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As far as restrictions, do you mean food restrictions? Basically, there were food restrictions, but from what I have heard, they were not as restrictive as some others I have heard. I was eating egg beaters, tomato or split pea Soup, yogurt by week two, and by week three I was adding on more like cream of wheat and oatmeal, and by week's end...soft fish but that was my experience with my doctor. I am going to have my 2nd fill this Wednesday, and I just weighed myself, and I have lost 29-30 lbs...(not a digital scale). Regarding any food I eat now, its basically anything but in moderate portions, I just make sure that I chew well, and eat slowly. As far as knowing how much my fill was, my doctor doesn't tell me as he doesn't like his patients to get "hung up" on how much each fill is, and now that I am going in for my second and have read a lot of these message boards and see how many people talk about "how much their fills are" I can see that people do get hung up on that so...I guess I kind of agree with him. He knows and writes in down, and that's good with me, as he is concerned with the weight numbers either. He wants to know what I am eating and how I feel and what I am doing to feel better. To him, this is about the health issue, and not necessarily the numbers...as they will come along with the rest, but too many of us get caught up in the "numbers game" and get off the idea that we are going to be doing this the rest of our lives, so what we really need to do is change our eating patterns and how we look at how we see food and exercise. I will tell you, though...getting your first fill is weird, and an unusual experience...its doesn't hurt, its just a weird experience.

I mostly eat dairy ie; Greek yogurt, cheese, beans, rice cakes, n grilled chicken. In five weeks I have yet to have a normal stool. Not good, it means u are lacking fiber, so today is day one of that. I take all my vitamins and I have the Cotsco shakes Dez, I will try them. Thanks!!!!

You should be able to have a scope done to see what size your sleeve is. I agree with CGJ. You need another opinion. Research who is available to you and ask for a consult. DS should be your last resort. There has to be a reason you don't feel full on a small amount of food with a sleeve. I am 5 years out and I still can't finish any meal I try to eat, like steak and veggies. If I eat 3 oz of steak, I might be able to eat one pc of broccoli . Are you eating dense Protein or sliders like yogurt?

I had surgery 12/30 and the back pain was horrible! It lasted like that for a few days and now it is off and on but it seems worse right after I have eaten or drink anything. I'm still on yogurt and pudding and the likes so I dunno....hopefully from what I'm reading it will eventually go away completely. I do wish I would have been prepared for that though. It hurts so bad afterwards I was wondering, "What the heck did I get myself into???" Now it's not too bad.

1. Can't imagine eating steak again. The only steak I really like is filet mignon and I'm not about to spend big bucks for something only to discover I can't eat it!! Had shredded beef once and that was enough of that -steak would be pretty similar for me I think. 2. Can't stay away from Tastefully Simple Chai (it's my one indulgent thing). 3. Favorite food - a lean burger with fat free cheese - no bun. Favorite Recipe: A smoothie I have for Breakfast sometimes - 6 oz of pineapple juice (individual can) 8 oz. fat free vanilla yogurt, 1/2 c frozen strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1/2 scoop vanilla Protein powder. Asked my NUT about the smoothie who said it was fine but to watch portion size. It makes 16 oz. I go for a fill Wed and will check on that. I've discovered the things I used to crave and binge on (chips, chocolate) just aren't as much fun since I can only have a small bit of each. Guess it wasn't only the food that I loved, but sitting down and eating large quanities was a big factor in my "enjoyment." Boy that sounds so weird to type!! It's almost like "Why bother???"

I was sleeved on Aug 6th also. I got home this morning. Pain isn't too bad except gas, which comes and goes. Walked to the mailbox and that helped move the gas along. I was just able to eat about an oz of greek yogurt! Good luck everyone!

I am on some meds but I was on them before. I've been doing probiotics and fiber since I got home and I don't have a gall bladder anymore. I wish I knew what was going on! Ug! Oh and Greek yogurt goes straight through me!

My full liquids included Jello, yogurt and pudding.It was anything that turned to liquid once eaten. It had no fruit bits or anything mixed in. I was on full liquids from day 1 post op. I'd try mixing it in a little bit of s/f pudding Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello, I just wanted to share my story. I was on a fb group through the weight center that did my surgery on 12/5 but they didn't let me share my story. I went in for my sleeve surgery but shortly after while in recovery my BP dropped really low, I started sweating badly and my skin/eyes turned gray. They gave me a blood transfusion which brought my BP back up. I was brought in for an emergency surgery because I was bleeding out. They said leaked 3 liters of blood and had multiple large dark blood clots in my stomach. I was bleeding and oozing through the staples so they double stitched me and cauterized some of the stomach. Since the 2 surgeries I have had very high pulse, which they call Tachycardia. Also, I am anemic. I also get this uncontrolled diaphram spasm where it makes me gasp for air. The 1st week it hurt to swallow anything, even a sip of water. I started to get pain up my throat so they gave me heartburn meds which helped that matter. I went home after spending a few nights at the hospital but quickly after I was home I went back into the ER for low BP and dehydration. I am home again now, monitoring my BP. I am taking fluids ok and getting my proteins in. I still have to drink slow but I am able to. You can feel/hear every sip go down and every pill go down. I still get times where there is pressure from air stuck under the rib cage and the pain goes up to my shoulder. They just ok'd me to start cream soups, yogurt and cottage cheese 2 days ago. I get full really fast. I just wanted you to know that the 1% they warn you about can happen. It happened to me and I cry myself to sleep about the events that happened every time I close my eyes. It was very scary to go through. They said it will take about 6 weeks for my body to rebuild its own blood back up. Your body rejects some of the transfusion since it isn't your blood. Until then I get weak, dizzy and lightheaded every time I get up to walk around and my pulse goes really high and my heart beats out of my chest. I have a couple of mins to walk or shower and then I need to lay back down to catch my bearings. I am starting to get color back in my lips on occasion. The most important thing is I keep fighting to get up every day, walk a little and drink my fluids in order to get better. They tell you that you need support at home and I live alone so I was worried. They are right, you can't do this alone. After the ER trip it helped to have my parents coming in to remind me to keep drinking and to do things around the house that I couldn't. Thank you for listening. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I thought I would start a thread to see how everyone is doing, whether you have had surgery yet or not. What are your feelings since you have been banded? Are you happy? Adjusting well? How are you healing? How is eating/drinking going at your current stage? Social events? I'll start... I am on the pre-op diet of mostly liquid Protein, but I can have some yogurt and cottage cheese, strawberries/blueberries in my shakes. Egg Drop Soup has helped too. I find if I keep myself satiated I do fine. When I get hungry I get REAL hungry and I have to have something or else I feel like falling off the wagon. Today is day 7.. 4 more days to go on the diet, surgery is on Wednesday. I am ready to go!! I have been reading everyone's experiences who have had surgery before me and appreciate all the information gained. I have lost 10 lbs in this past week a good jump start but I am sure it is a lot of Water. :sneaky: Who is next? :biggrin:

I can't eat it as a "yogurt". I eat it more as a sour cream replacement/dip. Mix salsa with it and dip veggies. Add it to a soup to make it creamy. When I think of it as sour cream instead of yogurt it works, if that makes sense!

I tried that key lime Greek yogurt too. If its the same brand it was 12g protein and 160 cals. I'd like to try the crystal light in the plain Greek yogurt too. Good call!

I'm only about 6 weeks out, but I keep the fridge stocked with cheese strings, meat, greek yogurt, apple sauce for snacks. If I need a quick meal that I haven't prepared for I have several cans of soup in the pantry (kinda high in sodium, but better than some options). I also set aside leftovers from the night before for lunches.

I’m one week post op. (June 4). I’m sipping flavored water alternating with protein drink all day. I have small amts yogurt, SF jello and SF popsicles. I know I’m not getting enough protein and hydration. I’m having no nausea and tolerating everything well and have lost about 6 pounds since date of surgery. BUT I’M HUNGRY??!! I thought the sleeve would kick out my hunger - when does it start?!!

This thread inspired me to also go back to basics as i want to knock off the last 25-30 to bring me to goal. In the last 2 days I've lost 2 pounds and have broken through my almost 3 month stall. I write everything down and realize that i was eating as if at goal already vs eating to continue to lose. Im back to low or no fat greek yogurt with 1 packet of stevia in the raw twice a day, 2 hard boiled eggs made as deviled eggs with dijon mustard, 1 med apple per day eaten 1/2 at a time as a snack 2x per day with 1/2 the apple and 2 mini baby bel cheese for each indiv serving Until i wrote down what i was eating vs what i needed to eat to get me to goal i had no idea and kept thinking oh its just a stall. I caused the stall. Once i reach goal i will then resume how i had been eating during my stall as i gained no weight during this time. Oh and water water water ????

So, its been 16 days post op my NUT told me I was cleared for pureed foods at 12 days, I tried a VSG-friendly shepherds pie it went down ok I was sooo happy and proud I got full after like 2 bites. Yay, confirmation my sleeve is working! BUT THEN! I took a bit of low fat vanilla Greek yogurt, ONE BITE, My mother had to call 911 I was in so much pain I was on the toilet, pooping like crazy and gaging as if I had to throw up yet nothing came out, then I had a large amount of pressure all the way across my back between my shoulder blades. I was sweating and crying and so confused! There was at least a 2hour difference between the bite of yogurt and my dinner. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Also, any ideas for pureed foods would help! Thanks

Ok you fell off the wagan, not good, but pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go forward. Many of us lead busy hectic lives and we all must find a balance. You must find a balance to your life. As far as meals go I choose to cook each night and one night a week the hubs and I eat out or order out, but I choose healthy opitons when we do. Some people find it easy to crockpot meals- put everything in let it cook while you are at work and when you get home - vola dinner is done. (great recipes online) Some opt to cook meals on the weekend and place them in indiviual containers and take them out each night and heat. Some great times savers I have found are steam fresh veggies in the freezer section- yummy and quick - add a little canned chicken or tuna you have a meal. Tuna is a great time saver- great Protein source and they even have the little packs that you can take with you and mix your own tuna salad. In a pinch WW Smart One Meals - just watch sodium levels and calories. Greek yogurt- add a little flax seed or granola for bulk and a few frozen berries and you have a yummy Breakfast or lunch. There are ways to lead a busy life and eat clean, just think about ways you can fit it in and make a plan a head of time. Having plan makes it easier than flying by the seat of your pants.

I completely understand. It is so weird to have to put half a yogurt cup back in the fridge.

That's totally normal. You have very little restriction now, so your food is probably going through pretty fast. You'll need to go by your doctor's recommendations, but before I had my first fill, I was told to keep my meals under 1 cup and to add a 4th heavy protein snack rather than something low cal. For instance, 1/2 tuna, Greek yogurt w. added nuts & high fiber cereal. They call this period "bandster hell".

@@haleymarie - what does your diet consist of? My liquid diet includes Soups, broth, yogurt, Jello, shakes, unlimited steamed or raw vegetables (NO DRESSING OR SAUCES) and skim milk. Yesterday, I reinterpreted the diet to include thinned out sugar free pudding. :-) I added something called GENEPRO medical grade Protein. It has 30 grams of protein in one tablespoon. It is odorless and tasteless and didn't even change the consistency of the pudding. I have been having a very difficult time getting down the shakes so wasn't taking in enough protein or calories and this is helping me tremendously. Thanks to this Protein powder, I met my calorie/protein requirements yesterday and I did not feel exhausted and nauseous. Now I am sure some experienced VSGers will tell you 100 reasons why this protein powder isn't "good enough" or "preferred" but right now, I have to get thru this and if a 60 calorie cup of thinned out protein 2x a day is getting in my protein requirements, I'm just peachy with it!

Hi Eveyrone! Okay, had my surgery on August 6th and tomorrow I get to start eating things like eggs, yogurt, refried Beans, etc. I can also eat baby food but YUCKO...that is just not for me. I believe I am on this for a week or so and then move to soft foods and then normal foods at abour 4 weeks out. The day I began my liquid diet I was 311 per my scales. On surgery date I was 299 and today, almost one week out I am 287. Wow! I am down 25 pounds from start of liquid diet to today and down 12 pounds, so far, since surgery. I am having to work at my liquids....sipping, sipping, sipping. My hubby bought a diet Dr. Pepper today and although I don't even like them I would have paid good money to have just a taste but didn't want to go there at all so I didn't. Whew! Took a dose of pain meds last night and instead of helping me relax they seemed to make me keyed up instead. Didn't make for a restful night and today was my first day back at work. Will try to do just relaxation techniques tonight and stay clear of the pain meds. Can notice a huge differnce in a few of my shirts and it seems unreal to be at this point already. Woohoo!! Petrified of getting a leak so being super careful about what I am taking in and I take my temperature all the time. Not so much today at work but at times it tends to be a OCD thing. Any words of adivce??? I am urinating just fine BUT, and this may be a bit TMI, when should I expect to have a bowel movement? I mean I am passing gass all sorts of ways but nothing is happening as far as having a BM. Should I be concerned? What were some of your favorite foods when you moved into the soft food stage? Am looking for ideas to keep my tastebuds happy. xoxo

Hello Everyone! I am new here. 32 years old and female. I am scheduled to have my Gastric Sleeve surgery on April 14. During the 6 month diet process I have had trouble and am still having trouble figuring out what to eat, mainly because I am a picky eater and also because I really never know what to do with a bunch of ingredients. I was once a big time starch eater; mostly Pasta, pizza, rice, etc. However I started cutting it out of my diet for the sake of my surgery and the weight-loss alone from cutting that has been decent. I started drinking Protein powders (mostly BSN Syntha 6 because the flavors are tasty) about 5 months ago. Now my diet consist mostly of Protein powder, low fat string cheese, Beans, non starchy vegetables, eggs, and chicken or turkey sources with the occasional Peanut Butter on something or some plain oatmeal with smart balance butter and salt or grits (since I prefer that) and Fage greek yogurt with salt (since it makes it taste like cream cheese). I guess my problem is that I am getting bored with the food choices available and have literally been struggling to train my palate to like oatmeal and yogurt (since I never liked them ever growing up). I eat fruit occasionally, but don't really like sweets since I've weened off of sugar a couple years ago and now drink my teas sugar free. I was wondering if anybody who is pre-surgical or post surgical can offer some advice for me. For the past 2 weeks or so I have eaten close to nothing because I don't feel hungry and I also don't want to regain the weight. This is where the "borderline anorexia" bit comes in. Can somebody please help me get through this so I can have a successful surgery and heal properly? Thanks! Keyo

google "recipes with ingredients I have or like" and then list just those foods you like and see what comes up. I'm not a picky eater and I prefer vegetables to fruit but I don't eat cheese, yogurt, salmon or peppers. I can't eat (due to diverticulosis) corn, popcorn, nuts, seeds, etc.. So, I will have some things to overcome when I get to the soft food and full food phase.

Hi - sorry you feel unprepared. I can help you - I checked back to my food journals. At three weeks post surgery I was onto soft foods at this point. Amount - I was eating about 1/4 cup of food or 2 oz if I was weighing out my food. This was usually 3/4 of a scrambled egg, 2 oz of tuna (or 1 1/2 oz tuna and 1/2 oz of avocado) or 1/4 of Soup (but I only ate the contents - not the broth). Drank broth first then eat the food part later (after waiting about 15 minutes). If I was eating yogurt, I could never finish the cup container. I would usually do 1/3 - 1/2 at a time of yogurt. When I was eating right after surgery - you want to make sure you eat or drink - NEVER At the same time. Does not feel right. this is also when you need to learn what "full" feels like. .

Just got scheduled today for March 4th. I have slowly been incorporating foods into my diet that I'll be able to have before and after. I've been eating more yogurt and trying different broths. I'm going Protein shopping this weekend. I'll start my liquid diet in three weeks. I gave up using straws for the most part a few months ago and I'm working on not having any carbonated drinks. I need to cut back on caffeine but that's going to be really really hard. And the most exciting thing I've done so far is clothes shopping. I'm a 22/24 right now and I bought some smaller jeans. I just kind of look at them in the mornings and think how I can't wait till even those are too big for me.