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Hi. I am new on here. I just wanted to introduce myself and ask a few questions. First, I was banded back in fall 2007. My surgery was supposed to be outpatient, but I ended up with severe complications from the "gas" pains and was in for 5 days. I have read so many success stories. It's really nice to see. I have had some success of losing and keeping the weight off, but no where near my goal. I experienced vomiting up to 10 times a day almost every day since my surgery. I really feel my surgery went wrong and my band was never secured or in the correct place. I did bring that up to my Dr. on several occasions and even had him meet me at his office on a holiday weekend to take out the "fill". I have not had a "fill" since Oct. 2008. When filled, I couldn't even keep down Water. Without the fill I can keep water down, but no healthy amount of food without feeling stuck. Two weeks ago I went to the ER I was vomiting violently and couldn't even hold down water. They xrayed my stomach and said they didn't see anything wrong and diagnosed me with Gastritis (stomach flu). I wasn't happy with the answer because it didn't feel right and I am not even sure this particular ER had any experience with the lap band to know if it was in place properly or not. I did a follow up with my own family Dr., as I am uninsured and unemployed and can't afford the payments for all the specialists. My Dr. then diagnosed me with Candida or Strep- either way they said it would be cured with antibiotics. I am finishing my 3rd week of antibiotics and they gave me prilosec. Today was the first day I was able to get back into my old jeans that I was able to wear a year after surgery. Today was also the very first time that I was able to consume food without having that stuck feeling. I didn't realize it until tonight that I haven't vomited in 2 full days, haven't felt stuck. I ate 1/3 of a very small steak and some mashed potatoes (6 small bites) I know I should have had the broccoli, but it felt good. I was full, but not stuck!!!! Finally. I hope that just with me being ill 3 weeks ago maybe it readjusted my band? Perhaps even pulled it off entirely, not really sure and have no answers. Anyone else have any complications like I had? I followed the plan the first few months very strictly. After 3 months I learned to just either not eat at all until late in the day or to just eat what I could hold down, either Soups or very cold things like frozen yogurt. But after years of suffering from vomiting, I had to go back to eating regular foods- I just would vomit it back up. I feel pretty good today too. I have SLE Lupus with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. So, I am used to not feeling great all the time. I hope that this can be a new beginning for me. I want to stick by good healthy choices and continue on to see my success hopefully fall into place with hard work and determination. I have never been to a support group or meeting. So, I really don't know what to expect. Sorry this is so long. I will leave it at that. Thank you for taking time to read it. I will be reading and following as many posts as I can as well.

bariatric foodie has some easy recipe. I highly recommend ricotta bake (google "eggface ricotta bake") - super easy and tasty. Sometimes I add some sauteed spinach or a spoon of pesto. If you like shrimp, it is super easy and tasty. Defrost a few, add a bit of oil or butter to a pan over medium heat, and saute for a few minutes until they're pink. You can add some spices. I like cajun seasoning (if you can deal with heat), or italian seasoning. Added: this is super easy, don't even need to defrost the fish: https://www.bariatricfoodie.com/one-pan-cooking-tilapia-fire-roasted-tomato-sauce/ But, one fish fillet will serve me three times, and I don't eat thawed fish more than two days after it thaws, so I often have to toss some fish. Also really like egg salad - just 2 hard boiled eggs, masked with either a bit of ripe avocado or 1 TBL mayo and 1 TBL greek yogurt.

Hi mss Thanks for replying. I follow the 20 minute rule and wait 20 to 30 mins after eating before I drink. I walk and swim as exercise as I ruptured a disc in my back and have damaged nerves in my leg and foot. I take pain killers for this but some days I am quite immobile (not lazy). With the walking I walk daily and swim twice a week its water aerobic exercise. I still eat a fair bit and feel like a porker by telling everyone but here goes! I have trouble eating up until twelve then I can eat a whole sandwich if im hungry in the afternoon about 3pm i have a banana skim milk half a cup and a diet yogurt blended. Then I can still eat dinner 2 egg omelette and before bed if im still hungry which yes i usually am a yogurt or 2 dry biscuits. I know everyones mouth has dropped but im being honest as we are all here for the same reason. I go back to the surgeon Monday and I will be having a fill for sure im up to 7mils at the moment. Any thoughts (nice,diplomatic) would be appreciated. Thanks

It sounds to me as though the kind of foods you are eating could be the problem.Things such as milk, yogurt even eggs are quickly digested, do not stay in the pouch and will not sive you saiety. Try eating heavier proteins such as red meat, chicken, fish etc add some vegetables and see if that makes a difference.

Basically anything that will go through a straw. I drank protein shakes, added protein powder to broths and diluted, strained cream soups (huge variety available there) drinkable yogurt, Mio flavored water, vitamin water, sobe, and herbal tea.

yashi congrats on being one year post op stats, stats, stats DOS 12/15/11 I am 19 months post op 7 months ago reached my 105 lbs weight loss GOAL i eat what a want about 1200-1400 calories (5'3) enjoying barbecue chicken lots of chicken - 1/2 goes towards a chicken salad, or chicken sandwich i LUV my greek yogurt, try and take it away from me and you'll have a fight on your hands fish, chicken, steak, et al basically what "normal" people eat too!!! everything is in small amounts I don't eat Pasta - do have a little bread at times i know i'm "allowed" a biteful here and there ie a sweet (cake, cookie) et al i prefer not to "tease" myself by eating a little bit of a food i really love i would rather not have any I do my Water "rules" well - no prob sometimes i don't get all my Protein in happy surgiversary wishingy ou years of health, happiness and a long life kathy

I'm 12 days post op and have been able to eat a 4 oz. container of yogurt with no problem. I also had one scrambled egg and it was just the right amount. Today I had the refried beans with a sprinkle or cheese and tsp. of NF sour cream that everyone says tastes so good. I did! but I ate the 14-1/3 cup too fast, I think, and I was seriously FULL. Now I know the uh-oh, my new stomach is filled to the brim feeling!!

I'm another week on liquids and then have two more weeks on puree. I'm looking for what you guys ate (drank!) during the liquid post op.........and what you ate during the puree two weeks. I want some variety to make is easier to follow.......and maybe that's not possible...... Now, during liquid stage I'm having Soup, Protein Shakes, SF popsicles, yogurt and jello.....any other ideas? Any interesting ideas during the puree stage? Thanks for your help and support! Caroline

Hi all, I'm a new member. Im having a problem disgesting everything except water and yogurt. How long does this usally last and when are you able to add more to your food intake. I'm hungry!

I haven't had to take any post surgery because of the amount of yogurt I eat. I have always taken them to maintain intestinal flora. Had MRSA and heavy duty antibiotics once. Never did them for weight loss.

I had a real problem post op and was miserable until I finally figured out it was the dairy. I was horribly frustrated (there's probably a grumbly post from me circa 2010 about it) because I had incredible restriction and couldn't eat much meat so I was relying on dairy for about 80% of my Protein intake. Lactaid did nothing for me - not the pills and not the actual Lactaid products like cottage cheese or milk. You are most assuredly not alone. I did not expect intolerance post op but I did discover that it's not uncommon. I had to do a few things. One - just eat more often. My meals transitioned from three tiny meals to pretty much grazing on small meals all day long. No junk and not the same kind of grazing that gets us in trouble prior to surgery. But I could not eat enough otherwise. I'd log my meals on MFP in the morning and eat until ten at night if I had to in order to consume my 500 calories and my 75-90 grams of protein. Two, I had to work (and hard!) to find a lactose free Protein shake I could tolerate. I started mixing with Water, tea and coffee instead of milk. I really don't care for commercial soy or almond milk and got tired of mixing with hemp milk. I would sometimes make my own soy milk and use that to mix. Certain varieties of Protein powder taste good mixed with juice, but I'd be careful with that because it's easy to go overboard on juice. Being able to drink at least half of my protein really helped me. I am three years out next month and I still like to have a Protein Drink each day to keep my protein high (I aim for 80-90 grams a day). Three - just find those other foods you enjoy that will give you the protein you need. Branch out of your old eating habits. You will likely find that your tastes are changing, anyway. Look for breads with Kosher certification that say they're P or pareve - they'll contain no dairy. And of course, no butter to cook your food - there's a Smart Balance spread out there that's also pareve that you can use in it's place. You'll find that even margarine contains dairy in most cases. The good news? My intolerance faded dramatically within the first year. Sometime during the first year I realized I could eat hard cheeses again. By the second year I was okay with just about any dairy, in small portions, except ice cream. The only foods I really have to avoid now are ice cream (even the lactose free ice cream kills me) and any dish that contains a lot of heavy cream. Those are foods I'd only consider an occasional treat, anyway, so this is no hardship for me. I can even eat cottage cheese and yogurt again! Good luck, ~Cheri

I feel like taking a big bite out of a burger or something! I'm in the pureed stage but I feel like eating some real food- been doing applesauce; mashed potatoes, refried beand, greek yogurt etc. but i'm hungry!

Just remember the first few weeks can be a bit surreal...I agree, the protein options are not great, but every day your options expand and things get better. I opted for yogurt drinks and stirred in some unflavored protein; that seemed to help. Then I just started putting it in oatmeal, malt-o-meal, creamy soups, anything to help me get it in; but I never got over 35 grams. Some people will tell you that you MUST; but all I'm saying is that I never made it and things have worked out just fine. Try making some Jello or jello pudding too. And be sure to walk to help the gas. Remember, you just had major surgery. Soon you will start seeing the rewards...honest!

In the beginning I had a lot of acid too. The thinned yogurt and milk really helped. I found that Mrs Grass chicken soup was soothing too, you just have to strain out the noodles.

I am one week post op tomorrow. My experience is similar: 1. Walking is what got me feeling better. I can also tell that it helps with digestion. 2. I have had some constipation as well but was lucky enough to read that ahead of time so I made sure to have a stool softener on hand. 3. Burping was very bad on post op days one and two. Days 3 and 4 was gas rumbling in my stomach with was somewhat relieved with Gas X. Days 5 and 6 I have some burping and minimal gas. 4. I haven't felt full on hunger yet. I've tried to stay ahead of the curve. But that doesn't mean I still don't crave everything else. I wanted to slap my husband for eating the pizza I ordered for him and my daughter for dinner. lol 5. I am able to tolerate liquids very well and am able to keep down all meds and vitamins. I haven't thrown up. 6. I've experience sleep changes. It takes me a lot longer to fall asleep than it used to. 7. I am healing nicely but have one spot that is bigger than the rest and much sorer than the others. I have trouble sleeping on my side due to the uncomfortable way it makes me feel. I am set for my post op visit tomorrow and hope to be cleared for the next diet phase yogurt, cottage cheese, pureed foods. Sounds like you are on the up and up as well! Congrats!!!

My surgeon just wanted me to lose 10lbs between October and my surgery last month. I lost nothing until January when they told me if I didn't start losing some weight I would not qualify then they gave me an easy diet I could try Breakfast Protein shake or 2 eggs Snack Light Yogurt Lunch Lean Cuisine Snack cheese Stick/Smartfood (something in the 100 calorie range) dinner Small portion of my normal family dinner or another Lean Cuisine I lost 40 lbs between February 2 and May 5

Lol, ok so this was my list from the other day. We have the program where they shop for your order at Walmart and bring it out to your car, so while it's not costco, I buy a whole pile of stuff all at once so I don't have to grocery shop. I bought 6 cases of diet Root Beer, 6 cases of Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper, 6 boxes of flavor blasted goldfish crackers, 3 giant boxes of Fiber One bars, 4 cases of Water, 10 packs of Crystal Light, steam in bag veggies (corn, peas, and caulliflower for calliflower shepherd's pie, and pepper and potatoes with light sauce), several Protein power packs (cheese and turkey chopped up for 2 year old with nuts in a pack) , ground turkey (for turkey burgers and shepherd's pie), sliced monterrey jack from the deli, sliced turkey from the deli (because they are good rolled up), and probably a few other things. I'm almost 3 years out and I know what I can and can't eat and that involves plenty of crackers and goldfish, and not a whole lot in the way of things like cottage cheese, yogurt, fruits, etc. Before surgery I would have had a lot of Lean Cuisines, which I now never eat, and some Cookies, which I also now rarely eat. My shopping list is by no means something most people think is something a sleeved person should be eating, but it's what works for me, and if anything it shows people that life does really go back to normal and boring after awhile.

Had my sleeve done on4/23 and was releases the following day. Day 2 was the hardest for me thus far. I was having trouble with liquids but as of today I'm doing much better. Protein is a joke right now. I can't stomach the clear protein (isopure) I find it disgusting! Luckily my doctor told me protein is hard the first few weeks for some and to just focus on sipping to stay hydrated. Today has been pretty good pain wise but it was also on today that I started to get hungry. Tomorrow I'll be able to have full liquids and I'm so looking forward to that. I'm dying for some yogurt I have to check my list again to make sure that I can have yogurt but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I teach at a university, so my work issues were/are very similar to you. I have an office, but I teach in different buildings. I have an hour commute, and I do have access to kitchens as well. I make myself a Protein shake in the morning that is pretty high in protein (plus 30 grams), so it takes me a LONG time to drink it. I add ice when I make it, and it usually serves me for about two hours. I bought myself a blender where the container that you mix it in becomes a cup. I also bought an extra cup for it. You can see it here: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Oster-MyBlend-20-oz.-Personal-Blender/15777393 It doesn't take much time to make a Protein Shake. I use a premixed Protein Drink, add some Protein powder, flavor, milk and ice. You could make up a protein shake the night before and keep it in a thermos. You can pour it into a portable cup and no one needs to know you are drinking your lunch. I like the Protein shakes because most are shelf-stable. I keep some in my office, and I put them in fridges as I need them. I try to keep one in the two fridges that I use regularly. I also like the packets. I get bariwise fruit drink mixes. One packet is 15 grams of protein. I can carry the packet and a shaker (blender) cup in my bag. When I am ready, I just add the Water, and I have a fulfilling drink that is 15 grams of protein as well. Eating real food during my lunch didn't work for me. I usually have an hour, and it can take me a full hour to eat real food. It didn't leave me time to walk across campus let alone brush my teeth (I have braces too). I've found that liquid alternatives work best during the work day. My only exceptions are cheeses. I keep mozzarella sticks and Babybel cheeses in the fridge as well. If I have to eat in front of someone (like during a meeting), I tend to bring yogurt. You could mention that you already ate or have a late lunch planned later, so you are just snacking at that time. Yogurt gives me something to eat without raising too many questions. My energy level wasn't bad during my work day. I went back to work after 3 weeks. I didn't notice any fatigue until around 4 p.m., so most of my fatigue was noticed by my family not my co-workers. Good luck!

Shell - you are so normal! You are letting go of what has been your #1 way of making it through life! We are addicts - and addictions don't die easily. That said - you must start again, and again, and again. The more you lose now - the better for your surgeon and you when you have the surgery. Take that very, very seriously. This is how I got through my three weeks of liguid - I DIDN'T! LOL I didn't do 100% liquid. For two weeks I ate this: Breakfast - big ole protein shake; Lunch - diet yogurt and protein drink; Dinner - 1 McDonald's SW grilled chicken salad with ranch OR another big ole protein shake!. Five days before the surgery I went to all liquid and yogurt. I lost 30 pounds. I don't think I could have done it alone! I had friends and family checking on me - lovin on me - helping me get my mind off food. And I prayed a lot. And wrote every single bite I ate (or drank) in a journal. You can do this! Make a plan you can do - and make it workable for you! But - to be honest - it's time to let go of pizza and other really unhealthy stuff. Cry through it if you have to - but it's time. You will probably be able to have it again three or four months after surgery - and you can make it till then. Your addiction is lying to you. You can do this! You are worth it! We are here to help you! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!

The liquid diet gets easier after about the 2nd or 3 rd day. Your taste buds or they way your stomach feels about certain foods changes after surgery so don't stock up to much on items. The liquid Soups I used 2 different types to give them more taste. Like French onion and beef. Dannon light n fit greek yogurt is high in Protein and taste pretty good. Are u part of the Facebook group or have the my fitness pal app yet??? GOOD LUCK!!!

Light yogurt, chicken, veggies, ricotta, protein shake, banana, tuna,

berry Breakfast quinoa 1/4 cup milk 2 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Original 99% Fat Free French vanilla, strawberry or harvest peach yogurt 4 teaspoons chia seed 1 cup cooled cooked quinoa (1/4 cup uncooked) 2 cups fresh fruit (mixed berries or chopped peaches) 1/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted almonds or pecans 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions 1In medium bowl, stir together milk, yogurt and chia seed until blended. Evenly divide mixture among 4 glasses. Spoon 1/4 cup cooled cooked quinoa on top of yogurt layer on each. 2Top each with a layer of fruit and almonds. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Let stand 5 minutes, or cover and refrigerate overnight.

What kinds of things are you eating? When I started the pureed food stage, I was eating 2 ounces at a time, consisting of triple zero yogurt + protein powder, sugar-free pudding + protein powder, pureed refried beans + protein powder, unsweetened applesauce + protein powder, or cottage cheese. I have been eating three "meals" per day plus liquids (protein drinks, sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free Jello, protein soups, etc.) in between. Are you tracking what you eat? I track everything in MyFitnessPal and I average around 400 calories per day. I don't really feel full when I eat, but I don't feel hungry, either (haven't felt hungry since the surgery). I just measure out 2 ounces and eat it, and don't feel much different before and after the meal. I'm 5 weeks out and on the "soft food" stage, but I'm still mostly eating pureed foods and ricotta bake (definitely the best thing I've eaten since surgery and now my go-to dinner; I split the recipe into 8 portions and that's dinner for over a week). I just recently started adding half an ounce of canned chicken to my refried beans and ricotta bake meals.

Typical day for me: Breakfast: 1/2 Protein shake or Quest bar Morning snack: 1/2 cup cottage cheese Lunch: 100 calorie yogurt Afternoon snack: 1/2 Protein Shake Dinner: 1/4 cup of tuna salad Evening snack: sugarfree popsicle Portion size varies for me- I usually dish out 1/2 cup per meal but usually cant finish it, especially if it's a thicker texture. I am trying to cut down on snacking because my doc and nutritionist advise not eating more than 5 times a day but so far I can't eat enough to hold me for much more than 2 hours.