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That's fantastic! When it comes to carbs I think quality and quantity are both imperative. Wholesome forms of it in modest amounts can be beneficial. I do have to be mindful about how many carbs I eat, but actually have found that I lose the most weight, feel the best, and can sustain weight loss if I stay in the 50 to 100 or thereabouts range. I used to lose a lot of weight with very low carb diets, and then gain it all right back. I'll typically have a breakfast that is higher in carbs (high Protein Greek yogurt smoothie where the carbs are from fruit and kale, or oatmeal with unflavored Protein powder blended in), and scale back with the other meals and Snacks. I haven't lost anywhere close to 130 pounds (extremely impressive!), but I have lost enough to go from a BMI of 32 to 19.1 as of today. My weight loss over the past year has been relatively slow, probably in part because of having more carbs, but the silver lining has been minimal hair loss, absolutely no loose skin, and no regain.

The cheese sticks and yogurt is for the other phase! I'm on liquids for 2 weeks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That looks almost like what I just got for my pre op diet ( minus the cheese sticks and yogurt)!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow! Im the 19th as well and my pre-op diet starts this Friday. I'm totally jealous of those cheese sticks. My diet is Protein shakes, yogurt, thinned cream Soups, sugar free Popsicles and Mios. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I wasn't allowed veggies until well past 6 weeks and even then, my NP frowned on anything like lettuce as it contains so little nutrients. Tomatoes and anything else with seeds was also a no no. FOR ME. Beans and cheese? YUP. Sour cream? Absolutely (but I used plain greek yogurt instead). Meat and veggies? Not quite yet... But again. FOR ME. I even have that disclaimer in my signature. You know, so I don't come across as SMUG.

Triplets!! My surgery is 9/19 too, and today is day one of the pre-op diet. I can have liquids including yogurt, Jello, cream Soups and pudding. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy Labor Day from BariatricPal! It’s a celebration of the American labor movement, and for many of us, it’s a three-day weekend that unofficially separates the end of summer from the beginning of autumn. It’s a good time to shift into serious weight loss surgery mode by focusing on your diet and mental health, so here’s what we have for you in this newsletter. In the Spirit of Labor Day, Are You Treating Yourself Fairly? Labor Day Picnic: Send Summer out with a (Healthy) Bang! Facing the Changes as You Lose Weight Hope find the newsletter useful and motivating. After reading it, we hope you logon to the BariatricPal forums, and share some thoughts with us before going about your weekend. Happy Labor Day, and thanks for keeping us going strong! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal In the Spirit of Labor Day, Are You Treating Yourself Fairly? Labor Day celebrates the American labor movement, which resulted in better working conditions in many industries. Workers have the right to limited hours and paid overtime, a minimum wage, regular breaks, and decent working conditions. When you stop and think about it, are you treating yourself fairly? As you “work” towards better health, do you make sure you set up ideal “working conditions” to give yourself the best chance of success? Everyone does better when they’re treated right, and your mind and body are no exception. When you treat yourself right, you: Lose more weight. Feel healthier and more energetic. Enjoy the journey more. Have better medical checkups. Stay more motivated. So how can you treat yourself fairly? Give yourself fair compensation by rewarding yourself when you hit milestones. It can be a massage, a new workout outfit, or a Improve your “working conditions” by stocking your kitchen with healthy foods as well as with a scale, containers with lids, and the other tools you need. Take frequent “breaks” from the grind by eating the occasional meal out (check the nutritional facts first) or using prepared foods like Instant Protein Entrees whenever you can. Schedule days off from your workouts to let your mind and body recover. You might as well learn from those who came before you and apply it to yourself. Give yourself a fair chance at weight loss and maintenance, and you may be surprised at how well your body responds compared to when you don’t treat it right. Labor Day Picnic: Send Summer out with a (Healthy) Bang! It does not feel like the end of summer until after Labor Day, even if your children have already back in school for a week or more. And the time from Labor Day to the first official day of autumn on September 22 feels more like fall than summer. Unofficial though it may be, Labor Day sure seems like the day that marks the end of summer. So why not Celebrate? You can easily put together a healthy cookout for your family or a few friends. Some may insist on the standard fare of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and blackberry cobbler with ice cream, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat like them! Along with serving the old fallbacks that your guests demand, you can easily make a few dishes that fit on your weight loss surgery diet plan. And guess what: after tasting your delicious alternatives, your guests may decide they are fans of healthy eating, too. From the Grill As a weight loss surgery patient, you can count on grilling as being one of the friendliest cooking methods for your diet. It’s so easy to skip the fatty beef burgers and hot dogs, and instead toss a chicken breast or veggie burger on the grill. By Labor Day, you can still take advantage of summer’s bountiful harvest and grill eggplants, zucchini and yellow squash, and tomatoes as fiber-filled, low-calorie side dishes. On the Side For sides, there’s nothing more obvious than a green salad, and you may be shocked at how popular it is. Shred some romaine or green or red leaf lettuce, add favorite veggies like cherry tomatoes, diced onions, and peeled cucumbers, and make it special with nuts or seeds, plus fresh berries or even pieces of nectarines or plums, since they’re still in season. It can take a while after weight loss surgery to work up to eating salads and seeds. If you’re not yet up to the task, opt for something a little softer. It’s hard to go wrong with faux potato salad made with cooked cauliflower or egg white salad made with Greek yogurt. You can also put together skewers with balls of mozzarella cheese or chunks of feta cheese, along with cooked mushrooms or bell pepper pieces. Sweet Treats to Finish Fruit always works, both as a dessert that fits into your diet, as well as a crowd pleaser. Watermelon’s easiest, and with 46 calories per cup, it’s a nice calorie deal, too. You can also throw together a fruit salad with any berries, grapes, and other seasonal finds. For another few calories, you can even add a tablespoon or two of whipped topping – try sugar-free if you’re worried about dumping syndrome. And if you’re looking for even more serious treats, you can always go for Protein chocolate Chip or oatmeal Raisin Cookies, fresh-baked Protein Brownies, or bariatric biscotti, wafers, or gluten-free cookie bites. Your guests won’t even know they’re healthy (and new customers can get a 10% discount on your first order at The BariatricPal Store by using coupon code BPNEWCUST2016!). Your end of summer party should be one to remember, but not for the inches it added to your waistline. You can remember it for the good company and good food, and the knowledge that you successfully put together a healthy celebration that helped you lose weight. Facing the Changes as You Lose Weight Without a doubt, you’ve thought a lot about losing weight. You’ve thought about what your goal weight is, how you may feel, and how your diet will change after surgery. All that careful thinking before getting surgery can help you prepare yourself so you can do better when the time comes. But weight loss surgery and the journey you take can affect every aspect of your life, and some of the changes can be surprising and even challenging. When your weight loss becomes visible, people may ask how you lost weight and you might not feel comfortable telling them about your surgery. Many people will be quicker than they have any right to be to offer suggestions and judgment on your weight loss, your diet, and pretty much everything else about your weight loss surgery journey, even though it’s none of their business. You may not feel like “yourself” if your previous identify was the “overweight one” in the room. While you cannot prepare for every situation, you can help to prepare yourself generally by focusing on mental strength. Be proud of yourself for sticking to the weight loss surgery diet, even though it’s difficult and not at all the “easy way out.” Have confidence that you are taking the right path for yourself, so others’ questions and comments are less hurtful. Know that your weight loss comes at its own speed, and others’ ideas about how fast you “should” be losing weight are irrelevant. Realize that you are yourself, no matter what, and you are valuable. I hope the Labor Day weekend leaves you time to appreciate yourself, your family, and your weight loss surgery journey. Maybe, along with some healthy meals and a few brisk walks, it will also leave you time to stop by the BariatricPal forums and share your questions, thoughts, and advice. Thanks for your support, and Happy Labor Day! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

When thinking about bacteria, the last thing that comes to mind is ingesting it. The truth is that throughout our lives we are only taught about the negative connotations of these microorganisms. Rare are the cases when people are aware of the “good” bacteria, and its benefits, as well as the bad. Probiotics are beneficial microbes that have been proven useful in the ailment of afflictions ranging from allergies to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The term “probiotic” began taking form as early as the 1940s, gaining the attention of the masses. This was all thanks to the efforts of Nobel Prize laureate Elle Metchnikoff, who, at the beginning of the twentieth century, studied the ways of longevous Bulgarian peasants. Metchnikoff found a link between their most consumed food product – yogurt – and their significantly longer life expectancy. This was because the yogurt was fermented with lactic acid bacteria (or Lactobacillus). The process of infesting the gut with “useful” bacteria helped balance the microflora and decrease the pH levels of the intestines. Consequently, it became a way of helping those suffering from lactose intolerance (the inability to digest the sugar found in milk) and diarrhea. Even though modern medicine has advanced in such a way that we are now able to encapsulate probiotics, many studies have shown that probiotics that are taken in the form of tablets can be killed by the acidic conditions of the stomach. Therefore it seems that you can benefit best from the effects of probiotics by eating foods such as milk and dairy products, pickled vegetables, kimchi and soy sauce. Different strands of probiotics have been proven useful in treating various types of disorders. Lactobacilli are used in curing skin diseases, bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections and even in the prevention of certain respiratory infections. Bifidobacteria effectively improve the level of blood lipids, as well as help in diminishing pain and discomfort in those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Saccharomyces boulardii is the only probiotic that can be found in yeast. It has shown its effectiveness in the treatment of diarrhea and skin conditions. Probiotics may seem like an entirely new concept but the truth is they have been with us even since our travel through the birth canal. A newborn gets its dose of healthy bacteria from his mother, during labor. This is not possible during a C-section. We are born with a certain balance of the immune system and the first step in keeping that balance may even be enriching our diet with probiotics. Source: https://www.hlbenefits.com/lose-extra-weight-20-steps/

Find other drinks and ways of incorporating the protein into your meals. I've said it before- many options. Add a half or full scoop of unflavored protein to your flavored one- you will increase the protein value without affecting the taste. You can add the powder to your yogurt and cottage cheese, you can choose a "clear" portion drink like Isopure or Protein2O. I've not tried this, but know people who make Jello using Isopure as the liquid. Hard to guess how much protein per serving unless you measure it all out perfectly. Eventually, you will rely less on the drinks and more on the food you eat for protein, using the drinks as a supplement only or for a quick in the go replacement. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

GENEPRO was a life saver for me. Plus, Dannon makes a Greek yogurt that has 22 grams of Protein per serving. It taste great. I can't keep my kids out of it. lol. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@LisaMergs Thank you. And yes I have bought the triple zero. They are good and I'm sure help with the Probiotics which they want us to have too. So I should be grateful I can do yogurts. Thanks so much for your help. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@bellalulu Skim milk with the shakes. As for the yogurt? Well, for most that is not considered "liquid" in a liquid diet. Liquid diet means Water, your Protein shakes, clear broth, SF Jello and perhaps SF Popsicles. That's it. If you are allowed yogurt do Greek, like the Danon Triple Zero or Danon Light and Fit Greek. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you so much. I appreciate it. So I understand ketosis but what I don't get is how they have me drink milk w the powder shakes and eat yogurt which has sugar and so does the milk. That would prevent me from going into ketosis. Tomorrow I may just eliminate the milk and the yogurt. I'm on insulin so that doesn't help me lose anything. Only lost one pound week one. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My doc starts clears and full liquids after discharge once you have tolerated Clear Liquids in the hospital. Full liquid does include yogurt if its light or fat free Greek (higher protein), sugar free, well blended, smooth, with no fruit or bits in it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Odd you asked this question today. I was speaking with my mom earlier and she asked if I wanted her to save a lamb chop for me. My reply was "No, lamb and I aren't getting along these days, much like beef and I. I wish that I could simply drink my nutrition and skip eating whole foods". And I meant it. I enjoy the "softer" foods- yogurt, cheeses, etc but when it comes to meats? I'm kind of over them. Which stinks because I'm sitting here CRAVING a Chicago-style hot dog! Meats have become so touchy for me in the last 2 months. Veggies- love them! Fruits are really limited to berries in my new tummy because there are too many others I don't tolerate well ( honeydew, watermelon, apples). One food you'd THINK I couldn't tolerate would be corn on the cob. I don't have an issue with it, though. Maybe have one a week right now ( half an ear). So, consequently I get most of my Protein via yogurt, cottage cheese, hard white cheese, ricotta cheese ( home made), and Protein drinks. I'd kill for a big juicy steak, and can eat dark meat chicken that has been stewed in juices. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've been making Greek yogurt smoothies with GENEPRO and frozen fruit. 45 grams but pretty filling. I'm 7 weeks out tomorrow and takes me about 45 minutes to drink so may be too soon for you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@trekker954, Good for you for sticking with the cottage cheese! It’s awfully nutritious! You can go sweet or savory with cottage cheese. I know you mentioned that you cannot yet have fruits or vegetables, but does that include the super soft ones? Most weight loss surgery patients can have things like pureed well-cooked acorn squash, applesauce, and canned peaches. You could blend cottage cheese with pureed mashed potatoes and some chicken broth and/or a bit of parmesan cheese. You could make a smoothie with cottage cheese and ripe banana or even flavored yogurt. Something else you can do with cottage cheese is cook it! You can make little “cheesecakes” or “cottage cheese muffins” by beating cottage cheese with egg whites, possibly some ricotta cheese, and a little bit of sweetener, along with a flavoring like lemon juice or cinnamon or pumpkin. Good luck!

I had the same issue and started boiling the chicken breast, then shredding it and adding Greek yogurt, a few grapes, and celery seed for a chicken salad. It's delicious and is much easier to go down. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I would have to say last night was my worst night. I took a shower, the nurse came in to change my dressing. When she pulled the tape off it hurt like hell. I must have taken the deepest breathe because my chest started feeling like it was caving in. As she walked out of the room I started to tear up. I had chills in my arms, my left shoulder started hurting and my neck had the sharpest pain. I was given a little white pill to sleep and that's exactly what I did. Later in the evening the doctor came in to take out my drain (ouch) that was a weird feeling. It only took 5 seconds, but was the worst 5 seconds. Woke up took a shower had a 1/2 cup of Jello and a few bites of yogurt. My dressing was changed again. Now I'm on my way home:) Feeling much better they even gave us a medical pass to pass the boarder faster. Wish me luck on a speedy recovery!! Turtle5559

@@ssm I am over 3 months out so I'm on regular food. I eat eggs , yogurt , cheese , fish , chicken. I'm only eating like 4 oz at a time of meat. It's still hard to do. You just chew chew chew and walk if you feel constricted. It's a learning process. How far out are you? Thanks everyone! I'm loving this decision and my Diva Sleeve! She keeps me focused

As my surgery date approaches (September 28), I have been thinking about carbs a lot myself. The 89 pounds I have lost so far during my six-month insurance-required diet was done with a low carb, high Protein, high healthy-fat diet. I am going to have a one-on-one with the nutritionist before the surgery to talk to her about how I want to continue to restrict carbs. (I haven't had more than 20 carbs since March 21, and 85% of those days, I have had 12 carbs or less.) I have been in ketosis for so long that I am worried what would happen if I have the yogurt, sugar-free pudding, cream of wheat, etc. that they have on the list for the various food stages post-op. There are low/no carb options at each stage, and I am probably going to stick to them. We'll see what she says. Of course, when I had my one required meeting with her during month 2, she was unhappy I was eating eggs every morning instead of egg beaters. But it was the fat in the eggs that jump-started my daily loss, so I told her I wouldn't budge on that. 89 pounds later, I am glad that I stuck to my guns...

Hi. Im in Florida in Kissimee. And same here all liquids no bars or actual food. So I'm back on it tomorrow since technically I shouldn't have been off of it at all but i am on antibiotics so I had to have some veggies and protein. I'm only allowed one salad or veggies per day and that's it. I can have yogurts or milk w shakes but not both. So it's broth all I want and lots of Fiber supplements and my Vitamins. That's it. I will have another go at it tomorrow for the next days till my surgery. What got me going crazy is that since I am still on insulin I only last half a pound after one whole week of just liquids. So that was very very disheartening. Insulin is like a fat trapper. Lol. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I almost have to have a Protein shake every day (at 15 months out) because if I don't average about 100 grams of protein a day, my blood protein levels tank. It's kind of a challenge to get that high without doing a shake. I suppose I could eat a Protein Bar instead, and sometimes I do, but the calories on those are higher. Lately I've been trying to add Protein Powder to food, though (like yogurt) so I stay full longer. Protein shakes don't satisfy me as much as solid food, and I'm battling the hunger beast again :-( I occasionally add a little frozen fruit to a protein shake to make a smoothie, but not usually. Again, I think I'm better off hunger-wise if I try to eat most of calories in solid food.

September 13th here ... Pre op diet is 100 oz. of liquid a day (4 Protein drinks), 3 doses of Fiber, and a half cup of veggies (which I haven't been eating). Light yogurt is allowed (EWWWW), skim milk, broth, decay tea/coffee. I stick with milk in Protein shakes made from powder (up to three servings of "dairy" a day), pre made protein shakes, flavored Water, and broth. I confessed and told my nurse that I had solid foods week 1 (out of 3 week all-liquid diet) and she obviously told me NOT TO CHEAT WHAT-SO-EVER going forward Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am trying to change some habits and do some prep work for after surgery - my problem is I really dislike yogurt and have been trying to get used to protein shakes - is there any recipes that don't include yogurt or ways to disguise the yogurt taste -any ideas would be appreciated