My name is Helen and I just found this forum through Google. I was banded on Valentine's Day in Dallas. I figure I'll never forget my band date

I started this journey at 234, and from pre-op diet to today, I have lost 9 lbs. I'm already sick of the Protein shakes and was looking for something different, which led me here.

Looking forward to learning even more about this process I've undertaken :girl_hug:

Congrats and welcome.. there is a pretty lively FEB 2007 thread going over in the General Discussion board.... lot of people getting banded daily talking about it.

Welcome Helen, I was banded in January 18, '07. I'm loving every minute of it.

Yes, the Protein shakes do suck! I'm so glad to finally be moving off of them. I've finally started my real foods! I'm trying to choose food that has good protein in it, yogurt, Beans, lean meats, eggs. Thats the key with getting your protein in.

Congrats on being banding and 9 lbs lost forever - what a special day 2/14 will always be for you.

Hi! Try buying Odwalla drinks! They are full of vitamins and minerals and have some protien.

I found some Protein shakes at Akins (health food store) in all different flavors. My favorite is the Peanut Butter chocolate swirl!! I mixed 1 cup of skim milk and some ice cubes plus a small dab of real peanut butter and blended up into something real special!! I thought I was in heaven when I took a drink. I also like the Campbell Soups At Hand (sip cup style) in Velvety potato and Cream of Broccoli. They were both really good and I got pretty full off them. I also blended up some low fat Ravioli (1/2 can) and heated it up and ate it. It wasn't that bad.

You just have to be creative with stuff. Add some real fruit to your Protein Shakes. I like to make them from the powder so that I can add stuff instead of buying the premixed kind.

I am on day 8 of post op diet and I am feeling pretty good about it. The mental hunger kicks in when I cook dinner or smell food but I just have to be strong.

Good luck!