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Cottage cheese, yogurt, beans, tofu, homemade soups, split pea soup. I'm two and a half weeks out, I eat rotisserie chicken in broth and soup cut up really fine. Plans differ so wildly... Just make sure you're eating enough calories, and getting your protein and fluid goals. All is well:) Be patient. I'm gonna have finely chopped up turkey, mashed taters and gravy at Christmas. I do a lot of smoothies and put some leafy greens and fruit in there (watch the sugar and calories)

I've certainly changed my m.o. Before banding, I lost some weight and one of the ways I did it was by eliminating alcohol. It was painful when I was out with friends. Now, I do have a couple of driinks when I go out. One of my new favorites is a bloody mary (not too many calories and for me impossible to drink too fast). I LOVE whisky sours but I can drink them like lemonade and after being banded I DO get tipsy so easy. You'll have a great time! I would watch the beer ...I took a sip of one...YIKES... the burning, the golf ball feeling...no more for me for awhile. Your friends are all going to be envious of you since you've lost weight!!

Try this: keep a food diary for a week and write down every morsel that passes your lips in a day. You might be surprised that you are eating more (or less) calories than you think. Either way it will slow your weight loss. Also make sure you are drinking enough water and getting plenty of exercise. And yes the band will limit your intake but you still have to make the right choices. Good luck!

First of all, you should never skip breakfast. It actually starts your metabolism off right for the day. I know that bands are tighter in the morning, but at least try to get some calories in late morning; ditch the ice cream and potatoes! I also agree with other posters that you should keep a food diary. That is honestly the best thing I've ever done for myself. If I didn't do it, I don't think I would have gotten anywhere yet. My biggest problem was portion control. I have always liked healthy food, but WAY WAY too much of it, and way too many carbs was my other problem. So yes, write it ALL down! Even write down little things, like what you put in your coffee, what you use to cook your food with; is it butter? Is it Olive Oil? Also, how much do you exercise?

This OTC diet pill has just been approved by the FDA and is expected to be in stores before the month is out. It will cost about $2.00 a day, and help users lose about 50% more weight, provided they follow a reduced fat diet and exercise regularly. Alli Diet Pill (pronounced all eye)Review SummaryIf you haven’t yet heard of the diet pill Alli, it’s likely that you soon will. Although at time of print, the FDA has yet to approve this new over-the-counter weight loss aid, its manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline has already taken to the Internet to promote it. Alli actually uses the same active ingredient as another diet pill, Xenical, but it is a half dose. However, unlike Xenical, which is typically prescribed only to the dangerously obese, Alli would be available to anyone who wanted assistance losing weight. The shelves of health food stores and pharmacies are already incredibly crowded with product that promise to help dieters lose weight fast. We will carefully examine this product in order to determine whether or not it truly lives up to its promises. Ingredients at a GlanceAs discussed, Alli contains the same substance as Xenical, which is orlistat. Ingredients In FocusThe primary function of orlistat is to prevent the absorption of fats from the diet, thus reducing caloric intake. It works by inhibiting an enzyme in the pancreas that is responsible for breaking down tryglycerides in the intestine. Without the enzyme, fats are prevented from becoming absorbable and may then be excreted undigested. It is estimated that the drug blocks approximately 25% of all fat in the diet. While most of the oils are eliminated as waste in the normal way, some unpleasant side effects may include gas, incontinence, and oily spotting. These effects are obviously quite uncomfortable and inconvenient at times, and have caused some individuals to think twice about taking this drug. Diet LifestyleAlthough Alli is still awaiting FDA approval, there is already quite a storm of controversy surrounding it. Many individuals believe that even though Alli is half as strong as Xenical, that it should still only be used under the guidance of a physician because of the possible side effects. Others believe that it will simply enforce the “quick fix” mentality that many individuals already have about weight loss. Rather than enduring uncomfortable and possibly embarrassing side effects in order to eliminate some of the fat from one’s diet, many dieters may agree that it is far easier and safer to simply consumer less fat and fewer calories to begin with. An all-natural appetite suppressant like hoodia gordonii has been shown to help control cravings and reduce total calorie intake. Positives• When/if approved, it may be available over the counter • Half as strong as Xenical Negatives• May cause unpleasant side effects for some • Website does not post testimonials • No free trial sample available • As of this writing, still not approved by the FDA Final ThoughtsIt is easy to see why many people would be enthusiastic about a product that allows you to reduce your total calorie intake without actually eating less. Of course, the results would be much improved if you do make certain dietary changes. For this reason, many experts believe that Alli is still best used under the supervision of a doctor. Fortunately, supplements containing hoodia gordonii offer an excellent alternative to prescription drugs. In addition to controlling the appetite, they can also help to boost energy levels, helping you get more out of your visits to the gym or not.

I called UHC just to check the status of my claim and I was told that it is being reviewed and I should have an anwser this week. I hope so, because I am ready to get going!! I have started on Adipex and I feel a lot better! I am eating very little a day (a little over 600 calories a day). Thank God...just wanted to give you an update. Sheila Be BLESSED!

I am just starting to feel more human and I am nearly 2 weeks out! Don't worry if it takes you a little longer than some because everyone is different. I read people went back to work after 4 or 5 days.. there was NO way I could have. I was up and walking the day after, but I had a really hard time sleeping, so that didn't help my recovery go any faster for sure. As far as calories, my nurse told me I didn't need to do sugar free stuff at this point because I was getting so little. The only shake that didn't make me sick was a slim fast. Not the best choice, but it was what I could tolerate. I lived on apple juice and slim fast. Now anything with artificial sweeteners leaves the worst taste in my mouth so I am still having a hard time, but I have moved on to mushie foods now so it is not as hard for me. Give yourself a few weeks.. you will feel better!!! Just don't be on some time table in your head. Do get up as much as you can, that helped me a lot. Go out side, get some fresh air, that always does wonders! One thing I was kinda grateful for was that I have learned over the last few weeks is that I can get by without food when I need comfort! So I think the struggle was worth it for me. I was banded on the 31st and even though I am up and doing things.(. I have 5 kids, so I have no choice ) I still have some discomfort, so just breath deeply and try to relax and you will get there!!

hub and myself prepare my foods 95% of the time (measured and weighed out) protein 4 oz, veggies 3 to 4 oz and some fruit 2 to 3 oz.....not all ate when i do eat.....as the band lets me know when enough is enough.....that being said, i choose not to eat certain things so i know that the foods i eat are considered in the calorie counting process (high fat/cals etc)...3500 is a pound.....if i eat more cals then i can burn off, i will gain.....i make sure i am well under that every day.....i eat when i am truly hungry.....protein first (that is my fuel) veggies and later on fruit......eating out, we dont do much but i just eyeball it and try not to fester so much.....again, the band controls what i input ........do what works for you.

My NUT and doc told me to measure by volume whenever possible. The reason is because the idea is to keep portions to a size not to stretch the stomach above the band. So, whenever possible I use a measuring cup rather than a scale. I was told to keep all meals to a cup or less of food. Though I do measure as instructed, I also strictly count calories too. I've seen too often people eat smaller portions yet don't lose weight despite it. More often than not, it's because they're still eating way too many calories. Smaller portions doesn't necessary mean less calories. So, I choose to track my calories and measure my portions so I can be sure.

Changing Chris, Hi. You re doing a huge amount of walking on a tiny amount of calories. You will crash and burn if you are not careful. Your body needs to keep the few nutrients you are giving it, hence no weight loss. Let your body heal and at least get on to real foods before you put the stress of any exercise on your body. You don't need to jump start the weight loss or cut corners, It will just happen while you rest and recover.

I have been losing very slowly, lots of plateaus in the almost 2 years post op. I am not saying I am always perfect, but I eat pretty well. I try to keep around 1200 calories. But.... every time I chart my food on fit day I find I am only eating 500-600 calories a day (and I swear I am doing nothing but eating all day). I really believe that this is part of my slow loss. I really struggle to add enough calories every day to get to my 1200. (And I NEVER thought in my life I would say that) Any input??

At 5 weeks out, it seems like I'm eating a LOT! :wink2: I don't measure my food or count calories, but I'm wondering if I should. It seems like many of you know exactly how much you eat in a day. Do you recommend keeping track?

I did a low carb diet for the first 6-7 months of my journey; that is when I lost most of my weight. I started with less than 30g per day then went to 50g per day as I exercised more. I can't say I was addicted to carbs but they were my go to food; I'd eat bowls of Pasta and bowls of rice, so I opted to cut them out, temporarily. I found a lot of good low carb/keto diet recipes so they really helped keep me sane. Try looking for some and see what you can find. There are thousands out there. Nowadays carbs are the least of my worries My life revolves around calories in vs. calories out and my carb count varies per day. Some days it's at 100g, other days 150g. I am mindful of them but low carb has gone out the window; I feel much better working out when I eat carbs. My weight loss has slowed, but I'm saying that's because I am almost at goal and I don't expect the weight to fall off as rapidly as it did. Also, why are you cutting out Peanut Butter? PB is a perfect protein/fat source when doing a low-carb diet, not sure why you think it can't be eaten. As for ketchup and BBQ sauce, low carb variations do exist, do some Googling and you'll find plenty Hopefully Elfie sees this post; she is the queen of low carbing.

I have stuck to a low carb, low calorie diet. I found that the less carbs I ate, the less I wanted them. I eat chicken breast with salad most of the time usually with no dressing at all but if I use dressing, it's low calorie low fat. I also eat some veggies like broccoli. I keep waiting for the day I will get sick of salad, but I have been doing this for about 4-5 months, since I started solid foods, and I still crave the salads. Once in awhile I will have half of a boneless pork chop or a couple pieces of bacon to change it up a bit. If I feel an absolute need for something with carbs, i go ahead and eat it. I just eat a very small amount of it So far my weight loss has been pretty good, my doctor always seems pleased by it. I average almost 3 pounds a week weight loss. Good luck to you!!!

I saw the Lloyds brand as well when I was at the store and read the label and it seems to be very similar (only 70 calories for 1/4 cup.) Cant beat it !

I use mostly salsa with everything. I also LOVE hummus but transitioned it from a side that I dip veggies in, into my protein portion of my meal because it's higher fat and calorie...I was spending a lot of calories on just a condiment! Salsa is my staple though!

I am finally getting filled Monday..for the last few weeks I have been able to get down whatever I want even though I haven't tried often.I am kinda frustrated because I can get whatever down..even though I know that will change. I have lost probably 20-30 lbs so far but I've been unrestricted for several weeks I've just been trying to keep my calorie intake to 1500 calories or less( I'm 6'2 and over 300) so that's not alot of calories.Please tell me I'm not a Lone Ranger here..I have felt guilty just from the sheer fact that I can get things down If I want to...And what is this green zone people are talking about? Haven't heard of that...any comments and suggestions are more than welcome

I love this stuff and DH loves it too. We an eat an entire head between the two of us You really do save ATON of calories.

Would love any feedback, it'll make me feel better . What do u all think, tomorrow is my four month mark and I'm down 48 pounds, I may be in another stall, oh well, point is I wanna know what people of my losses so fat. I eat 6-800 calories, less than 40 carbs and 30 fats and 60-100 grams protein. Am I doing ok? I hate feeling like a slow loser!

It is amazing how different each surgeon is both pre-op and post. I can have 5 shakes a day. 1000 calories, at least 50 grams of protein. SF jello and popsicles. Low salt broth, sf drinks. If I am hungery, I can have up to 2 cups of steamed or raw veggies/day.

No, I didn't feel like that. When I got home from the hospital I was gleeful I wasn't dead, didn't have a flesh eating disease, and wasn't in pain and didn't have to take pain meds. I really hate and have a fear of hospitals so getting in and out of one unharmed was a massive relief for me. I wasn't thinking about my weight loss, I was thinking I beat the grim reaper. However at 6 weeks I felt like I hadn't lost enough, I had lost 20lbs in a month before on low carb diets. I felt that I should have lost a lot more considering I barely eating. Then after 6 weeks I could eat more than starvation level calories, I started losing really fast. Don't focus on the negatives, focus on the positives. If you focus on the negatives and stress yourself out, the stress won't help your weight loss. Stay calm, relax and rest. the weight will come off.

One month after a gastric sleeve.... Ups and downs. I'm eating all kinds of things, in tiny amounts, and sipping. 23 pounds down since surgery day, so, not too quick, not too slow. I now take two chewable multivitamins, calcium+D, and biotin. I am off the pain meds, but I've saved some percosets for when I'm feeling better... *wink* I just took my last prilosec. I wonder how that will shake out. Physically, I feel mostly back together, but not 100%. I teach 7th grade, and I have enough energy to teach all day, so a win there in the recovery column, but I'm having a devil of a time finding all the words I know that I know. Several files in my brain have bad directories now. Very frustrating, but I have hope that it will resolve soon. Stoopid anesthesia.... My incisions are still angry red, but totally sealed up. I had a pesky suture that kept poking out of one, but I finally clipped it off below the skin and it covered and closed itself. I realize just now that the itching has gone down dramatically in the last day or so. Win. My waist and thighs are drawing in, but that makes my flabby lower abdomen look bigger! I know it's melting, too, but not as quickly, and relativity is a bitch. I'm tracking all my foods, and I'm hovering around 8 to 9 hundred calories on a good day, sometimes less, but I am getting consistent patterns established. I can go on this way indefinitely, I think. In 30 minutes, on an empty stomach, I can bring 12-16 ounces of water. I can totally feel the water flow through the pylorus. More solid things, say, cottage cheese, I can take about 4 ounces, but I need to take a break in the middle. Fish, I can get 2-3 ounces in, and no more. And it must be very wet fish - not overcooked. I threw up once, and it was overcooked trout. I had slime first, and when I could not stand the discomfort any more, my husband said, just get it over with. I don't like to vomit. Myself needed convincing, but I felt better after. I've only puked once on the soft foods, so I count that as a win, too. I've tried some other more solids, too. A bite of carrot even. No problems. But I don't want to push it. I'm cooking and shopping out of habit, and my freezer is FULL. I think I will just stop cooking altogether. What I cooked tonight will literally take me a week to eat. Maybe over sharing here, but the first real poop was rough. A week after surgery, we were shopping and I realized what needed to happen. I made a nice normal poo, and then felt nausea. I think the intestines had been in a shock and the waking to do their job was too much for them. It's gotten better since, but its days between the little poops. Small eats means small outs. Doesn't bother me much. Similarly, sex was a cautious adventure, too. A week out, we managed a gentle try, three weeks after surgery, all systems were ready for anything. Win. And, as always when I am on a diet, I want to put hot sauce on everything. However, I don't think this is a good idea just yet. I am curious as to what comes next and to see how this goes. At one point several years ago, I was 293 pounds (5'11"). I worked hard and dieted down to 187. That was impossible to maintain through a divorce, a brief time of homelessness, a career change, and a new relationship. I'm at 227 as of this morning. I'm pretty sure that losing some more is in the cards, but how much more? At my lowest, I was thin looking. Some said too thin, but 10 or more pounds would not change that look much, not at my height. My doc says 149 is a healthy weight for me, but I think that is WAY too thin. I'd be a bag of bones! My boobs would be two empty purses with olives at the bottom! So, goal... 175, and then reevaluate? That's 52 pounds from here, and if I go 2 pounds per week that gets me there by summer. We shall see... Lastly, my husband is taking this opportunity to get himself back on track. He was banded 7-ish years ago. He dropped 150 pounds, but he's put 25 or so back on in the last year. We've been happy and eating like newlyweds... Anyway. He's been super supportive. His goal is 210, from his staring point of 275. Doing the math, from collective high weights to goals, 400 & 293 to 210 & 175, we will have lost a collective 308 pounds. That's like two people... It's us getting ourselves in better health together.

Once you hit restriction, soda will hurt like a mother (for some people, me being one of them). I did soooooooooooooo well before and months after my surgery not drinking soda. My lovely boyfriend brings home bottled cream soda and I was like hmmmmmm, I want that. OW. I had to let it sit open for like 2 hours for me to enjoy it (and let the fizz go out of it). That first drink of it though with the fizz? no bueno. There's also a lady in my december bandster's forum who drinks a fountain soda every day with no problem. I think a lot of it has to do with the Dr's not wanting you to drink your calories early on...I dunno. I'm sure you're fine though.

I think at this point you just need to worry about getting in water and protein. I didn't count calories until soft foods and I think I was only getting about 400 calories at that time.

I was cleared for wine at 1 month, but I don't drink very often because of the calories. I eat "smart ones" pizzas all the time! They are 300 calories and 17 grams of protein and taste amazing! I probably started eating them when I was 2 months out.