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Welcome to the other side! Small sips is recommended as a precaution against overloading your healing esophagus. I was delighted when I went from the sip...sip...sip... stage to full on Water glugging (one of my favourite things!). If you can drink more with no discomfort, I suspect there would be no trouble, however take it easy. I'm 5 months banded and am able to chug water like I used to. Watch out for very cold or ice cold water/milk/fluids - these can cause your esophagus to reject the liquid (and up it comes!) The "Liquids" phase is going to be a little different for everyone depending on what your WLS doc has advised. Liquids for me was two phases - Clear Liquids (broth, water, watery milk) and then full fluids (shakes, Boost, cream soups), but for you, it could be different. Yes, as the days go on between you and your surgery, you may notice yourself getting hungry. I was instructed to "eat" (drink broth, have a Protein shake, have a Jello, have a sugar-free pudding) whenever I was hungry. For most of us, it's a normal part of the healing process to have the hunger begin to return, but as you graduate from liquids to mushies, then soft food, then regular food, the Proteins and fibres should take care of things nicely. One thing I recommend is NOT RUSHING through any part of the graduated meal process (getting back to solids). Your stoma/stitches etc. need the time to rest and heal. You will also likely enjoy weight loss during this time, which is really awesome and sa-weet! Yup - Have water on hand constantly, day and night. Staying hydrated is really, really important in this early phase. :-) AND YES of course you are thinking about food - you have barely had any for a long time! Old habits (like eating when bored - I did this, too!) took a long time to form, and so they will take a while to break. I was banded on December 18th - 7 days before Christmas. So like you and your family BBQ, there I was sitting at a table LADEN with gorgeous yummy foods - prime rib, devilled eggs, green Beans and almonds, roast potatoes... and there I was. With my pathetic protein shake. I got my family in on the ridiculousness of it all, and we laughed about my situation. Keep your head in the game and remind yourself why you did this in the first place. Keep your eye on the prize! A serious (and friendly!) warning to you - whatever you do don't rush into eating solid food. The BBQ may tempt you like crazy, but if you eat solid food (especially ribs or meats) at this early stage, you risk having a stuck episode. Take good care and keep us posted. Every day it gets easier!

Protein drinks 60 grams protein, greek yogurt 14 grams protein, 4 ounces fruit juice, low sodium broth, unlimited sugar free Jello, unlimited sugar free popsicles, Water, decaf tea or coffee. I didn't like most of the greek yogurts Fage was one I could tolerate, I would add my fruit juice to the yogurt and it tasted better that way. This worked for me and I lost 15 pounds on it.

Yum Terry H! I am on full liquids so before guests get here tonight I am meeting my Protein quota, so I will have a bowl of homemade delicious broth my mom made for me. I might attempt to make a spoonful of corn casserole very soupy and enjoy that too. We shall see.

Thanks Naynayto2 and Ann! I think I'll head out for the carnation instant breakfast today. And you're right Ann, I need to find some other options, did the 'lasagna' but used groudbeef in the sauce. It's good but I got tired of it quickly. So, you think scrambled eggs are okay? May try that for lunch.

Yes, I am on day 5 of an all liquid Protein diet. I can have Protein shakes, Jello, broth, crystal light & yogurt smothies. The first couple of days I did alright except for a bad headache which I attributed to stopping my beloved Diet Pepsi cold turkey. :thumbup: I am not diabetic but I do have Insulin Resistance. At day 5 my headaches aren't so bad but none of the allowable liquids are stopping the hunger pangs. Yesterday afternoon I went out to Lowes with hubby and had to sit down...I suddenly felt so dizzy, nauseous, clammy and my brain stayed pretty fuzzy until I went to bed. And as the day wears on I get so tired of the hunger pains that I am irritable. I have ten more days to go pre-op then I will be on about the same diet for another 14 days post-op, hopefully after surgery things will be a little easier.

I can tell you what I had to do, you may or may not need to do all of these. 1. Cardiac clearance - started with consult with a cardiologist and an ECG. Even though my ECG was normal, because of my high BMI and the fact that I wasn't very physically active, he also wanted an echocardiogram and a stress test before granting clearance (these two tests required another visit but were done together). 2. chest xray, abdominal ultrasound and upper GI (Barium swallow test) - all three done in one visit. My ultrasound report indicated a possible aortic aneurysm but didn't indicate size so my surgeon had me get an angiogram and consult with a vascular surgeon as follow up. another appointment for the angiogram and fortunately the vascular surgeon had an open slot right after my angiogram test in the same building so just one trip. Fortunately no aneurysm. 3. blood work - lots of tests so I think it was 5 or 6 vials of blood. my TSH came back high indicating possible thyroid problem so I had to have another blood draw to test specific thyroid function - fortunately those came back normal. 4. consult with pulmonogist, did a lung capacity test in that visit and he put in the request for the required sleep study. did the sleep study in the clinic a couple weeks later (had to get insurance pre-authorization and find an open slot in the clinic) and then the pulmonogist reviewed the report and made his recommendation. 5. psych evaluation 6. Hematologist consult - only required because of my very high BMI - surgeons protocol is to recommend insertion of an IVC filter to catch blood clots (and prevent possible PE) for patients with BMI over 50. My research on the filters didn't have me convinced that was a good option, so he sent me to a hematologist to go through my full history and see if and IVC filter was really necessary. Hematologist agreed with me and i'll just be doing lovanox injections twice a day for a couple weeks after surgery instead. Note: this was only required because of my very high BMI and me not automatically agreeing to the IVC filter. So quite a bit and one test had a tendency to uncover something that required additional testing. So I recommend that once you get your scripts for the testing - start scheduling immediately in case you need additional follow up tests!

How are you with drinking shakes? I know we should be getting Protein from food but you have to do what you have to do. Here are some suggestions http://www.bodybuilding.com/content/ultimate-list-40-high-protein-foods.html Some Protein Bars aren't bad but most are junk. The Rule of thumb is 1 gram of protein = 10 calories in order for it to be a good source of protein. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi. I am checking in to see how people who were sleeves the same week as me are doing. I still can't eat, my calorie intake is around 300. I am wondering if someone can give me some ideas on meals. It appears that I can't eat meat. It makes me sad because I loved meat before the sleeve. I look at it and want it, but it just doesn't set well with my stomach. It doesn't feel well going down at all. I love vegetables, and still do but I need Protein. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just had mines done last monday and so far the biggest thing to your weight loss should be your protein and water. Try the weight loss raw protein at whole foods and follow the protein diet for 2 weeks and i guarantee you will get results.

It is possibe to not lose weight if you are too tight. If solid protein is giving you trouble, you are probably eating softer foods, which means you are not staying full long and you may even be getting to many calories with the softer food. My doctor calls it 'soft food syndrome'.

I can see why you need to "drink" alot most of the day so you stay hydrated and then when you get to mushies or soft foods, you should eat every three hours or so (no more than 4 oz.) and continually drink the rest of the time. You should be concentrating on protein shakes and mushies if he has cleared you for that. When you get to soft/solid foods, there are alot of options that are easy to take with you like cheese sticks, cottage cheese, StarKist sandwich ready albacore tuna iun a pouch that does not have to be refrigerated, hard boiled eggs, etc. But it's hard for me to understand why you would be eating real food at three weeks. I have never heard of that. Your sleeve needs time to heal before it starts taking in solid regular food. If you are on pureed foods, you can still have all the sf jello or sf pudding or yogurt you want and those are considered full liquids.

Cindy, I don't think there is a specific carb target but I think we are supposed to go for low carb Protein drinks. I am using unjury chocolate which I really like and it has only 4 carbs. So far today it is going well. I brought tomato soup for lunch and I brought some SF jell, SF pudding and chicken broth in case I am starving later. I also mixed up 2 servings of Unjury for later too. I am definitely covered for today and tomorrow on the liquid phase. Foofy, The more the merrier. I hope you decided to do it. The more support we have the more successful we will be. I am sure by the end of the day I will craving odd things but I will not cave. I will pretend I just had surgery and if I don't follow it I could damage my band.

Congratulations! I am glad to read positive posts, because, just when I think I've made up my mind to get banded, I read several posts that scare the wits out of me. I follow Weight Watchers program (or at least, sometimes, when I'm not in over eating mode, like I have been lately) and last night I did a search on the boards there for Lap band topics and most people were negative about it, and most of them because of others they knew that had problems, etc..... It's so scary. but also so motivating (with all of the positive posts AND to see folks I know that had it done and they look fabulous, and love their band) to see that, as a tool, it would help me to get the weight off by not overeating and to stay off once I get it off, while not going too crazy with the "not so good for me" foods. Eating the 'right' foods, I get. I feel as if it would not be a HUGE change for me, once I would get past the first stages of eating liquids/soft foods. Once I reached normal food stage is where I am thinking I would be okay, as WW teaches smaller portions as well. It's also important to keep in mind, that WHAT we choose to eat does make a difference in our HUNGRINESS (is that a word? lol). I have truly found that out by following a good healthier diet some weeks, with fruits and vegetables, Proteins. Not too many carbs, but I did have some, like bagel thins, etc... I found that when I did that, I did NOT even think about junk food so much. And that is saying something for me because I am a self proclaimed SWEET TOOTH FANATIC. I am usually okay with just a snack size candy bar if I really want it. My problem is when I get on these mindless, crazy binges. That's why I want to be banded, to help me from going too overboard at times like this. I wish much success to everyone. I am still thinking I want the band, I'm just a bit terrified too.

so I just prepared a full meal and sat down just to realize tht i wasn't even hungry.. idk why i was eating!!! im kind of sad that food has such control over me yet HAPPY that im learning pre op (surgery april 25) to control myself!! not to mention im on my liver shrink and thats the ONLY meal i get all day besides protein shakes. Im trying my best to eat it at a time where it can hold me until tomorrow.. i HATE waking up starving!!

Joiebean you will do great. Keep the mental focus positive, and just follow the doctors guidelines to the "T" and you will be successful. Everyone reminds us, get the fluids in -it really is most important in the first few weeks. The Protein and food will come, but you will not feel well if you get dehydrated. Please, listen to your body! Sending positive thoughts and prayers. Jkwkgrl - wow, that is a lot to think about *your dad* just as you are preparing for surgery. Someone once said to me "how many obese elderly do you see, let alone super obese?" that was my "AH HA" moment. You did the right thing for you and your family. Hope your dad is doing well, maybe he can just start by moving a little to feel better? Smiles all - keep positive, Sandy

Yes! I had that happen and posted about it too. I'm two months out. And the first week I lost about 9 or 10, then went to about a half lb a day, then nothing for 12days! In fact I would go up a lb or 2, then down, but couldn't loose anything for 12 days!!!!!! I was so frustrated. How is that even possible? So I increased my Protein intake. The isopure flavored bottled drinks are helpful for me. I mix it with half Water and half a bottle and lots of ice. They're 40 grams of protein a bottle. So, I'm finding if I get in 80+grams of protein! it helps. Once that stopped, I'm still going slow. I've lost 9 lbs in a month. I don't why it's going so slow, I'm exercising and doing everything right, but I've just resigned to the fact that maybe it'll take me longer... It's.a journey, focus on doing what you're supposed to do and it will work. Be patient. There's no getting around the frustration though. It's why I've always failed too because I would say "what's the point?" And dig into the Cookies. Now we can't do that, so we have no choice but to hang in there and consider it a journey. Also, I find that with the protein, if I can get milk in, I loose better too. That's always been the case for me though and it seems to be the case now too. Hang in there and trust the process. Thanks Iynetta! It is super frustrating. I started walking at the gym over the weekend so hopefully that will jumpstart my weightloss again. I also started to track my calories because I want to be accounted for what I am eating and be truthful with myself! Getting in the water and protein is pretty hard for me and I have to say, I have not back down from my love of coffee and wine....and so the journey goes on. I had a lapband done in 2007, removed it Nov 2013 and last month had my bypass. I feel like I have been down this road already (and have) so for me to not lose weight rapidly makes me wonder why I went through the surgeries altogether. Keep up the good work Iynetta!

Its totally normal. I basically slept for the next 4 days after surgery. It will pass. I would make sure he gets his protein and water in. That will help.

Rhonda, its totally different here in Australia, there's an entirely different approach to it and Protein isnt emphasised nearly as much. We're just told to eat solid food, no liquid calories and a basic balanced diet according pretty much to the food pyramid. I wouldnt worry, it works just as well. Australian bandsters have good rates of weight loss and its not as if all our hair falls out from lack of protein (and its highly debatable that that's the cause of weight related hair loss anyway). Just do what your doc told you and you'll be fine.

Rhonda, I can't live without my protein drink! I eat so little during the day that the 30 grams really helps me with my intake. Other than that, I always eat solid protein during the day. Cheese, chicken, fish, etc.

I agree that each doctor is different. My doctor also wants his patients to get their protein through normal food intake. I still have a container of protein powder that I use for fill time, but I get all my protein through my normal meals.

It feels so good to know that I am not the only person who saw food as my "freind". I am 5 weeks post and struggling horribly with adjusting to my new lifestyle. Sometimes I feel like Im going through a form of with drawal because a familiar part of me is missing. My family can never understand where Im coming from or why I get soo upset when they order out or sit directly in front of me and stuff pizza in their mouths while I sip 1% milk and Protein. It gets so bad that I have to leave the room and spray lysol through out my home so that the tempting smells dont drive me absolutely crazy! I mourn my old friend all the time and I have difficulties eating and finding foods that work for me because deep down its not what Im used to.Then when I do find a healthy alternative I enjoy ,I cant enjoy it. I take 3 or 4 bites and Im completely full. any more and im on the verge of sickness. Food has gone from my best friend to that bully I avoid and am now afraid of. I have no clue how to get over this fear or where it even starts to get better. On top of that my fiance is taking to me vegas for our 6th anniversay at the end of this month and I am completely terrified I wont be able to enjoy my trip. I am technically now out of my 15-30 days puree stage but still not sure what foods I am allowed to eat or try or even if Im allowed a glass of wine on my anniversary. It all just scares me.

So far, I've not found any Protein supplements that are tolerable. I've tried Syntax peach nectar, unjury and GNC's Protein powder. I was told not to do Boost due to the carbs, but am concerned that I won't be able to find anything palatable prior to my surgery the 13th of December. Any suggestions?

Premier is the best I've found. I'm not allowed to have Boost, or Ensure...NUT said too much hiden sugar, not enough protein per serving and high on the carb side.

My surgery is July 11 too!!!! I'm on day 4 of protein shake liquid diets. First couple of days was ok I survived, yesterday I had a terrible migraine (didn't take anything for it per surgeons office) and today I'm in a terrible mood! All I want to do is eat something. I thought about pepperoni pizza with extra cheese all stinking day today! I hate being a food addict! I can't wait for that to get better!!!!

Well, this is my 2nd day on my pre-op diet. My instructions are to replace two meals with a high Protein shake and then have one low carb, high protein meal. I decided that on the days that I work (I work overnights 6p-6a), I will have a shake for Breakfast, my meal for lunch and then my 2nd shake later that night/early morning. When I'm at home with the hubby and baby, I will have both my shakes for bfast and lunch and then have my dinner with them. So far it hasn't been too bad. Being here at work is the hardest because we tend to have a lot of "down time", so I'm kinda just sitting here thiniking about how much I want to EAT, EAT, EAT! Tomorrow will be my first day at home on the diet and I think it will be easier since I'll be so busy with the baby all day. Anyway, for my meals, I'm just having boneless/skinless chicken breast and some veggies. Three days prior to surgery I will just have Clear liquids. The doc says I can do that 1 day prior, but I'm going to go ahead and do it for three days. I'm so scared my liver won't be small enough. I'd hate to get refused because my liver's too fat for fat surgery!! LoL Anyway, thanks for all the replies. I wish you all continued success on your pre-op diets and hoping our cravings for the "bad stuff" will die down after a few days! I want TACOS and PIZZA!! No, no, no!! I can do this!