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I read on another thread where someone substituted mayo w/plain greek yogurt and added crumbled blue cheese and Hotsauce(buffalo chicken salad). It is DELISH. Can't remember if the recipe called for dried cranberries but I add that too. Eat it once a week- off topic, sorry, Just had to share.

I agree Cindy. But I am now not hungry...ever, so what I am dealing with is the head hunger. I am a creature of habit and I have made it so I do not eat any more than two Snacks a day. They can either be a 60 calorie sugar free pudding or my higher calorie favorite...full fat yogurt with pineapple, banana and orange Isopure Protein powder. That one is closer to 250 calories by the time you add it all up. Anyway, I can only have two daily. I can't eat Breakfast excepting my GoLean package of hot Cereal so that leaves dinner. I always eat out with the lunch bunch at the office and they watch what I eat for me. Dinner is always 3 to 4 McNuggets on the way home. I drink like a fiend inbetween meals. I don't pick. It is started picking, I wouldn't quit. I also try and walk 2 miles a day, half at break and half with my dog when I get home. I will admit it did help that when I would sneak a bite of the string cheese that I gave my dog while I ate my pudding that I would choke on the cheese. Now that I am less restricted???? Need another fill I guess. For $17,000 I want to let the band do as much for me as possible. I IS Hard. Take care.

For the Greek yogurt is it better to liquify with milk or water? Sent from my LM-Q730 using BariatricPal mobile app

My doc basically lists Clear Liquids the day of surgery and the day after. Then, for 2-3 days after surgery, full liquids, like V8, cream of wheat, grits, Jello, yogurt, ice cream... Then after that, mushies for 4 weeks (as tolerated): mashed sweet potatoes, cream of wheat, strained/pureed fruit, yogurt, cream Soup (strained), pureed meat/fish/poultry, ricotta, cottage cheese. He said when I see him in 5 weeks for my first fill (if necessary, and considering his office is 5 hours from, IMO, it'll be necessary; my luck, I'll say I don't need a fill yet, and then 2 days later... Yeah, needing that fill. LOL! But since I can eat 3/4 cup with no problems, I'm thinking it's fill-time), I should be ready for solids at that time. :mad:

In my program in the full liquid stage the yogurt has to be liquified. Thanks! Sent from my LM-Q730 using BariatricPal mobile app

Good for you to realize what's going on and be accountable to yourself! I think once the swelling goes down and food is tolerated better, it takes more effort than it did at first to stick with it. Don't be so hard on yourself, because that is counter productive. I am just under 3 months out, and I'm finding the need to be very fastidious about eating, because I know I could graze all day! (haven't done it, but know I could ) You mentioned you have a hard time with rules, and I have to tell you, I don't like them either, lol, but I follow them. If the day comes that I don't do so well, I hope I'm as brave as you to come here for support. My diet is super simple. I don't want to spend any time focusing on food, either thinking about it, shopping for it, preparing it, etc. Breakfast: Premier protein shake Lunch: lunch meat, chesse, egg, yogurt, etc Dinner: chicken, turkey, other lean meat, veg or fruit Snacks: string cheese, yogurt, hummus/pita chips or veg, fruit I use fitbit to track every bite I eat, and have been eating 800 calories per day. My weight loss slowed in February, so I'm bumping up my calories a little to see how it goes. I decided there is no sense in eating 800 calories a day if I'm only losing 1-2 pounds a week. I could do that on 1200+ before! Good luck!

Yet saw on dr oz. take any kind of Greek yogurt and put in a plastic bag. Clip the corner and squeeze bite size drops on a cookie sheet. Freeze for 2 hours and then suck on them. Can put in baggies for easy snaking. I like this idea for a healthy snack for the kiddos too!

Hey! We got the surgery the same day! I flubbed over the past weekend and was suprised to see I could tolerate "normal" food fairly well. HOWEVER, I'm back on track. I get to start eating soft Protein starting tmrw. What I was told by my nurtionist is to eat a serving size portion of either of the following throughout the day: high protein greek yogurt a cheese stick [doesn't matter what kind] wrapped up in a lean chicken or turkey breast lunch meat slice = at least 14 gram of protein. 1 Egg White or Hard/Soft boiled Egg 1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese [7 grams of protein] 1 can of chopped chicken breast with 1 tbs of light mayo thos are just some ideas....

I found the best recipe on Zestuous.com I made it yesterday and even my son said it was delicious! I'm going to have Cesar salad a lot. 8 ozs. Fage 0% Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons Egg Beaters 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoons champagne vinegar 1 tsp. chopped garlic, packed in oil 1 ½ tsp. Worcestershire Sauce ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. Dijon mustard 1/8 tsp. black pepper Place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together.

Ouch. When I've been in this situation I have tried to eat different things and chew to different consistencies. Problem was, I would not wait for my band to calm down in between times. Take 6 hrs off and eat yogurt and Protein shakes. Water your applesauce down and then try again. If it continues then call the dr. I actual enjoy the restriction I feel the first few weeks after a fill. ( once I figured out how to eat that is) Take our words into consideration but you know yourself the best. Call your dr if it feels wrong!

1/20/2010 So I am officially 18.5 Lbs from where I was right after Christmas… all the while I chow down on an Instant Lunch Noodles. LMAO! Well, I can’t always be absolutely perfect. Sometimes I forget to bring my breakfast AND my lunch and I have to settle on what I can purchase down on the first floor market. This may seem like a blow to my diet, but I can’t ever look at it that way. It’s when I do that I fall off the wagon. I start getting that whole, Oh well, I blew it today already so I might as well just have that chocolate candy bar! No more! I just ran to the ATM and grabbed me a fistful of dollars and bought the best meals I could. Here is what I bought: Quaker Oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, cup a soup for lunch and a yogurt along with a leftover apple for a midday snack. I know I’ll need the snack because I’m running out right after work to go view houses and I’ll have a late dinner. I don’t want to go home too hungry, as that can be a big problem for me. I’ve actually been doing amazingly well I must confess. Last night while I was on my Wii it said I was just under 247. Well my home scale first thing this morning said 247.5. I always go based on my home scale, so that is what I recorded. That is still fantastic! I can not complain about that. I went all the way back up to 266 right after Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed myself without reservation, and that is my result. I was a bit shocked; I didn’t think I’d ever see that weight again as long as I’d live! Well, I did. I don’t know how many times I can keep thinking that. I don’t anymore though! I know now. I’m starting to get the compliments again. It’s been awhile since many have noticed I’m losing weight. I keep hearing, Wow look at your little waist line! Ha-ha! It’s pretty nice I must say! I have to keep in mind though that I still have a ways to go. I’ve been at this weight many times. It’s actually at this very weight that I seem to creep right back up so I’m in my danger zone. Now this time instead of giving up I must keep moving forward… or backward… however you want to think of it. I have a fill with Dr. Koura on the 12 of next month. My restriction is very un-noticeable so I felt I needed to maybe get one more. I do get full on normal portions but it just doesn’t sustain as long as I’d like. However, I must always keep in mind that my stomach isn’t as kind to band tightness as some others are. My stomach goes into fits of rage, acid reflux and terrible night coughing. My throat gets hoarse and I’m always uncomfortable. So, I’m making this my absolute last fill. As a matter of fact, once I reach goal I definitely plan to unfill my band by a little. I have noticed a downward trend in how many calories I’m burning per day according to my BodyBugg. I’m down to right around 3,000 per day with workouts, and only if I’m at work. At work I tend to move around a lot. At home I’m a lot more sedentary even though I workout more. At home I burn about 2,800 calories per day. This an only mean it’s time for me to make an adjustment. Personally I feel I workout enough so I need to change my eating habits. Probably not a whole lot either. I eat from 1500-1800 calories per day. That’s still 1,000 calorie per day deficit (barring one of my off meals are not eaten that day). If I eat one of my off meals during any one day it gets pretty close to my calories out. So to remedy this I’m making sure I eat a little less on my other meals and throw in an extra workout. It still doesn’t help a whole lot but at least it prevents me from having an overage for the day. In fact, since I’ve started my new regimen I’ve only gone over one day and it was for about 75 calories. Nothing to cry about really and I fixed that really quick. Thank goodness for my BodyBugg and my Weight Watchers – and of course my Lap-Band! I have lots of tools to help along the way. However I must say this. There is no one better tool to have in order to complete this mission other than having the heart of a Champion. You will never cross that finish line AND REMAIN THERE without it. That I do have now. Ask me that 2 months ago and I’d take my time answering you. But as of this second, I absolutely do! Okay, well another week down and another 2 Lbs. lost. I’d say it’s been a successful one! I hope all of you out there are doing just as good, if not then better. Take care of yourself and your Bands! All the best and until I write again, Irene AKA LilMissDiva http://lilmiss-diva.livejournal.com/

1/20/2010 So I am officially 18.5 Lbs from where I was right after Christmas… all the while I chow down on an Instant Lunch Noodles. LMAO! Well, I can’t always be absolutely perfect. Sometimes I forget to bring my breakfast AND my lunch and I have to settle on what I can purchase down on the first floor market. This may seem like a blow to my diet, but I can’t ever look at it that way. It’s when I do that I fall off the wagon. I start getting that whole, Oh well, I blew it today already so I might as well just have that chocolate candy bar! No more! I just ran to the ATM and grabbed me a fistful of dollars and bought the best meals I could. Here is what I bought: Quaker Oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, cup a soup for lunch and a yogurt along with a leftover apple for a midday snack. I know I’ll need the snack because I’m running out right after work to go view houses and I’ll have a late dinner. I don’t want to go home too hungry, as that can be a big problem for me. I’ve actually been doing amazingly well I must confess. Last night while I was on my Wii it said I was just under 247. Well my home scale first thing this morning said 247.5. I always go based on my home scale, so that is what I recorded. That is still fantastic! I can not complain about that. I went all the way back up to 266 right after Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed myself without reservation, and that is my result. I was a bit shocked; I didn’t think I’d ever see that weight again as long as I’d live! Well, I did. I don’t know how many times I can keep thinking that. I don’t anymore though! I know now. I’m starting to get the compliments again. It’s been awhile since many have noticed I’m losing weight. I keep hearing, Wow look at your little waist line! Ha-ha! It’s pretty nice I must say! I have to keep in mind though that I still have a ways to go. I’ve been at this weight many times. It’s actually at this very weight that I seem to creep right back up so I’m in my danger zone. Now this time instead of giving up I must keep moving forward… or backward… however you want to think of it. I have a fill with Dr. Koura on the 12 of next month. My restriction is very un-noticeable so I felt I needed to maybe get one more. I do get full on normal portions but it just doesn’t sustain as long as I’d like. However, I must always keep in mind that my stomach isn’t as kind to band tightness as some others are. My stomach goes into fits of rage, acid reflux and terrible night coughing. My throat gets hoarse and I’m always uncomfortable. So, I’m making this my absolute last fill. As a matter of fact, once I reach goal I definitely plan to unfill my band by a little. I have noticed a downward trend in how many calories I’m burning per day according to my BodyBugg. I’m down to right around 3,000 per day with workouts, and only if I’m at work. At work I tend to move around a lot. At home I’m a lot more sedentary even though I workout more. At home I burn about 2,800 calories per day. This an only mean it’s time for me to make an adjustment. Personally I feel I workout enough so I need to change my eating habits. Probably not a whole lot either. I eat from 1500-1800 calories per day. That’s still 1,000 calorie per day deficit (barring one of my off meals are not eaten that day). If I eat one of my off meals during any one day it gets pretty close to my calories out. So to remedy this I’m making sure I eat a little less on my other meals and throw in an extra workout. It still doesn’t help a whole lot but at least it prevents me from having an overage for the day. In fact, since I’ve started my new regimen I’ve only gone over one day and it was for about 75 calories. Nothing to cry about really and I fixed that really quick. Thank goodness for my BodyBugg and my Weight Watchers – and of course my Lap-Band! I have lots of tools to help along the way. However I must say this. There is no one better tool to have in order to complete this mission other than having the heart of a Champion. You will never cross that finish line AND REMAIN THERE without it. That I do have now. Ask me that 2 months ago and I’d take my time answering you. But as of this second, I absolutely do! Okay, well another week down and another 2 Lbs. lost. I’d say it’s been a successful one! I hope all of you out there are doing just as good, if not then better. Take care of yourself and your Bands! All the best and until I write again, Irene AKA LilMissDiva http://lilmiss-diva.livejournal.com/

You can mix protein powder into a lot of pureed foods. I still eat a lot of pureed foods with protein powder. Examples: yogurt, refried beans, mashed cauliflower, pureed black bean soup, protein oatmeal, no-sugar-added applesauce, sugar-free pudding. I like to use flavored protein powder for sweet things (example: chocolate protein powder and powdered peanut butter mixed into vanilla yogurt; cinnamon roll protein powder mixed in protein oatmeal) and unflavored for savory things.

I am on my 5th day of nothing but solids and a protein bar at bedtime. It hasnt been going too bad. I love the Isolate protein shakes from NutriShop and the applesauce and yogurt give me a little bit of texture. I just need to stay away from my kids at dinner time (yikes!). I have lost 5.5 lbs so far and can't wait to see how much I lose before my surgery date on April 19th. I'm counting down the days and I have finally reached the single digits. Only 9 days to go!!!

Congratulations on your weight loss and upcoming Sleeve date!! I am Pre-Op and have lost 44 pounds since July and went from a size 28 to a size 20. I have been following a low carb lifestyle which I think will help with the liquid diet as well. I have a protein shake for breakfast, Greek yogurt for lunch and a light dinner. I try to walk at least three times a week on my treadmill along with weight training.A lot of the dinner's I prepare I do in a low carb way like making mac & cheese I use cauliflower for...I also have made lasagna with Dreamfield pasta as there is 5g of carb instead of 41g and it tastes the same.

Cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Light Babybel cheese, Laughing Cow Light Swiss, and Isopure Dutch Chocolate made with unsweetened Almond Milk. I figure that I'll be eating enough baby food when I'm 110 that I don't need to start now.

I wasn't able to hit my protein goals until 4 months out because of limited food intake and the shakes make me sick. Don't stress if you aren't getting there just yet. You're only 6 weeks out! My surgeon said I can rely on the shakes (which I can't have sooooo) even up to a year if need be to get there. Chicken and fish still make me feel crappy. Turkey patties have 22g of protein and sit well with me. 1 cup of cottage cheese is also 23g of protein. That's a lot right there and cottage cheese is easy to get down. Greek yogurt has 8-12g of protein depending on the brand. Don't feel bad if you need to supplement with protein shakes at 6 weeks. I'm 6 months out and not supposed to be on all foods yet for another 3 months according to my diet plan (still limitations on complex carbs, rough veggies, and nuts).

Yes, I started having problems with heartburn/reflux this week and did some research I was surprised that yogurt or any cultured/femented food is very high in acid (take a peek at my blog here on LBT-link in sig; from a few days ago for what I'm doing about it). I'd been eating a lot of Greek yogurt, but I'm putting that to a halt until this heals. Reflux with the band is the most common side effect (I've never had it before) and unless you get treatment it can result in some very serious issues. Just Google 'foods that are high in acid' and you'll find lots of lists...some of them really surprised me.

Hi, I was banded on the 2nd October 2009, so im currently 3 weeks post op. Ever since i have had the band if i eat yogurt i get a feeling of heartburn/Indigestion. (this i never experience before i was banded). Does anyone else have this issue with yogurt? Is it a common problem that lots of people have ?

There are some foods that I just don't eat anymore. Yogurt isn't one of them for me, but maybe it's one that you won't be able to eat - at least for now.

The evidence is pretty compelling for adopting a whole food plant based (WFPB) lifestyle. Basically, there are 4 food groups: vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. You can throw in some nuts and seeds as well. Nothing processed, no sugar. I already eat a very clean diet - no processed food, nothing artificial, no sugar, lots of veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes. But I think I am going to try to gradually move away from animal based foods. I have inflammatory issues, and I am hoping this will help reduce those blood markers that continue to be high. I also have seen the evidence for improved athletic performance after making the switch. There is better arterial flow and muscle performance with a plant based diet. So wish me luck. This will not be a sudden change. But I have actually been feeling a bit of upset tummy lately after eating fish, meat and eggs. I used to eat a lot of eggs (from my own backyard hens), but since surgery, they just do not sit well. Cheese and yogurt will be my challenges, I'll have to try some soy yogurt and see if it works for me. I already use pea protein for about half of my protein supplements. I will definitely keep up with my protein requirements and will always be taking my vitamins. Tonight we had a stew of 3 kinds of lentils, white beans, millet, sorghum, sweet potato, and garden snow peas on a bed of spiralized zucchini. Even my carnivore husband got a second helping. Yes, it seems like there are a lot of carbs, but I am at goal now and having a struggle not to lose more weight, so this seems like a good time to try this. Any thoughts?

I am completely plant based now, but I could not have done this at only 4 weeks out. There is too much volume in a WFPB diet, and too many concentrated calories, with whole grains, nuts, and seeds. I still cannot even start to eat the vegetable volume that many WFPB people eat. I would suggest that you start by moving to plant based protein drinks and powders. Use plant based "milk" and yogurt, but don't try to get all the veggies in right now. You really do need to focus on healing, getting your protein, liquids, and advancing your food list. Move to well cooked legumes and very well cooked veggies when you are allowed. My doc did not allow any veggies at all until 8 weeks. Of course, you can make protein smoothies that are easy to get down - and when allowed, add greens and berries. I am using a pea based "milk,", oat milk yogurt, soy tofu and tempeh. I stopped soy milk and soy yogurt, as it looked like I was getting an allergic reaction in my esophagus. I really do think it was all the whey protein I was using, so I made the total switch off whey protein and dairy products about a month ago, after my last endoscopy. I have much less bloating and gas now, so I think I had also developed a lactose intolerance. But I was relying too much on soy, so switched to alternate plant based milk and yogurt. I have a very strong gluten intolerance as well - have been gluten free for about 5 years. No big deal there, but taking away all dairy and animal products has been a big change. I am doing fine and feel good, but it has been a bit hard for the family. They want to cook, but don't know how. Going out to eat is very limited. I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and there was NOTHING I could eat except some limp salad. The GF items had dairy, and the vegetarian dish had wheat! I made the mistake of not being prepared with my own protein drink and snack. I am convinced that WFPB is a very healthy way to eat and I believe it will be a long term change for me, but there are definitely challenges. There are so many great resources, however, especially some of the cooking ideas on YouTube. My two favorite videos are "The Game Changers" and "Forks over Knives." The evidence is pretty compelling. I found a magazine with a ton of really good recipes, but you are still way too early to use this stuff. Be patient. It will come. I did not add whole grains, nuts, or seeds until I was at goal weight, and then it was to help me maintain my weight while I was starting to exercise pretty hard. Keep in touch, I look forward to following your journey. PS: I have an appt next month with a medical doctor who has switched himself personally to WFBP, to rid himself of his own medical problems. He now helps patients with the same. After I get my 1 year labs done, I have an appt to see him. Hopefully he can help me navigate the WFPB world in a healthy way that takes into account my WLS and also my exercise goals. I want to do it right, and I hope he will be able to supervise my progress.

I start my liquid diet on 1/21. The written directions give items which you may have in limited quantities such as fat free greek yogurt, juice, milk etc... Did you have a set # of these which you could have or was it based on daily caloric intake? I will be seeing the doc on 1/7 and will ask him, but starting to get ready by purchasing items I will need.

I can have unlimited diet soda, crystal light or other sugar/calorie free beverages and broth only based Soups. This is the actual text, I am just confused if I have to stick to these quanitities or calories, again I will ask the doc, just wondering what the norm is. Consume these liquids in moderation; they contain larger amounts of sugar. 1. juice, Gatorade® or Powerade®- Limit to 2 cups or less each day. (Try to choose juices lower in sugar such as apple, orange or grapefruit.) 2. Regular Jello, popsicles or no sugar added fudgicles- 3 or less each day. 3. 1 cup of milk (skim, 1%, Lactaid®) 6 ounces light yogurt (Dannon Light, Yoplait Light or Columbo Light, Greek style yogurt like Chobani (0%) or Fage), ½ cup low fat ricotta cheese or ½ cup Low fat cottage cheese: 3 or less daily. 4. Atkins shakes, Carb Solutions Shakes or No Sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast-1-3 per day. (These can be found at Osco, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and BJ’s). Carnation Instant Breakfast can be found at any supermarket. DO NOT BUY: Slimfast, Ensure, Boost, etc.

I had mini bypass 4/23. Right now I pretty much hate all food. Nothing sounds good and I'm struggling to get anything in. I tried 1 scrambled egg with some cheese for the first time tonight. Besides that I eat yogurt, cottage cheese, peanut butter and my favorite right now is blended chicken noodle soup. Iv also had mashed potatoes and steamed carrots that were good. I'm thinking I'll try to add some runny refried beans later in the week. I had a few saltine crackers today with butter and just more less turned them into paste in my mouth to keep from throwing up and they helped a lot. I'm on antibiotics for pneumonia that I developed in both lungs after surgery and they make me very sick which is making everything much harder for me.