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Hey I am right there with you. I am on day three of my two week liquid pre-op diet and yes I cheated as well. I had a broiled fish and salad (italian dressing) from Captain D's. At first I felt guilty, but I feel sooo much better and I have been continuing my sugar free drinks and yogurt. I feel I can now do it! I know you can as well! Good Luck!

I was banded in 2/28 and I have been ok with my hunger. I think my trick is I eat a little bit all day. Like for example today, I had a Protein shake on my way in to work, then at 9am I had a yogurt, then at 11:45 I had some chicken salad and a sugar free pudding, then at 2:30 I had another yogurt (carrot cake flavor, yum) and then at 3:45 I had another sugar free pudding. In between all that I was chugging Water. I have been sticking to that kind of eating pattern since surgery and I have lost 5lbs since surgery. Believe me I have wanted french fries and ice cream too, but I watch a lap band sugery on youtube.com yesterday and seeing the brutal things that were done inside me I have refrained from eating solid foods because it needs to heal. Try drinking more water or crystal light. I have seen this post many times on this site, so you are not alone. I have heard this is the time you have to white knuckle through it. Remember that tummy of yours was just put through hell and back so be nice to it. Good Luck!!

So I am scheduled for surgery on November 29th. I started this in August. It didn't take too long as my insurance covers Lap-Band, and I didn't need a 6 month diet. I started my journey at 265 lbs. I am now at 250 lbs. I started journaling my food and exercising more than usual. Not too bad. I am now on the pre-op phase as prescribed by my Nut. I am not hungry but not really satisfied. I guess this will be the new normal. I think some of the problem is the pre-op liquid diet is mainly milk based and sweet, ie Muscle Milk Light, yogurt, fat free sugar free pudding, etc. I really don't have much of a sweet tooth. I look so forward to my two daily meals of Soup to get some savory. Thank God I can cook. I cooked a big pot of soup. Canned soup is not all that tasty, but I have some to mix things up. I found out the hard way yesterday about getting enough to eat. I was about an hour late for my evening mini-meal, and had a real soupy soup with little in the way of calories for lunch. It was canned soup...big mistake. I was sick with a headache and dizziness by evening, and I ate stuff not on my plan. I started my pre-op diet 2 days early (on Sat) and was doing okay before yesterday evening. I am back on track today and am being a lot more mindful about getting enough calories in as not to get low blood sugar and compensating by eating the wrong things. I also went for walk on my lunch break, like I usually do, which may have contributed to the incident later in the evening in conjunction with not enough calories. I am excited about my surgery! My husband is "cautiously optimistic" as I have lost and regained weight most of my life. One of my sisters knows and is very supportive. My mom and best friend know but have bombarded me with failure stories as they are both jealous. I have decided not to tell most of my friends and co-workers as I am also "cautiously optimistic" about them. My co-workers have no need to know. I have told everyone I am getting my gallbladder out which my dr. does do so it won't seem odd with my dr excuse. Most of my friends are obese and I really don't need any more failure stories or other forms of acting out of jealousy. I'll be in North Shore LIJ Syosset, on Long Island, with Dr. Geiss. I qualify for single incision, and if all goes well, I'll go home the same day instead of staying over night as I am healthy other than being obese. I have bought most of the things I need post-op. I need to get a Fiber supplement and Vitamins. Any one else being banded on the 29th? Good luck to all out there in Bandland.

My suggestion is to try different shakes... my Dr. gave me a list of shakes to buy/try - you may be sensitive to the dairy, wheat, high level of Protein, etc. As for taste... there are a lot of shakes to try. My Dr's pre-surgery diet is 3 shakes a day... but, I can add 1 cup of steamed veggies (nothing on them) and 1 protein (like 1 boiled egg or 1 lite 6 oz yogurt or 3 oz chix) per day. It's not easy!!! My date is July 25th!!! Keep in touch! Would love to compare notes

Oh and so far ive been doing research on trying to mix up the protein shake ingredients and one that i tried today has whole grain oats, almond milk frozen mixed berries, greek yogurt, and a scoop of chocolate protein and its bareable. Still not anything great

If you can make it, you can puree it. Personally, I've been surviving mostly on greek yogurt, flavored-up cottage cheese, scrambled eggs with cheese, pureed super-spicy chicken taco meat, and refried Beans.

I didn't worry about getting in Protein in the first two weeks. On full liquids, I ate greek yogurt because it's high in protein. I couldn't do the Protein shakes. At around two weeks I started drinking some RTD Muscle Milk Light but mostly focused on my 1/4 to 1/3 cup of pureed foods. I have a desk job an went back to work on Day 7. Hang in there, you'll be fine.

I'm starving! I'm so tired of this liquid diet. Has anyone started creamed soups or yogurt yet?

My favorite yogurt in the world is Fage 0%. Fage is a plain greek yogurt so you've got to be a fan of that, but with a little liquid splenda and some flavoring it's so much higher in protein and you get to control what's in it.

Read labels. I've been vegetarian a long time and I still read labels. A lot of meat subs are heavily proceeded and carb heavy. Morningstar & Boca are the 2 biggest culprits. I rarely eat either of those brands. I do eat a lot of Greek yogurt (fage 0%) and eggs. I also eat beans, nuts (cashews, pistachios & almonds mostly) and I supplement with unflavored protein powder. I try to combine proteins when possible. I make my own protein drinks with protein powder, yogurt & whatever fruit or nut butter to flavor. I may have black beans with a sunny side up ragged & shredded cheese for a meal. I also eat seitan & tempeh

My surgeon was very progressive in introducing foods - immediately, I could have yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, soft foods. When I returned home (I traveled out of area because I was self pay), my local doc was not as progressive and I had to go back to liquids. It was a little weird and at time frustrating. Everyone's post op diet and food introduction is different. I always suggest, however, that no matter what, you always follow YOUR doctor's/nutritionist's plan.

**Some bandsters seek a too-tight band, thinking it will help them lose weight quickly since they are limited to liquids. But that thinking may backfire because Bandsters Cannot Live On Liquids Forever. What happens when your band is too tight? You get Soft Calorie Syndrome. To avoid the pain which happens when you try to eat solid foods, you rely on foods that will slide through a too-tight band, just 'cause you are hungry. But Soft Calorie Syndrome and the foods that compose it will never provoke satiety. So you end up eating way too much, and perhaps even gaining weight. Ice cream, milkshakes, even soup and yogurts---all soft calories which don't promote a feeling of fullness.** i totally AGREE with this.......glad you feel better parr

My first taste of food after liquid was KFC mashed taters and gravy per my NUT's advice. They are low fat, thin and so tasty. It was the best thing ever after three weeks of almost all sweet protein shakes, yogurt and pudding.

I was sleeved on 7.19.16 i lost 20 lbs prior to surgery. I started eating smaller portions 5x a day. Each meal was 15 carbs our less carb master yogurt, premier shakes 1-2x a day. And a shake is a meal. It really helps with the liquid diet prior to surgery. My starting weight was 283 at surgery day it was 263 and current weight is 235 Good luck! Sent from my LGLS775 using the BariatricPal App

Greek yogurt watch sugar Voskos 2x protein plain is better and add protein mix

broth decaf unsweet tea italian ice I strained a lot of soups and still got the flavor. not sure if u can have yogurt but smoothies are good just watch ur sugars carbs etc. . . and if u haven't tried milk go slow bc I instantly developed a lactose intolerance to it and sat on the toilet for nearly 8 hours.. i so wish I were joking. Also, watch movies from dvd and not tv.. food porn can kill u..

Hi all! I was sleeved on 2/24. Will be 3 weeks post-op on Friday. It sounds like we've had similar experiences. Knock on wood, I've had very little pain and pretty much no complications. I'm thankful that I did not have to do a liquid pre-op diet because the post-op liquid diet was hard. I despise protein shakes! I've tried every incarnation and have come to the conclusion that they SUCK! I've lost 36 pounds total since my initial consult, 21 of those post-op. I'm seeing se more impressive numbers on this board and feeling a little worried that I'm not loosing as fast as I should be. My aversion to protein shakes makes it tough to get enough protein. I'm still on a soft food diet through next week, so I'm eating a lot of Greek yogurt, soft flaky fish, cottage cheese, etc. I'm wondering if I'm eating too few calories. I have an appointment with my dr next week and hope to get a better understanding. How are you all doing at this stage? Are you on soft foods as well? Any favorites?

...what is the wisest thing to do? See, my doctor made it clear that I was to avoid yogurt, milk, Soups, ect. and to watch diet like a hawk... but I'm sick with a very bad cold/flu that's lasting for days now. And I'm not sure if I should continue with his guidelines or just follow instinct and have soups, lemon things, garlic in things, ec till I recover. Anyone else been through this?

I am in the Uk and now 4 weeks today and have been having same problems. I can eat yogurt baby bell cheese Protein shakes etc but been sick when I tried soft food. I am hoping it is just a phase and maybe taking a bit slower but just so fed up with soup or sweet stuff. Just of out to a big thanksgiving dinner as one of my mummy friends is American. I am taking some broth as don't want to be sick in public. I have met up for coffee today with a lady from this site and it was lovely to chat face to face. Xx Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm about 13 days post op I'm still on my full liquid stage idk if this is gas, or I'm actually hungry...I go to drink water or eat some yogurt but about 30 mins later...that same rumbling its driving me crazy bcuz..I'm craving some solid foods...any body having the same issues!?

There is a recipes section on this site. Not sure if you have had a chance to look at it or not. Also there is a site called "the world according to eggface", it has a lot of bariatric recipes. I would definately suggest making a good homemade chicken stock for your liquid phase. Use carrots, celery, onions, chicken, Water, salt, pepper, garlic if you like it. For most this becomes a lifesaver during both preop and post op liquid phases. Trust me, you will be sick of Protein shakes and needing something warm and comforting to sip on. It helps with hunger too during preop. I made homemade chicken cacciatore using boneless chicken breasts, mushrooms, onion, green pepper, garlic and your favorite marinara sauce. I then vacuume sealed it in 2/3 oz. portions and froze them. When I wanted to eat, I simply dropped one in boiling water to heat through. I bought a vacuum sealed after another bariatric pal suggested it. It is one of the best tools in my kitchen given my need for tiny little portions, especially the first 6 months. I would bring home leftovers from the restaurant and get 2/3 more meals or more out of 1. I made a lot of different chicken, ground beef, ground chicken/turkey dishes. In the beginning casseroles are not recommended. Stick with Proteins with Fat free gravies or sauces to help them slide down easily. I would go to the eggface site to get some good purée ideas. I personally did not do well in that phase and lived on yogurt, Protein Shakes and cottage cheese. Good luck to you!

I'm on day 5 of my 14-day pre-op diet. My surgeon/nutritionist is pretty much: 3 Protein shakes per day plus any non-caffeinated non-sugar liquids, including broth, decaf coffee, mio Water enhancers, Jello, etc. Basically no solids, though jello and non-fat low-carb greek yogurt are okay. Protein drinks =========== I make my own protein shakes using: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1/2 to 1 scoop Protein Powder (vanilla or chocolate) 1/4 cup non-fat unflavored greek yogurt 1 Tbs sugar free Torani syrup (I have like 15 flavors now...S'Mores, Cookies 'n Cream, Butterscotch, Peach, etc.) I have one of those blender bottles. Saves a fortune in protein drinks making them myself. Broths/Soups =========== I'm being creative with broths and adding different spices to different meals and some egg whites to protein the broth up a bit. So adding a bit of low sodium soy sauce + ginger + white pepper for asian-inspired or garlic powder + cumin + cilantro + onion powder + chili powder for mexican-inspired. Just to change things up a bit. Popsicles! ========= I'm also stocked up on boxes of sugar free popsicles which help with the 'solid food' cravings. Jello ==== Ah, we all hate jello. I mix some sugar free flavors and whip in some vanilla protein powder to add some protein. I'll be doing more of that post-surgery when I get to that eating phase. Jello also helps with the "solid food" cravings. Hope that helps

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

I am 15 months post WLS and have not had any issues with diverticulitis. I used to have flare ups periodically and needed to be on those two nasty antibiotics when experiencing those painful symptoms. I eat nuts, seeds, berries, apples, popcorn, all without any repercussions. I do make sure I eat Greek yogurt every day and I take one Florastor (very expensive) probiotic daily. I do not use fiber supplements and don't need them. Based on my experience I think the WLS improved the climate in my bowels. I have also heard great things about keffir.

I don't think you're stalling because you are eating high-fat items. Unless you are having 10 sticks of cheese a day, it shouldn't be a problem. Your body needs fat to function - I actually take fish oil on days that my fat intake through food falls under 15 grams. I'm at 2.5 weeks, but am slowly introducing "normal foods." Some things I eat other than the things you mentioned are non-fibery fruits like melon and watermelon; cottage cheese; various juices; yogurt and various milk products like kefir; soft sashimi (pretty much anything other than squid and octopus is soft); boiled chicken went down great today. I'm at 800-900 calories a day and have lots of energy - already started swimming and find myself having the urge to go for walks even if I already worked out earlier in the day. I know some other folks here eat like 500-600 calories, but this amount seems to work well for me, both in terms of weight lost and energy levels.