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I was in the same boat. I had a 7 Lb window that I HAD to maintain - that was the hardest thing to do. I was lucky that Federal BC/BS only required 3 months of Nutrition and what not opposed to other company's 6 months. But we've made it! Trying to stay in my window, I really tried to watch what I ate, which I always try to do. Since I was approved, I was now told that I can relax - just don't go crazy. I another night of all you can eat crabs, a steak dinner with all the sides, another night at a Fondue restaurant, another visit to a winery, and then to a brewery. That's it - Not that I won't have these again, well not anytime soon , nor in this quantity. Just in case my taste buds change and don't like these things anymore, I want one last taste. Did you have to track what you were eating for a week to see how much protein you were eating? I could not believe how little I consuming! What an eye-opener! Someone had told me to freeze Protein drinks - Like Muscle Milk/ Premier Protein to have high protein popsicle snacks. I guess you could do that with Greek Yogurt too. I think tonight it will really hit me..... What is your Pre-Op Diet? Mine is something called Robard - it's 4 meal replacement "Things" a day. Shakes/drinks/soups/pudding.... and can drink Gatorade, low sodium broth as fillers

I am no longer eating eggs, dairy, or any animal products with a few exceptions 1. Yogurt- I am still eating this 2-3 times a week. 2. Wild Salmon- I ate 2oz of this last weekend, but most likely will not eat it again. I will continue to cook it for my hubby though. 3. The whey protein in my Chike protein coffee shake. I am not stopping this anytime soon. Thank you for posting the recipe though as I am sure there are still some vegetarians reading this thread that are still eating eggs. I just can't do it anymore after all I have learned.

I emailed them to set up a consult, and was able to schedule one within a week of initially contacting them. The consult consisted of visiting with the doctor performing the surgery and a nurse, and filling out their intake forms about prior history. Within a couple days of the consult visit I was able to schedule a date for the procedure, also through email, and had to put an initial payment down to hold the date. The cost is $16,000 total- if you need to split it into payments it is one payment of $6,000 and another of $10,000 due no later than a week before the procedure (I think, I don't remember specific instructions). Hopefully after submitting the claim to insurance I will be reimbursed, but I know that I cannot be guaranteed this. So initial consult was in June or July, date of procedure was scheduled for about 5-6 weeks after. The cost includes 12 visits with the weight loss clinic, which consists of nutritionist, therapist and doctors you can visit (each person you see counts as one "visit"). There was no prep work before hand, I did not need any tests done or to visit my primary care or anything. I had to visit with the weight-loss "team" for the initial visits prior to the procedure - they conducted metabolic testing and a body composition estimate, the doctor did blood work but that was after I asked if they could to check my blood sugar (which I wasn't sure about), I don't think it was standard. So the intake visit with 4 people counted as 4 of my 12 included visits. I have a follow up in 2 weeks with the therapist, it's up to you to choose who to visit for the best results for you. They really stress that this is about reprogramming how you eat and your attitude about food - yes the medical part of forcing your stomach smaller is going to have an effect on how much you eat, and therefore your initial loss, but it's really about you continuing to apply these smaller portions on your own afterwards. The procedure itself is so very minimally invasive, there was never any concern about dangers during the procedure other than the anesthesia. Pain was never really bad, and has gone by now. They prescribed me pain meds (a liquid Tylenol-codeine), but honestly the pain level was never really high. Very sore throat the first 2/3 days, some discomfort with stomach cramps/spasms (but they give you something for that too). My stomach hurt initially- but nothing like I had expected. I took the pain meds the first day and second to help me just sleep through the discomfort. Honestly I didn't feel any pain at all after 2 days and haven't needed the pain meds since the second or third day. (I had my gall bladder removed last year, and even that hurt worse than this, and that was a very easy procedure to get over after a couple days) So within 4/5 days afterwards, no pain, hardly any nausea (depends on what you eat- you have to pay very close attention to how your body reacts to everything now, before during and after eating anything). My biggest issue is trying to get enough fluids and to eat anything at all- even several small sips makes me feel full, and food just doesn't seem to sit well. At one of my visits the nutritionist gave me a 3oz cup (the paper kind that you would have in the bathroom or at the dentist to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth)- this is the approximate size of what you can eat. A sample menu from he nutritionist includes drinking fluids, then na hour later eating 2 tablespoons of something like yogurt or a smoothie - 2 tablespoons is considered a "meal" at this point. You are to alternate liquids and puréed food over the course of the day, waiting an hour in between each. The doctor said I should expect to lose 40-50% of the excess weight over the course of a year. There are no staples - The sutures are expected to dissolve around 9-12 months, after which your stomach can return to normal size over time- again they stress this is about relearning how and what to eat, so that you do not fall back into the same patterns as before. I did not tell anyone other than my SO and parents (although I believe my mother may have taken it upon herself to tell other extended family, which I am not thrilled about - under the guise of "how happy they are bc they were so worried about my(my) size" which I do not believe, it's just gossip for them), but there is no way I could've hidden that I was in the hospital or had something done if anyone had seen me that day or the next. The procedure was on a Friday - on Sunday I skipped my friends wedding shower, even though I probably could've gone and just hung out for a hour or 2 just sitting around, I would not have felt up to participating or socializing much so I skipped it. I was back to work Monday and so far this week, but in short periods so I can go back and be around home in case I have a bathroom emergency..... All in all, super easy physical recovery as far as pain/nausea - but very very difficult to figure out how to eat, even with their instructions and guidelines and availability to help...shopping ahead of time didn't help much, as I can't tolerate the broths that I got (the only one I could get through was the blandest ramen broth possible, without the noodles), and I'm not ready yet for the protein drinks...right now it's a couple small bites of baby food, pudding, or yogurt ( which I just tried today) hours apart and forcing yourself to sip on Gatorade/liquids.

I am now keeping a food journal of what I eat. I am eating around 1000 calories a day, about 54 protein, 66 carbs, 23 fat. I've cut out the banana and yogurt. Oh my goodness. I AM prepared for rough patches. I know and have experienced rough patches. Not losing weight after two weeks has NEVER happened to me before. I was down and needed encouragement and advice, not criticism.

Yes the largest incision sucks lol. But im feeling much better this week. How about you? I havent been cleared for yogurt but def enjoying my sf ice pops and creamy soups. I dont really miss food. I think im actually anxious about having to eat solids[emoji30]

You should try without the yogurt and the banana and the protein bar if it has high carbs. My Dr has me on the Atkins phase 1 and it's working. I did have one last "weekend" of splurging but then got to business at the two month point. My attitude is this is my new life. I better get used to it. I do drink a lot of water. Still having a morning coffee with just cream. And, I'm having lots of veggies if I'm craving a bit less protein. Cravings are gone. I'm staying at about 1200 cal a day. YES that tired feeling is there, its the lack of carbs. But it seems to be just in the morning. By the end of the day, I have plenty of energy. But bed time comes and I am out like a light, getting plenty of sleep. There could be a dozen different things to cause you to not lose. Try more protein, more movement, more water. But the one guy is right. Read what he is saying not how he is saying it. You have to get through this rough patch to prepare yourself for surgery. It's important to lower your risks and that needs to be your focus. One step at a time.

How are the sleevers doing that have been ok'd to move onto soft/puree foods? i having a hard time with it as most of the foods that my doctor gave me i dont eat, like fish im allergic too and some of the other stuff like chicken salad is just blah im still just eating my high protein low sugar yogurts, egg beaters, sugar free jello, sugar free pops and water ice and low fat string cheese and getting my protein i drink my unjury chicken protein broth. i have cravings and my stomach does tell me when im full which is pretty quick and some soft foods i cannot eat because it hurts me. the protein shakes i cannot stomach still so i dont even bother. I'm also still stuck at 218 and have been for almost 2 weeks, still having good and bad days. tips? recipes?

Dannon Greek Plain Yogurt started off with 1/4 cup up to 1 cup now always added 2 packets of truvia. It's thick and delicious. 22grams of protein

I'm 8 months post op and I cannot eat first thing in the am. I typically wake up about 6 am and eat breakfast, which usually just consists of greek yogurt, around 8 am. I then have a mid morning snack and will eat lunch around 1 pm.

I probably go through 20+ packets of Equal and Sweet-N-Low per day. I add it to my coffee, iced tea, herbal teas, and plain yogurt. I don't get intense cravings and have maintained my body weight with precision since entering maintenance one year ago.

If youre like me it wont matter because whatever you decide on, you wont be able or want to take in much. for me it was water skim mil with extra protein broth popsicles yogurt i couldnt take in much food stuffs so i just tried to drink a lot of water and mix flavorless powder in when i could.

I am 5 days post op and I get spasm or cramps every time I try to swallow a drink or something. I tried to have fat free sugar free frozen yogurt my doc said I can have it and could not get through 4 spoon fulls because my stomache hurt. Does this feeling ft better I feel like I will never eat real food again the way I am feeling now. I am forcing my liquids down and sometimes when I am drinking I feel like I have gas right in the middle of my chest. Will I get better? Is this normal? I can't wait to be on normal foods but I am scared to death that I won't be able to handle it because of the way I am feeling now. Can someone please tell me what they think or did u experience the same things.

There are two phases to weight loss surgery - the Weight Loss Phase and the Maintenance phase. Because you had surgery around 3 1/2 years ago you are most likely in the Maintenance phase. This is the approach I used in the Maintenance phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf It is common to have some limited weight gain after gastric bypass surgery. They call it a 20 pound bounce. The important thing is not let go beyond it. According to my nutritionist, meals should consist of equal parts of protein, fats and carbs after the first couple years post-op. Snacks should be limited to primarily whole food options: nuts, natural nut butters, fruits, veggies, boiled eggs, string cheese, yogurt with berries and almonds, tuna pouches. Avoid processed packaged foods as much as possible. Also do not expect to lose weight at a rate similar to right after surgery. Generally if you gained the additional weight over a couple years, then it may take a couple years of watching what you eat to get back down.

My sneaky way of getting all the protein I get is I add a scoop of non-flavored 15 g protein to any broth or yogurt I eat. I know I'm eating about double the protein most people eat but I was on about 200 g before

Im doing really good beside i hate sneezing i found that out today pain on the bigger incision is horrible plus im always hungry and now have a mild uti im drinking lots of water i love the lowfat no sugar frozen yogurt is like icecream only 100 calories the brand name is yasso i love the cookies and cream

I eat my plain nonfat yogurt with chopped cucumber, finely chopped dill, squeeze of lemon salt and pepper. I eat this for dinner most days.

I'm at a stall and gained 3 pounds. I need to change up my diet. What kind of meal plans to you use. This is what I typically do: Protein shake Yogurt Salad Nuts/fruit Chicken veggies Treat (halo, pb, etc) Thanks.

Hi Everyone, I am 19 days post op and only lost 10lbs. I am so confused as I am meeting my protein and water requirements. I'm on soft foods but usually drink protein, greek yogurt and eggs (starting to hate eggs). Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

I have the same issue ... I try to start my day with a full 16 ozs of liquids first thing. (Water, crystal light) I find that this "calms" my stomach down and then I just have a little apple sauce with my meds or 1/2 a container of Greek yogurt I don't push it because food in the am makes me feel gross... I'm 27 days post-op

Chicken is the food that gives me the most restriction and I have to eat it much slower than any other food. My first time eating a grilled chicken breast I threw it back up because I was eating it as quickly as the other meats I've been eating. Didn't go well. That's pretty much the only food I have to still be careful with. But once it's in my belly I'm satisfied with it. Other foods that give me restriction: tuna cottage cheese yogurt - some people say yogurt is a slider food for them, but it keeps me very full lean cuts of meat

Hi Crystal. Glad to hear you are feeling good! I'm so jealous you get to start puréed foods today. You only had to wait 7 days after surgery? Totally not fair lol. I guess I shouldn't complain. Starting today I can have yogurt, cream soups and cottage cheese. Too scared to try any yet this morning but I'll let you know. Lol PJ

5 weeks is still early for meat. Don't stress if it isn't agreeing quite yet. At 5 weeks out, I was still working on cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, tuna salad. Stuff like that. Even cheese was too harsh. Water is a problem for lots of us.. herbal tea, adding flavoring, etc. can help. Miralax or the occasional enema can help the constipation.

You will consume so little like 1/4 to 1/2 cup you really can have any soup blended you like. I had a butternut squash soup . It was Devine. I had some soupy mashed potatoes with plain yogurt. Was like sour cream but more protein. It too was Devine. Just get used to something a little thicker than a shake. Eating this way is not so much for nutrition but healing, I couldn't tolerate purée until beginning of third week. Every one is different. It is always good to get ideas here. I did two full weeks post op on clear liquid. Then third week shakes and soups. I heated my chocolate protein shake added some milk to have a hot cocoa. Good luck.

Thank you so much. After I read your post I saw a commercial for the yogurt. I'm going to get it tomorrow. Thanks for the feedback around the pain... I get nervous about that stuff. [emoji173]️[emoji173]️ Crystal, 30, Rhode Island Gastric sleeve 8/21/17 Starting/highest weight: 241 Goal weight: 150

I love yogurt so it wasn't a problem for me. But I was told to eat Oikos Triple Zero greek yogurt, no fat, no artificial sweeteners, no sugar. The Vanilla is very yummy. I felt like I was eating ice cream. You can also add a spoonful of PB2, which is powdered peanut butter without the fat. That pain you're feeling is most likely gas. Walking will help. Try not to take anything for it. I didn't take anything and was ok after walking. But ask your surgeon or nutritionist if you need help with it. I didn't have the gas pains after a few weeks.