Katy517

I use Ultimate Nutrition ProStar natural flavor Protein. It has 25 grams of protein per serving. You can get it here Ultimate Nutrition or via Amazon too. I've not cooked with it, but am told (here in a post) that it's not a good idea because it turns into a gooey mess.

They're not really shakes, but I mix unflavored protein with Crystal Light, no sugar added fruit juices diluted with 1/2 water, broth and cream soups. I find that very little if any taste is added and they go down great.

Have you considered the protein bullet drinks? They pack a large amount of protein - typically more than 40 grams - into a very small drink. How about a moist piece of grilled chicken? Also wondering about beans and soy products like tofu? Yogurt, low fat cheese and even skim milk might be good additions too. Good luck.

I'm in a definite minority and am 2+ weeks and still not back, but had surgical complications that account for the extended time. My understanding is that most go back within a few days.

I was allowed no sugar added clear juices like apple, white grape and cranberry diluted with 1/2 water during my clear liquid diet. Sugar-free jello can be very satisfying too.

I was told by surgeon and nutritionist to ingest no alcohol (or caffeine) for at least six weeks while healing post-surgery. Beer is also in the carbonated beverages category and my doc and nutritionist both said I may never be able to drink a beer again without problems due to the carbonation. Good luck.

I'm a YMCA member and have been for the past 10 years. The equipment is plentiful and in good shape. There are lots of program options as well as pretty convenient hours. The pool is a great benefit too.

No mushy period at all for me - I'm on full liquids for six weeks post-op.

Thanks. I was aware of the risk while healing, but both nutritionist and surgeon have suggested that it's allowed in moderation after three months post-surgery.

Is it like a hard and bruised lump near your port incision? I had surgery on 4/15 and have the same thing. My surgeon says it is a hematoma from internal bleeding. Mine is very painful too.

I was also one of those people who thought WLS (and diet pills) were easy ways out. I am curious though about your comment regarding caffeine. My understanding was that once the stomach is healed post surgery that caffeine can be reintroduced to the diet.

What is allowed on your pre-diet? Is it a clear liquid diet or some other variation? As for being 'satisfied' during the pre-op diet phase, I never was. Sugar free popcicles helped some, but not much. It's short-term though so you can get through it. Just keep on thinking of the goal you're after and good luck.

It strikes me as odd that your opening post is all about your concern for lack of knowledge about banding and yet a few responses that disagree with your premise and you're ready to leave arguably the best source of lap band information on the web. I'm all about personal responsibility and feel that I can only hold myself responsible for what I don't know. I am fortunate to have a PCP who is familiar with the lap band procedure and that has been of tremendous value to me. He's the same doc though who didn't know what an Oophorectomy was when taking my medical history for the first time. My excellent lap band surgeon on the other hand is really pretty weak in the area of lap band nutrition and I've had to educate myself in those areas that my common sense tells me he's incorrect in his recommendations. Personal responsibility for our own health and a thick skin when it comes to criticism are necessary not only when we're obese and contemplating this life-changing surgery, but also while that change is ongoing. Good luck to you on your journey to good health.

Congratulations - your achievements are great and you should be very proud.

Maybe just retaining a lot of fluids for some reason? In any event, I wouldn't worry too much. My understanding is that the primary goal of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver for surgery and not really to lose weight.

What liquids are you consuming?

I wouldn't be too disappointed as you're ahead of the one pound per week estimate that my surgeon suggests is typical. Congrats on the weight loss.

Just click the 'quote' button in the post you want to respond to and then edit the original post if you want to as I have done in your post below. Type your response and then click the 'submit reply' button.

Congratulations and happy anniversary. Well done!

I wasn't aware of that and thought hair loss was solely a symptom of protein deficiency as it relates to lap band - thank you.

Thank you for the reply. Congratulations are in order then for both your weight loss and hair regrowth.

Thank you for the quick response. Was it finally just adequate Protein that resolved the problem or something else?

I've heard of this as a side effect of not getting sufficient protein after surgery, but am not aware of anything other than adequate protein to resolve the problem. Curious what other methods you used to reverse the hair loss?

So far, it's the liquid diet. I didn't think that the five day pre-op diet was all that tough, but it was definitely short term. My post-op full liquid diet is a different story. It began the day after surgery and will last for six weeks. I've made it for two weeks now and have exactly four weeks to go. Very, very tough. Giving up caffeine has been pretty tough too and I've got four more weeks of that to face as well.

Agreed, maybe a good candidate for a sticky thread.