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I will be week 4 tomorrow. I had terrible dehydration so I was off foods for 3 weeks, I just started eating on Thursday. Take your time and do no more then 2 ounces. Lentil, black bean Soup, chili with Beans all are working. Thin Greek yogurt with skim plus and no Fluid 1/2 hour before and after. Believe me I never thought I would get through. It will get better Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The poached egg sounds like something I could stomach. Dumb question: would i have to puree it since its so soft already? I cant do the pureed meats that are recommended I have had bad experiences with them. A lot of things that tasted good before surgery just make me gag now. Like meat, gravy, pudding, Jello, and the Protein shakes I had. I just can't tolerate the taste anymore. Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App No, don't puree the poached egg...it's soft enough to eat, just chew well, of course. I never ate any pureed meat...blech, even the idea of it is horrid. I also can't eat canned tuna at all. The smell, the texture, ugh. But fresh fish has been a lifesaver, and I ate a lot of ricotta bake, cottage cheese (I mixed in 'just fruit' preserves, or used lemon pepper, depending on my mood), yogurt (I still eat yogurt almost daily) and refried Beans on soft/pureed.

I eat very little carbs that only come from Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage or spinach and What ever carbs are in cottage cheese or yogurt. I keep my Protein up and eat tuna or chicken or beef mince at every meal which are 3 times a day.. I keep my fats up which are from olive and coconut oil, avocado and what ever is in the dairy n meats. I don't eat fruit unless occasionally it's a half a banana in a Protein Drink. I will not be eating breads, rice, Pasta or grains ( maybe a few grains) for as long as I can.... I have been reading up on Dr Eric Berg whom explained a hell of a lot on ketosis.. and for me it will be the way to go. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi im currently doing a 6 mos diet with my surgeon & nutrionist. It's a requirement for insurance approval (BCBS Anthem). This is not the same as the pre op diet (liver shrinking, liquid diet, etc.) My diet now consist of: increase in Protein, nuts, yogurt, veggies, and very low carbs. Also im taking Multivitamins and practing chewing slower, timing my meals, and sipping Water. I was first discourage about having to do a 6 mos diet for approval, but its actually a good thing. Its given me time to research more and somewhat practice for whats to come. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

I've had junk food and fast food since having the VSG in August of 2015, but sporadically. I don't think it's audacious to make a thread about it here. Sustainability has been my goal, and for me, not feeling deprived is a significant part of it. Eating a kids meal with fruit instead of fries at Chick-fil-a, or a reasonable meal at El Pollo Loco once in a blue moon, or having frozen yogurt hasn't had much impact on my weight when I'm working out and eating sensibly overall. It does have a beneficial impact on my wellbeing. When something is a forbidden fruit I crave it more, so not making anything forbidden actually lessens temptation rather than increasing it. Other people might feel similarly, or have their own method for incorporating the occasional fast food meal while still being successful. I do stress that it is imperative that you wait until your stomach is fully healed, and that you develop healthy lifestyle habits. If you're going to eat fast food, you can utilize the nutrition information posted on their sites to make better choices.

I usually skip these posts as well. I don't have anything really constructive to say. I could say that it's dangerous and that people mustn't do it again for their own safety. I remember when being at the hospital that there was a lot of food stolen from the fridge. Patients hat the possibility to put their own stuff into the fridge, e. g. some yogurts. I don't know if that is food addiction out of control or simply being an asshole. Absolutely. After all, we want to live a life as normal as possible (or so I think) and that includes eating out and eating stuff the people around us consider "normal". It doesn't mean gorging yourself on burgers and chocolate daily but that wouldn't be considered "normal" anyway by the people in my immediate environment.

I was struggling with the same thing a few months ago. I'm 6'2 and my initial goal weight was 210 - which I would have been ecstatic with... but I blew right by that and have been maintaining between 180 & 185 since April. I'm okay with this weight, but definitely don't want to lose any more. I'll probably gain a few pounds of muscle in the next few months - I've been nursing a shoulder injury which has prevented me from lifting and really weakened my arms. I require around 2500 calories a day to maintain this weight given the amount of exercise I get. Similar to James, I have had to work on eating - focusing on calorie dense Protein and fats in order to get enough calories with the available volume. I eat 3 meals and 3-4 Snacks. Sometimes eating feels like a job... but if I don't stay on top of it, I start losing weight again. It sounds to me like your body wants to be less than 240... but I also think that you need way more than 900 calories. I would focus on adding more calorie dense foods (Peanut Butter, avocado, etc.) and upping your fat content as long as your body tolerates it (2% milk and yogurt vs skim, using some olive oil and dressings, etc.). Hope that helps!

@@avremy I still struggle with eggs at nearly 7 mos post-op...I can eat them poached, and sometimes boiled, but not fried or scrambled. Weird, but typical Refried Beans are great when you start solids, but baked beans have a lot of sugar in them...beans are carb-y to begin with, then the sauce that's added really puts them over into 'don't eat' land for me. Try cottage cheese, greek yogurt, refried beans, lentils, ricotta bake (google the recipe), string cheese, ground meats, flaky fish, canned tuna. Just limit yourself to only a couple of things every few days, chew well and measure/weigh your portions. Dry meats can be an issue, so use some mayonnaise or yogurt with the tuna. And don't give up on eggs, keep trying them periodically...you'll probably be able to eat them at some point!

At 4 days post-op, really focus on getting your Fluid volume in vs Protein grams. You'll be okay for a while with less protein as long as you're getting close to your Water goal. Going forward, I second getting some unflavored Protein powder. There are many brands, I'm a GENEPRO fan but there are other brands that others have had good luck with. Find one, because once you get to pureed/soft foods, that powdered protein will be the key to your success. I put it in cottage cheese, refried Beans, yogurt, pudding...anything soft and moist. I'm over 6 months post-op and I still put a scoop in my coffee every morning. Good luck!

I feel nauseous everyday. I started solids 1 week ago. I can't eat eggs without getting sick. Try fish or Beans or chicken instead. I am tired of fish and shrimp now because that's all I eat. You can try yogurt and some cheeses. They have Protein. This stage is the worst in my mind because it's difficult to find out what really works for you. Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App

P3 packs. I'm sure you've heard greek yogurt. Cottage cheese and fresh fruit. I'll do peanut butter and celery too, but use real peanut butter (just peanuts and salt, no filler). String cheese.

Eat some yogurt with Probiotics, has helped me Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Here is my pre-op diet the dr gave me. Breakfast 1 shake (carnation instant breakfast sugar free) and 1piece of fruit. AM snack. 1/2 cup raw veggies and 1 yogurt lunch. 1/2 cup raw veggies 4 ounces skim milk PM snack. 1/2 cup raw veggies 4 ounces skim milk dinner. 1shake. 1/2 cup veggies Bedtime snack. 1 piece fruit. 1 yogurt Hope that helps. The veggies can be raw or steamed. And i can also have a cup of beef or chicken broth and sugar free Jello and of course Water or stuff like crystal light. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've had it but didn't care for it. Same with Siggi's. My NUT did approve it though but mostly suggests Oikos Triple Zero in the black containers. No added sugar and no added artificial sweeteners. Though I have to say my favorite yogurt is the Dannon Greek Light and Fit cherry flavored. But I do have the Oikos as well. And I do have the plain non fat greek yogurt but put in some fruit.

Does anyone know where i can find a Syntrax sample pack? I keep hearing about them but i want to try a variety of samples before i buy the big jars. Websites or actual stores are all fine. Side note: has anyone ever tried the"Oh Yeah" bars? Do they taste ok? I just need some other Breakfast options. I'm so over yogurt and eggs right now lol. Thank you all in advance!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have lost about 176 pounds since surgery (I am 15 months out) and I eat 6-7 times a day and have from the start of solid food at the advice of my Nut. I eat things like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, jerky, etc. the high protein almost no carb things. I still eat less then 1000 calories a day and am down to 31% body fat. But here's the thing I eat on a strict schedule. I am blessed to work in an office where I can stick to my schedule. But you could just about set your watch by the times I eat, lol. With it being on a schedule and having nothing in between its not grazing. Grazing is munching on junk all the time throughout the day in my opinion.

This was what was written and it was directed towards pre-op patients who are new and just needed to understand what could possibly happen and things that may help. Literally just the bare basics. (At the class, i actually did bring in tools like portion containers, shaker cups etc to clarify the visual part of the comment. It was so great to meet so many of you guys at wednesday's pre-op diet class. I met so many amazing people, and i know that all of you be successful with your journey. I got so many questions and we ran out of time. Feel free to send me a message if you have any other questions or if you need additional support. I'm glad to help. Just to recap for those who came, these were some of my key take aways for optimal success. 1. Realize that the signs of fullness are not at all what you're used to feeling prior to surgery. Everyone is different. Some people might hiccup, some might burp, some might feel like food is stuck, some people have runny noses. When any of these symptoms occur, stop eating immediately. You ARE full. 2. Pace yourself because eating to quickly can also cause many of those same symptoms. ( some people use baby spoons to help with that) 3. Visually understand how much food your new tummy will be able to take in at one sitting. Invest in small 4oz plastic containers to portion out your meals. And make that switch over from dinner size plates to appetizer sized plates and bowls. It is ok if you don't finish all of that and remember to go slow to avoid having food get stuck. 4. Conquer the emotional aspect of this process. Remember that all of the changes you're experiencing will get better in time. This whole entire process is all about mind over matter. Add additional support to your daily life. Follow up with Dr. Shauna Moore-Reynolds if you need to. Always focus on how far you've come, not how much further you need to go. Weight loss (even without surgery is not linear) you will get your goal at your own pace, so relax and enjoy it. There will be times where you may feel like you aren't losing weight, that time will pass. Don't give up. The weight will continue to fall off. 5. Invest in your tools for success. Get your stay cool Water bottles, or shaker cups, baby spoons, meal prep containers, slow cookers/ pressure cookers, air fryers, blender, lunch box, gym bag, shakes, supplement container, AND FOOD JOURNAL. (Whatever you need in order to stay on track and make life easy.) 6. Listen your body. There might be certain foods that no longer agree with you, sometimes it's temporary, sometimes it's permanent. Just avoid that food for the time being. It will get easier as time goes on. With these appetite changes you may discover new foods that you like. You may like certain foods and shakes now and hate the post surgery. It happens to all of us. 6. Start cooking all of your meals and plan ahead. I never worry about what i can't eat because i'm always eating delicious food, just made by me and made healthier. Learn to make your favorite take out meals. Use substitutions like greek yogurt, cauliflower rice, spaghetti squash etc., make sure that your pantry is full of all your favorite seasonings and sauces so you don't have to eat bland food.(Send me a message and i can share recipes) 7. Get used to shakes and water- it will be a huge part of the rest of your new life. Adjust the temp or stand up when drinking if you need to. 8. Try to avoid as much processed food as possible- avoid the frozen food isle at the grocery store (EXCEPT FOR FROZEN VEGGIES) and avoid the snack isle. 9. Read your labels because not all "healthy" food was created equal. 10. Stay off the scale. Don't stress over numbers. Take your initial measurements of various parts of your body. Take before and after selfies as motivation. Only weigh yourself either every two weeks or every month to avoid added stress. Remember it's about being healthier not about being a particular size or weight. 11. Avoid negative energy. We all have Debbie downer friends, we all have other overweight friends that aren't changing their lifestyles. Distance yourself from them and re-focus your energy. 12. Make your workouts fun. I personally refuse to do anything that i don't want to do, that's just me. So with that said, i will never be a marathon runner. But find things that you do like. Go for a walk on your lunch break, try swimming or tennis, or zumba, get a few workout buddies. Go at your own pace. Whatever your fitness level is at day 1, will not be where you are even a month later. Just keep going. Workouts definitely get easier with time because your body will adjust. 13. Encourage your family to eat healthy with you so you don't feel left out and temptations are left at the door. 14. Utilize other bariatric websites for your staple foods and shakes. Try bariatric pantry, Bariatric Choice, Bariatric Advantage, amazon and bariatric food source. They sell tons of approved Protein drinks, shakes, Meal Replacement bars even Snacks. 15. If you experience pain or other health issues talk to your doctor about foods that fight inflammation like turmeric, garlic, green tea, and fish oil/ krill oil or anything with Omega 3. SURGERY DAY AND POST OP RECOVERY: What does surgery day feel like? you will definitely be tired, and you will have lots of gas pain (it's more so annoying that painful), you will have absolutely no appetite what so ever and you will have to take baby sips of water. Walk every hour like the dr. Says, it really will speed up your recovery time. When you are able to do full liquids (you still won't have an appetite) but try wonton Soup without the wontons (just clear broth), low sugar keifer (it's high in protein and probiotics) and sugar free popsicles to help with your hydration. Some people find RTD shakes easier during recovery. Most people (depending on your procedure) take anywhere from 5 days- two weeks before they feel good enough to go back to work. While your recovering go to wegmans or walmart and walk around. I hope this helps. Ignore anything that doesn't work for you. Best Regards, Jodi Wright (202)812-8094 Jodiawright@gmail.com Sent from my iPhone 6plus Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

P.S. to my note above (5). Greek and similar drained yogurts are very high in protein. I didn't mention them before because I don't think of them. IMNHO, they, unlike Meryl Streep, are highly over-rated. (A 5-6 oz cup of "regular" yogurt contains about 5-6 g protein, less than cottage and other cheeses.)

Hi all. My surgery went well. I've been sleeping what seems to be a ton. Probably my body's way of telling me I need it, lol. I was up walking as soon as they would let me. Pain has been manageable, with meds. One of my incision sites started to leak so they cleaned that up. Grateful for the advice on theses forums, the gasx melt always have been very helpful. Love having my own pillow, Jammie's. I have had a Protein shake last night & this morning. Some yogurt last night. I am going home in a little while. I have to have oxygen because my levels are dropping at night. They said this happens Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

It's delightful. Having it in the freezer helps to tame cravings for a dessert. Even if I don't end up having it, knowing it's available to me helps to prevent me from wanting to stroll over to one of the three frozen yogurt places in my neighborhood. I also like that you cannot just grab it and have one spoonful after another from the carton because it requires some time on the counter to reach a creamy consistency. In the past the primary reason I refrained (well, at least tried to) from buying ice cream was that I'd just grab it for a bite or two at a time, and would mindlessly consume the carton instead of spooning out a correct portion and actually sitting down and enjoying. With Halo Top I use a measuring cup to get the precise serving after it's reached the right texture, and then put it right back into the freezer to prevent overindulgence. If I wanted seconds I'd have to go through the process of waiting for it to be creamy again. The negative of it is that does get freezer burn more quickly. Or at least in my experience it does. It could be because it stays in the freezer longer for the reasons mentioned above, because I'm having it in smaller portions when my sweet tooth strikes instead of a spoonful every time I open the freezer. We had to throw away the cartons after getting back from Christmas vacation. Whole Foods had it on sale yesterday at our location (Santa Monica), and I picked up Pistachio but haven't tried it yet. I think it will be really good. Thus far my favorite has been chocolate Almond Crunch and oatmeal Cookie. I've also had Lemon Cake, which I liked, and Birthday Cake, which I thought was meh. Decent, but will not repurchase it.

It's almost ALL about self-control at where you and I are post-operatively! You're not meeting your protein goals, which is devastating to weight loss and feeling satiated by your food. I've not done the best job during the holidays, and I'm in a 3 week long stall right now. I know it's because I'm not keeping my carbs down and my protein up, and I'm not tracking every bite I put into my mouth. You should be losing more/more consistently than you are, maybe a re-start with Protein shakes and then advancing yourself through the different stages to reset your diet would be helpful. And you don't mention using any Protein powder...I still have to use it to get my protein grams high enough. On a normal day, I use GENEPRO unflavored in my morning coffee, so I start off with 20-30 grams of protein in a 12 ounce mug of coffee, with monkfruit sweetener and cream. Some days I have a container of plain yogurt with a little low-carb granola mid-morning, or cottage cheese with a tablespoon of pureed fruit stirred in. Lunch, I eat a cheese stick and a couple of slices of deli turkey. I have a handful of almonds or half an apple with Peanut Butter for an afternoon snack, then 3-4 ounces of my family's dinner protein and around 1/4 cup of vegetables. And I almost always have a sugar-free popsicle before dinner. That typical day gets me about 850 cals, 95 grams protein and 50 grams of carbs, with only 21 of them being sugars. I lose when I'm eating like that...80 lbs since the end of June. You've got the tool in place, you just need to commit to using it correctly, find ways to distract yourself when you're hungry (exercise, clean house, work, garden...whatever works) and get back on track. There's literally no reason for you to NOT be successful! Go get it, you CAN do this!!

I'm two weeks post op and just finished the liquid diet. Currently allowed to eat yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, cheese sticks and cooked veggies. This morning I had a yogurt and cheese stick which I ate pretty slowly. Later on for lunch I had roasted cauliflower like 4 little heads. For dinner I had the same cauliflower and had a little more than the lunch portion (about 7) and around bedtime I had half a yogurt. Is this too much in a day? Now that I'm off liquids idk how much I'm supposed to or not supposed to eat Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I eat every two to three hours.I eat less than 200 calories at every small meal and try to make sure there is 10-15 gram protein minimum. For an example I may have triple zero Greek yogurt with five mixed berries and six to nine almonds.the next meal might be 1.5 scrambled egg with salsa,the next might be a balance protein bar.You get the idea.

I had heated deli meat with cheese and mayo, yogurt, chicken with ranch, ground turkey as taco meat with cheese and sour cream, and some steamed veggies. I'm having a hard time getting fluids in so despite the high sugar amount and carbs I've been drinking orange juice. I feel so much better since drinking it too.

I love it. It has better macros than most yogurts. I have about 1/2 a serving size 35 grams weighed on the scale, with my Protein brownies.