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It's really good that you acknowledge a problem that you have and that most of us can sympathize with. As for bad foods, try to control yourself at the grocery store rather than at home. Like other bandsters, I find this to be the easiest point to control your behaviour. It's much easier to just tell yourself "no" when you're thinking of placing something bad in your cart, than when you have constant and private access to the food in your cupboard. You may still try to rationalize your way into buying a bad food (i.e. "I swear, I'll only eat one cookie a day"), but once it's in your house, you might find that those kinds of multiple-portion foods are calling out to you throughout the day, or when you feel that you can't control yourself (you're feeling emotionally down or when you're tired and hungry (etc)). My way of controlling myself from eating the one bad food that I really like (chocolate) is to only go grocery shopping once in the week. I plan before hand, so that I know to buy absolutely all the ingredients that I need to make every meal and snack for the week. This way, I know that I won't really have an excuse of needing to stop by the store for a single necessary item. If you can, only put yourself in that temptation once in an extended period. Once at the store, commit to buying no more than TWO items that you really enjoy and that are MEANT to be consumed in only 1-2 servings (not a large bag of chips). That way, no matter if you pig out on two chocolate bars in one sitting, or on two single-serving bags of chips, you know that, in reality, it only amounts to two chocolate bars or two small bags of chips a week (since you won't go shopping for another week). I find that buying two chocolate bars satisfies my temptation at the time to buy something bad at the store, and yet, the items won't take a huge toll over my weekly calorie intake. If you stick to only buying healthy Snacks as a replacement, you may feel deprived and feel the temptation of those foods at the grocery store even more. Make those two, single or double-serving, cheat-items really count by not just buying anything; buy something you love, no matter how fattening. While at the grocery store, make sure that you also stock up on exactly enough of varied healthy snacks to last you after the bad foods run out (buy your favourite fruit and low-calorie fruit yogurt for when you're craving sweets, dip and veggies for something more savoury, and maybe salted peanuts for something salty (as long as it's just enough for a week and not too much)). The healthy snacks that I eat vary depending on whether I'm having a sweet or salty craving. One kind of food won't satify a craving of another kind and it will only leave me thinking about the foods that would! This is a struggle for all of us. These are things that work for me. Maybe you won't find these tips useful or maybe you've already tried these. The advice about seeking therapy is also really good. But, I should say that even admitting that you have a problem, like an addiction or a genetic susceptibility, can end up becoming an excuse for giving in to temptation. If you fixate too much on the power of your addiction, you might end up believing that you're utterly powerless against your temptation, and "well, I just can't help it anyway." Every person has free will and we ultimately choose to find strategies that circumvent our very real problems or we allow those problems to control us for the rest of our lives.

cottage cheese with mand oranges vanilla yogurt with granola(watch the sugar on both of these) Low sugar carnation instant breakfast

I enjoy a prepacked non-fat Greek yogurt with fruit already mixed in. Add just a little granola and it's yummy!

I've tried everything and it's all making me sick! Protein shakes, protein gels, Greek yogurt, milk, peanut butter, eggs???? it's all so nasty! I don't know how I'm going to do this!

Hi EM1125: Sorry about taking so long to reply - I have had computer problems. I have been on the mushie stage for about 3 weeks now. I have eaten mashed potatoes, cauliflower and well cooked carrots (that I mash with my fork), summer squash, zuccini, fish, Soups (blenderized), oatmeal, and yogurt. I haven't had any problems with these foods. In the morning, I ususally have a Protein shake. I am going on vacation also in early August. I have decided to wait and have my first fill after vacation. I hope everything goes well for you. Let me know.

I am 10 months out and I cannot tolerate eggs well. I can eat a bite of chicken, pork, some beef but cannot for the life of me eat eggs(and I love eggs). I sometimes can eat them at night but they are still rough going down and don't eat eggs for dinner often. Breakfast is usually a Protein shake or yogurt here. I am tighter in the mornings. It honestly depends though but overall, I cannot get them down although sometimes a boiled egg is easier (though I don't eat the yolk(yuck) I know when we are out eating breakfast ..I order grits, gravy and sausage and mix it....I can't even get that all down and its a very small bowl.

I'm at 3 months, I can't eat chicken soup, tuna, yogurt, refried beans, tomatoes, cucumber, all of those things hurt a lot. I try a tamale took the meat off, because was spicy, did fine, try a baked fish stick, the frozen ones I think they are fry before getting frozen, I try an homemade meatloaf with turkey bacon, did fine??? What's up with that? I thought I wasn't going g to be able to eat stuff like that. I'm graving for a salad, and steamed veggies or grilled chicken or fish, I try steamed fish I tough I eat a knife. What should I do? Off course is a very small quantities. Like 3 small fish stick and that's eat for all day pretty much.

Basically, in order to shrink your liver, this is what you have to do: high Protein, very low carb, low to no fat, and because you are straining your system, you have to drink a lot of Water. You will find that everyone's diet varies. Mine allowed us 3-4 Protein shakes, and 3-4 cups of non-starchy vegetable Soups. Most people are also allowed sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free puddings, clear broths, and sometimes, fat-free greek yogurt. We were told to stay between 900-1000 calories, almost no carbs, no fat, really you're doing 80% protein and water. I'd suggest you run these and other suggestions you get here by your doctor and ask him if those are okay by him.

Ok everyone here is the thing, I'm being banded on 1/25/07, and I just have a few more questions to ask. Ok on the two week pre op diet should I A. Stop smoking until after surgery, and B. should I go on this 10 days or 14 prior to surgery date, because all I am allowed is glucerna weight loss shakes *very expensive* juice broths teas lowfat or plain yogurt not very exciting haha. Ask your surgeon. Each has their own pre- and post-op guidelines. Also what kind of anasthesea do they use is like gas or is it like the liquid valume stuff they pump in your iv. In the prep area I was given some kind of liquid thruogh my IV that made me a little loopy. They called it "happy juice" and "milk of amnesia". In the OR I was given gas. The last thing I remember before waking up was them putting the mask on... it was a little crooked on my face, and I thought - "All the gas will leak out and I'll never fall asleep..." Then I was waking up. Or does it depend. Also what I want to ask is some statistics like how many ppl have their band after years of having it in, Well, then you'd have to know specifically what you want to know. "How many people after years" is impossible to answer. I know two sisters banded in 2001 and both still have their bands. or how many have died from it None to date, that I'm aware of. Refererring to the band itself. or how many bands have eroded etc. The erosion percentage is something like - less than one percent (if that's now inaccurate, someone please correct me). So find some literature and get a number of how many people have been banded, and multiply by .01 and that's your worst case scenario. Just a few scary thoughts. One other thing guys I can't sleep on my back I have to normaly sleep on my somache is this going to be a problem? I doubt you'll be able to sleep on your stomach, at least in the first week. It took me (I think) 2 days to get into my own bed. Until then I was sleeping in a recliner. Once in bed I slept on my back propped up on about 5 pillows, or on my side with a pillow under my stomach to support the port incision. How much pain medecine do they give you is it all liquid, how much pain are you in when you wake up from sugery? When asked to rate my pain on a scale of 1 - 10, which they asked me before I was fully awake, I answered "like a half". I just didn't have any pain. Within the first 45 minutes of waking up I was given a dose of hydrocodone. And upon release they have me a rx for a week's worth. I took about half of it, then went to liquid Tylenol. I didn't have significant pain unless I was standing, sitting, coughing, sneezing... or hitting potholes in the road.

Starting my preop diet tomorrow. 2 bariatric advantage shakes, 2 skim or milk unsweetened almond milk or a Greek yogurt. 1 protein snack 1/2 c fruit and 4 oz lean protein with 1-2 cups non starchy veggies. Getting excited

And do you reallllllllly think you're the only one who ever cheated and ate something they should'nt have ?? No, most of us just dont tell on ourselves ! A week or 2 out of surgery i could'nt stand one more liquid, so i ate a couple of spoonfuls of tuna mixed with a little mayo. Heaven !!!! Nobodys perfect, we all probably did it, so dont beat yourself up over it. I love my sweets too, so i keep a couple of sf chocolate pudding cups , or TCBY frozen yogurt bars or weight watchers ice cream bars in the freezer for when i HAVE to have ice cream. Having a couple of emergency healthy treats in my house for when the cravings hit has been a big help. good luck !

I thought that it might be kinda of cool to get some recipes from all you Nymphs (especially those that can cook). I have made a few in the last few weeks that taste great and are getting me through. Since my last fill, I have not been able to eat anything comfortably in the morning this this Protein shake has been a God sent. Cindy's Fruit smoothie 1/2 cup 1% milk 1/2 cup non-fat strawberry yogurt 1/2 cup mandarin oranges 1 scoop of Any whey or powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein powder 4 frozen strawberries 2 tsp Splenda 4 Ice Cubes Blend until the ice is crushed. This is my new addiction...I love it because it tastes so friggin' awesome. Almost to good! It also nets a huge glass. For you Low Carbers this is great alone or on veggies or with RF Wheat Thins Cheesy Spinach & Bacon Dip 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained 1 lb. (16 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cut up 1 can (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained 8 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled or 1 Jar of real bacon bits COMBINE ingredients in microwaveable bowl. MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min. Cindy

Glad to know there are others out there Today makes day 3 I think the worst part has been the headaches I am adding coffee to my regime in the morning The withdrawl is killing me I am drinking Advent carb control-chocolate is the best-no after taste for me-vanilla was not bad just an after tast I did not like I am also eating 4 cups of yogurt, 2 sugar free fudgesicles and as many sugar free popsicles as I want My surgery is schedued for the 21st How did you get that little counter scale on your site? I am pre diet 195 and want to get down to 120-130 I am having diabetic trouble and just can not seem to loose this weight Where are you located in the world? Thank you for writting please keep in touch I can really use the support

I use the unflavored unjury in 6-8 oz of skim milk and a tbsp of your favorite fat free/sugar free instant pudding. I love pistachio myself. I also add it to Happy Planet drinkable yogurts. Also very YUMMY! :hungry:

Happy Holidays everyone. Just wanted you all to know I did end up losing 7 pounds after 14 days of hellish torture LOL. My doctor said my liver shrank a little but not a lot. He said it will continue to shrink as I lose weight. I was on 19 medications and he said that can sometimes have an effect on the shrinking... so now we know. Surgery went well and other than feeling like I did 100 situps I wouldn't really know I had surgery. No real after effects. I threw up once in the hospital when I took too many of my 19 meds at once but other than that no other issues. I'm back to drinking normally with no problem. Still no food yet, I have 8 more days to go to get to puree but I get milk and yogurt on Wed and I'm really looking forward to it. I think it will settle okay but will do small amounts at first. Thanks, everyone for being so nice and supportive! Love this group!

Southern Missy, you are absolutely correct in positive thinking of just taking it one day at a time. I have talked myself into just taking it one day at a time too. The liquids I spoke of in my earlier post is the only thing I can have until the mussie stage. There are no full liquids with my diet. In another 8 days I can look forward to running mashed potatoes(can't wait!!!!),apple sauce, soups(cream,egg drop), sugar free puddings, sugar free yogurt, milk, baby food and purreed fish, tuna, chicken, protein shakes, etc as long as it is pureed. I am so proud of myself because I have not cheated not even once. I am committed to this band because I chose it and I researched the process of loosing this weight and the ups and downs of it. Thanks for the encouragement and this too shall pass and one day I will be on this forum and I can help someone who is going through the same thing I am right now. You guys keep up the good work and lets do this!!!! Hugs to all:)

Im 2 weeks post op. I was looking forward to adding protien and yogurt to my diet but im not able to tolerate anything besides the clear liquid diet. Has this happened to anyone else? My stomach is bloated all day long when i try to incorporate protien shakes, dannon light and fit greek, diet v8, and fat free cream soups.

I also had fat-free refried Beans - I used shredded low-fat cheddar, some salsa anad a small dallop of low-fat sour cream with mine. Careful with the carbs though - they can add up with beans. Had lots of canned chicken and tuna - added low-fat mayo and pickle relish. Cottage cheese and yogurt (check out Yoplait's 2X Protein!) are easy and high in Protein. The Protein shakes are a good boost of protein when you need it. I "mushed up" the meatloaf, gravy and mashed potatoes from a SmartOnes frozen dinner. That was pretty yummy - and easy!!! I divided the meat, gravy and potatoes into 2 perfectly proportioned meals - about 1/2 cup each. oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, Malt O Meal are good but again, watch the carbs...... Good luck! It's a nice step up from liquids

Kat- I am 20 days post op and back on solids. I've been mostly eating soft stuff like mashed potatoes, veggies, fish, yogurt, pudding, etc. My question is at each sitting I am eating about 1 cup of food. Is this too much? I don't feel full at all when I eat, but boy within 5 minutes after I finish, I feel really full. I know I read where our pouch is only about 1/4 cup or will only hold 1/4 cup. But I can't imagine 3/4 cups of food a day is enough for our bodies. Can you or anyone provide some direction on how much total food I should be eating at meals? Thanks.

I don't think there is a limit to how much protein the body can absorb, there is a limit to how much it needs for muscle repair. The rest goes into energy. http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/know-your-nutrients/how-much-protein-can-the-body-absorb @@reachbree - I still mix some unflavored in my flavored mix. That is just personal taste. I also add a little unflavored to my yogurt. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery website says... Q: Can I take all of the protein in one dose? A: Protein should be taken in multiple doses, across multiple meals or healthy Snacks. The body cannot absorb more than approximately 30 grams at once. Also, protein is a nutrient that helps us feel fuller, longer. If we try to include Proteins in each of our meals or healthy snacks, we’re less likely to feel hungry when it’s not time to eat. https://asmbs.org/patients/life-after-bariatric-surgery My Dr made very clear that the body can only absorb so much at one time. There is a reason we take Vitamins apart, not just because some of them interact badly with each other.

Not sure where I got this from.. somewhere that I was doing research on.. but thought it might be useful for this thread. Increase Your Chances of a Good Fill The following suggestions are good rules of thumb and will greatly increase your chances of getting a good fill. 1. Be sure you are very well hydrated when you come in for your fill appointment. That means at least 6 to 8 full glasses of liquid every day for at least several days before the fill. (Remember, Water is your friend). Drink especially well the morning of the fill. If you're flying in, it can be much harder to stay hydrated, so take an empty drink bottle and fill it after you pass airport security. TSA rules state you can bring an empty water bottle past the TSA security check point. Bring some of those "to-go" packs of Crystal Light, they’re ideal! Ask the flight attendants for a refill of your water bottle, pop one in, and then you will have plenty to drink. (Hint - If you flying in for a fill, while you're on the plane, grab a couple of those white barf bags. It’s good to keep one in your purse or car, for "emergencies".) 2. Do not to have any solid foods for at least 6 hours before the fill. Don't eat a huge or late dinner the night before. If you're having any trouble (reflux, possible slip, etc) please have nothing but fluids after dinner the night before. In some cases, food can still be in the pouch for 12 or more hours. ANY food in the pouch will make it impossible to give a good fill, or get a good fluoro 3. Don't drink COLD fluids for an hour before the fill. That will shrink your stoma and give a false fluoro reading, and a poor fill. Room temp fluids are fine. Let the ice in your drink melt and hour before a fill, and then you'll have room-temp fluids to drink right up to the fill time. 4. Avoid getting a fill during a menstrual period or a few days before an expected one. During this time, girls are usually retaining water, and the fluoro will not be as accurate, and the fill will not be either. 5. If at all possible, hang around for at least a few hours after a fill. Don't run right back home or to the plane. It takes the normal swelling after a fill 1-2 hours to develop, and by that time you might be too tight and need to come right back. 6. If you fly in, If at all possible, stay overnight and catch a plane out the following late afternoon or evening. If you are too tight, this will allow time to get a small unfill before you leave. This is not very convenient, but sure beats having to possibly return to TJ in a few days, on short notice, in pain, and at high last-minute plane fares! This is "prevention!" Overfills are not common, but they DO happen, even under the best of conditions. Be prepared, and think about this overnight stay. Test your fill the next day before you leave. 7. After a fill, please have liquids only for at least 24 hrs. This allows the stoma to rest and heal. Then, a day of soft foods, then back to regular foods. Full liquids are fine, no need for clears. Remember, if you staying over night test your fill before you fly out. 8. Review the eating and food guidelines again before every fill. You’ll need to refine your eating more and more with higher fill levels, and there will be less and less room for goofs. As you reach a higher fill level, you'll no longer be able to "get away" with things you might have before! 9. Please don't get a fill if you are having ANY trouble with the current level of fill. This means ANY regular pain, PB or barfing more than maybe once a week at the VERY most, not able to get enough calories in, not able to drink enough, able to eat only soft foods or fluids. More fill will NOT help, and will make things worse. Discuss all this carefully with your doctor. You may even need an UNFILL, to keep your band and stomach safe. 10. First fills are routinely given at 6-8 weeks after surgery, but only as you need them. Many people do, some do not. Your doctor will help you decide if you need a fill, just ask. There is no rush for fills. Too much can very easily get you in trouble, and you end up further "behind" than if you had gone slower with fills. 11. Give a fill at least 2-3 weeks to test it. Some fills don't "settle in" for a week or two, and sometimes more. Your weight loss is what determines how a fill is - not any feeling of restriction, necessarily. 12. One of the most important things in determining if a fill is good is choosing proper band foods. Soft foods, liquids, junk foods, sweets, etc, will NEVER be well-restricted, and will never tell a thing about having a good fill or not. Only solid foods give useful info. A good test meal is 2-4 oz of solid meat or chicken - be sure it's soft and moist - and about 1/2 cup veggies. You should be able to eat about a cup of food (no less) and this should keep you satisfied (NOT "FULL", but simply "satisfied, not physically hungry". for about 3-4 hrs. 13. Plan regular meals. A good fill will keep you satisfied for 3-4 hrs, but no longer. If you are hungry 5 hrs after lunch, it is not because you have an inadequate fill! Regular meals at planned times are important for a number of reasons; including avoiding snacking, maximizing your calorie burn and normalizing metabolism, which is essential for weight maintenance later on. 14. Learn to recognize YOUR "soft stop" sign. Common ones are chest tightness or "fullness", a sudden runny nose, a single hiccup or burp, an eye twitch, back pain, left should pain. All mean the pouch is full enough and we should STOP eating, even spitting out the bite that may be already in our mouths. If you do not, you could progress to the "hard stop" - slimming, pb, barfing. Please remember that good fills are very elusive, even with highly- experienced docs and fill people. There are just too many individual factors involved that the docs cannot control. Even the fluoro is only a clue, and not entirely accurate - for some of the reasons above. It usually takes 3- 5 fills to slowly and safely creep up on a good level, and they can be safely given a month apart. Trying to go faster with a bigger fill is not the solution, and the stomach rebels at big sudden fills. The goal of the first few fills is NOT to achieve a good restriction, but to gradually get your stomach used to some pressure so you can tolerate a GOOD fill later. SLOW and GRADUAL is the key! Going slowly with fills can be frustrating, but is well worth the wait to avoid problems. • After a “fill” you are on a clear liquid diet for 24 hours; then, soft for 24 hours; then, regular food o Clear – juice, water, broth, miso Soup, tea - no salty or iced drinks. o Soft – V-8, yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies, (no ice cream), pureed Soups, squash, apple sauce. • Call me if you are unable to sleep lying down due to reflux to schedule a slight “unfill”. Do not talk yourself into “working through the reflux”. • Eat Protein at every meal; eat your protein first in order to facilitate proper digestion of this complex food. • Eat three meals daily or six small meals; do not snack – ¼ to ½ cup per meal • Drink water instead of mindless munching (add lemon to water) between meals. DO NOT DRINK LIQUIDS 45 MINUTES BEFORE AND 60-90 MINUTES AFTER YOUR MEALS.• Make sure your bowels are moving daily with ease not effort • Add Fiber into your diet if you are not having complete bowel movements – 1 tablespoon ground flax seed• Have some form of movement every day for 30 minutes • Avoid white flour and white sugar products • You are not allowed to be on an ice cream diet • You may not lose weight if you’re not eating enough • Eat slowly between bites; take small bites; sip your drinks. • Chew your food slowly • Throw out all the junk food in the house • Don’t buy anymore junk food • Eat organic as much as possible to avoid increasing exposure to false hormones, antibiotics, and other toxic substances • Join a support group, Curves, or weight watchers. • Stop eating after 7:30pm during the summer; and 6:30 in the winter • Keep working on the mental emotional component to comfort food eating • Schedule another fill when your portion sizes increase to “old day” sizes or you are feeling hungrier earlier then you remember. • Journal about your feelings, keep a food diary, create a collage of what your future looks like and hang it in your room. • Create a collage of images you want to let go of and burn the collage. • Laugh every day RECIPES FOR AFTER A FILL Master Cleanse Drink (adjust lemon, ginger and cayenne to taste) 4 oz of apple juice Pinch of cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger 4-8 TBls of Lemon juice 4Tbls of Maple Syrup or Honey Pinch of salt top off the blender with filtered water Blend till mixed Strain and drink ½ - 1 Quart a day SMOOTHIE: FOR DAYS WHEN YOU ARE ON SOFT FOODS AFTER A FILL OR UNFILL - A 24 HOUR REQUIREMENT FOR POST FILLS AFTER LIQUIDS. 2-4 oz of apple juice or Rice or Soy Milk 3-5 ground almonds 1-2 teaspoons of flax oil ¼ cup of frozen fruit ? berries, bananas, mangos, papaya 1-2 Tbls (or packet) Protein powder (I use a Rice Protein which is hypoallergenic and tastes pretty good) ¼ teaspoon Bee Pollen (do not add if allergic to bees or huge environmental allergies) ½ - 1 teaspoon of chlorella or spirulina

My doctor requires the following: 7-10 days before Surgery: Follow a low sugar (less than 16gm/sugar/serving) and sugar gree liquid diet which may include fruit juices, Jello, popsicles, low fat milk, yogurt, and Protein shakes (e/g/ carb solutions, atkins, muscle milk, whey protein). He doesn't require you to buy from him, which I appreciate. I would rather buy what I like from who I like. I will have a combination of Isopure clear zero carb, unjury (which I heard people like and I just ordered), pre-made muscle milk in chocolate from costco (convenient to take with me, doesn't taste too bad), and anything else I find appealing. 5-10 days isn't too bad, but then there is the weeks after too. Oh well, I can do it...

I just started my 7-day pre-op diet today. I have been instructed to have at least 100 grams of Protein and NO MORE than 75 grams of carbs each day. I'm allowed to have creamy Soups, yogurt, broths... and as many calorie free beverages (water, crystal lite, other sugar free beverages) as I want. I started my day w/ Isopure (grape frost) 40g protein no carbs. I have V8 Garden Broccoli soup planned for lunch. I have unjury unflavored protein, that I plan to add to smoothies, and my soup at dinner. Then end each day with another 40g protein Isopure. At least this is the plan, I'm sure I'll grow tired of this. However, I'll try to remember what I tell my kids "nothing worth having is easy":wink:.

I hear ya !!! I'm 6 months post op and not very fond of them either but they are the best form of protein. Can you maybe change flavors or brands ?? Warning - don't even look at the protein shots they are absolutely discusting !!!! My doc wants me to have minimum 64 grams of protein daily, now that I am on regular food I do get more protein from food and will eliminate the shakes all together soon. Milk (low fat), Cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts, beans etc. are all high in protein. But you are only 2.5 weeks post op so probably still on liquid right? To get a extra bang I would make my shake with low fat milk to have some extra protein. Hang in there sweetie, the protein is a must to maintain health/nutrition and hair !!!

Yogurt.