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I breastfed all my kids into toddlerhood and served mainly whole foods - always vegetables with the main course and homemade treats - oatmeal cookies, homemade pizza too. I was a poor military wife and on food stamps - but I learned better nutrition from La Leche League, I made all my own bread for years and years. My kids were not fat, thought yogurt was an amazing 'treat'. They all like most vegetables and eat nearly anything to this day. I used portion control with treats. I was devastated when the 2 middle kids of the 4 developed type 1 diabetes, I was totally devastated. Of course it was no one's fault - and there are no family members that have type 1 other than these two. Anyway....at least adapting to eating like diabetics was not difficult for the family. My bio sisters/brothers are/were not obese, my bio mother was not obese, nor my bio father. I was not raised by them. My paternal aunt and husband raised me from infancy and produced mega self-esteem issues in me. I used food for major comfort, was only slightly chubby all through school, weighed 135 in high school. Fast forward - I continued to eat for comfort in my alcoholic marriage for 18 years...piled on the pounds. And so on......but I still celebrate with food, food is meant to be enjoyed within reason. I think food at family functions is an important aspect that I am not going to give up. (But there are no chips in my house unless a non-resident brings them over) We eat too much processed food and took home-ec out of schools, need to require nutrition, how to shop for food, and cooking classes with those SNAP benefits. They actually did that for people on food stamps in Hawaii through the home extension programs. We also need to move more, some states don't require gym class either..we need balance.

I switched to Greek yogurt when I decided to have surgery. It took me some time to find one I like. I use Triple Zero and Great Value fat free plain. I make a fruit dip with it and a veggie dip. I like to use the veggie dip in my shredded chicken salad instead of light mayo. It adds more protein in. I have not had my surgery yet and have had issues getting my daily protein goal in.

I wasn't a Greek yogurt person either until I decided to have the surgery and I had to figure out the whole protein thing. I loved triple zero, cannot tolerate it anymore something about the sweetener. Loved the one Creek talked about, then that kind made me sick too. So I make my own now, the tartness can be adjusted and you can keep it "runnier" if you like but you're sacrificing the protein per ounce. So incredibly easy if anyone is interested, I make mine in my instapot. I'm not a fan of plain yogurt so I make a fruit "smash" and add that. I just like I know what is in mine, no fillers, no gelatin. All I need is milk, half a cup of my previous batch of yogurt, my instapot and my nutmilk bags to strain out the whey. I guess I just like making stuff lol!

Thanks. I’m tolerating my protein shakes now. Started day four as instructed. Can I try yogurt or pudding? I also was to try Bisque or creamed soup.

Yogurt n pudding is full liquids, right after you tolerate protein shakes - week 2-3, along with blended cream soups......then pureed, then mushy/minced/blended meat. Go for high protein yogurt like Siggi or something, pudding -meh- not all that nutritional, fun tasty but not high in protein. The name of the game is protein and liquid, rinse repeat.

BBB...bubble bath and book. This helps. It's like a food hug...but no calories. Calling my best friend helps. She makes me laugh...and laughing is good. We laugh to survive:) Walks with hubby, or daughter, or my puppy help.....plus, hey, I got another walk in...bonus! Any OTHER comfort habit...helps. Curl up on the couch with your favorite down throw and pillow and watch something that makes you smile. Extort a foot rub, or backrub outta the hubby. Do some kinda flow activity that makes the noise of the day turn off for a while. I like to paint and write and build things. I like hangin out in my garden. Sometimes floating around in the pool helps. Also....pick some *legal* comfort foods for emergency use. Something that feels like a comfort food that isn't that bad for you. That way...if you cave....there's damage control. I use watermelon and frozen greek yogurt bars.

Hi all. Five days post op. Been drinking my water ice pops jello. What stage is the yogurt cottage cheese and pudding?

I don’t know if it’s lactose intolerance or what it is but I have the same issue when I drink any type of protein shake. I don’t eat yogurt and cheese is no problem, I use half and half in my coffee and no problem there either.

I totally get where you are. I’m 3 days from seeing the doctor and getting the green light to move up in foods. I’m tired of shakes, pudding, yogurts, etc between pre-op and post-op we’re talking 4 weeks of nothing... BUT... my way of doing things got me to where I am!! So every time I get the urge to eat something off my list I remind myself what I want and walk away. I’m not hungry, I don’t need it, and it’s not worth it. If I cheat now, I’m just giving myself permission to cheat later. If you’re truly hungry, call your team tomorrow and get permission to move on. Just my thoughts.

I am almost 7 weeks out, and still no appetite, i have to remind myself to take a couple bites or sips of something every couple hours just to make sure. So i keep yogurt, tuna, premier protein shakes, muscle milk, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes on hand at all times. Even surgar free popsicles. I add a scoop of whey protein powder also. Im getting between 400 to 500 calories a day. Your not alone. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I am amazed at what all the various doctors recommended. It makes me wonder, what really is the best way? For my two week pre op diet, I was allowed cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese sticks, and applesauce.. Right now they want everything thinned with milk or a protein shake. That’s fine but I would like to chew something too. We have made creamy soups too without chunks. I’m looking forward to July 24 so I can have canned chicken and canned tuna!!

I'm amazed you can have yogurt so soon. I will be on liquids for 4 weeks before getting yogurt, applesauce, mushy stuff. All these plans vary so widely!

I’m only allowed to eat yogurt and pudding.. no bowel movements yet, just gas. I haven’t had real food since the 9th of July. I stopped taking my pain meds two days ago. I would love to eat something else but not allowed yet!!

I love the dannon light and fit Greek yogurt. It doesn't have as much of a bite to it. Or the chobani Greek drinkable but that has a bit too much sugar. Sent from my SM-J727T using BariatricPal mobile app

See to each his own I can’t stand the Protein pasta.... BUT I love the banza chickpea Pasta and the Explore Asian edamame pasta (at Costco). But I never liked Premier Protein either. Love the whips Greek yogurt too though that’s a big winner!  And the Flapjacked  Mighty Muffins, but I didn’t add those in till I was at goal bc the carb count is way high. Kirkland the Costco brand makes a protein bar that’s even better than the quest bars!

Hi! I’ve read so much about the three week stall, so I’m not really going to talk about how annoying and frustrating that can be... because it sure is. I’m so nervous to ask my question. So, I started puréed foods Monday. Per the NUT, that includes scrambled eggs, no-fat refried beans, etc. I feel that I can eat more than I should. I can eat an entire scrambled egg with a little (0.3-0.4 oz) low-fat cheese or 3-4 oz of refried beans/yogurt in one sitting. I feel like that is a huge amount! I eat slow, chew (even though it’s soft/puréed), and have never felt nauseated. Per my NUT, I’m supposed to eating 3 meals per day and drinking two snack protein shakes. I’ve been meeting my water requirement and am getting 500-600 calories a day. Is this too much for me only being (almost) 3 weeks out? I’m sure there will hopefully be more restriction once I get to more solid type foods, but I’m just so nervous. The NUT told me not to worry about calories at this stage and just focus on protein/water intake. But what can I say, I like to worry.. Thanks for your help!

Hi Bella, I also had a bit of vomit and nausea after surgery. It was an awful feeling. I won’t be leaving g the hospital until tomorrow morning, but will need to check on the post-op diet. I am not sure I am allowed yogurt or cream of wheat; only protein shakes, broth, jello, sugar free popsicles, water, and crystal light. I bought the Unjury protein powder in chicken broth and unflavored to add later to apple sauce or baby food. Sounds like you are doing great. I will be following you too so we can share notes.

Hey Jules, I had a bit of the same problem with my heartbeat. I also had surgery on the 12th. They let me come home tonight. I am sore but I’m moving around pretty well. I had some terrible nausea from my pain meds. I was vomiting right out of surgery. That was very uncomfortable. I am still suffering with some gas pains as well. I lost right around 30 pounds pre-op so I feel we are very similar. I would love to follow your progress! I am eating yogurts, bomb pops, cream of wheat cereal, drinking watered down apple juice and water. I have some bariatric pal soups that I plan to start tomorrow. Eating is not as bad as I thought it would be. I fill up extremely fast. I’m hoping that once my swelling goes down that will get easier. I hope you make it home soon. 😊

In addition to premier and unjury protein shakes, Yogurt, beans, egg. I did try mashed up pork roast one day did ok. Any of the above only 1-2 teaspoons tops except yogurt, can do 1/2. Each teaspoon takes about 3 or 4 nibbles to finish. My appt is monday too good luck! Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Whipped Yoplait vanilla cupcake greek yogurt. (other good flavors....strawberry cheesecake, peach, coconut) Mousse texture...very tasty. Worth the trip to Walmart. 100 calories 9g Protein

Riced cauliflower - Bleh! no way to cover up the cauliflower taste Yasso Greek Yogurt bars - crazy delicious, doesn't taste like diet ice cream Halo Top - I know people love this, but I can't deal with the weird taste and texture Barrilla Protein Pasta - I can't tell the difference at all, nice way to get extra protein Shirataki Noodles - I can't get past the smell when you open the pack, seriously gag inducing Birdseye Veggie Made Pasta - People love this as well, but it tastes too off to me. Sugar Free Popsicles - Ok, also loved, but the artificial taste is too much for me PB2 Peanut Butter Powder - Good to add to chocolate shakes to break the monotony Soy Protein Isolate - Can't do whey so I thought this would be a good shake add in alternate, way too gritty Skinnygirl Dressing - So artificial tasting, threw them out Kay's Naturals Protein Chips, Crispy Parmesan - these are actually craveable Protein Soup from Bariatric Pal - Most I tried have been tasty and a good non sweet way to get protein in

Hello All - So I had my DS surgery with Dr. Keshishian in California on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 (forgive me if I'm not doing this right, I am counting my surgery day as "day 1"). It was to be done laproscopically, but I had a lot of scar tissue from previous surgeries, so he did have to cut into my lower abdomen area. When I awoke, I was in a lot of pain and vomitting from the anesthesia. The first day was not good for me. It was many hours before they made me get up to walk (and it was a very short distance). My second day was a little better, but I was still out of it most of the day and didn't want to press the morphine button that much - in fact, I only pressed it once on this day, and it was the last time I needed it. I did get up to walk a few times and had some of the liquids. I still had not passed any gas on my own and I had that infamous shoulder pain from gas. Around 11:30p this night, I was given milk of mag to help with this, and it did the next day. Doc checked on me several times throughout the day. I showered on this day, which felt so good to do. Third day I awoke feeling much better, even though I didn't sleep very well - was up at least once every hour. I passed a little gas early in the morning, and my shoulder pain went away - yay! On my breakfast tray was plain yogurt, grape juice, and a few other things I didn't peep into. I had some of the yogurt and grape juice, and water - and oh my was it good! I only ate just the tip of a teaspoon, so it wasn't much. I definitely didn't want to get sick. My doc said it was ok for me to drink protein water, so I also started drinking on this (I was able to finish most of this by nighttime). Lunch was more of the same, and I was given the "ok" to be discharged later in the day. I took a couple more walks, worked on my breathing mechanism, and showered. It was a few more hours before I was officially discharged. I was given an abdominal binder to wear and they put it on me, and i thought it would help with moving around, but for me it really didn't help. Because I am 5'2, it was really uncomfortable when I was sitting, so I did take it off at hotel. Once we got back to hotel, I continued to sip on my protein water, and it just felt so much better being out of the hospital environment - know what i mean? I did sleep a lot better, but not through the whole night. Today, fourth day, I feel good. I am using my 1/2 cup measuring cup so that I know i need to drink that amount of water each hour, and it's working really well. I still have pain where my incision is, but it is tolerable. I took a pain pill this morning around 5a, and so far, so good. Also taking pepcid to help with stomach acid. Every day is getting better. And, the nurses at the hospital, for the first two nights were excellent! I wasn't weighed before surgery, so I don't have a SW, but I will stick with 220, which was my weight the day before. On day 2, they weighed me, and I was 222 - nurse said not to be discouraged that it was from all the fluids they gave me. I also didn't take my measurements, and I am ok with that too LOL. For me, all I need to know is that I was wearing a size 16 pants and size XL shirt. I'm not all that bloated like I thought I would be, which is a plus. Take care and will post more as my journey continues.

I've posted about my struggles getting enough protein and fluids several times lately. Here's a comment I posted less than an hour ago. By the way, I've noticed other people concerned about the exact same problem, so we are not alone! I had a bypass. I see that you had a sleeve. Our post-surgical recovery experiences are probably similar, aren't they? I wonder what physiological differences exist, if any. After one month I finally discovered the obvious. I had everything on hand but I wasn't able to get my act together. Fatigue and anemia, what an amazing combo! I mixed two scoops of unflavored whey Protein Powder and added it to a cup of plain Greek yogurt. It tasted fine completely plain since I like plain yogurt, but I decided to sprinkle in some sugar-free peach Jell-O powder as an experiment. I had second thoughts afterward, though, since artificial sweeteners taste horrible post-surgery. It ended up being okay. No grit. No aftertaste. Anyway, that's 22g of Protein that I managed to get down without a problem. I thought I'd notice a mealy texture from the protein powder but it blended in smoothly and perfectly. I also have some Matcha-flavored whey protein powder that might be worth trying in yogurt, too. I haven't opened the container yet so I don't know how it'll work with yogurt.

After one month I finally discovered the obvious. I had everything on hand but I wasn't able to get my act together. Fatigue and anemia, what an amazing combo! I mixed two scoops of unflavored whey protein powder and added it to a cup of plain Greek yogurt. It tasted fine completely plain since I like plain yogurt, but I decided to sprinkle in some sugar-free peach Jell-O powder as an experiment. I had second thoughts afterward, though, since artificial sweeteners taste horrible post-surgery. It ended up being okay. No grit. No aftertaste. Anyway, that's 22g of protein that I managed to get down without a problem. I thought I'd notice a mealy texture from the protein powder but it blended in smoothly and perfectly. I also have some Matcha-flavored whey protein powder that might be worth trying in yogurt, too. I haven't opened the container yet so I don't know how it'll work with yogurt.

Essentials to Pack After packing your clothes and toiletries, make sure you pack some items that will make your plan easier to follow. Protein foods – such as Protein Chips and Protein Cookies for snacks. Protein Bars and Shakes. Workout clothes and good shoes. Your headphones and your playlists if you normally listen to music while working out. Portion control aids, such as compact Portion Control Rings. Planning for Exercise Myth: You cannot exercise well when you are on vacation away from home. Fact: Your vacation may offer many opportunities to get active. It is true that you will be out of your regular routine and will have to work in activity a little differently than at home. Excuses end here. While on vacation, you can: Walk to explore the town or beach. Use your hotel’s fitness center or pool. Take a surfing, kayaking, or other class – many tourist destinations have them. You do not have to work out alone, although that works, too. Ask your travel companions to join you on hikes or walks to explore, or hang out with any kids in your group – you are sure to burn quite a few calories if you swim with them or join in their games of volleyball or tag. Hotel Breakfasts – Starting the Day off Right Hotel breakfasts can range from the simple to the expansive and are often all-you-can-eat. Change it to, “all-you-should-eat,” and you’re already making progress towards starting the day off right. Go right past the doughnuts, muffins, waffle-making machine, and danishes. You can look for some better options and helpful modifications if your hotel has a continental breakfast. Fat-free yogurt. Fresh fruit. Unsweetened whole-grain cereal or plain oatmeal. Ham instead of bacon. Hard-boiled egg whites. If you are not sure that your hotel will have healthy breakfast options, just bring your own. You can easily pack enough Protein Bars and Protein Shakes for breakfast. Protein Oatmeal is another option since you can make it with hot water from the hotel. Restaurants 101: Review Eating out on vacation is not much different than eating out while at home. You probably already know the rules: the goal is to get some protein and fiber, without too many calories or grams of carbohydrates. Simple? Maybe. It can be easier in the U.S. if you are familiar with menus, but you can probably do okay in foreign countries with even a small amount of communication. Look for: Grilled or plain baked fish, shrimp, or chicken. Take the skin off yourself if necessary. Cooked vegetables without sauce. Salads with dressing on the side. If the menu does not include foods you can eat, do not be shy about asking. Be clear about what you need. You can ask for a plain piece of chicken or fish with some steamed or grilled vegetables or a side salad. Or, you can point to a menu item and ask for it without sauce and with vegetables instead of the standard sides such as potatoes or rice. No matter what the restaurant serves, you can always eat less, chew more times, and bring your own snacks. Tracking Tools Vacation can be an escape from technology and daily routine, but spending a few minutes of each day to track your food and activity can keep you from straying from your plan. Use your favorite app or, if you are going to be completely offline, take an old-fashioned notebook and a pen to jot notes each day. First and foremost, enjoy your summer vacation! Recharge and recover…and if you can, stay healthy during it. You will feel even better when you get back and gain confidence that you can stick to your plan no matter where you are.