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I had my surgery Monday, and came home today. The first day was decent, but the second day was more painful, and I came down with a fever. I had the leak test Tuesday morning, and it showed no leaks, but my fever concerned them. I cried myself to sleep Tuesday night. With the tummy pain, and the fever, I felt horrible. I woke up this morning and felt better. My temp was 99 which was down from 101. I've been home since 11am, and am feeling ok. I'm on clear liquids until Saturday. My stomach cramps when I drink, so that's been a challenge. I'm on liquid Loratab, which helps with the pain. I get to go back on protein drinks, yogurts and puddings Saturday. I'm hanging in there

I am not a surgeon but that seems like a lot to me. I have a 32F and at 5 weeks I can hold 2 - 3 oz. 2 oz for me is the rule but some real soft foods I can hold 3 oz (like pudding or yogurt). Maybe you should talk to him about a smaller size? Ask what size he is using and why. It is your body, you have a right to ask. I seem to remember that it is difficult to revise again once you have been sleeved because the staples can't be found after healing has taken place. Seriously, this might be your only chance. Be cautious even if it means a delay in surgery. Just my humble opinion.

For me, it's aftertaste where my issue has been these last 7 weeks. I'm much more aware of aftertaste...like with different waters, etc. My tastes haven't changed otherwise, but I do find that while I adore Greek Yogurt, sometimes just the thought of yogurt now makes me go NOPE. Maybe it's the thicker texture, not sure. Hope that passes soon, miss having it.

My go to during the week is a Siggi's skyr (like Greek yogurt, but less sweet) with granola, tbsp of unjury, and tsp of chia seeds. On weekends I change it up to keep me from getting bored Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I can absolutely relate! I had my first ricotta bake last night just because I had to have something with substance, not just liquid or slimy yogurt. It still amazes me that it can take me 45 minutes to an hour to finish something the size of a half baked muffin. Just the act of chewing something was great. I’m not advocating not following your Doc’s plan, but I do agree that 24 hours may not make a huge difference as long as it is something from the next phase.

I don't think there is a limit to how much protein the body can absorb, there is a limit to how much it needs for muscle repair. The rest goes into energy. http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/know-your-nutrients/how-much-protein-can-the-body-absorb @@reachbree - I still mix some unflavored in my flavored mix. That is just personal taste. I also add a little unflavored to my yogurt. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery website says... Q: Can I take all of the protein in one dose? A: Protein should be taken in multiple doses, across multiple meals or healthy Snacks. The body cannot absorb more than approximately 30 grams at once. Also, protein is a nutrient that helps us feel fuller, longer. If we try to include Proteins in each of our meals or healthy snacks, we’re less likely to feel hungry when it’s not time to eat. https://asmbs.org/patients/life-after-bariatric-surgery My Dr made very clear that the body can only absorb so much at one time. There is a reason we take Vitamins apart, not just because some of them interact badly with each other.

Hi October sleevers, another newbie joining in. I was sleeved on 10/17 and am anxiously counting the hours until I get to graduate from full liquids to purees on Thursday. Mostly because I've been living primarily off of yogurt and Protein shakes (most Soups aren't high enough in Protein and I end up only eating them on days when I'm over my protein goal) and I'm really looking forward to more savory stuff - dinner that tastes like dinner! Also, alas, I thought protein shakes were fine pre-surgery but I'm really sensitive to the smell now and have to get creative to mask it. I start back to work tomorrow, teleworking for a few days and then back to the office next week. I'm a little nervous about it because my stamina still isn't the best, but hopefully they will understand if I start drooping midway through the day. The hardest part will be providing myself with enough of the right kind of foods to keep me going - I'm thinking of looking for some shelf-stable milk boxes I can keep at my desk for emergencies along with pre-measured Protein shake powders, plus some of those squeezable fruit puree pouches in case I let my blood sugar get too low and need a little quick energy. Some really useful things I've discovered so far: Dannon Light and Fit Greek yogurt - 80 calories, sugar free, 12 grams of protein in a 5.5 oz serving. Plus I think they are quite tasty. Sugar Free coffee syrups (by Torani, DaVinci, Monin, etc.) - a tablespoon of one of these can add a great flavor boost. Sometimes I add unflavored protein to a yogurt, pudding, oatmeal, etc., and then add a complementary syrup to help mask the protein flavor. They can also help make a protein shake better. Don't add too much, though; in large quantities they can have a chemically flavor. Note that these aren't like the extracts you use in baking - they also contain sweetener, so if you are using them take that into account. PB2 peanut flour (powdered peanut) - another flavor addition for protein stuff that also adds some extra protein, though it works best if you blend the shake. (Using a Blender Bottle or similar, some grit will settle to the bottom of the cup.) When I got to full liquids I bought a ton of soups and sugar free puddings. but I haven't eaten many at all - I can only eat so much in a day and usually I end up going with a higher protein shake or yogurt. Maybe now that I'm going back to work I'll have more time to get my protein in and therefore a bit more flexibility... Weight loss has been going well so far. I lost more in the nearly four weeks since surgery than I did in the four months prior, which is encouraging! I'm at the halfway point in what I call the "healing" diet - my surgeon doesn't put you on regular food until 8 weeks - and I'm really anxious to stop having to blend everything! At least starting this week I'll be able to share some meals with the family again - I'm going through our standard meals and trying to figure out which ones are puree-able. I'm thinking that things with sauces are going to be my best bet... maybe a pot roast in the crock pot, that sort of thing, and then I could just puree up a few portions for myself. We'll see how it goes!

I've got my last 50 days worth of food on MFP. My diary should be public. I've logged in every single thing I've eaten, except for Vitamins (just started logging those). Typical day: Breakfast: Premier Protein shake 160 Lunch: some type of meat, usually chicken. I can only eat between 1-2 ounces of meat, on a good day. Then I get full. Dinner: same as lunch Snack: I was eating a snack of cheese, yogurt or something, but the past two weeks, food seems revolting. I got really sick feeling after swimming last week, so I've been drinking Gatorade to up my calories a little. I have not yet felt hungry.

I am 3 weeks post op met with my nutrionist today for the 1st time since my surgery and she is starting me on soft foods next week. I have to say that I am so sick and tired of protein shakes and just started yogurt this week. Does anyone else feel the same as I do? There are those who think I have taken the easy way out to lose weight but we all know that is just not the case. I am thankful for the protein shakes, they do take away any hunger but still I am at my witts end.

Hello everyone, I read so many stories about the 2 week pre-op liquid diet and I was so scared and nervous and didn't think I'd make it. I kept thinking, how in the hell these NUTs and surgeons expect us to eat basically nothing for 2 whole weeks. To the members who've yet to experience this well talked about "2 week liquid Protein diet", let me tell you my experience and hopefully it will ease your mind and give you hope. So I started my protein diet on Monday 6/16 here it is Friday and I'm fine. I must say, it's not as bad as you all think it's going to be. I don't know if it's the types of protein I'm taking but I really really haven't been hungry. Not even head hunger. Mind you I have a 14 year old son I have to either cook or heat up food for every day. I'm allowed 4-8oz Protein shakes a day, sugar free Jello & pudding, 1 -8oz of low carb yogurt, 1-8oz of skim milk, sugar free popsicles and unlimited amounts of non-sugary, non-carbonated, non-caffeinated beverages and broth. I've been having 2-3 shakes and one serving of yogurt at night as dinner and twice I've had a cup of broth and twice I've had a cup of sf jello. I haven't had any headaches/migraines or anything. I have not cheated at all, not a bite, a crumb or a lick of anything. Based on the stories I've read, I've come to the conclusion that it must be the type of protein shakes that are satisfying me and not allowing me to feel hungry. Actually, I have to force myself to have the third shake sometimes. Just like everyone else, the anticipation and the unknown had me failing at the protein diet before I even began. I have to tell you though, the two times I felt weak was when I over did it at the gym and yesterday when I went too long (about 9 hours) without a shake. Other than those two times I was/am good. I just bought my son some McDonalds and I didn't even take a french fry. I used to always have at least two of his fries. I'm working at home today and you couldn't tell me I wasn't going to be home all day and not eat something I wasn't supposed to. Nope not at all. I had one Protein Shake and two sf popsicles. So I'm saying all this to say, please don't stress over this 2 week protein diet. It may or may not be as bad as you think. I wanted to post this because I wish I read something like this before I started because I might not have stressed it as much as I did. Good luck to those of you who will be on the diet soon. I am so sorry this is so long but I needed to post my experience in its entirety. Denise73

OK so I just checked and of course there is no siggis yogurt to be found in my area. I'm still on the road in Texas and heading home tomorrow. I'm so ready to get home... I'm tired of unjury skim milk and Protein Water. I'm ready to play with some recipes. I need a little flavor in my life. Everything has gone as well as it could have. I continue to feel blessed with my recovery and the process in general. I haven't weighed since before my surgery so I'm excited to see if I've lost any weight or if I'm hanging onto it like I have in the past. As excited as I am to continue this journey at home I must confess that I am more excited to see, hold,kiss and sleep beside the wonderful man that is My Better Half!! Best Wishes to all who are about to embark on this journey!!!

Was sleeved on 9/14. Day four post op here and I am starving. Can drink with no problems, loving the premier protein waters. I have had broth and yogurt today. Averaging about 250 calories a day. I am just praying this feeling of hunger goes away! Not much pain at all, but the roof of my mouth has been sore every since coming home from the hospital. Anyone use sugar free candy to help with hunger? Day of preop diet start. 253 SW 236 CW 233

11 days post op and I’m worried this tool isn’t going to work for me. I can literally eat as much as I want of full liquids and some puréed and soups. Today after two bowls and a cup of soup and two yogurts I finally started to feel over stuffed. I don’t understand why this is happening other people I know can only eat a couple ounces at a time! I can drink a ton of liquid too. I’m so worried that this isn’t going to help me enough. I was banking on not being able to eat.

I don't know if these would be considered dumping: 1. I ate some yogurt with a spoonful of strawberry preserves that has a low sugar content. Fifteen minutes later, I felt nauseous with stomach cramping. I didn't have any other symptoms. 2. I had some cream of chicken and wild rice soup. About 30 minutes later, I had severe stomach pain that made me double over. So...I watch how much preserves I put in my yogurt, and I'll be staying away from rice for a while.

I, too, used the Premier Protein Shakes and was getting sick of them after surgery (I am about 9 weeks out). I read someone else's tip to add instant coffee to the chocolate premier shake and now I drink that every morning because it tastes sooo good I add ice to water it down just a bit and add a Tablespoon of instant decaf coffee (before I add the ice)...it's like having a mocha coffee. I usually have a Fage yogurt for breakfast and by the time I am done showering and getting ready for work, I can start drinking this shake while I drive to work...easy routine! and 43 grams of protein by the time I get to work

Well you have to get the protein in somehow and until you can tolerate more food....liquid's pretty much the only option. It's just a necessity. If you really hate the sweetness of the shakes, adding unflavored powder to Soups, Hot drinks, puddings, yogurt is also a good idea. If you can only stomach 1/4 cup of yogurt, then mixing a half scoop Protein Powder in with it will give you an extra 10-15 grams on top of the 7.5. (At two months out though, you should probably be able to eat a little more than you are--did you check with your doctor to see what he or she says about only being able to tolerate so little?)

I'm sorry you are feeling out of control with your weight. Set up an appointment with your surgeons office. Get their opinion if you have stretched your stomach. They can help you get back on track. Another option to consider is counseling/therapy. It will help address your mindset with weight loss. Food choices and grazing will cause significant weight gain. Grazing is the consistent, day-long consumption of low value food items, in other words: snacking. For example, mindlessly finishing your child’s breakfast cereal, stopping at mcdonalds, popping two donut holes into your mouth at the office, eating a protein bar mid-afternoon and a strawberry Greek yogurt with granola at night. The best way to address grazing after bariatric surgery is to employ preventive measures prior to the onset. That said, many patients will not succeed preemptively and must therefore deal with the problem of grazing only after it presents. Should you find yourself in the habit of grazing after bariatric surgery, the obvious resolution is to break the habit. This is no doubt easier said than done, but consider all that you have achieved to this point. The first step is to ask for help. It is unlikely that you can resolve your maladaptive eating alone. So simply ask for the help. Use your support network and those professionals who are currently among your inner circle. Begin to monitor yourself closely. Write down or log your food in MYFITNESSPAL all that you eat or drink for a period of three days or so, and then compare your notes with the nutrition plan from your bariatric surgeon’s office to note how much they do or do not correlate. Learn the different types of hunger, specifically head, eating out of boredom and physical hunger. In addition, cut out all junk food. Sit when you eat, and mindfully enjoy the meal. Eat meals that contain protein and fiber in the form of fresh and lightly cooked or raw fruits and vegetables because they make you feel full. Drink plenty of water over the course of the day except at meal time. WIshing you the best, Jenn

Best answer Living to Eat: Do You Have a Food Addiction? By Meghan Vivo Jane sneaks out of the house at midnight and drives six miles to the local 7-Eleven to get a chocolate bar. This has become a nightly ritual. She's gaining weight and feels profoundly ashamed of her lack of self-control. Though she vows to stop this behavior, she can't seem to shake the craving night after night. Jane is a food addict. In many ways, food can closely resemble a drug - caffeine and sugar offer a quick pick-me-up while carbohydrates and comfort foods can help soothe and relax the mind. Some people use food, like drugs, to feel at ease in social situations or to unwind after a long day. If you think about food constantly throughout the day, have compulsive cravings for certain types of foods, or waste more than half of your daily calories binging on unhealthy Snacks, you may be one of the 18 million Americans who suffer from food addiction. What Is Food Addiction? Food addiction, like any other addiction, is a loss of control. Food addicts are preoccupied with thoughts of food, body weight, and body image, and compulsively consume abnormally large amounts of food. Even though they understand the harm caused by their behavior, they just can't stop. Food addicts tend to crave and eat foods that are harmful to their bodies. For example, people with food allergies may crave the foods they are allergic to, while diabetics may crave and overindulge in sugar, despite the adverse effects. Food-aholics generally gorge on fat, salt, and sugar in the form of junk food and sweets. If they are feeling depressed, lonely, or disappointed, they consume large amounts of chips, chocolate, or other comfort foods for a "high." As with most addictions, the high wears off, leaving the person feeling sick, guilty, and even more depressed. Because the addict is out of control, she will repeat the same eating patterns over and over again in an effort to feel better. Compulsive overeaters often eat much more rapidly than normal and hide their shame by eating in secret. Most overeaters are moderately to severely obese, with an average binge eater being 60% overweight. Individuals with binge eating disorders often find that their eating or weight interferes with their relationships, their work, and their self-esteem. Although compulsive overeaters or binge dieters often struggle with food addiction, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are also considered types of food addictions. Addiction or Bad Habit? Unlike drug and alcohol addiction, which have been recognized by the medical profession for years, addiction specialists still question whether food can be genuinely addictive. Is the obsession with eating a true addiction, or just a bad habit? Some experts are quite skeptical of putting food in the same category as drugs or alcohol. They argue that people like junk food because it tastes good, not because they are physically incapable of controlling their behavior. Others contend that individuals who abuse substances in excess of need, despite the harm it can cause, are addicts, whether the substance is alcohol, drugs, or food. In some cases, food addicts trying to break the habit claim to experience both physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, mood changes, tremors, cramps, and depression. In an animal study at Princeton University, researchers found that after rats binged on sugar, they showed classic signs of withdrawal when the sweets were removed from their diet, which suggests foods like sugar can be addictive. Brain imaging studies conducted by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have found that food affects the brain's dopamine systems in much the same way as drugs and alcohol. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. When psychiatrist Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and her colleagues compared brain images of methamphetamine users with obese people, they found both groups had significantly fewer dopamine receptors than healthy people. Moreover, the higher the body mass index, the fewer the dopamine receptors, which may explain why it is so difficult for some people to lose weight and keep it off. Are You a Food Addict? Whether the obsession with food is a true addiction or simply a bad habit, one thing is clear: Your health is on the line. Obesity, psychological disorders, and diabetes are just a few of the health risks associated with compulsive eating. If you're worried that you may have a food addiction, FoodAddicts.org recommends that you answer the following questions: Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn't? Do you think about food or your weight constantly? Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success? Do you binge and then "get rid of the binge" through vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or other forms of purging? Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people? Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight? Do you eat large quantities of food at one time? Is your weight problem due to your "nibbling" all day long? Do you eat to escape from your feelings? Do you eat when you're not hungry? Have you ever discarded food, only to retrieve it and eat it later? Do you eat in secret? Do you fast or severely restrict your food intake? Have you ever stolen other people's food? Have you ever hidden food to make sure you have "enough?" Do you feel driven to exercise excessively to control your weight? Do you obsessively calculate the calories you've burned against the calories you've eaten? Do you frequently feel guilty or ashamed about what you've eaten? Are you waiting for your life to begin "when you lose the weight?" Do you feel hopeless about your relationship with food? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have, or be in danger of developing, a food addiction or eating disorder. Although food addiction is not nearly as intense as alcohol and drug addictions, you may need help regaining control of your life. Treating Food Addiction Change is never easy, and overcoming food addiction is no exception. It will require a combination of discipline, healthy eating habits, and exercise. In many ways, treatment of food addiction is similar to drug and alcohol addiction. The first step to recovery is recognizing and accepting the problem, and identifying which foods cause allergic symptoms and cravings. However, unlike drug and alcohol addiction, food addicts can't quit cold turkey. Everyone has to eat. Instead of taking drastic measures, make the following changes gradually, one small step at a time. Reprogram your taste buds. If you eat tons of sugar-laden foods, your taste buds get used to the flavor and you will start craving sweeter and sweeter foods. When buying foods that aren't supposed to be sweet, like Pasta sauce, bread, and crackers, make sure they don't have added sweeteners like fructose, dextrose, and corn syrup. Slowly try to limit sweet or salty foods in favor of fruits and vegetables to restore the sensitivity in your taste buds. Plan your meals. Food addicts often hide food or binge when they are alone. One way around this is to avoid hiding a stash of food in your car, desk, or nightstand. Also, plan out healthy meals in advance, portion out single servings on smaller plates, and eat scheduled meals at the dinner table. If you eat in front of the TV or while talking on the phone, you're more likely to eat large amounts of food without realizing it. Though it may take a few weeks to change your eating patterns, your brain will eventually get used to smaller portions of healthy foods and generate fewer snack-food cravings. Moderate your hunger. People with food addiction tend to take an all-or-nothing approach to dieting, bouncing from ravenous to overstuffed. A useful tool to moderate food consumption is to rate your hunger on a scale of zero to ten, zero being starving and ten being overstuffed, then try to stay between three and five. If you wait until you hit zero, you may not stop eating until you reach ten. Know your weaknesses. Everyone has a list of foods that are hard to turn down. If you can't resist a fine loaf of bread at a restaurant, ask the waiter not to bring the bread basket to your table. If you can't walk past an ice cream parlor without stopping for a scoop or two, take a different route. If you have a habit of eating Cookies or popcorn while watching TV at night, read a book or walk the dog instead. If these tricks don't work, stop buying unhealthy foods at the grocery store. If it's in your kitchen, you're probably going to eat it. Deal with the real issues. Typically a food addict will numb unpleasant feelings with food. If you stop relying on food, you can learn to tackle problems head-on and let yourself feel the sadness, anger, or boredom without using food as a crutch. Find healthy ways to cope. For food addicts, the next salt or sugar fix becomes the dominating force in their life. The best treatment is to find other ways to fill the void, like working out, hiking, going out with friends, or talking to a therapist. Exercise sparks the same pleasure centers of the brain as food, and offers a similar high without the guilt. If you're not physically hungry but you're struggling to resist a craving, brush your teeth, drink Water, leave the house for a few minutes, or choose a healthy substitute like yogurt instead of ice cream or baked chips instead of potato chips. Give yourself a break. The guilt people feel after overeating perpetuates the addiction. They're sad because they ate too much, so they turn to food for solace. Learn to forgive yourself and don't get discouraged by minor setbacks. Food addiction can be a serious problem. Just ask the people who habitually visit the drive-thru at midnight or load up on candy bars on a daily basis. To beat the addiction, sometimes all you need is motivation to change and a few lifestyle modifications. In more severe cases, you may need to seek help from a food addiction group like Overeaters Anonymous, a mental health professional, or an addiction treatment center. In either case, a shift in outlook must occur: Eat to live, don't live to eat. Other resources and articles:

The pizza, pumpkin carmel bake and pumpkin cheesecake are. The yogurt isnt, and I didn't put the protein ice cream because we basically took a shake and put it in an ice cream maker so doh! Pumpkin cheesecake: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/pumpkin-cheesecake-vanilla-protein-mousse/ Caramel bake: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/pumpkin-caramel-bake-high-protein-low-carb-gluten-free/ Flatout pizza: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/low-carb-flatout-pizza/

We are surgery buddies! I start my liquid diet next Wednesday but it is all clear, no yogurt, cream Soups, or anything like that but at least it is only for 1 week. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery. Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

I grew rather fond of a couple oz. yogurt with just a bit of peanut butter stirred in, as a little protein upgrade, as I was not getting my protein load at the time.

I like Kellogg's Special K Red Berries or Cascadian Farm's (any flavor) I really like the Great Value Greek yogurt. At this stage, I would get your Nut's approval before trying anything new.

Just three days out (I was 10/10) I was able to handle some no sugar added applesauce. Now I'm 16 days out... I can't handle eggs of any kind yet. Scrambled, hard boiled, I tried eating yolks from fried eggs... all sits too heavy. Non fat Greek yogurt also didn't sit well. Cream of chicken Soup, diluted slightly more than directions, was good. Sprinkled in some unflavored protein. Same with split pea soup. I think any souls you dilute with Water are good... the milk ones are too heavy for me. My fave Protein shakes are also too thick, so I'm stuck with stuff I'm getting sick of. Hope this helps some...

My liquid diet (two weeks long!! starting the 7th) is seriously liquid. Broth, sugar free jello, tomato soup, shakes. But thank goodness I can have one protein bar pet day, yogurt and oatmeal. But no solids. Wahh!! Lol. They said flavored oatmeal is okay so I'll go with varieties. But still, blah lol

Stephh, my diary should be available on mfp but I typically eat around 800 calories a day. Yogurt or scramble egg with cheese in the morning, a protein drink with skim milk anout 10am. Lunch is usually tuna in oil and 2 triskets, beef jerky for snacl, 1 oz, 4 oz of stewed chicken for dinner. Yikes, I feel like a piggy, lol. My day starts at 430am so its easy to get in my calories.