i hope to be getting banded in july just waiting to have my pys consult thats on the 3rd im trying to get everything together so i will be prepared i work full time and trying to decide hw much time i should take off im on my feet most of the day i do nursing and i work 12 hour shifts also how do you make time to make sure your getting the right amount of proteins? its hard for me to take breaks so sitting down and taking a break is usually out of the questions any suggestionss thanks

you want good food to be the majority of your Protein, but Kelloggs makes "K2O" a protien Water drink. it has 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of Fiber per mix-packet. you mix it in 20 oz water (i use bottled water, so this works nice at work). that way you get protein and water.

i also keep a package of beef Jerky (i like the teriyaki best) for quick snacks--lots of protein, not much volume...satisfies my need to CHEW, too.

best of luck on your journey.

beautifult, I also work 12 hour shifts and it is very hard for me to get in a decent sit down meal, however, I take my optifast protein drinks to work and I will have one every four hours or so. I have to eat on the run (this is partly how I gained my wieght by eating quick fast foods). I have explained to my supervisor that I will need to take at least 20 minutes to have a sit down meal because of the band and he told me to take the time and take care of myself. I just started my regular meals and it is going well. I take the time to chew, chew, chew and I am so far losing weight and I am using the gym at work because of the 12 hours and the convience of it being right there on site. As for you not having the time to take a break, I do understand, however talk to your supervisor about your needs. You are a caregiver of others, so why not take at least 20 minutes to take care of yourself also? If all esle fails, the protein drinks are already premixed and I put mine in a cup that I can carry around with me and sip on. Hope this helps a little.

I am also a nurse. My doctor's office required me to take a month off due to the lifting restrictions. I go back in 8 days. I've been off so long now, I'm looking forward to it.

I'm going to have the same trouble when I go back to work, but I am off six weeks due to lifting restrictions also. The water is also going to be a problem--I work in a hospital lab and we can't have any drinks in the work area. I guess I'll be taking lots of quick breaks to guzzle down water!

Hi all,

I also work 12 hour night shifts. My surgery is scheduled for June 30th and I will be taking off of work for 2 weeks. I am also a nurse, but work on a pediatric unit, so the parents help out a great deal with lifting if necessary.

I plan on buying a canister of Protein powder, such as EAS or designer whey and keeping my magic bullet in my locker to make shakes at work. I also use the Designer Whey protein packets with a bottle of Water when I am working. They have 10grams of protein. I was put on Optifast by my doc, but I just can't drink those at work. They make me so sick to my stomach, but I have too many left to go through and they weren't cheap.

With the protein powders you can mix in fruit or artificial flavorings to make dozens of diffent shakes. I have found many yummy recipes for Protein Shakes on the Body for Life website.

Good luck to all.