DanaInNewOrleans

Hey, in case some have not heard of these products... I've been using them for years and definitely intend to use them once I've been relegated to the dreaded Protein Shakes. The Hood Calorie Countdown is great! And the Soy Slender is really good too. Hood Calorie Countdown Comes in regular and chocolate Calories 8oz Serving -- 90 Fat -- 5g Sugars -- 3g Protein -- 8g Soy Slender Comes in vanilla and chocolate ( it is not in the refrigerated section-- it is on the shelf) Calories -- 70 Fat -- 3g Sugars -- 1g Protein -- 7g

Putting soup in a blender sounds relatively palatable! I think I could handle that. I'm not worried about oh my God what will I be able to eat for the sake of eating. I just wish for the healing period they could just inject yourself with some miracle shot and that would handle everything. I would be less nervous if it was No Eating Allowed during that period.

Hi, Do you remember the medication of the patch?

I just posted about being afraid of this same thing. I get nauseous very easily-- I'd rather be in pain than nauseous. I won't even attempt to eat if I feel the slightest twinge. Can the doc give you something to take for nausea, at least in the beginning to make sure you start off healthy? I'm pre-op and already worried. Hope you start feeling better Shape Shifter Dana

I'm pre op but know that I will be using these terms Mushy and Puree soon enough... I've posts about people pureeing meat and vegetables and even eating baby food!!! The thought of that grosses me out. Can some of you tell me what your experiences were? Is "mushy" the same as "pureed" in the Sleeve World? Can you tell me what you had to eat (drink or slurp) right after you got home? How long did you have to do this? Also, I get nauseated very easily -- did your docs give you something ahead of time for nausea so you'd have it home? I'd rather be in pain than be nauseous. Fear of nausea is BIG for me. Thanks for any help! Dana

Thanks! I see my surgeon tomorrow!

Hi, Thanks for getting back to me. Which doc refused--- surgeon or primary? Did you call Federal Blue Cross and they told you that or did the office call? I called Fed BC today and the woman was clueless. All she did was send me the official policy criteria, which I already had. I explained that I needed to know if there are any exceptions to the 3 month pre-op diet. She she did not know and did not know who would know. Thanks! Dana

Was anybody successful convincing Aetna or Federal Blue Cross to waive the pre-op diet/wait time? Thanks Dana

Hi, Because of my insurance pre-op diet requirement I'm looking at late November for my surgery. My husband's family live in NYC and we are planning on going for a visit for Christimas. Do ya'll think that is doable? Will I be miserable trying to deal with shakes, Water, Protein and trying to figure out a ways to eat mushy stuff? I was praying that my insurance would not require it because I would be at whole different stage. Will I feel like crap? We always stay in a hotel so it won't be like I have a real kitchen to work in... Thanks! Dana

Tracey, I've seen a number of your posts...and every time I see one I think --"she is so pretty!!" I laughed and laughed at your funeral worry.... I have the exact same thoughts....I have forbid Jay to have an open coffin...oh and I think about how big the coffin would have to be. What a miserable way to live .... but I can laugh about it. I've always been able to laugh about miserable things and it isn't to hide the pain. I don't hide my pain!!! EVERYBODY knows I hate being fat because I tell them all the freakin time!

Oh My Gawd!!!! I just looked at your profile before and after!!! Unbelievable!!! You look amazing! Congratulation!

Hi OTR, You're right of course. Maybe I could take out a plastic surgery loan instead of new car loan -- and just drive around in a jalopy --- BUT I'd look gooooood in my jalopy! Thanks for the reality check... Dana

Hi, I read a post on here the other day that summed up my life and feelings about doing this. I'm pre-op but would have never considered this just a few years ago. Fear of surgery I guess. I wish I could remember the posters name because it made an impact on me. Being fat has stolen my life. And I mean that literally. EVERY single choice I've made for 30 years has been influenced by fat. High School, college, career, hobbies, sports, dates, clothes, vacations, love/hate food, relationships...EVERYTHING. Every single thought I have is filtered through fat and self loathing. I go to sleep with thoughts of being fat. I worry if I die they will find my fat ass and the medics, coroner would have to lift my fat ass. I think about how humiliating that would be --- I can even be humiliated DEAD. I AM DONE WITH THAT. I am 49 years old -- I want to LIVE my life, not just exist and watch everybody else LIVING. Screw it! If I die during surgery, well, it was meant to be for some reason. I have a serenity about it, which is really amazing to me. If I could do this today I would. And if I'm successful (please God, let this work) I plan to use my 401k for plastic surgery. I want the last half of my life to make up for the first half of being a shell of who I really am. I want to thank everyone on this board who takes the time to respond and help everyone else, even when they are past their crisis or struggles. This board is an amazing resource of hope and help! Thanks everyone! Dana

Hi, I read a post on here the other day that summed up my life and feelings about doing this. I'm pre-op but would have never considered this just a few years ago. Fear of surgery I guess. I wish I could remember the posters name because it made an impact on me. Being fat has stolen my life. And I mean that literally. The EVERY choice I've made for 30 years has been influenced by fat. High School, college, career, hobbies, sports, dates, clothes, vacations, relationships...EVERYTHING. Every single thought I have is filtered through fat and self loathing. I go to sleep with thoughts of being fat. I worry if I die they will find my fat ass and the medics, coroner would have to lift my fat ass. I think about how humiliating that would be --- I can even be humiliated dead. I AM DONE WITH THAT. I am 49 years old -- I want to LIVE my life, not just exist and watch everybody else LIVING. Screw it! If I die during surgery, well, it was meant to be for some reason. I have a serenity about it, which is really amazing to me. If I could do this today I would. And if I'm successful (please God, let this work) I plan to use my 401k for plastic surgery. I want the last half of my life to make up for the first half of being a shell of who I really am. I want to thank everyone on this board who takes the time to respond and help everyone else, even when they are past their crisis or struggles. This board is an amazing resource of hope and help!

Hi, I had the nuclear stress test done about 2 months ago. There is nothing to be afraid of. I could not do the treadmill because of my knee issues. The techs told me that 70% of their stress tests are done with the nuclear version. Apparently many people get on the treadmill and can never get to the level they need so they end doing the nuclear test anyway. He said it saves time just to do the nuclear and be done. During the actual stress part of the stress test when they inject the med is very strange. There is no pain but your body quickly (in less than 30 seconds) feels like you went from standing still to doing a marathon. It was a very bizarre feeling and I was amazed that a bodily function/response could be so real by a medication. But really, that part is over in a couple of minutes. Don't worry!

And you just gave me an idea for a better tasting shake-- add ricotta!

Thanks Lissa! I went to the Eggface website -- very awesome! And Ricotta is one of my favorite things!

Thanks for all the suggestions. And I guessing theres's not just a miracle Super Duper Protein PILL right? Wouldn't that be easy to manufacture?

Oh my Gosh Rhonda! That is a horror story. I am so glad you came out to the light at the end of the tunnel. I have a question.... why did they wait so long before trying Raglan? I would think that would be on the short list of medications for your initial issues. Take care, so glad you're doing well now. Dana

Hi, Just wondering if anyone found something to mix in with Protein powder so that you can just put it on a spoon and get it down quickly? If so, which Protein Powder is the most tolerable taste wise? Sort of like cough syrup -- it tastes gross but it's a couple of spoons and boom, it over. Thanks everyone Dana

*****White Flag***** ****** White Flag****** ******White Flag****** Ok, sometimes my stupidity amazes me! Why oh why I thought mentioning ice cream on a weight loss surgery forum was a good idea I will never know!! Chalk it up to 1) I love ice cream. Uh, duh right? That is why I'm here -- I love it too much obviously. 2) I'm still getting the hang of this surgery and "mushy" food thing -- it just turns me off and ice cream to me is a mushy food that does not turn me off! LOL Again, duh right? Believe it or not I did lose 160lbs by doing low carb 10 tens ago. And I was still a size 16 at that point. But I was happy -- going from a size 32 to 16 was fine was with me. I kept most of it off until about 4 years ago when I begin struggling. And it has been 4 years of devastated self esteem, failure after failure. I have gained 60lbs back. I have Multiple Sclerosis and I want to make the most of my life NOW just in case I'm physically limited down the road. I had sort of an epiphany ---- I really believe this surgery is my only hope. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and restraint instead of just posting "you're a moron". Dana

Hi Sunny, You're menu sounds great and really doable. I love the idea of mixing the Protein shake with your coffee. Which brand shake do you use? I have to remember that all the posts that talk about "mushy" foods and pureeing meat and such are dealing with that during the first 6 months or so post surgery. I'm sure it gets better as time goes on. I'll just have to be very diligent not to skip something and force myself to eat even when I don't feel like it. Thanks again for taking the time to share a day in your life menu! It really made me feel like there could be normalcy after the surgery. Dana

Hi, You may have missed the spirit of my question. I've read quite a number of posts that talk about not being able to eat the proper daily calories, which stalls many people. My comment about chocolate and ice cream was as a treat with lots of bang for the buck for someone that was having a difficult time getting enough calories in. I wasn't suggesting to eat ice cream instead of veggies or Protein. But it takes quite a bit more greens Beans as a snack (volume wise, which is the issue because you can only eat a small amount) than ice cream (again, volume wise). The point of post was that it may be quick way to add 100 calories if needed.

Hi everyone, Let me start off and say I have not had the surgery yet. My first appointment is this week with the surgeon. Of course I'm reading this forum like crazy and something I've read quite a bit is that it is hard to eat all the calories required. Some people say they have more success when they eat a little more but sometimes find it impossible to eat more. I worry about this too. Isn't staying on 500-600 calories daily just wreaking havoc with our already compromised metabolisms? Now for the stupid question. Many people supplement with Protein shakes to make sure they're at least getting that in-- what about trying to eat more things that are higher calorie ( of course in small portions) that give you more bang for the buck to up caloric intake? Am I crazy? It sounds like that would simplify the daily struggle. I'm not looking forward to having to obsess about tiny amounts of this and that and here and there 18 hours a day. What about supplementing with protein and then try to have something higher calorie as a snack -- say a scoop of ice cream or some chocolate. Then maybe have chicken salad for dinner with real full fat mayo... I'd love to hear individual daily menu examples -- from all different stages. Ok, that was just me rambling on about things that are zipping around my brain...

Thanks so much Sunny for the great insight. You've made me feel much better about the long term! As long as I don't have to exist on liquid and mushy food forever I'll be good. When I first started hunting around for info all I kept coming across was stuff like having to puree foods, even meats. Suggestions to eat baby food, etc..... it really did make me very apprehensive.... Thanks again Sunny!