vegwannabe

Have you tried any of the soy protein powders? No whey and completely vegan. You can add it to almost anything...juice, pudding, sauces, hot cereal...even baked goods. Most have over 20gms of protein per serving. Soy is not ideal as a sole source of protein, but as part of an overall higher-protein regime it's great.

You should be taking in as much Protein as possible each day, particularly when you are healing from surgery. Your body needs protein to repair. Your protein requirements depend on your body size. Go online to www.thedailyplate.com or some other similar site to figure what your body needs. If you are on Clear liquids, try Kellogg's protein Water, it comes in ready-to-drink bottles or as a powdered drink mix-5 gm protein, 5 gm Fiber and 30 cal per serving. You will find it in most larger supermarkets, even Walmart has it. If you are not limited to clear liquids, there are loads of high Protein shakes out there. Use the search tool to find some brands others have tried and like or dislike. I've heard good things about sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast, Isopure, Revival Soy, and unjury. Get creative with Greek yogurt (higher in protein than regular yogurt), soy products (silken tofu, soy milk, etc.), and protein powders can be added to juices, puddings, and anything mushy. Have fun!

You might also try a new drink mix by Kellogg's All Bran that has 10gm of fiber per serving. You'll find it right alongside the fiber supplements. It's just like Crystal Lite.

hair loss is a "hairy" issue. It seems no one can say for sure who will experience it, what prevents it, and how long it'll last. I found this article that explains the connection betwee Biotin and hair loss. Biotin binds to Protein so if you're taking biotin supplements, take them on an empty stomach. Hair Loss: Biotin is food for Your Hair

I recently found a drink mix put out by Kellogg's All Bran that has 10gm of fiber and 20cal. per serving. I found it right alongside the other fiber supplements in my local drugstore and supermarket. It comes in iced tea and pink lemonade. Both are quite tasty - just like Crystal Lite. You get 8 servings per box for a little under $4.00. It's quite flavorful, so you can easily stretch the powdered mix to get 12 - 16 servings per box to economize. I have been drinking it for a couple weeks. I really like it! I'm pretty sure its the same type of fiber as Benefiber. There's no clumping or grittiness. You do need to shake it good, but it mixes even better than Crystal Lite. I've noticed a small difference in my BM frequency. (Always a good thing.) And, no cramping like psyllium can produce. It's good stuff.

I can't wait to wear... ... pants that DON'T have an elastic waistband. ... a bra that has only 2 hooks in the back. ... a bathing suit. ... a sleeveless shirt. ... linen (no stretch there.) ... a skirt or dress. ... OMG, I could go on forever. I'll stop now.

Anyone who wants to have the surgery should be allowed to "attempt" to have the surgery. As someone earlier stated, not all insurance carriers, or even surgeons, for that matter, will perform the surgery on someone who doesn't need it. (Maybe I'm just naive.) There are too many variables to answer the question with any accuracy. At first glance, who are we to say what other people can and cannot do with their lives and bodies. Live and let live. What does "average" mean, anyway? I hope it's not what we should be striving for. I sure as heck don't want to be "average". I want to be freakin' OUTSTANDING!

Regarding hair loss....have you seen this? Hair Loss: Biotin is food for Your Hair The article gives a good explanation about the connection between biotin deficiency and hair loss. You might also be interested to know that biotin binds easily with Protein, so if you have been taking your biotin supplement with or near the time you have a meal or any protein supplement, you may not have been getting biotin's full benefits. You might consider talking with a dietician about your nutritional intake and, I don't know if there is such a thing, but getting tested to see if you are biotin deficient. Hang in there. Good luck!

jjsmiles, thanks for the encouragement. I know this is going to be a struggle for me. Thankfully, the bariatric team in my area mandates an entire "program" before WLS, including attendance at 5 behavior modification sessions and at at least 1 support group meeting, a dietician consult and meeting with a number of other professionals for evaluation and testing. I'm really trying to see all of these "obstacles" as learning experiences and resources that will help to get me to goal. I've go a lot of work ahead of me. I didn't get to be overweight by following the "rules." I have some horrible habits that will take vigorous effort and lots of muscle to overcome. I am hoping that I can just set my mind to losing the weight the same way I quit smoking over 6 years ago....I just did it. I decided I was no longer a smoker and I stopped smoking. I'd say "it was simple", but quitting smoking was one of the best things I ever did for myself and it was brutal. It takes effort, even today, to remain a "non-smoker." I can't say I lack self-esteem. I think I'm pretty great. I lack confidence. Succeeding at this - something that I've been attempting my entire (and I mean entire) life - will be the ulitmate confidence booster. I will be invincible! I'll have to change my name to "superveg"! :thumbup:

I am compelled to say that I really appreciate this thread. Thank you all for sharing your experience with those of us who haven't been banded yet and others who need a bit of guidance. Reading all your posts has been soooo helpful and has really helped to ease some of my anxiety over this whole experience. Intellectually, I've accepted that being banded will change my entire relationship with food. Emotionally, I've been a bit of wreck over it. Food has helped me through some of the best and worst times of my life. I expect the change will be difficult and I will mourn the loss of my old fat friend. Hearing from successful bandsters is as useful a tool as the band itself. There is nothing like the real-life experience of veteran bandsters to give (or not give) credibilty to all the tips, rules and guidelines that are thrown at us. You may underestimate the power of your keystrokes, but I will not. Thank you! I am going to paste all your ideas to a list that I might just have laminated and put it up on my refrigerator door.

I've got Harvard Pilgrim but no band yet. So far I've found HP to be very easy. When I phoned HP last month to see if WLS was covered, I was told that it is covered as long as it is deemed "medically necessary" by my PCP and with a referral from my PCP. My PCP is on board with my getting banded, so I feel pretty confident that everything will be covered. Have you found out how fills are covered yet?

I asked the same question of my surgery coordinator. She works it out as you should give yourself 100lbs for 5 feet of height, 5lbs for each additional inch of height (reduce 10% for small frame, add 10% for a large frame) So if you are 5'8" and have a large frame (i.e. broad shoulders) your ideal weight should be 154lbs. Make sense?

I wish I had your problems. Keep up the good work!!