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I understand that feeling of wanting food, but not being able to eat it. Those first couple of weeks are super hard. Today marks 5 weeks for me and I am still figuring things out. Here are a couple of things that I tried that helped: Cream of chicken Soup - gives you some satisfaction for any salt craving Skim Milk Cottage cheese - oodles of Protein (10-12g per half cup) Okios Greek Yogurt - a nice boost of protein there too (11-13g per 5 oz cup) There's also something called Getatein - it's a cup of Jello but it packs in 20g of protein into a little cup. They are insanely expensive and the taste is "acquired", but if you can get it down, it's pretty good especially in these early weeks. You can find it on Amazon. I use Premier Protein shakes - 30g protein per shake. They come in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. They really aren't too bad. Also can be found on Amazon or at Sam's Club. Best of luck and if you discover any additional tricks, please let us know!

I have Quest bars 1-3 times a month. The net carbs are low, but they are a really processed item. I keep on in my purse just for emergencies. i'd drop the egg and the Protein bar for lunch and have baked fish, grilled chicken, deli ham or something. i would also trade the yogurts for like a Syntrax nectar. You will feel more satisfied with eating real food, that is denser. Fish is not dense but it is more filling than yogurt. You are eating a lot of processed food and sneaking in a lot of unnecessary carbs. This isn't a bad menu now and then for busy days but I wouldn't eat like this every day. I also wouldn't pack in so many calories at dinner. I would have that dinner meal at lunch and the lunch meal at dinner. At 3 months you are still healing. When you get further out, like 5 or 6 months. Those yogurts are not going to satisfy you you are going to be constantly hungry. You need more real solid food, and build a habit of it. quest bars, depending on what bar you choose, don't last in the stomach that long either. At 3 months I did one or 2 Protein shakes a day and the rest was baked fish. Quest bars as emergency/treat food only. Like if I wanted fruit I had a quest fruit flavored bar instead.

I am nearly at 3 months and that is pretty close to what my meal plan looks like. Just like you, I use Greek yogurt as a mid-morning & mid-day snack. I have a Quest bar for Breakfast and have generally stopped drinking Protein shakes. Instead, I tend to eat 3 oz of turkey breast or lean roast beef at lunch. I wind up right around 100g of protein and 850-900 calories. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Am I eating too little? too much? not enough real food? Please "weigh in" (pardon the pun). 6:30 AM Premier Protein Drink 160 calories 30 g protein 7:15 AM Water 16 oz 0 0 8:45 AM Water 16 oz 0 0 10:30 AM Yogurt Dannon Greek Lite 80 calories 12 g protein 11:15 AM Water 16 oz. 0 0 12:45 PM Egg boiled 70 calories 6 g protein 1:45 PM Quest Protein Bar 170 calories 20 g protein 3:00 PM Propel Vitamin Drink 16 oz 0 0 5:00 PM Yogurt Dannon Greek lite 80 calories 12 g protein 7:00 PM Water 16 oz 0 0 8:30 PM chicken breast/ 400 calories 25 g protein black beans/broccoli Totals 80 oz 960 calories 105 g protein. This is REAL CLOSE to what I am doing daily, sometimes eating tuna salad for lunch instead of a protein bar, and having different varieties for supper. What do you think?

Hello Everyone! I was sleeved on 1/25, so I will be one week out tomorrow! My food stages look like this (as per doctor and NUT) STAGE ONE- Clear liquids *Day of and Day after Surgery STAGE TWO- Full Liquids *Day 3 until 2 week Post Op Appt (Surgeon will clear) STAGE THREE- Soft Foods including... deli meats, steamed fished, eggs, Beans, melted cheese, dry toast, crackers, tuna, yogurt... *2 weeks post op- 2 month post op Appt My question is... Has anyone else had similar stages; time wise? I am happy to be able to start eating way more stuff next week, but I see most people post about being on Full liquid/purees for 4 weeks. Has anyone else started soft foods at 2 weeks post op?

Have you made the Ricotta Bake yet? It is really good. I ate a lot of refried Beans with cheese melted on top. That was pretty much my go to. Other than that, I ate mashed up avocado; 1/2 container of greek yogurt with 1/2 scoop of vanilla Protein powder; sugar free chocolate pudding snack with 1/2 scoop of chocolate Protein powder mixed in; hummus (just with a spoon); pimiento cheese (a Southern thing if you have never heard of it - also was able to mix in a little unflavored protein powder). I don't necessarily have any recipes for you (other than referring you to the Ricotta Bake). I just ate a lot of things that I put together on my plate that I could tolerate.

Breakfast choices: one scrambled egg with cheese, sometimes with bacon bits one greek yogurt one smoothie made with greek yogurt, torani syrup, handful of frozen berries, milk (haven't had one in a month or so) Midmorning snack: Only when I have yogurt for breakfast, I have a laughing cow cheese or a teaspoon of nut butter (I currently have sunflower seed butter), otherwise no Snacks Lunch: 4 small meatballs (from Costco) sautéed kielbasa leftovers from dinner (pot roast, chicken, fish, etc.) tuna with mayo, on celery or cucumber slices chili (all servings 1/3 cup) midafternoon snack: sometimes I'll have a sugar-free chocolate pudding, particularly if I what I had at lunch was heavy on celery and light on Protein, or I'll have one of those protein packs with cheese, nuts, and dried cranberries Dinner choices: steak puffy chicken (chicken baked with a mixture of mayo and parmesan on top) pork chops fish (swai fillets) pot roast barbecued ribs chicken wings (all servings 1/3 cup) plus a few bites of a vegetable like broccoli or cauliflower or avocado after dinner: sugar-free popsicle I drink about 90 ounces a day of crystal light and/or Water

I had sleeve on the 26th, sent home with everything (liquid pain,nausea pills,gas pill, stool softener, little cups) Kasier is on top of it their program is great. Now So far though I have only taken 2 pills for nausea and nothing else have not had any pain. Clear liquid diet for 3 days ????but today I get to add yogurt and can have premier protein shakes which I like HW 293 SW 275 CW 265

Yes. What @@2goldengirl said. Promise you will feel restriction once you start solid foods. The nerves in your stomach are healing so you won't get the same feelings of restriction right now. And remember, just because you are physically able to eat it, doesn't mean you should. Keep your portions small. Try 1/2 container of yogurt with 1/2 scoop of vanilla Protein powder. It will help with protein and should fill you up a little more. Follow your doctors plan to a T!

Stop freaking out, it isn't necessary. If you read theough these boards, you will find that it's very common not to feel much restriction while you're on liquids and semiliquids like yogurt. Relax. Breathe. You're fine.

I had mine done in june 2015. I still occasionally do a protein shake and I have yogurt for breakfast. I eat a lot of cheese, almonds, seafood, cottage cheese, bacon, eggs, and much more. You really need to start getting creative! That is sometimes very hard for me as my taste buds have changed since surgery. I am down over 150 pounds as of today!

I have been able to drink 8 oz broth and Protein shakes no problem for past couple of days. My doctor's post op diet is full liquid, which includes greek yogurt. I just tried that today was able to eat a 5.3 oz cup, no problem. I feel satisfied, but not full or anything else. I thought sure yogurt would make me feel some restriction since it is not very liquid-y. Freaking out a little! I plan to ask my doctor about it but I don't see him for over a week. I hope my pouch isn't too big or there isn't an issue???

Proudmam1319 here's my sample menu: Breakfast options: Premier Protein Shake/1 large egg white and 2 slices of turkey bacon or morningstar sausage pattie/nonfat greek yogurt/protein cheerios with fairlife skim milk lunch options: Premier Protein/3 oz tuna or chicken salad with 4 whole wheat crackers/non fat greek yogurt/ dinner options: 3 oz mahi mahi,salmon or tilapia with 1/8 vegetables/1 veggie burger with 2 slices of canned fruit/3 turkey meatballs with 1/8 vegetables, 4 oz spilt pea and ham Soup Snacks: 1/2 Quest protein bar/8 oz of Fiber tea/ 1/2 a cup of applesauce/ 1/2 chobani greek nonfat yogurt/ boomchickapop Popcorn 1/2 a bag My meals usually average between 600-800 calories. I try to eat more on days that I work out, but I never over stuff myself. I always listen to my body and even throw away food Once I'm satisfied. You have to find out what works for you because everybody is different.

I'm about 3 1/2 months post surgery and I have noticed that I wake up feeling kind of angry and put out at inconveniences and I was never like that before. Well, I was probably so drugged with food and carbs that I didn't notice it. I've been taking Probiotics since surgery which I thought would help but this negative attitude is interfering with work relationships not being as happy go lucky as I was. i've read lots of articles that changing the biology of your gut changes your mood and that kind of thing and I was just wondering if anyone else had noticed that since surgery and if so what might be a good cure other than yogurt and probiotics. According to this article, among many others taking probiotics seems to be a good idea for mood, maybe I just need more. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/06/gut-bacteria-on-the-brain/395918/?utm_source=SFFB

Totally understand about your desire to get away from the protein shakes/bars, but I'm the total opposite. It's crazy, because I'll get up and make my kids eggs and bacon, but I have a very difficult time consuming anything like that anymore since surgery. I have three breakfast staples I choose from on almost a daily basis: Greek yogurt w/ a scoop of quality protein powder and either flax or chia seeds!; a Quest protein bar if I need something more solid and two three times a week I add a protein shake as a late breakfast kicker to help load up on my protein goal for the day. Once a week I add a fruit and protein smoothie to the mix. I may eat a small serving of oatmeal or high fiber cereal occasionally, but I'm always cautious about the sugar and carbohydrates associated with those last two. Like many have said in this topic, experiment with what makes you feel good about eating breakfast and as long as it keeps you on track for you WL goals you will be fine.

I couldn't tolerate plain water or artificial sweeteners for 4 months, so I did decaf herbal tea, broths, Bai5, diluted 100% fruit juice, milk, drinkable yogurt like Siggis or Kefir, diluted vitamin water and Lifewater, pedialyte, coconut water, and added sweet-leaf flavor drops to my water. Not to mention all of the protein shakes, including Raw Fit, Raw Protein, Spirutein, and Syntrax Nectar Naturals.

Brianna, I am sorry you are having to deal with what sounds like an non-supportive partner. You are correct, I cannot understand the food addiction aspects of the struggle. I have been eating healthy several years, and what caused my obesity was medication. However, I do understand the having to cook food for the family and them wanting fast food. And I can tell you what I have done in the past. But first off, let me say your boyfriend's lack of support may be just lack of knowledge. My husband said the same thing a long time ago, why should I have to change because you are? And I said you are correct, you shouldn't "have to" and left it at that. What I did was make meals that were healthier for me in terms of options, that is if I was making steak, potatoes, and a veggie, I would only eat steak and veggie, or make a killer salad to cut my steak over, or even eat part of a sweet potato. If they wanted fast food, I would go, order a burger with extra lettuce and no bun, or a taco salad no shell, etc. etc. Did you know that McDonald's has egg white? who knew, the things you find out just by asking. Not people will look crazy at you sometimes, but what the hell. What happened with my family is they would see all these great looking things they wanted to try that I was making for myself. Like the loaded salad, or even the Greek yogurt, or spaghetti made with spaghetti squash rather than noodle, or the Pasta or rice dishes that I subbed with cauliflower. Slowly over time, things changed. They were ogling my food, and requesting that I make more of that. My husband finally said it made him feel left out when I would get so involved with making my own food, despite we were all sitting at the table. He then told me to just make everyone's food the way I make mine, and I did. Granted I still bake Desserts and give them the other stuff from time to time, but it was a fairly smooth transition. Years later, him and the kids don't remember when they started eating Greek yogurt, or drinking 2 percent milk, or cottage cheese with fruit in it. They don't know why they request spaghetti squash spaghetti or mashed cauliflower. And nobody is upset that some of the ingredients are sugar free or fat free or all natural. I say all of that to say that sometimes for those on the outside, being supportive for something like this is very new, and you have to move forward regardless. There are thousands of recipes for making healthy, delicious options out there. And many restaurants have healthier options or foods which you can transform by taking something out. Make this work for you.

@@DDN Ha ha ha!!! How is my pre op diet going?! I'm getting to the point that if I drink another shake, I might float away down the Mississippi River ( I'm in central Illinois)!! Each program is different as is every surgeon. I'm lucky that I have unlimited veggies, just no starchy ones. I'm allowed yogurt, clear broth, and applesauce. No meat, no carbs, no sweets. 4 shakes a day, and 6 small servings from the limited food list. It's more generous than others who have liquid only and NO FOOD. It's worth it. We all will be so relieved, happy, challenged, and on our way to a healthier lifestyle. My surgery is two fold; I have a multi-spinal injury. My neurosurgeon told me bluntly that my surgery would all rip out and fail with in two yrs if i stayed at my former weight (I've lost 34# during my 6 months pre op). I do not want to be paralyzed or a useless person in society, so I decided to do this surgery and regain my former life before this horrible spinal accident happened. I'm so determined and focused. Well, gee! I talked way too long and too much. I guess it was just so kind you asked, so I guess I just got on a role ????!! Good luck to you and I'm glad you don't have a very difficult pre op diet to do. (I'm very envious????)

My surgery was Tuesday the 26th no pain medication since leaving hospital. Alittle nausea here and there woke and did take a pill for this morning. Alot better tonight think I tried to hard to get clear liquid protein in last night ruff night very uncomfortable. Start stage 2 tomorrow can add yogurt and premier shakes which I really liked before surgery

The first 2 months I weighed every meal/snack at 2 oz. (1/4 cup) When my capacity or satisfied level got a little greater I weighed stuff to 2.5 oz. After the first few months I could more easily gauge when to stop... I am at 10 months and still cant eat more than 3.5 to 4 oz per meal of solid meat and veggies, a little more of yogurt or softer foods. I know for a fact that if I burp, one single burp, that I am done. If take even one or two little bites after that I end up being slightly uncomfortable or downright overly full. I actually love that little burp by now.... I will take a bite and still be chewing and up comes this little burp and I tell my DH "Well, I guess I am done". He likes it too, lol, because he usually eats my leftovers. He is blessed with the metabolism to eat seconds, lucky guy.

My liver shrink diet is for 1 week so feeling lucky. 3oz lean meat and 1 fruit (half banana, small apple, or cup melon) for breakfast, 1 string cheese and fruit for snack, 2oz lean meat and cup cooked veggie (preferably green leafy) or 2 cup raw veggies for lunch, 8 oz high protein milk or 6 oz Greek non-fat yogurt for snack, and 2oz lean meat and half cup cooked or 1 cup raw veggies for dinner. Dill pickles, sugar free popsicles are freebies. Day before surgery will be all liquids and magnesium citrate. I don't care for dill pickles but had to break and go get some to stop my tummy from rumbling at bedtime. Can't wait for 2/2. Good luck to everyone.

I start mine on Tuesday. Protein shake for breakfast, another for lunch, along with either a half cup of sugar free pudding or applesauce. Afternoon snack of 4oz of light yogurt. Dinner is 2oz of chicken or turkey and 1 cup of veggies. Sugar free popsicles are allowed to help get your 64oz of liquids. I am really nervous that I'll be soo hungry. I am going to stick to it. I want no chance of them rescheduling the surgery if I don't!!

Do you ever get stuck? food getting backed up to your stoma? You should have an occasional stuck episode with a band so tight! If not, you have a right to wonder why you're not feeling restriction or satiety. Your diet could use some tweaking with some fresh foods and less slider foods. Yogurt slides right through the band as does Protein drinks. Still, you should be experiencing some level of satiety. Good luck with the doc visit!

I had surgery Oct 14 as well! (276 to 213) On a normal day Breakfast: half light Yoplait vanilla yogurt (with unflavored Protein powder) with a few frozen blue berries and strawberries (basically coated fruit) then I sprinkle with Fiber and protein enriched granola Lunch: fresh veggies with plain Greek yogurt ranch mix (Yogurt and ranch season packet), turkey lunch meat and cheese roll ups (maybe 2) Dinner: any normal meal with healthy alternatives.. cauliflower rice, sweet potatoes, cauliflower mashed potatoes, brocolli slaw noodles, zoodles, ground turkey, etc Snack: frozen fruit, regular fruit, veggies and dip, hard boiled eggs, peanuts, almonds, air popped popcorn, homemade goldfish/cheese its, homemade granola bars sweeten with honey, pretzels, sugar free popcicles, sugar free italian ice And my treat is coffee. Haha Don't get me wrong, I've slipped and had a few not so good items but very very very seldom.

Before surgery, I would add my whey protein to my greek yogurt and it was pretty good plus increased the amount of protein in your yogurt....going to try the strawberry whey in the plain....