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I have done 2 weeks of clear fluids and am now on 2 weeks of full fluids which includes thinned down Greek yogurt, puréed soup and Protein shakes. I was sleeved February 9th. After I finish 2 weeks of full fluids I move on to soft foods for a minimum of 2 weeks and then to solids. It's weird how every surgeon seems to have a different plan of attack for getting back to eating. I think my surgeon works really hard at having us create good habits which helps with our long term success. I agree though I don't care to ever consume broth or Jello again!! Good uck and just try to keep really focused on the process.

LOl yep traveling... Flew out to see my Mom in CA. Thought no big deal..I will just take some protein powder to mix in water and then I could get some yogurt to eat in the airport... I am in the mushy stage. I soon ifgured out that getting protein powder into a bottle of water is impossible. Finding yogart in an airport... Well I finally found some with pomegranate... and seeds... can't have the seeds. After searching all over I finally bought a breakfast burrito and ate some of the scrambled eggs inside of it. Went most of the day with just water. Getting ready to do the same thing tomorrow going home. Khy

First a food scale - I measure everything http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3J9EGO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00 These little Disposable Containers - I use these to portion out things to take to work for lunch etc http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009VSFZBG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00 This mini Food Processor - Used it a lot in the pureed stage, still use it now for various things http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I0DV6W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00 Propel Water Packets - Take these everywhere http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GEYS94?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Baby Spoons - Makes my yogurt fell like a giant meal lol http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQEPH8Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

Ricotta Bake (google it - Bariatric ricotta bake) No sugar added applesauce Cottage cheese Scrambled eggs Greek Yogurt Real Fruit and vegetable smoothies Tuna (From a can -- it's typically chopped small enough for puree stage) pureed Veggies (steam them first...then they're easy to puree) Refried Beans oatmeal Sweet Potato (mashed) Mashed Cauliflower There's a lot more but that's off the top of my head remembering what I ate at that stage. You can look on this forum and find many more recipes by stage that will be helpful also. Just make sure you meet your liquid and Protein goals every day!! Best of luck!

I'm sure no expert at only 6 days out myself but my Dr said be careful not to gulp water, very small sips or you would get chest/ back pain. It could also be acid reflux. I heard this surgery is notorious for that. My Dr allows you during this phase to have tomato juice (heaven!!) or V8. Can you do yogurt? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 4 months out and struggle with food portions quite a bit. Some days 1/2-1 cup is plenty but other days I am still hungry or 1/2 cup is way to much. I've found that it also depends on the food that I am eating. I am able to tolerate Soups, yogurts and fluids/shakes a lot better than other foods. They key is also eating slowly and allowing your brain to realize that you've eaten, feel full and satisfied. It's hard and I find that I have to pace myself still. It's easy to get back into the habit of eating quickly again. Definately a difficult habit to break. Oh and keep up the good work!!

Krogers sells a low carb yogurt that I'm allowed. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 3 months out and didn't do the sugar free thing, I don't mind stevia it doesn't bother my stomach so I like oikos triple zero yogurt and Water flavor drops at target that list stevia and fruit juice as ingredients. It's hard but I don't necessarily think sugar free is all that great, Whole Foods are much better you just have to watch portions and make sure you don't over do it and sabotage your weight loss. Healthy is where it's at, not chemicals. Oh and I forgot to add, hot chocolate really helped me with water I have 1 packet of Swiss miss milk chocolate and add a little fair life milk. Also Popsicles!!!! Omg I ate them all the time after surgery when I was in full liquids.

Yeah it was moving onto things like yogurt/refried beans/cottage cheese. Was done with broth/sf jello/sf pops.

I'm so sick of shakes and yogurt. Two weeks out and I have my follow up in two days. I'm asking (begging) to be released to puréed foods. People's lives depend on it!

You guys are the best, I feel bad for my partner because I just dont want to talk about it shutting her out, Leaving me in a bed bound slump today. I know it will move again I was taking in more it was 600-800 and nothing so I lowered it its like nothing I do works. I know our bodies went through some serious trauma but the lack of weight loss is taking my mental through some serious trauma as well, Heck I would take a pound a week but nothing at all ? I eat 3oz of yogurt for breakfast Salmon and spinach for lunch and for a snack the other half of yogurt then salmon again for dinner I should be loosing this weight like water smh I use the rest room all day long feels like every 20-3 minutes i drink so much water so please body respond is how im feeling right now! I hope your right and I can look back at this and laugh at myself for allowing the scale to control my emotions I really do.

I read few blogs today of folks that are in the proverbial Bandster Hell. Some are eating and frustrated, some are using Weight Watchers to fill the void and others are just hungry. I do think that LapBand medical community needs to be a little more effective in helping people through this phase of the process. My take on things is they do a great job upfront with the sales pitch and the pre-op prep. I think most doctors do a good job with the operation day and the basic post-op recovery. However, there seems to be a decided gap between the operation and the restriction phase of the band process. Which as we all know has been labeled Bandster Hell or BH for this blog. So for those of you in, or approaching BH, here is a check list to think about: 1. Avoid Consumption as Usual – it seems fairly common that once you are basically healed, many people can eat all they want and some like to test the limits of what you can eat. Needless to say this is not what we want to do. Just, assume that you can eat like the old you, but don’t do it.  2. Prepare a BH Menu – Knowing the BH is coming, plan a special menu that is healthy and helps you keep the right habits until you have restriction. I would plan it just like you were at restriction just don’t beat yourself up if the portions are bigger during this time. One person was doing Weight Watcher, some do South Beach, but whatever it is knowledge and planning are power here. 3. Focus on 5-6 Meals a Day – For me the best way to manage BH is to get some 8oz dishes with lids (I got mine at Smart and Final) then plan on eating every 3-4 hours. This keeps me focused on small meals, but allows me to have some extra healthy food. 4. Get Your Protein – Use Whey Protein to help you get enough protein. I mix mine with yogurt and blueberries, oatmeal and other foods to load up on it. 5. Focus on Exercise – This is a great time to get your exercise program going and that will help you interim weight management, and make the time when you do have restriction more productive. 6. You Are Not Failing – BH is part of winning in the long term. You are supposed to go through this part of the journey. Don’t beat yourself up. This time is available to you to prepare for the restriction phase of the process 7. You Did Not Do This For Nothing – Reading hundreds of these threads from folks who have walked through the valley of BH, all agree when you get to the other side it will be worth it for you. You did not deal with Pre-Op, spend the money, or go through surgery for nothing. 8. Embrace the Process – This is one of the stages of BH, don’t fight it, make it work for you. Focus on picking good foods, get your body in better shape with exercise and focus on the positive. Like many of you I am trudging my way through BH. I am staying focused getting to the other side and finding the promised land of restriction.

It is a salem occation today as it is the final day of people food for me ! I must start the Pre op diet as of tomorrow. I have had pretty much all the foods I like in the last 3 days. I had a lunch at eastside marios, I had fish and chips at a local Joeys, H&D rocky road ice cream, m&ms, and a nice peanut butter sandwich. Tomorrow I feast on Yogurt and Cottage cheese (bacteria filled milk and it's by-products) for the next ten days! It will be tough (since I will have daily access to some yummy food (pasta, sauces, Brocettes, chicken kiev, steak, stew, Clubs, Burritos, fries, various other potato dishes, vegy galore, pastry, sweets, ) SIGH! This also means that in 10 days I will be turned to the banded side. I may have to change my name to something like "Darth Bandito" or "Chewawacca" or "Luke soothimaker" or how about "Band Solo" Knaw... I'll just stick with Mr. Yoda... Oh well, it is for the greater good... I will just enjoy what I can have, miss what I can't, eat slow, eat often and muddle my way through... Viva the resistance! Today is my last day of people food!

I had my surgery Sept 18th...I have had NO problems eating or drinking. I was in the hospital for 2 nights, and was able to eat all my Jello, broth and popcicles. I got home yesterday, and was told to be on full liquids ( 3 shakes a day and 1 liquid, like pudding or yogurt) but I am finding myself hungry. I have been adding about 5 saltine crackers with my shake because the shakes are not filling...I am using unjury fro my shakes and I drink 8 oz in about 20 minutes, but I am forcing myself to drink them slow. My question is, what did you guys do during this stage to fight the hunger? I notice that I cant eat as much, but there has been nothing I cant eat so far. I know I have to be careful because of the sutures and allow the band to heal...but I am finding this very difficult because I have tasted stuff and have no problem keeping it down...and I want more! What was your first week like post op? What was your diet consisted of? Thanks

Try adding more protein. I find that I lose better when I have 80-100g of protein a day. I have a 50g protein shake for breakfast (during a long drive to work), cottage cheese with bacon bits and sunflower seeds for lunch, Greek yogurt or a 28g protein shake in midafternoon, string cheese as I drive home and something light for dinner, like cheese or pistachio nuts. I have really good restriction, so that helps. Get lots of water in and don't drink anything for 30 minutes after eating. I got real serious a few weeks ago after foundering for months. It's paid off with a good loss.

I also dont understand. I only had surgery 5 weeks ago and this week have only lost 1 lb. I thought the weight would come off quicker, my Dr. actually said you should loose 1lb per day in the first 3 months and that is definitely not happening for me. I am only consuming protein shakes, yogurt, cottage cheese and tofu and not loosing much weight. I am terrified what will happen when I get back to regular food if I am not loosing now.

I'm right with you on not getting your protein in. I'm 4 weeks post op and I'm stuggling big time. I'm lucky if I get 40 gms of protein a day and as for water, I'm only getting about 32 oz a day. I usually start my day with a premier protein drink which I only can drink 2/3 of one. I then start sipping my water about 40 minutes later but I'm still full from the shake so I dont' get much water in. I usually have lunch about 4 hours later and then I'm full for the rest of the day. I have to force some yogurt or cottage cheese down but that still doesn't bring my protein intake up much. I'm getting frustrated and hoping I'll be able to eat more at some point. Oh, also strugging with the b-vitamins. They sour my stomach. ARGH!!!

Atkins shakes, Skyr yogurt, home made pureed soups eg Cauliflower Cheese Soup. Sweat onion and garlic in butter, add chopped cauliflower and 2 Kallo organic chicken stock cubes in 1 litre water. Cook until cauliflower soft, then blitz with processor. Optional - melt in grated cheese or cheese triangles for added flavour/protein. x

I put myself on a modified "liquid diet" ... I had a Protein drink for breakfast, a greek yogurt for snack, a cup of soup for lunch (pureed, all liquid like tomato, cream of broccoli, etc), a Protein Drink for snack, and whatever protein and vegetable my family ate for dinner. I also filled the rest of my day with Water (crystal light flavors or Powerade zero flavors) .... at least 64-76 oz per day. I stepped up my walking to 2 miles every other day. I lost 26lbs pre-op. Good luck!!

Between my multi, calcium supplement (1 tablet three times/day), and my Greek yogurt, I'm getting at least 1000mg. But with all the milk, cottage cheese, broccoli, kale, and cheese I eat, it's probably closer to 1200-1500mg most days.

Breakfast and lunch: protein bar or shake... mid morning,afternoon evening snaxks:small piece of fruit or lowfat yogurt. dinner 3 oz lean meat. none starchy vegetables unlimited

Keep on plugging you will get there! I eat: Breakfast - either - one package of oatmeal mixed with fat free yogurt or egg beater omelet( 2 or 3 servings of beaters) with one slice fat free cheese and some veggies or a few fake bacon bits in it. Lunch- usually a protein shake with strawberries skim milk and Bariatric (sp?) Advantage or Unjury. - Sometimes no berries but ice cubes, instant coffee and sweet & low. Dinner - lean protein and veggies Snack- one bag of 100 calorie popcorn, Two 60 calorie string cheese and two 25 calorie diet hot chocolate. Also vitamins, water & ice tea. I eat about 1000-1200 calories per day and about 80 grams of protein. This keeps me full all day. Hope this helps

eat some yogurt to balance out your bacteria, chobani is my fav

So, here I am, 1 month to the day since I had surgery. It's been quite the ride, and I'm a bit.....frustrated, still. The only real weight I've lost was during my first week on liquids. I'm still not understanding how I can eat 1/4 of what I used to eat, and still not lose any more weight. It just doesn't make sense to me. I have an apt for my first fill this Wednesday, the 19th. I know they'll make the band tigher, but what I don't understand, is how that will help me lose weight. I'm going to be eating less than now, so how will this make me lose weight where I couldn't the last few weeks? What's the difference, eating even less? I met someone this weekend that had the sleeve done last week. After talking to her, I wonder if I should have gone with that procedure instead I know, too late now. I hate being discouraged because that's doesn't help my journey. I'm having doubts on everything I'm doing and eating now. My surgeon only had us do liquids for a few days, then very soft food (purees and such) then select soft foods. I've been pretty much eating cottage cheese, yogurt, PB, homemade soups, and turkey chili. Well, I have another nutrition class before my fill, so I'll ask questions & see what's going on. I'm sure that I'm not getting as much protein as I should be either, but I don't think that's the issue? Quite the negative Nelly here today. Could be because I have a cold, and am feeling a little run down. The good news is that I'm already on my 4th bottle of water I feel so thirsty... I'll post again after my fill along with notes I take from the Nutritionist. It's gotta get better than this, and.... I'm sure it will...in time! :-)

Yes I'll be starting my pre-op diet in a couple of weeks, so I'm trying to gather as much information as I can, so I thank you for your replies. I love yogurt, I've never had the Greek yogurt, but I'm sure with the shake it will be a lot better. Thank you!