Sojourner

Different surgeons have different instructions...and I definitely agree that to consult with a dietitian would be time and money well spent. Basically, I was advised that every meal has 3 oz of lean Protein and 2 oz of a Fiber carb...this is measured by volume after the food is cooked. I was given an entire manual from my surgeon's office which outlined acceptable food choices through every pre op through achieving maintenance stage.

I was instructed to begin a full liquid diet 2 weeks prior to my actual surgery date. Best wishes as you begin your journey...

You really do need to use a blender to make the shakes as smooth as you can. The shake should be more palatable that way...if you want to make them thicker, I used 1% milk and added a couple of ice cubes. GNC has their "Wheybolic Extreme"...I use the chocolate and Cookies 'n cream flavors since day 1...and I still actually like the taste. I only use 1.5 scoops of the powder for a 37 g Protein Shake when mixed with milk. You may have to try several brands/flavors before you find one you like.

Replacing one addiction with another addiction is not uncommon. If you understand the psychology behind addiction, it is a cycle that can be broken, but it takes time and perseverance. The band will help to moderate physical hunger, but "head hunger" has to be managed through understanding it and learning ways to adjust your habits and thinking so that you don't give in to it. Physically, once you have restriction, you will not be able to eat the large portions, unless you learn how to "eat around the band". The people who choose to do this are generally ones who are trying to change the dietary rules to meet their own perceived needs, instead of understanding that there are valid reasons for the rules to be in place. That type of flawed thinking is a hallmark trait of an addict. There are many unhealthy slider foods to choose from, but if you want to be successful with weight loss, you have to learn ways to avoid giving into it. Your relationship with food needs to change entirely; it will not be your friend. You will no longer be able to seek solace from the stress and boredom of life with food. You need to accept that we must eat to live, and not the other way around. As you will often seen quoted on this forum, the band is only a tool. You must learn how to use it properly for it to work as it was designed. Best wishes...

I have continued to enjoy my iced coffee every morning since 3 weeks post op; I did not feel coffee once a day was too risky, though I know I am supposed to only have decaf. My understanding is that the caffeine is a known stomach irritant, and the last thing we need is an irritated pouch. I'm also on Prevacid, and have not experienced ill effects from my once a day habit. I have not had any cravings for carbonated beverages...though there have been several occasions which I wished I could have a glass of wine...

I'm a strong advocate for each person taking a proactive role in their own self care, all aspects of it. The issues you have written about should have been addressed with your surgeon months ago, and he/she are the best resource for you to get some of the answers you are seeking. If your surgeon does not provide you with solutions or does not take the time to address your concerns, that would be a strong signal to me to find another doctor. They are not donating their services to you; they are compensated well for their expertise. Consulting with a dietitian would be very helpful; there are a number of foods you mentioned which are forbidden on my list of allowable food choices. They would be able to help you come up with a viable diet to loose weight with. And each bandster has to learn how to work with their band to be successful with weight loss. Just because you can keep down slider foods and foods which contain way too many carbs does not mean that you should be eating these things. When you find yourself in a stuck episode, there is nothing better to do than go back on liquids, allow the area to calm, and then start back with Protein shakes. I've read some posts which people had the sleeve as an post band alternative. I just did not like the idea of my internal anatomy being permanently altered. Best wishes as you search for a solution...

Drinking "free fluids" (SF/FF) does help with helping to manage your hunger. I still keep a bottle of water with me, and sip from it frequently...

Very good news to read...best wishes as you move onto the next stage of your journey!

Initially after having your band placed, you may feel some slight restriction from the surgery, however that usually does not last long. There have been heated discussions regarding the "don't eat and drink at the same time" issue. It's always best to follow the instructions your surgeon gives you. My surgeon has advised that you can drink up until you begin to eat your meal, but then no drinking at all until 1 full hour after your last bite. As you get your band filled, gradually the amount of restriction you can feel will will increase. Prior to your first fill, most likely you will still be able to gulp down liquids...but after you have restriction, you won't be able to keep fluids down unless you sip them. That's why you are usually asked to practice this new way to drink prior to your surgery, so you will have less trouble adapting post op. I've found that if I properly hydrate myself prior to a meal, it is much easier for me to wait the hour after to drink. It takes a bit of forethought, but easy to do when you repeat enough times to make it a new habit. As far as cheating on the pre op diet, I would say, don't do it. Even with the blessings of your surgeon. The reason is that once you have given yourself permission to cheat, it could become progressively easier to rationalize another cheating episode. That initial permission can create what I refer as the "slippery slope" towards regressing back into previously unhealthy eating habits. The psychology behind this is well documented, and the philosophy of 12 Step programs incorporate it into their teachings. I'm not saying that you have an addiction to food, but generally people do not become obese if they are eating healthy foods in reasonable portions. The lifestyle changes which successful weight loss with the band requires are easily compromised when one redesigns the "rules" to suit their needs, instead of doing what the rules require you to do. You will discover that there are many opinions on the forum...so ultimately it is best to follow your surgeon's rules, and learn to think for yourself and make informed choices. Best wishes...

Yes...though eventually we are supposed to get all of our nutritional needs met with a diet of regular foods. You will increase the Protein content of the shake if you mix the Protein powder with milk. I have read where others have shared that their band is too tight in the morning to allow them to eat anything, and in that scenario definitely have a shake. Something with good nutritional value is better than nothing.

Sorry to read of your scary experience with your first fill...happily, I have read few first fill horror stories. I would ask some serious questions directed to the staff at your surgeon's office before you have another one, just to avoid the same stupid mistakes that you experienced today.

As you approach the soft foods stage (and I'm not writing about mushies), don't forget to consider your daily carb grams...many of us have been advised to avoid the foods which are over processed and/or that the body will quickly convert to sugar (usually considered to be "white" anything). These types of foods will not keep hunger away the same as Proteins and basic carbs, such as fruits and vegetables which are skinless and overcooked (the veggies, not the fruit ). Some of the soft foods recommended to me were home prepared meat salads; dark meat chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad, shrimp salad. Use light mayo, and avoid pickle relish and celery. Also, moist, flaky salmon, tilapia, cod. Also shaved deli meats; ham, turkey breast, chicken breast. The higher quality meats such as Boar's Head Brand tend to have more moisture in them. For Fiber carb choices, any fresh fruit without the peel is alright to have. banana, avocado grapefruit, peaches, and strawberries were a few on my list. For vegetables, boiled until tender the list included broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green Beans, tomatoes, and summer squash. Yams and oatmeal(not the quick cooking or instant type) were included on the list for complex carbs. BTW, Jello is considered to be a liquid...and has basically no nutritional value. At this stage of life with the band, everything we eat has to deliver big on nutritional value. Be certain to focus on getting your Protein goal met every day.

It might help you to structure your time, sort of like scheduling your meal times, and making a conscious effort to remember to drink as much of the "free" fluids (SF/FF) we're supposed to be getting every day. I still carry a bottle of Water with me most everywhere I go. Drinking fluids can help with managing hunger; if you don't allow yourself to have anything but your fluids between your meals, it can help with maintaining diet compliance. Just a tool I've discovered along the way to help me cope with hunger. And, one additional pearl of wisdom...always remember that we are all individuals. No two of us will have the same experiences or loose weight at the same rate. Try your best to avoid comparing yourself to others...it just sets you up for negative thoughts. You will be successful if you are motivated to be... Best wishes...

Congrats on a successful one year journey...keep up the great job!

The band is only a tool, and like other tools if you do not learn how to use it properly it will not work for you. This is not a "magic bullet"...if it was, I'm certain every overweight or obese individual would be on a wait list for the surgery. The band does not stop hunger...but there are ways to learn how to manage your hunger. It requires a change of lifestyle to a healthier one which includes regular exercise. Your relationship with food needs to change also; you will no longer be able to seek solace with food to cope with stress, unhappiness or boredom in your life. Head hunger needs to be recognized for what it is, and skills learned to neutralize it. Diet compliance is part compliance and also a "head game" to better understand the psychology behind the reasons you are overweight. Not impossible to accomplish, but not a walk in the park, either. That's just a part of the reality of the weight loss journey with a band. Drinking Water and keeping yourself properly hydrated helps to trip the "hunger sensors" in your stomach/pouch. And until you are in what is commonly referred to as the "green zone" with fills in your band, you will need to rely on sheer will power and determination to remain compliant with your diet and loose weight. I encourage you to do additional research into the band to make an informed choice to determine if it is the right decision for you. This forum has many supportive individuals with an impressive amount of knowledge to share of the topics related to the band. It's an excellent resource to learn more... Best wishes...

Yes, what you are experiencing is normal...you've just had a significant surgical procedure done, and it does take a bit to have your energy return. Also, your hormones are gyrating as they adjust to the new terrain you have internally. The pre and post op diets were difficult for me as well...and I want to encourage you to focus your thinking forward to the future. Life does return to a semblance of normal, with a few minor adjustments to the way and what you eat and drink. Try to stay properly hydrated, and for me it seemed that having enough Water every day helped with minimizing constipation. I still keep a bottle of water with me at all times, and sip constantly (except during meals and for an hour after eating). Also, taking a stool softener should help. As you are able to tolerate it, exercise will help with having your mood return to what is normal for you. Best wishes...

Pre op anxiety is very understandable, especially when you have had no prior experiences with surgery and hospitals. The staff at the hospital will reassure you...and you will likely be given a medication to help you to relax and feel less anxious. They aim to keep you comfortable. Anesthesia may give you a sore throat, so try to have some SF hard candies at home to help with that. Also, I know from my experience with surgeries that having a chap stick at the hospital with you will help with dry lips. Best wishes as the next phase of your journey begins...you're going to be fine!

The best advice I can share is to plan ahead and get yourself properly hydrated before you begin eating, and that way you are feeling no thirst when you begin your meal. We have to be aware of what we are doing while we are eating...just ask the veterans on this forum who attribute many of their stuck episodes with getting distracted during a meal. Same principles apply to drinking during a meal...just don't have a glass of anything at the table. That way, you may want to drink, but you would have to make the effort and take the steps to get anything to drink. I have found that waiting an entire hour post meal is much easier for me to do when I begin the meal properly hydrated. Best wishes...

I've had a similar series of events happen to me...initially I was hospitalized, and later diagnosed with pancreatitis...the very scary part was that my bariatric surgeon tried to pass off the symptoms I was having as a pulled muscle. When my PCP got the hospital to fax him my lab results, he immediately asked me if my surgeon had mentioned my elevated lipase levels, which he had not. My mild pancreatitis was caused by my gall bladder, and additional testing did not show any traces of gallstones, but that my gall bladder was not working at all. My PCP said that the gall bladder issue is likely related to my recent weight loss. Who knew?? I'm trying to delay surgery to remove it; 3 abdominal surgeries within a year is just too much to cope with. I continue to experience intermittent waves of nausea, and sporadic series of sharp pain in my upper right side. The general surgeon was ok with me waiting, as we have no idea when my gallbladder quit working, and my hope is that the symptoms will subside over time. A concern I have is that not everyone who has their gall bladder removed has their symptoms resolve post op.

Anxiety about having surgery and essentially changing your lifestyle is to be expected...even the most grounded individuals will have some reservations about making those types of sweeping changes. I know i did... Trust me when I write that life as you have known it will resume, with a few minor exceptions. I'm only 5 months post op, but now I'm able to attend parties, go to restaurants, travel, and go sailing. Pretty much all of the activities I enjoyed before getting my band. I just make different choices on the menu, and every meal I order gets stretched into 3 meals. For the initial month or 2, you are still adjusting to the many changes we need to make...and inherently, people do not do well with change. How we interpret the situation we are confronted with makes a huge difference in how we ultimately will adjust to our new lifestyle. It's important to understand that the more self determination we feel in life, the healthier we will be from an emotional standpoint. Having a band is very self empowering; you and only you will determine your level of success with your weight loss journey. For some, that can be a frightening thought, because many have a fear of failure. Day to day, remaining compliant with your diet can be very challenging, but overall, we do not need to be perfect, only make the best effort every day to do the best we can to follow the rules. People who do not need to loose weight do not have the surgery...and the reason many of us got to the point of choosing to have the band was because of our relationship with food. That has to change; food is not your friend. We must learn to eat to live, not the other way around. When you have to say goodbye to a friend, you can actually go through a grieving type process as you adjust to understanding that you can no longer seek solace from food to cope with stress or boredom. I was fortunate to have a chance encounter with a woman who had been banded 2 years ago...she helped me to place things in a better perspective. What is more important to you, having your health and mobility or knowing that you can eat whatever you want to in whatever quantity you want to? Put into those words, discussion over...just do it! Yes, it has been a major adjustment for me; and pre op and initial post op times are the most difficult. Gradually you do get your life back to some sense of normalcy. My interpretation of having my band is that it is an opportunity for me to restore some of the health that my weight was stealing from me. I still feel fortunate that I was able to have my surgery, even with the complications I have experienced. Because I know what the alternatives would be...so my thoughts remain positive and I do my best every day to remain compliant, and I also accept that I am not perfect. Get in touch with your reasons for choosing your band, and keep them at the forefront of your thoughts so you can review them when you have moments of anxiety or regret. Best wishes...

Just by participating on this forum, you will find many friends and much knowledge and emotional support... The people who are on this journey are really the best ones to understand the daily trials and tribulations of having a band. Best wishes...

I was so happy to be able to have a small, yet real salad again...and I've discovered a very low cal and low fat dressing which is made with yogurt. I use the darker romaine lettuce leaves and always include some lean Protein, usually tuna or turkey and a sliced hard boiled egg. I do measure my food by volume, after cooking. Now that I am nearly 5 months since banding, I will allow myself to have a hamburger patty (it's important to not overcook it), with a little mayonnaise and mustard; for my carbs with that meal I include the lettuce and tomato I would have had if I had a bun, which I never do now...sometimes I make ground turkey meatballs and have a bit of home made marinara sauce on them and grated Parmesan cheese, and a cooked vegetable. Everyone has different tastes...and I guess that I prefer to keep things fresh and simple. I have yet to get tired of the basics...Consulting with a dietitian would be helpful, and they have much insight and recipes to keep the boredom away! Best wishes...

I have yet to read where people don't have pre op second guessing their choice to have this surgery, and post op asking themselves "what the h%^# have I done to myself?" I know that I did...but it lasted less than a day...so yes, it is totally normal to have these doubts and anxiety. Try to remain in focus with your original reasons for wanting to have this surgery...and it's never too early to begin to look ahead and identify some basic goals for yourself. Having a band is very self empowering, and you are the one who will determine your success. Emotionally, we are going to be healthier if we have the insights into how much self determination we have in life. Best wishes as your weight loss journey begins...

Whey isolate is generally considered to be lactose free...so I don't know if you tried it and had a negative effect. Individuals who do have lactose intolerance are supposed to be able to use whey isolate protein without difficulties. Soy proteins are also considered by some to be acceptable, however there is still controversy as to the legitimacy of the claim that soy is a complete protein containing all of the necessary amino acids. I have not studies much about egg protein, and have never heard of them as a prime ingredient for necessary protein shakes. Whey isolate has been, and as per my surgeon's instructions, continues to be the "gold standard" of protein choice for bariatric patients. BTW, I do have allergies to dairy products, however the need for adequate protein trumps the need to take medication for my allergies. Your mileage does vary...

I use Wheybolic Extreme (half measure) 60 from GNC. Most of the ready made shakes are lacking in nutritional value, so it is only in the rare instances for convenience that I use the Atkins shakes. As you look for a product you like, look for the ingredient of "whey isolate protein". That's the best Protein nutrition choice for bariatric patients.