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Hi, Ryan!!! My name is Patty, and I live outside of Boston. I, too have been overweight since I was a kid, and have lost hundreds of pounds over the years. I got banded on July 1, and have lost about 70 lbs (about 50 pre op since may). It is by far the best decision I have made for myself in years. I wish I did it 10 years ago when I was thinking about it! So listen, you've got a great advantage!! Your youth!!!! seriously, the pounds come off easier, and with the band, they'll stay off.....plus your doing it early before doing too much damage to your heart and body. I applaud you on a great decision to take control of your life at such a young age!!!! The other thing about you being so young, is that you likely wont have many issues with excess skin, etc, as your body will rebound well, and work with your weight loss...if you were 40, yeah, not so much.....just remember when you're feeling up to it to put some exercise in your life...you will need strength training, along with cardio, and I bet your skin will look fantastic!!! Dont sweat the surgery...I didnt have any serious pain except some gas pain in my shoulder, and I was up walking that afternoon.....some pain in my port, but thats mostly due to my kids. I have 3 yr old triplets and my youngest has cerebral palsy, so I have no choice but to do some lifting.... so listen to your doctor and follow your pre op and post of diet. I use the EAS shakes (you can find them at Wal mart pretty cheap) and I use Protein powder as well (look for about 25 grams per scoop and as low carb as you can get...I get that from wal mart too) The eas shakes are really high in protein compared to the instant Breakfast and slim fast, and you dont need the carbs anyway... would love to keep in touch....give me a shout if you have any questions!! take care!!!

I was banded last Wednesday as well! Congrats to us both! Are you already on food? I am on my pre op liquid diet until I see my surgeon on Thursday. I found that my blenderized protein shakes were putting too much air into my system, which is still trying to get rid of the surgical gas. So as soon as I would drink some of my shake, the gas pain in my left shoulder would come back with a vengeance. Maybe that's contributing to your nausea. Just a thought.

I am 18 months post-op from RNY surgery. I lost my weight in the first 7 months and then entered the maintenance phase. I was diabetic prior to surgery and it has gone into remission right after surgery. Because of the diabetes, I exclude sugar from my diet. I get my sweet tooth satisfied with natural sugars found in fruits and milk, and with Splenda and Stevia. Generally weight gain in the maintenance stage is associated with grazing which causes the pouch to get bigger. Weight gain follows. Grazing on carbohydrates does not satisfy hunger. It is good to graze on Protein. In my case, I have included fats back into my diet because they satisfy hunger. If you must graze on sweets, I would recommend using Adkin's treats. They contain some fats that will satisfy and should not elevate your blood sugar levels.

I am post-op. I can totally relate to your question. I started loosing weight when I started the process to get WLS. I met with a nutritionist and surgeon who gave me a list of things I needed to work on to prepare me for surgery. So doing things like Protein first, low carb, I manage to loose 48lbs in about 6 months. So I did start to think maybe I didn't need my surgery. After all I was self pay, that money could go to so many other things. But then I reminded myself. I have lost those same pounds over and over and over again. Sure I can loose weight, in fact I was a pro at it. I just can't make weight loss permanent. The most I lost was 90lbs and managed to gain it all back. So I didn't trust myself. I had the surgery. Not saying you should or shouldn't. Just know yourself, know the risks, and if you can keep the weight off, more power to you. Good luck.

@@jdillon listen and take notes from the NUT she should/probably will give you a lot of info that you need to remember discuss Protein shakes, Water intake telling you when to change stages how much to eat telling you to measure your food so much more after she's done talking you "might" realize your pending questions have been answered you might think of more questions hopefully she won't mind an email or phone call from you (i did that frequently with my NUT) always follow YOUR NUT's rules she is the ONLY one you should listen to (except me of course ) you will get good suggestions from others here fellow sleevers will tell you their experiences from their NUT we are all great !!!!!! helpful, supportive you name it and we're all "full of it" most times they will pass along the fact the you must listen to your NUT or surgeon too!!!! what a great lady are you!!!! getting food and stuff ready for hubby and son!! its good to help them now but........ after surgery i'm sure (hoping) that DH will be there for you, other family too would be great time to concentrate on you!!!!! you are the important one!!!!! your emotions might/will be all over the place until July those feelings happen to many/most/all us take care good luck speedy recovery kathy

I am having trouble some days getting all of my protein. Can I make up for the missed protein by having more the next day?l I am trying hard not to do the shakes just because I would rather eat my calories than drink them, but I do drink three to four glasses of milk a day that gives me 36-48g of protein. Some days I miss a glass or two and am just wondering if I can drink extra the next day will it all average out? Thanks for any advice.......

Those protein bars all taste like cardboard to me. If I had a choice, I'd drink my 20g of protein as opposed to eating it. :thumbup:

Yes, but with my history of yo-yo diets and losing 60 only to gain it back it is frustrating. The sleeve is perfect for me. I am 4 months out and I have lost 82lbs. The sleeve is a great tool. It keeps me grounded. I know how much food I can tolerate at a sitting so I am cautious about my protein intake which in turn helps me to avoid bad choices. I probably could have been successful but with the day to day drudges of life who knows how much I might have regained back. Good luck to you!

I started mine yesterday - it is tough, huh? I have to go and find some more protein drinks. THis list seems to be full of suggestions. I am going to try as many as I can pre-op, so that I know the ones I like the best for after the big day. What day is your procedure?

My suggestion would be to follow the plan. You don't want to risk your liver not being prepared properly for surgery. The primary reason they have you follow the liquid diet is to ensure your liver shrinks and they can execute a laparoscopic procedure. If they cannot maneuver around the liver, they may have to do an open procedure which can result in more complications and longer recovery. As hard as the liquid protein diet is, it is better for you in the end. You are so close, don't self sabotage yourself. Good luck and keep us posted!

I voted no because I just eat normally, I dont avoid carbs or do high Protein, and I generally eat about 1500 calories a day. So no ketosis/breath problems here. But the 2 weeks on liquids after surgery - jeeze louise. Doug insisted we slept back to back! He said my breath was awful. My tongue also went disgustingly grey and slimy.

So.....apparently I have some willpower issues ???? I started my preop diet and am supposed to have 2 protein shakes, 2 protein bars, & a light high protein meal. I am NOT doing well. I have my husband and kids that I have to cook for and Sunday night, I had tator tot casserole( not horrible, but not a light meal). Last night I made chicken friend rice. That would have been okay(sort of) to eat, if I hadn't eaten the left over tator tot casserole from the night before! Today is a new day, right? My goal is to stick strictly to the plan. I'm having my protein shake now, am getting a quest bar for snack, another protein shake for lunch, and I'm making turkey sausage and peppers for dinner. Geez! This is harder than I thought ????

I might try them, thanks. I love the Premier Protein from Costco but you get sick of everything after a while! I am banded 2.5 years and I am tight in the morning and a vegetarian so I have one every morning but I need some variety!!! Good luck with the whole thing...its the best thing I ever did...it was a struggle at first but now its pretty easy!

Great job! I'm 6 days post-op and having the same challenges. I bought a bunch of pureed Soups from trader joes, plus some vegetable and a few fruit juices. I bought a non-flavored Protein Powder (gene pro) to add to the soups and juices for Protein, or I season some Greek yogurt with salt, pepper and olive oil to go with the soups. I also bought some cheddar, ricotta and feta cheese to blend/melt into the soups. I was so sick of my Protein Shakes post-op that the thought of drinking them made me sick, so I've been trying to up my protein in other ways. I also bought frozen fruit, skim milk, and silken tofu for smoothies (tasty with a splash of apple cider for sweetness). I made a tasty black bean Soup the other day: puree 1 can drained black Beans with chicken stock, some Greek yogurt, a bit of olive oil and cumin. It's very tasty and satisfying. A lot of these foods will transition with me into the soft food stage (I won't have to thin everything out so much). The biggest thing for me now is judging my hunger signals during this recovery process while I still have some pain and inflammation - trying to eat enough but not too much. I'm down 12 lbs, 9 pre, 3 post. So far so good Good luck!

I am about 8 weeks out post op. I am suppose to be getting 90 grams of Protein in a day. I am lucky if I get to 70 grams. I just don't feel like eating. The shakes gross me out. I have lost 54 lbs since surgery but the doctor says I would lose faster if I get my protein goal. Just frustrated.

Hi Camnick! Ok while I am not yet banded I do have alot of knowledge from different places concerning the diet and the band. First theres basic rules to follow (off top of my head help me if I miss some.. anyone) Do not drink 30 minutes before or after a meal take atleast 30 minutes to eat a meal chew your food very very well (Doc says 30x) take a couple bites and wait to see if a couple minutes to see if you're full Measure all your food and liquid Be aware of liquid calories get all your Protein from either powder drinks or Lean meats daily Exercise period... If you're not moving you're not burning. Vitamins.. Multi atleast. I take alot more than that though. When you say that you don't think you need a fill because things can still get stuck is this after chewing very well? I am not banded and if I swallow a bite big enough I can manage to stick some. Just a few things that I know is keeping me on the right track even pre banded I follow these rules.

Bariatric Advantage has an unflavored protein shake. It is not cheap at $60 for a large container.

My first day of the liquid diet we have a work function at a Mexican food place. And I drove 2 others or I would have just gone home & skipped the dinner. It smells so good! But I am sitting here being good & drinking my water. 1 more protein shake to go when I get home. :-/

I start my 2-week pre-op diet Jan. 15th and it consists of 3 protein shakes a day, period. Not looking forward to it, I must say. I'm sure I'll be posting my own rant... But we'll make it through!

Hi, I am a newbie so to speak. New to the lapband - surgery 12-11-08 and also new to this...first time (is what I'm doing called chatting)! A little about me .... 55 years old, married 35 years to a wonderful retired man, 1 son, 1 daughter in law, 1 13 year old grandson, currently kindergarten reading teacher for 3 years, first grade 17 years, and first year was in 6th grade in a rural K-8 district. I've always been overweight, many diet attempts, always active. Never let my weight keep me from doing things and achieving - Child to young adult bowler when I met my husband who worked at the bowling lanes carried a 225 average. Was a chubby Jr. High Cheerleader, Played softball - pitcher & 2nd base - Last few years played - team was champs, Played high school volleyball. As a teacher, for 10 years I was the girls volleyball and basketball coach and both boy's and girl's track coach for 10 years. My moto stayed intact.That is until about five years ago ...it caught up to me...sleep apnea, knees and hips going, and blood pressure creeping up. My mind said go...yes I can but my body said enough is enough.:thumbup: At my highest lifetime weight 386, :clap: I was miserable and almost immobile. I was in therapy for my knee for 16 weeks. I was in such bad shape it was almost like I had a stroke. I worked through that and became a little bit more mobile. During the summer I looked into the lapband... and went to the informational seminar...After that day their was no turning back. August 25, 2008 first visit with doctor weighed 376. Found out insurance would not pay, and that I would have to loss another 26 pounds before he would do the surgery. December 8, 2008 (my husbands birthday) started pre-op liquid diet on December 11, 2008 had my surgery. My only fear was getting on the hospital scale that morning and finding out I was not 350 or under...I was prepare to strip down if I had to....(which would not have been a pretty sight) but my weight was 345 with clothes at home and 343 with clothes at the hospital. From then on I was all smiles.:clap: I have not had any trouble ... I've went through all the diet stages ( I have followed all the rules/ with my husband's coaching) without anything bad happening. I'm on trial and error eating now...to see what I tolerate...so far nothing is on my Don't eat List except the doctor said no beef, pork, bread(sticky), celery for 6 mos. I was told to eat 1/2 cup 3x a day leaning heavily toward the Protein. I find my 1/2 cup tends to be a little rounded at the top whereas my husband's tends to be level....and he can tell what 1/2 cup is on a plate...so he has taken on the job of measuring! :thumbup: It's amazing though I'm never hungry between meals.... My eyes still think I need more...but as long as I know it's 1/2 cup I eat it and never feel hungry! I record and journal everything everyday. At my last doctor's appointment 1-12-09 he tried to fill me at the office but could not find the port - set up appointment at the hospital to do the adjustment - added 2.5 cc. back on liquid for a day, then puree, then regular 1/2 cup. Still no problems. My attitude is positive, my activity level is up, my energy level is up and my weight is down. I even walked a mile came in and biked (stationary) 10 minutes. For someone that could hardly walk from the parking lot to her classroom last year this to me is amazing! :w00t: My weight today is 321. I know I have a lot to go ... the rest of my life which because of this lifestyle change will be healthier, lighter, and happier. As you can tell, I'm a talker. I'm wanting to learn more from those that have traveled on this journey and rode this ride. I want to learn from your successes and mistakes.. I want to make new friends that have chosen this lifestyle change. I forgot to share my new motto : "Eating to Live" which changed from "Living to Eat". By just switching the words ... I'm healthier!

Has anyone used carnation Breakfast high Protein? I am using Premier Protein but was wondering if the carnation breakfast would be OK to switch it up with sometimes. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved the 17th too and I'm having the same issue..I seem to only be able to get like 3 oz. in at a time before I'm full. I'm so sick of protein shakes too! When can you start food?

I know someone who is 3 yrs post op. She said she occasionally smokes since drinking is no longer an option for her.

That's correct. The diet may be 4-5 shakes a day plus broth and sugar-free drinks or 2 shakes plus one meal consisting of protein and non-starchy veggies. The idea is to shrink your liver in preparation for the surgery. They have to move the liver out of the way to perform the sleeve and it reduces the risk of them nicking it. From what I've read here (I have about a month before I'll be at this stage), the first 3-4 days are the worse. Good luck!

I believe the sugar is high. Try the eas carb advantage they are good it has 17g protein, 0 sugar.