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You would have to eat 6 pounds of rabbit and nothing else for weeks on end to get protein poisioning aka rabbit starvation. As long as you eat some fat and carbs you should be OK. I would also doubt an obese person would get it due to them having fat stores to live on.

Doing pretty good now, I seem to be hungry often but I think I'm needing more protein, still dealing with slowed down weight loss but managed to shed 2 pounds durning this stall. My clothes are definitely fitting so much looser! I look forward to eating real food which will probably help me stay fuller longer.

I am more than two years out and my capacity slowly increased over the first year. Also my ability to tolerate certain foods increased over the first year and half. I strongly recommend weighing and measuring your food as capacity increases. I would not eat more than 3-4 oz.s of Protein per meal, even if I could fit it in. I generally eat two ounces of protein at Breakfast and lunch and three ounces of protein at dinner. Combined with the protein I get from dairy and other foods that meets my protein requirements for the day. And eating that amount of protein, combined with non starchy veggies and whole grains, keeps me filling full. Lynda

I’m sleeved, but I am with you as far as the lethargy goes. I notice it more on days I don’t get enough protein.

Awesome! Remember to get up and walk every hour or two. And drink that water and protein like it's your job!

My first few days were strictly Clear Liquids .. ice, Water, Crystal Light, Jello, etc. .. no Protein drinks until the third or fourth day. Maybe you started too soon? I walked around with a 1 oz medicine cup and sipped from that. I didn't keep track of how much I was consuming and only that I knew I needed it. Take it easy. The first few days are challenging and yes, you will be tired. Listen to your body and sleep when you need to and walk around as much as you can when you are up 'n about. I never got sick, felt sick or had any pain so be careful with your intake .. you don't want to undo what was just done! Didn't your surgeon's office give you guidelines about intake and what to expect going forward from the surgery?

Deb- 2 scoops of Isopure Zero Carb Protein powder in a glass of Water, with a flavored sugar free syrup=50 grams of protein. 10 gram shakes aren't going to do it--get some heavy duty whey isolate (25 grams per scoop). Good luck! Donna

I get muscle milk light at costco. I looked at it tonight. It's 8oz and 20 grams of Protein. It's kind of sweet. If you aren't liking sweet things these days ( a lot of people report they don't like things sweet after surgery. That is not me though) It tastes just like chocolate milk to me.You can buy it in the grocery store in bigger containers but I haven't seen the light in the grocery store. I've heard the banana is really gross. I have seen 4 packs of the light at walmart that are just like the ones I get at costco. You can get BSN lean dessert at vitacost.com. they are big containers though. They come in tons of flavors. I think there is a place to order samples on my thread "places to get samples" Vitacost is great. 4.99 shipping for no matter how much stuff you order. I am addicted to the OH Yeah Protein Bars and I get them there too. They are the consistency of a kit kat bar and I get the peanut butter/chocolate.

I've done pretty good so far today. I managed to make banana pancakes and sausage for my family AND watch them eat while i had my coffee and protein shake. YEY ME! I had another shake for lunch, but i did go manage to talk myself into eating 3 turkey meatballs with marina over about 12 penne pasta. I am having another shake for snack before bed... and no wine :-( sad face. I go to see Dr Lavine tomorrow morning at 9 am. I am very excited to discover when we get to do the surgery. p.s.. I can hear my husband crunching on potatoe chips while I type this.... I can see we are going to have a talk. lol

I'll be starting my all liquid diet right after Thanksgiving. I'm REALLY nervous about it - I tried it before and failed miserably. My dr. office told me not to drink slim fast because it doesn't have enough protein in it so that is why I was starving. So I'll try again... I"m reading your blogs for inspiration Best wishes!

Well, once again, I am the freak in the crowd. For me, maintenance has been boring and wonderful! I reached goal around this time last year and continued to lose another 10 pounds. I've maintained my lowest weight (with a small bounce range) for almost 10 months. But besides rough counting my Protein and Water amounts in my head each day, I never tracked or measured anything, so the transition between losing and maintaining was no big deal. I'm also one of those "I had surgery so I would never have to diet again" loonies. I am committed 110% to being successful with my VSG, but I'm also not willing to go against what's in my nature to do. I know I would fail (and be unhappy) if I tried. Following a regimented diet plan, using MFP, going to the gym, running 5K's, etc. are just not "me". The main changes I made in conjunction with surgery were to simply make healthy food choices and drink a lot less alcohol. The other difference I've noticed with me compared to a lot of posts I read is that I never made that big of deal about my goal weight. I didn't really perceive of reaching it as an end point. I knew being a WLS patient was a forever thing, not just a losing thing. Maybe that's why I never felt the need to seek a new "goal" to stay motivated. I'm just happy to be the size I am, feel as great as I do, do all the physical activities that I can and simply eat like a "normal" thin person. That's all the motivation I need.....That and an occasional glance at my before pictures. I hope you all find what works for you for long term success. (And that my way continues to work for me)

Christie- I finally got to watch your video. I love your videos, and I'm so proud of you for sharing your story in such a great way. You are looking fabulous, and how awesome to buy clothes from the rack. I know how you feel about worrying that you're never going to lose another pound. I feel that way every time the scale doesn't move. Good job keeping up with the exercise. That's my biggest struggle right now. I use myfitnesspal.com to chart my foods. At my current weight (259), my goal calories (according to them) are 1600ish. It tells me every day I need to eat more, because when you eat less than 1200 calories you go into starvation mode. I just ignore that part It still gives you a total at the bottom of calories, fat, carbs, and Protein. I really have to do this daily so I know I'm getting in my protein, but I really like it. I thought it was easier to use than Sparkpeople. Hopefully your period won't be a full month long one, and you won't have that added difficulty with the weight loss this month. I'm really rooting for you to lose the 11 lbs and get to your 100 lbs lost mark. Best of luck!

Is this thick? Is there a chemical smell or taste? Need a new product and not sure what to buy. Thanks in advance

I thought I better start writing about this journey now so I don't forget. I had lap band surgery November 3, 2007. I actually lost about 60 pounds with the lapband at one point but gained most of the weight back. For the first four years of the lap band I was in constant flux. I dieted more in that four years than in the rest of my life. In December 2011 I was back up to 255 pounds. At that point I realized the lap band had failed me and I needed to consider other options. Through a long drawn out process I was accepted by my insurance company to get a revision to the Sleeve. On December 27 I decided to make a radical change in my lifestyle and eating. After confirming with my bariatric surgeon that I qualified for the revision I decided to become a raw foodist for the next five months. It was a very positive experience and I learned a great deal about health and nutrition. I have to say I read everything I could get my hands on regarding raw foodism, veganism, and the like. I finally understood what it is to make a very real lifestyle change. Understanding that eating processed, boxed, bagged food was not the answer, it finally dawned on me that what I was missing was the live enzymes of fresh fruits and vegetables that no one seems to think are important, or simply don't know that they're absolutely necessary and needed in the body. I watched quite a few documentaries and I'd like to recommend that you also consider watching these few. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead was the first documentary I watched; that became life-changing. Foodmatters, Food Inc., The Gerson Miracle, Burzynski, Forks over Knives, and The Beautiful Truth. Sorry more than I thought... Anyway I guess what I'm trying to elude to is that we've all had an eating problem to the point where we've had to have surgery once or twice and for some of us it is still escaping us as to how we can actually make a real change that will ultimately save us. So many times I have heard people say I could never give up sugar, coffee, meat, wheat, bacon, soda, etc... When I hear this I think then a lifestyle change for you is probably not something that is going to happen for you. How much do you truly want good health? Maybe it's time to start pushing yourself in new and different directions, maybe there is new and exciting information to be gleaned that will help you to a better and healthier you. For me being a 80-10-10 raw foodist wasn't for me. But I did adopt eating a high fresh fruit and raw vegetable diet into my new lifestyle. I have decided to include cold blooded sea creatures in my diet as well as cooked Beans and rice in moderation, but also to maintain a balanced healthful diet for me. Please understand I am writing this as much to myself for my own remembrance as I am sharing my experience with you. The day of surgery I weighed 204 lbs. Two days after surgery I weighed 213 lbs. that was disappointing but the Water weight gain from th IV was to be expected. Today is 7/1/2012 and I am at 202. So from December 27th 2011 to June 25th 2012 I lost 56 lbs. I am so excited about where I am going... God bless us and keep us! Mardee

@@MelissaKSea, Hi! Today is my first day to join this website and forum and you and I are in the same situation! My band was put in 2009 and today after a scope to see if everything is ok in my stomach they tell me as a precaution I should remove my band which has been drained! I now get hungry, my stomach growls for the first time in years and I'm scared in gaining weight back! I'm still 242 lbs today. I don't know what to do? The band was over my bypass in 2002. Once the band is gone I have no other options. Any suggestions? Very depressed! Was down to 178!

Thank you for starting this topic, @@jenn1! And @@VSGAnn2014, I think your shrink may have hit the nail on the head. At least for those who actually make it to goal. I wonder what he'd say about those who stop short of goal? I've maintained below my goal for nearly two months so far, and quite frankly, I'm not eating THAT differently than before. Except that I eat Safeway's quinoa tabouleh a couple of times a week, and a little brown rice or sweet potato from time to time. For my birthday dinner, I ate two or three small bites of dessert, which I never would have done during the weight loss phase. But for the most part, I'm still eating Protein and some veggies. I still get on the scale every morning, and I think that helps keep me motivated. But I've found myself exercising less, rather than more. I used to be a meaty guy, but now at 5'6", I'm really kind of tiny. My wife and daughter don't like me to be so bony, so I really need to start working on building muscle mass to pad my ribs and shoulders. So that will have to be my next motivation. A little harder to quantify than scale victories, but helpful nonetheless. And yes, the compliments are becoming fewer and fewer. Of course, that's as it should be. But losing all that positive attention sure leaves a motivational vacuum, doesn't it? Okay, this thread has helped already – I'm determined to get my bony butt back to the gym!!! How about you?!!

I think at Rex in Raliegh there are two hospital options. Best wishes on your journey.

I use the BE Inspire Protein powder mixes and absolutely love all the flavors I've tried. There is no after taste and it's not chalky tasting either. My favorite flavor is chocolate Covered Cherries. I just got the new Blueberry Cheesecake flavor and love it too. I mix it with Carbmaster milk I buy from Kroger. I've also mixed it with almond milk.

*is there a health insurance company that covers the lap band most of the time? I have heard of several, mine however does not cover it. * is it safe to have it done in Mexico? Depends on who you ask. It wasn't an option for me... no way no how. Other have had great success though. * if i choose to pay with out insurance what is a round about cost? I was self pay and paid $9950.00

There are a few options for you this week with Dr. Abkin and Dr Bertha. On Wednesday the 22nd there is a New Patient Seminar at the HIlton Garden Inn in Rockaway NJ at 7 pm. Then Thursday NIght the 23rd they have another seminar at the Old Mill Inn In Basking Ridge starting at 8 PM. I will be there speaking at both of them and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. There is also a Lap-Band Support group on WEdnesday the 22nd at the Dr's offices in florham Park starting at 7pm. All are great options however if you are just doing research at this point the seminars are a great place to learn all about the band. I will Private message you my phone number if you have any other questions. Alexandra Gorski

2 moths post op. It gets better. I was in the same situation. Premier shakes are 30 grams and yes, they are hard to get down at first. Lots of ice helps. New Whey punch flavor in tall very cold glass of water, sipped all day, shakes and I was able to get through the first couple weeks. Now I drink a Premier shake a day for breakfast and eat regular healthy, high protein foods the rest of the day. Still have to eat slow and small amounts but drinking is much, much easier. No problem getting down 60 Ozs of fluids now. So, don't panic, just do the best you can, each day is easier than the previous. I found egg drop soup, protein rich and easy to get down at first. Counts into your fluids too. Our local Chinese restaurant really got to know my carry out order.

Liquid protein is the most important of my diet. I take it in the morning with milk and half a banana. I usually have a soft egg 2 hours later. It seems thought that you have to read the label, because not all protein shakes are equal. Once I did not have access to my regular shake, so I found a different brand but it had the same protein amount for tripple the amount of calories, and only have the ounces.

So, I’m having trouble locating non-caffeine based crystal light. Any one have other drink mix solutions? I only use them to cut the taste of Premier Protein Water, but why oh why does everything have caffeine?

When I add protein powder to my water & shake it, I get a lot of foam. Do I have to drink the foam too to get in all the protein the drink is supposed to supply? This feels like a really silly question!

Lost 90lbs...over a year but now have gained 15lbs since October. Slowly. Need to focus and go back to post surgery diet of only protein. Anyone go through the same? Thx.