Hey! My surgery is in 2 days and I am so excited! I have a few questions for those of you who have already been banded..I was just wondering how much you all lost the first few months of your surgery? How many calories should I try to eat a day during my stages? How many calories should I eat after I begin having my fills? Are there any tricks to Protein shakes to make them taste better?

Sorry for so many questions, but thanks for your help!!!

Hi Roxy. Welcome and good luck with your upcoming surgery. First and foremost, you must listen to, and follow, your doctors instructions. I was put on a 3 week pre-op diet (protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a small portion of fish, chicken, or turkey and vegetables for dinner). My 3 week diet turned into 4 weeks because my procedure was postponed due to Hurricane Ike - I flew to Houston for my surgery. I lost 16 pounds on the pre-op diet. My surgery was on September 19th, and I have lost 34 pounds since my surgery. I used the Atkins shakes for the pre-op diet and still have one for breakfast every morning. I like the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. While I was healing after the surgery, all I did was focus on that - healing. I had 1 week of clear liquids, 1 week of liquids (soups, etc.), 1 week of soft foods/mushies, and then went on to solid foods. I did not worry too much about calories or grams of protein during that time. Now I have at least 60 g. of protein a day and try to keep my calories at, or under, 1000 a day, always eating protein first. I have had 2 fills and go back to Houston this Thursday for my third one. I still don't have lots of restriction, so I just try to eat what I am supposed to. Now.... about exercise.... ummm.... well..... take my advice (I'm not using it). Exercising every day will help get the weight off. I have much more energy now and I know I am more active than I used to be - I just need to get my bu** in gear and be better about a regular exercise routine. Anyway... not sure if any of this will be helpful - hope so. Again... good luck. Take care of yourself and let me know if I can help you in any way. Happy Holidays!!! Becky

Hello, and good luck with your upcoming surgery! I am 1 1/2 weeks post op. I had to do a 7 day preop diet, mostly liquid with some Protein sources. I actually really hated the preop diet, but just thought about it like this....less I have lose after surgery :tongue2:. Since preop diet I have lost 20lbs :thumbup:. Super happy with those results! I have not worried too much about what I have been eating because I am still in the healing process. My doctor just put me on a two day post op all clear liquids diet, and then pretty much creamy and mushies diet after that. I can eat a lot more than I thought I could, but it is still not even a fourth of what I would eat before!

Good luck....best decision I have ever made!!!

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I actually was not required to do a pre op diet, except for the day before surgery full liquids so I have gained a little back that I lost during my 6mos weight loss diet!

I am SO excited....its one mere day away...AHHHHH! :tongue2:

I have lost 21 pounds post op.

The only Protein drinks I can tolerate are the Isopure and the New whey Bullets. These are fruity and kind of remind me of kool aid without the sugar.

I really did not start tracking calories until I started the regular food stage. At that point, I was eating anywhere from 1,000 to 1,200 calories a day. I use Sparkpeople.com to track my intake. I try very hard not to eat beyond 1,200 calories a day. It is easier for me to eat less, because of the fills.

Besides tracking calories, I track my protein intake to make sure I am getting enough daily from regular food. If I am running low, then I will drink one Isopure or Bullet.

Good luck to you!