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I also had the hernia repair along with my band. I took a week off of work and I worked 1/2 days most of the 2nd week just to get back in the swing of things. I bought the whey protein at Sams Club/Walmart. The chocolate mixed with milk takes just like chocolate milk so that is easy to get down. I mixed the vanilla with milk, greek yogurt & a handfull of berries. Tasted really good, but the air from blending was too much for my stomach. I've tried Muscle Milk and that was really good.

I too had the sleeve 2 years ago an suffered with severe acid reflex an they said only thing would save my stomach an asophagus was revision to bypass an i had it august 18th no more acid reflex but scared how small I will get because everyone in my family that had bypass is like a size 0 so far I'm 37 pounds down an they want me to start working out an i told the doctor I still can't hold solid foods down an she said she's not to much concerned with that as long as I stay hydrated lol but I am concerned all I can hold down is liquids an yogurt an i tried smashing avocado that stayed down

Menu - Bfast - yogurt/granola Lunch - chicken salad Dinner - Exericse - 10:00 am - 15 min on elliptical 3:00 - 15 min on elliptical Evening - upper body workout Wt 181.7 NOtes - did not make it to the gym last night like I had planned, too much going on. Today is another hectic day, we have our meeting tonight, work today is full of stuff, I have 2 big conference calls, a meeting at 3:30 today that I have to speak at, and then tomorrow we have our big wigs coming into the office, I'm so stressed! I need a day off to do absolutely nothing!

Try taking 2 cups of spinach, 1 cup of almond milk, and 1 yogurt (I use greek to get my protein) and blend away. It keeps me full and you get in some veggies. The v8 spicy juice is pretty good too.

I had a GREAT workout last night, my DH & I went to the gym and I worked my upper body out. I worked it so hard, I felt like mush when I left. But it sure felt good to be back in the gym workout out like i used to do! I'm excited to be back in the program! I can't wait for 1 month from now, because I know if I am consistant, the results will start showing. Menu today Bfast 1/2 cup skim milk, grapenuts cereal (about 1/2 cup) Snack yogurt Lunch tomatoe soup (this is the last of my container, thank gawd, getting tired of it, but it is good) snack - handful of nuts Dinner 1/2 cup of beans & ham - yum Exercise 10:00 am - 15 min on elliptical 2:30 pm - 22 min of HIIT - burned 181 calories, and 1.71 distance Gym - my plan is go tonight and work my lower body - the abs are screaming for crunches!

Liz sounds great. I went to Panera Bread with my granddaughter last week and I ended up getting cheese/broccoli Soup that was delicious and it came with a baguette but I didn't even bite it at all. for dinner I wasn't up for a big meal, made hubby something and I had a yogurt. Quite happy and never stuffed. it is liberating.

I take a daily called Complete One which I purchased from Puritan Pride, you can request a catalog or look online. I take B complex, recommended by my dr. since I am diabetic. I take 600 mg. calcium am and 600 pm., recommended by my nutritionist. I also take magnesium to help with calcium absorption, recommended by nutritionist. I think there is alot of benefits to taking the fish oil. I personally put ground flax seed on my yogurt daily, I think you get more of the omegas from this than the fish oil, but at times I opt for the fish oil.

After you....get things moving.....for maintenance, what I do is have a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fiber one mixed into my low carb yogurt every morning. That kind of counteracts the high protein aspect of my diet. (But only after you're cleared to eat something that solid. It mushes up pretty good once it sits in the yogurt for a while...) I use Fiber One because it has the highest fiber with the lowest carbs and calories.

My nutritionis said that until I get good restriction (I haven't been filled yet) to eat 3 small meals and 3 -4 small snacks a day. Just start having some healthy snacks between meals - yogurt, nuts, cheese, fruit etc... She said that eventually I won't be hungry enough to eat between meals but for now - it's OK.

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.

Boo, you shouldn't be eating solid foods three weeks out from surgery. It takes longer than that for your insides to heal and a PB at this stage is far worse for you than having one when you are healed. Go back to liquids for 24 hours, and then stay on soft foods for another week or two. There are lots of great soft foods that you can eat and not feel deprived, like refried Beans, mashed potatoes, frozen yogurt, bananas, even baked sweet potatoes!

Love the grilled chicken salads at McD's. Eat the chicken off the top, get a low calorie dressing to use as a dip, then eat as much veggies as you have room for. At gas stations, beef jerkey, string cheese, and sugar free drinks are my friends. At the cheap Breakfast buffet, they may have instant oatmeal packets, yogurt, and fruit. Plus nonfat milk if you're not lactose intolerant (I am). I bring along RTD Protein drinks too. Have fun, play some silly car games like license plate counting, sing along to dorky songs, and have a great time. Before you eat crap, think about if you really want it. Sometimes I picture the food in a store, lots of it, then all the stores in my town, my state, US, the world. Then I remember there is plenty of it for later. I can't possibly eat it all and I don't have to eat it now. Weird I know, but it works for me. Lynda

Stage 2 for me was anything that didn't require chewing. Most days, I'm eating Greek yogurt, fat free refried beans (sometimes melt some fat free shredded cheese on top), mashed potatoes (not often - they're not the most nutritious pick!), turkey chili w/no beans (higher protein)...

M1 - 7:30 am coffee/protein drink blended in ice M2 - 11:00 am - 2 oz of lowfat cottage cheese mixed with 3 oz LC yogurt M3 - 2:15 pm - 2 whole wheat crackers with pink salmon chunks M4 - 1 cup of salad with chicken breast, sunflower seeds and dressing 1 TPSP m5 - water & lemon Exercise - UBWO (Upperbody workout) 5:30 am - 6:30 am 3 min warm up on elliptical machine Chest Chest press 12 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs 8 reps - 15 lbs 6 reps - 15 lbs 12 reps - 15 lbs Pectoral fly - 12 reps - 25 lbs Shoulders (note - very sore in the shoulder area, must have slept on it wrong so took it easy because of past injuries and did not want to have problems) Shoulder press 9 reps - 10 lbs 7 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs (really hurting - lots of pain this morning) Back Rear deltoids 12 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs 8 reps - 15 lbs 6 reps - 15 lbs 12 reps - 15 lbs Lat Pulldown - 12 reps - 30 lbs Triceps Tricep extension 12 - 10 lbs 10 - 20 lbs 8 - 25 lbs 6 - 35 lbs 12 - 30 lbs Dumbbell extension - 12 - 5 lbs Biceps Bicep curl 12 - 10 lbs 10 - 15 lbs 8 - 20 lbs 6 - 30 lbs 12 - 25 lbs Hammer curls - 12 - 10 lbs Exercise - 6:25 PM - 35 min on treadmill, speed varied 3.1 to 3.3 MPH, 3.5% incline and then lowered to 2.0% (was getting a cramp in my side), 249 calories, 1.89 distance. Note - wt this morning 195 - grrrrrr here we go again, trying to get out of the 190's and my body is fighting me all the way! I jump from 192 to 195 and keep bouncing. It was hard getting up this morning, but I didn't want to blow the challenge the first day and I don't think I can fit my exercises in this evening so I knew I had to get up. I can push myself harder next time on the lbs I lifted. Having horrible shoulder pain so didn't push it too hard, I don't want another injury like I had before. I'm proud of myself for getting out of bed at 5:00 am and keeping my promise to myself, I will need to stay focussed in order to finish this challenge. Day 1 completed, and 83 more days to go. Beginning measurements for my 12 week goal - Weight - 195 Body Fat - 41% Lean body mass - 115 lbs Fat weight - 80 lbs Neck - 14" Waist - 36" Forearm - 9 1/4" Wrist - 6 1/4" Hips 44" Thigh - 23 1/2 Bicep - 13 chest - 38 1/2 calve - 16" BFL Goals - I will complete the 12 week challenge I will lose 25 lbs of FAT I will gain 5 lbs of muscle to make a total loss of 20 lbs I will stay focussed I will eat clean I will not quit!

Hummus, puréed soups, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt

I'm doing very well. I had troubles with the anesthesia but other than that no problems at all. I'm down to one Protein shake a day and getting the rest from food; Greek yogurt, eggs, Beans and cottage cheese, some chicken. I start real food Monday. Can't wait. I'm using toddler utensils and small plates. Only getting about 600-700 calories but my doc said to worry about protein and fluids first. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That was the response I got at Olive Garden today when I said "no thankyou" to the complimentary garlic bread. pat pat pat myself on the back. Seems like small potatoes, but it was a HUGE triumph for me. I love breads, rice, pastas...oh and the delicious mashed potatoes made with cream cheese!!! I am a not just a food addict, I am addicted to starch. So, I orded the soup (pasta fagioli) and salad...yes with the dressing. But I did not order anything carb loaded. I thought about asking the waitress to remove the bread, but my friend was enjoying it sooo much, I just didn't have the heart. ooh ooh ooh....and you know that little mint they give you at the end, I gave it to my friend. New plan, I am going to feed all of my friends so they get fatter to make me look skinnier. Just joking. The will power is getting easier....but no bueno on the shakes 2 times day. It's too much sweetness. I bought some jerky, string cheese and yogurt to get the full amount of protein needed per day. I also eat fish or chicken and green veggies or salad for dinner. I am only down 2 lbs for the first week of preop diet, but I am still limited on my excercise with my broken toes. Note to self....stop falling down stairs. Tomorrow starts week 2 of preop. Phew....can't wait for this week to be over with. I am so excited to get banded next week.

Let's see....I was banded yesterday! Still on pain meds...in a lot more pain today than I was yesterday...hurts to sit up, get up, bend down, etc. Definitely hungry but doing well with slimfast blended shakes, tomato soup, apple juice, lemon yogurt, etc. I have "tape" over my incisions. I noticed today that they are bleeding a bit so I put an extra bandaid on a couple of them. I'm allowed to shower now...but I prefer sponge baths from the husband (which he *thinks* are part of the recovery)! I don't know about sleeping on the side...I'm paranoid I will disrupt the port. Checkout my blog for the step-by-step of my experience so far: Lise The Loser’s Weblog

I got banded on Feb 19th. I am going in for my post op dr appointment tomorrow. I can't wait to see how much I've lost. I was only on pain meds for 4 days post op. I have stiches but they are the kind that disolve. No bandages. I am still on liguids mostly protein drinks, soup, yogurt, jello. I do eat 4oz of malt o meal for breakfast and 4oz protein shake. I like Carnation Inst Breakfast and add a scoop of protein powder. Lunch is soup and 4oz of protein shake and dinner is mashed potatoes or soup and more protein shake. Jello, apple sause or yogert inbetween. Have you been banded yet?

Hi there! You get sleeved the day before me! I also started early Jan, and the process was slower than I would have liked, but that was due to some well, incompetence on the part of my surgeon's staff. There's a sub-forum for August Sleevers, you should stop in: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/106-august-2011-sleevers/ And the liquid diet sucks. I have a 2 week pre-op liquid diet and I'm so ready for the post-op when I get a few extra's (creamy soup, yogurt, yum!)

Thanks all... all I have been having is tomato soup (all the nurse recommended) and Water with some crystal light mixed in. I think that may have a lot to do with it. I just called a girl that I met at my surgeon's office who was having surgery the same day and asked her how her feelings were going with all this.... she gave me some great news!! I had the diet all wrong... Where I thought I was supposed to be on Clear Liquids for the first week - it was just for the first 2 days post op and then full liquids until the 3rd week. So that opened up for me: soupy grits/oatmeal, yogurt, pudding, and anything else that can be sucked through a straw as a liquid. So the eating of the baby food bananas that I had was OK and the yogurt was OK. THANK GOD!!! because I was in tears after thinking I had screwed all this up and would have to beg to have them fix it. I am now even more proud of myself because I did clear liquids for longer than instructed. So HOPEFULLY this will help with my nay saying self on how bad I want to eat.... I will definitely be having other soup flavors and smoothies and yogurt and variety instead of feeling like I am doing something wrong... However, I so sincerely appreciate all your advice because if I had eaten the solid food or anything else I could have seriously hurt myself. (Which I already knew in the back of my mind, but refused to let it come to the fore-front)... SO THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! I can't tell you how grateful I am for your suggestions - and please keep em coming... cuz I can use all the soupy liquid suggestions I can get. Thanks, Amy

So I haven't checked in for a while, so I thought I would give an update. I had surgery with jaime Ponce de leon on Nov, 20th, 2014 in Tijuana (booked through bariatricpal). I am now aprox 10 weeks past surgery. I have lost almost 50lbs and still losing. What an awesome thing to do through a season we most always hide from the scale. I wanted to share some experiences with me over that time. Like many of you I gained weight over the years, topping out at almost 290lbs (I am a 6'1" male). When I looked in the mirror, I always saw the same me no matter what weight I was. It was the pictures of me I would see that made me say "Am I really that big?". I think we all go through this denial (even though it was almost every picture I saw that made me think it). Over the last two months I have had the weight falling off, but similar experience in front of the mirror. I still see the same me (one that was 50lbs heavier a little while ago) and do not see the weight loss. I know I am losing (I buy pants that last 2-4 weeks before I need something smaller) but I do not see that change yet. I am curious if others go through this? I guess it only makes sense that I never saw me gain weight in the mirror (so how could I lose it). Still a weird experience. I had a business trip this week for the first time. I usually dreaded coming home and finding out how much I have gained eating out every day (and some drinks at night). I am happy to report that I actually lost 1.5lbs during my trip! Drinking has been tougher (but ultimately better for me). I was one that tended to drink to get drunk (I know, that sounds bad). I have a hard time getting to that buzzed stage because of the slower rate I can intake. I have not had a soda or beer since pre-op (and maybe never will). If I am headed out to a bar for a night out, I usually keep a lemonade mio in my pocket to mix with a vodka and Water. Once in a while I have a bloody mary, but I am a little more sensitive to acid drinks. I just overall drink much less (which is better for me and my goals anyway). I can still eat very little. My hardest part has been eating slowly (or you pay). I start each day with a greek yogurt and 30mg Protein supplement. lunch is usually either another yogurt, a Soup, or salad. I tend to snack more (beef jerkey for some reason is really easy on my stomach and is my snack of choice). I also grab those yummy wasabi almonds! My goal having this surgery was to be able to enjoy food, but not have it control me. I have dieted many times in the past with me always over indulging when the diet was over. I think part of that is my compulsive and ADHD traits. I did not want to feel like I am in a diet, where I will only return to my bad habits at some point. To help with that I eat what I want to eat. If I have a craving, I eat it (within reason). The good part is the qty you eat is so much smaller, that you suffice the want, without killing your progress. I do not feel like I am on a diet, and that is the best part. So here are some pics of me before surgery and today (10 weeks later). Still more to go, but happy with where I am today.

M1 - 7:30 am coffee/protein drink blended in ice M2 - 11:00 am - 2 oz of lowfat cottage cheese mixed with 3 oz LC yogurt M3 - 2:15 pm - 2 whole wheat crackers with pink salmon chunks M4 - 1 cup of salad with chicken breast, sunflower seeds and dressing 1 TPSP m5 - water & lemon Exercise - UBWO (Upperbody workout) 5:30 am - 6:30 am 3 min warm up on elliptical machine Chest Chest press 12 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs 8 reps - 15 lbs 6 reps - 15 lbs 12 reps - 15 lbs Pectoral fly - 12 reps - 25 lbs Shoulders (note - very sore in the shoulder area, must have slept on it wrong so took it easy because of past injuries and did not want to have problems) Shoulder press 9 reps - 10 lbs 7 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs (really hurting - lots of pain this morning) Back Rear deltoids 12 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs 8 reps - 15 lbs 6 reps - 15 lbs 12 reps - 15 lbs Lat Pulldown - 12 reps - 30 lbs Triceps Tricep extension 12 - 10 lbs 10 - 20 lbs 8 - 25 lbs 6 - 35 lbs 12 - 30 lbs Dumbbell extension - 12 - 5 lbs Biceps Bicep curl 12 - 10 lbs 10 - 15 lbs 8 - 20 lbs 6 - 30 lbs 12 - 25 lbs Hammer curls - 12 - 10 lbs Exercise - 6:25 PM - 35 min on treadmill, speed varied 3.1 to 3.3 MPH, 3.5% incline and then lowered to 2.0% (was getting a cramp in my side), 249 calories, 1.89 distance. Note - wt this morning 195 - grrrrrr here we go again, trying to get out of the 190's and my body is fighting me all the way! I jump from 192 to 195 and keep bouncing. It was hard getting up this morning, but I didn't want to blow the challenge the first day and I don't think I can fit my exercises in this evening so I knew I had to get up. I can push myself harder next time on the lbs I lifted. Having horrible shoulder pain so didn't push it too hard, I don't want another injury like I had before. I'm proud of myself for getting out of bed at 5:00 am and keeping my promise to myself, I will need to stay focussed in order to finish this challenge. Day 1 completed, and 83 more days to go. Beginning measurements for my 12 week goal - Weight - 195 Body Fat - 41% Lean body mass - 115 lbs Fat weight - 80 lbs Neck - 14" Waist - 36" Forearm - 9 1/4" Wrist - 6 1/4" Hips 44" Thigh - 23 1/2 Bicep - 13 chest - 38 1/2 calve - 16" BFL Goals - I will complete the 12 week challenge I will lose 25 lbs of FAT I will gain 5 lbs of muscle to make a total loss of 20 lbs I will stay focussed I will eat clean I will not quit!

Hmmm I stopped eating process foods pretty much . I make most of it . Like tuna , I use avacado tuna sunflower seeds 1 or 2 hard boiled eggs parm cheese , pepper and garlic mix it all together and make 3 servings or 2 out of it . Some time I do every thing the same but add mayo instead of avacado . And I will use salmon also . I eat 2 serving of watermelon a day . I will get Greek yogurt and surger free pudding . I also love baby bell lights so I will have a few of them . I will make shredded chicken or just a chicken Brest and nibble on that . But I eat every 2 hours 4 oz of something . And some times I will go through del taco order half order of pinto beans add turkey and cheese and red sauce . Or Taco Bell and just get the pinto beans and cheeee . But I have not ate any TV dinners yet not planing on it . But who knows . I know I have to add flavors to my food I make for the most part ms dash is my friend . To make it all taste good . Try to get creative with your food choices . As far as the pain I am in the same boat I was hit head on in 91 so I have a lot of traumatic arthritis . And metal rods and pins throughout my body . And that all I would her from dr lose the weight and it will get better well my highest weight was 484 got down to 439 then lap banded 2 times to get me to 357 . Then sleved 357 to 285 . My pain is still there still have problems walking my back upper neck area still in pain . So I feel you . But I will say it's getting easier to walk but still no wear that is pain free . Next step is going to see about corrective surgery on my left ankle and knees hope that will help me . But never give up . Now the things I noticed after surgery sleeve is constipation frequent . I don't drink enough water and heart burn from hell I take Pepcid and prilosac togather that seems to help . Well cheer up don't get down it will start to get better

About three weeks out I got very inexplicably moody. It really didn't bother me that people around me could eat normally - it just bothered me that I couldn't and I was afraid I would never be able to enjoy even the basics ever ever again I'd sometimes just sit at the table & start crying halfway through my tiny 1/4 cup of yogurt. At that point, I had a lot of nausea and trouble with a bunch of foods - but it was temporary and now at 5 months, I can really eat anything with no issues. But it was more than that. When you go through a major surgery like we have, your body's hormones get all out of whack for a bit. Understanding that helped me keep things in perspective. You also are eating a LOT less calories so fatigue might also be a factor in the emotions. I am sure your doc will check all your blood work & Vitamin levels at your appointment to see if anything needs to be adjusted. Hang in there - this is just a little blip in the road and things will get better very soon!