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My standard breakfast is yogurt these days....but occassionaly skip that in favor of a skim sugar free latte. LOL Some days I have morning star veggie bacon...not sure how long it keeps though once cooked. I sometimes cook it and pack for lunch. It's crisp when cooked in the micowave and generally crisp is no problem. Protien shakes is another good idea. You could always pour them over ice if you don't have a way to keep them cold. I'm going on a cruise in June and already I'm thinking about what I'm going to eat. I'm not sure if its smart planning or just my obbsessiveness! LOL

Boy are these threads hitting a "home run" with me. I've only had one fill and keep thinking I need to go for another. Most days I can eat anything I want, just have to chew a bazillion times. However, on Easter Sunday, we went to a BBQ and I add some venison sausage, brisket and a couple of deviled eggs. Finished it off with a bite (really) of the desserts my family ate. Yesterday, I felt queasy all day and didn't want to eat anything, but managed a boiled egg, some yogurt and a few goldfish (crackers). Last night I ate some Pbutter saltine crackers and drank a big glass of peach tea. This morning I still feel like I have something "stuck in my throat", and have no desire to eat anything. Could this be caused by the band? I've not felt "queasy" since I was banded on 2/20/06. I don't know if I'm fighting a virus or if the band is to blame. Any thoughts? Thanks

I have days like that too - some days I'm just not hungry - like yesterday - I had to force myself to have a yogurt, then Cereal - I'm diabetic and was having an off day.. so that's all I felt like. Being diabetic, just eating the Protein doesn't always work for me.

Glad to hear you reread your info. We need to stay away from sugars! Yogurt id good for you but stick to greeo yogurts. High in protein which will help to keep u feeling fuller. Yoplait greeo 100's or the light and fit greek is good too. Just watch which you choose for sugar content. Also the plain nonfat greek is good too if you like it. Good to substitute for sour cream or add fressh fruit for the natural sugar sweetener. I also ise it when making my own protein shakes. I do half cup frozen berries, about 3 oz of skim milk, half cup of greek nonfat plain yogurt and a scoop of vanilla or plain whey protein isolate and half a banana. Its good for 2 servings and about 300-350 in cal depending on ur fruit and protein u use. Just stick with foods high in.protein amd low in fat and the less sugar the better. Try to stay away from premade or boxed anything. The more natural the better and the lbs will start to melt away. Dont forget to exercise religuosly too. I am just 7 months and am now down 117lbs so it works. Good luck to you and congrats on your journey.

Started my liquid diet today - I am miserable. I work 9 hour shifts on my feet 5 days a week, and after today, I am light headed and completely impatient. Makes me wonder how many people in customer service who are cranky and just annoyed and short with everyone are on this damn diet!! I've had Water all day, 3 Protein shakes - each of different variety, and 3 yogurts - also different brands. At a total of 780 calories, I feel I have eaten far from enough, and I feel sick to my stomach. I'm re-tasting the shakes, and just totally turned off of everything. How am I going to get the protein and calories I need, by also feeling full and not like I'm starving myself all day? If I stick to the Protein Shakes and yogurt, I'm gonna hate them really soon. Help!!! Feeling weak physically and mentally.

Dashroo, Sorry to hear you're still in so much pain. If you are worried about one of your incisions, I would talk to your primary care. In the worse case, you can go to a local ER. They have to treat you. Unfortunately, I have heard that if your insurance does not cover the procedure, they won't cover any complications. It's too bad so many of us are forced to go out of the country for this kind of help. It's a real Catch 22. I didn't really have to stay on a clear liquid diet. My Dr. told me I could have Protein shakes and anything else that I can fit through a straw as soon as I got home. So, for me, yogurt smoothies and cream Soups have been on the menu from the beginning. My husband took Susan's advice and pureed up some bean with bacon soup for me tonight, but, unfortunately, it stayed on the stove too long while his meatloaf finished cooking and burned--maybe tomorrow. The soup night is usually at a local restaurant. I don't think a location has been decided on yet. We'll let you know. I really do hope you feel better. I'll PM you with my phone number if you want to talk.

@@BellaLuce4 Thank you. I'm surprised how much I can actually get down. I had 20oz of coconut water, 4oz Of plain water and 4oz of isopure. Better than I thought it would be. I also had 1 tablespoon of Fage 2% plain yogurt mixed with another tablespoon of chobani banana Greek yogurt. It was delicious. I just ate really slow and I was able to get it all in. I'm not pushing it though. I'm just sipping water for the rest of the night!

Boiled eggs are a waste of calories and sleeve space. Not enough protein .Research before you put anything in your mouth. I live on greek yogurt 14-15 gr of protein. Tilapia, chicken, red meat. Cottage cheese is high in protein. Special K PROTEIN PLUS cereal 1/2 cup with 1/2 cup Carbmaster milk. I don't have space for veggies or bananas in my sleeve. No protein? I won't eat it. Water? Yes, but not as much cause I forget to drink it. I take my Bariatric advantage vitamins and 1 iron pill every day. I am not doing ANY excersise but to walk from my cubicle to the mail room a few times per day. I've lost 35 lbs in 8 weeks. Ps: I take Wellbutrin. What is depression again? You gotta take something. See a doctor. Get serotonin levels up baby. Check your thyroid levels. You'll feel great.

Its really pretty easy. The first rule of healthy is variety. Dont eat the same thing day in day out. You need to decide whether the low carb thing sits well with you or not, for me I dont believe in it, dont have an interest in living that way and would have to relearn planning and cooking a healthy diet, so I just eat "normally". So..... eat a lot of different foods, try to include a few different coloured vegies on your plate with your evening meal, try to eat two fruit, five veg a day, dont overdo the bread, Pasta and rice, eat the wholegrain or wholemeal varieties where possible, dont add fat when cooking and definitely dont bread and fry things - the grill and the barbecue and dry roasting are best. Most nights of the week we do eat boring and plain - ie. a piece of Protein be it chicken, fish or red meat simply prepared, potato and vegies. We'll do a rice or pasta meal once a week. Home made Soup makes a good dinner and your family can have a bread roll with that even if you dont. Salads, yogurt, fruit and nuts, someting on crackers and some fruit makes good lunches, and I always stick with a basic good quality Cereal (oatmeal, muesli etc) for Breakfast, usually with some berries and a dollop of yogurt, or a piece of wholegrain toast with Peanut Butter (or vegemite, lol, I am an Aussie after all). I pretty much stick with 3 meals a day, no Snacks, no seconds, avoid sweet stuff nearly all of the time and dont have a lot of alcohol or liquid calories. I lost 130lb, and have maintained that loss unfilled for five months now, just a basic, sensible diet really does work - but I do run for an hour or so or go to the gym most days.

Ice pops are great. Yogurt is good, and I now love those cup in hand Soups. It will take a while to get the whole thing down but you can have it a few times. There really isn't any protien in them. My favorite thing post-op was and still is egg salad, scrambled eggs with salsa on top, corned beef hash, pudding. I was able to go on mushies after 2 weeks which was a wonderful thing!!! Good luck your going to love your band!!!

Day 3 of the pre - pre-op diet.. lol I started a week early just to ease my way into it. The first day the 1st protein shake was HORRIBLE. The 2nd one was tolerable. Day 2 I started off right, created a protein shake that was on the verge of delicious. Then I got derailed by some chocolate chip cookies with skim milk (because yeah that skim milk makes ALLLLLL the difference lol) and a pollo asado burrito for dinner.. WHAT??? It's protein... lol Ok so I fell off yesterday but I knew I would, that's why I did this a week early. Despite my falling off, everyone made comment about how great I looked and my energy level and I must admit I felt GREAT. People were asking me how much weight I've lost lol.. Umm I've been on a diet for 2.5 days, how much do you expect me to lose??? Lol but you know what? I will RECEIVE those compliments and how I feel! Today I ate a cucumber like it was THE BEST candybar I'd ever had.. I think I was just excited for the texture lol, but I also played around with some shake recipes which I will be posting here in my blog as I develop and taste them. Today's shake: 4oz Healthy Balance Apple Juice 2 tbsp vanilla non-fat yogurt (be careful with the sugar/carbs etc in your yogurt. Greek yogurt is best if you can find it - LOTS of protein, low carbs and little to no sugar.) 1 scoop vanilla Designer Whey protein mix handful of icecubes. Mix or blend, whichever you prefer, I've tried it both ways and they're both delicious. Well as delicious as it can be lol. Tomorrow I'll do one with Acai juice and see how it turns out. If you try the shake let me know what you think. :thumbup:

Janey I never liked yogurt either - the texture made me gag (the same problem with pudding) and the gross aftertaste - yuk! Since I am determined to eat healthy food and I know yogurt is good for me, I made a serious effort to like it. I found that Yoplait custard style in almost any flavor is really, really good with no aftertaste. I find myself eating one at least four times a week for a nice snack and I really like it.

This isn't going to fix a lot but, try making ranch dip using a dry mix and Greek yogurt, then add a scoop of unflavored protein powder. Use that to dip fresh veggies in. 2 birds 1 stone.

My port incision hurt the most and I had signifigant discomfort for probably 2 or 2.5 weeks (maybe longer? Cant remember now) after surgery. Sometimes I held a pillow over my tummy when I was lying down. You should try reclining instead of sitting up right. I think reclining helps. When I was post op, for the first 2 days I was drinking about an ounce of Water every hour. I had a few spoons of clear broth Soup too. I did Clear Liquids (so water, clear broth, crystal light, etc) for 3 days. Then I did full liquids for 2 weeks (Protein shakes, thicker Soups sometimes, slim fast...kind of like the pre-op diet). I don't think I had yogurt during that time. After that I did mushies, which is when I think I incorporated thicker things like yogurt in. Then soft solids and solids after that. But its really different from doctor to doctor. Did your doctor say you could have yogurt at this point post op? If he didn't, I would just REALLY stick to what he said. You are giving your stomach time to heal. You don't want it to start churning (which is what happens when you eat, even a little) because it could cause the band to slip. Good luck!

When I was a kid my parents had an ice cream maker and I would sneak handfuls of rock salt. We lived by our neighborhood's baseball fields and I'd go sit in the bleachers, watch games, and snack on rock salt like it was popcorn. My parents were worried so they took me to the doc and he's the one I heard about it from. It made sense, because I never really drank milk and have hardly touched it since I was about 8... and wasn't much on yogurt, cheese, etc. either. He told my parents to give me 1200mg calcium a day. About 4 days later the salt cravings went away. Too bad the admiration for cheeses came in its place.

I saw the dietitian today and I thought I might share the type of diet she is putting me on before and after. For those of you who like natural, not processed foods this is a good one. Before Breakfast 1.5dl of milk (2% is fine but 1% or skim is better) or 1 light yogurt 1 piece of bread about 25g (any type of wheat, or grains type as long as it isn't a cake type of bread) may have light cheese, fresh cheese, butter(1/2 tb), or a slice of ham/turkey/chicken to put on the bread (may toast if you like) (don't mix meat and cheese, choose either meat OR cheese) Mid morning snack 1 piece of fruit (medium sized apple, 8 strawberries, slice of melon etc.) 1/2 piece of bread or 4 crackers (saltine) (you must always eat a piece of bread or crackers after eating fruit. It helps absorb the fructose in the fruit before your body does.) lunch 2.5dl of vegetable Soup (see my thread on Portuguese vegetable Soups eggs 2 small potatoes or 3 soup spoons of rice or 3 soup spoons of Pasta (cooked) salad (as much as you like, olive oil and vinegar dressing or light low fat dressing) Mid afternoon snack 1 light yogurt 1 piece of fruit 1/2 piece of bread or 4 crackers dinner You can do a repeat of lunch here, or 1 bowl of soup (vegetable not chicken noodle or something) 1 bread or 4 crackers 1 slice of cheese, or fresh cheese, or ham or butter. Just before bed 2dl of milk or 1 light yogurt Conversions: 1 cup = 2.37dl 1 oz = 28.35g 1 fl oz = 29.6ml Drink Water, or tea, or fresh squeezed fruit juice. She said you can put sugar substitutes in the drinks. *no more then 2 eggs per week After 1º phase +-15/30 days liquids between 50 to 100ml for each meal Eat at least once every 2 hours Only eat things that go through a straw May eat any of the following: liquid yogurts (full fat), milk (2%), soups that contain no fibrous vegetables and that have been completely liquefied, natural fruit juices with no pulp, and 2 nutritional supplements called Fantomalk and Protifar (one is for carbs the other is protein) May NOT eat:sugar, any thing fibrous, anything solid 2º phase +-15 days Mushies +-100 ml for each meal Eat at least once ever 2 hours 3º phase +- 1 month solid food Chew VERY well Select food that you can tolerate well and don't force those foods that you cant. Pay attention to the quantity you can eat at each meal. Eat at least once every 2 hours 4º phase 2 to 3 months after surgery Solid foods Chew VERY well Eat at least once every 2 hours Introduce almost all of your normal foods (the types of food on the pre diet) Try not to at thing very fibrous or of a fibrous consistency Enjoy and message me if you have any questions or if something isn't clear.

Ok...here goes... this is what they told me to do... (I know every doc is different, but here's to variety:) For 2 wks. after surgery: liquids - - hot or cold (tea, Water, sugar-free popsicles, crystal light, slim fast, broth, some juices) - - - NO straws!!! - - but remember that consistency needs to be liquid - - even though we don’t want to use straws (because they allow us to bring in too much air), we want the selection to be liquid enough that we would be able to suck through a straw (figuratively). Also included: creamed Soups (strained - - no chunks - - no meat), thin smoothies, Eating with spoon ok, but NO CHEWING FOR THE FIRST 2 WEEKS Week 3: Advance to pureed diet, so anything you had in wks. 1 and 2 are still acceptable but you can add the following: Yogurts, sugar-free pudding and Jello, scrambled eggs (not dry), baby food, smoothies, grits, very creamy mashed potatoes, applesauce, etc. Week 4: Advance again, so anything you had in wks. 1 – 3 are still acceptable, but you can add soft canned vegetables and fruits and soft casseroles NO BREAD AT ALL FOR THE FIRST 4 WEEKS. Week 5: Add back regular diet slowly.

I only have to do liquids for two weeks and this week which is my second week I can do whole liquid like yogurt and stuff. So I don't think you starting softs after two weeks is bad, since that's what I will be doing as per my Dr. I no that when I weigh myself I get really depresses so I try to do it only once a week which is killer. I had my revision on May 6th and actually gained 8 pounds of fluid I guess. I was so depressed because I am not eating and still gained weight. Today I finally went back to my post op weight minus 2 pounds. It will come off just stop stressing, with the band some weeks I lost a lot, some weeks I lost a little, and some weeks nothing.

I had to be treated for Hpylori. Had no symptoms either. I had 3 meds one a PPI. Made me horribly nauseated. Had to use an anti nausea patch. Could only eat carbs, starches and some yogurt, cheese. Then after 4 wks had the breath test to make sure bacteria gone. I was praying I wouldn't have to have another round of antibiotics.

No, I just weigh it before I pack it and/or bring portion controlled, single-serving items (I am very guilty of eating Lunchables and leaving the crackers behind in a pinch LOL). I actually pack both my breakfast AND lunch AND snacks when I go into the office, a 10 hr day that starts at 6:30 AM once a week. The way I figure it I need to take care of Future Me's needs so I don't feel tempted to go poking around in the vending machine. My lunch usually looks like this (I am 18m post op and am in maintenance, but my calories are low because I am a small person): Breakfast: Zero sugar Chobani, 1/4 oz of chopped walnuts or pecans, Super Coffee protein shake as a mid morning snack. (all in, about 200 calories and 25g of protein) Lunch: Veggies, some kind of dip (if you aren't making dips with greek yogurt what are you doing with your life?), usually a couple of "lunchmeat roll ups" that are each one slice of deli meat and half a slice of cheese, another 1/4 oz of nuts (usually pistachios this time), a couple pickle slices (usually somewhere around 250-ish calories and another 25g of protein) Snacks: Options include Babybel light and a couple triscuits, Campbell's Well Yes sippable soups, protein shakes, or half a protein bar (I usually end up with leftovers)(any of these would give another 10g or so of protein). I eat dinner at home with my husband on these days and it's usually something protein-heavy

I am a week banded and I have some major difficulty drinking. I thought the my NEW stomach or pouch would be just like my old stomach but much smaller. Does this get better? please help !!!!! I am here because it seems like u guys have all been through the early stages. I am still on Liquids only, w/ the exception of yogurt. I tried oatmeal the second day by mistake and boy did that SUCK. I am deff a bit scared to try any kind of mushy foods can u guys give me some insight into the first foods u guys tried. Thanks soooo much Tom

Please give your Doc a call on monday just to be sure. Miserable feeling no doubt. I am not sure what eating stage you are in. But possibly some yogurt or sf applesause. Along with the anti acids. just a thought.

Here is the Liver Shrink Diet my Surgeon and Nutritionist gave me to follow pre-op: Liver Shrink Diet Remember: Vegetables ar unlimited on this diet. (except potatoes, corn, beans, and peas. Breakfast Protein Shake or Protein Bar (You may use any shake as long as it has 220 or less calories and 10g or less fat/serving) Mid Morning Snack 1 small piece of fruit (if you have Diabetes add 4 oz low-fat yogurt) Lunch Protein Bar (220 calories of less and 10g or less of fat) or Shake Mid Afternoon Snack 1 small piece of fruit (add 4 oz low-fat yogurt if you have Diabetes) Dinner 3 oz meat (lean) - The size of a deck of cards steamed vegetables or salad with Fat-free salad dressing 6 unsalted crackers or 2 slices low calorie bread or 1 small baked potato 1/2 c fruit or 1 small piece of fruit Evening Snack 1 small piece of fruit (add 4 oz low-fat yogurt if you are Diabetic) (You may have non-caloric beverages on this diet) NO ALCOHOL!!!!!!!! Examples: Decaf. Tea, Crystal Light, Sugar-free Kool-Aid, Water Follow This 1 Day Prior To Surgery: Clear liquids only including Jello, broth, juice, and any beverages listed above. Jello can be congealed, but do not put fruit in it it. (NO RED JELLO) & NOTHING TO EAT PAST MIDNIGHT (of course). This is just what my surgeon and nutritionist gave me. Of course everyone's seems different but I just thought I would give you something to go on.

anyon'e post op diet look like this: Your first week Keep in mind that you now have a new stomach, much smaller than a few days ago, the volume needed to fill your stomach is now 2 oz. During the first week of the gastric band placement, you will be experiencing not only the adaptation to your new food habits, remember that you will also be recovering from a minimally invasive surgery, symptoms like mild pain and soreness are normal. The first and second week you will be in a liquid diet, using straw is recommended to avoid big gulps that may cause nausea or discomfort. During the fist week Clear liquids are recommended (water apple and grape juices, tree top, ocean spray and welch's are recommended) From fourth day on, natural fruit juices (strained and Gelatin can be added if well tolerated) The largest volume take that your stomach can accept is 2 fl. Oz. At a time, let it rest for 2 hours before serving this quantity again. Have all the clear Water that u can in between "meals". Miscalculations may lead to nausea. Room temperature during first week is the most recommended, slightly cold gelatin is acceptable. Take gelatin in small chunks and chew and dissolve. Take care of wounds: clean daily bath using only water and soap, scrubbing only in the same direction of it, cover with gauze or band aid. NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle. Your second and third week Keep in mind that you now have a new stomach, much smaller than a couple of weeks ago; the volume needed to fill your stomach is now 2 oz. It is time to include variety and a few more consistent foods to your diet: On your second week continue with clear liquids and gelatin and add:Whole natural fruit juice, use synthetic sugar to sweeten. Pear and apple pure Soups (broth):Potato Tomato Lentil Vegetable chicken [*]On your third week add: Chopped fruit (very small pieces) Whole Vegetable juices Whole Vegetable juices At this time you should be able to handle correctly your new stomach capacity. But always remember to let it rest for 2 hours before repeating the serving of more consistent food or the 2 oz. Measure, miscalculation may lead to nausea and stomachache. Food temperature: Fruit juices are well tolerated cold (no exaggeration) Warm soups. The care of your wounds: As a normal symptom of healing, itching will appear. NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle. Your fourth, fifth and sixth week Day 1 Breakfast 3 strawberries 2oz. of yogurt Morning snack Chopped peach Tea lunch Canned tuna (half a can) 1-2 cup of pea Soup Afternoon snack ½ cup of lentil soup ½ a cup of chopped fruit dinner ½ cup cheerios ½ cup milk Last day snack Vegetable soup Day 2 breakfast canned tuna (1/3 of can) crackers (ritz-oatmeal) morning snack 4-6 baby carrots lunch 1/2 cup of lentil soup slice of cheese afternoon snack 2 oz. of blended chicken breast 2 spoons of corn dinner 1/2 cup of chopped fruit top with granola last day snack vegetable soup Day 3 Breakfast ½ cup milk ½ cup of grape fruits or raisin bran Crackers Morning snack ½ cup of lentil soup Crackers Lunch ½ cup of chicken soup ½ cup of blended chicken Crackers Afternoon snack 3 - 4 crackers Canned tuna Dinner ½ a cup of chopped fruit 1 spoon of yogurt Last day snack Carrots day 4 breakfast strained pineapple juice 2 oz. of chopped chicken crackers morning snack canned tuna (half a can) crackers (ritz-oatmeal) lunch 1/2 cup of peas 1/2 cup of chopped fruit afternoon snack vegetable soup dinner 2 oz. of chopped chicken breast Day 5 Breakfast ½ cup of chopped fruit Morning snack ½ cup of yogurt 1 or 2 oatmeal crackers spread some jelly if desire Lunch Canned tuna (half a can) Sliced tomato pieces Crackers Afternoon snack Chicken soup (Campbell's) Crackers (ritz / oatmeal) Dinner Dinner 2oz. of grilled chicken breast mushroom cream Last day snack Chopped fruit Gelatin day 6 breakfast 1/2 cup of grape nuts with milk morning snack 1/2 cup of chicken fajitas mixed with onion and veggies. and vegetabe soup. lunch sliced tomato and cheese piecees. crackers Dinner 3 strawberries 2 oz. of yogurt Day 7 Breakfast ½ cup chopped fruit 1 spoon of granola top with honey Morning snack Tuna and vegetables with crackers Lunch Grilled chicken breast split, pea soup (or choose vegetable) Afternoon snack Gelatin crackers Dinner Vegetable soup white rice Last day snack Broccoli cream Remember: Chew, Chew, Chew! Cold coffee is OK Use low fat / low calorie yogurt and milk Carbonated drinks are not recommended Bread, tortilla and banana are nor yet recommended Never try to eat more than your stomach can handle Keep in touch with your surgeon and nutritionist: Every 15 days for 3 months Every month for the next 3 months Every 3 months for the next 3 years NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle.

Did anyone go in for there first fill and not get a fill?? My nurse told me that I have 3cc residual fluids in my band from surgery already and I was 4 weeks post OP down 25lbs not hungry at all with good when I do eat. still a little nervous eating solid foods so I do protein shakes , fish, Greek yogurt and egg whites with salsa most days .. I'm sure this is completely normal just wanting to see if anyone else had this experience...