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At nine weeks, I believe you can transition to solid food. So at that time you can also transition from Protein shakes to Protein Bars. I generally use protein bars when I am on the go (because it is a little hard to carry around my blender with me). I like QuestBar (Coconut Cashew). Make sure the protein bars have low sugar. Concerning your protein shakes, if you haven't already begun this, it might be worth a try. I generally blend in a half a banana with my protein shakes. It makes it go down smoother. If

Need some input. I'm 7weeks post and stay nauseated just about all the time, I've done well with the Protein and the Water but in the last week and half I'm having trouble tolerating it! I'm still using Protein shakes for most of my protein a an trying some sold foods that doesn't see to be a problem. Mornings seem to be the worst . Any help appreciated,thanks

You've got this. [emoji846] All it takes are baby steps. One step at a time. At least you went home. After I left the hospital I stayed with my mom for two weeks. I didn't even have enough confidence to be at my place at that time. So you're good. I'm over here struggling to get all of my fluids in and my protein. It's getting better though now that they gave me something for this nausea. ---------------------------- HW- 273 Pre-op Wt- 230 SW- 226 CW- 197 GW- 130 Ht- 5'2.5" DOS- April 26th, 2017 "Only those who try will become." ~FFX

I'm just about 6 months post op and am doing fantastic- I'm losing weight steadily (almost 90lbs!!), eating well, and feeling better than I have in ages. However, I live in a very small town, leaving me with very limited options. My partners like to go out to eat with friends normally once a week, but with there only being fast food joints in this town (i.e. unhealthy fried stuff), I have been having to sit at the table while they eat with only a glass of water or just completely forgo going along. It's been really isolating and making me feel super left out. They have started to eat at home more so we can all eat together, but I never realized how social food was until my options became so limited. Besides making them eat at home (I feel bad because then my girlfriend ends up having to cook all the time instead of going out to eat), I just feel like there is no way for me to participate. Does anyone else feel like their social time has been affected with surgery?

Yeah, have to agree with all of the above. There are always options at every restaurant. I still eat with friends etc, but usually get a MUCH smaller plate in order to look like Im eating a normal amount. It also helps me fool myself in my head. Another thing I did recently when I was eating at a work dinner was eat what I could and then take the rest of the plate to the kitchen to get it away from me. Yeah, ppl were looking at my differently, but it was worth being able to just sit there and drink a cup of hot tea and socialize. It turns out that in the end ppl started drinking and I had a hilarious time watching them all drink. I sort of became the default designated driver and had such a fun time. So you just have to find a way through the challenge. You can do it! Oh and considering Covid and all, you are actually helping everyone by eating at their or your home. So they might not even think it's about you at all and just a good thing to do considering the state of things.

I'm pretty sure a PPI is for blocking tummy acid. I think the other members are asking you because sometimes excess acid mimics hunger. Also, have you tried more dense Proteins? I'm almost 6 weeks out and I noticed that blended food slips right through (I thought my sleeve was too big) where dense Protein (chicken, beef) fills me up super quick. I hope you find what works, best of luck!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you friends. I've found combinations for shaking up my shakes having done the pre op once before 8 years ago for my Lapband I've become a little bit more savy on keeping it interesting. This mornings lovely shake was rinsed mandarin orange, a dash of vanilla flavoring, a smidgins of cinnamon and vanilla protein. The ninja did the rest. Last night a tablespoon of pumpkin, a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon with vanilla protein. I love to cook so I'm expanding my skills into shakes. I pray that all are well and taking vitamins and preparing for our journey on the Sleeve-Train.

The eating holidays are upon us. I and 13 days post op and still on thick liquids figure that by thanksgiving I should be able to have mushy food according to my recommended food list I can have 3-4 oz of food 3/4 of that being protein... You should tAke your scale or measuring cups. And, yes your family will probably notice,be polite, tell them your following does orders. Don't get involved in the "one piece won't hurt you" game.

Thanks. I cannot get all the protein and water recommended in yet. They said it was normal and that my body may be in starvation mode. I can't seem to eat enough to burn more.

I was called out of town a week or so into purèe phase. I just began eating real food. I selected lean meats or soups when I couldn’t have shakes or protein bars. I chewed everything to purèe before swallowing and took the tiniest bites. Did not have a single problem with anything. I tried scrambled eggs at home (nothing in them) first...winner! It was a breeze!

At three months I was averaging about 1000 calories (that's where I am now, too, at 4 months). I can't remember where I was at 6 weeks, sorry. However, I was hitting my Protein. I had trouble with working out if I didn't have protein before I worked out and a snack after. I would get dizzy. My nutritionist and the exercise physiologist both said if you don't have time to eat properly yet have time to work out like a fiend, you're out of balance: 80% nutrition and 20% working out. So, are you hitting your protein and Fluid goals? That will make as much difference as the workout. Unless you're craving the workout. I'm working out about three times a week, doing cross-training/circuit type stuff (cardio and weights in the same workout) and have been doing OK with the weight loss. I'm sort of stalled now, but I'm not tracking my food and that's the bigger issue. Kathy

Hello! I'm really looking forward to my "re-birth" on 9 January 2010 when I get banded! I'm very excited, and wish I could tell more people but have experienced some pretty mixed reactions when discussing this with others. I've prepared to the point of being a tad bit ridiculous and I think I've bought way too much Protein powder, pureed vegetables, and soy milk, but better safe than sorry! Anyone else having surgery on the 9th or 10th?

Hello, Had lap band surgery 2/8/2011 and it has been going great. Still eating small amounts and no sugar and lots of fruits and vegi's and protein every meal. Basicall drink through the morning with protein shakes. Had initial fill 3.5 cc then .5ccc and another .5cc but nothing since May because I was losing and feeling restriction. I am exercising 3-5 X per week have mixed up the cardio and doing some weight training. I'm averaging 1200-1400 cals per day. I've lost 65-70 lbs depending on the day . have been up/down 5 lbs for 3 weeks now. Not sure if it is the weight training or my metabolism just readjusting. Need to lose 70 more. Any suggestions? Next fill assessment July 26.

Okay, I'm actually a little over three months out now. My surgery was 15 July with Dr. Aceves. I was down 45 pounds at my 3 month mark. My starting weight was 242 pounds and I'm 5'1" and change. I started in an uncomfortably tight 18/20 and I'm now wearing loose 16s. The 14s are still uncomfortably tight, but I'll be in them by next month. My shirts were XXL and XL and are now L. No more Xs on my shirts! I've lost a bra size (both band and cup) and I'm finally able to wear my wedding band again. My shoes went up half a size when I went over 220 pounds, and now all of the shoes I bought are too loose and slip off my feet. I stall every month, twice a month. I lose about 15 pounds a month but I lose those pounds in two and a half weeks. I'm a type 2 diabetic and I'm insulin resistant, and my weight loss is "slow" compared to a lot of people sleeved at the same time. It's normal for me to stall for ten days and then drop six pounds in the next four days. Milk is not my friend. After a lot of work to pinpoint what was causing my digestive issues, the answer is MILK. Even lactaid upsets my stomach. My Protein shake, cottage cheese and plain yogurt do the same to a much lesser degree. I was looking for alternative and my doctor suggested goat or sheep milk, saying that they don't have lactose. I'd switch to almond milk or soy milk (if I could tolerate the taste!) but I'm about to move to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and I wanted to go with an alternate I could find once we move. Goats and sheep abound in Tashkent, but soy milk and almond milk do not! The great news is that goat milk isn't too bad once you get used to the aftertaste. At first it felt like I was drinking milk while munching on chevre. Since switching a few days ago, I've been able to drink my Protein shakes with only minor intestinal distress. I've also broken through a two week stall and lost 2 pounds, so things are moving again. I am losing hair. Not too much yet, but there is definitely more hair on my shirts and in the drain catcher. I've been taking Biotin (5000 mcg) since preop and I get all of my Vitamins in - I think the newly increased loss is due to my lower protein intake. While I was unable to drink my shakes I wasn't getting enough protein. I hope that I'll be able to pull through this without too much additional loss. My diabetes is well under control with just diet and exercise. I sleep better and longer than I did before surgery. I'm also more energetic and move a lot more than I used to, without getting sore or tired. Sometimes I don't see much of a change, but then I'll see a picture of me from this summer flip by on our screensaver and realize that I've come a long way already. My face is definitely thinner, and I only have a little more to lose before that dreaded double chin is completely gone. I have no regrets and would have this surgery again in a heartbeat. I wish I lost a little faster, but even at this slow rate, I'll be at goal by spring. ~Cheri

Don't even worry about it. Focus on getting fluids in right now and adjusting to the way your new stomach feels! The best thing to do is go to a Vitamin shoppe or GNC and get samples of a bunch of different Protein powders and shakes - you can buy individuals of several brands - and try them. You'll eventually find something that works for you. BUT be prepared for your taste to change again and you'll have to do that all over again in a few weeks and find another that works.

I am mostly liquids... Protein drinks and juices. I paid too much to risk it. Just taking tiny bites of different things the last few days. I did find a site called floydbariatrics.org and was looking at their phases and trying things that they suggested to a certain extent... Just curious.. and I am not going to mess this amazing gift of starting over, up

@, that's because you are eating more Protein and a lot more Fluid. Fluid in, fluid out. After surgery, I had diarrhea until I moved on to pureed foods.

However, there are medications you can be prescribed that coat the stomach and protect it if you absolutely have to take an NSAID. If you don't absolutely need it, I'd highly suggest trying to use something else like Tylenol. BUT IF YOU DO please discuss it with your doctor so that you can talk about your options and concerns.

When I had my band, my band doctor sold their products. I liked them all. I love the protein hot chocolate. I think it's expensive though, so I learned to make my own.

It is totally normal. Your body is adjusting, give it more time. Even though you're not losing pounds, you are probably losing inches AND gaining muscle from the Protein. Just do as your doctor says, and the scale will move when it is supposed to. Don't focus on the scale so much until after 4-6 weeks out. I lost 20 pre-op and have lost 12 post (surgery was on August 7th). I have only lost 1lb in the past week and a half, but my body has shrunk quite a bit! I 'look' smaller everyday!

Same thing here.. i surpass my water goals and also exceed my protein goals.. I'm sure I'm consuming less than 50g of carbs (including about 8g of sugar from yoghurt) Same 5lbs from 2 weeks ago.. infact the scale went up by almost 7lbs over the weekend. Not worried though. It has happened before.. It's still a bit annoying. Enjoying the non scale truimphs anyway.

I was on Wellbutrin XL once a day (I think it was 300 mg.) and they told me that I couldn't take that one cuz it was t oo big. So instead they prescribed me 2 150 mg. tablets, which are a lot smaller and are still time released. I take them both one after the other in the morning, but I can get them down because they are smaller. That might be an option. I was told not to crush them because of the time-release issue. Emily

@@coco86 - In general, it is more that the fat surrounding the liver(and all your organs for that matter), which causes fatty liver, is what your body will use first. A diet which causes your body to break down fats into the sugars your body needs will generally shrink the liver due to that fat being used first. So, your liver shrinks because you are putting less sugar into your body. You can read up on NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) When I had my testing done my ultrasound showed that I had "fatty liver". If it is to fat then the surgeon cannot get in and see the stomach very well in order to do the surgery. So, my putting you on a high Protein, no sugar, low carb diet it can help shrink the liver. For my own decision, I would rather do and help put my mind into play about starting this new life change, and also I don't want the surgeon to go in and then can't perform the surgery because they can't see my stomach. I have heard stories of that happening, where surgeons have gone in and the liver was so large they had to come out and do the surgery another time.

I am starting week 2, or my Full liquids Phase. This morning I had an 11 oz EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control RTD, and I sipped on it and I finished it in about an hour... I never felt an restriction. I feel full and satisfied ( not stuffed and miserable, I felt like it was the perfect amount ) I know everyone is different, but my concern is that I am reading about people only tolerating 2-3 oz at a time...I sipped and sipped and took it slow and finished the whole thing - all 11 oz......( 17g Protein, 2.5 g fat, 3 Carbs, no sugars. ) Maybe the 2-3 oz only applies to people who have moved on to pureed/soft foods. The EAS is pretty thin and seems to go right down. I feel like I could have this for Breakfast everyday for the next 2 weeks while I am on full liquids. Am I on the right track ?

I did well with liquids that early on. Just think, it’s liquid and will go through much faster/more than solid foods. It also doesn’t fill your sleeve so you don’t feel full. Some people are different and can’t tolerate that much liquid right after surgery. I did decaf coffee 1 week post surgery. It actually helped me get some of my protein in as I would put some premier shake in as a creamer. I’m 7 weeks post op and can do regular coffee but I limit it to 1 per day (per drs ok)