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I tried protein water, not a fan. I get some protein from greek yogurt and egg whites. I don't have problem drinking water, I love it. I can only get 1 shake down a day. Ive tried all the favors but I just can't stomach more than 1.

Well to be honest, I don't think anyone hated exercise more than me (not saying you do). I have a 4 year old and a 6 year old that are very demanding, so I will take them on huge walks with me to the custard stand to get a frozen yogurt or water ice (where I will treat myself to a nice, BIG water LOL) so they have incentive to walk with me. I am thinking of buying a bike so we can all go riding, but believe me, I get the fact that it's hard having kids and most of the responsibilities that come with having them most of the time (my hubby works all the time too). What I did do was I went onto Comcast OnDemand and hit some of the free exercise videos there. There are a couple called "Walk for Weightloss" (Leslie Sansone is the instructor)--they have a 1-mile/15 minute brisk walk and a 2-mile/30 minute brisk walk and it incorporates a bunch of other movements in there so you burn more calories than you normally would taking a regular walk or walking on the treadmill. If you don't have comcast, you can buy those dvds relatively cheap. I now do the Wii Fit, Just Dance on the Wii (which my kids LOVE doing with me) and my new favorite is Hip Hop Abs (LOVE this workout)!!! Starting to integrate the Chalean Extreme to keep things fresh, but even though sometimes I'm not motivated to exercise (tired or may have had a long day), honestly, afterward, I feel SO good when I do. It's something I do for myself and it really feels good to know I'm working hard toward my goal when I could've given in and just laid down after work (even though that's what I want to do most of the time :-))!! Swimming is also an EXCELLENT way to get your exercise in! I've been bugging hubby to get the freaking pool open--now that he has it's been in the 60s since then :-( --just can't win! I can't wait to start getting back in the pool! REALLY great exercise, something to do with the kids and lots of fun too!! You'll fall into a groove soon. You just need to find something that works for you. They say walking is the best exercise, so try to check out those Leslie Sansone DVDs!!

I'm on mushies, but I've been eating some soft solids too, chewing them to uber mush in my mouth. Today - Breakfast was Protein shake and supplements, snack was low fat cottage cheese, lunch was small dill and lemon tuna salad with low fat mayo and some melon and vegetable cocktail. dinner was homemade humus - just blended canned chick peas with garlic, ginger, and lime and super soft poached trout with 0 cal butter spray, lime, and sodium free potassium salt. some berries and low cal cool whip for dessert. and LOADS of bottled Water flavoured with lime and stevia (herbal sweetner) all day long. later will have a Dannon silouhette fat free and sugar free yogurt drink, and before bed chai tea made with low fat coconut milk. I aim for 900-1200 calories a day, and 70-100 grams of protein, and stay under 30 grams of fat. I use fit day to track it. I try to pick foods low in fat, low on the glycemic index. I'm eating homemade humus and other blended bean mixes with garlic and lime and ginger a fair bit. Microwaved mashed yams with butter flavor spray. low fat dairy - the yogurt drinks, cottage cheese, and fat free processes swiss cheese slices. Lots of berries, rasperries, blackberries and blueberries mostly. Also melons. Occasionally advocado. fish - tuna, salmon, trout, artificial crab all of these I've been eating mashed well into a soft salad with low fat mayo and lime. Egg sensations brand egg whites the cheese and chive flavor, with a little butter spray cooked in the microwave egg poacher, or I let them cool and add low fat mayo to make mock egg salad... one of my favorites. I usually mash my fruit with a couple of table spoons of cool whip light, and if the berries need it, a little stevia to sweeten it up more. Also motts no sugar added apple and peach sauce blends. pureed vegetable Soups the kind you buy pre-made in the cartons. - blended green vegetable, pea soup, carrot soup, butternut squash soup, are some of my faves. Getting veggies drinking vegetable cocktail too. I aim for 4 servings of veggies a day, and 3 of fruit. It's been great so far. XO Leila

Cottage cheese and Fage Greek Yogurt flavored with SF Torani syrups helped me. Also mushed beans and blenderized chicken soup with added chicken.

Wow, I have to say…it sounds like the holidays didn’t get too bad for most of you, and that’s great! And even better is that you have some sensible – not extreme – plan for getting back on track! Cervidae, Congratulations on having a treat, enjoying it, and stopping there! What an accomplishment, and something to be proud of and to remember when the going gets rough. Jennolsen, Protein and fluids – that’s the right idea! Congratulations on still losing during the holidays, and being so close to goal weight! It sounds like going back to counting, focusing on protein and Water, and getting rid of the junk are at the top of the list. For me, the first thing was to clean out my house to get rid of whatever holiday treats somehow snuck in and accumulated! Then I went grocery shopping for all kinds of good things, including fresh fruits and vegetables like lettuce, Snacks like carrots and grapes, and veggies to cook like broccoli and zucchini. I also stocked up on all the other healthy essentials, like yogurt, plus frozen staples like blueberries, and chicken. Now there’s no reason not to eat right!

@ I have been buying Halo Top for months. A pint lasts me, 6-8 weeks. I never finish one, I end up tossing them. I weigh my portion and I have 1/2 a portion about a time, so about 35-40 calories a pop. I don't like ice cream so its not an issue to me. If I ever went nuts and ate a whole container, the whole thing is 240 calories, I struggle to get enough calories every day anyway so it wouldn't matter to me. The macros and ingredients make sense to me, and I like it. I haven't had any in about 3 months because I kept wasting it but I think its a great option. And the macros are better than most of the yogurts that people eat on here. Also with all the people that are eating pulled pork in BBQ sauce and other things. And lets not forget the trash macros of PB2. And @@Clementine Sky is right. The consistency, taste and a lot of other things about it make is basically impossible to just graze on or munch on or over eat. It takes a little work, it isn't like normal ice cream even though it tastes like normal ice cream. If I liked ice cream or had an issue with ice cream I would probably skip it. But I like having it now and then with my Protein brownies just to soften them up and for a change of pace because IMO, the fastest way to get off track of boredom with your food.

I also had a bypass surgery a few weeks ago, and it started with soups and protein shakes. I understand your desire to get back to an active life, especially if you were into sports. I'm also looking forward to when I can resume physical activity. As for satisfying and filling meals, I've found that braised vegetables with chicken breast and quinoa can be a tasty and healthy choice. Additionally, fruits, low-fat yogurts, and vegetable omelets are good for variety. The key is to watch portion sizes and follow your doctor's recommendations.

Syntrax Nectars are Whey Isolate I think and they are wonderful. I add just a small amount of apple juice to enhance the flavor and I love them! Gold Standard makes a great product as well that is whey isolate. I became lactose intolerant after surgery and cannot eat cheese, yogurt or anything with dairy. But these protein drinks are fine... Living the dream, Laura

Today is my first day posting so forgive me if I don’t get the lexicon right the first time. Surgery Date: March 5, 2018 Starting Weight: 261 Surgery Day Weight: 250 Today’s Weight (Week 1): 241 I had a 90 day program working with a dietician and completing all of the pre-operative testing culminating in a 3 day liquid diet prior to surgery. The first day of the liquid diet was hard, but the excitement of my upcoming surgery made the other two days fairly easy. I arrived at the hospital last Monday morning at 5:45 am and was wheeled into surgery at 7:45 am. I don’t remember much of that first day but I was up and walking that afternoon and evening. I was sore and there was pain but it was managed with Roxycodone every 3-4 hours (as long as my blood pressure didn’t drop too low - overnight, I had to wait 6 hours between doses as my BP had dropped below 100 systolic. Day 2 at the hospital was filled with trying to get my fluids in and trying to get the gas out! The pain I was experiencing was mostly related to my abdomen being bloated with gas as a result of the laparoscopic procedure. I was successful on the former (sip, sip, sip!) but woefully unsuccessful on the latter. (In retrospect, I wish I would have walked more that second day.) I was released by noon on day 3 and recovered the rest of the week at home. Below are just a few things that I’ve learned. Please share some of the things you’ve learned as well wherever you are in your journey and let’s help set expectations and share great ideas! 1. When you begin your protein shakes, your bowels will start moving again! I called my Drs office panicked because I pooped! (A bit scary after not pooping for almost a week!) 2. For me, I was unable to lay on my side until Day 6 comfortably. I used a comfy recliner most nights which prevented me from trying to toss and turn from side to side (I’m a side sleeper) 3. Sugar free popsicles are great! 4. I don’t know if this will last, but my taste for broth has changed. Pre-surgery - and for my whole life - I have loved beef and chicken broth. But now, I can’t stand it. 5. You will get bored on the all liquid diet post op. Look for things you can combine. On my plan, I was allowed coffee. The protein shakes I found to be quite chalky in my mouth. On Day 5 I combined the two, using my flavored protein shake as a “creamer” to my coffee. It was warm and delicious and now the only way I get in my protein shake. 6. Listen to your pouch. The one thing you don’t want to do is pop the pouch. The staples need at least 3 weeks to fully heal so follow your surgeon/dietician’s program exactly. No cheating! Two tips my surgeon gave me - if you hiccup, you’ve overfilled - and if you want to clear your pouch sooner, stand up very straight for a few minutes to help facilitate drainage through the small intestine. 7. You will get tired easily - so push yourself but don’t overdo it. I started out walking throughout my house the first few days, up and down the stairs, went outside on Saturday and walked up and down the driveway, and finally went out to a few stores with my husband yesterday. I did okay at the grocery store until we went to check out. All of a sudden I was super tired. When we went to Home Depot to pick out a barn door, I found a chair to sit in while my husband picked up a few things before meeting me in the door section. I was ok walking back to the car but was tired the rest of the evening. Take it slow. Today starts Week 2 and I get to add applesauce, yogurt, mashed potatoes and oatmeal. It’s nice to have something warm and chewy in my mouth again. I will continue to post updates and invite all other March surgery dates to join. Thanks, Roxine

I'm still newly post-op but per my surgeon's plan I can eat soft foods. I'm still struggling with basic Protein portions so I haven't incorporated many soft foods yet. Here's what I had today: Breakfast: nectar Protein Drink (32gm protein). Lunch: 3/4 deli slice cheese spread with a toddler spoonful of lowfat sour cream and a black bean soupy mixture I make, rolled up and cut into pieces. Snack: 2 oz Greek yogurt with SF salted caramel syrup and a few dashes of cinnamon. Dinner: was still full from snack. I made a batch of quiche lasagna to keep for when I feel like I can manage a soft food. I ate about a spoonful of the egg/ricotta/cheese "batter" and it really stuck with me for a while (easily the densest thing I've eaten in more than 2 weeks). After dinner: I've made what I call a PBJ protein drink - vanilla Protein powder, PB2, SF Peanut Butter syrup, SH strawberry syrup and soy milk. I still feel stuffed so I may or may not be able to finish it tonight.

:banana: I am happily eating tuna. Less than quarter cup, but it is something! I can now eat yogurt, cheese and tuna. I'm very anxious to try harder foods, but trying to force myself to go slow. Since I still don't get hungry for about 3 hours, I'm trying to wait to try something else. Maybe I should stay up all night so I have more time to eat. I have a feeling I'm gonna gain back some of this month's loss. Does this mean I can't have any more ice cream?! DeLarla??? (running to the kitchen for a lowfat, sf, fudgsicle) Now if we can get Darcy's stomach gremlins tamed and DeLarla to quit growing aliens :alien .... and cutting their little heads off ..... Off I go to run some errands and then I must clean my filthy house. I don't have all that leisure time that you guys who go to work have.

I just realized that my post-surgery cramping and nausea is probably caused by lactose intolerance. Pre-surgery I had a tiny bit of intolerance, but now any dairy except mozzarella, hard cheeses, and yogurt causes terrible cramping. *sigh* I love dairy. I hope it goes away soon.

I eat breakfast at home, and I would get up earlier to do so if I was at work at the moment too. I love my breakie! DH eats at work and keeps a couple of different cold cereals (decent ones like Weetbix and organic muesli), instant oatmeal (but its so much less satisfying than proper rolled oats) bread and basic spreads there. He also occasionally takes yogurt - but not horrid thin artificially sweetened ones - the good gourmet greek yogurt that's really really thick and has fruit on the top that you stir in - those do fill you and you can always stire some muesli in. But he gets very bored. You could also eat good muesli bars (not crappy kid ones) or take some nice cheese, like brie or a fruit and nut cheese and have that with crackers.

Welcome! This is a great thread with a lot of wonderful participants. We definitely all get frustrated with the band. I know that for me, I spent so long dreaming about being thin that when it finally seemed realistic to expect to achieve it (when I got banded and saw the first few lbs come off) I wanted it all right away. I forgot that weight put on over a couple of decades doesn't come off over night. So I got off track, but I'm back on it and this thread is definitely helping me stay there! Mushies today for me, starting with Greek yogurt. Whole foods has a blueberry-pomegranate flavor that is my new addiction, and I don't usually like blueberry yogurt. But yum! Anyway, have a great day, everyone. I know we can all do whatever we decide to do!

Hi Fellow Bandsters, I've been absent for about a week. Here is an update. I've been working very hard on wearing my CPAP. I am getting about 3 to 6 hours of sleep a night with it. I'd like to get to where I've got in on for 7-8 hours a night. At first it was really uncomfortable and the air was too cold. But, I did a little googling and figured out how to adjust the humidity/heat setting on it. Since then it has been significantly more comfortable. Last night I put it on and fell asleep. Then at 3:30 am, I was woken up by my cat and realized that I didn't have it on. I'd taken it off and even turned off the machine in my sleep! What the heck!!! Additionally, I've had a really bad migraine for the first few days of this week. One of the ways that I can reduce my pain is to drink lots of caffeine. Well, caffeine might work well for my migraines, but it doesn't work well for me to try to regulate my sleep cycle. My sleep schedule has been a mess this week because of it. In fact, my whole body seems to be revolting on me. This migraine week has been rough. So, basically, I'm trying to focus on getting out of pain (migraine stuff) which, today feels much better, and wearing the CPAP. Another thing I've been really making effort on is eating Breakfast and trying to eat a majority of my food during the day rather than at night. It is going okay. I've been having breakfast within 1-1.5 hours of waking up. I am finding that since I've been doing breakfast, I am more likely to eat every few hours during the day and then not really be as interested in food at night. Maybe my doctor does know what he is talking about! As for my weight, I have gained a few pounds over the past two weeks. Grrrr! Well, I'm a work in progress. I'm trying and that is what matters to me right now. One other thing I want to update on is that I quit Weight Watchers. I was dutifully tracking all of my points on the WW website. But, since my band doc says I need to track my Protein and calories, I was also tracking protein and calories on myfitnesspal. WW doesn't show you how much protein you are consuming, only points. It was frustrating because I was double tracking. And I thought, why am I paying $43 a month to track points and go to meetings. I actually love the meetings, I think they are awesome, but the meetings don't focus on band nutrition. And, right now I'm really trying to focus on my band doc's suggestions. So, I quit weight watchers for now. Who knows, I may go back to it later. As for Protein drinks, I don't have one every day. I do have two on hand that I like in case I need them. One is Primal Fuel vanilla, and the other is Syntrax nectar Cappucciono. I enjoy both of them, although I Water the Cappuccino one down a lot because it is so outrageously sweet (a little less splenda in the mix would be appreciated). But, for breakfast, I am having some combination of 2% cottage cheese, 2% greek yogurt, 1% milk, reduced-fat cheese, and split pea or bean Soup that adds up to 300 calories and 20 grams of protein. This morning I almost went straight for chicken, but I was afraid my band wouldn't like solid protein that early in the day. So, I ate 3 bites of weight watcher mac n' cheese, a chobani greek yogurt, and a bowl of Pasta fazool bean soup with a tablespoon fo fat-free sour cream. Odd breakfast, but it works for me. 372 calories, 23 grams protein. Hugs, Hilary

Lewilli, I live in FL it's hot and I live alone, I almost never cook. I have cottage cheese with chopped veggies,Greek yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit,low fat cheese, ricotta cheese, tuna salad, chicken salad, blended veggie, fruit, nut, drinks. I sometimes put soy, milk, or yogurt or protein powder in the blender drinks. I recently have been eating spinach salads with finely chopped veggies with feta cheese. When I do cook (rarely) I use a crock pot with chicken and veggies or pork roast with veggies. I put this outside on our screened in covered porch so I don't heat up the house. This crock pot feast will last me for many days and I just reheat in microwave in small bowl servings. I sometimes poach a couple eggs in microwave with spinach, cheese or other veggies. I made a huge meatloaf with much filler including blended onion, bell pepper, garlic, herbs, and oatmeal mixed with diet lean burger. This lasted many meals and I reheated in microwave. I made chili with lots of beans, onions tomatoes and bell pepper. I made ff refried bean dip with ff sour cream chopped tomatoes guacamole and low fat cheese. I don't like eating mostly protein so I mix veggies and fruit with about everything. I try to avoid cooking anything except about one big pot of food once a week. I hope this helped. There are lots of good band recipes online. MelVan

Before my surgery I would only have protein shake for breakfast or protein bar, early snack yogurt fat free with fruit,lunch protein shake or protein bar,mid day snack which yogurt fat free with fruit ( fruit had to be size of tennis ball). Dinner 3oz of meat any unlimited vegetables but no starchy vegetables. And if I got hungry at nite I could have any vegetables that were not starchy or fruit. And of course I could not put any butter or any fat to season food.

Thanks Amy and Suzanne for the words of encouragement. I think I've just had so many jerk boyfriends that are always trying to force me to lose weight, I have a hard time believing that someone can like me just the way I am physically (even though we've been seeing eachother for 2 years!). But, I do want to be hot and sexy for him even so! But, here is a little mini victory. I wore my fitbit yesterday and walked 11,000 steps (equals a little over 5 miles). I took a walk in the morning and, when I saw I was still off by a few thousand steps of my goal (goal is 10k steps), went out for a second walk last night. I think that will be the plan for right now, curb my calories and take a morning and evening walk. Yesterday I ate 1500 calories. I am trying to get down to 1200 a day. This morning I got on the scale and saw I had lost a few pounds. I'm not sure how that is possible, maybe losing Water weight or something. But, it was good to see it anyway. And, I have gotten up at 7:00 am for two days in a row. I'm hoping I can keep getting up at the same time from here on out. Maybe my CPAP struggles are almost over? When I go in to get a fill, I will only have liquids, Soup, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese or yogurt up to a few hours pre-fill. Then, I drink water only in the hour or two until I get the fill. Question: How long after a fill do you stay on liquids and soft and mushies? My band doc said liquids for the rest of the day and soft and mushies for the day after, then back to normal. But, I have noticed on youtube on the Banded Wendy videos that her doctor keeps her on liquids and soft and mushies for two weeks post fill. As for weighing on the scale. I am kind of obsessive about it! I weigh in first thing in the morning in the nude before I have had food/after going to the bathroom. I usually weigh in at the end of the day too in my pjs, at which point I'm usually 2 lbs heavier. If I don't pay close attention to the scale I gain. In fact, the idea of not weighing myself for a week makes me feel nervous! It will be nice to feel free of the scale one day.

At 2 months post-op, this is what my typical day is like. Breakfast options: 1 single serving non-fat greek yogurt with about 1/4 cup fruit, some torani sugar free syrup, a sprinkle of Eggface's Protein granola or some sliced almonds. 4 of Eggface's "bites" (I make them with turkey sausage and shredded apple for breakfast) 1 scrambled egg with a healthy spoon of Jimmy Dean turkey sausage crumbles, sometimes wrapped in a mission low carb whole wheat tortilla (I can't eat it all if I wrap it in the tortilla) lunch: tuna salad, chicken salad, turkey ham salad, etc made with olive oil mayo and crunchy veggies (usually about 1/3 cup), with cucumber slices leftovers from dinner "lettuce wrap" made with 2 slices of lunch meat, 1 slice of sargento thin sliced cheese, wrapped in lettuce leaf. Usually dipped in home guacamole. I buy the 100 calorie packs from Wholly guacamole. Dinner suggestions: crock pot salsa chicken- cook a couple of chicken breasts with about 1/2 cup salsa and then shred the meat. I make it into "tacos" by adding some shredded lettuce, veggies, etc. Eat in a lettuce wrap or in a low carb tortilla. This always leaves plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day grilled fish, chicken breast or turkey burger (I use my George Forman grill) and make sure they stay moist! turkey meat balls with a little sugar free spaghetti sauce and veggies such as zucchini, mushrooms, black olives, etc veggies: well cooked cauliflower squash zucchini green Beans sweet potato (not often, it's a treat) mushrooms onions lettuce cucumber slices Snacks yogurt (if I didn't have it for breakfast) apple slices (no skin), sliced super thin with sugar free almond butter or string cheese hard boiled egg Eggface's "bites" turkey meatballs with a smear of barbeque sauce lower fat cheese Good luck! If you haven't found it yet, go to www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com. She is a Gastric Bypass patient but the recipes all work for us too! Wonderful ideas, even for early post-ops.

It sucks. It really sucks. That's all I can say. Not sure which pre-op diet you're on, mine is high protein/EXTREMELY low carb. I'm allowed meat, veggies, cheese, 1 small serving of fruit, and a small portion of yogurt. I miss my carbs sooooo bad BUT I keep telling myself that no way in HELL am I driving 9 hrs for the doc to get in there and make me reschedule bcuz I didn't shrink my liver. As much as it sucks, we HAVE to do it! I'm sure the 2 week liquid phase after surgery is gonna be sucky too, but I got myself in this mess, I gotta make a commitment....and U DO TOO Good luck!

Surgery 11/4, I’m eating protein rich “meals” (1/4 cup of canned chicken mashed up with hot sauce or low fat salad dressing is a “go to”) 3 times a day, plus Greek yogurt as a snack. Today, I’m allowed to have “soft” foods, so I will have a Turkey meatball mashed up in homemade no sugar tomato sauce with a tablespoon of ricotta cheese for one of my meals and I can’t wait. I am hoping and wishing for the time when I can have fresh veggies- but all I’ve been approved for at this point is veggies steamed and mashed which… isn’t flavorful no matter what I try to do (and I’m a decent cook, but mushy broccoli is mushy broccoli no matter what herbs you add to it) the way it was told to me, I’ll lose more once I add to my diet. Not sure why, but hoping that’s true. I am down 36 pounds since starting the liquid diet 2 weeks prior to my surgery, and that makes me happy.

Hello WSLers Long time listener, first time caller. I was sleeved on 11/22/21. I had lost over 40lbs since my surgery, but now seem to be gaining a pound a day the last few days. My diet has remained the same, 1-2 Premiere Protein shakes, 5 oz of non/low fat yogurt, and 4 bites of misc protein from dinner. Getting 64 oz or more of water has been brutal. Any ideas on the weight gain? It's really screwing with my head. Walking (exercise) has been limited, since I am currently experiencing my fourth gout attack since my surgery. I've been taking 600mg Allopurinol daily and 0.6mg of Colchicine during flare ups. It's been brutal. I have not had an attack in a while. Regards Dan

My nutritionist has me starting eating things like scrambled eggs, canned chicken or tuna with very little light mayo to moisten it so it won’t get stuck going down while swallowing. I can eat lean ground beef, thin sliced deli roast beef and turkey, shrimp, cottage cheese, yogurt some cooked vegetables. I still need at least one protein drink included in my day. My nutritionist stated I have to introduce these foods slowly to determine if my new stomach can digest these food. She some patients find out that the foods they ate before surgery find out they are unable to eat afterwards. I am so excited to start transitioning to textured foods but nervous at the same time that my new stomach will handle it now. Wishing all my fellow November Surgery Buddies who are transitioning to the next phase of your diet plan. What do you all think of changing our group name from “November Surgery Buddies” to “2021 November Surgery Warriors” I believe this group we are all warriors from our decision making, preparing or already has their gastric bariatric surgery as well as joining BariatricPal for support. I will understand if no one wants to change the groups name. I just wanted to bring it up as a suggestion. Reading these posts and seeing how much all of support each other made me look at how much we have a lot of strength and are uplifting thoughts for each other. It reminds me that we are warriors of battling our challenges together.

At three weeks I was allowed to add soft foods - scrambled egg (i could eat about 1/2 of it), Yogurt, Loose oatmeal, and loose mashed potatoes. It was nice to have something with texture after being on fluids for so long. What does your plan call for at 3 weeks?

CherieElise - I am with you. I had no real problems. The gas was okay but I sort of expected it and knew just to let it go. Luckily I had a single room. LOL. Once I was up and about I felt good. I am sore, like someone says the lower abdomen feels like over worked muscles. You are asleep so no telling what they do to you when asleep, jumping jacks or something. HEY THIS ISN"T A DRUM....In any event went back to work today. Glad I did as it was so mental I forgot to move. Truly. I talked to the dietician today because I was concerned that the liquid Protein drinks were not seeming to go anywhere and I thought I may have screwed something up. She laughed and said no the Protein Drinks are mostly liquid and they flow right thru (Duh) and she told me to put the protein into nonfat blecky yogurt which I did and added some sugar free pudding. Not bad. Won't make it an always and forever meal but hey what are our options. YOu just have to make the best of it. Once that decision is made you should know what you want and you will do whatever you need to do to achieve it. Surgery was not cheap, even with insurance and I have a lot riding on this.For my family, friends but most of all - FOR ME.......It was a journey from the day I decided to lose weight in late Dec and I lost 50 lbs until the two weeks of shakes and I lost another 10. I will not say I didn't put a bite of something in my mouth tho because I did. And it was all I needed. Which made me proud! In any event if your mind is not on the end result it will not succeed. I hope I don't have to eat my words in six months but I ahve a good team with me and as their test kitchen (I was the dr's first lapband in his own hospital) I feel I have to give them all the info and feedback I can so they can work with others. We all have to keep our chin (s) up and get fit and healthy together. I want to see all of us posting a year from now!!!!!!!