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Okay I'm post op 8 days now. I'm done with liquids and on to mushies ... but I need a little advice cause I don't think I'm being creative enough. My question is what do I eat. I have made some home made tuna salad, soup, and yogurt . Everything hurts going down that I have to chew so I really don't want to try anything else even though my doctor says I can. I do have this new zest to work out though. I just in need of little motivation I guess.

At 3 weeks out, I was mostly drinking a lot of milk and protein kefir, eating yogurt and cottage cheese, and I think I started on thinned refried beans and split pea soup. Everything had to be completely smooth and runny. Not sure what you mean by "disappointed".. but this early, it's all about getting your fluids and protein in a smooth, non-irritating texture.. no worries about enjoying your food.

bake or boiled sweet potatoe, cream of rice (alot smoother than cream of wheat), boiled chicken thigh (shredded) you can make chicken salad or mix a little with your refried beans, mash potatoe and turnip or parsnips (boiled) mix together with a littel salt and peper is so good! Hummus, yogurt, cream of brocolli (low sodium).

Hi Vee! I am 2 days post op and excited also. I live in Texarkana (Hooks) but chose to have my surgery in Shreveport. I stayed overnight in the hospital and was so glad to get home, that first night was rough! I am instructed to have 4oz of liquid or liquid food every hour that I'm awake. I've had yogurt, cream Soups, popsicles, pudding, Water, tea, etc. It's all going down quite well! It is good to meet another Texan going through the same thing as me!

Oh my gosh I am the same way. I got banded on the 5th of October and I am very hungry. My doctor doesn't even allow yogurt/pudding until the second stage. I am a low bmi-er. I only have 50 lbs to lose which I lost 10 pounds this week. Does anyone know if I can start eating some more real food? Would it be a problem? He also wants to do a fill in 4 weeks

I was a premier Protein girl myself. High protein, low calorie and taste was pretty good. I wasn't a fan of any of the muscle milks and if your going to use them use the light there is a big calorie and sugar difference. Love all the Greek yogurts, when looking at them all I chose by higher protein value and lower calorie and sugar content since the hubs is diabetic and we are both banded. As for Starbucks and coffee... I have a cup of regular coffee a day, sometimes 2 then I switch fully to decaf to get all the "water" values in for the day. I enjoy the warmth and flavor of coffee, it can be a bit acidic and if you have gerd or anything like that it can aggravate those symptoms. If you don't then as long as you get the Water in, and stick to decaf you should be great. Starbucks coffee...and flavors...there is a decaf skinny non fat, no sugar macchiato you can get and it's not bad at all. I limit it to a "treat" for myself since I have seen barrister's make mistakes and you end up with the 700 calorie drink and your supposed be eating only 800-1200 per day, makes you think! For my morning coffee, and my night time decaf I like to use the international or coffee mate flavored creamers. I get them in sugar free they are half the calories, I don't like the non fat ones. Those who are sleeved or had a Gastric by-pass, sugar in any of those mocha drinks or even the fat content of the cream and cause dumping syndrome and upset stomach so probably best to avoid it all together. Lapband does not react the same way.

Hi Jillian, Sorry to hear that you are having some problems. The first week was rough for me too. I took Zophran every 8 hours for the first few days, then was able to cut back to taking it only at bedtime. When I tried to discontinue the Zophran at 1 week, I still had nausea, so I reduced it to 1/2 tab at bedtime. I continued taking the 1/2 tab at bedtime for about 3-4 weeks because if I skipped it I woke up feeling lousy during the night. As far as the protein: I could not tolerate any shakes that were thick or sweet tasting. I ordered the unflavored unjury. It is whey Protein, but it is pure whey protein isolate. This is much easier to digest than anything that contains whey protein concentrate, and it contains no lactose. When I needed more calories right after surgery because of limited intake, I mixed it with 1/2 Water, 1/2 fruit juice. (Then I switched to water with crystal light pure fitness--no artificial sweetners). If you do an internet search on protein supplements and diarrhea, you will find that body builders using protein often have diarrhea as well. I had severe (and I mean explosive) diarrhea during the preop phase until I switched to the Unjury). I still had some diarrhea for about the first week after surgery--but I have had that almost anytime I have gone from a regular diet to low carb, because cutting back on carbs causes most people to eliminate water. Diarrhea can be one of the ways that our body gets rid of Fluid. My mouth was unusually "dry" and had a bad taste for about a week after surgery. Sometimes you are given medications during surgery to dry secretions, and those can have a lingering effect, so having a dry mouth would not be the best way to watch for signs of dehydration. If your urine output is greatly reduced or it becomes dark in color, you need to head to the ER for some IV fluids. If you are still seeing the boyfriend that is in the medical profession, he should be able to help you monitor your skin for other signs of dehydrations as well. I was told to stay with Clear Liquids for 4 days after surgery. The next 4 weeks were full liquids only, and I was told that nothing should be thicker than yogurt and should have no small pieces. If your stomach isn't tolerating things that are thicker, then you go back to clears. As far as the fudgecicles--you said you had "a couple" plus yogurt before bed. That sounds like too much food over a short period of time for the first week--or even the first month. I could only tolerate about 2 oz at one time every 4 hours. Also, did the yogurt have any fruit in it? Another thing to consider is that Splenda/sucralose can cause severe GI problems. I did not use it at all after my surgery because I learned several years ago that it caused me to have nausea and stomach cramps. Do an internet search on "sucralose toxicity" and this will give you more information. I don't think you have dumping syndrome, but you need to advance your diet very slowly and concentrate on getting fluids and some form of protein that you can digest. Take care. It does get easier.

Hi, I need some encouragement here. Unlike alot of you, my dr didn't put me on a liquid diet preop. He required Southbeach Phase 1, which is basically Protein and veggies only, no carbs whatsoever. I did ok on it except for a couple of slip ups. Nothing major. However, at the time of my surgery I had only lost 1 pound. My dr was visably put out with me and let me know it. I feel like I would have been better off on the liquid diet. Putting that behind me, I have been sticking to the rules for the postop period, adding only what is recommended when it is recommmended. I am still on full liquid, cream Soups (which I tend to enjoy more than anything else), pudding, yogurt, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and thinned mashed potatoes. The food restrictions have not been that bad, however, I've only lost 7 pounds since surgery. I know, 7 pounds is 7 pounds, but seriously, I would have thought that with such restrictions I would have at least lost 10 by now. I am trying not to be discouraged by this, but I am. I don't feel I have very much restriction at all anymore. What I had at first must have been from swelling. I know there is some, but not enough. I can easily drink down a cup and a half of cream Soup. Maybe more. I did push it last night with closer to two cups of cream of mushroom soup and I was so miserable for about an hour. Anyway, the lack of weightloss is disappointing. am I expecting too much? I see all of you guys with such great weightloss PREOP, then more POSTOP.....I guess it's just discouraging that I didn't do better preop. I don't know. Just needing some encouragement. I know "hang in there" "it will get better" "7 pounds is good" I've heard it all, but I can't help how I feel. Sorry to be so glum. Thanks for understand, Jennifer

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!!!!

According to my surgeon's program, clear liquids are those you can see through (with the exception of a Protein shake and some protein Soup he allowed). Full liquids include liquids that are opaque (like smoothies without chunks, v8, milk), cream Soups, yogurt, and even cottage cheese. My program guide includes specifics and examples. Has your NUT or program provided you with a guide?

I'm five months out and I have a problem with some foods. I can eat certain foods and not feel full until the damage is done. I'm talking about the bad stuff. I'm able to eat a lot bigger portions as well on everything. chocolate, ice cream, and cheese puffs will go down a little too well, so I have to avoid having them in the house. I have to make a concerted effort to stay away from certain things and measure the rest. It will slow your progress as well as I speak from experience. Everyday is still a food struggle for me. I do get hungry unfortunately it's not head hunger or acid. Two hours after I eat...bam...hungry! I know I will never be able to eat the portion sizes I once did, but it scares me that I can eat as much as I do sometimes. Most people don't have this issue, I'm just one of the unfortunate ones that do. I think the best food for me personally is any form of Protein. It stays in your stomach the longest. chicken, tuna, salmon, cheese, Greek yogurt. And, don't drink after eating when you get to solid food! It flushes the food out fast and you want to eat again much sooner. I know why that rule was put in place. I'm really trying, but I still struggle everyday. Food, evidently, was my drug of choice and I need to deal with it. I was just like you after surgery, could drink the 64 oz of liquid with no problems. Liquids slip right on through where as food kind of sticks in your sleeve for a while.

@@BigViffer is right on! That's my standby too (learned about them here). In fact I just had one with my Syntrax Matrix mint cookie powder because I realized I hadn't hit my 90-100g for the day. I don't always use non-dairy creamer, I use Water or sugar free torani syrup. And I often put Fage Greek yogurt as "frosting" or another no sugar added Greek yogurt. I also like to smash up a half banana into it for moisture. It does take work for me to get there as well. Constant vigilance. And I can't get it all in without supplementing. I do either a shake or a cake or a Quest or power crunch bar daily. Sometimes like today I do two. And I'm 2 1/2 years out! Greek yogurt is another stand by in general for me. I eat at least one a day (good for the bones too). Jerky (just make sure it isn't one like Krave that adds a LOT of sugar) cold cuts rolled up with a squirt of mustard and thin sliced cheese. Tuna with mayo or mustard or (again) plain Greek yogurt. I get frozen pre cooked shrimp with a little cocktail sauce.

Wow! I cant believe it has already been almost 2 weeks. It has been really easy so far. No gas pain, no real pain from surgery at all. I have lost about 35lbs since the preop diet that started on January 10th. Im going to list a typical day of my foods. Please give me your opinions below on whether or not it is similar to what you can eat or if its more or less,or if Im eating the right types of meals and Snacks. Any input would be awesome. Breakfast. Protein shake Mid Morning - sugar free Yogurt or a scrambled egg lunch 1/2 can or so of soup(usually campbells chunky type) Mid Afternoon - small cup applesauce dinner More Soup or turkey chili snack sugar free pudding cup(occasional) 50-64oz of Water per day. Your opinions would be appreicated!

I tried using some Greek yogurt. I did 1 tbs of lightmayo and 1.5 tbs of Greek mayo in 3 ounces of chicken for chicken salad...loved it! Thanks for the idea!!!

I use Fage Greek 0% yogurt and some mustard in all salad type mixtures. The few times I've eaten a sandwich I just used mustard. Before banding I would use the reduced fat but found the non-fat just didn't have the same consistency or texture or something.

I use regular helmans but do it half and half with Fage 0% Greek yogurt. Its actually super creamy and I've used it to make chicken salad, pasta salad, and pimento cheese. I dont like the taste and texture of the lite mayos, and this helps to reduce the amount used and adds some extra protein.

hi every1 I hope everyone is doing fine !!! my name is Micaela, i had my surgery last friday and i feel great the only complication was that one of my cuts got infected but im taking antibiotics already, so i hope it goes away soon. I weight my self today and I lost 12 kilos already =) I am so so so happy My only problem now is that im getting a bit hungry !! is this normal ????? I been drinking liquids from saturday last week so tomorrow will be 1 week (7days) ONLY Water AND TEA COZ I CAN TAKE ANYTHING ALSO..... but now i have no idea what i have to eat from tomorrow. CAN ANY1 HELP ME PLEASE !!!!!!!! I WAS THINKING OF HAVING THE NEXT MEALS please tell me if this is right or not. JELLY YOGURTS SPENICH AND chicken CREAM Protein drinks IS THIS ALRIGHT ?? AND WHAT ALSO CAN I HAVE ? HOPE I HEAR FROM SOME1 SOON GOD BLESS YOU ALL X X

Love the grilled chicken salads at McD's. Eat the chicken off the top, get a low calorie dressing to use as a dip, then eat as much veggies as you have room for. At gas stations, beef jerkey, string cheese, and sugar free drinks are my friends. At the cheap Breakfast buffet, they may have instant oatmeal packets, yogurt, and fruit. Plus nonfat milk if you're not lactose intolerant (I am). I bring along RTD Protein drinks too. Have fun, play some silly car games like license plate counting, sing along to dorky songs, and have a great time. Before you eat crap, think about if you really want it. Sometimes I picture the food in a store, lots of it, then all the stores in my town, my state, US, the world. Then I remember there is plenty of it for later. I can't possibly eat it all and I don't have to eat it now. Weird I know, but it works for me. Lynda

I just had this same problem two weeks ago. Got a fill to 7cc's. Had no problem drinking water at the office. Definately felt restriction on my mushy foods the first few days and then bam! I couldnt get anything down! I could only eat mushies if I pushed them down with liquids, bite of yogurt, drink of water, etc. And it felt so tight! Like before surgery when I would over eat big time during the holidays. Dear god, I wished I could tolerate that kind of restriction, but I just couldnt. I've never experienced a sick feeling in my tummy since surgery, NEVER got full off of 3 bites of yogurt. Hubby said I should wait a few days but I had already tolerated this for about a week, but I went and had .5 cc's taken out anyways. Blessed relief! I could drink water without burping for 10 minutes. I think I got my restriction, or at least its pretty darn close. Might need that other .5cc back after the holidays. But I lost 1.6 lbs in 5 days. I really wished I could have handled it that tight. If you are miserable, I would go and have part of the fill taken out, you can always have it put back next visit if needed.

I am 2.5 weeks post RXH. i Had my first negative experience today. Last night I ate a piece of sharp white cheddar cheese. All was fine and no pouch issues. Went to sleep and woke up several times nauseous. Woke up this morning and all was fine. Drove into work eating a yogurt. About an hour after work I had the worst stomach pain and could not get off the toilet, although BM were solid. Had to come home from work to rest. I didn’t vomit or even feel like I would just horrid stomach ache and lots of BM’s. ALL OVER A PIECE OF CHEESE!!! Went back on clear liquids today and will try again tomorrow.

Hi all, Well, I am here 5 days post op. Surgery was April 30th at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown CT. I guess my surgery was pretty much textbook according to my doctor. Had the robotic assisted surgery gastric bypass. I don't consider myself obese by any means. I was 6'2" and at my heaviest I reached 298. That was at 44 years old when I had my heart attack. Love my Dad but that's one thing I didn't want from him. I have thought about this surgery for about 2-3 years now but never pulled the trigger. Last summer, after 7 knee surgeries and being scheduled to have major back fusion surgery due to a motor vehicle accident, I was sent to a second opinion with a neurosurgeon at Hartford Hospital in Hartford CT. THis appointment let me know what my later years may be like due to a severely degenerative back. I decided at that time I would get back into exploring gastric bypass. My cardiologist and gastro doctor had both said this surgery was made for people like me. Again, I never thought of myself as obese but did knew I was overweight. A little about me. I have always been active. Been a volunteer firefighter since the age of 14. Worked my way up thru the ranks to Deputy Chief. My back got so bad I had to leave 3 years ago. Coached my boys in baseball thru little league, Babe Ruth and travel baseball. Involved with my sons high school and youth football teams. Now I coach my grandson in youth football. I am also a 7 year high school baseball umpire doing 75-100 games per year. Plus work a full time job. I don't sit around but I like to eat. Never a buffet I didn't like.LOL I attended Dr. Jonathon Aranows conference back in September of 2013 at Middlesex Hospital. My wife came as my support. My wife who is also 100lbs overweight, type II diabetic and in need of knee replacement came out of that meeting wanting to do it also. We went thru the process of doctors, nutritionists and psychologists appointments together. Debby had the gastric sleeve surgery on Feb. 28th. Due to my back, it was suggested that I have my back surgery first and wait 12 weeks before the bypass. Debby has lost 41 lbs and looks amazing. So back to me. I received insurance approval with a BMI of 37 along with my past medical history. I had my surgery Wednesday April 30th. I'm not to sure how to feel yet. Yesterday I asked to have someone take me out back and put me down. I attribute this to seeing in my literature that tomato Soup is a food you can eat. So I mixed it up with some soy (yuk) milk and tried it. Got about 1/4 teaspoon down and wanted to die for the next 8 hours. Just couldn't drink anything and was plain old miserable. Finally I decided to have a yoplait 100 cal vanilla yogurt because since I already wanted to die it couldn't get much worse. That was a life saver. Today somewhat nauseous but ate a couple yogurts with half scoop of powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein powder mixed in. Took about half to 3/4 of an hour to eat but all in all I'm doing ok. I don't move anywhere without something to drink in my hand or within arms reach. Hard to get 60-70 grams of protein in yet and 48 oz. of fluids is tough but I'm close. I know I am not supposed to but I got on the scale. Down 10 lbs. I have 5 children, 3 of the most loving grandchildren you could ask for. At 48 years old, I wanna watch them marry and have their own kids. That's why I did this. Maybe slow the back degeneration down some to. Me and the wife got big together. Our 2nd half of our life together is going to be healthier. To much to live for. I don't want to have another heart attack or any more surgeries. I have put far to many doctors children thru medical school as it is. I know this is a lifestyle change but with my life partner doing it with me together we will do it right. Would love to say to everyone who reads this that I feel great especially those who have yet to have it done, because I don't. This was done for the long haul. A better day tomorrow. A different road we will travel together and maybe not so many co-pays anymore. I hope this helps someone.

Hang in there. It does get better. Try a few variations, if you're allowed. Ask fruit, yogurt, cinnamon.....

I find that broth doesn't work for me. Protein shakes, fruit smoothie, yogurt, and soups in the blender. That's what gives me the fuller feeling. I am still learning to slow down as I eat and kicking myself when I start feeling the need to hiccup or burp because I ate too much too fast. It's not easy! It's like I was telling my husband last night, it's not that I'm starving it's that I want texture and substance.

Hi Alyssa, I was banded in Nov of 07 and I thought that I would be skinny by now. I'm finally more than half way, but it has been slow. I have just started losing again after a seven month plateau. So I know how frustrating it is. First, I found this site called, Five Day Pouch Test, it is for bariatric patients who have had a bypass, but I have found that it helps me if I'm eating too much or have gotten stuck. It helps shrink that little pouch we have left. It also gets you to start eating more Protein,which is what we need. Take the benefibre for sure if you go on this five day diet. A lot of protein will bind you. I always lose at least four or five pounds on this and it isn't hard. Also, I've been told that although I may not be hungry, eat five small meals a day. One could be a few nuts and some fruit or a yogurt, it should always have some protein in it. This helps our metabolism not slow down as others have mentioned. I think sometimes we don't eat enough. And I stopped drinking Protein drinks. I was using them as a crutch and they aren't real food. I now have oatmeal with some nuts for protein in the morning, and I have no problem eating that. And try to start doing some simple weight lifting. I started doing a program that took 20 minutes and didn't even make me sweaty, called Strong Women Stay Young. She's changed the program slightly, but I started doing the seven weight moves three times a week at a low weight and I'm up to ten pounds now (from 3) and I'm sure that it has helped me look thinner even when I wasn't losing, but it has given me the start of some great arms and shoulders. My stomach will be better when I can see more of what's under the flab! :scared2: I also started walking on the treadmill at a pace I could cope with and now I am started to run for 30 second intervals. It isn't much, but it is getting me to push myself out of my comfort zone even for a minute! Keep up the work you are doing. I can't tell you how I felt when I stepped on the scale and saw the 20's! I actually looked and saw 229 and cursed, because I thought I was at 239, I've been in the 30's for so long. When I realised that I was below another milestone, I was doing a happy dance for sure!:tt1: My next goal is the teens. We are all here trying to help each other. Mary

At this point, most doctors want us focused on liquids and Protein, in that order. Carbs aren't important. Of course, follow your doctor's guidance if it's different from that, but since you're asking, I suppose he or she hasn't specified. Are you tracking your protein so you know how much you're getting? I use myfitnesspal.com so that I know for sure I'm getting enough protein. Your doctor's recommendation takes precedence, of course, but most of us are being told something along the line of 60-70 grams of protein a day. I know what you mean about the menu being a bit boring at the moment I try to at least change up the flavor a bit, even if I'm stuck with regard to texture (I'm still on full liquids, so cream Soups, Protein shakes, yogurt seem to rule my day). For example, my protein-enhanced cream of chicken Soup just got a bit of a Mexican spin with a little bit of seasoning. I adjusted my vanilla Protein shake this afternoon with a little bit of SF Torani Hazelnut syrup and some coffee. Haven't decided what dinner looks like, yet, but I still need about 20 grams of protein today, so I guess it will include Protein powder of some sort... If the cottage cheese and applesauce aren't working now, maybe give them a go again in a week - some things take a little longer for our tummies to accept.