Jerzygurl

So glad you made it through and home safely. Rest now.

Jerzygurl may I ask which protein shots you are using? I've tried so many and wondering if there's some I missed. Thanks! Sure. They are called New whey Protein shots. There are a bunch of different flavors; fruit punch, apple, blue raspberry, acai berry, watermelon and grape. I buy them at the Vitaminshoppe. Most times I just dump them in water, but other times like what I'm drinking right now, I've mixed the apple shot with a pack of crystal light lemonade--very delicious and refreshing. I've also mixed the grape with Milo grape squirts and water, and another fav is crystal light raspberry lemonade and the blue raspberry protein shot, or and hmmm the acai berry and Milo berry. It's the easiest way for me to get my protein in besides my premier Protein shakes. You kill two birds with one stone, water and protein :-) Nut said it was a very good idea because I sip in over a period of time.

There are other ways to get your protein in. Buy some of the protein shots or Isopure drinks and dilute them with water and just drink it that way. I'm doing that now, I buy the protein shots, raspberry and apple are my favorites, and then grape. I take the whole shot and dump it into 32 oz of water and finish it off... it's 42 grams of protein. You can make it stronger or weaker depending upon how much water you use. I've used less too..and it works just as well.

I understand. My score on my labs was 99 (one point below being pre-diabetic) that result had spur me into action too. We are reversing it by taking control. Hang in there.

Yes it's normal. All I could think about on day 4 was a juicy steak and a large pizza with extra cheese. My sister said, I thought you weren't supposed to get hungry for that stuff..and that's when I told her, it's the "mind" not the stomach. The cravings have dwindled quite a bit...but for some reason I still think from time to time abut a juicy steak..lol I started pureed food day, so it helps...yummy mash potatoes thinned with low sodium beef broth for dinner...it was delish.

18lbs lost pre-op 15lbs lost post-op

Post-op appointment went very well today. No issues to report. Doc is very pleased with my progress and food book. Oh btw, I'm down 15lbs in 10 days!! Whoo hooo! Hope everyone is doing well, those sleeved and to be sleeved!

Dear newly sleeved brothers and sisters... DON'T TORTURE YOURSELF! STAY OFF THE SCALE.immediately after surgery..and try to weigh every other day as time moves along. That was one of the number one pieces of advice I received from my sleeve mentor, the NUT and the surgeon. It takes some time for all the fluids they pumped into you during surgery to work itself out...and the only way to be sure it moves along quickly is to make sure you are getting in your fluids. Sounds kind of crazy right? But yep fluids for fluids...to lessen the bloating and build up. I'm dying to get on the scale, but I'm resisting until my 1st post-op Thursday. Anyway..again don't torture yourself... your body will adjust naturally.

If you're having trouble getting your protein in..try shifting to protein shots. Add to water and a sugar free mix...I get in 42 grams of my required protein just by adding one to crystal light and water.

I feel good enough to go back but I'm not..lol. Two of my employees called me earlier today to see if I was coming back early, I said no way..see ya next week. I'm taking two full weeks off because I've been working like a mad woman all year and I haven't had a real vacation since last January. I'll go back next Monday, or may pop on Sunday for a few hours to see how things are going and to clear my desk of anything just so I can walk in to peace and quiet Monday morning.,

Hope all of today's sleevers are doing well! Either you're on the other side, or in the wings waiting to be... It's my one week anniversary...this time last week I was being pushed to my room..lol..wow the week went fast with no bumps or troubles..and I truly wish the same for all of you.

I wonder why some doctors use drains with WLS and others do not. I will ask my surgeon on Thursday when I go for my first post-op appointment. Truly curious about that one.

Hi ladies. . I'm a Dec11th as well... nerves are crazy right now My Dec 11th buddies...I'm so nervous it's less 5 days away!!! I'm on two weeks liquid diet and struggling today...ate a small of salmon couldn't resist I cooked it for my family...the plus is it's all Protein.I've been switching between Bariatric Advantage Vanilla, it's OK better if you add extra Water so it won't be so thick and Atkins Vanilla w/ two scoops of Beneprotein 3x, with a Greek Light vanilla yummy! I pulling in approx. 100 gm protein a day with less than 20 gm net carbs.Good look to all my buddies! Let's rock n roll You didn't do any damage with that Salmon, it's actually very good for you and will not store any added junk to the liver which generally why they have us do liquid and fasting prior to surgery. Try the Premier Protein shakes from Sam's, you might like them too.

Ok so add water, thank you! And I got two of the punch ones (they were the ones on sale) and then one green one and and blue one. Sorry I don't know their names. Hope they are good. I also got some PB2 today. Hoping to add it to my vanilla protein powder and it be tasty. Yeah I found if I dilute the large bottles I can tolerate taste better. There is a lemonade flavor that mixes well with crystal light rasberry/lemonade powder and water. Very tasty. The grape isn't that bad, don't care for the fruit punch (not my thing in any drink anyway), the blue one is good and the green is like an apple.. I mixed that one with water, a apple protein shot and a bit of crystal light lemonade. It was good.

Been drinking them since I started pre-op meal plan. My favorite is pineapple-banana, but I usually dilute in about 40 0z of Water when I do drink them...not crazy about the taste of most of them though..but I will endure through it. I prefer the premier shakes but today I made my own, strawberry banana protein mix and 8 oz of non fat milk ...it was delish.

LuminousLife:3 days post op. Having trouble determining when I am full. I feel hunger (not head hunger, its def my tummy hunger). I get pain with any swallow of anything except cream of wheat. Gas pain has been lessening. Anyone have some thoughts on feeling full? I have no idea how much I should be consuming in a day. Last instructions were 4 - 30 ml cups an hour. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yep, the stomach can still growl.. I actually felt it on Wednesday because I wasn't eating enough protein. So I started adding my flavored protein shots to my crystal light water and just sipping on it all day...it has helped two fold. Other than that-- attempting to eat 4oz of strained cream of chicken soup and/or cream of wheat about 5x a day to keep me feeling full. I'm eating like every 3.5 hours. As for knowing when I'm full, NUT told me not worry about that right now, said it comes naturally along the journey. He said I should just worry about eating small meals throughout the day and getting in my 73 grams of protein and 64 oz of water every day. That's what I've been concentrating on, so far so good. Try to just focus on getting the protein and water in...and let the fullness come naturally. Good Luck.

Glad to see so many are doing well. Good luck to all those now on the other side...and best wishes to those who have this one last weekend before coming to the other side... Everyone will soon be sleeved... December is moving soooo fast.

PJ'sGas x Slippers Sports bra Chap stick Phone charger Comfy going home clothes Pillow for the ride .. Already have my bag packed and ready lol Only add is maybe tom's or other pull on's for your walking.. I find it difficult to walk in my slippers, and do not want to have to tie tennis shoesalso toothbrush and toothpaste if you have long hair a hair tie or braid hair prior to surgery to not worry about it. Yes the hair tie was a great idea too. I put my hair in two ponytails...worked out quite well that way. I also found it was better to walk in the hospital socks because they are made with the grips in them already. Slippers can be slippery on the bottom sometimes and those floors are ultra waxed

Question for you all.... What are you taking in your hospital bag? This may have already been posted, but I am getting ready to pack and not sure what I should take. I know that hospitals are all different in what they allow you to bring, but just a good basic listing would be super helpful... Thank you all in advance! ------------------------------------------------- I took a small bag, toothbrush, toothpaste, my eyeglasses, vitamin e lip balm, gas x strips, cell phone/charger, buddy pillow for my stomach, change of under garments, a bra with no underwire was very helpful when I checked out. I wore the same clothes home that I wore to the hospital. I wore their gowns instead of PJs. Make sure you wear some slides instead of shoes with laces.

Hello December Sleevers.. I'm finally checking in. I've been really just chillin and relaxin. All is well. Surgery went well with no issues at all. Had a few gas pains, but I was up and walking around the nurses station just a few hours after surgery. Both my night nurse and day nurse had the sleeve done, so it was nice to have knowledgeable caretakers. They told me, the more I walked the better I'd feel and guaranteed I would leave the hospital feeling much better and without gas pains. It was true. Gas dissipated rapidly. I haven't really needed the pain meds at all. A bit sore at first but even that is subsiding. I had a bit of an issue on Wednesday keeping my fluids down but that has passed too and now I'm doing well with it and getting in my protein too. Mostly, shakes, cream of chicken soup (strained) and vitamin water. The hardest part so far is pacing myself with the water because I'm so thirsty and I want to chug it. I haven't been on the scale yet, don't plan to get on one until next Thursday at my 1st post-op appt. I hope everyone did well on their surgeries this week, and good luck to those with upcoming dates. It truly was a very easy process. No drains. No nausea. No major pain.

I got up early to go to the cardiologist for my clearance. Back story: I have a past history of ovarian and breast cancer. I finished my 3rd round of chemo this past may. I decided in 2010 to have WLS but with my recurrent cancer it was not to be...each time I thought I can do it now...cancer re-occurred. This last time I was on a GOG study and it seems to have definitely worked in my favor. Elated, I went to my oncologist and told him I wanted the weight loss surgery..he agreed it was a good idea because of the contributing factor of obesity to female cancers and my history of HBP. He gave me a small window to get it approved and done. He spoke to the WLS and they both agreed, I should have no issues with the surgery and both recommended the Gastric Sleeve as the best option. This was all in August. Okay fast forward: I completed all my test with flying colors. The GI Series, Chest X-ray and Lab Work showed unremarkable results and no anomalies. My ECG showed "borderline" but I wasn't worried because my oncologist had already ordered and received my CT Scan results of my chest/abdomen/pelvis (taken a week after) and it showed unremarkable results too..Heart was healthy, no artery Calcium, clear lungs, spleen, liver, stomach, intestines all in remarkable order and everything was within normal limits. AS for the ECG, I went to a cardiologist associated with the hospital for further study because I need cardiac clearance for the WLS. Anyway, I saw the cardiologist and did another ECG that came back borderline so he wanted to do a stress test, the stress test he said was okay, but he wanted to investigate further because a little dip on the machine when I'm at max capacity exercising which is common among women, but better safe than sorry. I was game, still have plenty of time before I see WLS again. So then an echocardiogram was done, my EF Rate was 65%, no significant blockages, valves are good, what little anomalies there are attributed to long term HBP issues and current medications. Sooo, even that was not good enough, he wanted a Nuclear Stress Test...okay..still game.. had that last week, results show nothing significantly abnormal--report also mention HBP effects on regurgitation, blah blah blah (which btw will be cured with weight loss). This morning, I go to his office expecting to receive my cardiac clearance and guess what? He now wants to do a Cardiac Catherization...for what MAY BE blockage, no way to tell, not sure, we need to go in and check.. My reasoning is WHY? What makes you think I have something wrong with my heart. I have no symptoms, no pain, no SOH, I finished both Stress Tests easily, there is no familial history of heart disease, heart attacks or blockages. I immediately refuse and he said well think about, I wouldn't want you to have a heart attack..and I said am I at risk and he said, we all are..factors matter, could be 10 yrs from now..or tomorrow..can't say. You can lose weight the normal way in the meantime. Then he says, well let's just get you set up for it..because you can't have your surgery w/o my approval. Again, I said no, and he said why? At that point I was in tears because I have an appt with the surgeon in two days and all I needed was the clearance. Needless to say, I asked for a copy of my Nuclear Stress report (he only gave me one page of it). Right then I decided to get another opinion. So I go to all the various places and get copies of my studies. On my way into the hospital I ran into a young lady I met at my seminar in July who accompanied her sister, she already had the Sleeve done. Must be fate. She told me she had an A-Fib and her cardiologist still cleared her. She said she worked for the hospital and they are famous for running up the tab in the cardiology department. I've read such too..a great deal of catherizations are completely unncessary. So I called up her Cardiologist, he didn't have any openings for a month(bummer), but when I explained my situation further the receptionist put the R.N. on the phone, I gave her a bit more detail and told her who recommended me, and actually said she could squeeze me in this week but at a location further away. Hey fine by me!! It will be after my last NUT appt and after I see the surgeon, but at least its this week. I knew that doctor was a money grabber. I said it 3 weeks ago. I have a platinum insurance plan and he intends to milk it dry. Well, I'm done..and I'm switching cardiologists! Wish me luck. I've been crying tears of frustration intermittently all day...even called my mom when I walked out of his office and balled like a baby because I'm really ready and want this badly for my health! He just doesn't seem to get it. Okay I've vented...yes I'm frustrated...but I'm determined. So surgery may or not be in two weeks or even this month... but I'm still hoping. Especially since my test are all showing okay...depends on this new cardiologist. Finger Crossed. Tears finally dry. Thanks for reading my novel .... :-)

Thanks for all the well wishes and the blessings everyone. I'm going to try to take a nap because a full deep sleep isn't going to happen to night..lol Good luck to all those getting sleeved tomorrow! For those waiting in the wings, it's coming and the time moves very quickly. It will be here before you know.

Good for you all the way around! Best of Luck...at your pre-op tomorrow and congrats on the new apartment!!

I know what you mean about being in the dark. I was required to have two NUT visits and he told me, you'll get the pre-op and post-op eating plan at our next meeting. I was like really? Give it to me now. I want to know.. NOW..lol Hang in there..it's a coming! When I got it..I was like oh okay..this is easy. You truly don't get to eat much on either pre or post...but I was anxious to get it anyway.

Atlanta Red: " So are the protein shakes basically the only protein you can get in during the liquid and purée part of post-op? I can handle premier protein. Hated muscle milk. Love Dannon light n fit Greek blueberry strawberry and vanilla so that's something else. Does that chicken broth have protein??? I'm so worried abt getting in enough protein to lose the weight and bc of hair loss " ------------------------- Protein shakes are a staple in my post-op menu from the NUT, or I can switch off with the protein shots or Isopure bottles. My clear liquid post-op is only 2 days thankfully. During those 2 days, it's protein shakes, shots, chicken broth, sugar free popsicles and jello, decaf tea/coffee/non-carbonated beverate. Day 3-9, it's Full Liquid: again protein shakes, shot, drinks, non-fat 1% milk, dannon light and fit, sugar free jello/pops, fat free half and half, low fat strained cream soups.Then it goes to Pureed Day 10-20, Soft Food day 21-36, Finally : regular food trial..Day 37 & Forever. Protein shakes can be in there forever it looks like..lol