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If your feeling hunger 1-2 hours after eating then it sounds as if you may need a fill. Remember if your eating right but still are hungry then your not at proper restriction. As far as eating I was told to eat 3 meals a day with 3-4 oz of Protein 1/2 cup veggie and if I'm still hungry then 1/4 cup starch. And If I were to get hungry between meals then I could have a snack of nuts, fruit, yogurt, pudding or a Protein shake. Hope this helps...

I've heard a few people mention adding Protein powder to their food, yougurt, etc..... Does anyone do this,like during the mushies stage or even at any time? If you add Protein Powder to yogurt, does it make it taste better? I'm not a big fan of yogurt, but if adding the protein powder to it will make the yogurt taste better AND give me the protein I need then I can try it?? I know there will come a time that I won't be allowed or encouraged to drink Protein shakes, so I'm trying to find out now what people have done to use the protein powder.... Thanks! kristi

I can have dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. I just can not drink milk. Isn't that crazy?!?!

Hi Everyone! I'm Jason and I'd like to join the group. Here's the twist. I was banded in December 2009. Issue is that it was completely devoid of any saline and was never filled until 2 days ago. The surgeon believed waiting 6 months before the first fill and in that time I lost my job and also my insurance. I'm thankful that I found a new job last summer and I love it, but it's a small company and the insurance covers NOTHING regarding the lap bands, not fills, not the doctor's visit, not even the cup of Water they give you when you walk out the door. So, I'm finally filled. I have the "big" lap band (14cc's I think) and he put 5.5 cc's in there under a fluroscope. He said with that, I should feel very uncomfortable if I continue to eat like I've been. 2 nights before I went to a Sushi buffet and closed the place down. I've had ZERO restriction and could eat unlimited amounts of anything. Right now I'm on yogurt and pudding and tomorrow I can start with blended stuff. (or just scrambled eggs since there's NO WAY I'm blending food) Sad thing is that the day of surgery I weiged 290. The post op, mostly liquid and no carb diet brought me down to 251 at my lowest in March 2010. As of 2 days ago I was 319. That's a gain of 68 pounds since surgery. Needless to say, I'm ashamed. I've been able to save up over the last year and have found a new surgon who will take credit cards so I'm paying for follow up myself. This is motivator #2 or 3 for me. So for all intents and purposes, it's like I was just banded but worse because I don't remember the protocol very well. I found a new surgeon. I finally have Fluid in my band, and I'm scared to death of what lies ahead. The new sugeon's support groups start up again in 3 weeks so this site is all I've got. Please adopt me. I have to succeed. I'm 36 years old, fat, diabetic. have apnea and a 3 year old daughter I want to be around for. Help....please. Thanks Jason

Irene I just read another post where you are changing to LMD2. Good for you, and keep up the good work! I changed my name once I hit onederland. Now, I have gained back and need to lose 10 lbs to get there. I joined the Valentine's challenge, my first one really in 2 years and 3 1/2 months. My stomach has bloated out and I am pissed. I get frustrated, get back on here then get on it for a few days, get hungry and it starts all over again. I have worked the 5:2 but, my hubby is living away from me (my bestest friend) due to a promotion, so when he comes home, he BBQ's. he is the main chef, and I want to eat with him and my son who will be leaving soon, to the Air Force. I try to eat small portions, generally skinless chicken breast or tri-tip. Never drink with my meals, BUT lately have been sneaking in, banana with peanut butter or Greek yogurt with granola and dried cranberries. Falling back into some crap eating, recognize it change for a while then here I go again. I swore I was not going to diet after the sleeve but, now I have no choice. I am now thinking liquid diet like before I was sleeved. When the boys eat, I will just go into my room. That is my food issues, I have been hospitalized twice in the past 14 months, most recently with a grand mal seizure. I am taking a medication for my Low potassium, and for seizures for the rest of my life, my driver license was revoked, which has been hard. I am deep into menopause with hot flashes and heart palpating issues regularly, but all in...I am doing fine. Our friend Cheri has had some tough times, and I would like to put energies into good vibes for her - I pray but, if that is not what other folks do, please think positive thoughts for her she has been supportive and given straight forward advise for a long while in this forum. So, all in while I am not the popular kid on the block, I have found in this circle - strange as it may seem, sharing success, failure, encouragement and stories with complete strangers - helps. Maybe small steps but, we all have one common thread - we have lost portions of our stomachs, most likely have suffered co-morbidities and more than likely have in some fashion had to face our habits. I wish you well LilMissDiva2. See you around the board. Sandy

Thanks sarahbee. That's what I was kind of figuring. I just didn't want to be one of those people who feel little restriction. I just ate a 5 oz yogurt and a 3 oz sugar free pudding. I feel pretty stuffed now. I'm now finding out how important it is to eat slow even if I could eat it fast because it does take a little bit to feel full at least in my case.

This actually is so much different from pre-band for me. I ate so much fast food it's ridiculous.. Favorite b'fasts.. Yoplait Key Lime Whipped Yogurt or Quaker Oat Bites Favorite Lunches.. Canned turkey mixed with cranberry sauce, small chili from wendy's, baked potato from steak out, egg salad(I've been craving this lately), a big handful of red grapes, or a small handful of colby cheese cubes. Favorite Dinners- My first mushy food: a crab cake (appetizer) from Ruby Tuesdays. My goodness, and it's still a favorite dinner for me. chicken & dumplings (homemade), swedish meatballs & a veggie, beef & broccoli from chinese take out, keilbasa & saurkraut.. These are things I like having for those meals. I don't have any specific favorite I guess for 'overall'.

I just got tightened because I wasn't loosing and could eat too much, but I notice I need sauces or more soupy type foods to get it down. I am stuck eating protein shakes or soups most of the time. I eat yogurt or 60 cal puddings, etc. I can get spaghetti and meatballs if I have a lot of sauce. Any ideas for low calorie sauces. Fish is good for me with tarter sauce. I need more variety. I am losing again now, so I don't really want to get loosened, any recommendations??? I need help with my diet please !!!

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.

Have you tried Genepro? It's unflavored and doesn't change the texture of the food. I literally have been putting it in everything but my water. Herbal tea, pudding, soup, yogurt, etc. I have really big issues with food textures and it's been great. I agree that I can't handle the taste of any of the other protein drinks. They make me want to gag. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am two weeks post op today! I feel like October 3rd was a second birthday for me. On that day a new way of life was launched! Physically, I have been really fortunate I think, regarding healing. Surgery was uncomplicated, and recovery has gone fine. Not much pain. The only pain I have had regularly is in my deepest incision site. But that is finally almost gone! I didn't have much gas, and not a lot of nausea post-op. I am still on full liquids and trying to be creative so I don't go crazy. I have my protien shakes (which are begining to make me nauseaus), non fat sugar free yogurt, and strained soups- tomato basil is fantastic! I really needed something non-sweet tasting with protien so I took a carton of non-fat cottage cheese and I put it in the blender till it was thinned out to the consistancy of yogurt. Sounds disgusting right? It works for me, I eat 1/4 cup or less at a time and it helps the cravings for savory. I have had a couple days of extreme weakness. As in having to lay down for hours. I realized that it was not drinking enough of the Protein. Emotionally, it's been harder. I realize now I was a food addict. So, so many aspects of my life revolved around food (bad ones), pre-surgery. Now post surgery, I find that I have hours of time that I have to fill with new, healthy activites and hobbies. The biggest eye-opener for me 2 weeks out is how much time and mental attention that I used to give bad food. It was my life! So....reinventing now. So, this is my experience two weeks out! I see the surgeon and NUT Wednesday. I am hopeful to graduate to pureed or soft foods! Stats: HW: 239 9/23/16 SW: 219 10/3/16 CW: 211 10/17/16

This is my first post, and I am hoping my first attempt to get some help. I have been banded since OCT 2006 starting weight 126kg getting to my lowest weight December 2008 which was 75kg. I am 5ft10inch I have never been able to eat properly with my band only being able to keep down fluids with most solid food coming back up. I for over 3 years vomit any solid food I eat. Over the past 12 months I have gained back over 10kg of my lowest weight even though my calorie intake would be lucky to exceed 600 calories a day (unless I binge on chocolate!) My daily intake of food is lucky to be a V drink and 2 freddo frogs with the occassional handful of nuts or sometimes I can keep down some Cereal with yogurt. I can't go back to my surgean to have fill taken out for 2 reasons. firstly I had some further surgeries with him that didn't go well and I don't trust him and 2 I am scared if I get fill taken out my weight will go up even further! I recently went and had some tests done and have been diagnosed with something called Adrenal Fatigue, my thyroid is no longer working my Iron along with most other nutrients is dangerously low and they class me as having malnutrition...In short I am killing myself... I know this in my head, I am a smart person, a mum, a successful business owner... but I am petriefied of being fat again (even thought I look at myself at the moment and class myself as extremely overweight since gaining the 10kg) I am booked into a specialist to work on the adrenal fatigue and thyroid but just don't know what to do with regards to my lapband... Please don't come on here and be agressive with me that is not what I need, I need to speak to people that understand me and can help me... My husband is worried (no one else knows I have even had the band done) I cover my fatigue and general unwellness very well but am suffering daily with these chronic symptoms. Sorry for such a long post, I have woken today feeling exceptionally unwell and realise I need to do something before its too late..

I am preband. I also have had episodes where I am so hungry and blood sugar has fallen (not diabetic) where I get light headed and feel faint. This however really only happens when I have not eaten for like 7 hours; which really is pretty stupid on my part. True, this is usually due to scheduling issues at work or being on vacation and not having ready access to food. I am pre band and am on a pretty strick self imposed diet around 1,000 cal. a day. I do an hour of cardio a day. I do try to keep my blood sugar steady by having a high Protein low fat/calorie snack late afternoon (greek yogurt, chicken, string cheese). My surgeon does not really believe in the low blood sugar thing but I know it's true. My regular size sister has the same problem as did my father.

So, I just got back from my first ever trip to Trader Joes.... Awesome little store. Although small, it had a ton of variety. I got some stuff for the family that I wouldn't normally buy for my self (cookie butter, triple ginger snaps), but I also got some good food at good prices. nuts, dried fruit, prosciutto, mozzarella, greek yogurt kale dip, artichoke hummus, and some frozen veggies (soy Beans, spinach). told the check out guy that it was my first trip, and was rewarded with a free reusable bag!!! awesome.

I'm shifting into mommy mode. Pack like you would a school lunch. Freeze 2 Water bottles and pack in a small container or lunchbox. The frozen water will keep the other foods cold for a few hours. Yogurts, tuna, applesauce and fruit cups are easy to go down and should keep well. These two water bottles you can then drink. I hope this helps.

I think u r suppose to go off total carbs. It sounds like we are both at a stall. I eat yoplait greek yogurt. Their vanilla flavor is really good and it doesnt have that greek yogurt taste. I don't know off hand the carbs but it's super low. I know it's less than chobani. How r u feeling? I'm taking my Vitamins but I'm feeling super tired still. I don't want to do anything.

Gotcha.... so initially the first 48 hours was clear liquid Proteins only, then for the first two weeks was liquids. Then soft foods... but in my docs soft foods... it includes fish and meat and eggs cooked properly. cheese... yogurt. From week 4-8 is semi soft foods but it's actually pretty much the same diet as the soft foods. I was told I pretty much couldn't do anything other than walking but then I feel that because I am self pay I got very little guidance on that part and they don't really care to elaborate nor respond after they've been paid. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've tried everything and it's all making me sick! Protein shakes, protein gels, Greek yogurt, milk, peanut butter, eggs???? it's all so nasty! I don't know how I'm going to do this!

Healthy snack ideas for your hungry stomach. For many of us, snack time is when we lose control of our diets, either by overeating, or by indulging in high-fat, high-calorie foods. This often happens because we allow ourselves to get too hungry and then are unable to stop ourselves from overeating, says Dee Sandquist, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and manager of the Nutrition and Diabetes Center at Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington. To avoid getting too hungry, Sandquist says she recommends always carrying a healthy, portable snack with you when you know you'll be out on the run without easy access to healthy food choices. Try getting at least two food groups in each of those Snacks so that you're getting a combination of carbohydrates and fat/protein, which will help keep you satiated longer, she adds. Here, some super snack food ideas: Plain Yogurt with Blueberries - Pair plain yogurt with blueberries for a sweet treat that has a similar texture to ice cream. Yogurt is a great source of Calcium and Protein, and blueberries are packed with valuable antioxidants that help fight off heart disease. If fresh blueberries aren't in season, try frozen instead they work great in cool, creamy yogurt. Or if you get bored with blueberries, substitute any other frozen fruit like cranberries or cherries. Recommended Serving Size: Plain, low-fat yogurt, 1/2 cup, 56 calories Blueberries, 2/3 cup, 30 calories banana with Almond Butter - This combination will keep you satiated for a longer time than either on their own because of the combination of Fiber in the banana and protein and fat in the almond butter. Bananas are also an excellent source of potassium, which helps prevent muscle cramps and is essential for normal brain function. Of course, Peanut Butter would be a great substitute for almond butter. Recommended Serving Size: Medium banana, 95 calories Almond butter, 1 tablespoon, 101 calories Hummus with Pita Bread - Made from chickpeas, hummus provides protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Spread hummus on pita bread for some added carbohydrates. Also try putting some veggies on your bread to make a great sandwich. Recommended Serving Size: Hummus, 2 tablespoons, 83 calories Pita bread, 1 round, 195 calories Apple with Brie cheese - Stick to a small amount of cheese with this snack because of brie's high saturated fat content. However, brie does offer a good protein source. Apples have a low glycemic index, which means they keep hunger at bay longer than other fruits. Recommended Serving Size: Apple, 47 calories Brie cheese, 2 ounces, 160 calories Salsa w/ Baked Tortilla chips - Ingredients in salsa vary greatly, but most tomato-based vegetable salsas are an excellent source of antioxidants, Vitamin C, and lycopene, which helps prevent heart disease and some cancers. Avoid high-calorie fried chips by purchasing the baked varieties instead, and be sure to look for varieties that list zero trans fats on their nutrition labels. Recommended Serving Size: Salsa, 2 ounces, 20 calories Baked tortilla chips, 1 ounce, 120 Light Microwave Popcorn - Although this is a single-food snack, Sandquist says she recommends it because of its high fiber and B vitamin content. Plus, who can resist the smell of popcorn? Recommended Serving Size: 1 cup, 30 calories

I was given a pre-diet to follow for 2 weeks prio to surgery consisting of: slimfast optima, cottage cheese, yogurt and a small amount of fruit. I am having such a rough time following it and have cheated a few times. Does anyone know if that will hurt anything? My surgery is Friday Sept. 12th. I just don't know anyone to ask. Thanks:smile2:

Hi "C" What's your name ? First I am also 57 and was banded on Sept 3rd of this year. I have lost 26lbs as of today and it's been difficult getting the fills. I just had my third and I still don't feel restriction. I am eating the right things but my portions are to much... I need to eat less at each meal. I'm not a Protein person so that did'n't satisfy me... I have been as of late having an egg scrambled with Salsa on top for Breakfast. Sometimes I add Weight Watchers cheese.. I often have sliced deli turkey wrapped around string cheess.. I like that for a quick fix.. it's quit filling. Lot's of Soup and yogurt with fruit also is a good quick fix.. Hope this helps don't get down on yourself. Just get back on track and TRY and walk at least 3 times a week. That was hard for me too but I'm in Calif so the weather is like 95 right now so no excuse right... Keep me posted and we'll share ideas Sincerely, MartiXLardy

I was cleared for soft foods on Monday but I have been afraid to try to many different things. I'm sticking to my Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs and protein drinks- it's getting old but I'm afraid of having a bad food experience!

When I was in the soft stage, my nutritionist recommended things like Greek yogurt, refried Beans with salsa, sugar free fat free pudding made with skim milk and 1/3 cup dry fat free milk for added Protein. Take it slow and you'll find a routine that you can build on it. I know you haven't had real food in awhile but don't try to jump farther ahead than you are ready for.

I am 11 days out from surgery. I started at 216 and weighed 200.5 this morning. I carry one 20 ounce bottle of water with me all day and I have to finish it before 7 pm. That's MY rule. Otherwise, I won't get enough water. I have grits (4 tbs) for breakfast, a container of yogurt for lunch, and a protein shake (Kellogg's 180 calories, 10 grams of protein) for dinner. I also bought sugar free Jolly Rancher candy that keeps me occupied if I'm bored. I will occasionally eat the broth from a can of chicken noodle soup. I "swim" for exercise - really me just holding on to the steps and kicking. We have a hobby ranch so I'm always outside with the animals and I sweat ALOT here in south Texas. I have to remember to rehydrate. I, too, though I would be nauseated but haven't been. I have only vomited twice - once right after surgery and once the other night when I had spicy chicken broth. I think what I'm thinking is stomach pain might be hunger pangs - I still haven't figured that out yet. I think feeling restricted is what we all need, at least I do. I need a constant reminder to stop shoveling food in my mouth, even if it unpleasant. Actually, a shock with a cattle prod might be more productive for me!

So sorry for your child's hurt. Please seek therapy for the family. This is going to sound a little odd, but when you relive it over and over in your mind and try to take blame you are just causing that pain to yourself. The original pain has already happened and you cannot change the incident; while it takes healing and dealing with that when you revisit it you yourself are continuing it. I know it is new information and takes time to absorb. Don't give it power by hurting yourself with food, then you become a victim and it wins again. if you can't do therapy for whatever reason, go to the library and look up books by Byron Katie, one I found useful was 'Loving What Is'. There are others and other authors that help with trauma. At your desk, bring snack bags of 20 almonds, a couple string cheese, and maybe a greek yogurt. I know you say you don't move around much at work, but I worked a desk job and I know you are allowed breaks - so especially at the break after lunch I insist you take it and you walk for 10 minutes, and don't eat lunch at your desk. You are actually more productive if you take those breaks. You are already a success with your weight loss. Honor that now by continuing. Good luck.