Margo

To make a long story short....this liquid Protein diet SUCKS. So here are my questions: 1. Do Protein drinks "act" as a magic pill to shrink your liver? 2. If not, why can't I simply eat a high protein diet for 2 weeks? 3. Is regular food too "solid" thus not shrinking the liver? 4. What about these new protein chips....can't I eat those instead of drinking this "stuff"? 5. If eating food in the solid state is not going to shrink my liver....what if I pureed foods high in protein? I could really use everyones advise here.....I feeling just awful.

O.K., now I am brainstorming here.....what if I were to drink as much protein as possible and eat the rest of my protein via protein chips, protein petrzels, or bars?

You want a low carb, high Protein diet to decrease the size of the liver. It is interesting that you say that because that's what I thought too....and I understand that shrinking the liver is the key goal pre-op....but, my surgeon's office wants me to use a protein drink with EQUAL carbs and protien. I told her I found one that I was told was good but not equal in carbs and protein....the dietain told me to add 19 oz. of regular fruit juice! Bottom line....for 2 weeks instead of wanting to puke after every sip of this stuff why can't I just eat a low carb, high protein diet.....won't this strink my liver and basisly do what the protein drinks do?

I know I can add all the extras like peanut butter, fruit, etc. AFTER surgery, but I was told to "just get through it" with the straight protein drinks.....I don't see why I can't add peanut butter, etc. now BEFORE surgery? Any ideas about this?

Now I am crying...and I am angry....I called my surgeon's office. I got the office manager on the line (only because she answered the phone, I am sure)....anyway, I explained my situation. She said, "well, too bad, you gotta just get though it, besides how are you going to handle things after surgery? You know you need the protein drinks to survive that first several months". I was shocked because as a lap-band patient I know we use the protein drinks, but I had always thought that it was better for us to eat our protein rather than drink it. I asked her if lap-band patients needed to drink as much protein....she said "oh, yeah", but then hesisated as if she either did not know the difference or something. This office is big in RNY, by the way. She told me to just wait for the dietian to call back.....I must say I am envious of you guys who have friendly, helpful and knowledgable office staff to communicate with.

I am still waiting for a call back from the dietain's office...actually I spoke to the hospital dietian but she wanted to touch bases with my surgeron's office. O.K., if that's the case, I could be dead by the time anyone gets back to me!!! Guess, I will keep calling....the SF Jello cup and chicken broth ain't cutting it. I am lightheaded, peeing like a race horse and very cold (and it's 95 degrees out). I do appreciate all the support I get from this board and everyone on it...you guys are great. Hell, I told my daughter that I was going to post my protien "problem" even before I thought about calling my surgeon's office! And, Pat, thanks so much ....now I don't feel like such a "freak" for not being able to "stomach" the Protein drinks!

Thanks for the reply.....Oh, I know it has to be done, it is just hard to drink something as you are puking.... I was told that I could not add anything to the Protein drink....if I could that might help. I think I will call the dietian...

I have started on my liquid protien diet....O.K., the first one was good, the second drink was O.K., the third I though was gross and the fourth one....forget it! I was suppose to drink 2 more, but I simply could not. I am not really hungry...Oh, yeah, I could eat if I had to...hahahaha, but I literally can't "stomach" those Protein Drinks today. I tried the unflavored unjury in lemonade....nope, yuck........... Any suggestions? Please help....I have to be on this liquid diet for TWO WEEKS!!!!

Shelly, I am being banded by Dr. Burhop in Milwaukee, WI at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital.....I started my Protein diet today....yuck....I could not even "stomach" the last 2 drinks! I only ate 760 calories today...I am glad it's bedtime!!! Where are you being banded?

Tomorrow I start on my 2 week liquid protein regimen....actually, I am looking forward to it since I feel as if I have had one too many "last suppers"! Went out tonight, enjoyed every bite....but, I know I will enjoy "thinner" more than food. The reality of the surgery is starting to hit me...only 2 weeks...wow....

O.K. Mayflower419....tomorrow is your big day.....good luck....see you on the losing side!!!

Good Luck tomorrow, Brittanynb.....let us know how it goes!!!

Neither one....iced tea!!! Sedan or SUV?

Holy smokes tomorrow is August!!!! All the August bandsters....good luck!! Especially to our first bandsters....on August 1....loopylu, Staramorcita and Starbright....special prayers being sent your way.

Driving...for sure! Big parties or small gatherings? Margo

Your daughter is soooo cute!!!!

I had to go pick up my daughter from Camp Invention at 3:30 (which is when the surgery started Central Time). So I made sure I had the website up when I left to go get her....anyway, she gets to the computer before me when we got home. She can hear the doctors talking, she wiggles the mouse and up pops this surgery!!! She ran out into the kitchen screaming, "Mom, there is the grossest thing on your computer...yuck." I told her it was the lap band surgery that I am having....she said, "then I would not look if I were you"!!! I did look (yes, I hesisated), but I am glad I checked it out since it was very interesting and does appear to be a simple process. (And it really was not gross...only to a 9 years who screams at spiders too!!!!) Margo Surgery Date: August 17 only 21 days to go....

Thanks for the bump!!! Wow, you guys have some great mushies ideas...I thank you. Margo

I am just about 350 and will be banded on August 17th...can't wait!! And I plan on being a success story;)

Well, my nutritional booklet says after surgery there will be one week of Clear liquids, then 2 weeks of full liquids, followed by 1 week pureed and finally 2 weeks mechanical soft...then a balanced diet! So, I am guessing mechanical soft foods would be like tuna salad, Peanut Butter, ham salad, etc., right?

Thanks Greg.... and all of us August Bandsters hope your good information about August surgeries holds true!!!

I can think of some "mechanical soft" foods, but could you guys give me your suggestions during this stage?

Nicole, This is wonderful news.....just wait until the first moment you see your child...you will NEVER forget that moment....magic!

I am so luckily to have a wonderful PCP who actually mentioned WLS to me years ago. Of course, then I was not willing to listen, but in the back of my mind his "hint" remained and I truly think it was "placed" there for future reference...if you know what I mean! Anyway, he is 100% for WLS and has been a real supporter/backer and laision with my insurance company. I was approved and my insurance will be paying and I truly believe it was because of his influence. I wish eveyone could experience a doctor like mine....I owe him my life....

Can anyone tell me more about this "gurgling"?