jazzyjude

I am trying to remember the original cost...somewhere around $3.49 each? I wait til they come on sale. I got 12 tubes for $26, include tax. They were for $2.09 each then.

Hi Sweetie, It is NOT a powder. It's in a 5" colored tube. They have punch (pink tube), orange (orange tube), blue raspberry (blue tube) and grape (purple tube). It's like a real thick Jello liquid. Some people like to drink it "as is". It's too strong and powerful. It has 43g of Proteins too. So, what I do is mix HALF of the tube with either a Crystal Light drink or Gatorade, which ever my preference in what I want to drink at the moment AND I try to mix the same flavors together. Like Grape flavored protein bullet and grape flavored Gatorade. I do this one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Some have mix it with Water...I haven't tried that yet. Hope this helps you! Jude =)

Hi there, Have you tried AmazeRX Protein shakes? They taste like thick milk shakes! They have only 4 flavors, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and Mocha Chocolate for the coffee drinker who loves the flavor or coffee. You can go online at www.AmazeRX.com and check it out. YOU won't be disappointed in the taste. I also use the protein bullets you get from GNC stores. It has 42grams...but I go halvers and use half in the morning and the other half in the afternoon...works great and have like 4 or 5 differnt fruit flavors. I add them to my Gatorade drinks and match the flavors! AWESOME. This will give you a 'kick' at first and last about 20 seconds but it's a good thing!!! Hope this helps! Jude =)

I take in the morning, TriVita sublingual B-12 (which includes B-6 and Folic Acid) ~ it's a very small tablet that dissolves under the tongue and GREAT flavor...like a mixed berry. I believe they still have the strawberry and Cinnamon too and they are just as good. You can view their website at www.trivita.com. Hope this helps!

Oh, I am too. I am a newbie too, surgery on Oct 8. I've one more week on 'creamy soups' and day 21 is the start of my solid food. I am confused as to what food I should start with? I was thinking of having fiber cereals to get my BM going! HA! Then have some bacon, eggs and cheese for lunch. I am not sure for dinner yet! AND, that is just the first day! LOL

No, you will not fail! Keep the focus and stay with the guideline. You do these progressions because you are in the healing stage of the band, adjusting to your body. You don't want to risk to stretch out your pouch and suffer later. Then when you do get the fill, your pouch won't have that 'sweet spot' where you would be restricted enough. Drink LOTS of Water. it helps curb your hunger. Also, if you are seriously hungry, have a Protein shake...it will help too. Hang in there...I have one week from today before I can have solids. And I can't wait to have food!! My last solid food was Oct 5. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Hang in there!!! don't jeapardize your band after all the money it took for you to do this...ok?

Thank you for the Corn Casserole recipe! I love corn and so does my hubby!

Hi Carol, I am new to this forum. I would love to have your extended Christmas dinner recipes but don't know how to do a PM. Thanks, Jude

Hi Mary! I was banded on Oct 8th! during my preop diet I lost 12 lbs but I am not weighing until one month, Nov 8th. Because my stomach area is still swollen and bruise inside, from the surgery, so for some people, we don't lose right away, but some do. Remember...you do NOT have a fill yet, so you won't have any restictions until you first fill on Nov 17? Mine is on Dec 6, which will be the end of the 8th week, as I can't do it a week before Thanksgiving or have it done on Thanksgiving weekend, for that is when I do my Xmas shopping (smile). Personally I only drink Protein Water (Special K2O - strawberry kiwi) and I do a Protein shake. Proteins helps curbs your hunger and thirst. Also, I don't drink tea during the day, just at night. I have a popsicle at night as my 'treat'. Anyway, the point is...give the band a chance and choose quality foods with lots of proteins. At this stage, don't worry about the calorie intake or even the card right now. We are new and our body is trying to adjust to the new change. Hope this helps you Mary! Jude =) Hi I am very interested in more information on your experience. I was banded on Oct. 7th. With the 5 day preop diet until now I have lost 17lbs. But the facts are not that simple. I lost most of it from the start of the preop until about 3 days post op. I feel no restriction whatsoever. I am still slightly sore at the port but otherwise the surgery was very easy. I did every thing I was told and now feel fine just slight soreness at the port site. But I am starving. I tried testing it last night to see and sure enough I can eat anything. No side affects at all. My first fill is Nov. 17th. What I do feel is thirsty all the time and I am drinking probably 100oz a day all non-caffeine teas or water. What drove me to try real food was horrible upset stomach from all the artificial sweeteners. I have 110 lbs more to lose. So you experience with the fills is very interesting to me. Right now I have serious buyers remorse and hunger. One problem that exasperates my situation and led to this massive weight gain over the past 8 years is a very serious foot condition that prohibits any distance walking. I have just bought a recumbent bike and this weekend I am going to see how I handle that with the little bit of residual surgical pain I have. Any additional information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi this is my first post reply..hope it goes thru. I had my surgery last week but then I am on a different postop diet plan than you are - one week of Clear Liquids, 2 weeks on 'creamy soups' and then starting day 22, I can start on solid foods. BUT, the whole thing about the band is that you need to focus on the lifestyle change...for the rest of your life. The band is there as a tool and you need to do the rest of the work. There is a reason for why we are going in progressive stages to relearn how to eat healthier and to adjust with the band. Eating slowing and carefully by the eating guidelines helps maximize our weight loss and the band will get use to the idea of being full. Remember, to sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk! In between your 'meals', drink your Protein Water, juices to keep having the 'full' feeling. Hope this helps you! JazzyJude =)