makemyownluck

I start my 2 week preop tomorrow. I tried the nectar vanilla torte and it was actually quite tasty! They gave me a sample of the Isopure at my appt today and that wasnt so good But im thinking this is going to be pretty easy!!! After i tried the nectar drink i felt really full! Yay!!!! 2 more weeks!!!!!

Here's my opinion on what I've tried.
Syntrax is good, try bjsbariatrics.com as they sell a sample pack that you can customize so you only try what you think you'd like. Syntrax also has unflavored powder that might be more versatile for you - add it into soups/broths, Jello, etc and it's not detectable flavor-wise, just makes things look cloudy. They sell tubs of it on Amazon.com for a good price, and available for the free super saver shipping on orders over $25. They are 10g of Protein per scoop. Low on calories and carbs, and they use only natural sweeteners in their products.
I got the sample pack from unjury.com because everyone on this site raves about the chicken flavor, but I thought it was disgusting. I'm pre-op and since tastes can change post-op, I'll save the 2nd packet of that to try again after surgery. I was really psyched to hear about the chicken flavor, but I thought it had a bad after taste, and the more of it I drank, the nastier it tasted to me, to the point that I dumped the rest out about half way through (and I've never dumped anything else I've tried, Protein shake/powder wise!). The other flavors were good, but I found they didn't mix up as smoothly in the shaker cup as other powders I've tried. I had to shake it to death and even then there were still small clumps at the top. For the price, I expected better.
The Premier shakes are terrific! These are my go-to, so convenient, great price and high protein content. I get them at costco, they have chocolate or vanilla and they are both good. The vanilla is mild flavor and mixes will with anything. I like to make Chai shakes, I get sugar free chai powder mix from World Market and mix it with a vanilla shake and some almond milk - YUMMYYYY.
Body Fortress powder is available at Walmart. The strawberry is good with Crystal light lemonade. Others have said the chocolate-Peanut Butter from this line was good, but I'm not sure I like it. I've had it a few times and it's okay, but I don't get the hype. I've also used their strawberry flavor, which is okay. I mix it with Crystal light lemonade and it's nice. I think I'll enjoy that a lot over the summer. Blended with ice would be great too. Or frozen into popsicles!
Muscle Milk is awesome, taste wise. Probably the best tasting of this whole bunch. Let's face it, if all we're having are shakes, then they better be delicious and Muscle Milk is all that. The regular version of this has quite a bit more calories and carbs in it than any of the others mentioned. Depends on the flavor, but we're talking double and triple the calories and fat you get in any of the other shakes mentioned. And they taste great because of it!! They also have a great 32g of protein in there too. Muscle Milk also has a Light line. It's okay. Has a bit of an after taste. Not as delicious as the original. But okay. But it also only has 15g of protein per serving.
Overall, I recommend Premier Protein and Syntrax nectar. I think Unjury is a bit pricey for what it is and Muscle Milk/MM Light doesn't offer the best balance of nutrition to meet what I'm looking for. Body Fortress is okay, nice to have around for some variety, also this brand is a great value.

just ordered the sample pack from bjbariatrics yesterday. and i got 2 tubs of unflavored nectar from Amazon yesterday as well. I've been using the body fortress brand strawberry, and I really like it with some crystal light lemonade or raspberry lemonade. i start my preop liquid diet on thursday... May 2nd is getting closer and closer!!
i'm really looking forward to trying the nectar, they have some yummy sounding flavors!

If you have group coverage, typically the exclusion is at the request of the plan administrator (your employer) to lower their premium costs. While the exclusion is active on your plan, it's not possible to get this covered. However, you can talk to your HR manager and see if they would consider a plan that has this coverage. Or see if they offer another plan that doesn't have the exclusion.
Good luck!

Thanks "luck" and Good luck to you also!!

Heyyyy, my surgery is May 2nd. I'm sooooo excited and nervous, this board has helped me so much and taught me more than I expected!
I *officially* start my pre op liquid diet tomorrow, but I sort of started on Sunday. Having the Protein shakes, but also going through the last of the yogurt in my fridge as well... I'm already totally sick of these damn shakes and can't waitttt to be able to eat real food again post-op.
Congrats on your surgery being scheduled! Can't wait to see updates from ya!

The hospital told me the day of check in that I would receive an additional discount if I paid my copay the day of surgery, approx. $3200. Anthem Blue Cross ended up paying more than they calculated, so I received a refund. I ended up staying 2 days and I believe my hospital bill at 30% was about $1200. You would be surprised how much is discounted because of the insurance contract.

I guess that's why I like to tell it like it is (with me)
It's not just as easy as having 2/3rds of your stomach taken out..
I fight the good fight everyday and I'm doing pretty ok at it, but I did not have a miracle preformed on me, I just had them take away my ability to stuff to much food in at once!
I am a work in progress...

You don't sound screwed (at least not about this, lol). I worry about having this feeling post-op. I'm so curious about how it's actually gonna be, how I'm really gonna feel. I can understand the wanting more thing, and I haven't even been sleeved yet!
Like I think about how I've been fighting off this craving to get a gyro lately. With fried mushrooms on the side. Now that I'm on the liquid diet, that meal has the equivalent of a weeks worth of fat. Or more! And I'm fending off the desire to have that for dinner. It's hard for me to imagine not craving that again, or not being able to indulge myself in food that way. I would take considerable pleasure to have that meal right now. I GET IT - Going on a binge is AWESOME! lol (Ok, so we're both totally screwed up!)
That said, I do also see the flip side of how disgusting it is to eat that way. I'm really hoping that surgery will do what it does for so many and take away all my hunger and cravings. But Laura, I'm sure everyone on here can relate to this feeling, if they are being honest with themselves.

Yea, it seemed like a fantasy to me as well - pre-op. But after surgery, I no longer felt the constant nagging need to eat every few hours. And no where near the volume. I was a 6 slice pizza eater. Give me a large pizza and it'd take 6 slices to fill me up.
Hamburgers, shoot, double meat w/cheese, large fries and drink would barely top me off. And I'd be ready for another round in about 2 hours.
Now, 4 - 5oz of whatever and that's it. More than that and I'll feel like it's poking back up in my throat. AND I FEEL SATISFIED! And happy. No more food cravings for a specific flavor or hiding my food at work so people can't see how much I'm eating.

Looks delish.. I've been loving a slice of great quality chicken or turkey lunch meat (usually boars head oven roast gold) half a slice of muenster, 1/5 of an avocado and rolling the avocado up in the meat and cheese.. Can't wait until I can eat tomatoes and I can add a nice slice of a Tomato on it.. This has ALWAYS been one of my favorite meals/snacks, but it was so expensive and calorie dense because I'd wind up eating half a pound of meat, four ounces of cheese and the whole avocado.. It's AWESOME to me that I can now enjoy a nice small portion of good quality nutritious food! Dear God, I love my sleeve!

Heehee, JJ Fad "Supersonic" great blast from the past!

Yep...now we'll see who really read the whole thread.

NOt a vegetarian either, but we have the same surgery date..... just thought I would say hello, and YAY for us & you too makemyownluck!!

I want to buy clothes in normal stores like Kohl's or even Wal-Mart. I have to buy all my shirts at Catherine's which is a plus size store. I want to fit in an airplane seat and not have people look at me like, "Please, God, don't let her sit next to me" on a plane. I want to fit in stadium/theater seats easily. I want to wear shoes other than my Z-coils. I want to be able to cross my legs. I want to look in a mirror and feel good about myself. And my dream is to fit into the jeans I wore in high school that I've kept for all these years.

Well, we have different tastes, but I definitely agree that uptempo is best. I'm not a Top 40 person, either, this is more hip-hop/dancy stuff.
Here's some of what's on mine:
Drake - The Motto
KP & Envyi - Shorty Swing My Way
Deee-Lite - Grove is in the Heart
Kylie Minogue - Love at First Sight
Rihanna - SOS, S&M
Beyonce - End of Time, Naughty Girl
Robyn - None of Dem, Get Myself Together
JJ Fad - Supersonic
Salt N Pepa - Push It

maybe get some unflavored powder that you can add to anything, like Jello, homemade ice pops made with crystal light - you could also use strawberry powder for either of those. unflavored could also go into soups/broths.
i just stocked up for post op also (I start my 2 week liquid diet on thursday), and it included gauze, tape, some anti-septic spray, gas-x strips, biotene mouth spray, milk of magnesia, liquid imodium and chewable Fiber. I also went online and ordered all my post op supplements/vitamins as well.
I'M READY! (I think)

I'm getting sleeved May 2nd!
I'm looking forward to going places without worrying where I can fit - this includes sitting in a restaurant booth.
I want to see how people react, I'm curious to see how some people I know act toward me when I'm thinner, how/if people will ask me about it or comment on it.
I can't wait to buy clothes in any store I want to!
I want to be able to wear cuter shoes. And cuter clothes!
And I used to get a fair amount of attention from men when I was thinner, so I'm hoping that will start happening again, too.

Think of it this way. When's the last time you lost 11lbs in 2 weeks?

haha, hair in a towel!
Great job!

haha, hair in a towel!
Great job!

haha, hair in a towel!
Great job!

I agree with prior posts questioning why you would have this surgery at 30 BMI. Seems quite extreme.
But, to each their own.
There are people here who have struggled with major weight issues for their whole life, and have lots of medical complications as a result, and are seeking surgery to improve their health and extend their life. In my opinion (which, I realize you didn't ask for it, but oh well), this is strictly about vanity. I just don't understand why you'd do this to yourself considering your current weight.
I know this won't deter you, but this is an open forum, and that's my two cents. Luck for you, they'll take anyone's money in Mexico...