LosingItForMe2011

Oooo perfect age for helping mama I bet they'd love to help you out jenneliza!

I say great time to teach the kids how to do laundry and make sandwiches. I can bet they'd love to help. Well depending on their ages that is Otherwise I wouldn't recommend picking up laundry. I believe we're not suppose to pick up anything over 10 pounds or so for the first few weeks. Give your surgeon a call to see what their limits are.

welcome new posters Glad you decided to post. We can all help each other and there is plenty of information here to share. If you need something and can't find it, post it and we'll be sure to answer!

no pre-op diet was given to me and that means right up to surgery date. I was told nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day before surgery. I thought it was odd too because when I had my lapband I was given a pre-op but, this bariatric group does not. The PA I saw said she's trying to change that with this group. She thinks they should have one. I'm going to do one anyway just because I want my liver to shrink as much as possible so the surgeon can move it out of the way and not run into issues. My date is 7/11 so starting tomorrow I'm doing 2 shakes and one small meal for Sunday and Monday and for Tuesday the day before my surgery all liquids.

How are you doing? You're on the losing side now...Congrats!

I've been reading about so many folks having issues with getting their Protein in each day. One of the main resources for protein are protein shakes especially in the beginning stages so I thought...why not share recipes with each other strictly for shakes! We all start getting tired of the same ole' same ole shakes so why not share how you make your shake extra special or tolerable So lets keep this thread strictly for shake recipes so we can make it an easy resource for everyone. Remember to put in the measurements and name brands of protein powder/liquid you used and where you bought them if we can't get them at the local store. Here are a few of mine: Almond Joy shake: 1 scoop Pure Protein chocolate 8 oz cold Water ice cubes to make it extra cold 10 drops capella coconut flavoring (Capella website) 6 drops capella toasted almond flavoring Put it all in a Blender Bottle and shake, shake, shake. Let sit and thicken up for 2 minutes and enjoy. Peanut Butter Cup Shake: 1 scoop Pure Protein Chocolate 8 oz cold water ice cubes to make it extra cold 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons PB2 (Amazon - it's peanutbutter with the fat/liquids taken out) Put it all in a blender bottle and shake it up! Let it sit for 2 minutes and enjoy. Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake: 1 scoop Pure Protein vanilla 8 oz cold water ice cubes to make it extra cold 1 tablespoon PB2 8 drops capella strawberry flavoring. PUt it all in a blender bottle and shake. Green Monster Shake: 1 scoop Pure Protein Vanilla 8 oz skim milk 1 tablespoon sugar free instant pistachio pudding 1 drop green food coloring Put in a blender bottle and shake away. Hints to help flavor your shakes: Sugar Free instant pudding mixes, Capella Drops, Sugar Free Torani syrups, cinnamon, nutmeg, extracts (mint is great in vanilla or chocolate), Sugar Free maple syrup. If you have fruit flavored based shake mixes like Syntrax Twisted cherry - mix in a little no sugar added, or sugar substitute Koolaid or crystal light. Enjoy! As I experiment more...I'll add more recipes

Pure Protein chocolate is my favorite but, I also have Pure Protein in vanilla and Cookies and cream. Syntrax Mint chocolate cookie is also a favorite. Try mixing things into the shakes to get rid of the aftertaste in some shakes. I for one don't care for vanilla shakes but, if you add 1 tablespoon of PB2 into it it's not so bad. PB2 is Peanut Butter with the fat taken out of it so it's powder. Google it! I got it on Amazon and love it when I'm in the mood for a thicker, richer shake. It add protein too without too much sugar or fat. I also use capella drops - sugar free, calorie free but, adds nice flavor. I like Toasted Almond and Coconut flavors in my chocolate shake Keep trying...you'll find what you like and can tolerate.

congrats Rhon!

Princess - Folks that had the lapband used to do it. I remember hearing about it when I had mine. It got folks back on track.

Exactly Kookieto...that's a great way to think! Another thing people replace eating with is shopping. That can be pretty scary too but, what's worse is we'll have to shop because we'll be shrinking out of our clothes. I guess from what my therapist told me some get excessive with it. I guess it will always be a battle in one form or another but, I have to say I'd prefer a battle with shopping versus a battle of the bulge.

They say after RNY people can become alcoholics because of displacement. Meaning...now that a person can't eat anything they want or doesn't have food to sooth oneself they choose alcohol because they can drink liquids. Then of course because of the re-arranged anatomy RNY folks get drunk on very little and also sober up rather quickly. So they drink more. Pretty scary stuff. All the more to get our heads right before having the surgery so we know what to do with ourselves once we can't eat our way through emotions or boredom etc. Seems to be the big thing going around tv and the internet at the moment.

Good luck and I hope you get your approval the first go-round!

melonpie05 - have you completed the 5 months or was it a week short etc? My insurance wanted a 3 months supervision stint after having already approved the time frame the first time when my surgeon submitted the paperwork. They denied me the first time because they wanted weights for the past 4 years. Then when they were given that they denied because of the 3 months supervision they said was short by a few weeks. My surgeon fought that stating they approved it the first time. So we won that battle but, then it came down to my PCP's letter not stating the exact wording of "medical release for surgery". Turns out my PCP was on vacation so my surgery had to be delayed. I saw my PCP and was then approved after she wrote yet another letter stating the medical release. It's amazing what some insurances make us do but, folks are right...your surgeon's office knows what needs to be done. Talk with them and don't be afraid to call your insurance company yourself. I do medical billing for a living and tell my patients that all the time. Sometimes a patient calling gets things moved along faster and some denials approved. Call your insurance and ask them straight out what those words mean and what needs to be done to correct it and get the approval. You'd be surprised how much further a patient can get than their doctor sometimes. Good luck! I was denied twice and finally have my date...so it possible!

Great news there Minsi! Congrats! You should be proud and heck if you enjoy swimming keep it going because you're right...it's one of the best exercises!

walking is the best thing for it Dani. Some say gasX works but, I'm not quite sure about that considering the gas is in your abdomin versus in your stomach. Maybe other folks can have some input with that again. Glad you're home! congrats!

EEsMom...glad you're going to talk to your nutritionist. I can't imagine you'll be the first patient that she/he has heard can't have sugar substitues. I"m sure they'll find something for you. Even if you have to make your own Protein shakes out of plain Protein powder. For me Sugar Alcohol sets me off and I haven't even had the surgery yet. Too much of that stuff...errr...is not a good thing for me. Good luck!

I haven't tried the double dark chocolate because I don't care for dark chocolate. I usually just put the coconut and toasted almond into my Pure Protein. I use the powdered version of the Pure protein. Target online had the frosty chocolate and Cookies and cream on a special price of $15.99 a tub. I stocked up on the chocolate. I know the cookies and cream went back to regular price but, the chocolate may still be on special...haven't looked recently. So this morning for breakfast I tried the vanilla pure protein again this time adding 1 tablespoon of the PB2 w/chocolate. It actually cut the aftertaste of the whey which was great! I hate vanilla by itself but, this was good for a change.

OH I'm sure I'll be talking to myself until they stick me and make me sleep LOL

janec...I"m with you as well. I've told a few folks but, mainly the ones that have to cover for me while I"m out of work. So many people pass judgement that right now I don't want to hear it so I tell who's close to me. Most folks worry because it is major surgery but, they've all, so far, been very supportive and truly know I wouldn't make this decision lightly. I will say though I've heard folks at work judge some of the woman who have had it. To me....I've lived their life in the struggle to lose weight so I "get" why they've done it. Some have done well...others have not. Those who have followed the correct way to eat, have been the ones who have done well. So...that just tells me DO what my bariatric center says to do!

Hi Vicki, Welcome to the boards. My bariatric therapist actually told me the medical field is considering RNY even for healthy weight folks who have diabetes because it helps so much in reversing it. I wish you the best with your journey!

Hello Rhon.....my new surgery date is next Wednesday, July 11! Scared but excited.

I believe if you want the thread closed the only way to do so is if the original thread starter closes it. But that authorization is given by the web designer, Alex and his crew. Some forums don't allow posts removed once started, other do. You'd have to ask Alex if you can delete it. You may be able to delete your own posts as well but, again...only if the forum is set up that way.

Ellody, If you're having heartburn tell your nurse...they'll give you something for that if they can.

How are you doing now Mami with eating? Have you been able to keep anything down?

I didn't know Pure Protein had Mint chocolate! Where did you get that flavor? I do have a Mint cookie made by Syntrax that is very good but, I like the amount of protein in the Pure Protein shakes. Did you get your Capella drops yet? If so what do you think?