Valerie617

I can get the protein shake down - it's because that's what my doctor told me I could have the first two weeks. After reading all the forums, I realize that I HAVE to have more protein and hopefully prevent too much hair loss. I know there will be some. My doctor's appointment is tomorrow so if the diet for the next phase doesn't seem to have enough protein, I will ask him what I can add to get more. I am a little lightheaded when I'm standing and I'm wondering if that's from not eating much.

I'm not sure why. My doctor's directions were 2 oz for breakfast, 2 for lunch, and 2 for dinner. When I read what everyone else is doing on the forum, it seems really different. Also different - I did not have to do a pre op diet. My surgery went smoothly, and so far everything is going well with recovery. My surgery was August 22. I really like my surgeon. One thing that helped me make my final decision to have surgery was that when I had an appointment with a different doctor (for something else), she walked into the examining room and I didn't even recognize her - she had lost so much weight and looked great. My doctor did her surgery and she told me he's an amazing surgeon and it was the best decision she ever made to have the surgery.

I am a gastric sleeve patient. My profile shows lap-band - I'll have to change that.

I am only 2 weeks post op and trying to think of ways to get more protein. I'm still on liquids. I am using the bariatric pal chicken broth which has 15 grams, and just ordered Protein2o water which also has 15 grams. I'm using Premier Portein drink which has 30 grams, but only allowed 6 ounces per day, so I get a little over 15 grams for that. That's only a total of 45 grams. Does anyone has a suggestion for other ways I can get more protein? Thank you.

pinktweety - my doctor did my fill today the way you described yours. In the Radiology Dept. Same thing - inserted the needle and tilted the table. I then drank the barium Fluid while the needle was still in. This way takes a little longer, but I like it better because I want my doctor looking at the screen and actually SEE how restricted I am. On my previous visit I had an unfill and now I'm starting out again with 4cc in a 10cc band.

Well, it took me a while, but I went for an unfill today. Over the past month, it was becoming more and more difficult to keep food down. I tried to work with the tightness of my band because I thought temporarily, it might jumpstart my weightloss (stupid, I know). So I thought, I'll just drink Protein shakes, soups, soft food for a couple of weeks - things just got worse and I could only sip a little bit of a shake and then wait 15 minutes or more before I could take another sip. Today my doctor removed 1/2 of my fill. So far today I've been able to drink a whole Protein Shake and Soup. He told me to stay on liquids two days, then mushies for two days. I go back in 6 weeks for a floro so he can take a look at how my stomach is doing. I hope I'm OK and that my band hasn't slipped. I appreciate everyone's input on this forum. At least I'll be well-informed. Thanks everyone.

I told only my husband, kids and sister. I'm losing slower than I thought I would, so I'm really glad I didn't tell anyone else. When asked how I lost the weight, I tell my friends that I'm eating a lot smaller portions, eating more protein than carbs, and exercising a LOT - all true. When I lose more weight, I might tell my friends, but right now I'm more comfortable not having people watch what I eat!

Suzanne - I remember that I was hungry and could eat a lot before my first fill. If you're worried about stretching your pouch, try eating less at eat sitting, but eat more often and make healthy choices. Good luck with your fill.

Is the ambulatory care center "attached" to the hospital? My concern would be in an emergency, how quickly you could get to the hospital - but I'm a very nervous person. LapBand surgery has become more common now, but I'd worry about if there was some unexpected kind of complication.

I think you might be right Karen. I'm going to try to drink more water. I'll let you know how I do - thank you.

Lori - Thanks for the suggestion. I do normally drink a lot of water, but now that I think of it, since my band has been tight, I've been drinking less.

I don't know if this is a coincidence, but everytime I use my ab lounger for a few days, my band seems to get too tight. My doctor says that sit ups would not cause this to happen. Anyway, I went from being able to eat a lot to hardly being able to eat anything. I have to be so careful of the amount and what I eat, or I vomit. Right now I feel like I'm not eating enough. I'm waiting it out this week because I'm hesitating to have an unfill, since it's been such a long time since I've had a good restriction - I'm hoping that my band will loosen just a little (never thought I'd say that). The last time this happened to me, and I had an unfill, I didn't have enough restriction. Has anyone had the experience of their band getting tight on its own and then loosening up?

beachbum - OMG, I'm so sorry for what happened to you. I would be so hesitant to go with the same surgeon. I know it might be tempting for you, only in the respect that you'd be able to get the surgery done soon, and you'd probably have to wait longer to have it done by another surgeon. In the long run, even if you have to wait longer, you want to have a safe surgery, and I agree with the poster who said to have it done at a "bariatric center of excellence". Hospitals who have this designation have to meet certain criteria. Best of luck to you whatever you decide to do.