Hello all-I was banded Aug.8,2007. I have lost 38.2 from surgery day. I was seeing one doc. & he had me taking 2 protein shakes a day & 2oz meals 3 x a day & no snacks. Now since he won't give me fills when I think I need them I am switching doc's & the new doc. said no protein. He says no protein shakes & 1 cup meals 3 x a day plus snacks.(That you should be able to get enough protein in your meals & that no shakes because they are liquid) I just had my 2nd fill this past Mon. & still feel no restriction.(therefore I've been eating full meals & hope I haven't gained) I just want to know what your docs have said about protein. Thanks!!

My doc says protein for life-but on the flip side the point of the band is to be able to eat real food, smaller portions.. so I use my protein shakes a supplement to my three meals-use them as snacks

Thanks, it just totally blows my mind how diff. docs have diff. views on the same exact surgery. Either we take the protein or we don't, ya know!!

The idea behind no Protein shakes is because many need that "satisfied cuz I have food in my pouch" feeling. If you drink a Protein shake AND a full meal, that's not great.

Folks like me that use a protein shake in place of a meal instead of in addition to a meal, that's when the concept works. I can drink a protein shake (Matrix and Water, no fruits, puddings, etc.) and I'm not hungry for hours. For me it works, for others it does not. They want actual food.

Docs differ just as much as patients do. What works for one does not work for another. We all need to find that balance that is right for us.