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Tonight, after a particularly long day, I came home in a bit of a foul mood and started contemplating what to have for "dinner" (the quotations due to me being only 2 weeks out today with very limited choices) and ended up making a cup of miso Soup from a mix I bought at the health food store. I had to post the outcome of the evening on the forum, because I knew it was the only place where people would understand. Background info, I saw the doctor this morning and she said I can try advancing to slightly fuller liquids like yogurt or cottage cheese, being very careful to see what I tolerate. She also recommended, due to our gallbladders being stressed on such a low fat diet (apparently they need fat to function? Learning stuff every day), that I add a tablespoon or so of olive oil to Soups, to increase the "good fats" in my diet. So, feeling brave and desperate for a change in menu, I added the oil and also about two tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to my soup, even though I've been pretty fearful about advancing my stages. My insurance sucks and I have major anxiety about causing any problems. Well... It. Was. Amazing. The olive oil made the soup taste just a bit richer. The yogurt was very broken down by the warm soup and the pieces I fished out pretty much just melted in my mouth. Whatever - I feel like I just ate a meal fit for a king. I had to get up twice and putter around, to distract myself from eating too fast. But it went down great! I just had to share. That bit of yogurt was the first thing I've had in a month with a consistency thicker than milk or Water, and that feels like a HUGE victory!

I like fage 0%, which is a Greek yogurt. Look up the nutrition facts at www.fageusa.com. I like the plain variety. It's not too sweet, not too tart, is not runny, but not chalky thick either. It can be sweetened with Splenda or other sweeteners, including sugr-free flavored syrups such as Torani. I buy it in the family-size container so I can use only what I want at the time.

I do the same as rainbow. I consume food in its normal form. Milk is just plain, whole, milk. Yogurt is plain. Can add plain whole berries to it for a bit of sweetness. I do add butter, ground black pepper, garlic, and salt to things I'm cooking. I have been putting milk in my tea, but adding a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup would be fewer calories and help me transition away from dairy (dairy was my bestest friend immediately postop, but it's not as good anymore). Plain tea doesn't work for me. My vitamins are full of artificial sweeteners, but they work ok so I'll keep them. The idea isn't to be devout.. it's to retrain yourself in the direction that makes sense for you.

I was allowed chili put through the blender at this point. I also made the "baked ricotta" recipe that is famous on here. It was AWESOME. Some other things I had were tuna salad that I ran through the food processor, mashed potatoes with a gravy made from ground beef and fat free beef gravy (blended in blender), and greek yogurt smoothies.

I will admit that yesterday was a particularly scant-eating day. I do focus on getting enough Protein generally though b/c I'm scared about losing my hair. Today, I had a lowfat yogurt, a soup (home made butternut squash soup), and I'll have salmon for dinner. I really want that scale to move, darn it! :thumbdown:

Hi all, I'm in tears right now because the scale hasn't moved an ounce since April 12th, thirteen days! I'm at a loss because I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I track all my food on myfitnesspal.com and I've been averaging 450-550 calories, 60-70 grams of Protein, and I'm keeping my carbs at 30 or under. Pretty much all I'm eating is zero carb Isopure powder mixed with low carb soy milk, tuna and chicken salad, and somedays the occasional yogurt or Soup. I really haven't been exercising because I'm so damn tired, but I figure that I've been eating so little that there should be some movement on the scale even without exercise. I started on this journey with the pre-op diet on March 16th at 295lbs. On surgery day, March 30th, I was down 15 pounds at 280. On April 12th I weighed myself for the first time post op and was 261, for a total of 34 pounds lost... and that's it. Not an ounce since. For the last week every time I weigh myself I've been trying to keep a positive attitude even though the scale didn't move, but tonight seeing 261 again made me lose it. Is this it? Am I going to be 261 forever? I'm not expecting another huge loss, but 2 or 3 pounds at least?? I had my stomach cut out for god's sake, is a couple pounds a week too much to ask for? So now I don't know what to do. Should I go back to full liquids for a while? I don't see my nutritionist until the last week of May, so it's a while before I can ask her what to do... Has anyone else had this happen? I'm so depressed and anxious about this, I really believed the sleeve would help me finally be thin and now I'm afraid it's just another failure. :sad0:

It's been 8 days since I was banded and I don't have any fill in my band yet. I have eased my way back into some foods, for instance, I had 1 slice of pizza for dinner and just chewed it very well. I've been trying to go easy on my stomach and eat things like soup, yogurt, applesauce, etc. But a co-worker was able to eat subway sandwiches up until the Dr. filled her band.

I used the unflavored in my coffee in the morning - you gotta let it cools some & sf flavored creamer - I used in shakes but added yogurt or some type of fruit - banana are good for covering up taste. I don't love or hate it - I can taste it - but i only used it in the beginning during liquid stage - I get my Protein from food - sometimes a southbeach bar that has 19 grms.. I still have almost full choc - that stuff is just too sweet for me - I got sick of shakes...

Stace, I just had my surgery on Monday 14 July and came on here to ask the same question, so guess it is a common thing to happen. I was told to take Prilosec OTC (by the nurse prior to surgery). I have begun taking it, but it takes a while to get into your system, I presume. I have this pain constantly, so am guessing it is heartburn. I am also having a problem with a searing, burning pain whenever I bend over the slightest bit or turn the least bit in bed. The pain is coming from the port area wound. Guessing this is normal as well....you having this problem? How are you coming along with the liquid diet? Are you having success with knowing when you are full without getting overfull? I haven't had much appetite, cannot stand broth, so that is out for me. I am now on phase two or full liquids where at least I can have liquidy cream of wheat and yogurt added to my diet. I have also added grits to give me something salty. I needed those...they really tasted good to me. Funny how something normally so plain taste so great now. LOL! I cannot eat much of course, but am having a hard time with not drinking during my meal. I am also having a hard time drinking enough liquids and taking all of my vitamins. Not use to either. Good luck with your diet and your weight loss. Where do they get the ticker goal loss thingys? Any idea? Jodi

I agree 100% on the Trader's Joes fish. We have a little toaster oven at work and I eat mine at lunch time. In fact, the ladies at work were all getting envious of my gourmet meals every day! Plus, between that and my Protein shake, I get my 60 grams of protein in before I leave work and don't have to worry about it at night. I am definitely into the automated meal. For me, the whole structure of not having to decide what to eat helps a lot. Here is my typical day: Breakfast: Protein Shake Lunch: Trader Joe's fish broiled with a small amount of veggies Dinner: Either soup with a few oyster crackers, yogurt, tuna salad or more fish and veggies Bedtime snack: One more protein shake I was just thinking the other day that it is absolutely amazing that this is all I am eating and that I am satisfied by it. My kids and I went out to dinner the other night (the first time since my fill) and I brought home about 85% of my meal. In fact, I just finished the rest of it up tonight. I was able to make four very filling meals out of just a part of what I used to eat at one sitting -- plus, if I went out to eat, I never turned away dessert. It's a nice feeling to feel like I am starting to get some control over this...a very nice feeling, indeed!

@@gigis - It definitely is overwhelming! I mix half of a container of low sugar yogurt with 1/2 scoop of vanilla Protein powder on most days which gets me 21g protein and that helps. I am hoping once I can actually eat more dense protein (meats) that it will become much easier to get it all in and not have to do shakes. I asked my nutritionist last week and she said drinking 2 shakes a day at my stage (3 1/2 months) was ok. (I had a set back with a stricture though so I am running a little behind schedule though.) My schedule is even a little more complicated because I have to take Synthroid in the morning and then wait an hour to take anything in PLUS I cannot have calcium (or most other vitamins) within 4 hours of Synthroid, so I feel your pain! I also have kidney stone problem (pre-op) so my endocrinologist took me off my calcium supplements as long as I was eating 2 servings of cheese or milk and 1 Premier Protein shake per day. SO MUCH TO REMEMBER!! ​

It wasn't my favorite either. I mix in a little Torani sugar free strawberry syrup or crystal like strawberry and that helps a lot. I also have put in blended strawberry yogurt low calorie kind. With the chocolate I use Hood's Calorie Countdown Chocolate milk it has less, sugar,carbs, and calories the skim milk yummm!

Yes I am on full liquid now for about 3 weeks. I am suppose to have cream soups strained and yogurt the Greek yogurt was not suppose to start in 3 weeks when I move to soft foods. I just don't feel different.

I hope things get better for you... I was very dizzy and weak until I started incorporating some more calories.. I would add peanut butter and banana to a protein smoothie or mash a banana into my yogurt... I think the leg pain should be checked by your surgeon or PCP... My prayers and best wishes go out to you!! Please update us when you can...

Hi. I am new on here. I just wanted to introduce myself and ask a few questions. First, I was banded back in fall 2007. My surgery was supposed to be outpatient, but I ended up with severe complications from the "gas" pains and was in for 5 days. I have read so many success stories. It's really nice to see. I have had some success of losing and keeping the weight off, but no where near my goal. I experienced vomiting up to 10 times a day almost every day since my surgery. I really feel my surgery went wrong and my band was never secured or in the correct place. I did bring that up to my Dr. on several occasions and even had him meet me at his office on a holiday weekend to take out the "fill". I have not had a "fill" since Oct. 2008. When filled, I couldn't even keep down Water. Without the fill I can keep water down, but no healthy amount of food without feeling stuck. Two weeks ago I went to the ER I was vomiting violently and couldn't even hold down water. They xrayed my stomach and said they didn't see anything wrong and diagnosed me with Gastritis (stomach flu). I wasn't happy with the answer because it didn't feel right and I am not even sure this particular ER had any experience with the lap band to know if it was in place properly or not. I did a follow up with my own family Dr., as I am uninsured and unemployed and can't afford the payments for all the specialists. My Dr. then diagnosed me with Candida or Strep- either way they said it would be cured with antibiotics. I am finishing my 3rd week of antibiotics and they gave me prilosec. Today was the first day I was able to get back into my old jeans that I was able to wear a year after surgery. Today was also the very first time that I was able to consume food without having that stuck feeling. I didn't realize it until tonight that I haven't vomited in 2 full days, haven't felt stuck. I ate 1/3 of a very small steak and some mashed potatoes (6 small bites) I know I should have had the broccoli, but it felt good. I was full, but not stuck!!!! Finally. I hope that just with me being ill 3 weeks ago maybe it readjusted my band? Perhaps even pulled it off entirely, not really sure and have no answers. Anyone else have any complications like I had? I followed the plan the first few months very strictly. After 3 months I learned to just either not eat at all until late in the day or to just eat what I could hold down, either Soups or very cold things like frozen yogurt. But after years of suffering from vomiting, I had to go back to eating regular foods- I just would vomit it back up. I feel pretty good today too. I have SLE Lupus with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. So, I am used to not feeling great all the time. I hope that this can be a new beginning for me. I want to stick by good healthy choices and continue on to see my success hopefully fall into place with hard work and determination. I have never been to a support group or meeting. So, I really don't know what to expect. Sorry this is so long. I will leave it at that. Thank you for taking time to read it. I will be reading and following as many posts as I can as well.

Cottage cheese or flavored Greek yogurt (I love Chobani and Liberte brands). Eggface's bites (crustless quiches) which are easy to grab and go. Protein crepes - I make a bunch in advance, fill with almond butter, banana and cinnamon or thin slices of lunchmeat and some cheese, roll them up and wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then put them in a baggie in the freezer. I grab one out in the morning, nuke it for a few seconds and I've got a yummy protein boost breakfast. Protein muffins or Cookies, depending on how far out you are. I make a granola type cookie that's chewy and full of whole grains, dried fruit, nuts and some Protein powder. Same goes for muffins - a great way to get in some Fiber and being homemade they have better ingredients and that protein boost that you won't find in a commercial product. I make several dozen at once and freeze individually the same way I do the crepes. I keep a dozen hard boiled eggs in the fridge at all times. One of those and a cheese stick is an easy way to get 150 calories and 12 grams of protein. And I know you said no shakes but I have one "real" coffee each morning followed by a protein coffee - a scoop or two of my protein powder shaken up with 8 ounces of coffee. I drink it hot or iced, depending on my mood. I'm going to drink the coffee, anyway, so this makes it into breakfast on days I don't feel like eating. Most days I do this, unless I have errands to run and know I'll be busy and need something more substantial. I can also mix with tea and make a chai latte out of it with my some spices and vanilla protein powder. ~Cheri

This question is for pre and post op- do fresh/frozen fruit with a low fat yogurt smoothie and protein powder count as a protein "shake"?

In the beginning it was very hard for me to get in a lot of anything. As far as the water I've always drank lots if it but since the surgery it's hard to consume as much as I used to. The faster your swelling goes down the more you will be able to eat/ drink. I can now drink my entire Pre made protein shake which is 11oz. It takes me about 20 min. If I make a shake and add my Greek yogurt and sf pudding with ice and unsweetened almond milk, I can only drink about 5.5-6 oz of that. When I'm eating my mushy meal depending on what it is I may eat a little over 6oz but not the full cup.

You're still too new for mushy foods so don't push it. Keep walking as much as you can, it will push the gas out of your system. It just takes a little bit of time, you can't rush these things. You might want to lay off the juice for a few days and stick with the Water and popsicles. The juice might be adding to your gas and runny stools. broth, Jello, and yogurt should be pretty much what you're supposed to eat for another week or so. Your stomach is very sensitive and you could hurt it by putting food in there that it is not able to digest. Take it easy and the sleeve will take care of you during your weight loss. Good luck to you.

I am 9 days post up and am so sick of the Protein shakes too. I haven't drank any not sure what to do only thing i tolerate is yogurt. I feel your pain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Try chia seeds in the yogurts. It boosts a bit of protein as well as adding a different texture. Suggestion; mixed them in the night before giving it a tapioca feel if that appeals to your tastes.

Are you on soft or still liquid ? has your doctor given you a guide to follow? When I was on soft, I ate yogurt, cottage cheese, laughing cow cheese, etc. Pls call your doctor and let them know what is going on.

This will sound really silly, but I honestly do not know if my fat-free yogurt is "good" or not. I tasted it and it tastes TART. Is that normal? The date on it is in March so I'm kinda thinking that is what fat-free yogurt tastes like, if that makes sense! Also, do many put this in smoothies in addition to your Protein drink? Thanks! Kelli

Different brands taste different, and of course the flavor will vary with the flavor. Make sense? That's not helpful, I know, but I've tasted yogurt that's really gone bad, and man, you can tell. If it leaves a really nasty sort of burning flavor behind, it's gone. My favorite yogurt is Fage 0% fat strained Greek yogurt. It only comes in plain but I add a spoonful of all-fruit preserves to it and it's totally delicious. It's the thickest yogurt ever. YUM!

The Chobani Champions has 13g of sugar in each serving. The drinkable yogurt however, only has 8g. Sent from my SGH-T679 using VST