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I've snacked on some dry cereal occasionally. Also added <1/4 cup to some yogurt, just to have some crunch. But it's really a very infrequent thing. A very conscious decision to have the extra carbs. I don't think carbs are evil. I just think too many are, especially if they make me feel bad. Can't imagine having a bowl of cereal with milk! How things have changed

I am about 5 weeks post-op and also have grown tired of Protein shakes and powders. I have tried to grow my list of foods with protein and eat them instead of shakes. Here are some of my current protein foods: - Salmon - Tunafish - Hummus - eggs - Greek Yogurt - Scallops - String cheese - Slow Cooked chicken, Pork, Beef I agree that it is tough to meet the Water goals when you stick to the 30/30 rule. One thing that helps me is to have a glass/mug of crystal light at the ready, so 30 minutes after a meal it is there to remind me to drink.

Had a great weekend trip. Lots of relaxing and enjoying nature! Unfortunately my food choices were not too Bueno and I carried it over today. So head in the game tomorrow. Here is my plan B greek yogurt L chicken taco Soup S cottage cheese/ peaches D chicken salad S greek yogurt How's everybody else doing? @@bacon I think sometimes I don't eat enough during the day and it makes me go crazy in the evening too. Hope I can stick with my plan!

H Everyone! I'm 12 days post op and my recovery (RNY) is going well. I am currently at Stage 3 and am tolerating foods well. I have a question that I am hoping others can help me with. I constantly feel hungry even after eating/drinking. Is this normal? I am eating Soups, yogurt (no chunks). I have been drinking mostly Protein shakes (Carnation Instant Breakfast NSA) and drinking Water or Powerade Zero. I am able to eat 4 oz at a time with no issues and could possible eat more but I do not. From what I am reading from others, 4 oz at a time seems like a lot. I am sticking to the foods at my stage for the most part (I had a spoonful of rice the other day which I chewed like 30 times before swallowing). How much liquid is everyone getting in at a time? I take four sips max at a time but feel like I could take more. How long do you wait between sips? I guess my concern is that my pouch is bigger than it should be. I dont know how the mechanics of all this works so I plan on broaching this with my PA when I have my post op appt on Wednesday. Any feedback/insight from others is appreciated. TIA! :-)

Hi everyone. I know there is some debate over Pro Yo frozen yogurt with Protein and if it is the right source of protein for us however I am struggling to get my protein in. It seems like some protein is better then none at all. Does anyone know of a place I can order this and have it shipped? I checked the website for a list of places that carry it and can't find anything in Indiana. Thanks!

@@Veronica_mm How do you take your fish oil? I've tried straight from the bottle and also mixing it with yogurt and it is just....blah. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I had my sleeve done on 9/17 and I asked for a smaller size sleeve because I am am aware of restretching the sleeve. I was given a 40 bougie with an "oversew" to 36 I am presuming. I wanted and asked for a 32 but he has never done a 32 in his practice, he does 40's. He oversewed it smalller because I asked and asked for a small tight sleeve. Well, I woke up from surgery hungry. I got liquids down from the very start with seemingly no interruption or restricton. So the office told me to wait until I have solid foods- that that would make a difference. So I moved through yogurts and soups- still no restriction. Yesterday and today, I had minced canned chicken and minced canned tuna. Both were 5 ounce cans. Both days I ate all of it with no need to pause and no feeling that I was pushing it. And I still feel like I could eat more but I'm not. I feel like I am starving myself to lose weight. Obviously- I should not have this kind of ability at 2 weeks out to get anything like this amount in. From what I read, 1-2 ounce limitation is normal for this stage. Not 5 ounces. Please advise I am scared SHITLESS that I Will have to go back for a revision surgery when I didn't do anything!

I was always hungry too when on broth. When you are able to eat yogurt, that is when it helped me a little. Once you can get on mushy foods, it gets much much better.

I'm 4 weeks and 5 days. Wednesday will be 5 weeks. The only thing I use it in is usually oatmeal/cream of wheat, plain Greek yogurt, decaf green tea or black tea. All I use is just half a packet of sweet n low or Splenda in each. I guess I should've added with the powerades, I have to dilute it half water half powerade. Still doesn't really make sense though. Also, sugar free pudding and jello upsets me. Sugar free creamsicles. Last night I bought a quest bar...I was craving peanut butter and regular PB is filled with fat so I had a TINY bite...I mean pea size bute...of a peanut butter supreme quest bar and YUCK. It tasted like artificial WAX. I will not be eating those. So as of today, I'm cutting out all SF "sweets" and sweetners and just going to drink/eat things the way they come.

@@Daisee68, I am one of those people who can only eat 4-5 bites at a time. I am almost 4 months post-op and measure everything. The most I have ever been able to eat is 1/2C and that is only soft stuff like cottage cheese, yogurt and Soup. Last week I made chili and was only able to eat 1/4C each evening. I don't intend to use full as a measurement, but it just happens because I can eat so little. I hardly ever have more than one thing on my plate at a time and I struggle to meet my Protein goal on a daily basis even though it seems like I eat non-stop (5-6 times per day). Your calorie range seems realistic, but as others have said I would not eat until you were full, you have to leave a little room for expansion. How do you do on your Fluid intake, are you meeting your daily goal?

Sorry - long. My 6 month + "rules": Important Rules: 1. Eat only three small meals a day of 1/2 to a maximum of 1 cup food per meal. Some individuals may need an additional small meal or snack of Protein rich foods to meet their nutritional needs. There is no painless way to melt the pounds away. Total calories eaten must be less than your total calories expended in order to lose weight and maintain weight loss. 2. Stop eating as soon as you begin to feel full. Overeating may cause you to vomit or stretch your pouch and decrease the effectiveness of your surgery. Indications of fullness are:  A feeling of pressure or fullness in the center just below your rib cage.  A feeling of nausea.  Pain in your shoulder area or upper chest. 3. Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly. Chew each bit 20 to 30 times before swallowing to incorporate salvia and begin the digestion process. A meal should take 20 to 30 minutes to eat. 4. Do not eat between meals. Eat meals at regular times. Eat at the dining room or kitchen table. 5. Do not drink liquids 30 minutes before or during a meal. Wait 1 hour after a meal to start drinking. 6. Drink enough fluids during the day. Goal is 8-9 cups (64-72 ounces) minimum. Plan your Fluid intake. You may not always be able to drink when thirsty. Sip all beverages slowly. 7. Drink only low-calorie liquids. No carbonated beverages, sparking Water, beer, alcohol, tobacco and caffeinated beverages are allowed, as they will cause gaseous distention, pouch stretching, irritation, and nausea. No high-calorie drinks such as milkshakes, Cappuccino, cream based Soups, or fruit smoothies are allowed. These calorie dense liquids have poor nutritional value, lead to unsuccessful weight loss, and do not provide a feeling of fullness. 8. Eat only good quality food. Remember to start a meal with Proteins first. No high-calorie, low-nutrient foods such as cakes, Cookies, pies, candy, pastries, gravies, high-fat snack foods like chips, regular jellies & jams, honey, sugar, ice cream, etc. are allowed. Keep total fat intake below 30-40 grams per day. Read labels for fat and calorie content. No high fat meals such as salami, bologna, bacon, and sausage. They contain more fat and less high quality protein. No fried foods. 9. Bake, broil, boil, grill, steam, or roast are ways to cook your food instead of frying to cut down on fat calories. BEWARE – you may have problems tolerating high-fat, greasy foods after surgery. Season foods with herbs and spices instead of creams, sauces, and fats. Marinate meats to tenderize, flavor and moisten. 10. Have a meal plan in mind when eating away from home. Beware of buffets and salad bars. Share a meal or ask for a “doggie bag”. 11. Prepare a shopping list and stick to it! Shop after you eat. Avoid your eating triggers. 12. Exercise at least 30 minutes each day. Walking is the best exercise. Exercise may be in small 5-10 minutes increments per day. Make exercise a part of your daily routine. Up to 60 minutes per day is best. 13. Keep a daily food and exercise diary. Record amount/type of foods eaten, length of time taken to eat and any triggers that cause over eating – boredom, angry, lonely, etc. Avoid excess TV and computer time. Guide for Daily Eating Provides 1000 to 1400 calories and 50 to 60 grams of protein. Plan for about ½ cup of food at each meal, over time, no more than 1 cup. meat & Bean Group (Protein): 4 to 6 ounces each day. Serving size 1 ounce equals 55-75 calories, 6-8 grams of protein. 1 ounce of lean meat, poultry, or fish, 1 egg, ¼ cup cooked very soft dry Beans. Eat 2 to 3 ounces at a meal. Milk Group: 4 choices each day. Serving size ½ cup equals 40 to 50 calories, 4 grams of protein. Serving size ½ cup: Skim or 1% milk, sugar free yogurt, 1ounce 2% or Fat-Free natural cheese or processed cheese. Do not drink dairy fluids with a meal. Vegetable Group: 1 to 1.5 cups each day. Serving size ½ cup equals 25 calories, 2 grams protein Includes fresh, frozen, canned and vegetable juices. Use caution with high Fiber vegetables like corn, peas, and celery, skins and seeds that may block the outlet. Fruit Group: 1 cup each day. Serving size ½ cup equals 60 calories, 0 grams protein Includes fresh, frozen without sugar, canned without sugar, and 100% fruit juices. Chew fruit with skins, seeds, and membranes extra well, or peel, remove seeds and membranes, or cut into small pieces. Juices pass through your outlet without causing fullness. Try to limit 100% real juice to ½ cup or 4 ounces (diluted) a day as part of your liquids. Grain Group: 3 to 4 ounces or equivalent each day. Serving size 1 ounce equals 80 calories, 1 to 3 grams protein. Includes all foods made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or rye such as bread, Pasta, cooked cereals, unsweetened Breakfast cereals, tortillas, and grits. 1 slice of bread, ½ bun, 1 cup ready-to-eat Cereal, or ½ cup cooked rice, pasta or cooked cereal can be considered as 1 ounce equivalent. Choose whole grains with at least 2 grams of fiber per ounce. Note: some patients have difficulty eating bread or any doughy bread product. Try toasting whole grain bread, use whole grain crackers, pasta, and cereals. Try brown rice, chew well, and mix with a vegetable. Eat this group last and after protein, vegetable, and fruit groups at a meal. Fat Group: 3 teaspoons. Serving size 1 teaspoon equals 45 calories, 0 grams protein. Include fats that are liquid at room temperature, such as olive, canola, corn, soybean, or sunflower oil. Some foods are naturally high in oils, like nuts, olives, some fish, and avocados. Limit intake of mayonnaise, low fat salad dressings and soft margarines. A small amount from this group helps to lessen dryness of skin and hair.

So going into my 4th day post-op (October 1st) and it's hard for me to distinguish between stomach cravings and head cravings. I wasn't able to eat anything until a bit of water down Greek yogurt on my 3rd day post-op. I'm very sore and know I'm not hungry, but every now and then I see a pizza or Taco Bell commercial and get that hunger twinge in my stomach. I know it's really all in my head... but it feels real at that moment. Hopefully I can learn to tune those mental hunger pains out over the next few weeks.

I'm about 6 weeks out. Breakfast: 2 oz oatmeal with skim/lactose free milk, half a scrambled egg. Lunch: 2-3 oz tuna fish with light mayo on 3-4 whole wheat crackers. Dinner: zucchini spaghetti and sauce, or broiled fish with vegetables, or homemade brown rice and lentils - no more than 1/2 cup of whatever. My night binges are hard to beat so I have 2 oz of Greek yogurt with Splenda shortly before going to bed. I'm doing ok, losing somewhere around 2-3 lbs a week.

Hi, everyone. I've been lurking but not posting. I'm 3 months out tomorrow and things are going so great! I'm 61 pounds down and feeling better than I have in many years. My only issue at the moment is that I am really stuck as far as my food choices. My surgeon's office is very conservative and I was on purees and soft foods for a long time. Now I'm almost scared to branch out my food choices. Even though I'm cleared to eat whatever I want, I'm mostly sticking with scrambled eggs, chili, refried Beans with taco meat, soft broccoli, ripe peaches and bananas, and yogurt. Occasionally some mashed potatoes. chicken is NOT working out unless it's in chicken salad. I haven't touched any Pasta, bread or rice and have no plans to. But I don't know WHAT to eat! Can you share some daily examples with me of what you were/are eating around 3 months? I would really like to branch out my repertoire. Thanks!

Hello, I'm excited to have found this forum! I have lots of questions all the time and I can't attend the support groups offered in my area because they conflict with my work schedule! I have been dying to talk to someone that has experienced the same things I have! My sweet husband is trying so hard to help but can't give the advise I need! I had my surgery (RY) on September 2nd! It has been a mixture of sad, mad and happy emotions. I could of used this forum along time ago. One month later and I am still unable to eat anything solid! Protein drinks, broths, yogurts and soup with very soft veggies! I am so sad I can't eat normally, food was such a comfort thing for me. I am mad at everyone that can eat whatever they want. But I am so happy with the results, one week after surgery I was off of all diabetic medication and my BG has been normal since, I have lost over 40lbs thus far and I feel so great physically! The sad and the mad are feelings that are psychological and they are far more overwhelming than the happy feeling. Am I alone in this war of emotions?

Compassion is something some just do not have, I had my surgery on the 28th. it will get easier. Same with me on the yogurt though. I don't know if you like fresh lemon aid but that feels good on my stomach also. As for your family, ignore them you have the will power to do this, you can accomplish it with support from others on here.

I was told to do a Liver Shrinking Diet (Make sure it is less fatty, and a smaller size considering the stomach is located under it). I don't start my pre-op diet until 2 weeks before, but the Liver Shrinking diet a month before. This includes: 2 Protein shakes (Less than 200 cal, 12 carbs, 5 fat, 36 protein) 2 Protein Snacks ( Protein Bar, greek yogurt, 2 eggs, string cheese, 3 oz protein, or serving of nuts) 1 Meal (palm size protein, three handfuls of non-starch veggies, or one handful of fruit) Plenty of Water They said I can add a veggie to my protein snack too. Talk to your nutritionist - I am sure at your pre-op class they will let you know if there is anything else. I have been doing it for almost a month, and have lost 25 lbs. And according to my tests, my liver is healthier too.

I pretty much eat a lot of what I did before, just in much smaller portions. I don't eat as much fruit as before. I could kill a cantelope or a container of strawberries in one sitting. I could make a walnut/oatmeal/blueberry/greek yogurt with FF milk of about 1500 calories and eat it in 2 hours. I have my healthy favorites and look on-line or in my healthy cookbooks every couple of weeks for something new. I am a creature of habit. I mostly order whatever I want when I go out to eat and just eat 2 oz of the insides of a buritto, or pick the meat off an entree. I'll order an omelet and short stack of pancakes and eat 4 bites of eggs and 1 bite of pancake and toss the rest. Sometimes I'll see where another member has posted something that looks good and I'll make it.

It really depends on what I'm eating. If I'm eating soup or something like yogurt, I'm probably closer to 1/2 cup. If I'm eating something of more substance, it's probably closer to 1/4 cup

I'm eating nonfat Greek yogurt 1/2 cup and adding 1/2 scoop of my protein powder. It comes to a total of 18.5 grams of protein. It doesn't taste horrible and if you freeze it it's almost like an ice cream treat.

I agree with @JosieAppleHead. I use the Isopure unflavored powder and add it soups and beverages. If not, then start seeking out high protein foods and yogurts instead.

So I had my surgery on September 30th and I'm happy to say that things went relatively well. I only had three things I struggled with after surgery. 1. Immediately waking up I was miserable. They gave me everything they legally could and I still thought I was going to die for like 4 hours. 2. My heart rate. At "resting" it was at 115. When I wasn't feeling good it would get over 140. So they watched my heart really close. I think a lot of it was hospital anxiety. They finally got it to calm down with Valium at like 3 in the morning but by calm I mean 110. 3. Peeing. I know tmi but honestly it was the hardest part. My sips were fine. Swallowing was easy. But when it came to going to the bathroom I couldn't go. On surgery day I had to have a catheter because my bladder reached 800cc (catheter requirement is 500cc). I had the catheter over night and when they took it out the next morning I couldn't go on my own. Eventually my bladder got over 500cc again so they used a straight catheter. I didn't go on my own until late that night. THEN I got to go home. I still struggle now. I have to have Water running and use a wet cloth to get me to go. It's weird but it works. In the hospital they tried peppermint oils, showers, everything. It was so frustrating. Now I'm home and I weighed myself. I've lost five pounds already which is odd. Not complaining but I was expecting a weight gain from fluids and swelling. I struggle with Protein. Yogurt feels good in my pouch. The hardest part about being home is my family honestly. All I hear is: walk faster, walk more, you don't need your pain pills, how's that baby food taste?, don't you wish you could have a pop tart. They actually went grocery shopping specifically for junk food because they know I can't eat it and then ordered pizza. When I said something about it "I wasn't being compassionate" and "I knew what I was getting into".... Mk so let's send an alcoholic to a 12 step program just for them to come home and be like "look at all the booze we bought". I literally just cried. This whole process they were supportive saying we "are all making changes together" and I come home to this. I feel alone. I feel like it's not fair. I've worked really hard to change my life and I feel like I'm being punished because I chose wls. can anyone else relate?

I'm on day 3 of my pre-op diet. The horrible headache I had days 1 & 2 is mostly gone, and I'm not nearly as miserable as I was but I am hungry between meals. I'm really just trying to grin and bear it 'til my body gets used to it. My surgeon does things a bit differently and doesn't require full liquids - his explanation was you're on full liquids for so long after surgery he sees no point in torturing us pre-op, too. I can certainly appreciate that! I *think* they may change my diet up a bit closer to my surgery, which I don't have a date for yet but am expecting late Nov-early Dec. I just have blood work and my NUT appointment (both scheduled) and I can submit to insurance!???? My diet mostly consists of lean meats and veggies, eating every 2-3 hours, a little bit of fruit, light string cheese, nuts or low fat low sugar yogurt, etc. NO sweets, NO white potatoes, Pasta, rice, bread, caloric drinks, etc. and drink 60 oz of Water minimum daily. I am getting more and more excited to start my VSG journey each day, but it just doesn't seem real!

I used the little cups they gave me, until I reached stage 4 -reg diet. The protein is the most important. But for food I liked mushy things like can salad. Turkey salads, puréed in the cups and that was great. Cheese!!!! Fish baked, tuna out of the can with celery salt, Greek yogurts, all have High protein, low low sugars and low carbs.

I add peanut butter to oatmeal for a little extra protein and extra calories. Also, I put low fat cheddar with my scrambled egg. I just eat little bits, but often. I think I stalled because I wasn't getting enough food, plus I would just crash and get really tired. Also I eat Greek yogurt a lot.