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Janey I never liked yogurt either - the texture made me gag (the same problem with pudding) and the gross aftertaste - yuk! Since I am determined to eat healthy food and I know yogurt is good for me, I made a serious effort to like it. I found that Yoplait custard style in almost any flavor is really, really good with no aftertaste. I find myself eating one at least four times a week for a nice snack and I really like it.

I can eat everything except for dry meat. I often use a "sauce" with my meat. I use things like gravy, salad dressing or tsatzigi (sp?), which is a greek yogurt with cucumber and garlic. Everything else in moderation. I have to use caution with bread and Pasta more than other foods-I have to remind myself small bites and eat slowly!

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!

Hi kerbarrett, I am also 7 weeks out today and pack my lunch just about every day. Some days I am bringing some boiled shrimp, a few pistacchios and cottage cheese. I have also been bringing good ham with a piece of cheese rolled up in it and some spicy brown mustard to dip it in. I also am doing lots of eggs, tuna, cheese and greek yogurt and cottage cheese just like everyone else!! I did get on the world accoding to eggface (my most favorite blog) this last weekend and make 2 batches of her protein bites, one was ham and cheese and the other was bacon and swiss. They are the perfect size to eat 3 at lunch and are yummy!

Good to hear! If you need the Peanut Butter taste, maybe PB2 will hold you over. I love it and added it a couple of days ago and my new tummy loves it and tolerates it well. It's powdered peanut butter, I know it sounds gross, but it really is amazing. Think of 'dehydrated' peanut butter and it comes in a couple of different flavors. It costs around 4 dollars a jar. I add it to Protein shakes, greek yogurt, etc.

ACAI BOWL 1 packet of unsweetened acai puree (Trader Joes) 1" piece of banana granola dust (crunchy granola pulsed into dust with nutritional yeast) greek yogurt Blend together the acai puree and the banana (this will make several servings) Use 1 - 2 tablespoons to top greek yogurt. Sprinkle with granola dust

I'm on day 7 and our stories and experiences sound similar. I too had hot sweats and very uncomfortable feeling. When I ate yogurt it seemed too heavy for my pouch and caused diarrhea. I have to stick to broth and warm tea. I even made pudding but I didn't react well to the milk. Some days I'm so tired, but I'm hoping tomorrow is better and want to get out of the house. Keep being positive. We can do this.

I keep reading about people only able to eat 2 tablespoons post sleeve…. I am almost 3 weeks post op, and on the purée phase. I am prepping in 4oz containers. I can eat 4oz of puréed soup with no issues, the same with puréed cottage cheese, yogurt, jello or pudding. I do get fuller after hummus or ricotta … but can usually do about 3oz of those with no issues. I do stop at the 4 oz even if i don’t feel full. I really dont want to over do it. I am not having nausea or pain at all and haven’t since day 1. I can also drink more than a sip or two at one time. If I drink too much I do get a pain from that but not bad. I think I am afraid the surgeon didn’t make my stomach small enough or I have already stretched it out if that is possible this early….. I just want to get this right. I am getting between 600 and 700 calories a day and on average 55 to 60 grams of protein. Doing pretty good with the 40/40/20 split protein/fats/carbs. Any help, advice or re-assurance welcomed

I too had a very long stall(or a very slow second month). I was sleeved aug 27. My highest weight was 256. My surgery date I was 236. And 2 months out I was 211. 45pounds. Today I am 206. And at the 50 pound milestone. The second month I was sooo discouraged. Because most of that 45 pounds was lost in the first 2 weeks. I talked to some fellow sleevers and discovered that my protein and water intake was way too low. You need a minimum of 60g of protein a day but 70 or more is better! And should also be drinking 60oz of water a day. The other tip I have is keep your carbs under 40(under 30 is better). I agree with everything lollyfiddy1965 says. Because my weightloss was slower then I liked I also began working out. I am on the elliptical 5x a week for 20-30mins. I do some weights 3x a week. And I play rec volleyball for an hour every Tuesday. And I curl every Friday for 2 hours. I eat a lot of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, chicken and fish. My typical day is also very similar to lollyfiddy1965. I expect my third month to be spectacular as long as I keep following the guidelines. There are still many days where I struggle to meet the requirements. Max 800 calories, max 40g of carbs. Minimum of 60 protein(aim higher) And min 60 oz of water. Keep track of your intake. I use myfitnesspal...a wonderful tool. Hope our tips help you thru this difficult time! And try to remember that it's 35 pounds you'll never gain back! And stay positive it will come!!! I spent my second month in tears(which I'm told is normal) but I've had a much more positive outlook the last 10 days.

I'm not eating solid food.. I said soups, yogurt, applesauce. My Dr allows what they calls a slip & slide diet. Anything that easily slips through a funnel is ok

I was sleeved 8/6/12. It's my 3 month anniversary and I am down 33 lbs. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I saw the doctor yesterday and he said I should have lost more, but maybe my metabolism is slow. I can eat about 3/4-1 c at a sitting. After I eat I am stuffed, but only for about 30-40 mins. I eat about 4x a day. I am getting Protein, I exercise 3x a week, I should drink more Water, but other than that, I don't know what I am doing wrong. I have had stalls that last 2 and 3 weeks. The majority of my loss was in the first month and a half. A typical day of eating is: Greek yogurt, 1/2 banana,protein bar and about 20 oz water, all before 1:00 pm. 1/2 sandwich and a small dinner, maybe 20 more oz water. I am so happy I had the surgery, but I want to feel excited and I want to see great results for this amount of effort.

I was sleeved on 1/3. All sips hurt but especially water for some reason. One day I just woke up and it didn't hurt anymore. I went to the doctor on Wednesday (10 days Post op) and he added yogurt, eggs and protein shakes. I start full liquids on day 14 post op. I can tell you this.....I tried eating an egg every day and it does NOT feel too good. I keep trying it again each day. I have been very lucky...no naseau or vomiting.. Good luck and email me if you need any questions.

Nights pre op were my worst. I would get raw veggies and Greek yogurt mixed with ranch dressing dry mix and survived. I did cheat a few times

I've been on mushies for two weeks and I was nervous, too. Here are some of the things I've been eating: sugar free pudding made with a scoop of unflavored unjury Sugar Free pudding (pre-made) Soup at Hand tuna salad and small, soft whole-wheat crackers soy crisps Low-Carb SlimFast refried Beans with melted cheese and cottage cheese or guacamole scrambled eggs broth with chicken-flavored Unjury Laughing Cow spreadable cheese oatmeal I'm not supposed to have fruit or fruit juice for two more weeks or I'd be having applesauce. Yogurt is good at this stage, too. Some of these foods are more of the "soft" variety than "mushie" but I am always sure to chew and chew until they are at least the consistency of pudding by the time I swallow.

I also wonder about this. I want to know what it feels like when I have to stop. I don't want to go too far. Anybody else find any nutritious fast food things to eat? I was thinking the yogurt parfait from McDonalds would be good too. Sometimes you're hungry and you just gotta get it fast. What I eat (which is not the same as everyone) is 2 tablespoons/meal of pureed something or other or soft food and two Protein shakes for Snacks in between meals. It works out to around 600-700 or so calories/day. Did your doctor give you something to follow?

Soft foods on my list was scrambled eggs, yogurt, refried beans, stuff with a puree consistancy.

Hi Everyone who has been supportive, I made it! My apprehension far outweighed the actual experience. The experience with Dr. Ortiz's staff and clinic was very positive and I felt well taken care of, more so even, than if I had stayed in an American hospital. They keep you overnight, but each patient has their own private room (wonderful) and only 3 patients, with a nurse and a doctor right there all the time. I felt pain at the port site when I first woke up from anesthesia, but they gave me pain meds and I went back to sleep. After that, when I woke up, I was sore, but not really in pain. They still kept up with the gas medication, pain medication, etc., until they send you back to the hotel for one more night. Homesickness was worse than the surgery. It was a long journey home (GOD, I thought we were going to be strip-searched at the border coming back into the States! or else have to walk across the border dragging our luggage! I advise you, really, really helps to have a passport, although they "accept" the driver's license, bring a valid passport if at all possible!) I was OK on the antiinflammatory pain med through the wait at the airport, plane ride home....the airporter bus ride it started wearing off, but I was met by my DH and was never so glad to see my humble abode in my life! I am SOOOOO glad it is over and SOOOOO glad to be home. I've got the gurglies, but when I eat my chicken broth or now runny yogurt, I seem to fill up pretty fast. I was gratified that I lost 20 lbs pre-surgery, both on my own efforts and the preop diet and hope to see more soon, because Onederland is within reach! God, that will be a happy day. Dr. Ortiz seems to skip mushies, 3 weeks of liquids, first clear, then full, then solids. Also, for some odd reason, Jello (not that I crave Jello) is considered by his nutritionist to be a solid?????? Soup and yogurt is fine right now. Still have the liquid in, liquid out problem, but I am having no problems with small pills, thank God Imodium is one. Thanks everyone on these boards for support, sharing, good thoughts and wishes, it really did help me get through to the other side. I am officially a bandster now. AMRDMR

I was banded on the 20th and I am having the same issues. I am allowed applesauce yogurt baby juice and soup liquid only. Try some mint tea and warm soup

What a great humorous relief to read today!!! From the commercials to the small boy band playing in my stomach all day, I can totally related to your post! I am amazed at the food commercials from 5:00-10:00 with high levels of calories and fat content. During the day it seems a little better with the yogurt commercials but still. It is everywhere you look. I am not looking forward to having a meeting with my staff and my stomach decides to have a Lady Gaga concert right there in the room!

Chad my staples are greek yogurt, morningstar veggie burgers, bagged potatoe wedges i can put in oven(switching to roasting sweet potatoes with spleda mix brown sugar) and 1 egg omlettea with turkey sausage and cheddar cheese. (And an avacado on hard workout days) and those steamer veggie things. I am now really thinking of juicing a veggie shake a day and adding fiber supp to it. I love nuts but can eat so many of them i dont likw to buy them. And ofcourse i dont eat great everyday just when i eat crappy now i cant eat alot. Portion is about 1 veggie patty and 1 cup of cooked veggies over 20 mins then im stuffed. Although today inate about 2 cups mashed potatoes 7 big shrimp and an 8 oz filet in 2.5 sittings lol. And i eat anout 5 times a day

If you stick with protein while traveling it shouldn't be to bad. Lunch and dinner just make it protein dense. Even for breakfast, I'd rather have a plain Greek yogurt, or an omelette? than cereal or protein bar... But for me those things are the devil I don't lose weight if I depend on them.

It will vary from person to person but mine are... Flour Bread of any variation Too much sugar free anything Too much sugar in anything More than 1 serving of yogurt in 24 hours Every few weeks any and all green veggies

YES! I am two weeks out and I'm so hungry. It's actually better today since I'm back to work (sedentary, work from home) so I'm distracted. I'm eating about 550 calories a day and I could eat more. I've heard it gets better once you can eat solid foods, so I'll know more tomorrow. Also, I had a lot of pain and gas the first few days, but now it doesn't take very long for me to drink a protein shake (longer to eat a yogurt, but I also had a tooth removed, so that is painful), maybe 15 minutes. It took me almost an hour the first night home to take 10 pills but now it's less than five minutes. I can drink a swallow of water that feels like a real mouthful, but I still can't guzzle or drink a full glass in one breath like I used to.

I hate to be the poop of things here but I haven't been able to have ANYTHING for breakfast since I was banded in Aug. of 07. My Dr. says that some people just can't handle anything in the morning because we are so dehydrated from the night. I can't even get down a few sips of tea (let along a carnation instant breakfast, yogurt or cottage cheese). I wait a few hours and then have a protein drink handy to sip on. Usually by noon I can get down a yogurt. Sounds bad but it works. I'm almost at my goal.....and my Dr. says it's not really that uncommon. Good luck.

I was not able to really eat anything (except yogurt and over easy eggs) for almost 8 weeks- it's different for everyone, but just because you are cleared for pureed/soft foods doesn't mean they will go down easy. If it doesn't go well the first time, try again the next week. I literally woke up at 8 weeks able to eat pretty much anything and MUCH more of it- I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing