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I like yogurt, cheddar cheese, tuna fish, almonds & fresh fruit.

As others have said tuna has become a big part of my diet. It's quick and easy to prepare and packed with protein. Once I was onto soft foods and allowed to eat tuna was when I was finally able to meet my protein goal for the day. I mix it with Greek yogurt instead of mayo (there is no low/no fat mayo in Taiwan that I can find LOL).

Hi Faith Wade: You are most welcome; it's a pleasure meeting you here, and thank you for your kind words! I agree that we should be as forthcoming and detail oriented when discussing everything from A-Z when considering being Banded, and also with pre-surgery and post Banding. Plateauing: When plateauing, I do believe in kick starting one's metabolism and that may be done by kicking up one's exercise regiment to continue with losing the desired weight, and in reaching one's goal weight. I believe that my body's metabolism reached that plateau that we spoke of earlier; and as one who is "disable" I tend to exercise little because of it. I'm in need of knee surgery, I have two herniated discs on my upper back (neck) and may need surgery for that as well. So, for that, I must be careful when using my "Bodylastics" bands when lightly working out; for light walking i must use my cane. Testimony: I will admit that i felt very discouraged when hitting that plateau; however, i asked myself was i really going to feel sorry for myself and allow that thought process to overrule my train of thought and constitution? ...or would i accentuate the positive in "remaining positive" and continue on with my eating healthy, resting plentifully, and exercising? ...I decided on the latter! Sweets-n-Bread: It's been almost a few weeks now and I went from 6-7 days a week having the sugar and breads to 1 day a week. That one day a week for me is a day of reward so to speak. My reward day consists of one sandwich, one soft drink (Dr. Pepper) and some chocolate covered raisins (moderately), which i have during my lunch break at a University I attend. So far, so good, because again, i see it as a reward day instead of it being a part of an everyday lifestyle in terms of incorporating it in to my daily diet. Being Properly Prepared: I prepared myself by resourcing/researching as much information as possible, and by changing my eating habits in terms of the food choices, and by following a prescribed time pattern in eating each meal, along with light snacks (yogurt/nuts) between meals and drinking plenty of water (64oz+.) each day. Counseling, Support, and Nutrition Assistance: Before and after surgery, the staff of Dr. Anthony Coiran were/was/has been extremely helpful with an abundance and wealth of information and answers to my many questions. I was also given a "U.S. Bariatric LAGB Patient Education Handbook" (very informative). The staff stated that I would be able to find support groups via the internet in my area, and also provided me with a support group through their own resource center, along with a calendar with meetings dates and times regarding nutritional support in the form of a nutrition class with a certified nutritionist. In His service and yours,

I think the "mushie" stage is different with every surgeon. I was told no pasta at all. You should probably call your docs office and ask. Mine consisted of: Soups Skim MIlk Light Yogurt Sugar Free Fudgicles Diet V8 splash Sugar free pudding + all clear liquids

My surgeon doesn't recommend counting calories, just making sure I'm getting 60-70g Protein and 64 oz Water a day. I've been tracking my input with MFP and I'm very curious how many calories other folks are consuming after surgery. Most days I'm between 400-500 calories (basically I have one Protein Drink and two Oikos Triple Zero yogurts a day) and I'm 3 weeks out from RnY.

I'm sorry you're frustrated with your loss. I agree about tracking... I can never "keep it in my head" but track everything I eat. Not real hard to do when you don't eat much. Are you focusing on Protein? I find if I'm eating 60 grams of protein a day, I don't have much room for anything else. The only other things I eat are fruit, veggies and maybe half a whole wheat tortilla wrapped around some lunch meat or Beans. I usually have a piece or two of fruit a day or a small serving (few bites) of a veggie. Almonds are my best friend... Either have 14 as a snack or sometimes 28 as a "meal". Low sugar (less than 10) fat free Greek yogurt is also a staple. That can make a meal for me or the yogurt with the 14 almonds. I also agree with sharing the food diary with your NUT and/or doctor. If you're doing everything right, the weight will have to fall off. You're exercising a lot -- my NUT told me to add some carbs in when I'm heavy exercising. That's when I added in the fruit and veggies to the diet (around week 5). It's important for the quick energy you need for exercise. You don't really have the option of giving up, so stick with it and look to your support team (doctor, NUT) to help you see if there's anything they can suggest. You can do this!

Surgery date was 10/29. Down 21 lbs. Feeling pretty good. Can't wait until week #3 so I can eat tuna with mayo! Right now just pushing the water, can have a teaspoon of unsweetened applesauce, a teaspoon of mashed potatoes, or yogurt.

Surgery date - 10/1/2012 Today I am actually feeling the best I've felt since before the surgery. However I am not able to drink liquid Protein shakes, Jello and broth. Luckly my NP has approved for me try yogurt, cottage cheese, and split pea Soup. Yogurt and soup is good how im still scared to try the cottage cheese. Total lost since surgery is 8 pounds. My last weigh-in was on Monday.

I did the sleeve on 12/13/16 surgical weight was 190 losing 9 pounds in pre op diet. Now just over 6 weeks I am 163. But I feel I still can't tolerate a lot of soft food diet. so I resort to protein shakes and protein water. trying my best to get my protein from proper food but still can't get enough as I feel so full from just a 1-2 teaspoon. however, I tolerate very well plain yogurt or yogurt with fruit. a slice of small cracker cheddar cheese a day. I can eat soft boiled egg but that will keep me full for a long time. yesterday i tried white fish one half hand size fillet. it was so delicious but I just felt so full as if I ate one and half a chicken (as I used to eat before). I have always been a massive protein eater. Not complaining, it is great. But I am wondering what is your thoughts in getting real protein at this stage. knowing everyone is different. how frequent do you eat. Because even though i'm losing weight i fear i'm losing the good weight (muscles) rather than fat.

today is day 5 post op, i was a day ahead of myself. The port site still slightly tender but much improved. I attempted some milky oatmeal this am, ate 1/2 and feel really full. I hope this fullness lasts until my first fill and beyond. Will do a yogurt smoothie for lunch. YUMMMMMMMMM. good luck to all my fellow bandsters on our ongoing journey!!!!!

His plan is pretty quick - Water, Jello, popsicles days 1 - 4, then add in Protein drinks, thinned-down cream Soups, and yogurt days 4 - 6. Weeks 2 & 3 are mushies. I'm not too sure about beyond then, I only studied 2 weeks out. This water thing is killing me. There's already a 30ish pound difference in the scale, and I truly beliee at least 80% of that is dehydration. I'm accustomed to 120+ oz water a day, and I've been lucky to get about 30. I've started getting yuck mouth.

It is really hard around the holidays and I get alot of support from home and co-workers etc. But I think it is a little more difficult in this month due to celebrations and festivities. My husband is supportive, but I do not think it is fair for me to change their diet and cook "differently" for them. Its hard enough that I am not as festive as usual and choose not to travel. So I just carry on as usual and when its mealtime, I go in my room with my shake and a diet soda:rolleyes2: I tell my husband to throw away all leftovers down the disposal when they are finished eating so I am less tempted to take a bite of the leftovers. What is everyone's pre-op diet? Mine seems extreme (shakes, yogurt, and clear liquids). ~Jackie~

Hi Bobbie..Today is day 14 post op and I am feeling pretty good. I am on soft foods now which consists of yogurt, mashed potatoes, fish and soft cooked eggs. I have to go shopping today. No yogurt. I would much rather the yogurt over heavy mashed potatoes. I have lost over 11 pounds. I feel good about that. I also do not want to be model thin. I wore an XL top and 14 bottoms, but was not comfortable. Heart disease and diabetes runs in my family and this was a chance to stop any of those from happening to me. My goal is to wear a L top and a 12 bottom. Roughly that should be a 30-40 pound drop. My husband and I are High School Sweethearts. We met in 1978. Over the years he is looking great. Some signs of graying around the edges and his weight is good. Me on the other hand began to look and feel really old. I thought no way. I want the two of us to age gracefully. I'm on the right track. It feels good to turn away from food. I'm also conscience of what foods to avoid and I have made every effort to do so. Before the band I would eat it knowing it wasn't good for me. I know this is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Aaaaahhhhh....much better :thumbup: Got .5 taken out today. I was able to swallow Water again immediately and then had a bowl of veggie Soup (mostly broth) for lunch. The surgeon who did my fill was in surgeries today so his PA did my unfill. She did a great job and wanted to go the whole .5. I asked her if we could do .2 or .3 as I was trying to avoid feeling the NO restriction feeling again, but she assured me that it was best to go .5. I was very swollen and got immediate relief. I still felt some restriction with the soup (probably mostly the swelling) but I'll take it. Being overfilled is miserable! It kinda made bandster hell seem OK. It was a learning experience I couldn't even exercise this morning because of the weird feeling in my chest after just 2 sips of water! My next fill is in 5 weeks. She made the observatioin that most people with the 10cc band that I have feel restriction between 4-5 ccs. Maybe the 3rd one will be the sweet spot! I'm at 3 now after the partial unfill, plus maybe a touch more from the priming procedure during surgery. Kydman - my doc says eat "lightly" the day of the fill, then after - clear liquids only for 24 hours. Then pureed for 24 hours, then soft for 24 hours, then regular food again. I can tell you that with my first fill I had no problems whatsoever. I felt I was pretty swollen from the surgery for only about 3-5 days. After that initial period I didn't necessarily feel hungry, but I could eat a container of yogurt or 4 oz. of cottage cheese, etc. whereas the first couple of days I could only do a couple of bites. I remember thinking that I might not get my first fill as scheduled because I really wasn't hungry. By the time the date rolled around, I felt like I could handle it and did fine. My doc, however, is only 20 minutes away, so I always have an option. I know some folks travel quite the distance to their docs so you have to choose what makes sense for you. One more week into the healing process can make a HUGE difference in how you are feeling

I was banded on the 6th.. I came home feeling good.. A little gassy and had these killer heartburn pain, but that is pretty much all gone now.. Yesterday, I introduced some 0 fat Greek yogurt and sugar-free pudding, and still doing the broth. My problem now is the diarrhea.. It is beyond horrible and my stomach is so upset I have no desire to eat or drink anything... My post-op diet told me I could have low fat yogurt and sugar-free pudding.. Is this not good? Is this normal due to introducing foods after over 3 weeks of liquids??

That is surprising. I am a week post surgery and I can have Protein drinks, milk, cream-based Soups, greek yogurt, sugar free Jello or popsicles and Water, water, water (can be mixed with crystal light). The Protein Drinks that I am drinking have 28 grams of protein each so I drink 2 a day and then have greek yogurt and Soup broth. I can't have food (chicken, fish pureed) until day 15. It's interesting to see the differences.

I second mari.beth's comments! Thank you for this thread! I am a pescatarian and will have gastric sleeve surgery on July 6 (am in a two-week liquid protein shake phase as I type). I have been researching high protein, low carbohydrate options for post-surgery life and am grateful for any suggestions! I can't drink dairy milk or eat dairy yogurt because of allergies (otherwise I'd love to eat high protein Greek yogurt!). I would love to find dairy free options that are lower carb and higher protein. I can still eat dairy cheese (at least my stomach tolerates it before surgery). I'd love to know how everyone is doing and get any other tips and suggestions from people!

Hil ALL!! I am glad to hear evryone is fine. I have a headahce too but it is so worth it that I don;t even mind. Time is coming!!!!!! This is the list I found here, thoight I would paste it for everybody's convenience. This is a list of things to take to with you the day of the procedure: 1. Sports bra 2. Any meds you take everyday incase you need to stay longer 3. Ear plugs and eye covers 4. Book and/or DVD and player 5. Tampon or pads 6. Easy shoes to put on when its time to go home 7. sweats for the hospital 8. slippers for the hospital 9. pillow for the hospital 10. Cotton underwear 11. Fleets Phospho-Soda (to take pre op if your doctor says) 12. Chapstick or something for your lips 13. Hand lotion if you tend to get dry hands or are staying over night. Okay here is the compiled list of must haves that you should buy and have waiting for you at home: 1. Liquid tylenol 2. gas-x 3. Thermacare shoulder neck hot pads or heating pad (helped with the shoulder pain) 4. ice pack (it feels good on the incisions) 5. Get your Pain Meds ahead of time (if you can) 6. crystal light 7. sugar free popsicles 8. fat free low sodium broth (buy more than you think you will need) 9. decaf herbal tea or decaf coffee (can add artificial sweetner 10. stopwatch "A stopwatch because keeping track of drinking an ounce of Fluid every 15-mins was hard to keep track of the first few days. Even to this day I use it to make sure I eat every three hours" (Quoted from bearbandit) 11. Dixie Cups - perfect size for post-op amounts of liquids 12. sippy cup (to learn to take small sips) 13. stool softner 14. bandages regular size and some big ones or gauze pads for your port incision when you go back to work 15. antibiotic cream 16. Isopure Protein drinks (clear liquid so I could have them the first days after surgery) 17. Vitamin E oil/Arnica Montana (To use after incisions heal) 2nd week fluids with calories 1. diet carnation instant Breakfast drink 2. ensure or boost 3. atkins ready to drink 4. Eas advantage carb control 5. slim fast 6. sugar free Jello 7. sugar free pudding 8. Centrum chewable viatmins 9. Caltrate Plus chewable Vitamins 10. nonfat milk 11. Cream of Wheat 12. oatmeal 13. Strained pureed Soups 14. light fat-free yogurt 15. applesauce - no added sugar 16. V8 juice 17. 1/2 cup and 1 cup plastic bowls with lids 18. Pill cutter (For Meds that you can't get in liquid) PANTS THAT WONT HURT FOR WHEN YOU GO BACK TO WORK. SOOOO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -n.

I am with B-52 -I like my band tight (most days). I also can not have pizza-that is a BIG no-no. Even when my band wasn't tight I couldn't handle it. Shrimp has been giving me problems. Most bread items are very difficult-unless they are cracker-like in consistency. I do take a teeny piece of bread at dinner (the size of a half dollar) just so I have the experience. If I am being honest I will say the tight band does have it's potential problems. I was having trouble getting foods down and was PBing more than I would like to admit. I was really hungry and it seemed like ice cream, candy, and potatoe chips could easily go down with no problem. That's what they call "eating around the band" and it's a real danger if you are filled tight. I now keep all those items out of my house. I have also learned what works and what doesn't and my PBing is now in check. Sometimes when food goes down I know I need to walk around a little, so I'll excuse myself to go to the restroom -notto PB , but simply to get things moving inside. This actually works. Mornings are rough but I can eat a granola bar but fruity yogurt doesn't go down comfortably. I usually can't finish a lean cusiene for dinner. Like I said you will need to keep healthy items in to munch on. If you have a tight band and even if you don't, eat solid Proteins they really do curb the appetite! Good luck!

Thanks Ann! I had a check up one month post op....everything was fine. I think chewing is one of my problems. Baby food consistency is fine like yogurts, mash...I thought about flying back if it doesn't get better. Tonight I had meatballs soup and was much better. Solids are my enemies for now.

Had my sleeve one week ago today and feel great. Each day is getting better. I have no problems getting my fluids in, and mixing up my full fluids to keep it interesting with creamed Soups, yogurt, etc. Protein Shakes are getting easier to tolerate each day as well. On day of surgery, I was 283.1, and this morning I was 266.6! Looking forward to continuing the journey

Stop drinking shakes and eat food. Shakes should only be used in the first couple of months after that they should go out the door. I eat 90 to 120 grams of protein a day, 60 grams of carbs, not much fat maybe 30 grams if that. I try to stay under 30 for sugar. Those shakes are killing your diet. You should only be eating food now. If you are too tight in the morning eat greek yogurt. Eat more then three times a day. I eat every couple of hours. Something is always going in my mouth. I just dont eat crap. I snack on grape tomatoes and other low calorie veggies. Lentils are good protein but also a lot of carbs. You are not eating enough protein without shakes. Drinking calories does not help you.

Just mix it in a bite of food like yogurt or something.

For me personally, meal prepping doesn't work since WLS. I buy items that are pretty much perfectly packaged and sized out (chicken salad, tuna creations, hummus, guacamole, yogurt) so I'm not "wasting" so much food. Additionally I don't have extra space to meal prep and freeze. It may be slightly higher in cost, but the convenience and hassle of trying to find storage in already a small area makes it worth it. Unless it's leftovers from the day before, I find that it's much easier to cook daily for my family and not spend the weekends prepping for the week.

I mix unflavored protein powder into yogurt or soup quite often. I personally do not like Unjury and would suggest switching to another protein powder. We carry many options at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/flavor_unflavored .