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hi I am 5 weeks out of surgery and feeling great lost about 35 pounds , just started the puree stage last week. when can I add in Protein powder into my food ?

When you can have mushie foods they sometimes included applesauce. Just follow the doctor's rules, your doctors. How about sugar free popsciles. I have them every day, still. I love them. It is considered liquid but I sort of chew them. When you make a protein shake, freeze it and have it like ice cream. Good luck with your new journey.

I am four days out. Was on clear liquids for three days and got to have full liquids today. They allow me to have yogart, soups, hot cereal. It is more filling than clears but I am finding my stomach growling a bit more. I am having issues with any chocolate protein drinks post op and I liked them pre op. I am doing the best with isopure clear liquid protein drink. I am on prilosec twice a day for the next sixty days. Lots of gurgling and burping though.

Hello everyone.... I had my surgery on Dec 28th. I am 6 days post op and literally feel like im starving. I am drinking water and getting down one protein shake but for the last 2 days hunger pains are out of this world!!! Is this normal i am scheduled to be on a liquid-diet for 3 weeks and i didnt expect to feel like im starving 6 days post op. Its hard to get down3 protein shakes because the taste isnt the greatest since i had the surgery but i am concerned for another reason. I came home sunday from the hospital not feeling the greatest but not the worst, Monday i woke up and felt like i needed to have a bm.... I took miralax to see if my bowels would move but nothing happened all day on Monday. I woke up Tuesday and the constipation was worst and i literally felt like dying considering i hadnt had a bm since last Thursday Dec 27th. I was on the toilet off and on all day straining moaning sweating and trying to push it out but nothing would come out but a small turd. I felt like i was on fire(bottom) and it hurt soooooooooooo bad. I finally called the physicians office and they suggested milk of magnesia or dulcolax. I took milk of magnesia and like anything it takes time to work thru the system and i was soooo desperate and wanted the pain in my butt to stop and to get my bowels to move because it was literally sitting on tip of my exithole(sorry for being so graphic) but i just couldnt poop. I pushed and strained all day thinking i could get it to come out one of my small incisisons started bleeding and my biggest my incision is now bruised and more painful since this fiasco with constipation. Well needless to say i thought i would help speed upthe milk of magnesium and took a stool softner(gel cap) and my lower stomach hasnt been the same. The last 2 days my lower stomach has been bubbly, churning, gassy, and i feel like i have diarhea at times but when i go to the toilet its alot of gas but it feels like im about to poop on myself. I finally had my first bmi on Wednesday at about 4am . I was scared as hell to push but i had to a little and it finally oozed out(sorry i know tmi) but i felt better and was able to finally walk straight because on Monday and Tuesday i was walking hunched over like a lil old lady due to pain and just trying to find comfort from the constipation. I am worried if i have done damage to my pouch and my biggest incision. If anyone else has had constipation problems please share and any suggestions on dealing with my hunger pains which i didnt think i would have 6 days post-op i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for listening!!! I am not having regrets just want my sleeve to work to the max and to be successful!!! Have a blessed Thursday!!!

Thanks guys, I feel a bit better, I feel like I'm just eating a lot more than i did two weeks ago, hopefully my fill will help, and i'm going to get in that protein! I just don't wanna fall back into old habits KWIM? You all are the best thanks!

gonna have to check this out. i've been looking into buying those protein bullets...the gurantee makes me feel better about trying them.

I will share my experience - you will have to make your own decision tho : ) I was into the full liquid stage the first week primarily because I didn't feel good on clears, and soft/mushy soon after. I was weak, tired and cranky. I used the Atkins shakes alot before surgery. I also use them post-op and Premier shakes (30 grams protein) that I bought at costco.

Hey Guys, Thanks mememee for adding me to the calendar. I am August 9, 2011 and live in PA. I cannot wait! I don't know what I am more excited about the pre-op diet being over or the surgery, lol. @Debbie... I have been trying to go to sleep early each night of the pre-op diet. It is awesome that u have 7 days, I am on a 14 day diet. It did get easier after day 2, so hang in there, don't give up. I cannot believe the strength that I have to stay on this diet. I just gt back from a family party, I was there from 3:00PM until 11:00PM. There was sooo much food there and it all smelled so good, but I did it! I had my Protein shake and water! I am amazed that I kept control, it was hard but it was not the end of the world. Good Luck!!

Started mushy foods this week- yogurt, cottage cheese, etc and now I've gained 1/2 pound? What the heck?! That's very discouraging. Anyone else have this problem? I'm still eating my protein shakes too and I drink all of my 74oz of water. I'm feeling really scared about the fact that I'm only in my 2nd week and I've gained.

I'm having the same problem-sort of-I eat until I'm full, but the amount is so small. I tracked it today and with three meals I have only eaten about 225 calories. I am not able to swallow anything between meals and I feel so stuffed for about 3-4 hours after so no Snacks. I'm worried about consuming so few calories and only about 25-30 grams of Protein. But I don't know how to up the count without making myself sick. Who would have thought we'd ever be worried about not eating enough. P.S. I'd rather DIE than drink a protein shake!!

Keep doing what you are doing. I am just shy of 4 weeks post op. just before I hit 3 weeks I stayed the same for like 5 days (after 3 weeks). The past couple of days I have lost 5 pounds. Stalls happen. Just stay consistent and it will start to come off again. Also, try increasing your protein.

I have BC/BA Empire. The requirements for me were 6 mos visits with my PCP w/weighing and weight loss options discussed for each visit. You have to have a bmi of 40 and over or 35 and over with a co morbidity. If you go on the website look under policy # SURG.00024. It will explain I'm detail. I've done all they required. I'm waiting for approval and so far have a tentative date of Aug 1. GOOD LUCK!!!! ????????

Met with my surgeon this morning for my 3 month post-op appointment. A few weeks ago I had all my labs drawn (all 10 vials of them!!) and everything was back and OMG I can't believe it, it was all GREAT!!! NO Supplements at all!! WOOHOO!!! Still have to keep up with my protein and also my daily vitamin but otherwise nothing else!! She also said she was very happy with my progress and everything was great! I also went and saw the NUT today and she also was very happy with my progress! She looked up on her charts and says my "goal" weight should be 152 so MY goal is staying at 150! Today at the doctors office I weighed in at 192.7 but of course I am following my scale at home! So after all the good news this morning I decided to go a "treat" myself with new clothes! hehe I found brown knee high boots FINALLY and even better was they were on sale for TEN DOLLARS!!!!!! WOOHOO!! I also grabbed another pair of tights and another pair of workout pants, that have a drawstring so they should last me longer! The crazy part was I found a super cute dress and I remember my husband saying something about me wearing more dresses so I figured I would try it on. I grabbed the XL and went to try it on. It fit okay, seemed a little big so I figured I might as well try the Large and just see how much more I have to go until I get into it. OMFG IT FIT!!!!!!!!!!! It didn't just fit, it fit WELL!!!! I was in a 2X when I started my journey just a mere 3 months ago and now I'm in a Large!! HOW FREAKING AWESOME! I also got a cute "v day" shirt that was also a large!!!

Once the two week liquid stage ended that was the last protein shake I had. Food aversions (taste or texture) are pretty common but they pass & they’re usually just for a couple of foods (eggs, chicken breast & steak can be frequent culprits). Sometimes something you eat one day without issue is repulsive the next & then a couple of days later it’s fine again. This is also a great time to try foods you previously didn’t enjoy - you may find you lime them after your surgery. It’s related to the temporary changes to our senses of smell & taste & our tummy being a fussy tantrum throwing two year old while it’s healing. It can be a weird time. It’s best if you start to introduce real foods as soon as you’re able & just supplement with shakes if you’re worried about your protein goals. (I ate high protein yoghurts & drank high protein yoghurt drinks instead.) We can’t live on protein shakes alone. Real food aids your healing, provides a broader nutritional sources & supports your digestive system to recover & get used to any changes in your system better. Also helps you to start working on & learning about portion sizes & making better food choices.

I have read that after Water, Protein is the most plentiful substance in your body. It does in fact keep you full and help you heal in the early days after surgery, but your metabolism is also regulated by protein. Protein regulates cell division and replenished damaged cells with healthy cells. Proteins are abundant to hair, skin, muscle and other organs and tissues, strengthening them and they also help turn food into fuel/energy which is how they help keep you full, so basically you cannot function without protein. I am nine months post-op and still drink a Protein shake every morning. I don't know if you have GNC in Australia, but could always order online. I drink their chocolate Wheybolic Extreme 60 with a cup of skim Fairlife milk for a total of 33 grams of protein. It's a learning/trying process, so I wish you the best of luck. I think I tried 6-7 different kinds before I found one I enjoyed.

EXACTLY the same problem here. I am on my husband's COBRA that expires Jan 1 (he retired and is on Medicare, I'm 53 so have quite a while to go). Called a health insurance specialist to find a new coverage (I.e., non-group). Frankly didn't mention Lap Band because there are days I forget I have one. I certainly wasn't trying to hide it as I didn't know it would be a problem!. Got all the way thru the interview with Humana, mentioned lapband and she immediately denied me! My agent said "oh, if I'd known that, I wouldn't have sent you to them!" so she called the "easiest" company to get approved from and they said it was an automatic-deny! It's considered a pre-existing condition. What she told me my options were was a simple plan that covers office visits as well as Tier 1 & 2 meds. Major medical on a negotiated fee depending on the procedure (for example $5,000 for appendicitis). Combine that with a gap coverage plan like AFLAC for any catastrophic things like a major accident, cancer or stroke. I'm still looking into that. The other option is get into the State of Texas high-risk pool. I haven't had a chance to look into this yet. I'm so peeved that I did this to become healthier and now I'm considered high-risk! Last option is to contact the group coverage I'm in now, tell them I have been denied, and they MAY extend their coverage, but it will be pricey. Of course...there's the option to get my current employer, with whom I am part-time, to let me in to their plan and I'll pay my own way. Not sure I want to go there with them. One thing my agent did tell me was if I hadn't mentioned it and IF no American doctor had it in their files,then I might have slipped through. Too late now plus didn't really want the risk of being found out...not to mention the dishonesty aspect. So, yeah, color me shocked and peeved. The agent said if Obama's health plan passes thru then in 2014, pre-existing conditions can't be a cause for denial. I'm not holding my breath. Anyone else out there?

Hi and welcome! The mobile version of the website displays things differently, and the BP app is also in a stage where not all features are available. So if you wanna use more features but stay on your handheld, you can by going to the bottom of the page and tap the "full version" link/button. That will change the layout of the page and you'll see that you can tap your name at the top of the page for a list of options/settings. Good luck! :-)

I buy the precooked chicken and steak strips for fajitas (they're in the meat section of my grocery store). That way, I always have an option of just pulling out a couple of ounces of them to heat up for a "meal". There are also beef tips in gravy that are precooked, you can just take out a portion and heat them. Fat free refried Beans are one of my favorites -- especially with some salsa mixed in. I also buy individually wrapped tilapia filets -- put a little pat of butter and some blackened seasoning on them and microwave for about 1-1/2 minutes. You've definitely got to get more Protein in or you are going to lose muscle mass and hair. I usually drink a Protein shake for breakfast. Muscle milk 100 is my favorite and it's perfect for in the car on the way to work. I also eat a lot of almonds... I counted out 24 in a handful, so I know exactly how to count it. Days I'm home I eat leftovers for breakfast -- just finished 2 chicken on a stick skewers from the Chinese food place last night. On another note... I've only thrown up once since surgery and this may sound funny, but it wasn't as bad as I was afraid of and it actually wasn't as bad as throwing up pre-surgery. Maybe you don't have as much stomach to heave or whatever but it was over quick. Sorry if TMI!

I agree with cutting back on the calories. If you are eating less your body has no choice but to burn the fat. Try to not eat carbs for about a week and stick to Protein you should start losing again.

The last time I tried steak it did an immediate u-turn ... I tried Trader Joe's Authentic Carne Asada, it was really tender and I had no problem with it so that is another option if you find you're not able to do the steak. I eat hamburger meat all the time and have had no problems. I currently have a pot roast cooking in the crock pot, it'll be the first time I've tried that since banding so we'll see what happens Good luck on your Lap Band journey!

okay, it's the weekend now so you can't get an unfill easily. Going on liquids for a couple of days is good advice. I forgot about that. My dr. always has us go on liquids for 24 hours then mushy for 24 hours after a fill. Scambled eggs and rice are 2 things that give most people trouble once they have restriction. If you want to try to stick it out, do the liquids (Protein shakes and soup) for 1-2 days then the mushies for a couple of days. You do sound swollen now if you're having trouble with liquids too. Call your doctor for sure Monday if liquids are giving you trouble over the weekend.

] I did that for the first couple of weeks, literally ate with my baby, focusing on the protein of course as someone said earlier, good luck!

Just keep in mind most protein shots are not the best type of protein. You need a min of 60 gms if you can get it in. I would go ahead and have some vegs and fruits, just add some ground meats or beans or other whey isolate based protein too to top up your numbers. Cheers and enjoy!

I agree with the others. I'm one week out today, off narcotic pain meds as of two days ago and JUST drove my kids to school this morning. I'm doing ok right now, but the idea of a 6 hour drive this soon out gives me the shivers. I strongly suggest looking at your other options. ~~Dee

I use the Unjury unflavored but I have only added it to cold beverages. Had a bad experience with protein curdling in hot beverages. Unjury is pretty flavorless and I can tolerate it at 30 days post op.