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I actually use the Protein powder...I can't seem to eat before lunch time except maybe fruit, cheese sticks or yogurt, so I usually have a protein drink. I've never bought the ready-made so I'm not sure but you won't know until you try it, right? Start with maybe a capful at a time and see what you like. The syrups are sold near the coffee or tea. The SF ones have the blue label, regular have red labels. Walmart actually had a better selection than Target, but not sure if that is everywhere. I was even surprised at the selection at sams club; that's where I found the coconut. I would like to buy more flavors, just need to make sure I will use them! Since you mentioned it I will go check their website for recipes. Eggface also has recipes on her blog, mainly for protien shakes and protein ice cream using the syrups. Those might be of interest to you also Have a great one! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I'm on my 2nd week after being banded. I'll have my post op visit next Tuesday and will be able to start mushies after that. I'm trying to decide which diet plan I will follow when I start solid foods. I've done both low carb and weight watchers in the past with good results from both. I love cheese and sauces that are allowed in the atkins type diet, but wonder how well meat will be tolerated. And I wonder how much sucess people have had with a less strict plan that allows occasional Pasta and rice dishes. Not having bread won't really be a problem for me. But I'm worried that if I get off the plan after I loose a lot of weight, I might gain it back if I switch to another plan "for life". The weight watchers type plan seems more realistic in the long term "for life" eating. It allows fresh fruit, Soup, and yogurts which I love, and has easy ready to eat meals that i can fix quickly and will be able to take to work, but doesn't have great flavor with low fat cheeses, sauces, and dressing. Would you long term banders please share your success or not so successful stories with me?

i had my band 4/2. I've been on Protein shakes and have been good for the most part, and some okay foods like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, etc... i refuse to "puree" stuff. yuck. yesterday I had some very moist skinless chicken (diced, and I chewed very well). later in the day, I had a couple Doritos (no, I dont intend on being bad), and some cashews. chewed the cashews well, of course. sorry, I have been exercising ALOT more and for some reason have been alot hungrier.. I've lost 14 lbs since my band 10 days ago..! a couple days ago I had a couple pieces of wheat melba toast. so far everything has stayed down fine without discomfort or anything else. any thoughts or feedback from anyone? is my band going to slip? am I hurting myself? or is everyone's healing a bit different?

The only way to kill the sweet craving is to kill the sweets. I was a major sweet eater pre-band and I knew post-band I'd have to get it under control. So, I really cut the sweets big time. If I ate sweet, I ate the real thing. I didn't eat the low-fat, no sugar, fake sugar thing. If I had ONE cookie, I ate a REAL cookie with the sugar in it. The REAL sugars were almost a shock to my system, cause I was so used to eating sugar-free. The odd thing is, REAL sugar is much more satisfying to me than fake. Fake sugars make me crave more and more and more. Real sugars.. I need just a bit. I still practice this principle. I have banned fake sugars from our household. We are primarily whole food, organic eating people. But if we eat sweet, we do it real. If we eat fat, we eat fat. We have whole milk, whole yogurt, etc. No one has gained weight, and I've steadily lost. So, that was basically a big tangent. The moral of the story is... cut the sweets till you get control of yourself and then you can slowly reintroduce. And FRUIT is highly underestimated... My favorite SWEET is an orange. Mmmm...

Oh that was a fun stage.... good thing is your not hungry in the begining.. For liquids i did a lot of cream Soups.. my theory was if its more liquified then yogurt im good. So i did do egg drop soup and purify it.. and other soups. For Mushies, life is getting better.. i took chili and mushed it.. VERY GOOD with some cheese on top. I made some crock pot chicken all day long (my fav recipe) then put it in the processor, again looks nasty but tastes the same... I bought a lot of the chunky soups and just mushed them to be honest. A lot of people do refried Beans and cheese.

My nutritionist likes to say there are no "bad" foods, just foods you shouldn't eat as often as others. I tend to agree. I also like to look at this as a lifestyle change and not a diet- I do track calories as well, but just so I know I'm getting enough Protein and sticking to lower calorie. I was also told to have some calorie wiggle room, such as 1000-1200 a day instead of a set number like 1000. Some days you are physically hungrier and need more food than others. Yesterday I was physically experiencing the painful hunger pains even though I had already eaten dinner. I chose to have a yogurt and my hunger was gone.

My doc is OK with it in the mushy/pureed stage. Someof it is higher in protein and lower in sugar (depending on the type) than some of the other things in that stage. For instance, all of the Gerber 2nd Foods meat flavors have 7 to 8g of protein, 0g sugar, 2 to 3g carbs, and about 70 to 80 calories per jar. That ratio actually isn't too far off of some of the protein drinks I have seen, and better than some of the light yogurts and soups that some people eat. However, the fruit and cereal flavors have less protein and more sugar and carbs. Baby food may not be the #1 best choice, but you could definitely do worse in that stage. BUT, I don't know anything about taste.

I am 9 weeks out and have one fill of 3 ccs. I have dealt with acid reflux for years. It flares up from time to time. Prior to the band, I would eat things like red meat or chicken and I could feel it work its way through my digestive system until it eventually cleared. Severe indigestion. Now instead of passing, the indigestion is quite painful and I have to regurgitate. What I have found that I need to do, is take something soft or smooth, like yogurt, cottage cheese, skim milk, a protein drink to "soothe" the tract so that I cans wallow food. If I dont, I have a miseable eating day. A scrambled egg is impossible to get down, I sucked the juice out of a slice of grapefruit and thought I would die. Even swallowing when I brush upsets my stomach. Do the soothing technique and things are fine. Anyone else experience this or reflux? The staff at the doctor's office says that I am eating too fast and taking too big of bites. I think it is more serious than that. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I am only nervous about what I am going to eat... not the actual surgery. when shopping during lunch hour and it seems like everything is the stores are high sugar, high carbs, I have to shop super slowly to read all the labels to find the no sugar stuff. specailly since never shopped for those items before, so used just picking out the usual stuff. so of course I didnt buy anything because it was taking to long.. gonna have to go after work. on top of everything I am usually a picky eater.. my main food source is BREAD!.. so not sure how I am going to choose better options. I dont really like yogurt and veggies.. so will see. just venting a bit.. I am freaking out

I am getting banded tues as well.. Woohoo. You are lucky cuz this preop diet sucks ! I cannot wait to get to be able to even lick yogurt off a spoon .. Lol

ive never really measured, but i do always eat on a small plate when available. here are a few typical meals for me, and i do tweek them a bit sometimes to break the monotony. i have chosen to not really eat beef or pork either. -small piece of fish and small side salad (i use vinagerette type dressing, with some graded parm. cheese) -a larger salad topped with grilled shrimp, or grilled chicken, or tuna. -whole wheat Pasta or spinach pasta with ground turkey meatballs, and a small salad. as for lunches... -i usually have tuna with lite m.whip, kashi whole grain crackers and whatever ur fav cheese. -sometimes instead of the tuna ill use chicken breast slices or Hormel turkey pepparoni, plus i usually take a kashi granola bar, and a yogurt too.

We just dont really have the anti starch/pro Protein regime here in Australia, its much more an eat normally but in smaller quantities thing. I eat bread, Pasta and rice, but I avoid white varieties, I would never buy prepackaged supermarket bread anymore, I only buy health food shop stuff. I would only eat proper rolled oats, never minute oats or those prepackaged single sachet serves. Um, lets see, yesterday for me: Breakfast - bircher muesli made by soaking 1/4 cup rolled oats in apple juice overnight and in the morning adding some stewed plums and greek yogurt - it was about half a cup. Mid morning I had a skim latte - but a latte here is 1/3 espresso, 2/3 steamed milk, not frothy sweet stuff. lunch was two thin basil and tomato rice cakes with avocado on them and a banana Mid afternoon I had some unsalted cashews, probably about 15 dinner last night was roast pork - a lean pork shoulder baked in the oven, mashed potato/sweet potao and steamed broccoli and cauli. I made dessert too which is not usual - plum crumble (basically baked cut up plumbs with a topping of rolled oats, sugar and butter). I had about 1/2 cup of the roast - tiny bit of meat, spoonful of mash, a piece each of broccoli and cauli and then about 1/4 of a cup of crumble with a bit of low fat custard, half an hour later. I also had a small glass of white wine. this morning I did something a bit naughty and had about 1/4 cup of the plum crumble for breakfast - well really, its fruit, oats and a bit of sugar, but I had some yogurt with it, not custard. Mid morning I had a skim latte again. Lunch was about 1/4 cup total of left over pork and mash with some gravy and about 1/4 cup of mixed berries with a dash of cream. dinner tonight we're having a chicken curry with brown rice. So you can see, I eat completely normal food, I indulge a little bit in a few things that are nice, I drink alcohol moderately, but I do it all in pretty small quantities. I absolutely love banded life, it was the best thing I ever did.

Dont eat and drink at the same time. Stop drinking 30 minutes before a meal and wait at least 45 minutes after a meal to drink again. Don't drink carbonated drinks too. Drinking Water during the day won't stretch the pouch just dont drink big gulps. Drinking more water might help curb your appitite. If you find you're hungry between meals I suggest sugar free Jello or yogurt or pudding. I am not sure how long it would take for your stomach to go back. I dont think it can ever go back to the size it first was but can get a little smaller if you cut down your portions. Also dont eat things that can expand in your stomach like rice, Pasta, bread etc.

Hi guys, I'm still pre-op but have been doing lots of youtubing to check out how others are doing with their lap band. I came across a wonderful channel its Anume1109. Check it out when you get a chance. She has lots of WLS recipes. One of the things that she has on there is Trader Joe's Peanut Flour. I just didi a comparison in my cabinet and regular Peanut Butter has 16g of fat and 7g of Protein and the peanut flour has 4 grams of fat and 16 grams of protein. She mixes it with greek yogurt and agave nectar and it's a whoping 32 grams of protein for Breakfast. Just wanted to share that. That gurl

BTW, at week 3 I also had refried beans wtih a little 2% melted cheese and Greek yogurt....the PLAIN Greek yogurt is like sour cream but healthy and high in protein! Add about 2 TB to a can of beans just because! It was like heaven!!

This was the first time I have had bread since getting banded that's why I was scared. My diet usually consists of a Protein shake for breakfast (sometimes a yogurt too) then yogurt and fruit for lunch with a sugar free pudding and for dinners I have been doing different veggie combinations with some chicken or something a little filling. I have had Pasta a couple times and did okay. But like I said it was the first time I have had bread and I felt like I over did it. I felt very full lady night. Today I feel nauseaus and do have some chest pain but I drank my Protein Shake earlier and did have any issues. I just don't want to add to the issue by earring more. Also I very rarely vomit when I am sick usually just the big D but none of that either so idk if its viral. Thanks for all the advice.

Hi Debbie, Has Mr Hewin given you a post op diet to stick to. My collegue has just had it done and had to eat yogurt for a week (nothing else) I've been reading up on all sorts of pre op diets (low fat, low sugar, low carb, high Protein, shakes, Soups etc) and wondered what he suggested. I have my docs appointment tomorrow so he can refer me as my blood tests were clear. How long does it usually take from consultation to operation? I'd love it done in the spring holidays as I'm a teacher. I can't wait to have it done but there's still a chance he could say no :-( Gill :-)

Diane, I also was banded on Jan. 15. I was only restricted to clear liquids for one day. I am able to eat pureed oatmeal, thin cream of wheat, pureed meat, baby food vegies & fruits, pureed cottage cheese, carnation instant breakfast, yogurt. Today is 6th day after my surgery date. I do have some stomach pain after eating, so don't eat too much. I can only eat about 2 tablespoons every 2 hours. I also keep sipping constantly on water/unsweetened fruit juice diluted, crystal light, hot tea. Hang in there. It will get better. I don't think you are getting enough protein. I found the oatmeal delicious and hot & satisfying. Just don't eat too much. Good luck to you.

These are things suggested by my nutritionist for the mushy stage: Baby food pureed fruits and veggies Low fat creamed spinach Applesauce Pureed Squash Cream of Wheat, Farina, runny oatmeal Mashed Potatoes Fish, flakey, fork mashed "wet" Tuna fish or egg salad fork mashed or blended well with low fat Mayo Non fat refried Beans Silken tofu Blended chicken or meatballs Low fat milk low fat yogurt Ricotta cheese, cottage cheese sugar free pudding Blended Soups I was craving Pasta, so made egg pastina, its small and mushy too. If I were you, I would check with your doctor/nutritionist because as you can tell by reading posts, every doctor has their own interpretation of the post opt meals and you don't want to do something he/she may not recommend, even though this is what my doctor recommended.

Dolores: I've had a bunch of bad days, but most of the time I eat like a bandster eats. Alot of times if I want frozen yogurt I walk for it. I walk to the store, get a small container, or walk to the shop and get one frozen yogurt. Then, I walk home too. Today I had one piece of pizza - yummmmmmy. However, I ate it too fast and only rented it - pb:( I think that as long as you eat like a bandster most of the time you should do okay. Best wishes. Sue

Although I don't have really great restriction, I have some and what I have found to be really easy to eat, especially for breakfast or snack is some greek yogurt with berries of all kinds and maybe some banana with granola and splenda. It's so yummy and easy to eat.

I know that you're really wanting to lose a lot of weight quickly, but I'm worried you're going to beat yourself up and be very negative and frustrated if your weight loss is closer to "normal" than "fast". That being said, I have lost 19.5 in the month since my surgery so I guess that puts me right around the loss range you're wanting. I can tell you what I eat now, but I think the big difference is 1) I didn't have to do any liquid diets pre-op and 2) my diet now is very different than what I used to eat. I don't do eggs so most of the time my breakfast is 1/2 cup of Chobani vanilla Greek yogurt and 1/4 c to 1/2 of Kashi GoLean Cereal (high Protein, high fiber) mixed together. I have tea before that to help open me up and take my meds. For lunch I'll do 3 oz. of canned chicken and a tablespoon or two of low fat mayo mixed together with some spices, and I eat it with 6 or so celery sticks to scoop it up and get that crunch. dinner, I'll measure out 4 oz. of whatever meat my family is having and I'll add a side of veggies. Honestly I'm not a big veggie fan so my veggie intake is pretty limited to salad, celery, fresh salsa, etc. If I'm hungry between meals and can't handle it I'll have a low fat cheese stick. If I want something sweet after dinner I have some Jello Temptations that are 100 calories but usually I'll try to just have a cup of tea or a piece of gum instead. I'm not a person who needs a lot of variety in my menu. I could probably eat the same 5 or 6 meals for a whole week and not really mind. Am I hungry? Heck yes I am. I'm in bandster hell and running on fumes, but each time I get hunger pains I drink a big glass of Water and usually it staves it off a bit.

Hello my fellow Marchies!! (Crickets chirping...) Where is everybody?!?!?!? Oh well guess everyone is busy this holiday weekend... Hope everyones 4th was a fun one... So how are we all doing this month... Hows the progress?? It seems like i am officially stuck at my current weight without being able to crack the 168/169lb marker... I know my fill level is good and i have optimal restriction, i guess my problem is my eating habits haven't been following the good old bandster rules... and the exercise needs to be kicked up another notch!!! I say we all vow to go back to those bandster rules this month and get the ball rolling again!!! Anyone with me?? Here are the good old rules as a nice reminder: Avoid drinking liquids during or immediately after meals as liquids tend to flush food through the stomach pouch. This prevents you from getting that prolonged feeling of satisfaction needed to help you eat less. As always, staying hydrated throughout the day is important, however. Drink at least six to eight cups of water per day, and make sure you consume them between meals. Chew your food thoroughly and eat small bites so that the food can easily fit through the opening to your stomach pouch. This will help you avoid the problem of food blocking the stomach outlet. Only eat when you are hungry and no more than three small meals a day, but you must make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrition. Remember, your stomach can only hold about one-quarter of a cup of food, or two ounces, at a time. Stop eating when your hunger is gone or when you feel comfortable. The general nutrition guide below can help you create good and healthy meals that contain adequate nutrients but low sugar and fat: Good Food Choices Fruits and vegetables One to two servings of fresh fruit daily Two to three servings of fresh vegetables daily [*]Breads and cereals One small portion of low-sugar cold or hot cereal Half to one slice of toasted whole wheat or rye bread each day. Note: Some patients have difficulty eating bread [*]Meat, fish, poultry, eggs One to two ounces of meat, fish, or poultry-or one egg each day. Remove all visible fat from the meat. Remove the skin from poultry. Prepare the meat in ways that need very little fat. Grilling, steaming, microwaving, or boiling are all good ways to do this. Note: Some patients have difficulty eating meat. [*]Dairy products Milk and yogurt are calories in liquid form. However, these types of food have calcium, which makes them an important part of a healthy daily diet, so choose a maximum of 2 cups of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt and 1 ounce of cheese a day. [*]Fats Restrict the use of fat to 3 to 4 teaspoons of margarine, butter, or oil per day. You can have low-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise in moderation. [*]Drinks Drink as many calorie-free liquids per day as you wish (though not with meals). Suitable drinks are tea or coffee (black) with low-calorie sweetener, water, non-carbonated beverages containing few or no calories Some doctors have reported that carbonated beverages may contribute to enlargement of the small pouch and recommend they be avoided. Back to Top [*]Foods to Avoid Some foods deliver a concentrated supply of calories but little nutritional value. These foods should be avoided whenever possible. They include: syrups cakes jam chips pastries Alcoholic drinks should also be consumed in moderation: for example, one glass of wine per day. [*]Common Problem Foods Some foods have difficulty passing through the stomach opening created by the LAP-BAND® System and may cause blockage. These include: dry meat shrimp untoasted or doughy bread rice peanut butter fibrous vegetables like corn, asparagus, and celery nuts greasy or fried food membrane of citrus fruits I got everything directly off the lapband site... I figured we all may need a little jog in the memory once in a while... Oh and tdont forget the most important rule!!! PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN ALWAYS FIRST!!! I'm pretty sure that is well drilled into our minds.... but i can honestly say i haven exactly been following that rule very well lately!!!

It depends on how big they are. Most programs say you can have pills that are smaller than an M&M. But if it's bigger than that, you may want to crush it, cut it in half, or -- in the case of a capsule -- empty it out into yogurt or something. I would discuss this with your surgeon and/or PCP as there may also be an alternative form such as a liquid for your particular medicine.

Example: Atkins shake for breakfast, P3 Pack for lunch, greek yogurt for snack, and dinner varies I track using my fitness pal