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@blizair09, i was thinking of going back to protein shakes for my breakfast and 15 minute breaks. Its hard because i find myself feeling kind if sick if i go more than 5 hours without food it seems. And that's usually how long it is between meals for me when working. Some days longer. Sent from my SM-G925T using BariatricPal mobile app

Never heard of Delightful before but it sounds like a great place to get your feet wet. Personally, I never chat with anyone that doesn't have a few pics up. I know most of my single guy and girl friend's feel the same as I do. You're absolutely better off without a pic than a fake or really old pic. I've been divorced for 5+ years now and have been in a few serious relationships with people I've met online or via dating apps. I used to use Match.com or similar websites but over the last few years, I've gravitated towards (free) apps. I personally feel that it's ridiculous to pay for a service that's readily available free of charge. The apps currently in my "dating" folder (in no specific order): Tinder Hinge coffee Meets Bagel Jswipe happn Bumble The roster of apps changes here and there depending on what's "hot" at the moment. The dating pool is quite large here in NYC. Might not be that way where you're located (That might actually be a good thing!) I've used them when I travel and the options aren't as unlimited as they are in NYC. As large as the pool is, I've actually met a few BariatricPal members on these apps! They're like "are you Alex from BariatricPal?!?!" Makes me blush and feel like a minor celebrity for 30 seconds . Coincidently, I'm currently dating someone I was set up with on a blind date

I start my pre-op (liver shrinking) diet on monday. 1/2 cup cream of wheat for breakfast, a 1/2 cup yogurt for lunch, and 1/2 cup of creamy Soup for dinner. I also get to have 8 oz of Protein shake and milk over the course of the day. My husband just got banded on Monday and did this 2 weeks of pre-op dieting as well. He lost 10 pounds or so. That is what our surgeon expects. I wish you luck with your liver shrinkage.

Sweet Spot - when the band is at optimal adjustment, which signals satiety on small amounts of food, and you do not get hungry for at least 4-5 hours. Green Zone - same as sweet spot Sliders - foods that slide through the band without sending the satiety signal. Things like milkshakes, ice cream, candy, frozen yogurt, etc. For some, popcorn is also a slider. The slider food list goes on, but keep in mind that the band does its job best with dense Protein foods.

I'm a little over a year out from my surgery and find I'm usually tight in the morning so this is my "Breakfast smoothie": 3 oz of pineapple juice 3 oz of milk 1 vanilla low-fat yogurt (I use Activia) 1/2 frozen banana 2-3 frozen strawberries (8 blueberries or so if I have them on hand) 1 scoop whey isolate Protein powder - vanilla I just mix it in my blender and it's great. It is about 280 calories and 28 grams of protein. That is pretty much my fruit and dairy for the day. For lunch and dinner I concentrate on getting in the remainder of my protein and try to get a little veggie in. HTH!

Ok everyone I need some advice. The nurse from the surgeons office called me today and told me I was approved for my Lap Band surgery (which I was super excited about) but then she told me I needed to lose 27lbs before surgery! I know it reduces your rick in the OR is you can lose some weight first but 27lbs seems to be so much. I am kinda discouraged. If I could do this on my own I wouldn't need the surgery. Any advice on a helpful diet? I have already started protein shakes 2 weeks ago and I only drink water. I am so discouraged right now!!:biggrin:

Hey all, I'm having my sleeve done on April 10th and I start my pre-op liver-reduction diet on the 31st (Happy Easter! LOL). I bought some fusion from my clinic, but I'm wondering if there are other alternatives. I mean, I know there are a ton of Protein powders and shakes out there, but at nearly $40 a tub I'm looking for something a little more economical. However, I don't want to sacrifice quality. Post-surgery I know some people who've been drinking the Muscle Milk light shakes, and there are a couple other low-calorie/low-carb shakes out there, too. Just wondering what everyone else has used and if you have any recommendations. Oh, also...I have a blog about my experience. Is it okay to post the link here for others to read? <3

Hello and welcome! I am having my surgery on 7/12. I am very comfortable with the idea of having the sleeve. Although the other procedure was an option, I don't want the procedure to be reversible! I want a lifelong tool. I think if I knew it could be reversed, it would not be as effective for me mentally. Blessings, Leslie

My surgery is on Monday. I have parent teacher conferences on Thursday. Basically, I will be sitting and talking from 9am to 7 pm. Will this work? Do you think I can do this? It really all depends on you. There is no way I was up to doing something that simple... the anethesia did a number on me. I was out of it for 1 week. Also, is this too soon to go and will the others know? Again, this depends on you. As to others knowing... if anyone questions your eating, tell them you had to have your gall bladder removed or something and you are on a special diet for a few days. Are you starving the first six weeks? I have not been starving since I had my surgery 2 months ago. You will have head hunger and think you need to eat... but do not eat unless your body is telling you that you are hungry. Make sure to get in your protein and you should be fine. I guess I mainly want to know how did you feel and when did you feel "normal" again? I felt normal again maybe at 3 weeks. After the swelling had gone down and I had somewhat learned how to eat properly. Do you think I can reach my goal? I KNOW you can reach your goal, and you will get there even faster if you stay away from junk and sugar. Drink tons of water and just eat healthy period. Do you have to have fills for the rest of your life or does your band eventually receive the ultimate fill? Some Dr.'s give different fills. You will have to find your "sweet spot". My Dr. said that if you start getting hungry sooner and don't lose for 4 weeks, you might need a fill. Do I tell the 5 year old? I personally would not tell the 5 year old, unless you don't care that everyone knows. My sis is 7 and she overheard us talking and I really get nervous that she will slip up and tell my aunts and uncles or even anyone. That is completely up to you though. I just told my sister that I had surgery to help me get skinny!!! :confused: GOOD LUCK AND CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE!!!

So i was all happy since January.. I haven't had to worry much about losing weight. I am having surgery in October and so i figured "Eat the foods you wont be eating in awhile...sushi for example..(the kind with rice) or cake or ________(insert food here) So anyway... I saw my Dr. the other day because I have been having lots of nerve pains and they ended up diagnosing me with Fibromyalgia and the Dr. had to run a bunch of blood tests prior to that, to rule out everything else... Well..he did a full blood panel..and for the first time ever in my life..Out of being obese for my whole life...he now tells me that I have high cholesterol and my triglyceride levels are double that of a normal persons...meaning" there's a lot of fat in my blood" ... So... he ordered me to go on a low carb high Protein 2 shake/ lean and green meal... with 1 cup of berries and 2tsp of low fat dressing... And I'm like "RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" That's the diet i have to do 2 weeks prior to surgery....and now I have to be on that for...4 months!!!!! He is going to re-test me in a month! Yayyyyy NOT! Anyone else have issues and have to go on a diet before their pre-op diet? How am i going to survive?????

Hello Everyone, I am three weeks post op, and will hopefully will soon be moving to puree food. I feel like I've been doing really well since the surgery in most aspects. However I am still having trouble making sure I get my 3 shakes in a day and most days not getting as much Water as I would like. It seems to take me like an hour to get a shake down, does this get easier? I am worried puree will take even longer for me to get down and I'll fall behind on Protein and nutrients during the day. Also I have a lot more energy during the day, but when I get home from work I seem to crash really hard. Does this get better when I get on real food again? Thanks for any feedback, Scott

Thanks for all the feedback:redface: As for the being unemployed, while it was my choice to quit-not the smartest choice in the world financially (the job I was at was taking too much of a toll on both my mental and physical health) staying unemployed is not my choice. By the time I quit I was also only getting 12 hours a week. I have been trying to get another job, I have some prospects, but in my area there aren't many places hiring, and a lot of them I am not qualified for. I've started looking in cities up to 2 hours away. I'm willing to relocate for the right job. Food wise, I do try and keep my portions seperate, I prefer boiled chicken over fried-really good with some california chili's, some chicken bullion and a jalapeno-yummm. Anytime I get extra money, I try and get some healthier stuff for me to eat. I've been trying to eat my protein first, and making sure I chew really well. It's killer holding off on the sweets, but I've had my will power strength renewed. And I've started writing everything down again. I was at the start of my journey, but my surgeon had said I didn't need to. He was wrong. It helps to keep me accountable ad I know that I need that. The home life, i really can't do much to change it at this point. My mom would kick her husband out if she could, but financially she can't right now. We have 7 of us in our house. My mom, her husband, 3 of my sisters, me and my grandmother. My grandmother has Alzheimer's, and my mom takes care of her. The only income my mom gets is to pay for my grandmother's care-medical supplies, various other things- She can't care for herself at all. And the 7 of us live in a double wide mobile home. And for some reason we don't qualify for assistance. We've tried but we're apparently in a weird zone where we make too much to qualify for medicare, but we don't make enough to cover other programs. I try to get out of the house whenever I can, due to a bad relationship with my mother's husband. He isn't a very nice person, and he's responisble for a lot of my low self esteem. So, I try to remove myself from the situation whenever possible. Today I went and busted my butt at the gym, and then came home and took my dog for a mile and a half walk. And I have an appt on wed for my third fill hopefully.So I'me going to hope I get a little more restriction from it, and keep going and busting my butt at the gym.( My mom is nice enough to pay for it-she doesn't have much, but she does what she can) And I still have my personal trainer that was a xmas present. Thank God. Beecause he does bust my butt.

Nothing worked for me. I think it is just the luck of the draw on who is going to have hair loss. My hair started falling out at about six months. I had very thick hair so I was ok with it falling out in handfuls for awhile. My hair is about 1/3 of what I used to have. I do biotin, get all my protein (some days more), take my vitamins, drink my water, all my lab work is great. I have tried coconut oil, emu oil, castor oil, almond oil, various essential oils, liquid silica, massaging my scalp... I am 13 months post op and have been maintaining my weight for the last few months so the huge weight loss isn't a factor anymore. My hair is pitiful, but it is still so worth it to have the weight loss and regain so much energy, health, fitness. It's amazing. I can always get a wig. Next step I think I am going to try Nioxin shampoo. I have some close friends who had WLS and their hair is great.

Hi Those In The Know. I'm making a Thai broth I really like and have added some gen-pro unflavored powder to it. Anyone know if you freeze it and then re-heat it later in the microwave if it's a palatable consistency? Thanks!!

Thanks, everyone. Just needed to vent where ppl would understand. Protein gym and water are stellar. I'll keep at it!

Has anyone tired juicing ? Do you recommend it I'm 2 months post op and I've lost 40 pounds. I really really don't want to just juice all day. since liquids including Protein shakes do fill me up and leave me satisfied I was wondering if I could leave the protein and just juice ? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My doctor told me up front that hard to digest veggies would be a no go. My plan actually says I should avoid raw veggies for at least 6 months so I don't think what you are dealing with is uncommon. What stick out to me in your post is why are you so insistent on eating those foods if you know they make you sick? There are hundreds of other options out there, try them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Scottyd1264 You need to eat 5-6 times a day. As said - set a timer, pack food/snacks. Eat healthy fats and complex carbs along with your protein. Supplement with a high protein low sugar shake. Your Dr is correct - you have to eat more - there's no other way. Good luck!

I also have 2 Quest bars a day for the Protein...the chips I do like, but the Peanut Butter cups I'm not too crazy about. As far as the bars, there are so many flavors to choose from, you can't help but find something you definitely like! Wish you the best success!!!

They do exist (just do a search on Protein tablets). However, they only offer a very small amount of protein in each tablet (usually 1-2 grams) and are really not much use.

Eas Advantage has a caramel café flavor that I find goes down really easily. The premier protein vanilla shakes are pretty good as well!

Hey all, So my Dr. said that I didn't have to do a pre-op diet because my BMI is 38-40. However, I started a full liquid diet today...so I know what to expect...and I am starving! How many times have you seen this post? I am scared...because this is torture. Will it be the same after surgery (on Friday!) ? What are your collective thoughts? Breakfast: Cream of Potato Soup Lunch: Muscle Milk Dinner: Brooccoli and cheese *fat free Soup with Protein powder Snacks: 2 sugar free popsicles Thanks!

I'm on day 7 and the mention of the word (protein) makes me gag.

I'm 2 1/2 weeks out. My NUT advanced my diet to the following: yogurt, eggs, cheese, refried Beans, puréed chicken/turkey, veggie patties, and turkey sausage crumbles. But everything is making me nauseated, or hurts when I eat it. I'm trying to drink a lot of Fluid...& am not doing great at Protein (again back to the nausea)... Did anyone else experience this? Did it eventually subside? Any tips?

Hi There, I liked homemade egg mayo on rice cakes! I am veggie and don't eat fish so it was a good way to get in Protein for me. And it saves really well in the fridge! I can give you my recipie if you like :biggrin: K X