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Update... I didn't make it 72 hours on just liquids. I ended up having a yogurt early this afternoon then cottage cheese later in the afternoon. And, I went to Bunko tonight and had a few rice crackers w/spinach dip (chewed up thoroughly to mush). My dietician said the only reason for the 72 hours on liquids is to avoid puking (in case you swell after the fill). Nothing felt even close to being stuck so I figure I am good to go w/food right now, but I'm just gonna take it slow and careful.

I have a really silly question....my stomach is growling but the sound is different then prior to my banding. Is that normal? It has kinda a hollow sound!! I feel just a tad bit hungry. This is my third day post op clear liquids only. But counting my three days pre-op that is 6 days on clear liquid! Never in a million years did I think I could do somethig like that!! Anyway, the 2nd thing is what "exactly" can you have on full liquids?? I know I can have the protein drinks and everyting I had on the clear liquid but can I add sugar free puddings, V-8 juice?? I feel like a real dope not knowing what is considered full liquids. My doctor does not want us to do soups and yogurt at this stage. But what about home made smoothies?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

My sister, who is a big fan of protein drinks, suggested just tonight getting plain protein powder and mixing it into LF, creamy yogurt, cottege cheese, etc for an extra punch of protein - without the taste.

Not sure what phase you are on but you could bash em up and incorporate them into a homemade granola and sprinkle over yogurt. Or maybe incorporate them into rice crispie like bar or into a no Pudge browine mix.

Today was a painful day. Tried to just stay with Tylenol but it didn't do much good. Finally broke down at 7:00p and took pain meds and feel sooooo much better. Duh! Sutures really felt like they were pulling...best way to describe it. It hurt! No problems eating today or getting liquids in. A good day. I think that caffeine is not agreeing with me. I LOVE iced tea but it is upsetting my tummy & making me hungry. Will observe this closely in days to come. Taking Gas-X a couple or three times a day and it's helping. Gas is much better. Starting to feel 'skinnier' :rolleyes I only have one more (scheduled) day off. I hope it's enough. Will try to take a nap or two tomorrow. Maybe the extra rest will help. Didn't do any walking today except around the house and with DD at Old Navy for a bit. Bkfst: Cream of wheat w/ butter & skim milk - 1c Lunch: Broccoli & cheese soup - 1c Snack: Yogurt/protein smoothie - 1c Dinner: cottage cheese 3/4c w/ 2 sm canned pears Total: 808 Fat:32 286 36% Sat:17 157 20% Poly:3 28 4% Mono:9 84 10% Carbs:78 293 37% Fiber:5 0 0% Protein:54 217 27%

I'm actually 7 weeks post op and went through a stall weeks 5 and 6. I posted on here what I was eating and everyone told me I was eating too little (600ish calories daily), so I up'd my caloric intake to 700-800 by adding an afternoon snack (cheese stick, yogurt, etc). I finally ended my stall after doing so, so I thought I was doing good. Then today, my surgeon told me to reduce back down to 600, that 700-800 is what I should eat around 6 months out. He told me stalls were normal (which we all know) and that increasing my intake wasn't a good idea... Today i left out my afternoon snack and I'M STARVING!!! I wish surgeons were more consistent. My is soooooo strict!!! Anyone have any ideas on this??

I am was 280 a week ago and maintained that eating a lot of junk and Pasta. Now I am 286!! I feel bloated and gross and I have gained weight despite starting my preop diet! I am worried I am doing it wrong. I am having: 8am: 1/3 a cup of dry oatmeal for Breakfast with 1/2 cup skim milk and a splenda ~10am: 1 cup oikos greek yogurt (usually with a fruit on the bottom) 1pm: premade salad from my grocery store that says it is under 300 calories. I have been switching between santa fe salad (1oz chicken 1 oz corn/black Beans, and like a few tortilla crunchy things) and chicken caeasar (2oz chicken, 1 oz cheese) They do come with 1 oz of creamy ish dressing each, but the nutrition label says the calories (210-280 depending on the salad) 4pm: 1 skim milk string cheese 8pm: 8 oz of talapia or swai fish fliet and as much vegetables as I want. The other night I made collard greens with no added salt chicken broth and a small amount of olive oil and ate the whole pound. And before that I was grilling eggplant and zucchini on the grill or defrosting (with just water) brussel sprouts. I usually have a glass of skim milk somewhere in there too. I would guess this is around 150-350 calories per meal which is less than 2000 calories. I thought this would be a good diet!! but my body is fighting it!!! Help me figure out where I'm going wrong!!! I don't want my liver to be fatty/big when I have my surgery in 2 weeks. My hormones are not telling me to bloat right now, so what do you think is the cause? What was your preop-diet? DId you gain weight? CRAZY!

I add Special K Protein to my Greek yogurt in the morning. If I feel I need an extra boost of protein, I add a scoop of unflavored Protein powder. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

1/20/2010 So I am officially 18.5 Lbs from where I was right after Christmas… all the while I chow down on an Instant Lunch Noodles. LMAO! Well, I can’t always be absolutely perfect. Sometimes I forget to bring my breakfast AND my lunch and I have to settle on what I can purchase down on the first floor market. This may seem like a blow to my diet, but I can’t ever look at it that way. It’s when I do that I fall off the wagon. I start getting that whole, Oh well, I blew it today already so I might as well just have that chocolate candy bar! No more! I just ran to the ATM and grabbed me a fistful of dollars and bought the best meals I could. Here is what I bought: Quaker Oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, cup a soup for lunch and a yogurt along with a leftover apple for a midday snack. I know I’ll need the snack because I’m running out right after work to go view houses and I’ll have a late dinner. I don’t want to go home too hungry, as that can be a big problem for me. I’ve actually been doing amazingly well I must confess. Last night while I was on my Wii it said I was just under 247. Well my home scale first thing this morning said 247.5. I always go based on my home scale, so that is what I recorded. That is still fantastic! I can not complain about that. I went all the way back up to 266 right after Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed myself without reservation, and that is my result. I was a bit shocked; I didn’t think I’d ever see that weight again as long as I’d live! Well, I did. I don’t know how many times I can keep thinking that. I don’t anymore though! I know now. I’m starting to get the compliments again. It’s been awhile since many have noticed I’m losing weight. I keep hearing, Wow look at your little waist line! Ha-ha! It’s pretty nice I must say! I have to keep in mind though that I still have a ways to go. I’ve been at this weight many times. It’s actually at this very weight that I seem to creep right back up so I’m in my danger zone. Now this time instead of giving up I must keep moving forward… or backward… however you want to think of it. I have a fill with Dr. Koura on the 12 of next month. My restriction is very un-noticeable so I felt I needed to maybe get one more. I do get full on normal portions but it just doesn’t sustain as long as I’d like. However, I must always keep in mind that my stomach isn’t as kind to band tightness as some others are. My stomach goes into fits of rage, acid reflux and terrible night coughing. My throat gets hoarse and I’m always uncomfortable. So, I’m making this my absolute last fill. As a matter of fact, once I reach goal I definitely plan to unfill my band by a little. I have noticed a downward trend in how many calories I’m burning per day according to my BodyBugg. I’m down to right around 3,000 per day with workouts, and only if I’m at work. At work I tend to move around a lot. At home I’m a lot more sedentary even though I workout more. At home I burn about 2,800 calories per day. This an only mean it’s time for me to make an adjustment. Personally I feel I workout enough so I need to change my eating habits. Probably not a whole lot either. I eat from 1500-1800 calories per day. That’s still 1,000 calorie per day deficit (barring one of my off meals are not eaten that day). If I eat one of my off meals during any one day it gets pretty close to my calories out. So to remedy this I’m making sure I eat a little less on my other meals and throw in an extra workout. It still doesn’t help a whole lot but at least it prevents me from having an overage for the day. In fact, since I’ve started my new regimen I’ve only gone over one day and it was for about 75 calories. Nothing to cry about really and I fixed that really quick. Thank goodness for my BodyBugg and my Weight Watchers – and of course my Lap-Band! I have lots of tools to help along the way. However I must say this. There is no one better tool to have in order to complete this mission other than having the heart of a Champion. You will never cross that finish line AND REMAIN THERE without it. That I do have now. Ask me that 2 months ago and I’d take my time answering you. But as of this second, I absolutely do! Okay, well another week down and another 2 Lbs. lost. I’d say it’s been a successful one! I hope all of you out there are doing just as good, if not then better. Take care of yourself and your Bands! All the best and until I write again, Irene AKA LilMissDiva http://lilmiss-diva.livejournal.com/

Does your holiday or business traveling include involve an airport? Healthy food choices for choices for bariatric patients are not abundant in airports. As a bariatric patient you have to plan ahead to have appropriate nutrition available. If your holiday or business traveling involves an airplane, keep in mind what diet stage you are in. After reviewing the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) policy about bringing food through the security check points, it states that you can bring food through the security checkpoint as long as is wrapped or in a container. Always check with TSA to make sure the current policy accepts the food item you want to bring through the security checkpoint, as the policy can change. Consider pre-packaged, single servings of protein powder, light yogurt, cheese sticks or low fat cottage cheese. Pack plastic spoons for the yogurt and cottage cheese or to stir the protein powders into a liquid. Eat the yogurt, cottage cheese or cheese sticks within a couple of hours after you take them out of the refrigerator. Several sources of single servings of protein powders are available online. Brands include Bariatric Advantage meal replacements, Nectar Grab N Go and Unjury. These are whey protein isolate powders and come in flavors from the standard chocolate, vanilla and strawberry to other flavors like fruit, cookie, chicken and de-caf cappuccino. Protein powders can be mixed with water or low fat milk. The chicken and de-caf cappuccino can be mixed with very warm water. Vanilla or chocolate protein can be mixed with decaf coffee for a mocha or latte. Unflavored protein powder can be added to a broth based soup or hot cereal to boost protein. Remember that whey protein must be kept under 140 degrees Fahrenheit, or it will curdle. For every 6-8 ounces of liquid, add up to 10 grams of protein powder. Protein bars are also options. Look for Quest, Nature Valley Protein bars, Pure Protein or Premier Protein. If the protein content in the protein bar is the same or higher than the carbohydrate, then it’s an acceptable choice. Search for a food service that offers scrambled eggs, grilled chicken or fish. If you’ve had success bringing bariatric friendly foods through the TSA checkpoints or found healthy food options in an airport, please let us know what has worked for you.

Yes, starting today. I can have protein shakes x4, yogurt, raw veggies, 3 oz chix, fish or egg white and oatmeal. What about you?

I don't think it is strange - I'm pretty hungry normally every few hours and think its a bit hunger and also low blood sugar issues. I recently had an unfill and am enjoying wonderfully small bandster meals three times a day. My doc and nutritionist told me two Snacks added to that are also ok. It is just important to chose good foods. Try not to get too full - that took a LONG time for me to learn - i never eat to full anymore or i hurt too - also try to eat a varied diet, Protein first, then some veges, maybe some fruit and then a couple spoons of carbs - not sure where you are in your banded life, etc but also ask your doc or nutritionist for help and suggestions. I can now eat three good meals a day and don't always want snacks - if i do i eat a low fat yogurt usually. But I make a nice small plate of food for every meal and try to get some variety. Some bandsters eat the tinest portion and are full for hours - everyone is different. Plan and watch snacking - if you are truly hungry - eat something high in protein, etc and see how it goes. good luck!

Hi, I am 5'9 and six months post OP, and feeling fabulous. My highest weight was 313lbs, I now weigh in at 217 my goal was a hundred pounds in 6 months but i surely am not complaining of the few I am short. I'm extremely excited to see what the next 6 months has instore for me. I have 47lbs to go and would like to achieve my goal over the next six months. I still have 2 Protein shakes a day, one with just Water and the other I use almond milk, PB2, and a banana, our fruit and spinach. One of my favorite are pineapple and coconut with my Protein powder. I also consume one small meal usually that of meat and veggies. I take in two Snacks throughout the day, usually either cottage cheese, or string cheese. No yogurt for me I eat alot of Jello, I make it with cottage cheese and cool whip, this is a great treat for me. My family has been amazing support [ATTACH]17884[/ATTACH]

So, I'm not having pudding and yogurt yet. Are those considered a liquid? I guess I could, but I'm not sure. I'm unclear about my guidelines. Liquids for 2 weeks, Puree/Mushy foods for 2 weeks. I thought yogurt and pudding was a puree/mushy? I am totally following the rules, so I don't want to do anything wrong! lol... But darn, I'd love a yogurt for dinner! :tongue2:

My post-op rules are: First two weeks: Liquids Next two weeks: puree/mushy Week 5 and on: start soft foods I had a 7up on my tray in the hospital the night of my surgery! I heard the nurses saying something like he'll flip out if he finds that out, that shouldn't be on there! lol.... I didn't think so, but I was too out of it on the glorious dilaudid.... ha! I think after a week I will go ahead and try a yogurt or a pudding. I'm doing okay with my shakes right now. And yeah, tuna sure sounds good, or a banana! Reminds me of when I attempted the LA Weight Loss Diet and I had to eat steak and broccoli at 9am, 12noon, 3pm and 6pm. After a few days, I just wanted a yogurt and an apple!

60-70 grams of Protein is the average daily recommendation for most people. And it's fairly easy to obtain. I've had my first meal scrambled eggs and turkey sausage this morning and that meal alone was 25 grams of protein 12 from the eggs and 13 from the sausage. 360 calories. Later I'll have a protein smoothie, 2 scoops of whey powder (36 grams) with 1/2 a cup of fage greek yogurt (10 grams) and 8 oz of skim milk (8 grams) mixed with strawberries, bananas and apples with a slash of agave nectar, blended with ice. The fruit doesn't have much protein in it, but it's important to stay balanced the entire shake has 54 grams of protein in it. 392 calories not including fruit, with the fruit it's around 500 but it makes 44 oz so you can split that into various servings that come out to about 100 calories each. Add that to the 25 from breakfast I'm already at 79 grams of protein for the day less any Snacks or dinner. But as someone else suggested, simple things like mixing protein powder into sf pudding or fage yogurt with sf Jello is a very easy way to get extra protein while keeping your calories down and curbing any hunger. Good luck!

I'm debating on trying yogurt today too. I am no where near dehydrated yet. I can feel how swollen it is though. Drinking tea this morning. Then I'll try some protein. Dropping weight quickly. Go for follow up tomorrow. Decided to take the whole week off I think. Until I can eat yogurt without being scared, I feel like I don't need to work yet. Did you thin the yogurt with milk? My instructions say to do that.

I have no idea how much Protein I am getting and I don't really care.I am not focused on protein I am focused on getting a balanced diet that includes all food groups. However here is a sample menu from one of Trudy Williams books.(Trudy is a very well respected nutritionist specialising in banded diets and has written lots of books) Cereal + milk or an egg on toast 9g crackers with ham and salad 16g 2 pieces of fresh fruit 4g mince/chicken or salmon 19g with veg 4g yogurt 10g muesli bar 3g milk in tea and coffee 5g total 70g. All from a normal diet that includes all food groups and with no extra Protein shakes.

I am so excited! When I got on the scale this morning I was below the dreaded 200 lbs. I have been eating around 850-950 calories a day. Chicken and fish are the best source of meat protien for me. I drink at least one protien shake a day. Yogurt and cottage cheese have become a staple. I put the cottage cheese in a food processor and add vanilla and stevia sweetner and puree it. It tastes alot like cheese cake. I always put a tablespoon of natural p-nut butter into my yogurt. It is very satisfing. Sometimes I use salt and pepper and a bit of Mrs. Dash in the yogurt doe a change It has a nice savory taste. Cantalope is a low calorie snack and it has some fiber. Speaking of fiber, I take a fiber pill every day. This whole experience has been constant adjustments and all new habits. Learning about the body that I choose to pretty much ignore, is a daily thing. But, it is so worth it

wow...you eat mush foods only 5 days afterwards...im 5 days post op too...however I am suppose to do full liquid for two then puree aftewards...however i don't have the appetitie for anything, Im forcing myself to take in shakes, yogurts and and cream soups...just not hungry at all...good luck, sorry to hear about the chest pains, I have not had that problem

WOW - me too! A couple bites and that is all I can eat and I get hungry. I can drink OK. I was banded Dec. 13. Actually, it was a revision (i think that is right). First time thru the tube wasn't connected or came undone, so he removed that band and gave me another one. If all I am eating is a few bites, shouldn't the weight be just falling off?? I have lost 23 lbs and I do eat healthy. I can only eat so much. 2 or 3 bites of cottage cheese, yogurt, whatever. I thought this was how it was supposed to be.

I'm 3+ months out now and tummy stills gurgles and grunts whenever i introduce new food. . sometimes it really hates the new food and slimming starts. . . i've really never vomited yet, slimed yes, and during that epiosode the new foods come up in it. . (gross i know) . . . in the beginning it would take me 45 minutes just to eat 4oz of yogurt. . but as time went along i can now sit and eat a decent meal in about 20 - 30 minutes (depending of course) . . . for example last night i had 1 jalapeno sausage link and 1 scrambled egg. . . finished most of it except about 3 pieces of sausage. . then for a bedtime snack - metamucil wafers and tea. . . (yeah I know, I know) so it does all get better. . . but make dang sure you chew the ???? out of your food or your regret it . . .

Yeah Patti...thanks so much for starting all these "accountability" threads. Today: B- Atkins Caramel Latte shake L- Dannon Lite & Fit vanilla yogurt S- one string cheese D- 1 cup of ground chicken with green chiles, jalapenos, pico de gallo and low fat cheese Have first fill tomorrow morning so I'll be back on liquids for 2 days then mushies for 2 days. Angie...hope your daughter is ok and hope your week ends up better!! -Amy

Happy March. We do this on another board I am on, it is a much smaller board, but since there aren't that many of us Feb 08er's I thought we could try it here. In this thread, who ever wants to join can come everyday and put what they are eating, kind of like a journal, and accountability place. It really does help. I even did it before I got my band. So, I'll start: b- Protein shake - banana, activia yogurt, skim milk, Protein powder l - 1/2 cup pulled pork w/ bbq sauce 1/2 canned pear in lite juice d - 3/4 cup chicken salad s - skinny dipper ice cram bar lots of Water

I need some breakfast ideas before work that don't include eggs, yogurt or protein drinks. Any ideas?