Sunnyway

You may want to use a toileting tool like a "Bottom Buddy". Reaching and stretching may be difficult. Getting in an out of that high bed may be difficult. Can you step on a stool? A couple of stair steps won't be a problem. You can shower after you don't have bandages unless the surgeon says it's OK to change the dressings. Don't pull off the Steri-Strips. They will come off by themselves after you shower a few times.

Fruit juice is a no-no for ever more. It is liquid sugar. Use whole fruit and berries in your protein shakes. Whole fruits and berries contain fiber which helps metabolize carbohydrates. Using them eliminates the need for sugar and sugar substitutes. Once you are weaned off sugar and sugar substitutes, fruit will taste remarkably sweet! There are recipes for home-made protein drinks online and in bariatric cookbooks. Here is one from The Bariatric Diet Guide and Cookbook, called "The Elvis": It makes 12 oz. You will only be able to drink about 1 oz at a time at first. If you don't drink it all in one day, you can save it for the next. I like variety, so I would switch it with other flavors. 12 oz contains 31g protein, but you can add unflavored protein powder. One scoop of Genepro unflavored protein powder would add 30 g protein. 1/2 C plain Greek no-fat yogurt 1 large ripe banana 1/2 C ice 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 C natural creamy peanut butter 1 small handful baby spinach Optional: 1 scoop unflavored protein powder In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients. Blend for 2 to 5 minutes until smooth) NOTE: Be sure to use an all-natural peanut butter that contains only Peanuts and salt in the ingredients. The High Protein Bariatric Cookbook says: "The basics of a protein shake include about 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt, or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon protein powder and either 1/2 cup frozen fruit or 1 tablespoon nut butter. Then for flavor ad about 1 teaspoon of extract, cocoa powder, and/or flavored sugar-free syrup or low- to no-calorie sweetener. ...If you make your own protein shakes, the flavor profiles are limitless, and you will know the ingredients going into them. Then, when you have symptoms, it will e easier to identify what the possible cause may be. However, there may be times when a prepackaged protein shake will be more convenient, so do what works for you and hooks you stuck ti tier nutrition goals." The Lifebridge Health website contains about 30 protein shake recipes. Google "make bariatric protein shakes" to find many more recipes. Your protein shakes count toward your daily fluid intake. During the first few weeks of recovery fluid intake is your most important priority. Consume protein as you can. "You MUST get your fluids in. You SHOULD meet your protein goals. If you CAN, take your vitamins." Matthew Weiner, MD, The Bariatric Diet Guide and Cookbook.

I recommend this book: Bariatric Diet Guide and Cookbook, by Matthew Weiner, MD. There are guidance and recipes for every stage post surgery.

I wouldn't mix protein powder with milk unless you are deliberately choosing more calories and protein. One normally mixes them with water. There are protein mixes for soup, not sweetened, for example, Bariatric Advantage and ProtiDiet. I prefer plant-protein protein drinks and shakes over whey-based. You can make your own protein shakes by adding unflavored protein powder to smoothies, for which there are lots of recipes online. Google "bariatric protein smoothies" or get a couple of bariatric cookbooks. You probably won't need protein drinks once you are eating solid food.

Make your own protein drinks. You can eliminate the artificial sweetener by using fruit to sweeten the smoothies. Add unflavored protein powder. You HAVE to keep up your fluid intake or you will be back in the hospital for IV fluids. Consider the possibility that you have a stricture. Your surgeon should explore this possibility.

Please see a surgeon. Bands fail and are frequently revised to RSG Gastric Bypass. Your chest pain may be an indicator that all is not well with your lap band.

The RNY Gastric Bypass would be more suitable for you. It usually resolves GERD, whereas the Sleeve does not. Sleeves are sometimes revised to RNY because of GERD after the original WLS.

RNY does usually result in greater weight loss than VGS, and it usually resolves GERD and Type II Diabetes. These benefits should not be overlooked.

Yes, it should be concerning because the risks are greater. Your surgeon has selected duodenal switch for you which is appropriate. It has the best potential for losing lots of weight. Nevertheless, it is still up to you you! Do read as much as possible about WLS and afterwards. I've posted lots of book suggestions, which you can see by going to my profile. Start learning how to eat differently now so that it is habit by the time you have had surgery. Lose as much weight as you can pre-surgery, which will make it easier for your surgeon to get at your organs.

I have not had lap band but I have had two prior bariatric surgeries that failed. I am now going to have RNY Gastric Bypass revision at age 73. I have learned a lot since I started on this path 6 months ago. Good for you for moving forward toward a healthy weight. However, I'm concerned that you have not learned how to eat differently yet. Consider the possibility that you are a sugar/food addict. If you are, Keto is not the answer for you. You need to change your habits entirely. I strongly recommend some reading for you. Choose at least one book from each of these groups. Finally, conclude with Success Habits of Weight Loss Patients. Get started now. Apparently you have already had the surgery, so there is no time to be lost.

Sometimes you have to eat MORE to jumpstart losing during a stall, especially if you have been trying to cut down even further than your plan allows. One's metabolism goes into starvation mode and HANGS ON for dear life. But if you eat a bit more you can get your metabolism back on track.

The Bariatric Pal store sells a year's worth of one-a-day bariatric vitamins & minerals (with or without iron), including B-12 and D-3 vitamins, for $99. It's the best deal going. You get the whole year's worth in the first shipment. It's an easy to swallow capsule which dissolves quickly in the pouch.

Bravo!Two of the best food plans I've encountered are described in the books, A Pound of Cure, by Michael Weiner, MD, and Bright Lines Eating. by Susan Peirce Thompson, PhD. Both are plant-centric food plans, which allow limited animal and dairy products. The later is the more structured but provides much more support. Weiner, on the other hand, has a a website and a whole series of YouTube videos about WLS and his food plan. Both advocate against eating sugar, flour, wheat, and processed food. The cookbook by Weiner, Bariatric Guide and Cookbook is excellent for all stages following WLS. Pre-surgery I have been following A Pound of Cure and have lost 1/3 of my excess weight, 50 lbs. It's a plan one can live with with or without WLS.

Don't forget that this effect of the surgery will only last for 6-12 months. You MUSt learn how to eat differently and not rely upon the surgical effect. If you are a sugar/carb addict (and it sounds like you are) please read this book: Food Junkies by Vera Tarman or Weight Loss Surgery Does Not Cure Food Addiction by Connie Stapleton,.

I recommend reading The Success Habits of Weight Loss Patients by Colleen N, Cook as well as getting several bariatric cookbooks. There are many of the cookbooks available on Amazon and other bookstore sites. If you have ever considered that you might be a sugar/food addict, also read Food Junkies by Vera Tarman.

I don't think sugar-free pudding counts as a "clear liquid". It's a soft liquid.

You're only 2 weeks post surgery. Relax. Consume as much of the shakes as you can and don't worry if you don't finish. Your body is healing, You will be able to consume more as time passes and you will be just fine,

If you have GERD, RNY gastric bypass is the preferred revision. It usually cures GERD.

In six years I'm surprised you haven't figured out what foods cause you to get dumping syndrome and avoid them. Most people figure it out the first year post-surgery. Have you tried making journal entries when it happens?

There are recipes in the Baritastic app, too. The Baritastic app is a great way to track your food intake, weight, measurements, regularity, etc.

I take Bariatric Pal One-a-Day, which is the most complete and economical brand: a year for $99. It's a fast-dissolving capsule.

Get a couple of Bariatric cook book, which contain lots of suggestions for the various stages. I like these three of all I have purchased online:

RNY is still the gold standard of WLS and usually corrects reflux and Type II Diabetes. Go for the gold.