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Am I the only one that is driven nuts by the contraindications in what we are suppose to do. How are sugar free drinks any different from sugar free jello, pudding, popsicles, yogurt ect. Artifical sweetners are artificial sweetners, how does it matter in which form they come in. I do not drink them all day long and I try and keep my water up. I drink a galon of liquids a day. I have one packet a day and it is only for 20 0z but I fill my nalgreen bottle all the way. Just my tirade for the day.

Thanks Lina I have recommitted to protein today. Greek yogurt and protein shake. They’re horrible but I’m getting them down slowly. I hope after a few days I’ll see some change. They don’t satisfy the hunger, but as long as I get them in, I think I’ll be ok.

Maybe try crushing it and mix with some yogurt or Sugar free pudding?

Congratulations Doriana, glad everything went well for you, that would have been horrible, going thru all that yogurt and cottage cheese diet, and then not band you. Glad the Dr. had the sense to say GOOD TO GO. Alas the gas pain is part of the recovery, they say a heating pad and moving around along with the gas-x helps. All the best to you in your recovery. Talk to you soon. Hugs :hug: Maria

An unflavored protein powder added to something you are already eating would only add 60 or so more calories instead of 280 and still let you get daily protein. This next sentence will get me a lot of hate mail but some doctors are a little overboard with the protein number they tell you to hit. I dont know what target you are trying to reach but try to add some powder to oatmeal or a yogurt you were eating anyway and see if you can get daily calories down to a number that makes you feel more comfortable. You have to live with the choices and if they are making you uncomfortable you need to make adjustments to ensure you can do them forever. this is not a diet you do for a few months these are life long changes and you need to be all in mentally to keep it up.

Hi all, I was tracking my protein intake daily, but took a break for a couple weeks. Must get back to putting pen to paper. Most of my protein comes from Greek yogurt, fish, protein bars, soups, shrimp, etc. I cannot stomach the protein shakes, it's just the idea of them. If they tasted as good as a thick shake or a Coolatta, it'd be different.

Don't attack the cow! You will make it. I would try to have some Snacks that might fill you up for awhile, versus drinking a Protein shake. The cottage or yogurt suggested could be what you need to get between meals. I found the thicker the food the longer it stayed with me. Are you waiting to drink after your "meal"? Make sure you wait for the time your dr suggested so you are not pushing the food through. I would also suggest checking out the food & nutrition forum for some good recipes, maybe some variety would help you out! Are you exercising? That was the hard one to get started for me, but man did it help! I really didn't start with regular exercise for about the first 6-8 weeks, but when I got going on a regular basis the scale started moving down. Not sure I helped, I know how frustrating that phase is, but you can get through it, the scale will start moving down again and you won't always be this hungry!

My wife and I were both banded on Dec. 19th... our surgeon had us on Clear Liquids the first 3 days... today is our first day of full liquids; adding skim milk, smooth yogurt, sugar-free pudding and our Protein shakes... we have to do this for 3 weeks, then we'll be ready for soft/mushy foods... 3 months after that, we can start to introduce solid foods again, one at a time... everyone's program is different, so stay on track with what your doctor suggests... he or she knows best!

Hello I had surgery October 1, 2012. February 1, 2012 is when I first saw the surgeon to get this ball rolling, literally, lol. I have spent so much time and effort into this life changing moment, that now, after its actually done, I am kind bored with it. That's probably weird to say, but its how I feel. I am not having any complications or pain, no regrets, and everyone is being supportive. But...the hype is over for me. I used to be excited about food, trying new foods, and experiencing new flavors (maybe that was my problem), but since being on a liquid diet for almost a month now, I am bored with it. Soup, broth, yogurt, Jello, and Protein shakes. Plus, the scale isnt moving and I am not too excited about jumping on. Its like, eh...whatever. Just like all the fad diets, I have done before. Maybe its because I have been a hermit since surgery, but I need some kind of motivation... How do I get out of this funk??

Well its certainly nice to know that I am not alone. I thought maybe there was something wrong with me because I constantly feel as though something is caught in my throat after I eat, even if its not 2oz. I am just now on mushies and everything that is not yogurt makes me feel this way. Is this because I am eating too much? I often feel as though I need to have something to drink right after cause its caught in my esophogas but maybe I just need to not eat so quickly or chew better or not even eat the 2oz. Everyone sure is right though about sometimes it tastes so good that you don't want to stop. Does anyone know if string cheese counts as a soft food or is it a solid?

So I made my homemade granola for my yogurt because I really don't like the tanginness. I added cinnamon and Splenda to my yogurt then I made my granola, here's my recipe: 3 1/2 cups rolled oats 1 1/2 tbs ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 cup SF vanilla syrup 1/2 cup SF almond syrup 2 cups slithered almonds Mix it all together and place on a sprayed baking sheet and baked at 325 until golden brown and crunchy. Tastes so so good.

I enjoy frozen yogurt once in a while as a special treat-- but I would never buy it to keep in my house. It would only make me want more.

Hi contemplating. I too, started "regular" foods this past week. I have some smaple menus from my doc that I can share. However, I am not able toeat nearly half as much as suggested. Sometimes I am close, but somethings just don't go down that easily. Tuna was fine at first...now when I eat it I get a lump in my throat feeling and so I have stopped it for now. So, anyway, I think it is also a learning process...this new stage we are in...but here is the doc's recommended menu suggestions. 8 am B:1 scrambled egg 1/2 c. cantaloupe 10 am Snack: 1/2 c. fortified skim milk 12 noon L: 1/2 c. chili 1/2 c. stewed apple with cinnamon 6 pm D: 2 oz. baked chicken, no skin 2 tbsp. lo fat gravy 1/2 c. squash or 1/2 c. string beans 8 pm Snack:1/2 c. sugar free yogurt 8am B: 1/2 c. cooked oatmeal 1/2 c. unsweetened pears 10am Snack: 1/2 c. fortified skim milk 12noon L: 3oz. tuna 2 tbsp. low fat mayo 1/2 c. watermelon 6pm D: 2 oz. poached fish 2tsp. diet margarine 1/2 c. boiled potato or 1/2 c. steamed carrots 8pm Snack: SF Swiss miss hot cocoa with skim milk Hope this helps.

I have the fol guidelines. On rising drink 1 sm glass of Water with the juice of 1/4 lemon - this helps open the band and aids in digestion. Breakfast - 1 Protein, 1 grain, 1 dairy 1 sm fruit eg - 1/4 - 1/2 c Cereal with 1/2 cup 1% or skim milk, 2 tbsp nuts/seeds (and/or 1/2 scoop dry Protein powder can mix with a little water), 2 tbsp berries OR 1-2 egg white omlette with veggies, 1 serving whole grain, 1/2 tangerine, 1/4 mango/papaya OR Meal Replacement or self made protein smoothie (incl 1 scoop protein powder) with1/2 c 1%/skim milk or 2 tbsp yogurt and 1/2 c water and 1/2 c fresh or frozen fruit Snack - 1 sm - 1/2 med fruit, 1 protein or 1/2 dairy eg - 10 grapes, 1/4 - 1/2 c low fat yogurt, add 1/4 - 1/2 scoop dry protein powder (can mix with a little water) OR 1/2 c fresh or frozen berries, 1 oz low fat cheese OR 1/2 sliced apple, 1 tbsp almond butter, 1 rye crisp lunch - 1 protein, 1 grain, 1 sm salad or 1 veggie serving eg - 1 c lentil Soup, 1 rye crisp, 1 sm salad OR 1/2 c chili (with chicken or beef), 1 rye crisp, 1/2 cup steamed veggies or a sm salad OR 2 tuna melts on rye crisps, sm salad Snack - 1 sm - 1/2 med fruit or 1/2 serving of veggies, 1 oz protein or 1/2 serving of dairy eg - 1/2 apple, 1 tbsp hummus, 1 rye crisp OR 1/4 - 1/2 c fresh or frozen fruit, 2 tbsp nuts/seeds OR 2 dried dates and 2 dries apricots, 1/4 c soy nuts dinner - 1 protein, 2 veggies or 1 veggie and 1 salad eg - 3 oz chicken. 1 c steamed asparagus, 1 baked tomoato OR 3 oz baked sole, 1 c stir fry veggies OR 3 oz beef/ground chicken or turkey meatloaf, 1/2 c steamed cabbag, 1/2 cup grilled peppers. They also not for optimum weight loss, avoid grains and starchy veggies after 5 PM. I hope that helps you on your journey. I too am pretty leary as to the introduction of "real" foods. I start this stage tomorrow.

I'm very nervous and excited.. I'm eating yogurt and drinking Water for the next 3 days.. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

When can I start eating a little more? Tomorrow I will post op 4 weeks. I am fortunate that so far I have had no issues. I have only told 3 people about my surgery. I have lunch plans with a client today and I am So nervous about eating like a bird in front if her. Right now I can drink 16 oz Water in 3/4 of an hour. Same with 11 oz premier Protein shake Soups go down pretty easy. As does Greek yogurt. It takes me 2 hours to eat egg and chicken salad. At one sitting I probably can eat between 1-2oz. I am very pleased with my sleeve. I just want some spence of normalsey. I would be so grateful if eventually I could eat 4oz at one setting. When did everyone start to eat a little more? Thanks

Just eat less! But I think the easiest way to keep calories low is to cut out the starchy part of a meal - the breads, pastas, rices, noodles, those are the calorie dense foods that add up - as does fat. I dont believ in low carbing it, but I did greatly reduce the carb and fat portion of my diet. So dinner might be a small piece of steak on the barbecue and a big salad, I dont feel the need to for a potato to go along with that, although we do have sometihng like spaghetti bolognaise once a week or so. I choose salads, yogurt and fruit and Soup for lunch, might have some crispbreads or crackers with that but would rarely choose a sandwich with 2 slices of bread in one meal. Breakfast is when I indulge most in carby foods - I love my Peanut Butter toast, or bowl of Cereal - but its ONE piece of toast, a small bowl of cereal and I round it out with fruit or yogurt instead of large servings. An hour's running a day burns up a lot of energy too, so that I never have had to give up anything totally.

If you are just now getting back to work, you can't be too far out from surgery and you are already eating crackers and chips?!?! I wasn't allowed anything crunchy until THREE MONTHS post-op. As for eating during the day at work, it doesn't have to be a bad thing. I eat breakfast, lunch, and two Snacks during my work day. I start off by bringing a Protein bar for breakfast (since you are probably not actually supposed to be on solids yet, you could do a ready-to-drink protein shake). Between breakfast and lunch, I have a reduced fat string cheese, which you can probably safely have at this point. For lunch I have leftover meat from a previous dinner, but you could probably do something like tuna or chili? In the afternoon I have Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt. I mix some granola or kashi Cereal into mine, but you probably shouldn't be having that quite yet. So by eating every two hours or so, I never feel hungry at work. And I manage to get a lot of protein in!

I am 2 months post-op and I do sometimes feel hungry. But more often I feel thirsty. Getting enough Water is a challenge sometimes. I carry water with me all the time. I sometimes have to talk myself into eating Breakfast in the morning, which used to be my favorite meal. I still love breakfast foods but can't eat very much and often don't have an appetite in the morning. Hungriest time for me is mid-day and/or afternoon and sometimes I want a little snack before bed. I try not to give in to that urge but I am still me, still love food. However I don't crave sugary things as much but I found I can eat frozen yogurt and frapuccinos easily. So I have to be careful with that. I do count my calories with an app on my phone. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4

I am almost 3 weeks out and still trying to figure out this eating thing. I am currently on soft foods (baked fish, PB, yogurt, cottage cheese, banana, etc) but I am not sure if I really know how to eat all this different things. I try and have something every 2 hrs. with protein drinks in-between. I am getting my 70+gms of protein a day in addition to my 64oz of water… Does anyone else out there have a schedule to how and what to eat? Will I ever be able to have more than 3-4 oz at a time? I can't imagine ever getting to have a plate a food (even it small in portion) with my family. No regrets, but just trying to figure it out.

A 100 cal pack of cheese, greek yogurt, a mug of hot tea, SF Jello or pudding, apple sauce. I am generally not a late-night snacker but those are a few I could think of off the top of my head. On the nights you don't want to snack, I suggest brushing your teeth before you veg and watch TV. I find it sends the message to my brain that I am done with food (plus it makes anything taste terrible). Good luck in your search! Amanda

I didn't purée either. Stuck with tuna and cottage cheese, string cheese, yogurt and jello. Still using protein shakes here and there. Fortunately My Dr is fine about it.

Happy Halloween from BariatricPal!#subject#> body,div,dl,dt,dd,ul,ol,li,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,pre,form,fieldset,input,textarea,p,blockquote,th,td { margin:0; padding:0; } table { border-collapse:collapse; border-spacing:0; } fieldset,img { border:0; } address,caption,cite,code,dfn,th,var { font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; } caption,th { text-align:left; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { font-size:100%; font-weight:normal; } q:before,q:after { content:''; } abbr,acronym { border:0; } address{ display: inline; } html, body { background-color: #d8dde8; color: #5a5a5a; } body { font: normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; position: relative; } h3, strong { font-weight: bold; } em { font-style: italic; } img, .input_check, .input_radio { vertical-align: middle; } legend { display: none; } table { width: 100%; } td { padding: 3px; } a { color: #225985; text-decoration: none; } a:hover { color: #328586; } div.outer { margin: 0 auto; padding: 14px; } table.wrap { max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; } td.logo { background-color: #0f3854; padding: 8px; } td.content { background-color: #fff; font-size: 14px !important; color: black !important; line-height: 150% !important; padding: 8px; } ul { margin-left: 25px; } Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy Halloween! It’s time to enjoy a few scares and spooks and a lot of fun, but how is that possible when you are trying to lose weight? This newsletter has a few tips that can help you enjoy yourself this Halloween and in the coming months, and keep the results from showing up on the scale. Here’s what we have: Surviving Halloween as a Weight Loss Surgery Patient Scary Good Treats from The BariatricPal Store The Start of the Eating Season (Or Not) Thanks for reading the newsletter and being part of the BariatricPal community. Don’t forget to login to share your healthy Halloween tips and get some healthy inspiration when you need it, and have a safe and happy Halloween! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Surviving Halloween as a Weight Loss Surgery Patient Halloween is one of the hardest times for bariatric patients. You’re sure to see candy nearly everywhere, and you may not see much else. How are you supposed to pass up the sugar while still having fun and getting in your Protein? It may not be easy, but you can do it. Go with a Plan Plan ahead, just like you do in the rest of your post-op life. If you are going to a party, plan to drink ice Water for most of the time. Set yourself up far from the buffet table, and talk to everyone you can to keep your mind off of the food. Also, remember to fend for yourself instead of depending on the party far. Bring a dish or two to share to make sure you have something healthy to eat for when you are hungry. These are some fun Halloween ideas. String cheese Fingers with half-sticks of string cheese being the fingers, and grape tomato halves filling in as the fingernails. Drizzle tomato sauce for blood if you like. Candy Corn Fruit Plate with three layers: each representing a color of the traditional candy corn. The bottom of the triangle can be a yellow fruit such as pineapple chunks; the middle stripe can be an orange fruit such as orange wedges or cut cantaloupe; the white tip can be banana slices or even cottage cheese for dipping. You can also make this with veggies! Banana Ghosts using banana halves for the ghost and blueberries, peanuts, or pieces of Protein Cereal for the eyes and mouth. Tangerine Pumpkins using a peeled tangerine for the pumpkin body, and a piece of celery stuck in the center as the stem. Stay Busy without Eating If you are trick-or-treating, there are all kinds of ways you can stay busy without diving into the kids’ loot. Keep yourself busy by helping out any children who need it, whether they are yours or anyone else’s in the neighborhood. Fix their makeup and costumes, help them cross the street safely whenever necessary, and hold the littlest ones’ hands if they get scared. Practice the One and Done Actually, practice it twice! For your first “one and done” trick, choose one piece of candy, assuming that you are up to eat solids foods on your post-op diet, and assuming you know that you can handle a sugary piece of candy without feeling sick or reaching for another 10 pieces. For your second “one and done,” remember that Halloween is one night. The leftover candy from what you handed out to trick-or-treaters or that your children collected needs to go on November 1. Otherwise, if you keep it around the house, you risk munching on it, well, possibly up until Thanksgiving! No, thanks! Donate the leftover candy to your local school or church. Throw unwanted leftovers away (really, the trash can wears the calories better than you do). If you allow your children to continue to eat their trick-or-treating loot, have them stash it away out of your eyesight so you are not tempted to eat it. Scary Good Treats from The BariatricPal Store Treats with a Little Trick Trick or treat! It’s fun to gather all kinds of candies, but you know the damage to your waistline. The calories pile on, the sugar leads to more carb cravings and possibly dumping syndrome, and the fat clogs your arteries. Who needs those kinds of effects when you can turn to treats from The BariatricPal Store? Our little trick is to change up the nutritionals to bump up the protein and dial down the calories, sugar, and fat. Instead of grabbing a candy bar next time, try one of these little treats: Caramel Coated Protein Puffs Snacks with 150 calories and 15 grams of protein. chocolate & Caramel Crispy Bites with 160 calories and 12 grams of protein. White Chocolate Dream Bar with 170 calories, 10 grams of protein, and 5 grams of Fiber. Peanut Butter and Smooth Caramel Crisp Bar with 140 calories, 15 grams of protein, and 10 grams of fiber. You may not even miss your favorite candy bar. Grab the Best Deals! We’re celebrating the 1-year anniversary of the opening of The BariatricPal Store, and you will come out the winner! We’re constantly increasing our inventory, so check our new products regularly. Are you new to our store? Just use coupon code BPNEWSLETTER10 when you check out for a 10% discount off your entire purchase cost! The Start of the Eating Season (or Not) On guard! Halloween marks the unofficial start to the holiday season. Festive though it may be, the holidays can mean trouble for your weight loss plan. Leftover Halloween candy in the home and office. Thanksgiving…a four-day eating marathon in itself. Christmas Cookies, fudge, fruitcakes, and candy canes. Holiday parties with friends, family, and coworkers. Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. And more… The bottom line is that there may be food wherever you turn, and you can’t give in each time if you want to stay on track with your weight loss goals. Here are a few tips to help you get through this time. Practice saying “no.” “No, thank you.” “No, thanks, my doctor says I can’t eat that.” “No, thanks, I’m not hungry right now.” Have your own healthy substitutes ready. You can save hundreds of calories by making yourself some Protein Cocoa instead of ordering it with your friend or coworkers at a coffee shop, or by munching on a Chocolate Wafer Protein Bar instead of a few squares of fudge. Eat regularly to keep cravings down. Instead of letting yourself get too hungry so that you risk overdoing it when it is time to eat, keep healthy and quick meals and snacks on hand. Canned tuna, washed and cut fruits and vegetables, nuts, yogurt, and protein bars are just a few ideas. Change your goals slightly to be more realistic. You may lose weight a little more slowly during these months, and that’s okay. Scour the table before serving yourself. Often, there is a high-protein choice that can work for you, such as roast beef or ham, even if it is not the healthiest in the world. Plan an occasional treat when you know something spectacular is coming up. It might be a cookie from your aunt’s annual Christmas delivery, or some cornbread stuffing. Plan to have a bite to satisfy yourself so you do not feel deprived or, on the other hand, go overboard. The holiday season is long for weight loss surgery patients, since temptations are everywhere and these are foods that you may have enjoyed in the past. Still, you can get through it right on track by being a little cautious and planning ahead whenever possible. Have a safe and healthy Halloween this year! Enjoy every minute of it, and come tell us about it on the boards at BariatricPal! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

Very scared and feel so alone..I am a 47 yo female with type 1 diabetes since age of 15, i have COPD AND chronic back pain with arthritis.am a LPN but have not worked in past almost 4 years due to MANY issues with my diabetes effecting my ability to work. I was approved for social security disability June of 2013. I have NO ENERGY, TIRED ALL THE TIME AND ALWAYS IN PAIN. To top this all off i had ALL my teeth extracted the end of September due to 90% bone loss in my mouth. I have NO self esteem.. I am a LPN but have not worked in past almost 4 years due to MANY issues with my diabetes effecting my ability to work. I was approved for social security disability June of 2013. I have NO ENERGY, TIRED ALL THE TIME AND ALWAYS IN PAIN. -my dentures dont fit so i only go out of house mayvbe once a week. Yesterday i saw my dr due to my back pain is worse---he mentioned his concern of my weight effecting all aspects of my life and wants me to consider "gastric bypass surgery" --i am floored- i feel so lost, so alone and utterly disgusting. I am hoping someone here will be able to give me some advice or suggestions as this is ALL NEW TO ME- my main issue is -even though i am a type 1 diabetic i eat VERY LITTLE- i normally have a pot pie for lunch, a can of soup for dinner and maybe a yogurt for night snack--that is it- so if the surgery is just to limit intake i dont feel it would benefit me-- i dont get hungry often and when i do i eat very small amounts. I do drink alot of sweetened ice tea- i appreciate you listening ansd appreciate any help or suggestions.

I am three weeks out tomorrow and can tell you that once you get to the purée, cottage cheese, refried Beans, yogurts, etc. you will feel much better. I now eat something, 4 oz or less every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I'm mostly hungry first thing in the morning but I think it's because of the large number of hours without food. I sip a lot of Water and try to use Protein supplements in the water. There are many flavors available. Good luck, be patient! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App