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Breakfast was 2 eggs with peppercrack cheese and green enchilada sauce. Lunch was 4 oz of shrimp with lemon juice and old bay seasoning and a slice of havarti cheese. Essentially a shrimp melt without the bread. I had 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and 1 tbsp so sugar free strawberry jam around 4. Dinner was an odd mix of pulled pork with homemade refried beans that had Greek yogurt as sour cream. I also had 90 oz of Powerade Zero mixed 50/50 with water and 24 oz of propel water.

I have to do 2 weeks liquids... 2 weeks pureed/soft foods (like yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes.... then 3 weeks of slowing intro other softer foods. I can't wait until Dec. 26th, as I begin soft foods, so I can get Protein from scrambled eggs, etc.... I have had enough of this liquid already... but I am doing it!!!!!

Thanks for watching over me. This feels like a big slip. The restriction is at my sternum. I burp and it comes from much lower. I am getting reflux. I am down to full liquids so I'm eating soft Soups and yogurt. Soup is soothing. I had two questions: 1. Is repairing a lap band (with insurance) covered under the intial surgery after-care time period or is it something i'm going to have put in a seperate claim for? 2. Could I have done this to myself by starting Ab crunches two weeks ago? I am still pretty overweight so my crunches are'nt very huge, but I am doing simple ones and cross one where I attempted to touch my elbow with my opposite knee.

This happens to me quite often. Some days I can eat absolutely ANYTHING I want no matter how bad or good it is, how dense or lean it is, etc. Other days however, I have, "bad," band days where I cannot eat ANYTHING without getting it stuck. I will try to drink coffee first thing out of bed to try and loosen my band, but nothing, smoothies, yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna - nothing even liquids are difficult. I'm writing to see if this happens to anyone else or just me? Right now I'm actually getting a bit concerned because I have not been able to eat anything since Saturday. I don't feel the pain I normally do when I'm stuck, just the pressure. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Anyone have any suggestions for Breakfast ideas that are high in protien and are low in starch? I know eggs are high in protien, but I actually have a little bit of a hard time getting eggs down. So I am trying to find some things to eat for breakfast that are good for you and keep you full. My dietician tells us to eat 4 hours apart and absolutely no snacking in between. Which sometimes when I have oatmeal (starch), or a protien shake or yogurt for breakfast, I am really hungry within 2 hours. I don't have fill yet, but I am trying to eat better and need some ideas if you have any! I am hoping that once I start getting my fills, that a yogurt or protien shake will fill me up for longer! I hope this is the case anyway!

This is an amazing process for those of us who automatically thought that any growling in our intestines is hunger (::::raising my hand:::. One thing I learned is that what I thought was hunger is not. What I thought was my "stomach" growling was actually my intestines processing what was already there. I have learned to trust the other manifestations of hunger -- feeling a little light headed and irritable is where I look rather than intestinal/abdominal cues. When I was a week out and on liquids, I had intense head hunger. Being home and recuperating led to lots of TV, which led to lots of hamburger and pizza commercials. I also realized that all the things I had prepared -- pudding, sugar free custard (I had a great recipe), yogurt -- grossed me out. I wanted salt. So I found some Soup and pureed the heck out of it. That worked better!! It is okay to be hungry at this stage, though. Just don't eat what you're not supposed to. You won't die. Follow your doctor's / nutritionist's instructions to the letter. If they say don't eat solid food, don't eat solid food. If they say drink 64 ounces of liquid, drink 64 ounces of liquid. What keeps me going when I need to do things that my pre-op self didn't want to do is some self-talk: the old me may have eaten that, may have chosen not to exercise, may have not followed instructions. The new me has changed her lifestyle and does what she needs to do. It is too soon, though, even if you were allowed solid foods, to eat ground beef or a brisket. I'm five weeks out and I was advised not to eat beef in any form for a few months, as it might be too rich for our new plumbing to process at this point.

Awesome to have such great advice and suggestions at this stage. Where were you 9 months ago when I was starting out? :-) Any new and interesting suggestions for cooking tilapia (my favorite food after chili and Greek yogurt)? Specifically a seasoning idea for foil-wrapped fish on the grill (to avoid fishy smell in the house)? For any type of fish the most important thing is quality-- I know it isn't always affordable but fresh fish actually shouldn't smell fishy. When you pick out fresh fish look for a nice color- not too slimy- and make sure and smell it, if it smells fishy it will taste fishy. When you buy fresh fish- store in an airtight bag and pack it in ice. To do this i usually just put it at the bottom of a tupperware container with enough ziplock bags of ice over it to cover it- this keeps it fresh- fish is very sensitive. But frozen fish can be really good too- sometimes better than fresh (as with the vegetables- flash frozen while fresh can retain more flavor and nutrients than something that sits in refrigeration). A lot of chefs use flash frozen seafood for crudos and tartars- it can be that good. To thaw it either thaw in the refrigerator or put it in airtight wrapping and place in a bowl of cold water and change water every 15 min until thawed--- this helps keep the flavor and freshness and safety of the fish. As for recipes my go to with a white fish is usually lemon juice and herbs- maybe a few spices like cumin or paprika. Or slices of lemon in the foil to keep the moisture. You can do really nice fruit and veg salsa with them too. Like a nice mango-red pepper, capers-tomatoes-garlic or cucumber-mint. Just work on those knife skills and the possibilities for toppings are endless! For me, fish is all about keeping it simple and fresh- the taste and texture are so delicate you want to highlight and compliment that!

What are some of your favorite foods and what types of foods can you handle? How have your taste become different? I am a personal chef and am curious about the kind of food I will enjoy after surgery. Right now I do enjoy eating healthy food, I am mainly a volume eater. One of my favorite meals in pork roast with a spicy rub then greek yogurt as a cooling agent. How do you handle spices?

I posted the same way back when. The gas will...pass. As for mushies, I know you can have mashed potatoes, but I would try and find some lower calories things. Or at least don't buy them from KFC! Ideas are posted all over the site but I did a lot of low-fat ricotta cheese with marinara and melted low-fat mozzarella cheese, black beans with salsa and sour cream, Greek yogurt...that's all I can think of for now. I worked hard to find things that made me happy and that I looked forward to. I was starving but at least I really looked forward to mealtime. Best of luck! And sympathies on the shoulder pain. It will be a distant memory soon enough.

Your headaches may be due to a drastic reduction of fat in your diet. While it's not a popular view with many doctors because they're so anti-fat, something to keep in mind is that *fat* is better at controlling hunger than Protein. So during this time, maybe increasing your fat by using higher fat yogurts, puddings and milk in your Protein Drinks might solve the hunger and headache problem. I ate the sugar free (but not fat free) puddings and I'd put sugar-free whipped cream on my little cup of Jello. When I progressed to where I could have thicker things like oatmeal, I'd use half and half instead of milk, put half and half in my coffee, etc. I never seemed to have the hunger issues during this time. Then again I was fortunate enough to have a doctor who took me through the stages and back on to solid food by the end of 2 weeks so I didn't have to test this theory for an entire month. .

My doctor had me do each stage for a week or so... Clear liquids for the first few days, then full liquids, then smushies, then food. I would get some Sugar Free Jell-O and pudding. Yogurt, canned fruit (no grapes). Applesauce, broth, cream soups, puréed food (baby food), canned tuna. Various protein powders, low fat milk, sugar free Popsicles... Just some things I wanted on hand! :-)

I'm sorry to hear you've had such a tough start, but whoa 31lbs in a month is great!! I know right now you're miserable but I assure you this too shall pass! You will get everything evened out, it just takes some longer than others because we're all so different. Whatever you do, don't give up. Is there anyway you can add in an extra Protein shake maybe add in some fruit? Or maybe mix some Protein powder into your yogurt or your broth so that you're bumping up those calories and protein?? 350-400 calories simply just isn't enough to keep your body going which is the reason for the weakness and truth be told probably most of the reason for your nauseau! At first it was hard for me to get alot of things in too, but day by day little by little you are able to get more and more in. Definitely stay in contact with your doctor. You're doing the best you can with what you can and that's all you can do. Just hang in there! Hope things smooth out for you soon!

Talk to your Dr, a lot of Dr's have an alternative pre-op diet is basically a high protien, low carb diet. Mine allowed me to have lean meat, cheese, low fat yogurt, non carb veggies, light salad dressing, etc... It was much easier to follow and after surgery he said my liver looked great which is the main goal. I lost 15lbs on the pre-op diet, at good, and still shrunk my liver. If your Dr allows this than do it... if not then stick to his diet but one mistake does not make you a failure. Good luck!!!!

I start Friday and was wondering can we do other cheese besides cottage? Our we allowed to put sugar free jam in our Greek yogurt ? Can we have ricotta cheese? Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Unfortunately without the nutrition information it's hard to say. A good source of Protein will not have more than 10x the Calories than it does protein. For example if the yogurt has 12 grams of protein it shouldn't be more than 120 calories. When I eat yogurt it's Oikos Triple zero. 15 grams protein in 120 calories. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just looked up the nutrition stats on a couple of the flip flavors and in my opinion, the carb count is too high. My preference for yogurt are the dannon light and fit greek yogurt followed by the oikos triple zero. Other breakfast options I use are low fat cottage cheese or a scrambled/hard boiled egg.

"I was banded on thurs and it's not the easiest thing to do but we will love our selves for doing it!! im almost on the same diet as u but no yogurt and no pudding. Also only clear broth :sneaky: I also can't wait for mashed potatos :w00t:

I did two weeks of full fluids post-op (pudding, cream soups, yogurt, shakes, etc.) and 2 weeks of soft foods and then moved to solids on week 5.

I got hungry on post op day 6. I ate some Protein with no sugar and I feel better. I drink all the time. I had a Soup with chicken broth and eggs. I blended well and it was so good and filling. I had the sleeve. I was given so yogurt but it was too sweet because I had a dumping episode after that. Add some protein in your diet slowly and see if that helps. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G750A using the BariatricPal App

As for yogurt, I like the one the poster mentioned, I get the fat free plain, it is loaded with protein and low on calories and carbs. To me it taste like sour cream, maybe I haven't had food in a while lol! You can added sugar free flavorings, like you use for coffee, also adding powders is good if you let it sit for a day first. I like a white chocolate peanut butter made by Allwhey. You can put it on scrambled eggs with some hot sauce. I like it on fat free refried beans, with a poached egg too. I know Krogers makes a yogurt called Carve Cravers (or cutters?) it is like 60 calories for serving and has some good flavored, white chocolate raspberry is my favorite. I love getting cans of diced tomatoes, krogers makes a salsa style, but Hunts fire roasted are good too. I doctor them up with spices (Cajun, Italian, garlic, black pepper) then cover fish or chicken breast and bake in the oven. The left over tomatoes I eat on top of low fat cottage cheese,cold the next day - taste like cold baked manicotti. I love it. I make a quiche I made a post about, the tomatoes are good on top of that, as well as the plain greek yogurt. Sometimes I just have 3 slices of 97% fat free smoked ham for a meal, low calories and 15 g protein. Bubblebee tuna makes some premixed packets, usually a dollar, you get 3.5oz and low calories and carbs and like 20g of protein, I like the hot chili tuna, again, local groceries are making their own brand. I also use the fat free yogurt to make tuna salad and chicken salad, with same spices as tomatoes above, just put in food processor for the backed breast chicken salad. I made a chicken and tofu sweet and sour soup and added plain protein powder to it, it was pretty awesome. I starting to eat kimchi and precooked shrimp, which for calories is the best protein source I have found.

Good thread . The last 2 weeks I have been having trouble having food pass through . Not every meal though. Yesterday I had no trouble at all but today I had frozen yogurt that got stuck . Does this mean I am too tight? I don't get a full feeling and I'm hungry too soon ?

Ever since I got banded, June 1, I have been having major problems sleeping. I'm not in pain at all, so that's not the issue, but I just toss and turn all night. I don't know what the problem is. I've even been taking my Ambien and still...nothing. I haven't had a full nights sleep in about 5 days. It's KILLING me! Has anyone ever had problems with this after surgery? Ugh! Also, today I finally get to move from "clear liquids" to "full liquids" which, for some reason, includes things like oatmeal and yogurt (I'm not complaining, I've just never considered them liquid before). I'm super excited because I really miss CHEWING but I'm kind of scared that it won't sit right with me and I'll end up getting sick. Any advice?

I think it is dangerous to expect others to change their habits in order to help me cope with my food issues. That means that when I "fall off the wagon" I get to blame them because they ate in front of me. I was sleeved 8 weeks ago and I never expected anyone - spouse, kids, siblings, co-workers to change anything. I eat out in restaurants daily and those with me order whatever they want with no regard for me. I either take my own food or find something to order off the menu. We even stopped at a Friday's on the way home from the hospital and I prepared unjury after requesting a small glass of water! I went out for drinks with co-workers about 4 weeks post op. As per habit, they order several appetizers including a huge plate of nachos. Someone was thoughtful enough to ask if it bothered me and I truthfully said "no., I am just relieved I don't need to eat it." It was so much food it turned my stomach! I did order an ice tea that evening and nursed it for two hours. I think I only drank about 1/2 cup of it. I have been to McDonalds multiple times (take my own food), Big Boy (1 egg scrambled), Fridays (chicken tortilla Soup, French onion soup), Red Robin (hamb without bun), Wendy's (chili), Red Lobster (shrimp cocktail), Logans (chopped steak), Perkins (cheese omelete) and others. I went to a fancy luncheon at work earlier this week because my boss was getting a big award. They served hot chicken salad in a puff pastry, baby carrots, red skin potatoes, spring mix salad, and lemon cake. I ate about 1/4 cup of the hot chicken mix (yick, but I ate it), 1 bite of lettace, and 1 bite of the lemon cake (its my absolute favorite!). On the way home (it was a long ride), the car stopped at Mc Donalds for Diet Cokes and Fries. I passed and drank my bottled Water. My thinking is that there will ALWAYS be people eating and drinking things that I need to pass up. I need to be strong enough to resist the temptation even when it is right in front of me. Because seriously, it will always be right in front of me. Now, let me say that my family, friend and co-workers have all been tremendously supportive. Only one of my friends mentioned to me a month after surgery that she was really scared for me because another friend of hers had had serious complications after a gastric bypass. She discussed with a 3rd mutual friend that she wanted to try to talk me out of it and the 3rd friend told her not to since I had done my research and my mind was made up. I am glad she didn't say anything before surgery. I have to leave home know to go to a Breakfast meeting that will have a huge spread of food including donuts, Cookies, sweet breads, etc. I am taking my greek yogurt (pineapple) and my own decaf coffee since they only have regular. Stay strong!

First of all, I always come and look at your posts, and you guys are amazing and very supporting! I just decided on on signing up lol... So my surgery is set for April 1st, an April fools band lol.. I started my pre-op diet on Monday, and it's ALREADY starting to get to me. My doctor wants me to do 3 Protein shakes a day, with one main meal of 4-6oz of chicken or very lean meat. 2cups of starches, 2cups veggies, endless salad with fat free dressing, but not drenched in the salad. I thinks its 2tsps not sure :sneaky:..... TodayI went for pre-admission testing and my scedule was totally MESSED UP, I was so mad. So I messed up my diet but let me tell u what i did. 11am-dannon light & fit yogurt lemon ciffon (yummers) 2:30pm I had a handful of carrots, diet green tea snapple which i always drank and love!!! 4:00-5oz chicken,lettuce,light mayo (a tsp,) honey dijon musturd (tsp,) and a half a whole wheat wrap. That's it so far, but i don't know if because i added the mayo and musturd i added to much fat......helllpppp

For Protein drinks, unjury was mentioned. If you want a ready to drink Protein shake, Worldwide Pure Protein shakes are great. They are sold at Vitamin Shoppe in all flavors: chocolate Cream, vanilla Cream, strawberry Cream, banana Cream, and Cookies n' Cream (tastes like Oreos). Each has 35g protein, very few carbs or sugar, and none of the extra Vitamins like Atkins. Since we are taking vitamins anyway, I thought Atkins was overkill. WW shakes taste better. Individually they are about $2.79 but if you buy a 12 pack for $27.99 that comes to about $2.33 each. You can also earn coupons for money off future purchases. For mushy stage, I had refried Beans (fat free) mixed with some chunky salsa that I pulverized in the blender first. Nuke in microwave for about 2 minutes, then while still hot sprinkle some Kraft Fat Free shredded cheese on top to melt. If you like Mexican food, you will like that. If you like yogurt and there is a Trader Joe store nearby, they sell Greek style plain yogurt that has 22g protein per cup! I get the fat free plain and at home divide into four half cup servings (it comes in a 2 cup container, shades of blue on outside--check the nut label to make sure it is the one with 22g), then I stir in sugar free Smucker's preserves for my fruit flavor, and sprinkle a little ground cinnamon into it too. I have had Raspberry Cinnamon, Strawberry Cinnamon, Blackberry Cinnamon, Blueberry Cinnamon, even Orange Marmalade Cinnamon (that should probably wait for solid foods as it has orange peel in it). Delicious! One tablespoon is only 10 calories. Hope this helps. Hang in there!