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I mix it up and then let it set in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. The froth all goes away then. I like it really cold as well (I now like my water that way also). I don't taste the protein powder taste in it. I just taste flavored water. It does stay mixed in the refrigerator so no need to reshake it.

I dread this more than anything...I started taking 10000 Biotin, prenatal Vitamins, and using Biotin/Collagen shampoo/conditioner. I am using little to no products on my hair, and doing little to do styling. I don't do the shakes, so I know I am not getting the Protein...I will lose lots of hair, I dread it. Best of luck to you. I don't think a little dietary fat would hurt, I will try it, too!

This above, the back hurts because of weak abdominal/core muscles. That's where you need to focus. Options can range from a personal trainer to group classes (I'm a BIG yoga person but Pilates and many other group classes work the core), a gym with someone to show you how to use their resources, tons of DVDs available and free videos on the sites noted above but also on YouTube! Search for ab or core workout. Look for Erin Moetz/One Bad Yogi, she's my favorite!

Do you know which of the two types of gastric lap-band surgery you had? Perigastric Technique (PGT) Pars Flaccida Technique (PFT) According to the Bariatric Surgery Source studies have confirmed that the pars flaccida technique (PFT) is safer and results in a lower rate of band slippage. When I was discussing all the different WLS options with my surgeon we discussed slippage, and he said that he has been performing gastric banding since around 2002 and now only does the PFT procedure. I suggest you talk with your surgeon about what is causing the slippage. My surgeon does my band adjustments using a fluoroscope. Because of this, he (and I can too if I turn to look) can clearly see my lapband and its placement. This gives me comfort knowing if there is an issue he will see it right away. Best wishes

I traveled for work whilst in the liquid and soft foods phased. Protein shakes and yoghurt got me through. Fortunately it was also winter so soups was an option.

One of the best things I have done was given a NUTRIBULLET for my birthday July 10th. And it helps me daily to eat correctly as I do two Nutriblast shakes a day with whey Protein Ibsolate.

so I've been reading this book called the everything post weight loss surgery cookbook. It's got everything from before surgery to surgery diet foods to 'Ive hit a plateau, now what?' I'm so ready for surgery.... I feel so prepared..... I know it's going to be a swift kick in my behind once I get out of surgery when I realize I wasn't ready but until then I'm just going to go with I'm ready for this purchased all my sugar free jello, crystal lights and waters....I got sodium free broths just in case.... Protein packets will be purchased Friday, liquid vitamins will be purchased as soon as the doctor tells me what I need..... But I feel like something's missing????

You will probably move thru clear liquids quickly -for alot of us just a few days, then move to full liquids. Might want to go ahead and get your protein powder or ready-to-drink protein, creamy soups, hot cereal. This way you won't have to go out and pick stuff up, you will stay on this for a week or two before moving to mushy/soft diet. Good Luck!!

I was against TPA for obvious reasons along with the Thrombectomy. We are going to try this first then of course as a life saving measure il explore the other options. I'm sorry you've had so many complications but I'm also Glad to know I'm not alone and have this forum for support! Thanks to all.

I too have had terrible loose stools for 5.5 weeks since surgery. I'd rather be constipated! I changed from prilosec to zantac, and cut out all lactose/milk products. I hated giving up the premier Protein shakes as they're convenient when on the road or working, and I'm also taking immodium. Trying to increase Fiber but that's not easy with the amount i can eat. I'm only getting 700 to 800 calories a day currently Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

I'm like that, too. I can't eat a thing and sometimes it's hard to even choke down a Protein shake. I deal with it by having a cup of coffee and a protein shot, then I have something to eat after 12 noon. I think I'm a bit tight, too but I don't want an unfill because the weight is coming off well and I don't seem to have any other adverse effects.

I stall during my period. Then about 4 days afterwards, I drop all at once. Oddly, I am really NOT hungry at all during my period and tend to fall back on protein shakes to make sure I get something in.

My VSG Story PRE-OP: Two weeks prior to my surgery date of April 10, 2013, I had a check up with my primary care physician and tipped the scale at 343 pounds, 5-10 in height. I researched the VSG procedure and doctors in Mexico due to my insurance not covering bariatric surgery in the US for several months. All my findings led me to Dr. Fernando Garcia in Tijuana, MX. I went through the coordinating company, Ready 4 a Change. I chose that company because the response was instantaneous and I never waited more than a couple of hours for a response to my questions via email, even on weekends which is unheard of in the States. All in all, I would definitely recommend this coordinating company again. Also, I travelled alone, which went extremely well, and I guess would depend on the circumstances but I would not hesitate to do it alone again. On 3-27-2013, I started my two week pre-op diet which consisted of all liquids, protein shakes, and small salad for dinner. I did fairly well on the diet but cheated a few times very minor like one bagel bite, or a small bite of my wife's burger. Anyways, the diet sucks nonetheless but after day 2-3 it's really not that bad. The protein shakes I used were syntax nectar strawberry kiwi, and the chocolate/vanilla premier protein. I would advise to start some type of workout regimen during this phase. This pre-op diet is meant for shrinking the liver to provide a safer surgery, not necessarily weight loss. Again, all in all the two week pre-op diet went well and it went by fast after the first couple days. DAY OF SURGERY: On the day of surgery, I flew out from Dallas, TX to San Diego, California. Upon arrival to the airport, which I was 15 minutes early, I called the driver with R4AC, and he said he was just around the corner and showed up in 5 minutes flat. He even asked me on the phone if I wanted him to remove the company sign from the outside of the van, which I though was courteous. I told him no need, I'm not ashamed! So the driver picks me up and we head across the border which was uneventful and easy. We make our way to the hospital, as I elected for same day surgery so I would stay two nights in the hospital, and three nights in the hotel. Upon arrival to the hospital (Hospital was Florence Health System/Oasis) I was immediately checked in and taken to my private room with hospital bed with nurse call button, TV, an extra bed for a support person, etc. pretty much anything you would find in a hospital in the states. Now, this hospital is in the process of renovations with state of the art operating rooms as in the states, but the rooms are a bit older but nothing to gripe about for sure, and very clean. So I make it to my room and put everything up, and I am greeted by Melissa from R4AC, and she starts going over paperwork and answering any questions I had. The nurse comes in with a hospital gown and says to take everything off, including the underwear. So during the next 1-2 hrs, I have blood drawn for labs, an EKG done, chest x-ray, and an IV put in (first try,) and given a happy pill to relax. I also meet with all of the Dr's at the hospital including Dr. Velasco who is a bypass patient herself. Dr. Grafias who is a sleeve patient. Dr. Cabrera the anesthesiologist, Dr. Luna who is a bariatric surgeon as well, and Dr. Fernando Garcia, my bariatric surgeon. Pretty much all of the Dr's ask about medical history and prior and current health conditions so your basically checked 4-5 times to make sure your clear for surgery still. At about 5:30 or so, I was wheeled in to the operating room. You have to scoot over onto the operating table but no biggy. Dr. Luna took my wife's number down on his phone to call and let her know once surgery was done and everything was ok, which he did according to my wife. I remember one of the Dr's asking me if I had anymore questions as he was pulling out the left arm rest. I said just make sure I wake up and I was out like a light. I woke in what felt like was just seconds after going out. I sat up with minor pain in my abdomen from the incisions, not gas pain. I looked at the clock and it said 7:30. I'm not sure how much of that 2 hours was surgery time vs waking up, etc, and I didn't really care. I immediately stood up when I woke up and started walking the halls. All of the nurses looked at me like I was crazy and asked if I was ok. I told them I was because several speak pretty good English to communicate. They said most people are not up and walking that quick after waking up from surgery. I guess I was the exception. So that first night was pretty good except the minor pain in my abdomen from the incisions which basically felt like I did too many sit-ups, not unbearable in the least. POST-OP DAY #2 So I slept off and on mainly because the nurses come in every 2 hrs or so to check on you and give meds, check BP, etc. The nurses were AMAZING! No complaints whatsoever, and if I pushed the call button, the longest I waited for a nurse was maybe 25-30 seconds. This day was pretty much the same, walk, rest, meds, repeat! I also had 2 leak tests done, which went good and no leaks detected. One of the leak tests was odd as you lie down on the x-ray table and drink some liquid while laying down. It didn't hurt to drink but was just an odd feeling. While walking the halls, I met 3-5 other people from various online forums and FB who had the surgery and became friends and exchanged info to keep up with each other and our progress. POST-OP DAY #3 I had my drain out this morning. it was WEIRD, like a snake in your tummy. it did not hurt at all, just awkward. I got copies of my lab work, x-rays, etc and was discharged. Then around 10 or so, I was picked up by the Hotel Marriott shuttle and taken to the hotel. It was extremely nice and the same as you would get in the US. I got checked in and taken to my room. You get 3 free bowls of chicken broth, 3 free Popsicles, and 2 free bottles of water daily. I would not eat the Popsicles, but there is a small shop in lobby you can buy Popsicles which were awesome. The broth was ok at times, and way to salty others, but then again it's broth...boring! The first day I relaxed mostly and went out by the pool and lounged around and didn't really do much. Still no pain really except for abdomen from incision sites. POST-OP DAY #4 Today I lounged around again and walked a bit around the hotel. I ventured out and took a can to the local Walmart as I started feeling some acid reflux, which is common with VSG, and bought some omeprazole which helped a lot and it was gone in 2 days. Dr. Luna came by and removed the staples from the incisions, which did not hurt, and cleaned all the sites and put steri strips on them and covered up the drain hole. I was given medicine before leaving the hospital which included antibiotics, disgusting liquid acid reducer, and pain meds, which I didn't take any of it. I had dinner with some new found friends and co-sleevers and got some sleep. POST-OP DAY 5 Today was the same as day 4 pretty much. Lounged, went out with some new friends, had dinner, etc. I packed up all my stuff and got ready to leave in the AM. I got a call around 8:30 by the driver who gave me the option of leaving at 6 am or 9 am. My flight left at 1:20 pm but I was ready to get back to the states so I opted for 6 am. POST-OP DAY 6 I woke up and was checked out of the hotel and in the lobby by 6, when driver promptly arrived. Myself and 2 other sleevers headed back to the US. It took us about an hour and a half to make it across the border, it was very busy but an easy process as we all had our passports. Made it to the airport, caught my flight home, end of story! All in all, I would say the level of service and care in MX was equal to and even greater in some areas than that in US. I would highly recommend Dr. Garcia and his team, R4AC, and Florence/Oasis Hospital. I would do this whole over again and look forward to taking some of my family members and/or friends to MX for this procedure. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me and I hope to help others with their journey if I possibly can. Johnathanw1988@gmail.com

I just finished the Options course at Kaiser Woodland Hills on Dec 16, on the 17th, I got a message that my referal was sent to the surgeon, and the following day I got a call and my first appointment is on January 6th. They require you to lose 10% of your body weight before the surgery. At 422lbs, I have 42 pounds to lose. As of this morning, I am down 27 pounds. I will be busting my butt to get as close to my goal weight as I can by my appointment.

It sounds like highway robbery to me. I have heard of these program fees before and think that amount of money is crap. There are other fine surgeons out there who charge nothing extra or just a few hundred. Please keep your options open and check out a few more places. Mimi

That's crazy.... they couldn't even special order. ..try www.unjury.com is were I get my protein but they sell vitamins too

Great question! I too think the flavored powders are too darn sweet. Before the surgery, give me savory foods. I struggled with the sweet for quite a while. I over did broth and even now I struggle to drink even 1/4 cup. I've been adding the unflavored powder to cream soups and it's great! I can tell a bit of difference with consistency, but nothing that is really noticeable. Has anyone added it to mashed potatoes?

I just received my unjury powders. I thought it would help with my growing aversion to protein powders but I still smell the protein. I tried the vanilla with an orange sugar free kool aid. It was dreamcicle flavor. I liked the chicken soup but worried about the sodium content. I noticed the unflavored didn't stay mixed in clear liquids. Kept settling to the bottom.

Liquid diet has been very rough. I agree, I spoke to the team and they said I wasn't get enough protein with the soups I made so I brought some protein shakes and it has got better but I really REALLY cannot wait for the next stages!! Sent from my SM-G955F using BariatricPal mobile app

Evangeline.....I think you need something to distract you. During my "liquid diet" which is not really a liquid diet because you can east one meal at night, correct? The protein shakes should help a lot to quell the hunger and if you start to feel like you are hungry, which you are probably not hungry for real, go for a walk or something to take your mind off it. You should be seeing some weight fall off and that should motivate you. I am rarely hungry and more. The first sign of what feels like hunger I have a glass of water or clear protein drink and it seems to pass pretty quickly. You have to get over the "hunger" or you will be fighting this forever and it will not work. Unfortunately, the surgery is not a magic bullet and if you do not show willpower and control of your "hunger" you are going to lose it and gain it right back. Scroll through all the many posts on this forum and you will see just that. The people who are struggling with the weight are the people who focus on eating and hunger. Without tackling that, the new "tool", your sleeve or bypass will not work properly. A good screwdriver only works if you use it properly. If you do not, you strip the screw head and are in a worse position than before.

Probably depends on the medicine. You may want to try putting just a little something in there (a swallow of Protein shake or something) before you take the medicine. Otherwise, mention it to your surgeon.

Mix it in crystal light for extra Protein. Mix it in Greek yogurt with some Splenda for some extra protein. Mix it with your suger free pudding for extra protein. Mix it with sugar free Jello for extra protein.

Hi All, I was sleeved about 8 months ago and I was pretty active on VST in the 3 months leading up to my surgery until about a month or so after surgery and I've been pretty absent since then. There are a variety of reasons for this, including the fact that I am a grad student working on my Master's thesis and I don't have a lot of free time right now, but probably the biggest reason that I have been absent is because I hit a months-long stall from about 2 months post-surgery until the 7th month after surgery and I was feeling very much like a failure. I lost around 40 pounds within the first 2 months of surgery and then virtually nothing--well, maybe 3 pounds that I kept gaining and losing--for 5 months! I know that I am not the only person to have this type of experience and it seems logical to come to this forum for support, but I personally have this tendency to withdraw when I should reach out for support the most (and I suspect that others do too). I can only speak for myself, but I also didn't post for a while because I didn't want to come across as negative about the surgery and wind up discouraging anyone because I would definitely still choose to do this if I had it to do over again. For whatever reasons, I think that a lot of the people who are struggling don't post on here nearly as much as the success stories, so it gives a skewed view for both the newbies who are considering surgery and the veterans who feel like they are somehow failing at this. I know that when I was reading here pre-op, I definitely felt that losing quickly was the norm and slow losers were in the minority and mostly people who started out with a lower BMI. I think this forum is a wonderful resource and I'm not trying to scare anyone, but my number one advice to anyone considering surgery or anyone who has had surgery and feels like it's not working or that they've failed is to remember that this is not magic and to know that there may be a fair amount of work on your part (mentally, physically, and emotionally) beyond surgery to reach your goals. My number one wish for everyone, on the other hand, is that the pounds just fly off quickly with no stalls and that maintaining goal is a breeze, but I don't think that's terribly realistic. Anyway, I had gotten really discouraged because I felt like I had tried everything (exercise, more calories, fewer calories, more carbs, fewer carbs, more fluids, etc) but then I talked to someone I know in real life who has had the surgery and, although I'm convinced that her surgeon made her stomach really, really tiny - she's 4-5 years out and can still only eat very small amounts, like 3/4 of a hot dog w/o bun, based on our conversation I changed my diet to consume fewer calories but much more Protein and this seems to be working. I have lost 10 pounds in the past month and I have a renewed hopefulness that I can and will get to goal. Now that I'm not in the deepest part of despair, I have come to my senses that it is helpful to have support on this journey, so I'm reaching out to the VST community again. I'm also on MyFitnessPal with the same username if you care to add me. My school quarter starts tomorrow and I have to finish my MA thesis within 10 weeks, so I may still not be online very often until I'm done, but I will try to check in on both sites as much as possible. Best of luck and/or continued success to everyone!

You are right to worry about stretching the pouch. I just had an esophagram and found out mine is slightly stretched. I never felt that full either. If you are eating solid protein, you should stay full longer than if you are eating anything else. If you get hungry, eat some more protein. If you haven't had a fill yet, it's very normal to feel hungry often. I can't tell from your post or ticker if you have had any fills.

6 days post of is a very sensitive time for your new stomach. I was still crushing pills at that point and taking them with Protein shakes. Maybe you can adjust times a bit and ensure that you aren't laying down too soon after taking meds. Staying upright for a bit and perhaps even flushing system out with Water later on prior to laying down may help. It gets much better later on. You are in the tough stages now.....hang in there.