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Had fabulous if inappropriate dreams about an affair with chocolate last night. Woke up and ate yogurt, no fun-size Milky Ways anywhere. It's tough to be a skinny bitch.

Sprinkled Peach Mango Crystal Light in Greek yogurt this morning...YUM! Finally found a way to eat yogurt without the >bleck< LOL

13 days out from my surgery, have had ups and downs with the biggest challenge be 1) energy and 2) hunger at the end of the day.  I've fixed the hunger by making sure I'm sticking to high protein liquids.  Here are some tips and tricks I've learned to help me keep moving forward:

Food tips:

Perfect treat:  Pre-mixed Premier Protein, Vanilla.  Warm in microwave then sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.  Such a treat, and fulfilling!

Making sure to get my protein drinks in late in the day so I don't have that late night hunger.

I've been using Gatorade Zero to fill in between meals, since plain water is hard on my stomach.

I tried a recipe from a cookbook, but it really grossed me out - using plain greek yogurt, mixing it up with my chocolate whey protein.  Gagged!  That memory has kept me going on liquids alone. 

Use bone broth as a meal, adding my own salt and spices,  nice an warm, and comforting. 

Exercise Tips:

Set little goals, and then if you can keep going, keep going.  If you need to take a break in between, take a small break.

Listen to your body, and if you need to rest, or take a break in between, do it!

For me, I started with walking laps around my pool / patio at night, and use my FitBit to keep me motivated.  One day I had 10 laps, then I challenged myself to do 5 more, then 5 more, etc.    Started at 5,000 steps then challenged myself each day until I got up to 12,000.  However, if I didn't have the energy, I listened to my body and didn't push it.

After I was comfortable walking, I started on my Bowflex Max 5 - not at the interval training level, but just at my own pace.  First days were hard.  I skipped two days, but then hopped up on it again and found  I was able to go several additional minutes without needing a break.  Just like any exercise, keep your water or Gatorade Zero or other non-calorie hydration close by, small sips are all you need.

Setbacks:

Some days the hunger was really strong - I found myself tasting Kosher salt & spices in between meals, which kicked any feelings of being deprived to the curb.  (I don't know if this is allowed, or healthy - but just a taste did the trick).  I've gotten over those cravings from the first week.

After losing 12 pounds the first week, I stalled for about 2 days.  I was discouraged, but kept moving and the weight loss kicked in quickly.  I am now down 16 pounds since 12 days since my surgery.

Keeping my energy levels high enough to put in the walking and/or Bowflex.  I have to push myself at times, but I do it and feel better after knowing that I am increasing my metabolism and strength with each cycle.  I also let myself rest when I need.

Hope sharing this helps as you approach your post-surgery healing and journey. 

Transitioning from full liquids to soft foods not going so well for me! I am not tolerating much other than yogurt.

#3 day of pre op diet... Not to bad if I can get pass this headache while trying to study for finals... Oh I sipped up and had a "low fat" yogurt before reading the facts😖

5/5 - I cooked my asparagus, provolone stuffed chicken. I added a picture. I went to the gym (crunch-his gym) with my boyfriend and embarrassed myself. There was a huge dude, built like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his younger years. I was thinking how does he wipe his butt lol. I kept staring at him. I ended up tripping over my own feet and flew off the treadmill into the back wall. I have some scrapes and soreness but I am good. My bf got me a ice pack and proceeded to scold me for staring. He said, "That's what you get for staring at people and not focusing." I said, "Can you blame me? I have never seen someone that huge in my entire life." He just laughed. He checked my head to make sure that I did not hit it. He then took me to Red Mango so I could some frozen yogurt on my bruised ego. 

Back from Germany and have lost almost 7 pounds on that trip (10 days). I didn't weigh or measure anything, but after a month of post-op foods I knew how much an appropriate portion size would be. Still, it was hard to find a variety of food that I could eat, and I mostly relied on eggs, cheese, and sliced meats for my protein/nutrition, plus protein shakes (I brought my own powder to mix) and vitamins. Also started eating a variety of different veggies, all with no problems. Caved in and ate some fruit sometimes (raspberries, blueberries) and fruit-based yogurts (despite the sugar) because they looked so delicious and unlike anything we can get in Japan. Also learned that I can eat just about anything (tried some small sausages, and a couple bites of bread, among other things) without a problem, so I'll always have to vigilant about what I eat since my only restriction will be the size of my stomach and nothing else.

Hi! New to this forum, was mostly looking for recipes. I am 2 days away from Stage 3 and I cannot wait to put some real food. 

I havent had hardly any issues, and in fact my doctor thought I was weird because my nausea subsided 3 days after surgery. I have been sticking to soups and popsicles. I found I can’t do yogurt yet though.

I am curious though if anyone has experimented with Wonton wrappers and if so what stage? I have pretty good self control prior to surgery I was on many diets so trained my body to not want fried foods and such but I would like to have some form of bread or wrap? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

One month Post-OP and here is what I've accomplished:

PROS: Lost 22 lbs. No longer on blood pressure meds. No longer require CPAP.  No snoring. Dropped from size 18 to 16. My shoes fit better.  Increased walking from about 500 steps on day 1 after surgery to 12,000 steps per day after one month. Back to resistance training after 3 weeks and nearly up to my pre-surgery routine. Back to  yoga and slow regaining abdomincal strength. Full of energy. Calorie intake has increased from about 300 per day (first week) to about 900 per day (surgeons recommendations).  Discovered new protein foods like powdered peanut butter and nutritional yeast. Discovered that low fat yogurt and ricotta and cottage cheese can be quite yummy. Discovered that i can survive quite happily without alcohol, cofffee or sugar. Discovered that its incredibly empowering to be able to decline sweets and treats because I truly have no interest in them now.

CONS: I nearly killed myself because my feet got tangled in my too-loose pants at the top of the stairs. I pee twice a night. I don't poop nearly enough. My hips and butt kinda hurt from joint pain, I don't know why.  I do get pretty tired in the afternoon. I have some insomnia but I found that if I have a little snack before I got to bed, that I sleep better. 

Day 5 post op and feeling pretty good!  Able to sleep on my right side for a little while and able to go from laying to standing using a support pillow with no pain!  Still looking forward to moving on to phase 2 in a week, so sick of just protein shakes and plain yogurt.

Knocked out Nutrition Class #5 of 6.  We covered the pre- and post-op diet, and I am THRILLED to report that I get to eat real food pre-op!  Four meals a day with 4-6 ounces lean protein, veges and salad (and 2T dressing), plus 3 fruits or yogurts a day.  Now that December is almost over, I am getting excited again.  

Down 29#. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since surgery. Still on 200 calories a day. Have gone off all my meds and hoping this is going to be okay. Had been crushing them and mixing with yogurt or applesauce, but then started vomiting them. Really awful. Not taking blood pressure meds but monitoring twice a day and numbers are excellent. Stopped antidepressant and PPI. Don't have heartburn or acid issues. The antidepressant is what I'm most worried about.

Tried yogurt. It was good but made me go potty instantly :/

How can you tell when to stop eating? I just started pureed stage today and stopped after 4 bites of my yogurt because I hiccuped lol

Hi. Hope you are doing well on the liquid diet. I asked my

Nutritionist about what else other than liquid that I can have a d she said that Wendy's chili is great to have. Good protein and about 250 calories. I had one last night. So good after just having protein drinks and yogurt. Try it if you haven't. Good to have you in the forum. Take care and good luck!

Well I got my full cc and maybe I should not have. I am gurgling the liquids down and not much of them. Took over an hour to get yogurt w/my medicine down this morning and could only take about 8 sips of my protein shake 4 hours later. But I feel great and going to prove to that doctor that it was ok to give me my 1cc. Now I am at 5.9cc and I think it will be enough. Judy

I'm on the all shakes and protein. Not hungry - in fact I'm having to force myself to"eat". I miss salads and yogurt.

i would like a copy of the diet your doc put u on before surgery. my surgery is march 11th so excited! i go on the 22nd for my pre op diet. i have been replacing one meal a day with a protein shake and maybe a light yogurt, trying to work upto all liquid all day mode >.< i think its gonna be tough.

Hey there! Yea for March 31sters! Yes, I am on a stair-step diet. Right now I can have stuff like yogurt, milk, creamy soups, protein shakes, etc. On Wednesday, I get to have scrambled eggs and oatmeal, mashed potatoes! WOW I can't wait for that, lol. You know, I could never be a vegetarian, I miss meat

So, how did your surgery go? Mine, being the first surgery I have ever had was smooth as silk! Pain was minimal, tolerable. I went back to work yesterday, maybe a little too much excitement, but doing o.k. You?

Hi Setta,

Nic pic How are you doing? Haven't touched basis with you in a while. Are you enjoying the band yet? Are you on mushy yet? What are you eating? I'm having a hard time figuring out what else to eat. I've been eating tuna, canned chicken, yogurt and oatmeal. I'm really too scared to try much of anything else....the ones I mentioned go down pretty good, but I'm sure I'll be tired of eating that soon. My last weigh in (Sunday) I was down 13 lbs....I hear the 1 lb a day is over once we start mushy It was nice while it lasted. Tomorrow I go for my 2 wk followup Dr. appt.

Oh Matilda now I am freaked that I am having too much. I have had runny yogurt, smooth soup and now adding shakes (slimfast) but they are 230cals each. I have had no problems with quantitiy, I mean the first week I couldnt drink more than 5oz of fluid at a time (half a cup of tea) but now I have just had a 250ml slim fast shake with no problem. Is that normal? Im still not hungry well maybe a bit by the afternoon but I dont get hungry in the morning. I have a headache today which means I need more water so will concentrate on that today. Good going with the walking, they say its the best thing.

Yesterday I went through my wardrobe and threw away anything that was loose and too big. That was fun.

Hi gillian,

Well the first thing I did was take the word diet out plan. I use the term lifestyle change. I maintain a positive attitude 98% of the time. I do cook a majority of the time so I know what it is I am eating however I eat just about everything under the sun. I have lost my appetite for sweets so that does help. My snacks are SF Popsicles and apples w/laughing cow cheese or hot chocolate. I may eat 4 or 5 dorito chips a couple times a month but that satisfies my chip craving. I am not a breakfast person (never have been) so I have a protein shake (EAS Myoplex Lite Chocolate). Lunch: Cheese Quesadillas, Tuna w/mayo, greek yogurt, salad, chicken w/mayo or ravillos. Dinner: this is wide open Chicken Corden Blue, Steak, Pork Chops, Meat Balls, Chicken Picatti, Scallops, Shrimp..the list goes on. If I make a dish for my family that includes pasta I may eat 2-3 noodles cut up very fine.

Hi!! I am eating almost anything that I can make mushie. But my favorites are tuna, mashed potatoes, string cheese (chewed up well), chicken breast (tiny bites, chewed well), cottage cheese, yogurt, salmon, and still having a protein shake about once a day. How are you doing one week post op??