Ouestions, questions, questions...

My first question is to all post-ops, rny & lap... Did, or do all of you drink the thick protein drinks or do some of you drink the thinner drinks like glucerna (for diabetics) or ensure, post-op? I can't drink Slimfast or Crystal Light due to them making my kidneys hurt just days, sometimes hours after I start drinking them regularly. I use to drink the soy protien drinks with half a banana and 1% milk before I decided on wls. I didn't lose any weight but it kept me from feeling bloated or have the overfull feeling. They substitutied for real meals, and when I switched from them to glucerna, I felt even better but still no weight loss, at least with what I could tell. I did have one sensible meal a day at dinner time. I get so frustrated with everything that I'm to eat or not eat because of my diabetes and with what the hubby can or can't eat because of his heart condtion and the meds. he takes. I can't remember it all and I so afraid that I'm going to mess up...so salt, no fat, no sugar, no carbs, low carbs...I need carbs? No peanuts or peanut oil, no trans fat, no triglycerides, no cholesteral, no fried foods, no deep fried foods, natural friut has sugar? I'm to the point of us just eating FISH and WATER!!! Get the point? I guess that's one good thing about diet of wls....not having to remember everything, Just following orders for me but I will still have to remember everything about the hubbys food. I don't mean to make it sound easy "the wls diet"...I know I have a long, hard road ahead of me, I'm just trying to get ready for it. Second question, everyone...I'm a chugger and always have been, water, tea and juice (don't do alcohol or soda). I have been trying to sip (practicing) my drinks but I keep going back to chugging, especially water! I'm seriously thinking about getting a sippy cup or something like it to help in my re-training. Is there anyone else out there that may be having or have had the same problem as I and tried the same thing or am I alone and feeling silly for typing this?...lol Hubby told me that I should get a kiddy plate and silverware to go with it....lol I did think about it. Reasons being, making all this newness fun! I never had any of those when I was a kid! and the most important reason is because, I'm still a kid! I'm thinking, Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger, even Pooh. I'm not into Buzz Lightyear or Batman and I'm surely not a princess!....lol, we will see! Next question, Jan...I saw that you use Centrim Silver Chewables (orange) and Calcium Citrate w/D. I'm going to try the Centrim Silver but as for my Calcium I take Os-Cal w/D. Is there a special reason why or is there no real big difference? Anyone can answer that, Jan was just the one I caught sharing...lol I know that I am having Lap Band and most of you have had or are going to have RNY. Even tho, they are two different surgeries, we still have one major thing in common. That is taking care of our new tummys. Prayfully, we will all get through this with as little yuking as possible. The less of that the better my chances are of my band not slipping, hench the sippy cup! Anyone can answer, I'm just being a sponge (in a good way) and soaking up all the info I can get before surgery. As for me not being on much, I' sorry but have been busy as I'm pretty most others on here have been as well. The hubbys been home and the holidays and getting all my ducks in a row before the 26th. I have been lurking at times and have prayed for those that have asked for it. Just haven't really had much time to respond and of course my computer starting messing up and I had to delete a bunch of stuff to get er going good again!...lol Kinda like in the old movies or cartoons were the plane is going down and their having to get rid of excess weight, quickly! The pilot's trying to fly the plane while others are in the back throwing everything that isn't attached out...even the kitchen sink in some of the cartoons!....lol The old, GOOD cartoons! That's all for now...all replies are welcome! Love & Prayers to ALL, Deb M

Hey Deb, To answer your question about shakes, the protein shake I drink are pretty much like drinking milk. I buy the Carb Countdown Milk cuz of being diabetic I try to consume as few carbs as possible but the powder I mix with it kind of makes it a light milk shake. If you like the thicker type shakes, I've seen some mix some sugar free cool whip with it and that makes it good plus kind of thick and filling. I use the Whey Protein Gold Standard *Black Label* that can be bought at Food4Less or GNC, it's about the same price as all the others. With the milk and powder you get about 30 grams of protein, Dr. Hornbostel likes us to get around 90 grams in if we can. As far as being a chugger, I used to be that way with anything I drank, and I do feel the effects when I forget myself and chug now, eeekkk!! I assume it will be the same way with the LapBand cuz both tummys with either surgery are smaller. I thought about a sippy cup myself lol Im about used to it now. And another thing I still have trouble getting used to is not drinking 30mins before and 30mins after a meal, I love taking a drink while eating, thats a no no now, but in time the old habits fade away and the new ones take over, some still try to haunt me every now and then. As for using the kiddy plate lol when I eat I put my food on a small plate, guess its all in my mind but it makes it seem like ur eating something, when it's on a big plate its like there's nothing there lol. You said something about fruit, Margie from Dr. H's office said to me that fruit is a natural sugar and is not bad for us, I personally havnt tried fruit yet, I did try an apple and it came right back but I was still only a couple weeks out and needed something cuz of my sugar dropping to low, it didnt like me tho. Well I hope some of that answers what ya wanted to know, I'm sure others have other idea's that will be helpful to ya also. Just remember, your NOT alone in this, everything you have questions on there's always someone thats been there and done that somewhere, dont ever hesitate to ask. Bless ya gurl, Andrew

Andrew answered most of it and believe me you will learn fast about not chugging your drink. the calcium we have to take is calcium citrate. but i dont think the lap band would have to have that especially since you dont have to worry about absorbshion You will be ok really. and if you have a question we are here and the girls in the office are great about talking to you and anything important they will ask Dr. H about. Take it easy and relax you will be fine. Jan

I think most of your questions have been answered. As far as the vitamins you dont need the calcium with citrate with lapband. I take the Caltrate Chewables. The sippy cup will probably help you. It is hard to get used to not drinking fast and you arent supposed to drink with meals or drink 1/2 hr before or after a meal. That part is hard for me. The Slimfast LowCarb shakes or pretty good or you can try some of the protein powders and mix them with skim milk. I had my lapband in September, so if I can help you in any way let me know

Sorry guys, I should of added that I take the OsCal w/D because I have had a complete hysterectomy and have for awhile now. I take 1000 to 1500 mgs. a day I figure it won't change after surgery...at least I don't think so. Thank you all for your help. I'm printing it all up and will read through all of it. I think it's cute that others are doing the sippy cup and kiddy bowls and spoons...at least I won't be alone!!

Debbie, My whole world changed after surgery. I used to chug everything I drank. After my surgery, even one month out, the urge to chug is still there. That is all I want to do right now is chug a HUGE glass of ice water. I made that mistake one night. I didn't do it on purpose. I kind of "forgot" I had the surgery, was in the kitchen cooking for the family, and I turned around and grabbed my cup, and WHOOPS!!! I had to go lay down. I thought I was going to die. Even if you are a chugger, you will only make that mistake once. As far as the protien goes, I need to work on getting back into my shakes again. I do NOT like them. I use the Isopure protien powder and it is not thick at all. It will take a glass of skim milk and make it like 2%. One of my favorite shakes is my iced coffee. I use milk (as much as the protein powder calls for), instant (decaf) vanilla coffee (disolved in a TAD bit of ho****er), a bit of splenda (to your sweetness level), the protien powder, some sugar free creamer, and ice. It is sooooo yummy. Now about the food. I found a wonderful cookbook at Wal-Mart. It is a diabetic cookbook with recipes for the crock pot. I love it and have had several meals out of it. If there is something I can't have in the recipe, I just leave it out or substitute it. I didn't go buy a sippy cup or a kiddy plate. I do use the small tea plates that came with the set and a small fork. It takes me longer to eat my little tiny plate of food than the whole family put together. It is a learning experience that is exciting as well as frustrating. I just want to go to Sonic and get a Rt. 44 cherry limeade!! Sometimes I think it isn't fair, but then I go back and look at my newly taken 1 month post-op pics and I am all better. As for the vitamins, I only take a multi twice a day and my calcium twice a day. Margie at Dr. H's office said I can wait to start taking my B vitamins, which I can start in about 2 weeks. I am sorry, but that is all I can offer right now since I am only a month out. I am still learning. It is a wonderful thing and you will soon be on the bench with us!!!

Deb, Thanks for asking all the questions. They are ones that I had two. Especially about the chugging. I know that it will take me a while to get used to. I always have a 32 oz mug of ice water with a straw beside me. I love to drink the cold water and I hear that may change two because sometimes temperture effect the pouch. I'm thinking sippy cup!!! Marilyn