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Hi all- My surgeon's post-op plan allows 1-2oz pureed/mushy soft, high protein meals at days 3-14. For example: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, canned tuna, ground chicken and ground turkey. The "pureed/mushy" phase is combined and there is no separation regarding pureed vs mushy foods. I am almost 5 days post-op from VSG and so far, so good. I've had soup that's been pureed, greek yogurt with 1/2 slice of canned peach (in fruit juice, not syrup) pureed, canned chicken salad. There have been ZERO issues in terms of nausea/vomiting/discomfort and my serving size is 1oz at a time. I am close to meeting fluids goals and am hovering around 55 fl. oz/day. Still working on meeting 40mg protein/day requirement and am drinking one supplement shake/day and using GENEPRO too. Overall I just feel hesitant about my eating. My concern is that I see there is quite a variation of post-op diet plans and most people are on liquids/full liquids for some time immediately post-op and my plan allows me to sorta bypass that stage. I will be sure to bring-up my concerns at my 1st follow-up appt. next week, but for the time being should I just continue doing what I am doing since I've had no issues.....yet?

I’m at puréed stage and water goes down fine for me. The food - just depends on what it is. Yogurt goes down way easier than beans or something heavy. You’ll know if you eat too much or too fast. It’ll come right back up! That’s what I’m working with now.

I don’t remember what liquids vs full liquid were; basically I could have water and protein shakes until I went for my follow up 8 days after. Then I think it was yogurt, cottage cheese etc

I make chicken salad - some mayo or yogurt, and I add fresh halved grapes. Great to take to the office for lunch. I also make Chinese chicken salad - bottled low fat asian dressing, greens of your choice ( I like spring greens ) diced chicken, diced water chestnuts (very crunchy and low calorie) tablespoon of sliced roasted almonds, chopped green or red onion and you have a lovely restaurant quality salad ! Or I might make riced cauliflower - steam it a bit then toss in a pan with other sautéed vegetables and add diced chicken at the end to heat it up with the rest - sautéed in teriyaki or low sodium soy sauce with a bit of oil so it doesn't stick - or instead of asian sautée in just a bit of oil and add hot sauce and make it Mexican and serve like a tostada with salsa.

Pumpkin also delivers a punch of potassium, a comely amount of copper, an interesting bit of iron, a pleasing amount of magnesium and a fair amount of fiber. A caution for bariatric patients is the 10 grams of carbohydrates found in a ½ cup pumpkin puree. And who doesn’t love carving Jack-O-Lanterns with your children (or just for you) for All Hallow’s Eve? Who has not posted adorable pictures of their kiddos in your local Pumpkin Patch? You can prepare your own pumpkin puree or stock up on the canned type. Perhaps our greatest love of pumpkin awaits us at Thanksgiving with our beloved pumpkin pie. One estimate says Americans eat 50 million pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving. Alas, a pie is known as a confection loaded with sugar and fat. What is the bariatric patient to do? Modify the recipe, of course! Lower the sugar and fat and pump up the protein is the goal. Try the Pumpkin Pie pudding recipe on the BariatricPal website. If you need a pumpkin treat before Thanksgiving, there are many pumpkin-flavored protein shakes, protein bars and yogurts in the stores right now. So, pumpkin can be a health partner this season. Enjoy!

I eat full fat cottage cheese, mayo, ricotta, etc. I stick to greek yogurt. The low fat versions typically have more carbs and don't taste good. Based on the small amount I eat it has never been a concern.

Is cottage cheese and yogurt part of the Pureed stage

Checking in! First of all I appreciate every single person in this thread! hehe and wish everyone who is getting banded tomorrow a successfully safe surgery and a lot of good ol' burping. Ok so yesterday was a rough rough day! I though I was going to be strong, I walked for about 30 minutes, I literally had to sit down and rest every ten minutes because of my chronic anemia causing me to quickly feel fatigue and out of breath. Then the lack of an elevator made it worst so I collapse as i attempted to reach my FIFTH floor apartment. My bf had to hold me u and encourage me to keep going. I am now using a cane for support! I actually like it. So my diet for the first two days was just Clear liquids. now I am in the full liquid stage. My mom made some chicken Soup and blended it, I only ate 2 ounces because I am not 100 percent sure if I should have eaten that. I also had my Vitamins, Water, water, 2 teaspoons of FF yogurt, 2 sugar free ices which are DISGUSTING lol. If anyone thinks I am doing something wrong please let me know! Also according to my wii, which I find hard to believe, I weight 268, blah, I didn't weight myself on the wii before the surgery so I am not sure what to think. My so fars..... I feel little pain! I have MINOR chest pain/Pressure?, which I was told that its probably due to swelling I feel like I cant eat more then what I have been eating I totally cant and wont believe my BMI is at 39, so I am waiting to weight myself somewhere else. I am thankful that tomorrow is Columbus day and do not have to go to work

Hi Everyone, it's been awhile since I've checked in. So few of us still following up. Where did everyone go??? Glad to hear everyone posting is doing well. I had my first fill of 3cc's 2 weeks ago. My weight is bouncing around and when I lose, i have not been able to keep it off, I'm -4, +4. Lowest I've been is 209. Maybe I should just stay off the scale for a while. I've started Zumba and love it. I would go everyday if I found classes daily. So much fun. Do go if classes are offered near you! I notice my clothes fit differently, so, maybe, I'm toning. I've had a funny stomach ache the last few days, so I've been drinking protein shakes and sticking to mostly soft foods like greek yogurt. Not sure if it's a bug, or just the new fill adjustment settling in. Stuck gas? It's just not really going away. I read that some people have a delayed response to fills. I thought it sounded wierd, but now I'm reconsidering. I'm avoiding sodium and I don't do carbonation either. I have not had any problems specifically with any sort of food, not bread, not anything which I am thankful for since it's asparagus season here in VT. My next fill isn't till june 10th and (although usually i'm inpatient) I'm glad it gives me some more time to figure out how my body is responding. Be well everyone!

I eat Chobani Greek yogurt it has 10g of protein and it is a great snack!

right on, mmm yogurt with protien drink, interesting I might try it. damn!! men are so lucky lol

It's so good to hear from you I was getting a little worried. Glad to hear everything went well for you. how are you feeling today? I know what you mean about the backside I am so done with the pain and feeling down. I feel bad posting anything but good news but maybe there are others out there that aren't finding this as easy as others. Did you have a hernia repair done with your banding? I did and I'm wondering if that's why this is harder than I expected. My discomfort is getting manageable (day 10) and yesterday I went without Tylenol all day so that's an improvement. Some nights I sleep ok others not so much, I should have bought a recliner. My nutritionist gave me a day by day food plan which is helpful and seems to be dead-on. Do you have a fax # I could send you a copy of what I have. In Phase1 which she says is typically 1 day to 2 weeks after surgery she recommends: high protein liquid supplements such as Ensure, Boost, or Carnation Breakfast anytime, clear or cream soups with no noodles or chunks (strain or blend), yogurt, pudding made with skim milk, 1% or skim milk, jello, fruit juice or pureed soft fruit like applesauce. Next post I'll give you Phase 2. I'm so glad I found your post today I was feeling really down and just connecting helps. I hope I haven't scared anyone and I truly look forward to posting good news again, soon I hope. Take care my friend we will get through this. Lynne:unsure:

UGH So today was my best friend's birthday and I ate more than I have since surgery 3/27/12... the most I have eaten in a day since then was probably about 1500 calories UNTIL TODAY. I have been feeling super hungry because I was supposed to get my first fill last week but because my port site incision became infected, they put me on antibiotics and pushed my fill back to this thursday. I am a currently a nanny saving for graduate school and just recently started waitressing again part time... I worked a 7 hour shift on Saturday and a 7 and a half hour shift on Sunday and was exhausted and famished... I checked 3 different calorie calculators and they all said that I burn about 3,330 calories in a 7 hour waitressing shift even going at a slow pace! I knew this must be close to true because I got on the scale today and am 4 pounds down from last tuesday SO I figured, what the hell, I'll indulge with my best friend for her birthday! It just got out of control... I ate yogurt in the morning, 2 medium blueberry pancakes with sugar free syrup for lunch, two HUGE frozen margaritas in the afternoon as well as chips and queso, a huge piece of birthday cake, AND spaghetti with Aurora sauce for dinner. I feel absolutely disgusted with myself and am just lucky I didn't get sick (probably because I have not had a fill yet). I attempted to tally it all up and I probably consumed about 3200 calories today which is atrocious. I am overwhelmed with guilt and the fact that I could actually fit that in my body today without throwing up, but I feel super sick and just icky and bloated over all. SIGH. I know I will get back on track tomorrow no problem and that I am getting a fill on Thursday but I just feel so emotionally and physically awful... eating like that is what got me here in the first place and I have lost 35 pounds since surgery 3/27/12 and never plan on going back! Why did I do that to myself today?!

It's interesting how this surgery affects people so differently. Yes, a hot dog probably wasn't the best choice, but honestly, you could have had this reaction to anything you ate. I was on clear liquids ONLY for the first week, and when I had my first protein shake WOAH - it gave me serious gas, weird indigestion gurgling sounds and mild pain in my stomach. And that was something that was liquid! I'd say part of what you're going through is just your stomach saying "WHAT IS THIS!??!?" because it's been on the liquids for so long and is getting used to digesting what it's had so far. Then you over eat this dense food and your tummy is just letting you know it's not ready for all that! What helped me were gas-x strips - really helps with the gas, and fast! Also, walking around helps too. Drinking too much water on top if the full tummy sounds good in theory, but it doesn't always work like that. With how small your stomach is, the water could really 'over fill' your tummy and make it more painful. Try to get moving if you can! I hope it works itself out soon. I'm 17 days post op and I'm eating lots of stuff. I don't know if I have one of those sleeves of steel, but I haven't been sick once. No nausea, vomiting or pains - aside from the protein shakes, which still give me some gas, but not pain like the first time - and I'm having deli meats, low carb flat bread, yogurt, cheeses, cottage cheese... lots of stuff. I plan to try some fish this week, and canned chicken, then in a few weeks I'll try some veggies (coincidentally, my local farmers market will be open then, yay!) I certainly didn't have this surgery to be on a diet for the rest of my life. I like hot dogs every once in a while and plan to have them when I'm ready for it... so I'm not shaming you there. But considering we only get so little in us in the beginning, I'm trying to make it as good as possible. Deli meat isn't something I would normally have that often because of the salt and nitrates, but because it's something that I can tolerate now, I'm having it. While I am able to eat all these things, I can't eat much of it, and that's the key for me. So what if I had deli meat, it was ONE SLICE! I never thought I'd be completely full on just 1 banana for breakfast. The shakes are saving me with protein intake, because I really don't eat much. But when I DO eat, I can handle everything I've tried so far... I guess that's just lucky on my part. I definitely hope this passes for you soon!

oops battery died...as i was saying. I started researching ferosciouly. I couldn't find a whole lot on Dr. Puccini-Sales all i had was the evidence of my friends and their overwhelming success. BTW the original friend that had plication/lipo, had a baby a year after her plication and she had a healthy beautiful baby and bounced right back to her thin weight after giving birth, they actually had to photo shop her baby bump it was so small. i digress, other friends went after her and they too look like bombshells but going to colombia to baranquilla didn't appeal to me and i did not like that i could not find posts on Puccini Sales, not on the bariatric times, or public state posting, nothing. The proof was in the pudding, but i wasn't convinced and the price although similar to what i ended up paying at the OCC + or Minus was about the same. I researched Dr. Ortiz and OCC, i was pretty convinced even though i not one to fall for many marketing tools which they use many, nonetheless the decision was made. I was going to go in March for the sake of combining it with another trip, but after things kinda of fell apart from the perspective of company going with me, my friend who had gastric bypass over 10 years ago went with me. i booked the week before valentines day and was scheduled for the 15th. Tijuana was hard to roll off the tongue, i don't recommend you tell too many people but your closest confidants because you will get an ear full about Tijuana, everyone has an opinion, yet no one has gone or can provide evidence outside their perception. so i flew on Vday, started my liquid diet Friday before going. Which to be frank i didn't mind, i was zoo busy i hardly had time to pay attention. flying from the east coast is a bit of a pain, there are no direct flights, but VIRGIN AMERICA was amazing, every time we made it to the gate it was already boarding, seamless. when we arrived finally in san diego, the van to from the OCC was already there. on time and ready. I speak spanish and it was nice conversation. Everything the OCC does is perfectly choreographed. From the moment you meet the driver at SAN to the moment you end you journey and drive home. I don't want to ruin the experience for you but trust me its funny. The marriott was great, really clean and safe. Lots of security in the lobby and you cannot enter the floor of your guest room without a key. The room was very clean and comfortable. The duvets are white which i prefer at hotels. there is not dates coverall. The bellman gave me instructions for ordering room service bc everything in my OCC diet is included. Broth, popsicles. They know what you need and are ready. My friend who ate regular food as well found the prices to be VERY affordable. No meal from room service was more than $12 with tip. The bellman even scheduled the wake up call. The shower was very clean and the bath products are Bath and Body Works. It does not feel like a hotel outside of the states. Marriott brand standards are very well kept. In the morning i was the first one in. Everything started at 7am, bloodwork, nutritionist, cardiologist, the works...and from the reception to the nursing staff, everyone is EXTREMELY attentive, loving, caring and nurturing. The walk you step by step through every single little thing they do to you and for you. I was taken back though, i don't know what i was thinking but i did not expect to stay overnight. I though i would leave the night of surgery back to the marriott, but you actually stay there. The room is everything they post online. EXTREMELY clean, nice duvets, a calming little water thing on the side of your bed and free calls to the US. Without as much as question. Wifi is there in the center throughout. I went into my room and they had to give me a sedative, i was pretty hysterical. But once that kicked in my friend and i met with the surgeons, from the General Medical Dr. to Dr. Martinez and Dr. Ortiz. They have UNREAL bedside manners, they talk so much with you and address every concern. To the point that my friend and i were in shock because it was at least 30min in the room just talking and talking. I went into surgery very very calm, i lay on that black surgical bed, i was so calm. The anesthesiologist was wonderful and Dr. Ortiz said CIAO! I woke up in my bed with my friend next to me. No pain. Just very thirsty. I spoke to my family and everything was ok. visiting hours ends at 4pm. my friend was taken back to the marriott and she felt very safe. Also, getting into the OCC is no small feat. They don't open the door even for food delivery. My friend ordered food while i was in surgery, there was a delivery selection book. Overnight, i walked a lot. It just felt better. As soon as i got up there was the nurse. I cannot account accurately how ofter or how many times but there were two overnight nurses and one overnight general doctor. They took my temperature, kept my IV always refreshed and constantly monitored my meds. There was never a moment when i questioned where they were or if they had remembered me...i mean unreal the service. Constantly at my call. Although thank goodness i didn't need them. Walking is vital. It helps so much with the gases which is the main source of pain or rather angst. I was up very often but not because of pain simply discomfort. I DO NOT recommend you drink anything or ask for ice. as soon as i sipped on ice and threw it back up and it was not pretty. you don't need it my IV was running and changed so ofter i knew i was hydrated. The morning came, they finished monitoring my med, asked questions, the surgeons came in and checked on me again, spent quite some time again at least 45min this time talking and talking. I was released probably around noon, but not before i was checked with an X-ray machine for leaks and digestion track. I went back to the hotel and just showered, rested and tried to take down anything i could. I walked a lot, i would force myself to do at least 5-6 rounds sometimes ten around the entire floor with my friend. We went down by the hotel pool and took in some fresh air, walked around again and just relaxed. I did not like the broth at the marriott, i was thankful that i packed some ramon noodle packs, i would add hot water from a tea order on the flight or even at the hotel. You can barely take down half a cup. I recommend you pack Gatorade, electrolyte water and packs of ramon noodles even though you will only have the broth. i like mine hot so the room temp broths were not my thing. The meds i bough at the OCC were great. I did not need pain meds even though i bough the sublinguals. The anti-acid is great and the naseau has gone unopened - i had ZERO naseau the entire time. Friday i went back to the OCC for one last check up, even though it was not included they welcomed me and gave me one more look on the Xray, since i live clear across the US it is not easy to get back here nor do i feel comfortable going to a bariatric surgeon in Miami that has neither performed the surgery or knows what they are looking for. I did tell the dr. that the pangs or discomfort from eating and drinking which feels like fireworks are going off in your tummy whenever you eat something was driving me crazy he gave me a small pill that i took a box home. It helps with the stomach muscle spasms which i think is what they were. I will be back in 6mos for my endoscopy and to enjoy everything i missed out on in Tijuana and San Diego. The trip back i booked FIRST CLASS, if your flight is more than 1-2hrs, i highly recommend this. Although you will have a very small amount of discomfort really from the external larascopic sutures, you want need and deserve the care and comfort of not waiting-every dime i spent on first class back on the red eye was worth it. I am back home, i have slept for hours and hours, I've taken very little down, i can't even count. Powerade, electrolyte water, grandma's life saving broth (she claims it can bring the dead back to life lol) and i went to whole foods. I bought some organic popsicles, stocked up on my keffir yogurt for the week and i also purchased a green food supplement that has probiotics and lots of Vibrant Health and Green Vibrance. It has 25 million probiotics from 12 strains. I have been adding a little bit at a time to my broth. Nothing worries me more than nutrition right now. I think it will be key to my success but also in not becoming a small version of a heavy girl. I want to be healthy, vibrant, frisky and fun. Knowing that i have this secret tool that is going to get me to where i want to be forever. So i have been taking my meds religiously, i have only taken 2 small pills that help with the spasms. the only think i wish is i could gulp down a big fat cold glass of water but thats not the case you can only sip and you WILL feel is hit you stomach. EVERY DROP. I am thrilled with my decision, the choice i have made because it is the key to my long term health. I plan on resting tonight and tomorrow a lot, need to get back to work on Monday, and thank goodness it is a holiday and things will be slow. I do work in my own office so i know i can close the door if anything happens but i know everything will be fine. The nutritionist recommends a min of 3days on clear liquids, i am going the full 7 days so that i heal well. yogurt and hearty soups from whole foods will hopefully start on Wed. I bought some veg based protein powder since it might be softer on my tummy in the beginning with almond milk and berries. Lets see just one step and one day at a time but planning ahead. Also, my dreams are soo fun and vivid, all i dream about is shopping for new clothes and funny things i have wanted to do for a while. Its as if psychologically and subconsciously i am preparing for the changes that lie ahead. I can't go back to my trainer for another 3weeks but i plan on doing some slow long distance walking on Monday night - trust me it helps A LOT with the gas. Ok this is all for now, i hope this post helps because when i was soul searching online i could not find a whole lot. not sure how ofter i will dedicate to updates but i will do my best. If you are in search of a decision i promise you i made the right one with occ so far everything was better than expected. My friend that went to see the colombian doctor also changed her mind and is going with a Dr. Kelly in mexico next week. I will have her post as well so that she can offer a contrast and options. I know OCC is not the only once in mexico and i a sure that there are other qualified dr"s that offer the same great care. I don't mean to boast in anyway in my post and i apologize if i offended anyone in any fashion, i am just happy and on a high with the decision i made. I have not weighed my self but i assume i must be at 170 by now...36 healthy pounds to GO! Cheers to loving yourself beyond that which you thought possible. With all of my love and encouragement....134andHAPPY!

Hi everyone. Hope all are doing well. My vacation ends tomorrow, so back to OH we go. This week has been difficult trying to find things I want to eat. We ate out a lot which seems like such a waste. I can't do leftovers now so it is even worse. I had my first dumping incident yesterday, with frozen greek yogurt. Plus yesterday I ate too fast and threw up. Not a good day... But most of my time has been ok. Doing well with liquids, protein not so much. I have never liked meat and post surgery hasn't changed. It is a struggle to find something I can chew that doesn't make me sick. Getting there. Can't wait to see the scale. Haven't weighed in since last Wednesday....hoping the scale is good to me! Have a great night everyone!

Amid concerns for artificial sweeteners, more products are coming into the bariatric world that contain either stevia or monk fruit, which are naturally derived sweeteners. Stevia is actually a shrub. Monk fruit is an Asian melon and may be listed as luo han guo on the ingredient list. Several powder and liquid forms of water flavors now use stevia. These are easily available in grocery stores. Stevia can be plain stevia or listed as Truvia, which is a combination of stevia and erythritol. Erythritol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol and will have a few calories. For powder forms of water flavors, look for the Crystal Light Pure and the Great Value version from Walmart. Crystal Light Pure does have four grams sugar per half-packet, so some patients may not be able to tolerate this product. In the liquid drop form, brands to look for include MIO with stevia, Great Value version, Skinny Girl, Sweet Leaf and Stur. Add enough of these products to taste right for you. Too much can get super sweet in a hurry. For protein powders, look for Jay Robb and Syntrax Nectar Naturals. Even yogurts are joining in the natural sweeteners trend. Look for the Greek style yogurts Chiobani Simply 100 (has stevia and monk fruit) and Oikos Triple Zero (has stevia, look for black label). Experiment with different stevia or monk fruit sweetened products to see what you like.

Hi, I'm 10 days post op and doing great. Day of surgery weighed 319 now I'm 289. Hard to believe but 30 lbs in 10 days. Most of it was water weight. My legs and feet were always swollen. Now I can see my ankle bones and calves are smaller. Also the first week it's hard to get much down. My dr had me on clear diet for 2 days and I couldn't stand broth so I lived on jello, apple juice, protein waters. And lots of water. The 3rd day I could have protein shakes, sf chocolate pudding, and Greek yogurt. I still only eat about 3 bites. Or can only get a half of the shake down but I drink lots of water. I'm getting about 400 or less calories. Oikos triple zero Greek yogurt is my go to for meals at this point. I have sf popcicles and organic tomato juice with seasalt found at publix it's a nice change from all the sweet stuff. Publix also has a protein milk called Rockin refuel that has 30 grams protein taste just like real chocolate milk and it's lactose free. I love it. The first 5 days were hard for me nausea was really bad. And smells really bothered me. It's gotten better. The pain was not near as bad as I imagined. Protein, water, and walking is the key. Also as soon as you fill full stop. Even if I have 2 bites and feel full I quit. I hate to vomit and haven't so far. Listen to your body and you will do great. It's hard and you will have days better than others. I literally just walk it off. That helps. Good luck to you. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using BariatricPal mobile app

am am 3 weeks out. I have yogurt, blueberries, well chewed chicken (roasted), scrambled egg well chewed, protein shakes and protein puddings. I don't get in all my water but at least 48 ounces (not counting any shakes). I have started to avoid the shakes and eat more of the foods mentioned because I am getting my protein 60g+ that way and feeling fuller than on shakes. I also eat alot of sugar free popcicles and jello when I want to snack (head hunger) so that I am getting few calories and filling up. I feel like I can eat more than alot of you guys mention but I think maybe that is because I am smaller in general pre surgery 166 and surgery 155 (but I was a revision from a slipped lap band). I am really concentrating on protein protein protein and chew chew chew and sip sip sip. Doing pretty great I think as far as following that and staying low in calories and carbs. I just want this stall to end so I can feel some progress in the flesh. But I went through too much to give up. I also feel I need to walk more but that is difficult with my time and schedule. I get 7000 steps (whatever that means) generally each day.

Cottage cheese, string cheeee, Greek yogurt

Hello everyone. I had my VSG surgery 8/17/15. My biggest weight was 227. Day of surgery I was 199. My one year surgery anniversary I was down to 153. I started stalling then. All of a sudden I started to gain the weight back. And now almost four years later, I weigh 213. I’m right back to where I was before surgery. I walk twice a day. Have a shake for breakfast and either a shake for lunch or chobani plain Greek yogurt. Dinner is a small meal. Just chicken with veggies or salad. Night time snack around 8 is a cup of popcorn. That’s all. I’m trying to get my water in. For some reason I cannot get the weight back down. I wish there was something else I can do. Is there such a thing as a second SLEEVE? I need all the advice I can get. Thank you so much for listening to my story. Please help. I’ve been to the nut and she tells me I’m doing everything right. I spoke to my surgeon and he says the same. I see him again in August and I really don’t know what else to do.

Everyone who does this surgery will have a different story, I have found nobody is the same. We all have different regimes and surgeons' recommendations. So, everyone progresses at different rates. It is a mistake to compare yourself to anyone else. Well, I could eat for England as we say! Especially Chinese foods, I loved rice and noodles. Now I am just starting to eat a bit more, but I don't have a lot of hunger and quickly get full, so I have 5 small meals a day and 20 ounces of milk or milk shake a day. That puts my daily calories around 900 - 1200 My breakfast today was almost 4 ounces of protein yogurt and a milky coffee. Lunch was a peeled apple and a 1 ounce of French Brie cheese. I have just had a strawberry milk shake. My evening meal is 2 ounces of homemade pork sate with 1Tbsp of brown rice. The rice is just for show as I can't manage more than 2 tiny bites after the protein. Later I will have an almost sugar free ice lolly [44 Cals] and my milk allowance. If I am short on protein for the day, I will finish the day on 4 ounce of protein yogurt. I usually fit a bit of veg into my day, even if its only in a mug of soup, but not today I am used to seeing my tiny meals, but family and friends are shocked at how little I eat and don't see how big that their portions are.

I targeted my 2 week pre op diet today! Ugh ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ how ppl do this Lolz. I had broth, 3oz of stewed beef with about less than a 1/4 cup of rice with beans, 2 cups of protein with skim plus and a yogurt. Oh yea not to mention 5 cups of water! Smh

Yes, baby food is a godsend at that stage, that and greek yogurt. Anything to be off liquids is wonderful!!! Good luck 8 weeks post op.

Consider Macros That is, “macronutrients,” or carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The news is bad on the surface since the average fast food meal has more carbs and less protein per calorie than the average home-cooked meal. You can work to turn this around, though. Carbohydrates: Cut back on carbohydrates by skipping the starchy sides: French fries, potato chips, and hash browns, steamed, fried, or Mexican rice, and breadsticks. Try to go “green” (lettuce wrap) or “naked” (no wrap) with your burger, tortilla, or sandwich; if the fast food joint cannot honor your request, just eat the filling with a knife and fork, and throw away the bread, bun, tortilla, or taco shell (if you are feeling guilty because of starving children in third-world countries, make a donation. You’ll do more good than you would by adding starch to your hips). Protein: How can you boost your protein intake at a fast food restaurant to be what you need? Skinless grilled or baked chicken, lean cold cuts, cheese, and beans can all up your totals, and yogurt is an increasingly common side option. Even a small burger patty can give you 10 to 15 grams of protein, although it comes with a few extra grams of fat. A good protein goal for a meal is about 20-30 grams. You can get that for 200-300 calories with any of the following. Burger King Double Cheeseburger, no bun; Grilled Chicken Garden Salad, no croutons; or Veggie Burger with cheese, no bun or mayo. McDonald’s Grilled Southwestern Chicken Salad, no cheese; or Grilled Chicken Sandwich, no bun or spread. Taco Bell 2 grilled or fresco steak soft tacos, no tortillas; chicken or steak Power Menu Bowl, no rice or cheese. KFC Grilled Chicken Drumstick plus green beans or side salad. Panda Express Grilled Teriyaki or Asian Chicken. Fats: Your first order of business is to avoid anything fried. You will be avoiding excess grease while also avoiding sneaky carbs in breading – did you know that the amounts of carbs in onion rings and fried chicken are comparable to the amounts in bread? Also, watch the fatty spreads – think mayonnaise – salad dressings, and dips. Find the Vegetables Protein and vegetables…does this sound familiar? It should, since your goals when eating at a fast food restaurant should be the same as when you eat at home. Vegetables help fill you up without filling you out, and it is best to eat as many of them as you can handle with your pouch or sleeve. It may take a little more digging to find vegetables at fast food restaurants than at home, but you can usually do it. Here are a few leads. Ask for extra lettuce, tomatoes, and any other available vegetables on burgers and sandwiches. Order a side salad or baby carrots with your meal. Check for salads with grilled chicken as an entrée. Pile salsa and diced vegetables onto your naked burrito. When “Value” Isn’t Besides the convenience, the deals are among the most tempting things about fast food. For pennies more, you can often add fries and a drink, or you could get a second burger or taco for half the price. Don’t do it! “Value” depends on what you want and need; why would you pay extra, even if it is “only pennies more,” for extra fat, sugar, starch, and calories? A healthier definition of “value” might be to pay the least you can for a meal that is convenient, delicious, and healthy. Why include “oversized” in your definition? For those times when fast food simply makes sense, go for it – just keep yourself on track by reading the menu carefully and staying focused. You can do it, no matter where you end up. You might as well enjoy it!