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It depends on the day. Haha. In the early days, I ate 4-6 times per day. Now days I do a complicated rotation. It's the way I maintain my weight. This morning I was 129.4lbs--a Christmas Miracle I'm waiting to see if it sticks or not! If it does yay, if it doesn't I won't be devastated). But I'm at the bottom of a maintenance window I would not be sad to reduce by another 5 lbs to my BDG Goal = Barbie Dream Girl Goal. So it's business as usual for a Thursday for me = Meal 1: B1 - 3 protein lattes with 1oz of Premier Protein + 7 drops Vitacost Liquid Stevia + Decaff + ground cinnamon 1 cup tea (green decaff tea + Earl Grey decaff tea + 1 shot of unfiltered ACV + 1 lemon wedge + cayenne + ground cinnamon) Meal 2 (optional): B2 - I will either eat around 10-11 or I will skip if not hungry. Meal 3: L-Big Ass Salad (1 1/2-2c of salad + 2-3oz dense lean protein + 2-3tbsp Zero Cal Dressing + 1 serving healthy fat (I will eat this until full. Sometimes it's the whole thing and sometimes I finish the balance as my afternoon snack) OR Turkey Cheese Rollup with raw greens and veggies OR Green Soup OR Green Smoothie with fiber OR Can of Sardines and Raw Veggies Meal 4 (optional and regulated by hunger): AS-Either leftovers from lunch OR cup of Herb OX no sodium broth + baby greens + mushrooms OR 1 hardboiled egg OR 3-5 oz of raw veggies + 1/4c fat free Greek Yogurt Dip (Tzaziki, Ranch, Onion, Asian) Meal 5: D-3oz protein + 1-2oz veg + 1oz avo/1oz tom + 1 serving healthy fat or extra cheese Meal 6 (optional and regulated by hunger): BS-usually a decaff + 1oz Premier Protein OR 1-2oz underripe GS Apple or pear + 1tbsp nut butter OR 14g walnuts or almonds OR 1 square 90% Lindt Chocolate + 14g walnuts or almonds

I have the unflavored and chicken soup Unjury. I didn't like the unflavored in everything but it wasn't bad in blended up soup or instant potatoes. I also put unflavored unjury in baby cereal and instead of mixing with water or milk i mixed in no sugar added 100% juice. I also added a bit of the strawberry protein powder to a berry based yogurt. I started out on the protein shakes and just couldn't get all that liquid in, and quite frankly got tired of it as well, but I did what i could fit in. Hang in there. When you get further along you can cut down on the amount of shakes you drink and get protein from other sources. BUT you will still need to drink some protein. I will be 7 weeks post op on Monday. I have Body Fortress Whey ISOLATE protein which is 30g per scoop. I throw some frozen or fresh strawberries and banana in my nutribullet with 100% cranberry juice and then shake in the powder once that is blended. I make up the rest with nuts, yogurt in the morning, cheese, cottage cheese and the P3s they have out is really good. I can eat beef jerky, which i love because there is a lot of protein there. It gets easier. Wish I had an answer for you, but really its just that part you have to get through right now. I thought the exact same thing though, lol. Try mixing unflavored in things with flavor and dont forget you can use any seasonings you want. Good luck!

@Darianna75 I got so excited about deli thin shaved meat but when I tried to eat it, it was a no go..... I couldn't swallow it at all and it just didn't taste good to me anymore.... funny how things I love before, i can't really tolerate or even LIKE now...... Now with the chicken salad .... Here is what i do .... now you might want to do it differently. I really don't love boiled chicken so I buy a roitessere chicken. Then I take off the skin on the breast portion and take my fork and mash it very small....then add greek yogurt and half light mayo with dry ranch dressing seasonings (hidden valley) I tsp mustard, and dill pickly relish. I make it very moist. I can't eat a lot at a time.... only two ounces maybe and a few cracker crisps if i feel like it.... I ate this almost every day for a week. I thought I'd take a break from the chicken salad for a while but i really can't tolerate meat that isn't in some very soft or pureed form. I heard it will eventually get better.

Hello! Wow it's hard to believe we have all been banded for SOOOOOOOO long now! I'd LOVE to get the sleeve. I have lost a lot of weight but not "all" of it. Unfortunately there is no way I would qualify to get the sleeve unless I paid for it all as my BMI is actually not that bad now! Go figure! Anyhoooooooo so that wont be happening. I would love to just to eat again, I get stuck on everything and I eat like a bird. My problem is that the bad foods that dont get stuck still are super high in calories and just zip right on through. Amylynns I drink my breakfast EVERY morning, my blender is my very best friend. I drink yogurt/protien/fruit smoothies for breakfast every day and I also do a lot of green juicing. I worry because I know I do not get all of the nutrition in I need every day, but the only way would be to take a bit out of my band and I dont want to do that because I am scared I will gain. Today I had a banana/mango/cherry & yogurt smoothie for breakfast and a stick of cheese and a few crackers for lunch. Id love to eat more right now, in fact I am hungry however I know one more bite and it will be too much and I'll wind up drowning in my phlem. Lovely eh?

Hello Bandsters, I was banded on Monday November 3, 2008, so it’s been a full week. I can report that I had serous gas pains since Wednesday, but today I feel a lot better, and both ends are working. I still have a little tenderness at the surgery wounds, but no pain. I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but we picked a bad time of the year to get banded. My Birthday is tomorrow, the 11th, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, good grief. I’ve been on liquids for good month, and I am praying that my Doc puts me on mushy foods this Wednesday. Does anyone have any great ideas for Birthday treat; I can have puddings, Jell-O’s, and yogurts. Oh yes, other question. I see tickers and other info on the blogs, how do you install them? Thanks, and good luck to everyone. RBK.

Obviously how one feels after surgery is different for everybody. I was lucky, not too much pain just some discomfort, I was walking around the same afternoon. The gas pains are annoying but they go away fairly soon. I had a specific plan to follow for the re-introduction of foods. One thing will remain the same, try to get in at least 64 oz of liquids every day and 60-80 grams of Protein. Most people start with a couple of days of Clear Liquids, Isopure for protein (you can buy it at Vitamin Shoppe or GNC) decaf coffee and decaf tea, all sugar free non-carbonated drinks, chicken, beef or vegetable broth, SF Jello and SF popsicles.....after that full liquids including regular Protein shakes, creamy soups, thinned out hot Cereal, thinned out yogurt, SF puddings, jello. After 2 weeks, move to pureed or mushy foods, hot cereals, softly scrambled eggs, soups, softly cooked meats and veggies (think crockpot meals) yogurt, cottage cheese with fruit, refried Beans with melted cheese, chili beans, mashed potatoes with canned chicken and gravy, tuna and any soft fish, stuff like that. At this stage of the diet, I was still drinking 2 protein shakes to meet my daily goals and lots of decaf hot and iced tea. At 4-6 weeks start introducing more solids, start slowly and see how you tolerate foods, move toward being able to get in at least 4 oz of a solid protein, then a non-starch veggie...try and stay away from carbs for the most part, if you do eat carbs have whole grains if possible. At 6 months out I can eat most things but not very much of them. I do still drink a Protein shake each day, and sometimes a Protein Bar as a snack. I was not hungry after surgery and it took a while to normalize and feel hunger come back, but not with a vengeance, and you get full so fast. I have 2 hiccups when I am full and that has happened since I had this surgery. A lot of people get these little burps/hiccups that signal fullness, or a runny nose, it's weird, but a good signal from the body. I feel normal, just that I can only eat very small meals, but you have to eat right to keep losing weight and exercising. That has to continue ...so be prepared, the sleeve is a tool, but you still have to make the right choices. I am so happy with my sleeve...down to a size 14 from a 3X-4X and I can walk for miles, and none of my old clothes fit, they are tent size on me....this is the best decision I ever made for myself. Good luck !!!!

I miss pizza!!! But I make homemade pizza using a zucchini crust. I also do mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes, I use non fat creek yogurt anytime something calls for sour cream or cream cheese. I also make veggie Pasta, and I use ground turkey anytime you would use ground beef.

Hi guys! I thought I would stop by and give you an update. The past few days have been really rough for me. I started having extreme abdominal pain on Friday night that lasted through Saturday night. I almost went to the ER, but held out. At first I thought it might be the gas pains everyone talks about, but now I'm not sure. Luckily, most of that pain is gone. Ever since then, however, I have become more and more restricted every day. Since Satuday, I have had nothing but a liquid diet. I did call.... I was basically told the same thing as before.... I must have swelling that is causing me more restriction.... go on a liquid diet for a few days and the swelling should decrease. Yesterday I had a mini panic attack. When I woke up yesterday morning I couldn't get Water down. I called the office several times yesterday and had a difficult time getting answers or help. Here's how that went: I called the office at exactly 8:30 in the morning when they opened. I was told the computers were down and that somebody would call me back. I waited three hours and after nobody called me back, I called again. This time it took me several times to get through to anybody. Finally, I got the same receptionist (she's new.... I'll be gentle). She said "Oh, yeah. Didn't you call this morning?" Ummm, yup. And you said you were going to call me back! But, I didn't say anything. I told her my situation again. I told her I was having trouble getting water down and that I needed to come in for an unfill. She didn't know what that was. OK, no problem. I explained to her that I'm not able to drink water and that I needed to come in and have Fluid removed from my band. She said OK and looked up my record. Then she proceded to tell me that I already have an appt. set up for June 28. By this point, I was so frustrated I was in tears. I explained to her that I couldn't wait until next week that I was scared of becoming dehydrated. (For goodness sake, it's 111 outside!) She then proceeded to tell me that I can't have any fluid taken out because I haven't had a fill yet and I have to wait six weeks. What??? I explained about the AP band and already having a fill during surgery and she acted like I was stupid and crazy. I finally just mentioned to her that I had discussed some of this with Mike and she could clarify with him. She put me on hold and talked to Mike. (Apparently, both surgeons out of the office-- probably in surgery since it was a Tuesday morning.) She comes back to the phone and then says she will try to get a hold of a doctor and call me back. I waited all day. I was in tears and scared. I almost grabbed my kids and headed for the ER just to get an IV. I tried calling back several times and could never get anyone. I finally sent Mike an e-mail (a rather long, distraught one) and as soon as I did the receptionist called me back and made an appt. for first thing this morning. (Thank goodness for Mike. I have been able to count on him for everything.) Luckily, as the day went on my restriction started to subside and I was able to get some fluids in. I'm sure it wasn't enough, though. I had to take really really small sips or I couldn't get it down. It took me all day to get in 16 oz. of water and a few ounces of broth. I woke up this morning with the same restriction. I couldn't get more than a sip of water down. Luckily, I had my appt. The fill process (or unfill, in my case) wasn't bad. After you have your initial consultation in one of the numbered rooms they take you to the room with the ultrasound. The medical assistant ran the ultrasound to locate the port and marked it for the doctor. This did hurt a little bit; just the pressure of her pushing down on my port with the ultrasound. Then the shots. The needles were quite large in my opinion but the shots didn't hurt at all. Just think heparin shot or flu shot. The painful part was all of the pressure on the port. Dr. DeBarros (my favorite) had to grap the area with the port in one hand and inject with the other. Just having someone grap my port is what hurt the most. Then they had me sit up and drink water to make sure it was going down. I drank about 1/2 bottle of water and it went down fine. I had 2cc's in my band and he took half of it out. I now have 1cc. I immediately felt better. I even felt hungry! I sure hope this works and that I don't swell up even more. I just need this to go away. I had 1/2 cup of yogurt for lunch and got it down. Yeah! Anyway, I'm sticking to liquids and mushies for a couple of days and if I feel OK I will try solids again. Wish me luck. When I weighed in today I was down 38 pounds from where I started. I have lost about 12 pounds in the last week. I know that is not good or healthy. They told me I could expect to gain a few of those back as I begin eating again. Sorry for the long post, but thanks for the support.

I really need some Breakfast ideas. I am low carb so i don't do Cereal. I can't eat eggs every day and I do Protein shakes 3-4 times a week since it is easy. Yogurt is a common breakfast, too. Ideas, people?

I'm still not tired of protein shakes. I like to drink my breakfast. Later in the morning I like my Greek yogurt mixed w/either chopped pecans or Bear Naked protein granola. I sometimes make mini quiches - my favorite has onions, peppers, chopped ham and cheddar. As someone mentioned, non-traditional foods for breakfast are good and interesting. I've had my chili when I wanted something more substantial. :-)

Google Protein pancakes. You'll get a bunch of recipes. I haven't tried any yet, but it might be on my menu next weekend. Haven't really looked at the nuts,yet, so they may have too many carbs.... Actually, I've got Bob's Red Mill organic whole wheat pancake mix I might just add extra egg whites and unjury unflavored to and see how it turns out. Maybe make the pancakes thin, almost like a crepe and roll them up with Greek yogurt or cream cheese. That would cut the carbs a little. Mmmmmm. Now I'm hungry. Might not wait till next weekend.... And I know it's eggs, but Huevos Rancheros minus the tortilla has been a favorite of mine since puréed stage. I also mix turkey sausage, cheese and spinach in my eggs for a yummy scramble.

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?

Deb, You're new and I can't tell how far out from surgery you are. Are you still on any type of liquid or mushy diet? If so, follow your doctor's instructions on types of foods to eat to the letter. If not, I find that a Fiber One bar, Curves granola bar, or a half cup of Fiber One Cereal keeps me full in the morning, since there is more bulk to it and it takes longer to digest. Given what you have been eating, I am not surprised you are hungry. Plus, unless the yogurt is low sugar, it is going to give you a quick sugar boost and then a big dip that will make you really hungry and give you the shakes. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no snacking. Might as well tell me not to breathe. The idea of three meals of solid food every day is great in theory, if we had an hour to spend at each meal. Most of us don't, and that's why I count calories--to be sure I am eating enough to stop my hunger but not so much I can't continue to lose weight. If you aren't eating enough at a meal to stop your hunger, then you haven't finished the meal. If you haven't finished the meal and eat more, you're not snacking, you're still eating breakfast! There are as many theories on how to lose and not be hungry as there are bandsters. You need to find what works for YOU. What isn't going to work is to feel like you are starving all the time. Change up the types of foods you are eating, and find what will keep you satisfied while allowing you to lose weight.

I eat lean meats, greek yogurt, Ricotta, skim plus, egg beaters, cheese, nuts, cottage cheese, fish, an EAS AdvantEdge for breakfast. I'm hoping my body will just regulate itself.

First day on pureed today...made some ground turkey chili....needless to say was not ravenous all day today. In fact, I had the chili twice today (6-8 tsp each time) and less than a 1/4 cup of lowfat yogurt sweetened with xylitol. That's all I had to eat all day. Not bad at all. I'm the happiest (and least starving) I've been in weeks lol.

Thank you thank you thank you. I'm still on my third week so I will def try them... I'm tired of yogurts haha

Today I graduate to the full-liquids phase, woohoo! My info packet says that for the full liquids phase (2 weeks for me): Is a milk based diet which includes foods that are liquid or semiliquid and high in Protein, like cream Soups made with non fat milk, yogurt, fruit shakes with non fat milk. I'm starting to look at some yogurts and see that the Fage and Chobani plain have 7g sugar/carbs and anything with flavor has 14-15g of carbs and Dannon Light & Fit has 7-9g of sugar/carbs (but with flavors!). Although there are no guidelines listed in my packet, I'm assuming that I should be keeping low on the sugar here, right? Plain greek yogurt is pretty brutal for me, although I know I can get some of the flavored syrups and use that but the Dannon sounds okay. What types of yogurt did you eat early on? How much sugar was okay and did you have any reactions?

Read the above and take my other hand and hold on tight. The three of us can do this. When that food craving hits change the channel. Think of something else. Pre-plan what you will eat. When possible pre measure your food and have it ready to go. I have pouches of tuna in the cabinet. Pre measured portions of cottage cheese and yogurt in the refrigerator. I keep the family's Snacks out of my site. Portion control is big for me. I can easily overeat if I don't weigh and measure. YOU GOT THIS! Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

It's great to have such a great forum like this. As I was reading your post it was as if it was reading my own story. I had my surgery on 12/28/15. I feel like I am starving all day. Between sipping on water and protein throughout the day for breakfast I eat 1/2 Greek yogurt thinned with water. For lunch I eat 6oz blended split pea soup, and the same for dinner. Even after eating a whole 6oz I don't feel full. I read others stories and they say they are stuffed after 2oz or just a few bites. I see a lot of people say it's head hunger but it just does not seem like that's the case. Besides the pain and war wounds it doesn't feel like I had the surgery. I don't know why I thought by having surgery it would be different and I wouldn't be able to eat the amounts I am and would feel full and not want to eat like a lot of others I read out there. Very frustrating.

It's getting better everyday! I had a full nights rest and found getting up out of bed less painful...might even venture out a little today. I will definitely look into MyFitnessPal as soon as I post this...been hearing and reading quite a bit about it. Any help is a step in the right direction. This girl is looking forward to some greek yogurt. Ha I am excited we are close in surgery dates too! Karen, my name is Carol.

I am now one week out and I feel hunger often, too. I am taking omeprazole. i find that I need to eat every few hours, but I am fine with a yogurt or half a protein shake or some sugar free jello (that's about all I'm allowed on my plan as I'm still only allowed liquids for another week). It also helps to drink a lot, in small sips (so it doesn't hurt). It's hard when you see other people eat "real" food too, but that' not what causes the hunger - to me, that's just wishing I could have what they're having. The hunger is just hunger, unrelated to cravings (i'm having cravings for cheese, but I'm also having true hunger).

On the liquid diet? My weight center (MGH) allows broth, 1% or skim milk, tomato soup (no chunks), and low/no sugar high protein greek yogurts. And of course clear liquid options like sf popsicles and jello. But from what I see, diets tend to vary, so definitely refer to what your doctor gave you!

I had my surgery Sept 18th...I have had NO problems eating or drinking. I was in the hospital for 2 nights, and was able to eat all my Jello, broth and popcicles. I got home yesterday, and was told to be on full liquids ( 3 shakes a day and 1 liquid, like pudding or yogurt) but I am finding myself hungry. I have been adding about 5 saltine crackers with my shake because the shakes are not filling...I am using unjury fro my shakes and I drink 8 oz in about 20 minutes, but I am forcing myself to drink them slow. My question is, what did you guys do during this stage to fight the hunger? I notice that I cant eat as much, but there has been nothing I cant eat so far. I know I have to be careful because of the sutures and allow the band to heal...but I am finding this very difficult because I have tasted stuff and have no problem keeping it down...and I want more! What was your first week like post op? What was your diet consisted of? Thanks

Try to eat as healthy as possible and work out a lot. I eat a light fruit yogurt for breakfast. 4 strawberrys and 6 cheese cubes for lunch. Then I walk to the gym .5 miles and run 2 miles on the treadmil and walk back another .5 miles. I drink a lot of water!! Then I will do two scoops of protein in 16 oz of skim milk. When I go home from work I will usally eat a grilled chicken breast with some broccoli and maybe some long grain rice if I am really hungry. Then I will do 50 min of circuit training after my stomach has settled. I have lost 131 lbs in 8 months so it must work. Good luck to you I hope this information has helped you.

Im only1 week out and have lost 13 pounds, mostly Water weight, but Im on cream Soup, yogurt and pudding but Im not feeling the full sensation. I eat the recommended amounts which are 1/3- 1/2 cup a meal with no drinks. Now Im craving eggs!