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Today is Tuesday (banded Friday) and I'm feeling MUCH better. Have been passing gas (YAY!!) and even burped this morning! Had my first BM since the surgery and that helped, too (pardon being explicit about bathroom stuff, but this is a thread about gas, after all). I don't feel like the gas pills really helped all that much. It just takes time to pass the gas from the surgery. My belly is still swollen and some of it is gas, but some I think is just swelling from the incisions. Anyway, feeling much better. I'm not having any trouble with cloudy liquids and semi-liquids. Over the past two days, I've had no problem with yogurt, pudding, carrot Soup with ginger, butternut squash soup, tomato soup, Carnation Instant Breakfast with skim milk, or cafe au lait. I think I actually don't have that much restriction, which I hear is common, but I'm able to keep on the liquid/semi-liquid diet by telling myself that eating solids right now will make me throw up. And don't tell me I won't throw up because the only think keeping me away from Bourbon chicken right now is the threat of vomiting.

RNY April of 2012, so that makes 9+ years out. My surgeon no longer practices bariatric surgery and most likely isn't even in my state any longer. I have had to make due with visits to hematologists, psychologists, primary care docs and more recently, went to a different WLS center for a consult and also to an endocrinologist to address the weight creep up that has taken years to put on--really can't blame the Covid, but rather letting a combo of sloppy habits and less intense exercise run the course to the expected outcome: the dreaded regain. To complicate matters, I have been so exhausted that I have been trying to get to the bottom of that as well. Ruled out anemia (I have had to get iron infusions three times), ruled out thyroid (although I do take NP thyroid and the endo upped the dosage a little bit), and while menopause is a factor, I got on bioidentical hormones to try and feel better. Somewhere in the middle of this, I had the brilliant idea that perhaps I should wean myself off antidepressants because they might have contributed to the weight gain as well. Uh. This is not the year to get off antidepressants, being all stressed out at work with all the students back to in-person learning and no clear direction about how to distance kids who seem determined to sit on top of one another, etc. After the new bariatric consult, where I was basically told that because I had open gastric bypass and then had incisional hernia repair and fleur de lis abdominoplasty, my insides are too messy to do any kind of revision, with the adhesions and all. But what I NEEDED to hear was what I have been doing: back to basics. Push that protein--90 grams. Watch the carbs and fat. Exercise. And eat less calories. 1200-1400. Since that visit I have tracked my intake on MFP and gave myself one day a week to have a higher calorie day and some kind of splurge. The rest of the week I do two very high protein meal replacement shakes, a Greek yogurt, a couple of hard boiled eggs and something small but proteiny and veg for dinner. I have to say, keeping it boring has kept the appetite at bay. And so far, so good. Nearly back to Onderland again, and I plan on keeping going until I get back to my lowest weight, which hilariously still has me in the overweight category according to the BMI. In addition, since not crawling into bed as soon as I get home is one of my major goals, I went back on the antidepressant, at a little higher dosage after explaining my symptoms of exhaustion. All this to say that the work is never done and I wouldn't have it any other way! This is my first post and I figured I would just throw it all out there and include the juice, since that is what it is all about for me and I have been very much enjoying reading all the posts here. Didn't want to be a freeloader with nothing to contribute

WOW - me too! A couple bites and that is all I can eat and I get hungry. I can drink OK. I was banded Dec. 13. Actually, it was a revision (i think that is right). First time thru the tube wasn't connected or came undone, so he removed that band and gave me another one. If all I am eating is a few bites, shouldn't the weight be just falling off?? I have lost 23 lbs and I do eat healthy. I can only eat so much. 2 or 3 bites of cottage cheese, yogurt, whatever. I thought this was how it was supposed to be.

Yeah that's about right. I had the same thing happen. About two weeks out, swelling starts to go down, pain going away, hunger coming on strong. I could eat with out restriction, still had hunger, and didn't know what to do. I drink more protein shakes at -2 a day and tried to keep busy. Willpower is needed at this time. stock up on sugar free pudding and popcicles. Greek yogurt helped too. Some days are harder than others. Good Luck you can do it!

Hello All I'v been really sick for a few days and been mostly in bed but I have experienced some greater restriction in the last week. I believe it was Donali who said she got more restriction 4 weeks out from her fill(correct me if I'm wrong). My last fill was on 11/21/03 and I'm up to 3.5cc's note I have an AMI band which is taller then an Inamed band. I make these references cause I also study the differences and similarities if any among bands. Anyway during Thanksgiving I was able to eat alittle of everything with some restriction, I take vitamins cut in half every morning, I even have a carbonated water occasionally, not a problem. Then this last week I can't seem to keep small amounts of chicken, turkey and some fish down, chewed well. So I'v gone to yogurts, protein shakes... and really chopping food up. The worst episode was the meds for my sinus infection(Z-Pack) where I was to take 2 pills the first day then 1 there after. Well I chopped them in half and drank them down with a ton of water, there I was 15 minutes later on the bathroom floor with OBSTRUCTION, something was stuck and it hurt. All that could go through my mind was "here I go to the Hospital.. should I try and throw up" it finally passed, 10 minutes later again on the bathroom floor, the pain was intense!! Theirs something about a nice cold bathroom floor LOL. Well it happened a total of 3 times, the other half of the pill?? Now I'm crushing pills and learned a lesson. Boy am I restricted. The other thing I noticed is I don't feel very hungry maybe cause I'v been sick? I just thought I'd mention my experiences and also for those not noticing any restriction after a fill, just give it alittle more time. Then again everybody's different.

I've always been one to get hungry quickly after eating a breakfast of Cereal or oatmeal - carbs. I find that Protein stays with me much longer. A scrambled egg or some yogurt works well for me. You should check out the Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test. Lots of folks here swear by it for helping get back on track. In fact, there is a whole thread dedicated to getting ourselves back on the bandwagon: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/starting-holiday-detox-early-anyone-wanna-join-me-84070/ . Lots of good support and advice there!

It's tough to stay on track away from home. Losing 7 lbs is an amazing accomplishment for being on vacation!! I went to Vegas last month, am 5 months post-op, and was so thankful we were staying in a condo that gave us our own kitchen. I hit the grocery store the day after we landed and could load up on the yogurt, cottage cheese, etc that I was used to eating. We did hit the buffet one night, I was a little disheartened to pay $22 for one plate, but was proud that I didn't try to over-stuff myself like in the past. An all-you-can-eat buffet used to mean 3-4 plates. Eating 1, with food left over, was such a treat! Congrats to you on your vacation success!

Of course you will, I am almost 8 weeks out and eating pretty normally. In my second week I made some homemade lentil soup (protein source) and it was delicious. I also ate yogurt (fat free of course) then, protein drinks, V8 juice, applesauce, nibbled on Babybel cheese, soon after that, pretty much what my tummy would tolerate, even a poached egg I remember. You will find many recipes here on this site - check on the forums page and you will see tons of other peoples food and nutrition and also recipe suggestions. Your new tummy is adjusting and it is quite normal to fee what you call weirdness, it takes a while to heal and it gurgles and bloats and all sorts of things while it does so. You will be able to eat somewhat like a normal person again, but in small doses and hopefully in a much healthier way. (protein first, always!) for now, take it easy and keep reading here, lots of info on this site! Cheers, Donna

Stage 2 for me was anything that didn't require chewing. Most days, I'm eating Greek yogurt, fat free refried beans (sometimes melt some fat free shredded cheese on top), mashed potatoes (not often - they're not the most nutritious pick!), turkey chili w/no beans (higher protein)...

Wt 234 Oh, its so hard to get back on track. I did so good with eating on Friday & Saturday, and partially Sunday. Then Sunday night, broke down and had some yummy cheesecake. I brought my lunch to work today so I can stay on the LC Atkins track. I'm basically going to follow the Atkins plan until after I'm banded, then I'll do more of low fat and low carb. Todays menu: Breakfast scrambled egg/cheese 3 slices of thin bacon Lunch Chef salad Snack LC yogurt Dinner Turkey breast green beans I tried to get up at 5:00 am to make it to the gym, just couldnt drag my fat butt out of bed, I went to bed too late last night and I needed my sleep. So, I plan on exercising tonight at the gym. - I MUST get back to exercising!

Well, I'm not planning to run to my WLS and demand removal. I've had enough surgeries to last a lifetime. I may have to have it removed regardless due to a potential breast reconstruction surgery I'm considering. Let's just say it would transform my "jelly roll" into a new "rack" - and where would my port go? Ha! Sitting here at my desk. Have't eaten since around lunch(yogurt) and feel like I'm having heartburn. Something isn't right.

I add Costco brand flavor less fiber to my morning yogurt.

It all depends on your surgeon. Each surgeon seems to have his/her own "rules" as to what you can or cannot have. During the liquid stage after being banded, I was allowed to have broth, Protein shakes, thinned cream of wheat Cereal made with skim milk, yogurt, cream Soups made with skim milk and ran through a blender, sugar-free Jello, sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free puddings, sugar-free koolaid, and 100% fruit juices.

OMG!!! Yesterday was so hard until i went to bed at 8pm just to keep from eating. Are we to be concerned about sugar as well? I have decided to track my fat, calories and protein to ensure my diet is low calories and low fat, but the sugar content is extremely high. However, I did manage to get at least 68 grams of protein. My bariatric coordinator wanted me to get between 40 and 80 grams since I am concern about losing my hair....I worked hard at it. This morning i am drinking a Yoplait Greek Yogurt Smoothie which has 14 grams of carbs but only 2.5 grams of fat with packed with 30 grams of protein especially since I added a scoop of vanilla whey protein. Sometime today i am going to call my coordinator because there is only so much oatmeal, salad, fruits and vegetables I can eat within two weeks. I wonder if I can have wheat bread just one slice.

Did 45 minutes on the elliptical today, non stop, back and forth between an 8 incline and a 4, and back and forth between 200 resistance and 60 aww yeah! 30 minutes on the treadmill, at a speed of 3 and a 5.0 incline And very reluctantly 30 minutes on the stationary bike, in hill mode. Yet no scale movement! sigh...I guess on the plus side, this morning in the shower, I noticed my calves have slimmed down substantially. I'm on my special yogurt and apple diet yet again, have to be less than 317 at appointment on friday! Feels like I'm getting discouraged!

good luck..... i took my first long trip this weekend.. and im only 14 days out.. you;d be fine. i had a protein shake with me... so i sipped on that as opposed to juice soda or a frap from starbucks... and when i did get hungry i had pre made food from home.. blended chicken... and yogurt ( separately of course) and i was good to go. lol you might actually enjoy it more.. no more waiting in long lines for food at rest stops.. just bathroom and hit the road again.. it helps for travel time.. lol.. have fun

Since my last fill two weeks ago I just can't seem to get adjusted right with food. I get stuck or I get sick. Today I start off with a greek yogurt for breakfast, that went ok, 4 hrs later I eat leftovers from Thanksgiving, just a few tee tiny bites of turkey, maybe 6 bites the size of my pinky nail, the same in portion of dressing and the same portion of hashbrown casserole, wasn't long and I lost it all. Tonight I was hungry and ate maybe a half cup of chicken salad with 2 crackers, couldn't even finish it and didn't eat the second cracker and had to go throw up. Its like the food wants to come back up or just sits at the back of my throat and I can't swallow it down. What's wrong?

Personally I would get some protein powder in addition to Genepro, if you can't find what you need in Sweden. I don't trust that stuff, it seems very shady to me. Also, I am not sure you can buy Genepro in brick and mortar stores, it may be only online. Cream of Wheat -- do you really want this? It's empty carbs. Why not stick with eating high protein foods? Chewable vitamins -- if your husband is near a Trader Joe's, their chewable High Potency multi-vitamins are great and very inexpensive! Any chewable calcium should be calcium citrate. Viactiv is calcium carbonate, which most bariatric surgeons say should be avoided as post-sleeve patients don't absorb it well. You may also want to look into liquid calcium citrate, which may be easier to find. I think Wellesse brand liquid calcium citrate is available at GNC, Kroger, Walmart, and some other stores. Do you like peanut butter? If so, maybe have your husband pick up some PB2 if you can't get it in Sweden. It's good to mix into shakes, yogurt, and cottage cheese for some extra flavor, protein, and fiber. Can you get sugar free fiber powder in Sweden? If not, that might be something to consider having him get as well. Good luck! I am sure you will do great.

I really want you start eating this but I haven't found the right brand for me. I did freeze plain in ice cube trays to add to protein shake but I can't eat it just yet. Any recommendations

I've tried them all... ya, I have never been a yogurt eater of any kind, but I truly love the Oikos key lime! Give it a try!

Hi Skinnyme43, Yesterday wasn't the best day for me either. I had 1/2 a shake for Breakfast but thought I'd clever and add some yogurt just to boost up the Protein BIG MISTAKE! I don't know if I drank to much too quick but the effects weren't pretty! I slept most of the day and only managed about 600mls of Water. Feeling lots better today and have almost sipped down a bottle of water. I have a batch of chicken and mushroom soup on as we speak which smells delicious. Still can't gauge this tummy thing, if I'm eating enough or not enough. I feel sleepy all the time Zzzz

and let me tell you do NOT make the mistake of eating after a fill....last fill I got, that next morning I was going to eat some yogurt so I could take my meds, well the yogurt had small pieces of peaches in them, it got stuck and I was MISERABLE for about 3 hours....I'll never ever do that again....

You can try dressings that are yogurt or buttermilk based, rather than oil or mayo based - they are still low in carbohydrates but also naturally moderate in fats to keep the calories in check. They are typically around 2g of carbs and 3-4 on fats, yielding 50ish calories for a couple tablespoon serving. A lot more comfortable than 150 cal servings typical of full fat dressings. Bolthouse Farms has a line of yogurt based dressings in the refrigerator case, and Trader Joes has a few refrigerated dressings that fit in the moderate category, too. I'm carb and fat agnostic, so don't really care about those counts, but do want to get the most nutrition for my caloric buck - I'd rather spend my fat calories on the avocado in the salad than on just a bunch of oil.

Ugh, I've been noticing some extra hair coming out in the shower lately. I really don't like it! I really was under the impression that I was getting enough Protein. I usually have an egg with cheese and sometimes a sausage link. lunch is usually tuna, a greek yogurt, or some leftover protein from the night before and maybe a veggie or fruit. dinner is protein based, usually turkey, chicken, or beef. I can eat about 1 cup of food still. I don't typically do any Protein shakes during the day. Sometimes I'll have some low fat, sugar free ice cream for a snack later in the evening. Any thoughts? I've heard Nioxin shampoo works... any ideas on that or any other supplements I can take to stop this. I have really thick hair, and want to keep it that way!

i'm another fan of oatmeal with pb and syrup. except i use the instant high Fiber kind-made with water- and stir in a teaspoon of pb and low fat syrup. yum. i also really like organic greek yogurt with honey (that's the flavor- stonefields or something makes it) with some chopped almonds. i also like vita muffin tops (100 cal)...any of the chocolate flavors rock Vitalicious- 100 Calorie Muffins, Muffin Tops, Brownies and Healthy recipes hmm. what else. i like flourless bread toasted (sold in the frozen section) with some pb and all fruit spread on it. on the weekends when i have time to make a real breakfast i usually have scrambled eggs with greek feta (the good stuff from a specialty store) and good quality olives...mixed in with quite a bit of paprika. sounds gross, i know..but if you like the ingredients its super yummy.