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you have sutures inside that still needs to heal. you don't want to tear a suture or get food caught in the suture line. i was allowed on stage 2 to have soup that was emulsified so there wasn't any lumps in it. i even made my own using chicken beans and southwest flavors. i had 1 protein drink either vanilla protein with crystal lite fruit flavor or chocolate in decaf coffee for a poor mans mocha. a lite and fit greek yogurt and soup. ask your doctor about adding some soup to your stage 2. good luck

Mine was 2 oz lean meat + 1 oz green veggies (soft), or a poached egg over a couple tablespoons of refried beans, something like that. Or 3oz yogurt or cottage cheese.

So I had my surgery I week ago tomorrow. I went home after two nights in the hospital. Besides a little constipation I feel pretty good except all I want to do is lay around and sleep. I was hoping to get to the supermarket today but I was not feeling up to it. I'm off all the pain meds now (Oxycodone & Tylenol). I've been eating protein sakes & light yogurt but I'm really missing some real food like eggs or grilled cheese. What are the consequences of cheating with some Stage 3 pureed foods? Is it common to feel this weary one week post op? Thanks!

What works for me is regimentation, that is, repeating the same schedule every day. Weekends can be tricky, but I still try to stick to my schedule as closely as possible. Your menu may vary, but try to eat, drink, and walk on the same schedule. Below is an example I posted during my weight-loss phase. I found that the closer I stuck to it, the faster the weight came off. Good luck! As for carbs, mostly I get them from my shakes, Greek yogurt, and the very limited veggies I'm able to fit in after my Protein. Other doctors and nutritionists give you carb targets, but my doctor just says to limit them as much as possible. If you're not logging your food yet, I'd suggest using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/. It helps you keep track of your protein and fluids, but also can help you figure out if anything is going off track and affecting your weight loss. Okay, here's an example of my day: I keep a 2-quart jug and a 24-oz Tervis tumbler (with a handle) both at home and at work. I count my morning protein shake as a meal, not a Fluid. (30 grams of protein) 30-60 minutes later, I have a cup of coffee. (Count it as a fluid if you like.) After that, I drink a 24-oz. tumbler of watered-down, decaf, sugar-free iced tea, like Crystal Light throughout the morning. (Lots of frequent sips) Then I walk for 30+ minutes at lunch. Then it's lunchtime - tuna salad or chicken salad, or leftover protein from dinner. (16-22 grams of protein) and maybe a bite of veggies if there's room. About 45 minutes after lunch, I'll fill another 24-oz tumbler of iced tea and sip that throughout the afternoon, finishing by 30 minutes before my afternoon snack. At around 4:00 or 4:30, my afternoon snack is usually a Greek yogurt (12 grams of protein) or some leftovers. (This is also a good time to get in some veggies or a V-8 if you're getting enough protein at other times.) Maybe a cup of hot tea in the later afternoon. (Count it as a fluid you like.) Then dinner – again, getting 20-25 grams of protein from lean steak, fish, chicken, or pork, and maybe a bite or two of veggies. Finally, another 24-oz cup of iced tea or Water 30-45 minutes after dinner that I sip throughout the evening. If I'm hungry later, sugar-free Jello or sugar-free popsicles are good. And if I'm short on protein or still hungry, another yogurt or protein shake. (I'm not worried about the calories because this menu only provides 700-900 per day.) So that's 70+ grams of protein and 72+ ounces of fluid, with some exercise as well. If you have a regular enough schedule, you can follow it every day. If not, maybe a modified version will work. The big trick is in pre-planning your meals and your fluids, especially if you're going to be away from home or work. In those cases, I always make sure there will be something I can eat, or I bring along a Protein shake or some kind of meat to carry me through. I've also gotten pretty good at restaurant eating. I avoid the bread and salad, order chicken, steak, lamb, fish, or pork, trade in the starch for a second veggie, skip the dessert.... and end up taking half of the meat, and almost all of the veggies home. I know we need to learn to eat "normally", but I'm not there yet – especially when it comes to carbs. When I get to goal weight, I'll work on finding my new low-carb "normal". Hope that helps! Rog

So.....your diet is weird to me. Mine way WAY different and a lot more gentle on my new tummy. Week one, full liquids. Protein drinks, I used EAS carb advantage rich chocolate as they were not as sweet as most. 120ish calories 20ish grams protein. It took me an hour to drink one and I could drink 2 over the day if I was lucky. Usually 1 and 1/2. Also broth Soups, strained. Gatorade, watered down. Week two, purées. Refried Beans, loosened with Water. Hummus, guacamole, greek yogurt, Peanut Butter -- warmed, cream soups -- all a tablespoon max per sitting. Gatorade watered down. Week three, soft foods. Puréed chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, all heavy on the mayo for moisture. Crab cakes -- no filler, mashed sweet potatoes with butter, scrambled eggs -- very wet loosened with milk, half an egg at most. Two tablespoons was pushing it. Gatorade watered down. Crystal light. Through these phases, I had nothing to chew. I could barely get 30 oz fluids, and water was not an option. Watered down Gatorade, Crystal light, and ... yeah -- nothing else was an option. I never hit my numbers, but I tried. Focus on liquid, not food. You can live without food, but you need water in whatever form, you just don't know it yet. pizza and nuggets at three weeks is a recipe for disaster.

Hi marcescobar22@hotmail.com, Yes, it can be super tough to get in your protein right after surgery! It sounds like you’ve got a good start with the protein powder in your broth and with your yogurt. I think adding a couple of shakes to your day should help you hit your goals. You might also look for a low-sugar protein shake (or protein powder). If you’re interested in “all-natural” foods, look for a shake labeled “natural” or sweetened with stevia instead of artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose. These are some suggestions: Pure Protein Whey Protein (vanilla or chocolate), About Time shaes (http://tryabouttime.com/), MRM whey concentrate, Jay Rob Protein, Terra’s Whey. If you can get in a couple of shakes a day, plus some protein in your broth, plus a yogurt, you should be pretty close to hitting that 60-gram goal. Also, remember to take your time. It’s not going to be easy to get protein down at this point so early after surgery. It can take 30 minutes or more to get a shake down. I hope that helps! Natalie

Hey all, Can you all tell me how you are getting in your Protein. Now that you are on solid foods? I am a month post op and I can not even finish a yogurt. I eat oatmeal as well but can only eat 2 or 3 spoons as well as not finishing a whole egg. Any recommendations

Some natural/Greek yogurt? Maybe with a drizzle of honey?

Had my surgery Aug 20th. Hate hate hate the clear liquid stage. Looking forward to pudding and yogurt on Thursday. No real pain other than up in my ribs and back. Hard to take a deep breath. I think this is from the hiatal hernia repair though. I went back to work AUg 24th. Tired mostly. ANd I am not coming close to my Protein or liquid intake. Hope Im not making myself sick because of it.

@@OKCPirate @@McButterpants I did some googling and there are some great trade in places near me so I'll try and see if I can trade in my bike for either a hybrid or a road bike. How heavy is your hybrid @@McButterpants? I live on the second floor and have to carry whatever bike I get up and down a narrow flight of stairs. That's part of the hassle with my cruiser. But I do like idea of being able to ride on rougher terrain at some point. @@catfish87 I did the yogurt this morning and didn't have any nausea but I was also drinking the Water with the electrolyte tab at every stop light. I have a couple cyclist friends who swear by Gu but I don't know if it's worth it for only an hour bike ride. Have you had any experience with it?

@@Indieflickers Yea, I'd skip the yogurt and see if that helps....dairy and exercise does not go together for me. I'd say since you're gonna be on asphalt and concrete, go to the bike shop, get fitted for a hybrid or a road bike. I live in a pretty big metropolitan area and there are TONS of used bikes available. My first road bike came from a bike shop....it was an aluminum frame Trek road bike. I put several thousand miles on it and then upgraded to a carbon Fiber bike last year. You should be able to find a good, VERY good slightly used bike for around $300-600 range depending on what you want. Maybe cheaper. Bike shops take trade-ins and should be able to steer you towards a good one. After you know the style and size you need, craigslist is a resource you may desire to look at as well. So many people buy one and don't ride it. And then theres always new....I see good Hybrids from $450 up. Road bikes will be more and carbon fiber = Much more. And really consider that heart rate monitor... I personally use a Garmin 310xt that works well for biking/running/etc. I would highly recommend it as a somewhat entry level multi-sport device that has a lot of info available. You'll be able to know for sure, just how hard you're working/distance/calories/etc. And edited to add: Make sure you get some good padded riding shorts/pants/bibs. After a long ride, you'll be glad you did.

@@catfish87 I ride on asphalt and concrete. I don't foresee doing anything other than urban environments for awhile. I try to have a bit of yogurt about an hour before I exercise but I save the protein shakes for after. I went to the bike shop and got some electrolyte tablets to put in my water. So we'll see if that helps!

Hi! I can not stand protein shakes. I add génepro to my chicken broth...and take a yogurt that has 13 gr. Protein. ...can you give me ideas? I don't know what else ...I would like natural skakes...thank you

Just sleeved on 8/19 and I had the best surgeon in Maryland. So far all is well. I was discharged on Friday and was on a clear liquids for 2 days. As of today I started the full liquid diet which I can now have low fat plain yogurt, cream soups and 1% milk. My dinner tonight was cream corn soup w/no corn bits at all by Dole. It was sooooo good. Well, so far so good. Pain is but a dull ache if I bend or turn certain ways. When I eat/drink I have to wait a few seconds in between as I can literally feel the food entering into my stomach and I can hear it as well...lol...little gurgling sounds. I get little tingles of what feels like hunger pains from time to time. Not sure what that's about. No nausea or complications so far. I've already lost 15 pounds since 8/19. I'm getting my protein in (isopure ) along with my daily fluid intake goals. And my new addiction is sugar free tropical flavored popsicles-sooooo good! Hope to share/trade experiences with others here! I look forward to my post op appointment.

Hi all. Im ten days post op and just trying cream soup, cottage cheese and yogurt. I can get about 4 oz of soup down in one sitting but only two spoonfuls of cottage cheese. How much are you all getting in?

I started on yogurt today. Kroger has a brand called Carbmaster which is pretty decent tasting. Out of about a 6 oz cup I've only been able to down about 2 oz. Still, feels good to be able to add a little of variety to my diet. So far it has sat pretty well in my sleeve. I also get to add creamy soups and have nice broccoli cheddar soup waiting at home I can try tonight. I had to take the stairs a few times at work today and that also has not been too bad. So far a decent day.

If you were still losing weight while eating every two hours, then I'd stick to that since it works for you. Everyone has a slightly different experience. I can eat more in the morning, but then I tend to have yogurt or cottage cheese which is softer. Today for lunch I had a tuna-to-go type lunchable with crackers, 3 oz of tuna, mayo and relish. I was able to eat it all (wasn't when I first started solids) but I'm extremely full. Dinners tend to be smaller for me. Last night I made country ribs (the boneless kind) and I ate one and was satisfied (along with two bites of cornbread and 1/8 cup canned green beans). I also drink coffee every morning and that keeps me full for a couple of hours. I don't find that I am "hungry" the way I used to be. I still have urges to eat which have nothing to do with hunger. Then there's the feeling my stomach gets when it is empty. But my hunger is just not the same. The physical hunger, that is. My head hunger is still there. Boo.

I like GNC Pro Performace whey protein natural flavour. It has no flavour and 40 grams of protein in just 2 scoops!! I add pb2 powder for extra protein and to give it a nice taste. Sometimes I add Greek yogurt and fruit for a smoothie but only occasionally because of the carbs.

I'm also almost three weeks post surgery. My surgeon was Dr. John Angstadt. I've not had a fill yet, but I'm not hungry. I am having trouble sipping water. I want to drink it faster. I notice I'm probably eating a little to fast as well. I've been stick to ricotta cheese, mushed egg with mayonnaise, yogurt, cream of wheat, sugar free jello and sugar free ice pops. I also had a protein drink the first two weeks. I stopped drinking with my meals before surgery. I just have to keep reminding myself not to drink while eating.

I will be honest, in the beginning I had to set an alarm and measure my good because I had the same problem. I followed a very structured plan until I could figure it out. I would have some warm Water first thing to wake my tummy up. Then about 30 minutes to an hour later 1/4 yogurt. About 2 hours later 6 oz. of Protein shake. Then for lunch around 1pm I would have some puréed Soup, or puréed tuna salad. No more than 1/4 cup. Then at 3pm I would have another 4/6 oz. of Protein Shake. Finally about 6pm or so I would have puréed chicken or fish with a little puréed veggie or applesauce. There were times if I would feel uncomfortable, or I would hiccup or cough it was a sign that I was getting full. Or even a deep sigh. I never went beyond 1/4 cup at the puréed stage that way I was sure I would not over do it. By the way. I would make sure I would get at least 48 ounces of water. I promise you will start to figure it out you just may need to stick to a schedule and measure for now. Good luck!

I had the band for 2 years and had problems the last year with it. I had a revised sleeve surgery. The surgery was a breeze, no real pain to speak of. I have been having real hunger pains every two hours. I was eating small amounts every two hours. My doctor told me not to do that it will not help me in losing the weight. I lost 15 lbs. since the surgery which was this past march. What is the amount of protein that should be eaten in a meal? I can eat a 5oz. Yogurt without a problem. But when I eat say chicken I can't even eat any more than 2oz. However I still get hungry at the two hour mark. I have added protein through out the day added to my water. I thought this would help but it does not do what I thought it would do. Should I just work through the hunger pains until my next meal and hope my system will get used to it. What does a meal consist of. Just need some advise. Thanks

You should ask your own surgeon, but mine recommended 2 ounce (1/4 cup) when eating meals. I always limit myself to 2 ounces of whatever I'm eating (yogurt, tuna, etc).

add to yogurt or coffee is my to favorite things as I am new to the unflavored powdered protein thing.

I can't drink anything milk-based, so I use Nectar fruit flavored ones. I can get them in individual packets & have a variety of flavors. I also use the Nectar unflavored to add to things like yogurt. You can probably find them near you, but nashuanutrition.com has them.

costco just opened up in my town. I went there and I was so excited bc it has all sorts of amazing things designed for people with WLS--little individual mozzarella cheeses, 4 oz containers of chicken salads (so delicious, 14 grams of Protein, 140 calories) individual hummuses. Boxes of small Greek yogurts! Lots of Protein shakes (although I hate almost all such shakes and am desperate for other sources of protein). It is amazing what makes me excited these days. Also, although I thought my weight loss was slow (and it is compared to many people) today (six weeks post op) my pants literally fell off me. That was pretty exciting.