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I know *exactly* what you mean. I've been that way with dieting in the past, and I believe that was one reason why I ended up re-gaining the weight. I can get really caught up in the process of losing, but don't get the same jolt from just maintaining. It's fun when you're working on it and seeing the scales move, clothing sizes dropping, and getting compliments about the weight loss. But it's not as much fun to have to still work just as hard to stay the course without those perks. I just hope and pray that the lap-band will help keep me in line at that point. But, in answer to your question, I'm planning on going back to school. I'm researching my options right now, and might get started as early as next semester. This is a changing point in my life besides weight loss, because my baby is turning 16 in a couple of weeks, and my role as mom (which has been mostly chauffer lately!) is shrinking. So it's time to start something new! Tami

Here is a Protein fluff: http://www.epicureanbb.com/post/23603550445/lemon-protein-fluff-with-custard-sauce The carbs and calories are REALLY high - I assume that is due to the specific Protein powder and milk she is using. I would substitute your regular protein powder that is low carb and you can use unsweetened coconut milk in place of regular milk and it has basically no carbs. There are other milk substitutions that are lower carb than skim milk, too. It looks yummy!

Hi: I started mourning food when I was post op and it made me feel depressed. When I'm depressed I'm exhausted. Luckily it didn't last too long. Some people react differently to anesthesia. If you're eating enough Protein and calories and taking Vitamins it sounds like you're doing the right things. I agree with Sashay02. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

I was banded 2 weeks ago. I was feeling great, and the last few days have been miserable. I feel sooo weak and all I want to do is sleep. I'm meeting my Protein requirements, and getting all my Vitamins & supplements. Is this normal, and when will it go away?

So Good Friday was my 1 yr anniversary - how fitting. 91 lbs lost! So let's review a couple points: If I could go back in time would I choose to not have the surgery? - Not on your life!!!!!!!! best decision I might have ever made (only thing that comes close was following my parents advise to buy my house when I was 23) Have I had any Complications? - No - I wouldn't say any complications. I had to have 1/2 an un-fill a week after I got a fill a couple months ago b/c I was too tight - No big deal. - I have had a problem with recurrent fungal infections under my stomach - not pretty, smells worse - but not totally unexpected and just part of the process. Do I have ANY regrets? - Not in regards to having the surgery - but I do wish I had started exercising earlier on and still did it with more regularity. I also wish I had not gotten a fill every month (it's what the Dr's office said was ok - and I'm sure it's fine in practice) I just think if I had gotten a fill less regularly I might have had to force myself to work more on self control/discipline. What happened that I wasn't expecting? - I don't think I have ever spent so much money on clothes in 1 years time between work and play - it's crazy (and this was with having had some clothes in some of those smaller sizes from a previous wt. loss attempt a couple years ago) My next drop in size will put me into a size I have never been in adulthood - have never bought it (SO EXCITING but OMG! I'm broke!!!!) What do I need to work on here on out? - EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE!!!!!! - I still need to watch what I eat - I'm good about getting protein in and keeping my meals small - I just know that I snack way too much and on very unhealthy food at times - ok to do I'm just doing it too often! (for example there is way too much easter candy in my kitchen! - Find a clothes delivery truck stocked w/ 14/16 clothes and turn on the charm! :w00t:

I agree it is usually tight at breakfast and then looser at dinner. Your body must just react differently to the band. Try to have the good protein shakes you like availabe when it gets real tight to at least have that to sip on for your meal. I really like the Pure Protein drinks that come in a can like soda because they are easy to grab to take with me. They are 35 grams of protein. Try to count your calories threw the day to make sure you not going way under what you should be eating. I know that sounds weird because diet was usually starvation but when we don't eat our body metabilism shuts down and your body goes in starvation mode. You will feel tired and fatiged but not loose weight. I have done it a few times and I think to myself I am practically starving why am I not dropping wieght. Your body will think it is in starvation mode and just shut down and any little bit you do put in it will just hold onto. Our bodies are amazing and you will really start looking at everything as a science with protein and vitamins for fuel not just eat it to fill your belly. Just be careful with the soups because they are super salty and when your tight it is hard to get the water you need and by having lots of salt your going to have cotton mouth and feel FAMISHED for liquids. It is a balance that everyone's body is difference and some need more iron some need more B-12. I love the Bariatric Advantage multi vitamins you can get online because they are easy to chew and taste good. Then you know at least your multi vita are covered for the day. Check them out if you need suppliments or vita that are made for Weight loss patients. Good luck.

I mix like 1/8 Special K protein or a dozen chopped up almonds in my Greek yogurt if I'm needing crunch. I get bored with it if I try to eat it plain day after day.

Had peaches(frozen) with 1.5 scoops protein powder(vanilla) with peach jello powder, 1 splenda pack and 1/2 c milk......yummy shake!

Big mug of coffee with Nectar Cappacino protein Big mug of coffee with Whey Gourmet Truffles Chocolate protein 42 gr protein (nearly half my day's goal)

Hi, I just got my first fill today an the Dr. did say that SF popsicles and ices are a good idea. Very small liquid amount but satisfying and cold (especially if there is a little sweling). I am only on liquids today though, but he said I could start on regular food tomorrow (no more mushies!!!!) I had a Protein shake, pureed some beef veggie Soup till totally smooth and added a little beef broth to make it thinner then had a SF Fudgesicle today. I feel fine. Still full too.

How much protein are you eating? You need at least 60gm of high quality ( animal based) protein. Your body has the decision ---- make new cells for skin, liver, heart or hair? Hair is optional! If you ate exercising regularly, then you. Ah need 80 gms. When were your last labs? Is your creatinine and albumin low? If they are the your are protein malnourished.

try it. I suggest you list out the ones you have tried and didn't like and people will pipe in with alternatives. I mostly mixed in Protein with Soups etc. I was done with the shakes after my pre-op diet. I only just started them again because I found one i didn't mind with some additives.

What you can and cannot tolerate post-op is really a "Your Mileage May Vary" kind of situation. For the first 3 months post op, I was totally lactose intolerant. Now, I can ocassionally have hard cheese and cultured things like yogurt, in measured quantities. Protein shakes still make me nauseated, bloaty and gassy. I cannot tolerate bread in any form, any type of rice, or Pasta. I have a difficult time with chicken in any form still. I can do a few bites of baked potato, but any type of fried potatoes make me very ill (so no fries, hash browns, etc). PB makes me very nauseated. On the other hand, I eat steak often, which many post-ops have a difficult time with. There is really no good way to predict how your body will react.

Hey Tom, The other member is not a TW/RR subscriber, though I suspect the issue to be the same. You can also check the preferences for your email account at TW to see if there is an option that automatically deletes suspect spam rather than moving it to the spam folder, which is the issue the other member is experiencing - I believe. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

HEy with 2Cc there is def not going to be much restriction, it takes a couple of fills for to start feeling restriction, i got my thrid fill yesterday and today i must admit im starting to feel fuller longer. Dont worry just work on changing your mind set when it come to food! If your still hungry just eat the low calorie snacks like the sugar free popsicles and jello, drink your vitamin water zero or crystal light, make a meat crusted pizza....... look for ways to get more protein in so u could feel fuller longer until ur able to get more fills

I have tried many many different Protein drinks...I can say that these are the ones that I like: ATKINS has great drinks and they taste great, MYOPLEX Rich dark chocolate Muscle Milk banana flavored and Gramcracker mixed BUT...By far the best one for me is GENEPROunflavored. I am a coffee drinker so I take my Keurig Cup of coffee and Sweet Cream and add 1 scoop of GENEPRO!!! No taste n change in my coffee. So it is a WIN WIN because I would drink my coffee anyway so it is a plus!! One thing I would say don't buy a whole lot of protein because most people's taste changes after their surgery and lets face it Protein stuff is NOT cheap. I would hate to really know how much money I spent on trying to find one that worked for me!!

Hey guys! I'm new here and soon to be sleeved on the 20th of November! I came across this forum through a google search and it was exactly what I was looking for. I've been reading a lot of helpful stuff here the past few days and it's really been like a good friend that understands me and helps me get through my pre-op liquid diet and all other queries I have. A big thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and providing such a vast amount of information. I'm 24 years old, currently based in Dubai, UAE, where a majority of the population is either over weight or obese. I myself am morbidly obese weighing 447 lbs last I checked at my doctors consultation. However, I'm blessed with a good height so I don't think its too obvious visually. I've always been over weight for my age since the time I was born. However, over the past 6-8 years i've gained weight at a scary rate. I've attempted going on diets, joining the gym, paying for personal trainers but all of that only worked temporarily. I've lost 30-40 pounds previously when I've tried hard but then maintaining a strict diet on a long term basis never worked out. But now the weight has started taking a serious toll on my health and work. I've started experiencing leg and back pains, breathlessness, sleep apnea, extreme laziness etc. So to put it in a nutshell, the past 2 years haven't been very pleasant...mentally or physically. I've been contemplating to go for bariatric surgery for the past 2 years and now i've finally gotten to it. In Dubai, no insurance covers this sort of procedure so it all comes out of our own pockets. Hence its taken a while for me to take this step. I'm currently 3 days into my pre-op liquid diet and it's just been terrible for me. I get extremely tempted since i'm surrounded by hotels and restaurants where I live. And i've never denied myself completely of food before, ever. I have 2 glasses of the Isopure Dutch chocolate Protein shake daily which doesn't taste too bad, but it felt really sickening today. No clue how i'm going to last for another 13 days! I'm just trying to stay focused on the prize. I've become really moody so its hard to talk to a lot of people, but isolation isn't helping either. So i'm really glad i found this forum. It really helps me just going through success stories and other people's journies. I'll try to keep posting updates. I'm really looking forward to the next few months. Although my doc has warned me that i'll be regretting my decision for the next 6 months . Is it really that hard?? I have an idea of what to expect but I hope it isn't too rough. From what I've read, each persons journey is unique in its own. Here's hoping for a 'not too unpleasant' one for myself. Godbless!

heyy i start mine tomorrow. the protein shake im using is what my nurtitionist gave me and its called HMR 800. she also gave me some recipies for the shakes so they wont be so boring. 2 for chocolate and 2 for vanilla. maybe you can get the same protein shake that im using? im not getting banded august 4th but i am getting banded july 31st (: good luck :bored:

So I am on Day 6 post op and will return to work on this Thursday. I am a little nervous about what I should take to make it through this second week on liquids. My first week was Clear Liquids and starting today I can progress to full liquids. That is to include my Protein Shakes, strained pureed foods, Soups,etc. I need suggestions on how others have gotten through this. Interestingly, I am not suppose to lift more than 10 lbs and am also struggling with how I am going to carry my purse, laptop case and lunch without exceeding that amount. Funny huh?! I just need help!

I had a lap band and stomach plication performed on June 28th of 2010. At first the weight loss was awesome and I was so happy with my important and expensive decision to have the surgery. But since the middle part of November I have been really struggling. I had the surgery because of my obvious issues with food. I had thought that after enduring the pain of surgery the result would be that it would be difficult for me to overeat. I hope that you do a better job of listening than I did. When they said weight loss surgery is only a tool, that is exactly what they meant. My father had a bypass performed back in 1972 and he was able to eat all and whatever he wanted and he lost weight almost without any willpower at all. He also had to take a ton of vitamins, shots, and suffered with kidney stones the remainder of his life. The surgery finally took his life about 7 years ago. Because of that I kept thinking my surgery would produce spectacular results. However, what I am finding is I will be on a strict low calorie diet the rest of my life, or, I will gain weight again. I have regained 40 of the 65 pounds that I had lost and it has left me feeling frustrated and upset with myself. I feel so mad at me for failing. I can not help but feel shame for my regression. I am going back next week to visit my surgeons office and I am not looking forward to it because I hate failure. Please don't do as I have. I have almost had to start from scratch but I can not let my self down. I wish there was a good support group; near me but I really don't have that option. Good luck to all of you and I have been encouraged by finding this sight. It is the closest thing to a support group I have found.

You might consider protein treatments on your hair. It can be used like a conditioner and is supposed to strengthen and promote growth. Planning on doing that an often as possible post op to prevent too much loss... Would prenatal vitamins be allowed after surgery? I know people tend to have a lot of hair growth when they're on those.

I personally favor the Premier protein drinks. They are already made so all you have to do is grab one and go. They actually taste pretty good. I believe there are about five different flavors of them. Bananas and cream is my favorite.

What a difference a week makes! I have similar statistics - started pre approval on Halloween at 250 lb. 225 lb at surgery, with 219 this morning. I am on pureed foods - yogurt and custard are great, but I cannot gag down pureed chicken. liquids are OK, and I have started drinking broth for the small amount of Protein they bring (2 gm/cup) Also a nurse - aren't we a stubborn lot!

Everybody seems to have different instructions from their surgeon! At that point I was on full liquids - protein drinks, sf jell-o, sf popsicles, juice, broth, milk. I was adding protein to the broth and jell-o to make sure I was getting enough protein in. I was supposed to be at 60g of protein by the end of the two weeks.