Search the Community

I absolutely hated the mushy stage. Couldn't stand yogurt or cottage cheese nor oatmeal. That pretty much left me to alternate between cheesy mashed potatos and canned chili. I did discover though that hot sauce was my best friend. I could alter the taste enough with different sauces that not every meal tasted exactly the same. I think I went through half a jar of cayenne pepper during this phase. As for the pills - I was able to handle them 1 week out, but I think that really depends on the person, whether you typically use liquid as a chaser or to help swallow them, etc... But the number one thing I'd recommend is not to stock up on anything until after you've tried it a time or two after your surgery. I made the mistake of stocking up on a few things (Isopure Protein drinks, SF popsicles, greek yogurt etc...) and after surgery couldn't choke them down if you paid me.

Everyone s different, what works for one wont work for another, so choose whats right for you. All the above posts are full, of great helpful advice, so here goes another piece of advice. Try journaling daily the details of what you eat. Time , type of food, occasion, feelings, satisfaction etc. After awhile you'll notice a pattern, maybe ? I noticed that I didn't crave sweets in the AM, but really wanted them late afternoon or evening. So I keep some frozen yogurt bars and other healthy treats in the house for those times. Im not perfect, I still have stuff I shouldn't sometimes, but being aware and listening to my bodys wants and needs helps alot when im craving something. Am I really craving it, or am I tired, stressed, sad, overwhelmed ?? Hope this helps, good luck !

@mich74... You may want to reconsider using dannon... Yogurt is very deceptive, many yogurts have tons of sugar.... "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them" Einstein

Are you using any protein powder? At 5 weeks I still have Unjury chocolate, warm, for one snack, and put Unjury unflavored in a glass of crystal lite. That alone givess me 42 gr of protein a day, the rest from food. You can add 1/2 scoop unflavored to greek yogurt too for another 20.

I do eat the sames things everyday except dinner and then I always try and find a new recipe that the whole family will enjoy. I always have a protein shake for breakfast. Then a baby bel light 2 hours later, then a quest bar 2 hours later and then a greek yogurt 2 hours after that.. then I eat dinner. Little amounts thru out the day to get my protein in.

I'm having a huge time trying to stomach the Protein drinks. My doctor told me that the big thing this month is to NOT throw up, and I haven't, but every time I try to drink a Protein shake, I gag. I am currently on full liquids (including yogurt, pudding and cottage cheese) and I was wondering if cottage cheese could be an equivalent. My nutritionist wanted about 100-150 cals with 15-20 grams of protein with each shake. The cottage cheese is 120 cals per 1/2 cup with 13 grams of protein, and as long as I chew, chew, chew it doesn't make me sick to eat a half a cup. What do you other bandsters think? I just don't want to throw up and disloge my band!

Okay, I've always loved Jif Peanut Butter. After lapband surgery on 09/19/13, when I finally starting introducing soft and reg foods after the 2 week liquid and 1 week mushie, I would come home from work and eat my 4oz for supper and then find myself feeling hungry an hour or so afterwards. I know this is probably more habit then hunger at night, as I would eat a few times after supper. I tried some greek plain yogurt and added 2 T of PB along with 3 or 4 splenda's with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a tsp of vanilla and I was hooked! Now, instead of coming home and eating the meals I prepared for the week, I eat this yogurt/pb instead because I did not want to overdo it with both, and the yogurt has 15-20 grams of Protein and the pb has 7.. But then lately I've been getting more than 2 T PB and even go back later for more PB or another round before going to bed. Tonight I stopped by the store and got another jar along with sunflower seeds hoping it would help me feel more satisfied. Damn Comfort Food!! When I do eat this, I find some discomfort with the PB as I feel it is sticking, but I continue to eat it because it is soooo good! Has anyone else had a similar problem? Any suggestions on how to get away from this (nightly snacking) would be more than welcome. I need a swift kick in the butt!!! I've lost 32 lbs as of my last dr visit on 10/31/13 and am due form my 2nd fill Nov 21st. I'm afraid I may start putting weight back on.

HI Newbie! As you know, I am day 5 too. I have done liquids with some FF pudding or yogurt. (which is on my drs plan). I am not suppose to start mushies until Day 7, but I have not had any problems at all and am ready for the next step. But to make sure my inside's heal properly I am going to follow my docs plan exactly and try not to overdo it. Keep posting. I like seeing how we compare You are my lap band twin, both born on the same day

The yogurt should help for Probiotics too...tge v antibiotics could have stripped you of energy via nutrients Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T807A using the BariatricPal App

@@leebick Refried Beans with cheese (and sour cream) don't have to be pureed - they are the right consistency already. I would blend chili though. I refuse to puree meats too - and my plan suggests drinking Protein shakes during this time and not expecting to get protein from the purees. You could have hummus, blended/cream soups (no Pasta or rice though), cottage cheese, yogurt, egg salad, ricotta bake, mexican dip bake, buffalo chicken dip bake (use the canned chicken and blend it first),

I'm in the same boat as you Becca. I'm 6 months out and I can eat more. I have yet to stay the same or gain since I've had the surgery, and I really hope to not break that trend on Thanksgiving week. We are having Thanksgiving at my sister-in-laws, but my husband and I are cooking most of the dishes. I am making everything I usually make, but I will not be bringing chips and dip as I usually do. I am not going to eat everything from dinner. For example, I won't be wasting room on dinner rolls or mashed potatoes. For Breakfast, I will have my usually yogurt and a Soy Latte. At lunch I will eat the turkey liver and 1/4 cup of macaroni salad that I am making for dinner. Dinner is early in our family, around 3 p.m. I will have turkey with a bit of gravy, cranberry sauce, and a bite of stuffing. Later in the evening I will have a bite of pumpkin pie and maybe a piece of sees candy. I will be working out Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday Thanksgiving week. The next day for lunch and dinner, I will have turkey and a little something else, but not as much as on Thanksgiving. My goal is to eat Protein first, limit the bad foods to 1/4 cup or less of only my favorites, and to NOT GRAZE. If I limit the number of times I eat during the day, I will automagically have more portion control. Additional goals are to limit the indulgence to Thanksgiving and the day after and to work out as many days as I can that week. I'm looking forward to a fun family holiday. I'm toying with the idea of adding a new craft for the day: Maybe a little branch and a bunch of paper leaves. People write what they are grateful for on the leaves and then tape them to the tree. My family may find this too hokey. Other possibility is some little Christmas craft I can do with my nieces. They are in their late teens now, but sometimes still like to make a craft. Lynda

I find that I don't have issues with food so far. I'm 2 weeks out and can eat 6 oz yogurt, a whole scrambled egg etc, a whole Protein shake, 4oz cottage cheese etc. I just go slow and eat the amount that's pre packaged. Sent from my iPhone using VST

breakfast: Greek yogurt Lunch: cheese stick & 3 breakfast sausage links Dinner 3.5 oz chicken Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone. Newbie to this site. This Tuesday will mark the two week mark from the date of my gastric sleeve operation. Last night I ate Soup and a yogurt drink (I was on Clear liquids for 48 hours and then on full liquids until week 4). I think I "drank" my dinner too fast and maybe "ate" too much because I was in so much pain afterwards! Today I have been slowing everything down, evaluating with each sip if I am full or not. Like most people, I am not used to taking my time while eating. This is a whole new world. I had tomato soup and then a cup of Morrocan mint tea for lunch and had no problems at all. Has anyone else made any "newbie" mistakes- eating too fast, trying a food you couldn't handle too soon even if your doctor okayed it? Last night was rough. Mostly I am annoyed because it was Saturday night and I like to watch movies with my husband and son during this time, but instead I was in the bedroom and in and out of the bathroom, having....issues. Ugh.

I try to focus my meals around protein. For breakfast I'll make a veggie omelate with egg whites for extra protein and less fat and calories. Lunch and dinner I'll have a turkey burger with grilled onion on it and some veggies, or turkey chili with beans which provides fiber and protein, or chicken or fish with veggies. I'm not ready for raw fruits and veggies as per my nutritionist but I would eat grilled chicken salads. Since I have no fill yet I snack on yogurt which also has protein. I do eat carbs like whole wheat toast once in awhile but try to limit that. I do supplement with isopure ready to drink, half a bottle gives me an extra 20g of protein a day.

Hi @MarceMonster. Here’s the formula I used to get to goal weight: • Start every morning with a Protein shake for Breakfast. • Eat 60–80 or more grams of protein daily. • Drink 64–120 ounces of fluids daily. (I drink tons of Crystal Light, or generic, sugar-free/decaf iced tea.) • Do not consume any starches or sugars. • Get all carbs from green veggies, legumes, and dairy products. • Do not consume empty liquid calories/sugar (fruit juices, ice cream, etc). • Try to avoid alcohol. It’s empty liquid calories that turn to sugar in your body and can lead to poor choices. • All Snacks must be protein-based (Jerky, nuts, cheese, Greek yogurt, deli meats, etc.). • Get some exercise 4-6 times a week. • Never leave the house without a plan for what you can eat and drink while you’re out. If necessary, bring food and drink with you. • Restaurant eating is not hard: 1) skip the bread; 2) order a meat (or legume/bean) dish; 3) replace the starch with a second vegetable; 4) skip the dessert. You’ll probably end up taking some of the meat and most of the veggies home for another meal. • Beef/turkey jerky is my secret weapon. It’s saved me more times than I can count, so I try to always have some in the car for emergencies. You can buy a bag of jerky almost anywhere. It’s kind of expensive and not great for sodium-restricted diets, but it’s also high protein, low fat, okay sugar, and a 3.5-ounce bag is a meal by itself! • If you fall off the horse, get back on immediately – at the next meal. Not tomorrow, and definitely not next Monday. That’s what got us here! • Go to Bariatric Support Group meetings in your area, if possible. • Participate actively in online forums like BariatricPal. • Read as much as you can about the process and the journey; and especially, read posts and articles from those who had their surgery a few years ago. Try to understand what lead to their successes and/or struggles. • Share your story and reach out to help others who are behind you in their journey. By helping them, you’ll help yourself as well. • Have a goal weight in mind and strive to get there. (I weigh myself every single day.) But also set lots of smaller goals. It’s fun and inspiring to achieve them. • Always be looking forward. Don’t look back over your shoulder waiting for the heavier person to drag you back. Let that person fade into history. • Believe that the slimmer person in the mirror is the real you. • A little vanity is okay. Enjoy how you look. Accept compliments graciously and don’t deflect them. Have fun trying on smaller-sized clothes that fit now. Compare before and after pictures. Take pride in your accomplishments! • Accept that this is a somewhat selfish process. That’s okay, too. You don’t have to apologize for it. And don’t let other people interfere with your progress. We have to make our weight loss program a priority in our lives. • But at the same time, recognize that your journey affects your friends and loved ones as well. Be sensitive to their reactions and their emotional needs, without allowing it to derail your program. • And finally, try to have fun losing the weight and getting healthy! Hold onto your determination! That's what'll keep you going during the difficult times and the stalls. Good luck!

I couldn't drink those protein drinks for anything. To me they tase of metal and processed crap. Sorry. Not sorry. What did I do ? and what do I do now 12 years later ? I tried them pre surgery. Most of them made me horribly ill. I found out I cannot digest any of the sugar replacers or any of the milk replacers. It brings on colitis. Like weeks of the runs with terrible cramping. So.... I pre made myself super strong chicken broth; for post surgery I strained it through doubled cheese cloth. I kept and froze the chicken, and carrots separately. Later I made those into mashed carrots with some broth to thin it. And I basically food processed the chicken and had that as I was able to sip non clear liquids. I also made really strong vegetable broth - not soup, broth. With mushrooms and squash, and things like that. I froze my soups in tiny containers. And I made fish broth too. And beef broth. With the bones, and then super strained at first. I still make this and use it as the base for sauces, as I strain out any fats too. I eat simple proteins. I made and ate early on lots of chicken salad with some added broth, and humus instead of mayo. I still eat it that way. more protein and fiber. tuna mixed with greek yogurt. eggs mixed with yogurt for egg salad. Now, I make myself chicken thighs, and vegetables all the time. I like to use my crock pot to make boneless skinless thighs with carrots or chunks of sweet potato - and whatever vegetable I feel like adding. I am into gardening so I might add seasonal veggies like cabbage or beans or english peas, I use very little salt, lots of fresh herbs. I use the crock pot to make pot roast which comes out so tender and easy to eat, with tomatoes and serve it with cauliflower "rice" - I made all these things early on, and just mashed the heck out of things, adding homemade broth to smooth.

I feel you on this, so bad. I am five days post op and I've been watching recipe videos and craving normal food SO BADLY, things like steamed salmon and veggies.. not even unhealthy foods. I am never "full", but when I eat greek yogurt I can't imagine eating anything else but that goes away quickly. I've always disliked liquid calories (juices, milkshakes, soups), even before starting my journey, so this is pure torture to me.

I’ve been exactly the same. Just can’t do the purée. I’ve been sticking with yogurt, cottage cheese and popsicles. I’m almost one month post op. Wednesday is 4 weeks and I’m hoping I’ll be more motivated during soft stage.

Hi Lauren, thanks for the well wishes. My surgery went great today. Only took about 20 minutes. I'm sore but that is to be expected. I had the same problems you were having. I could get frozen yogurt to go down and at times not even Water. This was right after a fill and nothing was stuck but I'd think ice cream and water would have no problem even if the band was a little tight. What did they do, close it completely? LOL. My issue is I weigh 5 lbs. more today than when I had my band inserted. However, most of that is my own fault and my addiction to ice cream :cool: This is a big decision so I suggest you think hard about getting it removed. After having the band 23 months I'm sure I'll gain weight soon and quick for making up for lost time of the foods I love, LOL. However, the ONE thing that proved to work for me was eating right, counting calories, and working out. I plan to give that a go again. Good luck and let me know what you decide.

Not sure what plan your doctor has you doing but my diet for pre op is 3 Protein shakes, sf pudding, greek yogurt, cream of chicken Soup..im 12 days in 2 more to go and this is working well ...good luck

I have three weeks of post-op liquid diet and am almost two weeks through it. I'm allowed to have unflavored Greek yogurt, skyr, and sugar-free fat-free puddings on my "liquid" diet and I find those help a lot. Also, warm savory things help—phở broth, miso soup, chicken broth. And the Fairlife nutrition shakes that taste exactly like chocolate milk seem to assuage my hunger. It is better now than it was immediately post-op, for what it's worth.

Add unflavored protein powder such as Unjury to yogurt. I had yogurt fir breakfast and lunch and added the Unjury and that gave me my minimum of 60 grams for the day

I never did clear liquids. They actually gave me yogurt drink the following morning after I was banded in the hospital. I did liquids for 2 weeks, then mushys for 2 weeks. When I did start regular food, I got some twinges of discomfort so I stuck to soft foods for a couple of weeks after.

Sadly before surgery i loved premier shakes! Bought tons of them! I have one left and some powder. I've been making 4oz shakes with half a scoop of Protein Powder which is about 18.5g a serving (with lactose free milk) i do that 3 -4 times a.day to reach my protein goal, im having yogurt for Breakfast and dinner and a shake for my 'snacks' and a shake for lunch so far im down 2lbs since yesterday but ky sr said if its not more then 5lbs difference it isnt a loss