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I would call back and ask to speak to a manager if they do not divulge information. Also, ask for a benefits book through your human resources. Another option might be to google it. Good luck and welcome to our forum, Melinda

I tried a lot of Protein powders and found that unflavored is the most versatile. I really like Nature's Best Isopure Whey Protein Isolate. You can buy it online and at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe. If you are looking for a flavored protiein powder, Syntrax makes great stuff.

I wonder if a person can make their own Protein powder? Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

What I do is track using My Fitness Pal and stop by my surgeon's office once a month to weigh (no charge and takes 5 minutes). The receptionist records in my chart. I eat high protein and low carb. South Beach and Atkins recipes work well during the weightloss phase.

Sf popsicles for hydration, bone broth, premier protein ready-made (Walmart), Isopure ready-made blue raspberry (vitamin shoppe). This stage bites but you will manage and survive. For puree stage just use bone broth and soft chicken, I cooked celery, carrots and onion in the broth then strained it out, added chicken and used my stick blender - you can even use some cream of chicken soup. Also blended black bean soup. Time off - I would take two weeks because you MUST stay hydrated and that means sipping constantly, and because you cannot consume many calories, you can get light-headed and dehydrated before you realize it, and BAM be in serious trouble. Plus it is major surgery - just because it is done laparscopically doesn't mean recovery is a picnic. It's very tolerable, but you need to be careful.

A celebratory toast for a safe surgery ::raise your protein shakes please:: Glad things went well.

I asked for an ice cream maker for Christmas. I found a recipe for frozen yogurt.. 6 oz yogurt 1-2 scoops of Protein drink mix Has anyone ever made it?

You should have a specific list from your surgeon and/or your nutritionist. However, stage one is clear liquids only, while stage two generally includes protein shakes, sugar-free jello and popsicles and fudgesicles, and cream soup (without any pieces or chunks of food--blend it if you have to). Sugar-free yogurt might be allowed; check your list.

I like Halo top (as a low cal - high protein ice cream replacement) but waited until I was pretty far out from surgery to try and only occasionally. Use those early days wisely. Consider sugar free popsicles instead. These are usually on our plans. You can also blend protein shakes and frozen protein shake cubes to get to a mlikshake / slushies consistency if you need something of that texture Good luck

I had surgery on June 23rd. I am two weeks out and have lost 23 lbs. This morning I had gained 3 lbs. I am taking down all protein, vitamins, 4 oz food-3 x per day. 64 ozs liquid. Total calorie intake is around 500. What am I doing wrong? Your help is really appreciated! I am feeling frustrated.

I began one week early to help shrink my liver...now the million dollar question is, what can I have that isn't a protein drink? HELP!

Well...about that "list"! They are re-vamping the nutrition section and did not give us one of those.."list" yet! To late for some of us! Yes, I saw her...twice! But she only talked about after and current...nothing about those glorious 2 weeks of liquids. I am assuming I can have anything liquid...creamed...or strained. Over all I am doing 3 protein shakes (27 gms of protein each shake) , gogurts, puddings, jello and creamed soup. I think that will cover me for the next few weeks.

I would call your doctor and let him know that you have been throwing up. I was not able to have Protein drinks until my 10 th day post op. I was strictly on Clear liquids for a good 14 days post op. My doctor would not release me if Iwas even feeling like I was going to throw up. Every doctor is different but to ease your mind I would call the doctor. To me this does not seem normal. Michelle

My diet counts SF Popsicles and SF jello as liquids. Decaf coffee is ok on my diet as well (I thinks it's more about what you put in it). The first 3 days were horrible. On day 6 and I'm feeling pretty darn good except for the horrible taste I get in my mouth. I have a family of 6 and work 12/hr shifts and nothing much has changed on that front except they are eating healthier too. When is your surgery? I do get a high protein me all with my 3 shakes and 3 snacks but everyone's diet is different.

I've only tried 3 brands - Muscle Milk, EAS and Premier Protein. Premier Protein chocolate is the one I always go back to. I like mine a little thick, so I add a scoop of chocolate Meal Replacement powder.

I decaffeinated myself before surgery. I did a gradual taper like efierke suggested. I didn't want to be going through caffeine withdrawal while recovering from surgery. I stuck with decaf herbal tea for two months postop. Sleepytime tea at bedtime has become a new habit. When I first tried coffee, it was too irritating to my stomach. Even decaf is very acidic. I was finally able to drink it again around 4 months out. Now I have a big travel mug of decaf coffee everyday. I even use Premier protein vanilla or chocolate for creamer. Never bothered to switch back to caffeine, although I'll have regular if that's the only decent kind available when I'm on the road.

I went out to restaurants pre op with the fam - we were visiting the inlaws at the time - and it was hard as h*!!. Also had several sessions of M&M poker and rum - we always use M&Ms as chips (and the rum is for, well, getting toasted) - and that was hard too. But I brought had my blasted Protein shakes and told myself it wasn't going to be forever and these were special occasions for the rest of the fam. Its a lot less hard post op because you're just not hungry in the same way - and eventually you get to eat food. On the other hand, my husband has done all the cooking - and he cooks like a 10 year old (read spaghetti every night) - for the last month because we all agreed it would be cruel and unusual punishment to have to cook for them and not eat EVERY day. Now that I'm in soft foods I'm back to cooking some. You're pulled both ways. I think I'd probably go for the wife's birthday and eat the spinach but see if you can come to agreement that this is the only one until you're certain of yourself.

Today I'm still in pain, I kept getting hiccups from hell last night, my tummy is very sore from them. From what I read, it's a sign I was sipping to fast. So I'm really going slow on the drinking. Man alive its gonna be impossible to get in ample fluids in at first. Thank goodness there's unflavored protein powder I add to my water. This will all be worth it I keep telling myself. Praying for ya ????????

Perhaps you were a little more emotional than most, but it is a serious step. One most of us are ashamed at some level, that we let ourselves get to. And one, like you say that is hard to leave behind. It didn't matter if it was happy news, or sad news, food was always there to share the burden. We grew up celebrating with food, and mourning with food---it is a very close and personal friend. It is hard to imagine eating less and being satisfied and happy with that. So the mourning is natural, as is anger at the situation sometimes. However---eating less, and being satisfied, and happy with it is VERY possible! I like you just simply could not wrap my mind around that. I thought it would be a constant battle---but one I felt I had to try---I was out of options, I was sick of and sick from dieting! It is such a different life being banded than I imagined it to be! The first weeks were tough, I won't lie to you. But hell I lived through many weeks of tough diets! I knew I could do it at least one more time, and that was the last time!!! It does take some work to get to the point that food is not an issue anymore. I eat for the flavor, and the nourishment, but not the hunger now. It is no longer the driving force behind decisions. I don't decide what to order when I go out, wondering if it will be enough---whatever I order it will be more than enough. I order what sounds good, and will be good for me, and I enjoy it! I don't feel like every eye in the restaurant is on me and my plate anymore. I don't skimp at the restaurant, and come home and gorge. The things you will be gaining vastly outnumber the things you will be losing. Yes for a period of weeks you will not be able to have most types of food---but after the healing phase, you will be able to eat most of the food you do now. Some people have particular items they cannot eat, but just a few. You will be friends with the food you eat, because you are going to enjoy the few bites it takes for you to be satisfied. It is not a love/hate relationship anymore. You can love it, and there is no need to hate it for the way it makes you act anymore! Try to calm down---and imagine yourself eating like you see others eat. Imagine yourself losing weight, almost effortlessly! Yes you do have to watch what you eat to help with the weight loss, but that is so easy to do when you are not hungry 24/7! Imagine walking into any store and buying clothing, no plus sizes necessary. Imagine walking into a gym, and no one staring at you! Imagine living to be a ripe old age---something obesity will not let us do. The things you lose are mostly temporary, and you are getting more than a band---you are getting your life back!!! Hope your nerves settle down soon.... (hugs) Kat

I don't always feel like a shake so I have also been drinking the Isopure flavored drinks. A 20oz bottle has 40g of protein.

Thank you so much for the list! I just ordered some options. I was a 3 pot a day coffee girl who now can’t tolerate a cup. I really hope one of the options works. I’m so tired these days

Just found this The reason we aren’t allowed to use straws or chew gum (I don’t know about you, but I was big on BOTH), is that it causes air to enter our pouch. Doesn’t seem detrimental… until you get the teeniest, most painful air bubbles in your pouch & have to wait for them to either come up or work their way down & out.Another reason is that the air takes up space in our pouch which we could be filling with Protein, but we feel full, so we don’t get that extra bit of protein.Even if your straw is in your cup & you have plenty of liquid as well, when you draw on that straw, before the liquid makes its way into your mouth, you’d think there’s nothing in there, but that “nothing” is AIR. I’ve had my surgery (6 wks ago) & yes, I’ve cheated with a straw several times, usually while driving. Sometimes I get lucky, but it’s the times I suffered that air that has made me swear off my beloved straws FOR GOOD. That pain made me feel like a gassy, colicky baby. As for gum, once in a great while & ONLY to try & calm nausea & if a mint is not available… and I only chew it long enough to get the calming effect of the mint, then I just kind of tuck it between my cheek & gums.Carbonated drinks are also off limits for the same reason: air. (Yes, once in a while I’ll also self-torture & sneak a sip or two…but not via straws! LOL).I don’t understand why your doc didn’t explain all this, but I hope I was able to help.Best of luck on your surgery! And if they happen to send a straw on your trays – there was one on EVERY tray I got, despite the sign on the door

I know what you mean.... my first puree food was baby food, turkey and "gravy". I thought it was Heavenly. I have moved on to puree steak , chicken etc, To make sure I get the required protein I start the day off with a double scoop of protein powder in skim milk. I am now on soft foods..Yea!! but I still get that jolt of protien from shakes early in the day. It also helps get the required amount of water.

Any other guys out there finding out you can eat and eat things without issue BUT you're still losing weight? Anyone else doing no carb like me? I'm living off of meat, wheat thins, cashews, and right now I"m munching on some BBQ Pork skins (who knew they were high in Protein, low fat, low cal?) I never had any issues with moving back into solid foods after being sleeved Jan 12th. I probably advanced much more quickly than what I was suppose to but I never had any pains or food intolerance's. Hell I can drink and eat together to some degree and can chug a bit still. Maybe I'm not mentally realizing that even though I'm eating more frequently, the quantity and the food choice is totally different than pre op? Anyone else noticing this? I'm still losing on average of 5 pounds a week like this and I'm right at 100 pounds lost since Jan. W

I'm over 4 weeks post op and I'm struggling with protein. I'm unable to drink the shakes because they make me nauseous so I try to get my protein in with the food I eat. I really miss hamburgers, french fries, pizza and sweets. But I have learned that the only good thing about that food was the taste because it was far from healthy for me. I also struggle with exercising, because I'm lazy. Trying my best to get better.