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I have alarms set on my phone to eat. For example my alarms are set for 9,12, 3, 6 & 8:30 I eat Breakfast at 9 then at 12 I eat a snack (usually a cheese stick) then at 3 I eat lunch. then at 6 I eat dinner and at 8:30 I eat a snack. Maybe I need to pick different foods. I am so use to trying to watch what I eat maybe I need to eat different foods to get in the needed calories. My usual breakfast is a half a serving of oatmeal with 1 scoop of unflavored unjury Protein powder added. Then snack is usually a 100 calorie greek yogurt or RF cheese stick. Lunch I usually eat cottage cheese about 1/2 cup (either low-fat or fat-free) then dinner is usually 1-2 oz of protein and 1/4 cup of vegetable and 1/4 cup of brown rice or protein plus Pasta. (Sometimes I can't eat all of my dinner but make sure to eat all the protein) Then my snack before bed is usually a cheese stick or 100 calorie greek yogurt. So maybe I need to change my lunch meal to contain more food? Thanks for responding Mary

My to go foods that I see myself eating all the time are: Crystal Farms Light Wisconsin String cheese, Low Moisture, Part Skim Good Old Fashion Michigan Small Curd Cottage Cheese Fat Free Skim Milk Lots of chicken Avocados Core Power Light Protein Shakes Shrimp Feta Cheese Greek Yogurt

The one thing I CAN'T live without now? Quest BARS!!! I love them and eat one every day as a snack. The next thing on my list of must haves is Dannon Oikos fruit on the bottom Greek yogurt and Chobani flips. Nature Valley Protein Granola(honey and oats). Other things I eat frequently are: Fish (usually salmon or tilapia) Mixed nuts cheese Tomatoes Cucumbers Broccoli Green Giant frozen veggies(the ones that come in single serving sizes) All white meat chicken salad from the deli section at Kroger Ham slices sugar free gum(no, I don't eat it but I love to chew it after meals to freshen my breath) No sugar added pickles eggs Lettuce( I use it to wrap my sandwich fixings in and avoid the bread)

On the hand out from the dr it just stated at 1 week post op begin soft foods of scrambled eggs, any kind of cheese except cream cheese, yogurt, plain, cottage cheese and refried beans. Then it states to be on the soft foods for 3 weeks, then to move on to introducing real foods, one at a time, into my diet.

I am trying to change some habits and do some prep work for after surgery - my problem is I really dislike yogurt and have been trying to get used to protein shakes - is there any recipes that don't include yogurt or ways to disguise the yogurt taste -any ideas would be appreciated

I am o, week three and I can eat about 5 oz of Greek yogurt which is 1 container, it takes me awhile but I can. I can eat more than I thought I would be able to.

I can't drink milk at all but I can eat cheese and yogurt. I can eat a little bit of ice cream but more than that I have diarrhea pretty quickly. It's pretty common for sleeve patients to become lactose intolerant. You will just have to experiment to see what works and what doesn't. Tiffy is right. I get really sick on high fat high sugar foods. It's dumping syndrome, according to Dr. Aceves, too much sugar and fat goes into our systems too quickly because our stomachs are so small. It's not only diarrhea. I get nauseous and sweaty and feel really sick.

UGH that's rough. I have a weakness for ice cream, too. I used to sit and eat it with a spoon right out of the carton. Rocky Road was my favorite. Because I don't think I can control myself, I've had it exactly 1 time since surgery. And it was a couple spoonfuls from those machines at an all you can eat buffet type place. If I do decide to indulge, I'll stick with frozen yogurt

Ok, well I came home after spending around $45 on stuff at the grocery store. I got 2 little things of meat baby food (I'm sure I will regret this), some cream of wheats, organic lowfat creamy soups-in-a-box, (broccoli? butternut squash/ tomato) a bunch of yogurts, puddings, and i think that just about does it. Have I ever spent so much on so little? I ripped open a boston creme pudding and devoured it right off the bat... Probably shoulda eaten it much slower. For dinner? While my husband and kids have fried chicken, cole slaw, and delicious pan sauted fiddle heads I will attempt to feast on a lovely liquid delight.

I have been on solids for 3 days and all has been well..I was able to get in 1200 calories yesterday but by constantly eating small meals. Today I was only able to get in 900 calories. I did get to go to the gym for one hour, forty minutes on the treadmill and twenty on the bicycle. Breakfast: One egg with chedder cheese Lunch: South Beach chicken and green beans Snack: two string cheese Snack: yogurt dinner: smoked oysters Liquids: 44 ounces of crystal light I forgot my vitamins

pre op diet was high protein shakes, broths sugar fee jello, sugar free pudding, sugar free yogurt. diet soda, koolade etc skim milk. It actually made me full but became monotonous after 10 days. I lost 10 lbs. The anesthesia went fine. the whole surgery went fine. I was sore for a couple of days .I was driving within 24 hours.I walked at the mall but became easily tired and had to go home right away. Day five I was no longer sore. I did discover Im allergic to the steri strips that they close the incision with. I broke out and had to remove them. It is day 6 and I am now eating pureed food. I "never" got nauseous before or after surgery. My surgery so far has been textbook. I alswo have lost another pound

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?

I am only about 3 months out bag. When I feel panicked about my choices or any guilt I just go back to the liquid diet, the premier protein, yogurt, for a couple days. Of course I am only 3 months out and it’s more in my head that feeling of guilt then me actually doing bad. Maybe that will help you.

Have you tried CHOBANI yogurt? It is delishhh and it has lots of protein, my fave is pineapple!

Hi Everyone! I'm Jason and I'd like to join the group. Here's the twist. I was banded in December 2009. Issue is that it was completely devoid of any saline and was never filled until 2 days ago. The surgeon believed waiting 6 months before the first fill and in that time I lost my job and also my insurance. I'm thankful that I found a new job last summer and I love it, but it's a small company and the insurance covers NOTHING regarding the lap bands, not fills, not the doctor's visit, not even the cup of Water they give you when you walk out the door. So, I'm finally filled. I have the "big" lap band (14cc's I think) and he put 5.5 cc's in there under a fluroscope. He said with that, I should feel very uncomfortable if I continue to eat like I've been. 2 nights before I went to a Sushi buffet and closed the place down. I've had ZERO restriction and could eat unlimited amounts of anything. Right now I'm on yogurt and pudding and tomorrow I can start with blended stuff. (or just scrambled eggs since there's NO WAY I'm blending food) Sad thing is that the day of surgery I weiged 290. The post op, mostly liquid and no carb diet brought me down to 251 at my lowest in March 2010. As of 2 days ago I was 319. That's a gain of 68 pounds since surgery. Needless to say, I'm ashamed. I've been able to save up over the last year and have found a new surgon who will take credit cards so I'm paying for follow up myself. This is motivator #2 or 3 for me. So for all intents and purposes, it's like I was just banded but worse because I don't remember the protocol very well. I found a new surgeon. I finally have Fluid in my band, and I'm scared to death of what lies ahead. The new sugeon's support groups start up again in 3 weeks so this site is all I've got. Please adopt me. I have to succeed. I'm 36 years old, fat, diabetic. have apnea and a 3 year old daughter I want to be around for. Help....please. Thanks Jason

Thank you for the suggestions! I wound up bringing pumpkin spice yogurt to the Halloween party I went to last night. Everyone else loved it, I hated it! Lol Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctor's rule for carbs is "as few as possible" and only from legumes, green veggies, dairy, and a tiny bit of fruit. I'm a little over a year out and have just started introducing quinoa, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and a little more fruit as a way of tip-toeing into maintenance. And remember, measure out your Protein, and eat all your meals in this order: 1. Protein (meat, legumes, Greek yogurt) 2. Green veggies 3. Fruit 4. Starches (including green peas and corn) If you plan it right, you should be full, or at least satisfied, long before you get to Step 4. I'm always stuffed by Step 2. And when hunger strikes between meals, ask yourself if it's really thirst in disguise? If you're behind on your Fluid intake, catch up on that first, then wait 15-30 minutes before eating. And finally, when you want a snack, make it protein-based (meat, cheese, nuts, yogurt, jerky). Good luck!

My understanding is this: over time your pouch will stretch. However, it won't go back to pre-surgery size. You are going to hopefully get into the habit of eating nutrient-dense foods and worry less about portions, albeit portion size is important. I am 4 months out and I can do about 1/2 cup-3/4 of solid food. If I eat a meat protein of about 3oz, I don't have room for much else. A 5.3 oz container of greek yogurt is verrrry filling. I have found that I can drink more fluids in one sitting but since I drink either water, water with crystal light, coffee, sugar-free cocoa (now that its cold where I am) or a protein shake, I don't worry about ounces in this case. I don't gulp because that hurts but I can sip it down quicker than I could when I was ate your stage. Be sure to stick to the food plan developed by your NUT and move everyday. You'll be ok. As long as you are putting healthy food in and are stopping when you feel satisfied, you'll be ok.

I was banded Nov 2009 and my weight loss is 14. I can eat anything- I go for my 3rd fill this Wed. I called my doc office and the girl said to keep a food log and bring it in for him to review to give me suggestions. At my last visit he told me not to eat yogurt- which I was having for a snack daily. He said it was too much of slider for my band. He stressed protein first and not to eat a meal any larger than a WW meal. I too am hoping to hit that sweet spot soon. Good luck!

I am only 2 weeks out and since I can't return to work yet friends are always trying to take me out. i keep a Protein shake on me and plenty of Water. I've also carried yogurt and crystal light with me and keep some in the car so i always have something. For you I would say to just choose from the low cal menu since most restaurants have one or choose anything with fish and greens, any other healthy decisions...Good Luck!

I'd say drink a ton of Water (at least the 8 cups a day). If you can, drink it plain since some sweetners in crystal light/mio can make it seem even harder to give up carbs for some people. Then, if you can get a good balanced Protein shake mix like Bariatric Advantage, drink those for 2 meals and then about 3 oz of meat and some veggies for dinner. If you need the 2 Snacks between meals stick to high protein/low carb ones like cheese sticks, nuts, or maybe a carefully selected yogurt. You can do this!

On the Protein Shakes, add things to make them treats. I enjoyed chocolate powder with a tbl of Peanut Butter whizzed up in it. Or chocolate powder, SF Kahlua syrup and ice - nicely close to a mudslide. Or vanilla powder made with half OJ, half milk, and a packet of sweetner of choice. Or matcha powder and SF frozen yogurt. Or vanilla poweder with fresh berries (all whizzed up, of course). Much more satisfying than the standard Protein Drink, and something I often looked forward to. Take your eggs and make egg salad. Mmm. Ask if you can have refried Beans. Usually around the time you can have eggs, you can also have beans. A nice bowl of beans with sour cream, cheese, salsa verde -- yum. I eat tofu a few times a week. One of my fav ways to have it is Thai style. Marinate it at least 24 hours in a combo of OJ, brown sugar, sesame oil, spicy peanut sauce, honey, chili paste and ginger. Then just cook on a hot non-stick gridle or pan. Carmelize the remaining marinade & serve over the tofu. A tip for tofu - this throws everyone (who is new to tofu) off. Do not buy "silken" tofu, even if it says "silken firm". It's soft, designed to be more of a dairy substitute than an eat-alone item. If you want to cook it like a piece of meat, buy extra firm and press it on paper towels (using weights if you have time) to get as much of the water out, but make sure you're working with a kind that doesn't say "silken". If you hcan have tuna, then tuna, mayo, white/northern beans, white vinegar, red onion and a pinch of rosemary is the perfect lunch. Or make regular tuna (the cheapo can kind has more protein than the premium white albacore in a pouch, usually) salad, put it on a nonstick pan and "fry" it up, then top with cheddar & let melt. Like a breadless tuna melt. If you're on the go, the smaller size of tuna pouches, a few packs of condiment mayo, and a plastic fork is all you need. One of my fav travel/on the go meals -- buy turkey pepperoni. Microwave it on paper towels until it stops sizzling, but isn't burning... about 3 min in my microwave. As soon as it comes out, blot it dry with more paper towels and let them cool. The fat will cook out (they're low fat to begin with, high protein) and you'll be left with a very crunchy pepperoni "chip". Very tasty with some garden veggie cream cheese, or cottage cheese. Hope this helps.

Well my menu varies from day to day - so maybe we can post daily what our menus look like here! Breakfast - 1 cup of dry shredded frosted mini wheats, chewed really well - YUM they lasted me at least 30 minutes. lunch - 1 cup of salad greens with a grilled chicken breast and Vidalia onion vinaigrette Snack - Yoplait light yogurt dinner will be grilled tilapia and steamed veggies

Wow, well since I have such a screwy schedule with nursing, working days and nights I eat different things. For brekkie: either Weight control quaker instant oatmeal, with splenda brown sugar and 1/4 cup skim milk. Or 1/2 cup all brand with 1/4 cup yogurt or 1 cup kashi Cereal with 1/2 milk or 1/2 cup cottage cheese Lunch: Tin of tuna with light mayo or a boiled egg or 1/2 cup cottage cheese Dinner: Small piece of fish baked, um well lets just say dinner is usually something out of my new bible. It is called Eating well after weight loss surgery. Amazing meals with so many varieties and total calorie breakdown. I had Salmon tonight with lime dill and fat free cream cheese how yummy is that! Snacks, which I do maybe one or two during the day, depending on night shift or day shift. I have bought those 100 calorie snacks in sweet and savory types and apple sauce organic no sugar added stuff. Or maybe a piece or two of imitation crab, yummy stuff. Did a month of clear fluids so happy to be eating!!!!

I know every program is different so this is just out of curiosity.... I have 4 stages - 1. Clear liquid - days 1-2 2. Full liquid - (shakes, yogurt, cream Soups, applesauce, pudding, jello) - days 2-14 3. Purée/soft foods (egg salad, chicken salad, cottage cheese, turkey deli meet, mashed banana, etc -just a few items on my list from NUT) - days 14-60 4. Normal" foods/Maintenance diet - Day 60+ Anyone else have the purée and soft stage together? How many stages do you have?