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A lot of people love Premier protein shakes. I did until post op I couldn’t tolerate them; made me have diarrhea. Now I stick strictly to premier protein clear drinks & Genepro odorless, tasteless powder. I mix half a scoop Genepro into my premier protein with a crystal light and drink everyday. So much easier and cheaper than buying a multitude of other products. I still have powder I purchased pre op that I haven’t opened & eventually I may play around with them as drink them or give them away so moral of the story is try some now, see what ya like but don’t go overboard with buying lots of drinks because you may have different taste buds post op or you may not be able to tolerate it. Vitamin Shoppe is good about giving samples & GNC will go e you store credit for opened products you don’t like or full refund on stuff you haven’t opened

Well, I am here hoping to find others like myself that have had this surgery. Many of the doctors in my area are not doing this surgery and so when I try and go to support groups I end up talking to people who have had the Lap Band or the RNY surgery. I am finding that my surgery is different than those and I really don't have anywhere to go to get support or ask questions. I had my surgery on December 28th of 2010 so I am about a month out. I am doing pretty well except for the eating portion of all this. I never seem to be able to get all my protein in and if I do I don't get in all my water. It is becoming frustrating. Well, I didn't mean to whine just wanted to introduce my self and see if Icould find a helpful community.

You had your sleeve done one day before me. Seems like post op diets vary. I had clear liquid first week now on mushi foods. Still having a heard time with the protein. Ordered the unflavored but with the midwest snow it has not been delivered yet. I had a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time so I stayed 2 nights. Looking forward to no snow an iceto get out and about more. I am misssing the Diet Pepsi! pat

Preparing for pre op starting tomorrow. (21 days to surgery) I know everyone does Protein powder/shakes. So when purchasing your protein shake/powder do you check the ingredients? I spent a couple hours shopping around. I'm not in the USA or Canada. We do have many GNC products but the ingredients scare me. Even for the chewable vitamins: I've noticed corn syrup, sugar, words I can't pronounce. So I went to a health store. I purchased one Protein shake that was highly recommended: Ingredients: skimmed milk, Water, micellar casein, flavouring, stabilizers(E471, E407, E412), acidity regulator E500, sucralose and coulor (carmosine). Protein: 21.6 g Fat: 0.9g Sugar: 10g (bad!) And The powder I chose: Pure whey Protein vanilla Ingredients: whey protein concentrate, lecithin, flavourants and sucralose. Per 2 scoops powder with water: Protein: 30.6g Fat: 2.5g Carbohydrates: 2g 155 Calories My question is what ingredients do I avoid. How many is too many carbs or fat per drink. Can you please look at your ingredients on your Vitamins and shakes, it's very difficult to find the right options and I'd love any feedback.

Nancyide - Don't be so hard on yourself - 22 lbs is great - the first few always come off fast - then it slows - are you exercising.. I was banded the 17th of July - In the mornings can only eat about 1/2 cup oatmeal but for lunch had 1/2 cup refired Beans and am still a little hungry. If you are eating less than before that in it's self is a good thing. I still get hungry - but choose diff things to eat that are in low calories or i drink a protien drink - Grape Raisin my FAV only 70 calories and 15 grms Protein. I am still on mushie stage and won't go to soft until Sunday. I eat veggies for dinner with fish and some starch (mashed potatos). I eat about 1 cup for dinner with 1 fudgescile and 1 sf pudding (i am a night time eater) Don't give up - I have 6 weeks until i see the doctor again (to see if i need a fill or not as he says that for some people just the band in its self is enough restirction) Good Luck and Keep Your Chin Up YOU CAN DO IT

Have you had any follow-up with your surgeon? Or how about a nutritionist? Also by now, most people would have had at least on fill. Typically what people eat it 3 ounces of Protein (by now you should be on a solid protein, chicken, fish, etc) and then a vegetable. Remember no drinking with your meal, and get in 64 ounces of Water per day. I am amazed you have had no guidance on what you should be eating. Any more questions, best place to post is in post-surgery. Be well.

I hope you soon find your problem solved!!! It's no fun working hard and having it not pay off. I am going to be banded 3/28/11, and have lost over 20 lbs. since Christmas with just getting really serious recently and finishing up a week of liquids. I also just meet with my nutritionist and psychologist so it's all fresh. I agree that at times you have to up your caloric intake but that is usually when you hit a plateau because you have been eating well for quiet a while and your body is used to that lifestyle. I haven't heard of it happening early on in the program so I would cautiously up those calories. Do you journal your daily intake? I use an application on my phone, that is easy to use and keeps me honest! I think writing down what you eat is a must!!! For instance I had to make a birthday cake for my grand daughter and before I even thought about it I brought the knife up to my lips to taste the frosting!!!! Yikes, I stopped but as I went through out the day I had to stop myself several times before I condition myself not to "taste test" batter, cake, icing, decorations. I could have easily consumed 300+ empty calories while I was "baking". On my visit this week it was stressed, eat protein first and don't eat 30 minutes prior or 45 minutes after a meal and make sure you exercise. We should also chew are food throughly and enjoy each bite. I would call your MD and ask for a f/u appt. with the dietician to go over your food plan, if you still have questions. Good Luck, Joleen PS I am sure there is more advice that ppl can offer!

I got my MRI results today and the disc is herniated. I have an appointment tomorrow to talk about the options- and will probably have a cortisone shot in the disc on Thursday in the hopes that does the trick. I am so freaked that I will need surgery- I have already had a discectomy in the disc so if I can't get it soothed they will want to do a fusion. Having back surgery before started me on the road to gaining over 110 pounds. I am in such despair at the thought of another surgery.... I am wondering if I can insist on the sleeve first. Then even on that front I have had a delay as there were negative results on my "routine" stress echo and now I have to see the cardiologist. I am freaking out about that too. I am so certain of my course in getting this surgery , just pray for me that I can resolve these issues and get my tests all out of the way and a date set!

as far as the protein powders have you tried gnc whey bolic amplified extreme 60 in the choclate..I think with out a doubt it probably is one the best protein powders out there. It is not thick If you mix it with milk it tastes just like choclate milk. As far as getting through the last days. Find things that will take you away from food I put puzzles together. Eat a lot of sf jello..between protein drinks I ate a lot of jello!!! I know its crazy but it really did make me fuller.. Any way there are not a lot of ways to make yourself happy about liquids..If you are getting any solid foods than consider yourself very lucky. I had 4 protein shakes a day all the broth,jello,water and sugar free popsicles that I could stomach. I know you hate it right now but after your surgery you will appreciate being on the liquids. It helps reduce your caloric intake and gets your body prepared for the lower amounts of food that is required after sugery. Try to stay focused on the prize and not the food. I stayed in a different room while my family ate.. You will do fine; Just stay focused and keep you head up..Always remember you are doing this for your health and for yourself..

I was sleeved on Mar. 2, 2011, by Dr. Zorn in San Diego, CA. It went fairly well. I needed very little pain medication. At the time of the surgery I weighed 238.6 lbs. Now I'm at 223.5 lbs. and I've hit a plateau. I've stayed there since day 12 (today is day 16). That is when I started soft/pureed foods (cottage cheese, yogurt...). I've been under 500 calories each day which includes my protein drink. I am up to walking 2 miles a day and have my mile down to 33 min. My goal is to walk the mile in 30 min. I walk 1 mile 2 times everyday. I'm getting a little worried. I don't want to continue to go through this plateau forever!! Help!!!!!!!!!

Hi, thought I would chime in with my story. I too have been overweight most of my life, definitely since high school - LOL 33 years - wow time flies. I have dieted, lost some, gained back more - the usual story. My wakeup call was ending up in the hospital with Atrial Fibrillation. I have had HTN for 10 years, borderline diabetes, not too much joint pain luckily. Since the hospital last October, I really had to look at things for real. My cardiologist basically told me I needed WLS or I would probably die. My heart valve is enlarged due to the weight and if it gets much bigger it will mean uncontrolled A Fib. My PCP suggested a Lap Band, but I am Miss Allergy personified and I felt that having a foreign body left inside was a really bad idea. Besides I did a lot of research, I am a Medical Technologist and I understand all of the medical jargon etc. So, I decided on the VSG. Lo and Behold, my insurance has an exclusion for WLS. I did not even get my sleep study done in a very timely manner as my cardiologist wanted it in Nov, and I had to wait for Feb - it was excluded under last years policy but allowed this year. The sleep study results were if anything scarier than being in the hospital. I have complex sleep apnea - stopped breathing 34 times an hour and oxygen saturation dropped to 66%. My brother went into respiratory arrest with a Sat of 80 - he has very bad asthma. I really did not expect the sleep study results to be that bad, I don't even snore unless I have a cold!! But, got put on a VPAP Adapt, and have actually gotten more than 4 hours of sleep at a time - YAY!!! So, I knew a girl at work who had gone to Mexico for a Lap Band, and I talked to her about her experience. I have lived overseas, so the prospect of going to Mexico was not too daunting. I did some research on doctors on this site and at Obesity Help, and decided on Dr. Kelly. As I am self pay (am going to use my FSA) I knew I needed to go outside the US. So, saved my tax refund money, and with that and my bonus from work I am scheduled for 3/25/11. I am going alone because my options for travel comapnions, brother and father, both hate hsopitals. My mother was not an option - she can darken a room with her negativity. Last thing I need at this point, she knows I am having the surgery - but has so far not commented. My brother and his daughter live with me, and he is very supportive. His girlfriend had RNY maybe 5 years ago. She lost the weight, but also a lot of her hair, and is constantly struggling with the whole vitamin deficiency thing. She has been a really good example of why you do not overeat after WLS - I have seen her in misery after too much consumption. Unfortunately, my atopic dermatitis has been going crazy - and I have been on prednisone since March1st. So, decided to just deal with very little weight loss on the pre-op diet - probably will lose a ton of water weight when I am off the prednisone, but I need my skin - especially the belly to not be rashy and inflamed before the surgery. It is looking good right now - everyone keep their fingers crossed for me - only 5 days to go. You know, the weight kinda creeps on and you think - well I'm doing OK - I will get around to dealing with it - at some point in the future of course. Then you get that wake up call - I was really mad at myself for a while. But I am going to counseling and need to focus on the positives - this is a tool that can help me acheive better health. The pre-op diet (2 weeks) has not been too bad. I rarely get hungry now, so hopefully my liver is nicely shrunken, and the surgery will go well. My PCP, is in favor, but a bit leary about the Mexico aspect. I saw her last week and she was supportive, but concerned that she would get to deal with the complications. I told her I did not plan on having any complications, I know she is watching to see how it goes - maybe they will refer people. I did have to educate her about the VSG, and she understood my reservations about the band. So, my journey has begun. Highest weight 335, current weight 315, pre-op loss so far 9 pounds - with no excercise beyond work at the moment. If I get hot I get itchy and start scratching...bad bad idea. But, the skin really is much better and I will start excercising again post surgery. I am trying very hard not to stress, because that can cause the itchies as well. Got to have a very quiet week - it is spring break ending here and my brother went to his girlfriend's and my neice went down to her Mom - they are back tonight. I should be able to cope, am off tomorrow - work Tues and Wed, then fly on Thursday. Have an appt with Rorry (counselor)on Wed before I go. Sorry I know this is long, but the venting has been good. I have really enjoyed reading about everyone's stories so here is mine. I will keep you posted on progress.

I thlnk it will be important to keep in touch with your surgeon to make sure you have the correct fill level prior to travel. The band will do its job with the restriction. Just make sure you eat your protein first, vegies 2nd and so on.

I was SO sorry to read this You will be in my prayers as you pursue your options to lose weight.

So this is my first time posting. Im 5'10 and my surgery was 8/26/13. My weight at surgery was 376 As of today im down 48lbs! Other ppl say they see it, I really cant. However my face is significantly smaller. Its soooo hard. Not the not eating part, but the way I feel. At times I wonder if this was the right thing to do. The numbers make me snap out of it lol. But my energy is sooo low its terrible. Im having problems with protein. The shakes make me gag... but hey it'll get better n i cant be mad at 48lbs in 26 days!

I have Anthem BC/BS administered by Health Comp and began the 6 month approval ordeal at the end of January. My surgeon mentioned when I first met him that he has a good relationship with Health Comp and would try to submit after 3 months for approval. Well he submitted after 8 weeks (after seeing him 3x, the Nut 3x, and the psych eval), and a week later (today) I got word that I'm approved! Not only that, but my surgery is scheduled for this coming Monday, April 4. Sweet!!! I was debating between getting the sleeve or the plication, but in the end opted for the sleeve. So I'm quickly ordering my Vitamins, vita-mix blender, and Protein powders. Hopefully the operation and recovery will go well. I can really only take a week off work so I'm a little worried about that, but we'll see. - ken

I am day four post op. I am feeling what I'm sure each and every one of you have felt. A little sick to my stomach, gas pains, a little diarrhea, not myself and even dizzy. I did great getting in Protein and Water yesterday, but today my first Protein Drink is going down very slow. I have very little energy and desire to even eat today. My gas pains are lower abdominal, just a little bit in the upper abdomen where you would think they should be. I will continue to sip, sip, sip all day. My real question here is that I planned to go back to work on the 9th. I am afraid if there isn't a drastic change there is no way I can even think about work. Is there a certain time frame when things start to "feel better". I am not feeling the buyers remorse since I have been looking forward to this for so long. Just curious about the different stages and when things begin to feel somewhat normal again.

Are they requiring you to lose weight during this pre approval period? Many doctors and insurance do require it but mine told me just the opposite....they said don't lose more than a couple pounds before approval or I might not get approved...isn't that crazy? I was finally approved but have not gotten my date yet. Just be sure you follow their directions exactly and get enough proteins and Water.....from everything I have read on these threads, if you don't get enough of both, you won't lose weight....its like your body thinks it is going to starve so it stores everything it gets, instead of only using what it really needs. Best of luck!! I am sure I will "see" you again on the boards!!

I am 14 weeks post-op. I average between 450 and 600 calories, 30 g carbs, and 80-90 grams of Protein per day.

You're doing great! Keep going! Try adding other exercises little by little. Do a sit up. If that doesn't feel good, you're not ready. If it feels okay, do two tomorrow, three the next day. Consider free weights & weight machines. If you can walk, try picking up the pace. There are so many options! Good luck!

Anyone experience weird round spots and soreness on their tongue while on the liquid diet and Protein shakes. I read on WebMD that it can be a Vitamin deficiency. Not having rashes, swelling, or anything that would signal normal allergies but wondering if the artificial sweeteners are doing it. Thanks!

I'm not even sure who to contact, but I was thinking...wouldn't it be a great idea to have bariatric size meals ready to go for people. When I went to the grocery store, even a lean cuisine or atkins meal is just too much to eat. Who would want to venture into a business doing frozen and fresh meals and Snacks for wls patients? Does anyone know how to go about this and who to contact? It would be great to have small portion sizes or even 2-3 portions in a box that are separated. It would have to be great tasting food and many varieties! I for one don't eat red meat or pork so using ground turkey and chicken would be ideal for me. I know others eat meat so having thinks like a regular chili and a turkey chili and a vegetarian option would be awesome. Anyways this is an idea that I'm floating around because regular food is just too much.

There are several good ones on pinterest, although I haven't tried any yet. There are also pancake recipes that use protein powder as well.

Hi, Well, yesterday was my 30 days post op, and I celebrated by eating meatloaf. So you won't be on liquids forever. I still take my protein shakes religiously, buy I also eat real food. You will too. We have to take it slowly, because our tummys are healing. I am healed on the outside, but my stomach is still healing. The shakes will be with me for a while, but that's ok. When I feel like a snack I take a little piece of Laughing Cow soft swiss cheese, or a yogurt. It makes me feel normal. I had the band before this, so I'm accustomed to stages of eating. Before I was sleeved, I worried about everything. It's very normal. I too, have 100 lbs. to lose. I'm on my way! Good luck!

Tons of people love premiere protein, I can’t stand it. If you find you can’t either, my favorites are Quest (esp cinnamon crunch and the new coffee) and Syntrax Matrix (esp peanut butter cookie)

Thank you both so much for the info. I am in texas, and I had read that, but having just started to look for new coverage have not verifed yet. We do have the option of COBRA.....but we would need to win the lottery first