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2 more days on liquids... Counting down to soft foods.. I can't wait. This weekend was hard bc I was at a family BBQ with AMAZING food and did not have one bite. I drank my shake. Drank water, had some yogurt and then later some cottage cheese.. That was it. I don't think a scrambled egg will ever taste so good! How is everyone else doing?

Here are some food ideas I've been enjoying this summer, along with some tips to make the prep super fast. I call these "recipes" (in quotes) because they don't include measurements (except the last one). They're more meant to serve as inspiration. My first tip is that, I've been buying pre-cooked quinoa and brown rice recently and keeping it in the freezer until I'm ready to use it. Brown rice (or your favorite grain, farro would be lovely) can be swapped for quinoa in any of these "recipes", though quinoa has the least carbs and highest Protein of the bunch (since it's a seed, not a grain). Quinoa is really easy to cook, and if you make a big batch you can portion and freeze the left overs. But the pre-cooked version is great when you're too tired to even boil Water. Cheesy Quinoa: - Mix prepared quinoa with skim milk, or fat free yogurt, and your favorite sharp melting cheese. Pop in the microwave and stir regularly. I like to add some veg for Fiber and Vitamins too. Chopped tomato, broccoli, or zucchini are my favs. For an extra boost of vegetarian protein throw in some canned black Beans. -- I like to keep frozen veg on hand for times like this, and I buy pre-shredded extra sharp cheddar (a small grating of fresh, real, Parmesan cheese adds a nice nutty saltiness too) Summer Caprese - Fill your (small) plate with really good fresh mozzarella cheese (tear it from the ball, don't slice, for a rustic feel), the best summer tomatoes you can find, and fresh summer corn. Top with olive oil, course salt, fresh ground pepper, and your favorite fresh herbs if you have them on hand. You'll get protein from the cheese, healthy fat from the olive oil, and fiber and nutrition from the veg. Yum! - I love to have fresh corn in the summer - I throw them in the oven with husks still on right on the oven grates, then store in the fridge in gallon size bags. Frozen, defrosted corn would work fine too though Quinoa Kale Pesto with Shrimp - Some time many months ago I was feeling ambitious and made a kale pesto, and froze the left overs in an ice cube tray, that now sit in a baggie in my freezer (to be inspired, the "recipe" included kale, bacon fat, pecans and Parmesan cheese). Recently I broke out a few cubes, mixed with pre-cooked quinoa, pre-cooked frozen/defrosted shrimp, and some pieces of frozen kale. You can sub a store-bought or fresh pesto of your choosing. I heated it up (microwave) with some anchovy slices for an extra Omega hit and salty kick. I was able to split one small bowl between Breakfast and lunch because it filled me up so much Quinoa Chickpea Sardine salad - in this case I'm using salad as in "tuna salad" or "egg salad", not as in lettuce salad - This one packs a macro-nutrient punch, though it doesn't have any veg the way I made it (celery, or tomato would be good though) - Mix canned chickpeas with quinoa, and a tin of sardines (I used the kind packed in olive oil, but don't pour all the oil in). I then mixed well with some all-natural mayo, and seasoned with salt, pepper, celery seed, and dried thyme. I'm trying to work seafood into my diet more, so this was a great way to get some in. The quinoa, sardines and chickpeas all have protein, and the sardines, oil, and chickpeas have healthy fat. And the mayo, in moderation, is just there because it tastes good! (The brand I bought actually has 25% DV of Vitamin E per serving - so that is slightly redeeming) And finally, last but not least, one of my favorite things I ever learned how to cook: Cheese Sauce. It comes out so creamy and delicious I promise skim milk works great. This sauce is amazing mixed with spaghetti squash which...you can cook whole in the microwave (just be sure to pierce it with a knife to avoid explosion)! Yum. I swear you will not miss the pasta! It goes great on anything you want cheesy. Cheese Sauce (this is an actual recipe - scale up or down using the proportions below) - Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil or butter, 1 tbsp flour, 1 cup skim milk, 1 oz grated sharp melting cheese, salt to taste - Heat the oil/butter in a pot, and add the flour and cook slightly until the flour is fully incorporated and a light caramel color. - Slowly whisk in the milk, ensuring the flour mixture dissolves - Keep whisking over med-low heat until the mixture becomes thick and creamy (this is a bechamel!) - Add your cheese until it melts and salt to taste - This recipe take some actual work unlike the others, but it's so tasty it's hard to pass up I hope these ideas can serve as inspiration! Meal prep doesn't have to be hard. The freezer and microwave can be your friend, without reaching for processed meals.

Unlike many others on here, my post-op diet was: Clear liquids for the day after surgery and until I was discharged (which was the next day. After that, I was on full liquids for one week (this included greek yogurt, sugar free Jello & popsicles, Protein shakes, etc.). During that time, I made sugar free jello with added Protein Powder (Unjury's site has a recipe). I was on pureed food approx. one week post op (after 1 week of full liquids). After 2 weeks of pureed food, I am now on soft foods for a week or two. My surgeon is one of the best in the field. It makes me wonder why other surgeons make patients do a full week of clear liquids and then another week of full liquids. I think I would have had no energy for anything! @@lachellove, if you can, try making the sugar free jello with added protein. Also, as others suggested, get isopure or unjury chicken Soup flavor. They count as clear liquids.

I'm six weeks out and should be near the end of soft food, almost able to start eating normally again--but I hate everything. Either it makes me sick or I just have no desire to eat at all. Protein shakes give me dumping syndrome. I hate greek yogurt. I was over cottage cheese after two days. I never want to see soup again for as long as I live. Everything makes me feel uncomfortable and bloated. Forgive me for sounding like the spokesperson for Fairlife milk, but Fairlife Milk is the only reason I haven't died of starvation! It's ultra-filtered, so lactose and most other sugars are gone, and it's got extra protein and Calcium. I drink that with a variety of sugar free/diet flavors (strawberry, chocolate, PB2, diet hot cocoa), and munch low-fat cheese or occasionally a frozen yogurt bar. Some people just tolerate different things. My sleeve just happens to be a crybaby about everything, but it'll get better. Yours will too. Just keep experimenting with different foods so you find a way to get your protein.

I can no longer at least for now eat anything milk related so Greek yogurt whey shakes ricotta etc all out for me I'm pureeing cooked chicken and veg soup and eating that 3 times a day managing about half a small tea cup at a time maybe a little less. Taking 20 mons to manage that. Also sleeve doesn't like cold plain water so living on herbal caffeine free fruity teas. Forgot to mention I'm on day 5.

Yup I've also become lacrosse or milk Protein intolerant. Sipping a Protein shake made it sound like fireworks going off inside. I had a small Greek yogurt today and promptly had my my first dumping experience. On the upside I had not been for 6 days so it cleared me out lol. Tried a tiny bit of cheese melted in my refried Beans and again no good. So yip looks like I have to give up all things dairy for a while. Which I'm gutted about as I was relying on them to get me through!

I know what everyone means about the gas pains! Am 5 days post op and I feel like I'm walking around with a blown up balloon in my stomach - so bloated! Am doing the "walk walk walk - sip sip sip" but still isn't going anywhere. Ohh sugar free popsicles sound nice! Not hot enough here for them as its winter so been sipping on herbal teas. I'm *just* getting a litre of liquid in a day but its definitely getting easier. @@thinkingthin15 - i understand about trying not to make a mistake! I had a blonde moment yesterday where i was making a smoothie from the book i was given - i needed some low fat natural yogurt so I opened up a new container, and without thinking, scrapped off a good spoonful of the 'good stuff' from underneath of the lid... was a bit too heavy/thick for my stomach and it sure let me know about it for a few mins!

Hi! What you can do is ask your nutritionist if you can start your pre op diet now. Some people do have to be on it longer than others depending on their health so, I don't think it would be out of the question. That would be two bariatric supplement shakes twice a day, two Greek yogurts and one meal of lean protein and non starchy vegetables. It's tough, but effective. I'm sure you will be down the 30 or very close in a month or two. I lost 20 during that phase but, everyone is different. I think they just may want to see that you can stick to a plan before they go ahead.

I just got back to the San Diego airport after my journey to Tijuana Mexico. The clinic I had my surgery and was very small but Dr. Lopez was amazing and the nurses were there for me every minute of the three days I was there. I do now say that I wish I would have gone to the recovery house instead of the grand hotel because the hotel was horrible accommodations the medical floor I was supposed to be on was full so they put me on a different floor with a bed that was so close to the floor I could barely get up in the evening. I was able to change my flight and I'm now at the San Diego airport feeling much better drinking water just had a little yogurt for dinner and I'm excited to go home to my family. Without my personal guide Sherman I do not think this would've been a good experience for me but the people at bariatric pal are amazing.

I had surgery on Monday as well. The first two days were hard, but it's getting easier and easier each day. I agree with the walking... It really does help even if I feel like a 90 year old man sometimes. Slow and steady wins the race. I was on clear fluids Tuesday and Wednesday, then adding other liquids and even some soft foods (yogurt, applesauce, cream of wheat, etc)... It's surprising to me what I'm allowed to eat already based on what other plans allow, but it's all gone down okay. I get my drain removed on Monday, and see my nut right after that.

Hi ! My surgery is wednesday And I read my doctors instructions but I can't get a clear picture and organize my mind of what I will eat for bkfast lunch and dinner. I would Love some ideas. Third day I can eat Tuna, ricotta, Greek yogurt, cottage and the protein shake... What would fit? What is the size of my meal? Im confused ...

I'm able to do Greek yogurt but only got down 2.4 oz down today. I will have the rest for breakfast! I also sip on water all day and I stay so full. I do better with plain water! A lot of SF stuff has been adding more gas on top of the surgery gas! I stopped the SF Popsicles and water fillers and had less gas! Today I got in about 55 to 60 grams of protein but I was sipping on and off all day today. I am now so full!

I'm so sorry you're going through this but I have to tell you I opened the app to find advice about this same concern! I'm 3 days post op & supposed to be able to take yogurt, applesauce, etc and only sip on protein shake in between. I feel better if I get that protein in. The fluff stuff doesn't do it for me. : ) Hope this concern improves for you soon!

I'm using Trader Joe's Iced coffee, mix with yogurt (vanilla) and Stevia with vanilla (at Whole Foods) and ice. No frap will stand up to it. 1/3 a scoop of Protein powder and I have: Flavor 15g Protein 70 calories Caffeine buzz for workout Try to beat that one Starbucks

You actually cannot stretch your pouch however as the swelling goes down you have more room in there. also down the road, there is something that happens in which your brain allows you to eat more as well, so it is important that what you are eating is healthy and that you keep portion control in mind. I am 10.5 months post op and I can eat about a cup of food total. When you think of a cup of food, you think of it all chewed up. So if you are eating a salad you can actually eat more than will fit in a cup before chewing. As long as you are not eating longer than 30 minutes and sticking to your plan you should be just fine. There has been several studies done on whether the pouch stretches. The consensus is that it does not but we tend to get more comfortable eating more than we should. Listen to your stomach and stop when you are full, don't eat beyond that. Also watch for slider foods that make you hungry again too soon. This becomes important when the hunger hormones come back for us RNY folks. Slider foods for me are things like Soup, yogurt, pudding.....

What kind of dingbat gets a fill the day before they are going to the state fair......ME. that's good for automatic 10pound weight loss right???? No funnel cake, corn dog, nada. Took my bag of liquids with me. Mmmm. Yogurt n applesauce. :'-(

My NUTs main advise with each stage was "add foods as you can tolerate them." Don't force yourself to eat what your sleeve doesn't want yet. I still can't eat any type of shredded beef because no matter how much I chew it hurts going down. Try something and if it hurts wait a few weeks. I also buy the individual prepackaged tuna and salmon that comes in different flavors. Greek yogurt in different flavors has become a staple with me. I am nearly 10 weeks out and I just this week tried leafy greens and most fruits.

IsoPure drinks are pretty burly. Try one first before filling the cupboard with it, like I did. Fortunately, GNC happily refunded my money...they're good to deal with. Plain whey powder has an unfortunate cheesy flavor that is very pronounced in a lot of fruit-based drinks. It blends in well with chocolate or vanilla flavors, however. Plus there's the lactose-intolerance to consider. I've been relying heavily on lassi, an Indian yogurt-based drink. Very refreshing in the summer, and high-Protein. It can be made with simply spices and a little sweetener, or with fruit...a "salty" lassi can also be made using cucumbers or bell peppers (strain before drinking). There's recipes out on the web for all of it. There's soy Proteins that come in many forms...tofu, tempeh, miso, and powders. More neutral in flavor than whey. Not sure why soy has the stigma it seems to suffer from...I've always liked it, and it's easy to work with. Miso broth tastes good, and has lots of protein.

I spend a lot less. I buy so little at a time. Will ask the butcher for 1 italian sausage or 2 ounces of Chorizo. Most of my money goes for greek yogurt and Protein shakes. The premium shakes being on sale at costco this month helped.

Im 1 week out. Since surgery, Ive been able to add yogurt and more milk products. However, Ive been extremely lightheaded, exhausted and dizzy the last 2 days. My lips even feel tingly when Im up or move too fast. I also have diarrhea with bad cramps. Im not complaining too much about that bc I havent gone since before surgery. But my question is- how do you know you are lactose intolerant? I had a small cheat today. The kids had tacos so I had a tiny bit of sour cream, cheese and some taco meat flavoring. I instantly got cramps. I am wondering if its bc I did that (I mashed it up very well and ate slow, it was maybe an ounce worth) or if its bc Im lactose intolerant. I have also seen that this could be signs of anemia. What can I take for that? Im going to call my surgeons office tomorrow but wanted to check here first...any ideas?

Hi everyone well I am four days post op. My surgeon and Nut allow thicker liquids from day one. So while I have had a few more bites each day and getting more in it turns out my new sleeve doesn't like dairy :/ I was relying on Greek yogurt and Protein shakes to get me through the next 3 weeks. Now I'm at a loss and it's the weekend here in nz. I have been able to get in some savory stage one baby food and some homemade pumkin Soup. But neither have much protein in. Just ate them so I wouldn't collapse from lack of calories. And yes they were both allowed food for first few days.

I'm not sure what your doctor recommended, but for the first two weeks mine said liquids only. Isopure and the Syntrax nectar sweets have been good. Like Inner Surfer Girl said SF popsicles, broth, and crystal light. I was able to have strained low fat cream Soups and plain greek yogurt, but everyone's doctors are different. I was also told whey isolate Protein only. A nurse told me to try this other protein (it was whey concentrate) and it made me SO sick. Good luck!

I'm within a couple days of being two months post-op. My surgeon and nutritionist have set my limit at no more than 15 per day. I've found that my post op plan is a little stricter than most people's. I'm not allowed any starchy carbs, no bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, crackers, etc. Right now the only carbs I'm getting are from Greek yogurt and the very small amount of non-starchy vegetables I have room for, once I eat my Protein for each meal.

My surgeon was very progressive in introducing foods - immediately, I could have yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, soft foods. When I returned home (I traveled out of area because I was self pay), my local doc was not as progressive and I had to go back to liquids. It was a little weird and at time frustrating. Everyone's post op diet and food introduction is different. I always suggest, however, that no matter what, you always follow YOUR doctor's/nutritionist's plan.

I see that most people have 14 of liquids after surgery, my doctor diet is that after we are discharged we go to phase 3, soft foods lile cottage cheese, protein drinks, tuna w/ mayo, broth, greek yogurt...anyone else's doctor is the same?