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I have been a "perimeter shopper" for about 10 years now. Single ingredient shopping has lots of benefits, one of which is you know exactly what you just ate. I wouldn't expect the change overnight, but might be something to think about working towards over the next year. (For example.. get plain chicken breast instead of Tyson's breaded, extruded, chopped, processed, colored, salt added chicken patties). Herbal teas are a great way to get flavor variation in calorie free fluids. Flavored black teas are good too, but you want to be aware of the caffeine content. (I drink caffeine, but everyone is different). I don't know if you can tolerate dairy, but yogurt and cottage cheese are very convenient means of getting protein. There is a protein Kefir drink. Not everyone's cuppa.. but 40g protein/bottle. Lifeway I think. With the daily walking, try to get your calories up to 1000 asap. Your journaling is excellent!

I would pester whoever clears you for your diets about why you can't be on full fluids. I was on clear fluids for an hour or two before being cleared for full fluids. While no one here can know any medical reasons for your circumstance, if you were discharged I assume you have no issues with vomiting, and you've been checked for leaks.. I personally wouldn't understand why you can't have full fluids. My OR date was last Thursday (April 20) in the morning Leak tests/barium swallow done Friday morning, confirmed all fine Started clear fluids Friday afternoon, cleared for full fluid meal for dinner (soup, Jello, non-SF popsicles), ate that with no issues, was discharged a couple hours later Friday evening on full fluid diet until around May 11th when I can have soft solids. Current diet is mainly water (1.5-3L), 2% milk, high protein M&BS oatmeal, unsweetened applesauce, YOP yogurt drink, and was just cleared via phone call from my case manager to make fruit smoothies.

I'm only about 6 weeks out, but I keep the fridge stocked with cheese strings, meat, greek yogurt, apple sauce for snacks. If I need a quick meal that I haven't prepared for I have several cans of soup in the pantry (kinda high in sodium, but better than some options). I also set aside leftovers from the night before for lunches.

Howdy all, I was sleeved exactly a week ago tomorrow AM. My doc's post operative diet called for 10 days of Clear Liquids following surgery, but I am struggling a bit and really want to move on to the full liquids phase. I know some people move on at 7 days and I am jealous!! I had a low BMI at surgery (29) and physically I have had no issues since surgery whatsoever. I feel good. Back at work from home (though finding it hard to concentrate when I am only intaking very low calories), I'm walking the doggie a few miles a day, no acid, vomiting or nausea, already had some mini BMs. I do have a few incision twinges at surgery site but nothing major and the compression garment I'm wearing helps with those. I just really want something other than broth, juice and tea. That's literally all that is on the diet plan for the first 10 days. Broth, juice, tea. That's it. I'd just kill for some thicker Soups or greek yogurt, even a Protein shake... but don't want to defy doctors orders. Thing is, they just seemed to be his standard orders that he gives out to everyone, and not particularly tailored to me personally (sleeved in Mexico). I know three days more shouldn't be a big deal. I keep telling myself that. This is temporary. Im lucky that my partner has cooked me up delicious home made beef bone broth and chicken broth and I feel super grateful. Not sure if I am asking for approval or just moaning. I really want to stick to plan, but it's hard and this whole "I have no desire to eat" thing doesn't seem to be applying to me. The 10 day mark feels like an age away. Guessing its probably all in my head?? Other than that, feeling good!

Howdy all, I was sleeved exactly a week ago tomorrow AM. My doc's post operative diet called for 10 days of clear liquids following surgery, but I am struggling a bit and really want to move on to the full liquids phase. I know some people move on at 7 days and I am jealous!! I had a low BMI at surgery (29) and physically I have had no issues since surgery whatsoever. I feel good. Back at work from home (though finding it hard to concentrate when I am only intaking very low calories), I'm walking the doggie a few miles a day, no vomiting or nausea, already had some mini BMs. I do have a few incision twinges at surgery site but nothing major and the compression garment I'm wearing helps with those. I just really want something other than broth, juice and tea. That's literally all that is on the diet plan for the first 10 days. Broth, juice, tea. That's it. I'd just kill for some thicker soups or greek yogurt, even a protein shake... but don't want to defy doctors orders. Thing is, they just seemed to be his standard orders that he gives out to everyone, and not particularly tailored to me personally (sleeved in Mexico). I know three days more shouldn't be a big deal. I keep telling myself that. This is temporary. Im lucky that my partner has cooked me up delicious home made beef bone broth and chicken broth and I feel super grateful. Not sure if I am asking for approval or just moaning. I really want to stick to plan, but it's hard and this whole "I have no desire to eat" thing doesn't seem to be applying to me. The 10 day mark feels like an age away. Guessing its probably all in my head?? Other than that, feeling good!

I didn't eat baby food or pure anything. I did eat a lot of soup and used my immersion blender to smooth it all out. I couldn't stand the thought of pureed meat but some do and like it. Protein shakes, yogurt and soups for me

TODAY IS EXACTLY 2 WEEKS AFTER MY SURGERY. MY DOCTOR STARTED ME ON MY VITAMINS & PRILOSEC AND STILL HAS ME ON A FULL LIQUID DIET ( MEANING JUST YOGURT, BROTHS, CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP (STRAINED) CREAM OF MUSHROOM (STRAINED), CREAM OF CELERY (STRAINED), PROTEIN SHAKES, SUGAR FREE JELLO, SUGAR FREE POPSICLES, SUGAR FREE PUDDING) I DISLIKE THE LIQUID DIET!! I'M SO GROSSED OUT BY EVERYTHING NOW. I NEED TO FIND DIFFERENT SOUPS TO HAVE, BECAUSE ALL THIS SWEET STUFF ( JELLO, POPSICLES, PUDDING, YOGURT, PROTEIN SHAKES) IS ALREADY MAKING ME SICK I CAN'T WAIT TO START THE PUREE STEP. I DO FEEL LIKE I'M STARTING TO HAVE MORE ENERGY THOUGH. THE FIRST WEEK I FELT KIND OF WEAK. THE TAPE ON MY INCISSIONS ARE BARELY STARTING TO FALL OFF ( THEY TOLD ME NOT TO TAKE THEM OFF, THAT THEY NEED TO FALL OFF ON THEIR OWN). THIS WEEK I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY MOVE BACK INTO MY ROOM ( I WAS SLEEPING ON THE COUCH, IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER THEN MY BED). I STILL SLEEP ON MY SIDE, WHICH IS TOURTURE BECAUSE I'M A STOMACH SLEEPER & CAN'T MOVE TOO MUCH ON THE BED. I'VE ALREADY LOST 26LBS AND 2 PANT SIZES. I'M BARELY NOW STARTING TO NOTICE IT ON MY FACE AND MY WAIST. I WISH I WOULD'VE MEASURED MY WAIST BEFORE. ANY WHO, I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET MY GOAL WEIGHT! I WILL POST NEXT WEEK

So you still aren't really answering the question, what do you eat each day to get your calories?? If you are actually eating food, there are ways to get calories and healthy fats and from food. Eggs, turkey bacon, avocado, turkey pepperoni, cheese, yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, spinach, tuna, salmon, mahi mahi, chicken, cauliflower, soups, beans, nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios) and cottage cheese are just to name a few. These are still easy on the tummy and even in super small amounts you should be able to tolerate or you have some issues that need to be addressed with the doctor ASAP. People don't understand that if you just drink liquids over an extended period of time it will be exceptionally difficult to start eating solid food again. I'm 3 months out and can't eat a whole serving size either but I work on it all day long. In order to get my calories in some days I HAVE to eat when I'm not hungry. I can't even finish 5.3 oz of yogurt but I put the rest in the fridge and finish it later. You need to eat when your phone reminds you and you absolutely need the protein! Get the unflavored kind that you can mix with your foods if you can't drink it. If you starve yourself it will continue to be difficult to eat and symptoms like dumping will be exaggerated because your body isn't used to it. If you eat small amounts of foods throughout the day you can retrain your body to tolerate solids and fatty food more comfortably. Good luck and I hope the NUT can help you find a plan that works.

You need protein. Milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, meat, fish, tofu, etc. Any vitamins is better than none. Flintstones chewable complete (you need the iron) or the like. If money is an issue and you are in the US, go to social services and apply for assistance.

I added in an afternoon coffee break with coworkers / friends. My typical order is an iced latte with whole fat milk, or almond milk. The extra calories helped. My stomach was a bit temperamental for the first couple of months post-op, and I reverted to liquids and soft foods at the time when most would advance, to give it a bit more time to adjust. The downside of this was not consuming enough calories, which made the "week three stall" last much longer. I switched from 2% / low fat dairy to full fat milk and yogurt. Fair Life was my favorite milk, and I most often used the Trader Joe's brand of plain Greek yogurt. I had a lot of smoothies with their full fat yogurt that had 22 grams of protein and 7 carbs, berries (lower in carbs) and frozen kale (the taste and color were disguised by the berries). When I made chocolate protein shakes I added in freshly ground almond butter or peanut butter from Whole Foods rather than PB2 to get in more calories and fat. Liquids have always been easier for me to take in than solids. I have to be careful with them because I can overdo it, but during that time they were beneficial.

Hi dimples, For me I use the free my fitness pal app to track what I eat each day. I do track my major exercise in there (like spin class but not like cleaning or anything unless I break a sweat or its for a prolonged time) I also do not allow myself to eat my exercise calories back. Meaning when I burn 600 calories spinning the app puts it as food calories to eat, but I ignore that. I have found 1400 is about what I can eat and feel satisfied with. Sometimes I am under and sometimes over (I split a Cinnabon with my husband at the mall last week- when we were shopping, those have 500 calories in a just a HALF!) that was an over day for example! For me right now pre surgery: Breakfast: Fage Greek yogurt (the fruit mix in kind) or a premier protein shake (Carmel or chocolate are my favorites) also I add some cold brew coffee to the Carmel one if I am craving a morning coffee and it taste like a latte! Lunch: tuna with light mayo with a few thin crackers or on a turnamo( low carb wrap) instead of bread, a string cheese, A salad with Turkey and low calorie dressing, maybe some baked chips if I am craving a crunch or An apple. Some left overs of my high protien dinner the night before ( like chicken shishka bob and veggies that were on the grill, marinaded in soy sauce and a little honey & cider vinegar) And if I know I will be low on protein for the day( if I had a salad for lunch, then I drink a premier protien shake with/ after lunch. Dinner: this varies a lot! Some times on weekends I eat a CRAP dinner like a Friday fish fry, but eat less breading and only a tiny bit of tarter sauce on it, and the fries (I am a totally fry person, if your not sub for veggies to save on the carbs, but I love salty more than sweet so that is my treat instead of chocolate) I have found a lot of high protein recipes online that I use! Tonight for example we are eating a baked chicken breast, stuffed with apple slices and a little Gouda cheese, baked with some cubed sweet potatoes mixed with a dash of pam olive oil salt and pepper - baked all on one baking sheet for easy clean up. I have subed out white pasta for edamame pasta (get it at costco) or lentil pasta, and that taste fine to me with sauce and meatballs etc. even my husband eats it. I try and use marinades on things a lot more instead of sauces, I have found that helps keep calories low. I also love green beans, zucchini or a salad- and I use those a lot with dinner, to try and fill up and get some nutrients, as early on my dietician mentioned I needed more fruit/ veg in my diet. I have done riced cauliflower and mashed cauliflower as substitutes for rice or potatoes they are ok but not the same as the originals my husband won't eat them. I limit myself to one "carb" serving with dinner, so no more than 1/2-1 cup of rice, potatoes or bread item at dinner. I am a carb-a-holic otherwise. And try to avoid them at every other meal. Snacks/ desserts that are healthier than the alternatives that I like: beanitos chips (instead of tortilla chips, taste the same and has more protein) with guac or salsa. Halo top ice cream is only like 200 calories in a pint, so a scoop of that is very reasonable if you are craving ice cream. I also do make myself exercise 45mins 2x a week. I have done lots of different classes: once a week- like spin, a water jogging, boot camp, boxing, and I have an eliptical at home for my second time a week. I like to switch classes as I have a drop in style pass for place near me and I prefer trying different things and different times fit my schedule better. My surgeon said exercise would help weight come off faster and also help with avoiding loose skin, which I really would like to try and do, as best as I can. Good luck to you! I love sharing recipes if you are ever interested!

I am officially 2 weeks post-op and today is the day I get my ONE egg! I have been patiently waiting for this moment. I made it soft-boiled, with a touch of salt and pepper. I'm about halfway done- and getting full. This is crazy! I remember when I could knock out a 4-egg omelette to myself! Next week I get to start yogurts, shaved turkey, soft fish, etc. For now? This egg is the bomb!! So tired of liquids [emoji23] SW: 350 / CW: 321 / GW: 200 Sleeved April 13, 2017

I've been on purées for 3 weeks now (only one more to go!), and I haven't puréed any meat. I've been drinking lots of protein shakes, smoothies with a heaping cup of plain Greek yogurt (23g of protein), and soup.

Since the pb is mixed in the smoothie, I haven't had trouble. I actually lick the spoon too, and that is heavier. Don't think I want to try a plain spoonful quite yet. The smoothie with yogurt can be a bit tart. Cottage cheese works too! My stall broke today! 269! (It is so much more exciting when the tens unit ticks down!) I haven't been in the 260s since 2008. Yesterday I was able to squeeze into previously too small pants. Not wearable yet, but I have faith it won't be long!

I didn't make many recipes until I was cleared for regular food. For the soft stage I think I started eating yogurt with small bits of fruit, soft scrambled eggs, chili, meatballs with Low Sugar sauce, string cheese, and turkey lunch meat. i ate no veggies because there wasn't any room once I ate the protein.

This is ridiculous and unexplainable to me and I'm ready to just cry. I've been absolutely perfect following my Dr's order post op, with one very small exception of a cup of ice cream last Sunday when the family went out to dinner and I had no menu choices. I list about 5lbs the first 5 days. Since then basically nothing. What is going on??!!! I'm logging everything that touches my lips on the Baritastic app and I can assure you my calorie average is in the 500 range, I'm getting my protein and then some, I'm getting most of my water. My carb count is a bit high simply because most of the things I've been allowed to eat are higher in carbs than say meat or eggs. Like protein shakes, yogurt, cream soups, etc. but still not outrageous. With calories 5-700. And carbs below 100 what the heck???? Seriously this morning I'd gained 1/2 lb! I'm so upset. What's wrong with me?? Had my follow up yesterday and the said he'd hope for a few more lbs but ok. Everything else looked fine. I just really thought I'd see some weight coming off. When's it going to start?

This. It really is head hunger 99% of the time. People buy into the "going to stretch my sleeve" way too often. In time you will be able to eat more, but seriously...you'd make yourself throw up before you get to the point of stretching your sleeve. Pureed foods and those that are liquids at room temperature over time (like yogurts) pass through the stomach quicker than what solids will. Consistency of foods matters. I could get away with eating 2 cups of mashed potatoes if I wanted to, but if I eat a cup of solid protein like chicken I'd feel miserable for the next hour. Portion control is key as is tracking your food.

I had MGB surgery on 4/10/17 and am doing pretty good. Right when I woke up in recovery I was in a lot of pain but they gave me good meds for it. I didn't really have any gas pain so I was lucky there. I did better with getting fluids in at first but last week was a challenge. I think I'm doing better this week but I don't have much of an appetite so I have to remind myself to eat, which is mainly puréed soup and yogurt. I'm so glad I had this surgery. All my worry beforehand was for naught. Good luck my fellow April surgical compadres!

Great job on the loss so far. I hope you get the vomiting resolved quickly. I'm doing pretty well so far. My surgery was 4/18 and I came home from hospital on 4/21. They wanted to keep me there an extra day since I am 2 hours from that hospital. My biggest challenge so far has been getting my fluid intake up. Yesterday I was up to 30oz and today around 40 but still a ways to go to get to the 64 they would like. Overall pain has been pretty minimal, however I did have two nights of no sleep due to severe discomfort in my back. I assume it was gas related but today has been really good. I'm really looking forward to next week when I can add yogurt, applesauce, and oatmeal to my food list too a little worried about vomiting that may come with it.

So yesterday at work I had a yogurt around nine or ten, The triple zero Kind and got busy working on a project. I noticed while talking to my friend and I messed up her boyfriends name three times in a conversation and I was just very scatterbrained. I was reloading binders and my hands are shaky so I got a protein water and drank almost all of it and kept working. Around 2 o'clock I realized I was really hungry and so I drink a protein drink mixed in one cup skim milk. I still felt really awful and try to work while drinking it but kept making mistakes. I decided that my sugar might be low so I drove to Walmart and bought a BG meter and got back to the office and my glucose was 78. Around 438 a no sugar added applesauce andwent to an appointment. Got home at 7:30 took my BG and it was 61. This morning I woke up and felt fine and had a yogurt applesauce and a I so pure throughout the dayand when I got homecheck my sugar and it was 80. Around nine well I was making egg whites I checked my sugar again because I had a headache and it was 60. Should I be concerned or just need to eat more often? Where should my numbers be after I eat and how often should I test. Thursday I will be five weeks out and down about 25 pounds I have not lost anything this week Seminar 12/27/16: wt 304 Surgery 3/23: wt 287 3 week post: 266.4

Ditto y'all. Surgery March 20. Down 20lbs since surgery, 35 total. In a stall right now. I can eat one ounce of dense meat, or 2 oz tuna salad, but 4 oz of cottage cheese or a pint of milk. Feel like I have to eat and drink all day. Haven't started getting many veggies yet. Only thing that hurt a smidge was the cheese on the egg. Provolone isn't soft enough. I take 22oz of coffee/milk/vitamins/fiber. Takes a couple hours since it is thick like pudding. Tastes good, but can't get anything else in before noon. Helps with the bathroom though! On day trips I make a yogurt, peanut butter, banana smoothie. Drink it while heading down the road. Tuna with ranch dressing is yummy!

Oh shoot, did I remember to reply?? I have more answers now, at least. - canned tuna (add Greek yogurt and make it even higher protein) -rotisserie chicken (sadly only moist enough the day you buy it, but this is the meat my stomach likes best) -stewed chicken (fall apart soft, cooked low and slow like in a crock pot) -finely ground beef (I've been having this with my fam on tostada nights, but remember to chew especially well.) I had some with my beans in a pinch at Taco Bell too -meatball soups. Our Tia makes aboldigas with big 3oz meatballs, and they are fall apart tender. -fish steamed in foil or parchment paper packets avoid until later: fried baked (unless in a packet with liquid) dried (jerkey) sauteed steak, lamb, pork

I use the Torani SF in my coffee (hazelnut), and in yogurt sometimes.

Before surgery I got into the habit of food journalling, started and maintained an exercise routine, and worked on other unhealthy habits like eating out too often, eating in front of a screen, and drinking my calories. I made a LOT of changes, small and large, to my lifestyle, which I think greatly contributed to how well I'm adjusting to my post-surgery life. And hey, getting my sleeve at 196 lbs versus at my highest weight of 227 lbs means I'm ahead of the game and my goals are that much closer! Unlike others, I haven't cut any food groups entirely out of my diet other than carbonated and sweetened drinks. (Oh and Oreos, I don't have those anywhere near me because they are a trigger food for binging!) I still eat sugar and carbs... but my goal for this surgery was to maintain as "normal" a diet as possible while still leading a healthier life than I was living. Everyone strikes their own balance on that front, I think. There are people who go absolutely zero carbs post surgery, people who strictly limit their carbs, and people who still eat carbs but are choosy about where they come from or how often they eat them. One thing that pretty much everyone post bariatric has in common, though, is focusing on protein intake. "Protein first" is my program's motto. You eat your protein, then your vegetables, and THEN a limited amount of carbs with whatever room you have left (which in my case is gently waving a piece of potato in front of my nose and then putting it down on the plate again LOL). We pretty much all get some kind of protein goal to hit post surgery, since protein is important for your healing and for maintaining muscle mass as you lose the weight. So that might be something to work on now, finding out what in your diet is a good source of protein and what isn't, finding higher protein alternatives for your standby foods, and basically just being more aware of the protein value in everything you eat. And since you're dairy free, as well, now would be a good time to try out various vegan protein powders/supplements so you can find one you like or can at least tolerate, since in the early days post surgery it's hard to reach your protein goals without some form of supplementation. Do you see a dietician? It might be a good idea, especially with you not doing dairy. Just so you're prepared with a plan of how to get protein in when a lot of the typical post op suggestions for boosting protein intake (milk, cheese, whey supplements, yogurt) are all dairy dairy dairy dairy dairy haha. In later stages when you're back on solid foods I'm sure you can manage it with nuts and legumes and meats, but in that early stage some research on non-dairy liquid protein options can't go amiss. Good luck to you, and good for you on being so proactive! You won't regret getting started early, I promise!

I was on clear liquids the day after surgery and then 2 weeks of liquid/soft diet. So protein shakes, cottage cheese, strained soups, jello, SF pudding, apple sauce, yogurt, etc.