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Hi folks, so I'm 9 days out and have been sticking to the liquid diets. I live off low-fat yogurt, Protein drinks like nutridrink and cup-a-Soups. About 4-5 small meals a day, 3-4 hour intervals, as suggested. Sometimes though, I still feel hunger! Is this normal? Wasn't the whole point of this surgery the lack of hunger to sustain long-term weight loss? On the upside, have already lost (in 11 days!) about 9 kilos! Whoop whoop! So is it normal I'm feeling hungry? Thoughts? Thx

My surgeon gave me a book with all the information I would need. The day before surgery liquid diet has to be clear liquids. water coffee tea apple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice, bouillion broth, clear popsicles, soda and gelatin After mid nite no food or drink. Stomach has to be empty for surgery. one week after surgery still clear liquids. sugar free jello can be included. second week after surgery Full liquids milk, milk products, or one special protein drink carnation instant breakfast, no sugar added tomato soup plain yogurt Every surgeon requires different things for their patients. I shared my surgeon liquid diet. Sip on 64 oz of water also daily. Please do talk to your surgeon. I am sure its not too much diffence.

What food stage are you at? When I was at 2 weeks, I was moving to mushies. I ate a lot of Protein -- Beans, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, eggs -- and that helps stem the hunger. My surgeon has you do 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks mushies, then introducing solids. If you don't have to be on liquids at this point, move to the next stage. I never felt very full with shakes. I only got through the pre-op diet with sheer will power. If you need food ideas, look at the recipe section of this site and there are good recommendations. My personal mushy-stage favorite was fat-free refried beans with taco sauce and low-fat cheese, melted. Sometimes I added a scrambled egg for a fake huevos rancheros. Good luck to you!

I was wondering when did you start eating raw vegetables. My favorite thing in the whole world is cubed tomato, cucumber, onion, salt pepper and dash of plain yogurt, but I am not sure how long I have to wait... Probably until next local farmers season.. I would chew on anything raw at this point, I am so sick of drinking my meals ( it has been almost 4 weeks - 2 weeks preop and then almost 2 weeks post op... I am losing it in between preparing meals for my toddlers and for my husband.... Ugh, it would be easier if we all could drink Protein shakes and have yell-o for desert... (cue romantic music... I can almost see the whole family skipping and dancing happily on the beach with Protein Shakes in our hands, I don't know, I am just in a desperate need of chewing. Popsicles make me sick and I hate puddings... Roar... Help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope....

Some bandster friendly food bargains I saw today. At Costco through Sunday, Chobani fruited yogurt $1.25 off 12 count (.75 which for my areas is a great price). At Demoulas MA/NH grocery chain Pure Protein brand bars (20 g size) 2/1.00.

I had the same problem....I switches to Soups and cottage cheese which has twice the amount of Protein that yogurt has per serving. Soft cheese and pureed Beans... If I absolutely had to I would still drink a Protein Drink...But measured that out 1/3 at a time ......pudding is good too, not a good habit but will get you through in a pinch!

Chicken salad, tuna salad, salmon (they have patties at trader joes or Costco and frozen filets by Gordon's are yummy)- broil them with lemon pepper, teriyaki sauce, herb butter etc and you can have one meat a million ways, chili with cheese and Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), Atkins meals, lunch meat and cheese in 1/4 of a pita, hummus, sautéed chicken, baked chicken, I do a lot of Mexican shredded chicken and then I can make a taco, or enchilada out of it or make a quesadilla out of a flat out wrap.

Toooooo funny!! I wanted to have a bite of yogurt and am scared it will make me puke! I bet my body wouldn't let me swallow either! !

how much yogurt? and how far apart did you eat the banana pieces?

I thought that it might be kinda of cool to get some recipes from all you Nymphs (especially those that can cook). I have made a few in the last few weeks that taste great and are getting me through. Since my last fill, I have not been able to eat anything comfortably in the morning this this Protein shake has been a God sent. Cindy's Fruit smoothie 1/2 cup 1% milk 1/2 cup non-fat strawberry yogurt 1/2 cup mandarin oranges 1 scoop of Any whey or powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein powder 4 frozen strawberries 2 tsp Splenda 4 Ice Cubes Blend until the ice is crushed. This is my new addiction...I love it because it tastes so friggin' awesome. Almost to good! It also nets a huge glass. For you Low Carbers this is great alone or on veggies or with RF Wheat Thins Cheesy Spinach & Bacon Dip 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained 1 lb. (16 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cut up 1 can (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained 8 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled or 1 Jar of real bacon bits COMBINE ingredients in microwaveable bowl. MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min. Cindy

I user the Unjury unflavored protein powder. I added it to homemade ice cream, soups, and gravy. It took me awhile to get up to 90g of protein and 48 ounces of water. Once you get used to sipping on water and protein shakes it'll be easier. Vary your menu too. Make fruit smoothies with frozen fruit, protein powder and yogurt. Use ice or milk.

the turnaround for me was under a week! I am pre banded(enduring the 6 month doc sup deit) but wanted to try some of them Proteins drinks to find one I liked. The Unjury is GREAT. I have had al but the chicken Soup. I can't bring myself to try that one. I don't have them hot. I make a 1 scoop unjury shake in the morning with a 1/4c of frozen strawberries and 1/4 c FAGE Yogurt. Yummy and super nutritious. I wonder about the bits of strawberry post op. I will probably wean myself off of the fruit. I make the same shake with Van, Choc and strawberry flavors on different days. I last signed up for auto delivery which yields a small discount. :rolleyes2:

That's interesting, especially since our surgery date is similar. I have found that mine only makes noises when I feed it something it doesn't handle well. i.e. solid proteins - lots of gurgle and churn. Yogurt, soups, etc. - quiet as a mouse.

I'm 3 weeks post op. I do 1/4 cup of boost with Greek yogurt and a scoop of Protein powder add ice. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

i hate Protein shakes too i've been adding unflavoured protein to all my "food" i'm on a full liquid diet i'm able to get 60grams in this way surgery was on the 22nd Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App i put it in everything i eat greek yogurt,oatmeal,pudding lol you name it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

cottage cheese, yogurt,eggs,soy milk,

That is pretty much too what I ate the yogurt, eggs, fat free milk during my second week.

So I attempted to go out w friend yesterday and the few places we went I didn't see any options. I'm 3 weeks out and still have to eat mushy- but sick of yogurt and not huge on meat. So I got all snappy and ready to cry because for the first time since surgery realized the struggle this is going to be... any food ideas or websites?

I hear you, Yogurt is no too bad , ( 10 days may be another story ) but I hate cottage cheese ! Thanks for the info. I think I will be a little crazy until I get it done. I get my plane ticket today. I feel lighter already, fiancialy that is LOL Yasmina

My meeting was by phone, so she said she would send out the package today. I am just ancious to know. She told me all about the pre op diet because I have to start on Tuesday. Yogurt and cottage cheese, and if I really need it a chicken breast. I also read today that SF Jello was alright too. Yasmina

Thanks everyone!!! I am going to stick with yogurt, creamy Soups and such for another week. I never want to experience that again! So can someone please explain exactly what dumping is? Is it a bowel movement or a sick feeling? lol

Ok.. so I am post op day 5. Up until today I have been feeling like total s**t. Last night was bad because of all the gas pain in my left shoulder/collar bone/neck. Up until today I haven't been able to stomach anything more than water, apple juice, and a tiny bit of tomato soup once. I made a strawberry smoothie this morning with greek yogurt and my unjury unflavored protein powder. I have to admit... I thought it would taste way better lol (certainly doesn't taste like the smoothie from the coffee shop). This came out to be about 16oz after all was said and done. Do you think I'm ok if I sip slowly... or is this too much to take in? I'm still trying to decipher the pains in my belly but I think I'm catching on.

Not sure where I got this from.. somewhere that I was doing research on.. but thought it might be useful for this thread. Increase Your Chances of a Good Fill The following suggestions are good rules of thumb and will greatly increase your chances of getting a good fill. 1. Be sure you are very well hydrated when you come in for your fill appointment. That means at least 6 to 8 full glasses of liquid every day for at least several days before the fill. (Remember, Water is your friend). Drink especially well the morning of the fill. If you're flying in, it can be much harder to stay hydrated, so take an empty drink bottle and fill it after you pass airport security. TSA rules state you can bring an empty water bottle past the TSA security check point. Bring some of those "to-go" packs of Crystal Light, they’re ideal! Ask the flight attendants for a refill of your water bottle, pop one in, and then you will have plenty to drink. (Hint - If you flying in for a fill, while you're on the plane, grab a couple of those white barf bags. It’s good to keep one in your purse or car, for "emergencies".) 2. Do not to have any solid foods for at least 6 hours before the fill. Don't eat a huge or late dinner the night before. If you're having any trouble (reflux, possible slip, etc) please have nothing but fluids after dinner the night before. In some cases, food can still be in the pouch for 12 or more hours. ANY food in the pouch will make it impossible to give a good fill, or get a good fluoro 3. Don't drink COLD fluids for an hour before the fill. That will shrink your stoma and give a false fluoro reading, and a poor fill. Room temp fluids are fine. Let the ice in your drink melt and hour before a fill, and then you'll have room-temp fluids to drink right up to the fill time. 4. Avoid getting a fill during a menstrual period or a few days before an expected one. During this time, girls are usually retaining water, and the fluoro will not be as accurate, and the fill will not be either. 5. If at all possible, hang around for at least a few hours after a fill. Don't run right back home or to the plane. It takes the normal swelling after a fill 1-2 hours to develop, and by that time you might be too tight and need to come right back. 6. If you fly in, If at all possible, stay overnight and catch a plane out the following late afternoon or evening. If you are too tight, this will allow time to get a small unfill before you leave. This is not very convenient, but sure beats having to possibly return to TJ in a few days, on short notice, in pain, and at high last-minute plane fares! This is "prevention!" Overfills are not common, but they DO happen, even under the best of conditions. Be prepared, and think about this overnight stay. Test your fill the next day before you leave. 7. After a fill, please have liquids only for at least 24 hrs. This allows the stoma to rest and heal. Then, a day of soft foods, then back to regular foods. Full liquids are fine, no need for clears. Remember, if you staying over night test your fill before you fly out. 8. Review the eating and food guidelines again before every fill. You’ll need to refine your eating more and more with higher fill levels, and there will be less and less room for goofs. As you reach a higher fill level, you'll no longer be able to "get away" with things you might have before! 9. Please don't get a fill if you are having ANY trouble with the current level of fill. This means ANY regular pain, PB or barfing more than maybe once a week at the VERY most, not able to get enough calories in, not able to drink enough, able to eat only soft foods or fluids. More fill will NOT help, and will make things worse. Discuss all this carefully with your doctor. You may even need an UNFILL, to keep your band and stomach safe. 10. First fills are routinely given at 6-8 weeks after surgery, but only as you need them. Many people do, some do not. Your doctor will help you decide if you need a fill, just ask. There is no rush for fills. Too much can very easily get you in trouble, and you end up further "behind" than if you had gone slower with fills. 11. Give a fill at least 2-3 weeks to test it. Some fills don't "settle in" for a week or two, and sometimes more. Your weight loss is what determines how a fill is - not any feeling of restriction, necessarily. 12. One of the most important things in determining if a fill is good is choosing proper band foods. Soft foods, liquids, junk foods, sweets, etc, will NEVER be well-restricted, and will never tell a thing about having a good fill or not. Only solid foods give useful info. A good test meal is 2-4 oz of solid meat or chicken - be sure it's soft and moist - and about 1/2 cup veggies. You should be able to eat about a cup of food (no less) and this should keep you satisfied (NOT "FULL", but simply "satisfied, not physically hungry". for about 3-4 hrs. 13. Plan regular meals. A good fill will keep you satisfied for 3-4 hrs, but no longer. If you are hungry 5 hrs after lunch, it is not because you have an inadequate fill! Regular meals at planned times are important for a number of reasons; including avoiding snacking, maximizing your calorie burn and normalizing metabolism, which is essential for weight maintenance later on. 14. Learn to recognize YOUR "soft stop" sign. Common ones are chest tightness or "fullness", a sudden runny nose, a single hiccup or burp, an eye twitch, back pain, left should pain. All mean the pouch is full enough and we should STOP eating, even spitting out the bite that may be already in our mouths. If you do not, you could progress to the "hard stop" - slimming, pb, barfing. Please remember that good fills are very elusive, even with highly- experienced docs and fill people. There are just too many individual factors involved that the docs cannot control. Even the fluoro is only a clue, and not entirely accurate - for some of the reasons above. It usually takes 3- 5 fills to slowly and safely creep up on a good level, and they can be safely given a month apart. Trying to go faster with a bigger fill is not the solution, and the stomach rebels at big sudden fills. The goal of the first few fills is NOT to achieve a good restriction, but to gradually get your stomach used to some pressure so you can tolerate a GOOD fill later. SLOW and GRADUAL is the key! Going slowly with fills can be frustrating, but is well worth the wait to avoid problems. • After a “fill” you are on a clear liquid diet for 24 hours; then, soft for 24 hours; then, regular food o Clear – juice, water, broth, miso Soup, tea - no salty or iced drinks. o Soft – V-8, yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies, (no ice cream), pureed Soups, squash, apple sauce. • Call me if you are unable to sleep lying down due to reflux to schedule a slight “unfill”. Do not talk yourself into “working through the reflux”. • Eat Protein at every meal; eat your protein first in order to facilitate proper digestion of this complex food. • Eat three meals daily or six small meals; do not snack – ¼ to ½ cup per meal • Drink water instead of mindless munching (add lemon to water) between meals. DO NOT DRINK LIQUIDS 45 MINUTES BEFORE AND 60-90 MINUTES AFTER YOUR MEALS.• Make sure your bowels are moving daily with ease not effort • Add Fiber into your diet if you are not having complete bowel movements – 1 tablespoon ground flax seed• Have some form of movement every day for 30 minutes • Avoid white flour and white sugar products • You are not allowed to be on an ice cream diet • You may not lose weight if you’re not eating enough • Eat slowly between bites; take small bites; sip your drinks. • Chew your food slowly • Throw out all the junk food in the house • Don’t buy anymore junk food • Eat organic as much as possible to avoid increasing exposure to false hormones, antibiotics, and other toxic substances • Join a support group, Curves, or weight watchers. • Stop eating after 7:30pm during the summer; and 6:30 in the winter • Keep working on the mental emotional component to comfort food eating • Schedule another fill when your portion sizes increase to “old day” sizes or you are feeling hungrier earlier then you remember. • Journal about your feelings, keep a food diary, create a collage of what your future looks like and hang it in your room. • Create a collage of images you want to let go of and burn the collage. • Laugh every day RECIPES FOR AFTER A FILL Master Cleanse Drink (adjust lemon, ginger and cayenne to taste) 4 oz of apple juice Pinch of cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger 4-8 TBls of Lemon juice 4Tbls of Maple Syrup or Honey Pinch of salt top off the blender with filtered water Blend till mixed Strain and drink ½ - 1 Quart a day SMOOTHIE: FOR DAYS WHEN YOU ARE ON SOFT FOODS AFTER A FILL OR UNFILL - A 24 HOUR REQUIREMENT FOR POST FILLS AFTER LIQUIDS. 2-4 oz of apple juice or Rice or Soy Milk 3-5 ground almonds 1-2 teaspoons of flax oil ¼ cup of frozen fruit ? berries, bananas, mangos, papaya 1-2 Tbls (or packet) Protein powder (I use a Rice Protein which is hypoallergenic and tastes pretty good) ¼ teaspoon Bee Pollen (do not add if allergic to bees or huge environmental allergies) ½ - 1 teaspoon of chlorella or spirulina

well all the normal clear liquids plus milk, protein shakes, probably yogurt

Dry meat for me too....I made some pork meatballs with ginger, garlic and chili a couple of weeks back. I mixed in a couple of tablespoon of breadcrumbs and bound them with an egg to keep them soft, browned them in a dry pan then baked in the oven. When they were hot they went down fine, but the next day I took them to work cold and boy did they hurt. I made up a non-fat yogurt dip with lemon juice and paprika and that made it much easier. Same with chicken - if I have some kind of dressing or sauce it's fine. I'm going to become an expert at lo-cal sauces!