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I read somewhere that apple cider vinegar is good to help you go to the bathroom and since I am having problems in that area, I decided to have 1 teaspoon. Well it went down hot like when you drink whiskey. My whole stomach feels hot, I feel nauseous, tried throwing up but can't just feeling really bad. I don't think the yogurt I ate 1 hr before is helping things. I know stupid stupid stupid I am to the point of going to the hospital, only thing that is stopping me is the fact my insurance doesn't kick in until the 1st, that means if I go, they will want to do all kinds of tests and I will have a huge bill. Help please, is this normal or should I go right now?? Thank you

I'd prefer to eat smaller amounts of real foods than artificially sweetened stuff - I have a morbid fear of artificial sweeteners plus they give me a headache and I think they taste awful. It's all down to calories in vs calories out and I think you can safely say that given how many of the population is obese these days, artificially sweetened and low fat products have not made a big difference to our diet overall. We just eat more instead. So I dont down a tub of yogurt at a time for instance but will have a spoonful or two of real creamy full fat yogurt on my muesli in the morning. Not much difference in calories but a heap of difference in taste. I do drink skim milk though and always have.

Your yogurt: 160 calories, 11 grams Protein, 2.3 grams fat, 19 sugar, 20 carbs. I'd personally go with a lower cal version . Dannon makes a light and fit, double protein blended (including the coconut) with 80 cals, 0 fat, 9 carbs, 7 sugar and 12 protein. It's delicious. That said, if you are under calories and carbs and you love this particular yogurt, eat it. It's fine.

Today is my week out as well. I can't wait until yogurt tomorrow. Other then 3 protein shakes a day I am on clear liquids for 2 weeks, adding yogurt and puddings only tomorrow. Feeling okay other then some tightness in the chest from hernia repair. Planning to return to work next week. Keep up the good work, it will be worth it!!

Thank you so much! I'm on the same diet. Just added full liquid type foods such as fat free pudding and light yogurt. I've never had acid reflux before but this seems to make me have more. I have also been walking and you're right that does help with the gas pressure and soreness. I will keep up what I'm doing then. Just wanted to make sure it was normal. Haha

I did the fill-ins with yogurt until I was able to move on. If you are feeling the way you are, I would call your doctor before you do anything. Don't move onto full mushies until you have the clearance to do so. If you have unflavored Protein powder you can put that in your SF pudding also, you can also put it in SF Jello. That will give you more protein. Also unjury has a chicken soup flavored protein which is really good. Are you taking 3 Protein drinks a day?

1. As far as pills- I was on Zoloft myself along with prescription stomach meds (much larger) and it was not a problem at all. The good news is that I am no longer on anything! Feels so great!!! 2. soda- both myself and my husband have tried soda. It isn't a problem; however, since the pre-op diet and surgery, it tastes TERRIBLE!! I never thought I would give up my Dr Pepper, but once you are away from it for awhile, your tastes changes. they taste like medicine to me. So, soda cravings are no longer a problem. 3.surgeon's experience- the main thing I wanted to know was how many procedures, any deaths due to complications and how accessible would he be after surgery 4. sugar free- not sure about the reason, however, it does help in kicking the sugar addiction. For me, it is like the soda, it just doesn't have the same appeal anymore. Instead of ice cream, I crave frozen grapes now. LOL! 5. yogurt- I won't be much help here. I guess you could dilute it with skim milk to make it more drinkable. However, you will be able to eat yogurt, so I don't see why you would have to make it drinkable. 6. Insurance- For my insurance I had to maintain above a 40 BMI since I had no comorbidities ( insurance accepted ones). They went back three years for BMI. I actually had to redo my 6 month supervised diet. In 2009, my BMI had dropped to 39. My doctor was great about the 6 month diet. I could not drop below the 40 or else the insurance would deny my claim for the reason " you are successful without WLS". AS IF!!!! Anyways, I would lose a couple of pounds, then have a "set back' and gain a pound. I know it sounds awful, but it showed that I was "trying" to lose but not being particularly successful. It is like a game of jumping through hoops. From my experience, don't let your BMI fall below the required min for your insurance.

~ how big of pills can you take or have you switched over everything to liquids? (I'm on Zoloft, a tiny pill) I am currently on what seems like horse-pill sized antibiotics, and I am getting them down without issue, 4 times a day. In the first 3 weeks after surgery, I had everything in liquid form, but I started out with quick dissolve tylenol when I ran out of the expensive liquid stuff, and I haven't looked back. I have 6ccs in a 10cc band, and I think I'm reasonably close to the green zone. ~ Do you ever drink soda? I'm worried I will miss the bubbles of my diet Dr. Pepper. How does drinking carbonated drinks feel with a lapband? I have the odd diet coke now (sometimes even mixed with vanilla vodka!) and as long as I'm not eating at the same time, I'm fine. I burp a lot, but I haven't exploded yet It makes me feel full, but only for about half an hour. And I'm not having more than one can, spread out over an hour. However, I waited until one month after surgery, before I even tried it. You really need to master burping again, as silly as it sounds, before you try anything carbonated again. ~ what specific questions about my surgeon's experience should I ask? I asked how many lap bands he had put in, and what his rates of complication where, for infection, band slippage, and erosion. ~ Why is it so critical that everything be sugar free? It seems many of the sf foods are higher in carbs to fill in flavor. I think it's all about limiting our overall calories. Carbs aren't the end-all, be all. But if you are talking about things like sugar-free yoghurt/chocolate, where they've filled it with something else full of calories, it might be best to avoid it all together, or really limit the portion and how often you eat it. ~ my go-to yogurt is Dannon Light and fit toasted coconut. Is there something I can add to it to make it "drinkable"? Can you mix it up with milk? We don't get coconut yoghurt here in these parts (Canada) so I'm not sure if you mean that it's just flavoured like coconut, or if it actually has chunks in it. I wouldn't be eating anything with chunks until you are at the approved stage in your doctor's post-op diet. But, I can't see why you couldn't thin out any yoghurt you wanted, and drink it, provided that it's within your doctor's recommended diet. I can't answer the insurance questions at all though, since I'm in Canada, and I was self-pay.

Example: Atkins shake for breakfast, P3 Pack for lunch, greek yogurt for snack, and dinner varies I track using my fitness pal

NFaith. How much milk and water do you use?? And just a little container of yogurt? I think I'll try it. Thank you!!! Becky

Same as what I eat now, but in much smaller quantities of course Dense protein: Eggs Tuna (Any fish, really) Shrimp (Any shellfish, really) Lean red meats (occasionally) Chicken Turkey SOME dairy (IE REAL cheese, REAL butter, but in limited quantities) ONLY get your carbs from veggies, and limit starchy veggies (asparagus, cauliflower, potatoes, etc...) stick to mostly green veggies and salads. Stay away from iceberg lettuce and try to do romaine and spinach for salads as much as possible. NO SUGAR (Or as little as you can possibly get away with) Snacks: Cheese, almonds, Jerky, low fat, low sugar greek yogurt Drink TONS of water! I GUARANTEE you will lose what you need to lose and then some if you religiously stick to this and track calories. Good Luck!!

I luckily dont have a reflux problem with sleeve until after my plastic surgery. uber tight compression garments!! Not eating after about 7 and laying propped by pillows solved it. I agree that if you do eat late make it Greek yogurt and really small portion. (In fact itty bitty portions earlier in the day is also key. ) I think a sandwich before bed would give me reflux.

I can't have anything besides yogurt and clear liquids until 2 weeks. Then the only bread sort of item I can have are small healthier crackers like a few wheat thins and those are sparingly. At week 9 I can have flatbread. That is the only mention of bread in my plan.

Yay for you! Good job on preop weight...be prepared if you get on the scale tomorrow you may have some weight gain, just fluids drops off quickly. I was sleeved on the 19th and i am down 10 since surgery. Had pintos n cheese, frozen yogurt and lemadelines tomato soup today. Plus a protein shake....was a good day. Besides the acid reflux which i know will go away this is the best thing ever...you will see....we are on our way! ~kris

Congrats! Thats my 1 year anniversary too! I love my band and it was just what I needed to get this weight off! I started using myfitnesspal.com to track what I eat and it has helped me lose over 7 pounds the last 4 weeks. I was overeating Yogurt! too many carbs.

Glad to know there are others out there Today makes day 3 I think the worst part has been the headaches I am adding coffee to my regime in the morning The withdrawl is killing me I am drinking Advent carb control-chocolate is the best-no after taste for me-vanilla was not bad just an after tast I did not like I am also eating 4 cups of yogurt, 2 sugar free fudgesicles and as many sugar free popsicles as I want My surgery is schedued for the 21st How did you get that little counter scale on your site? I am pre diet 195 and want to get down to 120-130 I am having diabetic trouble and just can not seem to loose this weight Where are you located in the world? Thank you for writting please keep in touch I can really use the support

I'm scheduled for July 4, gastric plication with dr. Ponce de leon, I have read you should take : Gas-X strips and Sleep-Ease strips.......I think you will be fine when you get home, get some treats for your faithful little dog who will be your best companion during that time.. awry' timestamp='1308935981' post='168932'] Hi All - My surgery is scheduled for Monday and I'm really ready for this. I've been pretty good with the 2 week pre-op diet. I did fudge a little bit but in the scheme of things, that cheat was nothing. Guess what? I ate some plain greek yogurt in place of a shake a couple of times and I had some tomato soup just for a change - These items were not on the sheet. Even so, I've lost 15 pounds in 11 days. Not bad for someone who usually takes 2 months to lose 5 pounds! Anyway, any advice on how to prepare for Monday, what should I take with me to the hospital? what should I have ready at home? Will I need much help and for how long? I live alone and have a little dog. Anything will be appreciated, prayers too. B.

I get heartburn from any kind of breads or grains. You mentioned a sandwich at bedtime? Maybe try just PB and banana. Even popcorn can cause it for me. Eating yogart everyday helps a lot. When I slack on my organic yogurt, I notice more heartburn. I don't know why. Sorry you are in pain, no fun!

Did they use antibiotics at all during your ordeal at the hospital as a precaution to infection..some doctors do.....Antibiotics kill any bacteria in your bowels or system....so you have to replenish them......good bacteria by the way...lol Take some yogurt and cranberry juice for a while..it will help to clear it all up......

Go to your surgeon, just to ensure you're fine/or not & be honest about your concerns/pain, etc. I still get spasms at 4 mos out & it helps that my nutritionist (one of 3 free ongoing monthly group support seminars offered by my surgeon) said, "Your stomach's the size of an egg, make a sunnyside up egg so you can see what you can hold. Eat slowly & chew like crazy, don't drink anything for 30 min before/after. Cut your food into sm bites, arrange the bites into the Alphabet, starting w 'A' & take a bite once you've made that letter. Then arrange the next bites into 'B' and so forth. Do this w every meal." I can only handle about 3 baby forks of regular foods & I still can't eat meats (they come right back up), but I can eat eggs, NF/SF: cheeses, cottage cheese & Greek yogurts, and fish (a few bites of each), in addition to the broths, popsicles, fudgesicles, creamsicles, puddings & jellos. I've eaten 2 bites of an English muffin, a slice of cooked bacon & 2 sausages (at separate times, w my egg). Since I tend to still inhale my food, I find that I'm my own worst enemy (self-sabotage) and I'm seeing a therapist to deal w my body dysmorphic & eating issues. I make myself shrimp fetticcine & eat 3 bites on a baby fork (also use a baby spoon). I'm a foodie & chef so I make everything fresh. I make soups/broths, but still can't eat French Onion, Chicken, Veggie, etc. soups (just made myself some, but will try again at 6 mos out). Going to get an avocado & hope I can eat a little bit. Sm victories like eating a few bites of an avocado, are so important. I'm still getting my 3 90 gms shakes in daily, because I'm learning to eat correctly & need the protein. I do get in at least 80 oz of liquids daily, aside from my shakes. As long as you check in w your surgeon/nutritionist to ensure you're doing everything correctly, don't worry about what you can't eat, but focus on what you can eat & be gently and loving to yourself at all times. I've been exercising since the day of surgery and if walking is good for you, do that & enjoy your own journey. I got a flu shot, came down w the flu, so haven't done much for almost a week but walk my dogs! When I feel well, I'll get my 2.5 ml walks in. Please forget about comparing yourself to anyone else on their own journeys: what I've learned is to just get support here on these forums as everyone else is following their own individual paths to health & wellness. Namaste.

Hello, I just wanted to share my story. I was on a fb group through the weight center that did my surgery on 12/5 but they didn't let me share my story. I went in for my sleeve surgery but shortly after while in recovery my BP dropped really low, I started sweating badly and my skin/eyes turned gray. They gave me a blood transfusion which brought my BP back up. I was brought in for an emergency surgery because I was bleeding out. They said leaked 3 liters of blood and had multiple large dark blood clots in my stomach. I was bleeding and oozing through the staples so they double stitched me and cauterized some of the stomach. Since the 2 surgeries I have had very high pulse, which they call Tachycardia. Also, I am anemic. I also get this uncontrolled diaphram spasm where it makes me gasp for air. The 1st week it hurt to swallow anything, even a sip of water. I started to get pain up my throat so they gave me heartburn meds which helped that matter. I went home after spending a few nights at the hospital but quickly after I was home I went back into the ER for low BP and dehydration. I am home again now, monitoring my BP. I am taking fluids ok and getting my proteins in. I still have to drink slow but I am able to. You can feel/hear every sip go down and every pill go down. I still get times where there is pressure from air stuck under the rib cage and the pain goes up to my shoulder. They just ok'd me to start cream soups, yogurt and cottage cheese 2 days ago. I get full really fast. I just wanted you to know that the 1% they warn you about can happen. It happened to me and I cry myself to sleep about the events that happened every time I close my eyes. It was very scary to go through. They said it will take about 6 weeks for my body to rebuild its own blood back up. Your body rejects some of the transfusion since it isn't your blood. Until then I get weak, dizzy and lightheaded every time I get up to walk around and my pulse goes really high and my heart beats out of my chest. I have a couple of mins to walk or shower and then I need to lay back down to catch my bearings. I am starting to get color back in my lips on occasion. The most important thing is I keep fighting to get up every day, walk a little and drink my fluids in order to get better. They tell you that you need support at home and I live alone so I was worried. They are right, you can't do this alone. After the ER trip it helped to have my parents coming in to remind me to keep drinking and to do things around the house that I couldn't. Thank you for listening. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok this is a great post!! I am also vegetarian and it has been a struggle to get in all my protiens. I have a gathered a list of high protien/low fat options with my diatition................Would love to add to the list if you guys have suggestions. True most veggie meats are off limits but I have found a few................ Also tofu, cottage cheese, eggs and Beans. Beans are a starch though so you have to limit them. Tofurky meat cuts are high protien, low fat. Greek yogurt is good...............Loma Linda meats .........some of those are ok............... My surgeon doesn't like protien shakes but I use them sometimes. I also sprinkle protien powder on cream of wheat and stuff like that................. Any more suggestions welcome. My doctor would prefer I eat some meat but so far so good.............only thing is I think I lose slower this way.

I had my first fill two weeks ago. I was losing very well but eating in between meals and starting to not feel so full. (My surgery was May 5 and I have lost 35 pounds.) So they said I should get a fill..which was an absolute breeze...no problem drinking a glass of water...no problem with liquids day 1 and mushies day two...but solid food has been difficult. I have found myself the last day over the toilet after every meal. Crappy food goes down great...ice cream or crackers....but chicken, tuna, hot dogs, burgers...all of that will usually come back up. I am feeling sore today...so should I just go to liquids for a couple days to give my stomach a break? I am so afraid I caused it to slip...though I can still feel when the food "goes through". Needless to say I have not lost any weight this week. But I lost 5 pounds the first week after the fill...so what to do? I don't do protein drinks but I do Carnation Instant Breakfast for breakfast..and yogurt goes down well. I could eat almost a half of sandwich yesterday...and I kept it down. Yogurt stays...course stupid stuff like chips and popcorn will stay down. And I don't want to be eating those...I just feel like everything I am eating is coming up so maybe I am hungry. To be honest..right now I am not sure I can tell because I am a bit sore........ Thanks Cindi

Thanks guys for the advice! Taking it all in one day at a time. Today I have a slight headache..I just took some ibuprofen. I can't have any yogurt. Only shakes, Jello, crystal light, broth, popsicles. .straight liquid..like no short cuts LOL...these popsicles will be a meal LOL.. Sent from my SM-G360P using the BariatricPal App We all are gonna do great! We got this! Sent from my SM-G360P using the BariatricPal App

I was advised to eat breakfast with protein mid morning protein snack yogurt or nuts lunch afternoon protium snack and dinner. I don't know if this helps