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I eat breakfast at home, and I would get up earlier to do so if I was at work at the moment too. I love my breakie! DH eats at work and keeps a couple of different cold cereals (decent ones like Weetbix and organic muesli), instant oatmeal (but its so much less satisfying than proper rolled oats) bread and basic spreads there. He also occasionally takes yogurt - but not horrid thin artificially sweetened ones - the good gourmet greek yogurt that's really really thick and has fruit on the top that you stir in - those do fill you and you can always stire some muesli in. But he gets very bored. You could also eat good muesli bars (not crappy kid ones) or take some nice cheese, like brie or a fruit and nut cheese and have that with crackers.

6 weeks after surgery. I started low BMI but i still losing weight. My issue is actually still progressing to soft food and eating proper protein rather than shakes which i tolerate very well I can tolerate yogurt plain and with natural fruit. and tiny amount of cheese.(cracker size). tried lentil soup - there are days I can tolerate more of it and days I just can't. I am now 163 pounds down from 190 Surgery day. Any ideas about varieties of food (protein) that you can tolerate acknowledging of course that every individual is different.

I am in the same boat you are. I was banded October 5. The first two weeks or so, I was eating nothing but a few yogurts a day and was totally satisfied. But then the swelling went down and, while maybe I can't eat AS MUCH as I could before, I can definitely eat whatever kind of food I want. It's definitely frustrating. I am hoping it will become easier to lose weight (and harder to eat!) after getting my first fill. I go in the day before Thanksgiving! So it might help me out that I will be on full liquids on Turkey Day! The mashed potatoes would have killed me on mushies!

Well I was getting in 80 g of Protein a day and I still lost my hair. :party4: You want to get the protein so you don't lose muscle mass and so you have a lot of energy, though. But the first two weeks or so, it can be hard. What helped me was: -Protein hot chocolate from Nashua Nutrition/Healthwise -Clear fruity Protein drinks -Isopure RTD (40 g protein, 20 oz. liquids) -Adding protein to everything - South Beach Tide Me Over in my Water, unflavored Protein powder in the broths and Soups, etc. -Make the shakes with ice cubes in a blender so they have the consistency of a smoothie and go down better. -If you try whey protein powder and don't like them, try soy protein powder. Don't the soy? Try whey? Heck, Jay Robb has some made from egg protein. Just keep trying samples until you find one you like. -Using greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt (less carbs, more protein) -Using "bariatric" foods such protein soups, protein sloppy joes, protein oatmeal, etc. (Popular companies: WonderSlim, Nashua Nutrition, Focus28, ProtiDiet, Healthwise/Healthsmart, SmartForme)

What kind of things are you eating, or were eating, when you were on liquids and then mushies. And then once you started real food what were you eating? I am worried I won't lose weight. I don't know why I am thinking like this. I am eating right now things like liquid yogurt, cream Soups strained, sugar free popsicles, and lots of Water. I have not lost anything since my surgery Wed. In fact, I've gained five pounds! ACK! Maybe it's water weight gain from the IV fluids?? Anyone else gain weight right after surgery? Help with ideas please!

Hi! I didn't gain but I did not loose weight the days I was on liquid. I think your body panics and is affraid it needs the fat to live off of! Once I went to mushie food, I started seeing the scale go down! As far as what I'm eating, I made meatloaf and mashed potatos one night, chili another night and I have baked potato soup in the crock pot now. I have also had refried Beans with hamburger meat and cheese on it. I have had eggs and yogurt.

You estimated that you eat over 100g carbs daily... But this sounds like an oddly high amount of carbs for just yogurt/tuna/beans/citrus. What kind of yogurt, salad dressings and sauces are you eating in addition? Ex. Chobani blueberry vs Chobani plain yogurt You may need to incorporate less of the carb dense foods (beans are carb heavy, but fiber heavy too) with salads like with 1/4 cup of beans instead of just1 cup of beans

The first part (daily eating habits) is easy. Breakfast Poached egg on wholegrain toast or greek yogurt + muesli lunch Wrap or toasted sandwich or crackers with tuna/meat/cheese + salad veg dinner Meat/chicken or fish + veg + carb. Snacks include fruit(which I am trying to eat more of),yogurt, nut bar, slice of cold meat/cheese. The second part - why do I want to lose more is probably a lot harder to answer.One of the reasons I am sure is that having been on a diet for a huge part of my life it is hard to accept that I am fine and that I no longer need to diet. Also when we look in the mirror we tend to focus on our bad parts not the good ones. I see my stomach and that is what I would still like to lose.Unfotunately we cannot choose where we lose the weight. If I keep dieting my already skinny legs will just get skinnier and my stomach will probably remain proportionately large.The only solution is probably a tummy tuck and that is something I can't afford. I am probably the only person that notices my stomach because everyone else that I know always comments on how skinny I am.I don't think I am. So the mental adjustment required when reaching "goal" is actually quite big and its not something that a lot of us are able to do easily. I don't think I will ever stop obsessing about my weight - I still hop on the scales every morning!

I have been meaning to do just this! I used a baby spoon right after surgery for my yogurts and puddings and it really helped. I have been using a salad plate for my dinner plate and that also helps, but I'm heading to walmart after work for baby silverware!

From the very beginning I have had zero problem with liquids & pudding, jello, yogurt, etc...now that I"m on to soft food, it feels a little like it gets stuck in my chest and there is some discomfort. Some foods are easier than others - I had a hard time with scrambled eggs but was fine with chicken salad, go figure. But I'm keeping calories under 700, watching the carbs and sugar, making sure to get enough protein & water, and am losing pretty well with little to no hunger. I don't know how to explain it; I guess I should be grateful. I'd definitely talk to your surgeon about it next time you see him though. That's what I plan on doing Good luck!

Good point, I will have to monitor that a bit more, but usually the shake lasts about 2 hours before I feel hungry, the yogurt holds for about 2 hours, the salad for two to three hours. By the time I get home from work the hunger is strong and I am ready to eat anything I can find--that is why the snacks are now all ready and pre-planned to prevent me form just eating anything I can find! Dinner is about 3 hours later and no late night hunger or anything, but I do have a SF popsicle or two every so often.

I'm proof that it's different for everyone. I have 5.9 in a 10 band and I have great restriction. I eat eggbeaters with cheese for breakfast, a salad with chicken breast for lunch and 1/2 chicken breast or fish with 1.2 yam and veggies for dinner. I usually have one snack of Greek yogurt with honey dribbled on top. No more than a cup of food at a time and 64+oz. of water a day. Hope this helps...Best wishes!!!

Boos, Crystal, Stephanie and Cathy... thanks so much for the feedback. As far as chewing well enough - agreed, I sometimes forget to chew as well as I should, but really for the most part, I have no other choice if I want to get something down. I think it is very telling when you are PBing on YOGURT and other soft foods - so chewing may not always be the issue. The juicing idea sounds good for nutrient intake, but it doesn't sound like something we should consider for the long run and in place of "real" food. This journey should really be a lifestyle change we can live with and that should include being able to eat solid foods to stay healthy. After reading your posts and living with this for the past couple of months, I realize I should call my doctor and schedule an unfill... even if it's only a half of a cc. I am getting so frustrated - depressed really - over not being able to eat real foods and swallow normally. It's not uncommon for me to have to stop my car sometimes to throw up on the roadside with something I just can't swallow or digest. Now that's kind of ridiculous and is good cause for me to reconsider how tight I am. So, the reason I am eating some junk food is because it actually goes down and I need to have the feeling of actually swallowing food sometimes! I do realize that sometimes the PBing gets worse when I forget to chew, take too big of a bite, or eat that extra forkful - but it's happening too often now and it can't be good for my health or esophagus. Time to get into see my Dr. and have a little taken out. Thanks again for the great advice! All the best to all of you. I'll keep you posted.

Oh wow! Sounds like you're doing great. The greek yogurt sounds good. I'll think I'll try that. Any Protein Shakes you really? I'm trying a few different ones to see what I can buy closer to surgery.

I have lost about 21 pounds since surgery, 30 if you count pre op. Give or take the two silly assed pounds that keep doing an encore. This has been going on for two and a half weeks. If you average out the weight loss, I have lost a teeny bit over 2 pounds a week. And this is supposed to be the time of the fastest weight loss? It slows down from here? I am into my third month and I am starting to panic here. I don't feel any restriction when I eat but have realized that early on and measure and log every morsel of food that goes in my mouth. I wasn't given a specific carb or calorie guideline or even a minimum protein requirement. I try to get 60-80 gm of protein and usually get under 70 gm of carbs (30 gm of which are from the stupid chewable supplements!). The carbs I get are from dairy and whatever is found in green beans and cooked spinach and the occasional half cup of blueberries in my yogurt. I haven't given in to my chocolate addiction because I know that is a slippery slope for me and I am really trying to ignore the onslaught of goodies that are eaten in front of me. I dropped two dress sizes in a hurry and then stayed in one for five weeks. I just got down to the next size but only in stretch jeans. No stretch = no button (or even a meeting of the minds!) I have assaulted my body by preparing for solid food by going to the dentist and getting my teeth ready to chew. That kinda backfired since I lost all my molars on one side after already having only one upper and one lower that meets on the other side. I had to have my teeth scaled (one step away from root canal) and then had two teeth pulled in the space of two weeks. Maybe after I already went under the knife for the sleeve my body decided it has had enough abuse?

Are you guys outta your stall yet? I'm at week 3 and haven't lost a pound since Monday. I am totally prepared for the 3 week stall everyone goes through but I'm on full liquids and am having a lot of issues getting anything think down. I'm able to get blended creamed Soup, blended greek yogurt, and nectar Protein Water... but that's seriously it! I'm not even close to getting 64oz of fluids in, and maybe get 60g of protein in a day.... I'm so sad! I was so excited to drink my yummy chocolate Protein shakes, but NOPE, they dont go down! So, I was just wondering if ya'll were able to break your stall and at which week did it break? For me, it's not like I can up my calorie intake, or increase protein, etc. I have come to accept the fact that it's gonna take me a while longer to move through the stages. But any advice would be appreciated!!

Two additional tips: 1. Try organic dairy. I don't know why, but they seem to have much longer expiration dates sometimes. 2. Train yourself to look at expiration dates as you shop. Ask yourself whether you really think you can finish it by the date listed. For example, if you find yogurt with an expiration date a month away, stock up. If it's a week away, just grab a couple. Good luck!

I hate to throw out food so I have been just buying the smaller size options at the grocery store so that I only buy what I will use before it goes bad. Like just a few individual yogurts and just a half pound turkey from the deli, etc.

Thank you very much very helpful! I was at a point of regret to be honest! I mean after the surgery I understood the love I have for food! That now that I'm unable to have none I'm doubting myself! I even have recipes of my old time favorite foods that I have twek to a healthy way and I can't get it as why I can't enjoy my food now that I'm on solid. For example today I tired to have some fish sticks (3) with 11g of protein I made it into a gyro style spinach, thin sliced red onions, tomatoes and as the tarter sauce plain Greek yogurt with pickles! And I used 1/4 of a whole wheat wrap! Took 3 bits and 1 I was full, and 2 got the only cramping stomachache! Does it sound like I'm moving to fast in my foods? I just don't get it!

I have to do a 2 week liquid diet. I did one week then my surgery was canceled bc of a sinus infection. It was very hard! I like the " oh yeah " protein drinks. They are good. The vanilla and chocolate so I bought a case of them on amazon it was cheapest there. I can also do broth, cream based low fat soups and blend out so there's no chunks and they were good too. I also had the sf jello which wasn't so bad but I didn't like the sf Popsicles. I did make a smoothie of low fat yogurt low fat milk a banana and a scoop of vanilla protein. Blended it up and it was good too. Hope this post helps some.

That's totally normal. You have very little restriction now, so your food is probably going through pretty fast. You'll need to go by your doctor's recommendations, but before I had my first fill, I was told to keep my meals under 1 cup and to add a 4th heavy protein snack rather than something low cal. For instance, 1/2 tuna, Greek yogurt w. added nuts & high fiber cereal. They call this period "bandster hell".

Hi very.rara I was banded in Perth by Dr Stephen Watson in December 2007. I have to say that it was, hands-down, the best thing that I have ever done for myself and I have not regretted it for an instant. I think I can safely count myself as one of the "success stories" , as I am now just 5 weeks post-op from having plastic surgery to repair all the damage that I did to my body by carrying so much excess weight for so long, and I feel FANTASTIC! With regard to your questions: What can I really expect from the surgery? If you've ever had surgery before, you can expect that this will be an easy one in comparison. If you've not had surgery, it is hard to know what you are up for and some people have been surprised by the fact that cutting through skin and muscle will actually hurt somewhat and take some time to heal. I've had a lot of surgeries over the years and the band was one of the easiest but it IS still surgery and you don't get over it completely overnight. how long were you in for? Hospitals are not my fav place in the world. I was the first patient in the theatre in the morning and consequently was allowed to go home that evening - if I had been scheduled for later in the day, I would have had to stay overnight. As like many I hate vomiting, so at all lengths I want to avoid it, what foods would you advice I stay away from? You should get an eating plan from your surgeon but here are some pointers in general: Immediately after surgery and for the next 4-6 weeks, you will be on a special "recovery" plan. The time periods differ from surgeon to surgeon but they all have the same basic pattern. Mine was: Days 1 to 4, Clear liquids (clear Soups, jelly, juice, teas such as peppermint or ginger ), Days 5-14 thick liquids (creamed soups, yogurts, milk/fruit smoothies, etc), Days 15-21 very soft foods, called "mushies" in this forum (scrambled eggs, chunky soups, really soft casseroles, tuna with mayo - fat free of course!, etc), Days 22+ gradually work back to normal solid foods, focussing on lean meats, vegetables and fruits and avoiding processed white carbohydrates such as white bread and Pasta. You'll find a lot of advice about food here but there does seem to be a real split between what our Australian doctors advise and what most of our US counterparts are told. The US seems to have an obsession with Protein and Protein drinks and with avoiding carbs at all costs. I don't subscribe to that opinion at all and truly believe that protein drinks are one of the worst choices you can make after you've finished with the healing process and not much of a choice during it - there are so many better tasting options out there!! You'll find that as you heal (probably about 2 weeks post-op), you'll start to feel hungry again and feel that you can eat anything, especially if you chew it enough. DON'T DO IT! You won't have "restriction" at this stage, so it might be easy but it can be damaging long term. The soft diet isn't because eating will be hard at this point, it is mostly to stop your stomach from having to churn to digest the food, which can prevent the stitches holding the band in place from healing properly and can lead to slippage much later down the track. The best advice I can give to avoid vomiting (after the healing phase) is to chew every single bite slowly and thoroughly and to stop and listen to your body in between each bite. It takes time to change the eating habits of a lifetime but it can be done. If your band isn't too tight, you should be able to eat just about anything you want if chewed slowly and thoroughly but you should find that you can only eat between a half and a whole cup of food at a time. Try to eat solids rather than "slider foods" like chocolates and icecreams, so that your band has something to work on. The whole point of the band is that it holds solid food up at the top of your stomach, triggering the Vegus nerve and fooling your body into thinking that you are full. If you drink your calories or eat foods with no fibre/substance to them, they will slide straight past the band and you won't get the "full" feeling. I think I've been pretty successful with the band - over 2 years now, down over 50 kg and feeling fabulous. If you want to ask any other questions, feel free to send me a private message or post the questions in this thread. Good luck!

I am a hugely picky eater and have been having a really hard time with the ready to drink Protein shakes. I am in my full liquids stage and I am also having problems drinking as much as I should. My mom was experimenting with some fresh strawberries (I love fresh fruit!) and came up with this protein rich shake: 1/2 container strawberry yogurt (3g protein) 1 container strawberry Greek yogurt (12-15g protein depending on brand) 1/2 cup of milk (2-3g protein) 10 strawberries 1/2 bottle of vanilla Pure Protein shake (10g protien) 3-4 tablespoons of fresh squeezed orange juice Blend together. Add more milk or orange juice to make it thinner. Mine is pretty thick but as I'm on liquids only right now, it's also pretty filling. But finally something with a good amount of protein that doesn't make me gag! The Pure Protein Drink gives it the slightest hint of vanilla and I don't have the nasty protein taste!

Since I had to be on a diet for 6 month before my insurance would approve, I've been dealing with that for a while. After working so hard, I am determined not to cave in to my addictions, so I have substitutes that don't do so much damage. I found a tea that helps - Almond Cookie Green Tea that I get from teatreasures.com. If you put some Splenda or Truvia in it, it tastes like a cookie. I also use Dessert Protein powder in Cinnamon Roll flavor. It's delicious and I buy it from Amazon. I also buy Greek yogurt in Pomegranate and Blueberry - it has twice the protein as regular yogurt, then I sprinkle some Truvia on it for a real treat.

Hello I use the unflavored unjury Protein powder in cream of celery and cream of chicken soup, as well as tomato basil soup and I can't even tell that it's been added to the Soups. I also add the Unjury to non fat refried Beans and yogurt, and can't detect the flavor of the Protein Powder at all in those things. I tried Unjury in my lemonade flavored Crystal Light and I did notice it changed the flavor, and I didn't like it. Maybe if I had added less protein powder it would have been tolerable. You'll just have to play with it and see if you can try it in the Crystal Light and other drinks, such as Powerade Zero and decaf iced tea.