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I like salmon too! Seems to be really popular! Bake it in tin foil with pesto on top of it! YUM! my son loves it too! Tuna is a life saver too. Greek yogurt is good, cottage cheese is yummy, working with the Babybel cheeses too Parmesan Tilapia is good, ingredients fixed to be lowfat though. very good

Mis73, Thank you so much. I'll have to buy a cup of Greek yogurt to try it, but I don't like plain yogurt. And I wouldn't know how to use it. Any more suggestions anyone? As for the cheese, it's a do'er!

Ok, not stomach hungry. I'm full of liquids, though I'm struggling to get in the 100 gms per day my surgeon recommends. I'm varying my intake with things on my list--Protein shakes, Jello, sugar free pudding and yogurt, broth, even 4oz a day of V8, which is my favorite. But my mouth is craving real food. I'm not a sweets person in general, I like protein and complex carbs, and I'm just so un satisfied. I'm dreaming about food, I would give my right arm for a piece of cheese. My surgeon recommends no carbs for a year, I can live with that I think, but I want to eat something real! I've read so much about people who feel n hunger at all. While my pouch feels full, I wouldn't describe this as "no hunger". Any suggestions?

Hello I am sorry your having issues with getting in your protein. Some ways to add protein to your diet is to add some unflavored protein to it. I have used UNJURY unfloavored powder. I added in anything I could to boost protein. Additionally look for protein water, peanut butter, ricotta cheese, Greek yogurt, eggs, nuts and beans like others have suggested. As for the vitamins if you can’t swallow them look into liquid ones. I couldn’t swallow them still can’t 8 years out. I use the chewable or liquid ones. They help a lot. Hope things get better.

Hi ladies! So here’s my situation, I had RNY surgery July 6th and everything has gone as expected and what was explained to me. Smooth sailing until yesterday and today. I’ve been expecting aunt flow and she’s coming slowly but surely. I woke up yesterday feeling great. I had a protein shake and went for a short walk. Shortly after returning I started to feel so sick. Like what dumping syndrome feels like. All the symptoms to a “T”. I couldn’t understand why and thought that maybe I drank my shake too fast? There was literally no explanation. I laid down and laid low for the rest of the day. My stomach was angry so I just had popsicles, broth, water and 2 bites of plain Greek yogurt at the end of the day because “live and active cultures”. Most of it felt ok going down but not for HOURS after the possible dumping episode. Skip to today, I woke up feeling ok. My stomach mostly just felt a little tender but I decided to try and power through a protein water at least. It took me 3hrs to finish it and now I feel just awful again. Not as bad as yesterday’s episode but generally not well. My first thoughts were maybe it’s the whey or lactose. Yesterday’s shake was a fairlife which has no lactose but I believe does contain whey. Today’s protein water (Protein2o) contained whey isolate. But then I started thinking maybe it’s my PMS symptoms just wreaking havoc on my insides and because I’m still healing maybe it feels more severe? I purchased some vegan protein to try tomorrow. But does anyone have any input? Should I call my doctor? Let me know if I’m missing any information that might help this all make more sense. Ugh just feel terrible and need relief.

Preparing for surgery can be a scary ordeal. I have been nervous.. So, Here is a list of items that might help to have ready when you get home to make life a little easier during recovery. If any others have some ideas and suggestions, please share them! this is what has helped me get prepared for May 6. Medicinal: liquid Tylenol (they make adult strength) Chewable or liquid gas-x Gauze Pads 4x4 Paper tape Stool Softener Pill cutter Chewable Vitamins Benedryl cream (suggested for those who have a slight allergy to gauze tape) Clothing: Loose waisted shorts or sweats For the ladies, a sports bra, no under wires Slip-on shoes Comfort items: Heating pad Flexible ice pack A few books or movies Pillow for car rides to guard against seatbelt irritation Wet Wipes Chapstick/carmex Food/Kitchen items: Protein shakes Flavored Water A good blender and/or a drink mixer broth sugar free popsicles/jello Kitchen timer ( for the first few days - 15 minute sips intervals) Crystal Light "On the GO" add to bottled water mix Gatorade Bouillon Cream of Wheat Creamy Soups Applesauce Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit Ensure, Boost, Glucerna etc Frozen fruits for Protein Shakes Small pudding cups Small baby spoons/bowls/plates (baby aile) 4 oz cups with lids (baby aile) Suggested list of things to have done before you leave: All laundry finished to ensure lots of clean clothes for a while. Having someone who is able to be there for a few days to handle meal prep. Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home. Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital . Make sure you have lots of fluids to drink afterwards - and for when you go back to work. Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Check if your medications are “crushable”.

Phase one... Yogurt and a few bites of scrambled eggs. Phase two... I tore off a few pieces of a piece of a baked chicken wing and whatever I didn't finish, my sister did. Hey at least I'm being honest. Doesn't mean I encourage it but the stuff I could eat, I couldn't stand eating to the point I wasn't eating no matter how much anyone told me to eat. Interesting thing is that it stayed down. I ate what I knew I could handle. I was on the lower side of the 200s then. Probably around 144 today. Guess I'll see later on this morning. I know I didn't make the best of choices but broth, popsicles and jello got gross to me real quick. Hw-273 Sw-226 CW-145 GW-130 Size- 4 or 6, Small in sweats. Small in shirts. depends on how it's cut or made. Bra Size- 38D Surgery Date- April 26th, 2017 RNY "Only those who try will become" FFX

Supergenius: I had broth for brunch (on the way home), broth at home for lunch and dinner. Jello and ice pops for snack. I am full now. The Wolfgang Puck Chicken broth is soooo good. It is high in sodium, but just has a lot more taste. I get to have yogurt on day 4 (Tuesday). I think someone said if you can have the yogurt, you can have Skinny Cow Cheese. I am going to email my nutritionist because Skinny Cow sounds reeeeeeaaaaaaaalllllllyyyyyyy good!!!! YUM YUM My body is not hungry, but I just want to have the texture and taste in my mouth, but I am not hungry. I think I am thristy too and need to drink more water, crystal light. My port is a little sore. It feels good when I lean on a squishy pillow. I think I may buy one of those surgical wrap around girdle type things I had with my c section. When I sneeze, it feels weird. I feel like I am getting a headache and don't know why. Someone mentioned due to low calorie intake for days. I am tired and want to sleep. I am going to drink some Gatorade to see if I need the electrolytes. Take care! Audree

Hey guys!!! I am back home and doing really good. I did vomit right after surgery because of sensitivity to anesthesia. They checked me under fluero and thank God all was great. I just feel sore and bloated. I have a lot of pressure in my abdomen I assume is gas. I did check on the computers, but couldn't remember my password!:faint: I am surprised how well I feel. I don't feel hungry. I am having broth, sugar free ice pops, jello, water, kellogg protein water. I can have yogurt on day 4. Thanks for being there for me!!! How are you all doing??? Audree

I can't wait to have yogurt tomorrow and maybe Skinny Cow cheese??? My nutrionist said I could have yogurt. I am hungry. She said creamy Soups on day 7??? Audree

I got this list out of Dr. Ortiz's book LAP BAND FOR LIFE. :hungry: Cereals-grains like beans, lentils or whole wheat bread or oats Vegetables-carrots, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, mushroom, onions, tomatos, squash Fresh Fruit-He suggest one piece at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Apple, blueberry, grapefruit, kiwi, orange, plums, mango meat, poutry, fish-the size a deck of cards, light meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, legumes, egg whites. Milk, cheese, yogurt-2 servings a day. non fat or 1% milk, low fat cottage cheese, nonfat yogurt Fat-3 servings. avocado, almonds, a little olive oil. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, low cal drinks such as Crystal Light. Buy a pedometer and log at least 10,000 steps. Audree

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.

I was on clear liquids for two days then they switched me to full liquids until the 20th which is a total of 7 days, then I will be on pureed for 3-5 weeks, next I will be on regular diet (scary to think about). I can only have 2 ounces of food an hour and that is it....eg. pudding, shakes, yogurt but I can tolerate about 6oz clear liquids in an hour before I start belching. Your body will let you know what it can tolerate.

Well, I mix 1/2 plain Greek yogurt with 1/2 flavored (lowers the sugar level to acceptable limit), and eat off that a few times or I would just get light and fit and have that. Both of those would not be good for lactose intolerance though. I don't know of any yogurt that would. Maybe you could ask your Doc about taking Lactaid to see if that helps? You would prob have to crush it, but all the dairy products really saved me when it came to getting in any protein or nutrients, so might be worth it.

For those interested and struggle to get protein in during the day: I am able to get 3 meals in during the day. I can't have 4-6 small as some nuts suggest. If I did that I would never get liquids in. I have breakfast which generally is Special K protein (14g protein). I've started drinking coffee and make it w a scoop of chocolate protein (before adding the protein, I add ice to cool some over 140 degrees destroys protein), 1 serving dry milk, and SF French vanilla coffee mate. (38g Protein in 12oz cup). I drink this cold between breakfast and lunch. (Total = 52g protein). Lunch is Danon light n fit yogurt, cheese stick, turkey (1 oz 4.5g protein) or ham (1 oz 4.5g protein) or almonds-1 serving (5g protein). (Total = 24 G protein for lunch.) Dinner is what ever I feel like eating to change it up some. At 630 or 7, I start on my last shake of the day, which is a syntax nectar Fuzzy Navel (2 scoops in a 20 oz cup, sipped on over a couple hours) (46g protein). When I work out I will have 1 scoop after workout and 1 scoop around 630-700. (Total = 46g protein) Without dinner added in that is about 108g of protein a day. Morning, coffee, and lunch is a routine and rarely changed up. Unless plans change then my dinner becomes my lunch, and lunch menu is my dinner. No I don't get bored with it cuz I eat different dinners. I LOVE the yogurt (various flavors) and string cheese and never get tired of those. I also love almonds. I never have to think about what I'm taking for lunch, just grab n go. That is how I get over 100g protein in a day, consistency w my breakfast and lunch, the coffee, then the shake. Remember this isn't counting dinner. So for dinner if I want I'll just eat a salad or fruit n veggies. I have become a creature of habit. Once a month, I will have a slice of pizza or as much of a slice that I can. I have also discovered these and my nut said I can eat them. I love them. Fiber Plus Protein bars. Yummy!!!! Gen :-) 12/15/12

Thanks Nicole. Doc said to keep protein between 40-60 because I am so short and don't have so much to lose as others. I'm doing that and fluids are good too. I don't do startches very often and then mashed potatoes to help chicken go down. He said to move away from protein drinks and yogurt and more to solid protein like chicken, egg, etc. I question getting all protein if i do but we'll see. Haven't been watching sodium. I have eaten salad and veggies with no issues and am hungry a lot so not losing and fighting hunger aren't helping. I asked the dr if he was sure he did bypass!

Hippie gal, Dr Roller is more strict than most. We are not to have anything other than protein shakes, water, and broth for the first two weeks. And milk or flavored waters. At two weeks they'll tell you to start with yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese, and then if those sit well, progress to soft foods. I specifically called his nut during week 2 to ask about creamy soups and she said no.

asking the december and january post-op groups: have any of you had trouble with bloody noses? i got one last night while getting sick and i've neever had one before. i'd opened a can of low fat hormel turkey chili, added a little greek yogurt and cheese to it, took about three bites and was immediately sick. i know i took the 1st two bites too quickly (i'd waited too long to eat and was hungry), i didn't chew it enough and paid for it. not much more than phlem, air and bubbles came up, but the runny nose started in instantly and so did the blood. it took a little longer to stop and i still have the runny nose. not sure if i'm fighting a cold or it's a sign of something else. i've had turkey since surgery, beef and cheese as well. the only thing different was the greek yogurt. i'm not really questioning the food, it's more the bloody and runny nose. -oh, it also started me on a stupid crying jag. felt like a big baby

Sugars 10 carbs 13 . Its less then yogurt.

Hi! I'm tight in the mornings, too - sometimes even oatmeal won't go down... I've resorted to cream of wheat and grits (luckily I LOVE those) and occasionally a Protein shake. Sometimes mid-morning I'll have something more solid with some protein in it, but not too often. Yogurt (I love Greek yogurt) goes down pretty easily, but I'm wary of having too many potential "sliders"... Other ideas? I'm hoping to hear more, too...

I think it depends on how you define a "snack". I eat 6 times a day...but it's about portion size and quality of choices. My NUT wants minimum of 64 oz of Protein, but more is suggested. Example day: Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs or 1 scrambled egg with 1T mozz cheese. Snack (2 hours later): 6 oz Greek yogurt Lunch: tuna packet (2.6 oz) Snack: Protein Bar Dinner: Baked chicken 3 oz or so Snack: cheese stick and pickle I never eat after 8 pm I need all these in between "snacks" because otherwise I would never get in all my protein. Eating this way helps me not to snack poorly in choices. I don't think of it as snacking though, just part of my meals. If you mean snacking as in "potato chips, cake, etc" Nope...I mostly refrain entirely.

True Keto is very high fat (like >70 grams), moderate carb (30-45 grams) and very low carb (<20) a day. I am 4 years out and have been Keto for a while. My surgeon and docs are all for it, I used this to conquer some regain and also to resolve a health issue. It is quite different from a 'bariatric' diet. I don't drink milk or eat yogurt anymore, I follow the rules of keto, I eat my macros calculated out for me. They change as my weight goes down. I also incorporate Intermittent Fasting which also has made a huge difference. I will probably eat this way forever. There are tons of resources out there, especially on youtube and there are substitutes for EVERYTHING, but I try to stick to a very basic food list.

I hope I am full too like you were on the fish when my solids come. I didn't feel any restriction today, like I was. I kept my portions the same and ate the same amount, except I added an extra yogurt and a couple bites of hummus. Even if I don't have restriction anymore, I want to keep my calories at 1200 like I did today. I will be excited to begin South Beach because it always has curbed my appetite. We will get there together!!!

This is an email from the lady I told you that lost 130 pounds in a year. I asked her to email how she did it!!!!! It is awesome!!!!! Anyways,you CAN be at goal in 6 months,believe me and you have exactly what it takes..............................determination and discipline. That is going to get you where you want to be.I know you noticed right away how all these women have lost only 40 to 50 pounds in a year or even longer.I was right where you are a few months ago and I said to myself,that is NOT going to be me! I spent alot of money for this band and I am determined to make it work for me,no matter what!I was banded on Feb 20th and by October I had lost 115 pounds and than no longer had fat to lose but had alot of hanging skin,that's when I had my tummy tuck done. Like I told you at the meeting.I ate (eat) only once a day,sometimes twice depending if my family invites us to go out to dinner but I count all calories and try to pick things that are really low in calories. Most of the times I am way under what "they " require but hey,like I said to myself, I'll do what ever it takes.Like you,yes I was tired when I didn't eat enough,so I started to make sure when I did eat it was meat .In the very begining I would usually have a weight smart frozen pot roast with veges meal for lunch and I still wouldn't get full so I would have a large salad on the side or some days I would have a large chicken breast on a salad. My favorite and most eaten meal was a carne asada taco salad from a real mexican restaurant,I just don't eat the shell! I would eat this "lunch" as late as I could hold off,usually around 3pm because I never ate breakfast.Then usually after eating that much food,( I really stuff myself with this meal) my hunger would stay away until really late at night,that's when I would have a yogurt or one of those 100 calorie snacks.When I am hungry before lunch or even after I keep drinking coffee,it keeps my hunger away bug time.I was never a coffee drinker until recently.Most importantly,I walk everyday about 2-3 hours after I eat my lunch and walk 2 miles,then when the weight started to come off,I found walking to become easier and I started to run a little between walking. The weight did stall sometimes and I would have to eat more for a few days,then I would notice the weight loss again. You are so lucky,you did this with your BMI being so low,you have so much less to lose than the rest of us.You're going to be beautiful by summer time!

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=center bgColor=#ffffff><TBODY><TR bgColor=#b2e7f4><TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#b2e7f4><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: #000000; LINE-HEIGHT: 18px; FONT-FAMILY: Palatino Linotype, Georgia, Times New Roman" vAlign=top>Frozen chocolate Cheesecake Bites! (2 Bites: 40 calories, 0g fat, 100mg sodium, 6.5g carbs, 0g Fiber, 1g sugars, 2g Protein = 1 Point!) Meet our new favorite use for ice cube trays. Ingredients: 3/4 cup Cool Whip Free 5 tbsp. fat-free cream cheese; softened 1 tbsp. SPLENDA, Granular 10 tsp. HERSHEY'S sugar free Syrup Directions: Using a fork, vigorously mix Cool Whip, cream cheese and Splenda until smooth and well blended. Evenly distribute mixture into 10 sections of an ice cube tray. Tap tray firmly on the counter a few times to get mixture to settle flat. Next, top each with a teaspoon of chocolate syrup. Tap tray again to settle. Place tray in freezer until Bites are solid -- at least 2 hours. Once frozen, Cheesecake Bites should pop out easily (if not, run the bottom of the tray under the faucet for a few seconds to loosen them). Makes 10 Bites! </TD><TD width=20></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#b2e7f4><TD colSpan=5 height=10></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5 height=20></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#b2e7f4><TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> 2. Prepackaged crab cakes (love crab cakes. They give me my protein, they are easy to eat even on tight days and there are endless recipes or pre-packaged ones available. Also salmon in any form. Can find them at Trader Joes or Henry's) 3. Tilapia fish with homemade tartar sausce out of yogurt and relish 4. Chili Beans from Wendy's 5. The bean and cheese burrito from Taco Bell with out the tortilla Tex-Mex Cheesy chicken Chowder Ingredients: 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup thinly sliced celery 2 cloves minced garlic 1 tbsp oil 2 cups milk 1, 16 ounce jar chunky salsa 1, 8 ounce package Velveeta 1, 4.5 ounce can diced chiles <DIR><DIR><DIR><DIR>1 ½ skinless, boneless chicken (bite-sized) 2, 14 ounce cans chicken broth 1, 32 ounce package frozen Ore-Ida diced potatoes 1, 2.64 ounce package country gravy mix </DIR></DIR>corn chips (optional) </DIR></DIR>In 6 qt Dutch oven, cook and stir onion, celery, and garlic in hot oil over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add chicken, then cook until chicken is no longer raw. Then, add broth and diced potatoes. Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for approximately 12-15 minutes, until potatoes are tender (stirring occasionally) In separate pan, dissolve gravy mix in milk (until it’s gravy lol), and then add this gravy/milk mixture into the above pan of ingredients. Then, stir in cheese, salsa, and chiles, and then reduce heat to low. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. This can be served over cornchips, but without it’s great too! Nutritional Info: (Based on a 1 cup serving, and this recipe above will make about 16) 303 calories 15 g fat 35 mg cholesterol 857 mg sodium 26 g carbs 2 g fiber 16 g protein *** find a low-sodium chicken broth, skim milk, lower fat ingredients, etc..) Obviously you can choose the kick of the salsa and chiles. Also, I like to use the canned chicken (usually a white/dark meat combination), because for me it goes down easier. :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: Almost Veggie Chili <HR><TABLE height=233 width="73%" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD width="66%">Ingredients</TD><TD width="9%">Calories</TD><TD width="6%">Fat(g)</TD><TD width="9%">Carbs (g)</TD><TD width="10%">Protein (g)</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">3/4 pound ground turkey</TD><TD width="9%">582</TD><TD width="6%">32</TD><TD width="9%">0</TD><TD width="10%">66</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">1c diced onions</TD><TD width="9%">53</TD><TD width="6%">0</TD><TD width="9%">17</TD><TD width="10%">0</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">1 can of diced green chilis</TD><TD width="9%">10</TD><TD width="6%">0</TD><TD width="9%">2</TD><TD width="10%">0</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">4-6 cloves of minced garlic (I buy the processed kind because it's easy) </TD><TD width="9%">18</TD><TD width="6%">0</TD><TD width="9%">4</TD><TD width="10%">0</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">2 cans of drained pinto, kidney, black or garbanzo beans (your choice -- mix it up!)*</TD><TD width="9%">414</TD><TD width="6%">1</TD><TD width="9%">76</TD><TD width="10%">26</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">1 can of diced, stewed tomatoes (buy the Mexican style, if available) </TD><TD width="9%">71</TD><TD width="6%">0</TD><TD width="9%">17</TD><TD width="10%">2</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">1 small can of tomato paste</TD><TD width="9%">139</TD><TD width="6%">1</TD><TD width="9%">33</TD><TD width="10%">6</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">1c diced carrots</TD><TD width="9%">53</TD><TD width="6%">0</TD><TD width="9%">13</TD><TD width="10%">2.6</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">1c various veggies -- zuchinni, corn, bell peper-- whatever </TD><TD width="9%">28</TD><TD width="6%">0</TD><TD width="9%">8</TD><TD width="10%">1.5</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">chili powder, cayene pepper, cumin, black pepper to taste 1/2-1 teaspoon ea</TD><TD width="9%">x</TD><TD width="6%">x</TD><TD width="9%">x</TD><TD width="10%">x</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">1-2c of chicken stock</TD><TD width="9%">38</TD><TD width="6%">1</TD><TD width="9%">1</TD><TD width="10%">5</TD></TR><TR><TD width="66%">Total servings: appx 13 -- Breakdown per serving</TD><TD width="9%">108</TD><TD width="6%">2.5</TD><TD width="9%">13</TD><TD width="10%">8.3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Brown first 4 ingredients in a large soup pot with a small tad of vegetable oil or cooking spray. Add rest of ingreients to pot, with just enough stock or Water to cover contents. Simmer for 2-3 hours. Serve with melted cheese and fresh onions on top. Variations: Vegetarian: Replace turkey with texturized vegetable protein or tofu, and chicken stock with vegetable stock. Usually veggies have their favorite meat replacement. Or skip the replacement and add another can of beans or more vegetables. Also be sure to add a tablespoon of either Peanut Butter or miso soup concentrate to the mix. You won't taste it, except that it thickens the soup and gives it a good mouthfeel. This was the secret ingredient to my Vegan Chili which I lived off of for the 2 years I was a vegetarian. Meat-Lovers: Replace turkey with beef; add 2 strips of bacon to the chili for flavor. If you want more meat, subtract a can of beans and replace with meat. Others: You don't need to follow this ingredient list exactly. My cafeteria often puts in leftover chicken breast, in tiny chunks, instead of ground turkey. If you have some old brocolli or green beans, they can do well here as well. Chili is like a casserole -- supurb left-over management.