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I had Medicare, so they didn't require a 6 mth diet. So I had surgery exactly 3 weeks from my seminar. I also didn't have a pre op diet (which is rare). I was just told to eat a lite dinner the night before and nothing after midnight. I went to outback for ribs - thats what I considered lite back then! I stayed 1 nite in the hospital (required by Medicare) - your insurance will tell you whether you have to stay or can do OP. The pain was bearable - I had my liquid Vicodin, which I got refilled once. I don't work, but if I did, I think I would've been ready to go back after 1 week for a sitting job, maybe 2 for a more physical one. My pre op diet sucked. I misread my booklet and thought it said 4 weeks of clear liquids and Protein Shakes. I literally starved the first 2 weeks, till I added tomato Soup (thought I was cheating and didn't ell my dr). Come to find out after many month and after re reading my post op directions, I was sposed to be on full liquids for 4 weeks (to include cream Soups, yogurt, pudding) and I wasn't cheating at all! After 3 weeks of liquids only, I cheated and added mashed potatoes. The best thing I ever had. I could've bought stock in KFC! Please don't make the same mistakes as I did tho - my first "real" food was Burger King cheeseburger. Ate the whole thing and felt nothing. Ate normally (just like pre band) for the first 2 fills and 4 mths. Then came my 3rd fill - it was "MAGIC". That's when I really started losing weight. I eat everything, including bread, rice, Pasta. Alot of people can't tolerate them or are on a low carb diet. The only things my band won't tolerate is pizza crust, pineapple chunks, and pancakes (all the P's!) I just eat very little of it. When I go out for a meal (about 3x a week), I can eat about 1/4 - 1/3 of my meal and the rest comes home with me. I just got my restaurant card in the mail today (make sure you get one from your dr) (I've lost the last 2 I've had) which asks restaurants to serve you smaller portions or the kids menu. They charge you the kids price at buffet - it's really nice since I don't eat $12.00 worth of food - ever! The kids menu isn't very healthy, though, so you really have to be careful. I still go to buffets occasionally, only filling my plate once, taking a couple bites of everything. You'll be fine. We're all anxious before surgery. The pain really isn't all that bad. The worst thing is the liquid diet, but if I can do it, anyone can! Good luck! Marci

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-chia!" They are tasty, good for us, and even decorative on a clay figurine. Seriously, though, I love chia seeds sprinkled on my Greek yogurt. Pre-op, I would eat oatmeal, topped with Greek yogurt and then Chia seeds. Now I don't eat the oatmeal, but still very good.

Hi Juliansmom, For me it was one of those I knew it when I had it moments. Sort of like my first slime episode was a "what the heck is all this goo? OOOOHHHHH" moments. I didn't get restriction until fill #2. For me it is: Feeling satisfied on a small portion, but not getting stuck, provided I have chewed well. A meal will last me 3-4 hours. I don't obsess over my next meal. food doesn't rule all my thoughts. Yes, I still have head hunger, but with physical hunger under control, I can better fight it. When I was overfilled, every meal was torture. Even yogurt was painful. I got stuck on string cheese and mashed potatoes. As a side note, one of the first foods I got stuck on was a banana. I didn't eat one agin for a year. Then I was fine with them. After my last fill, they bother me again.

I have tried just about all flavors. I do both the powder and the liquid. I have been told NOT to drink the orange cream because it's nasty and that was from the staff. When drinking the powder I use 1 scoop of powder, add 1 spoon of greek yogurt, 1 spoon of powder Peanut Butter, 4 pieces of fruit, ice, sprinkle some ginger on it (for digestive), and 1 cup of almond milk. Blend and it's awesome. If you happen to do 2 scoops of Protein then I double the milk. I even take the GNC mega Vitamins for women in the powder form and I put a scoop of that in there too. I have a video that I created which goes step by step on how I do everything. The liquid I like to drink cold or almost in a slushy form! I drink those when I am on the go. They taste waaayyyy better than the whey powders and better than the Atkins drinks to me. I don't add (too) sugary fruits such as peaches and pineapples, etc. I use anything with a berry at the end because it gives it a hint of sweetness (which it really doesn't need). I also may add banana when I need that potassium. My favorite powder from the collection is Cinnamon Bun and Pina Colada. My favorite from the liquid is strawberry, chocolate and then Vanilla! Hopes this helps

Great job! I'm 6 days post-op and having the same challenges. I bought a bunch of pureed Soups from trader joes, plus some vegetable and a few fruit juices. I bought a non-flavored Protein Powder (gene pro) to add to the soups and juices for Protein, or I season some Greek yogurt with salt, pepper and olive oil to go with the soups. I also bought some cheddar, ricotta and feta cheese to blend/melt into the soups. I was so sick of my Protein Shakes post-op that the thought of drinking them made me sick, so I've been trying to up my protein in other ways. I also bought frozen fruit, skim milk, and silken tofu for smoothies (tasty with a splash of apple cider for sweetness). I made a tasty black bean Soup the other day: puree 1 can drained black Beans with chicken stock, some Greek yogurt, a bit of olive oil and cumin. It's very tasty and satisfying. A lot of these foods will transition with me into the soft food stage (I won't have to thin everything out so much). The biggest thing for me now is judging my hunger signals during this recovery process while I still have some pain and inflammation - trying to eat enough but not too much. I'm down 12 lbs, 9 pre, 3 post. So far so good Good luck!

Best advice is to not buy too much of one thing in the beginning I am 17 days out after gastric sleeve. I have a pantry full of boxes of bone broth ,cream soups, and a frig full of different protein shakes I hate. I found a protein milk at publix called Rockin refuel it's awesome. Chocolate taste just like chocolate milk and the vanilla taste like icecream. Has 30 grams protein. And I love oikos triple zero Greek yogurt has 15 grams protein the strawberry and salted caramel are my favorites. I got some unflavored protein powder to add to my soups. I've made a smoothie using fat free skim milk protein powder and fresh strawberries added splenda. Also crushed ice is my friend. I go to sonic and get bags of pellet ice and keep in my fridge. When I need to chomp on something it's there. Hope this helps. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using BariatricPal mobile app

I went for my post op at about 9 days, although the handout they gave said week two: yogurt, shakes, string cheese, cottage cheese, refried Beans, eggs. Week three: ground meats, tuna, moist fish, broiled or baked fish or chicken, lunch meat. Week four: soft cooked veggies, cheese, fruits. I don't feel issues when I eat, I just have been stopping at about a quarter a cup or when I feel (full). I also have read other people mention that when they burp they stop, and I have been following that. I honestly feel I could eat anything right now, but I am keeping everything very soft and moist and plan on continuing that for a couple more weeks to make sure everything is healed.

Hello, now this will be my experience. 1. It was very hard to get the calories in. The main thing was to stay hydrated and try to push the Protein shakes. I had little appetite and had some nausea. Make sure to sip sip and sip. 2. At 2 months out, I can sleep on my tummy. 3. The Protein drinks kept me full and with the nausea, I had no desire to eat. 4.Head hunger to me is when I am looking at. recipe videos and I get hungry. Other than that, its real hunger over here lol. I am set to eat every 2 hours. I stop drinking my Water 10-30 minutes before I eat. 5. My go to foods/liquids are yogurt,Protein Shakes or bars. I am still depending on the protein drinks. There are plenty of people that can help. Keep the questions coming. Later!

I saw my surgeon today and mentioned that yesterday (first day of purees) I had cottage cheese. She winced a little and I said, "But it was on the nutritionist's list!" Surgeon said I know, I know, I just prefer the purees to be thinner. I had made an egg salad with one tablespoon of low-fat Hellmann's mayo and 2 tablespoons of nonfat Greek yogurt but now I'm worried it's not thin enough. What can I use to thin it out in the Vitamix? Water seems do-able but not very appetizing, and I don't really want a super-strong yogurt tang, but I also don't want to add more mayo. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Oikos make greek yogurt dips that have good flavors. I used the cucumber dill in chicken salad. This way you could add more yogurt without that "yougurt-y" taste. http://www.oikosyogurt.com/greek-yogurt/oikos-greek-yogurt-dips.aspx

4 days, I am 2 wks post op and I usually only go every 4 days. Unless something doesn't agree with me! Which today is yogurt!!!

Great news!! I'm just at the 8 week point and loving life myself! I've been another fortunate one that hasn't really had any adverse effects, except for some minor food in-tolerances. I've gotten into a nice routine ... I love the Ensure Protein shakes and Greek yogurt, so I'm not having any problems reaching my Proteins. I've finally gotten into a routine keeping Water on my desk so that for the most part, I'm hitting my water goals and I've been able to start exercising too ... starting with walking and now adding in the elliptical. It feels so good to have to "retire' some of the former big clothes and I'm down 2 sizes in my clothes now ... I'm still away from reaching the 100's ... but hey, hitting 250 isn't bad when you start over 300!! Thanks to all the info on this site ... it has been a great tool!!

Protein shakes made me ill, and I was super picky, so some of the following helped me get closer to protein goals: Fat free fairlife milk (lactose/sugar filtered out, tastes like regular skim milk, fortified with protein/calcium) Fairlife milk mixed with either sugarfree strawberry/chocolate syrup, or served hot with diet cocoa mix Mixing a tablespoon of vanilla Protein powder with sugarfree vanilla pudding (I never added too much because I hated the aftertaste, but it was a good way to still add some protein) cottage cheese with just a tiny spoonful of tomato sauce (tastes like lasagna!) I also used the hershey's sugarfree strawberry syrup and added it to plain greek yogurt to make it taste like regular yogurt I'm seven weeks out, and these things have been a godsend! Soft food stage will open up a lot more options for you. It gets better!

I started gaining weight in my late teens and was never able to control it no matter what I did. My PCP had encouraged me to have bariatric surgery for the last five years or so, and I finally decided that I'd done everything else I could possibly do. The sleeve seemed like the best option for me, so I went to Dr. Alexander Abkin in Florham Park, NJ, who's one of the best doctors in the NJ-NY-CT area. After months of classes, tests, etc., I finally had my procedure two weeks ago. It's been a struggle to get down enough Protein, and Clear liquids have to be within a very narrow temperature range not to upset my stomach (the gurgling is loud enough to be heard from across the room if my drink is two degrees too warm or too cool), so I've had to be creative. I was told to go to full liquids as soon as full digestive function had returned, so the third day after surgery heralded the return of milk, yogurt. farina and Soups. Nine days post-op when I had my check-up I was told to progress to Phase III, and I've been adding cheese, fish and other items gradually. My highest weight was 304, and it was 295 the morning of my surgery. Shifting those few pounds was sheer misery, even though I never really ate much nor had much of an appetite. After the surgery the weight has truly fallen off: this morning the scale read 272, a drop of 23 pounds in 14 days. It will be great to lose weight and look better, but I'm really looking forward to being healthy enough to be able to see my grandchildren grow up. My son and his wife just told us that they're trying for their first, so by this time next year we may have a little one and his or her future is of vital importance to me.

Beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, spinach, broccoli, eggs, seaweed, quinoa, nuts, nut butters, almond milk, soy products, tempeh, tofu, hemp, poppy seeds, seitan, milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, Peanut Butter ... Do I need to go on?

The sample I will need to follow after my surgery is as follows: breakfast - 1/4 - 1/2 cup of cottage cheese low fat or yogurt am snack - 1 cup of Protein Shake with skim milk lunch - 1/4 - 1/2 cup of cottage cheese low fat or yogurt pm snack - 1 cup of Protein Shake with skim milk dinner - 1/4 - 1/2 of strained cream soup or cottage cheese This is the post op diet with plenty of protein that my doctor gave me and make sure your broth is low sodium. As you can see protein is key, if you try this for one day you will see results.

Just a quick reminder that what you like pre-op and what you like post-op may be COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, so it's a good idea not to stock up. And if you find something doesn't agree with you post-op, give it time. I went through phases - lots of nectar in the early months, moved to morning protein hot cocoa in the later months, now I occasionally use other flavors to blend with greek yogurt, or with ice to make into a smoothie, or with tofu to make into a pudding. I haven't touched the nectar in a LONG time. Another site to try is Vitalady - she creates sample packets from all sorts of different brands. And be aware that some shops like GNC will let you return a product you don't like, so that can be a good place to shop post-op.

Don't forget our old stand by, protein shakes. Frozen greek yogurt is great. Trop 50 + pureed fruit+plain greek yogurt=awesome smoothie

I was sleeved on March 5th at approx 0800. My journey started a few years ago. I started tossing the idea of bariatric surgery around when I kept gaining and gaining weight. My dr kept doing test to see if there was a reason, and adding meds to my regimen because I was being diagnosed with different things. I talked to my dr about it and went through the initial seminar that the local bariatric surgeon has. That's as far as I went that time. I met my wife and realized that I wanted to be healthy. I wanted to be around for her and my children. Her and I talked and she pushed me to go back to the dr and start the process again. I am a paramedic for the city we live in and she is an EMT. A nurse at one of the ER's had recently had gastric bypass. My wife spent about an hour one night talking with her and her experience. She recommeneded the surgeon she used. He had practiced at the local trauma hospital and done the gastric surgeries there. Our friend had had great success and had nothing but great things to say about Dr. Allen. I did some research into the different types of surgeries that were being performed and decided that I really wanted the sleeve. I contacted Dr. Allen's office and scheduled to go through the seminar again. By this time I had almost completed the 6 month weight loss study with my primary dr. After the seminar I submitted the appropriate paperwork and was pre-approved. I met with Dr. Allen and informed that at that time he was not doing the sleeve. He suggested the bypass for me. I decided it was the next best thing; I was NOT having the band done. lol Dr. Allen wanted a few approvals from my primary physician before surgery. I had to have a EKG, and Pulminary Function Test. The PFT came back obstructed at the dr's office so I was sent to a pulmonologist. I was very discouraged. I met with the pulmonologist he sent me to and was told there was a chance I had COPD. Again, more discouragement. The pulmonologist was not about to sign off on letting me have surgery since the intubation could be bad for me. He wanted me to use an inhaler and CPAP at night for 6 weeks and come back for a follow up PFT. 6 Weeks later I was back. The PFT was enormously better, and I felt ENORMOUSLY better. Best of all, he APPROVED ME FOR SURGERY. My primary physician signed off ok'ing it as well. It was time for the waiting game with the insurance company for approval. A few weeks later on Feburary 5th at 1300, I recieved a phone call from the surgeon's office that I had been approved and my surgery date was March 5th. They gave me the date and time for the pre-op meeting and test. And the best of all, the information on the 1500 calorie diet I was to follow for 2 weeks prior to my surgery. 2-weeks prior to surgery my wife went to the store, stocked up on slim-fast shakes and frozen lean cusines and I started this crazy 1500 calorie diet. I was approx 390-400 lbs. It wasn't as bad as I expected. The day before surgery a few of my friends from work and my wife took me out for my "last meal". I went to the local BBQ shack and had a full rack of ribs. Normally, before the diet I could clean them off and still be hungry, however, I ended up sending almost half of them home with a co-worker! We then had a small desert and sat and talked for about an hour. It was the last time I really ate "real" food. The next morning my wife and I were up at 0430 getting showers and packing bags for my hospital stay. I was told to be prepared for a 3 day hospital stay. Surgery began at around 0900 and I was out and in recovery by 1030. No problems with sedation or intubation. However, I was slightly oversedated and sent to the ICU for the night because they were worried about the sedation and my sleep apnea becoming a problem. I don't remember much of this. The most I remember is having a cathader that I kept asking to be taken out and waking up with the CPAP mask on at one point. The next day at around 0800 I was taken for a swollow study (worse tasting stuff in my life). Everything looked great! Cathader was taken out and I was released to drink clear liquids! A few hours later I was moved out of ICU up to a regular floor bed. My wife spent hours with me at the hospital, encouraging me to get up out of bed to walk and get the gas off my stomach. She made sure that I was getting adequate nutrition as well as enough Water to drink. She even brought me fat free milk! On the Friday after surgery I called her to come get me. They removed my JP drain and got me ready to go. I was able to go home and get a FULL NAP!!! I actually felt good enough when I woke up to go to the grocery with her to get some broth, Soups, and yogurts. Since then, I am down to only 1 pain pill a day if I go out for a long period of time. I haven't gone back to work, but don't have a follow up until Monday. I'm hoping to get the staples taken out of the incisions on Monday as well. They itch like crazy. And I'm super excited to start the mushy stage of my diet. I'm ready to get back to the gym and start walking and riding the bike and lose some of this weight a little quicker. I'm amazed at the little amout that I'm eating and it's keeping me satisfied. I already have more energy than I did before the surgery and I am able to stay awake longer during the day. I did cheat yesterday and had 1 lean hotdog. I ate it very slowly and didn't drink anything with it or afterwards. I didn't get sick, but I felt 100x's better afterwards. Guess, we're not all perfect lol Hope everyone else that has been sleeved is doing well also, and everyone getting ready to be sleeved is excited!

I had recently posted a recipe for chicken salad, with greek yogurt and it is really delicious - I agree, it is a good substitute!

I recently had my surgery on March 11th. I thought I was mentally and emotionally ready for the surgery, but was sadly mistaken. I feel like I am in my own hell. I miss food! I know I had the surgery for a good reason. I have a two year old son that I would like to be able to get out and play and keep up with. Every part of me just wants to pick up some french fries and chow down but I scare myself out of it. Did I really go through all of this just to go back to my old ways? Will I ever stop missing "the good stuff". I am so tired of greek yogurt, sugar free pudding and mashed potatoes. Not to mention the funky protein shakes that I can get about 75% in before I am ready to barf just from the taste. I am afraid to eat too much and I don't know if I have ever reached that "full feeling". I want pizza, hot dogs and FRIES! I miss my occasional soda, coffee with caffene (sp). My dad had the surgery three weeks before mine and all of this doesn't seem to bother him. Well, if it does, he isn't telling me about it. As you can see the food is my biggest issue, obviously or I wouldn't have had the surgery. I am pleased with the weight loss, just wish it didn't come to wls to get some results. Feeling down and depressed.

Lita, How are you doing? I am feeling fine...pretty much back to normal. I don't have runs and very little gas anymore. I was advanced to Stage 3 on Thursday and on the following week I was told to go to Stage 4. I did cheat a bit today and had Spanish food but not a lot. I had a meat and cheese empanada and 1 spoon of rice and Beans and a bite of chicken. It was soooooo good but I don't want to start doing that on the regular. The gas will be a problem for you for about a week and then it just goes. I do find I need to eat every 2 hours or so or my stomach will roar like never before. I have Cream of Wheat for breakfast, yogurt for snack, a smoothie or 1/2 c of soup for lunch, an Optifast for mid afternoon snack, and some Protein, veggies for dinner. I always end the day with a popsickle, applesauce, or Jello. My biggest problem is trying to drink 8oz in an hour. I know I need the Fluid but I just forget. I do get full quick but am not losing right now...think I am stagnant. I have been released for exercise so next week its off to the gym. My mini-goal is to lost another 7 pounds by time I go back to the doctor for my first fill on 5/16. Wish me luck!!! I sent you a private message with my email and messenger info...look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ice pops are great. Yogurt is good, and I now love those cup in hand Soups. It will take a while to get the whole thing down but you can have it a few times. There really isn't any protien in them. My favorite thing post-op was and still is egg salad, scrambled eggs with salsa on top, corned beef hash, pudding. I was able to go on mushies after 2 weeks which was a wonderful thing!!! Good luck your going to love your band!!!

I would pester whoever clears you for your diets about why you can't be on full fluids. I was on clear fluids for an hour or two before being cleared for full fluids. While no one here can know any medical reasons for your circumstance, if you were discharged I assume you have no issues with vomiting, and you've been checked for leaks.. I personally wouldn't understand why you can't have full fluids. My OR date was last Thursday (April 20) in the morning Leak tests/barium swallow done Friday morning, confirmed all fine Started clear fluids Friday afternoon, cleared for full fluid meal for dinner (soup, Jello, non-SF popsicles), ate that with no issues, was discharged a couple hours later Friday evening on full fluid diet until around May 11th when I can have soft solids. Current diet is mainly water (1.5-3L), 2% milk, high protein M&BS oatmeal, unsweetened applesauce, YOP yogurt drink, and was just cleared via phone call from my case manager to make fruit smoothies.

Activia makes light Greek yogurt. Has anyone tried that for a probiotic?