gastricsleever

Do you just mix the Protein and milk? Or do you blend it with ice, fruit, Peanut Butter, etc?

Like when I am in my pre op liquid only phase and post op liquid only, can I add peanut butter and ice with my shake? Or am I supposed to do only the powder and milk? If I add a banana to it, does that count now as a soft food, even though it's blended in to the thickness of a milkshake?

Sorry if these questions are silly

Hey goofy, my surgery is on Wednesday Dec 4th. I start my pre-op diet in 2 days Ahhhh! I'm really nervous about it because I'm away all week for meetings which will make it very challenging to just eat 3 shakes and leafy greens. Not only because everything is either catered or from restaurant but also because I'm not telling anyone I'm getting sleeved. I am lying. It feels horrible to write that. But it's the choice I'm making. I'm telling everyone I'm getting surgery for a hiatal hernia. But I'm pretty sure there isn't a 15 day pre-op diet for that.

That will be challenging but you can just tell them you are on a diet and trying to lose weight. No lie there

Hey goofy, my surgery is on Wednesday Dec 4th. I start my pre-op diet in 2 days Ahhhh! I'm really nervous about it because I'm away all week for meetings which will make it very challenging to just eat 3 shakes and leafy greens. Not only because everything is either catered or from restaurant but also because I'm not telling anyone I'm getting sleeved. I am lying. It feels horrible to write that. But it's the choice I'm making. I'm telling everyone I'm getting surgery for a hiatal hernia. But I'm pretty sure there isn't a 15 day pre-op diet for that.

That will be challenging but you can just tell them you are on a diet and trying to lose weight. No lie there

I have an exclusion on my policy as well and the first time they told me it wasnt allowed so i called again and the person said no i can get the surgery as long is i do that long list of things. So i make an appt at GBMC and they call me and tell me my insurance DOES NOT cover the surgery of an kind for any reason, due to my employers insurance broker choosing to exclude it to save money. I was devastated but now i am scheduled for self pay in Mexico w Dr. Illan on jan 17 2014. Good luck to you!

Congrats! I had the same problem with my insurance, My surgery is scheduled for 2/17/14 with dr Ortiz in Mexico

Dear Covat, I am also pre op and had the same questions.. I went with a NINJA "kitchen system plus" IT RUNS $79.00 but I got it on sale in Walmart for $59.99 due to Khols having it on sale.. you just tell walmart if someone else has it on sale.. and they will give it to you for that price.. "they do not even ask for the add"... It does JUICING.....BLEND FROZEN ITEMS...and food PROCESSING. So for that price it does a hell of a lot.. I than went to GMC.. and got an Education on HOW Protein Powder is sold.. AND they have some nice sample packs. before you would buy a big tub.. Which you can get on the internet cheaper.. Hope this helps...Good Luck... My surgery is Feb 5th 2014, when is yours? JewelJ

Jewel thanks for your response. I have found lots of Protein sample packs so I don't have to buy big containers yet until I know I like it, like u suggested. My date is 2/17/14- so glad to find a fellow February sleever! I wish they had a 2014 forum so I could find more feb people! I know they are here lurking like me haha

I am going to disney world soon, pre-op... I haven't been there for 20 years when I was younger and thinner. I'm now 285...so my question is have you gone when you were bigger? Were you able to ride any of the rides at magic kingdom or Epcot? Just trying to be prepared if I won't fit on any of the rides

I'm sure there is a post here somewhere about this, but I've searched for a while and can't find one.

I have several questions regarding Protein Shakes and blenders.

1.) Do you have a special blender like the Ninja or Vitamix, or do you just use a plain ol' blender? Which one would you recommend? I can't afford ones like the vitamix, but I could spend about $100, if it makes a difference in the shakes.< /p>

2.) I actually enjoy having a shake or something liquid for Breakfast (I'm still pre-op) because I'm always on the go, and making a smoothie just works for me. AFter the surgery and once you are healed and eating normal foods, does anyone else still keep a Protein Shake in their diet or do you prefer eating regular foods instead? Does that make sense? lol

3.) Do you find it hard for you to get in your Protein without the shakes and powders once you are eating normally?

I generally use it at night. I find that in the summer it makes my skin a little slick for about 15 mins, but in the fall and winter I don't have that problem.

Good to know, I will look out for in the stores. Thank you!

Man, I WISH I could make a decision as quickly as some of the other folks here. I've been debating it with myself for two years. Last ditch attempt at loosing the weight was using Phentremine for about 8 months. I lost 40lbs but that is a horrible drug that does horrible things to your brain (phen-rage, bi-polar symptoms, inability to sleep). I took myself off of it and within two or three months had gain all the weight back....just like every other attempt over the past 15 years. That was one year ago. I've been lurking here, doing research, weighing all of it DAILY in my mind. I am also a self-pay. I am thisclose to finally throwing the towel in on my excuses and fears....I want to LIVE MY LIFE not chained to food.< /p>

iTunes tried the phentermine as a last resort. After dealing with the inability to sleep and the insane mood changes and just overall feeling lousy, my doctor suggested the weight-loss surgery. After that point I just gave up I ate whatever I wanted stopped working out I stopped taking my Vitamins I pretty much stopped everything that was healthy for me… it was only then when I came to the end of my rope and realized I didn't want to live like this I started to consider the surgery myself and after much research I decided that it was the best route for me. I'm excited for the changes it will bring to my life in the new year! I don't remember the last time I felt excited for my future!

I'm pre-op but I have read so much about keeping skin moisturized especially after weight loss to keep the elasticity in your skin and help with the skin tightening.

Do you have any good moisturizers you recommend?

After multiple failures with diets and diet pills and nutritionists and personal trainers, etc. my doctor recommended Gastric surgery in February 2012. I broke down crying because I felt like I had failed myself and having surgery was really hard for me to accept. In February of this year 2013 I started researching the surgery and by June I decided I wanted to have the gastric sleeve surgery done and by October I decided I wanted to go to Mexico for my surgery since my insurance doesn't cover any of it. My scheduled surgery date is February 2014! So it's been two years since my doctor recommended it to me and a year since I started thinking about it.

Sounds like you are familiar with the cycle. In my 20s when it started, I was very traumatized and really thought it was horrible. I am almost 40 now and definitely have a tempered perspective. In the grand scheme of things, things definitely get worse.

You are right when I first lost hair when I was 24 due to some stressful things in my life, I though my life was over! My hair thinned out and it's definitely not as thick as it used to be. But the balding spots or thin spots filled back in. Now as I do recognize the cycle at age 29 I don't freak out as much because really there's nothing you can do about it! So it'll grow back and I'll lose it again after my surgery and then it will grow back and if not now I'll be Thinner so I think I can do with a little bit less hair :-)

HW: 315 SW : 299.8 CW: 284 Haven't lost any weight in about a week!

Great job! I can't wait til I'm in your shoes

So I have a history of Hair loss with weight loss, this is nothing new. I am kind of glad because at least I have already had all those terrified search queries, tried all the shampoos, joined the hair loss forums.... So really I feel pretty prepared for this, but still, it sucks. This is 3 showers worth and doesn't count everything at my bathroom sink, in my brush, on my sweater, in dinner.... dde09

I have gone through hair loss like that before when I've gone through times of severe stress. My brother almost died in August and spent a week in ICU so I'm experiencing the hair loss once again. So I'll have my surgery in February just as my hair is starting to grow back, only to lose it a few months later! Sigh :/ but I can deal with it... Just can't wait for my surgery, wish it was sooner!

Thank you for asking Skikyd I had my surgery this morning at 8:30 Overall I think I'm doing ok. They nurses say I'm doing fabulous. I took them up on all med offers in the recovery room, before surgery also told the anistigiologist I was having major anxiety, gave a cocktail as he said its 5 o clock somewhere. LOL!! So far I've walked around he hospital 11 times today after 3pm when I felt clear minded and no so dizzy. I have 14 more to complete a mike. I've brushed my teeth, doing my lung pump exercise, and so far ok The nursery just asked me if I needed more meds, morphine or norco whatever they give for pain. I refused it for now, only bcuz I'm waiting for my family to arrive and be alert. As soon as they leave I will have for my meds. My drain pump is not too bad, have bee able to go to the restroom alone. I'm afraid to turn on my side to rest but I don't know why. I think I will when meds kick in, when I get our if bed it feels like my stomach is so empty and feels weird. As a diabetic/hypoglecmic I have a moment earlier thinking my sugar was low but all it was, was the gas in my chest do I panicked a bit, they injected antiflamatory med, I burped and felt better. My nurse and staff are great, have my own room and resting up. I'm at the end if the hall, so it's not that noisy. My throat us super dry but keep using my ice Water sponge to moisten my tongue and lips. Chapstick is a lifesaver It does hurt a bit to inhale when meds starts wearing off. The nurse said I might be in more pain tmrw bcuz I still have the anesthesia meds in me right now. Oh the nice news this morning was, before liquid diet I was weighing 266, this morning I was 254 so I lost 12 lbs, but hadn't weighed myself til today. I will keep y'all posted!! Thank you everyone again for the well wishes and asking. Still can't believe I've made it this far. Smiling with a bit of pain

Well done! Can't wait to hear more updates!! Get well

Got sleeved 48 hrs ago - now on 5th floor overlooking the pool at Hotel Lucerna. Have seen a couple folks who look like SLEEVERS & I want to say hello, but it'd just be too awkward if I were wrong !

Congrats! I'll be in your shoes in February! Wish I didn't have to wait so long! How do you feel?

Well, I have had zero had pain this far without even doing much walking... But I've been vomiting... It hurts and sucks a lot to do that.

Oh that's terrible! I mean about the vomiting not the zero pain! Get well soon!

Thank you laura-ven. I have not seen the Protein Soups online but I will definitely look for them. Problem I've noticed since surgery is I can't seem to get my Soup hot enough(I like it boiling hot for some reason) which causes issues with the 130 degrees protein breakdown limit. - I will work on this. Thanks for the uplifting words Wowflower - hang in there sweetie, we will get through. Message me anytime you like.

Check out www.nashuanutrition.com - lots of protein soups, puddings, jellos, etc. I'm pre-op but just placed an order of all kinds of protein things so I'm ready to go

7 days post op, supposed to start taking Vitamins today. Tool one and puked my guys up! Any advice?

I haven't had my surgery yet but I can tell you I have a hard time taking Vitamins, I always feel nauseated and often throw them up. I've tried eating first, I've tried crushing them up, etc. well I started taking the chewable vitamins and I feel fine, don't feel like I'm gonna get sick at all.

What kind of vitamins are you taking?

I just got sleeved in Mexico. Very conflicting information. One paper says when I get home. Another says one week. The discharge consultant said 14 days. (Super confused)

I also am getting sleeved in Mexico, but not until February . I'm trying to adjust to the changes I will have to make. I haven't taken Vitamins for over a year so I bought my chewable vitamins early and started taking them now so it's one less change I have to make after surgery. I got mine from Unjury.< /p>

Not enough Protein. I use unflavored Unjury. 22grams of protein and I can make my shake any way I'd like. :-)

I'm pre-op and bought some Unjury mixes. Do you just make yours with milk? Or do you add ice cubes to thicken?

Great job! When did u have your surgery?

Ok obviously the app was not working when I tried to post! What a pain! So sorry for posting like 10 times!!

Great job! When did u have your surgery?

Ok obviously the app was not working when I tried to post! What a pain! So sorry for posting like 10 times!!

I plan on using Premier Protein for pre-op and post-op and doubling up on my regular Women's One a Day Vitamins for pre-op, then switching to chewable Bariatric vitamins, Vitamin D, B-12 etc. post-op. I just ordered the Unjury sample pack. My nutritionist here locally tells me that Unjury passes taste tests in her office hands down to any other product. I am most interested in their chicken broth and their unflavored for a change of pace from the sweet stuff! On a side note, I found out that I had not gained weight like I thought! My scale at home isn't working! It was showing a 7 lb weight gain after 3 weeks of Zumba and it just didn't make sense because I FELT smaller. When I weighed with my nutritionist yesterday it showed me down 2 lbs from my last visit back in August. Good news!

That's awesome! There's nothing worse than feeling like you are working so hard and then you gain weight. Been there, done that! Have you measured yourself? Sometimes when working out you lose inches instead of pounds?

I like the Unjury shake mix the best. It tastes better and seems to keep me fuller longer. I am also taking bariatric multi, Calcium chew, and a B12. You can also order the Vitamins from unjury.com

I just bought both the shakes and supplements from Unjury so I could test then out ahead of time and also get used to taking vitamins in a daily basis again. Do you mix the packets with milk? Or with something else?