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I used 1T of raspberry sugar free syrup in the roadside lemonade and that was good. There is so many things you can do with lemon flavor. I bought the iced tea, the lemonade and the chocolate truffle. Choc truffle with sugar free vanilla and steamed milk is wonderful. Like hot chocolate. Love it, but I preferred the fruity ones mixed in water or ff Greek yogurt.

Thank you... I dumped on yogurt in the hospital and am scared to death to try it again. Worst feeling ever! There have been days I haven't gotten any Protein in. My hair is gonna eventually fall out and I'm never gonna feel better. I just wanna cry some days. I've lost a little over 30 pounds but I would rather have my 30 pounds back than feel like this! Jess...Surgiversary 9/19/12

I have never heard that about eggs. There really is a wide variance in programs. I was allowed eggs at 2 wks and it was the best egg I ever had! I made it scrambled soft with a little bit of greek yogurt and some shredded cheese. It went down easy and was a welcome break from all liquids.

Strawberry and rhubarb Icelandic yogurt (low carb, high protein, yum) and cold brew coffee with whole milk.

I had 2-3 ounces of a strawberry cream premier protein shake & my snack is 2 ounces of sugar free Greek Yogurt.

I was allowed to eat anything before surgery up to midnight before..no pre-op diet but also not last binging rights either. However, post op, your stomach needs to heal and a minimum of 2 weeks with liquids is needed. So at hospital it was water and at home was ensure and water...3rd week I went to food, but mushy, like cottage cheese or yogurt, then each week after that I was able to try something else, like week four was fish, 5 chicken and now 6 is beef. Don't push the sleeve...stick with liquids as long as you can because if you eat too soon, sleeve will definitely let you know if it likes it or NOT! Good luck! Now it is just the old rule of burn more calories with exercise than you are taking in and you will lose. More exercise=more/faster weight loss but Take it at your own pace! 2lbs a week is good and steady pace!

Yes, jncvt123, each day is different. Today I'm having a lot of cramping so I've had to cut back on the oatmeal, applesauce, yogurt, etc. and focus on the protein and liquids. The gas has been horrible today, too. Gas-x strips and lots of walking are helping. Last night watching TV with my family I was feeling hungry but realized it wasn't physical hunger...head hunger instead. That's a new thing for me so I'll be working on that for a while I'm sure. Hang in there -we've got this!!!!!

I imagine that each day I will be able to take in more fluids. .i still feel hungry:( hopefully next week at my surgeon appt he will give me the ok for yogurt or cottage cheese!!!

I see a lot of people struggle with the protein shakes post-op, even me, but it's importanrt to take them because it can cause loss of hair, and more importantly from what I read your body can actually start feeding off of your vital organs. I do whey, 1 scoop is 30gms of protein , so I try to get 2 scoops in the am, and just keep taking sips throughout the am. Then I buy high protein yogurt and do 2-3 in the course of a day. My surgeon told me in early stages you should get 100 gms of protein, but if I get close enough, I'm proud of myself. You should also ask your surgeon for a script for Iron, and B-12 shots, in which you can get from your MD, and this should help your energy levels. School's almost over, and then you will be able to concentrate more on you. Good luck,and blessings!

Your nutritionist should have given you a list of acceptable food. Eggs were not on my list until I was on purees. My first 2 weeks were full liquids. Protein shakes, cream soups, broth, water, diluted juice, greek yogurt were all acceptable. If you are unsure, you should call your nutritionist and review acceptable foods. Yes the protein shakes will get tedious, but it's only temporary. following your medical team's advice is important in the healing of your new tummy.

My doctor's rule for carbs is "as few as possible" and only from legumes, green veggies, dairy, and a tiny bit of fruit. I'm a little over a year out and have just started introducing quinoa, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and a little more fruit as a way of tip-toeing into maintenance. And remember, measure out your Protein, and eat all your meals in this order: 1. Protein (meat, legumes, Greek yogurt) 2. Green veggies 3. Fruit 4. Starches (including green peas and corn) If you plan it right, you should be full, or at least satisfied, long before you get to Step 4. I'm always stuffed by Step 2. And when hunger strikes between meals, ask yourself if it's really thirst in disguise? If you're behind on your Fluid intake, catch up on that first, then wait 15-30 minutes before eating. And finally, when you want a snack, make it protein-based (meat, cheese, nuts, yogurt, jerky). Good luck!

@@ejones8979 when I went to my post-op appointment last Friday, the doctor told me I could transition this Tuesday, which will be two weeks exactly. I am looking forward to it, but more for a change of pace, not that I am craving food. I went shopping today and stocked up on Soup, yogurt, pudding and cottage cheese :-)

LAP BAND SURGERY SHOPPING LIST NON-food ITEMS: BBQ or Toilet tongs, for a good reach in the r.r. 4.98 Heating pad(12inx24in) 16.88 Flexible ice pack (hot/cold 12inx16in) 14.44 A few books or movies(your choice, I spent about 70.00us) xx.xx Squishy pillow for car ride for seatbelt (shoulder pad) 16.88 Make sure you have a good blender 19.97 Kitchen timer (first few days, sip every 15 mins)(analog) 2.88 Kitchen timer (digital – better for travelling) 3.47 Pedo-meter(depending on the one you get – don’t forget to adjust to your stride) 4.88 PHARMACEUTICALS: Liquid Tylenol/Motrin (Check early in case pharmacy needs to order in advance) 4.98 Chewable or liquid gas-x(I got strips, you will pay more than shown here) 3.60 Gauze Pads 4x4 6.57 Paper/bandage tape 2.57 Wet Wipes 2.64 Pill crusher 3.89 Chewable Vitamins 8.97 Hospital Medicine cups (I got 3oz/88ml cups – 100ct) 1.48 Cough Drops(Halls big box) 6.88 Stool Softener (Dr. asked me not to get this, if needed talk to him) xx.xx Moist and nice tasting Lip Balm(got chapstick – cherry – 2for deal) 0.88 FOOD ITEMS: Protein shakes(these vary from 22 – 55 dollars depending on quality and quantity) xx.xx Plenty of water(bottled Water for me 3cases 16oz. bottles 10.00) 10.00 broth or stuff to make broth(several flavors but all about the same cost) 2.98 Sugar free popsicles 2.66 Sugar free Jello 0.50 Sugar free breath mints (chewable) 1.33 Crystal Light "On the GO" assorted flavors(I don’t like CL so I got store brand/price per box) 2.50 Bouillon(several flavors but all about the same cost) 2.07 Cream of Wheat 2.92 Creamy Soups 0.66 Applesauce 1.82 FAT FREE yogurt 1.76 Soup-at-Hand - soups - for creamy stage(on sale) 1.25 pudding cups (SF/FF) - helps w/ taking meds(got instant, more flavors, price per box) 0.50 Sugar free hot cocoa 1.87 Decaf tea(got regular, decaf is a little more in cost) 2.12 CLOTHES POST-OP: Loose fitting, easily removable(one size larger than I wear, sweats, top and bottom) 15.88 Buttons downs or pullover(sale rack found $5.00 per, one size larger) 5.00 Thong shoes/slip-on so no bending and tying(make sure they are a good pair) 12.88 Sports Bra! Sutures will be hurt by under wires(I have a daughter and wife that helped here) 6.88 All these prices are from Wal-mart and I used my receipt for 4Oct07 to get most of the prices. I did try to give explanations where I could and those are in braces, i.e. - (). Good luck and remember, your positive attitude and positive resolve got you this far. You can get through this, be positive.

Yes I was told that I actually have to eat to lose weight. Limiting your calorie intake to less than 1000 a day can actually impede your weight loss. Doctor said that if I am tight all day and can't get solids down, have yogurt, cottage cheese or Protein shakes. I should be around 1200-1400 a day to stay balanced. Your body goes into starvation mode and you burn muscles for fuel before your body goes after the fat. I was not eating at all two weeks after my last fill, and had to see my PCP. When he weighed me, I had gained 2 pounds since the fill and said that to him, and thats when he told me the above.

i remember the first 6-8 weeks and it was hell. i was still hungry and i had to do all the work (not much help from the band). my suggestion would be to write down what you eat (or use dailyplate.com) and change it. i would eat less and just suffer through it because i promise it will get better. a typical day for me then was: b: 1/2 cup yogurt or oatmeal OR Protein Shake with 1 teaspoon Peanut Butter (skim milk) l: tuna, chicken, or egg salad with 2 tablespoons of mayo (1/2 cup)--i ate it without bread OR deli meat rolled up with a piece of cheese d: Protein based meal (1/2 cup total). After 6 weeks i was allowed to eat a cup at a time. Good Luck!

I am going to start posting here too... Today has sucked. All i've had all day is Blue Diamond Wasabi & Soy Sauce flavored almonds. I've eaten almost the whole can but they are low carb and 6 grams of protein a serving (6 servings in a can). I am full though. LOL. Where is this carbmaster yogurt sold?? Who makes it? Im intrigued!

It appears you are still in the mushy stage??? If so, try and focus on lower calorie soft foods. I have not eaten potatoes since my surgery 8 months ago because they are too fattening. You can eat oatmeal with some Protein powder added to boost the Protein. Fat free Greek yogurt is very high in protein. You can have cottage cheese, beans-excellent, low cal source of protein. Get creative. Make some home made chili for the cold days.

thank you so much for this tip. I have severe allergies to dust mites (IgE antibodies came back at 20x the normal limit). Shortly after starting full liquids abt 9 or 10 days post op my post nasal drip got really bad, and it was deep in my throat not something I can blow out or even hack up, whenever I blow my nose the pressure from doing so gives me a headache. I think what may have made it act up initially is my much higher than usual dairy consumption. I do not like any Protein shakes, so have been eating fat free yogurt, milk, FF SF pudding, cottage cheese, creamed Soups, my entire diet is pretty much dairy which I have since read is a HUGE culprit for PND. I also have an air purifier in my room, which I set to high every night, is has helped with the dust, but I can tell the humidity in the room is VERY low. SO I am thinking of getting a humidifier. I am also sensitive to drugs and don't like taking too any antibiotics cuz yeast acts up, so I prefer natural. Thank you for telling me about neilmed, I am def going to try it. Tried the neti pot, and it works, but you are right it is annoying and takes practice to get your head just right, holding your head at the wrong angle it will come out your mouth haha.

Maybe try soft scrambled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, refried beans. All are recommended during my upcoming puree phase. Good luck!

I have a dry gallon of them on my counter (they have been there for 6 months no issue -1/3 of the way done now) so I add them to everything, dry.I cook then into bean dishes, falafel, salmon croquettes, smoothies, on yogurts, in salads. I add a dry sprinkling to almost everything (they fluff up quickly depending on the food it's added to) that hempseed, and tumeric goes into almost everything I eat. VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

I try to get more calories..but that is kinda impossible now. I can't seem to hold anymore than that. I did seem to get a little more in yesterday. I am going to try to get close to 1000 today. I feel full after a 1/2 cup of food right now. In the morning is definitely hard to get anything in. I try to drink my shake in the morning. This morning I got in some greek yogurt. To be honest with you I think some of my problem is that I have been constipated for about a week now...I know TMI..but finally got some relief so to speak. I have a hard time getting in 64 oz of h20 too. Anyone else have a hard time with constipation and getting your water in?

The first week was a real struggle trying to sip water and protein shakes. I'm starting week 3 and, it does get easier, physically and mentally. Take it easy on yourself - get sleep, rest, walk, and keep at the water and protein shakes. I found I was better still on liquids even though I could eat some soft foods (yogurt, pureed chicken, etc.) Solids made me really tired after I ate. I'll add them in next week slowly and see how it goes. hang in there

I'm 7/8ish months out, doing well, but in the past month or so I am noticing a trend, as you can figure out from my name I'm a nurse and every single day I'm at work (and only when I'm at work) I get extremely dizzy/light headed around 8/9 AM while I am standing, doing my med pass. I took my BP, it was normal, and I always eat breakfast a few hours before. Today I might do a finger stick to see if something strange is going on with my blood sugar but that would be shocking considering I'm not diabetic and I eat very well in the morning. Usually some greek yogurt, coffee and some cheese or something like that.

Premier Protein water, sold at Sams Club, is pretty good and is 20 g protein. I didn't like the shakes either but you are going to have to choke them down for the next few months because you just can't get enough protein from food in the beginning. If you are using protein powder to make shakes, use Fairlife milk to mix them for an extra boost of protein. I went home on the pureed stage so I could have plain yogurt. I started putting SF Hershey's syrup and SF Peppermint Paddy coffee flavoring syrup in my shakes to change up the flavor. Hang in there it get's better every month!

Toasted Seaweed Snax FinnCrisp Rye Crackers GG Brancrisp Crackers Zeroodles (rice shape + angel hair) Zucchini + Vegetti HerbOx Sodium Free Bouillon Packets - Beef and Chicken Frozen chopped spinach in the bag Frozen Pictsweet Seasoning Blend (chopped frozen onion, celery, peppers) Matcha powder + Greek Yogurt + lemon stevia drops + frozen blueberries + walnuts Chia Pudding (decaff coffee + cocoa powder + Premier Protein flavor + cinnamon + turmeric + chia seeds + spray whipped cream...don't judge) Hershey's Sugar Free Syrup and Strawberries + spray whipped cream...still no judgement Liverwurst slices from the deli Hillshire Farms Naturals Black Forest Ham Bolthouse Farms Baby Carrots + hummus Budding Meat Packets...mmmmm processed meats OMA's dried sausage stix Quest Tortilla Chips Quest Potato Chips (all flavors) Kraft 2% Deli Deluxe Cheese broken into 16 pieces and nuked on parchment paper until crispy and yummy Peanut butter cheese crackers (see deli deluxe crackers + natural smooth or crunchy peanut butter + alone time...) 90% Lindt Chocolate Bars (just 1 square a cup of decaff black...mmmm + spray whipped cream... )