Fruit Smoothies?

I have my psych evaluation on Friday the 13th and that is my last step before we can submit for insurance approval.  I've been preparing myself for weeks for a new lifestyle.  I've given up pop, caffeine, and alcohol and I've been weighing my portions and counting my calories.  I've also started drinking 1 protein shake a day to get used to the taste and the routine.  

Yesterday I bought a new single serve blender and it's amazing.  It's the "Nutra Ninja" and it is way more efficient than the magic bullet or any other single serve blender I've tried.  It came with a little recipe book for smoothie and shake ideas and they all look yummy.  It's also a good way to get in those pesky greens that I hate such as spinach and kale.  My question for all WLS veterans out there is can I have fruit post op? I understand that they are high in sugar but they are natural healthy sugars and low calorie so shouldn't they help with weight loss? I am not a vegetable person by any means and I'm worried about how I am going to incorporate more greens into my diet.  If I can make a fruit smoothie and mix in some of those greens the fruit would mask the taste.  Any advice?

My nutrition plan calls for 3 meals a day and no snacks or calories from liquids, so any sort of smoothie would be right out.  

I'd ask your nutritionist if fruit/greens smoothies would be allowed on your plan!  

What does your plan say about fruit smoothies?

My plan said no fruit, much less fruit smoothies, until goal, and even then is serious moderation (on the fruit, no fruit smoothies ever).  The veggies are too bitter for me to drink without the added fruit.  I ended up eating quite a bit of blended soup as a way of getting most of my veggies in. 

I'm kind of unclear about what my plan is.  I have only seen my nutritionist once so far at my consultation.  There was so much information thrown at me at the time.  Based on the information that I have, there doesn't seem to be any fruit in my "suggested" foods (except for unsweetened applesauce).  I suppose that means I shouldn't have any fruit.  Can I ask why you were told not to eat any fruit? 

My plan calls for very limited carbs.  I was told to eat under 40 carbs a day, over 80 grams of protein and between 600-800 calories.  There is no room for fruit in those stats.  Sugar, any kind of sugar, including natural sugar was off limits.  My plan would not have allowed me to even have the unsweetened apple sauce. 

I'm allowed to have fruit, I'm just not supposed to have liquid calories.  The reason for that is that liquids don't trigger any sense of fullness or satiety.  

I could have whole fruit now if I chose to, but at 3 months out I haven't had a meal where I've had room for any fruit after I've had my 3 ounces of protein and 1 ounce of vegetable.  Some day this might change, or I might start eating a small piece of fruit before I work out, but right now I've been fine without it.  I get my vitamin and mineral needs through supplements, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.  

I did.  I think that if you prepare your smoothie with fruit low on the glycemic index (i.e. strawberry, blueberry, blackberry), add protein powder, add your greens, add ice, and for fluid use either water with lemon or the 30 calorie almond milk option it is just fine.  There really is not a difference between a protein smoothie or protein shake as far as "drinking" your calories.  Not to heavy on the fruit though, and use splenda or something to help sweeten.  Your body will thank you for the fiber and micronutrients of the fruit and veggies in it.  

I'm not a wls veteran but I do make nutribullet smoothies and have still lost weight, but I have to adjust what I eat during the day. I try to make my smoothies with more greens & use fruit for some sweetness. I use chia seeds in my drinks so I get filled up more quickly.

I will not say yay or nay on the fruit smoothie thing, but I want to offer some information that has not been mentioned in previous responses.

One of the reasons fruits are considered a healthy food and the sugars are not "bad sugars" is that the sugar is delivered with natural, long chain fiber (usually both soluble and insoluble). The fiber helps the fructose enter the blood stream slowly and in turn helps regulate the release of insulin into the blood stream. The slow release of insulin into the blood stream and keeping blood sugar levels as low and consistent as possible helps weight loss and lessen fat storage.

When you puree (pulverize) the fruit in the blender for a smoothie you also decimate the insoluble fiber. The insoluble fiber is essential in the slow absorption of the fructose. Without the benefit of the intact long chain insoluble fiber the fructose from the fruit in your smoothie will be absorbed as quickly as if you were drinking fruit that had been juiced. You will still have the benefit of the soluble fiber, but the latticework of the insoluble fiber that helps slow the absorption of the fructose is no longer viable.

My best advice is to learn how sugar (sucrose, glucose, fructose, anything ose....) in a processed state is used and tolerated by the human body. As you begin to understand how sugars play a major role in your weight and health you will be able to make well informed decisions about what you put in your body - even when, like I do occasionally, you chose something not so high on the health-o-meter!

I think you missed your calling....diplomacy should have been your career pursuit, you might have brought about world peace or at least solved the middle east problem.  :)