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How long do you have to be on your liquid diet? I had to be on mine for 2 weeks, and I have 5 days to go. It does get easier. THe first 3-4 days were really tough. I found a recipe and tweaked it a bit.... Jello powder, 1 cup of boiling Water, mix it together. Add 1 cup of greek yogurt and mix it with a mixer really well. Put in the fridge for 1 hour...then mix again with the mixer for 3 minutes so it gets really foamy....then put it in the fridge for 2 hours. When its done its really tasty! Much better then plain jello And greek yogurt has Protein in it! My dietitan said i can eat the whole bowl if I want to...but I usually end up sharing with my son (5 yrs old) cuz he LOVES it!

Yes- 24 hour to 48 hour liquid only!! GO SLOW!! I'm 6yrs out, felt like a little fill would help me lose last 15#--- wrong 0.3cc made me overfilled!!! I have had horrific reflux, can't sleep even sitting up, choking, burning, coughing, PB'ing, sliming, very few solids, too tight for yogurt, takes an hr to drink protein-- going for unfill. I tried to allow swelling to go down- I've waited a month, I'm too tight for liquids even. Less than 1cc can make a HUGE difference!!

Hello. I've been banded for almost 4 years and have lost 95 pounds, give or take a few. I had a fill in January and was very restricted for about 2 weeks. Since then, the band has worked like I had hoped. I would eat a little and be full. I had to be careful, small bites, chew, chew, chew. However, for about a month, I drink my usual 12 oz protein shake in the morning and coffee, yogurt for lunch, 48 oz. of water throughout the day and then eat and drink whatever I'm hungry for, for dinner. The problem is that the evening eating is getting more and more. It seems like I can eat a lot some times and then other times things just get stuck. I think getting enough water has a lot to do with it but I'm scheduled to see my doctor in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure if I need a fill or not. I don't weigh myself a lot but I think I've lost about 5 pounds since January. I'd like to lose another 15. Any suggestions???? Thanks

It's nice to read that it's so easy for others as well, I kind of felt bad posting stuff like that on here when others are talking about barely getting down liquids. I'm 3 weeks out today, lost 31 pounds already (yay!) but I do seriously question my dieticians methods. Doesn't make sense to me and everyone else is so different plus I'm freaking hungry!! My post op was a bit difficult because I did cheat and tried Beans too soon. In turn this caused me to be backed up and I ended up in the ER twice with obstructed bowels. (Side note: I recommend anyone PRE-op getting an enema prior, only makes sense in my eyes, especially now) Anyway now I'm puréed and it sucks! I don't get how people are eating lunch meat with cheese or greek yogurt when we are (according to my dietician) only supposed to have 1/4 cup of food. Or cheese sticks? I know I've been bending the rules and eating soft foods and I really can't eat more than like 1/2 cup but if it's Soup, even with chunks, I can do a full cup+. Anyway it's frustrating seeing all these different post opp diets and not knowing what is right and wrong. Yes everyone heals different but I wish there was a unified post-op diet. Heres mine: 2 week full liquid (I went 2.5 cause I was in and out of hospital and they feared leaking) 3 week puréed food (until aug 8) / 3 meals (every 5 hours) / 500 calories / 18-25 grams of Protein a day (She's changed me to 3.5/4 hours eat, cause of my lifestyle and the fact that I'm hungry) 1 month soft food (until sept 9) This is let the sleeve properly heal I've been told. Frustrated.

Thanks! I am still working on getting 64oz. I am still on stage II foods. My staple food is greek yogurt mixed with cottage cheese, soups, broth, and Isopure Zero Carb. If I eat 2oz, then I really have to wait to drink for 30 mins, otherwise I can feel pressure going down my stomach. Working on increasing my fluid intake, and it's slow but getting better. If i sip too much it feels weird, so it's a learning process coz I sometimes forget and gulp too much and then i feel sick. I am back to work so it's even more challenging, but I really try to make a conscious effort to drink. Two weeks ago, I could only drink 1oz/hr, but as you heal and the swelling goes down, IT WILL GET better...and I was in the same boat as you, and many people posted they are father out than us and it's a challenge too for many. Just keep trying HAve a speedy recovery!

Thanks so much margomarie. I was able to get rid of the cpap but it took a little time. Partly because I had to schedule another sleep study to confirm that the sleep apnea was resolved. Keep positive thoughts and be patient. The hormone changes following major surgery are very common. The first few weeks post-op can be something of an emotional roller coaster ride but they usually subside before you know it. Hang in there! No energy, tired and weak are all very common and when you think about it, probably no surprise. Your body is concentrating all of its resources toward the healing process. That's a good thing! But it takes a lot of energy. Perhaps the best thing you can do is get plenty of rest and let your body do its thing. Keep in mind also that it is important to get as much of your doctor's recommended daily Protein as soon as you can. For the ladies that's usually 60g to 80g a day. That can be challenging the first few weeks but it's important to keep working on it. On a low carb diet your body will turn to protein for energy. Getting as much as you can as soon as you can should help with the energy loss. The yogurt and cottage cheese - great ideas!! Most folks find that protein supplements (shakes, powders, etc) are a big help as well. Congratulations on your surgery! It is an amazing, life-changing journey. Are you in the L.A. area? You're gonna love the new you!!

I am week three post op and have been feeling very bored with my foods. Soups Cottage cheese Ricotta Cheese Cream of Wheat Yogurt I've tried pureed chicken & gravy, refried Beans, pureed meatball and sauce but those foods are too thick and I feel very uncomfortable trying to get those down. Today I ate an entire scrambled egg! It was so great to chew and swallow a bit of food and it did not get stuck or make me feel stuffed. It was one of the first times that I've felt totally satisfied without any discomfort after eating. I am super excited about this.

I am seven months post surgery. I just hit my goal weight, 132 pounds lost. Right now I am eating 1100-1200 calories a day. Breakfast-Protein shake (some combination using unjury chocolate Splendor or strawberry Sorbet, Chike Iced coffee, PB2, Syntrax Fuzzy Navel. Once a week I will have scrambled eggs with a whole weat english muffin. AM Snack- String cheese, Babybel cheese or Fage Greek Yogurt, Jerky Lunch- 3-4 ounces Canned chicken or Shrimp, mixed with Light mayo and celery, wrapped in lettuce leaves. Deli Ham rollups, leftover dinner from the night before PM Snack- Quest Protein Bar, Almonds, Peanut Butter with celery or a few ritz crackers, apple or berries Dinner- 4 ounces of protein (lot of fish: salmon, swordfish, tilapia, crab cake, shrimp, scallops) but also steak, chicken, turkey, pork and hamburger. and 1-2 ounces of vegetables. I really have no desire to eat dessert. On occasion I will have an Unjury Protein Peanut Butter Cup. I have had a couple drinks, usually bourbon. Red Wine does not sit well with my sleeve at all and I usually avoid it. Fluids: Water, flavored water, propel, Vitamin water, crystal light

JaGo, Thanks for posting this. I think it's hard to adjust expectations (particularly, expectations, pre-op) to realities...of life, of weight loss. It sounds like your mini-retreat, to re-focus your head and your expectations, will be just what you need. I am in a somewhat similar situation, since (as I have noted on this bulletin board) my knee - which needs replacement -- has precluded me from participating in a lot of exercise options I would ordinarily seek out. And I found myself stuck at the same weight loss point. I can say that my 'solution' was to get another .5 fill (I am now at - I think - about 7 or 8 ccs) and to focus even more on my eating habits. I have finally seen the scale go down. Not dramatically, as I'm seeing about a pound a week. But I am very grateful and happy for that...that is progress, even slow. I also have some food that I can't eat any more. Most Thai food, for some reason, is off my menu (not chicken coconut Soup, although that would be a treat); probably not satay, but Pad Thai, Crazy Noodles, even Masaman Curry are all off the list - I feel ill when I try to eat them. Maki Sushi (the rolls) are off as well. And long Pasta (spaghetti, buccatini, linguine) are gone as well, and in fact many pastas are a 'danger zone' for me. One big learning is about eating slowly. If I start to feel queasy, I put down my fork, sit, and WAIT. If the feeling passes, I resume. And if not, I'm done. I've also learned that eating a yogurt instead of a rushed meal is always better: eating fast is a prescription for illness. Better to wait till there's time to really sit there and chew. I hope that you find your own ways to get back on track. My sense is that it is a matter of trial and error, and all of it, a journey. Best, Deb WS

Sleeved on January 17th and doing great. I sip my water all darn day. I have one of those huge plastic cups that holds 30 ounces and fill it twice a day. For breakfast I either have 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt with a little strawberry jelly mixed in to take the edge off. I take my chewy multi vitamin. Then I pore myself half a bottle of isopure over ice and alternate between that and water until lunch. Lunch and dinner is soup soup soup. My doctor instructed 5 achy long weeks of soup. I'm a connoisseur of soup. I can rock some progresso southwestern veggie soup zip blended to thin (and strained) with a teaspoon of plain Greek yogurt. You squeeze you eyes real tight and swear its tortilla soup. In the afternoon I take my calcium right after soup. Seems to make the vitamins go down easy. After dinner I sometimes treat myself to no sugar added, all natural juice bar. I've been walking and walking and went 1.6 miles today, proud of myself. I also dabble in a little bit of wii dance with my kid, but take it easy, not too much jumping. It's a journey and with this new tool we have, we can all do it!

Hi, I'm new here although I have been lurking a while. I think this is a fascinating thread. My husband and I have had this discussion a number of times. I was recently sleeved, and he is finishing up the process and hopes to have his done in December. Like Joe, above, we have had multiple discussions about food in the house. I do all of the shopping and cooking for the family and over our 18 years together have learned to be very careful about what I buy. (For example, no tubs of ice cream in our house! If I buy them, they get eaten late at night by my husband.) And he regularly asks me to hide certain foods from him, which I hate. While there isn't a lot of junk in our house at all, he will also eat multiple yogurts if they are in the refrigerator (for example.) He's working with a specific therapist for these issues before the surgery, of course…but I will be very curious to see how we do as a couple with our sleeves. The one thing I've noticed even though I'm very early on is that my compliance to this program is all on me, and if i get upset about what other people are eating or give me access to, I'm going to be a very lonely girl. Anyway, thanks for starting the thread.

Thats a good amount of Fluid in your band....but I found out that the band can be fickle...One day it seems tighter, one day it seems more loose. as long as I can get anything down that I choose to eat then I know I'm not too tight.... As far as what I eat each day....in the mornings I'm usually pretty tight but as soon as I wake up, have weighed and gone to the bathroom, I drink a bottle of Water. I take my Vitamins and Calcium supplement at this time. After the water I have a mocca latte..its really a Protein coffee drink that I purchase from bariatriceating.com....so thats between 7-9 am. By eleven I usually am ready to eat....I eat a greek yogurt or a scrambled egg with some cheese on it.....then about 2-3 I have a Protein shake with skim milk....and possibly a Protein Bar...I buy the atkins low carb ones they are so good... By the time dinner rolls around anytime between 5-7 I have tuna salad or chicken salad, and a serving of green Beans or asparagus....Also, some days maybe 3 times a week I have 8 ozs of low sodium V8 juice....I take a pwdered Fiber supplement and put it in my afternoon protein shake and mix it up in my magic bullet....I also drink 5-7 bottles of water a day. I stay away from crystal light and such...I try to drink mostly pure water...I also may have a glass of diet lipton green tea.... I would really like to add in a serving of fruit a day, but most of it is not low carb friendly....I'm thinking of adding some fresh blueberries to my Protein shakes as well.... If I REALLY want to induldge in something I will have a sugar free Jello pudding..I love the bannana fudge ones and I limit that to 2 times a week... When I do my normal routine of swimming I burn anywhere from 500 -700 calories a day....I consume about 600-800...but I really WORK OUT at the pool. I have found that treading water burns MORE calories than laps or anything else you can do in the water....but I also do laps and I "water jog"....I try to get to my complexes pool early, so I can get my exercise in before the pool gets crowded. I am now, just this week, starting to do stregnth training with a resistance band.... I am also considering meeting with a personal trainer to get a stregnth training workout and MAYBE join a fitness club... I think I will want to drop 15 - 20 more pounds before I join anywhere....so far the swimming is working and if I vary my legenth of time and intensity in the pool maybe it will still work for a bit longer..... As far as your fluid in your band....only YOU will know if you have restriction or not....I eat slow and after every bite I pause and ask myself if I am satisfied....??? If I am I quit eating. I think before I had surgery and I would just stuff myself I had the mentality that I will not eat again....Now, when I am satisfied, I have to mentally tell myself that this is NOT my last meal....and that I will eat again, when I am hungry. My band has taught me how to eat slow because after my first and only fill, I wasn't eating slow enough and I would vomit. I did this like 3 times in a week and it finally hit me to slow it down....also my band will tell me when it doesnt like something....my partner made greasy french fries one night and I just desperately had to have a few but my band said no...and I vomited it all up....so I can not tolerate grease anymore which is a very good thing for me and my heart.....If you're wondering if you have restriction or not, I would just suggest eating according to your surgeons guidelines and pause after every bite and ask yourself if you are satisfied....if you're like me and feel that it is "your last meal"...remind yourself that you will eat again and soon....it helps me with my head issues.... This is all a learning process and it's not easy, but it is doable and very worth it.... Take Care, Meg

My center recommended clear liquids through day 3, then full liquids through day 7, purees through day 10, then slow cautious forays into mushies. I'm 12 days post-op and I've had a dream recovery (other than a cracked tooth, dental abscess, and root canal... but that's another story). I've never felt nauseas and I've kept down everything I've tried to eat. So, my favorite purees were: Corned beef hash and scrambled eggs Chicken salad: canned chicken, greek yogurt, sweet midget pickles, and curry powder. I ate about 1/4 cup of those at a time. Usually corned beef and egg for breakfast and chicken as a late lunch/early dinner. My first non-puree was mashed potatoes. Since that I've been branching out... my first "real" food was grilled salmon.... yum! Went down easy too. Last night I had this genius idea that I would blend my protein powder with a little milk and some sugar free fat free ice cream. It was delicious! But I didn't want it to melt so I ate it too fast... ugh! No more ice cream for me!

so today I made ice cream but i added Fage 2% plain yogurt (1 cup) , vanilla protein mix and sugar free Kahlua syrup. I have a new obsession !!!!

I'm scheduled for the 23rd as well! I hope you're doing well on whatever pre-op diet they have you on. (I have to drink 3 slim fasts a day and applesauce/yogurt/pudding.) Good luck! I'm starting, for the first time, to get nervous. I had my first consultation on September, did all my pre-op testing in October/November and then had to find the money to pay a program fee. Finally, right after New Year's, I got to go to the last two appointments before they schedule surgery. I've been excited the whole time, but now, it's just starting to get nerve racking. I'm not worried about possible side effects, I trust my surgeon. I think I'm scared on what's on the other side. I'm 21 and I've been overweight since I was 12. I don't know what it's like to be thin. I've never experienced it. I think that's what I'm scared of. I don't know whose under all the fat. Anyone else feel that way?

My BF was in Fort Worth last week on an annual business conference for work. In five days, he gained two pounds. During those same five days, I gained six! WTF! I have my ever three month appt. with my primary on the 21st, and need to lose those six before then. Geeze. So, today I have stayed on my Protein regimen and tried to take it up some. My biggest trip-up is to fail to plan. When I plan and have the right stuff available, I do very well. When I try to wing it and go an extra day or two with out restocking the fridge, that is when I have trouble. It looks like you packed everything the kids needed and nothing that you needed. It is ok to be a little selfish now. I guarantee you that if you pack cubes of turkey meat, string cheese, cherry tomatoes, unsalted nuts, maybe even some yogurt cups in a cooler, your kids will eat that with you. They won't starve and you will have useful stuff on hand. One of the hardest things for me to learn was how to throw away leftovers and bits on the plate. At this point I mat as well just tape it to my hips if I don't throw it out. Don't beat yourself up. This is hard....very hard. That is why we come here for support.

@@nancynew I'm vegetarian, so I don't eat meat, but eat a lot of cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, tofu, veggies, fruit (with protein) - also PB --

txprincess, thanks for chatting. My problem is at night too. For breakfast i usually have a protein shake, or hard boiled egg with fruit, snack is usually yogurt, lunch is always a protein, usually chicken, and i try to get in a veggie. Dinner varies i do a lot of grilled chicken, and fish. Sweets is my problem and the drinking on the weekend. I will still devour a piece or cake or a couple brownies with milk, then lay in bed in agony. My husband asks why i do that to myself....and i have no good answer. I really thought i would do well with this, and it is very frustrating. If you ever want to talk more about things or how a day went my email is rachels0678@aol.com. Maybe we can compare things and work together:) Im trying to keep my head up and so far today hasnt been so bad....

I am 36 yrs old and i was banded Jan7th. the experience hasnt been all that bad, but i guess in all the research I did before hand I fell short in asking the righ questions. I havent been in alot of pain, except gas and around he port, which brings my first question about acceptable methods of pain relief ie.ice pack, heating pad, when to switch from heavy pain meds (pERCOCET) to something not as strong. i also did not ask how much liquid I should intake or what to do about gas(I see now people say ex strength gaas x,but i took baby Mylicon) The gas was in my chest and seemed to last forever, even after I took Milk of Magnesia(was recommened for bowel movement). The second day I think I drank to much fliud because I was full and feeling bloated most of the day(not a good feeling).I also found the it was not good to start off with sweet things (CIB,yogurt)because it makes my stomach turn, sos Im bascically still doing, warm tea, warm water, milk,juice. It feels like Im healing(not as much much pulling,site itching)and aside from the back pain(from sleep on my back, too much pulling laying on my side) I guess Im coming along ok.It also pays to have a great support system.....

Hello everyone, Had my band placed on Monday 1/4/2010. I have been back to work since thursday and have been only using motrin for the pain. My port site on the right side is tender but I guess this would be normal. I have 5 incisions one on my belly button about 1.5 inches and 4 on my abdomen two of them are about 1.5 inches and the other two are about .5 inches all healing really well. The diet is clear liquids with my protein shake 3 times a day and as much water as I can manage but atleast 64 oz. I gained weight when i first got home I am assuming due to the fluids. Now I am 5 days post op and am now under my presurgical weight by 2 LBS. I started at 206 surgery date than went to 210 when I got home now currently am 204. Just a little blurb, my real reason for posting is, where will we all keep in touch. On this thread or will we use another thread? I don't completely understand how the postings work, please help me so I can keep in touch with all of the January bandsters. So far I am so happy with the whole exp. the no eating is a little tough but I try to stay busy, I have my first post op appointment on Monday 1/11/2009. I hope I can have some yogurt after that appointment, that would be really great . Good luck to everyone

I can see so many possibilities of tweaking it to make it have more Protein easily. White pizza - combine greek yogurt or ricotta with garlic, cheese and an egg and spread it over the crust. Add chicken and broccoli as toppings....for example. Or just make it a meatza pizza. I'm sooo gonna experiment with this recipe.

Follow the rules/guidelines. I see so many posts on forums & social media where people try to advance themselves with food, try to go back to work early, lift things heavier than brute suppose to etc. All sorts of things that are out of their guidelines. I am on a Facebook group for WLS (connected with the insurance/hospital I am associated with) & people are eating mashed potato, yogurts, pudding & creamed soups when that stuff isn’t allowed on our program and they know but say, “oh but it went down fine.” Of course it did, it’s a slider food. People fail to realize that they just had major surgery & just because you feel “okay”, doesn’t mean you can start doing whatever it is you want. That’s kind of how we got fat in the first place. This is a time to start anew, a fresh start, so follow the guidelines.

I had my two week Post Op appointment this morning. I am right where I am supposed to be. I've lost 18 lbs since Pre-Op diet, wounds are healing nicely and I have advanced to pureed food! I put Amy's Organic Black Bean and Vegetable soup in a Magic Blender and had about 1/3 of it. Delicious after the liquid diet. My husband and I are leaving first thing in the morning to drive from CA to NY (a family cottage)...three days. We used to stop at fast food places but now it will be rest stops since I am bringing my own food...greek yogurt, cottage cheese, shakes and the leftover bean soup. Even my husband is bringing his own food. Since I have not told anyone about my surgery, it was my plan to have the surgery, get clearance to go to NY and by the time I return I will be on regular food (just smaller portions). It will be easier in those social situations back in CA. I am glad everyone is doing well.

That sucks that you can't tolerate meats... Have you asked your surgical team about it? Are you able to consume other protein heavy foods? Cottage cheese, yogurt, etc? How's your water consumption? Your tag block says you've lost 108 lbs since Dec 27 already, that's pretty epic! Things to factor in, when we get older and thinner the basal metabolic rate slows, meaning the baseline calorie requirement for someone to exist without any added exercise (ie if one slept in bed all day long) lowers. So we have to keep adjusting that calorie target or increasing exercise to combat the reduction in the basal. Also, muscle mass increases causes increases in daily caloric requirements, so weight lifting for mass can be helpful in fat reduction. Good Luck!

Guess what?!?! Able to eat 1/2 container of Greek yogurt. I feel accomplished. I'm just waiting to get my cue to run to the restroom. Lol My insurance would cover my lovanox blood thinner injections and my zofran but not my liquid lortab. They wanted me to pay $75 for that. Bs! If I wanted the tablets it would be covered. But I can't take the tablets. And do I hope I am past the point of significant pain.