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So since my fourth fill (4cc's) I have been throwing up every day. Its been 3 weeks - the first 2 I could only hold down liquids and mushy foods. I was able to eat a half deli meat sandwich a few times and not throw up but then other times I try that and I do throw up. Some days are much worse than others. But on the average I throw up at least one meal if not all meals every day. All my friends keep telling me to go get fluid taken out. But I am concerned maybe its just me - I had practically no restriction with 3 cc's. I can usually eat - f/f cottage cheese, greek yogurt, crackers, toast, light non-chunky soup, belvita breakfast biscuit I held down a few times (but tried again and vomitted) - tuna salad sandwich, turkey sandwich (could only eat half a sandwich though), scrambled eggs Vomitted a bunch after eating - cooked mustard greens and chard, baked potato, chicken breast, steamed broccoli, brown rice I have tried all sorts of different things even from switching to wearing and underwire bra to a sports bra, waiting till 10a to eat even though I am starving in the morning. I watch my time and I chew for at least 1 minute and wait 2-3 minutes between bites. I am not over eating at one sitting because I can only eat about 4 bites of a solid food before I have chest pain and I try to keep my bites small and chew till mush. This constant vomitting, hunger, headaches - its all affecting my work, school and personal life. I don't want to abandon progress - I have lost 14lbs in 3 wks. But I feel like I am now a bulemic except not by choice. What do I do?

I love dannon light and fit Greek yogurt. The key is to watch out for refined sugar, corn syrup, etc. natural sugars are fine and should not cause dumping. Dannon light and fit is the only brand of yogurt that is sweetened that my nut recommended.

Hey everybody! Has anyone found a yogurt that has less than 5g of sugar? I love Greek yogurt but it's just too much sugar (22g). I'm not dumping, but just want to follow the rules. I'm stuck in a rut with my losing and figured being super strict may do the trick. Thanks in advance for the answers!

Humm, I'm on a 15gm rule. It's working well for me. A few protien bars, yogurts are slightly higher 22gm and I divide thoes into two snacks or share with a family member, dogs eat yogurt who knew? I've been on liquids for 4 days because solids are not working right now. All because of chicken.... I never herd of the 5 gm rule.

Unlimited raw veggies Muscle Milk 100 mixed with milk and ice sugar free pudding Light yogurt- Yoplait Greek 100 Unsweetened applesauce Plain oatmeal (add skim milk and cinnamon) Light cottage cheese Homemade chicken broth Sugar free popcicles

Oh Yes! But this is your head talking, not your stomach. Arm yourself with ready to reach protein and snacks: Tuna, Yogurt, cottage cheese, Almonds, mozzarella cheese, popsicles, Beef jerkies.... I feel I get really hungry after dinner when we sit and start watching TV. I give in to my head hunger. Instead of eating another slice of pizza though, I'll have a banana instead. Exchanged Hershey's chocolate bar with Sugar free Russell Stover bit size chocolates. INstead of Ice cream, I'll have a sugar free pudding... I also try to eat between 800-1,200 calories daily. Good Luck. You got this!

The 23rd of March was my 1 month sleev-a-versary so I thought I'd post an update. I'd love to hear how others who are about a month out are doing, so feel free to share the good, bad, or gross (and I do mean poo talk). My recovery has thankfully been uneventful. I had the normal struggles in the first week (nausea, water/protein intake, gas pain, uncomfortable sleeping) but nothing terrible. I have had some poo struggle days, that has been the worst! Right now the pipes are working (cross fingers) but a week ago - hoo boy, not great. I've discovered that I need to take a stool softener at least every other day or things stop moving. My energy has been better, but there are still days when I can't believe how tired I feel just walking up the stairs. I graduated to the pureed stage this week (my program does full liquids for 4 weeks) which was exciting but also a little scary to try "new" foods on my tiny tummy and see how she did. So far, she has handled everything like a champ and I am really enjoying eating more than protein shakes, protein soup, and yogurt. I've lost 19 pounds since my surgery day and can feel a difference in how my body moves, how much less pain I have in my joints, and how my clothes fit. I can bend at the waist more comfortably, balance on one foot better, and crossing my arms or my legs is comfortable again. I tried on a dress that I wore to a family wedding in January of last year and was shocked to see how baggy it was on me. One of my biggest WLS fears was my emotional state taking a downturn during recovery and from not being able to eat normally. I'm happy to say that hasn't happened, in fact it's been the opposite. I feel like I have a stronger perspective and more balanced moods overall. I think seeing some immediate positive results in how my body feels is part of the reason, along with having finally done the thing I spent so long thinking and worrying about. Now that I am on the other side I am experiencing what the reality of WLS is for me rather than worrying about what it might be.

I did not skip the liquid phase, but my program does skip purees. They emphasize adequate protein and nutrient dense, natural foods. Here is what I ate, according to the directions my doctor and dietician gave me (for comparison, not giving you medical advice, obviously!): Hospital, 1 day post op (gastric bypass): Water, Jello, Chicken broth, sugar free popsicle. These all went well and I was able to finish them at a slow pace. Home, 2-6 days post op: Protein shakes, bone broth, sugar free yogurt, applesauce, plain kefir, Fairlife skim milk in decaf tea, herbal teas. Nothing that required chewing during this stage. Spoke with nurse via phone call, who confirmed I was meeting my 60g protein and 64 oz water goals consistently. She told me to start taking my vitamins and to incorporate soft proteins as I was able and to continue to consume 60g protein from shakes in addition to food. Days 7-13, here is what I added: Tuna salad with low-fat mayo, poached eggs, deviled eggs, scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, refried beans with melted cheddar, baked haddock, feta cheese, ground turkey with taco seasoning, cottage cheese, pickled herring. 2-3 shakes per day to hit 60g protein total (in addition to what I got from food). Met with surgeon in office on day 13. Based on having no issues with water, protein, or any of the foods I had tried so far, and healing nicely, I was told to start incorporating non-protein foods in the following order: non-starchy veg, fruit, starches/grains. I was told I could use protein shakes as needed if the food I consumed did not equal at least 60g protein but could skip the shakes if I hit 60g. Raw veg is fine. I need to wait until 3 months post op to add beef, lamb, and pork. Starting Day 14, these are the new foods I have tried: spinach, strawberries, edamame, turkey sausage, ricotta, chicken salad, steamed broccoli, kalamata olives, smoked salmon, black beans, cucumbers, matchstick carrots, tomatoes, grapes, sliced almonds. Today is day 18 post-op, and this is my menu today: Breakfast: A smoothie made from 1oz power greens, 1 cup frozen berry blend, 8 oz Fairlife skim milk, 2 scoops Syntrax Nectar unflavored protein, 1 Tbsp hemp seeds, 4 small pieces frozen avocado. 16oz total, 36.5g protein Lunch: 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, 4 no sugar added peach slices, 1/2 mini cucumber, 4 grape tomatoes, 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar. 14g protein. Ended up eating half at noon and half a few hours later because I filled up very fast. Dinner: 3 oz baked salmon with pesto, 3 pieces steamed broccoli. 18g protein. I also will have had 64oz water, 28 oz decaf tea, and 4 oz skim milk by the end of the day. I have not added in any grains at this point because I can just manage to finish a serving of protein and a few bites of veg or fruit right now. Once I get 20-25g protein at lunch and dinner instead of 15g as I'm averaging now, I'll add sweet potatoes, but I'll hold off on white potatoes and breads. I really hope this helps! I would be very mindful of getting in enough protein and fluids in this first week, with an emphasis on fluids first. But as you can see, in another few days, it's very possible to be able to tolerate a variety of protein rich soft foods.

Ok now I’ve been eating yogurts constantly like about 3 or 4 a day and small pieces of baked chicken, is that bad? It’s like I get hungry every couple hours and I know it’s not real hunger so I try to ignore it and drink water.

Also wondering are these allergies or intolerances? Normally a change in the form of the food does not affect an allergy, if you are allergic to lactose it doesn't matter what form it is in you will react whereas if your problem is a food intolerance then you may be able to eat lactose in a modified form. cheese, yogurt instead of milk etc. Wondering because you said you have a problem with RAW fruit/veg

Me too. Use to hate Greek yogurt but now it is yummy. I'm still on full fluids so that's as far as I can go for now but the puréed stage should prove interesting. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Iwalktheline~ I too, was banded 2/16. I was feeling great until day 5. I tried to get out of the car with a heavy bag in my left arm. I felt a strange tug over my left incision, which is the only incision that has bothered me. The next morning, it hurt like the first hours after surgery. I called my surgeon and he told me I had likely pulled that muscle or the stitches he set into the muscle. He told me it was a very common injury. Once patients start feeling better they forget they still can't lift with that side. It is slowly healing, each day a little bit better. But it is slow and pretty painful. And like everyone else has said, I am STARVING and soooo weak. I have been trying so hard to get in all my protein, but it is really difficult. I skipped ahead a bit and tried some really thin refried beans. They are rich in protein and helped me to finally feel full of REAL FOOD instead of sweets like jell-o & yogurt. All the sugar free food was giving me an upset stomach. The beans also helped with the gas that has been building up and I couldn't release! :tt1: HUGS,

Just some ideas: Breakfast: mini egg souffles, plain oatmeal w/ dried fruit/nuts, eggs & lf turkey bacon, egg w/ veggies & cheese omelet Lunch: canned turkey, progresso lite Soups, tuna, deli meat, seafood bordetto, Dinner: any meat, any veg, quinoa instead of rice, variations on Pasta like spaghetti squash, meat kabobs w/ veggies, Snacks: cottage cheese, yogurts, cheese sticks, deli meat, Protein shakes/bars, Ok these are only some ideas I can come up with before my a.m. coffee

I wouldn't worry as much about stretching as I would about damaging your healing sleeve. Everyone's plan is different, and I would definitely suggest you stick to your surgeon's plan. Having said that, my plan allowed for *some* soft foods immediately after surgery. Things that could easily slide through a funnel such as broth (obviously), perhaps sugar free Jello or popsicles, and a bite of yogurt or some runny scrambled egg, but only a bite or two is what we were told and you must chew it extremely well....but again, that was MY plan. You should really check with your NUT/Surgeon before going off of your plan. Most of the hunger you experience at this point is nothing more than "head hunger" because your body is so used to receiving food on a regular basis....it will pass. For me, Water and chicken broth really helped, and if I felt super-hungry, I would make my Protein shakes a bit thicker (less water or almond milk) than normal so it felt more substantial. Best of luck!

It sounds like it might be the stew meat. That's tough to eat that soon. I don't even know if I can eat it yet. Stick with chicken and fish. Boredom is an issue but you need to try to embrace it. Try doing a day of the pureed foods again--yogurt, cottage cheese, Soups, broth, etc. just to see if that helps your stomach. The potatoes wouldn't cause the problem but I really think it is the meat. Best of luck.

Trader Joe's Yogurt Cheese Cilantro dip Trader Joe's Garlic Dill Pickles

I never could find any. I would use plain greek yogurt (which did have that low sugar content) and then add a bit of frozen fruit and a teaspoon of sugar free jam and that would do the trick. I used maybe 2 to 3 oz of yogurt.

I'm still on puree and I'm struggling to get protein also. I only had nausea with yogurt and I just haven't eaten it again. I tried to sneak it in other foods and I didn't feel as bad. It's hard to find good foods. I have a ton of half eaten things in my fridge that I'm slowly circling back too

I ate alot of cottage cheese and scrambled eggs. My nutritionist didn't want me to eat any starches for the first 6 months after surgery. Also had dannon light and fit yogurt. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

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. 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!

Sugar Blues Part 1 highlighted the poor health consequences that can result from consuming too much sugar. A list of words that also mean “sugar” was provided. Remember that naturally occurring sugars are in fruit and milk/dairy foods. When you read the Nutrition Facts Label, the sugars will be listed under the carbohydrates. To find out how to compare products to better understand added sugars, click on Natural vs. Added Sugars. Use the chart on the second page as a guide to compare products.The chart compares applesauce and Greek style yogurt. You will see the products with only naturally occurring sugars, products with added sugars and “light” versions of the product. You will also see that the product with the most amount of sugar has the most calories.The front part of the food label usually doesn’t have any clues that the product can have a lot of added sugars. You must be a detective and investigate the Nutrition Facts Label and the ingredients list. Start your sugar hunt by using foods and beverages in your pantry or fridge to discover where added sugars are lurking in your food choices. Like any hunting expedition, it will take some time and practice to find the healthiest products to use on your journey towards health. Sugar Comparison Chart We are born with a preference for sweet tastes. However, sugar carries calories without any fiber, vitamins or minerals. Sugar is basically empty calories. For bariatric patients, too much sugar can lead to dumping. Natural Sugars vs Added Sugars Naturally occurring sugars are in fruits (fructose) and milk and dairy (lactose). The current Nutrition Facts label doesn’t tell us the difference. A teaspoon of sugar = 4 grams of sugar. If you drink a 12 oz. can of regular pop or 12 ounces regular fruit juice, that means you’ve consumed 40 grams of sugar. This translates to 10 teaspoons of sugar. That’s almost 1/4 cup of sugar! Other names for sugar When you read the ingredient list, look for words like syrup (corn, high fructose, maple, pancake, maltose), corn syrup solids, agave, molasses, beet sugar, brown sugar, turbinado sugar, invert sugar, cane juice, fruit juice, fruit juice concentrate, nectar (peach, apricot, pear), powdered or confectioner’s sugar, raw sugar, maple sugar, date sugar, malted barley, honey and anything ending in “–ose” (maltose, dextrose, glucose, fructose). These are all types of sugar. When you see these words in the ingredient list, look for foods that have sugar listed after the 3rd or 4th ingredient. When you see several sugar ingredients, look at the total amount sugar. Decide if it’s worth it to eat that food. Sugar alcohols These have less impact on your blood sugars. They are more slowly digested than sugar. Sugar alcohols have anywhere from 2 to 4 calories per gram. If your weight loss stalls, check to see if your “sugar free” foods have high amounts of sugar alcohols. You may be getting more calories than you think. Caution…eating too many sugar alcohols can laxative effect! Alternative Sweeteners Artificial sweeteners include Splenda (sucralose), Sweet ‘N Low (saccharin), NutraSweet (aspartame), Sweet One (acesulfame potassium) and Neotame. Stevia is extracted from the stevia plant and is considered a natural sweetener. Monkfruit is extracted from the monkfruit and is considered a natural sweetener. Natural vs. Added Sugars: Comparison Chart How do I find the amount of added sugars in a food? One way to find out what the added sugars are is to compare similar products. Comparisons of applesauce and Greek yogurt are detailed below. The order of appearance is the unsweetened, sweetened and light or low sugar version. Use this chart to compare other products you might choose. Remember that natural sugars are in milk/dairy and fruit. Is all that sugar worth it?

...is not always a bargain. For bariatric patients, keep in mind your tastes will change after surgery. You are going through a lot of biochemical and hormonal changes that affect taste and how your sense aromas. When you buy protein powders or ready to drink shakes, keep in mind when you may be going to surgery. There may be a flavor you love before surgery, but can’t tolerate after surgery. Check the store’s return policy if you decide to buy in bulk. You may able to return a protein product if unopened or you find you can’t tolerate it. Several protein powders are available in sample packs to have on hand. For multi-supplements, we ask you to use a chewable, liquid or powder form for a few months after surgery. Did you buy a 6-month supply of a multi-supplement in tablet form? If you have surgery before your 6-month supply runs out and money is tight, you can crush the tablet to powder form and add to protein drinks or soft foods like light yogurt when you can have them after surgery. Keep in your changing taste buds when you start stocking up your bariatric pantry.

I drink at least 1 glass of skim milk a day. As far as the sugar I try to stay with sugar free stuff and you have to watch the more refined sugars that are in desserts. I eat greek yogurts that have sugar in them and that hasn't bothered me at all. but when I tried a spoonful of icing that was a totally different story. Let's just say I won't be doing that ever again.

My NUT has me doing 1 week of a 'quick picks' diet then the next week a 'liquid diet'. This is to lose my required 30lbs before they will schedule surgery. Quick picks went fine it's a certain list of foods you chose from for 3 meals and I have protein shakes for my 2 snacks. Then the liquid diet. oh me oh my. I thought I was going to die. I had to have 4 protein shakes a day and 1 yogurt, 1 apple sauce, 1 sugar free pudding, 1 light soup, and 1 cream of wheat. Then I can have all the broth, crystal light, sugar free jello and pop cicles I wanted. I could also have certain vegetables all that would satisfy me. About the fourth day I was a wreck. I just couldn't get happy with what I had and I went for a burger and fries and it hasn't stopped. I have now binged 5 days and gained 8 lbs back. Does anyone have any advice on how to stay on track with the liquid diet. Appreciate it.

I wasn't a yogurt fan pre-op but I tried yoplait Greek 100 post-op in order to have something to mix my crushed ursoforte in and it tasted pretty good. Ive now had oikos and like that too. Its also good frozen for a treat. I had a very hard time with water. Crystal light helped and so did the sf koolaid. I also make decaff tea in my keurig and add some lemon and splenda and lots of ice and that helped me get my liquid in. Vitamin water zero is also good. I ususally don't care for flavored water but those are naturally flavored and taste pretty good.