Search the Community

All doctors are different but mine allowed super free pudding, yogurt, and soups like tomato, any kind of cream soups ensuring they were strained or puréed for lump. One of my favorites was cream of potato with a sprinkle of cheese and real bacon bits puréed in a blender.

I did. I did liquid diet fie total of almost 7 weeks straight. I wss committed of course but I rold my husband I'd love it if they made a garlic chicken flavored Protein shake. I was counting down the days until I could have something like Jello and yogurts. Hang in there...

Me! I think we all struggle with this. What helped me a little was when I could advance from liquids to pureed. At least I can now introduce things like Greek yogurt (thinned with skim milk), ricotta, Jello (which I was not permitted on liquids). The sugar free popsicles in Tropical flavor really saved me - felt like a treat that i could sort of chew. Hang in there - keep your eye on the prize! It will be worth it.

That is surprising. I am a week post surgery and I can have Protein drinks, milk, cream-based Soups, greek yogurt, sugar free Jello or popsicles and Water, water, water (can be mixed with crystal light). The Protein Drinks that I am drinking have 28 grams of protein each so I drink 2 a day and then have greek yogurt and Soup broth. I can't have food (chicken, fish pureed) until day 15. It's interesting to see the differences.

Prices of Protein vary widely, depending on brand, quality, and where you buy it. Some of the best deals are online. All Proteins are not created equal. Some have sugar, some are high carb, some have fillers, some are not whey isolate. Some are for weight gain, some are for loss (depends on the needs of the individual). Read the labels, ask your nutritionist if your not sure. unjury and I think some others are created for bariatric patients. Beware cheap products - sometimes they are cheap for a reason. Don't stock up. Your tastes change after surgery. What you like now, you may not like then. Also, on the website "The world according to egg face" there are many , many protein shake recipes that are amazingly awesome. Check out the website. Egg whites can be bought in powdered form to add protein to foods and drink. It's safe and tasteless. My son (a marine and a body builder) uses both powdered egg whites and whey protein. You may not need to have whey protein forever. A lot of us learn to LIKE it. I also have Atkins shakes for breakfast. I prefer a liquid breakfast in the morning. If I'm low on my protein for the day I'll have another shake in the evening to make up for it. Sometimes I'm just too busy and forget to eat. If that happens a shake is a quick easy meal. Usually I can get the protein I need from my foods. I like fish, seafood, Greek yogurt, chili w/beans, cheeses, and on rare occasions beef. I have trouble with poultry still. You'll get it all figured out. It's an adjustment but not as hard as it seems. :-)

Heidi, right after surgery I was drinking several protein shakes a day while on the full liquid diet. But now I am 5 months post op and I have only one Atkins Advantage shake per day for breakfast. For the rest of my protein I have a scrambled egg w/cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese stick, mini baby bell cheese, hard boiled egg, milk, chicken, tuna, etc throughout the day. I also really like the Unjury products (21 g of protein) and you can order a sample pack to try a variety of flavors. Most days I'm getting nearly 90 grams of protein in.

I was taken off all diabetic medications the day before my surgery and at my 3 month follow up my HbA1c was 5.7 (normal non-diabetic reading) so I was ecstatic about the testing. I had been checking my sugar randomly and didn't have any readings over 140 and most of the fasting readings were 80-90. Then I started adding the one meal a day (at lunch) and my sugars starting spiking. Even though my meals were Soup or sliced meat and cheese (no carbs). So I started taking my metformin again. My 6 month HbA1c was 6.3 (with the medication). I am happy my diabetes is controlled but sad that I have to take pills again. I am having a Protein shake for Breakfast and dinner. I have a "meal" for lunch which varies day to day but has 25 gm protein and less than 15 gm carbs (and usually is about 1/2 cup of food). I try to choose the protein then a veggie and rarely find that I can eat a bite or 2 of fruit before I am full. (I usually get fruit in the day by adding fruit puree to the protein shakes) I do add a protein snack at about 3pm so my calorie count is over 800 for the day (usually 2 oz of a mixture of cottage cheese with greek yogurt or a 1 oz cheese stick) Maybe when I get to my goal weight I won't need medication. I know some diabetics are able to stop the medication when the weight is off but I know others that are still on some medication. Besides, no one ever said that WLS was a cure for diabetes.

Oh, I remember when I got to have some greek yogurt, and was like YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS... yeah on your cottage cheese. Congrats on a great post-op visit.

Today is day 15 since I was sleeved. I have not had much pain. I DID, however, have a HORRIBLE case of hives everywhere tape had been - all over my belly, all around my stitches, AND on the back of my hand where the IV was. THANK GOODNESS they only lasted through 1 weekend - I took benadryl every 6 HOURS and kept cream on them. I'm still on liquids, although today I can add "thickquids" lol -- just made that up! hahahaha BUT ... I have been SO TIRED. I had to go back to work on Day 5 (called in sick Day 6), and finally made it all day on Day 7. I have been dragging myself to work, sitting at my desk bundled up in a sweater - don't know if the office building is cold or if it is me. When I go home in the evenings I go straight to bed. I went to my follow-up doc and got a B Complex shot, hoping to get some energy. It didn't seem to help. I brought a small pillow and throw to work with me so that I can lock my office door at lunch, turn off the light, and lay down in the middle of the floor and nap! I send an email to the bosses - "gone to lunch" -- and then crash for the hour. FOOD: (I take 30 to 1 hr to finish my shake or my broth) Everyday I start with a 1/2 cup of milk, 1 raw egg, 1 pkt splenda, & 1/2 tsp vanilla (Egg Cream - in the blender) - just to start with SOME Protein. I ordered a BUNCH of Protein shakes (kaching), but I cannot stand any of them. I'm going to go back to my tried and true "Designer Whey" because I always like it before. -- Water Mid-morning - 6-8 oz of juice (either apple, grape, or OJ) -- water Lunch - 3/4 - 1 cup of Soup broth (depends on what I made the night before) - Last night I made "Egg Drop Soup" - chicken broth, 1 egg, onion powder, salt, pepper in the blender, then heated on the stove. Yummy. --water Mid-afternoon - usually the other part of my mid-morning juice dinner -- some kind of soup broth (The other night I boiled stew meat with cilantro & onions. I strained the broth for me, then turned it into "fajitas" for the hubby. PROBLEMS: My BACK hurts. It is a dull ache in the middle of my back and sometimes close to my kidneys - sort of like when you have a low grade fever (no, I don't have fever). Not sure why, but it is annoying. Yesterday I had a little pain. It felt sort of like a burning in my chest. I laid down last night and was uncomfortable. I slept kind of propped up last night. I was clueless - then the light bulb came on - Is this... HEART BURN? I never had heart burn before - rarely - so it was kind of a new sensation. I kept thinking it was the surgery. So, this morning I took a Pepcid. Well, surprise surprise - I feel almost normal! Back is still achy, but stomach is gooooood. I was not "officially" prescribed anything for that - so my info is from these wonderful boards!! TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY I HAVEN'T FELT LIKE I HAD TO TAKE A NAP!! I see people posting about stomach pain - this MIGHT be something they need to consider if they are NOT taking something for heartburn. AND my last problem - my sense of taste seems to be heightened. Everything is OVERLY sweet or OVERLY spicy. I'm eating small teaspoons of vanilla yogurt today and really NOT liking the flavor - which is not usual for me!! I love yogurt. Even some of the canned Soups that I bought to strain are nasty because all I can taste is either potato starch or tomato puree. I started looking at the labels and was like - YUCK - everything has "potato starch" in it. UGH- GACKKK - NASTY. OBSERVANCES: I'm SO ready to do this! A co-worker brought me a cherry cheesecake slice today (a thank-you for something I had done). I graciously accepted it - OH you shouldn't have!! -- smiled and cooed over it. They left. I placed it in my trash can, on the bottom, UNDER the papers. Later I just said, "I love cheesecake! Thanks again!" and left it at that. So, I fired up fitday again today - haven't used it in over a year. Looks like I will be getting around 45 grams of protein today -- NOT bad for day 15. JUST NEED ADVICE ABOUT MY ACHING BACK! UGH. BECAUSE my tummy is not hurting and because I can have a little yogurt today, I have a little more energy.

For those of you who live more on the west side of the US where Safeway stores are or if your local stores in your area carry Lucerne brands, Lucerne low fat frozen yogurt is absolutely excellent!! I am not kidding. They only make a hand full of flavors but they are fabulous. And the price is so very affordable. I got some today on sale 2/$5.00 and the regular price is $2.99 for the large size which is 1.5 quart. It contains 0.5 grams of fat, 14 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of Protein per 1/2 cup...............WOW!! I couldn't wait to share this info I am currently enjoying the Black Cherry chocolate Chip and it is heavenly. I am 4 weeks post op as of today and so happy to have found this item I couldn't keep it to myself. Lucerne also makes a Chocolate & vanilla. I have emailed the company to see what other flavors Lucerne makes because sometimes not all stores will carry the entire line. I also requested coupons as well. I have uploaded a pic of the item........... ENJOY BARIATRIC PALS Vitamins Form.pdf

I understand. Different facilities have varying protocols. Which really just goes to show you that there are no such rules set in stone. Pretty much everyone you talk to has a different nutrition format to follow whether it be standard or individualized. Yours sounds really strict and that must be difficult. The dietitian's on my Bariatric team recommend 5 grams of fat and 14 grams of sugar or less per serving. I even find that hard sometimes and wouldn't want to have my grams any lower that's for sure. Hope you have been able to find foods that are satisfying within such small gram amounts. And I hope you won't have to wait a whole year to taste my "new yogurt find" Blessings To Ya

I had my first pre-op appointment yesterday. I am excited to say on the doctor's scale, I am down 16.6# since my last visit with him. While I am extremely happy with the weight loss...I am tired and weak. I am disappointed on how I am feeling. I truly need to look at my diet and make adjustments. I am finding it very hard to get in the protein, which I know I need to heal and stay healthy. I am a huge sweets fan but I do not want to taste another SF pudding, yogurt or protein shake. How does regular protein powder change the tastes of liquids? Thanks in advance for any ideas!

OK, I am confused. I understand the process of being banded (surgery) but what I am confused about is the recovery period. I know I am supposed to be eating healthy, which I am desperately trying to do, but here is the confusion part..why am I told to eat things like yogurt, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, oatmeal, puddings, applesauce??? all these things are packed with either sugar or carbohydrates. Is this just a recovery phase while healing and waiting for the fills to start? And after having watched the DVD which was provided to me yesterday, which outlines the 8 rules...am I supposed to do this from the very beginning or after I start fills? What do you do? I truly want this to work and I know the band is just a tool, but I need to know how to make it work to my benefit. Any suggestions? Z

I'm getting sleeved in exactly 2 weeks from today so of course I had to start my diet. To say the least it's not that bad. Started off breakfast with a Premier Vanilla protein shake. Lunch soup, snack sugar free chocolate pudding.. For dinner I'll have another protein shake and late snack fat free yogurt... I can do this!

I agree with keeping your protein intake high, but you can do it without eating blended meat. I eat greek yogurt, eggs, thick Protein shakes and cottage cheese. Plenty of options to stay liquified meat-free!!

Yes, this 70's Chicago song has been playing in my head since Friday (2 days Post Op). I am now 5 days post op and feel sooooo much better! Here's how my day has gone so far: Today I woke up at 6:30 am feeling a little rough (tired and sore) as I have every morning, but I got up, took my Tylenol (I haven't had any narcotic pain relief since Friday- I don't like it!), and had a 4 oz cup of decaf tea. Breakfast was 1/3 cup SF Jello, got down another 6 oz of well diluted Sobe Life Water. Sipped my Protein shake (about 4 oz) on my way to Trader Joe's for yogurt and cottage cheese, which I can add in on Wednesday! Yippee!! lunch was a 1/2 cup of Miso Ginger broth (also from Trader Joe's), delish!! I'm now working on sipping some water and I am about ready for a nap. I'll be taking a walk this evening after dinner. You know, I think I can do this! It does get easier! You all were SO RIGHT! Hope everyone else out there in Pre-Op, Recovery Land, or beyond, is having a great day, too!

i have stuff get stuck - i don't exactly get what people mean by pbing... i've heard it explained but still haven't experienced it. i have had to force myself to throw up a few times when liquid got stuck on top of food... you need to talk to your doctor about the things you're feeling and experiencing - that's what they base how much more to fill on... communication is key. my doctor after fills makes me drink water and last time (i've only had 2 fills) told me to go eat yogurt and tell me how it felt... i described it to him in great detail and he said to come back and he took out half a cc.

Hey guys! I'm almost 4 months out and I am now finally noticing a difference physically. I found some pictures that were taken of me 4 months ago, and was shocked! I guess it's because I see myself everyday that I never saw the drastic change! Anyway, that got me thinking about this journey, and how it all started. By the way, I am a food addict, still struggling in my own ways... But I just realized all the improvements in my life and in my way of eating. Don't get me wrong, what I've been going through since surgery, I'm well aware of (food wise), but it is only now that I am remembering the how crazy my food parties/orgies (for lack of better word) were. Being a food addict, I have MANY stories to tell about food, but there's this one specific time I remember that is just absolutely awful! So here's what happened on that day: I ran out the house to attend a meeting. I knew I was running late, but I stopped at McDonald and got 2 Breakfast meals, and ate them both while driving. Needless to say, I arrived late at my meeting. After the meeting, i was hungry again, so I stopped at panera bread and got a sandwich and a broccoli cheddar Soup with some French bread, and a soda. And they offered a cookie for a dollar more, so I didn't refuse. Afterwards, I drove for 40 minutes to go home, but before going home, right across the community where I live, there's a pizza place. I stopped there and got a slice. But there was a frozen yogurt place right next to it, so I figured why not? And had a big cup of frozen yogurt with all sorts of toppings. Then I went home, looking like an angel who did not just commit all these crimes. I worked a bit at home, then decided to go to cvs, but stopped at Wendy's for a spicy chicken sandwich meal, and a frosty. After cvs, I decided that I was going to start my "diet" tomorrow, so what the hell, I ordered myself some spring rolls at an asian place, then went to chilis and ordered me some honey chipotle chicken with Mac n cheese and fries, plus their cookie and ice cream dessert. I couldn't finish my meal that time, but I still forced most of it in, and felt so ashamed, I threw the rest away. I then sat in my car for a good minute, because I felt too ill to drive back home right away. And as soon as I felt better, I drove by another restaurant I love and could not resist going in to order my favorite carrot cake. And I ate that too :-( I shocked at myself just reading this lol. But this was me. And I am so grateful that I made such a positive change to my life, and that I'm doing good too! Anyone else care to share their worst food party? Or am I the biggest food-party-animal in here? Lol

I feel great, and everything was fine for the surgeon as well. I've lost 10 lbs since surgery. Today I progressed to full liquids, basically adding cream Soups, yogurt and cottage cheese to my menus. I can not WAIT until mashed/smashed, as my nutritionist calls it. I am so happy I did this. So far, so good. Full steam ahead!

So I am 3 days out from my sleeve and have a few questions: Did anyone else have spasms after drinking liquids, especially cold liquids? The protein shakes that I loved before surgery are now repulsive. I tried yogurt this morning and did okay with it, what did everyone's immediate post op diet consist of? No one has told me how much I should be 'eating' at one time, does anyone know? How much weight did you lose your first few weeks post op? How long were you sore from your larger incision? I had 5 incisions, one of them larger which is the most tender.

Try drinking liquids that are room temperature if the cold bothers you. Post op for 4 weeks we stuck to broth, FF soup, yogurt, pureed foods, and shakes. At 4 weeks I tried a small piece of soft chicken, choked on it, and stayed on soft food another 2 weeks. Bad experience. Try a different brand of protein shake. My husband liked Bariatric Advantage (milky tasting) and I liked EAS powder from Walmart. The best advice we got from our surgeon was: Do not eat 3 meals a day. Do not eat if you are not hungry. Even today, 7 months post surgery, we eat only when hungry, and we don't have sit down dinners at any certain time.<br /><br />Right after surgery especially, and still today, burping signalled we had eaten enough. Wonderful little reminder lol. Usually if you eat a small amount, you can walk away and be satisfied. Everyone is different with their weight loss, we have learned that well here. The soreness from the small incisions won't last long, we never needed any pain medicine after 24 hours in the hospital. Good luck!!!!

Make the Protein shakes, yogurt taste as good as possible. I recommend the book, "The Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes."

We were told to put capsule contents in applesauce, but I also sprinkle the beads in a teaspoon of yogurt.

Probably yogurt and Protein shakes would be your protein sources this early out. Once I was onto soft foods I was allowed scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and other soft cheeses as additional protein sources. In the next stage I was allowed tuna and shredded chicken, then ground meats, and then eventually whole meats once I was allowed solid foods at 40 days post-op.

Thanks again!!! My Dr. is pure french and extremely hard to understand. When I went for my consultation, it wasn't that clear. I see him on Thursday for the first time since my surgery. According to him, this is my diet: Week 1&2: Water, Gatorade, broth, Jello, Popcycles Week 2&3: Hot Cereal, Strained Cream Soup, Milk, Yogurt, pudding, Milkshake and carnation instant breakfast Week 3&4: Boiled Egg, Soft cheese, Fish, Finely minced chicken, Well cooked Vegtables, Non-strained Soups, Stew (weird), Well cook Pasta This is me is serious punishment!! I am on week 2-3 and cannot understand what the difference is between hot cereal (instant porrage), and mashed potatoes!!! Really! I will discuss what you are eating when I see him on Thursday. I would like to be able to eat some of what you're eating. Thanks!