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Are you eating any yogurt? Greek yogurt has a ton more Protein than any others. I really like the Chobani brand. It has about 20 grams of protein. I'm not supposed to have any yogurt with fruit so I bought the plain variety and I'll just add some sweetener. I'm not crazy about the shakes either but I'm managing to get the muscle milk vanilla down. It's better when you can add frozen fruit because it makes it kinda frothy but no fruit right now. Hope the yogurt idea helps. Good Luck. Hi, all! Well, I've been through the approval process and my surgery is January 4, 2011...right around the corner!! I am both excited and terrified. The pre-op diet it kicking my butt in the worst kind of way! I cannot stand any of the Protein Shakes, and trust me, I've tried them all!! Every one of them make me sick to my stomach. I am literally living off Carnation Instant Breakfast in the morning and broth/gelatin/sugar free popsicles the rest of the day. I know I am no where near close to the 70g of protein that I was told to consume per day. I am concerned this could cause a problem during, or after surgery. Any suggestions?

I used Carnation Instant Breakfast Sugar Free with Skim milk it is 13 grams of protein. I add 1/3 c of dry milk which makes it up to 21 gram. I am still not close to getting in all of my fluids in daily but I am meeting my guidelines of the 60 grams. The first few weeks my doctor stress the fluids and then start increasing the protein. I am losing about 3 lbs a week, this may be slower than others but I am still losing and it is not coming back.

Be sure to get in your protein or you could possibly start losing your hair.

I got banded Oct.1!! First week all I really had for breakfast lunch and dinner was liquid vicodin! I was in alot of pain and felt extremely full of air and gas on my left side where the port is. I have a swollen bump where my port is..that's where all my pain is no where else. Doctor said it should heal with time he said it's like a bruise with blood on the inside. Other than that im feeling alot better. Today is 15 days later and a huge difference from last week. Still on liquids been making chicken soup like crazy and just drinking protein drinks and water. My husband took 2 weeks off work to help me, I'm a stay home mom with 4 beautiful kids so my days are hecka busy 24/7.

I am 8 weeks post op also and am amazed every day with the changes in my body, mind and spirit. In the beginning I was really hung up on the scale and when that week 3 & 4 stall hit, I panicked thinking what have I done? But, the scale eventually moved again and the inches keep coming off as well. I am already off blood pressure and diabetes medications and feel better than I have in years. I do have rheumatoid arthritis as this cold weather has reminded me this weekend, lots of pain in knees and hips. For now, I am switching from walking to riding my stationary bike to compensate. I am even considering a yoga class as a friend at work has invited me to join her. Bottom line, I am not giving up. I am focusing on fluids, protein and good carbs and just taking this journey day by day.

It gave me the option to connect so I connected it and will test it out tomorrow.

Awesome info and some great ideas! Hang tough!! Just think what we'll be saying in a couple months!! This will all be a distant memory (or if ur like me, a blocked memory!!). Quick question - what is Protein Jello? I've got to find a way to get in some more protein! And - u sound like me - wanting to overdo it on the walks and things! Take it easy & break'm up into (2) 20 minute walks so u don't hurt yourself! I find this super reduced calorie & intake won't let me do more than 20-30 w/o wearing out. And I cannot wait to get back on my elliptical in a couple mths!! Take care!! P.S. same on the weight loss, I don't think ive lost but a few #'s, maybe 3? I haven't weighed yet. But I know a) there's swelling still and I'm healing so not to worried. (yet!! Haha)

Well he only told me to do the 3 day liquid diet. My BMI is 39. I'm making the decision to do a two week diet on my own. Just Protein shakes and one meal with meat and veggies. How about you? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hey all, I'm 23 years old with a 53% BMI. i'm ready to change my life. i just have a lot of questions and no support. i'll be doing the process through kaiser. how does the process work and how long will it be? I'm ready now!!! lol

As long as you followed your doctors schedule of how long to stay on liquids and mushies then u should be fine .. The band is doing very little at the moment till u start getting a few fills under your belt, just take this time to learn what to eat and practise eating small bites and slowly, drinking polenty of water and eating your protein first. If you dont want to risk putting on a few lbs in this 'bandster hell' period of time its best to journal your calorie/food intake and exercise when u are cleared to

I was too going to get the band in the begining, but soon after I read post after post on the health hazzards I decided to go with the sleeve. So glad I did. I have no issues with my sleeve. I actually saw a picture in my surgeon's office of what band erosion looks like. Oh I'm so so glad I did the sleeve. That looked so awful and painful. He isn't doing as many bands now, but he is doing a lot of revisions. I researched the sleeve for several months ,I realized that it was the better choice of the options available. Research and discuss with your doctor the options available to you. Only you can make this discision for you. Good luck. Deb

Hi Dawn, I think my original band was too tight from the start, too, though perhaps not as tight as yours. After three years I definitely started suffering regularly from reflux and heartburn, and unfills only helped for a while. My band was finally removed on 4/9 after a slip was diagnosed. Last week I had a new band put in, the new AP band. I don't know if I have the large size or not, but even the small one is a good deal larger than the original 4cc band I had. So far so good--I know it's early days but right out of the gate I am MUCH more comfortable than I had been after the initial surgery four years ago. I hear you about healing, and agree that's very important. Removal probably makes sense for you at this time. But don't close the door on replacement if it's an option for you. Good luck with whatever you decide, and I hope you heal up completely!!

Yes, you can get unflavored protein. Several companies make it. unjury is the one coming to mind right now. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all! Need some of your wonderful support and advice. I was sleeved on June 8 in TJ, Mexico and had a wonderful experience. Can't say enough good things about A Lighter You and Dr. Ortiz and staff. I drove 6 hours home yesterday with no problem. I stopped for walks and stayed hydrated and full of protein. When I weighed this morning I weighed exactly what I weighed on Sun before I left. I can't believe afer 3 days of clear liquids, the surgery and very little to drink after that the scale has not moved. I really do feel like a freak! I have 5 holes in my belly and I really think I was sleeved but what the hey...! Has anyone else had this experience. I do feel like I am wearing a barrel around my stomach and middle so maybe water retention. Ugh! Just a bit sad and discouraged.

I'm glad your allergies feel better. I agree, somedays are easier to eat than others. I just realized how much you've lost in a year - Hurray for you - Congratulations. This is wonderful. I'm 30-40lbs from goal. 3 lbs to goal. You can do it. I had an unfil of .25cc in December 9 because I couldn't hold any food down. It's a little better but I'm still thinking about a little more of an unfil. I think if I can get more food in me I'll lose weight. Like if I can get more Protein in. I'm so sick of Protein drinks. What would you do? Fill or unfil, that is the question.

Not sure what a pre-test is...I the the preparation is all mental. I had to do a pre-op diet. Start looking for good sources of protein now. Congrats

I put my protein powder (French vanilla flavor) in my coffee with a dash of flavored creamer, shake it up and it's like a latte! That way I get my jolt of caffeine and protein at the same time.....

For eating out, I have found most food eaten in restaurants is very fattening and very bad for you. There are some exceptions to the rule, like Quiznos/Subway. I like Quiznos best. If you get the wheat bread, most of their sandwiches aren't bad for you or your band. Breakfast places like the village inn/denny's. There are many omelettes there, that are great for you. Now if your talking home cooked food, the best way to go about this is to cook in large quantities. Good things to eat are like chicken legs/fish/steak. Cook a dozen chicken legs, but you only eat 2 or 3 at meal. That's 6 meals almost. You only had to cook once. The only bad thing about this, is you cannot take these foods on the road with you, since you need to heat them up before eating them. If you cannot eat out or you cannot cook at home, cheese is always a good option when you need something. You can eat fruit too, like bananas or apples. However, these foods will not keep you filled up very long, as fruits are mostly carbs and sugars.

Hello Everyone, I just had my gastric sleeve done on 02/28. To date so far I have lost 13 pounds in on week. I have about a 130 pounds to lose but I am happy I am on my way. I really dont have much pain. I am little slow moving around because I still have a little discomfort. The first week was a little difficult because whenever I would eat or drink I would get a bubble feeling in my chest. After reading many of the posts I started taking prilosec. It has helped tremendously! I am getting ready to start walking everyday and once I am feeling better I will start running. I am not starving but the smell of food I used to eat does attract to me but I am still staying on course. My only problem has been the Protein shakes. I was taking the Bariatric Advantage shakes but they are just disgusting to me now. I also tried the Isopure but I cant stand it. So now I am doing the Atkins and muscle Mlike shakes. At first I was having some regrets but after seeing my weight loss in the last week I am feeling much better.

You should be eating 3 ounces protein and 1/2 cup veggies. Maybe your band is too tight. I can eat a whole lean cuisine for lunch and add some additional veggies.

My surgeon told me not to start the liquid diet until one week before my surgery. I shopped around for a protein powder that I liked and had one shake a day. What I did do in advance was to increase my protein and lower my carbs so I would be somewhat used to that type of diet. Cutting out the carbs was much harder than going on liquids. By the time I started liquids I was so excited that it wasn't hard for me...each day of liquids brought me closer to my surgery date! date! Good luck!

Hi, I did mostly liquids for a two week pre-op diet (64 oz water and two protein drinks a day plus a palm size dinner, half protein, half veggies). Had no problem moving to full liquid stage, but only had to be on it 10 days. I personally didn't have a problem staying on it at all. Everyone differs. Mushies is what killed me. I'd say you don't need to go on liquids this early. Do you have a one or two week pre-op diet? That should be enough to prepare you. I agree with GreginMI. What I did was make sure I stayed off refined carbs, rice, potatoes, caffeine and carbonated water before the pre-op. That made the transition to pre-op and after surgery a lot easier as I already was weaned from them and didn't miss them. Good luck!

Hello :] My name is Kaylee, I am 20 years old and am 9 days post op from my RNY gastric bypass. My heaviest recorded weight was 276lbs and my weight before surgery was 263lbs and as of today I weigh 252lbs. Still in a decent amount of pain and am relying on my pain killer every 4-6 hrs, but am finally able to walk around a bit without holding my left side (my most painful incision) Required to consume a minimum of 80g/protein and 64oz/fluid a day, is that similar to your experience? If I didn't drink 2 Protein shakes a day (20g/protein each) I'd never make that protein quota. Can't wait to get off pureed foods, but am thankful for eggs and sugar free popsicles :] Can't wait to get to know all of you!

Yes, definitely pursue testing. If all else fails, it's clear the Prilosec is not doing what it's intended to do and you might be one of the unlucky few that needs something stronger, like Protonix, for relief. I understand the exhaustion with Protein and being bored with your options. I do think that compared to a whey Protein powder (or even the vegan options) protein bullets are a less quality, less-absorbable option. I might hear some arguments on this but it seems to be what I've read in my own research. This might be part of the nutritional deficiency you're experiencing. I take a prescription Iron supplement (I've been on Ferralet and Bifera) and this helps immensely with the fatigue without giving me the side effects of ferrous sulfate. I also take B12 shots because I was seriously deficient. I noticed an almost immediate improvement in my overall well being once I was on these supplements. I had memory loss and basically felt like a zombie for several months some point after one year. My hair didn't return to it's former glory until I was on supplements for a few months. And Biotin did nothing for me except make me feel nauseated, but everyone is different. The Nioxin helped slow my hair loss long enough for me to recover, I think. I no longer use it and unlike my husband (who can't stop using it or he loses hair) I haven't noticed any issues because I switched to a different brand. On one hand, taking supplements stinks, sure. But you know what? I'm not sticking my finger with a blood monitor to test my sugars four times a day any more. The trade off is so worth the aggravation, in my opinion. I think that while it's easy to get frustrated and you're clearly at a low point right now, with perspective it all balances out. I feel best when I aim for 70-90 grams of protein a day. But to do that, I try to drink one Protein shake daily (I mix mine with coffee in the mornings) that has about 40+ grams of protein in it. I get the rest of my protein slowly throughout the day. If you are not eating a good variety of foods - if you're still eating protein, protein, protein until you're full and skipping the carbs and good fats, it's no wonder you're burnt out! This isn't Atkins for life, so make sure you're getting a nice balance. And try other sources of protein, too, if you're open to other options. I like quinoa, seitan, tofu (in moderation), tempeh and lentils as sources of protein that aren't as dense and difficult to eat. I eat eggs about a thousand different ways to keep things interesting, too. This is a challenging life journey for a lot of reasons. We don't just have to learn a new way to eat and live but we have to shed old habits and ideas about our health and our bodies. It's a hard journey physically and mentally but it's so worth the effort. You're feeling frustrated and burnt out right now and this is the right place to come for support. I hope you get some help here and can get over this hump, so you can finish out your journey feeling much happier and healthier, all around. Good luck, ~Cheri

The problem with that is that your body can't use that much protein in one go... I think 25-30 is the limit .. You are wasting the extra :/