jdemzi

It depends on what you want to do and if you have a nutritionist and what they recommend. Mine says no more than 4-6 grams of sugar per 4 ounces in order to keep sugar tolerance low, but she is pretty strict.

My doctor has great success and has a nutrionist on staff who flies all over the country helping other bariatric patients with their nutrition needs, so I trust what he says. The nutrionist also had gastric bypass sugery a few years ago, so it is nice to speak to someone who knows (really knows) what she is talking about and to see what she uses and does. The one month is probably there to be extra safe in making sure your body is ready and the band is in place. I know there are other surgeons who do the one month clear liquid diet, but I do believe one month is the longest I have heard. Of course getting enough Protein isn't priority number 1, which is why I am required to take 14 Vitamins a day. Depending upon my bloodwork, I might be adding vits A and D in March. I know the surgeon and nutritionist I work with are working on their own study (how scientific I do not know) with patients and their bloodwork and deciding upon the best plan of vits to start out with. Right now banders don't have to use vits A and D unless their first round of post-op bloodwork shows a deficiency. Based on this study, they might make it mandatory. BTW, I haven't started my protein or vits, I don't start until friday, so I can't speak to whether this would hamper weight loss. I do know you need to be careful with the different Protein shakes. Some are designed to be Meal Replacements, some have lots of sugar, etc. I have a low carb, low sugar protein shake I will use that seems to be the most popular up here in this area. Here is some great info on protein: "Protein are major contributors to nearly every cell and have a significant role in developing and repairing bone, muscle, skin and blood cells. They are also key elements of antibodies that protect us from disease, hormones that regulate body function and enzymes that control chemical activity in the body. Protein also aids in the transport of oxygen, and nutrients to all body cells and supply another source of energy to cells when fats and carbohydrates are not readily available. Adequate amounts of protein in one’s diet are vital to many of the body’s functions and to survival." More here: http://www.headbattles.com/bariatricprotien.htm

I am just on my clear liquid diet. I make sure and drink all my water and other fluids too. I am still recuperating, so I am not really walking or anything, but I think it is mostly water weight. I knew I would lose 20-30 pounds quickly with the elimination of pop and all the sugar I would eat before! I anticipate the weight loss slowing down.

I drink Champion Pure Whey Stack chocolate. It is pretty popular and I buy it from www.vitalady.com

It is a big deal because when you are on a clear liquid diet for a month, you would be a super-hero if you could manage to get enough protein to meet the needs of your body. Not to mention the life-long reduced food intake which many times, despite your best efforts to eat in a healthy way, doesn't supply your body with enough protein and Vitamins. Of course eating well will eliminate/reduce many of the things our doctor's have us do (the 14 vitamins a day to start), but many people are restricted enough to not eat enough to meet the needs of their body. It seems as though many of the people on here have to supplement their diets with protein shakes, so I doubt not getting enough protein is some wacky concern.

That is honestly scary that your Doc would say that about protein shakes. How does he know you, or any of his other patients, are getting enough protein? My Doc wants us to have protein shakes because we aren't getting enough protein without them! The fact that he discourages them like that is frightening.

I am on a liquid diet until 4 weeks post op and even then I need to get the A-ok from my doc. Seeing as how I have to fly to see my doctor, I might not make it at exactly 4 weeks, so I might even be on the liquid diet longer!!! My liquid diet is clear and I can't start vits and Protein shakes until friday, so I am pretty limited also. What I do is eat a lot of sugar free Jello, lots of sugar free popsicles (I found a variety pack of popsicles, creamsicles and fudgesicles at Albertsons-all sugar free). I drink my Water and then have some flavored propel water too. I also eat chicken broth, drink vegetable juice, diet V8 splash, and tonight I had some cream of chicken flavored Soup that isn't very thick and semi-clear Because I was so hungry I have been cheating and crush up two saltine crackers in my soup. I let them sit in there long enough to be very soggy-that is my treat. This part has been hard for me but my surgeon is very well respected and trusted so I know he has his patients on a 4 week diet for a reason. You have to tell your daughter to not dwell on food or what she can't have but to let her get excited for what she can. There is enough of a selection to get excited about some allowed foods. This is much easier said than done, I know. But, soon enough she will be done and will look back on this stage and realize how fast it passed.

Sugar free applesauce and apple juice? What brand(s) and where can I find it? I have looked all over and I can only find no sugar added juice and sauce. Thanks.

Hi photo. I got my ticker from www.tickerfactory.com I think that is where most people get theirs. You just enter the info. and it creates something you copy and paste and you put it in your signature. I am a little nervous and pretty excited. I am especially nervous about 5+ weeks of liquid only! Oh well. Where are you at in Idaho?

Congrats tigger and photo. I get my band this coming thursday. I will start clear liquids this sunday and will have to be on it for at least 4 weeks post-op. I am in the Seattle area for Christmas and for the band, but I will be back in Idaho December 31st.

I am in Pocatello and getting banded in Washington on December 22nd. I also attend ISU but prefer to get banded in the Seattle area because that is where I am from and I have an experienced surgeon doing it! I will be traveling there every few months for fills and what not. Got a great deal with St. Francis hospital in Federal Way. $12,800 includes everything except pre-op testing (endoscopy, x-ray, bloodwork, U/A, ultrasound, psych eval). You get free fills for 3 months post-op, and then pay around $90 a fill. Self-pay but insurance is picking up the tab for all of the testing!