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The band will help you lose weight by only allowing you to take in a half cup of food at a time. Some foods go down easier than others -- soft breads will tend to get stuck and then you feel like crap and then they come back up. If you eat too fast and try to eat too much they will get stuck and come back up. It isn't an easy fix and you have to learn how to eat -- small bites chewed very well and take your time. And make the right choices -- protein, veges and a little fruit -- I eat yogurt, fruit protein smoothies, I can occasionally eat a few bites of very tender steak, shrimp, salmon. It is a total commitment and an education - not just eating less. You need to commit to both and understand that it is a learning process. You will feel better overall if you choose the right foods and eat them in the small quantities. All of this is good information for you -- losing weight and keeping it off is not easy - but the lap band really is a great tool if you understand how to work it. I didn't end up exercising a ton, but kept walking and making good choices and definitely very small portions and 9 months after getting my band I am at my goal weight and have never felt better. With other diets like Lindora I felt deprived and starving -- I don't feel this with lap band. I can still "taste" foods I love, like a bite of apple pie, or a bite of mashed potatoes -- but I don't have to have a whole plate full. I feel more in control and that with the band I can really have the hope of keeping this weight off for good. Good luck to you -- I started at 232 and am now down to 148.

I was on liquids one week. Mushies were supposed to be 3 weeks. It included fish, cottage cheese, and yogurt. I found that 1.5 weeks into it my appetite returned with a vengence. I started to eat solid foods slowly and very well chewed. By 3 weeks post op I was eating very thin, small slices of meat (about 1 ounce + 1 Teaspoon of gravy to make is moist). By 3.5 weeks post op I was able to eat an apple with the skin removed. I am now almost 5 weeks post op. I can eat just about anything as long as I chew it very well and only eat about 1 cup of everything combined. I just had sushi (6 pieces total) for the first time post-op last Saturday for my birthday. I was a happy camper!

So, I've been torturing myself for the last 3 days. When I left the hospital I thought I was on ALL liquids. Yesterday I started feeling very weak & my blood sugar was really low. Called my surgeon office today to find out I can eat applesauce, yogurt, and cottage cheese also. Ate an oz of applesauce and I'm already feeling better.

2 weeks out there was no way I could have traveled. I was sleeved on March 1, 2016 and up until a few weeks ago at 9 months out, I was still puking my guts out. Nearly. Every. Day. When I would travel for a weekend I made sure to take things with me that were "friendly." Greek yogurt and Jello have been the two things that consistently stay down. Best of luck to you on your birthday adventure, and do use your friends for support, whatever that might entail. Sent from my iPhone

I ate chilli for months ! LOL ..... it was the most solid thing I could eat. I'm sure I was a tiny bit too tight. I am just now able to eat a little bit of chicken. Some of the things I eat without slime, Pb, or throw up: *Broc/ cheese Soup. I use chedar cheese soup and add cut up frozen broc. (really any kind of soup that does not have noodles or rice) * Yogurt (not greek/yucky) *oatmeal / cream of wheat * Fish, scallops, crab, tuna * Cheese *cottage cheese *any veggie that is well cooked * fruit cups * sherbert (treat) *Many Protein shakes *Skinny Lattes from starbucks :tt1: * hmmmmm...... I know I eat more than that list, but nothing more comes to mind right now A typical day for me: coffee Protein shake on the way to work Sometimes a yogurt (snack) Soup from the Deli ( or chilli from Wendy's) Fish or soup for dinner Another day might be: Coffee Protein shake cottage cheese & fruit cup for lunch Chilli for dinner Sherbert for snack sometimes Boring, I know, but it works for me

my mushy stage included cottage cheese, tuna salad, egg salad and i've had salmon with a lot of yogurt dill sauce on it yesterday and today. Mashed taters..i graduate to meats, etc. at the next stage in 3 weeks As long as you're folllowing guidance of your surgeon and nutritionist (assuming they are familiar with the band diet) then you should be fine. My preference is to take it slow rather than rush this cause we had freaking surgery! sounds like you're losing weight and doing well. BandedKitten

@@Sreeves What store did you find the Oikos yogurt?

My favorite thing was Beans, cheese, and salsa, microwaved. Amy's refried black beans is so good! yogurt is good too, lots of Protein. avocado smoothies are good too - avocado, milk if you're allowed, and a little brown sugar, in a blender. can use some other type of milk that is allowed if dairy is not. good luck!

Cottage cheese, hummus, soup, yogurt, beans or refried beans, tuna, canned chicken, sweet potato (if allowed), ricotta bake. Be creative and enjoy.

Love Love Love Greek yogurt.... expensive, very tasty, but also higher in fat ( hense the satiety level) we ( my girls and even my cat) love The Greek Gods honey yogurt, buy it at Basha's ( local store to AZ) and it's at least 1.89 per container ( individual serving) I've seen it at Sunflower for $5. something for a quart e

Ok, so I tried it. The verdict? It was OK. I mixed it with some honey to sweeten it, as well as some black berries. The berries were way too tart, so that didn't help. Once I ate those, I then added the peaches and bananas I had, and that was better. I did taste it first before adding anything and it does taste like sour cream, which may come in useful for recipes in the future. I may have to try it in different flavor combinations. I may just stick to my CARBMaster yogurt, 12 g Protein, 80 calories, and 4 grams carbs for $0.50. The Fage 0% fat yogurt had only 15 g of protein, so not sure that it's worth the extra $1.50.

Brown Cow flavored Greek yogurt (strawberry and blueberry) -12 pack at Sam's for about $11. I'm addicted.

I am in Florida and I buy the Chobani greek yogurt.. my local grocery store usually has it on sale 3 for $4... BUT... if you have a BJ's Wholesale club near you.. I get a 12 pack for like $12... that's the Florida price, not sure if the price is consistant throughout all their locations.. but worth checking out!

I think it's worth it. I get the Fage at Kroger's also. 2% plain. Trader Joe's does have the larger containers, but they really weren't that much cheaper than the 7 oz. 17 grams of Protein and I add a little sugar free Caramel topping and bananas and wow, just like a Sundae! As a side note, if you're looking for high-protein yogurt. Kroger's has their own brand called Carbmaster yogurt at is around $.39 apiece. Comes in alot of different flavors. 6 oz has 12 grams of protein and 80 calories. I mix a little homemade granola in with the vanilla and it's a nice afternoon snack or lunch. (And no, I do not have any affiliation to Kroger's - I just like it).

I would say yogurts , sugar free Jell-o, Banded April 5th 2012... my journey begins..

I've been on my pre-surgery diet for a month already and have my surgery in 13 days! I drink my Protein supplement shakes 3 times a day, have a lean cuisine for lunch with a 100 cal. greek yogurt and Water. I've been using the Mio flavorings for water instead of my old huge glass of fruit juice in the morning and I'm able to tolerate it pretty well. I have a liquid diet the 2 days prior to surgery, and I have to stop all my blood thinning medications, herbal supplements, and caffeine 10 days prior to the surgery date of 2/4/14! When I get super hungry, I eat a dill pickle or a piece of fruit. I have been told to lose 10 pounds before surgery - and I'm down 8! 2 more to go..... (sigh). I hope we do really well! Good Luck and I'm anxious to hear how it goes with you.

I also had the hernia repair along with my band. I took a week off of work and I worked 1/2 days most of the 2nd week just to get back in the swing of things. I bought the whey protein at Sams Club/Walmart. The chocolate mixed with milk takes just like chocolate milk so that is easy to get down. I mixed the vanilla with milk, greek yogurt & a handfull of berries. Tasted really good, but the air from blending was too much for my stomach. I've tried Muscle Milk and that was really good.

This is my first post. I'm due to have my surgery next Tuesday, but my milk and yogurt diet has made me so constipated, I've been drinking loads of Water so don't understand why I'm so constipated. What are the best laxatives to use at this stage ? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved 3/14 by Dr. Aceves. I am in my puree stage as well. I am finding that most purees are not sitting well in my stomach. I did find that squeezing lime into plain Water to turn it acidic made a HUGE difference. I am now able to drink so much more liquids. It's a revelation. Juices, protien shakes, and non-water liquids I am struggling with big time. I am not sticking to my diet as close as I ought to be, however, I expect that will come in time when I am fully healed, all I can do is do my best. My biggest focus right now is getting in enough liquid so I don't dehydrate. I am still in a position where eating is not enjoyable. Things that work for me: Stage 2 baby food "pouches", good way to get in veggies and Fiber without getting ass explosions Watered down hummus, though the garlic was a bit much liquid drinkable probiotic yogurts (they're the perfect size too) water with a squeeze of lime hawaiian style coconut gel (haupia) broth sugar free pops protien shakes if I can handle them but usually I can't. pureed Soups.

Proud2BeMe speaks the truth, Reflux is real, I did not think I would get it, but I did.. I learned the hard way... sometimes you can predict it, other times you can't but you will get better at knowing your body and what combinations or times of day cause it.. My wake up call came, one night when I had a yogurt cup before bed, I ate the yogurt then stayed up for 10-15min, then went to bed.. about 30min later, "hack hack, cough, hack hack, cough belch burp.. hack vomit".. since then when i know I am going to eat something late, I take my reflux pills.. Early on post surgery, I took them because that was what I was told.. I backed off after the frist 40days... and it was about 2months post surgery when the yogurt happened... So now reflux pills are just part of my routine when I know i am going to be eating late, or something spicy for dinner.

Wow, I never anticipated such a response. Thanks so much to the people who took the time to read my post and leave such encouraging and heart-felt responses. They actually did make me feel better! That doesn't sound like a defeat to me at all. In fact, I had had that thought in my head even pre-op. I've tried to do weightwatchers in the past, but been unable to stick to the diet because I would still be hungry. I was hoping that with the band, I would be able to eat the recommended point value without being left feeling hungry. So I actually think that's a great idea. Also, congrats on making it to a size 12! That's definitely something to be proud of! Wow, thanks for sharing your story. I'm sorry that you've had so many complications with your band lately. You're right, though, we need to focus on why we got this done in the first place... You have your daughter, which is an amazing reason, and I don't want to struggle my whole life, I don't want to have to take 10 pills every night, I don't want to have open-heart surgery in 20 years, and I certainly don't want to get married and start a family only to die or be too sick to be with them. I hope they can fix what went wrong and that you have no more problems with this. You were right to change your lifestyle. I wanted to, but it's so much easier to say than to really do. But i've decided to try something that I've never done before. I'm not going to buy another home exercise program (even though I have several that are awesome and that I love, I never find myself sticking to them for very long) ... and I'm going to see about getting a personal trainer and going to an actual -gym-. I went and visited 2 gyms today... and right after walking in, I felt awkward and out of place. Almost everyone that was there was buff. And they all watched me as I came in. And I instantly felt the need to hide or run away. lol. but maybe a personal trainer telling me what to do would focus my mind enough that I forget about any awkward stares. And that is what I would like to do too! I was at a restriction level that I liked decently enough. I was too restricted in the morning to eat anything other than yogurt or a shake or cream of wheat, but otherwise, I could eat just in more restricted portions. Like, I'd go to a restaurant, and that one meal would end up becoming 3 because I couldn't eat it all. I lost 5 lbs that month. But my doctors keep telling me that once we get the band where it needs to be, I won't be able to eat any kind of bread, Pasta, or pizza because it'll get stuck or even cause damage. They also say that once we get the band at the right tightness, I won't be able to eat anything at all until like 7 hours after I wake up. Bleh. Thanks for all your insight. The almost ironic thing about all of this is that I have my bachelors in Psychology, and I am working to get into a PsyD program next fall so I can get my doctorate in Health Psychology. I've always been pretty good about seeing the bigger picture and getting to the actual root of the problem, but it somehow eluded me when it came to my own issues. I suppose that's natural, though. Most people have a blind spot where their own problems are concerned. Well, that's one thing I kind of wonder as well. When I was 16, I did manage to get somewhat of a handle on my weight. I became super strict on diet and I worked out pretty frequently off and on. After I got my tonsils out and could only drink Water and popsicles for 8 days, I managed to get to an all-time low of 174lbs. But I hated the college I went to my freshman year. I felt trapped there (my dad was very adamant about me attending that school, and I was always a kid that did as I was told... so I thought I was going to have to spend my entire college career there.) and when I realized there was NOTHING for me to do, and NO WHERE for me to go, and NO FORM of entertainment, I sank further and further into misery, all my good habits failed me, and I went right back to old ones. By the time I transferred to a college that I actually wanted to attend... by the time I actually had the opportunity to go places, do things, meet people, and have fun... All my good habits had bit the dust, and I became curiously addicted to the ice cream that they sold in the lobby of my dorm (omg, so good.) And even though I'd still fight it and try to get back into those good habits, I just couldn't make them stick again. I even worked out for a full 30 days in a row to Chalene Extreme from BeachBody... and I LOVE beachbody. their products are amazing! And the workout was amazing! But I -gained- 10 lbs that month. I went from 190 up to 200. And then I lifted weights that were too heavy and threw out my back to the point I couldn't move and had to get a shot to even be able to hobble around. It really just kind of went downhill from that point. So a part of me wonders if I -could- have managed to get back in that mindset to set my life right again. But the realistic side of me thinks I probably couldn't've. One year of good habits vs. 22 years of bad ones is not exactly what I would consider favorable odds. My doctors would like to get me to the point that I'm losing 10lbs a month. I mentioned this a little earlier in this response, but they told me that once I got to the place I was supposed to be, I wouldn't be able to eat until 7ish hours after I woke up, and that I wouldn't be able to eat any form of bread, pasta, pizza... nothing like that. But I think i'm going to have to talk to them. While I want to lose weight, I feel that goal is a little too ambitious. I would be happier losing 5lbs a month and being able to still live a normal life. Thanks again to everyone who replied. You folks really did help a lot, and I truly appreciate it.

Lol!! That is seriously messed up!! You are I cruel woman lipstick.. Revs, if it makes you feel any better I just got through eating plain Greek yogurt and blueberries. I had to make amends for the Cheetos last night

You can make your own Breakfast cookie/bar. I played around with a recipe I found online. Ingredients Steel cut oatmeal ( approx 2 cups) bought from Sprout’s 2 small/medium ripe bananas vanilla whey Protein powder ( 2 scoops) Raisins Slivered almonds( from the baking aisle Greek yogurt- ( Greek Gods Honey Vanilla) I full cup Vanilla extract Mix: Mix 2 scoops of vanilla Protein Powder into 2 cups of steel cut oatmeal. Stir this dry mix together. Cut the bananas into a few small pieced and mash in the bananas with a fork ( the riper the better) Keep mashing until all mixed into the dry mixture. Stir in raisins and almonds . I used about ¼ cup of each but you can add according to taste. Add one cup of the Greek Yogurt and a splash of vanilla extract. Stir this up so it is a chunky consistency..if too thick you can add a little vanilla almond milk or regular milk.. It should look like regular oatmeal cookie dough. Not runny. Cook: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. We used a pizza stone for baking ours. Drop Cookies on stone/cookie sheet *My batch made about 10 cookies depending on size you want. I baked for 8min and then took cookies out to cool/harden on the warm pizza stone. I flipped over and set back in the oven ( heat off) to let them sit a few more minutes. This is all personal preference if you want them harder or chewy. Also, depends on oven and how fast it cooks. Variations: You can substitute chopped dates or cranberries in place of raisins You can use crushed walnuts or pecans in place of slivered almonds. chocolate whey powder in place of vanilla Experiment depending on your likes. Much better than dry bars from the shelf in my opinion

Avocado with balsamic vinegar dressing, low-fat houmous, low-fat patés, soft cheese, over-cooked veggies with cheese sauce, scrambled egg, fish pie, shepherd's pie, natural low-fat yogurt with fresh berries, porridge.

I'm curious, how long does it take you to consume that much? Are you sipping it over a certain period of time? I can do 8 ounces of milk and protein mix over 20-30 minutes, but I can only do 3-4 ounces of cream soup or yogurt in that time.