I'm having a huge time trying to stomach the Protein drinks. My doctor told me that the big thing this month is to NOT throw up, and I haven't, but every time I try to drink a Protein shake, I gag. I am currently on full liquids (including yogurt, pudding and cottage cheese) and I was wondering if cottage cheese could be an equivalent. My nutritionist wanted about 100-150 cals with 15-20 grams of protein with each shake. The cottage cheese is 120 cals per 1/2 cup with 13 grams of protein, and as long as I chew, chew, chew it doesn't make me sick to eat a half a cup.

What do you other bandsters think?

I just don't want to throw up and disloge my band!

I start full fluids on Wednesday and my diet includes either fat free yogurt or cottage cheese, so you should be fine... I also have strained cream soups on the list. Have you tried that instead?

I start full fluids on Wednesday and my diet includes either fat free yogurt or cottage cheese, so you should be fine... I also have strained cream soups on the list. Have you tried that instead?

I've done the cream soups - the Campbells Soup at hand is a great light cream soup. I am supposed to supplement with high Protein shakes though, so I'm going to stick to the cottage cheese for the protein. I ate about 1/2 a cup and was full, and that's 13 g of protein.

Thanks for your input!

When were you banded? How do you feel?

You don't say how long ago you were banded, but it took me two weeks before I could stomach the Protein drinks. I was drinking them before surgery so I knew I liked them ok, but they just really upset my stomach. I spoke to my surgeon at the 1 week mark and he said to give it another week and since I have been fine. I was banded on March 13th.

I really thought it was going to be hard to get in all the protein but so far so good. I had my first fill on Thursday but don't really notice any difference yet.

Anyhow, give it some time and I bet you will be able to get in the drinks. They do help with hunger so I think they would be better than cottage cheese in the long run.

Good luck!

(I'm a dork. Just noticed your banding date. You are probably going to be like me and have to wait awhile on the protein drinks)

I was banded yesterday and the only thing I feel is HUNGRY! I don't cook, so for the 7 day pre-op I just had 24oz. of yogourt and nothing else each day. I lost over 20lbs. before the surgery and yesterday I ate nothing, and only one ounce of water every hour after the surgery. Today I've moved up to chicken broth and Endura, but I'm SOOOO hungry. I don't know if I'm really supposed to be hungry this early in the game... were you?

The shakes are a bit drab, I liked the Myoplex the best though. For protein have you tried making a pudding out of protein powder, 1 small box of fat free sugar free pudding powder, and skim milk? I put like 3 scoops of the protein powder in it. I top it with a dab of fat free sugar free cool whip and it is great plus gives me the protein grams I need for the day. I also put in some fibersure powder as I have constipation frequently. Just a suggestion. I also lived on healthy request tomato soup in the early days because like you I was terrified of throwing up and dislodging the band.

I don't remember being that hungry but then I kept something readily available all day such as water and protein shakes. I had real thin cream of wheat for breakfast, thinned tomato soup for lunch and protein pudding at supper and drank about 100 ounces of water a day and had the shakes a little throughout the day. You will really really be surprised when you start trying to eat. I would have never believed that such a small portion of food would ever fill me up but it does. I remember getting a cup of mashed potatoes and mashing up a few carrots into it one day at work in the cafeteria and I couldn't eat the whole cup. Amazing.

I was banded yesterday and the only thing I feel is HUNGRY! I don't cook, so for the 7 day pre-op I just had 24oz. of yogourt and nothing else each day. I lost over 20lbs. before the surgery and yesterday I ate nothing, and only one ounce of Water every hour after the surgery. Today I've moved up to chicken broth and Endura, but I'm SOOOO hungry. I don't know if I'm really supposed to be hungry this early in the game... were you?

I haven't been that hungry - I've been sipping on soup or broth about once an hour just to stay hydrated. I have been using the Protein water by Kelloggs for a little more boost of protein other than my soups, etc.

In the past I've done the shakes and couldn't stomach them then, either. I've order a protein elixer from my MD's office that isn't in yet, so after that gets here it won't be an issue to get my protein in. I'm just concerned about between now and then! The cottage cheese makes me very full, not so much that I'm not comfortable, but full just the same.

I am LOVING my band.

Although...I had only told me sister and stepmom - I wanted to wait on telling the rest of my family beause I wasn't ready - and my stepmom went and announced it to our church for the prayer chain. I am SO upset and embarrassed - not that I wouldn't have ever said, but I wasn't ready for the whole world to know. Now what? What if I go home in the fall and haven't lost as much as they expect? THey'll say, "Waste of money." (They think that diet and exercise is the cure for everyone.) Or they'll study what I eat and say, "Do you tihink you need to eat that?"

I'm SO ANGRY.

It wasn't any of my stepmom's businss to announce that at church. She promised she wouldn't speak about it again until I was ready. What should I do?

Well, at this point, the wrod is on the street (or in the church, in your case). It can't be taken back and it is what it is. Your concerns are all valid. I didn't even tell my mom I was getting it done until last night when I got home because I just didn't want her worrying about me. the only people who knew were my sister and my fiance. It was just easier that way. HOWEVER, I have found in the past that the more people that know I'm dieting, the more accountable I become.

Think of the positives of the situation now, since you can't change what happened. You know have an entire cheering squad in this church group. You're accountable to yourself and if it's important to you to become thinner before seeing them again, this should prove to be a great motivator.

Just remember to sew your stepmother's mouth shut the next time you see her!!! Good luck and don't worry too much about it...

Your band is so new that I don't think I would worry about getting the Protein shakes in if you can't stomach them. The main thing is to stay hydrated and not throw up at this point. If you need the protein there is a drink made by Isopure that is clear and loaded with protein but I personally don't like the taste.

Your stepmom probably didn't think that you would be so upset, but was most likely only looking to ask people to pray for you because prayer is a powerful thing. I'm sure by the time fall rolls around they will notice a difference in your appearance and will only have good things to say.

Have you tried mixing the powdered unflavored protein into something you can stomach like crystal light or Gatorade? That would help you get your protein without the risk of throwing up the protein shake.