brookelynne

Hi all- am 2.5 years post op, about 150 lbs lost (175 lbs now- would like to lose another 20 but that's another post....) I had to stop drinking green smoothies early on in my journey with the band because of terrible, painful gas. Not the farting kind, but the bloating, stabby kind that makes me so sick for an hour or two I run a fever. I figured out that it must be due to the air that gets whipped into the smoothie and those of us with bands get the air trapped and that is not pleasant. But the thing is, for a long time now I have been feeling like my eating is unbalanced in that my main goal every day is to get Protein in. I can eat raw veggies and fruits, but not the volume I need to be healthy or reach the recommended servings. In my case I also need to make sure I eat complex carbs (beans, grains) because I now run quite a lot (and weight train) and I need those for energy. At the end of the day, there's only so many times and so much we bandsters can eat, and the thing that gets left off the list more often than not is fruit and veg (can't eat lettuces-- they bring on gas). So, am wondering, has anyone found a way to have green smoothies in their post-op diet (incorporating kale, raspberries, protein, etc) without gas or am I just dreaming

Sounds awful-- good luck. I had lots of weird things right after surgery too-- and to be honest as helpful as these boards can be sometimes, getting in to see that DR. can be the best peace of mind there is-- even if it's a common issue. Take good care in the mean time.

Unfortunately no chance of that- I usually use almond milk and a soy based protein (vega for vegans) and don't each much dairy as a rule. Every now and then I use skim in the shakes and it's the same. I think the problem I think is the air getting whipped into the shake and then trapped. But, you can't get the veggies without using a blender so I was hoping some bandster had figured out a way around it!

Hi everyone. I was banded Aug 06 in TJ Mex by Dr. Ortiz. I've lost 33 lbs so far. I was on liquids until yesterday, which was my first day of solids. I've been following the post-op diet to the letter and yesterday I followed the solid diet to the letter, too (or so I thought?!?) But I woke up about 20 minutes ago with a weird pain in my chest. I can feel that it's the food I had for dinner, just sitting there! I know I shouldn't drink anything, that will make it worse. And I've heard sometimes walking helps. So I'll take a 3 am stroll through my neighborhood after I post. But I am freaked out! Is this normal for some people as they progress to solids to have an incident like this? Am I irreversibly damaging my pouch? How long will it take for the food to work it's way through? Have I completely f*cked my band already? Arghhhh! For reference sake here's what I ate: Bkfst: 80% of 2 egg whites, 3 bites of very well toasted bread (seemed to go down fine). Lunch: 10 small bits of smoked oyster (gross, I know, but I love them!) Dinner: About a little more than a half cups worth of the following: baked squash, peas and soft meatloaf with some catsup. Any help, reassurance or advice will be much appreciated!

Hi guys, I called the OCC on Friday morning and got the very nice Dr. So. Since he can't see me I described my symptoms and he thought I had a lot of swelling which was causing the food to get stuck there. He said that some people just have more swelling than others. I think that applies to me. When my surgery mates and I compared our bellies after surgery mines was bruised and gruesome looking and their tummies didn't have any bruising. Plus, I took a while to feel like myself again, so being prone to swelling sounds realistic. The food has finally passed but now the swelling is TERRIBLE. I can feel the swelling in the pouch and up through my throat, it feels raw and tight and I have a squeezing sensation. I'm going to call Dr. Ortiz's cell phone (I hate bugging someone on a Sunday) but this is getting worrisome. Will post his response. Thanks everyone for checking in!

Hi gang, I started a page reviewing some of the protein powders I've tried, about 7 so far. If you'd like to see, I give nutritional info, too, you can here: Lap Band Labyrinth I'd appreciate more suggestions!

Hi everyone. My name's Brooke. I'm going to be 32 onb Aug 08. I kept saying I was going to be banded in earlier posts on Aug 07, but my husband pointed out to me last night that I am a day late- it's actually the 6th :thumbup: I currently weigh about 270. I have been as high as 320+. Since puberty I have been fat. I'm having the surgery because about a year and a half ago I lost 70 lbs (from the initial 3210+). I knew that I was still fat in most people's eyes. But it was a huge accomplishment me for me and changed my life. Suddenly I was more comfortable in my own skin. Shopping/dressing was easier and I was able to move more. I want that feeling back, and then some. Like everyone else here I want to enjoy life more and just really live it, instead of wishing I did. Good luck everyone. I will keep checking in as often as I can. This site is so helpful.

I like August Allies for a name- let's hope we stick together and keep each other posted on our surgeries and journeys!

Hi everyone, I haven't been banded... yet. Am hvg surgery on Aug 7. Right now tho, I am struggling with my hypoglycemia on the pre-op diet. The low calories (about 1100-1200) combined with exercise means I am always right on the brink of having my blood sugar plummet. So if for example, I miss my 10 am Protein shake I am pretty much guaranteed to have a headache or be tired in the afternoon. I work so a) I need to feel ok, and :wink2: I get stuck in meetings etc and sometimes miss my "feedings". Did anyone else struggle with this on the pre-op diet? What worked for you

Hey there- I am being banded on Aug 7 too!!! Good luck!

hey there- I use the iced tea nectar. It is good. I like it better than the chocolate flavoured stuff at this point now. ON my next trip I'll be getting the roadside lemonade flavour. Whoa... frozen Protein pops. Pure genius! I will definitely be doing that!!!

Hi gang, I'm being banded August 7- the day before my bday. Very excited. Like a couple of other ppl have mentioned, I am having a hard time with the pre-op diet. I am eating a low fat omelet for bkfst, a 10 am low cardb Protein shake, lean cuisine and raw veggies for lunch, a 3:30 low carb Protein Shake and then Soup and a low carb protein shake for dinner. It averages about 1100 cals, if I am 100% on target. I am hypoglycemic so eating less than this would send my blood sugar plummeting and I would have a migraine by 3pm, so I have to eat more than my surgeon recommended. I have to work, after all. I also walk to work (5 kms) most mornings and walk home in the afternoon, so anywhere from 25 kms to 35 kms a week. I am worried that my pre-op weight loss won't be enough. I started at 280 and am currently about 271. I should be at 263lbs by the 7th. Ack! As you can see I'm a pretty all or nothing thinker... which had no small part in getting me to where I am weight wise.... I really should chill out!

Hey everyone, I'm being banded August 7! Wahoo, can't wait!

Hi Christina- Good luck! I am being banded on August 7- a day before my b-day. My DH and I are hoping to start a family once I get down to about 180-200 lbs. It's a big part of why I am doing this, also, for myself of course :-) Good luck!

Congrats Robin! I will be banded on August 7- the day before my birthday. I still can't believe it will be happening! I feel like a kid waiting for the holidays... Can't wait to follow your progress.