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Here's some ideas... Hummus, scrambled eggs, refried Beans, cottage cheese (mashed up), Greek yogurt, cream/strained Soups, ricotta bake, and there's a lot more on Pinterest . Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I guess I'm a poor example, as I am :hungry: hungry...down in the :cry dumps, and haven't lost a SINGLE lb. ! I was actually SUPPOSED to have the Gastric ByPass, because my "downfall" has always been my major addiction to sweets, and ICE-CREAM, in particular. Then...lo and behold, when the Dr. noticed that I hadn't written down all of my meds. on the sheets I had filled out, (I left a little note there, saying "Too numerous to write down! Ask me in person!") he said, "Ok...what gives with the meds?" I pulled out a HUGE cosmetic bag full of meds. and once he started checking all the labels, he sighed, leaned back in his chair.....and said, "Ooops! :opps2: I think we have a problem." Due to the fact that most of my meds need real gastric juices, from the actual STOMACH, to be absorbed, properly....there was no way I could utilize these meds, with a Gastric ByPass. And, since most of them, were meds I could not just STOP, "cold turkey"....but were, in fact...not only necessary to my well-being, but also pills that if I WERE to stop, would require a l-o-n-g period of time...in order be "weaned" off of them! So, if by some miracle, my primary physician COULD find a suitable alternative, I would, none-the-less, have to be weaned from the current Rx's.....v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y. And, again, it would have to be a substitute, which did exactly the same thing, the ORIGINAL meds did, but which would NOT need the stomach's gastric juices, to get the job done! Arranging all the bottles, into little groups, on his desk....Dr. Rumbart finally said, "In your case, we both know, that with your sweets and ice-cream addictions, the IDEAL surgery for you, and the only one I can guarantee will work, would be the Gastric Bypass. He went on to say, "This is because, with the lap band, you will still be able to eat those things, which caused your problem with obesity, if your will-power should fail you." I looked at him as though he were crazy;:eek: "WILL-POWER???" And, before I could continue, he said, "Yes. I know. You are thinking...since will-power has NEVER worked for you in the past...why would it work for you THIS time???" We just looked at each other :paranoid , across his desk....for what seemed a very long time. I could see the empathy in HIS eyes, and I know, that he could tell how I was feeling, since he could obviously SEE the tears begin to spill out of my eyes and down my cheeks.:think He was so nice...as we continued to talk...and as I TRIED to regain my composure. After we had talked for a long, long time...about the pro's and cons.....he could see that I was totally frantic...and so :noidea: undecided. So, finally he told me to think about it, really, really hard...overnight, because my although surgery was already scheduled for the next morning, he would be more than willing to change the date. Did I think that I could really AVOID eating sweets and ice-cream, egg-nog and cheese-cake, forever and for always....all by myself:ban: ? Because, he hated to do a procedure that he just wasn't sure would be effective, for me ;ie: the lap-band. My mind just continued to race; I had traveled :plane: so far. I had :blah: BEGGED :hail: my husband, to provide the funds, for what I considered to be my "last and ONLY chance" at losing the weight that had been plaguing me for years. We couldn't afford to do it, in the States...as we are retired and on :money: fixed incomes. And, truth be told, even having it done in Mexico, was not something we could really afford, either. His first reaction, was to :rant: rant and rave, and tell me, I must be :der: crazy. He was really, really :mad2: angry...that I would even think :confused: of such a "selfish" thing, and especially :flame: angry when I told him that I had been :phone: checking this out, working out all the details, without talking to him first! But, I :argue: argued that if I hadn't done the :typing: research, first...with facts and figures, to show to him, I wouldn't have stood a chance! He would have just said, "NO!", and that would have been the end of it! Finally, after much :hail: pleading, on MY part...and then a few days of not speaking to me:zip:, on HIS part, I summoned up the courage :yield: to ask, again. To my total surprise, my husband finally agreed to give me this "Last Chance", and spring for the GBP. "On one condition", he said. "You have to PROMISE me, that you will die, :rip: on the operating table!" (You know....there's ALWAYS a "catch" :doh: with him!! Although, that wasn't exactly, the response I'd hoped for :ohwell: ....I thought, "Hey...whatever works for YOU; whatever gets the job, DONE!" :peace: :amen: ! Now, I was faced with returning home, with NOTHING having been done....OR, taking the wild leap into the daunting "Will-Power" Zone, again. A place, which for me, has ALWAYS been fraught with failure.:phanvan My wonderful Dr. had a friend of his, a psyciatrist, talk with me for several hours. (This would NEVER happen in the states!) I finally decided...to change the plan, and take a gigantic leap of faith....(in myself) and switch to the lap-band. Have I been eating a healthy meal-plan, since my operation on the 22nd of Mar.? Nooooo. :spider: I've been existing on sugar-free Jello, sugar-free popsicles, Isopure, and sugar-free Popsicle Brand Fudgesicles. Can't have broth, because it seems as though all of them have too much sodium, which is a killer for me, since I have severe lymphedema. I have also had at least one of those little YoPlait, low-fat bottles of yogurt, as a treat each day. Maybe the lack of weight-loss, is due to the fact that my new sugar-free popsicle addiction, means I eat about a dozen of them, a day! Not good. Not good. I spend hours trying to keep my mind off of eating....but am finding myself, too weak to really excersize. I do try, but only last about 15 minutes, before I just "poop out"!:notagree Also, I have severe balance issues. I tend to topple over, quite often...and so, have been in a wheelchair, for some time, now. Well, as luck would have it, on my 2nd or 3rd day home, I took a rather nasty:faint: fall, as I was trying to go down the stairs. Not Good. I can no longer feel my port, and my Dr. here, could not find it....even on x-ray. Anyway, that's my story...thus far. I'm pretty down in the dumps, about the whole thing....and am honestly wishing, I had just gone ahead and had the Gastric ByPass....and worried about the medication problem, later. But, I took my shot, and now I just HAVE to make this work. :help: I would sure appreciate, any words of inspiration...or advice...from anyone out there. Hope to hear from some of you, long-time bandsters....or even better, maybe from those of you who are just starting out, like I am. Did I mention that I was banded on the 22Mar2006? Thanks for listening.... Nonny

do u live in a dorm or can u cook for ur self? In College if u have a apartment style housing it can be really easy to cook for your self. If u have a meal plan then eating in the cafe can be a challenge. Look for yogurts and softer foods like Soups etc your first little while post op or pack Protein shakes etc that you can eat between classes. Since your surgery is on Wed and u dont go back til Mon you should be fine. If ur keeping it a secret just tell people you slipped on the ice ( if there is snow then) or hurt your self working out if anyone asks why ur taking it easy. The first couple of days can be sore but make sure u move around a lot.

I was sleeved on 5/31 im on the purée diet but it’s killing me ; I’m so tired of yogurt and purée I would rather go back to the liquids my doctor says to gradually add real food but my sleeve isn’t working with me !! Be careful I felt fine as well then a few bite (even waiting in between bites) and it all comes back up I didn’t know that the sleeve also had some sort of dumping

I had my two week post-op visit today and made my NP VERY happy! After not losing anything at my visit last week, I managed a loss of eight pounds this week! I thought she was going to start doing a happy dance around the room! And while I was extremely happy, there was no happy dance for me. I had just had 20 surgical staples removed and moving that much kinda hurts right now. But I am doing happy dance moves in my head! and cartwheels! and etc! I also had my food plan advanced to the next stage. I still have to drink 2-3 4oz "Protein supplements" (4ozs of protein shake) and I still can have my eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, and shredded low fat cheese, I now get to add MEAT!!! chicken, fish, turkey and soy products! I made a tiny bit of tuna salad when I got home (it was yummy!) and for Christmas tomorrow, I'm making some little turkey meatballs! I can hardly wait! I hope all of you are having a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!

The infection is gone (knock on wood) puss long gone thank god. incision still healing & nasty looking compared to the others which look nice. On full liquids but that's about 2 or 3 tablespoons of yogurt or soup a day. The Percocet wasn't able to block the pain from that even (I refuse to take more than 1 at a time). Finally starting to be able to handle coffee or Metamucil without severe cramps. I hope I can get back to work very soon but can't drive on the Percocet.

First of all I am sorry that you are having problems. Constipation is very painful at times. You probably weren't as clean out as you thought prior to surgery. Sometimes that happens. Second: it's really important to drink your fluids..water is best. Eat FIBER ONE cereal with milk or mix it with yogurt. I also eat a peeled apple every aftenoon. Take 1-2 Ducolax pills each night. Walking is also good to help the system adjust. Third: I don't like Miralax as I think it's too harsh. Metamucil is too thick. I've never use Benefiber but lots of people say it's wonderful. Watch for things that are somewhat constipating naturally..e.g. bananas, cheese. Fourth: About every 5-6 days, I will take MOM to get a complete cleaning out. I feel that the sigmoidcolon is what is being emptied and not the main colon and I want a complete "poop" removement. After, I do this & everything is empited, I eat Active yogurt to replace the flora in the colon that may have been lost. All of this done with my surgeon's approval.

@merraculous still trying to learn how to respond on this app or delete post. My pre-op diet is different than yours. I wasn’t told Clear Liquids, just liquids. I’m drinking 3 Protein Shakes and 3 Snacks. Snacks can be: Greek yogurt, milk, sugar free pudding/jello, ricotta, tea, unlimited: Water, zero Gatorade, Protein water, crystal lite ‘true lemon’, día drink. Absolutely no solids and no fruits. I thought by puréeing the Soup qualifies as a liquid lol. You’re lucky to get to eat solids (any solids). Right now I would love a spinach or kale salad. Thanks for the info. Good luck with your surgery too.

Our pre-op diets are very similar. I’ll freeze my black bean yummy soup. I wasn’t told Clear Liquids only, just liquids. I’m drinking 3 Protein Shakes and 3 Snacks. Snacks can be: Greek yogurt, milk, sugar free pudding/jello, ricotta, tea, unlimited: Water, zero Gatorade, Protein Water, crystal lite ‘true lemon’, día drink. Absolutely no solids and no fruits. I thought by puréeing the Soup qualifies as a liquid lol. This is my last week on the pre-op diet before surgery so I’ll try to keep it as clear liquids as possible. Thanks

You should have stopped at the yogurt and fruit you definitely ate too much. There is no way you can eat yogurt fruit eggs and fish all in one sitting

Ot fill thurs now 6.5 mls in a 10ml band, away from home stayed on liq.then mushy, just went down to breakfast, had small yogurt and fruite sets, did eat much, then small haddock scrambled eggs, them wham pain pain and then the slim came OMG any suggestions

I drink about 8-10 cups of water a day. I eat and focus on protein. Typical day: breakfast of either 1 c. cottage cheese or Greek yogurt. Lunch of some sort of protein like tuna, chicken ( no more than 2 oz), or cottage cheese. Dinner again is protein in the form of meat and maybe some veg if I have room. Snacks, maybe some fruit, had watermelon the other day. I'm also not that active right now as it's 30-34 degrees C out. I'm not used to this heat and worried about dehydration.

Not sure how much mine will help, but anyway: Yesterday I had Breakfast: 2 poached eggs, a bit later a pear. Snack: banana, skim milk latte Lunch: tuna sandwich on wholegrain bread dinner: glass red wine, Pasta bake, green salad, coffee (dinner at my sister's). Today so far I've eaten: Breakfast: 1/3 cup muesli with a bit of natural yogurt and some stewed plums on top. Skim milk latte Just made another tuna sandwich for lunch to use up the other half of the can. Dinner tonight is a vegetarian recipe - roast butternut pumpkin salad with walnuts and fetta cheese, have made it before its yummmy. I'm about to go to my sisters and pick up my daughter who had a sleepover, I'm not going to come back and admit to what yummy carb laden indulgence I've slipped in, as she said she's baking, lol.

I'm 39 years old, just about to turn 40 in a few weeks. I've struggled with weight all of my life. My weight caused me to be shy, lack self confidence, and miss out on a lot of enjoyment in life - avoiding restaurants, parties, clubs, social gatherings... you name it. My weight has also caused multiple medical problems - hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea. The "fat triad" if you will. I'm sure high cholesterol is just around the corner. It's also contributed to years of depression and anxiety. My life is half over, and being fat has just made it that much worse. So... I decided to make a change. I had checked into lapband surgery about 10 years ago, but didn't qualify because I wasn't yet suffering from the medical conditions associated with obesity. Luckily, in June 2012 I decided to look up some information. Here I am, a long-awaited 7 1/2 months later, and I'm 5 days post op. In June 2012, I had my first appointment with Dr Adam Goldstein. My weight was 245lb. Like everyone else, there were lots of appointments for clearances from psychology, pulmonary, cardiac, etc. My surgery was approved in December 2012. I had to loose 10 pounds pre-surgery. It wouldn't have been too hard, but I kept looking at things as "this is the last ______ I'll ever have" (insert things like: sundaes, prime rib, hoagies... all my favorite culprits). I did it... but my "last meal" two days before surgery was an entire prime rib from Outback - with all the goodies like loaded baked sweet potatoes included. Truth is... It won't be the last time I eat my favorite foods. Instead of a "large", I'll be eating a small, and making it last for three meals. It's hard to imagine that "nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels" when you are overweight and depressed and in a vicious circle. I got on the scale today, and saw the weight of 222 lbs. I haven't seen that weight in quite a while. It's given me much more ammunition to continue on my path and eating the right things... and not the calorie loaded food that used to bring me temporary comfort followed by lots of guilt. There have been a couple of hard things though... The morning after my surgery, as I left the hospital, my brain wasn't ready to communicate with my stomach. My brain wanted a hoagie in the worst way... or at least a Breakfast sandwhich from Dunkin Donuts. I didn't realize how much mental battle I'd have to do for the first few days. It's gotten a little better, but I'd still trade a first born child for a cheese curl once in a while. The Jello was a welcome friend on the first few days after surgery - but the broth quickly lost it's appeal. I don't want to see any more broth of any kind. I cheated on day 3 and had one potato chip for dinner... and I have to tell you... It was wonderful. But that was it. Short of a crouton or two falling in my broth, two well chewed french fries and two spoonfuls of strawberry yogurt parfait...I'm back on liquids. The funny thing is, when I took the time to chew, and chew, and chew the french fry before swallowing it, I actually tasted it... the rancid grease, the frozen potato...it's amazing how much of the taste you actually miss when you shovel things in whole. There was some pain too. Not much - more like a pressure - especially where the port is. Getting up from a sitting or laying position was an adventure for the first couple of days. Luckily, I have a very loving and supportive husband who was there for me every step of the way. I'm so lucky. I also found that a body pillow became my second best friend. It's allowed me slowly begin to sleep on my side rather than on my back. I'm a side / stomach sleeper, and sleeping on my back was just uncomfortable and led to morning headaches. My body pillow helps put a gentle pressure on my abdomen and provide support. I've got to say, no matter the diet, or the "pain"... it's been totally worth it so far. I'm looking forward to starting the life I want... one that I enjoy getting dressed up and going out and feeling confidence again. The clouds are starting to lift!!!!

I have been banded for a little over a month now (yay! 35lbs lost) and I have found whenever I am hungry even after I've eaten 3 small meals a day I would eat either string cheese or Greek yogurt. It has really helped me doing so because if I don't snack I'm afraid I would turn it into a buffet style meal. Willpower is key in this Chris (Banded 4-15-2016 @328lbs)

@lindafromflorida I did eat something a little yogurt but just a little because I wasn't hungry that is why I believed that I am not experiencing carb craving along with head hunger. I will be working harder on making sure that I don't be put in that situation again. This being the summer there will be many parties I will be invited to also I am planning to go on vacation!!!! So I plan to have my meals laid out ahead of time any follow my plan.

Are you taking an acid reducer? That helps with the hungry feeling. Are you allowed Protein shakes yet? If so, that might be a solution for the evening hungries. Make it a treat by using a flavor you associate with dessert, if you can tolerate sweets. How are you doing on protein and Water? I'm learning now that sometimes my "hungry" feeling is actually thirst. If I get in all my water, I don't feel hungry. And, I'm a little different than many...if I'm actually hungry, I eat something small. Can you do cottage cheese or cream Soups? Both will help fill you up and aren't sweet. I see that you're allowed plain greek yogurt, so maybe one of these is allowed for you right now. I'd suggest broth, but you're probably sick of that by now. But, something warm in the evening might be just what your sleevie wants to see. Good luck! You are doing great so far.

you say soft but I'm assuming you meant like mushy, pureed. I'm only a month out but I ate so much greek yogurt I refuse to touch it anymore.. Try cottage cheese and egg salad and chicken salad. I ate a lot of that during my week of all that. I still eat cottage cheese. I love it. You didn't make a mistake. it will pay off. Being emotional is part of it though. If you think you are emotional now wait til you hit a stall. I stalled after my first week. I think I'm still in a stall but I refuse to weigh because it caused me too much anxiety.

Our stage 2 includes applesauce, cream of wheat, an egg, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. But very small quantities. Weeks 1-2 are liquid only with 3-4 tablespoons of food, relying mainly on protein shakes for nutrients, but exercising your pouch with very small amounts of food. Also, we were told to stop as soon as you feel full, even if it's only 1 TBL. So I don't think you need to feel like you are forcing yourself to finish the food. I am still pre-op, but have been required to make meal plans for the 3 stages after surgery. Do you have a dietician you could work with to come up with some meal plans? I hope this helps. Best of luck! Amy

I was thinking that today Maybe I'm not eating enough protein. It's mostly been yogurt, ricotta, and soup. I haven't been having the Optifast bc I'm just so sick of it. I should probably try Muscle Milk or something else.

I am on week 3 postop and I'm having a hard time picking foods to try. Greek yogurt was a no go. Any ideas on what to try?

Here is a typical days food & exercise. BF - Dannon Lite & Fit Yogurt with 1/4 cup LF granola or 1/2 Cup Eggbeaters with a tad of cheese & ham or a weight control oatmeal (calories for bf 100 - 160 - Protein 6 - 12 g) Lunch- Ususally left overs - Veggie 1 - 2 cups & small can of tuna About once every 2 weeks go out to lunch and eat a Taco or el pollo loco chick & bean 1 corn tortilla (Calories lunch 200 to 250 - PT 15) Afternoon - Clear Protein Drink that my Doc Sells (calories 70 - 15 grms pt 15) dinner - 4 oz baked catfish - 1/2 cup rice or small red bake potato 1 or 2 cup yellow crooked neck squash & zuchinne. or spinach (calories 320 - 400 - pt 25) Evening - 2 SF Choc puddings & 1 heathly Choice SF fudgecicle (calorie 200 to 300 - pt 7) Exercise - 5 day a week go to gym - walk minimum 2 miles - am now doing a 16 min mile - started at 22 min mile goal is 15 min mile - may do 3 miles on one day and on saturday mornings i strive for 3 or 4 miles and once in a while do a little work on the weights - but mostly just the walking... Those calories are not exact nor is the menu - I figure i eat about 1000 to 1200 calories a day and get minium 60 grms of protein. I mostly use I can't believe it's not butter spray on my veggies & rice and some times a tad or real butter and olive oil to bake my fish - I eat fish 5-6 days a week red meat once a week- I count calories and protein and diary all my food in a little notebook that i carry. Prior to this last fill - i was usually eating 2 cup of food per meal - excluding Breakfast.. I got my 2nd fill on 10/24 and will start the whole banding diet over - 1 week full liquids - 1 week mushies - 1 week soft - 4th week back to reg food. I am working hard at this and i am hungry at times -- it's a mental challenge to change your eating habits. If i am extra hungry at nite - i eat extra veggies - may have lite toast & butter along with 1/2 cup o.j. (lite) - I dislike exercise very much - but i know that it is a MUST to help you loose weight- good luck

I was banded on the 10th and had been feeling really good. The last couple of days I feel like I have a band around my chest and its very hard to eat or drink anything. I have been eating soups, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes and such. Reheat is the deal?

Hey guys, I was hoping some of you more seasoned (or even not so seasoned but better at it than I am) bandsters could give me a few pointers about measuring food and food amounts. During my post op diet phase I was very diligent about measuring all my food, but then it was easy to measure yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese, you get the drift. Now that I am into "regular" eating I have a hard time measuring stuff. I was hoping for some pointers... how do you measure your lunches? dinners? I have no restriction and NEED to start figuring out how to measure food again. An example of my food in a day: Breakie - Protein shake (easy to measure) lunch - half a bun-sandwich (bunwich? lol) dinner - sushi until "full" Usually breakie and lunchs have been the same thing for me other variations of dinner would be like an omelet or something. How do you measure that? I'm so confused on how to measure my dinners. I'm having a hard time with these with no restriction and I hate hate hate hate hate cooking. Please help, I'm getting so discouraged and I don't get my first fill until Mar 10. I gained 4 lbs back in the past week. :biggrin:

I am 3 weeks out today and have lost about 13 pounds. I was on clear liquids for 5 days, whole liquids for 7 days and pureed/soft since 12 days. I eat Greek Yogurt, egg white omelette with Spinach and lowfat chedder cheese, tuna or chicken salad, weight control oatmeal, and have been trying regular food in very small amounts if it is soft. Have had no problems thus far.