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So one of the things I'm still working on figuring out nearly 8 weeks after banding is what foods are worth it for me to eat. This is a new equation in my life. Before banding, I just ate. Half the time I didn't think about what I was putting in my mouth (if I did, I would have lived in a state of perpetual self-disgust) and the other half, I just didn't care. I was already fat and unhealthy, so why stress about the food that was making me that way? Clearly, I was eating too many calories, but now I'm realizing that the amount of calories I was eating may have mattered less than whether those calories were worth eating. What I mean by that is that as I make better, more sensible food choices, it is becoming clearer to me that "real food" is much more satisfying than the alternatives. "Real food" is a hot topic these days. You can find whole books about it in your local bookstore, whole pages of books on the topic, if you cruise through Amazon. For my purposes, though, when I talk about real food, I'm referring to anything that isn't processed or prepackaged. Things like eggs (pasture raised, please), meat (ditto), milk (three for three), vegetables (organic, please), fruits (yuppers), and grains (certainly in the "o" column). To many, my obsession with organics and pasture-raised animals may make me a snob or a hippie, but I'm okay with that. Even before banding, I preferred to choose those foods when possible, but now I'm realizing that the alternatives aren't worth it. I try to keep my calories at somewhere around 1000/day. I say around, because there are days I eat 850 and days I eat 1400. Mostly, I average between 1000 and 1100. Before banding, I could get 1000 calories having coffee, a piece of toast, and a single fast food sandwich, and then everything else I ate that day would be those excess calories that made me fat. Theoretically, even with the band, I could still make those food choices, but now they're just not worth it to me. Today, I would say that most of that food isn't real food, and therefore, I'd rather not eat it. This morning, I had toast and coffee for breakfast. Not the bandster's first choice, perhaps, but I find I can't eat anything too rich or too heavy in the morning without severe nausea and potential for vomiting (I've always been that way, even before banding). The difference here is that the coffee was made with real raw sugar (half a teaspoon) and organic, pasture raised half-and-half. One tablespoon of that. For a total of 37 calories. The toast was a thin slice of home-baked bread (made last night from organic flour and natural ingredients) with a teaspoon of pasture raised butter. Low in protein, but I'll have meat for lunch and dinner, so I'll have no trouble meeting my protein goal for the day. So far for the day, I've had 137 calories, less than 15% of my allowance for the day, and every single one of those calories was totally worth it. They all tasted good, none of them cost the environment more than necessary, and all of them allowed me to live with my band while feeling content and satisfied. If I'd tweaked that just a little, gotten a small nonfat latte and a bagel with non-fat cream cheese from Starbucks, for example, I'd have eaten 500 calories of food that wasn't really worth it to me. Even if the band had stopped me at half the bagel, that would still have been 250 calories (113 more than I actually ate). It would have contained less fat, but also less satisfaction and it wouldn't have tasted as good. To me, the unprocessed "real food" I ate at home was a better, healthier choice and worked with my band. True, a lot of bandsters would tell me I should have had Greek yogurt instead. Or maybe a scrambled egg. There are days when I do that, but here's my confession: I love bread. Love it. It is my favorite of all foods. I adore it more than ice cream (meh) or potato chips (one of my trigger foods and a life-long addiction for me). Give me a choice between a handful of chocolate and a piece of fresh baked bread (home-made or from a real bakery) and I will go for the bread 9-1/2 times out of 10. My brother and sister-in-law are gluten intolerant, and have cut all products containing wheat out of their diets. I'd rather cut off my own arm. Seriously, I can't live without bread. Which could be a problem for a bandster, both because of the low protein/high carb nature of bread, and because the texture of bread can have trouble passing through the band. But here's the thing. "Real" bread (the kind from the bakery or from my very own oven) passes through the band pretty well. It has fiber and texture and it tastes so good, that it's worth it to me to take small bites, chew slowly, and get it through the band. Pre-sliced generic white sandwich bread? Not real food and definitely not worth it. Also lower in fiber, higher in sugar, stickier in texture, full of chemicals, AND higher in calories. Clearly the unhealthy choice. As a bandster, I have had to reshape my priorities. Homemade bread is a priority; processed, pre-sliced bread is not. It's all about priorities. And balance. For breakfast today, I had a carb-heavy, protein-light meal. For lunch, I will have a couple of slices of roast chicken (heritage breed, pasture raised) and some veggies. Or maybe a small serving a chili with pastured ground beef. The meat cost a lot more than the supermarket alternatives, but it was locally and sustainable raised and frankly, it tastes so much better that I don't feel deprived from eating only 2-3oz of it as a time. It's so full of flavor that 2oz feels more like a meal than 6oz or the alternative. For dinner, there's either the chicken or some leftovers from an organic rabbit I stewed over the weekend in red wine and prunes. And more veggies. So worth every single calorie and so, soooooooooo satisfying. One of the reasons I got the band and not another procedure like bypass was because I wanted to be able to eat and enjoy real food, I just wanted to eat less of it. I didn't want to give up my bread (obviously) or my chocolate or my steak. I wanted a smaller slice, nibble, or cut. I'm doing that with the help of the band, and because I'm choosing real food, I'm doing it with happy tastebuds and a smile on my face. ------ I hope no one interprets this as a lecture, or me claiming to be better than anyone else. My priorities are my own. I happen to live in an area where organic, pasture raised foods are easily accessible. They're sold at my local groceries and at the weekend farmer's market in my town, less than 5 miles from my house. I also only have myself to feed and worry about. I'm not trying to budget to feed myself, a husband and three kids, let alone saving for college, paying for daycare, or providing clothes to cover bodies that seem to double in size every few months. My animals and myself are the only things I have to spend my money on, so it's easy for me to justify funding my environmental and health agenda. Everyone has to do the best they can with what they have, and no one--least of all me--should fault them for it. Make your own priorities, and then live by them. I hope it brings you the same satisfaction it brings me.

I'm at the end of day two and every time I close my eyes, I see an Outback Steakhouse commercial. I really don't know that I can do this. I am allowed 1-2 Atkins shakes a day, three servings of low-fat yogurt and all the no-calorie liquids like broth, crystal light, etc. I just wish the docs were more consistent...

You don't mention if you're taking an acid reducer. If you're not, sometimes excess acid can "feel" like hunger pains. I know when I'm taking my Prilosec, I don't feel that "growly" sensation that I used to think was hunger--since it's not happening when I take my Prilosec, it's clearly acid related, right? I agree with the folks above that planning is going to help you achieve your goals. If you're like me, sometimes you don't know what you're going to feel like eating--so make plans to have a bit of variety and some options but still be within your goals. For instance, you might keep on hand a can of chili, maybe some Soup, some cottage cheese, and some yogurt. Then when you are ready to eat, you can choose from a few appropriate foods. The Protein will help keep you full longer. I eat fruit every day, too, but I find I can't actually eat it with a protein food--the protein needs all the room/working of my stomach to get digested, I guess, so it doesn't like to share with other foods. :-) So I typically will eat my fruit (a cup of citrus or melon total per day) divided into a couple of snack-size portions that I munch on while watching television or playing on the computer. That way, when it's time for a "meal," I eat protein first (and usually only, as I say) but I still get my fruit in, and the protein keeps me from being achingly hungry even while consuming so few calories per day. So if you're not taking an acid reducer, you might talk with your doc about maybe starting one, and also see if moving your fruit to times in between protein meals helps with the hunger issue. Tiff is right, above--fruit is a nutrient-dense food, but it does not have the staying power of protein, and the natural sugar can be problematic for people who are sensitive to even small amounts of sugar. Good luck to you!!

I agree with you!! I am so paranoid about eating too many calories and so i under eat! I am 3.5 months out of sleeve surgery and I think my body is in starvation mode. I'm going to try to up my calories to 600 and see if that breaks my somewhat stall. i was drinking a protein shake at night but i figured its like 160 calories before bed.....not sure if that is good for me. I drink it in the morning now as breakfast. Then i will have no fat cottage cheese or greek yogurt as a snack a couple hours after dinner.

It does get better! You just have to try to sip on Protein shakes or bites of Greek Yogurt, or a spoonful of egg salad, etc. If all you can eat is 2 bites every 2 hours, just know that soon you'll be eating more.

I have to take pills in the morning and at supper time. I take them with yogurt. I take my capsel apart and mix it with the yogurt and yuck but I do it every day and I have a pill crusher for the rest of them and put them in the yogurt. It has worked for me since Dec 31st when I had my surgery. I did get a fill that was too much and could not take my meds the one night because I could not even get a shake down me without it coming back up but that was my fault, I talked the doctor into giving me too much. I won't do that again. 24 hours after the fill I tighten right up, I guess I was swollen. I was told after a fill it does get tighter but then will get looser. I am trying to find my sweet spot also, I am at 5.5 cc. I am hoping 6 will be it. I go again next week for another fill. Good luck in finding your sweet spot. Judy

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and a wonderful relaxing Sunday. The day is beautiful here in SC, sun is shinning but it is still a little cool for the south. I don't know about everyone else but I can't wait until spring. I have so much more energy and motivation when it is warm outside. I find the winter months to be a little depressing and I do not feel as motivated to be outside and exercise. I am proud that I have went back to curves a week ago and have met my goal of going on Saturday mornings, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings after work. I need to set a new goal this week of at least doing 30 minutes of exercise daily of at least walking or something. I need my tread mill moved so I can use it, my son moved in late last year and it is in his room and a little hard to use. My husband says he has to take it apart to get it out of the room and has not done that yet. First thing that ticks me off lately. I go back to see my surgeon next week one , I had my last fill on Jan 30th and I am still struggling with solid foods most days, I do eat but it is usually late in the afternoons and evenings, I am getting all my protein in but with supplements. I keep thinking the band will loosen up a little and some days it seems to and others like yesterday, I just gave up and ate Greek yogurt and drank protein. I am still holding at 160 lbs, so at least I have slowed down on losing for a while. On the 30th I was at 175 which was up 5 lbs from before Christmas. I did find something good to eat this weekend, we ordered take out from the local Chinese restaurant and I ate a tofu stir fry, it was yummy and the tofu was silky soft and slide right down. I was only able to eat about 1/2 cup but it was yummy. I went out today and purchased a fit bit and tied it to my fitness pal account so I could track my activity and calories burned. I will let everyone know how that works out. I have been a little lazy lately and feeling a little frustrated with food and eating in general. I haven't felt this way in a long time but it is just so frustrating when one day things go down with out problems and they same things don't the next day. Welcome to bandster hell, I guess. The last thing that ticks me off today is people who use this site to promote sales of products. I was reviewing the forums and blogs this morning and found a blog that someone had started yesterday, she said she was 2 years out from lap band and had lost 150 lbs but was promoting a protein drink diet to get back on track. I thought to my self, every lap band patient knows that gimmicks don't work, diets don't work and getting the lap band has to be about changing your life and behaviors. Not sure why it pissed me off but it did, I feel we all work so hard on trying to live with lap band and trying to change out lives and live like others and the last thing I needed was someone telling me I could lose weight with lap band drinking yummy protein shakes. SERIOUSLY! I drink the damn shakes because nothing else goes down some days and this is not how I intend to lose my last pounds. I want to eat, enjoy my food portion. So shame on you if you are a lap band patient for encouraging us to drink protein to lose weight instead of change our behaviors and learn to live with lap band. I know we all have the freedom to post and believe what ever we want but SERIOUSLY give me a break. Ok, I feel better now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Protein bars, greek yogurt, protein shots(clear), deli meat, mix your protein shakes with some kind of fat free yogurt or , avacados, cottege cheese, fish. Really try to get in 60-70 grams of protein a day. it will curb your appetite...the rest is in our heads. try to start your day out with high protein to start your metabolism earlier so it burns calories longer in the day....activity/exrecise! Good luck....

I'm surprised! I was allowed only chicken broth and sf jello for week one. I could include smooth yogurt (no fruit bits) and cottage cheese in week two. That was all, till week 3 anyway! I am 6 years out. I've lost 190 lbs., most all of it within first 21/2 years. My ideal is 10 lbs less than I am now, but I have kept off the weight and that 10lbs just keeps me on my toes!

There are plenty of other ways to add protein. We love tofu, mushrooms, greek yogurt and eggs in our house. You can also purchase flavorless protein powder to add to foods like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, spaghetti sauce, yogurt, etc. I also asked my doctor during a fill if I could talk to his nutrionists on staff for a few minutes when I was having difficulty understanding portion sizes. Don't stress too much. Try different things. You'll find out what works for you.

I'm 6 days out. I had yogurt for the first time and I'm a little uncomfortable. Could I have done damage? I had 3 ounces over an hour and half. Ate with a baby spoon. Pressure and maybe a little painful in my left shoulder. Maybe too soon? I didn't thin it out with milk and maybe I should have but I've done well with puréed soups. Thought I could handle it.

Fruit is naturally going to have higher carbs. What I ate/eat: yoplait fat free Greek yogurt (about 1/3 of the container), cottage cheese ( I go all out and buy the large curd) Jack Links jerky tenders ( high in salt, but I'm not going to worry- also only have 1oz at a time) the canned chicken by Tyson is GREAT and super soft. Any veggie if over cooked is great, but I was told to stat away from broccoli, peppers and lettuce until ....? I also LOVE string cheese- smoked is the best. Packed tuna... Different flavors too. I have found that going to the grocery store is beginning to be more fun, discovering foods that I can eat. Plus, I love cheese, so that helps too. You can also do thin sliced deli meats,,, roast beef with a piece of melted provolone on it and some horseradish.... Yum. Shrimp and white fish have lots of protein too. I also stay clear away from potatoes of any sort... Too starchy and full of carbs. Eating carbs make one crave carbs

As you say, there are no guarantees, and no set stats to the questions you ask. I can tell you in my case, I still eat everything except glazed donuts! I swallowed a bite too quickly and those 2 bites felt like they grew to the size of 2 dozen!!! I have never tried another! I have only PB'd one other time, and it was a piece of popcorn chicken as I was shopping in Walmart, I forgot what I was doing popped it in my mouth chewed a couple times and swallowed, as it went down my throat, I realized what I did!!! And sure enough it got stuck, and I was miserable! But in 15 months those were my only bad times really. I have had the golfball feeling where I ate too fast or too much, and it feels stuck in my esophagus---but when I walk a bit, and breath deep it settles down. I take small bites, I chew well, and give each bite a few minutes to go down before taking the next bite. I learned to really pay attention to my body. When I get full, my nose feels kinda itchy, and like it wants to run---if I eat another bite, it turns to hiccups, and if I eat anymore, I am miserable!!! The bodies natural reaction to us overeating is to start sliming to try to help it pass. The body produces HUGE amounts of thick gooey saliva. So I think the runny nose is something to do with the whole mucus thing. It is called a soft stop, and most people have it if you will just pay close attention. A big majority of banders do end up giving up bread. Bread tends to get into the stomach and ball up, and then as it breaks down it is full of gluten, and is very hard to pass. Toasting often helps, and I find it easier to say eat a sandwich than just a slice of bread. Well part of a sandwich! If I have meat and cheese, to help digest the bread it works better, than the bread alone. Watching to make sure you are not overfilled when that time comes is the best way to avoid eliminating foods from your diet. You should be able to eat hard Protein without issue. If you can't you need less fill. Go very slowly when introducing new foods, or foods with high Water content---fruits for instance, they tend to be something I have to eat very carefully. It is like drinking with food I think, it feels like the fruit floats---so I have to take tiny slow bites. If you go slow, and give each bite some time, you should be able to avoid a serious PB issue, and if one happens it should be minor. Another thing to keep in mind is that these bands are fickle!!! One day you may be unable to eat something, and the next day it will be fine, or just the opposite, you may eat yogurt every day for Breakfast, and one day it will not work for you. It can be the same way from lunch to dinner! Why we suddenly have more restriction at some times, I have no idea, just be aware of how things feel as they go down and react accordingly. If it does not feel right, stop. You can always find something to eat later if you feel better, just don't ever push it----it WILL push back!!! Welcome to LBT, and welcome to bandland! Hope all goes well for you! Kat

I agree with Mis73 on this issue! You have to think of it like a detox, and you will go through withdrawals like nicotine, drugs etc. I don't know how true it is but I have heard that for some dropping the sugar is worse than other substances. I know when I detox I get cranky, headaches, my systems cleans itself out, I have broken out, just feel flat out depressed. It will make it easier to avoid or to have in very limited amounts once you are off them for a bit. My suggestion is to try to keep off them as long as possible and maybe try to substitute other things for it. There are some good products on the market that use splenda and things like that. I also have found sometimes when I am craving something like ice cream or chocolate I make up a Protein shake and toss a banana in it with some extra ice. It gives me the chocolate/the coldness/sweetness/and a bunch of protein in it. Yogurt can be good to help you over the hump! Alot of people on here do a piece or two of dark chocolate or other kind of sweet if you cannot shake it. But try not to set yourself up for feeling negative on the band. For most of us that have been on multiple diets before, only to gain back the weight plus some extra. You figure each time you do that, and keep gaining over the course of years you are just going to see the number going up, up and away. Try to get a control on that sugar addiction, and try not to let it control you! Good luck in your counseling for it and keep us posted!

Had my first fill last night at 8:30 pm.. Doctor told me liquids in the am and you can have lunch at 12 or 1..Had coffee this morning that went fine, had a spoonfull of yogurt like 20 minutes ago and im having the worst shoulder pain EVER...Im freaking out the pain is sharp and intense...How long should i wait for it to go away?? I know it was the yogurt I can feel it sitting there...Please help..Thanks

Have to try it. Personally I'm addicted to FF Plain Greek Yogurt, PB2 and splenda,mmmmmmmm SO GOOD!

I had chicken broth, beef broth, Swanson's Mexican Tortilla Soup base, and Chinese hot and sour base. The last two are a little spicy so I diluted them with chicken broth. I added unjury unflavored Protein powder to all my broths to help with protein goals. I was able to do full liquids (not just clear) after 3 days and my nut highly recommended drinkable yogurt to help replace normal flora. At that point I also added every kind of cream soup I could find including asparagus, spinach, mushroom, shrimp, potato, tomato, lobster bisque, and leek. I diluted the Soups with Water or milk, strained out any lumps and added Unjury powder. I didn't worry about fat content because my calorie intake was so low anyways. Beside, we need fat in our diets for healthy cell production and Vitamin absorption. Good luck!

Per doc , I was on clear 1 week, full on 2nd week.... reality= I was on full after a couple of days so I could get in my protein. I also eat a very little bit of greek low sugar yogurt to get my icky crushed meds down.

Congratulations! I don't know what your plan recommends, but I grabbed this from the University of Pittsburg Medical Center website. Suggested Foods Ideas for Pureed Diet After Bariatric Surgery Protein Sources Yogurt (plain or sugar-free, low or nonfat, blended without fruit chunks) Strained cream soups (celery, potato, mushroom, or chicken made with skim milk) Skim milk with ½ scoop protein powder Protein supplements added to food or water for extra protein Mashed cottage cheese (low or nonfat, small curd) Ricotta cheese (low or nonfat) Scrambled eggs or egg substitute Pureed beef, chicken, or turkey Baby food meats White fish (cod, haddock, tilapia, orange roughy) mashed with a fork Canned chicken breast, mashed and moist Canned tuna fish in water, mashed Grains/starches Cream of wheat or cream of rice Farina Grits Baby oatmeal Mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes Pureed winter squash Fruits Diluted, 100% fruit juices (apple, grape, cranberry) Light juices sweetened with non-nutritive sweetener Applesauce Mashed bananas or mashed canned fruits in own juices Pureed peaches, apricots, pears, pineapples, melons Vegetables Tomato juice Diet V-8 Splash® or V-8 Juice® Pureed spinach, carrots, summer squash or green beans Avoid pureed broccoli, cauliflower, and other fibrous vegetables at this stage Sample Menu for Phase 2B: Pureed Diet After Bariatric Surgery Eat the protein portion of your meal first, and don't forget your liquids between meals (about 30 minutes after each meal). Breakfast Protein: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup scrambled eggs or egg substitute Starch: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup cream of wheat Lunch Protein: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup mashed low fat cottage cheese Fruit: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup pureed peaches in own juices Dinner Protein: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup baked skinless chicken breast (pureed) or mashed canned chicken breast Vegetable: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup pureed carrots Liquid meal- If you're having a liquid meal replacement, soup, or high protein shake: Drink 4 ounces (1/2 cup) over 20 to 30 minutes Try adding mashed, canned chicken or tuna to soup to increase protein content Blend if needed Pureed food should be the consistency of baby food, “spoon thick.” Cut food into small pieces and place in blender or food processor Add liquid (broth, low-calorie gravy or skim milk) Puree until smooth Season food to taste

Thursday!! Today is Sunday. OMG! It has been a long, hard road with many hoops to jump through, and now, "suddenly", it's here! I am nearly there. I am nearly sleeved. I'm nearly having a difficult time with pain from a drain, and not able to drink a bottle of Water at one sitting. I'm nearly barely able to eat a tablespoon of greek yogurt at a sitting. My life is nearly changed for the better. One day soon I will be searching my closets for smaller clothes which I saved back from when I was smaller. I'm so excited to begin this journey to health and happiness, I am nearly able to polish my own toenails, to lace up my shoes. Nearly able to run up a flight of stairs and not be winded and keep up with my grand kids. It's Sunday...I'm nearly there!

I Ordered the sampler pack of unjury Protein powders and it should be here tomorrow . I'm looking forward to trying them, especially the chicken broth. I'm sure that during the pre and post-op liquid diet, having something warm and salty will be a nice break from the sweet protein shakes! I'm also looking forward to trying the unflavored powder. I love Greek yogurt, so being able to up the protein content without changing the flavor will be great. It's crazy to think that only two months from now I could be having my surgery! I'm so excited. Class #5 of 6 is this Friday! I started this journey in January, and time is flying by. My sixth and final class will be June 20, then we can submit for approval with insurance. Has anyone tried the unjury products? What did you think of them?

An insulated lunch box with a cold pack in it.. put yogurt and cottage cheese and protein shakes in it. Thermos for hot soup...

My doctor pretty much left me to my own devices. First two weeks liquid, then I can eat whatever I can tolerate. The post op diets are guides, go at your pace. Definetely don't push to eat foods just because you can. I am finding bread and Cheetos have to place in my belly. I can eat a little bit of chicken, but I mostly eat yogurt and tuna fish and I am three weeks post op. Good luck!

Yes, congrats on recognizing this and starting to move on. Just know, while you may be done with her, she is not done with you. She will be calling, so remain strong. As far as getting back on track, I would suggest you ensure you have no crap in your kitchen. No alcohol, no sweets and no sweet drinks. Continue with this resolution to get back on track and dump them all. I remember I would tell myself, "Once this tub of ice cream is gone, I just won't buy another." No ... I just needed to dump the ice cream whether it was full or not. Stock your shelves with proper foods. meats, Jerky, yogurts ... you know the drill. At least for awhile, eat exclusively at home. Don't be tempted by fast food or restaurants. This is just to get yourself back on track and disassociate yourself with the poor habits you developed with this woman. Get back to the basics of eating Protein first, then veggies and/or starches. Don't drink right before, during or right after eating. Chew very well setting your utensil down in between bites. Evaluate how you feel after that bite and try to stop eating AS SOON as you BEGIN to feel restriction. There should be some time between the swallow and next bite. Try not to eat to the point of where you are stuffed. That is what we used to do. Bottom line is things only change when we make a change. If we go back to doing things the way we used to, then we will get the same results. Praying 2 + 2 won't equal 4 leads only to resentments.

I am 7 months out and had a fill last Monday. I am up to 6.5cc in a 10cc band. I was fine until Friday night. I was starving and grabbed 2 pringles (I know, bad choice) while my dinner was heating up and got STUCK like I've never been stuck before. Sliming galore and 2 hours later I was panicked...tried gagging myself and still stuck and nothing but slime coming up. After 3 hours of bad pain I just went to bed with the stuck feeling still there. Saturday morning it felt gone but I still could not eat. Water brought on the stuck feeling. I managed to get Soup and a yogurt down. Sunday, still not fully back to normal feeling. food gets stuck at first and then if I wait long enough I can eventually get it down. This morning I had trouble getting coffee down. I cannot drink like I used to. My question is am I too tight or did I just irritate my band? After a really bad episode, how long does it take for the irritation to go away? Is it possible to be filled on Monday and not be too tight till Friday? I have still never had food come back up. I'm thinking I'll just wait a couple more days to see what happens. Any advice is appreciated!