Protein the First Week after surgery

[Marienola 0]

Okay I have a quick question - if women are suppose to have 50 grams of Protein per day, but the band makes your stomach the size of a small egg and can only hold 2-3 ounces per meal, how do you get all of the protein you need the first week on a totally liquid diet? My Protein Shakes for pre-op have been 11 ounces with 20 grams of protein...Thank you in advance for your help.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Well firstly my doc said nothing but Water and broth and Jello the first week, no shakes...so not everyone has to have it week 1!

BUT...it's liquid. For many (not all) people, with the newer AP lap band (like I have) there's little to no restriction post op. From the time they gave me water post op (a whole 10 ounces) I have been able to drink normally. It doesn't hurt the pouch because it goes right on through. Without restriction in the band, unless you are severely swollen (and again, some are. I wasn't, and it is less common with the band I named) it is as if you don't HAVE the band. So drinking 3 Protein Shakes (breakfast, lunch and dinner) won't take you long at all. You don't want to CHUG stuff but you can drink at a good pace well beyond 4 ounces an hour.

[Marienola 0]

Thank you so much for responding!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Sure! It was a good question! Even if you are a little swollen at first, it will pass quickly and soon you won't have any problems And a day or two of no Protein won't hurt you...you don't want to always get "under" protein but initially, you can only do your best! :smile:

[todoornottodo 0]

Well firstly my doc said nothing but Water and broth and Jello the first week, no shakes...so not everyone has to have it week 1!

BUT...it's liquid. For many (not all) people, with the newer AP lap band (like I have) there's little to no restriction post op. From the time they gave me Water post op (a whole 10 ounces) I have been able to drink normally. It doesn't hurt the pouch because it goes right on through. Without restriction in the band, unless you are severely swollen (and again, some are. I wasn't, and it is less common with the band I named) it is as if you don't HAVE the band. So drinking 3 Protein shakes (breakfast, lunch and dinner) won't take you long at all. You don't want to CHUG stuff but you can drink at a good pace well beyond 4 ounces an hour.

Restless Monkey,-- I must first say thanks for your responses to almost every post. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. I am getting banded on Wednesday and to be honest I am excited yet very scared... I am not toooo keen on needles and IV's :smile: but I am going to have to suck it up. I wanted to ask you what is the band you are referreing to the newer "AP BAND" -- is that vs. the regulary Lap band or the realize band?

Thanks for your help ALWAYS!!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate them; I try to answer any time I think i maybe can help! This is such a big step for most of us! Anyway...the AP band is the "new" generation of the old Lap Band (as opposed to the Realize Band which is a different brand name/type/etc) AP means "Advanced Platform"...it comes in Large (holds 14 CC's) and Small (holds 10 CC's) and is modified in shape from the original band. One benefit is the doc can kind of customize it to the patient and with the AP style...you are not as prone to swelling etc post op. It's the "new" old lap band and I'm fairly sure anyone who gets a lap band now gets the AP version. I got the AP large and I'm really glad...the 14 cc's will give me LOTS of adjustment options!

And I know what you mean about needles and IV's. I hate them and I'm a nursing student. Let me tell you it's much easier to GIVE a shot than to GET a shot LOL But I made it through and I know you will too. I just look away and think happy thoughts (like how great I'll feel when I am below 300 pounds, how great it will be to get rid of my big clothes FOR GOOD, etc) and it goes fast! :smile: