Vtsoutherngal

Well, from my perspective, posting threads and getting responses helps build relationships and me being a newbie, that is what I "liked" about this site and what I needed. The social networking is what I was looking for in this time of change.. biggest change of my life. What good is having a forum site if you can't discuss things (even when you can use search). If everyone was to use "search", wouldn't have a very popular forum. Just my opinion and everyone has their own.

This topic has been posted several times by burnt out members of this forum and by the this poster. What is this? Number 3, Rev? But they do get hundreds of replies if that's what you're looking for.

Hi - starting mushy food on Wednesday. I need ideas for how I can get my Protein in. I'd like to do a Protein shake for Breakfast still but not sure that's a good idea. Problem is, I'm very picky. I won't eat cottage cheese or yogurt and there's no way I can puree meat and eat it. That pretty much leaves me ricotta cheese, scrambled eggs, cream of wheat and Protein shakes. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get my protein in?

what an inspiration! i need to get some photos of myself just for the encouragement. great job!

I did tuna a lot. My wife also cooked ground beef in the blender and made sure it was fine chopped and mixed it with gravy with mashed potatoes which was awesome after being on liquids for a while. I also used beneprotein to add more Protein to my meals. It has no taste or anything, and actually I still use it here and there to hit 70 grams of Protein. Adding it to the healthy grain cream of wheat made with milk puts it at 20 grams of protein. Another thing I did was blender chicken breast to where it still had some texture and added FF cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, spinach, and artichokes and made a delicious meal that had 26 grams of protein in 5 oz. Good luck though, hope this gives you some ideas to try.

Thank you all so much. These are some great ideas. Just what I needed to know. I'm back at work today and feeling pretty good. So happy I did this. Thanks again for all your support. Finding this group was the best thing I ever did

Hi Cindi and congratulations on your band! Don't know if you like cauliflower but for mushy stage I steamed a head of cauliflower then hit it with the stick blender, adding salt, pepper and coriander plus chicken stock. Made kind of a savory pudding. Same thing with yam/sweet potato. Can make a nice mushy yam. I was really missing veggies and needed Fiber. Stock is great for thinning things out. I enjoyed a Soup made by Imagine found in health food section of regular grocery store -- comes in cartons. Potato leek was my favorite but there are many kinds. Also I made egg drop soup, yummy. Miso soup with soft tofu. I didn't have any calorie or Protein goals during the post-op phase and I wasn't hungry until later in, coinciding with first fill so that worked out. Good luck with all -- you're doing great!

i drink a Protein shake every morning (as do alot of people)
refried Beans, tuna salad, chicken salad, eggs, cheese, (all examples of Proteins (that i ate and still do)
google Protein rich foods.......and for the picky part me also, but def take time to find out what you like to eat
and can eat (that is good for you)......as we are not on a diet, we are merely choosing better things...
PS, drink a lot and stay busy and congrats, you are doing well my dear

Today I had my first post-op appointment, I lost 26 pounds. Whoohoo

6 days post op and down 20 from preop diet weight

sorry you are feeling so much pain. Today was a better day and the first time I felt "normal'. I found whey Protein mix powder and I bought some already premade Protein Drinks for convenience. I am still not getting all of my protein or fluids but is getting easier. I have a lot of Jello, puddings, cream Soups, broths, pop cicles, etc. haven't had any hunger pains really.. probably because my plan calls for me to eat about 6 tiny meals a day.

i am really only having pain from the gas I think. I did get to sleep on my side cuddled up to a pillow. that seemed to help. Hurts some when I try to cough, haven't taken any pain meds since yesterday around noon. i am just ready to be normal again. normal meaning get in the green zone. oh my... that sneeze hurt lol

Full liquid but includes "some" other things as long as its creamy

Well I had one today. My husband and I just joined our local gym today. Im still really nervous about it because I'm overweight it makes me embarrassed. But anyways - you get a free tshirt so I'm like I need a 2x - so she gives me to 2x it was really really big, so she gave me a 1x and it fits. I know this sounds so minimal, but I almost cried. I thought for sure I needed a 2x.
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I read this recipe and it sounded really good. I can't find the original one (the one that you bake in the oven) but here's this one.
No-Noodle Lasagna

This recipe is suitable for the pureed food stage.

Ingredients:

Low fat ricotta cheese

Spaghetti sauce (look for sugar free sauce)

Grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

Put two tablespoons of ricotta cheese in a bowl. Top with one tablespoon of spaghetti sauce and one tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese. Microwave for three minutes.

Variation: One you progress to the soft stage, you can add cooked ground beef to the lasagna if you like.

Noodleless lasagna???? Missed that one. Where? Lol

had some egg drop soup, sweet potato fluff, and tore out the middle of some sushie for the avacoda, salmon and cream cheese and mashed it up. man was that good!

so lunch with mom was good. i wasted money on the buffet but the egg drop Soup, sushi centers and a little sweet potato was yummy
didn't really eat much now that I think about it. spoon full or two of sweet potato, soup, and 3 sushi centers (mashed) and i called it quits. feeling much better today than yesterday. going to go back to work half day on tuesday i think.

had some egg drop soup, sweet potato fluff, and tore out the middle of some sushie for the avacoda, salmon and cream cheese and mashed it up. man was that good!

On day 8 of pre-op. I had carpel tunnel surgery 4 days ago. The pain from that has taking away most thoughts of hunger. This Friday is my day !! Whoot Whoot

feeling better by the day, too. still sore getting up and down of the couch and in the bed, but when I'm not moving I'm good.
Haven't had any bad gas pains, just a little rumble that I treated with gas-x chewables.< /p>
Been fine getting two Protein shakes in plus my creamy Soup with unjury chicken Soup flavor, so my 60 grams have been easy to get. Plus I'm able to get all my Water in too, so everything is going great! I find if I drink too fast, it feels tight, but it doesn't happen often. I haven't been using those little cups from the hospital, just sipping out of bottles and cups.
Good luck to those who haven't been banded yet! Can't wait to see you on the other side!

Yep! I'm doing awesome! Thanks. Today is a better day.

Been a while since I posted this!
So I'm sorry to be too graphic here but remember, someone filled your body cavity full of gas, they pumped fluids, medications, antibiotics and anesthesia into your body. They punched 5 holes in your abdomen, moved all your inner body parts around, shoved a tube down your throat, took an electric scalpel and burned away excess fat and tissue wrapped around your upper stomach, then wrapped a plastic strap around your stomach just below the lower esophogeal sphincter, stitched it in place with 5-6 sutures bringing your lower stomach up and over the band and then snaked a tube out of your body and then sewed another plastic piece to the muscle tissue on your rib cage.
Now, thinking about all that has been done to your body, you're doing quite well aren't you?

About day 10 I really started feeling like myself again. It is a healing process and takes some time. The port takes awhile longer.
Hang in there…and yes, there is an end in sight and a wonderful beginning to so many great new things.
Feel good…follow docs orders and heal up….your lap-band journey is just beginning!
Best of luck to you all! It is an AMAZING journey!

Betty I know how you feel. I'm day 5 post op, a lot better don't get me wrong, but I still have pain especially by the port. It even hurts sometimes to take a deep breath. The first night or two I was in so much pain I questioned my decision in having the surgery. Like Carolinagirl says, we had major surgery but I honestly didn't expect to have this kind of pain either but it's done. I have to remember why I'm doing this and keep moving forward. I promise you that each day it gets a little better. Just know there are people with you right now going through just what you're going through....if that helps. Feel better !!