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I was supposed to have Surgery Sept 9 of this year and started the Liver Shrink diet Aug 10. I have stuck with this diet even though the first week was VERY hard. It consist of a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch, a small fruit and 1 cup yogurt for snack, 6oz meat 1 cup salad greens with 1 tablespoon fat free dressing 1 cup certain veggies and 2 carbs for dinner, and a Protein Shake for an evening snack. I went to get my preop lab work done and then the day before surgery was to happen, it was canceled due to my liver enzymes were too high. Back in June my liver was in perfect shape. Enzymes were fine and ultrasound was fine and now they are very high. I think this could be the diet doing this but my dietitian does not think it is so they want me to continue the diet until I get released from my PCP. They are going to check my enzymes again Monday and if they are down my PCP will give the ok for surgery and surgery will be on the 30th. Has anyone else ever had trouble with the diet causing your enzymes to be high? Thanks for your input Elizabeth

I am hungry too. I was banded on Monday, the 16th. I am living off of tomato bisque, yogurt, popsicles, Jello, and Water. I tasted the inside of my daughter's burrito (stuck my finger inside it) and it was delish! The meat and cheese was of mush constitancy...I sucked on it for a long time and then spit it out. So, I totally understand. I can't wait until I get to chew something again. Hopefully the next few weeks of healing will go fast. Starting weight 254 lbs Current weight 238 lbs Goal weight 145 lbs Weight lost 16lbs

Has anyone done frozen yogurt soft post op?

Well, yogurt is for me the best alternative as u mentioned. Any idea of target weight loss % per month?

I was banded the same day and have been really freakin hungry for 2 days now. In fact I've been posting about this miserable post op diet and how there's no way I can adhere for another week. Everything else seems to be settling out so I cheated a little tonite and had 3oz of low fat yogurt and a little diluted fruit juice and it made all the difference. I feel so much better! Not recommending you cheat but I'm having the exact same experience. My doc's diet has me on way less than 100 calories per day and zero Protein. I've lost 8 pounds in 3 days and 27lbs in about 3 weeks. That seems extreme to me.

I used Hormel Turkey chili without Beans, greek yogurt (if you don't like the taste try the Yoplait 100 greek...I can't stomach the others myself), lowfat cottage cheese, Soups you can puree in a blender or with a hand blender, egg beaters, 2%, lowfat or fat free cheeses, poached eggs work, sugar free pudding with Protein powder mixed. Hope that helps somewhat. If I can think of more I'll post em

It is a lot of protein at first. I rely on tasteless protein powder that I can mix into fair life milk (lower sugar, higher protein) or mix into cottage cheese or yogurt. My diet started at 1/4 cup of food 3 x a day. And then the portion went up over time. And no snacking at all in between. Our rule is no drinking 15 mins before and 1 hour after eating.

It depends on my mood....usually, I don't eat after my bedtime protein shake, but tonight, I was snacky, so I had 5 Low Fat Ritz crackers with tuna...I am 2.5 months out, and that fills me up! Tuna is a great source of protein, and a yummy snack. You could also try, clementines, sugar free pudding/jello, ff cottage cheese, string cheese,or yogurt.

Hey. I actually understand where you're coming from. Actually, my sister is the picky eater of the family and she doesn't love all vegetables as much as everyone else in the family. However, she does eat vegetables and fruits every day on her own initiative, and that's because she still does enjoy them much more than the average North American. She just sticks to many of the usual vegetables and fruits, and is less varied in her produce. Just like how I grew up in a family as the only person who was overweight since childhood (with a naturally ravenous appetite and sedentary book-worm personality), there is definitely normal variation between individuals that occurs naturally. Genetics and neurology can account for SOME of a person's taste in food and tendencies. That being said, if my sister was raised in the typical North American household, she'd be the picky eater who only ate french fries and chicken nuggets and was physically revolted by lettuce. First, I think you should examine your household overall for others who display a negative attitude toward vegetables. If they are children, you may have an environmental factor going on. If they are adults, you should encourage them to pretend, in her presence, that they enjoy vegetables or at least fruit (they can stick to their favourite ones in front of her). Next, I agree with your physician. It would actually have the opposite of the desired effect if you try to force her either physically or emotionally to eat her fruits and veggies. She will make the association that veggies = upset, discomfort, humiliation, your disappointment and she will always regard them as a dietary obligation, rather than an enjoyable food to consume. One general strategy to getting them to like vegetables and fruits is: always have it around them, even if they don't eat them. Always have different forms (salad, cooked). Put out fruit salad on the table or a bowl of easy-to-enjoy fruit (grapes, apples, bananas, watermelon, peaches). Don't start out with brussel sprouts, start with carrots, peas etc. For picky eaters, really concentrate on fruit. Pick veggies and fruits without strong tastes or smells. My mother always offered new veggies and fruits, and since they were new to us, we sometimes resisted. But, we always saw it on the table, she always ate it with a real appearance of enjoyment (she'd act like it was chocolate cake and to her it usually was like that), and she always offered it (IN REPEATED INSTANCES), but with a smile and with the attitude that it is so tasty and healthy. And, "really, you're going to pass up an offer to eat this fruit? Oh my gosh, i don't know how you can!" This is what I did when I tried to introduce my teenage younger brother to steamed beets. He saw me eat them all the time and I always told him: "Dean, you have to try this! It's sooo good for you, and even if you don't like it now, believe me you'll love it later! Try it with salt, try it with yogurt. Alright, your loss! You'll like it someday. Trust me, I didn't like it at first either" Eventually, he was curious. I repeatedly offered, but in a positive tone, and now he loves it. Remember, even if you don't believe it yourself, YOU HAVE TO FAKE IT TO MAKE IT! Be convincing. And don't let them see you express more interest in bad foods than good ones. Try to be balanced about it. All foods are good in moderation, even the occasional treat. But, even if you only go to McDonald's once a year, if at that time you act like you are in heaven, but you eat salads every day and you act like it's a dietary obligation, they will notice.

So I eat a LOT of Greek yogurt, but there's only a handful of flavors that I like and you gotta admit, eating the same 3 flavors day after day for breakfast and sometimes lunch gets a bit redundant. I have heard that mixing a 5.3oz package of Greek Yogurt with 1/4 package of sugar free jello pudding makes a yummy snack, especially if you are having a sweet tooth craving. I think I'll try this, but from what I've read it turns the Greek yogurt into a mousse almost, light and fluffy in texture, but not as bitter, so for everyone who doesn't like Greek Yogurt because of the bitter aftertaste, this may be for you! I also read that some people freeze the mixture to make a type of healthier high protein ice cream. I just found a recipe for mixing blended banana into a cup of greek yogurt, add a bit of lemon juice, and a bit of honey and freeze to make pops. Has anyone tried any of this?? Or have any suggestions for healthy high protein snacks?? For lunch today I took a slice of turkey breast, a slice of provolone cheese, and a pickle and made rolls with them because I can't handle bread on my sandwiches it fills me up too quickly. I think tomorrow I'll try a piece of avocado with the turkey and cheese. Night all!

Are you able to drink milk? At least it has a bit of protein. Also, maybe yogurt drinks?

I hear people say this A LOT, but it never made sense to me. I mostly hear this from fellow dieters who also say: "I always have to be around food that's not healthy for me, but what can I do? I have kids." If it's not healthy for you, it's not healthy for them! Right? I really just don't know why (some, but truthfully many) people feel that they have to keep these foods in the house for their children. Not only does feeding them the foods that got you to your situation set their habits and tastes for food for life, but they're just plain bad for the health of a small body. I can understand the occasional treat, but consciously feeding things like coca-cola (yes, even diet soda), kool-aid, chicken-nuggets, fries, pop-tarts, and, my god, what passes for "children's Cereal," which consists of powdered sugar on usually white processed wheat, I really don't understand it. Even when parents think they're feeding their kids "healthy" foods, they feed them fruit roll-ups, fishsticks, artificially coloured and flavoured fruit yogurt, and fruit juice that's mostly artificial sugar and Water. Just containing the word "fruit," doesn't make these foods even a close approximation to healthy. Speaking generally of Western culture (although I love it in most respects much more than my own heritage's culture), I remember from my days in a North American elementary school that food such as these were brought by kids as daily lunches (lunchables, dunkaroos, pizza pops). When I went to my friends' houses, I was often really taken aback by the fact that they ALWAYS had a full supply of pop, ice-cream, pogos, waffles (etc) in the fridge. They always ate fruit-loops or greasy bacon/sausages for Breakfast. They're reaction to vegetables was "ewww!!!" and they learned from an early age that their own parents have to force-feed themselves raw vegetables or load it with thick salad dressing just for the sake of "being good" in their diet. Many children with good metabolisms and high activity actually might not get fat from these items, but these things on a regular basis are horrible for their systems. And eventually, by the time they're 30, their metabolisms fall behind, while their taste in food is set. Now, obviously, I don't, myself, have a healthy approach to food. I eat too much of good, natural food. And, I spend a lot of the day reading, or sitting in class/the lab/at the computer, so I'm very sedentary. But I'm the only one in my entire extended family who is overweight and still I really love fruits and vegetables, but that's because my mother surrounded me with them and I never saw her have to force herself to eat vegetables, and she ate a wider variety of vegetables than only celery and carrot sticks at that. She never had to load up the fruit and vegetables in our house with Peanut Butter or cheese wiz to make it more "edible" and my brother and I used to argue over which one of us got that last piece of broccoli. The one thing that she could not control was my wacky portion sizes once I started plating food myself. She really tried, and she even tried to kick me out each day to go and play, but these behaviours are much harder to control than consciously bringing bad foods into the house. I just hear too many times that "my kids just don't like vegetables." Just look at commercials and the way that North American and British adults are told new ways to sneak vegetables into their kids' foods. Look at those V8 commercials. OMG, you mean if I drink this, I don't have to eat any vegetables? Or how about "it tastes like white bread, but it has the nutrition of whole wheat." For god's sake, stripping bread of its natural nutrients, and mixing in artificial supplements doesn't make it healthy! These campaigns work and are sooo ubiquitous precisely because these sentiments exist and are ubiquitous. It's not true that "childhood" and "liking vegetables" are inherently mutually exclusive concepts. Kids don't like vegetables because they weren't taught to by their parents in a way that was convincing and natural. Kids are perceptive and they are watching you. They see how you react to and speak about fries, and how you react to and speak about brussel sprouts. I know, I know--I'm blabbering on with this rant (but no one made you read this far. You're probably just a masochist ). And, I know that some people are going to take great offense to this. That's fine. I expect it and it won't hurt me if you do. But, just so that you understand my intentions, I should say that I really don't mean this to be offensive. First, if it doesn't apply to you, there's no reason to take personal offense. Second, if it does, I'm sure that you can understand that this is done out of a genuine concern for a very grave problem. I just really would like people, if this applies to them, to reconsider this too common mentality that exists in some Western countries. It's a vicious cycle and I know that many overweight adults have difficulties switching to a healthier diet because of a disgust for healthy food that was formed at an early age. For them, there is no appetizing alternative to fat or sugary foods. The wrong associations that you construct in childhood are very difficult to break. I'm saying that your kids can love vegetables, if you start things right. We all have weaknesses, but we should never consciously pass on our learned weaknesses to our children. And grocery-shopping is a conscious, weekily decision. Wow, it really feels good to finally say this after all these years! If you don't agree, I welcome your critique of my opinions, but only if you use your indoor voice.

candace, aha!! Sorry to hear that but... you're not alone. And I bet it really is the TOM at work. I'm 2.5 wks out and last Friday, I actually went to see my surgeon because suddenly I felt so much worse. The pain around my incisions got worse -- inside, not just on the skin -- AND I was suddenly unable to eat the food I normally ate w/o upchucking. Normally I eat about 2oz of tuna for breakfast; the day I felt so bad, I ate 1.3 oz and couldn't keep more than half down. I ate two tiny tiny coffee spoons of yogurt and BLARP, up it came. With the bitter after taste of my medicine, too. So, I figured that it was doctor time before it got worse. Dr. prescribed cold Water and cold liquid food for probable swelling... and if I didn't feel any better the next day, an x-ray... and probably days in the hospital, urgh, cuz that's what they do here. Then of course I realized Aunt Flo was paying me a visit. The timing was too perfect to be coincidental... I really believe that's what caused it. I get bad cramps and, shall we say, "digestion effects" from the cramping so I guess it's not farfetched to imagine the cramping and pain affecting things higher up on the "food chain," like my new baby sleeve. The cold water & cold liquid food for 2 days really helped me. So did ibuprofen. While my "ladytime" (hee) is not over, I can eat normally again and no barfing. So I didn't have to go get the x-ray or go to the hospital (yes!). Maybe you could try the cold water and cold liquid foods (like cold potato Soup, or gazpacho, or sf pudding). I hope you feel better! *drinking cold water right now*

Ive lost 31lbs since June 1st - I was sleeved June 9th - since the 9th I have lost 24 lbs Since my surgery I have been eating basically 0% fat Greek Yogurt - Fage is a good brand. You can mix with Splenda for taste if you like. Also, Progresso Light Soups in the blender so there will be no chunks. Campbells Select Harvest is really good too. I eat 2oz at a time, 3 times a day.... and do sugar free popsicles as a filler in between - WORKS GREAT! I also do 2 Protein drinks, Mid morning - and a few hrs before dinner. 25 grams each to give me 50 for the day. ( i need 40-60). Highly recommend the GNC Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 - leanest that i have found and tastes good. (chocolate tastes like choc milk ) My Dr says to walk 10-20 min right after eating. So I follow orders! One time I didnt... and felt the difference Walking right after helps it settle, and helps you burp etc if you need to. I highly recommend it. I must be doing something right 31 lbs since June 1 baby! Good luck you will do great!!!!

No it won't stretch you stomach. Next time start with just 1 egg. I was full on 1 egg made with a tiny bit of cheese and greek yogurt to keep them moist for a really long time.

Funny you should ask... just today I tracked 1/2 cup yogurt (not a big deal) AND 1/2 a clementine! Yes, 1/2 a clementine, which I might add, had no protein but is yummy!

Here's a typical day in Protein for me: Wake-up: Soy Latte, 8 grams protein Breakfast: 1 cup greek yogurt, 1 .slice whole grain toast: 26 grams protein Lunch: 2 oz. light salami, Baby Bel light cheese: 20 grams protein Dinner: 3 oz. of fish, chicken, pork, or beef: 21 grams protein That gets me to 75 grams of protein. Before I could eat so much at one sitting, I had a mid-afternoon snack of light cheese or lunch meat and sometimes an after dinner cup of soy milk to get more protein in. Lynda

we are all going to be able to fit different amounts in our sleeves due to the fact that different docs use different bougie sizes. on top of that the docs only change the width of our stomachs, not the length....and everybody has a different length. so that being said...i would definatly measure all of the food first for a while, till you get used to how much makes you feel satisfied and not full. as for me I have noticed that if I am eating meat I get fuller with way less vs eating cottage cheese or yogurt. take it slow and listen to your sleeve....lol.....it will let you know if you are eating to much good luck!

that broccoli in hot garlic sauce sounds tasty. Like a previous poster stated, I eat every 2 hours and that helps me a lot. You should get rid of the biscuits and X the toast too. Try low fat string cheese sticks or low fat PB with celery. Remember the Proteins first. There was someone that made a sorbet out of frozen fruit, low fat Greek yogurt and 1 scoop of Protein powder. He put it in the food processor and it was done. This is something you could try too. I know I am lol. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, bedtime snack This is my plan. I also still drink my Protein shakes or do Pure Protein Bars (1/2 bar) which keeps me full as well.

Sounds like you need to chat with your doctor/dietician. The diet you are being asked to follow is very different than most others, including myself, had to follow. Post surgery, I drank clear liquids for 1 week, Week 2-mushies (yogurt, smoothies, cream soups), Weeks 3 and 4-very soft foods (well cooked vegetables, chicken, fish, eggs) and Weeks 5 onward-normal foods-small portions, high protein, low carbs.

I just had my post-op class last night, and I have to follow a weekly schedule. Week 1 clear liquids, Week 2 introducing creamy soups, yogurt, anything that doesnt require chewing, Week 3 &4 are kinda blended into what I can tolerate for solids, eventually getting to three meals a day, and weaning off the protein shakes. I guess every doctor is different.

I had soups, sf tapioca, yogurt, string cheese, cottage cheese, protein drinks, sf carnation instant breakfast, gogurts but mostly soups....

You would have to check your surgeon's food guidelines. I was still on full liquids at 2 weeks out. Make sure to bring a cooler with you. You will want to have plenty of bottled Water, some Protein packets and milk or soymilk to mix them with. I was drinking a lot of liquid yogurt at that stage. You may want to pre-portion some cream Soup into microwaveable tupperware that you can take to a mini-mart on the road and heat up. If you are not on solids, you will not be able to eat anything at the drive-through. I am 2 months out and I still have a hard time eating a whole hamburger patty without the bun. My first foray into fast food consisted of the meat and cheese from the inside of one taco at about 4 weeks. Also, bring tylenol as that is the only approved pain killer. Gas-x strips and tums will handle any gas or acid that might crop up. As far as discomfort, that varies from person to person. I was exhausted and felt pretty bad for almost 4 weeks. Other people on this board have surgery Monday and are in fighting shape the following Monday. You should be fine for the drive, but you won't really know how food treats you until you get to that point. Good luck! lara

grits, yogurt, sugar free pudding, sugar free popsicles, puree vegetable beef or chicken noodle soup in your blender. You can puree pretty much anything, like spud mama says -- it may not always look good, but it tastes the same.

I was banded on a Friday and by Sunday night I was starving...lol. I had to wait until the following Friday before I was allowed to start mushy foods. The doctor said I was probably a quick healer and thus experienced hunger sooner than others. That week felt like torture, but I made it through. At any rate, just stick with the plan. There is a reason why you are only supposed to eat soft mushy foods and that is because you are still healing. meats, etc. may not be such a great idea right now because you do not want to disrupt the healing process....not trying to sound preachy, just dont want you to disturb anything. I found that eating a scrambled egg kept me feeling full longer as well as mashed potatoes because of how dense they are. Although eating yogurt and applesauce was good, I did find myself more hungry than when I ate the other things. good luck!