gyfts

At my latest support group (which is banders and sleevers) the nurse pointed out that newly post op patients should ask their docs about using the bullet blenders because they can add too much air into the shakes. Good to know.

I bought the nutribullet 900 watt. I love it. It makes great smoothies. Crushes ice like a dream and the drinks are nicely emulsified. Can't get that with any blender. The ninjas, bullets, etc are best tool for emulsifying the Condiments you put in your smoothy. Can't imagine a Protein Drink without it!

I bought a "magic bullet" which was a complete waste of my time! Last night I was walking through target and decided to look at the blenders one more time. I saw the Ninja SALE! And they would also give me a $20. Gift card so I got it???? best shake ever! I've been talking about it non-stop today!

Only your imagination is your limit....I have been making my own smoothies fir Breakfast every day for almost 4 years now....
I start with 1 scoop of Protein, then add just about anything...fresh or frozen fruit, berries are my favorite...coffee combinations are great...peanut butter..pineapple...mango...chocolate...bananas..anything and everything!!!
Almond milk is always good to use as a mix...
Plus it's 40gms of protein to start my day...try to match that with eggs, oatmeal or anything else!

I use scoop vanilla whey Protein, handful of Kale , scoop of Greek Yogurt ( Honey) and a few raspberries/strawberries which are frozen. It blends up nicely in my Nutribullet. Add crushed ice/water or lite almond milk if you want it thinner.

I love my Ninja! Makes excellent shakes!

Oh man, I love this!!! I can't believe how much difference it makes to use a Ninja blender for a Protein drink! I took my usual 8 oz skim milk and Bariatric Advantage chocolate powder and put in 2 tbs healthy Peanut Butter and some Fiber powder. Blend. Then some ice. WOW!! It tastes like a frosty from Wendy's ...no, even better!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am naming this morning's Protein shake "Almond Joy." I mixed 1 scoop Isopure Low Carb Dutch chocolate Protein powder with 6 oz Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk Coconutmilk Blend. You lose some of the Protein vs. mixing it with skim milk, but the flavor was quite festive! It was still 25 g protein. Almond Breeze is in the refrigerated "healthy" dairy section of the grocery store... where they sell Horizon milk, Yo Baby yogurt, tofu, etc. The Vitamin Shoppe has 1 lb bags of Isopure, so you don't have to commit to a whole 3 lb tub.

So, I just tried the unjury chicken Soup Flavor and it doesn't seem to have the unpleasant egg taste that was bothering me with their chocolate Splendor and Unflavored powders. I mixed 1 single-serve packet of Unjury chicken Soup Flavor (equivalent to 1 scoop) in 8 oz Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup (strained) and am sipping it out of my travel mug.
I appreciate the update on the "too much protein" scenario! That completely makes sense about over-stressing the kidneys. Thanks for the education!

I was banded Wednesday, so I am day 4 post-op. I had heard the wonders of powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury, so I have a entire selection of their powders I've been trying. Sad to say, I just don't like them. To me, it gives everything a subtle rotten egg taste. Now that I've been looking at it this morning, it looks like they use an egg Protein, which is where that taste is probably coming from. The Unjury powders also don't seem to make a very thick Protein shake. I thought it was kinda runny. I'm totally bummed about it and am Googling my heart out this morning to find some other options. Unjury seemed to be such a high-quality product and I had liked that components weren't from China. ** sigh **
I will say, however, Unjury's opurity Band-optimized chewable Multivitamin is very pleasant.
I'm drinking an EAS AdvantEDGE chocolate Fudge shake at the moment. It's alright, but I'd wanted to locate a Protein Powder so I could use real milk.
Anybody else have other suggestions?

I am more than 3 months post op and this weekend I noticed swelling in the area of my port. my stomach is sticking out on that side further and my mid section looks lopsided. I also have been having sensitivity coughing, laughing or sneezing...almost a feeling like a pulled muscle. Has anyone experienced this? I am feeling very concerned. Thanks.

This was a choice that we made, just like anything else in our lives!! I personally think it's one of the best health I have ever made.. Congrats to all who can see the desired results.????????

Thank you so much for this post!
It's been a little over 2 weeks (liquid) & I've lost 9lbs. I went for my first fill this last monday and I still have no restriction so I'm going back tomorrow for another film. My doctor's office does not have a nutritionist but, I am going to call around and see who has a nutritionist specialize in bariatric patients! Thank you again! I'm ready to get restarted in this

It's three weeks since you started this topic. You may have everything under control already, but I'll respond anyway.
You are no way the only banded person to regain. You're also not the only one who felt too embarrassed to ashamed to make an appointment with her surgery practice. It's okay to feel that way; the feelings happen to us. What's not okay is not to make the appointment. Surgery staff from surgeons to NP's to RD's and all the others have seen and heard it all many times before. When a patient comes back after a long time away, they are still there to help. There's the old saying about cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. Why do that to yourself? March your little, red face into that office.
As to the band itself, I think it's more a matter of re-establishing the partnership than having the band work for you. You're the one with ultimate responsibility for the work. We all are.
You can build a support system by attending the band support groups at the hospitals in your area. As far as I know, they all welcome each other's patients: We're all in this together. (It's probably also a matter of not costing anything to accept patients from other practices into the groups. So much the better.) Take part in BP. An appointment with your practice's RD may help you plot out your food choices anew.
Laurie

To ShantelleElaine:
I'm pretty sure in the rules you are not supposed to bash someone else's surgery choice.
What happened to you is very sad and unfortunate but that doesn't mean the band is for nobody.. it just wasn't for you.
If I were either wced or bandedDiva10, I don't think I'd like such a negative and horrific response. .. especially when they still have their band in place! What happened to you doesn't mean it'll happen to everyone.
I had the band for 5 years, it worked, I lost weight, the restriction helped but unfortunately in the end my body was rejecting it. I was sad to see my tool go away.
I'm not saying that I hated the band or it sucked or whatever; I'm just saying that for some people it's not the correct tool. Some of us found out the hard way is all.

It's going good I am down 8 at this point

So today was the day I am up 22 pounds the staff was great and I'm all set to take control. Next appointment is in 4 weeks I'm excited to report back a drop in pounds wish me luck.

@@wced good luck with all -- your medical professionals are there for you and want you to succeed! The links below in my signature really helped me understand how the band works and how to work the band. Maybe watching those videos will help you, too. There are times in life when it feels like the Cosmic Clock isn't lining up -- well, it's lining up for you now. This is the time, you are doing it -- choosing yourself and your healthy future first and foremost. We have to put ourselves at the top of the list. Every one else benefits when we do that but it's not easy. Keep choosing yourself every day.

I'm nervous however I have to start somewhere so Tuesday it is

It's been 2 yrs since I was last filled. I have my appointment in 1 month to get a fill done and start from 0!! We can do this!!

Happy you made an appt. I think that is the first step for restarting.
Hold your head high and begin with basics .... You can do this!
Use your tool to help you get the control you want.... Not throwing up. But satisfied with lots less.
Drinking your Water helps .. I know I have to try hard everyday on that one
Best of luck and please keep posting⭐️????

Hello I was banded in May of 2013 and was doing great until I got stuck and had to go to the hospital. My doctor told me he wanted to see 5 pounds back on as I had not eaten in 10 days. Well since then May 2014 I just can't get back on track I stared at 350 and was down to 268. I have not weighted myself in months but would guess I'm back up to at least 280 or more. I have not had a fill in a very long time and just made an appointment for next Tuesday I'm so embarrassed to go back and have gained so much weight and embarrassed to have been banded and still be fat. How do I get back on track and make this band work for me. Help please