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It took me quite a while before I could get my Fluid levels where they wanted. At two weeks, I was still on liquids, so I couldn't eat eggs. My advice is to go slow but go consistently. If you are trying to get fluids and Protein in, it helps when you make your fluids have protein in them. It also helps to up protein levels. Try doubling up your protein intake by adding a Protein powder to something that has protein in it. I would add vanilla-flavored powder to my yogurt or pudding. You can add yogurt to your Protein shake as well as milk, powdered milk and the protein powder. Tofu can be added to things as well to increase protein intake. I also like to add cheese including cottage cheese.

I was banded way back in January of 2010. I have had a rough time as each 2c fill I get seems to do nothing as far as restiction for me. The last fill I got in September 2010 seemed to be "almost" enough. I decided to wait till after the holidays to see what the doctor said about another possible fill. Well, I saw my doctor last Tuesday and she decided to give me a .5cc. After she did the xray to see if things were still going down she was a bit skeptical about doing it. It was tight but the liquids were going down. She said to give it a couple days and see what happened. Well, over the 1st couple days I was tight and, of course, stayed with liquids. The next 2 days I was still tight so I stayed with mushy's (ie mashed potatoes, egg beaters, yogurt) On Saturday I went to real food again. My hubby and I were going out to dinner so I decided to stick with fish. We had a few beers prior to dinner and a few after. fish, stuffing and rice went down fine. There wasn't much and I ate slowly. All was as it should be. Now, Sunday morning I awoke and made an egg beater omlett, no problems. For lunch I had some Peanut Butter and a few crackers. Not great but OK (not a great choice anyway!). Dinner was a bbq steak and salad. Well, the steak was hard going and I finally gave up after a few oz. It ended up coming back up on me. Now for the last 2 days I have only been able to keep liquids and VERY mushy food down. Nothing solid is working. Could I just be swollen from the steak on Sunday or am I too filled? I don't believe anything is stuck as this has happened to me before and I feel no pain until I am half way through my meal. That's when it all comes up again. I have been trying to have egg beaters for lunch and NO GO! I get about one egg down and I start PBing. It won't stop till I make myself bring it up again. I am torn. Should I wait a little longer or go have the doctor take some out again! I just feel like I will never achieve restriction! I am either abl to eat anything or nothing! WHY!! Thanks in advance for any help or words of encouragement.

I can eat about a 1/4 cup and then I am full. Any more than that and it hurts and makes me ill. I think this is the first time in my life I actually know what full is before it gets to that painful stage. The hardest thing has been is to eat out and see all of the wasted food still on my plate. At lunch I have been bringing back the left overs to my coworkers. lol I eat the Dannon Greek Yogurt for Breakfast and maybe a Protein drink in before lunch. I too am having a hard time getting all of my fluids in. Totay I have had maybe 20oz so far. It is tiresome but its gonna be worth it in the end.

I am 4 months post VSG and down 50 lbs but have had unreasonable sugar cravings in the past week that I have given in to - eating hard candy, drinking small amounts of alcohol, part of a bagel, and today I got a frozen yogurt with crushed up butterfinger in it and ate about 1/2 cup and got so sick - vomited multiple times. Why am I doing this to myself? It's almost like I am testing the limits to see what I can "get away with" which is ridiculous since I KNOW that this isn't good for me long term. I am so close to being under 200 lbs for the first time in over 10 yrs. am I intentionally sabotaging myself? WTF is wrong with me?

Kari, Why were you put on mushies so fast. I am on day 17 and I am still on slimfast and yogurts. Just wondering, I guess it depends on the Doctor. Eddra

I am NEVER hungry for breakfast but always eat it. I usually eat one of three things, a boiled egg, one sausage patty or a Boost! Protein drink. They all taste nasty to me at that time of day. lunch is usually one of the following 2/3 mug of Soup, chili, a piece of fish or other meat, then a pudding cup or yogurt and maybe a piece of munster cheese or a few mixed nuts. We bough a bunch of small Hormell microwave meals that have like 200 cals each and maybe twice a week have one of them for a change of pace. Supper is more of the same as lunch. About 3 or 4 times a week I drink one of those vile cheese whey protein shots. When we go out to eat we order ONE entree and split it, I eat about 1/3 and she 2/3rds and MANY times we can't finish ONE entree and have to take it home for the next day. One place we visit we can actually get 3 meals EACH from ONE entree - talk about portions being out of control! I rarely snack as I just don't want it. I do eat 3 saltine crackers before lunch and supper as my stomach acid seems to flare up - my doc suggested this and the few cals and carbs it gives me are negligible. Once or twice a week I indulge in a diet Dr. Pepper, the tangy taste is stronger than the sweet and it tastes fantastic to me. It takes me about an hour to down a can and I belch something fierce all that time. I really don't like sweets anymore and the few tiny tastes of sweet stuff I've had over the last 4 months taste really horrible to me. I prefer bitter and spicy stuff now. I'm oping to be down in the low 200's by the end of summer, if I maintain the pace I have already it shouldn't be an issue, maybe even reach my weight goal of 180 pounds in a year, that'll be 195 pounds gone!

Ok...sorry ,some tough love......your lunch is definitely all wrong.....besides not enough Protein, too many carbs. And I would skip the crackers at Breakfast. How about celery with Peanut Butter for breakfast if you can digest it ok or greek yogurt? eggs and bacon are good. If you are worried about fat, try some turkey bacon. I start my day with a Protein Drink rather than end the day with it so I have 30 grams in me right away. For lunch how about Tuna salad? Egg salad? chicken salad, deli ham or turkey with some cheese and a pickle. Deli ham and turkey are usually moist and easy to digest. Chili, lentil Soup, black bean soup. There are tons of alternatives that are better than peanuts and goldfish.

Hi everyone! Just joined from Argentina. I had my gastric bypass on June 25th. I am at the stage where every 90 minutes I am supposed to be ingesting something... a protein shake... yogurt... vegetable soup... and for the life of me, I just can't get myself to eat so frequently. Firstly, I am not hungry AT ALL, ever. And secondly, I am so busy with work, and life, and kids, that the day just flies by and maybe out of the 8 or 9 meals I should have had during the day, I had 4. There is also the fact that you can't drink any liquids with these meals, so every time I want to drink something, I remember I am supposed to eat... so I skip the water, do the meal, and the cycle repeats, so I'm barely drinking any liquids too, and I am of course, I am not peeing... maybe once or twice a day. I tried grouping the meals (for instance, I need to do 4 ounce intakes of yogurt, so I did 8 ounces in one sitting), but the doctor told me I am not supposed to do that, because I am forcing my stomach. This worries me, I don't want it to affect my weight loss. Is anyone else dealing with this?

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! How is winter treating you? Are you finding ways to stay active and developing your own healthy comfort food recipes? Or is the dreary weather getting you down a little? If it is, the newsletter can help! Here’s what you’ll find. Member Polls: What’s Your Opinion? Member Spotlight: Meet RJ’s/beginning! Super Bowl Sunday: Go for the Victory! After going through the newsletter, come on over to BariatricPal and get the spark back! Find out how others are staying motivated and what you can do to stay on track. Thanks for all of your support! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Member Polls: What’s Your Opinion? When you want to know what others are thinking, go to BariatricPal’s Member Poll Forums. It’s a place to check out other members’ thoughts and give your own opinion. There are always new polls coming out, and if you have an idea for a poll, just PM Alex Brecher. Here are a couple of hot ones this week. Some Encouragement for Beginners… If you’re even thinking about weight loss surgery, you’ve struggled with your weight for years. If you haven’t gotten surgery yet, why haven’t you? If you already had surgery, what was the last thing holding you back before you decided to go ahead with it? Your answer and explanation can help other BariatricPal members make their decisions. Give your answer here! One for the Ladies… Overweight or not, there’s something that almost every woman thinks about: her dress size. Sound like you? Are you driven to become a red carpet-reminiscent size 0 to match the Hollywood stars? Is a “normal weight” 6 to 10 more your style? Weigh in on our poll on “What’s Your Ideal Dress Size after Weight Loss Surgery!” Member Spotlight: Meet RJ’s/Beginning Our featured member for this newsletter is RJ’s/beginning from Dieppe, Nebraska. Her story is one of struggle, bravery, and determination. It’s also one of remarkable weight lost. Unlike many BariatricPal members, RJ remembers a time in childhood when she was not overweight. Her family was poor and did not have much to eat. Once her family situation stabilized and food was available, RJ began to gain weight as a teenager and throughout her adult life. Diets helped her lost weight many times, but she always gained it back and then some. Her weight ballooned up to a high of 381 pounds after falling in a bathtub eight years ago. The fall left her with a back injury and migraines, and she was barely functioning. RJ got a referral for the vertical sleeve gastrectomy in 2008, and waiting for four long years until she could get the surgery. RJ just celebrated her 2-year surgiversary, and is already at her goal weight of 170 pounds! She lost an amazing 211 pounds, which is well over half of her original body weight! Since surgery, RJ says her mobility has improved 100 percent, and she has only a few migraines. She can do the chores, play with her granddaughter, tie her shoes, shop ‘til she drops, and walk for hours. She no longer feels “doomed to a no life at all.” It’s been far from easy for RJ, though. As she says, “I am one of those 10% of patients who has endured extreme complications from the choice of weight loss surgery. I got a leak shortly after the surgery and went septic. I ended up in surgery and in an induced coma for nineteen days.” Doctors were finally able to get down her temperature of 104 and get her out of the coma. That, she says, was when the real work began. She had 14 procedures and surgeries, and ended up with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. She needed to learn how to walk, write, talk, and eat again. Five and a half months later, she left the hospital and went home under the care of family, a friend, and nurses. She’s still recovering from the ordeal, having developed a stage IV bed sore in the hospital. Because of her struggles and triumphs, RJ has been able to help others who have had complications with weight loss surgery, as well as those who are still considering it and are scared for their futures. She hopes to help them see that there is hope. RJ says she started using the BariatricPal forums for information, and the vets who reached out treated her kindly but firmly. She was touched by their sincerity in wanting to help her succeed. RJ may have started out using BariatricPal for get help, but now she’s one of the ones who helps others. She hit her 3000th post on BariatricPal a couple of weeks ago, and she also helps out the community by being a BariatricPal host. RJ remains optimistic because, she says, “Failing is not an option.” It’s worth the fight to maintain good health and chase happiness. She remembers a lesson she learned from a nurse: “One step at a time. This is your life now.” She doesn’t regret her decision to have bariatric surgery, saying she wouldn’t be the person she is today without it. She wouldn’t be as compassionate, and she’d be in a wheelchair. Her surgery gave her a new purpose in life. RJ, we’re grateful to you for sharing your story and for all that you do on. Congratulations on your weight loss success, and best of luck as you continue to recover from complications of surgery. It takes a special kind of person to go through so much and come out with the dedication to help others that you have. If you want to be in the newsletter or there´s another BariatricPal member you´d like to see in the spotlight, please let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum! You can also PM Alex Brecher if you´re shy about posting. We want to hear from you! Super Bowl Sunday: Go for the Victory! One of the best parts about weight loss surgery is getting your life back, but life includes the Super Bowl. As much as you may want to hide while the rest of the country is at a Super Bowl party, you can’t. The good news is that you don’t need to. You can use the Super Bowl as a healthy experience that makes you even more confident that you are a weight loss surgery success story. Practice Hard for the Big Day The countdown begins. As the big day approaches, the teams are practicing hard. You should be, too. Make it a point to get in your daily workout every day this week. You wouldn’t want to show up on Game Day and know you didn’t give it your all. Make these workouts fun, and challenge yourself a little. Find a buddy and toss a football…or find a wall, and toss a tennis ball. Run or walk obstacle courses with tires and ropes to test your agility, just like the players. Plan for the Attack The attack? You may not be a quarterback facing the entire defensive line, but you are going to be facing a roomful of high-calorie food and drinks. For every play the opposition could make on you, you need a strategy. While they sit and eat, you find something to keep your hands busy so you don’t munch mindlessly for the entire three-hour game. Play with the kids if there are any over at your house. Or, be the bet keeper for your friends and family and write down each play and how much keep track of how much you owe each other. Keep it strictly game-related, or include items of interest to the non-sports fans, like the number of red shirts shown during commercials. The more complicated you make it, the less likely you’ll be to overeat. You can predict the food disasters that are going to show up, so have a plan to counter those, too. If they serve beer, you drink Water. Put a lime in it if you want it to be more interesting. When they eat junk, you eat right. Forget the chicken wings, cupcakes, and snack mix. They’ll make you sick. Instead, go for weight loss surgery-friendly recipe makeovers. Raw veggies low-fat dip or hummus. Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers. Portabello or button mushrooms stuffed with ground turkey and Italian seasoning. Turkey bacon wrapped around fat-free cream cheese with sliced olives. Seven-layer dip with fat-free Beans, Greek yogurt, diced tomatoes and green onions, guacamole, olive slices, and fat-free cheese. Make what you can ahead of time or get up a few minutes earlier so you have time to get in a quick walk or another workout. It’ll make you feel more motivated to be strong today. During the game, be a good host or guest. Take people’s empty dishes into the kitchen to keep moving, and everyone will appreciate your generosity while you get in a few extra steps. Go on to Victory Gather your food, take a deep breath, and it’s show time! Stick to your eating plan, and get busy with something other than eating. Get through the game, and you’ll be proud of yourself. Your Super Bowl victory will give you confidence for the future. Maybe you’ll be inspired to set your own challenge, whether it’s walking a 5k this spring, getting back some of those high school football skills, or learning a new sport. We hope this newsletter helps you out on Super Bowl Sunday and, football fan or not, during the rest of the month. Have a great one, and see you on the boards!

Pudding is my fav lol. I am on day 8 as surgery was Oct 16. I have oatmeal and creamy soups with mushed carrots. I'll do rutabaga tomorrow. Greek yogurt I tried again today. It has been giving me the runs. Trying to balance getting 60 to 80 grams of protein ( seems impossible) and drinking water. I love this sleeve!

Embrace this stage. It's there for a purpose. It's there to help you break the old ties to eating for any other reason other than fueling your body. Relax into it. Cuz all too soon, you will have the opposite problem. You are going through a very normal reaction. Embrace! Reframe. Be positive. Do not grieve. BE AMBIVALENT! So how do you get your protein in? Treat it like a prescription. You have 1 job. And that job is that you need 60-80g of protein per day. For now at 3 weeks. Here's what you do. You split it into meals. Your job is to have 6 mini meals divided roughly 2-3 hours apart. Meal 1 - 5oz protein shake (15g protein) Meal 2 - 1 egg + 14g turkey sausage crumbles (by weight) + 1/2oz part skim mozzarella or a light cheese wedge (11g prot) Meal 3 - 5oz protein shake (15g protein) Meal 4 - 1/4 c ricotta bake (15g protein) Meal 5 - 2oz foil wrapped swai + 1/2oz well cooked broccol + 1/2oz grape tomatoes (15g protein) Meal 6 - 1/4c Greek yogurt thinned with protein drink + canned peaches (no sugar added) (9g protein) Here's the meal plan sample. This was a typical day for me at your stage. So something like this. Click to enlarge image: And don't worry if you can't eat it all! Don't worry if you can meet your protein goals here or there. The average over time will be fine! Try to get your 60g minimum in as a dude and for now, you'll be fine. Too soon, you will be able to get it all in and will try not to get too much protein. LOL. Your food desire WILL return. Learn new things...

@Kindle I have to agree! I will be 6 mons on the 11 of June... I can do just shy of 1/2c of food - never more then that... I dont think i could even do a cup of yogurt... Truth... I am so glad i am not "normal" I never want to be "normal" again... I also will be sad the day i can eat more then 1/2c in one sitting... @Unhappysleever Hope you find some comfort fitting into your new "normal"...

I had surgery on the 14th, and at this time I am allowed full liquids, which includes low fat creamy Soups, and yogurt with no fruit added, no pulp etc, with under 10 carbs per serving. same goes for the Protein drinks, under 10 carbs per serving, I have been using Premier Protein. This goes for 2 weeks post surgery, at the beginning of the third week, I can add the pureed foods, grits, 1 egg, refried Beans, with protein added. see if the NUT can email you your plan so you don't damage your pouch.

TODAY IS EXACTLY 2 WEEKS AFTER MY SURGERY. MY DOCTOR STARTED ME ON MY VITAMINS & PRILOSEC AND STILL HAS ME ON A FULL LIQUID DIET ( MEANING JUST YOGURT, BROTHS, CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP (STRAINED) CREAM OF MUSHROOM (STRAINED), CREAM OF CELERY (STRAINED), PROTEIN SHAKES, SUGAR FREE JELLO, SUGAR FREE POPSICLES, SUGAR FREE PUDDING) I DISLIKE THE LIQUID DIET!! I'M SO GROSSED OUT BY EVERYTHING NOW. I NEED TO FIND DIFFERENT SOUPS TO HAVE, BECAUSE ALL THIS SWEET STUFF ( JELLO, POPSICLES, PUDDING, YOGURT, PROTEIN SHAKES) IS ALREADY MAKING ME SICK I CAN'T WAIT TO START THE PUREE STEP. I DO FEEL LIKE I'M STARTING TO HAVE MORE ENERGY THOUGH. THE FIRST WEEK I FELT KIND OF WEAK. THE TAPE ON MY INCISSIONS ARE BARELY STARTING TO FALL OFF ( THEY TOLD ME NOT TO TAKE THEM OFF, THAT THEY NEED TO FALL OFF ON THEIR OWN). THIS WEEK I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY MOVE BACK INTO MY ROOM ( I WAS SLEEPING ON THE COUCH, IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER THEN MY BED). I STILL SLEEP ON MY SIDE, WHICH IS TOURTURE BECAUSE I'M A STOMACH SLEEPER & CAN'T MOVE TOO MUCH ON THE BED. I'VE ALREADY LOST 26LBS AND 2 PANT SIZES. I'M BARELY NOW STARTING TO NOTICE IT ON MY FACE AND MY WAIST. I WISH I WOULD'VE MEASURED MY WAIST BEFORE. ANY WHO, I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET MY GOAL WEIGHT! I WILL POST NEXT WEEK

Be very very careful about carbs!!! They increase hunger and lead to more cravings for... Carbs!!! Protein is your best friend and should be 80-90% of your diet. It will keep you full and not increase your cravings. At this point eggs and cheese and low sugar yogurt are what you ought to be eating. I'm not a nutritionist of course but speaking from experience you don't want to be eating a lot of carb based foods!!

CURRENT MOOD: Cranky :mad2: Some days just getting out a bed ends up being a bad idea. That was today. I felt a little tightness in my chest last night before bed and upon waking this morning but was going full steam ahead with the plan as prescribed by my doctor. 1/2 cup of coffee, 2 chewable vitamins later the 4 oz of oatmeal with skim milk seemed like a real treat. But nooooooooo. Even though I added plenty of milk to thin it, chewed every rolled oat and took almost 20 minutes to eat it I ended up with that awful pain in my chest again and, it didn't go away. I had it all day, from 10:30 this morning. I tried Gas-X, a warm drink, water, hot broth, a decent walk (in the pouring rain!) and nothing seemed to make it much better. The walk: We went out for late lunch because husband and daughter still get to eat and they were hungry. We walked to the restaurant, probably 1/2 mile, and I had to tell them to go ahead because I felt so winded and uncomfortable. After lunch (broth) we went to the drugstore for the Gas-X and then to a toy store for the two 6-year old birthdays coming up. By the time I got home I was really quite sweaty - from the constant pressure and pain. So, I called my sister in Norfolk to find out if she'd had a similar experience with her band. I forgot about the storm until she answered so I pretended that was why I called. They had 4 feet of flooding and no electricity or land line for 2 days now. Luckily, they have a generator so they can keep the mobile phones charged and, like so many houses right by the bay, theirs is on stilts. Brushing aside all their worldly possessions that were in jeopardy, my sister confirmed that my symptoms were the same she had when her band was too tight! Her suggestions was stick to cold fluids to get some of the swelling down and, if I am really hungry, try some fat free frozen yogurt. I've been sipping ice water as I write this and it does seem to help somewhat. Lord knows I'm not going to attempt to eat anything solid again today but amazingly enough, I do feel a little peckish. I suspected that my band was too tight (3cc fill upon insertion) yesterday and talking to my sister has sort of confirmed that. I suppose I'll need to stick to liquids until I can talk to the doctor on Monday. Dammit! I really wanted that oatmeal with mashed banana that's on the menu for tomorrow.

Okay so Im day 4 post-op and Im a lil scared and nervous. I am drinking my protein drinks ( I bought that big tub of powdered protein from Wal-mart) 4oz twice a day. I am drinking water but since I havent been hungry since my surgery on the 12th I am uncertain about when I should eat......well drink. Tonight for dinner I had liquified chili, lol. Sounds gross but was actually very good. I also had a cinnamon roll flavored yogurt, Yum!!!!! I went to a restraunt tonight with my DH and BFF and watched them eat some awesome food, lol. The place didnt have any soups or anything so I just sat there drinking my water. I am still a lil sore but Im walking and doing everything the doc told me to but Im worred about eating in a few weeks. Does everyone get back to eating normally, just smaller portions? What is an example of someone's diet or day? I am worried that I am not doing something or that I am doing something wrong. I have my post op appt on Tues but I think that I am gonna have to change it because my classes start on the same day. I know that I should have some questions to ask him but I am lost. I don't have any to ask him. I weighed myself today and I lost 3 of the 5 pounds I gained with the stupid air they put inside me for the surgery. So other than that I am just ready to eat normal food again. I need to chew something, lol. And gum just doesnt cut it for me. Oh well if anyone else has any post op stories to share with me I would greatly appreciate it. Im gonna go for now and get ready for bed.

Protein shakes, low fat cream of mushroom or chicken soup with the big pieces strained, yogurt, they ok cottage cheese too

Sure, I will be happy to. Breakfast is usually 1 of 3 things. 1) 1 egg and 1 piece of bacon 2) EAS low carb Protein shake 3) Jachut's Green smoothie (1 cup Water, 1 cup fresh spinach, 1/2 banana, 1/2 apple, 1 scoop unjury unflavored Protein powder pureed in blender) Snack, If I am hungry I have either 1) 1 cheese stick string cheese 2) Laughing cow light cheese wedge with 6 crackers 3) Greek yogurt 4) EAS shake lunch 1) A piece of fish (4 Oz by weight) 2) Leftover meat from the night before, (2 Oz if beef) 3) If I am busy at work, Starkist Lunch to go or a can of sardines with 6 crackers. I add a veggie to one of the meats above either leftovers from the night before or canned that I can heat up easily at work. Afternoon Snack I choose 1 from the list above dinner (usually cooked on the grill) 1) Beef 2 Oz 2) chicken 4 Oz 3) Fish 4 Oz 4) Pork 2 Oz I measure my meat by weight and my veggies by measure cup. We cut up fresh veggies and put them on the grill too. I make sweet potato's in the microwave and eat 1/2 of it with butter. I usually have 1/2 cup veggies and 1/2 cup carb. Do you journal your food? It really helped me when I started using LoseIt on my iphone, there are several different ones on the internet that are free that you can use if you aren't.

I'm 4 days post op and have felt the same way about hunger/heartburn on the all liquid diet. When I do start to eat pureed/soft foods, what do most people recommend? Greek yogurt is on my list, but still looking for other ideas. Thanks!

oh the fish sounds yummy! I always start out with liquids, then add yogurt/applesauce and move to chicken with a tad of mashed potatoes - if that all goes well - then I give myself the go ahead to move forward to other foods. Hang in there it takes time but you will figure the band out.

First - let me give you a history of my fills. My first fill was fine. My second fill was to tight but I knew it while I was there. (I threw up the water) They had tried to fill me to 2cc. They ended up leaving me at 1.3. My next fill - I had lost some saline - was down to .8 - anyway they put me up to 1.5. This was pretty tight at first but was evenutally bearable. I threw up several times that first week but it eventually subsided. - fast forward to my next fill. This time they tried to put me up to 2cc. I thought I was fine while I was there, however, it was way to tight - couldn't even drink Water over the next couple of days. Had to make an emergency trip home to get it unfilled. Instant relief. I had lost 6 lbs in 2 days. He put me down to 1cc and I had absolulutely no restriction. Went on an eating binge (enjoyed every minute of it) and gained 9lbs in 3 weeks. Now - here I am again - 4 days after another fill. Am currently at 1.6 cc. I am tight, but nothing as bad as my last one. Can barely get down Soup or yogurt. The thought of any solid food is making me sick. I was fine for the first couple of days (drinking liquids and eating mushies) - then could feel the restriction kicking in. Now I can barely get down soup, slim fast or yogurt. I have many questions. Why do I have such a hard time with fills. Does a to tight fill eventually not be to tight because you lose weight? Do I have these problems cause my stomach swells? (they always seem to have to poke around on me to find my port). Is this what the band is suppose to do and I'm just a wimp? Please help me understand......................

As it turns out, I have a pretty bad case of dumping syndrome. And I'm not entirely sure what causes it and how to manage it as it had started up rather suddenly. I wasn't sure it was dumping syndrome but I have confirmed it with my surgeon that it is. After I eat I become severely nauseated for about an hour, 30 minutes if I take zofran. It's so bad all I can do is lay there and groan. I can't talk or walk. It seems to be set off by anything sweet- ice cream, evens glass of milk, yogurt, etc. It also seems to happen at other times- just after any meal. I'm not sure what's triggering it. Can dumping be triggered by portion size alone? What foods trigger your dumping if you have it? What can be done to help with the symptoms? How do I avoid this from happening? Any advice appreciated. It's pretty awful.

I like a ham and cheese roll up with a little low fat mayo. I also like the small prepared meatballs in the frozen food section. You can use a little mustard or some marinara sauce for dipping. I like my plain Greek yogurt with a classic orange crystal light mixed in. Tastes kinda like orange sherbet. Good luck with your journey. You'll find something to your liking in the posts here. I'm learning a few new ideas myself!

We are having the same issue!! I will say one thing I could tolerate Protein in is hot chocolate - I get the diet swiss miss and use beneprotein. Now I am out of that and need to try it with one of the other unflavored protein's I have - the beneprotein mixed well if you can get that near you and I couldn't taste it in the hot chocolate. Also when I saw my nutritionist last week she told me I was imposing too many rules on myself - otherwise I was FOLLOWING THEIR RULES and not getting what I needed so I needed to BREAK THEIR RULES!! She told me it was ok to lick a spoon of Peanut Butter all day and still drink. She said if I needed to drink, do it. I have been doing better than I was. Today so far I have 20 protein in at breakfast! How exciting! 3 pieces of bacon and a carnation instant breakfast. I don't think the milk agreed though so we'll see if I can do that again. I can do greek yogurt but not everyday. I do the cheese sticks, mozzarella is the highest. Maybe you could nibble on a few of those? I know your doc says 3 meals, period. But we have to do what we need to during early stage so we don't get our bodies in trouble - we are still swollen and like you said just not able to take much in at a time.