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I couldn't tolerate protein powders/shakes postop (Or now!) I lived off of milk, drinkable yogurt, and protein kefir for a week or two until purees.

Hello. I've been banded for almost 4 years and have lost 95 pounds, give or take a few. I had a fill in January and was very restricted for about 2 weeks. Since then, the band has worked like I had hoped. I would eat a little and be full. I had to be careful, small bites, chew, chew, chew. However, for about a month, I drink my usual 12 oz protein shake in the morning and coffee, yogurt for lunch, 48 oz. of water throughout the day and then eat and drink whatever I'm hungry for, for dinner. The problem is that the evening eating is getting more and more. It seems like I can eat a lot some times and then other times things just get stuck. I think getting enough water has a lot to do with it but I'm scheduled to see my doctor in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure if I need a fill or not. I don't weigh myself a lot but I think I've lost about 5 pounds since January. I'd like to lose another 15. Any suggestions???? Thanks

In viewing your question it seems more like Hypoglycemic episodes than dumping syndrome in my opinion. I don't know if you are going long periods between meals but at least try to drink a protein shake...some of it. Or eat a yogurt. Take a anti nausea medication before hand. I am 5 months post op and still deal with nausea. My Doctor prescribed Zofran sublingual so it just melts on my tongue. I also have Phenergan a stronger pill for nausea if I need it. I don't know if you are a diabetic but either way please confer with Doctor regarding your symptoms if you have not done so already. Best wishes.

Soft foods include yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna with light mayo, creamed soups, mashable vegetables, canned chicken, canned salmon, etc. Basically, soft foods are soft going down. Did your surgeon's office or dietitian or nutritionist give you a pamphlet or handout that listed the allowable soft foods for their bariatric program?

Yes- 24 hour to 48 hour liquid only!! GO SLOW!! I'm 6yrs out, felt like a little fill would help me lose last 15#--- wrong 0.3cc made me overfilled!!! I have had horrific reflux, can't sleep even sitting up, choking, burning, coughing, PB'ing, sliming, very few solids, too tight for yogurt, takes an hr to drink protein-- going for unfill. I tried to allow swelling to go down- I've waited a month, I'm too tight for liquids even. Less than 1cc can make a HUGE difference!!

1. Deviled eggs, if your sleeve likes eggs. 2. Cucumber slices (instead of crackers) with chicken salad, hummus, or tuna salad for dipping. 3. Chili!! 4. Roasted nuts--just take some nuts, a little olive oil, whatever herbs or spices sound good, mix, and put on a cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven until they're lightly toasted--watch carefully, as they can burn. 5. Mozzarella and cherry tomato skewers with pesto to dip. 6. If your local store carries "Beanitos," some of those with bean dip or cheese dip or other high-protein dip. 7. Veggie sticks with ranch-style Greek yogurt dip. 8. Cold shrimp with cocktail or remoulade sauce--yum!

Mmmmmm, soft foods: Tuna and light mayo with relish on club crackers Crab cakes Black beans, egg, salsa Cottage cheese mixed with yogurt Sushi Avocado Laughing Cow light wedges!!! Egg salad Spoonful of peanut butter

Great job on the weight loss. I have only lost about 7 lbs but am hoping by next tuesday i will be down at least 12 lbs. I really am excited for everyone. This is a very hard decision and a life long commitment. I cant wait until the 1st. I also love the popsicles but am not allowed the fudgsicles. We can only have 4 slim fast low carbs and 1 low carb yogurt. Anything sugar free to drink as long as it is not carbonated or caffenated. I am only getting about 900 calories a day and only 11 grams of carbs, & 80 grams of protein. I am very tired and weak. All i want to do is sleep so i dont think of food. But i have a family so this is not an option.

Thanks! I just tried it again with a small strawberry yogurt, skim milk and ice in the blender. Much better!

Boiled eggs are a waste of calories and sleeve space. Not enough protein .Research before you put anything in your mouth. I live on greek yogurt 14-15 gr of protein. Tilapia, chicken, red meat. Cottage cheese is high in protein. Special K PROTEIN PLUS cereal 1/2 cup with 1/2 cup Carbmaster milk. I don't have space for veggies or bananas in my sleeve. No protein? I won't eat it. Water? Yes, but not as much cause I forget to drink it. I take my Bariatric advantage vitamins and 1 iron pill every day. I am not doing ANY excersise but to walk from my cubicle to the mail room a few times per day. I've lost 35 lbs in 8 weeks. Ps: I take Wellbutrin. What is depression again? You gotta take something. See a doctor. Get serotonin levels up baby. Check your thyroid levels. You'll feel great.

Yay... lucky Junebug 36 that you get mushies! I have 5 more days until I move to full liquids. I am pretty tired of liquids although I don't really feel hungry, just tired of drinking the same old, same old. It will be nice to add the variety of applesauce and yogurt and cottage cheese and stuff. I seem to get more 'full' drinking my Protein shake in the AM so and I drink 1/2 and then wait to drink the other 1/2. For my afternoon shake, as long as I drink slow, I can drink the whole 11 ozs. This is not a feeling I am used to (feeling satisfied and able to stop eating/drinking when I am satisfied) and I am loving it. I am only 3 days post-op so I am still struggling with the C02 gas pains but every day it is getting better. So far I have no regrets.

Today was Day 4 - I got 62 oz of Protein in with 42 oz of Fluid (counting Water, juice, Protein shake, yogurt, and soup). As soon as I am at the 4 oz. mark, I start getting this heart burn feeling in my chest. At least today was better than yesterday. It give me hope! Thank you all for your experiences!

I use unjury protein powder. I find that if I make a shake with the powder and milk that it doesn't agree with me. It tastes better to me and doesn't make me feel ill if I use unsweetened almond breeze with the powder. Also like to mix the unjury chocolate powder with 8 oz plain decaf coffee and add some ice. I only use plain Greek yogurt with less than 5 g sugar. Chobani and Sigi Icelandic. Are both good. Make a smoothie with the Greek yogurt (1/2 cup) and 1 cup frozen mango and 1/2 cup water.

@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

May 26th, my surgery date, has come and gone. Along with it, 18 pounds are gone. My pre-op diet seems like it is long gone, and that took 12 pounds along with it. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN....that is a GRAND TOTAL of 30 POUNDS GONE! Wow! That is pretty amazing, and I do feel like I should be standing in the center of a crowded arena, with a microphone in front of me, announcing that to the world. But, instead, I smile shyly and tell anyone who asks, how much I've lost. I am kind of shy about stuff like this. But I digress... So I had my 2 week follow up and there was some fluid built up around the port. The doctor drained that and removed the staples. Thank GOD! They were more than ready to come out. He told me to go forth and eat anything I wantd in pureed form. And to come back in 2 weeks to make sure I am not collecting more fluid. So...in the last 3 weeks, I have been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. More than 1...ok maybe 3 times I have cried like a baby. I believe I wept for the loss of an old friend, FOOD FOR NUMBING EMOTIONS. Come on, I ate when I was lonely, bored, scared, angry, happy, sad and anything in between. I believe I am formally in mourning. But, having a bit of experience in the loss of loved ones...I know the sadness never truly leaves, but it does lighten up and becomes manageable over time. I believe I am entering that stage. I am managing my mourning. I KNOW I can't use my crutch anymore. Food really did an excellent job of numbing pain. I mean, food has always stood beside me. It always was ready to offer me sustenance, even after my 28 year marriage crashed and burned about 6 years ago! But now I am eating pureed foods and that brings back FLAVOR! I have my protein shake for breakfast, 1/2 cup of oatmeal for a snack. Sometimes I reverse those 2 just to have some variety (hahaha). I have FF yogurt or baby food for lunch. I have SF pudding for a snack. And all day long I have a water bottle with me. That is a very good lifestyle change for me! My boyfriend is a food lover. Yet he does not suffer from obesity. Actually, he is a chef and a food lover...a dangerous combo. Last night he made me pureed chicken and pureed vegetables. Served me 1/4 cup of each for dinner. It tasted fabulous. The texture was a little weird, but the flavor was wonderful!! He sat there and talked with me while I ate....SLOWLY. He had a look of pain on his face. This diet is KILLING HIM! I don't think he can fathom the idea of eating pureed foods. But he is my soulmate, the love of my life. So he fixes me things of great taste and will stay with me while I eat. But he will not eat in front of me. That bothers HIM too much. I assure him it's ok with me, but he just won't do it. He says he will once I can eat regular food again. That should be next week. So it won't be long. I was in pain. But I didn't like the pain medicine. I NEVER like that stuff! It made me whiny and very confused and groggy. I used it for about 8 days, then I took myself off of it. Yesterday was the first day I stood up when I awoke and stretched and didn't cringe. I am HEALING!! I feel no pain!! And although I have lost 30 pounds, I am wearing the same clothes as before I began this journey. Only now, they are looser. Some are MUCH looser!! I am still a little sad at times when I see people gorging on some of my favorite foods (last Saturday was a graduation party for 2 of my nephews and there was a lot of good food there). But mostly I am awaiting the arrival of a different old friend...Happy, Healthy and Strong Mary....I hear she is on her way to stay with me. I can't wait 'til she gets here!! She's close!!! -mary

Everyone is different. I was not hungry when I woke up. I've never heard about not craving. Cravings are equal parts mental and physical so it is possible to not be hungry AND have cravings. As your doctor to prescribe something for the acid. I was started on omeprazole in the hospital which helped a lot. My Protein Shakes fill me up. Perhaps try adding some greek yogurt to help fill you. I use FAGE 0%. It's a great protein boost as well. Holiday food? Meh. However if you must, perhaps figuring out healthier versions of holiday food would help. It's not a magic wand, it's a tool. You have to do the work of learning new and healthier eating habits.

Thanks, I'm not allowed yogurt till week 2 so now it's the protien drinks jello and popsicles I'll try to do more milk but hard to do when you feel nausious. I appreciate your reply!

I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience... I had taken off all the bandaides from my tummy, (left the steri-strips alone of couse) I am very very sore still, and find most of my soreness on my left side. My large dressing/gauge area (where i think my port is?) is the most tender, swollen, and painful. The weird thing is that to the left an inch from where the dressing/bandaides are is where i feel a definite firmness. Naturally Im paranoid that something is wrong, and that the port flipped or somehow moved significantly to the left. I don't have a follow up with my surgeon until Wednesday (5 days away)... Should I worry? Otherwise things are good. I have been drinking chicken broth, k20 pink lemonade protein drink (delicious), edensoy chocolate soy milk, muscle milk, carnation instant breakfast, and have had a little jello here and there as well. I have no interest whatsoever yet in yogurts, cream soups, etc. Clear liquids, and full liquid protein supplements have been great. Today I managed to stay awake a few different times for 1-2 hour increments. I am currently utterly exaughsted and about ready to go back to sleep... Oh yeah did I mention that getting in and out of bed is very unpleaseant? And forgot lying anything but flat on your back.. Oh well. Angela

Pacific foods makes great soups in the carton Coconut water- will keep you hydrated Isopure...liquid protein Steamed spinach in chicken broth Steamed fish in broth Jello Cottage cheese Chobani plain or Fage yogurt because they have the least amount of sugar. Popsicles GasX- just because Listenine strips - to combat crappy taste in mouth Cream of wheat Protein drinks an powders. Electric heating pad

@@kayshabear my 2 shakes are each 30g protein so thats 60g right there and then my yogurt and 5g and i eat 3 a day so thats 15g and my jello has 1g lol so i least have 76g a day plus i have been doing broth but my mom homemade it for me so i don't know exact nutrition facts but I'm sure I'm getting least 80 a day but trying to get 4 shakes a day makes me nauseous I'm over the taste after the 2nd one! lol

Yogurt, egg whites (some people have trouble with eggs), mashed potato (no gravy), mashed cauliflower, squash, chili (Wendy's), bbq chicken (KFC, no bun). I would bring ready to drink protein shakes so that you have SOMETHING in the event you are desperate (premier brand from Costco is very good, Muscle Milk Light). Bring some plastic spoons as you can usually find greek yogurt anywhere (including 7/11 or Cumberland Farms) but they may not have spoons.

I am a little over 2 weeks out also and I am experiencing what you are experiencing. I have had some trouble getting some foods down, but once they are down my stomach hasn't been sensitive to anything. I haven't had anything with sugar or any sweets but I do find myself snacking on SF puddings and Jello and yogurt. I also am not really following the guidelines set by my doctor and I know that is wrong. I should be in the pureed foods stage but quite frankly the thought of pureed meat is nauseating to me so instead I eat little bits of meat and chew them really good. But nothing tough. I had 1/2 a meatball for dinner last night and that filled me up. I have also been eating Beans (black & white mixed with chicken broth) for lunch because they are high in Protein. But I don't puree them. I feel like they are soft enough. Soup has been my best friend, especially egg drop from the chinese restaurant. But I get what you mean about hunger. I have been experiencing that also. Although I know it is head hunger, but the littlest amounts of foods satisfy it. So if you have to snack, just stick to sf Snacks, apple sauce, yogurt and you should be ok.

Today is August 28th and a week and a half since my surgery. I decided to weigh myself for the first time since my initial visit to the surgeon in May, a couple of nights ago. In May I weighed 230 pounds. The dr. took a picture of me. I had been cutting back on carbs and exercising quite a bit on the treadmill since May. I now weigh 208 pounds. My clothes are starting to feel bigger on me. A jacket that I wore with my dress pants is too big now. That is a good feeling. I feel like I am hungry even after I eat my yogurt or my Slim Fast. I know I won't get a fill until 6 weeks out in order to give my stomach time to heal. My stitches are starting to itch and I am able to sleep on my stomach now without pain.

Today is August 28th and a week and a half since my surgery. I decided to weigh myself for the first time since my initial visit to the surgeon in May, a couple of nights ago. In May I weighed 230 pounds. The dr. took a picture of me. I had been cutting back on carbs and exercising quite a bit on the treadmill since May. I now weigh 208 pounds. My clothes are starting to feel bigger on me. A jacket that I wore with my dress pants is too big now. That is a good feeling. I feel like I am hungry even after I eat my yogurt or my Slim Fast. I know I won't get a fill until 6 weeks out in order to give my stomach time to heal. My stitches are starting to itch and I am able to sleep on my stomach now without pain.

Hi there, Here's how I incorporated fruits and veggies early out: Yogurt shake for breakfast: greek non-fat yogurt, a couple of strawberries, a splash of OJ, bigger splash of Water, and some Splenda. Melons for snack:Watermelon and cantelope both sat well. Applesauce cups: another good snack 1/3 bananna: snack Frozen peas and carrots: Cooked them alongside whatever Protein I was having Zucchini: cut off a few slices with a mandoline slicer and cooked them alongside whatever protein I was having Soups: Split Pea, Veggie, Tomato, Butternut Squash Peppers and onions, spinach: Added to sandwich after I could tolerate bread again Spinach: wilt and serve under protein I couldnt eat much because early on protein took almost all my room, but I love veggies and fruit and would have felt deprived without any. To control constipation, I used a fiber supplement, benefiber and Colace stool softener. Lynda