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i can eat anything, but my hubby is diabetic and does most of the cooking so 99% of whats in our house is diabetic friendly, and he doesnt care for sweets like i do. so......almost anything from a diabetic cookbook is healthy, they have recipies for pizza, tacos, hamburgers , also side dishes, breads and desserts. we make a diabetic friendly thick spagetti meat sauce and use it over whole wheat pasta or by itself. yummy ! we eat lots of baked fish, brown rice and salads too. also try the book called "Fix it and forget it diabetic cookbook" for the crockpot or the others in the series . great recipies ! try frozen yogurt or weight watchers ice cream for the sweet tooth . good luck !

It is funny that you mention banana as making you sick. I was given strawberry banana jello in the hospital as well as strawberry banana yogurt. All i could taste was a sickening sweet banana taste. Disgusting... I have heard taste can change dramatically

So today was a very productive day for me.... Did all blood work, Had pre-op check up and all is good... PAID IN FULL (out of pocket, no insurance in covers this procedure in Canada unfortunately).....so now there's no turning back cause the money is non-refundable. 2 weeks off from work, check..... I also went to Walmart, did some shopping, thanks to you wonderful people on this site, I think I am going to be well prepared lol.... Got my heating pad, my soft plush...and supportive sitting up pillow, have no idea what they are called...loose clothing for the day of (hoping this will be the last plus size clothes I will ever purchase again), pain meds, gas meds... and over the wknd, will be going to Costco to stock up on shakes, broth and Greek yogurt. So grateful for your tips....I'm hoping all goes smooth sailing. So now, just waiting for the 28th.....I am nervous as heck, but excited as well..... BUT MAJOR THANKS TO YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE ON THIS SITE...WITHOUT YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, I THINK I WOULD HAVE CHICKENED OUT AGAIN LIKE 2YRS AGO....I HAVE THE SUPPORT OF 1 INDIVIDUAL IN MY FAM, THE REST ALL HAVE NEG. THOUGHTS WHEN I FIRST MENTIONED IT, SO THIS TIME AROUND DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TELLING THEM.....SO MY FULL SUPPORT SYSTEM HAVE BEEN YOU GUYS........SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS SITE AND ALL OF YOU!!!

Breakfast: 2 cups of coffee with splash of half/half and 1T of splenda...out of truvia and had splenda in the cabinet. No denero to shop right now. 2 eggs scrambled with 1T of cream cheese, splash of heavy whipping cream, salt, pepper, 1tsp chives and minced onion, topped with 2 T cheese. 2 very tiny turkey sausge patties. Lunch: Tuna muffins: 2 6-ounce cans tuna or salmon, drained well 2 eggs 1/4 cup celery, chopped fine, 1 ounce 2 tablespoons onion, chopped fine, 1/2 ounce 1/4 cup green pepper, minced, 1 ounce 2 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded Salt and pepper, to taste Pinch Old Bay seasoning Mix all of the ingredients and spoon into 6 well-greased muffin cups. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes until puffed, set and lightly browned around the edges. (1 muffin has 12g protien and 1g of carbs.) Dinner: Turkey burger with no bun (of course) side salad with oil and vinegar. Desert chocolate peanut butter fudge. 1 square of bakers choc. 1T butter 2T of natural peanut butter 1/2 c. of splenda or whatever sugar sub you prefer. I like truvia best. 1T heavy cream Melt choc/butter/PB in microwave. Mix until creamy, add sugar sub and cream. mix thoroughly until creamy smooth. Fridge overnight. 1small spoonful is enough to curb the sweets need. also: 1 bag of frozen strawberries or raspberries 1 cup of plain greek yogurt 1/3 c of sugar sub squirt of lime juice Put in food processor until completely mixed. Eat or put in freezer to make mock ice cream. I am drinking water and MIO like crazy. I take one pack of "one the go" vitamin C with multivitamin and chew 1 centrum multivitamin I know the fat content may look high, but I am more concerned about getting my protein in right now. Now, time to go figure out whats on tomorrows menu.

Unfortunately, yogurt is the one thing I've had a negative reaction to so far. But there are a ton of recipes available out there for every stage, and it helps immensely to have choices. When you're limited to Protein shakes (I was for the first few days until I ordered a bunch of different things on mybariatricpantry) it is almost an effort to drink your protein. I lived on juice, gatorade and Water for a few days. It really gets better once you find a protein source that you can tolerate (hooray for Chike and Syntrax. Loads of flavors that really helped me). Walking and mild exercise are so much easier once you start getting some protein in. I was in miserable pain for the first...six days? It was hard to walk even part of a block, let alone the whole block. I wasn't sleeping well because I've never been a back sleeper either, so the first week I was pretty miserable (never enough that I regretted the decision, mind.) Coming to the forums here, plus a few other friends who have had the surgery and gave some pretty decent advice during that time kept me going and kept me positive. I think it was Day 7 that something just clicked. The pain was less. I was able to walk. And the more I walked, the better I felt. Prior to that, it was a lot of distracting myself so I didn't think about the physical discomfort. Reading, watching some of the shows my bf recorded while I was in the hospital...it helps if you focus on something else.

Hi Lauren, thanks for the well wishes. My surgery went great today. Only took about 20 minutes. I'm sore but that is to be expected. I had the same problems you were having. I could get frozen yogurt to go down and at times not even Water. This was right after a fill and nothing was stuck but I'd think ice cream and water would have no problem even if the band was a little tight. What did they do, close it completely? LOL. My issue is I weigh 5 lbs. more today than when I had my band inserted. However, most of that is my own fault and my addiction to ice cream :cool: This is a big decision so I suggest you think hard about getting it removed. After having the band 23 months I'm sure I'll gain weight soon and quick for making up for lost time of the foods I love, LOL. However, the ONE thing that proved to work for me was eating right, counting calories, and working out. I plan to give that a go again. Good luck and let me know what you decide.

Thanks guys!! I don't get it, I'm allowed to have low sugar yogurt right now as long as it doesn't have seeds or big chunks of fruit... what's the difference in that and cream soups??

I will share what I have heard on other LBTalk threads about hair loss. Several have said their docs attribute hair loss to not eating enough Protein. Another said her hairdresser believes it is because you may not be getting enough fat in your diet. Try adding protein, and be sure you are getting healthy fats - like olive oil, canola oil - in your daily diet. It does not take a lot, but you need some fat. Avocados and nuts are a good source of healthy fat, plus the avocado has Fiber, and nuts have both fiber and protein, along with the healthy fats. Keep the nuts to around an ounce or so. I usually have a few every evening as a snack, but you could also add chopped nuts to yogurt or fruit. I was banded in December and have not yet had a hair loss issue (may be a little early for that). Try not to worry about the speed at which you lose weight. Easier said than done! I keep reminding myself this band is not going anywhere, I am on a downward path, and if it takes a little longer than I like - it's still going toward the goal of a lighter and healthier me. Eat lots of protein (slow losers who have been successful recommend that), eat healthy and exercise. You will make it to goal... Carol - try tracking your food intake in a journal or on fitday.com or dailyplate.com. If you are not getting enough to eat your body believes you are starving and becomes extremely efficient at saving every fat cell you have ever owned to prevent starvation. Ask your doctor, but I believe you should be getting at least 800-1100 calories a day, mostly protein, then vegies/fruit, and "white" carbs like potatoes or rice seldom. This is what my doctor recommends - check to see what your doctor says... Good luck!

Interesting....I am allowed to eat the yogurt and pudding as is ..no need to thin it . And I have tolerated it just fine:laugh:

I'm on full liquids for 2 weeks now....pudding, yogurt, carnation instant Breakfast sugar free. Stuff like that. I live in Minnesota, where about do you live? TTYL:cool2:

Today is an official blizzard..it is made of snow and not of ICECREAM. I woke up very early this morning, felt achy and like I had slept all wrong! Took a little liquid pain med slept a few more hours and walaa..I felt so much better! I start my day with sips of H2O, I find that if I start my protein too early I burp way too much! This is day 5 post op. My pain level is very low, seems to be just at the button site and no where else. My incision sites look really good, a few steri strips came off today too. TMI I'm sure.lol I'm going to try and post a new recipe every day from my lap band "bible", they are SO good and a nice change.. Just tried an awesome one today.. Strawberry pie: In a blender add: 4 ounces fat free milk 6 ounces light yogurt * I used strawberry 1 graham cracker 1 scoop strawberry protein mix Blend This provided 26 grams of protein! I will try and add a new one each day..I am now down to my pre surgical weight,plus a pound, so that feels good, I have an Ipod, added a free app that tracks my footsteps with music that I choose, so I go round and round to my faves!! Happy snow day to you all!

well glad to hear about your surgery. i guess by now your feeling pretty ok. i had an awful first week with the hunger and stuff, and at times thought i had made a terrible choice, but i guess your mental state at that time is not to secure so i guess that's what i was going through. now i feel i am finally getting control of this new lifestyle. per my doctor, i should be consuming liquids (thinned soup-no chunks-i thin it with chicken broth since it gives it a little more flavor and i usually eat about 4 ounces; pudding; yogurt no fruit pieces, popsicles, protein water-kellogs is great just a little pricey; pudding and of course all these are sugar free. you even half to watch the sugar calories in these even though they say no sugar, they still may contain some; i also have had hot chocolate sugar free of course and use skim milk. the first week i didn't want to eat much (or drink i should say) so i lost 12 the first week. this week i guess i have lost my hunger appetite and still have to force myself to eat and drink. At times, i get hungry, but not very often. per my doc. you should be consuming water and protein water at least 48-64 ounces a day to ensure you don't get dehydrated and food wise 3-4 ounces at a time in good liquid. my doctor has me on a 500 calories 30g of protein for the first 3 weeks and then i go to pureed food like cottage cheese, applesauce, mashed tators and a little thicker consistency at 800 calories per day 80 grams for the next 3-6 weeks. this is my diet, i know everyone varies from doctor to doctor, so i guess you should follow your doc orders. what do they tell you to do? Are you loosing weight fast or slow? I go for my first fill Nov 11 and i hear this is pretty painless but well see. hope your doing well, don't know about you, but this has been a major milestone in my life. i only had about 60 pounds to lose (i am 5'7 235 at surgery and now 217) so not to far to go. I'll pray for you that you continue to do good and keep in touch. i would love to know how your progress goes.

Some background first..... I had my first fill last Thursday. I was on liquids for 2 days -- did good on that -- and then gingerly started to eat normal. Well, as close to normal as you can. :rolleyes Today I made me a yogurt smoothie for Breakfast and thought I would make me a small ham sandwich for lunch with some salad. A lunch I have had in the last couple of weeks with no problems. So I took a small bite of the sandwich -- bread and all -- and oh boy! :help: It hurt so bad!!!! I even chewed it for a long time.:guess I sat there for a bit, trying to figure out where I went wrong. I drank all my Water first, it was a small sandwich, good protien in the ham......ah ha! It had to be the bread. So after the horrible feeling went away, I tried just a small piece of the ham, no bread (hey! I was still hungry! ) and everything went down ok. So I finished my ham slice -- still ok but I made sure I chewed, chewed, chewed! Slowly at about half of my small salad -- still everything ok, but I was so full!:speechles But at least I didn't feel like someone was running a bottle brush up and down my esophagus and wanting to throw up. So it had to be the bread. I guess it's true that things really change after your first fill. I haven't had any problems with any food since surgery, but now......I really have to watch what I eat.

Are you eating any yogurt? Greek yogurt has a ton more Protein than any others. I really like the Chobani brand. It has about 20 grams of protein. I'm not supposed to have any yogurt with fruit so I bought the plain variety and I'll just add some sweetener. I'm not crazy about the shakes either but I'm managing to get the muscle milk vanilla down. It's better when you can add frozen fruit because it makes it kinda frothy but no fruit right now. Hope the yogurt idea helps. Good Luck. Hi, all! Well, I've been through the approval process and my surgery is January 4, 2011...right around the corner!! I am both excited and terrified. The pre-op diet it kicking my butt in the worst kind of way! I cannot stand any of the Protein Shakes, and trust me, I've tried them all!! Every one of them make me sick to my stomach. I am literally living off Carnation Instant Breakfast in the morning and broth/gelatin/sugar free popsicles the rest of the day. I know I am no where near close to the 70g of protein that I was told to consume per day. I am concerned this could cause a problem during, or after surgery. Any suggestions?

Welcome! I hope you really don't think this is punishment!! ( the pre-op diet feels like it) I'm only 3 weeks post op and I'm shocked at how satisfied I get from an egg, or a baby bell cheese or 1/4 cup of yogurt! One item is an entire meal for me! I also drink a protein drink and a 12oz milk every day. Oh and a Popsicle before bed! I'm thrilled about how I feel like I'm satisfied and not on a diet!

Warning - this may become a bit graphic. Oh my. That was certainly no fun. I hope it was on the "bad" side, as PBs go, because I certainly can't see going through that as casually as some of you guys seem to go through yours. So I was banded Wednesday, and I'm still on liquids, watery cream Soups, and yogurt. DH was home from work and DYING to do something to help me out, so I told him there was some cream of broccoli Soup in the counter, and he could make it for me... I told him to "make it the way I like it" (a.k.a. bandster style - strained to remove pieces, and watered down to regular soup consistency). I've learned not to assume DH knows what I mean in this new eating lifestyle. He brings me my soup, I start eating 'cause I was starving. I've had (or so I thought) no restriction, and have been using regular spoons to eat - no prob. About 4 bites in a take a spoonful and feel weird chunks in it, but before I can catch or cough them up, they slip on down my throat. Almost immediately I had what I can best describe as tummy cramps, but that's not an accurate description. Within a half a minute I had pain on my sides (like where I would put my hands if placing my hands on my hips), and an INTENSE pain in my back/spine, between my shoulder blades. Thanks to you all here I had a really good idea of what was happening, so I did all the things I've read about for months and months... walked around, put my arms up in the air, tried taking a few jumps, tiny sip of Water, etc. Nothing helped. So the PAIN goes on, for five... ten... fifteen... twenty minutes. I have a high pain tolerance, but we're talking "Great googley moogley, make this spine-wrenching pain END and I will sacrifice my first born to the great god of PB!" kind of pain. I'm pacing the kitchen and nothing is helping, and at this point I'd do anything that would stop the pain. I start - not sliming - but excessive salivating, so I used paper towels to "soak" it up. Which in and of itself makes me gap. I had to burp a few times, but it couldn't get out. Then... PB. My husband was upstairs and came running down, he swore I was puking b/c, well... that's exactly what it sounded like, but it was just saliva & a chunk of CHEDDAR cheese. Remember when I said not to assume DH knows my new eating lifestyle, and that my strained cream soup had some kind of weird chunks in it? This is what I mean. Normally I like my cream of broccoli with melty chunks of sharp cheddar in it. He meant well... He came down on turned on the water at the sink and rubbed my back. When he saw the cheese he started tearing, b/c he knew he had put it in the soup, but meant well. Poor guy. Well, so PBd, then dry heaved three or four times, felt some instant relief in the pain, so I went to sit down but as soon as I sat the pain started back up. Less intense, but still there. I tried sitting down, reclining, sitting down... reclining... D is rubbing my shoulder blades where the "spine" pain is, and was fretting because he knew I was hurting... I tried walking a bit, but again nothing helped... Another 10 minutes in and the salivating starts, then like the pain wasn't enough - I get struck with hiccups (keep in mind my ncisions are still sensitive and hiccups are living agony). I cried out a few times, and my poor DH was out of his mind with worry and a feeling of helplessness... so I'm in pain just waiting to PB again, my spine feels like someone is trying to pull it out, my hips feel like they're going out of socket, and my DH is on my tail asking what he can do, is there anything that will help, do I need him to call 911... I'm trying to deal with the pain and get him to understand there's nothing he can do, and the best thing is just stay out of my way while I pace and wait for it to come up... he's tearing up again, flipping out because he can't help, and because he put the cheese in the soup, I'm pacing... and PB strikes again. Much less this time. Once productive, one dry heave, and yep! There's that second chunk of cheese that slid down my throat. DH is standing right behind me, rubbing my back, telling me he's so sorry, he should have known better than to put the cheese in, how could I everforgive him for causing this much pain, etc. The poor guy. So, my first PB. MUCH sooner than I would have ever expected it. I know one food I'm never eating again... I guess I'm back to broth for a few days, but I do have to ask... is this "average" for a PB, or does it sound like a bad episode?

salmon packets, cottage cheese (lowfat) yogurt also lowfat. Egg whites, refried beans with low fat cheese, turkey bacon..... sliced deli meats.

Walmart sells salmon packets...there is about 3 oz's of salmon packed in its Liquid. Greek yogurt with no fruit in the beginning...... I was told to use nonfat Greek yogurt. I use sugar free jello to add flavor.

hi tara, i too will will be sleeved next week (wed jan 19) like you i've always been overweight, lost/gained/gained more, and i too first considered WLS years ago and considered lap-band as well until recently. i beleive it'll be better for me (more permanent and restrictive than with the band without the continuous adjustments BUT permanent enough without having my intestins re-routed - that was pretty scary to me). anyway, i'm happy for u and the only advice i could give you is once you're comfortable with your decision (as to which surgery) then pray over it and be confident in that decision. i've known ppl who have done lap band and bybass so i'll be the 1st sleeve...but hey diversity, that's what makes the world go round right now as far as the pre-op diet...IT IS KILLING ME TOO, but if i can admit...iv'e cheated...my doctor's office dietician puts EVERYONE on an ALL liquid diet for 2 weeks...no lean meats, no nothing but the shakes yogurt Jello and broth...though i've cheated, tomorrow markes my 1 week until surgery so i plan on being 90% good...GOOD LUCK to you and i wish you ALL THE BEST! ~nicole

Hi Faith Wade: You are most welcome; it's a pleasure meeting you here, and thank you for your kind words! I agree that we should be as forthcoming and detail oriented when discussing everything from A-Z when considering being Banded, and also with pre-surgery and post Banding. Plateauing: When plateauing, I do believe in kick starting one's metabolism and that may be done by kicking up one's exercise regiment to continue with losing the desired weight, and in reaching one's goal weight. I believe that my body's metabolism reached that plateau that we spoke of earlier; and as one who is "disable" I tend to exercise little because of it. I'm in need of knee surgery, I have two herniated discs on my upper back (neck) and may need surgery for that as well. So, for that, I must be careful when using my "Bodylastics" bands when lightly working out; for light walking i must use my cane. Testimony: I will admit that i felt very discouraged when hitting that plateau; however, i asked myself was i really going to feel sorry for myself and allow that thought process to overrule my train of thought and constitution? ...or would i accentuate the positive in "remaining positive" and continue on with my eating healthy, resting plentifully, and exercising? ...I decided on the latter! Sweets-n-Bread: It's been almost a few weeks now and I went from 6-7 days a week having the sugar and breads to 1 day a week. That one day a week for me is a day of reward so to speak. My reward day consists of one sandwich, one soft drink (Dr. Pepper) and some chocolate covered raisins (moderately), which i have during my lunch break at a University I attend. So far, so good, because again, i see it as a reward day instead of it being a part of an everyday lifestyle in terms of incorporating it in to my daily diet. Being Properly Prepared: I prepared myself by resourcing/researching as much information as possible, and by changing my eating habits in terms of the food choices, and by following a prescribed time pattern in eating each meal, along with light snacks (yogurt/nuts) between meals and drinking plenty of water (64oz+.) each day. Counseling, Support, and Nutrition Assistance: Before and after surgery, the staff of Dr. Anthony Coiran were/was/has been extremely helpful with an abundance and wealth of information and answers to my many questions. I was also given a "U.S. Bariatric LAGB Patient Education Handbook" (very informative). The staff stated that I would be able to find support groups via the internet in my area, and also provided me with a support group through their own resource center, along with a calendar with meetings dates and times regarding nutritional support in the form of a nutrition class with a certified nutritionist. In His service and yours,

Hi, Erica! I too just started my pre-op diet. I'm getting banded on October 7th. I too am getting soooo hungry between 3pm and 5pm. I'm hoping there's something I'm missing that could take the hunger away. I've finished day 2 and no cheating, even though work had donuts. Ugh! My pre op is 8 days of 3 shakes per day, 2 Snacks that consist of 1/2 cup of fruit, 1 cup yogurt, or 1 cup salad. Then, 2 days Clear liquids. If anyone has some ideas on how to curb the hunger, it would be so helpful. I'm using unjury and GNC Amp shakes. Thanks!

I think it depends on the environment you work in. I work from home, so obviously not an issue. Some people, like those who work in nursing or retail, may have rules against drinking/eating while on duty. In this case, it's best to talk to HR or a manager about getting a doctor's note to allow them to eat/drink while working. After surgery, it's not possible to eat and drink quickly, and you will need to sip all day to get your fluids in. If you have an active or outdoors job, it's even more important to be drinking a lot. I'm not sure why a smoothie in particular would be difficult to drink at work, although you'd have to have someplace to wash the container so it doesn't get gross. I assume you would make it at home? Probably for the first few weeks/months a smoothie wouldn't be the best bet as it's too much fiber and not enough protein; a protein shake is better for that (personally I can only tolerate the premade kind because the ones make with powder always seem gritty to me). I also am eating a lot of yogurt; maybe you will need a small lunch bag/box that is insulated and some ice packs which you can buy cheaply on Amazon.

Hey, you asked for a day but I have a little extra energy so I'll give you a week. If you have any more questions please ask. Congratulations on being banded and by Dr. Ortiz! B-Fast One weight control oatmeal packet with splenda and butter buds One serving Dual Isolate whey Protein shake. One large coffee with creamer One Bottled Water lunch One small bowl salad w/ranch dressing or Special K bar Another Protein Shake One bottled water Walk 15-30 mins. Afternoon snack small bag of peanuts or granola bar one botled water Imediately after work one bottled water walk 4miles in one hour. Tuesday thursday weight lifting after walk. Supper Lean cuisine and or salad, maybe a can of black eyed peas Bottled water another protein shake on weight train night. Nightly ride stationary bike if I watch TV. Weekends: diet about the same Excercise last two weekends kayaking 10-35 miles. This weekend 40 mile bike ride (Pinellas Trail) Just got back Night time snack lowfat yogurt. Yard work tomorrow and grill small steaks. If I can walk :-) kayak pics on photobucket str8jacket29 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting JC

Leatha, I thought the same exact thing, but on my dr.'s post-op diet plan, it says liquid diet, then lists appropriate foods, and in that list is yogurt, applesauce and jello. I asked about that a coupld of times, and was told it was okay. So, I guess it has been for me, (so far, don't want to tempt fate) but I chew even yogurt, and go really, really slow. I've had gas pain, but no nausea or PBs or anything like that. I'm not rushing, I hope!

I began making my protein with milk once I hit goal. But i did eat cottage cheese, cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, pudding at the mushie stage. I used mayo to mix my tuna and chicken salad. I used to have an allergy to milk so I expected to have problems post op but I do not and now I drink a protein shake a day and I use milk everytime. I am glad that things have gone well for you. It sounds like you know all the right things to do...good luck on your journey...cant wait to read your posts inthe future.