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I used the powder and just mixed it in my yogurt - od'd a bit and had some problems on day 4 but that resolved itself. I am 2 weeks out and still need some help in that department.

Ha Ha, I adore you for saying this "come to think of it I just am not a big fan of eating anything with a face and this is not moral or political, I just...you know, maybe the face is still down there, getting ready to haunt the shit out of me." That sounds exactly like something I'd say, lol. Trust me I'm dealing with pretty much the same. I'm 4 days out of surgery and can't stand the shakes. I have tried the unjury which tastes like Injury and the Bariatric (Dis)Advantage powders. They were all awful to me. However, I know the importance of Protein in order for this surgery to be successful and to keep my muscles from poofing. I went to GNC and got unflavored whey protein isolate powder. I have become a master at mixing it into everything. I prefer drinking drinks like Vitamin Water Zero , Crystal Light, Mio, Arizona Caffeine Free Diet Green Tea, etc.. So I just put a little in so I can get about 15 grams of protein in each drink and I switch them up so I don't get bored. I don't load a lot into the drinks because I don't want them to be thick. I just drink more which is no problem because I need to stay hydrated anyways. This also helps me because I'm lactose intolerant. We won't even go there. My surgeon is dead set on minimum 60 grams of protein a day. I heard "Protein Protein Protein " so much prior to surgery that I went to call my Propane company to pay my bill and the receptionist asked "How may I help you?" and I said "I need to pay my Protein bill" instead of Propane. I've been making Jello, pudding, and yogurt and mixing the unflavored in it too, works for me. I think it will be better when I get into the "mashed" food stage. Protein is important for the success of this surgery, your health, and the weight you'll lose. You just have to experiment and I think in time you'll find something that will work for you. Good luck!

Try blending your soup so that it doesn't consist of chunks and watery liquid. Also soup isn't one of the best foods post band as it is normally a slider - you should focus on solid foods that fill you up for longer.Maybe the rice is swelling and causing an issue so you could try skipping the rice. I've never actually had rice in soup before! Eat your cereal with just a dash of milk or try eating it with yogurt instead.

Definitely not thinking you're hungry- this is the mindless hungry I would have given into pre-band but does not mean hunger. I have seen someone on the forums post this about hunger: if you are hungry, you will open the fridge and eat whatever is there. If you're not actually hungry, you will search the fridge for the "perfect" thing. I know I'm hungry when I start to feel the grumbling in my stomach. My stomach actually growls too, but is not much louder than pre-band. When my stomach growls, I am at a place where I should have eaten earlier and I am ravenous. This is also a time when I am weaker in my decision making, so it is always in my best interest to have something healthy either prepared and ready or a healthy snack (think Greek yogurt and light string cheese) so I do not eat something I will regret later.

Several months ago, I was looking for the same thing. A nutritionist suggested egg white protein powder (I tried Jay Robb, but there are others). It is the closest to tasteless that I could find. I mix it with smoothies, yogurt and Crystal Light (you do need to use a blender, when adding it to liquids, or it will be lumpy).

Hi all I was not able to eat yogurt until a month later? I guess everyone is different but I was told it should only take you 20 -30 minutes to eat one meal then you should walk away from it.. or wait until lunch.. that's what I was told good luck!

Don't worry...you will feel more restriction with solid protein...yogurt is *almost* a liquid...and your body starts digesting food the minute it goes in your mouth...so 6 oz over an hour doesn't sound super unusual to me

I'd keep taking the prilosec, Don't be like me, lol. There is no harm in taking it for 6 to 9 months and a lot to not taking it. Just because you don't feel GERD issues doesn't mean you aren't producing excess acid. If you can eat food at other meals, eat food at all meals. Give up the protein shakes, and yogurt is just a slider. Eat ral potein as much as possible.

I'm trying more tea and that helps. And eating Greek yogurt...the oikos high protein ones too

I got over it by not having the extra food readily available and keeping my mind occupied so I don't have time to watch the clock. Don't have a lot of ready to eat foods in the house except may fat free yogurt or the like. Only cook enough for 1 serving at a time. That way you aren't picking at leftovers. When the hunger hits, take a walk or brush your teeth. The walk will give you time to get over the hunger and nobody wants to eat right after brushing.

I would wash the area clean, rinse well, pat dry, and appy Caladryl. It helps the itchies. Don't but calamine lotion, it might not work. Th is has Benadryl in it. Over the Counter Benadryl, or Zyrtec couldn't hurt either. Pressure can always be normal, everyday is a different day with the Band ! So you might have a Fantastic Day or a little tight one, Try letting some ice chips just melt in your mouth. A little at a time. You will get your fluids, and it might take the swelling down. Mushie stage is: Cottage cheese, chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, anything that you can put in a food processor, and puree (keep it moist, and Low cal) applesauce, Thicker soups, S.F. pudding, Yogurt,. shakes. that's a start, I'm sure you will get more.. But try those ice chips. Shirley.

Thanks for the suggestions. I do the cottage cheese. I tried the Greek yogurt and didnt like it very much.

WOW! Do you know round about what the calorie count is on this? Are you using fresh fruit or Greek Yogurt with fruit? Does the splenda cut down the sour taste?

Hello Super; Wow - I think you weight loss is tremendous! I am going to repeat good advice already provided. First some people loose weight slowly, but remember the weight is GONE. I too was a self pay for VSG but double your amount as I did my surgery in the US. Worth every penny I spent. My advice? Cut out the carbs - you have a window of great opportunity for the first six months, or so I am told by my surgeon. Create new habits. First of all you should be careful of what you eat right now so early out. Up your protien - eat eggs, greek yogurt, protien shakes as you are still healing. Try canned tuna fish or soft fish. Eliminate potatoes, rice, bread while you are loosing weight. I put the items back into my diet during the holidays...and my weight loss this entire month is around 5 pounds. Yippee I lost weight, but not like I was when watching what I eat.. I am limiting carbs (as I eat a half a biscuit with gravy) starting tomorrow again so I can reach goal (over 70 lbs) by my six month checkup. Up your Protein also to at least 60 grms. Take your Multivitamins which include a b complex suppliment for B Vitamins (B12 is important). Once you are maintaining - you can have a few chips, bread or potatoes as part of your regular meals...but not while loosing weight. Lastly - are you excercising? Walk, walk, walk. Amazing how much easier it is to move now. Get resitance bands (TJ MaXX has cheap) and go to YouTube to follow some easy moves for home. Those few extra burn of calories will make a difference. Muscle burns more calories than fat and you need to burn the fat. No need to go crazy (I hate the gym) but now I go to walk the treadmill or elipse. Wish I was like LilDiva and moved 45 minutes a day. Love her! Keep your spirits up. You are not a failure, nor is your surgery. You did not gain the weight in a month, nor will you loose it all in a month. No regrets...I love my sleeve!

I didn't put anything in the blender. I'll try to think of things I ate : soup yogurt oatmeal cream of wheat pudding chili (chewed well) lots of Protein shakes

Hi Jess55, I travel a lot for work & have flown several times since 12/20 surgery. Here are a few tips & gotchas: - I take my Water bottle. I'm so used to having that thing around me now that its just too weird not to have it within arms reach! Make sure its empty when going through security & fill it after you're thru the checkpoints. At best, you only get a small cup of water on the plane but I get so dry. nice to always have water with me - Pack Snacks. Hardest thing about being on the road for me is eating every 3 hours - it just doesn't jive with most business meetings. Unfortunately, my fav snack greek yogurt will never make it thru security so I throw a couple Protein bars in my bag. Nuts work, too. This way *you* can control what/when you eat & not have to be at the mercy of some else's sched. - Pack Protein powder. I actually have shakes I like. I bought a little divided container (its in the baby section at your local chain store - moms use it for baby powder) so I can easily carry 3 servings with me. This I know I can get some protein in - regardless of what may be on the menu. Good luck & safe travels. chloe

My mushie staples were scrambled eggs, fat free refried beans with cheese, ricotta cheese with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, tuna and chicken salad (my NUT allowed me this on mushies but not everyone does) and greek yogurt. You can also take ricotta cheese, add splenda, a little vanilla and lemon zest and get a nice little dessert.

I so totally agree with what you've been explaining. I am a band to sleeve, post op 2weeks. I was vegan before the sleeve but had some trouble w/the raw veggies after surgery, so I've added organic greek yogurt, whey Protein...it's a good quilty..but still, not my favorite. till I can tollate raw veggies again. But I agree if you are going to work out and strenght train you're body needs the good carbs to give you energy. Low carb high protein diets are not healthy. Eat whole foods organic when you can. Have you ever the book "The China Study"? Great read.

Cottage cheese Cups, Greek Yogurt with some trail mix mixed in for substance, chicken salad ( you can make a big batch to last you through the week), Hard boiled eggs (I make mine into deviled eggs), in a pinch I always have Protein bars on hand. Hope this helps a little.

@@Indieflickers I too dislike the use of artificial ingredients and try really hard adapt recipes that call for them in other ways. I do use Splenda more than I care to but I don't use it a ton. I am getting more on board with Stevia and Monk Fruit; though I still find both to leave something to be desired. I bought this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LMJ26YG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER And it keeps my yogurt, my hummus, my chicken/egg salad and whatever other "cold" foods cold. It also keeps everything really fresh, it is super attractive and I get compliments on it daily. I had one lady ask me "why do you keep your lunch in that pretty purse?" She was amazed when I showed her it was my lunch bag!

Your surgeon sounds similar to mine. I haven't progressed as far though...just because I'm nervous. I did have some vegetable soup with very soft veggies, yogurt and oatmeal made quite thin. I have instructions to progress but have ben afraid to as of yet. My surgery was 7 days ago and I have a foloow up appointment today at 4pm, I was going to ask him about it again today.

I got banded on 4/30 in Germany. They keep you in the hospital for 4 days here. On the evening after surgery and the next day, they gave me yogurt and pea Soup. The second day after surgery, after they did an x-ray while I drank some noxious liquid, and everything looked okay, they gave me pot roast and boiled potatoes! I was pretty shocked, but I figured if anything went wrong, I was right there in the hospital. But, I decided that once I was at home, it would be better to stick to at least mushies. The doctor said that I could eat whatever I wanted at this point, as long as I understood that if I ate too much, I might throw up. But, I'm not seeing a nutritionist until tomorrow, so I'm curious to see what she says.

My dietitian recommended water Mellon, berries, cantaloupes and those high in fiber while avoiding the more sugary fruits. I told her that I like cherries and she said sure, unfortunately cherries are heavy on my stomach. When eating fruits its best to eat with a protein, cottage cheese, yogurt etc. Always check with your plan of course.

Unfortunately, you are basically in bandster hell. You really need to stick to the prescribed diet given to you by your doctor. You are in a healing phase to allow the sutures holding your band in place to heal properly. Eating solid food too soon can cause those sutures to break. Though you may not feel anything now, it could cause major problems later (band slippage, band removal). If you continue to be hungry, talk to your doctor to find out what you can add to help (protein drinks, yogurt). Please, don't eat solids before he allows. Good luck to you.

I wanted to share this with anyone who is interested. It is info that I got from my doctor. Thought it may help those who are in the first few weeks, like me. BANDLIFE... THE BEGINNING (FIRST 4 TO 6 WEEKS) Healing Key points about healing Take it easy, because your number one job in the coming weeks is to heal. You'll also break from some of your old habits and take on some new ones. How does the band work? The band is connected by a thin tube to an access port. Your access port sits just under your skin. Almost all surgeons leave the band empty after placing it because your stomach is swollen from the operation. There's already a natural tightness around the "stoma" (the opening between the upper and lower stomach). If the band was filled, food would have a hard time passing through the stoma. As the swelling goes down, you'll most likely need an adjustment (or a "fill"). Healing do's and don'ts Right now, your stomach is sewn over the band. As you heal, the tissue around your stomach will form scars, which anchor the band in place to help keep it from slipping. As your band settles in, there are some things you can do to make sure it doesn't slip: Do NOT do any heavy-duty exercise or lifting (like kids or bags of groceries) in the first few weeks after surgery. You don't want to strain yourself. DO get up and around as much as you can. After surgery, keeping your blood flowing will help prevent blood clots or pneumonia. Go ahead and take a walk. It will also help move some of that gas you're probably feeling in your belly. DO stick to the liquids-only diet as long as your doctor asks you to. Typically, this lasts for the first 2 weeks because eating things that can make you throw up or make your stomach churn as it tries to digest thicker food can cause the band to slip. Do NOT take a bath, swim, or soak in any Water until your cuts are healed over. You don't want to run the risk of getting an infection. Most doctors say to wait at least 1 week. But ask if it's OK to shower. Do NOT smoke after surgery. Smoking slows down the blood flow all over your body and slows down the healing process. The general rule about healing is "slowly but surely." Going back to work Most people go back to desk jobs in about 1 week, sometimes sooner. If your work is more physically demanding, you'll want to take more time. If you feel tired or feel any pain, do NOT push it. During this time you should call your doctor if something feels wrong. Call if you: Notice that your surgical area becomes red, unusually warm or tender There's drainage oozing You have a fever of 101° F or higher Have serious belly pain Are dizzy Are short of breath Have bad nausea and are vomiting If you need to go to the hospital, tell them that you have a LAP-BAND and show them your patient ID card. Then make sure they call your surgeon. Eating and Drinking While your stomach is healing, you have to be extra careful and extra gentle. You'll have to start listening to your body in a new way to see how it feels and what it needs. There are 3 eating phases following your procedure, and you should speak with your doctor about how long each one should last for you. Phase 1: Clear liquids These are liquids that you can see through, such as: Water Sugar-free juice without pulp Tea Strained broth Do NOT drink anything carbonated. Sodas and seltzer water can bloat and stretch your pouch. Stick to Clear Liquids as long as your doctor instructs. "Full liquids" are things like skim milk, low-fat yogurt without chunks of fruit, blended Soups, Protein Drinks, and anything low-fat and low-sugar that you can sip through a straw. Some doctors will keep you on full liquids for the first 2 weeks. But the amount of time in any one phase can vary. So find out what your doctor wants you to do. Phase 2: Soft foods This includes foods that are low-fat, moist, and mushy. You want to stay away from anything chunky, chewy, stringy, or solid that can get stuck inside the stoma. Your masher, food processor, or blender will come in handy. Good breakfasts are: Cooked cereal Eggs Ripe bananas Lunches and dinners include: Low-fat cottage cheese Soft broiled fish Mashed potatoes In this phase you'll need to take really tiny bites and chew them well. You want to make sure your food goes down easily. But successful weight loss won't happen if you stay in this phase too long. Soft, mushy foods that are high in calories or that you are eating all day long can keep your weight on. Phase 3: Solid food Regular, solid, but well-chewed food that's high in Protein stays in your pouch longer and gives you a full feeling sooner. Your doctor may or may not want you to eat solid food before the first adjustment. Please ask so you know for sure. Drinking You want to stay hydrated, so drink water in slow sips. Cold water can cause your stomach to spasm, so try water that's room temperature or warm. When you move into the soft food phase, get into the habit of drinking between meals and not before, during, or right after you eat. You don't want to wash food through your stoma. What's Next Even though your goal is to lose at least half of your excess weight in the first year, do not expect to lose much weight during the first 4 to 6 weeks. Some people do lose weight, but others don't. Don't get discouraged if you don't see the pounds fly off right away. As the swelling goes down in your stomach, your stoma will naturally widen and you may not get that full-feeling signal. You'll see big changes once your band is fine-tuned with a fill or several fills, and once you're eating solids, especially protein, you'll feel full faster. Right now it's most important to stick with your instructions, ask questions if you don't know the answer, and pay attention to how you're feeling.