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I am lucky to eat most my meals at work and they usually have some type of meat that I can eat. If not there is soup and the good old favorite cottage cheese. If I buy any food for days off/snack it is usually Greek yogurt. I am bad about not getting in enough protein so I have to start buying drinks and bars to help.

I just had an endoscopy with dilation this past Wednesday. My symptoms were fairly frequent vomiting, trouble eating some solids, and strangely enough trouble with water. The only things that I could keep down consistently were smoothies ( Greek yogurt, frozen strawberries, ice and diet cran-grape juice) and protein bars. Seems to be a little better. May have to go back for a second dilation but the procedure was very easy, no pain and minimal discomfort afterwards.

Yes I still measure everything and log it all on myfitnesspal. For example, the taco meal, I almost finished my dish of 1.5 oz meat, a Tbsp beans, tbsp yogurt. Spaghetti squash, I do about 1/3 c meat and space with a heaping Tbsp squash. Fake lasagna, 1/4 c cottage cheese, 2 Tbsp sauce, 8 turkey pepperoni cut up, 3/4 oz mozzarella. Grilled or roasted chicken, 1 to 1-1/2 oz plus a few bites of the veggie. Hope that helps.

Thanks everyone for the support, I am a week post op on mushy foods. I don't see my doctor until 6 weeks out. Is it normal to be hungry because I don't get my first fill until January 16, 2014. I have read that people feel stuck but I have not experienced this. I don't eat more than a 1/2 cup at one setting but I don't have had any problems. I have been eating popsicles, muscle milk Protein shakes, broth, creamy Soups, crystal light, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. Also, Once I start regular foods will I be able to eat sandwiches. I am so craving bread and rice. I don't want to eat Protein Shakes forever. When did everyone start working out. I am thinking about starting to go back to the gym doing just the elliptical or the treadmill for 45 minutes.

FYI for the first week I was on clear liquids broth (though stock tastes way better), sugar free popsicles, and sugar free jello. Second week I could add tomato soup and yogurt. So depending how many days since your surgery I would be careful about moving to a puree type soup. At three weeks I was allowed to add ricotta, cottage cheese, tofu, and thin mashed potatoes/yams. I had my post op consult today and tried to get approval to put regular food in the blender. REJECTED.:cursing: No mushies for my doctor.

I am considering VSG surgery, and I want to know if I will be able to continue to drink Green Smoothies (greens and fruit in blender); I drink one every day and don't know how to live without them! Also, I want to know why the surgeons say people lose 70 - 80% of their weight. I don't want to do something this drastic unless I have a chance to lose all my weight! (53 year old female, 150 lbs overweight). And do I have to do protein shakes? I hate them...but love greek yogurt. I am willing to do some things I don't like of course. I have tried everything and am tired of being obese.

I was sleeved 6/14 and I am able to eat meats. I don't eat much beef though...whenever I do it feels hard to swallow even if I chew chew chew .. im mostly eating fish and chicken with my veggies...I don't know how much calories I eat in a day im guessing between 500-800. I also drink premier Protein and I think im lactose intolerant whenever I drink the shake or have yogurt or Cereal with milk I get cramps. it doesn't stop me from drinking the shakes tho... just trying to get a much protein as possible.. I hope your able to eat meats again.. I know your tastes change after the surgery because mine have good luck to you!!

Did you use a food processor or blender? I found that meats were much easier when ground. I had a week of serious food aversions after surgery (July 12) but made myself eat and got over it. What about Beans, yogurt, etc? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I did it last week for the first time. It worked really well! I fell off the wagon and needed to get back on. I did mostly shakes, soup, yogurt. I can tell the difference!

Chewing food really good is not the same as a mushie/puree diet. I don't mean this to sound harsh but you have two choices- stick to your post op diet as directed or risk messing up your stomach and band. The post op diet is there for healing, not losing, and it's imperative that you stick to your doctor's instructions to give your newly sutured stomach time to heal. Hunger is normal. It sucks but we all went through it and survived. You will survive too. Stick to your puree food. Blending things like plain yogurt and cottage cheese into cream soups not only helps control hunger but gives you extra Protein too. You could even put chili through the blender. Really, anything that is the consistency of baby food or you put through a blender to make it that consistency is allowed on the puree/mushie stage. Best wishes.

I think the doctors are crazy in thinking we can get by without snacks. The obesity clinic where I get my fills at even recommend a snack. I normally eat breakfast at 6:00 am and then around 9:30 or 10 have a lite snack. Then have lunch around noonish and a late afternoon snack. Dinner is usually 6ish and then I'm fine. I'm not one who has problems with eating before bedtime. The key with this is to have a healthy snack. It might be a lite string cheese or a lite activia yogurt, a handful of dry roasted edamame, or 1/2 serving of 100 cal bag of popcorn. Even with my snacks I'm able to keep my calories between 800-1000 most days.

We share a sleeve date! I'm not trying too many new foods yet. I do 6 mini meals a day. Some stand bys for me are hot choc /decaf (15g) . 2 light mozzarella string cheese (12g). Chobani Lemon Greek Yogurt (15g). Boars Head Ever-roast deli Chicken 2 oz (13g). Al Fresco chicken sausage (14g). Morningstar Spicy Black Bean Burger (11g).1 pouch tuna/1/2 c 1% cottage cheese (31g). Gortons Simply Bake Tilapia (20g). Unjury protein powder 1 scoop/8 oz skim milk (29g) and sometimes I add 2 T of PB2 which brings it to 34g. Each one of these standbys is 1 mini meal for me. I don't have room for anything after eating it. Don't eat them all on the same day but keep my cals under 900 for the day. I shoot for 90g a day. Good luck with your journey sis! Sorry for the run on paragraph. My enter key is not working ONLY on this website. Hopefully tech will get it figured out as it does curtail me from posting as often as I like.

Im also about two weeks out. As far as feeling full i have read on other threads a lot that you dont really have the fullness feeling till your on solid foods. My full liquid diet sample meal plan has me eatting something every 1-1 1/2 hours and water inbetween. But that changes when you are back on solids. I just work on my liquid intake and vitamins and have soups, pudding or yogurts as meals. Also i left the hospital on stage three full liquids. Aldo have a nutribullet that works wonders on soups so my stomach has work.

I love to eat yogurt with granola in it for breakfast. I also sometimes have some mixed fruit with some string cheese. Or oatmeal with an egg and cheese on the side. ~~~Stephanie

Before I can even eat anything, I need to drink coffee or tea. This kind of jump starts my stomach to be able to eat foods after. Microwaved eggs might be too dry and fluffy in the mornings. When I eat eggs, the have to be scrambled and with cheese. Try adding some butter spread (smart balance) and cheese in your cup of eggs to make it more moist. If not, oatmeal, yogurt,protein shakes, Protein pancakes, smoothies, bananas with a nutty spread on toast. Hope this helps.

I'm five weeks out and everyday gets a little better. I can definitely eat larger quantities of soft foods like yogurt than chicken. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

TIJUANA BARIATRICS :: 4/1 :: I always wanted to be able to read someone's journey start to finish in quick updates! Especially someone who was having their procedure done in Tijuana. So I am going to try and do some highlights on this post and continually update it through my process... Stats:: 5'5" HW::249 PreOp:: 235 Having surgery at Tijuana Bariatrics with Dr. Garcia. Paid $4,250... I might add on an extra $500 and have them take my gallbladder while they are in there. I really don't want to risk complications with that later on. Started 10 day pre op diet 3/20 and lost almost 15 lbs. Yesterday's laxative cleanse sure didn't hurt! Lol wasn't bad at all. Flew into San Diego Airport 3/31, picked up by driver Luis in an older white minivan. We have to wait for someone else who is flying in at 10:50 AM, so we drove over by the wharf and I'm sitting on a bench looking at the pretty water and boats. 3/31 12 PM:: arrived at hospital and signed a bunch of consent forms. Everyone is super nice and everything looks pristine! I have seen a bunch of people up and walking, who just had their surgery a few hours ago. The lady I drove with from the airport was taken back just now to have her surgery. Mine is tomorrow at 8 AM! 3/31 5 PM:: I had my blood drawn and and EKG done. All seems good. I spoke with two Drs who explained the process and answered any questions. It's nice to have it explained over and over just for reassurance. Everyone is so nice. I asked about getting my gallbladder out, and the Dr said she wouldnt recommend it unless i've had trouble with it before, or the DR sees something while he is in there. She said surgery is shorter and recovery is easier just doing the sleeve. She also said, surgery for gallbladder removal if needed, is safer and easier when I have lost weight. So, I opted out. I'll take my chances I guess. She also sent me home with a sleeping pill which I requested. I was so worried about staying up all night second guessing this decision. In my hotel room now at the Marriott. It's a very nice hotel and I have already called in for my free room service twice. Dr said I could have a plate of fruit and some yogurt. It was heaven after two days of clear liquids! I just had the broth, and it was SO GOOD! I bought a bunch of different broth at home and HATED it! So that was a welcome surprise... I'm first surgery tomorrow, I have to be in the lobby at 6:45 AM and surgery is scheduled for 8! 4/1:: My surgery was at 8 AM, as soon as I arrived from the hotel I was taken to the 2nd floor and prepped for surgery. Next thing I know, I'm out of service. I had some gas pains and was really sleepy. I kept asking to walk, because I wanted the gas pains gone, but then I would fall asleep. As soon as I was more conscious they took me up to my room and BAM the gas pains hit. I immediately walked around. Did nothing for the gas pains. In fact nothing has done anything for the gas pains except for the one time I threw up. I usually hate throwing up, but this really wasn't bad. Which is odd.. So with the intense gas pains I was not feeling up to anything. I set my alarm for every hour and would walk for 15-20 min. The nurses come in every two house and test vitals and adjust iv/pain medication. An unexpected feeling I have is hunger. I feel so hungry! I thought that wasn't supposed to happen. I am really looking forward to sipping on gatorade today. yay! hopefully that doesn't something for the hunger pain. 4/2:: Gas pains are still there, but not as intense as they were, thank God! Feeling a little more sore, and a lot more hungry. It's crazy how this effects everyone differently. One lady has major nausea, one just feels like she has done sit ups and i have the gas pains. Here is hoping these gas pains will break up and the gatorade will help with the hunger! 4/3:: Today was ROUGH... No other way to put it. Getting woken up every two hours for an IV or vitals check is necessary but it takes a toll on you. Woken up at 6 AM to shower and change bandages. Then pack up and head to clinic for X-Ray. Feeling exhausted and gross the whole time. Then you have to take a shot of the worst tasting medicine, while trying to not drink too much at one time. I almost puked on the X-ray machine. Then back to the hospital to get drain removed. Had diarrhea while waiting. Still feeling awful. Drain removal is quick and weird. We are then taken to hotel. Major headache, nausea and fatigue. Seriously felt so awful. Fell asleep before our meeting at 1:30 to learn about our meds and wound cleaning. Diarrhea more before meeting. At meeting she says let her know if you have, I told her I did. Start crying. Embarrassing. Anatallia orders a bunch of meds from pharmacy for me. On top of the other stuff I'm supposed to take. Take first set of pills. Throw up. Feel better. And have slowly gotten better since then. But again, ROUGH day. I think the exhaustion escalated everything. I panicked that something was really wrong, then worried about how to tell someone I had major surgery in Tijuana and now I'm sick. Without just getting a lot of eye rolls back. But now with sleep, liquids and slowly taking medicine feeling a little better. Going back to sleep. 4/4:: So much better today! I slept almost all day yesterday. It was so needed. No sight seeing for me, just rest, liquids and pacing around my hotel room. But it was worth it. I feel a million times better. Been on top of all my meds, showered, clean wounds and getting staples out in the next hour! I go home tomorrow! I think I am having some reflux that feels like hunger, it comes in waves and I'm looking into antacids to purchase when I get home along with all of my vitamins. Diarrhea has been a lot less today, but still there. Making sure to drink the pedialyte the Dr recommended. The last thing i want to do is get dehydrated. I have some gatorade (all that they sell at the hotel) and I think it is causing some discomfort because its the full sugar one. Asked husband to stock up for when I get home on G2 Gatorade. Hopefully that won't won't give as much stomach pain. Although pain is minimal now. Hopefully getting staples out helps as well. Broth, pedialyte, and water are my constants while I am awake. Looking forward to sleep tonight. I have tried to stay awake majority of the day today so I can get solid sleep tonight! Fingers crossed travel home won't be too rough! .... To be continued.

I just had a single graham cracker sheet with a tbsp of reduced fat PB. I also eat fruit, or grab a slice of sandwich meat, or some baby carrots/raw broccoli with ranch dip, a yogurt, applesauce, basically whatevers handy that doesn't scream "you may as well just rub me on your thighs cause I'm headed straight there anyway" when i look at it

I went for my final nutrition appointment today. We went over my pre-op diet and I will be on a 10 day full liquid diet which is way better than the two week clear liquid diet my sister has to do. I will be able to drink crystal light, water, Gatorade 2, broth, protein shakes, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, sugar free fudgesicles and yogurt, milk or cottage cheese. Too bad I don't like yogurt, milk and cottage cheese! Darn it! I am waiting on the psychiatrist to submit her report to my surgeon so they can then send everything to my insurance for approval. I have met all the requirements so hopefully the approval process will be quick and painless. Wish me luck!

What about Greek yogurt?

After previously complaining about my liquid diet requirement, I had my pre op appt. and learned that I lost 15 pounds in two weeks. That seems like a lot to me, and I can't imagine its good for me..but that is that. Today I had the brilliant idea that I no longer want to do the surgery because of how much I love food. I don't care that I am fat...I like to eat..eating is awesome, food is awesome, I don't care aaaaggghhh. Dudes... I'm totally getting scared. Not scared of going under or pain or unknowns of that nature, but I'm freaked out about not being able to eat. I think I'm misunderstanding what is going to happen. Once I am healed I will be eating Real Food, right? Like majorly chewed up portions of (about a cup I think) of food at a time, several times per day. I will eat chicken and zucchini and yogurt and things that I like that are healthy for me..RIGHT?? I will learn HOW to eat, what to eat, how much to chew. This will become the new normal and my life will go on and I will drop weight and become more healthy and energetic and get to live longer on the planet with my children....RIGHT? All of a sudden I have lost tough with all the stuff I know, or understood about this whole thing. It started to seem extreme and like a cop out. JUST DON"T EAT AS MUCH< JUST EXERCISE. I'm here at this place, because that didn't work for me. Ok...venting. I'm feeling guilty about what potentially negative impacts this will have on my family post op... Not being able to lift my kids etc... that's bumming me out. We co sleep and I won't be able to do that because of them potentially kicking me etc. Reading instructions from my doctor to take tablespoon sips of Water.... that is FREAKING ME OUT. How the hell are you supposed to get enough water into your body that way? Ok..breathing. I know it will be fine. I am adaptable and smart and have a lot of support. It just wouldn't be normal if I weren't freaking out a little..right? RIGHT? Ok. thanks bye.

I have a restriction problem in the mornings also. At first, I just skipped breakfast and had a Isopure protein drink. But my metabolism wasn't kicking in without food. Now I wake up and take my HBP & asthma meds with a 16oz bottle of water that I drink slowly over 15 minutes. I take my shower and then for breakfast have some Lifeway Lowfat Kefir (pourable yogurt). It turns my stomach and metabolism on. I keep drinking water in the morning, and can eat lunch. (If I pick the right food, I can eat lunch without difficulty).

4 Protein shakes from the doctor ( I have to get in at least 60g a day) 1 cup of salad with 2 tbsp of fat free dressing (once a day) 1 cup of Soup ( veggie, tomato, 98%fat free cream soups) (once a day) 1 cup sugar free Jello and pudding - (once a day) 1 cup of dannon light n fit yogurt (once a day). Also, Water with crystal light, sobe water, sugar free popsicles, etc.

I made lots of eggs, chicken in a can, oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna, soup. I also made fish and used the Atkins bake mix to make low carb no sugar pancakes with sugar free syrup... I would search online for recipes

Here are some really great ideas especially the gingerbread one Creamsicle: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz Water + 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder + 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, drained + 2 skim milk ice cubes + 1 packet Splenda. chocolate Cherry Delight: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz water + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder + 3/4 cup frozen cherries + 2 skim milk ice cubes Peanut Butter Cup: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz water + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder + 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter coffee Lovers Delight: Blend 8 oz skim milk + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 2 skim milk ice cubes + 1 Tbsp. instant decaf coffee + 1/2 tsp. vanilla + 1 packet Splenda Mocha Java: Blend 8 oz skim milk + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder + 2 skim milk ice cubes + 1 Tbsp. instant decaf coffee + 1 packet Splenda Almond Delight: Blend 8 oz skim milk + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 2 skim milk ice cubes + 1 Tbsp. instant decaf coffee + 1/2 tsp. almond extract + 1 packet Splenda strawberry Shortcake: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1/2 cup frozen strawberries + 1 packet Splenda. Gone Bananas: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + small frozen banana + 1 packet Splenda.(Hint: when bananas start to get brown spots, slice and store in freezer baggie for use in future smoothies) My friend sent me these ideas and they are all fabulous Mango Mama: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1/2 cup frozen mango cubes + 1/2 banana + ice Eggnog Bliss: Blend 8 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + pinch of pumpkin pie spice or vanilla + 2 pinches allspice + 1/4 tsp. rum extract + 2 frozen skim milk cubes Gingerbread Man: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1 graham cracker + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract + 2 frozen skim milk cubes I LOVE this one it taste like the season) Pina Colada: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1/2 banana + 1 frozen OJ cube and 1 frozen pineapple juice cube + 1/4 tsp. coconut extract Pumpkin Pie In the Sky: Blend 4 oz plain nonfat yogurt or skim milk + 4 oz water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1/2 cup canned pumpkin + 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice + 1/2 cup frozen butternut squash.This is a Winnner!!! Super low cal protein shake recipes Dreamy Creamsicle: Blend 8 oz (flat) diet orange soda + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 4 frozen lowfat vanilla yogurt cubes (only 150 calories!) Cherry Pie: Blend 8 oz (flat) diet cherry soda + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + ice (This one only has ~100 calories!)