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Here are some words of caution, before everyone thinks making yogurt is the best thing after sliced bread... I have made yogurt and I am surprised that everyone says it's not much work and so great. I found it a lot of work, a little messy and time consuming (if you work full time). Slowly heating up the big pot of milk to 170°, cooling it down to 110° - and if you are over or under it doesn't work. At 110°, you have to slowly stir in the starter bacteria, and if you don't do it right it doesn't work properly. Of course knowing milk, you have to stand by it the whole time and stir. Then transferring the milk to the little cups, which always spilled a little. And then waiting 12 hours or so for the yogurt maker. If it worked, the yogurt was nice, but often enough, it was too cold, too warm, not stirred sufficiently, the bacteria was exhausted etc. And of course you only know after the whole 12 hours if something went wrong. I had yogurt that was gritty, too liquid, chunky and lumpy... We used it when my husband was laid off because he was home and had the time. But for everyone who is working full time and trying to exercise and trying to cook healthy food after work, I think it is a lot of work and the outcome is not always guaranteed. I consider myself a decent cook, and I like to cook and make things, but that wasn't it for me. We have this yogurt maker: http://www.amazon.com/Waring-YM350-Professional-Yogurt-Maker/dp/B0017YS1GI (for sale, if you want it, LOL) Here is the manual for it, just so you can see how it works before you jump in: http://www.fantes.com/manuals/waring-pro-yogurt-ym350-manual.pdf Price wise, if you add it all up, it's not much cheaper (if your time is worth something to you). You need to buy the equipment (starting at $20, mine was more). Then, for 6 glasses of 8 oz. yogurt: You need to have 5 oz. of GOOD yogurt at hand for every batch you make (Greek yogurt has between 5 and 7 oz.) = at least $1 You need to buy the milk (1/3 of a gallon for 6 glasses) = $1 At least 1 hour for preparation = $? (you judge) You have to wait for 12 hours for it to be ready If you want the Greek yogurt texture or want to use it like sour cream, you now have to strain it which is a mess in and of itself. ------------------------------------- At least $0.34 per 8 oz. of yogurt, plus equipment cost plus your time plus waiting plus cleaning up = not worth it for me Believe me, I am a serious yogurt snob and American yogurt still freaks me out with all the additives and the weird texture. Yes, you can control what goes into your own yogurt - but if you then add sugar free syrups, you are back to square one anyway. And I still prefer my 2% Fage over homemade any day and if I look for a sale and buy in bulk, it is a much better deal for me.

You pretty much can't find yogurt with that low of carbs, Greek Yogurt has less carbs and more protien. a lot of people like carb master that you can get at Krogers. I think it's tasteless. I like Chiboni yogurt the best. I also like Brown cow that I get at walmart.,

This is my mixture: Muscle Milk Vanilla Creme Powder 2 scoops 3 spoon fulls of plain yogurt some kind of fruit 6 oz of milk and wala, it even keeps its consistency in the fridge changing the fruit changes the flavor.

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.

I'm 2+ years out. I've lost 95% of my excess weight. I have not had plastics - which would account for that last 5%. I eat a high protein, low carb diet and exercise 7 days a week. I eat roughly 1500 calories a day. I exercise at least 1 hour each day. A typical day is: Morning - coffee - black, greek yogurt (Skyr Icelandic provisions), 2 tablespoons of granola Mid morning - protein shake (1 cup fairlife skim milk, 1 scoop protein, handful frozen fruit in blender) Lunch - 3-5 ounces of chicken/turkey/beef, 2 cups of green salad mix, 1 tablespoon balsamic dressing mid afternoon - 2-3 ounces cheddar or other hard cheese Dinner - 3-5 ounces meat, salad or green veg and 1/4 c of a starch. I have had to increase my carbs to about 110 g daily due to my exercise load. I fence (en garde) 6-8 hours a week, do Cross Fit 3 hours a week and pilates and strength training another 1-3 hours a week. I eat about 110 g protein daily. I eat protein first. I drink close to a gallon of water a day. If I want a glass of wine or a cocktail, I have one. At my high point, I was over 300. I now sit around 152 with 29% bodyfat. I can deadlift 250 pounds and squat 235. I'm nationally ranked as a fencer in my age group. How well you do it up to you and your commitment to it. I've gone from a size 24 to a size 6.

I wasn't allowed to have tomato soup until I was on the regular diet, at least 4 weeks out. I'm guessing this was due to the acidity. How about cream of chicken soup (made with milk)? Also fat free, sugar free pudding or yogurt.

My experience has been super smooth ???? at every new stage, I progressed exactly as I was supposed to, tolerated everything I tried. I of course followed every rule to the letter, I used my Eat Slower app and chewed every bite 20-30 times and no drinks 30 mins before, during or after ???? I've had chicken give me trouble one time, but it was after many times of eating it with no issues. My partner put a little to much spice on it, hence the dumping. And my advice to you is, as soon as you feel that I'm full feeling, or a heaviness in stomach, no matter what, don't eat another bite. No matter how far into your meal you are in STOP EATING. It will make you throw up. Trust me ???? and some days I get more in than others. And yes I've wasted food, but hey I'm buying way less at store than before. Any other questions please ask ????That's great to know. I'm two weeks out today. Everything that I had this far has been smooth. I am now starting my soft diet today. Any suggestions on foods? Do you snack? If so what types of snack? Do you eat candy? Do you drink soda?Cottage cheese low fat of course was a great choice! I ate ricotta cheese bake, which you can find on Pinterest. It's basically ricotta cheese and spaghetti sauce mixed together and cooked in microwave or in oven. It's like the insides of lasagna but no noodles of course. It was the best thing is ever eaten, after being liquid only lol... I don't snack, because guess what, I'm not even hungry lol. I have to set timers on my phone to remind me to drink my premier Protein shake when at work, so I don't get sick feeling.... You seriously won't feel hungry at all for snacking!!! But everyone is different!!! I definitely don't eat candy or drink soda. I chew sugar free trident gum when I'm working on my clients hair!! I don't wanna have dragon breath because of being in Ketosis. I quit soda 3 yrs ago, it was giving me horrible heartburn. My main go to soft food was low fat cheese sticks and lunch meat roll ups. You really just have to find what your taste buds can tolerate. Everything changed taste wise so much. But at this point I'm finding it's going back to normal. But things will taste so different for sure. I also did greek yogurt with a spoonful of PB2 mixed in and it was so good.

I am allowed yogurt,pudding, cream soups, cottage cheese etc....

Mine is way stricter than yours. Clear liquids and protein drinks only for the first 4 weeks, though I can add light or fat-free yogurt and sugar free pudding at 2 weeks post-op. Week 5 I can start purees, then week 8 I start soft foods.

My doctor recommends protein shakes, for all stages of weight loss up until goal. Right now I am pre-op, but in the early stages. I don't even have approval or a date scheduled yet. In order to lose the 5% of my weight required by my surgeon to have the surgery, I am supposed to drink 2 shakes per day as a meal replacement, and eat one healthy meal. I am also allowed to have a small piece of fruit, a yogurt or some salad with the shake to help me feel full. Post op will be the same diet once I move on from full liquids. I don't know why every doctor does things different, but this is what my doctor has told me is good. Do I agree with it? Not really. I would rather eat 3 healthy meals a day. My surgeon also requires my diet to be low carb, including no beans or nuts. Fruit and veggies are ok, but other than that it's all about the lean protein (chicken, turkey, tofu, fish, and shakes). I have asked multiple times why it has to be low carb, why no nuts, etc. Every time they say that they have found people have the most success when they follow that plan. I have been trying to lose weight my whole life, and it's never worked. I figure I might as well at least try it their way, because what I'm doing hasn't worked.

Sometimes dairy and sugar cause issues very early on so things like protein shakes custard yogurt and apple sa use. I was like that. I then blended chicken and veg soup to a thin consistency and that was fine. Obviously you are best to follow your Dr. But just providing and idea it could be your sleeve doesn't like the above I mentioned like mine at first. All the best.

If the change was sudden (overnight), you might mention it to your doc. And if it sounds normal to them, then that is great! Yogurt and liquids are supposed to go down smoothly. The restriction should be felt again when eating solids (presumably 8 weeks out). This is why they want you eating your meals and drinking only zero calorie beverages in maintenance.

This is all normal. The swelling has subsided. Like mentioned above, yogurt will go down easily. That's why it is often allowed during the liquid phase. Once you start eating more solid foods, you will feel the restriction more. Also, some days you will feel fuller quicker than others. I will measure out 3 oz of meat. Some days I can eat all of it and think I could probably eat more. Other days I can't even eat 2 oz. This is why I measure everything I eat! When I get too full or eat too quickly, I always get the hiccups. I can use my sleeve as a guide most of the time, but not all of the time. Measure, measure, measure.

String cheese, is a main staple. Meat balls also are great to keep on hand. For the early weeks on solids, tuna salad was a major staple. egg salad is also good, but i've never been very fond of it. cottage cheese and yogurt are also very good.

I have trouble getting all my liquids and protein in. I HATE the shakes. Guess I have to go back to them tho. Most of my protein comes thru poultry and greek yogurt

Between my multi, calcium supplement (1 tablet three times/day), and my Greek yogurt, I'm getting at least 1000mg. But with all the milk, cottage cheese, broccoli, kale, and cheese I eat, it's probably closer to 1200-1500mg most days.

Mouse, I'm with you and I feel your pain. You have 6 days, you will drop the pounds, I'm sure of it. I'm on day 8 of a 30 day liquid pre op liquid diet. I'm allowed pudding, yogurt and cottage cheese but that sure is disgusting after a while. Instead of chicken Soup broth, I've ordered pho a couple of times and just eat that broth. It's yummy. Like you, my doc takes weight loss as an indicator that the liver is shrinking. If you're compliant, you will succeed. Also like you, my doc will cancel if I don't lose the weight, I am required to lose 23 pounds and my pre op start weight is 232. My first week I only lost 3.5 pounds so I've dedicated myself to the gym from now until 11/25 which is the day before my surgery. (Minus Sunday's :-)) mentally this is really difficult, but I just think about how fast time flies and I try to focus on Xmas coming up. By then, we will be on mushy/solids and will have lost 20 plus pounds, right? (Ish) time flies doesn't it, can you believe it NOVEMBER already? Holy cow. Well just blink, and it's December. Blessings to you all. Xoxo

That's awesome!!! I'm excited do u have to do a pre-op diet? I have to do 2 weeks of nothing but yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese, 3 oz. portions of meat and tons of veggies but nothing over 800 calories a day

When healing it is important to think long and hard about what you eat. O full liquids, greek yogurt is included so that is fine. Once you get past that, things get a little dicey. You will find that surgeons do the post op eating plans a little different because there is no proven "right" way to do it. That being said there are a few things that are constant MOST of the time- the first week after surgery usually ranges between liquids and a very soft consistency (like a scrambled egg) depending on the surgeon. Progress from one stage to another is slow and as tolerated with the understanding that we all heal at different rates. I have not heard of one plan that allows bacon in the first week! I would highly recommend talking with the nutritionist and the surgeon. I would also highly recommend not eating bacon so soon post-op. It is an unnecessary risk.

My surgery was 7/31, so I am almost 5 weeks post-op. I am at the soft food stage. Some things, like Greek yogurt, I can eat almost 4 oz. Meats, "real food" I can eat a few bites, up to 2 oz on lucky days. My NUT wants only 3 meals per day with no snacking, am to fill up with water or protein drinks. I consume maybe 500 cal on good days. Am hoping it gets better. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

It is so depressing the liquid diet. I remember those weeks. Looking at the progressive stages from liquid to soft and thinking really 4 weeks? The sleeve is so grumbly until it heals. It will be a few months to heal. I fussed a lot in the beginning but now I eat a lot of yogurt and two shakes a day. The other meals I eat with my students then family I choose the good stuff protein fruit veggies. A carb only if it is insanely worth it. Sugar never is worth it. I'm 10 months out:)

adding some yogurt is a good idea

some of them do because of the sugar in it. These tend to be those who work at clinics that stress an ultra-low-carb post-op diet (mine wasn't one of those, fortunately - they're into a more balanced approach). Although even some of those low-carb diet pushers are OK with a few berries, since they're low-glycemic. I didn't eat bananas for quite awhile after surgery (but mostly because they became sickeningly sweet to me post-surgery), but I did throw a few berries on my morning yogurt starting pretty early out..

Take it from a Bandster (not RNY yet)...if YOUR doc says crush pills, crush pills. Do not crush extended release pills as that defeats the purpose as they will dissolve immediately and you don't want that with an extended release pill. --------------When I was banded eons ago, I had major pill issues. I'm on some other meds, two of which are huge IMO. With pharmacist's ok, I cut them with a pill cutter, or broke with my fingers, then I crushed with a pill crusher. Then there was the issue on just how to tolerate the wickedly awful taste.------------IF you are allowed these foods, I really don't know....take a smidge (technical aren't I?) of SF/FF pudding, stir the pill(s) in it. Put it in your mouth and swallow as fast as you can! Don't rub your tongue around your mouth, it'll make you taste the pill. Psych yourself out that you're not really doing this (but you are) and QUICKLY follow with another smidge, or more if you're allowed and use that as a chaser, or the rest of a meal, whatever. You might get a teeny taste of pill, but it'll be tolerable. You could also use yogurt. Dissolving a pill in liquid is disgusting no matter how you spin it. So if you can eat pudding or yogurt, try this. If you can have more of a pudding/yogurt chaser, the better! ------------ I had to do this for a lonnnnggg time, part of bandster hell. But it worked.----------------if your doc says to crush, HE must have a reason, always follow your Doc's orders. From what I hear, you don't have to do it long. Yay! Just ask your pharmacist about cutting or crushing any pill. I'm joined at the hip with MY pharmacist, we have a great relationship.------------Good luck on your exciting journey!

alright i will stop buying fruit salads, too bad the lentils, beans and tuna all make me feel nauseated after 1-2 spoons maybe i'll stick to liquid protein (shakes and Greek yogurt) for 1 more week.