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That's a relief to hear you kept yogurt down and it's less than one week after surgery! My nutritionist (and all the surgical group's literature too) talked about greek yogurt alot - she recommend chobani plain or vanilla because it's lower in surgar, but she definitely keeps mentioning greek yogurt as one of the first soft foods since it's high in Protein, so it sounds like a good choice to me Yes, it does seem very much like politics, which ever surgery you choose people are very adament about it being the right one! I definitely see the good and bad side of things here with working at the hospital, I think that's what made me finally take the plunge. One person I know at work got the flu/high fever a couple months after, twice, and ended up in the ER both times because her stomach swelled and she couldn't keep anything down, was dehydrated/vomiting... and yet she still is the biggest advocate and said she wouldn't change a thing and would do it all over again. They took all of her "fill" out, so she could recover from the flu, then got re-filled. So that's reassuring if she went through that and is still happy with it!

I have taken zoloft for over 10 years and would never stop taking it--life is too miserable without it. Unfortunately, about a month ago (banded 8 months) I had a bad episode with my daily zoloft dose (OMG the intense pain is unbearable!) and haven't been the same since. I wish I had found this thread earlier on in my lapband journey! Lessons learned on my own: 1. DON'T break the 100 mg pills in half--that just exposes the medication to your pouch. 2. An empty stomach doesn't make it easier for the pills to get through the stoma to your bigger (hardier--imo)stomach. 3. Something creamy like yogurt or pudding can help. 4. Saltine crackers seem to encase the pills and protect the pouch and stoma from the disolving pills. 5. Hot water/tea/coffee/soup doesn't relax the stoma and help the pills move through easier--it just helps disolve the pills faster= more intense pain. 6. Finally, your doctor can prescribe 50mg pills (you just take twice as many) and because they are so much smaller they do go down easier. Still, since my worst zoloft episode about a month ago, I haven't been the same. I'm getting stuck/pbing almost every day. Every meal/snack feels like a game of Russian Roulette. It's like I've had a big fill and am way too tight--though I haven't had a fill in over three months. I've begun to wonder if the stoma has been damaged in some way or is still just inflamed and irritated? I do have an appointment to see my doctor next week to have everything checked out and perhaps to get a slight unfill.

Update: I went to my gastroenterologist today to discuss the Zoloft/reflux issues. He found it odd, but interesting, and prescribed Xifaxan, an antibiotic that reduces the amount of bacteria growth in the stomach. His theory is this: with the band at a certain restriction, some bacteria from the lower gut (i.e., colon - yuck) has found its way to the pouch and has flourished. With the overabundance of bacteria, the zoloft for some reason triggers an intense reflux response. He's not sure why eating yogurt w/the Zoloft seems to offset it. Anyhow, I'm supposed to take the Xifaxan for 2 weeks and check back w/him in a week. If I can take the Zoloft w/o the yogurt after a week, we have our culprit. I'd bet this is more prevalent than anyone realizes -- many haven't put two and two together yet. Perhaps I ought to start a poll -- I'm convinced this is an issue (minor if treated) that many people have overlooked. Considering the reflux and the vomiting, I'm sure it could cause the band to slip.

I started taking the zoloft with yogurt, and stopped cutting them in half. I have had zero problems in the past two days. I was positive my band had slipped, and was starting to panic. I thought all of the burning was from the size of the pills, so I kept breaking them. Won't be doing that again!

I had a rough time with the band. I wasn't banded in Mexico. I was banded at a Bariatric Center of Excellence in Scottsdale, Arizona. I was told, 3 bites of Protein to every bite of vegetable. I was told, avoid beef and pork. Eat what walks on two legs or swims. Don't use sauces, gravies or dressings because you're adding unwanted calories. I'd eat chicken/turkey and it would get "stuck" and I'd have to get an unfill. And there I would be told, "Yeah, chicken is hard for a lot of people to eat. It gets stuck. You should probably avoid it." I'd eat fish (salmon usually) and sometimes it would get "stuck" and I'd have to get an unfill. And there I would be told, "Yeah, fish can be a problem because it's flaky and gets stuck. You should probably avoid it." I was told yogurt can be okay but it's easy to eat too much because it's a "slider" food so I should avoid it (even when I said I was eating plain greek-style stuff that was 24 grams of protein per serving! "When you eat yogurt, you won't feel full because it goes past the band. And the band is there to make you feel full.") But I was continually told, "3 bites of protein to every bite of vegetable." So...avoid beef and pork. Check. Chicken/turkey can be a problem, avoid it. Check. Fish can be a problem, avoid it. Check. Avoid yogurt. Check. BE SURE TO EAT PROTEIN! check!!! I got to the point where everything was getting stuck (except the "bad" stuff - sure I could eat pudding and Cookies and usually cake!). I could eat runny eggs (not scrambled and certainly not hard boiled). I could eat yogurt. I could eat cheese. And I could drink protein. Basically, the only Proteins I could eat had to be soft or liquid. And that was what I was supposed to eat most? How can anyone live that way? Yes, I lost a bunch of weight - because I wasn't eating much! I couldn't! I couldn't eat healthy foods! I was miserable! My surgeon had left that Bariatric Center of Excellence where I was banded/maintained. In October last year, I had a big problem (couldn't sleep, couldn't drink, let alone eat) and the Bariatric Center of Excellence in Scottsdale had no one available to do an emergency unfill. No NP or PA, the surgeon was out of town but I could go to the ER (not covered by my insurance because they weren't contracted with that hospital) and a non-bariatric surgeon who wasn't really familiar with fills/unfills, on call with the Bariatric Center of Excellence, could help me. No thank you. I found my original surgeon practicing elsewhere (finally! he wasn't for a while), he was able to get me in. He had me do an upper GI at the hospital right then - my band was prolapsed quite a bit. I was only at maybe 3.5 cc in a 10 cc band. He was aggravated when I told him about my fill/unfill/fill stuff with the other office - especially when the fills were very, very small. He said they should've known there was a problem because I was barely filled. He deflated the band completely (relief! I could drink Water again!) and told me I needed it removed. It wasn't an urgent thing unless I couldn't eat or drink, so I went home. He told me he wouldn't reposition it because if it happened like that with me, it would happen again. Starting sometime in Spring 2011, I started having "stuck" issues again. More bringing up the food. One night in July, I had cooked a burger patty (after deflation, I was able to eat most everything again). Ate it plain, no bread (of course), no veggies. I had eaten too much. I didn't know I had until it was too late. Unknown to me, my band had prolapsed again. It was allowing me to eat much more than I had before. This night was just too much. I tried to wait it out and I went to sleep after a while. I woke in the middle of the night and I vomited. I didn't bring it up, I vomited. Retching, stomach acid, etc. After that, I couldn't really drink. I "slept" upright. All day the next day (thankfully a Saturday), I didn't eat. I just tried to sip water. I had no improvement. After the next night of waking, coughing up water over and over again, I drove myself to the ER. Unfortunately, my surgeon was out of town. His partner in the practice was on call. He wasn't very nice to me but...I had the band removal surgery and that was that. (I'll say healing was much better with this than when I had it originally - no port/muscle wall stuff to deal with) Was it the worst decision I've ever made? No, because I needed to do something. And I did lose weight. But I was miserable most of the time. So very miserable... I'm still over 100 lbs overweight and gaining. I have PCOS and I don't know what to do. But weight loss surgery is no longer an option for me. And I'm really worried about my future. To the OP - find a local surgeon. Fork out the money. You need an upper GI. You could have a prolapse and you are risking erosion. This is your health and your quality of life at stake - be proactive.

I have been eating lots of greek yogurt. Yoplait makes a good one with 14 grams of Protein. I also baked some tilipa last night. Any white fish doesn't need pureed and I added some lemon pepper seasoning. I am planning on having refried Beans this week and cottage cheese and of course mashed potatoes. I have been trying to load up on protein and need to pull out my eating well after weight lost surgery cookbook. I didn't look at it through the clear/full liquid stages.

Hi Sally, we have very similar stats -- Onederland is in sight! Sliders are a slippery slope, that's for sure. I rarely do protein shakes these days because of that, though it's a nice treat once in a while. Also I realized my beloved yogurt was a bit of a slider so now I chunk it up some. I add collagen, which I'm taking for arthritis, and that adds six grams of protein at the same time. Then a few walnuts or sunflower seeds, a tablespoon of gluten free granola or oats. Chia seeds. That makes the yogurt into something thick and chewy for me, plus a great protein hit. Also I think cheese is a slider food for me, and it's an old trigger food. So I have to watch out for that. I always want to be sure I can have salmon and very tender meat -- filet mignon, why not if I eat so little otherwise these days? Some veggies work really well, others not so much. I'm getting so I can tell right away. Best wishes to you! Glad you're here.

Hi, I am having a hard time figuring out if what I am feeling is normal restriction or if my band is too tight. I had surgery about three months ago and have lost 50+ lbs so far (since the day of surgery). I have felt some restriction (in the sense that I could not eat large quantities without pain in my left shoulder and or pbing/stuck episodes) since my surgery. I had my second fill (4 ccs first time, 1 cc the second time) about a month ago and am having a harder time than ever getting food down. The thing is, when I read posts from people who have had the band for a while and lost tons of weight (my ultimate goal), it seems like some of the things I am experiencing are normal for a bandster. Is this what I should anticipate-that I will never be able to eat in the morning, that I will never be able to tolerate certain foods, etc? If the answer is yes, I'm fine with that, I just want to make sure I am not too tight. Also, even when I get stuck (which is happening now more than it happened pre the second fill), I always think "well, I could have eaten smaller bites, chewed more times, taken longer between bites, etc" which are probably all true so how do I know if it's the band's fault (ie being too tight) or mine (eating the wrong food or the wrong way)? I tend to eat a Protein Shake in the morning (if anything), greek yogurt (easy food!) for lunch and three bites of Protein such as chicken, fish, meatballs etc for dinner (because I generally can't get past three bites). Of course if I am obsessively careful (with bite sizes, length of time chewing etc), I can get through almost any food. Pre surgery, I loved vegetable salads but I rarely eat them now because I find it exhausting (chewing those cucumbers a million times. . .) So. . . is what I am describing normal? If it is, it's fine-I am thrilled with my weight loss and can live like this forever (I think) but I just want to make sure I am not filled too much. I am scheduled for a third fill this week which I am definitely cancelling. The question is whether I should go in anyhow just to get some Fluid taken out of my band? I am a little intoxicated by my weight loss and the thought of slowing it down is (by taking some fluid out/not getting a fill) is a downer for me. Any advice/insight is appreciated!

I've been hitting it most days. I'm 2 mos out also. Here's whay gets me to the number we need. Breakfast: protein bar 20 gm of protein. Morning snack: string cheese. Lunch: 2 oz chicken. Afternoon snack: Greek yogurt. Dinner: 2 oz chicken. Yes , I know I'm not getting any veggies yet but I can't meet every goal.... if I eat some veggies I can't get enough of the meat in so I have veggies some days not always. I think as time goes by we'll be able to fit more in.

I'm asking for help here. I'm miserable. I was sent home with a 24 hr liquid diet then after that mushies. Have been tolerating mushies and protein shakes and water but I cannot shake nausea and the feeling of being full no matter whether I've eaten, drank, or not. The only time I feel my best is first thing in the morning when I wake. When I first drink something is when I start to feel full. At first, I'm sorry to be graphic here but I need to be, yesterday had marked a week since a BM so I had taken Miralax, drank a half of bottle of Magnesium Citrate and then finally a little relief but not much. The things I'm eating are like cream of wheat, oatmeal, yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup. I talked to my surgeons nurse this morning and she said maybe its because I haven't gone to the bathroom. I just can't seem to get my liquids in because I'm so full feeling. Help, anyone.

I would focus on liquids before foods, that's a pretty quick progression to mushies. I know I had no appetite the first few days because of the swelling, etc. I also was on full liquids, which allowed for puddings, yogurt, Jello and found that I felt extremely nauseous when I ate some of those foods. Do you know if you received a fill at time of surgery? This could also be a problem if you have a fill

Daccop, I was banded in June and losing just fine (-30 in 3 months). Then I went into see the doctor and he was not there, so I saw a substitute doctor. He was an idiot and has since been fired. However, he told me to stop tracking my food (because that's real life and skinny people don't track their food) and get a fill. He filled me too tight and left me feeling miseralbe, but he convinced me that I was just fine and that is what banded life would be like. So, for the next 3 months I was getting stuck all of the time, not losing and thinking that was the way I would be for the rest of my life. I stopped going to the doctor for a few months because I was so embarased that I was not loosing weight. Then I went back in and they told me I just wasn't exercising enough. Which was true, but not the entire problem. Even with moderate exercise I was not losing weight because I was eating way too many sliders which were too high in calorie or carbs (frozen yogurt, oatmeal, extra mayo on tuna so it would go down, etc). So, I lost 30 pounds in the first 3 months and 3 pounds in the second 3 months. I kind of feel like a fat, fat, fat failure. But, I think things will get better. I'm tracking again and making much smarter choices. Also, with the holidays behind me, I feel ready to take on the next 3 months!

I had a .2cc un-fill today. I’d love to hear about your un-fill story too. Here’s my story: For 3 months (since my last fill) I had been getting stuck easily, struggling to eat most foods, except for soft foods. I was eating a lot of protein shakes, Greek yogurt, plain oatmeal, mashed potatoes, frozen yogurt, and lots of “bites” of just about anything – even very bad things – because after all, it was just a bite, right (problem, I know). Even though I wasn’t eating much at a single sitting, I guess I was eating too much because I did not loose one pound in 3 months. Most of the time I was stuck or afraid to get stuck. Thankfully, no other symptoms of being too tight (no cough, no reflux, etc). I was always 1 of 3 things: Starving, Stuck, or full on liquids/soft. I was never: Full of food (satisfied), and could not go very long without being hungry again. I thought that was normal. But I was not loosing weight and was frustrated! But, today, my doctor suggested removing .2cc from the band. NOT what I was expecting! He said I’m eating too much and not enough: Too much slippery food, with too many calories; not enough solid food. I was nervous, and still a little concerned about what this is going to be like. I’m also cautiously optimistic. I had the un-fill at 12pm, but had not eaten anything all day, so I was really hungry (I always go to the doctor on a “fast,” incase they need to draw blood, do an ultrasound, etc.). After the un-fill I headed to Chipotle and devoured 2/3 of a chicken bowl. I have not eaten like that in months! It was soooo satisfying. Bad news, I consumed ¾ of my daily calories. Good news, I have not been hungry since then (9 hours ago!!!). Wow! I ate! I really ate and loved it (though was slow and careful about chewing), I got full (not stuck) and stopped eating, then stayed full all day! Amazing. I’m not sure what to expect and I’m worried about eating too much or being too hungry. However, I’m going to track on My Fitness Pal, and hope to be back on track. Has anyone had an un-fill and started loosing weight again???

See that's the thing everyone has a different experience either we like it or not...i was prepared for a 2 week turn around but that doesn't happen for everyone. Even my surgeon said it's best to take a month and luckily I am in between jobs where I have something part time and not have to worry about being at a job full time. But not everyone can do that...so it varies from person to person and situation to situation. I did have dumping 2 times where I drank my skim milk with my Protein powder and I drank it too fast and second time was that I had my yogurt and I ate it down fast. Luckily I am not lactose intolerant so far but that can also change later on. The other thing I struggle with is eating really slow...living in NYC area, everything is done in a hurry including your meals. Before surgery I would have my meals fast so I can get back to work or I can do other things. At times I even would eat my dinner standing in the kitchen so I can go do other things. So now I have to really take the time to eat my meals....slow and chew a millions times and also now I do sit down. I am not eating more than 500 calories a day but def load up on my Vitamins. Just be prepared for everything.

I'm getting pretty nervous. My house is clean, I finished up with work, and I've done all my shopping. I even cleaned out the fridge and freezer so I don't have anything I shouldn't have in the house. I have a couple more things to do around the house over the next 2 days and I will do some food prep over the next couple of days (not a ton to do, just putting some greek yogurt, SF Jello, broth in 2 oz cups, etc... ) It would be much easier if I could just keep busy. How are you all feeling? Lori

@@Wayward Traveler yeah, I'm not keen to stop my daily 40mg of Esomeprazole, the doctor said to stay on it for the six months and (I think) aside from treating any possible symptoms it can also act as a preventative for ulcer formation (which we would be susceptible to with the balloon constantly irritating our stomachs - or at least that is my understanding). While I haven't had reflux as I know it - the burny, vom in throat kind - I do wonder if my (very) mild discomfort these past two evenings is perhaps a small manifestation. Last night and tonight I attempted to 'up' my Protein by following my tasty but not terribly nutritionally valuable pumpkin Soup (150ml) with a strained chobani yogurt (150ml). I ate each over the course of 30 min with 30 minutes between, but tonight I still have this fullness behind my sternum and a feeling in my throat like I've got a big pill stuck there. Not terrible, certainly not enough to effect sleep or something... I wouldn't call it reflux because it doesn't burn, but maybe it is? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yogurt is your best bet. You can also bring packets of protein powder to mix into bottled water.

I have found that the same thing happens to me. I like to work out in the mornings for an hour everyday. I started having a Protein shake 30 minutes before my work out which then allowed me to drink Water during my workout. After my workout. Usually will have a yogurt with protein rich granola. Ever since I started doing that, I feel more energy following my workout. Good luck!

SO being 3 weeks out hubby wanted to go out- went to Carrabas...THeir soup is too spicy so I was worried there was nothing I could have- I can only do soup consistancy and yogurt like thickness.. Thought about getting mannicotti and eating cheese but opted for a bowl of sauce baked with mozzerella- OMG it was delish- Waitress didnt make me feel bad, weird or anything- I was only able to eat like 5 tablespoons but it was THE MOST flavorful thing I have eaten since before surg!! so 2 thumbs up for Carrabas!!

I'm 5 months out. I'm at the low end of the calorie scale. I have a lot of restriction, and not a lot of physical hunger. I usually have shake in the morning, and 3 or so meals/snacks. As I said I have a lot of restriction, so a meal/snack is 1 oz of cheese or jerky, 1/2 to1 cup of soup, cucumbers with dip, laughing cow cheese w 34 degree crackers, coleslaw w light dressing, dehydrated cheese crackers, sandwich w 1/2 a slice of bread, 1 slice of turkey, mustard, ff mayo and lettuce, protein pasta w a 1/2 a turkey meatball and marinara sauce (2 oz by wt), greek yogurt, sf jello w greek yogurt, slice of watermelon 1/3 a Chicken or Mahi burger patty only (TJ's), quesadilla w a 1/2 a low carb tortilla, 1/2 oz cheese and salsa. So basically a shake, and mix and match from the other items I listed.

Hey everyone So I've been doing a mostly liquid diet since Monday the 29th. The first day I had a headache and I wanted to eat so bad! The second day I didn't have a headache, but I became very irritable around lunch time. It's only been 4 days but I have already lost about 4-5 lbs, Yay! I'm getting the hang of it now, and I honestly don't feel like i'm starving. If I do eat a small amount, I just make sure it's something healthy, low cal and low carb. I've cut out soda all together and I'm feeling good - no longer really craving it. Here is an idea of how I've been eating .... Monday - breakfast: Meal replacement shake mixed with 1 cup of 2% milk, Lunch: chicken Soup broth only, Dinner: Half cup of chili and half cup of vanilla yogurt. Tuesday - breakfast: Meal replacement shake mixed with 1 cup of 2% milk, Lunch: 1 piece of grilled chicken, Dinner: beef broth and half cup of vanilla yogurt with some granola. Wed - breakfast: meal replacement shake with 1 cup 2% milk, Lunch: 1 cup of tuna salad, Dinner: 2 slices of pizza Thurs - breakfast: meal replacement shake with 1 cup of 2% milk and 1 small sausage patty, Lunch: Nothing, Dinner: 1 cup of sauerkraut and half cup of Tysons canned cooked white meat chicken. Keep in mind during the day's i'm also drinking lots of Water, some with crystal light and some unsweet tea with splenda. I've been trying to keep my calories around 1,000.

Yogurt, cottage cheese, baked potatoes, creamy soups. That is what I lived on. Good luck.

Ok, great thread! I'll play! Lateral choices are what shore me up all the dang. time! I'm at the point where truly my life is about 90-95% Best and 3-8% Better and about 2% Good. I haven't gone "hog wild" eat the whole candy bar thing since before surgery. Hallelujah. The angels sang. Bad - A whole order or BWW Wings with Fried Cheese Curds and Fried Mushrooms Good - Having 2 wing flats, and 2 curds and 1 mushrrom with celery and blue cheese Better - Air Frying the wings at home and tossing with a zero calorie sauce to keep it lower fat. Air frying broccoli and cauliflower and making Grk Yogurt Ranch Dip. Best - Air Frying chicken breasts with a mustard garlic coating. Making a great salad with a few pumpkin seeds and reduced fat feta with some zero calorie dressing and a little avocado. __________________________________ Bad - Wasting an entire day on YouTube vids and FB and BP (sorry to say wasting, not really wasting...but losing myself in it) Good - I have yet to establish metrics for this parameter Better - Ditto Best - *sniff* Purgatory. Pure. And. Simple.

I also have 2 snacks a day. It's often an ounce of nuts or soynuts, greek yogurt, beef jerky, a spoon of peanut butter or low fat cheese. I try to stick to healthy snacks. I can't get in enough protein otherwise.

My NUT says 6 200 calorie meal/snack with at least 10 grams protein each I do Protein shake with coffee 2, babybell cheese, lean cusine, greek yogurt, small portion of dinner and then special K protein cereal at night. I will also change up and do some of the products from my doctors office at times or indulge at night instead of my cereal