Well I had my surgery done on Friday. I spent 8 hours on a plane yesterday drinking plenty of water and apple juice to stay hydrated. Today I have had water, juice, skim milk and some broth. I am not getting any good calories or protein at this rate. I cannot stand the thought of another protein shake. It make me sick even thinking about them. I have had nothing but some water and juice for 6 days now and I am down over 20lbs in the past 2 weeks.

What can I do. Should I take a liquid vitamin? How do I get some protein in me???

Hello... sorry you are feeling like that.... I hope it gets better for you!

I LOVE my protein shakes.... what kind are you taking? Some are reallly terrible! And the thicker they are, the worse it is for me!!!! But that's just me.

I love the OPTIFAST shakes.. chocolate.... wow!! tastes like a melted frosty!!! LOVE IT! Also, a few spoons of peanut butter could help!! ?? Just lick slowly!

Good luck!

(I was banded on 5/11) I have my first post op appointment tomorrow... super excited to find out about how much weight I've lost!

HUGS!

First, congrats on your weight loss and sticking with it. I was banded on 5/20, and I understand how you are feeling. Here is what I am doing, I am trying to get a variety in each meal...so rather than have just a shake, I have been having a few things per meail. For instance, here is my dinner - 1/2 cup Protein shake, with a 1/2 banana blended in, a few sips of broth, adn a sugar free Jello.

I too feel bloated, but I just remind myself that I want to focus on healing. As for Vitamins, I just went yesterday to Costoc and got a brand new jar of Gummy Vitamins. It is great, it is l ike I have a little treat in the day, and am getting my multi-vit at the same time.

Another treat is that I mad a pitcher of Arnold Palmer - 1/2 pitcher of crystal light lemonade, and 1/2 pitcher of fresh brewed tea. Serve it with lots of ice and a straw and it tastes so decadent.

Good luck, and keep in touch.

LL

Well I tired a bit of pudding tonight...it is not on my diet menu but I thought it might be okay if I can hold it down.

did buy some high protein boost shakes tonight, and I will see how those go. The thought of the taste of Whey makes me sick. I live in a small town and can not really get anything else for a shake besides what I have.

Welcome to Banderland!

Just a friendly word of advice...you need to resist the temptation of advancing your diet too early. I was on liquids for 10 days post surgery, then 2 weeks on purees-to-softs. If you're going totally crazy, then call your surgeon and ask about what you can safely add in. Doing this too fast is putting yourself at risk for trouble.

As to Protein supplements, try going out on the Bariatric Eating or Bariatric Advantage websites...there are lots of options available for you to get your protein in while you are healing...and not all of them are milky shakes. The brand called Believe is good, and there are others.

And, just a small comment regarding an earlier posting...it is recommended by most surgeons that you don't drink liquids with a straw after weight loss surgery- it introduces too much air into your pouch. That said, lemonade iced tea is terrific!

Take heart! This is just a temporary period in your journey, and if you were strong enough to get this far, you can weather this as well. Soon, you'll be back to more normal foods.

Take care!

Christine

Well I tired a bit of pudding tonight...it is not on my diet menu but I thought it might be okay if I can hold it down.

did buy some high Protein boost shakes tonight, and I will see how those go. The thought of the taste of Whey makes me sick. I live in a small town and can not really get anything else for a shake besides what I have.

There are a ton of options online for Proteins. Check out Amazon for just a few and read through the reviews for somewhat of an idea of how they are.

I would think that if you can have protein shakes you could have thinned out puddings, tomato or pea soups, or other milk based things.

The best Protein,hands-down, are from the Inspire line from Bariatric Eating. Online orders are backed up right now, but they are worth the wait.

Your body has more than enough calories stored--you don't need to worry about that.

Of primary concern is hydration, and it seems as though you have that covered well. Of secondary concern are nutrients---and you will build up to getting those in.

For now, it really is important to find a protein source you can tolerate, and which is within your surgeon's guidelines.

As for Vitamin, I'd suggest a good-quality bariatric vitamin--there are Vitamins made specifically to meet the needs of those who are banded. Some are chewable, and others are capsules. I can't tolerate pressed tablets/pills, but have no trouble with capsules, because they dissolve before moving through the stoma.

My choice for the protein shakes.... 1 chocolate muscle milk lite, add 1 stick of instant coffee granules, like Tasters Coice, and 1 pack of Truvia (the BEST sweetner in the WORLD) blend in a Bullet-type blender with ice!!! Great Frappe!

Well I bought some Boost high protein last night and had my first one for breakfast this morning. They are not that great either, but at least did not make me sick. I am chewing sugar free gum like mad and drank one large gatorade this morning and now onto straight water.

By the weekend I will be able to eat some mushy foods like cream soups, lentils etc... so I can make it through until then I hope :-)

Just checked and Bariatric Eating will not deliver to my address....ARGH!!!

There is a Protein powder called Isopure that is tasteless and mixes with anything.. like benefiber does...

For shakes, i reccomend Myoplex.. you can get them at wal mart or sams club and they taste like chocolate milk. They have 300 calories and 42 grams of protein. In the beginning I would sip my way through 1-2 of those a day to get the protein.

It is so important to get the protein in, not so much for the calories, but protein is vital to healing!

Good Luck!

Hugs,

Heather