esskay77

I'm in the same boat. Had surgery early 2014 and have now gained a bit of it back and I need to get back on track. Let me know what you try and how it works!! I just can't get my head straight again.

Your taste buds will recover eventually. I wish they wouldn't! You are at an uncomfortable stage -- I remember it and felt the same way as you but looking back, I wish I had taken advantage of all that and just relaxed a bit. But that's hard. So, yes, start trying different foods. Some will work and some won't work right away. Eggs were always my go-to. Yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, etc. really helped me through it. I used to hate cottage cheese and now love it! But, I had to start out by adding jello to it. In fact, at the beginning I would add jello to plain yogurt as well. For the yogurt, I added the completed jello but for the cottage cheese, I added the jello powder into it along with a little bit of sugar free coolwhip. Mmmm. Still my favorite dessert. You can also add jello pudding powder into cottage cheese with a bit of coolwhip. When you can have it, I also add some crushed pineapple into it. Best of luck. You will get through this and do great!

iPixie, I don't think the point is to eat the same foods as before at all. If you do that, you will gain the weight back. But, I also don't count calories, I count grams of protein/fats/carbs. Well, I count Protein and try to keep the other counts as low as possible. The first year or 2, the weight will come off regardless of what you do. However, you really want to use the first 2 years to train yourself on how to eat better. Because the hunger hormone does come back and it's a beast when it does. But if you have trained yourself well, you can get through it. If you follow the protein/fats/carbs ratio, you should be fine without worrying about calories. My postop diet is 60 to 80 grams of protein, 30 grams of fats, and no more than 100 grams of carbs. Eating proteins first, then carbs and finally fats. Best of luck!!

This is all completely normal (the questioning!). At the beginning we all question why we did this but then something happens and we wish we had done it sooner. Liquids are probably your first priority right now and then I assume you are on soft foods? Keep them soft, pureed -- that will hopefully help. You'll get there but if you are thinking something is really wrong, always call your doctor.

The sad reality is that even if you are one of the lucky ones where "the hunger hormone has been removed" it is really only temporary. And when it comes back, it comes back like a beast (to quote my surgeon!) I am the same, if I don't eat and get hangry, I also get that headache though I don't think mine is a migraine. But, it does take a few days to get rid of it. But, if I follow the plan the right way, I'm usually pretty good. It's when I start eating carbs and sugars again, that my hunger gets really bad. And smaller meals with snacks (healthy snacks) really help. I'm always just surprised at myself how my head thinks I will need more food than I really do. When I put food on my plate or go to the salad bar or whatever, I pile it on. Luckily, I've learned that leaving food on my plate is a good thing and actually strive for that but it is hard and not always successful. Best of luck.

Mindwing -- such a rollercoaster you have been through!! But good for you for getting through it and back on track. You are an inspiration!

You are completely normal. You just try to do your best but don't beat yourself up if you can't. Someone suggested popsicles and that is a great idea!

I don't think you hurt anything physically but you should stay away from bread, crust or no crust. But note that your body is still healing and having "unmushy" things isn't helpful. Try this! Baked Ricotta with Marinara This is the one that everyone RAVES about! 8 oz of ricotta cheese ½ cup grated Parmesan 1 large egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Salt & pepper to taste ½ cup marinara sauce ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly.

It took me quite a while to have lettuce again. Interestingly, I still don't eat much lettuce. I do have some but every day at work for lunch, I go to the salad bar and make a "salad" but it never includes lettuce! I use cucumbers, green and red peppers, red onions, sometimes a small piece of artichoke, but rarely lettuce. (I also have grilled chicken on it). I avoid corn and peas as much as possible since they are starchier though I do have a lot of carrots and celery with hummus.

I don't know which yours is but I went through something really similar. When I would have pains, I would practically drop to the floor it was so bad. I did finally get myself to the ER one time and they still couldn't tell if it was my gall bladder or not but some numbers they were watching were seriously elevated so they checked me into the hospital until those numbers came down. They couldn't figure out what it was but they did recommend that I talk to my PCP and have my gall bladder out since it was known that I had stones anyway. Finally had it out. Oddly, I had those pains several more times to my embarrassment. Someone told me that that could happen. Eventually they stopped and have never had them again! And they are so different from dumping syndrome!! Best of luck!

I was told to use these: Protein 60-80 grams Carbs 100 grams Fats 30 grams However, note that this is for gastric bypass.

Yes, the issue is completely if you swallow it. Apparently many people do and they just want to make sure this doesnt happen because it could cause problems. It is really the only reason to not chew gum.

I was told may times, NO GUM!!! I still don't chew it though it is probably fine now.(5 years out). Not sure about mints. I know they said we could have those Listerine "sheets" that melt in your mouth but give you fresh breath.

Totally at the puree'd stage!!

Someone suggested a toaster oven! Genius! A crock pot or Instapot can also be very helpful. I've made meatloaf in a crockpot and it turned out really good. But a sauteed chicken breast on the stove top is always good. I add some salt and pepper and paprika, then when it is getting closer to done, I throw a bunch of raw spinach in to sautee that and pour in a bit of chicken broth. Makes it REALLY tasty!! Just having that can be amazing. And sauteed spinach is so much better than canned spinach. It really shrinks up so you have to use most of the bag. And having it sauteed in the chicken broth is yummy!! Or, you can even buy the rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. The first night I buy it when it is still warm and just cut off a bunch of it and eat it like that. The next night I might make a salad and put chicken on it. Or, sometimes I'll make chicken sandwiches but use butter lettuce instead of bread. speaking of butter lettuce, you can use those when you make the Thai Lettuce wraps like from PF Changs! Really good.

Also, try something like this: Easy Turkey Skillet Non-stick cooking spray 1 lb lean ground turkey 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped 3 tablespoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon each basil, oregano, red pepper and garlic powder ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 3 tomatoes, chopped 2 medium zucchini, sliced & halved (I actually do green peppers instead) 1. Brown turkey and onion in non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook until turkey is cooked through and onion is soft (about 10 minutes) 2. Add tomato paste and seasoning. Simmer another 10 minutes. 3. Add tomatoes and simmer another 5 minutes. 4. Add zucchini and cook 5 minutes more. Serve hot. Serves 4 (about 1 cup per serving) Calories 181; Carbs 13g; Fiber 4g ; Protein 21g ; Fat 6g

It is really hard but doable! And just because you don't like something the first time, if you keep giving it a try, you may acquire a taste for it, whatever "it" is. But... in the meantime, the fact that you like brocolli and beans is a great start. Really good for you. Do you like chicken? Turkey? If so, there are a billion recipes for chicken. And anything that I used to make with ground beef, I now do with ground turkey. And love it! Meatloaf for example. There are pasta substitutions, though they also may be an acquired taste. You've heard of Zoodles? THese are "noodles" made from zuchinni. You can get the spiralizer anywhere, especially Bed Bath and Beyond. There is also spaghetti squash. You make these and then put whatever sauce you normally put on your pasta. Now, keep i mind, they aren't exactly like pasta but I know what I discovered is that it really isn't the pasta I like, it is the sauce. Which really helps. I'm betting you don't like to cook? If that is true, you should learn to cook or take some cooking classes to take you to that next level. I know that there are some good recipes out there that are really tasty, even for picky eaters. Try this recipe. It is perfect during the puree stage but also later: Baked Ricotta with Marinara This is the one that everyone RAVES about! 8 oz of ricotta cheese ½ cup grated Parmesan 1 large egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Salt & pepper to taste ½ cup marinara sauce ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly.

Baked Ricotta with Marinara This is the one that everyone RAVES about! 8 oz of ricotta cheese ½ cup grated Parmesan 1 large egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Salt & pepper to taste ½ cup marinara sauce ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly.

Stalls are real and very frustrating. I don't really know where you are in terms of the whole process so can only speak about my experience and what I have read from others on this site. At some point, you will need definitely more calories that 500-600! Nobody can live on that forever. Eventually you will be up to the normal 1200-1500 or whatever the number is. BUT, it's got to be clean. I say that more for me than you. I have been off the wagon so to be speak and it is not good. The one common theme I have heard from others on this main site is that when they hit a stall, the best way to break through it is to actually increase how much protein you are taking in. That usually does it. A bit counter-intuitive but...See what happens if you try this. Increase your protein and water intake, follow the basic rules (don't drink with your meals, chew the hell out of your food, take 30 minutes to eat, etc.) Again, part of this is to remind myself but maybe there is something in there for you?? I will tell you that you are still in the honeymoon phase of the magic weight loss. Once that is over, you are "back to normal" and life gets really tough then.

It took me a while to eat bread but I do try to avoid it as much as possible. If I go to a restaurant and want a sandwich, I usually order it without the bread. Or, some places do lettuce wraps, even for burgers. That way you get the good part of the sandwich without the bread.

I may have misunderstood. You said: I don't know right now, I really don't feel like getting back on the chicken breast train. I just assumed it was due to boredom of it all. Sorry to have misunderstood.

Love the taco choice! lol Matt Z it sounds like you are getting bored with your options, which we all do. Can you shake it up a bit? I had also gotten real tired of chicken breasts but ground turkey and ground chicken can be another great option. Thai lettuce wraps, meatloaf, anything you could have made with ground beef, you can do with ground turkey. And the old Ricotta Bake meal is still always good, and got a lot of people through the pureed stage easily. Do people still share recipes? Oh, and from previous threads on this site, a lot of people were able to break through stalls by adding more protein. Sometimes you actually have to eat more to lose weight! Bizarre but I've seen enough comments on it.

I get wanting to eat from places that represent the local cuisine/restaurants -- it is interesting and fun. But, the good thing, though it is really hard to convince yourself to do--some of the places now sell hummus and veggies, hard boiled eggs, things like that. I never sounds appealing but afterwards, I'm always really happy that I did. IF I can convince myself to buy those. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. lol

Right 2shea! And, in the first year or so, your hunger hormone is gone so you wouldn't even know when you are hungry. Very dangerous and slippery slope. Did they assign a nutritionist for you? That's usually part of the plan and can be very helpful for any of us.

Oh dear! I hate when we all were given different information but unfortuantely that is the case. I was told to eat 3 meals plus 2 snacks each day. That is not mindless eating, it is keeping your body working at a constant level and not spiking. Mindless eating is when you are just stuffing food in your mouth without even tasting it or thinking about what you are doing. The important thing to note is that a snack or sometimes even a meal, doesnt really look like we thought of them before surgery. A snack might be 8 almonds and some string cheese. I wasn't told to focus on calories but to focus on grams of protein/fat/carbs. Especially protein. You need to have (at least when you have been out from surgery for quite a while) around 60-100 grams of protein per day. Sometimes that is hard but your body needs it. Note that I am only talking about from a gastric bypass perspective, I have no idea how sleeve works.