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No...not all of the condiments but there were still a lot of empty calories in there that I wasn't thinking of at the time. You know...sometimes I would sneak a packet of hot chocolate or half and half but I always used the splenda. Overall I feel healthier NOT have the addiction and just being able to have a cup of coffee when I want a cup of coffee. I hope to keep it up. However, during the school year my schedule is so crazy that I find myself gravitating to it as a crutch for not eating. Alas...just another part of me that needs to be regulated.

I also hate milk and don't drink it. Muscle milk lite in chocolate flavor is pretty good ( despite the name, there is no milk in it). Premier protein is OKAY, but a little milky. I like it better though because you get more shake and protein for the calories, and less carbs. Don't do the Atkins shakes or EAS, way too milky tasting. I haven't tried Nectar, but it sounds delicious.

I have been researching Protein drinks and found Muscle Milk Low Carb. I have bought a couple of flavours but was wondering about the carb to protein ratio. Is the following okay as I am thinking about having this pre op and post op when I can too? 500 mls 43g protein 14.7 carbs 237 K calories If i had two a day (pre op) and broth for the last meal would this be enough? Kate

http://www.fageusa.com/products/fage-total-classic/ this is a link to "Fage" plain yogurt. 190 calories, 10 g fat but 8 g sugar. What is better for us? Do we concentrate on fat or sugar? The Fage turns my tummy, and I was so excited about the oiko's brand type to have found greek yogurt with more Protein that I could eat. I like the 130 calories and 0 fat with oiko's but now the 18 g of sugars has me bothered...what do you all think? Thanks

The thing is I'm only on clear liquids and there aren't much calories in those items...

Try some “Muscle Milk Light” it is only 100 calories ready to drink and pretty light not heavy texture. I get it at Target, HEB, or Vitamin Shoppe. Can you have protien bar instead? Power Crunch Peanut Butter from Vitamin Shoppe are really good. You can order on internet, they are wafer like and almost melt in your mouth.

I am so confused and discouraged this evening. I did my BMR and found out that I should eat 1426 calories a day to MAINTAIN my weight! In order to lose 1 lb a week, I would have to cut it back 500 calories a day which is 926 and to lose 2 lbs a week, I would have to eat a mere 426 calories a day! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I haven't loss more then a few lbs in the last 6 weeks or more and I am frustrated. I tally my calories and average about 1200 a day and now I find out that it has to be so much lower and I already think I am barely eating,,well not barely but nonetheless truly eating light in comparision. I can't imagine cutting back this much is healthy but can this be true?? It says you have to cut back 500 calories a day (3500) a week to lose l lb. Well this is crazy! I am 15 lbs from goal weight and not budging and I don't know what to do! I know I don't exercise like I should but this is very confusing. Some sites say at least 1200 calories a day to be healthy and then the BMR site says this??? Any input please!!! Since 11-10 I have lost 6 lbs none of which were in the last 5-6 weeks. HELP! Thanks to all Susan :whoo:

I take my morning protein in smoothie form every morning. As long as YOU are the one making the smoothie and controlling the content, you'll be fine. We'll go out to Tropical Smoothie Cafe every now and again, as long as you get no sugar or splenda and pay attention to the total calorie count... you'll be fine. The issue comes up with the super high added sugar "smoothies".

In my paperwork (being banded tomorrow) they said that beef, chicken, lamb and pork were hard to eat. They must be cooked "wet" poached in broth or in a fat free gravy, then it's not too dry. Dry food is the culprit, and taking bites that are too big. They recommended the poaching and as with tuna, a fat and low calorie mayo. Try poaching the chicken and see what happens. Good luck

Greek Yogurt can be too thick, but I've got a tip for making it creamier: Just add a little Water and stir. I use the Fage 0, which has 23 grams of Protein and 130 calories per cup, and stir in a little water and some splenda. I like to top it with some berries sweetened with splenda. Lynda

I'm only 10 days post op, I've lost 20 since day of surgery, 26 total. Today is the first day I got all my Protein in, although close on the others. I realized the majority if my calories, for now, will have to come from Protein shakes, (I'm on soft puréed) but 1/2 an egg isn't much. Lol My 26 lbs has definitely come from my thighs and some in butt and stomach. I'm not going to complain, they're the biggest areas on my. I took measurements pre op so I would know...at the times I may get discouraged, so I can just look at the numbers and compare later on, down the road. Don't be discouraged. It's coming off and that's the good news! It just takes a while for us to notice.

Patience is a virtue, but at 73 the rest of my vitue is long gone, living on grit, determination, 12 hours of TPN a night and hoping my story will end as well as my Bari-Bud 🐭🐱(aka MouseCat), so so proud of Her success! Oh got to believe it's only a Matter of Time, never planned to be like this 5 months out from surgery. And oh it started out So Good , 2 weeks in. my stoma strictured, the ulcerations started , they should have known , I already had a gastric ulcer I named Hector in the stomach part bypassed, went in with DX of Gastritis, took me off my PPI Dexilent, put me on their ineffectual Omeprazole, may work for many, never did for ME and I have been hanging on the tail of a tornado every since! And when will it END, IDK but sure wish I did! So I chug-a-chugging along on a limited Stage 2 diet, liquids and thin purees once a day, sustained largely on the calories and nutrition from TPN fed through a PICC line in my upper Left Arm. Been there for 2 months yesterday, possibly for 2 more months, at least that was the last recommendation I was given last Friday at my EGJ, 9th endoscopy lifetime, 6th at OSU. Well to be technically correct Transnasally July 2013 EGD June 2015 EGD December 2017 those 3 were at my local Community Hospital KCH in Mount Vernon EGD immediately prior to RnY surgery September 5 2018 by Dr Needleman EGJs because post RnY duodenum is no longer accessible, only your jejunem, the 2nd section of Small Intestine Those were October 12, October 26, November 9th, November 28, that's when I was bad enough I was hospitalized and PICC l8ne inserted next day, all these done by Sabrena Noria MD, my surgeons partner who just 💞doing endoscopies. And lastly January 25 2019 by their Senior Resident Noah J Stinson MD, Dr Noria was over- booked, I guess. He wasn't too bad, this time they attempted stretching my stomal stricture part way, did it work permanently? Doubtful, Dr Noria tried in October, snapped right back where it was before, a virtual pinhole that lets only liquids through. Does THIS happen often? Oh I am so dang special I nearly stink, and I did not request to be! I WANT to be like all the others out there, my surgery day twins are on Stage 4 or Normal diets, and I'm lagging behind. Wahhh!😪😥💦

They have a calorie counter on their website that will give you all the nutritional info. I know there meats are EXTREMELY salty. But if you stay away from tortillas sour cream and cheese you will be okay!

Menu today - Doing Master Cleanse before I start the BFL diet/exercise challenge next week. Exercise - 5 am - 34 min on treadmill, 3% incline, 3.3 mph, 238 calories, 1.76 distance. Notes - i have my 2nd fill tomorrow, a little nervous about it. I have no problems right now, no PBing, no sliming, I can eat pretty much anything and everything, but don't eat more than 1 cup of food. Wt this morning read 196.6:phanvan TOM is here, so I'm sure that is why. Not really too worried about it. Wednesday is my 3 mos banding anniversary, I will take my measurements, take a progression photo. I will also take a photo for my "before" pic for the 12 week BFL challenge that I am going to begin on Monday 4/23/07.

I got on the scale this morning because I'm a scale-aholic. I like the feedback. I don't generally expect to see a loss but I want to know when there is a gain. So this week, I've cut my breakfast lunch and dinner down by half. I am supposed to be trying for 1200 calories a day. This week I also went three days without a single soda. I have been drinking water, iced tea and coffee. Iced tea unsweetened. Coffee sweetened with about a third of a teaspoon in an oversized cup. I really could cut that sugar out and it's next on my list. But one thing at a time is my approach. So funny story - last night - I about ripped my husband's head off because he wouldn't tell me which door he was picking me up at. I have three doors I can exit and I just wanted to know which one to exit. He wanted me to tell him where I'd exit and he'd go there. I wanted HIM to make the decision. Is it really that hard? I WAS STARVING and I was not thinking let alone thinking clearly and who the frick cares? Normally, I don't. But 1200 calories a day is HARD! I knew it wouldn't last. And this isn't that self-fulfilling prophecy kind of thing. It just isn't feasible. Especially since I am trying to do this WHILE cleaning out the pantry. So I'm not necessarily eating protein intense foods or the right kinds of things to make this work out. For now, I am just eating what I want to get out of the pantry - and never buy again, at least not for a daily lunch. Things like potato chips that just do not satisfy hunger. I would not talk to my husband for about thirty minutes over this REALLY stupid thing. And when I DID talk, my voice was cracking like I was thoroughly exhausted - which I wasn't, although I certainly didn't have my normal energy. And when I realized JUST how hungry I WAS - I said FEED ME. And he said ok. And we went out for sushi. And before we ate - I apologized and said I was wrong and he, being the sweet sweet man that he is, said, it's ok. Sushi is good! And then I was not hungry. Nor was I for the rest of the evening. However, this morning, I woke up famished. And I got on the scale and I'm down. Now THAT is significant because this is the time of the month where I gain five pounds overnight, keep that weight for about five days, then drop it all just as suddenly. I should have gained that five pounds last night, in fact. I decided I need to go about this much more wisely. The potato chips will get gone. I have about half a bag left and they will get added to lunches until they no longer exist and that will be the end of them. But where I was bringing a bag to eat with lunch and a bag for a mid-afternoon snack to get them gone faster, now I will bring one bag - for lunch - and a protein snack for the mid-afternoon lull. I am hoping this will tide me over until dinner better. I do know that as the pantry gets worked through over the next few weeks/months, that the snacks and light meals will be replaced with more protein rich foods, for example, or veggies instead of chips. I have known that all along - but I just can't throw food that is edible. Even if it's not the best food for me, it's not something like I have it so I sit there and eat the whole bag of chips all at once. And I also know that 1200 a calories a day just isn't likely. I'm striving for it. But I'm not going to walk around famished, either. My husband doesn't need to endure that - and I have a brain intense job that needs me to be able to think quickly and accurately. If I end up having to do rework because I was striving for a calorie count that is just not satisfying, well, it's just not worth losing my job over that. On average, I take in about 1800 calories - and I think that's not too shabby. I think I'd rather shoot for 1500 and have enough energy in me to be able to work out! Cause that was the other downfall last night - I managed to fix myself - but I still didn't get enough energy in me to hit the lake for a brisk walk... So one pound. If I continue to lose one pound a week over the span of this supervised weight loss thing - that would be about 24 pounds. 24 pounds would mean a BMI of about 38. But I'm sure I'll plateau before this time is up... Have to chuckle, though. This is such an odd thing to be concerned about...

Although I haven't been banded, I attended my first support group meeting yesterday. The people there were amazing and gave me so much confidence that I'm making the right choice. I decided that it is full speed ahead! My first doctor's visit is next Tuesday and honestly, I can't wait! I know that there are going to be frustrations and struggles. And I certainly know that not everyday is going to be rainbows and daisies. However, I will be DOING something. I am ready. Since I'm self-pay, I wonder how soon I will be able to do it. I will certainly do anything that my doctor requires or suggests, but I suspect I won't have to go through months of anything like some insurances require. I'm looking forward to meeting with the nutritionist. On every diet I've had, my goal was to figure out how I could eat as much as possible with the diet's calorie/fat/point/etc. limitation because I was always SO hungry. It is almost unreal to think that I would be able to eat a child's portion lunch and be satisfied. I have to reprogram my entire mindset!! I've started the small bite and chewing process now. It is quite a bit harder than I thought, but I think it will help me to practice. I'm crossing my fingers that I found out WHEN on Tuesday!!

Okay so today I weight myself and I'm at 184.8. Does that mean I'm 184 or 185? I hate the scale sometimes. :smile: Alright here are my confessions from yesterday's "plan"... I SAAAAID I was going to eat this: B Protein Shake S Greek Yogurt L Cream of Chicken soup with corn S Small apple and peanut butter D 1/2 Chicken Breast and 1/2 sweet papa S Protein Shake But this is what I ended up having: B Protein Shake S 1/2 cup refried beans and cheese L 1 cup cream of chicken soup with corn and bacon bits, 1/2 slice whole wheat english muffin and 1 greek blueberry yogurt S 3 slices thin turkey deli and 1 slice swiss cheese D 1/2 chicken breast S 1 cup cottage cheese with pineapple chunks Clearly I was off my "plan" but not far off track. I'm allowing myself 1,100 - 1,300 calories per day. The total consumed was 1,500. Not great but not bad because I was feeling particularly hungry today. And when I am I don't deprive myself I just make better choices. It's probably because I've been working out more. I can tell my body needs food for fuel. LOVE IT! I just knew that a protein shake in the evening was not going to cut it. Instead of having it I opted to have cottage cheese and pineapple chunks. I know a lot of people are staying at or around 800 - 1,000 calories per day. If that works for you GREAT! I have those days too. Usually cause I get busy I forget to eat. But I'm not in competition with anyone. I'm not trying to be the thinnest or lose it the fastest. I enjoy food in a totally different way than I used to before. I eat until I'm satisfied. I drink water first to make sure that it's not just me being thirsty rather than hungry. I also pay attention to when I'm feeling stressed and look for other alternatives. This is what I mean about getting in tune with YOU! It's important to listen to your body and use the band to help you. Remember people the band is not the cure!

Your body will level off and gain and then maintain. I am there right now. It is a difficult process but it is none the less part of this journey. Caloric intake may be a factor and keeping a 5 lb up or down goal. You may have to up your calories to not lose any more. I now weigh myself once a week and I watch the 5 lb limit. It is definitely something to get used to when all you have ever wanted was to lose weight.... I suffer from reactive Hypoglycemia and am having a terrible time with it......I am so concerned I will gain too much back because of it.... Nevertheless keep a watchful eye on it and enjoy a little bit of freedom from the opposite of trying hard to lose the weight.

I am not there yet but asked that question at the start. I would talk to your nut. You need to increase your calorie intake and find the balance that works for you.

Well aparently I'm just a mutant. I was banded on the 23rd too...and I'm up 1 pound. I have no idea how this is remotely possible since I'm only drinking 600 calories a day! I'm not totally freaking out about it, but just don't understand it.

I eat a few carbs like 4 crackers with a can of tuna or one slice of toast. I take in about 60 grams of protein in the form of powder, fish, cheese and yogurt. I have no restriction now at all and I feel hungry all the time. I feel that I have been eating more lately but still a very small amount compaired to what I was eating before. My doc only lets me walk at this point. So I usually do 5 miles 5 days a week. Im scheduled for a fill the day before thanksgiving. Truthfully, for 2 1/2 weeks I had less than 500 calories since it was all fluid. I dont understand how even during that time I didnt lose any weight. So having a fill may not necessarily change anything. Im so confused. Im doing everything he says and listening to what people say on here but nothing seems to be working. I havent lost hope. I was just wondering if any one else encountered this and when they started to lose weight.

Yeah, I agree. My doctor told me to focus on at least 750 calories and <20g of fat. With me trying to watch my carbs, it was hard to get that amount in (im on day 7 of the 2 week liquid post op diet). This is what I put together and my surgeon was pleased: EAS Advantedge Protein shake Ready to drink - strawberry (2 per day) Lean Body Protein Shake - vanilla (1 per day) unjury Protein powder w/skim 8oz skim milk - chocolate (1scoop) Low sodium chicken broth - 1 cup sugar free Jello - (1 or 2 of the 3.5oz individual cups) Sugar free popsicles (1 or 2) Special K2O Protein Water (powder packet, less calories than the bottle) As much water as I can get in....around 64oz I do find that ill get a headache if i dont drink a shake within the first hour or 2 of waking up.

Hi all~ I've seen a couple of you on the other thread. I am 36 days post op and have lost 25. Last week after starting solid foods I had actually gained 4 lbs back! I was only eating around 800 calories and exercising, so it truly freaked me out. Now... today, I am back down to the -25. I had my first fill on Tues.. and am bummed that I don't feel any restriction. But my dr said most don't until 2nd or 3rd fill. I am motivated right now.. and am able to get past the hunger. When I get a real hunger pang...I eat one of the little individual 1 oz. tubs of weight watchers cream cheese. For some reason, it sticks and instantly makes me feel ok. They are 60 cal. and only 2 gms of Protein.

:thumbdown:I am on day 8 of my pre-op diet which consists of 5 Opti-Fast shakes per day. I can have sugar free jello and popsicles. I can also have any zero calorie no carb drinks. I am only allowed 1 bouillon a day if i feel lightheaded or sick. Days 2 and 3 of the diet consisted of horrible headaches and sever weakness. I am drinking plenty of water. It seems as though the hunger is gettign worse though. Any suggestions or comments? I have 7 days until surgery and FOOD IS NOT AN OPTION.:wub:

I agree with everyone else, you probably need more Protein. Are you following your doctors recommendations for protein/calorie intake daily? My doctor said anything below 800 calories and 60 grams of protein is way too low after the initial liquid stage. I have now found that I need 1000-1200 calories a day to feel good and continue losing weight (I stopped losing at 800-1000 a day because my metabolism slowed, I also didn't feel that great). Now would be a great time to start really tracking your protein/caloric intake. fitday.com or the daily plate websites give you free tools to track your daily intake. Follow your doctors guidelines, but if they are not very specific, after a lot of reading it seems like most of us start off similarly with at least 800 calories or 60 grams of protein as the daily minimum.