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The funny thing, is that the dr has had me on meats since day 6. I try EVERYTHING. I have had problems only with crab so far (or it was a coincidance) I can eat eggs,bacon, chicken, beef, cheese, turkey, cereal (dr said high fiber) he has me off shakes and yogurt, but I went back to yogurt because I NEED a little something for when nothing else works. Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

I’m struggling right now too. I’m not regretting but wishing there was a fast forward. Like you I take adderall for adhd and had similar eating pattern before starting this process with not eating much during the day but then a huge meal in evening -often a take away when the adderall wears off. I’m having a bit of the opposite problem. I’m finding food really unappealing right now. Just looking at a piece of meat (especially grilled chicken and Turkey meatballs)or smelling it is enough to turn me off. I’m struggling to tolerate vegetables, I’m still experiencing nausea semi regularly. Worse than all of those things I have really low energy. I may be 60lbs lighter than I was 6 months ago when I had my first consultation with my surgeon but I the tiredness I feel 10 weeks out from surgery is as if I was still dragging that weight around. I try to be very active and truly enjoy excercise esp swimming and weightlifting which I do in the mornings but by 4pm the exhaustion strikes and by 6p it’s like the thought of getting out of bed let alone preparing dinner feels like a gargantuan task. I’m exceeding my Protein and hydration targets and feel like I’m following all the rules, the weight loss feels controlled and stable, but I now seem to dread eating and am dreaming of the days I’ll see my pre surgery energy level. So even know I remain positive about the outlook overall in future, real time feelings in the present moment are like you somewhat miserable. And you know what, I think it’s okay to feel that way and not pretend everything is great. The reality is change comes from struggle and rewriting a lifetime of psychologically treating food as a comfort or enemy, or indulgence rather than what it truly is - the fuel for our bodies - at least for me probably requires this misery to reset. Wishing you some comfort to cravings. One food joy I was able to find was creating a Greek yogurt topping bar, having previously never liked Greek yogurt this now is a bright spot in my food day. I hope can find at least one comfort like me. Early on I did also have mental craving for egg rolls and other normal foods so I think what you experiencing is probably normal - since you mentioned Chinese I’m linking to a recipe that satisfied that craving for me. You should be able to have it as soon as you are allowed veg. https://stylishcravings.com/low-carb-easy-make-egg-roll-bowl/ Again hoping you find comfort soon and if you ever need to vent feel free to message me.

I am not using any protein shakes or liquid protein at the moment, though I do recommend checking out Isopure drinks (available at vitamin shops / GNC) if you're looking for an alternative to shakes. My surgeon does not support liquid protein drinks/shakes in general, though the nutritionist says to use them in a pinch if I'm not able to get protein in "the old fashioned way". So far, the old fashioned way hasn't been a problem for me. My surgeon starts us on pureed foods right after surgery. For me, that means the Vitamix is getting a serious workout. My current favorite protein sources are: homemade spicy chicken taco/burrito meat with salsa homemade chicken salad cheesy scrambled eggs refried beans greek yogurts of all flavors fortified chocolate milk (1C skim milk + 3T of powdered milk + 3T sugar-free Hershey's syrup = delicious!) PB2 (powdered peanut butter or powdered chocolate peanut butter) I will also run soups through the blender as well, though I am happier with more flavorful options above. Hope this helps!

Please don't push your new pouch... you are pretty new out of surgery, and your nerves haven't healed enough to tell your brain that your pouch is full... bananas are full of sugar. Sure, you may not have dumped this time, and you many never, but it's not protein forward. I understand that some doctors allow things like bananas, but I doubt he suggested a whole one. Try things like cottage cheese, eggface's ricotta bake (google it), Oikos triple zero yogurt, hummus, mashed beans. Get your brain onboard with your new lifestyle changes, and it'll make it easier for you in the long run.

Recently, I was reading the back of a Special K® Protein cereal box and saw a statement that lack of sleep can increase the feeling of hunger by 25 percent. Since I’m in a profession that is science based, I did some research on the National Library of Medicine website to verify this. I didn’t find the study that supported detailed that 25 percent increase in hunger when you don’t sleep enough. However, there were several areas where researchers are linking poor sleep and weight gain. If you are tired, you usually don’t feel like exercising. You move less, so you burn fewer calories. Being tired makes you more likely to choose a food like cake instead of salad. There were a couple of studies that did find an increase in ghrelin after poor sleep. Ghrelin is the gut hormone that makes you hungry. Sounds like the perfect storm for weight gain, right? You produce less ghrelin after surgery, which leads to less food intake. Part of weight loss after surgery is that you produce less ghrelin, which leads to less food intake. If eating more healthfully is a challenge for you, it may be that you need to start with better sleeping habits. By the way, that Special K protein cereal is a great add-in to light Greek yogurt. This is a great snack before surgery and about two months after surgery. Happy Zzzz’s!

I'm taking Solaray capsules and open them into my drinkable yogurt. Makes for gritty yogurt, but doesn't add any taste. I'm taking 500mg 2x day and supposedly the vitamin D in the yogurt helps with absorption.

This may sound harsh, but I'm going to address your concerns honestly, based on my success and what this whole process has taught me: You need to see your nutritionist right away. I think you are likely making some poor food choices and that is why you aren't seeing much weight loss. Are you staying away from carbs? Sounds like you need more Protein. Cheerios are not a good bet for Breakfast. Keep the eggs, but try maybe yogurt, kefir, or some other protein instead of any Cereal. It is important for your metabolism to keep eating. Why are you getting more fills if you can't eat that much already? You should be able to eat 1/4-1/2c food at a meal. Any less and you may be too tight. You shouldn't be in any pain or nausea. Maybe you should add in a Protein shake here or there to keep your metabolism up. Snacks aren't vital, but at least 3 meals are. And, are you exercising or at least walking? It is vital too. I don't think your food allergies should hinder your success, since you need to concentrate on the protein. But all in all, like I said, you need to see your nutritionist asap, and s/he can help you build a food plan that will work. It WILL WORK! Good luck!!

Hey guys! Just thought I'd share my first week with the band... I started my mushy stage yesterday and I've been cooking up a storm! I made Turkey Taco Chili, Cream of Zucchini Soup and Curried Chickpeas with Quinoa. I blended half and left half of the batches whole and froze it for the soft foods stage in a weeks time. I'm finding it hard to eat so far just because I'm simply not hungry (unlike the first week when I was getting pretty sick of clear soups). What a bizarre thing!!! A typical day has been a protein shake in the morning (takes me a long time to finish), 1-2 cups of mushy food and 1/2 cup of apple sauce or yogurt a day. I'm taking multi vitamins and fibre supplements too. I've been eating out of a 1 cup bowl and baby spoon to re-train myself with these new portions. It takes me a while to eat too, another thing to get used to, haha! The first three days post op were pretty uncomfortable and I was in pain. Hurt to breathe, gas pain in my shoulders etc. I took tylenol, gravel and codeine days 1-7 but I'm just dealing with incision pain now (I was banded on Sept. 26th). I have a post op appointment with Dr. Woo next week. I have been able to sleep in my bed on my side for the past two nights but still have discomfort when I have to roll over or wake up on my stomach and when I'm showering. I haven't had any problems getting food stuck but I have also been chewing consciously and haven't been eating until I'm full... just the cup of food that fills my baby bowl and Im done, no if's and's or but's! The feeling of food passing through the band makes me very "aware" when I eat now, not painful or anything, I can just feel it so it reminds me to slow down and listen to my body. So far, so good!

Oh my, I would love have loved a lean cuisine at the beginning. My diet consists of 3 protein shakes per day, up to 2 "snacks" (like 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt or 1/2 cup low fat cream soup, 1/2 cup no-sugar-added applesauce, or, if I'm feeling particularly famished, 4 oz pure fruit juice), and unlimited sugar-free, zero-calorie liquids (like crystal light, broth, Propel Zero, etc.). I go to clear liquids the whole day before surgery, and then on the day of surgery just water from midnight to 7am (my surgery is at 11am). So far I'm surviving. When I remember to have my 3 protein shakes per day, and space them out at regular intervals, as well as take advantage of the two snacks per day (yogurt is the most filling) my hunger is much better controlled.

Thanks everyone! i am feeling much better today but very hungry! not stomach wise but mentally i want to eat something!! pain is better, gas is gone, almost threw up earlier because i had some yogurt and was forced to run around after my dog that got out. NOT A GOOD IDEA! i was very upset. i have been sleeping A LOT! i guess it is part of the healing process...im not sure if i am getting enough food in my system. its hard to judge!

Casper, Im doing good. Im doing soft foods, only for a few days so far. I had some trouble yesterday with pain during eating so I am going to back off today and do Protein shakes and maybe some yogurt and try again tomorrow. Overall pretty good though. I am able to exercise-just walking- 45-60 minutes at a time and feel good with that. I am back to work half days this week and that is also going well. I do take a nap in the afternoon though. Next week I am back to full time and actually have to travel to a conference so I will need to do some planning this weekend for the food portion. What about you?

Soexcited - I'm totally with you! I only had to do one week of pre op and lost 9 pounds. Since surgery (2 weeks tomorrow) I have only lost 6. Well 6 one day. 4 the next. I have been going up and down 1-2 pounds for past week. I realize I have added mushies, but I am still eating under 900 calories a day and exercising.... so I'm not sure why I'm not losing. This is my typical day: 8 AM: Protein shake (160 cal, 15 gr protein) 11AM: 1/4 cup canned chicken w sprinkle shredded cheese or 1/4 cup chili (120 cal, 10-15 gr protein) 3PM: Protein Shake (160 cal, 15 gr protein) 6PM: 1/4 chili or 1/4 cup canned salmon (80-120 cal, 8-10 gr protein) 9PM: protein shake (160 cal, 15 gr protein) That's 710 calories and 60-70 gr of protein. I may have a 1/2 cup of oatmeal or yogurt on mornings when the shake doesnt "do it" for me, so maybe an additional 50 calories.... I think I'm going to email the nurtritionist and see what's going on. Maybe I need to UP my calories....

My surgeon only restricted me to Clear Liquids while in the hospital but once discharged, he had me on phase 3 which includes full liquids, purees/mushy/soft foods like cottage cheese, yogurt, tuna. I was sleeved just over a week ago and stuck with full liquids, pureed soups, and yogurt the first week but I recently had some pureed tuna w/mayo, pureed rotisserie chicken with gravy and everything has been fine.

I didn't progress through any of my food stages early. Even though I "felt" fine, who knows what was really going on on the inside. It wasn't worth risking my healing or causing a leak just so I could chew food one day sooner, you know? I actually never once pureed anything during my pureed phase. I drank my Protein shakes, had strained cream soups a LOT, and used the recipes on Shelly's page (mostly the baked ricotta) here: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html I did a lot of cottage cheese and yogurt. And once I was allowed soft foods, a lot of scrambled eggs and soft cheeses.

I didn't have a purer phase but I ate (and still eat) a lot of Greek yogurt and cottage cheese.

As you begin the process of weight loss by changing what you eat, you’ll quickly feel better (and lighter). For example, look at the difference in what you now purchase at the grocery store since your operation--you see much more ‘real food’ and far fewer pre-packaged items in the grocery cart now, that's for sure. But fruits, vegetables, protein drinks and lean cuts of meat cost more than pre-packaged junk food, which can be attributed to one of the reasons some lower income people lose the battle with obesity. Since you’ve made a decision to change your life, including what you eat, you’re going to be buying several of these healthier options in bulk, as they will serve as the new staples in your nutrition plan. Your dietitian and bariatric support team will prescribe some foods and drinks that you will consume just about every day so it makes sense to buy these items in volume. I love Facebook. It’s a way I can stay in touch with my patients (and their families) here in New Jersey between office visits and once they are on maintenance after reaching goal weight. I recently posted a query asking my post-op patients what healthy staple items they buy from the big warehouse stores—BJ’s, Costco, Sam’s Club--and I received many helpful responses that I’d like to share with you. Armed with these terrific recommendations below, you’ll eat healthier, save time, money and require fewer trips to the grocery store during your weight loss journey. “What "go-to" items do you purchase from warehouse stores since weight loss surgery?” · Premier protein shakes · Protein bars · Sam’s chicken sausage with mozzarella · Muscle Milk · Liter bottles of water · Optimum Nutrition protein powders · Frozen Mahi Mahi filets · Cranberry almond chicken salad in 4 oz. cups. · Chicken breasts and ground turkey · Baby Bell light cheese · Frozen veggies · Veggie burgers · Salmon fillets · Fresh spinach · Probiotic 10 and Fiber Gummies · Ready-to-eat veggie tray · Gold Standard Whey, Kirkland Fiber Caps, Opti-Fiber, Kirkland Calcium Citrate · Mini cucumbers · Bagged chopped kale salad · Kirkland plain Greek yogurt · Kirkland citrus green tea, Crystal Light · Figgy Pops, Healthy Choice fudge bars · Quinoa · Chia seeds If you are a member of these clubs, take an hour or two and really peruse the aisles in search of healthy products that support your nutrition plan. Keep in mind, many food items can be frozen and thawed when you need it to avoid spoilage. Ask your IWL dietitian for more ideas or bring in a sample of a food or drink you’re not sure of (take a screen shot of the nutrition label before you buy it). If you’d like to friend me on Facebook, I can be found here.

I hated greek yogurt (and barely could tolerate regular yogurt) pre - surgery. Now I love greek yogurt! I buy plain and mix in my own sweetners (splenda, sugar-free jam, once I tried SF hot chocolate powder) all of it has been pretty good. I also add crushed nuts and/or whey Protein crisps for additional texture. One time I accidently bought full fat greek yogurt, IT WAS SOOOO GOOD, super duper creamy (less tart)! Just didn't like all the fat grams in each serving, something like 23 gr. I have noticed alot of taste bud changes since surgery, all for the better, healthy foods taste and feel better.

Ok... which Grocers do you find this Fage? I've never seen it before, and I'd like to try it. I'm out of Greek Yogurt and I'd really like the 2% plain so that I can add my flavors myself next time.

The yogurt that tastes so wonderful right out of the container has already been flavored and sweetened...ya know? ANY plain yogurt tastes disgusting, whether it's Greek or not. On the other hand, it makes a fantastic substitute for sour cream! Try adding some sweetener and flavoring (I like to just use vanilla and Splenda or Truvia).

Hi I'm looking to find a good yogurt that's sugar free or some with very little if any surgery that's recommended by your nutritionist after surgery

I had my surgery 11/17. Was on clear liquids Wed. and Thursday, then moved to full liquids, which really helped the little bit of hunger I was starting to feel. I am just taking it kinda slow. There is no way I can eat the 1/2 cup of yogurt or sugar free fat free pudding im allowed! Am already loving this band thing...lol I feel a good amount of restriction. Its probably due to swelling, but hey, ill take restriction any way I can.... Pain wise, im doing well. A little pain when getting up from something low but other wise not bad. Never have had pain in the stomach area, just in the port site. Goin back to work Monday, but I have a desk job for the most part. Got my pedometer ready to walk on my breaks.. MD says work up to 2 miles a day asap! Well... off to get 1/2 cup of decaf coffee..... Everyone have a blessed day!

skinnygirl, sorry for the delayed response...I agree that we all should share all the do's and the don'ts!!! I have had 3 fills to get to the 5 cc's..I have great restriction now. I see my doctor every month regardless if I need to or not..which I like! I will start with the bad..I use pineapple juice if I get stuck..which has only happened 4 times. The pineapple juice works wonderfully..relief within minutes!! Exercise...I walk and I walk daily..that and chase my 2 year old son around. Once the weather gets a little warmer I will swim. My doctor pushes walking and I agree with him. I am starting to carry hand weights but that is it. I do like to ride bicycles but my husband has a bad knee so we don't do that as often as I would like. Diet..I am not a morning eater (just how I was raised) so Monday-Friday..protein shake--Myoplex Lite 20gr protein...Sat & Sun omelet (I have more time to make it). Lunch Tuna or Chicken Salad either made with mayo or cottage cheese, cheese, egg & relish with a couple of crackers or 2 pieces of cheese rolled up in deli meat or salad. For snacks I eat Chobani yogurt or SF pudding. Now for dinner...the one thing that as soon as got off of mushies after surgery I committed to myself and my family was this was a lifetime committment not a diet. I prepare dinner for all of us quite similar to before being banded only I eat a much smaller portion. I also may make it a little more healthier. I can eat pretty much anything..I haven't tried steak..but..last night we had BBQ Chicken, tator tots, green beans. I had..2 oz of chkn, 1/4 cup of green beens and 3 tator tots and was full. My family was thrilled and they were able to put on more BBQ sauce if they wanted..mine had the flavor on it. I also have found some different recipes that we have tried..we vote on them..some we make again..others we don't. I hope this helps!! If you ever want to talk you can reach me at dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com

Hi Happy! I have 4.5cc's in my 10cc band now. How about you? how many cc's do you have? I got my 2nd fill just this last Monday and have done OK the last 3 days I have not been feeling hungry till around 2 or 3pm today I had a yogurt for breakfast, a iceopure for a snack, about 4 oz of turkey meatloaf for lunch a stick of 60cal cheese for a snack and then for dinner I had chicken & cottage cheese. How are your food days? What are you eating? My problem is STILL night...candy still just slides on down!

If you are talking about unjury Unflavored? I mixed it in chicken broth soup, tomato soup, really any kind of Soups. Yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, milk, smoothies. I even heard someone say in their tea and coffee....

Today is much better! I can drink my coffee and plan to have my yogurt and blueberries mixed together (my fav. morning treat!). I really do think I am either in the green zone or at least very close! I am glad I went-even stepped on the scale today to see 2 more pounds gone! I really think the gym has helped with getting my sluggish metabolism going. After a long plateau things are finally starting to kick in! Melissa-I am going to New Orleans on Thursday for 2 nights and then sailing out to Mexico for 4 nights-I can't wait!! I would have preferred to have my fill last week but the doc was on vacation. Where are you cruising too? By Feb. you will be in excellent cruise shape!! Dave- These guys were so proud and they were actaually talkingto a young girl who was filling out a form for the Lapband. I personally don't think she will qualify because she didn't look like she had much to lose. It was really good to hear 2 guys with 100+ weight lost-and you too!! I have heard so many people say it was the best decision of their life-and I really feel like I am beginning to understand why!