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In the event you think Protein shakes are as disgusting as I do, I have had success mixing the powdered version with almond milk (I don't love regular milk) and greek yogurt with a little PB2. To me it tastes less chalky and you can decide on the consistency. If you freeze the yogurt and half the milk, you can blend everything together and it tastes like a milkshake.

I never actually pureed any food during my "puree phase". I just ate foods with the proper consistency. I was allowed yogurt, scrambled eggs, and soft cheeses during that same phase. You can get some recipes here: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html I lived of that Baked Ricotta! It was like real food!

You bet! I followed all the rules, with one exception.... I drink coffee. Other than that, it's 80-100 grams of Protein, 64-128 ounces of fluids, no starches, no sugars, carbs only from Protein shakes, green veggies and Greek yogurt, and moderate exercise – every single day! I never leave the house without a plan for what I'm going to eat and drink while I'm out, weigh myself every day, and as incentive, buy (used) clothes whenever I fit into a new size. I donated all my big clothes to the very places where I've been going to buy my clothes. And now that I've reached goal weight, I'm buying new clothes because I don't expect to grow out of them -- in either direction. I know it doesn't sound realistic, but I haven't "cheated" on my program at all. Of course, during the losing phase calories and fat don't count on my program so that makes it easier. Now that I'm entering the long-term maintenance phase, I'm working out what I can eat that will stop the weight loss without bringing the weight back. I'm sure it will take lots of experimentation, but I hope to stay on top of it. If you need more specific ideas about protein, fluids, Snacks, or planning, please send me a message and I'll try to give you a thoughtful reply. Good luck!!!

Surgery was April 8. Just now stepping into the unknown with soft foods. Tolerating everything well, but can definitely feel when I am full. For the moment, until I can get all my protein from food, I have a protein shake (30gms protein) in the morning and another in the evening so I am meeting the 60gms minimum. Have been able to eat yogurt, homemade egg salad, SF jello puddings, potted meat (12gms protein!) and apple sauce. Down 18 since the surgery and finally feeling like a human again. Can't wait to try some of these amazing recipes posted on this forum!

I made this up about 1 1/2 years ago and still eat it almost daily either for snack or breakfast. Lemon Icebox Pie Yogurt 2 C Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt 1/4 C Lemon juice 2 Scoops Vanilla Protein Powder 10 packs Truvia 1 Box Sugar Free Instant Lemon Pudding Mix Mix first 4 ingredients well with mixer, add pudding mix and use mixer to blend. Will get very thick. Spoon into 1/2 cup containers. (I double the batch because I eat it for breakfast a lot and my husband loves it too! You can also put this in a low fat graham cracker pie crust and take it to family gatherings so you will have something to eat. Noone knows it is healthy and everyone thinks it is a lemon icebox pie)

I think it is mainly the feeling of "backing up" due to the hiatal hernia. I guess yogurt drinks would be acceptable too. I never thought of those. Thanks for that info. I just hope it gets easier and I'll be able to hang out with friends again at restaurants and still eat. ????

Are you allowed drinkable yogurt in this phase? That might help you get a little more Protein in. And definitely try different types of Protein shakes and powders. If you have a GNC or Vitamin Shoppe in your area, you should be able to buy individual packets to try out.

Is the issue that you aren't allowed a third shake per day or that you aren't physically capable of drinking one? If you could get that in or something with more Protein for your third "meal" like some drinkable yogurt, that might help you get in a little more calories and protein. If you can have tuna next week doesn't that mean you can be having soft foods like scrambled egg or cottage cheese now? For me, tuna and chicken came after my soft food stage.

I got so sick of chocolate and vanilla shakes that I started using a scoop of unjury unflavored with 3/4 cup of milk mixed with a dannon light and fit greek blueberry or strawberry yogurt.

I think there is room for a bit of balance. I personally find the bars to carb heavy and only keep 1 or 2 in my car for emergencies. I make a morning shake because I work out most mornings and it's not good to work out on an empty stomach. Perhaps it's because of what I put in mine, typically, yogurt and some sort of fruit and/or veg like spinach, occasionally a bit of tumeric or flax powder, even oatmeal in addition to Protein powder. It's enough to keep me full but not so much that my stomach gets upset while working out. However the rest of the day and on non gym days I am eating real food and getting my protein and nutrients from real food. I discussed this with my nutritionists because there was the concern about drinking my calories. Because I am getting most of my protein from food and my shakes are a little more complex, she is okay with it.

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on Monday (20 April) so am 3 days post op. I chose to go home yesterday vs. staying one more day in hospital. Surgery went well and my incisions (6 plus a drain) look like they are healing well - dry and not painful to touch. Two are still a bit tender and slightly moist. Have a lot of gurgling in the stomach - a good sign. The only pain I am experiencing is a hot, burning sensation in the bottom right hand quadrant of my abdomen. Has anyone else experienced this? Walking is fine, able to go up and down two flights of stairs slowly, toileting is a problem (sitting down/ standing up), urine is okay, passing gas, but yet to pass stool (sorry for the visual). The only problem I'm experiencing (so far) is that hot poker type pain which makes bending even minutely, very difficult. Able to ingest 100g of Greek yogurt in 30 mins - trying for 2 a day, trying to ingest 2 bottles of Ensure High Protein as well and taking sips of Water throughout the day to a total of 1 litre. Was given liquid codeine to take every 4 - 6 hrs.

I've found the best sources of protein: fish, shrimp, then chicken.. I was surprised at how much protein a piece of flounder has.. with no fat, and low calories. lots of greek yogurt (watch the sugar content) and cottage cheese.

I know exactly what you mean about the sour taste of greek yogurt, which is why I was really happy with the Dannon. It tastes more like just normal yogurt to me, but has the higher protein of greek yogurt. I've only tried the fruit flavors, not the dessert flavors, so I can't make any claims about those. I usually go for key lime, strawberry, or raspberry. A word of warning if you aren't far out from surgery, the strawberry and raspberry both have small seeds in them, which you aren't supposed to have immediately post-op.

On Sundays I make up a double batch of my "lemon icebox pie yogurt" that I came up with and I put it in 1/2 cup containers in the fridge. When I get home from work I put one in the freezer so by the time I am ready for a snack at night, it is like icecream and by the way, I am an icecream-aholic so I had to find a way to make me think I was getting it. LOL! I top it with some Rediwhip and it is the perfect snack. About 18g Protein and 120 calories. I also quit eating a snack during the day and just eat one at night. When I reached goal, I was having a hard time maintaining while eating 2 Snacks. You have to do what works for you. By the way, if you are interested: Lemon Icebox Pie Yogurt 2 C Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt 1/4 C Lemon juice 2 Scoops vanilla Protein powder 10 packs Truvia 1 Box sugar free Instant Lemon pudding Mix Mix first 4 ingredients well with mixer, add pudding mix and use mixer to blend. Will get very thick. Spoon into 1/2 cup containers. (I double the batch because I eat it for breakfast a lot and my husband loves it too! You can also put this in a low fat graham cracker pie crust and take it to family gatherings so you will have something to eat. Noone knows it is healthy and everyone thinks it is a lemon icebox pie)

I've been adding Isopure unflavored protein to my yogurt, very surprisingly good.

I might have to give Dannon Greek light and fit a try. I used to love Greek yogurt but it is too thick and sour tasting now so I eat regular yo plait light and boost the Protein with high Fiber and protein granola. It would be great to get an even bigger boost from my yogurt but I want to enjoy it. Thanks for the tip on Dannon Greek light and fit.

I sipped when I could, but the first few days, I would sip and dry heave, sip and dry heave. It was hell. They kept me hooked up to fluids, and by day 3, I could sip a bit without the nausea. I spent 4 days in the hospital (I had A Fib, so they stuck me in the cardiac ward.) I didn't eat anything, aside from sucking on a sugar-free popsicle or 2. When I got home, a couple of teaspoons of cottage cheese or yogurt was the best I could do. Protein shakes were my main source of nourishment. I always think of it as a baby beginning to eat baby food. Their main source of nourishment is liquid--mother's milk or formula. As they get better eating, food begins to be the main source of nourishment. As long as you are getting in liquids and plenty of Protein Shakes these first few days, you are doing great.

Today's Meal Plan: B Premier shake L Greek Yogurt with a little Wheat Germ D 2.5oz Crab meat 20oz Water Added 8oz more water. Whoopee! SW: 243 CW: 227 GW: 165

So I know these first few months are crucial to my weight loss, I really Want to take advantage of it. I feel like it's a gift & I want to use it wisely. I'm about a month out, experimenting with different softer foods. I feel like I'm eating too much fat, is this going to slow down my loss? Or is that some of my old dieting mentality? I'm still at around 600 to 700 calories, fat is around 30 to 40 grams, carbs around 40 and protein 45 to 60. For instance, today was Greek Yogurt, Crab & Avocado salad, half piece cheese for snack & ricotta bake. (low fat ricotta, sauce, mozz chz). How am I doing? Had surgery in Mexico so no Dr advice, & I don't eat red meat or chicken.

Thanks for all the suggestions I'm going to see my nutritionist tomorrow I just feel like I'm reverting back to old ways now that my appetite has pick up a bit.. No breads or pastas but just looking for something to eat every hour is annoying so I'll grab a yogurt or some lite cheese...but with doing that I'm not getting in my meals I might just start from scratch and go back to my liquid diet to start again.

I travel constantly with my job. I keep Protein bars, protein powders, tuna foil packs, and Jerky with me at all times. In my carry on I have enough that I could live in an airport for three days without worry! The best advise I can give if you travel to repeat areas or sites is know where your local grocery store is and make sure hotel has refrigerator. The first 3 months on the road being selective of what I ordered and following the rules I didn't lose like I thought I should. When I started going to the grocery store and buying my own salads and Greek yogurts etc I really started seeing the pounds drop. No matter what waitress, cook, or restaurant you are at, oils, fats and calories will get on your plate even when you ask for no/low oil. I have one plant that I visit frequently and I keep a shoe box with jerk and tuna in the HR managers closet. At another site the hotel lets me keep a box there as well. Be careful about eating tuna on the plane, it's a little stinky. I also hoard boiled eggs from the Breakfast nooks for Snacks etc. I keep ziplocks in my suitcase as well, just a few. I try to always eat before I get on the plane to avoid issues as most high protein items do have an odor, not an aroma! I hope this helps! A good luck!

Wow, I think all of the comments above should be laminated and required reading for all bariatric patients! I applaud you for coming back. You are 70+ pounds down 1 1/2 years out! Celebrate that victory. The advice above is great. You are also starting out right by logging your food. If you go back to the basics you will get back on track. Log meals, Protein first, no grazing, Water in... The only thing I can think to add is that since you have been grazing to plan for 3 meals and 2 Snacks at defined times. My favorite snacks which keep me comfortably full are a greek yogurt in the morning and an apple or Protein Bar in the afternoon. Good Luck.

HI! I am about a month out, had mine 03/11. This has been a struggle for me too as I try to get away from the shakes. I eat a lot of chicken, very soft cuts of meat (like filet minion...as a treat) deviled eggs were good for a while , I also discovered Atkins frozen meals to bring to work. These are great for us, my NUT approved of them as well. The beef Merlot is actually really great and they have a nice variety of flavors. I also do Swanson Swedish meatballs every so often at work, just throw away the Pasta. Of course, I eat about two Greek yogurts a day still and my favorite drink is def Snapple diet teas...SO GREAT, taste just like the real thing! I have tried a couple of Protein bars but, didn't like any. We cant eat any of the crisp kinds yet so, the others we can are not so great in my opinion. Good luck!

I tried a few different ones and the one I really like is Isopure zero carb vanilla and unflavored. With one scoop I get 25 grams of protein and I do not have to worry about the carbs. I have a shake every morning. My morning fix is 1 scoop of Isopure, approx 10 blueberries, and 1/4 cup of cannon light and Fit vanilla yogurt, 1/4 water. It is awesome and very filling.

Thank you & that's totally fine as long as i can stalk yours lmao! I was in the hospital for one night, didn't need anything longer than that. I was literally doing laps in the hallway (walking that is) you want to walk as much as possible to alleviate the major gas pains you'll have (from them pumping you with air) I was out of work for two weeks, if i didn't have the issue with constipation i think i would've been fine to come back after the first week but id suggest if you could take the time off take it just because you will be very tired and still healing. Im not sure which line of work your in and if its a physical job or not but me i sit at a desk and get up and down throughout the day to file charts. I couldve taken off a month but i knew that we didnt have anyone in our office that was going to do all my work and the longer i was out the more it piled up lol. Protein shakes....i went with the Premier Protein for a while but i soon became tired of those esp vanilla, you may be different but they were delicious to start off with ( i liked the chocolate one more, it reminds me of chocolate milk) I have since bought the big container of Syntrax nectar fuzzy naval ( fuzzy naval is the flavor) its ok, not too bad its tolerable but i know for the nectar brand you can go on there website and try sample packs ( you do have to pay for them) but that way you dont buy something and not like it. The premier Proteins can come in packs of 4 pre made at like walmart and then they have bulk at like sams club or costco (not sure if you guys have these places where you live but you guys should have something similar) My diet now...Im pretty much back on everything but everything is very minimal. I can make a whole can of tuna (with light tuna of course) and eat on it for days. I have to stay away from raw vegetables right now just because they can get stuck. and i have to make sure that if i do a meat that i chew it super well otherwise that can also get stuck. liquid/puree stage... i didnt really puree anything except for Beans, i lived on beans for awhile along with all my liquid stuff: broth, sugar free Jello, sugar free pudding, yogurt, cream of wheat or cream of rice. YOU WILL GET TIRED OF ALL OF THIS STUFF, but once you start having solid foods again my doc told me to cut all of that stuff out completely except i could still enjoy some yogurt (high in protein) As far as the loose skin thing, were young still so our skin is more elastic compared to if we were to do this down the road so m hoping that with continued exercise that it wont be as bad but im sure its somewhat inevitable just because of the amount of weight were dropping in the period were dropping it. Have you bought all of your Vitamins yet? Do you have any issue with taking pills now? And its no problem about how many questions you ask im just glad i can share some stuff with you to make it hopefully an easier transition. http://www.premierprotein.com/ http://www.vitacost.com/syntrax-nectar-whey-protein-isolate-powder?csrc=GPF-PA-Sports%20%26%20Fitness-893912123536&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=893912123536&gclid=CKmOu-OwisUCFVGUfgod0IoAKg ive put links to the proteins, hopefully they work