Hello everyone : )

I was banded on 6/29. I have had no problems, no nausea, not much pain but a lot of gas. I am already so tired of the Protein shakes. I have switched them a few times because I was bored after having the same kind for 3 days. They are no longer filling. I know and understand that I am in the healing phase and need to stick to Dr.'s instructions. I just don't see how I can go another week on liquids only. I have had broth and that was a nice change, but I am tiring of that as well. Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything at this point would be good. Thanks!!:alien

My best advice is to never stop drinking. As soon as you finish one thing start another. It's the only way I can keep ahead of the hunger. So for me it's like a Protein shake first, then I get some juice going, then when that's done some broth, then maybe an Ensure (lots of flavors there), then a different kind of juice, then some tea, then some Soup, then a popsicle. It's tiring but it works. Just keep going back to back to back.

Just my .02

Good advise, Karen. That's exactly what I did. I would have my Atkins Protein shake as 'breakfast', popsicles, Water, juice, milk, lighter things as fill in, then broth or something warm for 'lunch', fillers in between, then another shake or cream Soups for 'dinner... Jello, popsicles, broths, chai tea with milk are your friends..

My favorite chai tea is the Oregon brand premade liquid.. heat that up with some carb countdown and you have protein and great, soothing awesome taste too!

Stop thinking that you'll have to do this for a whole week. You just have to get through today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Immerse yourself in a good book that you can't put down, or get out of the house. Plan something that will distract you for several hours today. You can do this just for today.

I know that I can do this, it is just hard work. It always seemed easy, before I got my band. You know...Whats 2 weeks?! Now I realize that I am a food addict and a binge eater, so without food, it is a lot harder than I tought. I am a survivor!!!!

Thanks everyone!

Baby Phat -

Did your Dr. say two weeks of Clear Liquids?? Or can you move to full liquids?? I was banded the day after you and I too was STARVING!!!!! I called the Dr.s office yesterday and they said that I was good to move to full liquids.

For me this meant cream of mushroom soup blended and then put through a strainer - my husband said I acted like a different person afterwards.

I am not telling you what is ok for week two - but you might check with your doc to see if you can at least start adding some full liquids.

I went to the market and discovered a whole world of liquids - I got a number of homeade soups that I have strained - brocoli and cheese, cream of mushroom, tomato bisc. I also bought a little strainer with a wooden tool that I can work these through. Amazing how much more fulling these things can be.

Also there is another thread that a number of us banded around the same time have been sharing ideas on called - I am banded under the general section. Bondgirl shared some great ideas for shakes and myomy gave us a link to these sugarfree syrups that you use to make coffee drinks - we tried them this morning in the EAS cappachino Protein shakes - I don't miss startbucks anymore!!

Odwalla also maked this honey vanilla soy Protein Drink that has been yummy - HMMMMMM

I will post some more ideas - but ask your Dr. - I was really confused on their "liquid stages" and didn't think I could start adding a few things - I have also added sugar free pudding eaten really slowly and sugar free popscicles and sugar free fudgecicles.

I can also add the yogurt smoothie drinks.

Hope this helps, please let me know what your Dr. says!!!!!

Congrats on one full week under your band!!

I am 100% in tune with you on the "food addict" thing. But your addiction isn't even an option right now because you could hurt your band if you eat. Like Nike says, JUST DO IT. It's tough as hell, but just keep posting here - all day long if you have to. I'm gritting my teeth for you.

cream of mushroom soup blended and then put through a strainer - my husband said I acted like a different person afterwards.

Oh amen to THAT! A blended can of cream of potato (xtra milk added) and I felt like I could live again in this crazy ol' world!!

myomy gave us a link to these sugarfree syrups that you use to make coffee drinks - we tried them this morning in the EAS cappachino Protein shakes - I don't miss startbucks anymore!!

Ahem....that was ME!!! I LOVE those Davinci syrups.

You know what else is good? Have you ever had a Chai Frappucino at Starbucks? Well, if you take the Oregon Chai tea mix that leatha_g mentioned....and you put in half cup no fat milk, half cup tea mixture, scoop of vanilla protein mix and a bunch of ice cubes you got something VERY close. It is SO yummy. Have done that the past two mornings for Breakfast.

giveyouthemoon -

sorry that I gave the credit for those syrups to myomy - btw - we had a few of them - vanilla and almond that I had forgotten about - my husband and I both tried them - we also discovered that these are the same ones Borders uses in their coffee - Thanks again for the heads up on these. They have tons of recipes on their website for shakes that can easily be adapted to protein drinks!!!!!!!

I added some instant mashed potatoes to my chicken broth and thickened it just a wee bit and it helped sooooooo.. much!

I was banded 6.21.05, so just a week before you - I was also sick and tired of the clear liquids - but those potatoes helped a bunch!

Good luck to you!

Hang in there!

My dietition suggested including a variety of 'textures' in the liquid phase. She said that the mouth (and brain) are bored by the same textures and tastes when used over and over. I am still trying to work out exactly what she meant but If you can try some alternative textures through fruit juices and shakes and even Soups - perhaps that will help.

Experimentation helps, is all I can say (10 days of liquid to go!).

Kristen

I added a tablespoon of Peanut Butter to my Protein shake in the blender... this was the only thing that seemed to take the hunger pains away... at least for a couple of hours.

Others have given you some great advice. Just hang in there and take it one day at a time... or one hour at a time if necessary.

Take Care,

I added a tablespoon of Peanut Butter to my Protein shake in the blender... this was the only thing that seemed to take the hunger pains away... at least for a couple of hours.

The ol' Pnut butter in a chocolate Protein Shake has been a SALVATION for me! Good call!

One more week of liquids! Yeeeesh. Gotta stay strong! This week was rough duty but one week, pfffft, I know I can make it.

I added sugar-free pudding to my CIB to add a little substance.

I hope your hunger is subsiding!!

Patty