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I had an interesting realization the other day. I realized that although I continue to love vanilla Oikos yogurt, I also like other kinds of Greek yogurt that I had been avoiding due to my Oikos vanilla habit. It was actually a bit of a pleasant surprise to consciously recognize my “need” to stock up on that one flavor and brand of yogurt and to realize that other brands and flavors would be fine in a pinch…so I don’t need to waste energy being anxious about running out of my original preference. But still, there are foods I won’t go without, and to make sure I don’t, I stock up on them. I always have yogurt in the fridge, blueberries in the freezer, and tuna in the pantry. Some of us are naturally more inclined to stock up than others, but being on a strict meal plan like you are on after weight loss surgery makes it seem more important than before to insure you have the foods you need in the house. Otherwise, you might find yourself reaching for some regrettable alternatives…like potato chips instead of carrot sticks, or ice cream instead of yogurt. What are the snack foods you need to have around your house (or car or workplace)? How many of them do you feel the need to keep around? Do you stock up whenever they’re on sale?

All doctors are different but mine allowed super free pudding, yogurt, and soups like tomato, any kind of cream soups ensuring they were strained or puréed for lump. One of my favorites was cream of potato with a sprinkle of cheese and real bacon bits puréed in a blender.

I have trouble with the protein shakes as well. I bought the unflavored protein isolate (I like the isopure unflavored whey protein isolate) from Amazon. For 1 scoop, you get 25 g protein. You can add it to anything. Yogurt, soup, smoothie, cottage cheese... I sometimes make my own shake with 1 scoop protein, 8 Oz either skim, coconut, or almond milk, a little vanilla extract, a tsp cocoa, sweetener, and a couple ice cubes... Have to wait a few minutes for the foam to settle it, but the protein powder has no flavor or aftertaste. That is my go to rescue to get the protein in when I'm struggling.

How long are you on liquids post op? I ate popscicles, yogurt mixed with soy milk, creamed soups mixed with extra soy milk and put through a blender, snowballs (chopped ice) with sugar free syrup,

My doc said to consider the "mushies" as anything you can smash with a fork, but she wants me to stay away from carbs like mashed potatoes. I've been having cottage cheese, yogurt, scrambled eggs (which I normally don't like) but I cook a little mexican chorizo and add to my eggs - yummy!, tuna/chicken, and salmon. I made some yummy salmon in the oven and it was easy. I don't normally like it much but used some lemon and light butter spray...it was pretty good. I found some at walmart in the fish section, there have bags of 4 frozen salmon fillets for only about 5 dollars, which isn't too bad. My mushie stage is only a week, so I don't have to do it too long. I really like to use Mio in Water. It's drops you squeeze into your water for flavor - like Crystal Light - but liquid. My fav is the berry pomegranate but they have lots of flavors. I'm not a huge water drinker either, and it really helps me to get my water in.

Wow! I feel lucky! My appetite has returned but not much. For example today for bfast i had protein shake, lunch was 1/4 c Fat free refried beans and dinner was 1/4 c ricotta with 1/4 c marinara baked with a sprinkle of mozz but didnt finish it all. I did get hungry between bfast and lunch but 2 bites of greek yogurt and i was full. Maybe i am still swollen? Yesterday i made myself 1/2 servings and could not finish any of them. I do find myself struggling with head hunger in the evenings...wanting things like pudding or more beans but im not hungry just head hungry. J Banded 9/22

HI all, back finally! good to read the comments. Miss Joany, I hope your infection keeps getting better! eat lots of live yogurt while you are doing those antibiotics. So I am curious, doing a bit of a survey. sort of long. Just curious about some of this stuff howdy there. so I'm taking a poll, let me know. I hope you all are doing well. 1. how many cc's you have in your band 2. do you feel you have restriction- what does that mean for you? 3. are your calories tending to stay below like 1600 (or what are your calories generally.) 4. what is your weight loss like. 5. are you hungry between meals. 6. are you exercising, and how much 7. how much water are you drinking? I'll start. 1. how many cc's you have in your band<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 4.5 from OCC. I'm planning on going back, for 1 more fill, maybe depending on what people say with restriction about how they feel. But it won't be till after the holidays.<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 2. do you feel you have restriction- what does that mean for you?<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> last week, there were things that I felt were cool, like I would get a tiny nasal drip, and I took that as a soft stop, and I wasn't getting hungry between meal. I feel like this weekend I ate till I felt very full, and never got the nasal drip. this was the first time since my fill. so maybe that sign is not happening. I will see today if I get hungry between meals, if I'm able to keep at 1200 cals per day, and not feel hungry between meals I will be happy with the way things are. we shall see.<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 3. are your calories tending to stay below like 1600 (or what are your calories generally.)<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> generally yeas, below 1300-1200. but I don't count everyday, I also do some days where I just do what Miranda said for portions. I feel Sunday I went over my goal. but I didn't count, I need to get better with keeping track and knowing even when my schedule is strange.<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> <br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 4. what is your weight loss like. I've lost all the weight plus 1 lb that I gained from Thanksgiving weekend. I started 298 I am now 266 my surgery date I was 280 so since surgery I've lost 14 lbs in basically 10 weeks. that is not my goal, I'd really like 2 lbs per week, would still be happy with an average of 1.5 per week. I'm at 1.4, I guess with the holidays in the mix maybe I should still feel happy. but I would like it to be more, of course. <br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> <br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 5. are you hungry between meals.<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> I feel I am mostly not hungry between meals, as time goes on since my fill, my hunger has increased between meals, but I am still able to deal with it, with my yogurt or piece of fruit, which is part of my daily food plan and staying under 1200 cals. so I am ok with that. Once I went to bed, and my belly was grumbling. but I drank some water, I abated and I fell asleep. 6. are you exercising, and how much this has not been that good this last week. I have a goal to walk somewhat briscly for a mile each day. This is 20 minutes of exercising a day. I'd like to add to that, but haven't yet. and last week durning hunting season, I did not walk at all. 7. how much water are you drinking? besides exercise this is a huge obstacle. I am trying to drink 64 oz a day, I am pitifully below that. If I could drink during meals I could jack that up. but I don't so I need to increase this a lot.

The only thing I had complaints about this week (just sleeved Monday) is the hiccups. They hurt and quite frankly wish the gas would come out the other end. I believe it would be far less painful. I passed gas like the next morning after the surgery. I am eating my sugar free pudding, jello, and yogurts and hard to get all the water and protein in. Only my first day on solid liquids though so some tweeking will be in order for the rest of my menu for the next 3 weeks. Over all I am feeling great. I was so worried and it was for nothing. No pain at all. Good luck everyone.

So I have struggled with a plateau for about 4-5 months now and I know that it is (mostly) my own dang fault; I've always been an excruciatingly slow loser but in the last 6 months I have stopped being true to my super-low carb/high protein/low cal diet. On the one hand, I justify it because I am committed to eating healthfully and reasonably and that means not living the rest of my life on a diet. Sounds good right? But, I think I'm toeing the line of making excuses, I let myself eat M&M's, bread, soda!! Grrrrr. Today I am having a Protein shake, 2 eggs, greek yogurt with a spoonful of jam, lots of hot tea sweetened with stevia, and probably a caesar salad w chicken for dinner and maybe some hot quinoa and a tiny piece of chocolate. That sounds ,,, bad? good? cheating? Does anyone else struggle with the psychology of this?

I had my surgery 11/17. Was on clear liquids Wed. and Thursday, then moved to full liquids, which really helped the little bit of hunger I was starting to feel. I am just taking it kinda slow. There is no way I can eat the 1/2 cup of yogurt or sugar free fat free pudding im allowed! Am already loving this band thing...lol I feel a good amount of restriction. Its probably due to swelling, but hey, ill take restriction any way I can.... Pain wise, im doing well. A little pain when getting up from something low but other wise not bad. Never have had pain in the stomach area, just in the port site. Goin back to work Monday, but I have a desk job for the most part. Got my pedometer ready to walk on my breaks.. MD says work up to 2 miles a day asap! Well... off to get 1/2 cup of decaf coffee..... Everyone have a blessed day!

Erin have you tired yogurt? The Dannon light and fit Greek yogurts are good, high in protein, low in sugar. Also cottage cheese or re-fried beans (fat free). I hear ya with the treats, it's like a candy factory in my house with all the kids stuff. I really want to go out to dinner tonight too!

Erin, I just tried to c/p my yesterdays logged from online, but didn't work. I've only been on pureed for two days now but my yesterday was Breakfast - protein drink (unjury), morning snack - greek yogurt, lunch - re-fried FF beans with TB of light sour cream on top, dinner - On the GO size cottage cheese. total of 60g of protein, and first day I got over 500 calories at 520. Before yesterday with starting the new stuff, I was having 2 protein shakes and the yogurt to get in the protein. Things I'm getting ready to try are vegetarian 99% fat free chili (and puree'ng it), poached eggs (not until I've done more pureed foods), soft cheese, and super soft fruits. Hope this helps!

That's kind of the weird thing (hunger). I've learned after all these years that apparently there is a difference between head hunger and actual need for food. My head keeps saying "you should be eating something" and "a cheeseburger sounds amazing" and today "go to taco Tuesday" lol. But my stomach, it's just not wanting any of it. I have not truly felt physical hunger at all since before I had the sleeve surgery 17 days ago. Weird! Because I kind of don't trust my hunger-meter accuracy at the moment, I'm trying to stick with a routine to make sure I don't get dehydrated or malnourished. Every morning I have a protein water with a vitamin greens powder mix, gets most of my key nutrients in right away. Then mid day I'll have a protein shake with a banana and some nonfat milk and a little peanut butter in it. Mid afternoon I'll have a snack maybe yogurt or jello. Evening I'll make myself eat something like puréed soup. Then in the evening I take my chewable multi vitamin. So far that's been working ok. If I get ambitious enough I may try blending tuna and mayo like tuna salad, but have not tried yet.

Hi Morgan! I was sleeved on 12/4 so about same timeline. Does milk bother you? I drink Fairlife ultra filtered, 13g protein per cup and lactose free (I was having issues with lactose post-surgery). Also Oikos triple zero Greek yogurt has worked well for me-15g of protein, sometimes I will blend with unflavored protein powder, milk and ice to make a shake. Good luck! Sleeve date 12/4/17 SW: 318 CW: 290

Thank you! I also said the same thing about cheese... i will change anything! ... except the cheese that's one part of me i will hold on too [emoji23][emoji23]. I'm sacrificing alot more for a healthy life. I also dont care about yogurt so i'm not going to include it in my diet at all... i prefer to save those calories for cheese when i'm able to eat it. When you say plant based.. what exactly did you buy that's plant based?

I tried about 12 days out (purée) and it did not go well. I'm having lots of luck with Greek yogurt or puréed lentil soup and vegetable beef soup, good flavor and it's very liquid. I'll try tuna again later this week, I knew after one tiny bite it was a no go last time.

Sooo I did have a drinkable yogurt. I turned around and my four year old has a yogurt mustache. She looks at me and smiles real big. I can't get mad...she's so cute!! Lol

Looks like your post was cut little short, but glad to see you are acclimating to the new life and getting around. I have three more days of liquid and can't wait to jump into the next phase. Hopefully the addition of some yogurt will help with the "black tongue" issue I've noticed of late.

I'm on mushies, but I've been eating some soft solids too, chewing them to uber mush in my mouth. Today - Breakfast was Protein shake and supplements, snack was low fat cottage cheese, lunch was small dill and lemon tuna salad with low fat mayo and some melon and vegetable cocktail. dinner was homemade humus - just blended canned chick peas with garlic, ginger, and lime and super soft poached trout with 0 cal butter spray, lime, and sodium free potassium salt. some berries and low cal cool whip for dessert. and LOADS of bottled Water flavoured with lime and stevia (herbal sweetner) all day long. later will have a Dannon silouhette fat free and sugar free yogurt drink, and before bed chai tea made with low fat coconut milk. I aim for 900-1200 calories a day, and 70-100 grams of protein, and stay under 30 grams of fat. I use fit day to track it. I try to pick foods low in fat, low on the glycemic index. I'm eating homemade humus and other blended bean mixes with garlic and lime and ginger a fair bit. Microwaved mashed yams with butter flavor spray. low fat dairy - the yogurt drinks, cottage cheese, and fat free processes swiss cheese slices. Lots of berries, rasperries, blackberries and blueberries mostly. Also melons. Occasionally advocado. fish - tuna, salmon, trout, artificial crab all of these I've been eating mashed well into a soft salad with low fat mayo and lime. Egg sensations brand egg whites the cheese and chive flavor, with a little butter spray cooked in the microwave egg poacher, or I let them cool and add low fat mayo to make mock egg salad... one of my favorites. I usually mash my fruit with a couple of table spoons of cool whip light, and if the berries need it, a little stevia to sweeten it up more. Also motts no sugar added apple and peach sauce blends. pureed vegetable Soups the kind you buy pre-made in the cartons. - blended green vegetable, pea soup, carrot soup, butternut squash soup, are some of my faves. Getting veggies drinking vegetable cocktail too. I aim for 4 servings of veggies a day, and 3 of fruit. It's been great so far. XO Leila

Well my journey has finally started, day 4 of a liquid pre op diet....... soup and yogurt. Got 2 weeks liquid, then op on the 14th April and then the long hard road to a thinner, lighter and fitter me. So much I’ve read on here rings true and has been inspirational . Oh yes stats so far: HW: 306 lbs CW: 290 lbs

That's been my big thing too. I attempted a bowl of apple sauce today, and Took 3 big spoonfuls in the span of 15 mins (ate while I was cleaning) and got lightheaded and nausious immediatly. Dannon Activia Yogurt came out with a "lite" version, it's just as delicious as the regular. And I'm doing the string cheese thing now, it's heaven, BUT it keeps getting stuck, even when I leave it out for 10 mins to soften up. here's a tip Singin': Diet Peach Snapple, Odwalla vanilla Al'Mondo Protein shakes, And I got this one from other bandsters: Strained Eggdrop soup- only I added about 2 tablespoons of water to dilute it and make it less salty. Especially if you get the scrambled egg cravings like all of us are getting!!!!! good luck.

@@malvarez1210 If you are only three weeks out, you are likely not on solid foods yet, but maybe pureed and soft foods? Drink your Protein shakes and get your Water. As for other protein options in those stages, here are some good ones: scrambled egg soft cheeses cottage cheese greek yogurt refried Beans tuna salad chicken salad This site has some good recipes for this stage: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html

So I'm 7 days out, just starting purees today. Had to pop in at a work party and of course there was NO food I could eat. I did down a yogurt before I went, but sitting there with food in my face became a THING! So I dipped celery into a smooth dip. And it was good. So I did that several times. Still good. Fast forward 45 minutes until I arrived home and guess what?? Out she goes! I didn't think about the fat content that might have been in ranch dip, I thought, oh well, similar to yogurt, probs has protein, I should be good. Pouchie says "That's a no from me Dawg!!!"

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 would love yogurt! But, my doc said the liquids have to be clear the first week. I can start yogurt and pudding in a few days though...I hope!