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I didn't bake for probably a year after surgery. My husband was on board because he really wanted to be as helpful as he could with helping me on my weight loss journey. If he wanted a baked good, he went out somewhere and bought it. I do bake sometimes now (I'm almost seven years out) - but I use artificial sweeteners, use Greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce to replace the fat, and use something like bran to replace part of the flour. And I usually add unflavored or vanilla protein powder, too.

Today is my first day posting so forgive me if I don’t get the lexicon right the first time. Surgery Date: March 5, 2018 Starting Weight: 261 Surgery Day Weight: 250 Today’s Weight (Week 1): 241 I had a 90 day program working with a dietician and completing all of the pre-operative testing culminating in a 3 day liquid diet prior to surgery. The first day of the liquid diet was hard, but the excitement of my upcoming surgery made the other two days fairly easy. I arrived at the hospital last Monday morning at 5:45 am and was wheeled into surgery at 7:45 am. I don’t remember much of that first day but I was up and walking that afternoon and evening. I was sore and there was pain but it was managed with Roxycodone every 3-4 hours (as long as my blood pressure didn’t drop too low - overnight, I had to wait 6 hours between doses as my BP had dropped below 100 systolic. Day 2 at the hospital was filled with trying to get my fluids in and trying to get the gas out! The pain I was experiencing was mostly related to my abdomen being bloated with gas as a result of the laparoscopic procedure. I was successful on the former (sip, sip, sip!) but woefully unsuccessful on the latter. (In retrospect, I wish I would have walked more that second day.) I was released by noon on day 3 and recovered the rest of the week at home. Below are just a few things that I’ve learned. Please share some of the things you’ve learned as well wherever you are in your journey and let’s help set expectations and share great ideas! 1. When you begin your protein shakes, your bowels will start moving again! I called my Drs office panicked because I pooped! (A bit scary after not pooping for almost a week!) 2. For me, I was unable to lay on my side until Day 6 comfortably. I used a comfy recliner most nights which prevented me from trying to toss and turn from side to side (I’m a side sleeper) 3. Sugar free popsicles are great! 4. I don’t know if this will last, but my taste for broth has changed. Pre-surgery - and for my whole life - I have loved beef and chicken broth. But now, I can’t stand it. 5. You will get bored on the all liquid diet post op. Look for things you can combine. On my plan, I was allowed coffee. The protein shakes I found to be quite chalky in my mouth. On Day 5 I combined the two, using my flavored protein shake as a “creamer” to my coffee. It was warm and delicious and now the only way I get in my protein shake. 6. Listen to your pouch. The one thing you don’t want to do is pop the pouch. The staples need at least 3 weeks to fully heal so follow your surgeon/dietician’s program exactly. No cheating! Two tips my surgeon gave me - if you hiccup, you’ve overfilled - and if you want to clear your pouch sooner, stand up very straight for a few minutes to help facilitate drainage through the small intestine. 7. You will get tired easily - so push yourself but don’t overdo it. I started out walking throughout my house the first few days, up and down the stairs, went outside on Saturday and walked up and down the driveway, and finally went out to a few stores with my husband yesterday. I did okay at the grocery store until we went to check out. All of a sudden I was super tired. When we went to Home Depot to pick out a barn door, I found a chair to sit in while my husband picked up a few things before meeting me in the door section. I was ok walking back to the car but was tired the rest of the evening. Take it slow. Today starts Week 2 and I get to add applesauce, yogurt, mashed potatoes and oatmeal. It’s nice to have something warm and chewy in my mouth again. I will continue to post updates and invite all other March surgery dates to join. Thanks, Roxine

My dr allows yogurt (frozen or normal) , the "cream ofs" Soups, Protein shakes -- I like smoothie king's gladiator vanilla powder Thinned grits and anything you ate during clear

I second the pinterest idea! I really craved salty food by the time I progressed to full liquids. I was tired of sweet protein drinks. I relied pretty heavily on blended soups for this stage but watch out - some things are really gross blended up. A particularly nasty minestrone comes to mind. The absolute best soups to blend are Vietnamese pho (minus the noodles - I also removed the meat initially); japanese ramen (remove the noodles) and miso soup. I think they work so well because they are clear broth soups with a touch of meat, tofu and veggies. I found heavier broth soups containing beans, etc. to be less appetizing when blended. Whatever you do, don't blend any soups with the pasta in it unless you're into meat pudding 😖 In a pinch, you could make any of these on your own but I really loved getting my favorite soups as takeout, blending them and then freezing in a silicone mini muffin pan. I popped them out in labeled baggies and just popped them into the microwave one at a time as needed. Then, I could eat 3 or 4 different soups a day without wasting any. If you can tolerate adding some unflavored protein powder to it as well it's even more nutritious. There are also tons of easy full liquids that are sweet like sugar free yogurt, pudding, jello, etc.

Well everyone's plan seems to be different. My post up I had TWO weeks of FULL LIQUID which included: Protein drinks, flavored water, gatorade zero and that kind of stuff, strained low fat cream soups, sugar free pudding, sugar free popsicles, low fat milk, blended bean soups, greek yogurt, that sort of thing. I was NOT ALLOWED Juice of any kind or caffeine or carbonation. Did your office give you examples or an actual plan?

At three weeks I was allowed to add soft foods - scrambled egg (i could eat about 1/2 of it), Yogurt, Loose oatmeal, and loose mashed potatoes. It was nice to have something with texture after being on fluids for so long. What does your plan call for at 3 weeks?

Day 24 - trouble with chicken. I’ve been eating fish every night with a yogurt sauce which is very well tolerated. I tried to eat Chipotle’s chopped chicken but found it hard to tolerate. I have to find ways to eat chicken that are easily digested. I don’t like the feeling of the meat going down even if it’s chewed well. I’m going to work on finding recipes this week that are suitable. On the exercise side of things, I did a nice hike today on a nature path. Actually broke a sweat.

Crystal light flavor packets for your Water. Some people cannot stand water post op, for a while at least. It goes down easier disguised as lemonade. Your doctor will probably suggest a Vitamin with Iron (chewable flintstones works for me, the red box) and a chewable Calcium supplement. Citrical makes some. Also a chewable antacid. Pepcid chewable is harder to find but CVS makes a store brand. I got my broth and cream Soup in the carton so one would last me a whole week in the fridge. Maybe some yogurt?

okay guys, I am one week out of surgery as of today! I had my post op appt. yesterday and I've lost 13 lbs since my pre op. My question is this: my doctor allowed me to move up to soft foods yesterday as tolerated. So, this morning for breakfast at 7 a.m. I had a chocolate carnation instant breakfast. Then, at 9:30 (just now) i was still hungry!!!! So, I went into the kitchen and had about 1/3 cup of cottage cheese with a half of a pear (no sugar added, of course!) Now, i feel full. I am hoping that I'll be okay until around 1 p.m. or so. I just don't want to over eat. I mean, that's what got me here in the first place. I have no restriction in my band. I won't get a fill until about 3 weeks. Last night, I had about a 1/2 cup of food... mashed potatoes and squished peas (without the hull). I was still hungry an hour later... and then I ate about 1/4 cup of frozen yogurt.... STILL hungry about 30 mins later. SO, i had about a 1/3 cup of cereal with skim milk. I woke up starving!!!! And that's when I decided to do the Carnation Instant Breakfast drink. SO, what do you think???? Please, be brutally honest. I do not want to screw this up. But, my doc keeps saying that i shouldn't be hungry. so, LAPBANDSTERS, I am begging for your opinions!:thumbup:

I had my gall bladder removed several yeqrs ago, pre VSG. For about 6 months post-op I was extremely lactose-intolerant. I couldn't even stomach a cup of yogurt. its not the same for everyone, of course, but something to be cautious of

I am pre-op so by no means know what I am saying, but other forums have talked about isopure and other protein waters. My Nut suggests cutting the sweetness with plain yogurt. Good luck and keep us posted on what works.

Are you getting the sleeve or gastric? You might have said already. My pouches name is sassy gassy! [emoji12] we all name it at least the sleevers do. You are going to go through a lot of stages afterwards. Especially with constipation, emotional withdrawal from food, but when you have that moment in a clothing store because you need a few new cloths you will be having a moment that no one can take from you. I was very emotional, disconnected. I will never forget it. Now you have the frustration of I can't spend a lot because it won't fit four months down the road. Get to know your sale times at the goodwill, thrift shop. The night of your hospital stay. Go in PJ's bring an extra pair. Slippers because it sucks walking in socks. Bathroom stuff (toothpaste) bathrobe. I also brought my two favorite pillows and blanket. And walk constantly. I walked every hour and did laps. It helps with the gas and pain. I didn't bring a bra or anything I didn't give a shit. I lived in pj's for a week went to store and everything. I also was aloud to have full liquids 3 days after surgery. I made a shit load of Chobani frozen yogurt. All I did was add skim milk to it water it down and little tiny red cups and pop sticks and froze them. I would walk in the morning with a frozen yogurt. I made my own beef, pork, chicken broth (bone broth).. I froze it in little containers so I can just take it out add it to mash potato's or drink it. Post and pre-op. I made frozen jello and refrigerator jello. Also a pillow small one you can carry around because when you cough it hurts your tummy pressure with a pillow helps. Pillows to prop you up in bed. I have an adjustable I lucked out.

I'm about 13 days post op I'm still on my full liquid stage idk if this is gas, or I'm actually hungry...I go to drink water or eat some yogurt but about 30 mins later...that same rumbling its driving me crazy bcuz..I'm craving some solid foods...any body having the same issues!?

I have been making a sauce out of Greek yogurt and buffalo sauce ( we have a local one in St Louis that is delicious - low carb, low sugar and low fat to boot!) It is delicious. I also found a Southwest mustard that is really good too.

Do you measure? If the scale isn't moving, seeing the inches drop helps as encouragement. Also for me, I have noticed if I focus on my protein I do better. The more protein I get from real food, the better I lose. I have baked dark chicken meat that I keep and snack on it in between waters or have a Greek yogurt. Everyone is different so just play with it and see what works for you. Good luck and you will do great!

I have a hard time at night, too. I plan for one snack, and try & hold out as long as I can to have it. I have either an Atkins bar, Greek yogurt or popcorn. But there have been times when I eat two things instead of one. But I seem to do that on days where I know I have a lot of leftover calories. I guess, in my mind, I justify it. If I'm really feeling compulsive, I'll have my whatever snack, and head for the tub. A long soak in nice hot bath seems to take the charge out of it Plus....it passes time & then I'm ready to climb into bed. Whatever diversions you can create for yourself, do it

I eat every two to three hours.I eat less than 200 calories at every small meal and try to make sure there is 10-15 gram protein minimum. For an example I may have triple zero Greek yogurt with five mixed berries and six to nine almonds.the next meal might be 1.5 scrambled egg with salsa,the next might be a balance protein bar.You get the idea.

My doctor told me 60 grams and yep you just have to make sure everything you eat is protein I love string cheese the mozzrella and I also do peanut butter on apples! I also eat almonds!! i sometimes do the eggs with mozzarella melted together!!! Omg you dont like greek yogurt it has so much protein and that's how i calm my sweet tooth!! try those special k protein bars they have like 10 grams and of course I eat meat meat!!!! My rule for right now is if it doesn't have protein!! I dont need it!! GOOD lUCK!!!!

I haven't tried the greek yogurt with pudding mix, but I will try that too. If I could eat an entire egg, turkey burger, or even drink a whole shake, etc. I don't think I'd struggle so much to get my protein in. However, that's not reality for me. I'm not losing hair yet, so hopefully I won't. I just don't know if there is any other issues that I could have as a result?? I spent the first week post op in ICU and the third week post op inpatient too for dehydration, UTI, and kidney stones. My hubby works in the oilfield and is out of town for a month or two so, being sick is out of the question considering I don't know anyone in my town and we have two kids. I do take my vitamins and get B12 shots, so hopefully that's enough to make up for the lack of protein. Thanks everyone for your help!!

How about cottage cheese, greek yogurt, fish all are very high in protein.

I am in love with Greek Yogurt!!!!!!! I'm 7 days post opp & today I had to have 2 containers of it, do u think that's ok???

Also think about where your incisions will be and the kind of clothes you can wear. I found wearing my bra pretty irritating. lol Mel that is soooo true forget the underwire's for a while I lived in sports bras and sweats My port incision sits right where you buckle your pants so jeans killed me the first couple of weeks. Debbie as far as food I was on mushies after 5 days and mashed potatos, yogurt, applesauce and scrambled eggs is what I lived on till I was on solids. and let me tell you those mashed potatoes with brown gravy tasted like filet mignon after a week of broth, popsicles and Protein shakes lol but from what I have read on here everyones doctor is different with the diet so what foods will you be allowed to eat when you go back to work do you know??

I'm not sure how far you are past surgery, so some of these may not apply to you depending on your dietary guidelines. Skim milk with powdered milk added to it for extra Protein. Yogurt Scrambled eggs Cottage cheese Cream Soups with powered milk added

@@Trayjay33 I buy one of the non fat 100 calorie Greek yogurts. Aldi has one that is good and inexpensive. The mustard was spicy southwestern from Wal-Mart (their brand) I buy a lot of shredded deli chicken and mix up the tastes with the sauces. The Greek yogurt adds to the Protein total too!

I'm a full fat kinda girl. Real cheese, real butter, real salad dressing, real mayo, real sour cream. I do drink skim milk because I like it, and I buy light Greek yogurt because the kids prefer it. Full fat tastes better and keeps me full longer. Much more satisfying.