It's great that you are looking ahead and thinking about what you can eat after your surgery! Don't get too stressed about the protein shakes etc. They are short term in the overall scheme of life as a bandster. I would suggest you go back to your nutritionist or doctor and ask for specific dietary instructions. Tell them you need their guidance and support in making the right decisions to be successful with your band. I ham 13 months post-op and just bought a book from my surgeon's office last week. It's called Knife, Fork and Band, and includes diets for the pre and post-op phases plus plenty of great information that is serving as a reminder to me of what I have been through and where I can go from here.

I am choosing one or two recipes a week to add variety to my food choices and keep them fresh and interesting.

It is an Australian book so I don't know where else you can buy it, but I am sure there are plenty of other band recipe books around to choose from.

Do you have support from a dietition? If not I can ask mine if you have any questions I can't help with. I am not that far ahead of you as per getting banded mine was March 2nd. I too was wondering what to eat and such. My dietition told me to slowly introduce new foods, eating protein first then veggies or fruits and then carbs last, I have been staying away from carbs as much as possible as they turn to sugar. She said to weigh out 3ounces of protein in a 1 cup glass measuring cup fill the rest with veggies packed full. So as per breakfast I have 1/2 a cup of oatmeal and say a half a banana and 20 mins later a cup of milk. Another time I will have a half cup of yogart and some grapes. She also said she doesn't want me to drink my protein but to eat it. Eggs are good protein I will hard boil some the night before to have on hand, I will have 2 for breakfast and a toasted flat bread, and some orange slices. Salmon is one of the highest in protein. I have small salmon wraps a lot, even egg salad. I can eat almost anything as long as I chew chew chew.. What ever you eat pick the best for example if you are wanting crackers pick the less fat out of the bunch and have less of them as before.. Hope this helps you a little bit. Take care. I hope you don't mind I add you as a friend. Always remember that your not alone. We can do this..

I too was unsure what to eat, but let me tell you one important thing,FIBER. I have learned that I need Fiber in my diet, so not only do I have to count calories and Protien, but also Fiber.

I have started eating Fiber One for Breakfast, and I have included some nuts once a day. This is all new to all banders when they start out. Be patient because it is also a learning experenc. After years of eating the way you wanted, you have to learn a new way of eating and that does not come easy. Practice makes perfect is the saying.

I have found that if I buy the vanilla Protien shake from Wal Mart, that I can all any kind of fruit I like with milk and laso any kind of flavoring I want. If I use frozen fruit and blend it up, it taste just like Ice cream.

You hang in there do what they tell you to do and soon it will be easier. Good Lunck!

Do not fret!!! I had my surgery August 1, 2008, and lost 110 pounds and HATE those shakes too!!!

Will you eat eggs? Try frying an egg in pam, or having a hard boiled one. Also, Who says you need to have breakfast food in the morning only (or at all? Have a piece of fish, or chicken or a piece of cheese and a slice of turley!!) I have also just ordered a couple of cookbooks from amazon.com that are specific to banders. I can't wait!

There are plenty of other ways to add protein. We love tofu, mushrooms, greek yogurt and eggs in our house. You can also purchase flavorless protein powder to add to foods like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, spaghetti sauce, yogurt, etc.

I also asked my doctor during a fill if I could talk to his nutrionists on staff for a few minutes when I was having difficulty understanding portion sizes.

Don't stress too much. Try different things. You'll find out what works for you.