I have 8.5 cc in a 14 cc band and have been doing protein shakes and soups mainly. I can eat mushy things and noodles. I try to stay away for the carbs though. I don't have much variety right now. I just got filled tight again after regaining like 40 pounds. I seemed to lose weight pretty easily the first time around, but not so much this time. I would over to know what other people are able to eat that are encouraging weight loss. I use Unjury protein. What other protein drinks do you guys like? Thanks in advance for your help.

I don't do any Protein shakes. I am eating solids for 3 meals and one snack a day.

Breakfast can be Cereal (high protein) and milk, or hot cereal (high protein), or weight watchers smart ones breakfast sandwich, or egg beaters omelet.

lunch is usually egg, chicken or tuna salad with crackers (wheat thins, melba toast, pita chips). Sometimes I'll have leftover protein from dinner the night before.

Snack between lunch and dinner (usually 3) is laughing cow baby bell cheese or 100 calorie blue diamond almonds or cottage cheese.

Dinner is 3-4 oz of protein (93% ground beef, chicken parts or cutlets, pork chops or tenderloin etc) with a veggie and a little carbs. We eat in way more than we eat out.

If Im running and need a quick "meal" on the go I always have a Pure Protein Chewy chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter bar...20 grams of protein for one...low in sugar too.

No eating occurs after dinner...not hungry and not really looking for anything.

Thats what I'm eating these days and it is working for me and I am enjoying what I'm consuming and feeling good!

Hope that helps.

I like the ideas that you got.. I to have a hard time finding what I want to eat. I get tired of the same old thing (yogurt, cheese sticks, soups). I have started eating refried beans, warmed up with a little cheese and salsa on it. Lower in calories and I get the spice that I like. I have a hard time eating meats. They alway seem to get stuck,, not to a point of vomiting, but I have discomfort.

Thanks for the ideas! And best of luck to both of you on this journey!!

Thanks so much for your replies, I have been looking through all the recipes but it can be a little overwhelming, I have some new ideas, but I would love some more menu ideas too! Thanks so much!

How long does it take for you to eat?? I just had a hotdog and chewed about 30 times till it was mushy and I feel like I am filled to my eye balls and it has been sitting there for 10 minutes. But I am happy I found something I can eat other than cottage cheese, chicken salad, tuna salad, and soup, lol. Any other ideas are very welcome!!!!

Chili is such a versatile food -- I love turkey chili with black Beans, lots of fresh garlic, etc. There is "white" chili with cannellini and chicken, some people put cheese in that, cilantro if you like it, regular chili with kidney beans and beef or turkey, or veggie chili. Etc., etc.

Beans are great. The other day I opened a can of garbanzo beans, put some spices and a little olive oil on them and ate them with a tiny spoon. Had a small bowl then later I had the rest.

Lentils, too -- yum. Those I do on the stovetop with chicken stock. First I saute onions then add in spices -- we like turmeric and other curry-type spices in lentils -- let the onions pick up the flavor of the spices and then add the lentils (rinsed), cover with chicken or any other kind of stock and let simmer. Maybe 20 minutes? At the end I add some raisins. The sweetness of those with the curry and onion flavor is quite delicious. Every one raves about this when I serve it at a party.

Ooh, Bandista, the lentils with curry and raisins sounds awesome! Gonna make me some soon, thx!

My surgeon, Mark Fusco, has me on only 4 oz. TOTAL. If I had 4 oz of protein, there'd be no room for veggies.

I am very frustrated. They haven't filled me that last couple of times cause I guess according to them I'm doing

the right amount of hours between meals so I don't need a fill. But I have always eaten smaller during the day.

It's at night I could eat and eat and eat. Got sick after being banded (diverticulitis) and had 12" of my colon removed.

Then had 3 mos. of constant diarrhea. Lost lots of weight but have gained most of it back since I'm feeling better.

I feel like telling him to take it out and just go back to on/off dieting again. So disappointed in myself but can't seem to kick start it back again.

There is a whole WORLD of delight in various 'balsamic vinegar' on an ever changing bed of greenery. Amazing differences between yellow peppers & red peppers as well. Not suggesting 'veggie' diet but exploring the richness of what that realm has to offer improves the menu considerably.

Unless I get my therapeutic cup of the Holy Shredded Wheat nearly daily there is considerable consternation arising, if you get my drift.....

handful of fresh blueberries/raspberries/whatever is seasonally fresh maybe from your own yard.

I favor from time to time a bit of Greek yogurt with a spoon of crunchy Adams Peanut Butter mixed in.

And I've developed an incredible 'veggie pot' I make in my large Dutch Oven that nearly makes my house guests swoon.

Add the delights that come of a hot charcoal grill and it's a wonder I have any time to keep up on my 'honey-do' list.....

ah this is the page I need to be on! Been looking for a place for other people with lap band to chat about the various foods. last night I had "Zucchini Lasagna" : I loved this dish. The trick is that you have to dry out the zucchini and you have to have them sliced very thin. I also used turkey meat (chopped up good) and all the regular items that involves Lasagna. "A must Try" Few other italian dishes : Stuff peppers , Zucchini enchiladas. Anyone welcome to message me. Love my chilly when it is cold outside, but having the lap band at a success for over 6 years , oh boy did I get tired of eating the same foods. :-)

Google low carb recipes. George Stella has wonderful, easy to make recipes. I love to make "No Chop Chili" and all you have to do is google it for the recipe.

How long does it take for you to eat?? I just had a hotdog and chewed about 30 times till it was mushy and I feel like I am filled to my eye balls and it has been sitting there for 10 minutes. But I am happy I found something I can eat other than cottage cheese, chicken salad, tuna salad, and Soup, lol. Any other ideas are very welcome!!!!

This post concerns me. Can you only eat sliderts? If so your band is dangerously tight. We shouid, except for during the immediate post-op phase, be able to eat solid foods - that's how the band works, not by physically limiting our food intake. Well chewed ( and needing to chew a hot dog to mush is excessive) should pass through the band in around one minute.

A tight band is dangerous. It can cause serious complications, done of which are irreversible even if the band were to be removed.

Hopefully I have misunderstood you.

Just a suggestion. I joined www.emeals.com and chose the low carb meal plan. It has been a huge life saver for me. They send you a meal plan every week. Helps save on groceries plus is all low carb high protein.

I was sleeved but I stick with the south beach food program (mainly) low carb and high Protein. I still have a shake in the morning for Breakfast as I've never been much of a breakfast eater.

Midday is a you girt or cheese stick and sometimes I have breakfast for lunch otherwise it's been a lower carb Soup since it's been so cold!

Afternoon I still have my iced coffee w sf creamer and forget the snack 1/2 the time! Ugh.

Night is protein whatever the family is eating. I pass on the carbs since usually I've had a serving at lunch. Tonight was a Pasta bar at home. I had a few shrimp, Italian sausage (only about a 1/3) and two small meatballs with sauce and parm. J was stuffed and shared with my dog!

I'm almost a month post-surgery on the Lap-Band. I've been eating solids since six days post op. Before that it was all liquids. I've never done a protein shake - my surgeon sees no need for that.

Here are my "rules" from the surgeon:

1. NO liquid calories. It doesn't fill my pouch, so it doesn't satisfy hunger. Only chunky foods go in. I can have drinks, but they need to have zero calories - even if that's from artificial sweetener.
2. Only eat when hungry. My intake should be about the size of the palm of my hand. I'm to eat at a normal pace - don't overchew or the food becomes pulp that passes through my band. Stop eating when I've had that portion. Stop, assess whether I'm still hungry or not. If so, eat a bit more but call for a band fill.
3. Low carb / low fat, high protein. Eat non-processed meats, fish, low fat cheeses, nuts (but only in the shell, where cracking slows you down - otherwise it's easy to overeat nuts), eggs, non-starchy veggies. Occasionally a 1/2 piece of fruit. NO bread, rice, potatoes or pasta. These things are not only high in carbs, but also often cause problems when eaten.
4. No drinking anything during eating or within an hour afterwards. It pushes the food down, or turns it into mush that can easily pass, leaving me hungry again. I HAVE to have a drink if something gets stuck. Otherwise, I try hard to refrain. It's NOT easy.

A typical day looks a lot like yesterday:

Breakfast: coffee, 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese and an apple

Lunch: chicken shishkebobs, mixed salad (all veggies), light dressing

Snack: Handful of almonds

Dinner: cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce leaf with onions and tomato slices. Steamed carrots, fresh cooked spinich.

Snack: Cup of tea with artificial sweetener

Actually, yesterday was a really good day food-wise, actually. And I got in a lot of steps due to a busy day at work. We had a catered lunch brought in, and to my dismay, there was still a lot of the food that I couldn't eat. It was Medeterranian, and I couldn't eat the pita chips or the rice or the potato wedges. Only took a skewer of chicken and another of beef. Tried the beef and it was too try to get down. Didn't even try - spit it out. At a few pieces of the chicken and then the salad. It was not enough, but I wasn't hungry afterward. Until my evening commute, when I was so hungry I wanted to start gnawing on my freaking sleeve. Lol

I've lost 17 lbs. so far.

Kel

I like the ideas that you got.. I to have a hard time finding what I want to eat. I get tired of the same old thing (yogurt, cheese sticks, soups). I have started eating refried beans, warmed up with a little cheese and salsa on it. Lower in calories and I get the spice that I like. I have a hard time eating meats. They alway seem to get stuck,, not to a point of vomiting, but I have discomfort.
Thanks for the ideas! And best of luck to both of you on this journey!!

Try a poached or fried egg on your beans, sounds weird but really good. A little added protein and healthy fat.