Hello From Tampa, Fl

[El_Cid 15]

I'm 36 year old male and I've been struggling with my weight all my life. My insurance has been paying 100% for this surgery for a while so I finally decided to do it. I first saw my doctor on May and I have my surgery scheduled on August 1st.

I'm currently on the high Protein, low carb pre op diet but it is difficult. I'm a large man - 6'4" and a large frame - so I've always been a big eater. I'm currently at 381 lbs and my doctor tells me my ideal weight is 230lbs.

I'm on day 3 of the diet and I'm really having a hard time. Been trying Muscle Milk but I often get light headed and I also have a slight head ache. I'm only on the 3rd day of the pre-op diet and I'm already having issues. Is this normal? I've been to a few grocery stores but all they seem to have is Muscle Milk. What other options are there?

I'm just really afraid that I'm not going to be able to do this. I've done diets before and lost 100lbs just to gain it all back. I also have the bad habit of scarfing down food. From what the nutritionist said, that is a big no-no.

[kll724 3,055]

Hello El_Cid, my son had his surgery last August 5th. He has lost about 95 lbs. he started at 320, and is to 225-220 somewhere. He loves restaurants and eating, but he has done real good, hang in there, you can do it too! Our surgeon's ofc has a Protein Drink to mix with milk, Water or juice. I would suggest trying to find something like that at the health food store. Best of luck, also, we have a Florida group, join us if you like. Karen

[Starting Over! 31]

I have had a lot of success with syntax nectar. I blend it with sugar free pudding and ice. It makes a. Yummy shake in vanilla and chocolate. Best of all no side effects.

[Kekeboo 47]

Pre op was hard for me as well, I ended up doing 1 shake a day and had 2 meals and 2 Snacks. I included a salad with both my meals to make me feel fuller. It's not easy, if it was every would do it. Remember the band is just a tool, it's not the reason you will eat differently. You still have to make the food choices. You can "choose" to follow the diet given by your doctor or you can "choose" to eat what you want...suffer the consequences and be miserable from the side effects. Right now is preparing you for the band. Find a hobby, a book or an excercise program to get your mind off the hunger pains.

Good luck!!

[Starting Over! 31]

And yes, I would encourage you to follow your surgeons orders to the tee.

I am one day post op and did everything I was told to do, today, day 2, I am on no pain meds and have no gas pains ( which I have read could be horrible)!

You can do anything you put your mind to! Keep telling yourself how much you want this. And YES you can!

[Sojourner 2,446]

I'm 36 year old male and I've been struggling with my weight all my life. My insurance has been paying 100% for this surgery for a while so I finally decided to do it. I first saw my doctor on May and I have my surgery scheduled on August 1st.

I'm currently on the high Protein, low carb pre op diet but it is difficult. I'm a large man - 6'4" and a large frame - so I've always been a big eater. I'm currently at 381 lbs and my doctor wants tells me my ideal weight is 230lbs.

I'm on day 3 of the diet and I'm really having a hard time. Been trying Muscle Milk but I often get light headed and I also have a slight head ache. I'm only on the 3rd day of the pre-op diet and I'm already having issues. Is this normal? I've been to a few grocery stores but all they seem to have is Muscle Milk. What other options are there?

I'm just really afraid that I'm not going to be able to do this. I've done diets before and lost 100lbs just to gain it all back. I also have the bad habit of scarfing down food. From what the nutritionist said, that is a big no-no.

I encourage you to become a "label reader"...and start reading the nutritional value labels. Muscle Milk, along with most all of the other premixed shakes I've seen are deficient on the amount and types of Protein we need to maintain health.

You should check into the protein products which are recommended by your surgeon and the dietitian. You need to get the most substantial amount of protein you can with every shake.

And, though it has been heatedly debated before on the forum, the gold standard protein for bariatric patients remains whey isolate protein. I can get 37 gr of protein with every shake using 1% milk mixed with 1.5 scoops of Wheybolic Extreme Protein powder from GNC.

As you move along your journey, you will read it stressed often that getting enough protein every day is a top priority for bandsters. You may need to try several different types of Protein Powder before finding one that you like. Generally, the premixed shakes are not the best choices for optimum nutrition, and the better choices will not be found at your grocery store.

Your relationship with food will need to change, and you will have to slow your eating down to small well chewed bites. When you scarf your food down, you miss the subtle signals from your stomach that you are full. Pre op you can get away with it, post op, you may get to experience the negative events of getting food stuck...never happened to me yet, and hope it never does. But many others on this forum can tell you about what happens if you try to eat too fast having a band with some restriction. Not a pretty picture...

Believe in yourself...and your abilities to be successful in this journey. The band empowers you to be successful, but to do so, you will need to follow the rules. You will determine your level of success with your band...and it's all about the choices you make every day.

Best wishes...

[barbie64 5]

I know that the liquid for 2 weeks is hard. My doctor allowed me to mix fruit in my Protein Shake. I would mix the Protein with nonfat milk, fruit, and some ice cubes. It wasn't a steak, but tolerable. Check out your local GNC or just get some whey protein from a local store. A lot of us have been where you are now. Some of us doubted if we could do it. Just take it one day at a time and it will be over pretty quick.

[YLANKFORD 3]

I am not banded yet, but have done a lot of research, my surgeons office has a lot of options , several flavors of Protein Shakes, along with Soups, puddings, and Hot Drinks. I go to Suncoast Barriatric. Give them a call. Good luck!

[El_Cid 15]

Thanks for all the good info. I guess I'm still having difficulties wrapping my mind around this.

[purplekyss 8]

I'm 36 year old male and I've been struggling with my weight all my life. My insurance has been paying 100% for this surgery for a while so I finally decided to do it. I first saw my doctor on May and I have my surgery scheduled on August 1st.

I'm currently on the high protein' date=' low carb pre op diet but it is difficult. I'm a large man - 6'4" and a large frame - so I've always been a big eater. I'm currently at 381 lbs and my doctor tells me my ideal weight is 230lbs.

I'm on day 3 of the diet and I'm really having a hard time. Been trying Muscle Milk but I often get light headed and I also have a slight head ache. I'm only on the 3rd day of the pre-op diet and I'm already having issues. Is this normal? I've been to a few grocery stores but all they seem to have is Muscle Milk. What other options are there?

I'm just really afraid that I'm not going to be able to do this. I've done diets before and lost 100lbs just to gain it all back. I also have the bad habit of scarfing down food. From what the nutritionist said, that is a big no-no.[/quote']

@el-CID

You can do this!

It will help the quality of your life! You have to ask yourself why do you scarf food? How does it make you feel? And why?

When you deal with all that them you can deal with eating to live instead of living to eat!

I will keep you in my prayers!

Liz