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Thanks Sandradee and Bklynike! Yeah I journal food everyday, but one of the rules Doc put on me for 4 wks was "no liquid calories". So no protein drinks or even my beloved fruit smoothies (I would make my own with low fat vanilla yogurt, frozen mixed fruit, protein powder and a touch of milk...tastes just like a melted Dairy Queen Blizzard ...mmmmmm). I'll have to ask Doc on Monday if I can have my smoothies again!! I upped my food proteins and started taking Biotin for skin, hair and nails so hopefully all will be good in the vitamin department! Thanx again for the great words of encouragement!!

I started this journey about the middle of 2014. My insurance required that I have a 6 month doctor supervised diet. I was able to go to the dietician and she reported to my PCP. I saw the actual surgeon for the first time in January. I had a attended an informational meeting back before I started the 6 month wait that the doctor spoke at. So I was familiar with him. The staff at the weight loss center was very good and informative. I had my lap band surgery Feb. 20, 2015. I went in on a Friday for the procedure and was home by noon that day. I had very little pain and did not use any pain medication. I did have the referred pain in my Left shoulder that lasted about a week. It was pretty intense at times and I used tylenol. Helped a little! My surgeon required a 10 day liquid diet prior to the surgery. This was mainly Protein shakes, juices, broth, SF Jello, and popscicles. That was tough. I just kept telling myself, "You can do anything for 10 days". I lost 11 lbs before I even had the surgery. The worst part is I got tired of everything being sweet. I did get some V8 and tomato juice and drank broth. That helped some. I also quit drinking diet soda and caffeine. I drink tea and SF lemonade mostly now. After, the surgery I was on a liquid diet for one day and then could have full liquids or mushy foods like Cereal soaked in milk mushy! Protein Shakes, yogurt, Soup, etc. It was then I really grieved for food. I wanted something real to eat sooo bad. I was eating around 600to 800calories per day and I was not losing much weight. Couldn't figure that out, except my body was in starvation mode and was afraid I was going to die! Finally, I progressed back to real food. about 2 weeks later. I had my first fill at about 2 and half weeks out. I have had a fill every 2 weeks since and had one this week and I finally think I am getting somewhere. I can eat about 6 oz of food now and not get hungry for 4-5 hours. I was getting worried as I was getting hungry too soon. Hoping for the best. I have lost 21 lbs since surgery, 10 weeks out now.

How many grams of protien is in your shake? Premier has 30, one of them and you are half way there. You will gradually be able to eat more than 2 oz. at a time. Some people add unflavored Protein to Soup, yogurt, etc. Quest bars have about 20 grams of protein, you can try half in place of the cheese stick. Greek yogurt has much mor protein than regular. It gets easier. I never actually counted I just made sure I drank the Premier every day for breakfast(I still do) and make sure I eat meat and/or eggs for lunch and dinner and always eat all of the protein source before eating any veggies.

First off I will start by saying that I currently have no before & after pictures to show you guys as I am in no rush to show anyone what I look like since I'm still a work in progress... so.. sorry to disappoint on that front! I WILL add some eventually but not yet. Not even most of my family has seen what I look like and they are waiting impatiently! For me it's kind of a TADA moment. Like letting my family open a present. That being said, I am down whatever it is my ticker says... some crazy number (lost 190 lbs or so?) which is AMAZING! I can do normal things now that most people I know take for granted and it feels great. My blood pressure is generally perfectly normal (unless my anxiety is high) and my heart rate at rest is something crazy like 48 bpm. I've still got about 100lbs to lose. It feels like a lot yet but I try to keep it in my head that I'm coming up on almost losing 200lbs since I started this journey so another 100 can't be THAT bad. I would be closer right now if I hadn't stepped off the tracks here and there more recently and sat around nibbling crackers and such instead of eating my Proteins. I have found through experience and experimentation that if I do not get at least 65g of Protein in a day with my drinks and greek yogurts then I get RAVENOUS. So good tip if you find yourself suddenly more hungry than you've ever been and even though you were never a nibbler before you just keep nibbling GET THAT PROTEIN UP NOW! The holidays were rough and I got down on myself through November and December. I even had some of my old ugly depression rear it's head which only made the carb nibblemonster worse. I'm back on track now for a little bit and the weight is starting to drop again without even adding back my exercise yet as I prefer to do it one thing at a time and not overwhelm myself (besides my daily chores keep me pretty active in our new house: loading large 30-100lb logs into the wood stove 2x a day, pitchforking 100lbs or more of hay 2x a day for horses, and running out to the coop to take care of our 10 chickens in negative temperatures and 2 feet of snow). My 33rd birthday is coming up on the 2nd of February and the 4th of February is the anniversary of my surgery. My goal is to hit 249lbs by that date although with as easy as the weight comes off me if I just stick to eating properly (about 0.5-1lb a day) I should theoretically blow past that goal. After that I'll set a new goal. I don't regret this decision one bit. I had zero physical complications and have had zero physical complications in the almost year since the surgery. Mentally there have been complications of course. I let myself slip up, I've overeaten, I've been down on myself repeatedly for not "doing better" and I went through a bad breakup with my relationship with food since I felt like food was my only "joy" in life so what now? The process isn't over. I am still working through these things mentally and when I look in the mirror I still feel like I am that 450+ lbs person. I don't deny there have been *MANY* physical changes and looking back at an old picture of myself I was like %#@&! but mentally things are coming along slowly... I am working on pushing myself past my comfort zones and into new things. It takes awhile! I can't rush it! I have to be patient with myself and patience with myself has always been a problem. Patience with all other things is where I excel. Anyway, I will try to get some before and after pictures soon.. and by soon I mean when I feel I am ready. But I wanted to share a bit of what has happened since the first moment I committed to getting the VSG and the first time I ever posted here.

I'd check with my doc. It's each clinics differing opinion on whats right. For me it was NO sugar for 10 days (only sugar free yogurt and cottage cheese), others have Protein drinks for 2 weeks..etc. Check with your clinic theyll tell you whats right

My first day was pure hell! After that meltdown, I've been pretty good. The biggest factor with my new outlook was finding a Protein shake that I liked. I'm doing the unjury shakes, and so far so good. I've been mostly using the chocolate flavor with either strawberry yogurt or milk. I've been using frozen strawberries instead of ice cubes and it tastes yummy. My other "go-to" recipe is the unflavored unjury shake with crystal lite. Any crystal lite is OK, but I like the fruit punch kind the best. I just tried the chicken soup flavor last night and that was also really good. Most likely, I'll do a mix of the unflavored/crystal lite and chicken soup for after surgery. Best of luck!!

I find it interesting that different doctors give different instructions regarding the diet. I will be entering postop week 2 tomorrow, and for the past week, as instructed, I have been on full liquids but also had to include 70-100 grams of protein a day. I have felt like all I have done is drink, and drink a lot of very unappealing protein drinks at that. My docotor said if I didn''t get enough protein in, I would not lose weight, my stomach wouldn't heal properly and could leak, I could lose hair, etc. How I wish I could have cottage cheese, yogurt or even lentil soup! But those are not allowed until week 3, for me.

You're right. I looked at the label and 13g of fat os wayyyy too much for the taste. I'm just sick of everything I've been eating. It's all the same (cottage cheese, eggs, beans, chili, Greek yogurt). I am yearning for some carbs!!! When did you guys start lifting weights. I'm barely 4weeks and I want to take a class to lift weights but sometimes my main incision site still hurts or throbs sometimes so I hesitate. I have been swimming for a workout and that feels great. Any suggestions?

You are doing really well! I am using the Boost High Protein shakes (vanilla and chocolate Flavors), Hand Held Low Sodium Soups (chicken broth, Tomato, and Beef, Light Dannon Yogurt smoothies, whey Protein powder with Skim Milk, sugar free Popsicles, Jello, and this is all besides Water occasionally with crystal light packs and Diet V8 juice. That's it!! What does the Malt O Meal taste like? I can't wait to hear how your first fill goes!! I have a follow up appointment on 09/11/2009, but I am unsure if a fill is involved. I was told that a first fill isn't done until 6 weeks post op with the Realize Band. I don't know? The only time eating really didn't matter was when my stomach was really swollen. Now, I seem to crave numerous food items, but I keep active to keep it off of my mind! Praying for strength!

What is your doctor's post op diet progression? I was not allowed solids until week 5. Cherrios are really empty calories, no Protein (milk does have some). I have Greek yogurt with fruit for breakfast with the following add ins: unflavored benefiber, 1/2 scoop vanilla whey isolate, 1/3 cup Kashi Go lean (high protein), and some walnuts. Not sure on calories but maybe between 300-350, but close to 30 g or protein. My doctor says 3 oz of protein so I would have 2 oz of tuna with the 1 oz of laughing cow. Looks like you have having most of your protein in one meal. Try spreading it out over your day.

Ok... Sorry for your struggles! I had hummus, cottage cheese, yogurt right after surgery. All good sources of protein. I also had peanut butter... Just a spoon. My surgeon said the first month is all about water... Drinking water is going to help the inside stitches heal. Pooping takes a while to get right. You have nothing to poop right now so don't sorry about it.... Try some of these soft foods... Also broth is great! Good luck!

Right now you don't have a pouch at all! The band is just sitting there around the stomach. When you get fills the band actually expands like a balloon when the saline is added. This creats the pouch by creating a something akin to a funnel. I am not a medical professional, that is just how I view the band. Buy a scale and measure your Protein. At two weeks I would have 8 oz of smooth soup (tomato or sweet red pepper), and then a container of yogurt. At three weeks I could have 3 oz of cottage or ricotta cheese. This is a will power diet for now. I wish more doctors gave patients realistic expectations.

As long as it's allowed on your plan soup has been great for me at this stage. I started with beef or chicken broth and once I was on purees I switched to creamy soups. I love the roasted red pepper and tomato soup from Trader Joes. I melt a little asiago cheese in it. When I wanted something a little thicker I tried grits and they were really good. I make protein shakes in the morning with almond milk and chocolate protein powder and greek yogurt. This morning I added a little PB2.

I use the vanilla in my yogurt, cottage cheese, quark,oatmeal and cream of wheat.

You should be given details about what you can eat during each stage. Every surgeon is so different you really have to just wait and see what they tell you. Most people go from Clear liquids to full liquids (Protein shakes, Soups, I was allowed yogurt) Then people go to pureed foods and then soft foods. I have been eating a scrambled egg daily for a while now. It varies so much from surgeon to surgeon it's hard to make suggestions for you.

Yess because I’m hungry so much I’m scared to eat an actual meal so I just stick to the Greek yogurts And I may eat a piece of fish or chicken but that’s honestly it.

I am with Dr. Smith as well! I'm using jrobb Protein shakes and the soups are clam chowder, broccili and cheese, and anything that say cream of ... The orange sunset tomato soup taste like the ravioli sauce. For fillers I have sugar free pudding, Jello and my favorite sugar free fudge popsicles or frozen Greek yogurt from tcby ..(its off of Camp Bowie on the opposite side of mcdonalds) well I hope my reply helps....Good Luck Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I do not like any of the Greek yogurts very much. They are just too thick and strong tasting. I finally found a way to enjoy them. I dump one fruit flavored Greek yogurt in my Ninja blender, along with a little skim milk, a sprinkling of sliced almonds and a sprinkling of oatmeal and about 1/2 cup ice. I have been able to drink the entire smoothie and enjoy it! The 12-14 grams of protein from the yogurt + protein from the skim milk and almonds gives me a nice breakfast or lunch. Yay! I have not tried to add any protein powder yet, but I may try that soon (didn't want to ruin it).

This is that time post op when everything begins to change. Firstly the first 6 months portions change from 1/2 cup to more like 3/4 to a full cup. In addition you begin to recognize slider foods. I am two years post op and usually consume 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups of food depending on what I am eating. I can eat more salad than meat but meat keeps me fuller longer even though i eat less of it. The things that fill me up and keep me full longest is: Full fat cheese lunch meats Dense meat like chicken breast and fish Nuts - however just a 1/4 cup and no more Cottage cheese Raw veggies and full fat ranch dip Salad with Protein on top like chicken or cottage cheese Foods that seem to slip right through Yogurt Protein shakes Any carb items that I shouldn't have anyway and try to avoid pudding Every once in a while I have a bowl of Cereal and talk about being hungry again in 20 minutes.....i keep that to maybe once a week if that.

I am with Dr. Smith as well! I'm using jrobb Protein shakes and the Soups are clam chowder, broccili and cheese, and anything that say cream of ... The orange sunset tomato Soup taste like the ravioli sauce. For fillers I have sugar free pudding, Jello and my favorite sugar free fudge popsicles or frozen Greek yogurt from tcby ..(its off of Camp Bowie on the opposite side of mcdonalds) well I hope my reply helps....Good Luck Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I like Fiber One protein cereal. I get the cranberry one. I don't put milk or yogurt in it, I just eat it like granola.

No hernia NaNa. I ate pretty much nothing on Monday and Tuesday, just ice chips and a Protein drink when I got home Tuesday afternoon. I have been sticking to my guidelines and here is what I have been eating Bandista: Protein shakes mashed potatoes cottage cheese yogurt pinto Beans pudding creamy chicken Soup Colby/jack cheese Water Crystal Light Everything above is on my list. I don't go to see my surgeon for three weeks. Should I call now? I am curious if my asthma is trying to flare up and this is affecting my reflux?

I had the same problems with gas and air in the chest the first week or so. I was also having trouble getting up from my chair and sitting down... I was 488 lbs before pre-op diet. 467 lbs pre-op. I had my surgery on April 18th and managed fine. I drank clear liquids the first 5 days along with chewable multivitamin and chewable calcium tablets, then started with yogurt and mashed potatoes. I noticed each day I was getting my strength back. On the 6th day I tried beans from del taco and it had to be the best choice ever, my stomach tolerated them just fine, and I started getting relief from gas build up. I have lost 27 lbs since my surgery​ with minimal exercise. I walk and work. Sent from my Z981 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am filled now at 2.8 in a 5cc band and I am overly filled. I can only eat baby food. Tuna will not go down and it's all the Protein meat I love to eat. I'm downing Protein shakes, yogurts, baby foods (stage 2). I don't want to go back right away, I'd like to work with it but I know that if I get a slight unfill, I will be binging like the dickens b/c I haven't eaten solid foods since last Thursday night. I have gurgling, sliming, uncomfortable chest pain as I swallow. Oh god:omg:

Want... dont beat yourself down, today is a new day and you are on the right track! Yesterday i had: Breakfast-yogurt mid morning-----2 cups of ff milk Lunch----3/4 c cream of chick soup-vegetarian of course,lol Dinner---1/4 c each of green peas, black Beans and black eyed peas or beans,, what ever they are called. It was all pureed, dosent that just sound wonderful,lol And i walked 2 miles. I am stil on pureed/soft food for another 2 weeks. I miss my Quasadia's from Chili's :thumbdown::seeya: