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I am 4 months post op. I eat the following: cottage cheese yogurt soups tuna chicken cheese waffels - toasted english muffin toasted Pasta chop meat salad hot dog (no bun) saurkraut kelbasa I can eat just about anything but if I do not chew my food really - really - really well I get sick and have the "foamies" for hours after that. Its where I spit up very foamy syliva = yuck !!! not fun.

I am 2 months out also. Foods I eat Cottage cheese w/ sf strawberry jams and 2 strawberries cut up. Yummy chicken Fish- tuna or other Sausage eggs Wraps- i have to be careful sometimes the wrap gets caught Salad- just started Fruit Applesauce Hot dogs Pasta Rice Potatoes- baked, tater tots (3) Hamburger/turkey/ ground chicken burgers Cheese/ cheese and more cheese Popcorn Milk Can't eat Yogurt Scared to eat Anything high in sugar Steak Bread Fried food Munchin food-chips, chocolate, candy Candy, chips , soda and larger portions got me heavy to begin with. I always eat Protein first. Then mix vegetables and carbs. My portions are very small. My protein item is the biggest -3 oz Anything

I just got back from the hospital this afternoon. So far, I'm not experiencing a lot of reflux or nausea after eating. Of course, I'm only eating a couple of ounces of full liquids every once in awhile. My largest incision is very sore and tender. I'm also experiencing a pain in my chest. The doctors say the pain is not my heart but my being full. He explained that this pain will go away later but right now my esophogus is very swollen and every bit of intake SLOOOOWLY moves into my stomach. While reading the forums I'm remembering things such as, "no sugar added" foods and not to eat while drinking. Am I supposed to be following these rules right now? I can't eat yogurt and take in some Water? Or is this rule only for those who have advanced to real food? I'm really sick of feeling so awful. I am not sure I made the right decision. Their were others in the hospital who got to go home sooner after their weight loss surgeries. The pain is pretty bad. The meds they gave me wear off too quickly. Also, my daughters birthday party was today, my husband served hotdogs and hamburgers and of course cake was involved. I didn't eat a bite. But I sooo wanted it. I heard I can get really really sick if I don't stick with my doctors plan. Did anybody else crave food so soon after surgery? Thanks for any adivce you are willing to give. Cynthia

WOW! what a ride. Much more than I expected. I am home. Trying to find something to drink that A. does not make my ankles swell. B. tastes tolerable.. I am still on the anitbiotics so I wonder if that is what makes every thing taste bad. Except S/F pudding. Sweet things taste OK. I am wanting something hot so I have been drinking herbal teas. Now, does any one have this swelling problem? Even with low sodium soups? Should I just make my own? seems such a waste as I can eat/drink only 1 or 2 oz at a sitting. The Experience was quite different. I really liked the care I recieved. If you choose Dr. Almanza. I would suggest the option of the hotel. I did not care for the recovery house. Here is why. rooms are small/tiny. no air conditioning. barking dogs outside. one shared bathroom upstairs. food is prepared down stairs for all. When you cannot eat that is hard to deal with. My hubby stayed there the two nights I was in the clinic/hospital. When I was to come out, he got us into the Hotel. I was concerned as I would not have a nurse, but, the fine staff brought me my meds and juices and teas and all was perfect. Hubby got American TV (baseball and football) He could go down stairs and get any food and drink he wanted. American newspapers, with sunday funnies. The Hotel provided free popsicles, soups, yogurts for me. Our room had two queen sized beds all soft and comfy. I had a table to sit and drink my meals, LOL. The hallway was safe/great to walk around for exercize. Walked at 12 and 2 AM one time, and, I got up to three times around before I left. The last night there I felt good enough to get dressed and go down for dinner. The Chef made me special soup, chicken broth blended with mashed potatoes. It tasted yummy. I am sure that is where the sodium overload started, but I loved that soup, all 1/4 cup of the huge bowlful they gave me..God I am still food obsessed, LOL I am sure the staff at the house does all this also. The nurse from the Clinic that did my IV came to the hotel and removed my drain tube. He was so good. (thanks again Edgar) I also had Sevier (on staff at house) come and give me a massage. He is excellent. My back was hurting and my right leg was numb from laying on my back for so long, so, he was a pleasant relief. Could not talk Hubby into massage, heehee. Overall my rating for the experience is an 8. (1 to 10) Here are my reasons for 2 points off. I would have liked to see the hand cleaning stations on the wall inside the rooms. I would have liked the appratias used to come in sealed bags that the nurses opened in front of me. I would have liked the nurses to put on gloves and dispose of them in my room. I wish the cleaning crew would come in after each shower and disinfect. I was lucky to be first both days. I hated (one full point off here) the drive clear across T.J to get the Xray Leak test done. yes, I understand the necessity, I still hated that dam trip.There was a parade outside the lab, so surreal. I know some go shopping and do stuff on their 3rd day, just not for me. I was finally ready on the 5th day. Felt good and upbeat. Finally felt good about what I had done. Met a lady that was escorting two friends having sleeves. (Canadian) She was 7 months out and looks soo cute. She is 5'7 and 165ish, So I have revised my goal to that. It has been so long since I was a "normal" weight I did not have a realistic goal in my head. I was 240 at weigh in, but 245 when I left. All the liquid retension I guess. Dr. Almanza got snippy with me under surgery,....I am a Moley person lots of raised moles. He asked my hubby for permission and they removed 4 from my lower mid section. Love that. Extra stiches, but who cares? Thinking of that,,,, did any of you remove your own stiches? Did that go OK? Gotta do that on the 25th or so.:crying: So, that is my experience. Great, positive and LOVED the staff/people I delt with.. My hubby even liked it. He got to talk with several couples and Dr's about this whole deal and got a MUCH better attitude towards my weight. He is much more supportive in a positive way, for that I am truly grateful. If I need any futher surgery, IE: tummy tuck, etc. I would go back there. But, I would drive straight to the Hotel and be picked up from there. Marriot, TJ. Hope that does not turn anyone off to this deal, it is the best. The nurses I had were so darn caring and good at their jobs. Ricardo was my assigned personal support staff. He spoke very good english and tried very hard to accomdate all my wishes. It all went well for me, hope it does for you where ever you choose to go. Just do not be afraid to get-r-done. Onward and Downward---weightwise:thumbdown::001_tongue:

Try frozen fruit if you can or a yogurt, usually helps!

I had my surgery Sept 18th...I have had NO problems eating or drinking. I was in the hospital for 2 nights, and was able to eat all my Jello, broth and popcicles. I got home yesterday, and was told to be on full liquids ( 3 shakes a day and 1 liquid, like pudding or yogurt) but I am finding myself hungry. I have been adding about 5 saltine crackers with my shake because the shakes are not filling...I am using unjury fro my shakes and I drink 8 oz in about 20 minutes, but I am forcing myself to drink them slow. My question is, what did you guys do during this stage to fight the hunger? I notice that I cant eat as much, but there has been nothing I cant eat so far. I know I have to be careful because of the sutures and allow the band to heal...but I am finding this very difficult because I have tasted stuff and have no problem keeping it down...and I want more! What was your first week like post op? What was your diet consisted of? Thanks

I was banded on May 4. Is it suppose to be difficult/painful to get anything down? Even water? I can't eat anything more than a couple of bites of yogurt or a couple small sips of my shake. Is this normal? When will I be able to get liquides/soft food down with no pain?

Here's what it feels like to me: (Im 6 months post-op with 6cc's in a 10cc band) When Im out with friends for dinner, I order a chopped barbeque chicken salad, the lunch portion. I eat about 1/3 of the lunch portion--maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup and am totally stuffed. About 3 hours later, when we stop in the mall for frozen yogurt, I get a kiddie size cup of non-fat yogurt, have a half a dozen bites and throw the rest out. It feels like food no longer controls me. I eat when Im hungry. I stop when Im not. I dont feel compelled to BINGE. (Binge eating was a huge issue for me) I feel...dare I say it, NORMAL.

I was allowed three 8 oz protein shakes a day, plus one of each of the following: sugar free jello, 6 oz low-fat and no sugar added yogurt OR 4 oz fat free cottage cheese, 3 ounces of fruit or sugar free applesauce. The nutritionist told me I could have one extra protein shake if I was really hungry. Plus all the water, crystal lite or other non-sweetened, non-caffinated beverages I wanted. It was pretty strict, but I lost 15 pounds over the two weeks!

My personal liquid diet lasted 9 days. All liquid, no pureed food, nothing remotely solid. Then after 9 days I moved to mushies and my mushie list only had 5 things on it. Cottage cheese, refried Beans, egg beaters, greek yogurt and SF pudding. Then at 3 weeks I moved to more solid, but still very soft Protein and can puree things as needed. I won't go full solids until 6 weeks. That was my surgeon's plan. Your surgeon may have a different plan, and if you have questions ASK them, it's why you paid $$$$ to have this surgery so you can have support along the way too!

It seems a bit odd that your hunger increased after a recent fill, that doesn't sound right. It is normal for your weight to plateau, or stall, for a few weeks or longer, at times. The body is catching up and readjusting. The only thing I can suggest, besides calling your doctor's office advice, is to ensure you are eating enough Protein at each meal throughout the day. You be satiated for at least four hours between meals. If you need to, eat four smaller meals, spaced out at 4 hour intervals. Foods like sliced, lean turkey breast, Water packed tuna, fat free yogurt, etc. are good sources of protein. Protein takes longer to digest (and burns more calories in the process) and protein also increases the period of time before you start feeling hunger pangs. Make sure the hunger is real; and not just an urge to eat before you are really hungry.... I'd guess what I am trying to say is that early hunger pangs might be a symptom regarding a lack of proper nourishment. But your surgeon or his staff would be the best to advise you on that.

I love this thread... We can all use something to compare our diets to. I saw you use EAS shakes, and I do too, but I use the EAS Carb Advantage~ 100 cal, 17gm of Protein. Breakfast~ weight control oatmeal morning snack~ Eas Carb advantage shake lunch 2oz nonfat, plain greek yogurt mixed with dannon light and fit vanilla greek yogurt 1/2c blueberries, 1/2 c. Strawberries and 1/2 oz sliced almonds Afternoon snack~ either EAS Carb advantage Shake or Grande Skinny Latte Dinner: Tonight it's chicken lightly breaded with panko, mozzarella cheese and Pasta sauce and a small spinach salad on the side Evening Snack: sugar free/fat free pudding I usually average 1000 cal per day and 80 gm of protein I drink at least 80oz of crystal light per day...

I found Yoplait yogurt drinks to be great when I moved to full liquids. They have a resealable lid so you can just sip a little as and when I got hungry. Fermented milk (ie yogurt) is generally well tolerated even by those with lactose issues. Maybe something like that will help you. All the best - you've not got long until mushies - although it seems like an eternity!!

I've been on mushies for a week and still do 2 protein shakes a day just to get it all in. I'm afraid I will try to eat too much getting all of the 70 - 80 grams a day with just food. And I'm kinda lazy about packing lunch for work 2 shakes and a yogurt and I'm good til 2:00. I had my WTH moment as soon as I woke up in the hospital....it took a couple days but is all good now. AND I beat my coffee addiction while sleeping on morphine for 2-1/2 days! Go me!

I eat breakfast at home, and I would get up earlier to do so if I was at work at the moment too. I love my breakie! DH eats at work and keeps a couple of different cold cereals (decent ones like Weetbix and organic muesli), instant oatmeal (but its so much less satisfying than proper rolled oats) bread and basic spreads there. He also occasionally takes yogurt - but not horrid thin artificially sweetened ones - the good gourmet greek yogurt that's really really thick and has fruit on the top that you stir in - those do fill you and you can always stire some muesli in. But he gets very bored. You could also eat good muesli bars (not crappy kid ones) or take some nice cheese, like brie or a fruit and nut cheese and have that with crackers.

Oooo... I love lists! Here's mine - unjury and Syntax unflavored Protein powder (gonna try em both) Jello mixes Protein shakes broth soups Water flavor drops/powder Yogurt Skim Milk Source of Life Multivitamin Iron +vitamin C chewable Calcium citrate 1000mcg chewable B12 599mcg sublingual Chapstick Miralax or milk of Magnesia (I've read + about both) Mixer bottle As for jello and Popsicles, I plan on making my own and adding unflavored protein to both. After 3 weeks I will be on puréed foods, but that is a whole other list!

Lori, You won't really feel much restriction with anything liquid. Your stomach is basically a funnel right now for Soups, and shakes. The same holds true for yogurt. The reason you feel full with the egg is it is slightly more dense. =) You are doing fine, just keep in mind as you move to soft foods to keep that slow pace you are using on the yogurt

I'm glad I found this topic, if I make mashed potatoes like a Soup, ( with cottage cheese and soy milk), I can eat it, I can tolerate pudding and greek yogurt if I eat slowly, (30-45 minutes per meal). I too felt as if I can eat too much even though I was sleeved a week ago today. My surgeon and her team let me leave the hospital on a stage 3 diet. The other day I had a few slices of pureed roast chicken and broth and I ate it as a soup. I tolerated it okay, but I started feeling as if I was eating too much or moving too fast. Thank you so much for creating this post, if you, (or anyone), has any tips, or believes I am moving too fast please let me know, my follow-up isn't until the 10th of September and I feel as if I'm doing things wrong even though I'm sticking to the plan, ( weird I know!) Kandis

Beni, I have that same experience with egg and I am 12 weeks out. For some reason I eat egg and I just get instantly sick to my stomach. Occasionally I try to sneak it in with other stuff in small amounts but I think it is just too heavy. The weird thing is my pouch loves chicken and fish. Sometimes ground beef but sometimes I have trouble with it and it can ruin my day. Food can be frustrating. I also get board eating the same things. Lately I eat a lot of cheese, fish, chicken, yogurt, oatmeal and protein shakes. And I can eat almost all vegies. It has gotten a lot better as the weeks have gone by, you just have to take your time and if a food doesn't work try again a week or two later.

I am 5 weeks out now and there are times things hurt my pouch too. I am on a regular diet now, but I can't seem to tolerate meat of any kind right now, even though I could 3 weeks ago. My NUT explained that some of us don't have the stomach enzymes that we need to break certain foods down like meats at first, and it takes some people longer than others to be able to eat them again. Be patient. In the meantime, I can eat cheese, yogurt, edamame, and a bunch of other things just fine and can get in my Protein with non-meat things. I do find if I eat or ever drink a sip of Water too fast, my ouch will cramp up and it HURTS!! It will take up to a couple of hours sometimes to quit cramping. I just wait it out, maybe sip some warm camomile tea, and then it all seems okay again.

I've been using milk, but I didn't read the directions...so tiny and hard to see (even with reading glasses). Are you supposed to use Water???? I'm just starting my 3rd week post banding and I am too tight to eat in the morning, so I'm doing the Isopure then. I know you have to do 4 scoops in a day to get the daily allowance of Protein, however, I haven't been super careful about that at this point. I planned to really track protein beginning this week. Tonight I had a cup of yogurt mixed with 1 scoop of Isopure. P.S. Wow...I just read the part of the label I could see and was surprised to see 2 scoops does equal 50g (100& of daily allowance). The other powder I bought only has 25g for 2 scoops. Great! So we can either chug it down all at once in a single drink or I think I will do 1 scoop in the morning and 1 in the evening when I start to feel extra hungry. Does it taste okay in water?? I just ordered some of the packets too....perfect for work.

Hi all...I am almost 5 weeks post op! Wow the time has flown by! Sorry I have not been on here in a while giving an update or posting about something I have kinda been in what some people call a "stall" for the past two weeks. Kinda puts a damper on things. The first week I was really pretty ok with it. I had just lost 40lb in 2 months and was just stoked to start seeing the changes in my body and in my attitude/personality. Then by the 2nd week it just started to get depressing, I even gained 1 pound... I started getting a little mad and was trying to figure out how to amp up my loss again. I had just started adding solid foods back into my diet but I was not getting over 600-700 cal a day. (which I thought was good) I was having a little bit of a hard time with my protein and liquid intake. So I figured that must be the problem. Last Tuesday I had my first WLS support group meeting with my supper awesome friend Tina. By some amazing divine appointment God had them focusing on PROTEIN! She had a ton of samples to try from different products and gave us a bunch of ideas on how to add bits of protein to our diets through out the day. Apparently just about everyone in the group had been struggling with some kind of stall recently and so that was the topic of focus! How perfect for me And because I know how common it is for us new VSG'ers to have a hard time with proper protein levels I thought I would share what I learned, my new favorite products, and a few new ideas on how to use protein. First, my new best friend is "Big Train". I have always loved this brand but had no idea that they had a bariatric friendly line of protein powders. So now I can have my love of coffee and drink it too I do live in Seattle... Its almost against the law to not like coffee over here... lol Here is the link for the Big Train drinks. I love them! The cool thing is, I can not taste the protein in them at all! I have tried the vanilla and the espresso (both are fantastic) and have just ordered the sampler pac to try the rest before purchasing in bulk... http://www.bigtrain.com/coffee-protein-drink-mix-powder-fit-frappe-c-143.aspx My 2nd new brand of protein is Chike... I had never heard of this brand till my meeting this week. I tried the coffee flavor and again it was really good! I ordered the sample pac of this brand also. I really like being able to take a little packet of powder with me rather than mixing up a whole days worth at once. I need to find some kind of little container that holds one serving though, because it is so much cheaper to buy the tub rather than the packets... Anyway, here is the link for Chike. http://www.chikenutrition.com/buy-chike.html Third... I know most of you guys know about Unjury. But recently I have made a few friends who had never heard of it. For all of you newbies out there here is an awesome product! Unjury is said to be one of the best forms of protein. One of the best on the market. Its protein has really good absorption into the body. I have been told some of the cheaper proteins don't benefit the body as well as others. I totally get that, most food now a days dose not benefit the body at all so I am sure they cheat on this kind of stuff also... Anyway, Unjury makes a "non-flavored" powder that you can put in just about anything from soup to pudding, to drinks. I have been adding it to my Crystal Light or Mio drinks. When you add it to a fruity drink it kinda turns it into a cream cycle taste. Not bad when it is giving you 20+ grams of protein in each scoop... I also put some strawberry lemon-aid into a vanilla powder and it was pretty good too.. http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/ I also found this website http://www.bariatricchoice.com/bariatric-protein-shakes-smoothies-drinks-12.html It looks like it has a ton of different high protein options including Nectar (which I have ordered the sample pack but have not tried yet) It might be a cool place to get some extra ideas from. (And by the way I just started loosing weight again! I dropped 1 pound yesterday. I really believe its because I am drinking more and added more protein) So, to give you an idea on how I get my protein and liquids in... In the morning I start out with either a mixed fruit and veggie shake with a scoop of Unjury in it. Or, I have a coffee drink with either the Big Train or the Chike. Rite there in that morning drink I have just got 20 grams of protein in... As a snack I will have a cheese stick or cup of Greek yogurt. (6-12 g protein) Then for lunch I make sure to have some kind of meat, eggs or cheese. All of which are low in carbs. (remember we like low carbs During the day I will have a "snack" by putting one scoop of protein powder in with a beverage. There is another 20 grams. For dinner I have been trying to get in some veggies with my meat. So weather I have 1/2 a hamburger patty or a few ounces of fish, I try to get in either salad or another green vegetable. If I work it good like that, I am over 70 grams of protein. Plus the shakes alone have given me about 30 ounces of water so I only have to concentrate on another 30 through out the day. To tell you the truth, its the liquids I am still having trouble with. It is really hard to drink that much through out the day. But I am trying... I hope I was able to help some of you guys... I know I was really struggling with ideas on how to get enough every day... Good luck to you all! And let me know what you think of my ideas. Also, If any of you have some products or mix ideas for me please let me know! I am always looking for something new to try. Later all!!! "HUGS" Amber

I haven't tried it, but it seems like it should work because it's basically cutting out most carbs (except in the yogurt and beans) and consuming Protein and drinking lots of water/fluids to help flush things out. When it says "must have 45 grams of protein supplements" does it mean in addition to the 3 oz/5 times a day thing?

Your story is very inspiring. I am 25 days post op. I lost 18lbs preop, 11lbs by 11 days postop and then bam... Stalled. I've lost 1.5lbs in 2 weeks. I am on full liquids consisting of 3 protien drinks and 2 yogurts a day. It's so disappointing to be on such a restrictive diet and not lose the weight. The nutritionist tells me it's normal. At this point, I regret having the procedure done. Please share any advice that you may have. Thanks!

Nykee, I know you've heard this before but I'm going to say it again. PLEASE try to get more Protein in! Do you like cheese? Instead of crap try eating cheese, cold cuts, yogurt, Beans, decent food. I can't imagine what your nutrition levels are like with what you say you're eating, and that probably has a lot to do with your lack of energy and inability to sleep normally. Why do you think you need a fill? If you're restricted so much that you literally cannot eat until evening, you do not need a fill. What you do need to do is get a decent assortment of food in your house so you will start giving your body what it needs to heal and improve. Designing a liquid diet for after a "nice, tight fill" just defeats what the band is all about. This is said with all the respect and affection I have, seriously, I know you can get control if you want to. You've come so far already and now it's time to get smarter about this process. Don't get a fill--change your shopping list. :hug: