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I'm also on the pureed food stage. I tried pureed/blended food its nasty and looks like throw up. This is what I eat. Breakfast- 6 oz plain greek yogurt Lunch- 2 scrambled eggs with 1 slice low fat cheese Dinner- 2 oz of grilled tilapia with 1/2 cup of plain mashed potatoes. If I'm hungry hours after dinner I will have 1/2 cup of 1% whipped cottage cheese

I posted this as a possibility to someone in one of these forums a while back. I had that happen to me once, unrelated to surgery, I first thought it was dry lips, etc.. The prescriptions works quick, eating yogurt helps too! I think it is easy to get thrush and the like on these diets we're on until we can eat normal.. not much balance! Hope it clears quickly!!!

I am new to this forum and so happy to have found it! My surgery is on Monday so anxiety is settling in. This is my first day on liquid diet and I have been trying to set a schedule for myself in order to get the nutritional needs in. I have gotten to the place I am today because I tend to skip meals all the time and eat one meal a day. I would be so hungry that I did not make the best food choices. This is all about to change and it starts today! I know me and how I am easily absorbed into the daily tasks that I do not make the time to treat my body right. I'm thinking the easiest way for me to be successful in this is to set a schedule. (Please don't think I'm crazy!) My plan is to get my 64 ounces of liquids down and my Protein shakes (they said 3 replacements). Does the milk that goes into the shakes count towards that liquid count? I am planning to carry Water bottle with me all day and sip, sip, sip away. What I am overwhelmed with right now is after surgery: They gave me a meal pattern that includes 6 small meals (yogurt, shake, Soup, shake, juice & broth, pudding and sip sip sip) then they say not to drink 30 min before/after meals (I'm sipping all day!) THEN they say to allow 2 hours between each supplement taken. How do I work all this in? Is it just the anxiety getting best of me?

Chewing food really good is not the same as a mushie/puree diet. I don't mean this to sound harsh but you have two choices- stick to your post op diet as directed or risk messing up your stomach and band. The post op diet is there for healing, not losing, and it's imperative that you stick to your doctor's instructions to give your newly sutured stomach time to heal. Hunger is normal. It sucks but we all went through it and survived. You will survive too. Stick to your puree food. Blending things like plain yogurt and cottage cheese into cream soups not only helps control hunger but gives you extra Protein too. You could even put chili through the blender. Really, anything that is the consistency of baby food or you put through a blender to make it that consistency is allowed on the puree/mushie stage. Best wishes.

Congratulations. I would suggest must haves....gasx, heating pad, stool softener. If you can find protein powder/drinks that you like before hand that is great too. Everything else is easy, broth, soup, yogurt, pudding, drinks.............you will not be eating alot the first 3-4 days, just alot of sipping.

I first think about my calorie intake for the day, shooting for 800-1200 calorie window, with 60 to 80 G. of Protein So then I figure out my meals. I drink with every meal that I have. It's to painful to try to eat by itself. So I eat some, and drink some, so I don't get stuck. I checked this with my Surgeon, and like he said I am to sensitive ! So if this works, then do it... I eat 3 meals a day, that way.. and a snack ? Well if its wet like light yogurt, I can do it without Water. Even mushies would get stuck for me, and you bet I chew it up well ! So I drink some water. As long as I stay within that window for my calorie intake,,, I'm fine.. Pop is not a good thing because it's carbonated. I drank a glass of ROOT BEER one summer, and I thought it was going to kill me... Could be me though ! But I know he said no pop, alcohol, or chewing gum (could slip down, and get stuck.) So I am a Cheap Date... LOL.. Hope that answers some stuff, that's how the band works for me, and I am very comfterable with it. Shirley.

I had outrageous hunger for at least two weeks post-op. Very frustrating. Whether it was head hunger or actual hunger didn't really matter; they felt identical. My fear of hurting myself by "giving in" to the hunger is what got me through it. I spent too much money on my pouch to mess it up! I am now allowed to eat solid/regular foods. The most surprising thing is that I don't crave a single thing. All the stuff I loved 6 weeks ago doesn't seem appealing at all.[/quote I guess I am just surprised that it's so easy to drink the fluids with no problems. I was expecting to struggle.to get in the liquid and instead I feel like I can do all the liquid and eat as well. I am glad I'm getting fluids and can get the Protein shakes in, just wish I wasn't hungry! I am so looking forward to cottage cheese and yogurts!

So since my fourth fill (4cc's) I have been throwing up every day. Its been 3 weeks - the first 2 I could only hold down liquids and mushy foods. I was able to eat a half deli meat sandwich a few times and not throw up but then other times I try that and I do throw up. Some days are much worse than others. But on the average I throw up at least one meal if not all meals every day. All my friends keep telling me to go get fluid taken out. But I am concerned maybe its just me - I had practically no restriction with 3 cc's. I can usually eat - f/f cottage cheese, greek yogurt, crackers, toast, light non-chunky soup, belvita breakfast biscuit I held down a few times (but tried again and vomitted) - tuna salad sandwich, turkey sandwich (could only eat half a sandwich though), scrambled eggs Vomitted a bunch after eating - cooked mustard greens and chard, baked potato, chicken breast, steamed broccoli, brown rice I have tried all sorts of different things even from switching to wearing and underwire bra to a sports bra, waiting till 10a to eat even though I am starving in the morning. I watch my time and I chew for at least 1 minute and wait 2-3 minutes between bites. I am not over eating at one sitting because I can only eat about 4 bites of a solid food before I have chest pain and I try to keep my bites small and chew till mush. This constant vomitting, hunger, headaches - its all affecting my work, school and personal life. I don't want to abandon progress - I have lost 14lbs in 3 wks. But I feel like I am now a bulemic except not by choice. What do I do?

Hey OK neighbor! It's like they say, sort of like a new baby's tummy. I still like my milk, yogurt and vitamin water zero as reliable go-to intake. I also puréed Wendy's chili and added plain Greek yogurt, a teaspoon of chopped avocado and a pinch of shredded cheddar in the soft/mushy stage. Still love it and a small order lasts for a couple of days.

Well, I spoke too soon. I started having mushies yesterday and by evening I had horrible acid reflux and that pain again. UGH! So, I was on full liquids today agian. I still can't tolerate just Water. I tried (just now) about 1/4 of yogurt to see how that works because I'm starting to get hungry lately. I'm worried this acid will never go away and I won't be able to tolerate food or water.

Oh I love yogurt....but my band doesnt. After I eat it I am so uncomfortable....almost feels like its stuck.....i can eat oatmeal just fine but yogurt is like glue in my tbroat/band area

I have a pretty generous pre-op diet compared to some - 4 Protein shakes made with skim milk plus 6 other foods per day that include fresh veggies, Soup, yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal and sf Jello. The first 2 days, I did fine - in fact, I couldn't eat everything that I was supposed to as I still had 2 servings of "real food" left at the end of each day. I had thought that maybe I could do this and would not experience the cravings or carb detox as I was taking in 80 g of carbs (thanks mostly to the skim milk). Today is a different story. I am so hungry! And I am craving pizza, sandwiches and lunchables. I know it's most likely me entering carb detox based on what others have posted on here, but wow, these cravings are bad. I know it's all in my head. I'm trying my best to not give in. I'm drinking lots of Water and trying to do other things to get my mind off of this, but it's tough.

Yes my surgeon considered these full liquids "cottage cheese and yogurt" plus and whole lot more like oatmeal. I know they are all different. Remember when I was freaking out because I didn't have to go on a "liquid" pre-op diet? and it seems like everybody else on here did.

I agree with you need to increase your calories and I would make the increase in protein even if you add a protein shake. Also I would focus on green fiber and only do the carbs that are in your dairy products not white carbs. On the protein increase use greek yogurt for more protein and if you don't like the taste, just ad a spendar. Also cottage cheese has loads of protein for the volume. If you don't eat enough you will not lose weight.

The only way I could see fish eing a mushy would be a really wet tuna salad. That had been worked up one side and down the other with a fork. Unless you're partial to pureed fish. Ack! Since the food caused you some discomfort, maybe try thick liquids nd soft mushies for a few days. Cream of X Soups, yogurt, tofu (esp. silken tofu), hummus, pudding, etc. This gives you more to work on than liquids, without having to go straight to mushies. I think I did 4 days of thick liquids before moving to things like mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, etc. You could have eaten too much, and you could have eaten too fast, and you could have eaten the food without chewing adequately, and... (on and on). Just remember to take it easy. When I hit mushies it was one small baby spoon bite every 5 minutes or so. I wanted to wait that long to make sure everything felt ok. Did your surgeon provide you with a graduated meal plan - what to eat for how long, and sample foods that fall into the classification?

I completely understand where you are coming from. I am doing all the right stuff - I am doing at least an hour in the gym 4-6 days a week. When I run / walk on the treadmill I do about 3.5-3.75 miles - The cal counter says 425-450. When I do the elliptical I burn about 700 cal. I am keeping my calories around 900-1000. I am eating mainly tuna and baked fish with green beans and greek yogurt. I do a sugar free jello pudding cup and a popsicle every day. I drink a ton crystal light (1/2 strength) ice tea and 2 cups of decaf coffee. I was banded Feb 3rd and I have lost about 5 lbs. I get your frustration. I finally quit getting on the scale because I was having hissy fit every morning after I got off the scale. I am going to keep doing what I am doing because I figure my body has to eventually let it go. I am really relieved to read that I am not the only one that wants to throw themselves on the ground like a f'n 3 year old when I don't see that scale move! I just added some weight training to my routine so I am hoping that will maybe help. I will let you know if it does. I have only been doing it for a week but I do notice my clothes finally are feeling a little looser. I also wanted to tell you that all of your blogs have been very entertaining. They totally crack me up. You have a way of venting that doesn't come across as whiny at all. My favorite was the "calories in vs calories out is bullshit". I could have written those exact words myself just not as well or entertaining as you did. Keep it up and stay strong!

I'm actually 7 weeks post op and went through a stall weeks 5 and 6. I posted on here what I was eating and everyone told me I was eating too little (600ish calories daily), so I up'd my caloric intake to 700-800 by adding an afternoon snack (cheese stick, yogurt, etc). I finally ended my stall after doing so, so I thought I was doing good. Then today, my surgeon told me to reduce back down to 600, that 700-800 is what I should eat around 6 months out. He told me stalls were normal (which we all know) and that increasing my intake wasn't a good idea... Today i left out my afternoon snack and I'M STARVING!!! I wish surgeons were more consistent. My is soooooo strict!!! Anyone have any ideas on this??

Hang tough!!! I just started week 5 and it is amazing!! I do not know how I got thru those first few weeks, but I did. I might not ever eat broth, guacamole, refried beans, diet jello etc again. Not kidding here. It was brutal. But sooo worth it. Eating much more variety now, slowly and carefully - but can go to almost any restaurant and order off the menu! I am not beyond exhausted in the afternoons. Much happier. But glad I stuck to that hard phase - I am 30 days out from Sleeve surgery and down 32 pounds. Feeling hopeful. You. Can. Do. It. There r some of those squeeze packets that helped for something different. Strawberry banana was good. Ugh I even was so desperate, I put onion soup mix in low fat plain Fage yogurt a few times.

I'm not counting my calories, but they are easy to find out by going to FitnessPal.com. Other people who keep better track of their calories can probably be more helpful. Also, you may want to do a search on You Tube for "VSG" and "Sleeve" because there are a lot of video bloggers who have kept a video journal of their journey, and many of them include what they eat now on a daily basis. Their journeys can be very helpful. Here are some examples of what I eat: Breakfast: one Premiere Protein shake or one hard-boiled egg or 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt with Splenda and blueberries espresso with Splenda and milk Lunch: Deli turkey meat slice or two with string cheese or 1/4 cup cottage cheese with smoked salmon and two garlic-stuffed green olives or one hard-boiled egg or five shrimp Dinner: Lean Cusine or chicken or turkey meatballs or flounder or shrimp or hamburger meat or filet minion or halibut some other protein with sweet potato fries (2 or 3) or small salad Snack: Cliff Protein Energy bar or 1/2 banana or some cashews or some watermelon Do you have a nutrionist at your doctor's office? What did your doctor tell you to eat? Someone here on this forum attached a meal plan with some food choices and amounts. I've attached it for you. You can save it to your computer for future reference. meal.plan.pdf

I also was too afraid to cheat. I was on straight liquids for 3 weeks post op - no yogurt, eggs, tuna, cottage cheese, NOTHING. I ate out with family several times during those 3 weeks and never once cheated. I was too afraid of damaging myself. Plus, I couldn't even meet my Water goal yet. I didn't want to force anything. It's not worth the risk IMO. You'll be able to eat soon. :-) Sent from my iPhone using VST

I am very curious as to why people would risk their sleeve by cheating on the dietary plan given by their surgeon? I know that I was fearful of damaging my staple sline and I cheated with yogurt, but that was because of a discrepancy with Kaiser's dietary plan and the surgeon's dietary plan. I am really interested in hearing the rational that goes through our minds that contribute to us cheating. no judgements, just curious. Thanks everyone.

Try mixing it in a little applesauce?? Or yogurt?

I had my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Mexico over two years ago. Even then His dietician STRONGLY recommended the use of probiotics. She wanted us on drinkable yogurts with live cultures starting 3 days postop. They also offer and encourage their patients to use their line of bariatric Vitamins that include a probiotic supplement. I did not use their line, but I do take whole food based vitamins that include prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes. I also eat Greek yogurt with live cultures every day. I lost over 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off for two years. I have no idea how much of an impact the probiotics played because it's something I've taken from the very beginning.

That is quite good to know (the pushing of a yogurt rich diet). Depending upon the brand and such, they can have an extremely varied microbe content. I suppose an interesting test would be to break down post surgical success based upon which yogurt brands (and in turn, which microbes) lead to the most desirable outcome. That experiment would be much further down the line however LOL. Speaking with my mother, she remembers being pushed into an extremely high protein diet post bypass, and told to avoid fruits and vegetables. I had forgotten that fact. Thanks for the insight, Brad

Meg, I was sleeved on the same day. I am a middle aged woman with a 40 BMI before surgery. My BMI is now 36. I have no trouble swallowing as long as I sip. You have to sip constantly and resolve to do so even if it's a bother. Locate Protein powder that you like--I use Jay Robb. High quality in every way, tastes great, mixes so easily with anything. Sweetened naturally with Stevia, though does not taste of Stevia. They sell it on line, Vitamin Shoppe, and I think GNC. I haven't tried to eat anything yet, and it sounds like you have. I am on full liquids for another week or so. I have sipped baby food pureed fruits, greek yogurt (no chunks of fruit), very pureed Soups (strain if in doubt), sugar free puddings and Jello, soupy cream of wheat, and one very soft scrambled egg. Maybe you are moving too quickly towards more normal food. It is best to let your stomach have a solid month of healing with nothing but liquid, then slowly move into mushy food. If you try something and it doesn't agree, step back and try again in a bit. When you first start food chew, chew, chew until it is liquified before you swallow. You have a major organ healing from being divided and stitched together--don't stress it! Though I have lost weight, it has jumped up and down by as much as a few lbs in a day. I think it's fluid--getting a little more sodium on soup heavy days, less on smoothie days. And, you need to flood your system with Water to wash away the fat burning up. I have continued to enjoy my coffee each morning, though a smaller cup. I know some doctors say no caffeine, but mine didn't. Go to a coffee shop or Whole Foods or something and buy some low acid coffee. Sumatra often is. See if that helps. I also drink tea which has the caffeine--green tea is really healthy and has some natural, gentle caffeine. Are you taking your chewable Vitamins? sublingual vitamin B-12 (the methylcobaimin version is best), Vitamin D and hopefully liquid fish oil (Barlean's is amazing and can be squeezed into a protein smoothie--awesome flavors and does not taste at all of fish). All of these can have a big impact on your energy level, particularly vitamin B-12. ( You may even need shots--easy to get from a natural medicine or complementary medicine doctor. I get little tiny prefilled ones with the tiniest little needle to shoot in my butt once a week--easy.) I open a whole food enzyme capsule and a probiotic capsule into a morning smoothie and it is stabilizing my digestive system. All of this adds up to some $$$, but I am not buying much food. I think overall I spend less, though different. Hope this helps. Let me know how you are doing, ok? I am pretty happy with it, but think I went in expecting at least a month or two to be like being on Optifast or something--the real food would come later. I truly believe that my relationship with food will be more subdued in the future--I think I will continue to enjoy food, but not be so fixated. Hope that happens for you as well.