Margo

Girlfriend, I hear you loud and clear about those nasty, disgusting Protein drinks!!! I am on my pre-op diet and have spent the last few days drinking the Protein drinks and gagging/puking while I research a better way to approach this pre-op diet. I am very happy to say that I feel confident with "my" pre-op diet and it might help you in post-op as I hope it helps me.... I am using GNC, Soy Protein, unflavored, unsweetened powder. It comes in a jug like plastic container. It holds 30 scoops = 13 gm protein/scoop and costs $12.99. It is pure protein. (I am required to have carbs on my pre-op diet, so I get them from the soup!) I am putting it in broth, pureed Soup and SF Jello. There truly is no flavor, no grit, no SMELL....it does turn broth/broth soup a tad creamy. P.S. Down 11.4 pounds since Wednesday.....YEAH, YEAH, YEAH....I already feel like a healthier person!!!

First of all, I need to clear up a mistake on my part....I used DD when talking about my husband, so I should have use DH.....I need to clarifiy this since my DD has been a God sent to me. She just turned 9 years old and you would think she's 30.....today she made lunch for me and proudly presented it on a tray for me. My DH has not said anything about what I'm eating since the first time...I think he got the idea that I did not appreciate that. And yes, I am choosing an alternative diet for the pre-op liquid protien diet....I am keeping all my carbs, Proteins and calories in check...eating liquids: Soups with Protein powder, SF Jello, pureed tuna, SF popscicles, Water.... I am using Fitday.com to track everything....wow, that program is great!!! I am going to blow off the nurse and her nasty comments, smile that my husband is starting to "get it" and thank the Lord for my sweet little daughter and say thank you, thank you and thank again to everyone on this board. P.S. Since Wednesday (Aug 3)...only 4 days....I have lost 10.2 pounds!!!

Thank you everyone...I really don't know what I would do without this board right now. It is such a wonderful joy to know that people are supporting you. I do have to get over the fact that I can let me define me (like that b*^&*% nurse calling me a failure....by the way, I have KICK HER TO THE CURB!!) I have decided, for sure, that this 2 week pre-op diet will be structured a tad different for me. I simply can't drink the Protein drink all day.....one in the morning should not be too bad, but then I am doing soups and fish with Protein powder. I will keep the calories to 1,000, the carbs low, and protein to at least 60 grams. I am concerned about the amount of sodium (due to the soups), but I can't drive myself nuts about sodium. By the way, I found a wonderful soy protein powder which is unflavored, unsweetened. I put it in my Soup and could not taste or SMELL it. It is from GNC. Simply call, Soy Protein! Again, thanks everyone....my goal tomorrow is to get through a day without crying......

I have started on my liquid protien diet....O.K., the first one was good, the second drink was O.K., the third I though was gross and the fourth one....forget it! I was suppose to drink 2 more, but I simply could not. I am not really hungry...Oh, yeah, I could eat if I had to...hahahaha, but I literally can't "stomach" those Protein Drinks today. I tried the unflavored unjury in lemonade....nope, yuck........... Any suggestions? Please help....I have to be on this liquid diet for TWO WEEKS!!!!

O.K., now I am brainstorming here.....what if I were to drink as much protein as possible and eat the rest of my protein via protein chips, protein petrzels, or bars?

You want a low carb, high Protein diet to decrease the size of the liver. It is interesting that you say that because that's what I thought too....and I understand that shrinking the liver is the key goal pre-op....but, my surgeon's office wants me to use a protein drink with EQUAL carbs and protien. I told her I found one that I was told was good but not equal in carbs and protein....the dietain told me to add 19 oz. of regular fruit juice! Bottom line....for 2 weeks instead of wanting to puke after every sip of this stuff why can't I just eat a low carb, high protein diet.....won't this strink my liver and basisly do what the protein drinks do?

I know I can add all the extras like peanut butter, fruit, etc. AFTER surgery, but I was told to "just get through it" with the straight protein drinks.....I don't see why I can't add peanut butter, etc. now BEFORE surgery? Any ideas about this?

Now I am crying...and I am angry....I called my surgeon's office. I got the office manager on the line (only because she answered the phone, I am sure)....anyway, I explained my situation. She said, "well, too bad, you gotta just get though it, besides how are you going to handle things after surgery? You know you need the protein drinks to survive that first several months". I was shocked because as a lap-band patient I know we use the protein drinks, but I had always thought that it was better for us to eat our protein rather than drink it. I asked her if lap-band patients needed to drink as much protein....she said "oh, yeah", but then hesisated as if she either did not know the difference or something. This office is big in RNY, by the way. She told me to just wait for the dietian to call back.....I must say I am envious of you guys who have friendly, helpful and knowledgable office staff to communicate with.

I am still waiting for a call back from the dietain's office...actually I spoke to the hospital dietian but she wanted to touch bases with my surgeron's office. O.K., if that's the case, I could be dead by the time anyone gets back to me!!! Guess, I will keep calling....the SF Jello cup and chicken broth ain't cutting it. I am lightheaded, peeing like a race horse and very cold (and it's 95 degrees out). I do appreciate all the support I get from this board and everyone on it...you guys are great. Hell, I told my daughter that I was going to post my protien "problem" even before I thought about calling my surgeon's office! And, Pat, thanks so much ....now I don't feel like such a "freak" for not being able to "stomach" the Protein drinks!

Thanks for the reply.....Oh, I know it has to be done, it is just hard to drink something as you are puking.... I was told that I could not add anything to the Protein drink....if I could that might help. I think I will call the dietian...

Shelly, I am being banded by Dr. Burhop in Milwaukee, WI at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital.....I started my Protein diet today....yuck....I could not even "stomach" the last 2 drinks! I only ate 760 calories today...I am glad it's bedtime!!! Where are you being banded?

Tomorrow I start on my 2 week liquid protein regimen....actually, I am looking forward to it since I feel as if I have had one too many "last suppers"! Went out tonight, enjoyed every bite....but, I know I will enjoy "thinner" more than food. The reality of the surgery is starting to hit me...only 2 weeks...wow....

O.K. Mayflower419....tomorrow is your big day.....good luck....see you on the losing side!!!

Good Luck tomorrow, Brittanynb.....let us know how it goes!!!

Neither one....iced tea!!! Sedan or SUV?

Holy smokes tomorrow is August!!!! All the August bandsters....good luck!! Especially to our first bandsters....on August 1....loopylu, Staramorcita and Starbright....special prayers being sent your way.

Driving...for sure! Big parties or small gatherings? Margo

Your daughter is soooo cute!!!!

I had to go pick up my daughter from Camp Invention at 3:30 (which is when the surgery started Central Time). So I made sure I had the website up when I left to go get her....anyway, she gets to the computer before me when we got home. She can hear the doctors talking, she wiggles the mouse and up pops this surgery!!! She ran out into the kitchen screaming, "Mom, there is the grossest thing on your computer...yuck." I told her it was the lap band surgery that I am having....she said, "then I would not look if I were you"!!! I did look (yes, I hesisated), but I am glad I checked it out since it was very interesting and does appear to be a simple process. (And it really was not gross...only to a 9 years who screams at spiders too!!!!) Margo Surgery Date: August 17 only 21 days to go....

Thanks for the bump!!! Wow, you guys have some great mushies ideas...I thank you. Margo

I can think of some "mechanical soft" foods, but could you guys give me your suggestions during this stage?

I am just about 350 and will be banded on August 17th...can't wait!! And I plan on being a success story;)

Well, my nutritional booklet says after surgery there will be one week of Clear liquids, then 2 weeks of full liquids, followed by 1 week pureed and finally 2 weeks mechanical soft...then a balanced diet! So, I am guessing mechanical soft foods would be like tuna salad, Peanut Butter, ham salad, etc., right?

Thanks Greg.... and all of us August Bandsters hope your good information about August surgeries holds true!!!

Nicole, This is wonderful news.....just wait until the first moment you see your child...you will NEVER forget that moment....magic!