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@@BLERDgirl thanks for the suggestions. She is getting pretty creative with the Protein and we're using greek yogurt too. Now I like it even better than sour cream. We tried Isopure in mango or something like that, it was horrible. Maybe we should check out other flavors. She did come out of her stall a bit and lost 5 more lbs since last week so I guess it's getting better. @@LSF, thank you!

Hey everyone! My surgery will be July 22. I start my pre-op diet on July 12 and it is 4 Protein shakes a day plus some yogurt, cottage cheese, Jello, and that's about it. I am terrified of the pre-op diet... I think more so than the surgery itself, LOL.

@@Luna222 I wonder why we are getting sick again? Last night, I was sick for the second day in a row. I had two slices of homemade pizza with mostly veggies and good stuff. Not sure why I am so sensitive all of a sudden. I don't even know what I should eat. I try to stick to yogurt and other easy food but my Protein intake is not enough. I had a Protein Bar (16 gr) and some milk with my tea but that's it for today. I am not hungry at all. Last night was not fun. The nausea was horrible. Blast. I think it's harder for me to do dinner because I am sitting down with my family and eat faster then I do during the day. I tend to snack on my meal. One bite, then I do something, a few minutes later I take another bite and so on. Dinner is all at the same time. I chew very well but I think my stomach can't handle that much food at once. It's only like 1/2 cup but It's still too much. I actually lost a bunch of weight this week. No idea why since I didn't do anything all that different. I have been outdoors a lot: waterpark with the boys, etc. I guess all the heat has re-ved up my metabolism. I am 1 pound away from 100 lbs lost. I suppose I should be happy, and I am.

Hi @MarceMonster. Here’s the formula I used to get to goal weight: • Start every morning with a Protein shake for Breakfast. • Eat 60–80 or more grams of protein daily. • Drink 64–120 ounces of fluids daily. (I drink tons of Crystal Light, or generic, sugar-free/decaf iced tea.) • Do not consume any starches or sugars. • Get all carbs from green veggies, legumes, and dairy products. • Do not consume empty liquid calories/sugar (fruit juices, ice cream, etc). • Try to avoid alcohol. It’s empty liquid calories that turn to sugar in your body and can lead to poor choices. • All Snacks must be protein-based (Jerky, nuts, cheese, Greek yogurt, deli meats, etc.). • Get some exercise 4-6 times a week. • Never leave the house without a plan for what you can eat and drink while you’re out. If necessary, bring food and drink with you. • Restaurant eating is not hard: 1) skip the bread; 2) order a meat (or legume/bean) dish; 3) replace the starch with a second vegetable; 4) skip the dessert. You’ll probably end up taking some of the meat and most of the veggies home for another meal. • Beef/turkey jerky is my secret weapon. It’s saved me more times than I can count, so I try to always have some in the car for emergencies. You can buy a bag of jerky almost anywhere. It’s kind of expensive and not great for sodium-restricted diets, but it’s also high protein, low fat, okay sugar, and a 3.5-ounce bag is a meal by itself! • If you fall off the horse, get back on immediately – at the next meal. Not tomorrow, and definitely not next Monday. That’s what got us here! • Go to Bariatric Support Group meetings in your area, if possible. • Participate actively in online forums like BariatricPal. • Read as much as you can about the process and the journey; and especially, read posts and articles from those who had their surgery a few years ago. Try to understand what lead to their successes and/or struggles. • Share your story and reach out to help others who are behind you in their journey. By helping them, you’ll help yourself as well. • Have a goal weight in mind and strive to get there. (I weigh myself every single day.) But also set lots of smaller goals. It’s fun and inspiring to achieve them. • Always be looking forward. Don’t look back over your shoulder waiting for the heavier person to drag you back. Let that person fade into history. • Believe that the slimmer person in the mirror is the real you. • A little vanity is okay. Enjoy how you look. Accept compliments graciously and don’t deflect them. Have fun trying on smaller-sized clothes that fit now. Compare before and after pictures. Take pride in your accomplishments! • Accept that this is a somewhat selfish process. That’s okay, too. You don’t have to apologize for it. And don’t let other people interfere with your progress. We have to make our weight loss program a priority in our lives. • But at the same time, recognize that your journey affects your friends and loved ones as well. Be sensitive to their reactions and their emotional needs, without allowing it to derail your program. • And finally, try to have fun losing the weight and getting healthy! Hold onto your determination! That's what'll keep you going during the difficult times and the stalls. Good luck!

Just checking in all everyone to see how you all are doing? I am doing great! 19 days after surgery on the puréed diet. I lost 25 pounds, sleeping better, able to walk more easily. Foods I am able to eat comfortably are milk, yogurt, chicken, cottage cheese and of course protein shakes. Eggs don't taste so good yet. Hope everyone is doing well.????

Oh how glad I am that I found this thread!! I'm four weeks post op and NOTHING since week 2! I lost 22lbs the first two weeks and now nothing! I thought it was because I started soft foods, but even then I gained one week! I only weigh once a week but it's so frustrating! You go to these drastic extremes to loose weight and you expect to loose every day, especially with the lack of calories coming in! And to top it all off it seems like starting this week mashed potatoes and refried Beans upset my tummy! I'm tired of yogurt! Help!

I'm four weeks out and everything I eat makes me sick, other than yogurt! I'm sick of yogurt! But wonder when I'll ever be ready for real food since I can't seem to even tolerate mashed potatoes or refried beans! I'm still on soft foods, any suggestions?

I am 5 months out and this is what I eat, just about, every day: 1/2 c cream of wheat Protein bar 3-4 oz. protein (shrimp, fish, chicken, turkey, and occasionally, red meat) 3-4 oz. protein carrots with houmas Greek yogurt with protein I know my food choices sound repetitive and boring, but I really enjoy it! I guess knowing that it will get me where I want to be makes it less boring! I'm not saying that I ALWAYS eat the right stuff. We go out of town a lot, but I try to be as good as I can...eating protein fist, ALWAYS! I even throw is a glass of wine every now and again, but not much! I also drink Water ALL DAY LONG! I even eat the ice. I, honestly, can't imagine being able to eat the amount that you said you eat. I really wonder if he did the surgery at all...he certainly didn't do it right, that's for sure! Also, I don't know your situation, but I cook my husband healthy food for him to take to work for lunch. This consists of a protein and 2 veggies. At night he has pita bread and houmas, 70 cal. light Dannon yogurt and a whole bag of light butter popcorn. Believe it or not, he has lost a few pounds MORE than me and we both are only 10 lbs. from our goals, and he didn't have surgery!!! Geez Louise!!! But I'm so ridiculously proud of him!!!!!!!!! I would definitely consult a bariatric nutritionist. I would also have your general physician check to see if the operation were even done. Good luck to you in your journey! I hope I have been a small help to you!

Yes, And the dietician working with the bmi. They tod me it was probably because I wasn't getting enough copper which I've increased my intake of. I just meant that it's been my biggest struggle, the falling I mean. The protein they told me would probably get better over time. Interesting. I take a lot of copper because I need a lot of zinc (which I poop out). So the copper balances the zinc. I hope they're keeping a close watch on your copper via your blood work. Perhaps you'd consider using a cane until things go back to normal. You don't want to be falling. As for the protein, they're probably right. I drank 1 shake per day for the first 2 years as I couldn't eat enough. Have your tried other things than meat to supplement your protein: chicken, yogurt, fish, cheese, nuts, etc.? Actually I drink two protein shakes and snack on nuts daily, I did try fish and chicken, chicken when I eat it more often then once in a while leaves me feeling very bloated even in small amounts. fish just made me nauseous. I had a black bean burger the other day which went fine. cheese if I eat more then a thin slice causes some problems. Any suggestions for recipes?

My doctor suggested one square of the darkest chocolate I could find. It is so bitter that you don't want to eat more than a little, but it gives you the chocolate you crave. Also I was told to mix the sugar free pudding powder with a quart of high protein low fat plain yogurt. Then you can add some berries and some high protein cereal ( like protein Special K) for texture on top. I was unable to finish the 1 cup serving. I also have gained 70% of the wright back.

I had a 1200 calorie diet for 12 days, and now I'm on my two-day liquid diet. For my liquid diet - In addition to Protein shakes, I'm allowed SF pudding, lite yogurt, & unsweetened applesauce.

I ate vegetables and fruit from week 1. I never had any issues with constipation. I have regular BM's 1 -3 times a day. I started small with cooking or puree peaches and yogurt or tossing fresh spinach in my Protein smoothies during the full liquid stage. I also pureed spinach as a Soup base or tossed some into scrambled eggs as I moved onto soft food stages. By week 4 I was back to eating raw fruit and veg. Protein is important but so are the natural Fiber and nutrients you get from fruit and veg. I find that I lose more when my bowels are working properly. My protein is routinely in the 80 - 100gms range. You do not have to sacrifice one for the other.

I had a very hard time sticking to liquids after my sleeve. I ate a sandwich 2 days after my surgery!! BUT, I was very sick and I think I may have stretched my sleeve. So be very careful. Try to stick with the liquids. If you're having a hard time, talk to your surgeons office. I called them after the sandwich nightmare and they told me to try 3 days more of just liquid then move on to add 1/2-1 oz of very soft Protein. I am 13 days out have had yogurt, Peanut Butter, tuna and even chicken. It's important to remember that everyone is different so be sure to talk to your Dr. but all I keep hearing is "get your protein and Water, don;t worry so much about the rest." I feel great ST

I was sleeved June 17th so I am a week and a few days out. I have no pain at all from the surgery. My regular pain is still there! LOL I am doing mostly all liquid/soft food (yogurt, cream soups, jello). I am working in soft soft Protein --about 1 ounce per day. Not very hungry and drinking a lot of Water. Have not done much exercise as I am limited by my pain but I am doing a lot of moving around the house, cleaning and staying busy with projects. As soon as I heal, I can get back in the pool to exercise. Had my post surgical office visit on 6/26 and I had lost 13 lbs. ST

I am just taking mine by opening the capsule and dumping the little beads into my yogurt in the morning and it is working fine for me. I also tried to do the immediate release ones twice a day and I didn't find any difference between the two so I am staying with the extended release. I have not had any noticeable difference in my symptoms, and I don't know if that is because my depression is getting better of it the medication is working, but either way I am doing fine taking it the way I am. I hope this helps.

Yes, And the dietician working with the bmi. They tod me it was probably because I wasn't getting enough copper which I've increased my intake of. I just meant that it's been my biggest struggle, the falling I mean. The protein they told me would probably get better over time. Interesting. I take a lot of copper because I need a lot of zinc (which I poop out). So the copper balances the zinc. I hope they're keeping a close watch on your copper via your blood work. Perhaps you'd consider using a cane until things go back to normal. You don't want to be falling. As for the protein, they're probably right. I drank 1 shake per day for the first 2 years as I couldn't eat enough. Have your tried other things than meat to supplement your protein: chicken, yogurt, fish, cheese, nuts, etc.?

There is Protein in nearly everything. I am vegetarian. I do supplement with my morning shake but I get most of my protein from food. I eat greek yogurt, cheese, nuts, Beans, dark green veg, fruit and whole grains. This week I am using something I called green base. It's 3 cups of raw kale, 1 cup frozen spinach, 1/8 cup almond slivers, 1/2 apple blended in the vitamix and poured into ice cube trays. I use 2 cubes per servings. It's only 3 gms of protein but loads of Fiber and Vitamins. I then added 2 ice cubes of orange juice, 1 small orange. 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 1 scoop Isopure unflavored Protein Powder. I drink half before and half after my workout. It's 36 gms of protein. lunch is Explore Asian - Organic Mung Bean Pasta. I'll probably add some sauteed veg with it. 3oz is 38gms of protein. I'll have some nuts for an afternoon snack. A salad with an egg for dinner. A lot of nutritionist tell you to stop Protein drinks because they want you to focus on eating whole foods. I told mine I was never a breakfast person and I always my a Protein Drink for breakfast. She seemed okay with it since I eat regular meals otherwise. I did go through a period where I wasn't interested in food at all. I just went through the motions to meet my protein goals. However for the most part I enjoy being creative and making nutritious things to eat. It makes it easier to continue to make this part of my lifestyle.

@@James Marusek I just read your link, loved it! So helpful! How do you eat two apples? I'm 4 weeks out and constipation is a big problem and nothing seems to help. I'm not suppose to eat real food till 12 weeks out and for now everything I eat seems to give me nausea except for yogurt and I'm really getting tired of yogurt. I've lost 20 lbs since surgery and that really doesn't seem like much to me. I'm getting really down, only 20 lbs and can't eat anything but yogurt!

Update! I had the surgery on the 17th. I will be two weeks out tomorrow. Pain has been an issue. I thought I was strong, but turns out I am a wuss. LOL My other issue, I am just not hungry. :-( food does not agree with me. I can tolerate, yogurt, baby bel cheese, cheese sticks, fat free sugar free pudding, fruit and some veggies. I have no appetite to eat. I get my staples out on Thursday.

What a difference a week makes! I have similar statistics - started pre approval on Halloween at 250 lb. 225 lb at surgery, with 219 this morning. I am on pureed foods - yogurt and custard are great, but I cannot gag down pureed chicken. liquids are OK, and I have started drinking broth for the small amount of Protein they bring (2 gm/cup) Also a nurse - aren't we a stubborn lot!

You guys, I thought having like a 1/3 of a sugar free fudge pop would be ok- noooooot so much. Half way through I felt nauseous so I stopped. (Sad) buuuuut I did try 2 oz of sugar free chocolate pudding with a spoon of lite cool whip and it was awesome! (Even though I whipped it up with a fork to get it to be thinner, it was still a little too rich. I ended up leaving about half, but sooooooooo good after the broths and juices.) I also snuck like half a teaspoon of hummus- I'm middle eastern, I just wanted something garlicky in my life! Didn't bother me But I was short by about 20 grams of Protein today. I'm going to substitute the Soups and Popsicles for low fat Greek yogurt which has 12 grams of protein + my shakes

I start Wednesday and I am planning to start my first few days with 2 tbsp of pureed tuna salad or 2 tbsp of pureed egg salad, and 2 tbsp of applesauce. I will only add a little light mayo and a little greek yogurt to the meat salads, plus seasoning. I may also try pureeing yellow squash (skins removed) with a teeny bit of butter or a small amount of sweet potato (maybe 1tbsp) I would do carrots, but I am not crazy about cooked carrots. I love broccoli but can't have that yet. Do you have a nutritionist ? I am meeting with mine via Skype on Wednesday. I plan to ask him for more ideas.

Hey guys, thought maybe someone would know what I can do to help...I cannot tolerate much protein! Just a few sips hits my stomach like lead. I finally managed to sip one over about 3 hours. But I'm miserable most of the time. I keep trying of course I know my body needs it. Also, I'm on pureed/soft foods and find I can get maybe two small spoons of something down (protein based..ie greek yogurt, egg, fish) and it hits like lead and just sits there, or even a few sips of a protein drink are making me feel almost nauseated. I've gotta start getting more than 200 calories down! And gotta get closer to my protein goals. I do find that papaya enzymes and gas-ex pills help, but after every "meal" of two bites I'm thinking I'm going to over do it on the gas-ex! And I have terrible burping and farting.... I've turned gross!! Any ideas?

Have some more Protein shake. My NUT said I could have as much as I could tolerate in a day. If you are allowed broth or cream soups, have some of that. I was also allowed Greek yogurt when I was on "liquids" and that helped too.