Search the Community

Honestly when I started adding foods like grilled chicken and other veggies I started noticing that my weight increased. I’ve lost a few of those pounds but not all. I’m not back eating just yogurt and drinking protein shakes. Occasionally I’ll eat grilled chicken and veggies but I limit it now. My vitamin levels are good. All blood work is good. yes I’ve talked to my wl team. They haven’t been much help ( in my opinion) they just seem to not believe me 🤷🏼‍♀️ Yes I do have artificial sweeteners. One coffee a day with Splenda and sugar free creamer. Sugar free jello and sugar free redi whip Very little processed food is in my diet. I will eat cheese with my veggies or chichen when I do eat that. Unless what I said above is considered processed. I eat no lunch meat or protein bars. My team has me on low calorie low carb and I stick to it. But occasionally I might go over but it’s not daily or even every other day. I weigh my food and don’t go over the 6 oz of food per meal I get 80 oz of water a day.

I don't think there is a limit to how much protein the body can absorb, there is a limit to how much it needs for muscle repair. The rest goes into energy. http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/know-your-nutrients/how-much-protein-can-the-body-absorb @@reachbree - I still mix some unflavored in my flavored mix. That is just personal taste. I also add a little unflavored to my yogurt. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery website says... Q: Can I take all of the protein in one dose? A: Protein should be taken in multiple doses, across multiple meals or healthy Snacks. The body cannot absorb more than approximately 30 grams at once. Also, protein is a nutrient that helps us feel fuller, longer. If we try to include Proteins in each of our meals or healthy snacks, we’re less likely to feel hungry when it’s not time to eat. https://asmbs.org/patients/life-after-bariatric-surgery My Dr made very clear that the body can only absorb so much at one time. There is a reason we take Vitamins apart, not just because some of them interact badly with each other.

Alright my friends! I talked to my dietician yesterday and she said I can start Solid Food in 2 weeks. I am to slowly start introducing new foods at that time so I know what I'm tolerating and what I'm not. So far I've had carnitas minus the tortillas, eggs, bacon, grilled chicken, tuna, peaches, applesauce, ham and yogurt on the soft food diet. I just kinda have those in rotation. I'm excited about incorporating more food but I'm not 100% where to start. It has to stay low carb per my nutritionist. I'm to avoid high carb/ high starch food for at least the next 6 months. Honestly I think I will avoid them the rest of my life. So here's my question... where do I start? I was wondering if salads are back in play or if that's too much ruffage and not enough protein. Advice? I look forward to your answers.

During my pureed stage I was allowed scrambled eggs, soft cheeses and shredded meat, so I really lived on those. I made Shelly's Ricotta Bake (recipe on this page) and had that almost every night for dinner. I had tuna salad or a a scrambled egg with some melted cheese for lunch. I was still having two Protein shakes a day (one for Breakfast and one a couple hours after dinner). I had cottage cheese, string cheese, light greek yogurt, or Peanut Butter for Snacks. My nutritionist wants me at 85-100 grams of protein a day and I was able to get at least 85 grams in all through my pureed stage with those foods. I never actually pureed anything.

That is a GREAT coincidence!!! I can't believe how similar our surgeries are. As for advice, I guess I would say that I am a big planner. I spent the past few weeks leading up to my liquid diet being proactive. I first started subbing one meal (breakfast) for a protein shake and then eating two regular meals. After about 2 weeks of that, I started subbing 2 meals a day for a protein shake and switching my last meal to low carb. I was doing that for about 10 days and then shifted to my full liquid diet (with sugar free jello and/or 1 greek yogurt per day) fairly easily. I say do what you can. I got this advice from my surgeon (along with his nurse and also my nutritionist agreed): If you can make two of your meals per day a protein shake, then eat one meal low carb (only carbs from veggies). Try to make your protein lowfat. It will still accomplish the goal of shrinking your liver and you should drop a few pounds. Try to make your meal about 400 calories or less. That one meal plus the two protein shakes will still make your calories around 1000 or less for the day. I don't know if it will help you, but it has been a lifesaver for me. And if I absolutely cannot make it until the 11th (no food at all the day before surgery) without eating real food, I know I can eat something as long as it is pure lowcarb. Good luck to you on journey. I wish you the best. I hope you will keep in touch with your progress, because it will be nice to see someone who's so similar to me going through the same process.

Try using yogurt instead of water, helps mask the awful taste.

That’s sort of what I have been doing. A premier protein when I wake up, then my three meals have been either a yogurt, apple sauce, or soup. And then another protein shake at night. But I’m at 68oz water not including protein shakes... some people count that into it. I have been setting timers for drinking and eating. I am wondering if this is a cautionary thing my doctor suggests just to start? 1-2 oz every 10-15 minutes. Water or protein shake or food. I’m at 2 oz water/ protein shake per ten minutes and it goes down fine. [emoji1303]

So, I'm 10 months out and still having problems eating solid foods (doc knows, nothing they can do). Since this appears to be my life, I need to get out of the rut of only eating yogurt for breakfast and dinner. Lentils seem like they go down fine. We have a meal delivery service here that is run by immigrants/refugees and I have been able to get all sorts of delicious Middle Eastern, Indian, and African (lots of stuff from Eritrea and Ethiopia)-style lentils from that. But those have a lot of salt and oil, so I'd love to be able to replicate them by cooking at home. Does anyone know of a good lentil cookbook that has a lot of different styles of cooking? Thanks!

hi stacy i never did the mushy stage - isn't that the one where you put food like chicken or whatever into the blender for a minute - yeach - couldn't even attempt that, just the thought...yeach was never good on which stage etc. i "think" soft foods were next - cottage cheese, yogurt, - just wanted to give you a for instance, starting help - hoping someone will jump on the bandwagon and give more and possibly better advice, good luck kathy

I 💜 lentils... But a Lentil only cool book... Hmmmm thats super specific so try Google Also can you branch out to other legumes as well (so you dont get stuck in a rut)? All legumes/beans can be cooked very very tender and mashed blended into stew/soup? You can even add unflavored protein powder, yogurt, cheese or cottage cheese as a topping. Good Luck and share if you find something 💜

We all went through this. It seems never ending, but instead of focusing on what your limited too look at what your gaining in a matter of words these days of Soup and yogurt broth are helping the new you a few days of discomfort in the scheme of things get plain yogurt and flavor it with a crystal light packet. Switch your broths around vegetable chicken and beef take the labels off your soup cans so you have no idea what meal you get this time. It will be ok you can do this. Those before have and so can you Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Are you still on a liquid diet? If so, then it's the norm for this part of the post-op. Remember, you aren't consuming a lot of food to have big bowel movements anymore. I rarely go every day even now at over 8 months out. It's about every other to every 3 days. Try taking some Probiotics, or getting in more yogurt if you're cleared for that stage of the post-op diet. Yogurt helped tremendously with the loose, peacock colored poops I experienced early out.

My little tummy has yet to meet anything she hates. Fish, shrimp, lobster, crab, beef, yogurt, cheese, Beans, chicken, lentils...bring it all! I haven't tried bread, Pasta and sugar but feel pretty sure she'd gobble those up with delight if I let her. Always did say I had the constitution of an ox....

I'm a May 6th sleever as well! Doing pretty well... I've been home two days, and like everyone else, getting all liquids and Protein in is a bit of a challenge. Just not hungry, but I try and eat every time my hubby does, and to only eat protein fortified things, i.e.: greek yogurt with a scoop of vanilla Protein powder in it (yummy!). Yesterday I think I got 70grams of protein, but that was with drinking a shake, which I think detracted from my Water, I may have only gotten 48oz of water yesterday... woke up with a dry mouth. On the pain side of things, just the incision on my left (where they took my stomach out) is sore, I still have to splint it when getting up or down from a chair, etc. And both nights before I went to bed, I had episodes of getting my night time pills "stuck" then stood there trying to get them to either come back up, or go down for about 20 minutes. Last night I had the brilliant idea of taking a gas x strip when this happened, since really it feels like you need to let out a big burp. That seemed to help, I was able to go to bed a few minutes later with no more issues. Tonight I'm going to try and take my bedtime pills a little earlier. So all in all, healing up pretty good, and I took a chance, and stepped on the scale today: down 3 pounds from surgery day!

I had the bypass 6 months ago. For the first month, I couldn't even drink water without feeling sick. I had to get a script for a nausea patch that is worn behind the ear. I could only drink Peppermint tea. By the second month, I could only eat Cream of Wheat, and a little bit of Oatmeal. I couldn't drink Protein drinks until my 4th to 5th month, and even now, I didn't drink them very often. I recently tried the Carmel flavored Fairlife, and I do like that one. I eat raw, unsalted almonds, and walnuts if I get hungry between meals. It is my go to food. I haven't had a problem with it. Have you tried to eat Cottage Cheese? I eat that instead of yogurt, because I don't like yogurt, and it has more protein. I still have a lot of mucus when I eat. I have to spit after almost every bite I take. I asked the doc about it, and they didn't seem concerned. Oh, and if my hubby cooked anything, the smell would make me feel so sick, I would have to go outside to get air.

light string cheese or those baybel light cheese in that red wax! a glass of milk is great too (although can't really put that in a bag lol) greek yogurt beef jerky i always keep Protein bars and shakes in my work desk just in case as well.

Wow, I have one month of pre-op diet to do. Here is mine. Week 4 before operation: Breakfast: Protein shake Snack: No bread. ONE SERVING of raw fruit, raw almonds or nuts or string cheese, yogurt or cottage cheese (all low fat). Lunch: A meal of meat and vegetables (no root veggies) that is less than 300 calories. Snack: Same as above Supper: Same type of meal as Lunch Snack: 1/2 protein shake 64 oz of water or zero-calorie, non-carbonated beverages. Week 3 before operation: Same as week for only one of the meals is replaced with a protein shake. Weeks 1 and 2: 8 oz protein shakes for meals 4 oz protein shakes for snacks. Some doctors want you to be on a clear liquid diet the day before surgery. Didn't you have to go to a nutritionist before you were cleared for surgery? I had to get to have 4 months of medically approved and documented dieting submitted to my surgeon, approval from my insurance company, a psych evaluation, met with a support group at least once, meet with a bariatric nutritionist, general blood work, Resting Metabolic Rate test and a test for h. pylori. I also was highly encouraged to read at least two books on WSL. Guess that is the difference between doctors.

Protein drinks, water crystal lite, ONLY 5 days before. Clear liquids (jello) no protein no pudding no yogurt. For another 2 weeks. Then right to mush ,4 days then soft. That's where I'm at now..

During the first few weeks after surgery, you need to take the time to recover and to start adjusting to your new life with the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System. A big part of your long term weight loss success will be your motivation and commitment to a new lifestyle that includes a new diet and exercise plan, routine check ups with your surgeon, ongoing LAP-BAND® System adjustments, support group meetings, and more. However, be patient with yourself in the first weeks after surgery. You've already taken the biggest step - the first one. Now, it'll be a new life and lifestyle you create over time, not overnight. Your doctor will work with you to address your needs specifically. Below are some guidelines: Recovery Here are some key points for your recovery in the first few days and weeks. First Days You can expect some soreness, especially where the access port is, but it should subside (Please call your surgeon if the pain persists after a few days). To prevent infection, your surgeon may tell you not to shower for a day or so after surgery. Try to walk as much as you can comfortably, so that you'll regain strength and prevent blood clots, but take it slowly. [*]First Week(s) During the first week after surgery, allow yourself to recover and get plenty of rest. In about a week, you should be able to return to work, provided it's not physically demanding. For more physically active jobs, allow yourself two to three weeks to recover. Within four to six weeks, you should be able to resume all normal activity and start a new exercise program. Note: Before engaging in any physical activity or exercise program, first consult your surgeon. Many surgeons see their patients weekly or biweekly during the first month after surgery, so you will be sure your recovery is going well, and have any questions answered. Dietary Guidelines After surgery, you'll need a new nutrition plan. You'll learn about the positive changes you can and need to make in your diet and lifestyle from your surgeon and/or dietitian. It's very important to follow your new eating and drinking instructions beginning immediately after the surgery. In the first few weeks after your LAP-BAND® System surgery, you will be on a liquid diet since only thin liquids will be tolerated by your stomach at that time. As you heal, you will gradually progress to pureed foods (three to four weeks post-op) and then soft foods (five weeks post-op). Finally, after about six weeks, you will be able to eat solid foods. The First Few Days Post-Surgery It's extremely important to follow the eating and drinking instructions immediately after the surgery. This allows your new stomach pouch to heal completely and the LAP-BAND® System to stay in the right position. In the early weeks, it's crucial not to stretch the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND® System. Vomiting will do this, while also increasing the chance of stomach tissue slipping up through the band. Right after the surgery, you can take an occasional sip of Water or suck on an ice cube. Don't take any more liquid than this, though. The day after the operation, you can take a little more Fluid but only a small amount at a time. Besides water, you should also choose Clear Liquids that have an adequate number of calories. To prevent nausea and vomiting, do not drink too much. [*]liquid diet (1-2 weeks post-surgery) Your goal during the first few weeks is to protect the small stomach pouch so that you can heal properly. It can only tolerate thin liquids at this time. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water (small amounts at a time). Other liquids recommended during this phase include: clear broth or Soup (with no vegetables or meat, and not creamy) skim milk fruit juice no-sugar-added popsicles [*]Pureed Foods (3-4 weeks post-surgery) Now, you can start adding slightly textured foods. Think of the consistency of baby foods. This stage will help you transition to more solid foods later. Protein is very important for maintaining muscle while you lose weight. So, you should eat protein-rich foods first, and then move on to fruits and vegetables. Foods in this stage may include: pureed skinless chicken or fish mashed potatoes peas low-fat yogurt or pudding [*]Please note: In the first few weeks you may be able to eat foods that might not be allowed in your diet later, because they may contain too many calories. [*]Remember, it's more important in the first few weeks to let your stomach adjust to the LAP-BAND® System than it is to lose weight. Also, your personal timing and progression into each dietary phase depends on your progress. In general, when it comes to your nutrition, you should follow the advice of your surgeon and/or dietitian. [*]Soft Foods (5 weeks post-surgery) Your meals can now include tender, cooked foods like fish and ground turkey. Now that you can chew, make it a habit to chew foods well. If you have dentures, be sure to cut your food into small pieces and chew your food thoroughly. By not chewing properly, you may experience vomiting, stomach irritation and swelling. You could also have stoma obstruction (obstruction of the stomach opening created by the LAP-BAND® System). Some products like bread, red meat, and rice may still cause you problems, so it is better to eat softer foods that are easier to digest. These might include foods such as moist white meat (chicken or pork) and fish. If solid foods cause any nausea and vomiting, go back to the liquid diet you had earlier. Then you can slowly add soft foods and eventually transition to solid foods. Always ask your doctor or dietitian for advice that is specific to you. Again, remember that vomiting may increase the incidence of band slippage, stomach slippage, or stretching of the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND®.

Oh y’all. It’s been a little bit since I’m been on this forum. I’m struggling with any weight loss. It’s like I’ve hit a wall for the last 3 months. This is my stats. SD 4/26/22 / SW 216 / CW 175 / GW 130 / age 50 My team has me under 700 cal and less than 20 carbs a day. I use to basically eat yogurt for almost every meal 🤷🏼‍♀️. But my team say I wasn’t getting enough protein and my body was probably bored and that was causing my slow down in weight. So they had me to mix things up. So I started eating more protein (meats, chicken etc) well then I started started gaining 😡. My last weight in back in January was 173. I gained up to 180 when adding back food. Now I’m down to 175 but I can’t get the scale to move. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong 😑. My hair is still falling out and I’m definitely getting my protein and my vitamin levels are good. I just don’t feel like my team believes me when I tell them I’m not going over calories or carbs. I’m just beyond frustrated at this point.

The BFL Gods are against me! (But they won't win ~ BWAHAHAHA) - I broke the pedal connection thingy on my exercise bike. So I did stair climbing for my cardio this morning. Panting and sweating. The interval part of this stuff is killer! I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes-I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes-I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes. Tomorrow upper body (and my butt is still sore from the strength training that I did yesterday) - My crockpot of steel cut oats are overcooked with this funky thick lining along the crock. They stink. Threw them out. Ate regular oats this morning and low fat cottage cheese. - My photos that I took last night turned out to be all flash. Couldn't get it right. Maybe I can get some done this weekend? Meals: 1) Cottage Cheese and Oatmeal 2) Tuna and yogurt 3) Protein Shake ?

Precious, everybody's sleeve is different. I never counted anything (and still don't), mostly because I have to eat what my sleeve will allow--and, for good or ill, it doesn't let me eat foods that aren't good for me (can't tolerate fried foods, most flour products, sweets). However, it also doesn't let me eat good-for-me foods like chicken, eggs, tuna, etc., so it's a trade off. Since you're having such a difficult time trying to do the "standard" things, why not try something else? Maybe aim to get some Protein through vegetable sources--get some bean Soup and zap it in the blender and heat that up and eat it. Split pea with ham. Vegetarian chili that has TVP (textured vegetable protein) instead of meat--zap them up so they're smooth and try those. My point is, low-carbing will work for a good number of folks, but not everyone. If your sleeve won't tolerate a lot of the typical protein foods (tuna, chicken, whatever), you obviously can't eat those, and a lot of very healthy, non-animal-protein-based foods are going to come with some carbs. Since you can't keep a lot of solid stuff down yet, I say don't worry about your carbs too much and just try to find a set of foods you can eat that are tolerable. I lived for the first few months on yogurt, spoons of Peanut Butter, cottage cheese, and soup--literally ate soup every day. You'll be glad later that your sleeve is picky--right now, it STINKS, but as you heal and progress, you'll be happy to have that picky thing that keeps you from eating what you shouldn't. Hang in there, my friend!!

I would not worry too much about the carb thing right now. Just eat what you can, protein mostly like soups, broths, yogurt, jello sf, pudding sf, cottage cheese. These are all good foods. Like MegInNola stated. Do the best you can and try not to stress tooooo much....

Today's Meal Plan: B Premier shake L Greek Yogurt with a little Wheat Germ D 2.5oz Crab meat 20oz Water Added 8oz more water. Whoopee! SW: 243 CW: 227 GW: 165

It's normal so early on to feel exhausted because of the low calorie intake. Based on your current meals of 3 shakes and a yogurt, you're at about 700 calories which is truly not enough for the human body to function like normal. I had 2 1/2 weeks off and got back to work, I was dead tired by the end of the work day, and I have a office job (wish i could have taken more time off). When I moved to Pureed foods it helped and brought in a few more calories and started adapting. It also takes a few weeks for your body to adjust to the lower intake. Hang in there.