:biggrin: hello to all, I'm new to this site, still learning how to post messages, forgive if I make a mess. I am a 47 year old RN so I know what to expect from the other side. I am 10 days away from surgery, sooooooo excited. I have experienced the need 2 los wt for a long time, unsuccessful I might add. I'am a little apprehensive. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Products that you like would be great to know. Good luck to all of you.

~need a friend~

Welcome Sueann. Im also an RN so I know what you mean about knowing the other side. It's a great insight, but sometimes it can be a hinderance at the same time! It's completely normal to feel apprehensive before surgery, this is so life changing. Have you started a pre-op diet yet? My tip for enjoying protein shakes is using vanilla flavored whey powder and adding crystal light's "orange" flavored powder to it...tastes like a orange creamsicle!

Let me add that this is an amazing site. You will find lots of helpful information here, so use it as the great resource that it is!

Good luck!

I know I had some fears and misconceptions that have pretty much dissolved into mist for me...

For one thing, I can eat anything. I know this isn't true for everyone, and I had my time to grapple with things like "can I really REALLY live without bread?" Well, I don't have to. Not everyone has a bunch of food issues; some only have one or two things they need to avoid, some don't have trouble with anything. So as my granny would say, don't borrow trouble. My doc said his goal was for me to be able to eat anything but in smaller portions, and I kept repeating that to myself when I'd read horror stories. Something worked because 1 year out, at my "green zone", I can eat any food I want.

Things like "don't drink while you're eating" may sound horrible. "Take pencil eraser sized bites". Yowza. OK..

I don't drink when I'm eating any more because it HURTS. It's an easy habit to get into, easier than you'd think. My doc lets us drink 15 min after a meal (all are different so follow your doc's guidelines) but now that I'm in the routine and get my 64 oz of Water in each day, I'm often not even thirsty after a meal and will go an hour easily before drinking. Eraser sized bites? Too tiny to chew! I take a bite about 1/2 to 2/3 my norm. I chew it to mush (I counted a few times, being of a scientific mind LOL and for me that's generally about 40 chews if it's something like steak or chicken) That becomes 2nd nature too. Your body learns how a bite "feels" before you swallow. There's a learning curve but it's not bad.

I don't know what if any of the rules or life after is giving you pause, but odds are that it may not be as harsh, or hard, or onerous as you think.

Personally for me the BIGGIE was no carbonation, because I like beer. I don't drink very often any more, maybe 2-3 times a year. I had to really look at it and think hmmm...keep beer and be fat? If someone with power came to you and said "give up beer and I will make you slim" would you do it? Well, yes. So that became a non-issue. And then, to my happy surprise, my doc last time told me that now that I'm healed if it didn't hurt me I could have an occasional beer or soda.

Oh yay! :biggrin: Again not all are the same, do what your doc says. But things can and do work out well with the band.

Hi Sue Ann,

I was banded on Jun 8, and so I'm still in a learning experience, but everything has been going well so far. I can eat practically anything, as long as its in small pieces and I chew it well, and I have not had any major eating incidents - just some tightness and minor pain when I have eaten something to dry.

The most difficult part so far, as being on the Protein shakes for over 3 weeks. Fortunately, I discovered Isopure Zero Carb Protein drinks, and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken broth Protein Powder, which really got me through the shake monotony. The broth was really comforting after surgery, and I continue to use it regularly in cooking.

The only real pain after surgery for me was getting in/out of bed. That may have had something to do with continuing to take the pain meds for 4 days after surgery. I didn't have really bad gas pains. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I hads a single incision.

You'll find some good recipe suggestions in the nurtition section of theis site. They are broken down by stage - liquids, mushies and solids.

Wishing you lots of luck on your journey, and hope you will continue to post how you are doing.

Joan