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I was fully prepared and nothing surgery wise or physically has really surprised me. I did however have an irrational full blown panic attack about 2 weeks post op. I was laying in bed almost asleep and was overcome by this feeling/idea that I would never eat real food again, and would be sipping Water and Protein drinks for the rest of my life. I went into a cold sweat, rapid heartbeat, tunnel vision, all out 30 minute anxiety attack LOL! I got up and walked it off, and that has been my only real moment of "WTF did I do to myself"... but it was a doozy. Ironically, I was already eating soups, yogurt, sugar free Jello and pudding at that time.... so it really made no sense.

we are all going to be able to fit different amounts in our sleeves due to the fact that different docs use different bougie sizes. on top of that the docs only change the width of our stomachs, not the length....and everybody has a different length. so that being said...i would definatly measure all of the food first for a while, till you get used to how much makes you feel satisfied and not full. as for me I have noticed that if I am eating meat I get fuller with way less vs eating cottage cheese or yogurt. take it slow and listen to your sleeve....lol.....it will let you know if you are eating to much good luck!

Totally normal!! I also stayed on clear liquids for a week until I could tolerate more. And even then a 6 oz yogurt would take 4 to 5 hours to eat!!! Just keep getting all your liquids in so you do not dehydrate yourself and every day try something new...you will get there promise! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Oh my! 3 months of only Protein would make anyone miserable. My doc had me do liquids for a month and then soft foods for 2 weeks. Now I can eat anything I like. I was sleeved on 8/11/14. Can you have fruit in your yogurt at all? I have eaten Chaboni greek yogurt, 100 calories with fruit since the soft foods were allowed. I also added simply fruit spread to it or would just eat a spoonful of it for a change of taste. Laughing cow cheese is good too....different flavors to choose from. I would add that to my scrambled eggs and any meat I was eating...still do actually. The amount you are eating is normal. I can only eat about 1/2 cup max at this point. I also used to eat sugarfree applesause with smooth peanutbutter....just a little of each on the spoon. I now do a few apple slices with peanutbutter. I also add lt. mayo to canned chicken or tuna and it helps with flavor. Are you seeing a nutritionist? Maybe a call to the doctor and ask if you can add a little pureed fruit to things to help your appetite? Explain your aversion to protein at this point. Good Luck to you!

yep - the others are correct. It's the added sugar that they want you to avoid (or really limit). Most of the sugar in yogurt (unless it's got added sugar in it because of the flavorings) is lactose, which is naturally occurring in milk. I eat yogurt every day and have since my surgery nine years ago. I eat very little meat, so having Greek yogurt for breakfast starts my day off with a good amount of protein.

I was on Clear Liquids for the first day in the hospital, then advanced to full liquids by the time I was discharged. Full liquids for the 1st 3 weeks, then puree for a week, then mush and I am starting to introduce solids. My full liquid go-to items were Jello, diluted pudding with Protein powder mixed in, Protein shakes with greek yogurt blended in, diluted yogurt, cream soups. I got some of the Gerber multigrain baby Cereal as well - apple/sweet potato - that mixed with milk and some Protein Powder to the right texture was pretty good. My next stage go-to foods have been pasta-less lasagna - cooked chicken breast, ricotta, and a couple of tablespoons of spaghetti sauce zipped down into dip texture in the Ninja blender; tuna salad made with albacore, homemade zucchini relish, and lowfat olive oil mayo - also zipped down into dip texture in the Ninja; cottage cheese, eggs cooked anyway I like (mostly poached and over easy), undiluted yogurt. Hummus is good. My sister just picked the last of the season's squash from her garden, so I'll get to enjoy some of that in the coming days.

In Houston I've only been able to find the tiny containers for $1.99 but finally found a big container yesterday at HEB Market for $4.99 (it was by all the organic yogurt, they have an entire section). HTH

I found it at Walmart, they just started carrying it. You might try asking the store manager about getting it. The greek yogurt has more protein in it than the regular yogurt. Greek yogurt has more consistancy (sp). I can only find the plain in the large size (4.??) and the smaller size was in vanilla and plain(1.46). I use splenda and fruit in mine.

I'm still having pain and taking pain meds. I can tolerate the pain, except my blood pressure goes up significantly when I have pain and gives me the worst head ache. I'm going to have to request a refill. I'm sick of Protein shakes, but still sipping a bit each day. I prefer chicken broth with unjury protein added. Been able to get in more Water yesterday and today. Probably still not enough though. Also drinking some crystal light and G2, and having Popsicles and hello occasionally. Oh, and ate some yogurt yesterday, but I don't like yogurt much so it's hard to eat. Can't wait to eat some stage 2 foods. Thinking of making a chicken or tuna salad in my vita mix so I can eat that. Next week. My doctor said I could try a scrambled egg on day 10 and then some fish if the egg is tolerated. Looking forward to it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My daily menu is nothing exciting. I usually have a Protein Shake and a half, and then something of the Soup variety for dinner. I've been digging light creamy Soups, because they have a lot of flavor. I don't think I've been doing 64 g and 64 ounces, but I've been doing about 50. That's what my doctor suggested. I have my 10 day postop tomorrow, and I'm probably going to be cleared for soft foods. I can't wait! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App When you have soup how much do you usually have? Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App I can drink 8oz of broth now. Been primarily living on premier Protein shakes, broth with protein added, G2 drink, crystal light. I've had yogurt once, still not something I actually like, and I've had cottage cheese and refried Beans with plain greek yogurt mixed in. On christmas I did have two spoons of mashed potatoes drenched in turkey juice and a shred of turkey that I chewed to death. I also have chewed some string cheese into mush too. I know these things aren't on my current list, but I'm careful to not swallow anything until it's mush. My doctor said I could have a scrambled egg with cheese on day 10! whoohoo.. and if that goes well I could also try some fish. She seems to be less strict on the stages than I see in other programs.

I do an unjury Protein Shake in the morning- with skim milk it's 28 g Protein. Remember, your body can't really process more than 25-30 g protein at a time, so any more at a time is a waste. I also eat greek yogurt, it has a lot of protein, the 0% fat with cherry is like 120 calories. Also canned chicken or tuna. With eating these things I've had no problem getting in at least 60 g protein, and it's usually more. Where do you get the wonderslim protein? That sounds good for a chocolate fix!!

I'm 18 days out, and for the past three days I've got my protein in via my food versus drinks. Yahoo! I'm averaging between 60-70 grams of protein and between 700 and 800 calories. I use greek yogurt, eggs, light string cheese, refried beans with cheddar, tuna, and crab to get it all in. It really hasn't been difficult with a little planning. I get to introduce soft foods next week, so I will add fish and some ground meats to my variety.

You can get skim milk powder and mix 1/3 cup into a cup of skim milk. You double the Protein and it tastes more like whole milk but you aren't adding any fat. Also you can get some hummus or fat free bean dip and purée it with some flavorless protein powder and some cottage cheese. Or used canned chicken or canned tuna puréed with mayo or Greek yogurt.

The answer to this question really depends on where you are in the post op cycle. I'll give you my typical day from the 2 years post op view, but you may be looking for something more immediate. Not sure.... Breakfast - Protein oatmeal most mornings from bariwise, and of course coffee. OR iced caramel latte (small) with skim milk and sugar free syrup (but not both the oatmeal and the latte....that would be way too many carbs) Nothing between breakfast and lunch Lunch - Usually a version of a salad with grilled chicken, maybe a hard boiled egg chopped up with it for extra protein,, and a fat free dressing. I always eat the chicken off first and then have just a little room for salad after that. Something else that I like, depending on whether our cafe at work is open or not, is a scoop of chicken salad, a tiny salad, and 2 saltine crackers to scoop the chicken salad up with. Afternoon - I usually have a snack of some sort - either a snack sized protein shake, a greek yogurt, a fat free cheese stick, peanuts, etc. dinner - Usually whatever I make for my family, just in smaller portion and I eat the protein part of the meal first. If they are having Pasta, I avoid that altogether (or pizza) and saute up some shrimp with lite soy sauce. That's a quick and easy go-to single serving meal for me. I throw in a few pieces of frozen broccoli and it's delicious. Evening Snack - I try to avoid this altogether, but sometimes my family is snacking and I just can't resist. I keep sugar free popsicles, protein pudding from bariwise, peanuts, fat-free cheese stick, or sugar free Jello on hand for these kinds of cravings.

mmmmm....Optifast...or I prefer calling it Optifamine. I did not perform preop, but this was one of my many yoyo diets I did a couple times for several months each. Lost 85 lbs in 3 months the first time...and 72 the second time. Put it all back and then some. It's really an uber restrictive diet where you feel like crap for the first 3 weeks or so.....but since you are only doing it as a preop prep I would suggest adding soft consistency foods to augment things. Such as yogurt, eggs, pudding, etc.....any of the things you will be eating postop on the soft diet. You're not going to hurt anything by doing this....just watch your portions. Best of luck.

Betsy - Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post (as this was my first ever.) I am totally a bundle of contradictions right now and really needed to hear the "tough love" of get a grip and deal so thank you!!! What I have been eating is this: B - 1/2c yogurt and 1/4 soft fruit coffee mid morning (no sugar no cream) L- 1/2 c tuna with ff mayo and 1/4c soft fruit mid afternoon milk with sugar free carnation **4-6 is the time when i have been really struggling and reaching for a snack it has been a few bites of lunch meat and a v8 juice - another day is was a 1x1 inch piece of brownie - another day it was a laughing cow low fat cheese wedge) Dinner - (typicaly late as I get home arround 7) has been fish - 2oz. baked or grilled and 1/4 - 1/3 c. fruit or steamed veggies. **evening Milk 8:30 - 9 I also have been drinking about 5 bottles of h2o daily. Today was my weigh in day and I have not lost a pound since Saturday - which I know will happen but it seems crazy - I feel like I am eating so little and I am walking two times a day - still not losing still hungry :cool: As for the cause of my "cheating" I work as a nanny and have for 14 years - I have 2 type 1 diabetic kids and unfortunatly and arround food and "bad for you sancks" all day!! I am trying to chew more gum and stay away - but at that hungry time of day I am slipping!!

I'm only on mushies but I tend to do yogurt for Breakfast around 8 Morning snack of string cheese around 10 and lunch at 12 usually left over dinner. I do an afternoon snack at 3 or dinner at 4 and an evening snack at 8. Sent from my SCH-I545 using the BariatricPal App

I went back to work 5 days post op. I still struggle to get Water in, mostly because i get distracted and forget. I usually have a fairlife "shake" for Breakfast, oikos yogurt or cheese/meat or leftovers for lunch, cheese/protein shake for snack. HW 385 SW 359 CW 338 Sleeved 10/5/16

Thank you .... just sorta feel alone and well am? had my surgury wed...and my pal from kelowna was here till fri afternoon only stayed in the hospital for hmmm 8 hrs or so? lol Had my surgury 9 AM ish and checked out @ 5 that first nights a son of a b****... Shoulder pain mostly trying to find a place to sleep ....that you can get comfy. I dont know how you have that ... BMI band thing or how to make a profile here have looked too a few times.... This first day ice and day 2-6 clear fluid as well makes you a tad light headed the incisions arent that painful just the overall " got hit by a mac truck" feeling is there and my stomachs grumblinggggggggg... I dont wanna even see jello again I have dropped I think too much weight ...surgury was wed so that day dosent really count? so thur fri sat sun and todays monday am 13 lbs thinner? Today I get some " BOOST" and puddin yogurt soup ect..but dont think I'll try them all at once... slow and steady introduction I think is what I plan...anyhow it is just nice to vent ... its difficult to discuss your half a cup of broth with a friend and have them grasp sympathetically your plight... I appreicate it...Tammy

I also had surgery on the 14th i will b released on the 18th I had a ruff 2 days i formed a blood clot n was throwing up blood I am doing so much better I also had allot of air in my stomach making a very gassy stomach:/ i will try yogurt n applesauce at lunch today hoping it goes well have not finished a full cup of liquids:/ Defiantly gets better Im do glad its over and can move on to a new healthy me:) good luck everyone

My routine is usually the same everyday. AM: Protein shake. I have over 15 different flavors and have added fruit to several for a change. I try to add fruit 3 times a week. Lunch: 1/2 cup of "food" Protein first (min 25 gms) and then add veggies. Usually a Soup or stew. Occasionally a salad with meat, egg and cheese. 3 PM: snack of yogurt with cottage cheese or a cheese stick. Dinner: Protein Shake. I usually get 900 calories, 65 gm of protein.

I was banded on 01/19/09. I just had my first fill on 03/23. The fill has made a big difference and I can only eat 4-6 oz's per meal. Today my meals consisted of: Breakfast - 1c. Fiber one Cereal with 1c of skim milk/260 cal. lunch - Healthy Choice meal. Grilled chicken Marinara/270 cal. dinner - 2 oz sliced turkey and 4 oz cottage cheese/130 cal. I will probably have a snack later that will probably be 4 oz of suger free yogurt/60 cal. From what I understand it is very important to do breakfast on a daily basis. Breakfast will jump start your matabilism for the day and help your body stay out of starvation mode.

Hi KC Bandsters! Here's an update on my progress: I was banded September 16, 2010 by Dr. Malley. The New Hope staff really took great care of me and Dr. Malley is a very skilled surgeon with a very witty humor; quiet, but very funny. I have not done so well with the band. I've had a lot of problems with any amount of fill and have experienced bandster hell many times until I got an unfill. I lost 10 pounds pre-op and had only lost 17 pounds post-op as of March, 2011. I found myself sick most of the time and in a great deal of discomfort. However, New Hope was great at checking me out to ensure no slips happened and that the band looked good under floroscopy. As soon as I'd start to recover and go in for another fill, the same thing would happen - I'd get sick and be unable to keep anything down, even liquid. However, I managed to continue working out several times a week but developed very unhealthy patterns of eating because of all the problems with keeping food down. I couldn't do protein at all except in protein shakes and yogurt. I was starving all the time, but could not eat. During the times I was able to keep liquids down, I drank all of my calories and naturally, I would get so sick of protein shakes that I would go for the stuff that packs on pounds just to get a change from the protein shakes, which I did not seem to lose with. Hell...truly. I let my tummy rest after the last unfill and it seemed I was able to at least keep some food down and was actually able to maintain my weight rather than lose and gain the same 10 pounds between fills and unfills. So.....after 5 months passed I returned to my PCP, who shared her experience with HCG. I was so tired of being sick and so discouraged that I decided to give it a go in March. I lost 24 pounds in 30 days and have finally been able to eat the protein my body needed so badly. I'm scheduled for another round of HCG and am 50 pounds from goal. It's the first time in my life that my physical hunger has been controlled. I expected the band to at least help with a portion of my physical hunger like it did for so many of my friends. But, it didn't really do much for my hunger, even when I was so tight that I couldn't keep anything but water down. Since it had been over two months since my last fill, I decided to go in for a tiny fill. That's why I had the band, right? Well, the same thing happened. I went and had a little unfill and still I have been puking all weekend. I really regret the decision I made to get banded. For me, unlike several of my friends, it did nothing at all to curb my hunger. I never got to the point of not feeling like I have a ball in my stomach and always feel irritated. I know I'm not the norm and that others have had great results. I believe my body does not react well to the band and will be discussing what my options are to at least have a complete unfill or possible removal. I can't live like this anymore. The support groups are great and I really recommend them. To those of you considering if New Hope is a good choice, I would tell you not to hesitate about the quality and skill of Dr. Malley and his nursing staff. You are in great hands!

Thank you so much for asking!! I am doing okay I feel better and better each day. I am now Day 5 post op so I could have yogurt and oatmeal :smile:. I have found that I am starting to get hungry which worries me a little I know it is a good thing, means that you are healing, I just don't want to overdue. I am sticking to the diet and go in for the postop next Friday. I hope to do a little walking around the neighborhood next week but golly it is so blasted hot here!! :scared2: I am glad to hear you are doing well, how soon after surgery did you have your first fill??

I think food is so much a personal body thing. I have no fill in yet (4 weeks out). I had my first bite of bread today and it felt gross going down. I don't know if it was a problem or if it was me. I'm not much of a bread eater (even the french bread I tried) unless its a sprouted grain type. I kinda blew everything today after that and had fettucini alfredo for lunch. I was at a lunch and taking small pieces and chewing 25 times just wasn't working. I only ate about 1/2 cup. I'm just so bummed because I haven't been losing and really don't have much in my diet yet - mushies and fishes - or the old standby yogurt. No change in 9 days. I know I'm still in the healing process but... Anyway, I'm excited to see that most people can have popcorn...and asparagus. I love pureeing asparagus into the 'fake guacamole'. In fact, I will do that tonight and have it on fish or chicken. Okay, my life is looking up.