4ALongerLife

I'm sorry I dunno what to suggest, but my heart goes out to you because I know how frustrating this can be. Are you getting your water in? And for constipation, my dr's suggested Myrolax. I haven't done that yet (thankfully), but imagine it's coming. Are you tracking what you are putting in your mouth now? If not, do so!

I say find another carrier... that's such b.s. grrrrrr (sorry tho)

I am truly LOVING them! Hope you guys will too!

My husband just went to get a few more of these (I'm on conf calls right now) and said they appear to have other flavors as well but that I don't know yet.... I hope you guys enjoy them! And for the price, they are 3.79 for a 20 oz bottle.

OMG what is three years out like? I've been on a freak'n clear liquid diet since essentially 3/5 due to a leak and abscess. How in hades do I advance my diet is all I keep thinking? (after the fear of another leak, I am scared y'all.... honestly scared). I cannot fathom what 'normal' is like - going to dinner with my family and what? Just eating less?

I've been on a clear liquid diet longer than most due to a leak and abscess. This site, some wonderful peops suggested to me Isopure protein ready to drink (RTD) bottles. I haven't found one that I like yet. However, the lady at Vitamin Shoppe was a bodybuilder and suggested this other clear liquid protein to me.... it's wonderful! It's called Cytomax Pure Protein Performance and they have three flavors: watermelon (red), tangerine (orange) and tropical (green). I haven't had the watermelon yet, but the other two are a bit tart at first.... but I really am enjoying them. I put them in a huge mug with ice and sip sip sip throughout the day. They have 40 g of protein per 20 oz bottles and nothing else is in the drink (essentially... a bit of sucralose perhaps). They are made of whey protein isolate (which is the second ingredient behind purified water). I got mine from Vitamin Shoppe but I have seen them online to order as well. Hope you enjoy!

I was healthy to be obese as well (my stress tests show me to be in a high activity range); however, for whatever reason - diabetes doesn't care, nor does heart disease or cancer. At least that's what my dr's still said, but I also have a strong history of all three.

I've been getting them at Vitamin Shoppe and I know I've seen them online as well. I'm not sure about GNC as I've not been there yet to see.....

I agree with sitting them all three down together and get them to tell you what their hang ups are. Then I would ask for dedicated time to speak my piece. That's when you tell them this is for a longer, healthier life. To avoid diabetes, to avoid heart disease, to avoid cancer. Girl I had everything go wrong with mine but.... so far, I still don't regret it. I did this to live longer for my son and my husband as well as myself. And I did it for all of the above. Don't let anyone take you away from your dreams. You CAN do this.... but it's scary and man, it'd sure be nice to have support and I would remind them of that as well.

Cytomax Protein Pure Performance drinks in either tropical or tangerine (I haven't tried the watermelon yet). I'm also liking these much better than the Isopures (sorry but it's just my personal preference). 40 g of protein per 20 oz bottle. A bit tart at first bite, but they rock! Made with whey protein isolate, no carbs, no sugar, about 160 cals per bottle.

Jicama is supposed to be a healthier alternative to water chestnuts..... could you use them instead? I've never cooked with either but love the 'crunch' of it.

Grrr I think you are right.... no corn until after the 1st 6 months (on my sheet).

Awesome! Thanks for posting!

Hey iHeartNettie, I'm struggling with getting my Protein drinks in as I am on a clear liquid diet still. I went to the store yesterday and something that they suggested, as I tasted it, it made me think of you and possible satietiating the desire you have for oranges/pineapples. It's a drink.... Cytomax Protein Pure Performance in tropical flavor (it's green). It tastes like coconut and pineapple. The sales lady also told me the 'orange flavor' was good. But I just wondered if that would fulfil your citrusy/fruity craving AND could increase your protein intake (if you need it). If not, pls disregard, but I'm wishing you well! thanks

OMG y'all I'm so excited. Went to Vitamin Shoppe and they DID give me a store credit w/o a receipt (woo hoo) and it was enough that I got one grape Isopure RTD (as the sales lady suggested the flavor), then one nectar Sweets packet in vanilla Bean Torte flavor (there is 23g of Protein in this packet you mix it with 8 to 16 oz of Water and so far, it tastes good..... it mixes with some sediment but omg something new to taste and with protein woo hoo), then I got one other thing in the fridge.... called Pure Protein in Tropical flavor. It's a clear protein (it's green actually) and I'm sorry I forget the protein amt in it. But those are now the three things I'm going to try the next few days. Woo hoo something new and hopefully helping me heal! Thank you all for your inputs! I am soooo encouraged..... truly every day has been better through this journey, especially with your inputs and positive vibes... thank you!

lol yes ma'am, on 3/19 someone hit a pole near Baylor Carrollton in the mid day and the lights flickered and I think that's when their generator came on. that evening, it was storming and again the lights flickered. i just think i'm apt to murphy's law... go figure. and yes they did a leak test after my surgery and it wasn't there (or wasn't spotted). i know when i went in for pneumonia they did another leak test upon my er admit and nothing was seen. when i was admitted with excruitiating pain due to the leak/abscess, the radiologist that was there (Dr. Siegler) had me drink the first half cup that they dilute but then he said wait a minute, let's not dilute this barium and can you do another sip for me? i did and voila he saw it.

Congrats to you on your surgery date and my best wishes at an easy surgery with a speedy recovery to follow!

I am going for the Isopure RTD bottles today. I tried to find my Vitamin Shoppe receipt for the bullets and I can't find it ... grrr. I didn't realize they will take those back. Call me cheap but I'd try to return them if they'll take them. At about 3.50 a pop, yeah I was going to try! Now to balance start of the day, working from home and going for the Isopures. I am encouraged by your posts... thank you so much! And VST Addict, you are too kind. I'm ok.... my first post ... I admit I was down and feeling sorry for myself. But each day, I get a little bit stronger. And thank God every day for that (even though I'm praying any leaks are healed up, please lord....). But ty so very much for your kindness!

sweetie, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. it's better to ask than to not to and something go wrong or develop wrong from it. you know whenever we are 'fat' we learn to hide everything don't we? (or maybe that was just me? doubt it, but i'll admit that was my behavior) i stuffed my emotions and food helped me cope. THAT was silly but... it was learned for years. how i wish someone had been available to ask stupid questions of to save me years of damage. changing our behaviors is the hard part of this journey and that's what it will take to be successful. well that's where my focus is... how to change my maladaptive thoughts into measures of success. due to this focus, i honestly don't care who thinks what of me on this journey. i justify it with i honestly don't know, i distorted my view on food and now i have this grand opportunity to make this change a success. the surgery's only half of it, it's a tool to help you get there, there's much more work to be done. i am like a baby, new and learning... so questions of all sorts are ok. ... it's daily small steps and i struggle with this. maybe i'm overthinking, maybe not... but there's nothing to be ashamed of anymore sweetie. please be proud of yourself. it took a HELLUVA lotta guts to get where you are. (and maybe you are like me, i minimize everything that i do well from years of being belittled and made to feel ashamed. but guess what? no more.. i AM changing and i'm going to fight to be successful). but i still would like to encourage you just to ask just to make sure it's nothing harming you ok? best wishes...xoxo

lol I was going to say I have seen worse on that show "my strange addiction" but dropped it. (is that the show you were thinking of by chance? it's a weirdddd show) Honestly, my fear would be that over time, your body will become used to the chew/spit reflex. I googled as Niahri said and read other threads on this. Do the same and speak with your dr., nurse, nutritionist. Maybe you need a Vitamin that could alleviate this craving. (they have chewable Vitamins in orange, I forget the brand and those ARE good for you... maybe that would help your craving as well?)

How exciting... my time rushed past me so fast, I was overwhelmed I think... that "feeling the emotions again" perhaps? Congrats to you. I wish you a great surgery, fabulous and easy recovery and all of the positivity that your soul can hold. Best of luck to you.

How exciting. Truly! Congrats to you and your wife. I wish you and your missus quick recoveries, great experiences throughout this journey and years of living much longer & stronger. Congrats to you and your family... God bless.

I'm not sure nutritionally what you actually are getting from it, but I don't think it's weird. Maybe ask your dr. about this though. Input is always good.

Best of luck to you all! I know you are so excited, nervous, jittery, can't wait... etc... remain positive through it all and god bless each one of you.

Thank you everyone for your posts... I sound like a freak'n cheerleader or something lol... I am always so thankful for all of your posts, truly. You guys make me smile, TY TY TY TY TY and may you all be blessed for your kindnesses. My apologies... I haven't checked in here as I have been on conf calls, "working from home" but not taking on tasks just yet. Not till this "hunchback of notre dame" aka "botched boob job" of a piggy back drain (I stuff it under my shirt to go "out" in public so those are the two names my family and my dr. have given it lol thought you might have a chuckle at my fortune/misfortune he he) but once this drain comes out, then I will take on work as before. TODAY was a good day but I wish I had checked back here sooner. Grrr. I was just gonna say 'screw it' (pardon the language) on the Protein. OMG those bullets now, I open one and smell it and immediately my throat contracts and I just have to breathe and keep swallowing not to wretch. I WILL try the Isopure. You know I used to work out a LOT but I never did Whey because I didn't need to gain. I remember seeing IsoPure but never really looked at it. So ty for the tip! For the lady that is the RN that posted.... bless you for saying what you did. I've had a few ppl in my ears about 'you sure you dr. didn't mess up'. Yes negative nellies, I am sure (pppthhhh). My dr. is wonderful and I would recommend him to anyone and everyone - he's had the surgery himself and he has years and years of experience. He's really been a champion to help my worries on the medical bills and has been ever so patient with my sometimes anxious, overly worried, crazy self. He's truly got my confidence and faith (and I generally don't give that easily). I have to admit that I've stopped taking my flagile by mouth. Side effects, enough said? (I believe I will be "allergic" to this forever more....or so might be my story... I hate lying but omg the side effects of this stuff, jeesh) I'm still on clear liquids (since 3/5 essentially) and worry about losing my hair. I'm taking Biotin 5000 mcg a day but.... lord knows it grows hair right where I didn't intend. lol I am also losing still very fast. I don't mean it as a complaint, but it scares me is all. I lose about 5 lbs every two days. I'm almost 5 lbs from going under 200 (jeesh). I never intended to go through it this way, but then again, it's so weird to be this small again (so quick). I just hope I can advance my diet soon and that I can make it work. I truly appreciate you all.... your input, your support, and for the time you spend in responding. Thank you guys so much. Hope you all are having a ROCKING week!