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I am so ready to get started. I have family coming into town for Christmas. So I am going to enjoy myself and enjoy the family time. I am actually going to start my full liquid diet January 1,22. I figure why wait 4 days. I’m just going to do it. I am trying out different shakes, yogurts, and puddings now. I am very texture oriented. So this will be interesting. For those who work… how much time are you planning on taking off for recovery?

Don't stick to the 1/4 c every 3 hours. That's way too little food. You're almost two weeks out, you should be able to eat almost normally at this point. I'm two weeks out and I can eat 1-1.5 c of food per sitting (depending on the food) and my Dr. approves of this. It's normal nutrition. Ultimately you'll be looking for that amount per meal, 1-1.5 c. Eat when you are hungry, not by the clock. If you are truly hungry - eat. It will prevent you from feeling sick and prevent your sugar from tanking. Eat complex carbs and Protein to keep you fuller longer. Avoid Soups, yogurt, ice cream, Jello, anything that is liquid or liquid like because they'll slip right through. I find that soft cooked Pasta keeps me full for 4-5 hours, potatoes do the same thing (all approved Phase II foods). Soup makes me hungry an hour later. Protein shakes stave me off for about 2 hours. Start tracking your food - the time you eat it too - The Daily Plate is really good for this (there's even an iPhone app) - and that will help you figure out what keeps you fuller for longer so you can eat foods that will help you lose by keeping you full.

I haven't tried altering how I eat. I have seen some reports, but I'm already pretty low carb and eat very little gluten. Going vegetarian would be a strain for me. I really rely on the solid Protein to fill me up and keep me full. And def not vegan. I love my greek yogurt. Lynda

I can eat yogurt but I'm so sick of all the sweet because of these protein shakes. I drink vegetable broth because I don't eat meat and it fine I guess but I'm tired of everything and I'm struggling to get enough protein. Sent from my SM-G950U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Looks like your menu would be way more enjoyable with the yogurt and hot cereals. I start mine Wednesday I hope its not too difficult. Sent from my SM-N986U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sure people have posted this kind of thing before, but breakfast or lunch? I'm mostly at a loss for breakfast. I'm 7 weeks out and I suppose I'm still on soft foods? I'm gluten free. Anyway, I know a lot of us do shake for the protein boost and I do that often but that can get boring and I do eggs all kinds of ways. What else? I'm a good cook, but I hate cottage cheese so that's out. It's like bariatric breakfast seems like shakes and eggs and I know more than that. LUnch? I guess my brain is drawing a blank. I am not a fan of salad (yes, I know) I just can't think of stuff that's new and interesting. Looking back it looks I eat leftover breakfast, yogurt, some low fat chees, shakes. I need variety! So basically i just want to know, what do YOU eat?

I’m on day 5 post op. Everything seems to be going pretty well. My Dr has moved me to phase 2 eating, creamy soups, yogurts ith fruit flavor no pieces of fruit. Also soft boiled egg To go along with my protein shakes. I started my bariatric vitamins B12 dissolveable tablet, Calcium Citrate 1000mg chewable(not so great) and a multi that looks like a starburst candy!!!! So far I have been walking abouT 1.5-2 miles each morning( not today 12in snow) I find it easier to drink while on my walk rather than sitting down. I have to say that I am not hungry at all. I know I have to eat which I am doing getting in 60-80g protein and 64 oz liquids. It’s just weird that I’m not looking to graze in the fridge!!!! Also I am keeping a food journal, times and how much and protein taken in and am also using Baritastic app to track weight and goals and food as well. Might be a little over kill the journal but for now I seem to like it. Just wanted to share my first week with everyone because I’m proud of the work I’m doing!!!!

Wow Im so happy I found this forum and topic!! Im a 30 BMI 5’ 3 170 and have dieted since I was 12. A few years ago I reached my highest weight ever of 229 but that was pregnant. my skin has been stretched out terrible. I lost 70lbs after losing the baby weight of 29lbs. So I got down to 130. But of course Im back up again. My pre diabetes keeps coming and going depending on my current weight. I honestly can’t handle it anymore. I eat 80 percent paleo not sugar or breads. No soda. I mean CLEAN!! But the scale keeps creeping up. I can’t work out like I use to do some health issues and joint pain. I don’t dare tell anyone because of the shame I feel about getting this done. I wanted to be a health coach and now Im having surgery. Its hard to explain. No one knows but my husband. So I have you guys to talk too. Im headed to Mexico next month to have surgery with Dr. Ponce at INT. Any advice on pre op and post op would be most appreciated. Im afraid of getting hypoglycemia after surgery. Also will I be able to work out hard like running and stay hydrated down the road? Im worried about throwing up and having acid reflex the rest of my life and regretting my decision. My doctor wants me to do 3 days before surgery of just yogurt and water. Is that really necessary? Also 10 days liquids. That freaks me out!!

Today I am 45 days out. I take my vitamins daily, get my fluids in with no problem and am tolerating food very well. I almost feel like I'm doing too well...reading some of the things on here have me perplexed. I have to remind myself that everyone is different, everyone heals differently. I'm down 38 pounds. Whenever I get the thought in my mind that I am not progressing fast enough I remind myself that this is the most weight I have lost in ages. I continue to gain and lose the same five pounds, then it finally falls off. Then I plateau and gain/lose the next 5 pounds. Like I said, its frustrating me to no end, but I am trying to be realistic with myself. Slow and steady wins the race, and I am giving my skin time to adjust to the loss as well. Observations and Weird sensations: Sometimes I can barely finish a yogurt while other times I can eat quite a bit more. (For example, a bean burrito from taco bell or a 6 inch sub on flatbread from Subway) I can feel the food shift in my stomach; I've never had that sensation before. Sadly, the sleeve doesn't get rid of PMS cravings. I still have to fight myself about eating crap. The difference is now I can talk myself out of it 95% of the time whereas before I was 95% sure I would eat it anyway. Since I am not consistently on sugar/carbs like I used to be I can actually feel myself crash from eating something carb/sugar rich. It's enough to make me not want to eat them. I've found if I've eaten a few bites too much, I can get rid of that feeling much faster by walking. Walking actually helps move my food. Before surgery, walking while I was stuffed was sheer torture. If I was overly full, I would feel that way for a long time. a couple hours even, before I would get any relief, I definitely feel restriction. I eat maybe a 1/4 to an 1/8 of what I used to. I can't throw up. I've had the sensation a few times and even tried to on one occasion that I overdid it by accident. I didn't feel the restriction til it was too late. I've since learned to slow down when I eat so I have time for my body to signal to me. But the point is, I used to be able to puke almost on command. Not so much anymore. Its not really worth going out to eat at a sit down restaurant. I cant eat like the rest of the folks. While that is a exhilarating feeling, I found myself sulking because I couldn't eat my favorite meal at Chuy's. I had to laugh at myself like really, Tracy? You have wanted to be thinner for years and now that you have the chance you are crying about a chimichanga? I still have to silence my inner fat kid on the daily. I'm hoping that becomes less and less. I didn't realize just how addicted i was to food and food routines. I'm slowly re-learning how to have fun without food or booze and how to incorporate exercise into daily life again.

You are so lucky. My problem is with my appetite this past week or so. I am not hungry. I drink water when I can. I notice that when I put ice in my water I drink it more easily. I have a b12 vitamin patch now and I take centrum. Tomorrow is my first post op appointment. Let's see what the doctor tells me. I love herbalife shakes and I am going to use them as my protein shakes. I tried other brands and don't like the taste. Yes the chicken broth is great. I will definitely try the Chobani low fat yogurts. Thank you so much.

A few types of ready made protein drinks, water enhancer with electrolytes, yogurt, gelatin, teas, bone broth and a sugar substitute

My pre op papers have me eating yogurt, cottage cheese and diet pudding, fruit and cheeses, is this normal for pre op, btw I'm having the sleeve done Monday 20th. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi I'm only on day 4 of my presurgery diet but these are how they are for me I LIKE*** premier protein caramel- also good in decaf coffee-makes me forget it has no caffeine premier protein peach and cream'-reminds me of Orange circus peanut candies premier 🍌 and cream svelte French vanilla soy shake- lower protein, can't taste the soy- never upset my tummy yet muscle milk strawberry muscle milk blueberry yogurt smoothie Protein 20 mixed berry water Things just comme ci comme ca premier protein strawberries and cream vanilla premier protein - rountinely hate most all vanilla drinks- thick, white and tasteless All Adkins thus far Slimfast advanced Run very fast away from* ! Equate caramel and its Equate brethren Like to try* Powdered with a nut milk like almond , soy or Fairlife milk Can't disrespect anyone's chocolate formulations- I am very allergic to chocolate And those are Frustr8's Findings😛🌟😛

This is unusal, my doc recently told me the band doesn't loosen after you have lost the fat that was under the band. Maybe you have replaced that with muscle as you work to tighten up. If you are able to get lunch and dinner in I don't think I would worry. Maybe the coffee can be replaced with tea, no creamers and it's more "water like". Also, maybe yogurt in the AM for the protein. If you can"t eat lunch, at least call the doc. Good luck.

So my first day on puréed and I've had some refried Beans,wonderful!!! Tonight for supper I chose to eat some Greek yogurt, my NUT said today I prob wouldn't be able to eat the 5oz container, I've been eating on it slowly and I've eaten the 5oz within an hour, slowly and one small bitty bite at a time!! If I'm able to eat the 5oz like that I won't stretch or hurt anything will I? Cause I'm thinking that my stomach is emptying before I'm putting in the next tiny bite! I'm not having any pain with it, and I've not had a drop of anything to drink!!! I know people get tired of the same type questions, sorry just trying to reassure myself Kim

Hi! I was banded 4/20 and would love to have some friends to share the journey. I'm in Oklahoma City. I get liquids only for the 1st 2 weeks and then get to start adding yogurt, oatmeal, etc. My issue is feeling nauseated after "eating" and being tired all the time.

I am in Bandster Hell also!!! What a crazy process this is!!! I feel full all the time no hunger pains but I feel like I am going to starve and get dehydrated. I feel exhausted by 5pm! How can a human live on under 500/day for over a week. Diet prescribed by my surgeon: 5-7 days liquid diet (water and whey protien drinks only) 5-7 days soft food diet (low fat refried Beans, pudding, Jello, yogurt, and cottage cheese). Solid diet after that Thank God Bandster Hell is not permanant

I posted this earlier today on another thread and it kindof fits here: "Last week I went to Boise to see my Grandkids. Great time and great kids but I ate like I just got off Survivor Island. Over 2 1/2 days I ate: 2 bags of chips and dip Appetizer and a plate of Pad Thai at Thai restaurant 3-4 country donuts see video! Ham sandwich and more chips 2 bowls of Cereal large bowl of frozen yogurt(various flavors) 3 pancakes smothered in syrup, two eggs, pile of hashbrowns and 4 sausages Red Robin fish and chips, 4 deep fried onion rings and a large pumpkin pie milkshake 2 helpings of lasagna 12 small snicker(Halloween size) bites I had gained 9 lbs by time I got home Monday. Every day since, I've lost weight(not fat) and I"m back down that 9 lbs. It was all Water retention. Processed foods will do it every time. Great video but not for the faint of heart: 2012-09-30 09.15.32.mov

This post was started a long time ago but I thought I would share what I use since I no longer take chewables. I cant even stand the taste of Flinestones Vitamins and the gummies hurt my teeth for some weird reason. I started taking a new Vitamin line about 1 month ago and so far love it. Its called Thrive by Le-vel, it also has a probiotic that is equal to 1600 cups of yogurt so for me its perfect! I had a baby almost 1 year ago and had a life threatening condition that caused me to lose a lot of blood and I became very anemic, so these vitamins are exactly what I have been looking for. I literally cant swallow regular prenatal vitamins as the make me gag, but Thrive is small capsules, a mineral mix and wearable nutrition patch so I have zero issues with gagging!! Anyways just thought I would share and maybe this will help others. you can check it out at www.702layla.le-vel.com

Oh yeah, I definitely intend to get yogurt as well. Oatmeal is just cheaper right now and easier to stock up on without fear of expiration while I'm pre-op. Plus the only flavors in sugar free were maple brown sugar and apples and cinnamon, both of which are bleh to me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I didn't eat either early out. I still really don't eat them at 17 months out, although I probably could. I occasionally mix a tablespoon of oatmeal into my yogurt and let it sit in the fridge overnight - but that's about the extent of it.

I switched to Unjury brand. The unflavored can be added to whatever you like. *I routinely put a little extra in my greek yogurt to make it "super yogurt". When I was still on liquid diet, I'd make "protein jello" or pudding with extra protein with it (SF, of course). Unjury also has a chicken soup flavored one. It's a little high in sodium, but when you've just had enough of the sweet protein drinks, it's very satisfying. Caution: putting Unjury in liquids >140 degrees makes it sort of curdle. So, I wouldn't cook with it or put it in extra hot water/milk. The hot water dispenser out of the company coffee maker seemed just perfect. If I was at home, I would temp check before adding the Unjury.

I am 5 days post op today from the sleeve. I had a horrible experience and wanted to share to see if anyone else had the same experience. Surgery Day- I woke up after surgery, I was shivering so bad and I was in severe pain at my stomach site. Day 1 post op- there was 1 day I was in the hospital and I slept most of this day as I was in severe pain. Did not drink anything Day 2- i again was not able to eat or drink anything. I got released from the hospital, went home and felt horrible. I could not keep anything down. I was throwing up from the medicine and had a fever. So we went back to the hospital where they readmitted me. Day 3- I was in severe pain again, and dry heaving since I had nothing in my system to throw up. I was only able to drink about 4 or 5 oz of water. I wanted nothing to do with the crystal light or the broth the hospital gave me. Day 4- I thankfully was able to drink some more water today, around 18oz. Finally was released late afternoon. Still feeling sore but a little better Day 5- I am feeling better, not as sore but the gas pains are still a huge factor and painful!!! I was able to manage about 20oz or so of water, I did not have any broth or any other clear liquids. I did have one small spoon of Greek yogurt. I hope this process gets easier!!! Let me know if you guys had any complications and how you overcame them!!

Seems carb heavy. Fruit or raisins for a snack would just make me want more carbs. Crackers and cheese for lunch, well there are just better options. Stick to the basics. Proteins like chicken, fish, lean meat. Eat it on some salad if you like. Carrot stuffing, potatoes, etc.....carb, carb, carb. It is just my opinion but I’d back down the carbs while you are still so soon out from surgery. You don’t need potatoes, or stuffing.You need protein, and non starchy veggies, maybe a few berries if room. Why not some Greek yogurt for a snack?

It's normal so early on to feel exhausted because of the low calorie intake. Based on your current meals of 3 shakes and a yogurt, you're at about 700 calories which is truly not enough for the human body to function like normal. I had 2 1/2 weeks off and got back to work, I was dead tired by the end of the work day, and I have a office job (wish i could have taken more time off). When I moved to Pureed foods it helped and brought in a few more calories and started adapting. It also takes a few weeks for your body to adjust to the lower intake. Hang in there.