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I sure hope everyone is right on here about feeling full once you start on more dense (solid) foods. I am always hungry. I am almost one month post-op. Can't wait to eat normal foods again. This liquid diet is terrible and finally feel a tiny bit of satisfaction with yogurt. Ready for the real stuff.

OMG I'm so glad I read this thread as a mother of 4 boys - 22, 21, 18 & 14 and a husband who has a broken foot and off work for 8 weeks. Maybe the STRESS level in my house is causing the band issue. I've been I guess you would call it restricted or stuck. Seems like nothing is going down easy. I've been trying to baby it by yogurt, soups, hot drinks, cold drinks, nothing seem to be helping. One bite and there it goes burning in throat and feeling full. Maybe being back to work after a long frustrating weekend will release the feeling of being restricted. Thanks for posting. Try to have a stress free work week. I know I'm going to try.

I would ditch the shake and Protein bar, and start adding in tuna/chicken/egg salad, or cheese. I stayed on mushies/purees/soft solids for a long time because it was the only way I could get in the required calories. If you can replace the shake, bar, and soup with a more calorie/nutrient/protein dense meal, I think you'll find it easier to hit calorie goals. Mix chicken/tuna salad with hard-boiled eggs and greek yogurt, it'll keep carbs low, but increase calories/protein. I sprinkled the dry ranch dressing into my chicken/tuna salads for flavor. Deli meat with cream cheese rolled up was a good source of protein and calories, easily chewed down to mush, and packed a couple hundred calories per meal. Ground meat (turkey or beef) with marinara or alfredo sauce or a cream of soup was staples for me as well. Ground meat with taco or fajita seasoning with cheese and greek yogurt was a meal as well. You'll notice as the weeks pass that you'll be able to get in a little more food each month until your sleeve reaches mass capacity. If I follow the rules, even at 21 months, I can not consume more then 3-5oz of dense protein. By rules, eating slow, not stretching my meal out over 20 minutes, and no drinking while eating. I'm a rule follower about 85% of the time, but in maintenance there is a bit more laxity in my meals. I often stretch my meal out over 40 minutes, and I sometimes sip with my meal(not drink, but a few sips here and there to wet my whistle). It's what I have to maintain my current weight. I don't have enough time in my day to eat 6-8 small meals, so I need to get my calories/protein in about 4 meals per day.

Im June 23 and it really is flying by. Although i have to go back in monday to be scoped and opened up. I cant eat anything, even yogurt for the past 5 days. So one bump in the road. Hope you are doing well with it. Im literally melting away. 46 pounds all together

I use fermented foods for pro-biotics: yogurt, eat pickles, kraut, ricotta, ginger, dark chocolate are sources I eat, but there are others. Ii did not get constipated until I started soft foods. It happened ONE time and will not happen again. It was like pushing a watermelon through a straw. I put Walgreens Smooth-lax in my smoothies and have stool softeners on hand if I need them. There is also Smooth Move Teas. There is a certain joke to eating Haribo's sugar free Gummy Bears. They are so effective that you will be cramping within a couple of hours. The joke is that if there is someone you don't like or is giving you grief at work, just set some out on your desk or in a lunchroom, and you will reek havoc and chaos as people fight for bathroom stall. Go to Amazon.com and search for reviews of Haribo Gummy Bears. OMG it's hilarious.

It gets easier to get the protein in, I can still only do premade shakes, and add unflavored isopure to everything I can pudding, yogurt, tomato soup . . . It is available on Amazon and 26 grams pure spoonful. Hope that helps.

I think it's different for all of us. I got where the Isopure made me so nauseous. That was the closest I came to getting sick. Tomato soup sounds good. Farthest I've ventured is the yogurt and cottage cheese. Good protein there. I'm glad you're doing better. I was sleeved on the 2nd. I have t weighed since Sunday, but had been losing a pound a day. Hope that trend keeps up

You can have strained Greek yogurt under 100 calories Dannon lite and fit is 80. You mix it with the fruit on the bottom and I use a tea strainer and spoon the yougurt through and it keeps the small pieces of fruit out but you get to maintain the flavor. You can have sugar free pudding, sugar free jello, and the outshine fruit bars. Fat free milk with Nectar. Decafe coffee with nectar with fat free milk or fat free half and half. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

If you want to build muscle, always consume a power drink that is rich in whey Protein and carbohydrates after your workout and include it in your weight training diet. Try using the following drink for your post workout meal. ? cup low fat yogurt 1 scoop(2oz) vanilla natural whey Protein powder- 30 grams protein 1 tbsp honey 1 ? cup low fat or 1% milk 1 cup orange juice 5 grams creatine monohydrate Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Includes: 590 calories, 45 grams of protein, 93 grams of carbohydrates, and 6 grams of fat.

You are absolutely not being dumb. I remember before surgery, every time I would eat hot bread at my favorite italian restaurant, I would think... I will never be able to eat this again. And it was almost a panicky feeling. And many other foods I was afraid that I would not be able to eat as well. Well, I am 6 months post op and can usually eat most everything. I try to eat slowly and take small bites, and if something gives me a problem, it is usually bread. Funny thing is, (pre-surgery) we used to go through about a loaf of bread/week here at home, but I have had a loaf of bread in my freezer forever and we finally took it out and now it has sat on the cabinet so long it is hard and needs to be thrown away. And honestly... I haven't missed it one bit. I am losing my weight much more slowly than many in the lapbandtalk community, but I am very happy with my weightloss this far. I feel so much better, and I have gone from a size 22-24W to a 16W and xl clothes and that has been awesome. My desire from the beginning has been to learn some healthier habits. I have found that I now love yogurt, turkey meats, vegys and fruits. Granola is my best friend when I get the munchies at night instead of something that comes out of a box made by the miniature chef named Debbie. It is all just a process. Hang in there. You will be fine, and hopefully you will find that anything you have to give up will be replaced with things that are much more significant. Good luck and God bless!

Sorry -- and not to sound contrary, but speaking from experience -- Yogurt, soup and cottage cheese are absolutely not slider foods. Skim milk yogurt (137 calories/14 g Protein per cup) is a staple in most WLS diets, as it is very high in protein and relatively low in calories and fat -- especially if you opt for the low fat versions. Greek yogurt is even higher in protein. Yogurt can replace mayonnaise in many fatty recipes. The same is true for cottage cheese (163 calories/28 g protein per cup) which can replace ricotta, or simply be enjoyed on it's own. And unless you get the ultra creamy/fatty Soups, soup can be a very good food choice -- it can be filling and yet low in both calories and fat. Slider foods are those foods that slide through your new pouch and that add empty calories into your daily diet, so, for instance, sugary drinks, high carb foods, deserts, and so forth.

The pill that is "stuck", may actually be stuck, or it dissolving may have caused some serious irritation. I would try a sip or 2 of warm liquids, see if that helps it. If it stays down, then wait another 30-45 minutes, and try a couple more sips. At that point if things stay down, I'd try some yogurt, or SF pudding...to maybe help coat things a bit. If you bring up the fluids, or are still hurting, it might be time to call the Dr. for advice. Most times when I eat something that I get stuck it is not the food that was offending, it was me and how I ate it. Think big bite, chew chew swallow. NOT a good bandster!!! When I do that a few sips of pineapple juice usually help it break down and pass on through. Getting stuck, is when you have too much food, or too big of a bite, or the food has worked its way into a form that will not pass through the stoma---the part of the stomach where the band is placed...the tightest area. My list of cannot eat foods is short---the only thing I won't try again is a yeast donut....I took one bite, it grew to be the size of a dozen donuts it felt like!!! I PB'd that one! Have no desire to repeat that! I have foods I need to be careful with. Watermelon, I have to take itsy bitsy tiny bites, and can only eat a little bit. I think it is too much like eating and drinking together! If I eat Pasta, I have to eat something with it. I cannot sit down for instance and eat more than 2-3 bites of a bowl of fettucine. But if I add some grilled chicken and veggies, I can eat 3 times that. I think it is because as Tracy said early on, the glutens break down and get gummy, and then swell up...the other foods give it something to work with as it digests. So yes I eat pasta and rice, just carefully. Actually eating these foods keeps me in line and eating properly! I have no problem with meat, when it is freshly cooked, reheated it is usually just not moist enough. Most snack foods are fine, popcorn included. Bread, I can eat, but choose not to eat a lot of it. I have to do it like my pasta, with other things. I cannot (I guess, never really tried it!!!) eat a plain slice of bread, but can eat a sandwich. I can in no way eat a whole sandwich though, so choose to add most of my meat and cheese, and fold over, and still manage about half of it. Now please don't any of you take this the wrong way---it is meant as encouragement for you too. If you scroll back through the last few pages as an example, and scan through the posters, many of them are newly banded. Not all, but many. I had times through the 2 fills I have had, where I was tighter, and had more issues with food. I have found what I believe to be my sweet spot now, and have restriction, but am able to eat most anything in moderation, and do just that. I would imagine, as each of you get further along in the banding experience, you can and cannot eat lists will change a bit. As has been mentioned sometimes it changes from morning to night!! Hang in there, and you will find out what YOUR band likes and doesn't like---today---and will work on tomorrow, tomorrow! Kat

OMG! Nearly everything gets stuck and gives me pain. I can't eat any solids in the morning at all. The worst offenders are as follows any bread, dough, anything made with flour really sux for me chicken breast pork chops steak ( except for an expensive cut like a filet) mashed potatoes(even with gravy) boiled eggs. The whites are the worst. Hamburg (even the tiniest well chewed bite) Pasta usually gets stuck, but sometimes works for me if cooked to mush, but then why bother when it's that mushy eewwwwee! sushi rice sux, I'm in agony until I finally get it up (YUCK)! As you can see, the holidays are pretty much of nothing for me. Things that I can eat the chickens dark meat spare ribs if not dry Soups crackers yogurt lowfat tortilla chips with salsa steamed rice almost all veggies if cooked crunchy things go down good most of the time no sugar added fudge pops 45 calories, and a great treat when i'm craving chocolate. Homemade baked hotwings sausage(although I hardly ever eat it because it is fattening) kielbasa(same as sausage though) cooked cabbage I don't know, I don't have a wide range of solids that I can eat, so I still drink my Protein shakes everyday and take my Calcium chews and Vitamins to make sure I'm getting what I need. It seems that I'm a sucker for punishment though, because every now and again I try to eat the repeat offenders, and am always wishing I hadn't. When will I ever learn? I'm getting a little better though, I wait at least a month before I try it again LOL! Well there you have it folks, the long list of delicious foods I have to plan my meals with (NOT)! lol

It's so interesting to see what each doctor says. Like pre ops. I had liquids the day before with mag sulfate that night to "clean me out". I would love some yogurt. But i didn't see that on my list, darn.Lucky you get to go to mushies already tomorrow? I still have to go this route a few more days, some cream of wheat would be nice LOL

I always have a water bottle with me. There are 1/2 full ones all over my house & car....Not sure what you mean about eating every 1/2 hour though. I am eating like this: cream of wheat or protein shake around 7. Water water water. 1c soup at lunch water water water. Cottage cheese or yogurt around 5 water water water. 1c soup at 7 water water water, and then another protein shake or yogurt before bed.....

Your story is very inspiring. I am 25 days post op. I lost 18lbs preop, 11lbs by 11 days postop and then bam... Stalled. I've lost 1.5lbs in 2 weeks. I am on full liquids consisting of 3 protien drinks and 2 yogurts a day. It's so disappointing to be on such a restrictive diet and not lose the weight. The nutritionist tells me it's normal. At this point, I regret having the procedure done. Please share any advice that you may have. Thanks!

hEy guys thanks BUt I do feel like I am failing and messingup badly and don't know if I can do this. I almost wish I was living with someone going through the same thing for moral support. I can't satnd the smells inthe kitchen when they cook and I take off to the computer in the basement. The popcorn went down easy although I could only eat half the large bag I usually get and I ate two hamburger patties, the ones from presidents choice that you nuke and have cheese in them. They were interesting, it felt kinda stuck a little when I think the piece was too large but not painful, so I chewed it up. I hate this full Fluid thing and being hungry is awful I swear. I literally am thinking about food more than ever and craving everyting I can't have. I hate to sound weak but boy I guess this is IT for me as far as my weakness in this world and sometimes I feel it has me beat. I used to think alcoholics etc. man are they weak poeple , "just stop drinking" but that they realy don't wan to, but I know I am addicted to food, it seems to have run my life for so long ad look at the prices I / perhaps you have paid..with health, for me a job and relationships , being reclusive all because of food. I dunno, I am finding this really tough. I am eating yogurt again and going to try to get back onthe wagon...but boy I would love a night at the MANDARIN in Barrie! I read about people living in the same communtiy who get together and meet or go walking and I wishI was closer to some of you here. I mean YOU guys in the canadian group are my support system and I tried the other band the canadian one that sends threads all day, but I just don't feel the same connection there and so far I cannot relate to folks talking about plastic surgery etc... Yoda, Cloe, Argon, wheezy, jude et all, Ifeel weak to say this but I do need your support right now and I am sorry to be a oain but I am finding this really tough.

Welcome Heidi. You have come to the right place for sharing or should I say over sharing. Lol. I think anything goes in here since we are all in it together and here to support. New thing for me. Let Greek yogurt get room temperature. Add 3oz Water so it's thinner than a milkshake and eat. 5 times a day. 60 Protein and extra 15 oz Fluid. I'm going to get bored soon. I just need the food dreams to stop. Lol Just keep swimming swimming swimming.

@@talking mountain - I also took effexor ER capsules. I'm not sure which surgery you had. I had the sleeve. I opened the capsule and poured it into my medicine cup shot glass full of vitamin water zero and shot it down the hatch. I would have to take about 2 more shots of vitamin water to get all the little pellets down. It was far from ideal but I had been taking it for years so I think I had a decent level in my system when I started. Not sure if you are pre or post op but I started taking mine right in the hospital. One thing to be aware of though is that one of the side effects of effexor and one of the reasons they put it in a capsule to begin with was because of nausea as a side effect. So I always took the effexor at least 20 minutes after my zofran (anti nausea med) and preferably after I had some protein shake, yogurt or other to coat my stomach. After about 8-9 weeks post op I took everything in its original form (capsule in the case of effexor). I stayed on the zofran for about a month. Once I started mushy foods, I just took it after I ate my cottage cheese breakfast. I hope this helps.

Canker sores and ulcers in the mouth can be caused from bacteria changes from diet change. I would when possible seek out active culture yogurts. Activa or any that say Active bacteria culture

“I want to lose weight and get healthy this year.” That’s what we all want, but that’s not a solid resolution. A resolution says what you will do and how you will do it. It is clear. It has purpose. Taken together, all of your resolutions can add up to losing (or maintaining) weight and getting healthy. Here are our picks for New Year’s resolutions and why. “I’ll Make the Call Now” Are you considering weight loss surgery? Are you worried about an odd feeling in your throat after getting the lap-band? Do you have a question about whether a certain protein powder is safe after gastric bypass? Get help – now! Too often, we have a tendency to delay. It may be phoning all the surgeons in town to gather WLS information, calling your nutritionist with a diet question, or being on hold with your health insurance provider to find out whether the gastric sleeve is covered. Whatever the call is, make it now. Don’t put it off. It’s a way of prioritizing your health, and the good habits will rub off in the rest of your journey. “I’ll Eat 5 Servings of Vegetables Each Day.” Does this one come as a surprise? Did you think we’d start with protein? Here are our reasons for including a veggies resolution near the top of the list. Most people don’t get enough veggies – but they do get enough protein. Even weight loss surgery patients tend to get enough protein after a few months, while they don’t get enough vegetables. Vegetables are low in calories and super filling. Long term, it’s veggies that will reduce hunger so you can keep losing weight and eventually prevent weight regain. Eating more vegetables is linked to lower risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, some cancers, and even dementia. They’ll help keep you regular because of their fiber...and that’s a big benefit for weight loss surgery patients! Unless you’re on your pre-op or post-op liquid diet or you’re having trouble swallowing, there’s no reason not to aim for 5 servings of vegetables. You can have salads, raw veggies for snacks, and steamed veggies on the side. You can also sneak them in, whether you add pureed eggplant and grated carrots to turkey meatloaf, double up on tomato sauce when you have low-carb pasta, or whip pumpkin puree into protein pancakes. “I’ll Drink 10 Cups of Water Each Day.” That’s 80 ounces. The standard recommendation is at least 64 ounces, but we think more is better when it comes to water. It helps you recover faster after surgery. When you’re even a little bit dehydrated, you can get headaches, feel weak, and lose energy. Plus, your metabolism slows. Go for plain water or low-calorie, sugar-free alternatives. Have them available throughout the day, whether it’s a water bottle in your car, a mug of decaffeinated green tea on your desk at work, or a pitcher of water in the fridge at home. “I’ll Use the Tools I Have.” The sleeve, bypass, or band is one tool for weight loss, but are you using all the other possible ones? Here are a few that are at your disposal. Nutrition labels. Do you really know what’s in the food you eat? If you’re not reading labels, you might be very wrong about the ingredients, number of calories, and amount of sugar in your food. Tracking apps. Research shows tracking your food helps you lose weight and keep it off. It holds you accountable and helps you make better decisions. There are so many apps now that track calories, protein, fluid, and anything else you can think of, and it takes only minutes a day. Measuring cups and spoons and a kitchen scale. If you’re guessing about your portions, you’re probably guessing wrong. Don’t put in all the effort of losing weight, only to be disappointed by the scale if it turns out you were eating more than you thought you were. Measure your food. Smaller plates and bowls. Smaller dishes help you take smaller portions. Smaller spoons and forks. When each bite is smaller, you eat slower, and tend to eat less naturally. You don’t have to use them all at once, but you might as well give each of them at least one try. They may help you lose weight without much more effort. “I’ll Eat My Protein First.” Don’t worry, we weren’t going to skip the protein! It keeps you full for longer, helps you maintain your lean body mass, and lets your immune system stay strong. It’s also helpful in preventing hair loss after surgery. Think of protein first when you plan meals and snacks, and eat it first so you don’t fill up before you get to it. Go for lean proteins, such as skinless chicken breast, fat-free cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, canned tuna, fresh fish, tofu, and beans. Skip processed and fatty options, such as bacon, ribs, and sausage. “I Will Exercise Most Days.” It burns calories, reduces stress, and keeps you focused. It improves mood, lowers disease risk, and gives you confidence. What’s not to love? If you really don’t like exercising, keep trying! There are so many types to try, from boot camp and Zumba classes to walking around the neighborhood to exercise DVDs to rock climbing to sports leagues. If none of those appeal, hire a personal trainer to give you more ideas and match you up with something you love. We’re convinced these resolutions are do-able and useful. If you implement some of these, we’re sure you can make good progress towards your overall weight loss and health goals for 2016. Put them together with your own resolutions, and keep us posted on your progress this year!

I've eaten a lot of these foods. Wings are on my menu at least twice a month. I can only eat two whole wings (drummet plus the tip) so big wow right? -- unless it makes me drink beer that is A lot of the other stuff I do minus the bread and tortillas. I substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream or mix it with avocado. Today I'm having Italian turkey, a salami called Alpino which is ground Prosciutto basically, light string cheese, raw broccoli and a Greek yogurt/mustard dip. Fat does not stop my weight loss. I eat about 25+ grams a day. Carbs stop my weight loss. Speaking of edible food porn, I have this recipe for a cheesy egg zucchini casserole. MMMMMMMMM, I forgot that I can have that.

I guess it's different for everyone, I'm on the purreed stage (starting the 4th week today, Yay!) I can get down only half of 1 scrambled egg with salmon purée even it's very tasty but I really cannot. I eat very slowly with a teaspoon, chew well and wait a little after swallowing to see if it already filled in the stomach and stop at that point. I practically can eat greek yogurt with purée fruit or scrambled egg in the amount of 2 full tablespoons. On the aother hand I can easily eat around 1/2 cup of liquid soup. I don't think the spasm thing is a good sign, maybe you should try to eat smaller bite and slower and drink water a little bit at a time. See if ithe stomach will agree with you.

So nice to hear from other July sleevers. I had my surgery on July 1. I have only lost 6 pounds since then and am feeling frightened. But on the other hand I have lost 25 since the first of June. I am having trouble getting my protein shakes down and have switched to premade ones and find them easier. I am still so worried to start " real food". I am and emotional eater and need to deal with the reasons I over eat. I move on to puree on Wednesday and bought baby food and yogurt. Anyone have any other suggestions? Congratulations to all of you have started this brave new journey.

Breakfast: egg or Protein shake Lunch: chili / pintos and cheese / turkey cheese roll up / Soup / half a thin whole wheat pita panini Dinner: 2oz of meat with veg. Snacks are Quest bar / protein shake / greek yogurt guacamole with some bean chips (Beanitos) / a couple slices of turkey / sugar free popsicles For liquids I drink tea / Crystal Light / broth / watered down juice I really like eating the same things over and over again. It makes me feel safe, it's easy, and I know it's working!!