DanaInNewOrleans

It's amazing how many different "rules" the docs have about this. My nutritionist told me NO STRAWS!!!!! LOL.....

I wear a hi-waist firm shaper and a great sports bra by Maia. It is now my favorite bra and I wear it with everything. In fact I bought 3 more colors. Here is the Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Moving-Comfort-Womens-Maia-Black/dp/B001B1PL1A/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1345957471&sr=8-7&keywords=sports+bra+full+figure

From VST I've learned that there is quality Protein and so so protein -- I had no idea before coming here! I've tried a number of Protein shakes and a few protein powders (Syntrax Nector and Prescriptfit) and the only one that I can really stomach are the Atkins shakes. Does anyone know if they contain a quality protein or a low grade? I ordered a bunch of samples from unjury but I have a feeling I'm not going to fare much better with those based on what I've read here. Thanks! Dana

Congratulations Phillip! I'm in my insurance mandatory pre-op period. Hoping to have surgery at the end of November. I cannot wait!!! Keep us posted. I love to read the details of the new sleevers because it sort of keeps me excited and less anxious. Dana

That doesn't seem possible!!! Are you around lots of jealous types??? Maybe they don't want to be too personal? ( or are you talking about family?)

Sending prayers and positive thoughts!! Keep us posted when you are able.. Sending positive thoughts your way

Hi, yes, my one and only previous surgery ( thyroid cancer - thyroidectomy) was miserable because of nausea after anesthesia. It began while I was still in lala land in recovery. I have these vague visions of me turning my head and throwing up, someone wipes my face/mouth, turn my head and puke on the other side ....over and over. I was sick 24hours-- nothing they gave me worked. They would not let me go home. I would not let an ice chip touch my lips.. finally they sent a different anesthesiologist to my room to discuss something new to try. It was some kind of mixture/cocktail of 3 different drugs. And it worked!! She came back and told me the name of the drugs and said I should remember it for the next time. Well of course I remembered it for abut 7 years and now I have no clue other than one of the drugs was a steroid. I had never had surgery but I knew somehow that anesthesia would make me sick. I told the anesthesiologist when I met with him that, trust me, I will be sick. He said no worries, I'll give you Zofran " you'll be fine --- it's what we give chemo patients".... Yeah right! I am more afraid of the nausea than anything else. Do you happen to know the name of the "good stuff" .do you? LOL.... I am definitely going to be insistent. My first visit with Dr. Lavin and I was already trying to tell him about my nausea issues....

Hi, Can you elaborate a little on a few of your points? You said sometimes the sleeve is not the best surgery for someone with metabolism issues and that a different surgery may be more appropriate... why and which one? I have been very concerned about this issue. I lost 160lbs 10 years ago on low carb ( I was still overweight -- size 14/16) and managed to keep the majority of it off. I've gained about 60-70 pounds over the last 5 years even though I still adhered to a low carb diet ( just maybe not as strict). Ok, so I'm thinking that maybe my body is immune to the low carb at this point so I tried Weight Watchers.... I GAINED WEIGHT ON WW. That is how I ended up here. I felt surgery was my only hope.... Let me add that I had Thyroid Cancer and my thyroid was removed, but I take Synthroid so that should not be the issue. I also have Multiple Sclerosis but cannot think of any reason MS would affect weight loss. You also said that if you only had 1 protein shake in the morning and 1 protein bar at lunch you would faint... But isn't that close to what we're supposed to be doing. Lets say a protein shake has 200 calories, so far so good right? A protein bar has 200 calories. So we're at 400 calories before dinner. My impression was that staying around 600-800 calories is optimal to keep losing? Help! Now I'm concerned that I will be failure at this!!

Hi, I'm just curious about the sleevers who were prone to motion sickness before their surgery. How did you fare with nausea issues after surgery? .... ( I'm stressing out about nausea). I've read a few horror stories here about horrendous nausea, ending up back in the hospital for dehydration, picc lines.... ( yes, I am completely paranoid) ~Dana

Last night I ordered a bunch of the single packs of Unjury to try. I ordered direct from their website unjury.com Each one was $1.99

Hi, I'm Dana from New Orleans! I'm 49, married, no kids - except the 4 legged kind. I'm shooting for a late November surgery date. My Aetna 90 day requirement is up on Nov.13 and the office said it usually takes about 10 days to get an approval back. I just wish I would have come to this decision (it was almost an epiphany for me) a few months ago -- I am chomping at the bit here. I've been overweight/fat my entire life starting at about age 7. Ten years ago I lost 160lbs over a 1.5 years on low carb. Even after the 160lbs I was still overweight but very happy at a size 14/16. I managed to keep the majority off but I have gained back 60lbs over the last 5 years despite still being on a mostly low carb diet to this day. I thought ok, maybe my body is immune to the low carb thing since I've been doing it over 10 years. So I tried Weight Watchers and GAINED weight. I felt like I was losing control of being able to maintain or lose. I remember thinking, ok, apparently the only way you are going to lose weight is if you cut your calories to bare minimum. But who can really live like that? I started investigating the sleeve and knew immediately that this was the tool that was going to allow me to cut my calories for a lifetime, allowing me to keep weight off. I'm hoping to lose 100lbs which would put me at 168lb. I know that is not a normal BMI but I think it's realistic. If by some miracle I lose more well, I cannot even imagine that honestly. I weighed 169lb when I was 12. To me, being a normal BMI is a pipe dream. I'm looking forward to the November Sleevers encouraging one another and sharing the ups and downs of this life changing journey. I'm so excited about it I feel like I could jump out of my skin. I'm going to go crazy for 3 months. If they called and said Dana we can do your sleeve tonight at midnight I'd be there with bells on. ~Dana

Netrition is awesome too.

I haven't tried any of them yet. Some on VST like them, some don't. I think more people seemed to like them than dislike them so I thought I'd give the samples a try. Fingers crossed!

Hi, I just ordered a bunch of samples of the Syntrax nectar from bjsbariatrics.com. They have a sample pack for $14.99 and you get to choose the flavors you want. Dana

Just wanted to share some ideas I came across that I really think will help me with the shake thing. I'm sure the sleeve veterans know these things but maybe some newbies could use the info. I was digging around here last night trying to find different opinions/ideas on Protein shakes -- I'm supposed to be doing Prescriptfit right now per NUT but I just cannot stomach them. Too frothy and slimy and gross. So that means in less than a week I'm already disobeying instructions I've always thought the Atkins RTD shakes were the best around and I could drink them with no trouble. No slime, no bubbles, no froth. The Premier Shakes are good too. I have pretty much decided that I'll have to just circumvent the NUT if I wanted to be able to be successful and get enough protein after surgery. I just put my Atkins Mocha Latte in my little personal blender with 1 tablespoon of sugar free banana cream pudding and about an inch of fresh banana and it came out awesome! The only problem I'm seeing is that I only have had half of it and I am stuffed. The Atkins shakes have 15 grams of protein. After surgery I will only be able to sip, sip, sip, sip -- 1 shake will take me all day! I cannot figure out how people can realistically get in the amount of protein they want you to have in the first few weeks(months) after surgery. I've seen people mention "high quality protein" here. I have no idea how to tell the difference. I didn't even know there was a difference so I have no idea if the Atkins shakes have quality protein. Also MegInNOLA posted about making her own Protein Shakes and smoothies because she never could tolerate the protein powders. She uses simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, egg whites, milk etc. Why that never occurred to me I'll never know. Thank you Meg!

Just wanted to share some ideas I came across that I really think will help me with the shake thing. I'm sure the sleeve veterans know these things but maybe some newbies could use the info. I was digging around here last night trying to find different opinions/ideas on Protein shakes -- I'm supposed to be doing Prescriptfit right now per NUT but I just cannot stomach them. Too frothy and slimy and gross. So that means in less than a week I'm already disobeying instructions I've always thought the Atkins RTD shakes were the best around and I could drink them with no trouble. No slime, no bubbles, no froth. The Premier Shakes are good too. I have pretty much decided that I'll have to just circumvent the NUT if I wanted to be able to be successful and get enough protein after surgery. I just put my Atkins Mocha Latte in my little personal blender with 1 tablespoon of sugar free banana cream pudding and about an inch of fresh banana and it came out awesome! The only problem I'm seeing is that I only have had half of it and I am stuffed. The Atkins shakes have 15 grams of protein. After surgery I will only be able to sip, sip, sip, sip -- 1 shake will take me all day! I cannot figure out how people can realistically get in the amount of protein they want you to have in the first few weeks(months) after surgery. I've seen people mention "high quality protein" here. I have no idea how to tell the difference. I didn't even know there was a difference so I have no idea if the Atkins shakes have quality protein. Also MegInNOLA posted about making her own Protein Shakes and smoothies because she never could tolerate the protein powders. She uses simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, egg whites, milk etc. Why that never occurred to me I'll never know. Thank you Meg!

Kimberly you look great already!!

Sending positive thoughts your way on getting your surgery next month! You're going to be a knockout -- you have a beautiful smile!!

That is hysterical!!! I LOVE IT! I did mix up some Prescriptfit earlier today in only 4oz of Soy Slender. It of course was still all slimy and frothy and gross so I held my breath took a big swig, swallowed, held my breath took a big swig swallowed... about 5 times. Each time I did it like I acted like I was belting back a bunch of pills all at once. Still gross but much quicker that actually sipping and drinking. The problem is after surgery I'm going to have to sip sip sip sip....gross.

Kimberly! If I could follow your path I would be the happiest and most grateful person! Congratulations!! Any secret to your success?

Hey Cheri, What shake did you finally find that you like?

I do hope that one day I'll be able to participate in family dinners, holidays, etc. This is New Orleans and EVERYTHING revolves around food ( the best food in the world too!). I'm not worried about portions-- I can handle tiny portions, I just want to be able to "have" it! My entire life I've thought ..if only there could be something that would make me not WANT to eat or COULDN'T eat --well, this is it! I intend to go to the support group too -- I'm going to start now before surgery.

Thanks Angie, Are you happy with your decision? Any regrets?