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Pretty much everything. Added to yogurt and mix ins of choice for morning protein drink, mixed with cold yogurt for an extra protein punch. Added to coffee or tea and added to soups or broth.

I find it interesting that different doctors give different instructions regarding the diet. I will be entering postop week 2 tomorrow, and for the past week, as instructed, I have been on full liquids but also had to include 70-100 grams of protein a day. I have felt like all I have done is drink, and drink a lot of very unappealing protein drinks at that. My docotor said if I didn''t get enough protein in, I would not lose weight, my stomach wouldn't heal properly and could leak, I could lose hair, etc. How I wish I could have cottage cheese, yogurt or even lentil soup! But those are not allowed until week 3, for me.

I'm day 5 post op, and I really don't think I can tolerate another day of broth or Jello. I got 2 days to go to phase 2- is it horribly bad for me to have a lil bit of yogurt today? I'm starting to get really hungry. Advice please

it tasted like pureed egg, chicken and regular greek yogurt. Pureed to a pulp. I think it was one ounce? Add salt and pepper. I don't know anyone who has had the sleeve and not eaten pureed for a while. You can't go straight to regular food. Even now, I'm on soft food, only what I can cut with a fork. Last night's dinner was 3 ounces of baked chicken thigh, cut into tiny pieces and then chewed to a pulp.

I think I read that you are on 6 carnation instant breakfasts a day? That would be very tough to stick to if that is all you can have for 3 weeks... I was on a liquid diet but it had some variety. I could have cottage cheese, light yogurt (not a lot but some), broths, plus Protein drinks, I asked the doctor specifically if I could have frozen strawberries/blueberries in my Protein Drinks that I make in the blender (they are low sugar), he said yes. If I were you I would maybe ask the doctor if you could have some variety. If it means you stick to the diet, it is worth it. If the goal is low carb to shrink your liver, then there are options. For me, egg drop Soup takeout from my local chinese restaurant really helped me. I usually added some extra broth to it. It was nice and warm. Then cottage cheese with sugar free Jello. S/F popsicles too. I did my pre-op diet for 11 days and lost 14 lbs. My doctor said my liver looked "beautiful". Regardless.. you will do it!! It does get easier... I had my surgery this past Wednesday and I can already tell it is easier post op than pre-op.. so hang in there!! We're all here for you!!

Why did you think you could manage 1/4 cup? It definitely depends on what you are eating. I could pretty easily do 2 oz. of cottage cheese or yogurt when I first started my puree stage, but tuna and chicken... yeah... maybe three bites and I was done!

Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, beans, eggs, tree nuts, legumes, fish, shellfish, poultry, beef, pork, lamb, venison, etc.

Sorry to hear your having a tough time.:think I think all is this relatively normal. Do make yourself a 'cough' pillow/tummy splint for those bouts of coughing/sneezing. Question : do you notice that these bouts of coughing and sneezing are associated with drinking/eating? I had the strangest bouts of coughing when I drank sitting down. I haven't heard many others complain of this, but mine were definitely associated with drinking in the sitting position. They were uncontrollable - like a bad itchy cough and very suddenly onset. If I stood, it was relieved. I think (I know) I have a very very sensitive vagal nerve and I think that had something to do with these crazy bouts of coughing. Try to think back or pay attention to when this happens going forward. It might help you to make adjustments to avoid it. About the hunger. There really is no limit to what you can take in during liquid phases. I spaced my drinks out over the day and seemed like I was consistently putting something in my mouth. Protein Drinks from Atkins, SoupAtHand, yogurt, sugar free popsicles, Jello, broth. I would use the heavier stuff for 'meal' times and fill in with the other things throughout the day. Yogurt and puddings, instant mashed potatoes, refried Beans with V8 and cheese. Those all got me through the soft foods. It's tough, but we all made it through. Certainly gives you a new respect for foods we've always taken for granted. lol. You'll make it!

VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter Hey Sleevers!The lull of summer is ending, and autumn is just around the corner. How did you do in meeting your goals this summer? We hope you met your weight loss and health goals, but if not, don’t worry. It’s the perfect time to get back into your weight loss routine if you got sidetracked during a summer vacation. Pick yourself up, return to your bariatric surgery diet and, of course, let us help! Here is what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter. Sleever Poll: How Did You Find Out About VerticalSleeveTalk.com? Member Spotlight – Meet ShrinkingMama! Your Sleeve Gastrectomy lunch – Packing Your food for a Busy Day Keep the Forums Positive! Take a look at the newsletter and then join us at VerticalSleeveTalk.com! We’re always looking for more participation, and we welcome your feedback, so drop us a line whenever you want! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder VerticalSleeveTalk.com Sleever Poll: How Did You Find Out About VerticalSleeveTalk.com? A. Search engine (e.g., Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc…please tell us which one) B. Friend or family member C. Your surgeon D. Your primary care physician (PCP) E. An offline support group F. Your nutritionist or dietitian G. Someone else from your doctor’s or surgeon’s office (e.g., a nurse or receptionist) H. App store (e.g., iTunes, Google Apps Marketplace) I. Another way. Mark your answer and discuss it in the forums! Member Spotlight – Meet ShrinkingMama! In this month’s newsletter, we’re happy to introduce ShrinkingMama, a 28-year-old wife of a police officer and stay-at-home mother of a 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. Her family is her world and the reason for her surgery. ShrinkingMama came from an Italian family, which revolved around food, but she weighed only 140 pounds throughout high school. She began to gain weight during an abusive relationship, and did not lose much even when using Weight Watchers. She met her husband in 2007, continued to gain weight and was 200 pounds by the time she was pregnant with her daughter. As she says, she “did what any other pregnant woman does: eat!” She was on strict bed rest for her third trimester and weighed 240 pounds. She lost 20, gained it back during her second pregnancy and could not lose much with Weight Watchers, diet pills, Jenny Craig, Overeaters Anonymous, hypnosis or SlimFast. The straw that broke the camel’s back for her was last summer, when her weight prevented her from taking her son on a certain ride. She loved the third surgeon she met, and changed her mind from getting the lap-band to getting vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Her pre-operative preparation went smoothly, and surgery was December 2012. Her first week was rough, but she recovered well and began “dropping weight like crazy.” ShrinkingMama now weighs 147 pounds and is nearly at goal weight of 140 pounds. She has been on a gluten-free diet for about a year because of celiac disease. She is very proud of herself for making this decision and following through. Her husband has been completely supportive, and her parents have come around, for the most part. ShrinkingMama is looking forward to skin removal surgery when she is at goal weight. ShrinkingMama is completely happy with her surgery, and she offers this advice. Listen to your surgeon and nutritionist. Do not compare yourself or your weight loss to others’. Talk to other patients to learn. Be patient! ShrinkingMama, thank you for sharing your story and especially your enthusiasm with us! Congratulations on your weight loss and your new chance at life! If you want to be featured in the Member Spotlight section of our newsletter, let us know in the Member Spotlight forum! You can also nominate another member. If you’re shy, just send a private message to Alex Brecher. Your Sleeve Gastrectomy Lunch – Packing Your Food for a Busy Day By mid-September, many of us are back into regular routines. If you have children who take their lunches to school, you make sure their lunches are appetizing and healthy. Your own lunch deserves just as much care. These tips can help you create easy gastric sleeve-friendly sack lunches to take to work. Have these helpful items on hand: An insulated lunch bag A small spoon, fork and knife A set of small containers with tight-fitting lids Plastic baggies An insulated beverage container (unless you stick to Water bottles) Once a week: Figure out how many days you will need to take a lunch to work in the coming week. Plan your lunch menus, make a shopping list and get the groceries you need The night before: What can you do so that packing your lunch is easier in the morning? Measure your chicken breast Pack a serving of leftovers from dinner in a small container with a tight-fitting lid Wash and cut some fruit and vegetables Pack your utensils and a bottle of water Count your crackers Portable protein: Just as it does when you’re at home, Protein comes first when you’re on the go. These are some ideas for brown baggers. Tuna or chicken in cans or pouches Hard-boiled eggs (If you have a fridge at work): cottage cheese Fat-free canned refried Beans or low-sodium pinto, black or garbanzo beans Low-fat string cheese or light Laughing Cow cheese Lean ham or turkey breast Leftover grilled chicken or fish Peanut Butter If you’re still in the pureed foods stage, try lentil Soup, Protein shakes, hummus and Greek yogurt. Nutritious combinations: Combine your protein with vegetables, fruits and whole grains for their Fiber and other nutrients Dip and raw vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks, grape tomatoes and cauliflower florets salad with chicken or tuna and shredded low-fat cheese Peanut butter on whole grain crackers or with apple slices Ham and low-fat cheese rolled up in a small whole-grain tortilla Greek yogurt with high-fiber Cereal or melon One-half small whole-wheat bagel with fat-free cream cheese and canned salmon If you’re post-op and not at the solid foods stage yet, try fat-free cottage cheese with pureed canned peaches, fat-free refried beans with low-fat shredded cheddar cheese and instant oatmeal with skim milk and Protein powder. Have extras on hand. You might get stuck working late or unable to make your planned lunch-time trip to a grocery store. Stash protein-containing Snacks at work for those occasions. Protein Bars and powder, canned tuna and chicken, roasted soybeans and almonds provide protein and do not need refrigeration, so you can keep them at work or in the car. Lunch after weight loss surgery can be a disaster if you opt for fast food or whatever’s in the vending machine, plan, but you can easily pack a healthy lunch that fits into your diet. Plan ahead, have the containers and utensils you need and focus on lean protein and other nutritious choices so that your lunch supports weight loss. Keep the Forums Positive! You come to VerticalSleeveTalk.com for information and support. Unlike many other online forums, VerticalSleeveTalk.com maintains a positive atmosphere and has zero tolerance for rudeness. We welcome anyone who is interested in weight loss surgery, regardless of their personal beliefs about it. When you see a post that is inappropriate or offensive, please report it using the “report post” link located at the bottom of the post. We realize and appreciate that nearly all members try hard to be welcoming, helpful and polite. These are a few tips to help you avoid avoid accidentally saying something that can be hurtful to another member. Say, “my surgeon told me…,” not, “the only right way is…” Say, “I think I would choose …,” not, “You made the wrong choice.” Say, “Have you considered…?,” not, “You’re not ready for your weight loss journey.” Say, “I have found that …,” not, “The right way is …” Each of these statements let you give your own opinion and advice without accusing other members of doing something wrong. Thank you for keeping the boards positive! That’s what we have for this month’s newsletter. You can always check out the old newsletters in the archive section. Thank you for reading it and for your contributions to the board! Take care of yourself and each other! Sincerely, Alex ============================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

Yester day, August 30th I went to the surgeons office. When I was weighed I had lost 24 pounds. The nurse was very excited about that. When the Doctor came in he started to look at my chart and said do you know how much you have lost? I told him yes, but that I did lose some of the weight prior to surgery as I had cut back on my carbs and had been walking 2 miles on my treadmill. I probably had lost 10 pounds from May until my August 17th surgery. While I was there he took off my steri strips that had been covering my incisions. He said I was healing very well. I am happy anyway for the 24# loss. I am scheduled to go back to him on Sept. 12. He told me I could eat anything you would feed a baby. So I had a cup of clam chowder last evening. Yogurt fro breakfast as usual.

@@anewme15 how are you doing? That's really exciting to hear @@Tintin ! Keep up the great work! I'm a week post op and don't think I could be doing any better. I'm going for 10 minute walks throughout the day and am off all pain meds. Yogurt and cottage cheese have never before brought so much joy into my life, hooray for starting food again!

Hello fellow Bandsters, I haven't been to this site in a while but I figured it's the place to be considering I've hit a rough patch lately. I'll try to keep it simple. Sometimes I wish I weren't banded. It sounds silly, and maybe even shallow, but there are times I just want to be able to eat something without thinking about it, or eat and drink at the same time. (Sometimes I'm thirsty when I'm eating!) I still feel uncomfortable when I go out to eat with my friends and the waiters/waitresses constantly ask if there's something wrong with my food since it's not all gone yet. I've scheduled my 3rd fill for a week from Labor Day. I didn't want to do it before the holiday because I'm going back east to visit my family and didn't want to feel ill while I'm there. I hate feeling like I'm making concessions to my health because I can't shake my habit of eating. I've been banded since Nov 08, and I sometimes can't believe that I still haven't been able to reprogram myself to not eat just because I'm mad, or sad, or bored. I figured a fill would be the right choice because sometimes I eat WAY more than I should (of course there's still the fear I've stretched my pouch, though when I feel pain I ALWAYS stop.) but some mornings I can't even get yogurt down. I try to drink some water in advance, when I know I'm going to eat soon, to loosen it. I just hate feeling restricted (in this way) by my pouch. I've been pretty good. I gave up caffeine and sugar before my surgery, and haven't slipped on that. (Mostly I mean sweets and desserts, I know there's sugar in ketchup then sue me for eating it ) Sometimes I feel like I'm making myself crazy trying to be perfect, and other times I think if I actually were perfect then at least I wouldn't be wanting to eat Chinese food and french fries all the time. Sorry for the ranting. Anyone else make it through rough patches like this? I know that the joy of being thinner should outweigh my want to eat, but what can I say... Old habits die hard I guess. Thanks for your support!

Hi- I'm on clear liquids for one week and starting on week 2 can add full liquids- week 3 is purreed foods but still liquidy- applesauce, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. I was told to get as many fluids as possible- need 64 oz per day after surgery- am constantly sipping- but I am feeling good- hungry but good- I five days post op and going to work today- Was anyone else feeling HUNGRY on weeks 1 & 2? I don't have any saline in my band- My dr. does a fill on weeks 4-6- so I wonder how everyone did on those weeks w/o a fill and felt hunger for actually food- not broth!!!! It is probably "head hunger"

I am 9 months post op RNY and use baby spoons and forks at nearly every meal. I also use dessert plates and small plastic bowls. One thing that was most helpful are Diamond Daily Mini Cups. They are 2 ounce plastic cups with a lid. They are the perfect size for those first meals. They come in a bag of 50 and they were about 3.00 at Target. I still use one every day for the flax seed that I add to my Greek Yogurt. Best of luck to all of you!! It's one crazy ride!! Carol

Are you doing ok? I see it's been 4 mos. I am only out 4 weeks. Just checking to see if you have had any issues. Friday I felt great, worked all day, came home, cooked, did 3 loads of laundry, amazing night. Then Saturday had fever, chills, and could not even eat, had one egg and slice of cheese. Could not eat yesterday, had 1/2 a yogurt. Maybe it's just dehydration, trying to drink. Felt horrible, a tad better today low grade temp 99.7 today. Took a toll of my body. I was sleeved in Tijuana as well.

Normal for me. I am 5 weeks out and soups, yogurts,cottage cheese etc go down a lot easier than chicken, fish etc etc. I am still on 2oz of protein and I am usually full after that. It's very rare that I even take one bite of veg.

it will pass ... Definitely a good bone broth will help. Also what protein shake are you drinking? Some just aren’t a good quality and make you feel hungrier. I use PEScience select and it’s a blend of premium whey protein and casein to help feel full longer. I mixed one scoop with 6 ounces of plain unsweetened Ripple milk for extra protein. I think it came to about 160-170 calories and 30 grams protein. And carbs depends on flavor but no more than 3 net carbs ... I like peanut butter cookie. I would mix it, put it in the fridge to let it thicken then mix again. I’d thin it with a little water only if I needed to. actually I still use it and mix half a scoop with Greek yogurt. Either plain nonfat Fage. Or TwoGood yogurt. Although my current addiction is Mixing it with oikos triple zero peanut butter banana flavor Greek yogurt cups. I put a little pink salt. Mix it up and put it in the freezer 30 minutes and mix again. Like a fake ice cream. And use a little sugar free land o lakes whipped cream. But it’s extremely low carb and gets me the protein I need. It’s actually my go to dinner ... but I’m weird that way. mixed in yogurt it has a frosting like consistency. link to the protein http://rwrd.io/c6uus2e

Strained soups saved me while on the liquid stage. Tastes much better than broth. Yogurt & applesauce too.

My NUT said soups and yogurt and broths and jello and pudding and protein shakes are okay for full liquids. My surgeon told me to stick to 800 calories a day and cut out the protein shakes. I'm compromising the two and have basically had one creamy soup and two shakes per day and buttermilk at night. I'm hungry but doing okay. Staying under 800 calories. April 24th I transition to regular food. That was the term they both used. I can't wait. I also found out from the NUT that this surgeon's protocol is to maximize post-op weight loss and get me a jump start before starting to eat again. It's doing that but boy, is it a long haul.

Acadia... Our nutritionists and surgeons give us the 60-80gm of Protein a day to protect our muscle mass. You're information is not accurate and you risk truly misleading someone. To the original poster... Try the Greek yogurt instead of protein powder, how about chili homemade with lean ground turkey and topped with lowfat ricotta cheese. Of course I highly recommend this only as a stop gap until you speak with your nutritionist. Keep your protein at a minimum of 60 gms as was recommended to you, else you risk compromising your metabolism by losing lean muscle mass. Get you Water up to about 96 ozs and that should help flush things out for you. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Banded 2010 (Dec). It seems everyday is different. Normally I cannot eat breakfast early. I can occasionally have an egg with chopped ham. But now that I'm at 5.5cc for me, oatmeal, cream of wheat, cottage cheese with mixed yogurt and granola is my style. I can't do bread at all, maybe a small baby bite of whole grain toast...but not my preference as I risk a stick with bread. About a cup each meal.

Was banded on the 18th..things having been going well until tonight..I gave into a temptation and ate chicken wings and some pizza. Suppose to be only eating yogurt consist foods. Yikes now I'm having pain in my lower left side. I did chew really really good. I think the pain is not from tbe food but maybe a ligment.. well I'm on the couch resting... sucks

No, sorry i ment 3 oz protien, 3 oz vegg, 3 oz vegg thats my dinner. Lunch protien shake, breakfast 3oz plain greek yogurt and small fruit. Thats it, just having issues with wanting that full feeling lol

The doc is right. You're not getting nearly enough nutrition. If you can't hit his goal of 1,000 (more than my doc wanted at 1 month), then go for 600 to 800 calories/day. And you already know what you should be doing ... eat more slowly, chew your food a little more than you are now, and eat a couple of bites fewer at a single sitting than you are now. Also try adding a couple of Snacks in each day -- Greek yogurt would be great, since it requires no chewing (your tummy will think it's just another liquid). That's 120 calories and 12 grams of Protein for 5.3 ounces of Dannon Oikos vanila yogurt. Keep learning. Keep doing better. That's all there is to this.

I just bought 1/2 cup of Greek from the local yogurt shop-83 calories, 7 grams of protein! A little sour but I will try with fruit or some sugar-free syrup!