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My pre-op diet is Bariatric Advantage protein powder shakes for 2 weeks. I can mix the powder with water, milk, or soy milk, and add fruit or greek yogurt if I wish. I can have 4-5 shakes per day, which works out to be about 1000-1200 calories per day. I can also have sugar-free clear liquids as I wish. From what I have read on the forums, the diet varies surgeon to surgeon. Some people do the shakes for 1 week, others, get to eat food but have to follow an Atkins diet.

Good Morning, Dianne, sounds like your esophagus is irritated from the PB and raw from it. If your going to eat food, I would have very soft food for a day (yogurt or pudding), even a liquid diet might be good for a day to help it heal. Betty glad you enjoyed your bike ride. Some times ya gotta say WTF Cindy you'd die if you saw my closets and drawers... clutter bug for sure. Some day I'll clean them but not now, life is passing me by and the drawers are the last thing I want to do. But mostly I'm lazy :scared: :D Pat how was the banquet? You know, I've never had a manicure. My dd is 5 and she's had 2 already. I lead such a sheltered life RoFLMfAO !!!! :scared: Well nothing much is happening here today except aunt flow decided to visit me yesterday and ruining my weekend.... I get so grumpy and so dang tired I could sleep for 2 days strait... its not fare I tell yah lolol. Today I'm making tuna salad for the week and ribs (with out burning them this time lolol) and some acorn squash mmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmm. Whatcha all up to?

have you tried the 3 oz Protein shots? the atkins Protein Bars? the greek yogurt? I'm about 5 weeks post op as well and I still haven't used any form of protein powder or even a blender and I'm tracking my protein and everything else with myfitnesspal. The shakes I use are awesome and taste great. Maybe you want to try some other kinds. Below is a picture of the kind I'm using and I still love them after 3 months of drinking them http://www.contoursoftheearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/pure-protein-shake-cookies-creme-e1313198653500.jpg

Another day at work, more intense and no issues. Today some colleagues had lunch delivered to the office . Usually I would have been craving of hunger at lunch with nice smell of well cooked Spanish dishes....but now I noticed that if my head remembered very well, my stomach remained completely indifferent . This is magical. I scheduled a shake at 1 pm that I took at 5 pm. I can drink plenty of water now (as long as there is flavor). And I lost my daily pound. I can't ask for more. I am 9 days post op and I am thinking about remaining on liquids an extra week. Did anybody do that? I am worried about purées since my episode of liquid yogurt and protein powder was not a success.

I’m also experiencing the same. Surgery was on 12/27 and I was approved to start soft solids this week. I thought I was doing pretty good as I eat an entire Greek yogurt everyday for breakfast without any problems, but I experience the chest pain, nausea and vomiting after eating soft solids. Even when I try to belch I end up throwing up. Now I’m experiencing acid reflux from all the throwing up. Today I had bad reflux and ate 2 spoons of yogurt to try to coat my stomach, but I ended up throwing that up as well. I think the trick may be taking breaks after a couple of bites to give it time to digest. When I do this I’m able to keep the food down.

I have being using Isopure no carb protein shakes almost every morning as a meal for the past 2 1/2 years, lost 130 lbs. after having my banding in 7/04 and i swear by them, hardly any flab, remember protein goes right to your muscles. This is my receipe 1 jigger of isopure, 1 4 oz container of fat free yogurt, 1/3 banana, 1/2 skim plus milk and 1/4 cup frozen fruit or canned fruit put in a blender and a fancy glass and I promise you won't puke...

Well, I guess it depends on your perspective and idea of food priorities when banded. If you're always trying to eat Protein and fill up on that, then you'd find it quite difficult to consume much fruit. Its very filling and I find it quite hard to eat, its one food that causes me quite a deal of discomfort, although I can get it down. Sometimes I have a glass of juice. But whole fruit is better. I personally try to get at least one piece of fruit in per day - usually I'll slice up a banana to have on Cereal for Breakfast or I'll have a fruit smoothie, or I find I can get it down with yogurt too. I focus more heavily on vegies as I find it much easier to eat a wider variety and greater quantity - and I figure fruit and vegetables as one food group, so I dont worry if I havent had "fruit" as long as a large portion of my daily intake is fresh produce. But I dont focus on protein or do protein first so its a lot easier. I dont tend to eat fruit as a snack. I dont find a piece of fruit that appetising and never have. I like the look of a healthy, full fruit bowl on my kitchen bench and I'm very prone to buying fruit and not eating it, its something about the texture/crispness/coldness that I dont enjoy and never have.

hey, thanks for the advice , I haven't eaten anything solid just yogurt and protein shakes , but my neighbor said he had the pain for about a week and a half. He thinks my problem is that I not really expelling any gas. Talked to the RN she to take smaller sips and a little less, she thinks I'm still swollen and irritated today is just day 4 but I have no incision pain at all and still no upset stomach so I'm greatful for that. bjt:mellow:

I also really like Chobani. I am in full liquid stage right now and I have a modified Chobani as my protein for breakfast. I add a couple tablespoons of vanilla protein powder, two teaspoons benefiber, Chobani 0% fat with fruit, 1 Tablespoon milk, some spendra and mix in a small tupperware with a stick blender. This makes the yoghert more liquidy (greek yogurt is thicker than reg.) and the fruit is minced. My favorite part of the full liquid diet. I would say it's about 25 grams protein.

I started to get the Greek yogurt with fruit... however I saw the crazy amount of sugar in it and chose not to go there. I use Stivia and other alternatives to sugar, try to keep the additives from SF/LC down as much as possible, so I feel like I'd be back tracking if I started adding things to my diet that have that kind of sugar count. Just me. Also, I don't know how true it is, but I read on one of the WL sites I frequent that any amount of protein over 30g at one time is excessive, and doesn't get absorbed. Just what that WL Dr. of Nutrition said. Haven't had a chance to check with my nut yet.

I mix a pile of chocolate protein powder with my plain non fat yogurt and it is almost like chocolate pudding!, its a loaded protein deal for sure somewhere in the 50's. Kind of a slider so I dont do it very often but when the urge for chocolate hits you HAVE to do something!

@ sue, I will ask my nutritionist tomorrow, I'm scheduled for my one week check up @Oz I have a protien powder, that says Whey protein isolate, but it's still making me extremely, painfully gassy, I don't understand it though, because I have been eating some Greek yogurt to help, and as long as I take a lactaid tablet it hasn't bothered me just yet, that's what I've been eating today, alternating yogurt, with water, and beef broth, so far I still feel fine. I think I may just have to try soy powder with some almond milk. Thanks you all for your help, I'll be so glad when this stage is over....

I know there are a lot of views on weighing yourself daily. I weighed (and still do) everyday but I don't let it bother me if the scale doesn't move or fluctuates slightly upward. After years of not wanting to know what the scale said, it is important for me to weigh in everyday to stay accountable. I'm six months out and getting closer to my goal weight, things have slowed down but that is to be expected. Stick to your plan and you will have amazing results. Oh, and I started dairy (greek yogurt, cottage cheese and ricotta cheese) around 3 weeks maybe a little less.

I had plain vanilla yogurt that first week. I put a little milk in it to thin it out. It was a great way to get protein and NOT a protein shake:-)

In addition to premier and unjury protein shakes, Yogurt, beans, egg. I did try mashed up pork roast one day did ok. Any of the above only 1-2 teaspoons tops except yogurt, can do 1/2. Each teaspoon takes about 3 or 4 nibbles to finish. My appt is monday too good luck! Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks, i'm sure you will hear from me alot as I get through this. I am also online Mon-Fri from 9-5 at work. It's so hard for me because I have been such an unhealthy eater for so long. This morning I had to force myself to eat yogurt. It was the first time in my life eating it and I didn't really like it but I needed to eat something. This is a big struggle for me. But let me know how you do with the chicken? How are you eating it? Mashed up?

Lorrie1, I am glad I could help. as for the "liquid diet", you are right it is mostly things like yogurt and strained soups etc. Basically, you are trying to shrink your liver before the surgery and not irritate your stomach afterward. My docs' rule of thumb was "If you can get it through a straw, you can have it". I almost had that NY Strip through the straw by day 7, but.....no, I am kidding. I was so excited and nervous about the surgery, and busy second guessing myself, it really went by quickly. I started watching those shows on the Discovery channel like "Super Obese" and some others and thinking that I should be able to do this on my own, I shouldn't need the surgery, blah, blah, blah. Then I decided that I should not "should" on myself. This was something I wanted to do and needed to do so I could lose the weight and keep it off, once an for all! I wanted to be healthy, and now I am. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Back to the liquids, my hubby made me this awesome pumpkin Soup when I was on the pre-op and post-op diet and it was a lifesaver. It's not sweet so it does not taste like pie, it is a savory soup that is very dinner like (I first had pumpkin soup at an upscale restaurant). Pumpkin has a lot of Fiber so it makes the soup really stick with you for a while and keeps things moving in the lower regions. You can also substitute butternut squash if you want. I have attached the recipe in a Word document. I think you will like it if you give it a try. I also have a list of pre-op tips like doing all of your shopping including getting a stool softener ahead of time. The combination of pain meds and reduced Fluid intake (while you learn to coordinate you food/fluid intake) tends to constipate a lot of people and you don't want to strain, so a softener REALLY helps. You don't want to take a laxative because you have so little food intake that you don't want to rush the nutrients out of your body. Anyway, I will look for that list and post it for you. Meanwhile, here is the pumpkin soup recipe. Pumpkin Soup Recipe.doc

I had a slipped band and a prolapse myself. It was pretty awful -- reflux every night. It hurt to eat or drink anything but ice cream (cold so it numbed me- not sharp, like yogurt). Even drinking Water hurt. They tried removing all the fill and that did not work. I had lots of barium swallows. Finally, I had revision surgery. That was a year and a half ago and I have been afraid to get another fill. That's why I am here now -- as a step toward getting the courage to try again. I need to see if I can get the band to work for me without another prolapse -- otherwise, I need to consider other surgery. I am working toward weight loss after prolapse -- I have gained what I lost back. Mocca

I am very grateful for this site. I just read this whole blog and relate to every bit of it. I was banded in Oct. 2007. Got all this the same responses from my surgeon and bariatric team...eat dime size bites, chew chew chew, shoulder pain unrelated, you're eating to fast, etc. Maybe this team should read this site. These symptoms are way to common in post-banders to say the symptoms are unrelated. To this day, I've never been able to eat much solid food. I've always had to live on a couple of bites of food...always with discomfort. I've never been able to eat sitting down. So going to dinner parties, vacations and restaurants are out of the question. I just went for my first unfill a few weeks ago. I notice mild difference. Still can't tolerate solids very well and still have to stand up. Only difference is I can eat about 2-3 extra bites than before. So I will have to probably get another unfill. Yes, the financial aspect annoys me because I am a self-pay. Paid for this surgery and fills and now have to pay again to undo what I've already paid for. BUT, I don't dwell to much because after all said and done, I am paying to try to be comfortable. This band is a love hate relationship. I've been able to lose weight but I am worried that I am not eating nutritious food. I eat whatever can get through. I can only tolerate very small amounts of meats and forget any potatoes, pasta (except small amounts of rice) and bread. My carbs most come from yogurt and crackers. Ironically, I can eat some junk food without difficulty...but hate eating the stuff. Yet when I am hungry...I am eating what I can. I hate fish and my doctor always says "Can you eat fish?" Well, I didn't get this band to live off fish....but I will say I ate swordfish last night and liked it. I sat down but could only get about 3oz of it down without anything else. Went to a movie and was able to get popcorn down. so I was thrilled just to have those two things and nothing else that night. This isn't how I want to live yet I don't want to put weight on again. If anyone out there is having the same fear of unfilling because of putting on weight, I relate...BUT it won't stop me from doing what's necessary. I say that because I don't want to eat junk...I want to be able to eat small meals and be satisified...not rade the cabinet. I also have heartburn. I know I can't remain like this because I will have further gastric issues if not treated. Again, this site and especially this blog has encouraged me to perservere and get whatever unfills necessary.

I am on Stage 2 as well.. 7 days out very small bites, 1 oz of Greek yogurt. couple bites of egg.. I tried a protein shake, 2 oz and I was too full. No nausea or up chucking but just can’t finish anything.. 20oz of water so far.. Anybody else feeling so full all the time???

Sleeved on 12/29 - first day back to work today. Being in the office is very different than being home - my mind is totally occupied with food and I feel hungry here (was not really the case at home...possibly I'm not drinking enough liquids?). Doing great except I sometimes get an intense gripping pain when something hits my stomach after swallowing, especially anything not really a liquid (like jello or yogurt). 2 tablespoons of ff plain greek yogurt also caused terrible diarrhea last night. Supposed to transition to try eggs and other soft solids later this week, yikes - I'm terrified of my stomach's reaction!

Omg! Me too!!!! The doctors saw me yesterday, did barium xray...he was there and saw his beautiful master piece. There is nothing wrong....he prescribed me Nexium. You will not belive how much better I have felt today. Just two doses. I do tend to eat strange foods....I just eat small snacks, instead of a so call breakfast, lunch and dinner. I make cornmeal malt o meal style with about I tablespoon of fat free creamer, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt 2 packs equal. Simmer down to a smooth thick and creamy...hit's the spot. I only eat about two oz. Then about 30 min later an oz of protein Premier banana or chocolate drink, and some water. Two hours later 1string cheese...1/2 container of sugar free jello. Today I ate wonton soup and a half mush noodle..not the meat part. Then about 2 hours later another string cheese and a half oz of yogurt. And at night 6-7 jello, 1/2 cup mash potato with a bit of mayo and Parmesan cheese. Lots of sips of water thru out the day. I most 21 pounds since 12/29. Do not eat fast, do not eat too much and don't drink water while eating. That will make you burp and choke and vomit. Is like pushing too much too fast through a small funnel. Thathe is what made me miserable. The doctor also told me, not to worry if i dont get enough calories or the protein, just drink at least 40 oz of water. I hope that maybe helped !

I’ll be two weeks Tuesday and my nutritionist says I can start purée then. I’m, so tired of not real food, I find myself not eating at all, instead of the yogurt or shake. Also I’ve been drinking this protein water and I think it gives me gas. Anybody else?

Surgery 26th. I was an overeater, and this morning I had two bites of yogurt and felt full, I thought it tasted so good, I'll have another bite. Big mistake, nausea ensued, and I have learned I have to put my food away when I am through. I realized when they talk about head hunger, and old habits, it's going to be hard, but I haven't come this far to screw it up. So, this might sound strange, but my head and I are going to have conversations all the time, and hopefully, my old thoughts will change to this new way. It's a battle, I used food since I was little to comfort me, but I know I can do it with the support of all of you. Just sore today, glad we are all in this together.

My doctor says to just get as much protein as you can. I make my own protein shake which is 25g then i have greek yogurt in the morning which is 12g for lunch i had ricotta bake which had 15g for dinner i am having Tuna w/ non-fat mayo which is 17g which makes a total of: 69g of protein