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I did this yesterday. I also took 1/2 of a strawberry protein shake and added greek yogurt and blended for a smoothie and that came all right. It brought the sweetness of the shake down and the mellowed the tartness of the yogurt. I split it into two 'meals'.

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/

AVOCADO! It is high in calories and healthy fats. Poach chicken breasts and shred them, smother them with avocado and it helps the chicken go down easy. At 5 weeks out I could also add a little cheddar cheese and taco sauce. It was delicious to me cuz I was tired of all the artificial sweet stuff...shakes, Jello, yogurt, pudding...blaaaa! (poached salmon will really up the protein)

I'm doing pretty well. Down 44lbs and starting to comfortably get into my next size down clothes. I'm wearing a dress today I haven't worn for at least 4 years. I'm not going to bother shopping until I drop a few more sizes. I have enough clothes through size 14. I've been a total slacker when it comes to exercise! Baaaad girl. I need to get my fanny back on the treadmill and dug up my five factor fitness book that has a six day exercise program included. It's pretty simple- three exercises per day in addition to cardio. I need to get inspried! My giggly belly and arms should be enough to inspire me... Not drinking with my food is sooo hard and getting in all the Vitamins and meds - I feel like I need a schedule: 7am- thyroid, 7:15-7:30 - coffee, 7:45 - yogurt, 8:15 - start drinking a 20 oz drink, 8:45 - actigall #1 for the day. I can't keep track half the time! I've had some moody days too - days when I just want to crawl up and read all day. Thank goodness my mom takes my son quite often on Saturday so I get a day to just be alone. Overall, doing pretty well and very happy I made this choice for myself. Best thing I've done other than have my son and have lasic surgery! =)

I just started puréed food on Wednesday and haven't been very successful. I can do cottage cheese and cream soups and yogurts and puddings. But anything like puréed meats and I just can't stand the texture. Also the thicker stuff sits at the top of my throat it seems like. Waiting to come back up. Think I'm going to stick to protein shakes for a while longer.

Try plain ff Greek yogurt mixed with extract and Splenda, Lime juice and Splenda, (like key lime pie) Fresh strawberries are AWESOME in it, Unsweetened cocoa powder and Splenda (tastes like chocolate mousse!) Haven't tried, but I hear that sugar free jams are good, Torani sugar free syrups, Crystal Light powder, You would just have to play around with amounts to suit your taste. I also use the ff plain Greek yogurt as sour cream, add chives, s & p, and a drop of lemon juice to top a potato. Mix with salsa for a dip Add ranch dressing powder for a dip for veggies or thin it out with water for salad dressing. I even made a creamy honey mustard last night, ff plain Greek yogurt, yellow mustard, lemon juice, pinch of dry mustard, s & p and Splenda. Let me know how you like these recipes. BTW, I didn't like Fage, Oikos, etc...either, I actually like the Shoprite brand best, and Yoplait, love the key lime, but I don't eat it too often because of the carbs.

Hey everyone, I'm exactly 3 weeks post op today! I have been feeling GREAT! No pain since 5days post op other then some soreness. I went back to week last Monday so it was 13 days post op & I did great (office work) other then feeling like I had no energy 1/2 way thru the day! I have not had any nausea since I left the hospital. At my 1 week post op appt my dr have me my new menu which consists of scrambled egg, cheese, yogurt, vegetarian refried beans, mashed potatoes, tuna, & grilled fish. I have been doing great with all the above I've tried! When I go to my 1 month post op next week I get a new menu. I can't wait. I'm getting tired of the same 7 items lol. I lost 21 lbs the first 2 weeks post op & then gained 1.5 lbs & have stayed at that weight the last 6 days. My clothes are definately getting loose on me. I have dropped 1 size. I hope everyone else is doing good & good luck to u all. I will keep u updated!

Normally I can down a third of a cup if it’s substantial. Yogurt Ive been doing 5 ounces.

I couldn't eat anything until the day after surgery. Not to worry though because you will not feel any hunger. For the next 2 days I was on a liquid diet (just broth, jello & tea/water). From day 3 until my 2 week check up I was on stage 2 of the liquid diet which included yogurt, mashed potatoes, creamy soups and a few other items that I can't remember but they should all be in the handbook Hope that helps a little.

I use premire protein drink ! Its way better than powder milk! I remembered my mom use to use that stuff when i was a younster. That was back in the 1960s! Thats how far back that product goes & its still Nasty! I noticed on this forum that everyones Dr is different. For example I am 5 days post op & i can eat yogurt. Jello, cottage cheese & cream of wheat! So far Ive only eatten the greek vanilla yogurt, the jello with protein power added to it & sugar free popsciles! I hope all goes well with you & will have much success! Sent from my SM-T530NU using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello Dandelion 247! I too am 4 day post op & im experiencing simlar feelings as you are. Most of the pain I feel ,from reading what you said, is most likely from where the extra stomach was pulled out. I find that an ice pack for about 5-10 mins helps. But over all my pain has been tolerable enough I dont have to take my Norco but since i wake up at night with a pain that feels like severe hunger pains, i think tonight before bed i will take some. Hopefully i will be able to get a good nights rest! Today I managed to get down a little more than 24 oz of water & 60gs of premier protein drink. Plus I had 4 oz of warm chicken soup. Since I able to eat yogurt & cottagae chesse. I might try those tomorrow. Im glad you mention that being patient & not letting this be a weight loss race. That good advice. I convinced myself to only weigh 1 week at a time. I weighed myself yesterday just out of curiousity & im down 8 lbs since the day of my surgery! I want make sure i slow down some so my skin wont get to flabby before i can get back to the gym! Sent from my SM-T530NU using BariatricPal mobile app

I am afraid you are going to screw up your metabolism. You need to eat at least 1000 calories a day or you body will go into starvation mode. Believe me you body never forger that. You need to eat Protein with every meal or you body will start eating you muscle. Muscle burns more than fat. You want muscle. Here is the menu they gave me: Sample Menu: Breakfast meat Carb Fruit/Veg. 2 eggs Waffle/toast 1 pat butter 1/3 cup light yogurt & 1 egg 3 slices turkey bacon 1/3 cup oatmeal 2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter 1 slice toast with 1/ 3 cup low-fat cottage cheese 2 peach slices I egg 1 turkey Sausage Waffle/toast 1 pat butter lunch Meat Carb Fruit/Veg. ½ cup diced, grilled skinless chicken breast mixed salad greens 1 Tbsp. light dressing 4 Turkey Slice – 1 string Cheese 3 slices of lean turkey breast, ham, or roast beef 1 slice low-fat cheese lettuce, tomato, & mustard 1/ 3 cup Low Fat Refried Beans 1 oz. shredded 2% cheese 3 Baked Tortilla chips 1/ 3 cup Black Bean Chili 1 oz. shredded 2% cheese 2 peach slices dinner Meat Carb Fruit/Veg. 3 oz. oven-fried chicken breast 1-2 Tbsp. cooked carrots 3 oz. grilled chicken breast 1-2 Tbsp. grilled vegetables 3 oz. roasted pork tenderloin 2 slices cooked cinnamon/Stevia apples 3 oz. oven-fried tilapia 2 Tbsp. low-fat coleslaw 3 oz. grilled salmon 2 Tbsp. mashed sweet potatoes Snacks 1-2 Meat Carb Fruit/Veg. Protein Drink 8 oz. skim milk ½ cup cottage cheese 1 oz. low-fat Milk 1- 2 Tbsp. peanut butter 2 Celery or 1/ 2 apple 1 /2 cup light yogurt

Surgery 719...Yea, I was very surprised that we don't get any restriction till after post op appt. and swelling goes down. I do feel like I can eat more than the 1/2 cup, but try to stop at that point. So afraid I will gain weight. My post surgery full liquids diet says to eat 5 small meals a day. So I would have some lite yogurt or lite yogurt smoothies around to help thru the hunger. Or maybe some sugar free jello so you aren't' getting to many calories. Good luck Rita

Hey now, there are unflavored Proteins out there that don't taste terrible - I like the Syntrax brand. I'm not sure the Greek yogurt would work, though it might be an interesting texture change. How much tahini does your recipe call for? My small batch (from scratch) recipe calls for 2 Tbs. and an equal amount of Greek yogurt has almost the same amount of Protein (though it is less in fat). Anyway, if you cut the tahini out and miss the flavor just blend in a touch of sesame oil to make up some of what you're missing. To me it simply wouldn't taste "right" without it. For a change of pace, I make dips from black Beans or cannellini beans, too. If you want more protein from your chickpeas, make a salad with hardboiled eggs and veggies. That's what I'm eating for lunch right now. ~Cheri

Hey girls! i am so sorry I havent been logging on as often lately.. I've been so distracted.. but first.. the guy I went on a date with was someone that I've known for a while.. we have history.. a couple months back he would ask me to spend time with him almost everyday for 2 months and I would say no because of my weight.. I guess i got happy that I've changed alot since the surgery and had the courage to spend time. It was a good time.. mostly talking alot! So as far as my diet I'm not sure if I'm doing it wrong but I even cut out pureed beans because that has a tons of carbs and while i was eating it my scale did not move. As soon as I stopped eating it I've dropped some more pounds. I only eat dannon greek yogurt called light and fit (if I'm saying it correctly ) only 80 calories each 6 carbs and 12 of protein.. i eat about 2 of those a day.. each i eat half as a meal .. and I also eat cottage cheese.. and water.. I havent done tea in a while but I should today. At night i juice some vegetables and drink it slowly. That's all I do.. and now i keep my portions under 3 oz. sometimes i read the group chat and I feel bad because I dont know if I'm feeding my body right.. but i've lost weight and I feel fine. Maybe in the afternoon a little low on energy and I take a nap around 3:30 til like 5:30 then I'm fine again. I'll continue reading the chat to catch up.... and by the way thank you girls on the compliment.. it feel like warm hugs lol [emoji7][emoji178]

You seem to like and tolerate dairy products; if you're not tolerating meat maybe consider adding something like yogurt? How do you feel about eggs?

The only way I get mine in is if I do 2 protein shakes a day with 20g+ of protein each. I always have a greek yogurt which is another 12 to 16 depending on the brand and then my other 2 meals are usually refried beans and salsa or canned chili with beans/turkey, sometimes beef. I also sometimes will have an egg with a sprinkle of cheese on it for a meal. I hope this helps some....but I have to still do the shakes to get it all in since my meals are so small.

MORE, MORE, MORE Americans love MORE: more of anything and everything. More food, more fun, and (for some of us) more fill in our bands. But striving for maximum fill in the effort to achieve maximum weight loss can be a terrible mistake. Fat folks become obese enough to qualify for bariatric surgery because we’ve been eating more, more, more, so it’s not surprising that bandsters long for more, more, more fill. The tighter the band, the better, right? Wrong. Here’s why: tighter doesn’t automatically yield more weight loss. It can cause eating problems, side effects and complications that none of us want. It can compromise our quality of life. It can make us miserable when all we hope for from bariatric surgery is a better life. You’re not impressed by all that? You’re willing to risk everything in the pursuit of skinny? Then try this on for size. A tight band doesn’t guarantee weight loss. Just the opposite: it can stall your weight loss or even make you gain weight. Do I have your full attention now? Good. Listen up and I’ll explain why tighter isn’t always better. THE RESTRICTION FALLACY Traditionally, the adjustable gastric band has been considered a “restrictive” weight loss surgery. Bandsters were taught to look for signs of restriction: the proofs that their bands were working. Instead of paying attention to her own eating behavior and lifestyle, the bandster waited impatiently for the flashing signs, ringing bells and slamming doors that would stop her from overeating. The idea was that the small upper stomach pouch would “restrict” food intake and result in weight loss. Sound familiar? That was well-intentioned thinking, but it was wrong. In the past 5 or so years, band manufacturers and bariatric surgeons have come to believe that it’s a mistake to eat and eat until you set off your band’s emergency warning system, for the reasons mentioned above. Unfortunately, the re-education process is slow going, and in the meantime, the restriction fallacy lives on. Even now, approximately every third word out of a bandster’s mouth is “restriction”. It’s a catch-all term for the feelings that limit how much a bandster eats. Post-op band life tends to become a quest for enough fills to reach the Holy Land of Restriction. Next stop: Skinnyland. Or not. HAZARD AHEAD! THE DANGERS OF SOFT CALORIE SYNDROME Soft Calorie Syndrome is one of the least publicized dangers of a band that’s too tight. Psychologists would call it a maladaptive behavior, that is: a nonproductive behavior that prevents you from adapting to situations, or changes in yourself or your environment, in a healthy way. It can begin as an attempt to deal with or avoid an unpleasant experience but it does not solve the original problem and eventually becomes dysfunctional. You can read more about maladaptive eating behaviors by clicking here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/articles.html/_/healthy-living/is-your-eating-maladaptive-r50 A bandster experiencing Soft Calorie Syndrome is responding to the unpleasant experience of eating with a band that’s too tight by eating the soft and liquid calories that slide most easily past their gatekeeper band. Instead of eating the healthy and solid foods (like dense animal protein, veggies, fruits) that provide the most satiety (both early and prolonged), that person favors easy-to-eat food that’s often junky and high in calories (for example: potato chips, ice cream, milkshakes). Even healthy foods( like yogurt, cottage cheese and, fat-free/sugar-free pudding) can fall into the soft calorie category, and they don’t provide any better satiety than the junky stuff. The net result is that you end up consuming more calories than you need because the soft stuff doesn’t provide enough early and prolonged satiety. And the result of that is a weight loss plateau, or even weight gain. I discovered the perils of Soft Calorie Syndrome for myself when I traveled to New York City to attend a trade show when I was about 8 months post-op. I had gotten a fill the day before I left, and by the time I got to New York I had realized that my band was too tight for me to tolerate. I couldn’t eat any solid food, so I spent the next 3 days eating soft, high-calorie, low-satiety foods like creamy soups, milkshakes, and ice cream. I was just trying to survive long enough to go home and get an unfill. My maladaptive eating behavior achieved a temporary goal (comfortable survival) while sabotaging my long term goal of losing weight. In fact, I gained weight during that trip and ended up feeling disappointed in myself. I promised myself no more fills on Fridays and no more fills the day before a business trip. I called my surgeon’s every time I suspected my band was too tight and found that even tiny unfills could make all the difference in my quality of life as well as my weight loss. I know I’m not the only person who’s discovered the perils of Soft Calorie Syndrome. I also know that you’re not alone in believing that more fill is better and that unfills will slow or stall your weight loss. A few months ago I talked about this with a smart and successful bandster named Denise. When her surgeon reacted to her too-tight band by suggesting an unfill of .5 cc, her dazed and frightened face made him reassure her that she could start being re-filled in a month. The month ahead scared her, but she agreed to the unfill, and discovered that rather than returning her to Bandster Hell, it had restored sanity to her eating life. She said, “I was able to eat again. Solids went down easily. Bread was on my menu. Meals lasted me several hours. I didn’t snack because I was able to eat enough to keep me satisfied.” When Denise went back to her surgeon a month later, he was delighted her hear her say that she didn’t even need a re-fill. She told him, “I can eat anything, but I’m not eating everything.” And that, my friends, is what healthy eating is all about.

I tried Greek yogurt for the first time this morning since it is listed on my full liquid list. I was so worried about how it would settle that it took me over an hour to eat it but oh my god it was sooo goood! And I didn't have a single stomach cramp like I do with liquids. Of course now I'm behind on my liquids since I spent over an hour working on my yogurt. I'm glad to be able to add something else that I can eat! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@dmw0621 - yes, I haven't had a stomach discomfort at all, but my bariatric team modified my liquids so that I only drink water, clear broth, herbal tea and jello. I was told that for me, the blander the better but I'll let you know if anything changes tomorrow as I start my phase two which is shakes although my doctor isn't pushing the protein powder yet. I'll be able to drink non-fat milk, shakes with natural fruit , yogurt, thin cream of wheat or rice and pumpkin and sweet potato soup.

I need to jump on this thread. Because I was going to post something about being lactose intolerant. I am. So for a very long time (years), I have not been able to tolerate milk products. I actually use Rice milk instead of Almond because it has no flavor for cooking etc. I can tolerate MUSCLE MILK. The Pro ones seem to bloat me, but the regular Muscle Milk is fine with me and I actually really really like it. I love the Vanilla Cream. That has 130 cals, 0 sugar and 20 grams protein per premixed shake box. Muscle Milk has whey isolate protein. Which is more easily tolerated if you have lactose issues. I'm lucky that I can tolerate it. So try that maybe? I have also tried pea protein, hemp etc. for years. Sometimes I just gag them down. Till I found one that I really like but wonder if the protein, because it's all plant based, is as useful as the whey. I use powdered RAW FIT by Garden of Life. Vegan, dairy free, gluten free, soy free. One scoop has 160 cals, 1 sugar, 28 grams protein. My typical breakfast for so many years has been 2% greek yogurt (I can tolerate Fage greek yogurt) with a scoop of Marley Coffee flavor Raw Fit (YUM YUM!). I mix the powdered raw fit with just a couple tablespoons of water then add the greek yogurt. Otherwise you really have a hard time stirring it, so thick! I don't mind the bit of gritty left, actually. I imagine if you left the raw fit to sit mixed a bit, the gritty may go away. I never tried it though. The greek yogurt and scoop raw fit is a whopping 48 grams protein. YES it's too much to eat at once when I am sleeved. but even half is 24 grams. Good for soft stage, puree stage. BUT......is the plant and seed based protein as beneficial for your body after sleeve as the whey or whey isolate is? I understand totally the need for protein. I have had hair loss for 3 years due to menopause and Estrogen Dominance. I need my protein to work for me to try to mitigate the effects of WLS on my body and slim head of hair! Was wondering if anyone knows the answer about the whey vs plant based. Thanks so much!!!

I was banded Oct 22nd started at 219 and I am only at 207 the last time I went to the doctors office for a fill. I think that I totally suck at my food choices maybe because I can't really eat real food and I eat very little. I am going to see the dietician today so we will see how much hope she gives me. I do exercise not much but I do and here is a sample of what I eat. AM - Yoplait yogurt lunch - Mushy Masa basically this is corn mill cooked with onion, tomate, and chille it is a mexican dish anyways I eat like a cup maybe. Sample LUnch- Canned Soup, Canned Raviolis, Canned Chef Boy R D stuff, grilled chicken Snack- sometimes whatever I find Dinner- Cereal, Pasta Drink only Water always. I have noticed that sometimes when I eat I get this freaking pain in my stomach. I get a lot of slimy nasty saliva also. Please if you have any suggestions please share them with me. I will post what the dietician gives me later today.:biggrin:

I was banned on April 26th, haven't really had any problems as far as pain or naseau, but i'm having one issue that I haven't seen anyone else have. first day home from being banded I was STARVING! I have been hungry every single day, and liquids fill up the top part if my stomach where my band is, but I still 'feel' hungry, sometimes even feel nauseous because i'm so hungry. I finally gave in the other day and had a chocolate shake from McD's (oh so bad for me!) And finally felt a little better. I drink one to two protein shakes a day, V8 splash, jello, juice, yogurt, thin soup, and always do fine with them, but never seem to get rid of that hunger. :-( Anyone else hungry???

Hello Everyone, Today is my last weigh in and my stress test I don't think that I am at my starting weight. I actually think that I am about 7 pounds over. Honestly, I have been having B'organic Protein shakes. For Breakfast lunch I ll have the mix leaves with a packet of tuna and a slice of avocado. I may have grapes, strawberries or a cup of yogurt for snack and then I'll march back upstairs to my bed after work and stay there until the next day. And get up and start all over again. Will this impact my surgery? I am hoping to get a surgery date before I leave today. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is my 4th day on liquids and it is much better...I did have a frozen yogurt today...but i know I have been eating under 700 calories/day. I was never really a Soup fan to begin with....so I have been adding Tapatio to all my soup to spice it up a bit. Goto my 4 hour nutrition class on Tuesday....Still looking for other people from the Los Angeles area around here.