Hello from Los Angeles!

I'm on day 7 of the liquid diet, and it is getting harder and harder to push on. Honestly, I'm starting to feel like an overfilled Water balloon. I don't know how I'm going to manage another 2 weeks of this.

At night, I fall asleep fantasizing about real food - especially supersized McDonald's meals, my #1 vice pre-surgery. I can so vividly recall what a double cheeseburger tastes like. Even foods that never really appealled to me before, like plain white bread, makes my mouth water uncontrollably.

On the other hand, I have lost about 10 lbs so far. I'm not going to lie - that feels pretty terrific.

So, guys, I am looking to develop ways to make the liquid diet tastier, more filling and more interesting. Any tricks ya'll would like to share?

Me:

-I buy tasty Progresso Soups, strain out all of the solids, and just drink the flavorful broth. Much tastier than drinking stock or boullion.

-sugar free hot chocolate with 4 splendas and one tablesppon Protein powder (must be stirred VERY well)

-Isopure Protein Drink mixed with Diet berry Snapple or Juicy juice

Your liquid recipes are much appreciated. Thanks!

My mil gave me a cookbook for Christmas that was written by someone who has the lap band and didn't want to drink bland boring food. It is called Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery. I have not yet tried anything in the cookbook, but it looks pretty good to me. I can;t get used to some of her ideas however. It is well laid out and explained, suggesting different ways to serve it based on what stage you are in, but I don't envision myself making a garden omelet or muscles steamed in herbs and wine and pureeing it and drinking it up?!!:yuck: Who knows, after a few days of broth and protein drinks I may be singing a different tune. Maybe this would help you?! Good luck and hang in there!

You can jazz up your taste buds and help your healing process and muscles along by incorporaing more Protein supplements in your diet. One tablespoon of protein is not nearly enough. You need to be working toward 60-80 gr of protein a day.

There are some wonderful, tasty and healthful protein supps on the market....make sure you get the kind made for bariatric patients, not football players! nectar brand is thin, several fruit flavors, no protein taste at all (my fave is FuzzyNaval - peach). Matrix makes a wonderful chocolate (good hot or cold) and an Orange Cream. IDS makes several flavors that makes great shakes/smoothies. There are several websites that sell them.

Also you might check out the section elsewhere on this messageboar under the broad heading "Food". Click on it, and then click on the link "Liquid Stage Recipes". This has different recipes that people have contributed. I'll bet it give you a lot of good suggestions and ideas.

Good luck to you.

Eat some solids that count as liquids like Jello and popsicles. You can chew them and it feels like you're getting to actually eat something. On a full liquid diet (and if you're doing hot chocolate, it sounds like you're on a full liquid diet, too) I was allowed custard. Man, was that good stuff and lots of Protein as a bonus. I also second the protein suggestion. When you're getting adequate protein, you don't feel nearly as deprived.

Don't feel alone in this struggle. We've all gone through it. I myself also layed awake at night then dreamed of spaghetti and mashed potatoes when I finally did drift off into that rumbling, starving sleep. And, as hard as it may be to believe this your days of McDonald's supersize will soon be over. You won't even want the darn stuff. It just doesn't taste as good when you have to chew it to a greasy pulp.

I've actually had food dreams post op. Its funny. I miss being able to eat junk that is for sure. It is amazing how much I have changed in 6 months. Good luck.

I drank heaps of liquid yogurt I don't know if you have them where you are but they are yummy. sort of like a fruity yogurt watered down with low fat milk & juice etc...This was and still is my 'treat'. I never tired of them even post the liquid phase!

:bananapartyhat: becky