CalicoskiesNC

Don't know the answer about Adipex but my dr doesn't want me relying on protein shakes daily. He says if you are at the correct restriction and eating properly you should easily get in your protein with your food choices.

I was banded 11.19.10. I had my post-op today and I asked about Benedryl as I get congested and have allergies that are mild. My surgeon said liquid Benedyl is ok at recommended doses.

I would talk to the provider that gave you your new CPAP. Maybe its not working right, or set wrong? I have 2 slim, always been slim relatives that have used CPAP for several years. I am not convinced that my losing 100lb will end my sleep apnea, but I'm hopeful. If your new machine doesn't work like you need, try to swap it out. Or maybe try another mask? But definitely don't go without your CPAP if you require it. When I first got mine 5yr ago, I thought I will never get used to this. 2mo later I didnt mind it all. Now, I can never sleep without it. I use a Mirage Swift For Her LT mask, very light and quiet. My machine is an MSeries Respironics. I had to get a heated hose, as I had alot of rainout in my mask due to our bedroom temp being so cold in winter. It cured the rainout issue.

I am on mushies, so I'm limited. I like to make an "omelette" in a cup. In a coffee cup, I put 2 tsp lite Philly veggie or chive/onion cream cheese. Micro for like 5 sec to soften. Add one egg and scramble up with a fork. Micro on half power for 1min, stir again, breaking down the big bits of cooked egg. Add in 1 slice finely chopped ham or centercut Oscar Mayor bacon, micro again on half power about 30sec. Stir and top with 1-2T lite cheddar cheese. This is very filling, keeps me satisfied for over 4hr. Depending on your ingredients, this should be at least 17-18g Protein. I also love CoCo Wheats hot cereal. I make it with 1% milk, Splenda and a tsp of Hershey Special Dark cocoa powder. Again, very filling. I also like Cream of Wheat made with Splenda, cinnamon and 1%milk. I use a lot of cinnamon! Another favorite is Activia strawberry & Cereal yogurt cup. I bought some 7 grain pancake mix that only needs Water or milk. I am going to try it with SF syrup tonite. 2 pancakes will have 5g protein, if I use milk, 225cals, and 4g Fiber. I know those aren't great numbers, but I'm dying for a pancake.

Zen, I really like that. Where did you get the silver links? Is that in the jewelry craft section at Michaels? Congrats on your charms!

My hair stylist said the semi perm colors are fine. She told me to condition this week with a dense conditioner then do it this weekend. Yes, I will do it Saturday. I do it myself. I have dark red hair and it just needs brightening.

I was told 3oz solid protein first at meals. After that 1/4 cup veg and 1/4 cup whole grain starch. He allows me 2 small snacks but they must be protein. My dr also said to chew well but NOT to mush because that will slip thru my band quickly and not trigger the nerves and hormones to create satiety. He told me protein is supposed to hang out in the pouch for awhile. He says if I precut my bites to pencil eraser sized, I can chew small bites normally. Just another instance of how Drs differ.

I am considering a Pandora bracelet for my goals. Congrats to you and I would love to see a pic. My other goal gift idea is a Le Vian chocolate diamond ring. When and if my dear husband sees the price of that my decision will be made for me!

Definitely try to make an appointment with a dietician. They can provide very useful information. I love my NUT. She gave me her email and I ask questions whenever I need to. I see her 6 times a year, my BCBSofNC lets me do that with no copay. You can tell her/him your dr's specific directions and she can advise you how to make them work for you. IMO, establishing a relationship with a good NUT that focuses on WLS is one of the most important aspects of post-op success.

I was not hungry the first 5-6days post op. I had to make myself get in liquids. Nothing tasted right either, I think a side effect of anesthesia? I called my dr on day 4, asking if I could have a TBL or 2 of cottage cheese. I had serious nausea and energy drain. He agreed and once I ate a small amount of cottage cheese I felt 1000% better. Today is Day 10, I'm still not physically hungry. My stomach will rumble when its empty though and eat something like a slice of lowfat cheese, yogurt, cott. cheese. But I just don't have cravings or uncontrollable hunger. I can eat 1C of tomato soup or 1C milk/CIB and feel satisfied for at least 2-3hr. I am fighting head hunger though. I thought eating meals with my family would be ok, but it makes me sad. I really miss a big plate of foods that I love. Until I can eat some regular foods (small plate) I don't think I will eat at the dinner table. I still love food and miss it dearly. So far tho, sticking under 1000 cals a day, getting in at least 50-60g protein.

Yoplait now makes a Greek yogurt that is plain, fat free and twice the protein. 1 tub has 14g. I cannot eat it plain but I use it as sour cream and I cannot tell the difference. I also stir it 50/50 with lite Helmanns for dressing on tuna and chicken salad. Good stuff!

I love CIB, sugar free. Its saved my liquid/puree diet stage. I drink mine with 1%,cannot do skim milk. I cannot stand the taste/texture of added protein powders and protein drinks. With my 1 C milk, its a 170 cal drink w/13g protein. Its also got all that dairy from the milk and lots of other nutrients. Not great, but when added to the food I should be eating at my meals, it will be just the protein I need to round out the day with 75g.

Wanted to add that CoCo Wheats by Little Crow Foods is also excellent. So good that I eat for dessert some nights. I make a half serving with lowfat milk, Splenda, and I add a teaspoon of Hershey Special Dark cocoa powder. It really deepens the Choco flavor. It's warm and filling and keeps me full for several hours. Easy to, I use the micro directions.

Wanted to add that I really enjoy Carnation Instant Breakfast. I use S/F and mix with a small whisk. I also keep glass glasses in my freezer. When you pour 1% milk in them it gets so cold it's like a shake, even little bits of frozen milk on sides to swirl around. Just something that helps me.

Sorry for double post

I'm only post-op 1 wk, but I wanted to say a few things my dr told me before I was discharged at the hospital. He said that lots of people believe you have to chew your food to mush. In his opinion, that defeats the band. He said to chew well, but not till you have made a slider food in your mouth cuz that will just slide right thru and won't serve its purpose. He said to eat high quality, substantial Proteins (ie: meats, hard cheeses, seafood). By doing this he told me that the food I eat will stay in the pouch longer, thus triggering the nerves and release the hormones and such that will control hunger and satiety for some hours. Makes sense to me. I know we have to do small bites (he told me cut everything into a pencil eraser size) and chew well, I just wonder if some are not chewing "into a slider food" hence they have more trouble controlling hunger?

Jess, I am having so much trouble with the supps too. IDS Protein bullets at Vitamin Shoppe and/or GNC have 42g protein. They come in many flavors, all of which are yucky. They are about $3.50ea. The watermelon and fruit punch are doable for me IF I dilute with ice water, about 50/50. It has to be very cold, I add crushed ice. I still have to gulp it fast, trying not to taste and I wait about 10min and brush my teeth then drink water. I can't even do the Pure unflavored powder post-op. I tried it in things I taste-tested weeks back and now I can taste it. I am confident that I will get my protein from food as soon as I am on real foods. If you eat two 3oz servings of chicken/tuna that equals almost 60. Add in a cup of cottage cheese and you are at 71. I will keep only a bullet or two in the house to use on days I may not be eating solid foods. Good luck!

I'm post-op day 7 and I've lost 12.5lb as of this AM. I still have no hunger or cravings. My stomach will rumble and roll telling me I need to eat something. I'm getting about 500-700calories, but I have to make myself eat them. I'm on mushies since Day 4. I eat about 1/4C or less at meals: Coco Wheats for breakfast, 4oz cottage cheese thruout day, 4oz Activia yogurt thruout day, f/f refried beans w/greek yogurt, taco sauce and shredded cheddar or soup for dinner. I force myself to swallow 4-6oz of protein bullet diluted with some water. I hope this lapse in hunger lasts awhile. My first fill will not be till last week of Dec.

This thread was extremely helpful to me. I went to Crate N Barrel and got the tiny cocktail forks, spoons, knives. I also got several sizes of tiny bowls, plates and even some small individual sized baking wear for little casseroles. I also have a lot of small lidded Pyrex for leftovers and freezer meals. These small dishes and silverware are excellent for portion control, mind control and reminding me to eat small bites. Thanks for these ideas! BTW, my bill was only $30 at C n B and I got the cutest little things. When you only eat small amounts of food, it helps to eat it on nice saucers, bowls and such.

Before I left the hospital, my surgeon went over my list of meds and OTCs and told me which were ok. Pills that drop thru a straw are safe to take, larger ones cut in half with exception of timed release ones. I use a krill oil capsule, its better absorbed than fish oil, no fishy taste and about half the size. He also told me I should not need Prilosec regularly anymore, that my band should greatly reduce my reflux. He must be right cuz I haven't taken it in a week, and no reflux.

Something that has helped me, I am only post op 5 days but able to eat purees and mushies. I bought some little silverware at Crate n Barrel. Cocktail forks, spoons and the cutest little knives. I use small dishes and it really helps me. I also have a few silicone baby spoons that I like to nibble with, they scrape the sides of tiny bowls very well. If you have an iPhone, use the timer to beep every minute and thats when you can take another bite. I sometimes have to reheat my food, I don't like cold food. Crate N Barrel had lots of small porcelain or glass bowls, plates, and some tiny bakeware too.

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. I think you should talk to the dr's office and tell them you are weak and just not tolerating the liquid Protein supps well. I would think a bland mushy diet could give you some valuable nutrition and energy without jeopardizing your surgery in the next several days. Cottage cheese, low fat yogurts, cream of wheat. I don't understand the wide variations between doctors and their diet restrictions. I only had a 1day clear liq pre-op. I was supposed to do a 7 day clear liq post-op, I couldnt do it. Not because of hunger, because of nausea and NO energy. The clear protein supps are so gross, esp. after surgery when your tastes are not right. I called my dr, he asked me several questions about my healing, then told me to start on mushies. I have felt 1000% better since then. Amazing what a few TBL of cottage cheese and yogurt can do for one's system.

I was banded 11.19.10 so I get to be the cooking instructor to my husband and 3 sons. I think it will be fun! I have zero hunger still. We have cut a few things out but will have all the favorites. My family is planning an afternoon walk in the nature park so we can get some nice outdoor family photos while the leaves are still on. I also made a big fresh salad for everyone to have for lunch-ish time so they can make it till dinner at 4ish. Not our usual fatty finger bites.

I'm just starting day 6 post op. I have zero hunger still. I'm hoping my surgeon found some magic spot on my stomach and the band stops hunger from the outside! I know I will get hungry eventually. Right now, I am on mushies. I called 2days out from surgery and said I could not tolerate anymore awful clear Protein supps. My stomach was so noisy and rolling around, I had no enery at all. Plus nausea and lightheaded. After several questions about my healing, my dr moved me to mushies and full liquids. I felt 100% better after a tablespoon of cottage cheese. Thruout that day, I finished that little cup and I really did feel great. I'm only eating 1-3TBL at a meal. Last night I did the refried Beans f/f with a tsp of greek yogurt and a TBL of cheddar. Took me 20min to eat and I really did get that softstop full feeling. My advice is to talk with your dr's office if you are truly struggling with the liquids. I can't believe that feeling bad and weak is helping anyone's healing.

Hi, I am Lori. 47yrs old, happily married for 25 yrs to a sweetheart of a man. We have 3 sons. Twins at 22 and our youngest is 18. All 3 are engineering students at the same college. I work part-time as a bank teller. I have been 200+lbs for 18yrs at least. Before that I was always a normal weight. I have no health issues. I call it the"happy stay home mom syndrome." I spent a yr researching lapband and started the journey April 2010. I was banded by Dr Enochs in Raleigh NC on 11/19/10. I am doing very well post op. I was given the ok to advance carefully to mushies. I can hardly believe I am full on about 200 calories daily. I know this will change soon. I hope I have all the mental and physical tools I need to be successful. My first goal is 75 lbs off at 1 yr bandiversary. Good luck to us all!