I just purchased some protein powder to make shakes with (powder mixed with water), but I've heard that we shouldn't use these while banded. Anybody heard anything similar? Or to the contrary from their doctor?

They are all different. So you'll get a bunch of answers here.

Some will say they are fine, some will act like they are horrible and not as good as "real" food and everything in between.

I use them. I have a Protein shake every day for Breakfast and I have special protein hot chocolate at night. My surgeon is more than fine with this.

Many doctors will say that because they're liquid, they wont fill you and are therefore a poor choice. When you're banded, you realise that this isnt always true, many *liquid* foods like Soup fill me remarkably and are actually quite difficult to eat, more so than many solid foods are.

Personally, I think no food should become a staple. Protein shakes are a high dose of protein and thus useful, particularly for people with small appetites. My opinion (and its just my opinion) is that I'm suspcious about any processed, packaged food and I wouldnt have them every day, especially soy based ones. I'd prefer to eat the food, but we cant always do that.

If you like them, they're not going to do any damage to your band, that's for sure. But they might not do you as a meal.

I find if I do have one, I eat a banana with it, and that is a really filling breakfast for me.

I have one protein shake a day and it's right after I work out because I eat dinner 4 oz total of protein & Veggie then go to the gym for an hour which puts me home around 7 -7:30 by 8:30 I can eat a another meal !!! or if I'm craving something chocolate i will have a thick 4oz protein drink only 60 calories.

A protein drink is great after exercise. Every Dr. is different. Mine never said don't drink them, so I do.

I have one protein shake a day and it's right after I work out because I eat dinner 4 oz total of protein & Veggie then go to the gym for an hour which puts me home around 7 -7:30 by 8:30 I can eat a another meal !!!:thumbup: or if I'm craving something chocolate i will have a thick 4oz protein drink only 60 calories.

Yum. Thick chocolate! Care to share the brand name??

Many doctors will say that because they're liquid, they wont fill you and are therefore a poor choice. When you're banded, you realise that this isnt always true, many *liquid* foods like soup fill me remarkably and are actually quite difficult to eat, more so than many solid foods are.

Personally, I think no food should become a staple. Protein shakes are a high dose of protein and thus useful, particularly for people with small appetites. My opinion (and its just my opinion) is that I'm suspcious about any processed, packaged food and I wouldnt have them every day, especially soy based ones. I'd prefer to eat the food, but we cant always do that.

If you like them, they're not going to do any damage to your band, that's for sure. But they might not do you as a meal.

I find if I do have one, I eat a banana with it, and that is a really filling breakfast for me.

Thanks for the info! I'm wondering if you would be willing to expand on the soy-based comment? I've recently switched to soy milk and it tastes much better. But more importantly, I thought I was making a healthier choice. Is there something I should know about soy??

They are all different. So you'll get a bunch of answers here.

Some will say they are fine, some will act like they are horrible and not as good as "real" food and everything in between.

I use them. I have a Protein shake every day for breakfast and I have special protein hot chocolate at night. My surgeon is more than fine with this.

Can you tell me more about your protein hot chocolate? I love chocolate but I've given it up. If there's a way I can bring it back into my new lifestyle I'd love to do so!

Well, soy contains phytoestrogens, which for females can be a good thing - but not so much for males. Its not something I would panic about, its more speculation than provent fact, but I would just take the view of everything in moderation and not too much of any one food.

Also a lot of soy is genetically modified - many people, myself included, care about that. I do buy organic where possible and dont eat GM foods. Nor will I buy things like cage eggs or endangered fish. That's just me though.