Just starting my journey

Hi,  I had my surgical consultation yesterday to start my journey for Lap band surgery, which will most likely be during the summer.  My doctor wants me to start sampling protein drinks.  Does anyone have recommendations?  Should I think about investing in a food processor?

I have a small chopper that I think will be enough for me. I am going to get a blender this week though, but only because I don't think the chopper will handle ice. After surgery your portion sizes will be significantly reduced, so you might not need much more than a blender. I have always liked Atkins protein shakes, EAS (make sure they are the low-carb), and SlimFast low-carb (all 3 sold at WalMart). The only ones I have tried since surgery are Atkins, and they still taste good to me. They seem to have a small aftertaste, which I didn't notice before. But, my eating and drinking habits were very different before. I've heard rave reviews about no sugar added carnation instant breakfast. I will probably try that later this week too. I tried Isopure protein water and hated it.  I haven't tried the stacker protein waters, but I might. I'm not getting enough protein (although I'm getting closer), so I will have to add powder supplements to my diet now. I'm going to start trying some based on recommendations I have gotten from people here in the MD forum

Thank you.  I sent for some free samples today but I have to keep in mind what I am reading about tastes changing after the surgery.

I am very early in the post-op process, one week out today. But, my tastes have barely changed. The only differences I have found are first, that full strength drinks like Crystal Light, are too sweet for me, and second that some things have a bit of an after taste.

You can either try BariatricEating.com or Vitalady.com. Both of them sell sample sizes of protein drinks so you will be able to taste a variety before deciding on what you like. The thing is I know with the DS surgery I had and I hear it is true with the RNY that your taste buds seem to change after surgery and what you liked prior doesn't taste as good as before.  So be careful about stocking up with too much stuff. I am sure some of our lap band members will respond and you might try posting this same question on the lap band forum for their input as well.  I think a blender or magic bullet would work well and probably be less expensive then a food processor. Good luck on your journey.

This is true with the band, too.  I used to have a raging sweet tooth, but don't anymore.  Now I mainly have a "salt tooth."  I also noticed some taste changes after gallbladder surgery.  Maybe it's just related to trauma being inflicted on your body. I really don't like protein drinks at all, so I have managed to avoid them for the most part.  I don't use them anymore.  Solid proteins like meat stick with me best.  This morning, for example, I ate about 1/2 cup of corned beef hash (see, I told ya I like salt!), which was a lot more meat than potatoes, and an egg over easy.  This lasted about 6 hours before I was hungry again. So...  I may be a little different than some bandsters in my thinking, but I'd rather keep a slightly looser band and exercise some willpower than have a tight band and not be able to do meat.  I know so many people in the lapband forum who can't eat a steak or a chicken breast.  Not going there.  I'd like to keep things pretty much as they are now.  The band definitely restricts my quantities -- I often can't eat much more than 1/2 cup -- but lets things pass through pretty well. I talked with Pat about this quite a bit and she was okay with what I'm doing. Edie

Thanks all.  These forums are definitely helping.  I am glad there is support so close to me.

Welcome and good luck on your journey. My surgeon's nutritionist recommended UNJURY products, I have so far tried soup broth, strawberry, vanilla and alreadey use choclate for my breakfast in my coffee every day, their webiste is unjury.com and they have samples for each product and flavor, Good luck Ellie