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I look at it this was everything in huge amounts is not healthy or side effects..unhealthy food...junk..sodas..coffee what ever put us in this position...health issues the meds we take for diabetes..blood pressure ..cholesterol all has side effects.....My nutritionist and doctor recommends the 60 to 80 g of protein to help muscle mass and also with weightloss...I know someone who did the surgery and stop taking her protein and she wasnt losing a pound...

I like Premier Protein Chocolate...but it tastes like chocolate milk so you might not like it.

Are you happy with your decision to be banded? I am only 2 1/2 months post-op but so far yes I am very happy. Do you have any regrets and if so what are they? No, none at all Would you do it again if you had the choice to make over? In a hearbeat! What are some of the physical difficulties you've faced post op..such as diet, health? My health has already improved...I am already off one of my two prescriptions. Other than recovery which wasn't too bad there have been no physical difficulties. There still is head hunger but it has been easier to combat. Did you have any complications and what was the outcome? No complications from Lap Band, I also had Hiatal Hernia repair and had a few minor complications from that (breathing problems and pain) but I am fine now. Do you feel better or worse now compared to pre banding? I already feel sooo much better. Once the weight is all gone I imagine I will feel like a new person. Did you tell people you were having or had the surgery? I hadn't planned to but I ended up telling family and co-workers. I do not have any regrets in doing so. How did your friends and acquaintances react? Mostly with curiosity, lots of questions. My mom had some concerns but she is OK with it now. Hubby has been very supportive. How hard was it for you to stay on the pre and post op liquid diets? Very hard. Pre-op was harder than post-op when I had less of an appetite but it was hard. But it was only a short time and worth it. How hard has it been for you to learn new eating habits? Very easy. I am not hungry like I was pre-band and the band keeps me from eating too much and that makes all the difference. How do you overcome eating temptations or do you even have them anymore? I think most of my head hunger comes from my addiction to Carbs. I also have PCOS so carbs are truly the enemy. Pre-op diet was low carb high protein so I was able to get the carbs out of my system and have stuck with the low carb not allowing myself any sugar or white flour (I do eat whole wheat wraps sometimes, oatmeal, fresh fruit but no pasta, starches, sugars and I can't tolerate soft breads). I really think that avoiding bad carbs is helping a lot. Why do you think this surgery was successful when so many other dieting attempts failed (assuming you are like me :crying: in this regard) I have dieted my whole life. I have lost up to 50 pounds on my own more than once then lost my willpower and gained it back and then some. In order to lose weight I had to deprive myself of food and endure constant hunger. The key now is that I am not hungry and I can't cheat without feeling discomfort. I really don't feel the deprivation I have always felt on other diets.

Banded 10/2 and doing ok. This is day six and im getting in my creamed Soups which are yuck to me. Cream of mushroom just doesnt taste yum without the casserole. But im doing it. I finally resorted to putting some spices in it. Similary, the liquid Isopure, im putting crystal lite in it. If anyone of you have done the ready made Isopure, you know what a dreaded taste it has, but with a lil flavor it goes down nicely and you get your Protein. For Breakfast yesterday I had cream of wheat diluated with silk soy milk with one spoon of splenda. It was nice and my first carb. Im only getting in 4 oz of liquids at a time but i seem to do much better with Water now. Im not as dehydrated. I was nervous like most of you, but you will find its a breeze, as long as you walk, walk, walk, to get the gas pains out. Good luck to all..will write more.. Aloha and God Bless, Miriam

Just try to get back on track for the pre op diet. The idea is to shrink the liver. I was able to have a meal replacement for breakfast and small portions of meat and vegetable for lunch and supper (2-4 oz meat with 1/2 cup vegtable and 1/2 meal replacement) for day 1-7. Snacks were a protein bar or liquid. At 3 days prior is when I had to have only clear liquids with no caffeine or carbonated drinks. As much as I felt hungry, the idea of giving my surgeon the best conditions possible for sucessful surgery kept me focused. My nurse who prepped me for surgery said they see the pre op weight loss average of about 20lbs.

Yesterday was the worst day so far. I was in a significant amount of pain and finally got a new subcription from the doctor. I couldn't take the original pain killer because it made me itch all over. Took my first shower since surgery last night. I have to admit that I cried a bit before going in. I was afraid. - I guess that's what pain does to you. But it was fine and I felt better afterwards. I had my first bowel movement since surgery this morning. I was very excited about that. I know - it's a strange thing to be excited about, but I'm glad to know that my insides are starting to function again. Woke up feeling much better this morning. Less pain, less bloated. I'm hoping today will be better than yesterday. I actually consumed 1/2 of one of those whey protein shots this morning. It only took me an hour and a half to do it, but I'm already doing better than yesterday. I bet I only consumed about 5 oz of anything yesterday. I know that's not enough, but I was so bloated and so sore that I just couldn't do it. Hopefully today will be better. I'm getting closer to my pre surgery level with the lung incentive apparatus. So I'm doing pretty well with that. For three days it's felt like I've had to hold my insides from falling out while walking by using both hands or a pillow. Today was the first time I could walk with only slight pressure with one hand on my tummy. Woot, Woot. I just know things are going to start getting better now!!!!! :thumbup1:

Which one worked best for you?

I get getting ready to order some samples from My Bariatric Kitchen. I have a nectar sampler in my cart and a Pantry Selections hot chocolate sampler. 1. Any additional items I should try? 2. Suggestions for other sites to get samples? Thanks

I have been using ExerciseTV since January and literally have been obsessed with it. I have tried everything to keep me motivated but these workouts work and there are so many options! I feel super lazy when I don't work out because I have no excuse, it is in my living room. Bikini bod here I come!

I started back to work today...administrative in an adult day care. Loved getting back to what i love but tired a little easily. Am two weeks post op tommorrow. drinking and eating pudding and potatoes is too easy for me....i can't help being scared that i could just keep on eating, even though I am following instructions and taking 30 minutes or more to finish 2 oz. of creamed food or 1 cup of liquid. My doctor assures me that if I ate fast or more i would know i couldn't. Maybe i should just try to stop this crazy worry. years and years of having success and gaining back has made me worry that this isn't going to work either. Is that crazy? any councel out there? another thing- when did you start soft protein like tuna or salmon? I started my journey at 300 pounds and now I am at 276 so I am happy with that, but just afraid I will just stop losing. I probably needed to get back to work:001_smile:

This is normal. Some foods are difficult to eat and will fill you up really quickly e.g solid Protein such as meat/chicken. Other foods go down really easily so it takes lots to fill you up. They are called slider foods and you should try to avaoid them. They include crisps, chocolate, icecream, Desserts etc. Some sliders are OK in small quantities as they provide imprtant nutrients e.g yogurt. I am not surprised you got stuck on a hard boiled egg. I have always found them dry and really difficult to eat even preband. The thing is to always eat slowly, small bites and chew really well. If you do get stuck stop eating and don't try to drink as it makes it worse. I generally try to burp or cough the stuck item up as when it comes up you get relief. Some people guzzle a fizzy drink really quickly. Apparently this unblocks you and brings iit up really fast so only do it near a toilet or sink!Others swear by papaya enzymes but for me they do nothing. In time you will figure out what works for you. Also the optimum level of fill to achieve restriction is different for everyone. Some people have 10 cc bands with only 1 or 2cc and they are restricted. Others have overfilled bands. As for the scale............ I still jump on it EVERY morning!

Justin, what I would say is do research on all of your options. I was 304 and want to get to 155. It can be done. You have to consider all the facts including all the pros and cons of both.

Dehydration can cause the dizziness as well as lack of nutrition. You don't state how many grams of protein or liquids you are consuming. A deficit of either will also cause the stall to last longer. If you work retail, how often are you able to eat/drink during your shift? You need something every hour to drink and every 3 to eat in these early stages. How is urine ouput and color? Try warm tea, or popsicles for fluid or crystal light half and half w a clear protein drink in a thermal cup.

Hit the food/recipe forum for the place to order samples of Protein powders. As for stuff to take to the hospital, I believe in packing light, but to have some essentials to make the stay more enjoyable. 1) Chapstick, Blistex, lip balm of some sort (I know you're a man, but believe me, chapped, dry lips suck) 2) comfy undies, and lounge pants to wear home 3) I took my own slippers to walk in, non-skid bottom 4) I took some lotion, shampoo/conditioner all travel size 5) Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash I didn't take books or magazines, nothing to keep me occupied. There is typically a tv, and you'll be walking, sipping and sleeping so no need for all that other crap in my opinion unless you really like that kind of stuff. As for stuff to have at home, it kind of depends on your diet progression. sugar-free popsicles, broth cubes (so I could control the taste), Gatorade G2, those flavored herbal decaf teas were lifesavers for me, warm fluids worked so much better. Cream Soups, greek yogurt, sugar free pudding packages (not the pre-packaged stuff, the powder stuff in the box) Here's a link I send to everyone in the pre-op/prep stage: http://vsgfaq.wordpress.com/ A heating pad is pretty awesome for the gas pains, as is Gas X strips. Best wishes ! ! !

I would stick with the protein shakes. Slow, small sips all day...

hello everyone hope all is well in there journey and to the new comers hope all is well with your journey to come..today i am 3 months post op and i feel great.. i am 45 lb down almost halfway to my goal of a 100lbs. i started this journey at 304, i wasnt really focus on weight lost because i just wanted to get healthy, i was borderline diabetic, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, now everything is great,, no machine , bp is great and no longer borderline diabetes.. yeyee for me. i choose not to tell people about my decision just because i didnt want to hear the negative opinion of others or people thinking i went the easy way out by getting the wls and i just want to scream to the top of my lungs, its not easy at all.. every day i still have to make smart choices about what to eat or what not to eat , getting in my protein and water and exercise and still take care of a family and a have a full time job.. yes this surgery help me as far a portion control i cant eat alot maybe 1/2 cup of food or i will throw up but other than that i still have to work hard to keep the weight off that i lose..people around me are starting to ask me what i do or what am i doing? i just say i decided to take a new journey to a new me and this road is long but i take it day by day.. i have no regrets in my decesion i would do it again.. i love putting on pants that almost fall off me or hearing someone say omg you look great.. the other day a coworker told me i had a waistline.. i laugh it off then thought well how big was i really but you have those people that say anything but you know what, all i said was thank you and held my head high cause i know im on a new journey to me.. im now in a size 18 from 24 shirts are xl from 2xl .im also 5'10. im loving this journey to a new me.. have a good day just wanted to share .pic to come soon

Try to find a protein drink that you really like, it will be so much easier. Also you can buy sugar free syrup and make some snow cone ices for a treat. And start walking now. Good luck

I'm March 17th also. I'm excited, but worried about the 1,000 calorie diet that I am starting on Monday. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to divide up my Protein, because I get dizzy if I wait too long without protein. Tomorrow is my research day!

Getting through the pre op was a struggle for me too. I finally broke down and shared how hard it was going to be for me with my friends. They had no idea how much I struggled with food. I attempted to start early several and failed. When it came down to those last two weeks my friends had to literally babysit me. We gardened, went for walks and drank protein shakes together, lol. They kept me busy. I'm a stay at home mom so are they, when the kids left for school, so did I. I worried about post op because the pre op was so hard but 3 months have passed and I'm down 60 lbs. You can do it. Make a plan to whatever you need to do. Don't be afraid to ask your family and friends for help

I bought a Protein powder that is tasteless and puts some of that much needed nutrient in potato Soup and only makes it taste 'richer and creamier'. I'll probably add it to mashed potatoes for the whole family for the rest of our lives!!! Y'know....I'm having a flash back of my mother -- my grandparents used to get commodities...? Anyone remember that? Big blocks of cheese and stuff. They would give her the boxes of powdered milk that they didn't want. She added that stuff into everything she made, I think! And bought it the rest of her life, long after they stopped giving her the free stuff. Guess that's what she was doing...plumping up the protein factor. Pam<----learned something today!

OMG! Your story totaly sounds like mine!! I havent been banded yet....sorry I couldnt help you there. But maybe we can Help each other...... I am 5'7 and 241 lbs BMI is 37-38 diabetes, high blood preassure.......you name it my family carries it. its scary to know that due to my obesity I could be damning MYSELF to these things, I also felt the Lapband was my BEST option. Diets? I have tried them all, and FAILED them all! :thumbdown: I have been over weight my whole life aswell. The thinnest I have ever been was 159 back in High school, which lasted like for 3 months and that was only due to the fact that I was sick (gull bladder was removed) Once I felt better I BALLOONED right back up.. I have a 5yr old little girl and My Husband is a Federal Agent so.... He HAS to be FIT cause his Job requires it... He is like not too happy about dieting either, and HE WONT! He is 5' 10 and like 200 but fit...... Hot Wings? Burgers? Pizza? HELL NO!! HE WONT LEAVE THEM!!! He had such a FIT when I asked him to even consider it for me! I really need a change in my life, I cant be over weight anymore. My Baby Girl needs her Mommy to be active with her! It SUX to be the FAT Mom at the park...... & The fact that my husband is not as FAT as I am, makes me feel that he can stray any moment with some youngTHIN HOTTIE! You know........... Not that weight should MATTER...But we know MEN are just like that.... (ok most of them)lol I love him, but its just Heart Breaking to know I am not living the Life I always dreamed of. I am 27 yrs old and I still have a LONG way to go.... We can still turn our lives around, even with Husbands like ours. Anyways, I just went to the seminar on Wed. and have my first appt. on Thurs. My insurance does cover it, but OMG its jsut so MUCH HARDER to get approved!!! I Hope this works out for Wives like us, in our situation......and like I said, I havent been banded yet, but its nice to know I am not alone in my situation... someone out there "gets" me......... Best WISHES!!

This is true. That’s why therapy & understanding why you eat is a vital component of this process for many people. In the US a psychological assessment is part of the insurance approval process. In Australia, your surgeon recommends pre &/or post surgery therapy sessions. The surgery affords many benefits that dieting &/or exercising alone does. It resets your body set point (the weight your body naturally gravitates to), boosts your metabolism, removes part of the area that produces the hunger hormone (ghrelin) & can affect the glp1 hormone that regulates hunger & the metabolism of glucose. There are also of course physical changes that restricts how much food you can eat. You will have to change how & what you eat. (Many change when they eat too.) The surgery affords you the time to establish new habits, discover new foods & to work out what way of eating works best for you. I’ve tried many diets & I’m pig headed enough to stick to them for months without wavering but I’d always eventually go back to how & what I usually ate. I’ve never been able to maintain my weight like I can now. I made a decision to cut out a lot of sugar (real, artificial, substitutes) out of my diet. I don’t eat highly processed foods, avoid a lot of carbs & never have fast food. This has been what works for me. It may not work for you or complement your lifestyle. I didn’t record my food intake & still don’t. I do random checks of my calories & regularly check nutrients & ingredients. The only thing I watch carefully is my protein. Some people find tracking very helpful but it isn’t for everyone all the time. Though you may be required to do it for a while to ensure you’re getting in the nutrients you need. But you have to be ready to do this. As I said it’s not easy. It was harder than any other diet I’ve done.

Hi all..... I'm heading into Day 5. I'm on Clear liquids until Day 7 when I enter full liquids. Two more days of this tastebud hell is unfathomable! I never thought I'd say this but having a red popscicle for Breakfast is just not my idea of fun. Honestly, it's really NOT the liquids thing. It's not even the head hunger. It's just that I have no interest in eating/drinking the things that I am allowed. Add to that the fact that I really am not hungry, I could just stop eating/drinking all together. Water is fine. It's tasteless. It hydrates. No problem. But, everything else....the crystal light, the sf popscicles, the sf Jello, the watered down juices, the Italian ice, the broth......yuk, yuk, yuk. Am I missing something? Is there some amazing food/drink that I haven't found that would at least get me through? I do not want another SWEET thing.....unless of course, it's mind blowing! This whole feeling is so foreign to me. Today I made my Famous French Toast for my dear daughter (who has been such a sport and a huge help through all of this) and then I made her favorite Tuscan chicken with Rosemary Potatoes for dinner. I didn't want any of it. And, trust me, I love those foods! I was not hungry at all. So, I heated up a little broth so that I could sit down to dinner with her. Two tablespoons and I just couldn't do it. And, this is MY OWN recipe broth.....not from a can. So, I pulled out a little Rita's Italian Ice....one little teaspoon and I was done. I wasn't full, mind you. I was just yukked-out!!!! Is there anything that is working for any of you? Any suggestions? I just spent another $$$ at the grocery story preparing for the next week or so. But, honestly, other than adding some Protein shakes and maybe some yogurt....what is there? I also stopped by the bookstore and picked up a WLS Cookbook too. I'll be sure to let you know if I find anything good. But, so far, I haven't seen anything for the liquid stage. Am I just a spoiled gourmet? :help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help:

Following this thread. Just starting to weigh my options with WLS. I coudldn't get into a local orientation until May 18th. I have BCBS-MI with a BMI of 50+. I have no idea what to expect or where to begin. I am looking at having my surgery in Northern Michigan, but we will see what becomes of it.

I like the premade EAS AdvantEDGE carb control in chocolate. I get them at BJs in a case of 24 for about $26. I also have the EAS Whey protein in vanilla and chocolate. I use this when I'm at home and can make it myself. The premade ones are great when you are going to be out of the house for a while.