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In 2007 I had my first weight-loss surgery. After years of diets, exercise, and weight-loss drugs, the Lap-Band was supposed to be the key that finally got the weight off.
And it was — I dropped from 230 lbs to 152 lbs at my lowest. But it came at a cost. The Lap-Band eroded into my stomach and had to be removed in 2009. Everyone thought I would be okay because I had already lost so much weight, and I was just 20 pounds away from my goal of 135 lbs.
By 2011, I was back up to 200 lbs. I was given the option of a gastric sleeve surgery, which was supposed to be the last thing I needed. The weight began to come off slowly, but other problems began to appear too.
With the Lap-Band, it had taken me 129 days to get back to eating solid food. With the sleeve, it took almost a year. There was the added bonus of food getting stuck more often, and a severe limitation in the types of foods that felt comfortable to eat. It also introduced severe acid reflux (GERD), LES issues, and eventually the removal of my gall bladder.
Over time, a narrowing and slight bend was created because of the suture line from the Lap-Band removal. Because of that history, I have struggled with solid food ever since, and I have often fallen back on liquid and soft diets to keep myself nourished and out of pain.
Why I made EatFullyLiquid
I created this site to make it easier for the next person to find what they need — and to share what they know so we can pass it on to the next person after that.
Recovery diets are handed out constantly, but practical answers are hard to find. What do you actually eat tonight? Which shake has enough protein without tearing your stomach up? Which soup is smooth enough for stage three? What kitchen tool makes it possible to cook again?
This site is my attempt to gather all of those answers in one place, organized by the stage you are in today, with the protein and calories right on the front of every card.
Share the love
If you found a product, recipe, or tip that helped you, add it to the directory so the next person can find it faster.
Learn the stages
Not sure what “full liquids” or “mechanical soft” actually means? Read the diet stages guide in plain language.
This is my personal experience with weight-loss surgery and its complications. It is shared as peer information and support, not medical advice. Every body is different; please follow your own care team's instructions and talk to them before making changes to your diet or care plan.