Newbie questions and a "gross" question

Your surgery date will be here before you know it!!!! 
I use a plastic bottle to mix my protein and milk and even that gets fluffy, but I let it settle down and it was fine.
As for the other issue, I was very bound up right after surgery and my doc suggested 1/2 dose of Milk of Magnesia, which worked perfect for me.  So whenever I feel like I can't go, I just take a little of that.  Although I haven't had any problems at all...now it's usually two times a day.

Good luck with your surgery, I'm sure you'll rock it!!!!!!

I was on clear liquids for a few days after surgery and then moved to protein shakes.  I use a magic bullet and don't have any problems with the air.  The volume increases by maybe a fourth, but that's it.  Unlike most, I was hungry right away after surgery.  I didn't have any problem drinking my shakes!

As far as bms go, I have one every day.  So far, knock on wood, I've not had any problems with constipation.  I sometimes put benefiber in my shakes - I have a shake every morning because my band won't tolerate any kind of food in the morning anymore - but not everyday.  It makes me pretty gassy and that can get kind of embarassing.  I eat salad almost every day, maybe that helps.  I dont' know.  Maybe as I reach my sweet spot and am eating less veggies, I will have this problem.  Hopefully not.  Good luck with your surgery!

cat

First - Best of luck to you and I hope you're surgery goes very well!

Second - lots of great advice given above.  Just needed to add something.  I had RNY a few years back and now the band to fix my enlarged stoma - but I remember reading on the protein shake web page that the protein breaks down after about an hour.  So pre-mixing them is not a good idea since the goal is to get the full protein benefits.  I like my mix protein from GNC - but for ease you can't beat Atkins and Slimfast.  Plus no added air.

Third - I take benefiber in my coffee once per day.  That combination seems to work for me.  My daughter is on miralax and she has no problems unless she doesn't take it for a few days.  So don't stop abruptly.  My doctors suggest MOM.  Its liquid and doesn't cause cramping for occasional use.

Good luck!!

Hi Tetra-rose. I'm an R.N.  My advice with constipation is: don't let it get too far!!! I practically had to be disimpacted (eeew!).  A few days after I started on solid food,  I was so constipated I was dying- had to do a mineral oil enema to get results (Double eeew, but it's the truth!) Since then I have been taking Benefiber chewables. They're fairly nasty, but I've found that one a day works well for me. I also try to get fruits  and veggies in as much as possible. Beets seem to work especially well!

The first few days you will only be on clear liquids. Get unflavored Unjury and mix it with crystal light, etc. Use a protein shaker- it really makes a difference. Once on full liquids, use flavored protein and mix it with milk. Unjury really seems the least chalky and best tasting to me.

Good luck to you!!!

I never have a problem with constipation.  I use 1 spoonful of unflavored Fibersure (no gas, no bloating) in my coffee every morning, plus I make sure I eat a lot of fiber-filled foods and veggies..  I am addicted to chili and always make and freeze it in 12 oz servings, plus I eat lentils and other beans regularly.  Actually, lentils have a lot of protein in them.

Phyllis

(edited for spelling)

Try using a frozen banana instead of ice in your shake.  They are thick and creamy without all the air that way.

Also, there are protein powders out there with added fiber (like Kashi). 

I also used to drink a few packets of Special K protein water every day before I could eat ruffage and solid foods.  Each packet is 35 calories, has 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber!

Between those two things, I didn't have trouble with constipation at all.

 Such good questions! Things I haven't even thought of. Every time I get worried or scared about having the band surgery, I always come here. Thank god for this message board!

I used a shake mixer pre-surgery!  This makes less air than the blender.  Post surgery I used a shaker cup to eliminate the air.  Worse case, use a fork to mix, just a bit grainier!

They had us on protein shakes and other liquid SF liquid for the first 2 weeks.  I had one extrem to the other as far as BMS.  I used Milk Of Mag on day 3 of any constipation.  I have Benefiber and Fiber Choice and prefer the Fiber Choice.

 

Ok Benefiber bansters.  If this is not working for you try prunes.  I know that sounds crazy, but my dietician told me that your new stomach could be very sensitive to a certain type of sugar substitutes that SF Benefiber happens to have.  I had only 2 BMs in my first 3 weeks and as soon as I stopped taking Benefiber (I was taking 2 servings per day) I started having BMs every 3 days.  As soon as I stopped taking Benefiber and had about 2 servings of prunes my schedule regulated on its own and I have not had any problems since.  My Dr says it is that you are not taking in too much food at first and thats why it throws your body off.  The Nurse even told me that this is not the last change to come!  :-) 

Good Luck and it will be here before you know it!    

Wow, thanks everyone for all the great ideas.  I appreciate everyone's responses.