Sleevie WonderLand

I'm supposed to be starting my pre-op diet tomorrow. My nutritionist suggested Protein from Bariatric Advantage, but I lolligagged and am now down to the wire and need protein stuff. I ordered some samples and havent even sampled them yet.

I wanted suggestions from my VST family on what the best protein stuff from local shops like GNC and Vitamin Shoppe would be. I'm desperate people!

On another thread Wheybolic Extreme chocolate flavor got a thumbs up, so I'll start there. Oh yeah, I hate Peanut Butter and bananas! lol

I dont want to have to rely on ordering my Protein stuff online as shipping gets expensive and I have to REMEMBER to keep ordering stuff when it gets low. From this thread I'm gathering that I can go to my local GNC and get Wheybolic Extreme which tastes pretty good (I know, I know, I need to taste it myself). I have two daughters who would also like to go on a liquid diet to help support me (and to look good for an upcoming dance they're going too lol) and I really cant afford to buy hiqh quality Protein stuff for all of us, so they've agreed to do slim fast.

If any of you have any other Vitamin Shoppe or GNC suggestions, please share. I'm supposed to start my pre-op diet on Tuesday and I would rather go local than to order a whole bunch of expensive crap online.

Omg, I just grinned like a cat when I saw my name on the list! Woo Hoo!

Thanks for sharing nraeh! Your post just made me all warm on the inside. Sounds like your surgery has brought you and your hubby close together too! My poor hubby is dreading the shopping that is going to take place once the pounds begin to drop!

Rick, I can so visualize that scenario in my house! My hubby is definitely gonna have to play portion police with me too!

And what is her surgeon's name? Any doc that prescribes filet mignon is alright with me!

Thanks for the tip about the scale and the portions. I've already told him that its time to purchase some smaller plates and utensils, but I can see how the scale will be beneficial to me in this process.

Thanks Kemo! It would be awesome if your wife blogged about goin through the experience with you...kinda get the experience through the spouses eyes...

It sounds like your husband is very supportive. You need to get him on the forums, have him read mine and other blogs as well ( mine is in my signature). This will give him actual accounts of the process. Feel free to have him PM me with any direct questions he would like answered as well, I went through this with my wife so I know what he is going through. I had my surgery in May. Good luck.

My hubby is awesome and supportive, however, he's the type that just likes the "meat". He did attend my info session and was at ease when he heard what the procedure entails and asked a few questions of his own.

He's awesome, but definitely does not have the patience to read through the forum and all it's posts, hence the reason I asked for the vets to give me a few pointers that I could share with him on this thread. I'm gathering from the posts above that he should prepare to be very attentive and ready to take on most of the household stuff, which we already figured. I didnt think about the weight restriction thing, I'm gonna have to explain that to my little one when he wants me to pick him up.

Did anyone have mood swings? How soon did you get back to your normal sex life? I'm sure these are the kinds of things hubby would like to know....

I was discussing my surgery with my awesomely supportive hubby this morning, and he asked me to give him a list of things that we will need to do, know, or have after I'm sleeved on October 18th. He understands that I wont be eating much and will only be having liquids right after surgery but he wants to hear first hand from someone who's lived it.

Any tips and pointers for him you could give are greatly appreciated! I'll be showing him this thread later on tonight, hopefully there will be some great suggestions and info for him to have so that my post op days go by nice and smooth!

I loved the Nana with the boobs too...had to have her shake what her mama gave her for us Octeez!

So glad you joined us, Kay! I have to admit, the nana with the boobs totally made me laugh out loud!!! So exciting! You are only two days before me...I'm on the 20th! Like you, I've been so obsessed with the surgery, but it's been over 6 months for me....will be so glad when the waiting is over and we'll be on the other side! I don't have to do a preop diet, either, but I'm going to do a quasi one. The more I can help my surgeon, the better off I'll be!!

So 'cited for all of us!!

My surgery is a week from yours, so you'll be able to give some real pointers before I go in. This is all so very exciting isnt it? (((((hugs))))

I totally agree with the money thing. Publicity and money will make a person do a lot of things, especially if they're feeling hopeless. The more press and attention she gets, the more monetary opportunities she'll receive.

She is getting paid. Probably a lot! You couldn't get me to take a picture naked and I was only 290. She may be sick, but I think she likes the attention. She went on the show to be harassed by the audience. She did it for the $. She can certainly move very well for a big girl. Her numbers may be through the roof, but that doesn't mean she will have a heart attack .

My actual birthdate is December 5th, but you better believe that next year I will be celebrating my life TWO times. October 18th will forever be a celebratory day for me.

My coordinator called me and told me the news last week and I've been playing 1018 for the past couple of days. It hasnt hit just yet, but its definitely going to be one of my staple lotto numbers too!

I officially started this process at the end of June, so it's only been 3 steady months, but it feels like I've been chasing this surgery forever. I'm happy that it's almost here and am continuing to prepare for it by doing my pre pre-op diet (self prescribed). I'm not doing liquid shakes or anything, but I'm exercising and paying close attention to what I've been consuming. I probably wont lose a ton of weight until I begin the official liquid diet two weeks before my surgery, but I'm hoping to begin the process of conditioning my mind and body to welcome this new change. I'm no longer drinking with my meals (ugh, it's so hard), and I'm upping my Protein and cutting back on carbs (ugh, that's hard too!). I'm satisfying cravings by having very small portions, and it seems to be working. I hope to lose at least 5 lbs before my pre-op liquid diet since that's what i gained during this process. If I can lose those 5 and get back down to 250 in two weeks, I'll be satisfied.

I salute you my fellow October 2011 sleevers! I look forward to sharing this experience with you!

We rock!

:rockon: :bananapowerslide: :Banane09: :Banane20: :party4:

Sorry things went as you expected, I'm the "hopeful" type as well.

The good news is that it's out there. You dont have to disguise or hide your new lifestyle, and eventually they'll get over it once they see the change in you physically as well as mentally.

Stop second guessing yourself. Just because you're the baby of the family (me too!) doesnt mean you arent capable of knowing what's best for you.

This is your time to be selfish. Have your surgery and recover without care or concern for what people think. Doing that will just hinder your healing and make it harder for you to concentrate on what you need to do to lose your weight and become accustomed to your new life!

I wish you all the best! (((((hugs))))

You're thinking like someone who wants to succeed. Dont give up now, it'll be so worth it in the end! You can do it!

Welcome Shenna! Congratulations on your pre-op weight loss. 55 pounds is def a milestone! The great news is that you're already on your way to living healthier because you've begun to change your habits and when you combine that mindset with a tool like the sleeve, you're bound to be successful!

I dont know anyone who has done the sleeve at the NYBG, but there's was one of the first websites I perused when I began my sleeve research. I called their office and found that they didnt take my insurance, so I left them alone. I gotta say I was really impressed by their website and all the great reviews I've read about Dr. Garber.

Please be sure to keep us abreast of your progress, and your surgery date. I TRY to pop in from time to time and check in on my NY crew, but I'm not always the best at doing that (sometimes life just gets in the way, I'm sure you know what I mean!). Be strong, Be encouraged, Be inquisitive! There is a wealth of knowledge and ideas from everyone here on VST. Take advantage of it all!

Hello everyone.. I moved to NY 2 years ago from Missouri when I got married. I have a house in New Hyde Park and now living in Upstate NY near Albany. I was first in the Bariatric Program at Albany Medical Center but have had the worst time with the nurses and Dr's there so I have recently switched to Dr. Garber at the NY Bariatric Group in New Hyde Park.

I currently have all of my clearance's that I need for the surgery and will have my surgery date very soon according to what the nurse said at Dr Garber's office.. I am very excited and looking for a end of October or at the very least 1st of November surgery date .... WOOHOO!!! It's been a hell of a journey,, i'm sure everyone can relate to... I have lost 55lbs in the last 9 months though by dieting and exercising but can't lose anymore weight doing the same things that made me lose the first 55lbs so I need a little extra help to get me down another 100lbs....

I am currently 255 and 5'6 so my BMI is right at 41.. I can't wait to see what this next year brings my way.. i know it's going to be hard but I'm totally up for the challenge.

I was wondering if anyone here has had there Sleeve done by any of the surgeons at the New York Bariatric Group in New Hyde Park.. just wanting to know how every thing went from Pre op to post op... hope to chat with you guys more !!

I am attaching a picture of me 9 months ago at 310lbs and now me at 55lbs lost

During my journey one of my biggest worries was that I was gonna have to wait several weeks for an approval from Empire BCBS - EPO (most people are down with PPO). Needless to say, my approval took 6 days. My paperwork was submitted on Monday, September 13th, and my coordinator called me on the 19th with the good news. I also received a call today from Empire to verify who I was and to tell me that I was approved for Surgery on October 18th.

*doin a happy dance*

I cant wait to sit in a plastic or folding chair and not worry that it's going to break or sink deeply in to the grass and dirt.

I cant wait to stop second guessing myself about everything. This weight takes so much of my self confidence away sometimes.

I had the same issue, my bmi stayed just under 39. I was tested for sleep apnea which helped me to become a credible candidate for the surgery. I think it's awful that the insurance companies can deny someone who is obese this surgery because they are a few points short of the required BMI of 40. You have to put yourself at more risk just to qualify, which sounds absolutely ridiculous. I say do what you gotta do to get those ten pounds in. *wink*

I'm curious about bariatric fusion too...are the flavors true to their name? I am not a coffee drinker at all, so I wont be ordering the cappucino. And is there an after taste? Some times these Protein shakes and Vitamin thingys can go down easy at first, but then that after taste kills the deal.

Hi Jenni,

Yeah, I've tried them all except the unflavored. Frankly, the mint chocolate chip ice cream, cinnamon bun and the chocolate mousse are my favorites, but I do like the strawberry and the vanilla ones too. I really did not like the Cappuccino - but I don't like coffee anyway. Their Vitamins are so much better than the Bariatric Advantage Vitamins since they are not chalky.

Hey Lovely!

We have a lot of Bronxites in this group! Boogie down in the house!

Thanks for joining the group, and much success to you on your journey. Your date is coming up soon, huh? We're excited for you! Please be sure to give us loads of details!

Hello everyone!! I am from NYC. I grew up in the Bronx but now reside in Manhattan. I am have my surgery on 9/19/11, at St. Luke's Hospital, with Dr. Belsley.

Hi Laury! Welcome to the group!

Hope Irene didnt interfere with your surgery. Let us know how you're doing!

hi my names is laury n im getting the gastric sleeve done on Tuesday the 30 of aug if hurricane irene lets me lol... i have a few questions about recovery such as how long till u can actually start eating ur normal foods n drinking alcohol.

I asked my surgeon and he says he uses a size 40 and I asked why he doesnt use a smaller size and he said that his size 40 patients have less reflux and complaints than the ones who used smaller bougies. He's the surgeon, I'm gonna trust what he says and stick with the 40.

Continued bliss in your marriage! You looked stunning, and the video definitely captured your happiness and made me want to get married to my boo all over again! Thanks for sharing!

I'm finding that I'm having to fight off lots of people to get to her. It must be that darned sleeve making her so attractive to all of us!

Hi KayyyBeee - You're stalkin Seattle Sue too? LOL

I love your Forty Tude and sense of humor!

Good luck on your sleeve journey.