lunch: Grilled shrimp greek olives and feta Dinner: Grilled Mahi Mahi cooked carrots and snow peas Calories: 959 Carbs 66 Fat 23 Protein 120 Sugar 40

I am dying on the pre op diet! I am getting sleeved on the 22nd and have to do the pre op diet for 2 weeks. I've been having protein shake and oatmeal for breakfast, shake and raw veggies for lunch and grilled chicken and Lots of veggies for dinner. For a snack nonfat Greek yogurt or sugar free pudding or jello. I'm still hungry though! What had everyone else been having on their pre op?!

I'm 5 weeks out. I can't handle eggs or yogurt so Breakfast is typically a Protein shake. lunch always ends up being a oz of deli meat and cheese. dinner tuna, tilapia or shrimp and 2oz baked sweet potato. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Craig I go to purée on Monday only doing 7 days on shakes then straight to purée looking forward to it I think but I havent had many shakes at all I was sleeved Tuesday and got out hospital today tonight will be my first Protein shake the hospital gave me yogurt very confusing. But I know the plan going forward Sent from my iPhone

Congrats! You're only two weeks out but it sounds like you are upbeat. It's been a while since I was banded (Nov 08) but I do remember the first few weeks. I'm surprised you were on only a clear liquid diet for the first couple of weeks. I was on clear liquids and protein shakes - my doc said protein helped heal quicker. Here's what I say, and no I am not a doctor, but if you can't eat solid foods no one says you have to. Have protein shakes instead of solid foods if you can't get solids down. One of my favorite protein subs is greek yogurt (plain) but I throw in some flavored protein powder. It makes a great vanilla or chocolate yogurt! Fish is also great, and pretty mushy. My doctor also recommended only adding one new thing per meal to see if I could handle it. That being said, maybe stick with the foods you know you can handle. There was some stuff I couldn't eat immediately after my surgery that I am back to eating again just fine. Don't worry for right now about getting in too much variety. As for the general lack of hunger, I felt that too. I had no idea how I'd get in any of my food or my water with the amount I felt I could consume, because I couldn't possibly take in more. Once the swelling in your belly goes down, it'll loosen up a bit and you'll be able to take in more. Are you taking vitamins? Those will be important especially if you can't get in all your foods. I still take mine every day. It sounds like you're doing great! Everyone's got questions, but it does sound like you're overall upbeat about your banded life so far, and I'm happy for you! Just remember you can only do as much as you can do. This is all new to you and you're getting your bearings. Soon it'll become just a regular part of your routine. Best of luck to you, and I'm here for you!

Yesterday, was the big day!!! I tried to update my blog last night, but hit the wrong key and deleted my update. But, I am happy to say everything went great yesterday. :cool: I love my surgeon's assistant, Melissa, who did my fill. She took her time and explained the whole fill process and all the questions they will ask me each time to determine if I should get a fill. She said after this first appointment, I can decide when I want to come in again (anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks). She also explained how important it is to focus on reducing percentage of body fat... that over the course of time it takes to get to goal, she wants me to go from 51% body fat to 30% body fat. I'm all for it! And, she cleared me to return to Jazzercise (which I have been dying to do - walking is so boring to me). I'm just not supposed to do the stomach crunches they do at the end of class until 8 weeks. That's OK, I am usually so worn out by the time we get to the floor work that I just lay there anyway when everyone else does the crunches. OK, so on w/the fill. They have a big chair in every one of the exam rooms and I didn't know until this appointment that they electronically adjust all the way back so you are lying down when they put the needle in. So, I got to lying down, she cleaned the area, and told me to look away while she put the needle in. It was quick and no big deal. She gave me 2cc and then sat me back up to drink some water. The water went down fine, so she put in another cc (for a total of 3cc in a Lapband APS 10cc capacity). I drank some water again and it felt a little weird like it was not going through as fast and I felt some little bubbles, but it did not hurt. She stopped there. She told me after that she can give 2, 3, or 4 on the first visit, but most people get 3. So, I guess that makes me average. Now, the hard part... I am supposed to be on clear liquids for 72 hours (but no juice or sugar). I am trying, but I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it that long. I already cheated a little and put a little soy milk and agave nectar in my decaf tea. I am drinking clear protein shots I got from Costco (25 grams of protein in a 3 oz tube - tastes like unset jello - 100 calories). I drink my broth or tea as my 'meal' and then the protein shot like a 'dessert'. Yeah, right, not sure how long I can last like this! :thumbup: I'm also just curious to see if I can feel any difference when I eat from the 3cc. I might try a yogurt later today if I can't get my mind off of food after lunch. I did discover an AMAZING broth I just had for lunch. It is made by 'College Inn' and is called 'Culinary Broth' in 'Thai Coconut Curry' flavor... chicken broth infused w/a blend of coconut, curry, garlic, and coriander flavors. It has a lot of sodium, though, so I cut it half-and-half w/low sodium vegetable broth. It has great flavor, though... just the right amount of spice. OK, I am probably becomming delusional at this point from lack of calories if I am raving about a broth.

Yesterday, was the big day!!! I tried to update my blog last night, but hit the wrong key and deleted my update. But, I am happy to say everything went great yesterday. :thumbup: I love my surgeon's assistant, Melissa, who did my fill. She took her time and explained the whole fill process and all the questions they will ask me each time to determine if I should get a fill. She said after this first appointment, I can decide when I want to come in again (anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks). She also explained how important it is to focus on reducing percentage of body fat... that over the course of time it takes to get to goal, she wants me to go from 51% body fat to 30% body fat. I'm all for it! And, she cleared me to return to Jazzercise (which I have been dying to do - walking is so boring to me). I'm just not supposed to do the stomach crunches they do at the end of class until 8 weeks. That's OK, I am usually so worn out by the time we get to the floor work that I just lay there anyway when everyone else does the crunches. OK, so on w/the fill. They have a big chair in every one of the exam rooms and I didn't know until this appointment that they electronically adjust all the way back so you are lying down when they put the needle in. So, I got to lying down, she cleaned the area, and told me to look away while she put the needle in. It was quick and no big deal. She gave me 2cc and then sat me back up to drink some water. The water went down fine, so she put in another cc (for a total of 3cc in a Lapband APS 10cc capacity). I drank some water again and it felt a little weird like it was not going through as fast and I felt some little bubbles, but it did not hurt. She stopped there. She told me after that she can give 2, 3, or 4 on the first visit, but most people get 3. So, I guess that makes me average. Now, the hard part... I am supposed to be on clear liquids for 72 hours (but no juice or sugar). I am trying, but I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it that long. I already cheated a little and put a little soy milk and agave nectar in my decaf tea. I am drinking clear protein shots I got from Costco (25 grams of protein in a 3 oz tube - tastes like unset jello - 100 calories). I drink my broth or tea as my 'meal' and then the protein shot like a 'dessert'. Yeah, right, not sure how long I can last like this! :thumbup: I'm also just curious to see if I can feel any difference when I eat from the 3cc. I might try a yogurt later today if I can't get my mind off of food after lunch. I did discover an AMAZING broth I just had for lunch. It is made by 'College Inn' and is called 'Culinary Broth' in 'Thai Coconut Curry' flavor... chicken broth infused w/a blend of coconut, curry, garlic, and coriander flavors. It has a lot of sodium, though, so I cut it half-and-half w/low sodium vegetable broth. It has great flavor, though... just the right amount of spice. OK, I am probably becomming delusional at this point from lack of calories if I am raving about a broth. :thumbup:

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

I'm a full fat kinda girl. Real cheese, real butter, real salad dressing, real mayo, real sour cream. I do drink skim milk because I like it, and I buy light Greek yogurt because the kids prefer it. Full fat tastes better and keeps me full longer. Much more satisfying.

Hi all, I'm newly banded, banded in august! I was so disappointed with my one pound weightloss over the past 10 days! So silly of me to think this way, but I was hoping for more, I was blinded by how quickly the initial weight came off, but at least I kept losing and didn't gain!!! Since my weight slowed down with that one pound loss, I got my first fill yesterday :smile: I have this lump in my throat feeling, not too sure if that's how it's supposed to feel. I was having some greek yogurt this morning and I can't even make a dent in it. I enjoyed the fill because I feel rejuvenated with my process. I'm feeling motivated to shed more pounds and even did a 2.5 mile walk yesterday! Before, I was only averaging about a mile. Hopefully with this spike in exercise, the fill, and motivation.............I can jump start my weight loss again to reach that new year goal !!! Wish me luck and good luck to everyone feeling like they are in a slump! You can do it!!!

I can sooo relate to this post. i actually said the same thing. ("Is it even in there? I feel NO different!!") I had surgery on October 21 of last year and didn't get my first fill until January 12 of the following year due to hospital and doc vacation schedules/holidays, so I lived in Bandster Hell for a LONG time. I just tried to keep my portions smaller, make better choices and at night, when I seemed to be the hungriest, i would work out and force myself to go to bed to avoid the temptation. This is the worst time of year not to have restriction either, so my heart goes out to you. Just know that right now is a time for your body to heal, so don't focus on any weight loss or gain (yeah right! SHE says LOL--easier said than done, I know). Just know that you have the tool, it's just not working as it should be just yet, but it will. It definitely will, so try to hang in there!!! Stock up on fruits, yogurt, veggies and lots of lowfat cheese sticks--it will be ok!!!

How much tuna, salmon, etc. are you eating? My guealss is that you might be trying to eat too much. You mention another type of food (yogurt + egg) that would be about 3 ounces. If you are trying to eat 3 ounces of fish, or even 2 ounces at this point, it is no wonder you are struggling. I couldn't eat that much until at least 9 months post-op. So, if you haven't yet, maybe try just one ounce of tuna and see how that goes. I had good results with shrimp and scallops (or, rather, scallop -- just one was plenty for a meal!) early on. Have you tried anything like that? Or maybe some other light fish such as sea bass, halibut, or john dory? I know a lot of people recommend tilapia, but I personally dislike it, I think it is mushy and icky tasting, plus I've seen how it is farmed and it is revolting! So I can't personally recommend it, though I know a lot of people swear by it. Good luck!

Her comment falls squarely within the context of our conversation. She told me I could not lose another pound before surgery. She asked what caloric intake was. She needed to know how much I was working out and what type. She explained the metabolic needs to recover with my goals. She was trying to reassure me that I would not gain weight by eating and being inactive. Her experience is that WLS patients emotionally struggle to eat enough postop to promote wound healing. She also was asking me to trust her so I did not lose too much weight in recovery. It was a long and involved consultation. So I don't think it's a typical conversation for a general surgeon or cardiac surgeon or a orthopedic surgeon to have unless you ask. They will tell you to eat and the demand for calories and Protein is high but they tend to say vague things like "you need it heal" "you need your strength" etc. Probably won't get into metabolic rate. Only us WLS patients get hyper about it :-P I will say the night nurse was a bit freaked when I asked for yogurt at 7pm and then a turkey sandwich at 3am. Lol.

I know it will get better. I am not at all hungry. I had 6 sips broth, 4 sips apple juice, one cup skim milk, one yogurt total for today. It sure would be nice to bend down and tie my shoes, though. My liquid Lortab isn't doing squat for me!

Designer whey is 100 calories per scoop. With the shakes I make (adding 2 scoops, apples, bananas, strawberries and agave nectar and 1/2 of fage greek yogurt and 6oz of skim milk) it makes 44 oz (I split it up between the day or sip all day) and the whole thing is just under 500 calories. So if you divide that into 8oz servings (comes out to 5 and 1/2) that's just around 100 calories per serving. Making your own and using fresh and natural ingredients is always best.

hi there, at what point did you add watered down/ lose things like grits, or mashed potatoes. pudding , regular yogurt etc? did you do it when you started to get hungry again a couple weeks after surgery or later? what were the first foods you added? any other food Ideas?

Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt and you have the center of a reese cup. It's pretty yummy!

I normally love greek yogurt but I have to force myself to eat it now. Im 2 months po bypass.

Tuba or salmon patties. I buy them Pre made in a pouch like regular tuna. High protein and low cal. That plus some salad or veggies keeps mr full about 5 hrs. And I have gone back to homemade protein smoothies in the morning. Fresh fruit. Ice. Greek yogurt. Lots of person and my fiber too since I add benefiber powder. I I get hungry and need a snack a handful of almonds or a 90cal fiber one bar tides me over.

I eat so slow that I pretty much eat throughout the day. It's not like grazing because I pack my lunch in a little bento box. I have 2 oz of cottage cheese, 3 oz of meat and/or cheese, sunflower seed crackers, 2 oz of fruit and maybe a Greek yogurt dip. It seems to keep me busy at work until it's time to go home. On the weekends I'm so busy that I usually have to remind myself to eat and then grab a quick meal. Is eating through the day unhealthy in the long run?

I don't even by sour cream now, my hubby just uses my greek yogurt and has no complaints!

Had my Surgery May 19 as well. Down 29 pounds at last appointment on 6/2/14. I have a very unreliable scale at home and it seems like I may be in a stall since then. I'm hoping its just the scale. Hahaha. Eating pureed foods. SO SICK of Protein shakes! Sticking to greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and refried Beans. I also found these frozen greek yogurt bars calld "YASSO" bars. There are so great and like 8 or 10g of protein. It was fun going back to work and having people notice the loss. Its mostly in my face, neck, and stomach. Everyone knows I had the surgery because I just figured if they are my friends they won't judge me, and if they judge me, they AREN'T my friends and I don't care what they think! Keep up the good work everyone! Breaking up with food IS hard but so worth it!