dgoerlitz

We (my hubby had the bypass) use the Muscle Milk Light bars. We've both been really trying to not have to use shakes or bars, but in a pinch these work well. They have 170 cals, 18 g carbs, 8 g sugar, and 15 g Protein. They come in chocolate Peanut Caramel and vanilla Toffee Crunch. They are only about $1.50 each. We just buy a few at a time and keep them in the car, my purse, and at work.

Yup...I'm right there with you. I drink Water (with lemon), Decaf tea, or decaf coffee, using sugar free Creamer (again no aftertaste if you use the little cups) or just plain half n half.

I make my own yogurt and my own granola. It is nearly impossible to find a yogurt without a TON of sugar in it! I use honey with the granola, but a very small amount. Also...I do use the Splenda brown sugar mix for yogurt and for oatmeal. It's not all Splenda so you don't get the nasty aftertaste, but it isn't all sugar either and I only use 1/2 teaspoon in a serving.

oatmeal is my go to because it is easy. Also, I bring an egg, some chopped ham, & a little cheese to work with me and microwave it. Sometimes I add some veggies too. It makes a nice little "omelet". I also make my own yogurt and my own granola (so I can control the sugar). That is sometimes breakfast too.

You truly can puree anything. I blended Soup, eggs, and chili. I did not blend cottage cheese because it kind of sounded gross. Yogurt is a good staple too...greek. I returned to work at 3 weeks and was on pureed foods. I ate oatmeal for bfast and mostly Soups for lunch. Dinner...I just blended whatever we were having or had blended soup. I did do hummus a couple of times, as well as pintos & cheese (from taco bell) when we were out and about and needed to eat.

If we are out with others, I just try to order Soup or something off the appetizer menu. Our friends and family know we've both had the surgery, so it is never something that grabs their attention. If I know where we are going ahead of time, I try to look at the menu and make a decision before we go. That seems to help.

I made some chicken salad from canned chicken and ate that with a few Water crackers. I brought 4 oz for lunch and 7 crackers (a serving). Couldn't eat all the chicken salad and threw away 2 of the crackers.

My dr. has me taking Senna S. It's a mild laxative with a stool softener. It does the trick, but I'm not thrilled that I feel like I need to take 2 of them in the a.m. and 2 in the p.m. Trying to wean myself down, but don't ever want to get as bad off as I was when I started taking them.

I take a laxative daily for now. About 4 weeks after surgery I was impacted for a couple of days. Had to take something. Once I got things moving it took a couple of days to get myself on a semi- regular schedule. I hate to be dependent on them, but I am terrified of not taking them now. I never want to go through that misery again. But...I will start weaning myself off of them soon. I've been able to eat meals that seem a little more normal over the past week or so and I am hoping that will help.

If you but the powder and make your own, you can add a full scoop to just 4 oz. of milk. I actually prefer mine that way. I use Body Fortress and you can get it at Walmart. It has 26 g. of Protein per scoop + 4 oz. of 1% milk gives me 4 g as well. I just blend it up in my little bullet blender and I am good to go.

Talk to your surgeon when you see him. You should be allowed to have soup...not just broth in the next few days. My regimen went like this: 1 week clear liquids (broth, watered down juice, Water & Protein shakes), 1 week full liquids (all of the week 1 + Soups with nothing in them, like Tomato Soup or chicken Soup with no noodles/meat, Tomato juice, coffee (no cream)), 1 week of pureed foods (all previous, then blended soups, like bean or veggie, plain yogurt, baby food (low sugar), unsweetened applesauce), 2 weeks of soft food (all previous, scrambled egg, blended cottage cheese, hummus, and the like), and finally ease myself into regular food. I am 8 weeks out. I can eat anything at this point, but in very small amounts. I can eat only about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of most foods, and less of some heavy foods, like meat.< /p>

How low?

I bought a yogurt maker and it came out really good...for plain yogurt. Now I have to experiment with different ways to "flavor it up".

Sleeved 12/10 down 28 lbs since surgery.