PEvette

that's the last day of school! I'll be there...

I use nectar products....you can mix it with Water and it tastes ok....I found some recipes on bariatricpanty.com that tells you what sf mixed drink you can mix it with for a good taste....like the lemon tea sample, I mixed it with some SF lemon iced tea, it smelled like pee (to me) but tasted pretty good...lol I mixed the green apple with water and that was pretty good, I wouldn't buy a tub of it but it was good....

you can have SF Jello and popsciles too....I have a 14-day required diet, but I started it a week early....the first 3 days were ok...day 4 I felt the wall approaching, day 5 I gave in to Taco Bell, and put myself in a food coma for 4 hours...your body feels ick when you go 4 day cleaning it then eat regular food.... Got back on track on Saturday, and was challenged today, but I'm still on it!! my doctor allows me 4-5 Protein shakes a day along with SF jello and popsciles and beef or chicken broth....I'm to eat something every 2 to 2.5 hours....so when my stomach growls, I reach for something.. I've been staying at 800 cals per day

Yeah, he had my start date for liquids on memorial day.....14 days (ugh)....I started last sunday, may 20th because I'd gained weight since Feb... so I've been on in since May 20 (minus May 25, had a bad day and gave in)

Thank you so much everyone...at one point today, while smelling everyone's memorial day leftovers, for the first time I questioned why was I putting myself through this, my insurance refuses to cover WLS even when the teacher union went to talk to the board about it...the question I was asking was, I eat sensibly, I am mobile, I can get around great, until I stood up and both of my knees grinded and creeked (still after surgery on both).....then I went out and saw a cute little baby in the cafeteria (today is election day in texas, people were voting in the school)....I want a baby (2 babies) and I dont want my knees to hurt so bad anymore....and I DON'T have control like I "proclaim" I need this... But that damn candy apple will be making a trip to the custodian area trash can in the AM... Again, than you everyone!!

13 more days...today was really bad...a co-worker bought me a caramel nut candy apple (she doesnt know) and I said ahh gee thanks! and I sat it on my desk...I wanted to throw it away but I knew the kids would tell on me, so it just sat there all day....I picked it up a couple of times to play the bag but did not open it....I was going to put in the trash after school, but I was cornered by kids with pizza, asking me if I wanted some pizza a chips (they were having a afterschool party) and I politely turned them down, then I high tailed it out of the school....leaving the candy apple on my desk.... Now I'm thinking about that chocolate/caramel nut dipped candy apple, ugh.... But I am proud I did not break my liquid diet!!!

I believe we all are foodies at heart... )) Cruises are great....I just loved being able to lay out and take naps while out at sea...so relaxing Take in the other events, and you will see, there's more to cruises then the food..

drink warm liquids, like chicken and beef broth....the warmth curbs your hunger

lol, I'm in the middle of a grad class right now, and will be on the 11th (my surgery date) the plan is for me to get 2 weeks of work done before I go into the hospital, I told you that's the plan....we'll see if I can actually stay focused to do it...

Congrats!! Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery!! I hope I have a early surgery too....

Wooh woot! congrats!! What a difference 50 pounds make....again congrats!

I believe the bottom line is find someone you are comfortable with.... Looking at a therapist's specialities is important, I would'nt want to see a therapist who isn't aware of my situtation....people don't gain weight by just thinking about food....whether we admit it or not, people become 300 pounds because of issues with emotions and food...

When I did my psy clearance I didnt have a clue where to start looking for a therapist, so I used the one my surgeon's office had ($175) I wished I'd called my insurance, I would've paid $35....from that appt the Dr. recommended that I see one (preferably her, but I wasn't paying $175 a pop!) Well, I called my insurance company and they gave me a list of therapists, then I researched online on the ones who lived closer to me (preferred have a female therapist) and email them to ask them what were their specialities....then one said she also did bariatric clearances, I knew she was the one I needed to see. I made an appt and that was back in April.... I see her every 3 weeks and she is great...

Just a suggestion....try to go into this phase with a positive attitude...I started my pre-op 1 week early, mainly because I'd gained "stress" weight and I was motivated to losing it asap....so I had my first weigh in this morning, down 11 pounds already...so now I'm all in, lol.... Dont go into thinking about what you cant have, but your choices....I'm sure if you research, you can find a Protein you are able to digest for 14 days to get through this period.... just my opinion...take it or dump it

Wow wee you can see a change...keep up the great work!! Congrats!!

I'm hoping my doc doesnt call at the last minute for me to do that......ugh

EAS Myoplex Lite...can buy it at GNC, and most grocery stores....I also like the synthrax products (nectar and Matrix) you can get those at amazon.com

They can be VERY judgemental....that's why I've only told the people who I am closest to at work, plus my boss....which is a grand total of 4 people....

I had the same concerns when I started this process, this will be revision surgery for me because the lap band did not work for me....when I was in my psy consult I told her my concerns and she agreed that my concerns were valid and I should seek therapy, so I found a therapist and she has been great...she has already helped me and I've only had 2 sessions with her....when I told my friends who have also had WLS they just told me you can get the same thing reading a book....and I told them, I need someone who will have a verbal exchange with me, and a book cant do that... I would encourage you to seek a therapist...

Well I weighed in this morning for my (pre) pre-op week...lost 11 pounds!! very happy!! I need to lose 8 more pounds to be back to the weight I was when I began this process....my actual pre-op diet starts on Memorial Day....my doctor recommends 4-5 low sugar/low carb shakes.....then atleast 64 oz of fluids (sf popsciles, sf Jello, Water, sf/low cal (crystal light) drinks).... I really like the synthrax protien drinks....Matrix and nectar....also EAS Lite has really good RTD shakes....low carb/low sugar/high protien... I hope to lose another 25 pounds before June 11th, I probably step up the walking...

You can join the meetup for WLS buddies in Houston on Meetup.com.....you may be able to find a buddy in your area....inbox me for more details...

well, I am required to do one.....he requires 4-5 low sugar/low carb protien drinks, along with sugar-free popsciles, low-sodium chicken or beef broth, and sugar free jello per day....the protien drink can be made with skim milk or water...and get atleast 64 oz of liquids (water, broth, jello and popsicles included)

Hi and welcome.... Glad your surgery went well, I too have Dr. Yu as a doctor, he will be doing my revision on June 11th (so looking forward to it!)

Congrats on the NSV!!

Yes, if you dont stop the stress eatting you will gain weight! I was given my date back in Feburary, and I told myself I was going to lose at least 30 pounds between Feb and June....then stress crept up and bit me in the butt! My 5th Graders getting Spring Fever, trying to get and keep them focused for their state assessments, I got frustrated and said to heck with the Protein shakes, eating right and stuff, and started up my old habit of going to Mickey D's in the morning.... Well I stepped on the scale on May 20th (I have surgery in 3 weeks) and I'd gained 20 pounds! I started my pre-op on that day! Now I'm day 5 into it...I am approaching the wall (I getting the urge to eat) but I'm trying to stay focused.... I am the captain of this body and I will control it!! One day at a time!!! Commit to taking back control....