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I made a roasted cauliflower Soup for my pre-op full liquid diet, although some might think it is more appropriate for another stage.

Thinly slice a head of cauliflower into lacy fan like pieces. Some will be large and some will be small. Toss in a small amount of olive oil and spread out on a cookie sheet. (A large head might require two cookie sheets. Cauliflower will shrink SIGNIFICANTLY as it roasts, so if you season it ahead of time, it might end up being too highly seasoned after shrinkage.) Roast at 375 for an hour, or until cauliflower is browned. Don't be afraid to let it get good and brown, the caramelization is where the delicious flavor develops.

While that's roasting, saute some chopped onion in a tiny bit of oil until it gets good and brown, too. Pour in a 32 oz carton of chicken stock (or broth) and a cup of skim milk (give or take), heating on low. When the cauliflower is done, toss it into the soup and let is simmer (very slow simmer) for a few minutes. Season to taste (I use Tony Chachere's seasoning blend). Now it's time to put it into the blender until it's creamy and smooth. Put it back in the pot and add a handful of grated sharp cheddar. If it's too thick, you can thin it with either more chicken stock or more skim milk. The soup is even better the second and third day!

Cauiflower is in the oven now. Can't wait to try it.

I'm three weeks post op and have no hunger pains. I never feel hungry, but I do still have cravings for specific foods.

My doctor and dietician said that the carbonation in soda can stretch your sleeve so i wouldn't recommend ever returning to soda.

I don't think you're being neurotic. Not only can you control the sugar more by adding your own fruit, but the plain also has more Protein than the ones that already contain fruit.

I ordered a book from Amazon.com called "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery". It offers a great deal of recipes and even tells you how to prepare them depending on how many weeks out you are post op.

I'm still on pureed foods, but I have been blending "light" canned Soups and adding unflavored Protein Powder. It tastes like the Soup but I get the extra Protein in. Tonight was beef & barely.