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You can use unsweetened almond milk for your shakes and as a milk substitute. As far as Protein is concerned most are soy based, but you have to make sure the carb to protein ratio preferably is 25% or less. You will see my other posts for protein and my two favs are smoothie King Vanilla Gladiator (McSleevie doesn't like chocolate and strawberry). However Arbonne chocolate and vanilla are flavored great and are a pea protein so the carbs are natural and it is also dairy and gluten free. Let me know if you want samples of these. If you want to learn more tips and tricks from an 8 month-er that has learned a lot send me a message. I am also a skype coach that helps with menu planning and support via phone, skype and in person here in Tampa. Talk to you soon! Brook

I order preop too. I would happily send you the ones I have left. Chike was too sweet for me and unjury was too gritty. These are the two most popular. You will see in my other posts that I LOVE LOVE LOVE smoothie King Gladiator Vanilla! I would be happy to ship you a sample and I am also able to purchase and ship to you from my local Smoothie King if you like it. (45 grms of Protein, 180 calories, 1 carb... can be mixed with Water and fruit or my fav unsweetened almond milk) Since learning so much about my diet in the last 8 months I am now a clean-eater as well. I do my best to stay away from splenda or artificial sweeteners. Arbonne has a great line of nutritional that are gluten free, no artificial sweeteners and follow our needs. It's the only chocolate protein that McSleevie can handle and enjoy. Let me know if you want samples or if you want to learn more tips and tricks from an 8 month-er that has learned a lot send me a message. I am also a skype coach that helps with menu planning and support via phone, skype and in person here in Tampa. Talk to you soon! Brook

I tried so many Proteins and hated all of them. I am fortunate to have found smoothie king because their Protein is 45 grams per serving and one carb, 180 calories and it works with my personal plan. If you have a smoothie king around you go make friends with them. If you don't let me know and I will gladly send you a sample or container if you like. I get some great deals from my guy here. McSleevie doesn't like the chocolate protein from smoothie king, but I found that the gluten free Arbonne protein works for me in chocolate and vanilla. I'd be happy to send you a sample of that as well and get you an account if you like it and wish to purchase. If you want to learn more tips and tricks from an 8 month-er that has learned a lot send me a message. I am also a skype coach that helps with menu planning and support via phone, skype and in person here in Tampa. Talk to you soon! Brook

I was put on mushies on my day 7 post op apt. I slowly added things one by one until I started getting adventurous again with food. By week 3 I was at about 5 bites of soft solids like fish and broiled chicken cut chicken salad size. I am 8 months post op and I average 15 bites per solid meal and about 16 ounces when I have my shakes. If you want some ideas for mushies and other soft foods to graduate to check out the world according to eggface blog. She is fantastic and even though I fancy myself a pretty innovative cook she is my foodie mentor. I do change some of her ingredients because I no longer use milk or soy products. If you want to learn more tips and tricks from an 8 month-er that has learned a lot send me a message. I am also a skype coach that helps with menu planning and support via phone, skype and in person here in Tampa. Talk to you soon! Brook

The mushy stage sucks, but there are so many other things to eat than mashed potatoes. Stay away from anything white especially potatoes. Substitute sweet potatoes, acorn or butternut squash. Eggface has a lot of recipes for Protein ice cream, you can eat it for a meal. Believe me if you start eating carbs now you will regret it going forward. If you want to learn more tips and tricks from an 8 month-er that has learned a lot send me a message. I am also a skype coach that helps with menu planning and support via phone, skype and in person here in Tampa. Talk to you soon! Brook

It's all a game of numbers and reading your body. Get your Water in!!!! When you eat make sure you eat Protein first, vegs second and then you wont have room for carbs. For those that have carb issues like I do.... don't even have them on your plate. They are no longer an option until you get to your goal weight. Then they will be your final bite. If you want to learn more tips and tricks from an 8 month-er that has learned a lot send me a message. I am also a skype coach that helps with menu planning and support via phone, skype and in person here in Tampa. Talk to you soon! Brook

I swear by the myfitnesspal ap and online site. My surgeon actually uses my profile to follow my progress since I went out of state for my surgery. I am now 8 months out and I find myself in the 1000 calorie a day range. Then it takes exercise out of your daily intake as well. Most days I sit between 800 and 1000 after exercise calories. Just remember.... Protein first, veggies second and you won't have room for more after that. If you want to learn more tips and tricks from an 8 month-er that has learned a lot send me a message. I am also a skype coach that helps with menu planning and support via phone, skype and in person here in Tampa. Talk to you soon! Brook

It helps with surgery healing at first and now I wear them everyday and double up when I am planning a hard workout. I love the Lane Bryant version, but i've shrunk out of them now so I'm a spanx girl. Good Luck! Brook

Bariatric Advantage all the way! I still use the chewable Multivitamin and I crush them and put it in my morning Protein beverage. They have a vanilla so it doesn't skew the taste of the beverage. Bariatric Advantage Calcium is a go to as well. The flavors are raspberry, caramel, lemon and chocolate. I am partial to the lemon and chocolate because the chocolate satisfies cravings and the lemon makes my brain think im eating star bursts. I take Omega three from Arbonne daily and I take the Arbonne colon cleanse 4 days every 2 weeks (to help stay soft). I was taking Mirilax to keep myself regular, but with the Arbonne daily Probiotics in my morning beverage and the bi weekly colon cleans I am regular and not putting man made drugs in my body. If you want to learn more tips and tricks from an 8 monther that has learned a lot send me a message. I am also a skype coach that helps with menu planning and support via phone, skype and in person here in Tampa. Talk to you soon! Brook

Ky, I know exactly how you feel. My high was 410 and I am just about to hit the 300 mark by new years (fingers crossed). I have been losing consistently and the only place I feel different is in my clothing. I was a 26/28 at surgery and now i'm a 22 on the bottom and 18 on the top. I am extremely happy with my progress and wouldn't trade it for the world. I just wish I felt different naked in front of the mirror. Everyone, keep up the good work and Happy Holidays!

This sounds excellent. I am working on starting an organization here in Florida and would defiantly like to incorporate the virtual support into it. If you get this up and running let me know, I would love to join!

Nope....no beeps at the airport either

I love my eas carb control chocolate shakes. I use them post op and my starbucks will heat them for me with the steamer. I mix in my multi Vitamin and volia Breakfast. 100 cal _ 4 carbs from fiber and 17 protein_ and I dont puke when I take my vitamin! Good luck. From now on remember.... Everything that goes in your mouth should have 3 times the Protein than carbs. If its 50/50 half the carbs should be fiber. Water is an exception,but then again there isnt anything in water to count.

I had surgery with Dr Pleatman August 2nd. He was great and his staff was great. Shout out to the jenny's. Doctors hospital was extreemly attentive. I have my whole journey in my blog detailing my surgery and stay. Let me know if you have any questions and welcome to the club!

Get liquids down! Protein and vitamins can wait until u are less swollen. The drinkable soups are awesome. When you can start eating take it slow, chew well and avoid carbs like the plague. Fruit is great but use sparingly. And check out the world according to eggface blog. Let me know if I can help with anything. Brook

The first couple of weeks just work on Water.and the drinkable Soups are awesome. Once you get a week or two out you will get better at Protein. If you are interested in meeting up to talk I will be in Lowell for the holiday weekend visiting family. I am hosting a bariatric cooking class on friday at 1. Message me if your interested. Good luck.

I'm in sales. I was back to work on day nine. I was back to light gym activity by week three. Good luck!

At this point just do what you can. Your body is fine being behind for a week or two. Let your new stomach heal. Can't wait to hear more!

I was back at a full workout at week 3. Elliptical and weight training. Drink lots of Water but remember to sip.

I'm swearing by yardsellr. Com for buying and selling. Out with the big and in with the smaller.

I'm lucky to have such a supporting work crew. Not one day goes by that someone doesn't comment. I was at my desk and our general manager walks in and goes right past me. He asks my boss if I'm in today. I said I'm right here and he reply sorry I didn't see you. I laughed and said wait 6 months and I'll be non existent. He took it as a joke but I'm hoping I get an offer with better pay when I'm smaller! Lol

I took them before bed for the first week just so I could sleep through the night without feeling myself move. Yeah for liquid Vicodin!

I would love to see what you have I am just heading in that direction. I have had really good luck with Yardsellr.com to buy and sell clothes of all sizes. (Shoes and purses too) it's my new obsession. Let me know what you have and what you want for them and we can go from there! Thanks Brook

I'm in Tampa and always willing to help and talk. Friend me and keep in touch. As you can see I'm just over 3 months out and was 410 t the beginning of my surgery. Currently 332. Look forward to talking to you.