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I appreciate everyones responses. To clarify things, i have gone to counseling, i have been to an eating disorder center, i have tried Atkins and many other diets. I know that it's not a lot of weight that i am talking about. However, someone mentioned about me being proactive about doing something about it ahead of time... and that is my point. I don't have a huge appetite, it's not the thought of food or looking at food and wanting it, it is my actual stomach feeling hungry and empty ALL THE TIME. Even after i eat a substantial amount of food, an hour later, my stomach is growling (not gurgling from digestion) but actually feels hungry again like i have an empty pit. Counseling doesn't fix this. And i CHOOSE to eat large amounts of vegetables so that i don't end up 300 pounds or more and risk other health concerns. Eventually this problem could lead to severe obesity, and that is what i am trying to avoid. I do not want a smaller stomach to down a 2000 calorie milkshake. I want to be able to consume a normal sized meal, and be done. Not feel as if i have eaten a grain of rice as others sit around me stuffed. Right now there is a physical problem- the stretched out stomach, and it hasn't shrunk on it's on through liquid diets or other methods. I see this as being the only option that could help me long term. I eat very healthfully and enjoy healthy food, it would just be a dream to be able to sit and have a yogurt and a sliced apple and it hold me over for a few hours as opposed to 6 yougurts and 5 apples and still that hunger nagging at me. Hopefully someone understands where i am coming from.

Here's another week's worth of dinner menus. Some of the recipes used come from my cookbook, Bandwagon Cookery, so the page numbers are included. Bon appetit! SUNDAY Butternut, barley & sausage stew (p.173) Leafy green salad (try the creamy raspberry salad dressing on page 184) MONDAY Tasty chicken tenders with ranch dipping sauce (p.253) Broccoli & Apple slaw (p.192) TUESDAY Oriental pork chops (p.267) with tahini yogurt sauce (p.144) Mashed plantain with onions (p.333) Mango-avocado-cherry salad (p. 198) WEDNESDAY Easy seafood Newburg (P.281) Brown rice Herbed mushroom salad (p.196) THURSDAY Broccoli crust pizza (p.232) Jicama & cucumber salad (p.197) FRIDAY Chicken & Fruit Sate with peanut dipping sauce (p.162) Roasted chickpeas (p.151) SATURDAY Ham & sweet potato patties (p.263) w/ the Devil & Miss Dole sauce (p.142) Hot Coleslaw (p.304)

Hello. I've been banded for almost 4 years and have lost 95 pounds, give or take a few. I had a fill in January and was very restricted for about 2 weeks. Since then, the band has worked like I had hoped. I would eat a little and be full. I had to be careful, small bites, chew, chew, chew. However, for about a month, I drink my usual 12 oz protein shake in the morning and coffee, yogurt for lunch, 48 oz. of water throughout the day and then eat and drink whatever I'm hungry for, for dinner. The problem is that the evening eating is getting more and more. It seems like I can eat a lot some times and then other times things just get stuck. I think getting enough water has a lot to do with it but I'm scheduled to see my doctor in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure if I need a fill or not. I don't weigh myself a lot but I think I've lost about 5 pounds since January. I'd like to lose another 15. Any suggestions???? Thanks

I take Biotin 5000 From GNC I take one a day and put it in my yogurt or my broth etc...since it's a capsule I have two friends who had the sleeve and started on the Biotin5000 and had no hair loss at all.. that's why I chose to use the Biotin It's your own personal preference..

I am on fish fillets now, not allowed to eat beaf yet.,tofu, green peas, beans,lentils and Greek yogurt what else?? So tempted to eat some carbs :-(

I have kaiser too and have questions about my diet. I just started stage 3 where it says that protein supplements no longer count as fluid needs. I called kaiser and was only able to leave a message. Can you help with my question? Does the clear protein drinks count as fluid or the isopure that I make with water count as fluid? I'm afraid I'm not going to make the protein AND fluid intake minimums at this stage. I'm worried now. The only "food" I had today was 1/2 a yogurt. Scared but excited.

I posted this earlier today on another thread and it kindof fits here: "Last week I went to Boise to see my Grandkids. Great time and great kids but I ate like I just got off Survivor Island. Over 2 1/2 days I ate: 2 bags of chips and dip Appetizer and a plate of Pad Thai at Thai restaurant 3-4 country donuts see video! Ham sandwich and more chips 2 bowls of Cereal large bowl of frozen yogurt(various flavors) 3 pancakes smothered in syrup, two eggs, pile of hashbrowns and 4 sausages Red Robin fish and chips, 4 deep fried onion rings and a large pumpkin pie milkshake 2 helpings of lasagna 12 small snicker(Halloween size) bites I had gained 9 lbs by time I got home Monday. Every day since, I've lost weight(not fat) and I"m back down that 9 lbs. It was all Water retention. Processed foods will do it every time. Great video but not for the faint of heart: 2012-09-30 09.15.32.mov

Janerose - honey.....although I am only 6 days out. ...I WANT YOUR YOGURT!! I have already thought about all those fun time with my girls when we go out and tear it up and drink and laugh. I have already started thinking this way and it helps ....when we do, THEY can order the big meals and expensive drinks....I will take bites from each of their plates and a few sips of their drinks and I think I will be just fine. As for the clothes...I think my new place will be Goodwill for awhile. There really are nice clothes in there if you take the time to really look. This journey for all of us is on a different time level but when I get to where you are, your post will make me smile. Hang in there warrior.........battle on.....and I still want your yogurt!

I noticed that, too. How do you eat the greek yogurt? I put it into smoothies (the plain or the honey flavored) and I used it in baking a cake for family (instead of sour cream). I don't like to eat it straight - like I do the activia brand vanilla - I just haven't gotten used to the stronger flavor.

(1) It takes more than saline to cause a bandster to experience restriction, and (2) it also depends on the person's expectations of restriction. For example: (1) You will not experience restriction when eating soft and slider foods, even healthy ones like Protein shakes, yogurt, oatmeal, etc. (2) If you expect your band to sound an alarm when you have optimal restriction, you will probably miss your soft stops and other, more subtle signs of restriction.

Does anyone know if it's ok to to eat any type of Activia yogurt once your banded? I used to eat it all the time pre-op. I eat regular low fat yogurt and greek yogurt almost daily for protein.

My doc's guidelines have it added weeks 3-5 or soft stage. Perhaps you could zip it through a blender to make it more mushy? I ate yogurt without fruit during my mushy stage. Blended cott cheese would be simliar? Maybe you could ask a dietician about that. I first ate cottage cheese the first day of my 3rd week as I craved it, too. Tasted great!

Erin, See my post to Kim Miller in regard to making yummy smoothies with fresh fruit, yogurt and your protein mix. You can get 20 grams of protein and sweet fruits at the same time. If you like coffee, you can get the chocolate protein mix and a teaspoon of instant coffee, or use brewed coffee (I think it has to be decaf, if I remember). Toss into the blender and add some ice and you have a chocolate mocha smoothie. Good luck, Ragdolls2

If I were you I would try it, but in very small amounts. Do not try a half a cup! Start with less than a quarter cup and start with things that are easily digestible (yogurt, cottage cheese, fish) do not start with things that are hard to digest like vegetables! If it gives you trouble, switch to full liquids for a week and then try again. Good luck!

I would eat the 5.3 ounces of yogurt if u have no problems. Only slowly over at least 20-30 min. U will recognize full when u try foods not in a soft/liquid stage! meats, cheese eggs etc Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Called the dr. Said to eat some plain Greek yogurt to increase probiotics. If I still have tomorrow to go in due to dehydration issues. He said it is not normal and is not dumping.

I'm still bit hitting my protein goal but some things I ate on pureed was Wendy's chili, taco bell pintos and cheese, and greek yogurt. Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

I eat at least 3 servings of fruit a day. I do get my protein first, but Greek yogurt and an apple after a workout is the best! I also eat a lot of dried fruit--peaches, apricots, figs, plums. My weight-loss has not stalled since surgery this past August. Eight months out and going strong!

Yeah, my nutritionist told me never to eat carbs without protein. So always peanut butter or greek yogurt or something like that along with my fruits or whole grains. Of course, I'm still never really eating fruits or whole grains, so it hasn't been an issue for me yet.

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!!

I have heard of putting crystal light in with the Greek yogurt. My friend LOVES it with lemonade. I have not tried it yet but need to. I am having a terrible time getting all of my protein in.

I don't diet. I do portion control. So as you say I eat what I want within reason. I try to eat from as wide a range of foods as possible and I also try to eat fresh rather than processed.Sometimes I eat icecream but no not 3 times a day. LOL I also mix my foods up when I eat so would find it hard to eat Protein first then veg then carbs. I prefer to have a bite of this a bite of that etc. For me this has been one of the best things about the band. I now eat like a skinny person.That is I eat what I want and am satisfied with much smaller amounts. I also don't feel hungry the whole time in between meals.Sometimes my food choices might be strange but if that is what my body wants then that is what I am going to give it.e.g I just ate abowl of natural muesli with greek yogurt for lunch! Normally I would have tuna and salad or a sandwich or something but today I felt like Cereal. Everyone is different and each person does need to work out what works for them as there is no "one size fits all rule". Good luck

Thanks for responding, Fluffy, especially with such a well-thought out post. I understand now that I may be 'too early' in the process. I'm such a slow loser and am hitting multiple stalls...that I was looking for anything I could do that would help. I have started tracking my food/water/liquids intake in the myfitness tool now that I was given macros by my dr's office but their plan has me consuming more carbs than I am comfortable with as I'm a big keto devotee and I lose better when I keep carbs low as a general rule. I did 'Atkin's' way back in the day and lost 80 lbs and kept it off for a decade. I restarted a keto WOL 15 months before having surgery as this way of eating helps my body feel better. Now I'm wondering should I follow dr's plan & not attempt to modify to be lower carb...unsure if only being 2 mos post op if my body would prefer that...but having had this body for a number of yrs (lol), I have such a difficult time losing weight...period. Usually it comes off much faster when I keep carbs below 20 ideally...or 30 for a stretch. Below is your list and I just wanted to put my responses in but I get what you are saying about it being too early for me to do IF. I'm hoping some of the things on your list that I'm already doing will have me better prepared should I go down the IF route later in this process: 1. FOLLOW your doc's and RD's plan for you and the stage you're eating at. You MUST be able to easily get the required protein in per day that they prescribe for you. And the amount of fluids you're told to consume. 2. Follow the rules of WLS. No eating drinking 15/30 or 30/30 depending your doc's plan. 3. Get ALL of your daily Vitamins in without skipping a single dose. I've been fortunate that I haven't had an issue with this even directly after surgery 4. Get to walking. And maybe even get to doing core strengthening exercises. Started hiking with youngest daughter several weeks ago. We've been consistent to this day. We currently do 2 x's a week and are looking to increase this but waiting for temperatures to cool down so we can do so..I also swim in my pool a couple times a week. 5. Protein first at every meal/snack >> al dente veggies >> a tiny bit of healthy fats (and that's it). Protein always first, especially since I'm only 2 mos post-op. If protein goes down ok, then I eat whatever veggie if i have one. 6. Cut out ALL C.R.A.P. (google it)--that means no sugar, grains, starchy root veg, starches, refined products, fake stuff, "treats" such as Protein Bars or Water drops. Severely limit the use of sugar substitutes. Did this 17 mos ago when I embraced keto WOL although I never believed in enormous intake of fat so my version had fats limited to ones that are healthier. I tended during this time to stay away from protein bars but if in a desperate pinch as I had a bad habit of not eating regularly (working so much I'd forget to eat, etc.) I might have one. I was a big user of artificial sweeteners during this period although I kept an eye on the research about them possibly causing hunger and many other things about them. Currently my limitation is 2 to 3 packets of splenda (or another fake sugar) a day in my post-op world. 7. Start drinking green tea now (I use decaff) and look into Earl Grey Tea. Ironically I just got a tea brew bottle and a pack of..I think it is green tea in a subscription box that I get. 8. Try to keep your carbs to <30g net per day (subtract Fiber grams of carbs from the total carb count to get net carbs. Yes, I'm a big believer in this! Trying to figure out how to fight myfitness pal as it does not have food listed in its DB, from what little I've seen, with net carb count. I may have to hand add all my stuff 9. No "snacking". Eat 3 meals + 1-3 small mini meals per day in order to limit meal portions to the volume recommended by your doctor and to reach your protein totals each day. A mini meal is an organized, orderly, planned event. Snacking is not. Snacking is hedonistic and reckless and it's possible to do a lot of damage with a single snack event. Since I'm 2 months post-op..this is usually covered although I am not yet this structured as I'm still having occasional issues at mealtime. My mini-meals are not yet planned, thought out events. Well, it's more like I know I will have a carbmaster yogurt in between my breakfast premier protein shake and my next 'meal' which is always an intake of real protein (i.e. meat that I can tolerate and is not a fatty meat). I also will parse out 7 almonds, etc. I think where I'm at is more like 'practicing for where I need to be'? I DID find myself recently..and it is always late at night as often don't eat my 1st meal of the day until almost 11 AM...going to get sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles but I was NOT hungry. It is old habits trying to creep back in. Was really upset that I started to 'go there'..this is a very slippery slope for me! 10. Aim to get 2-3oz of protein per meal (lean dense protein, no casseroles, no deeply satisfying gooey cheesy high reward meals. Keep is simple: grilled chicken, sauteed chicken, poached or sauteed fish, etc. No meat lube or stuff that adds to the pleasure of the food experience. My protein meals are much like what you said. Haven't had a casserole yet...wait, I did. It was shredded chicken I made in crockpot with chicken broth,fat free cream cheese and salsa..but no cheese involved. It is one of the few ways I can get 'moist' chicken. The macros do fit into my keto version including keeping the fat down more than most keto plans.

Lucky you... 1. Day I ate the scramble egg with whole wheat toast went down great. Now I can't eat bread. Or eggs. 4 spoons yogurt I was full. Not gonna buy more to eat 4 spoons. Your doing excellent keep it up

I too fell into the trap of eating poorly due to two kids with mental health issues. Know you are not alone. There are more of you out there then you know. Don’t feel guilty about anything. As moms we try our best. I agree that having simple healthy no thinking foods around might help you. My go to as a busy mom is greek yogurt. Grab and go and eat on the run. Hugs!!!!