roundisashape

I'd say the proof is in the pudding - sounds like a pretty good plan to me! Congrats

It runs in the 12,000's - not super high. I'll definitely talk to the doctor, and bring it up with the anesthesiologist on Friday when I meet with them. I think they're actually the ones to give the final yes/no. Thanks, everyone!

I am in awe! That's an OUTSTANDING result! What does a typical day of food and activity look like for you?

Thank you! I hope that'll be the story here, too.

I wish I still had an old catalog to compare what a size was back in the 90's! Some of the plus size stores are hilarious with that. Was it Fashion Bug or Avenue that went to single digits? I had such a hard time figuring out what size pants I wore. I was like, dudes, don't make me guess - I'm fat and it's hard work to try on all this crap! And Woman Within is marked so big when I accidentally got my normal size in a coat one year, it hung to my knees. I'm just biding my time until I can squeeze my lard into their idea of a medium. Psychological warm-n-fuzzies and all!

I'm still pre-op, but the last time I had surgery I was SO bloated from the IV fluids - it took a couple of weeks just for that to come off (I was too sick to eat, but still came out of the hospital weighing more than I did when I went in). It sure sounds like you're doing everything right and 8 pounds in 11 days sounds amazing.

I think they taste okay - not great, but not horrible. They're just too dense for me, and I'm still pre-op! I can't finish one now.

Are the cookie flavored Proteins (like Matrix mint cookie, or whatever) "safe" for the full liquid stage? They usually have little tiny bits in them.

I heard back from the nutritionist today, and she said they're fine

Yum! That's on my list of things to try! I added rum extract today and that was pretty good too.

Flintstones has Iron. I was a little taken aback by it at first, but our program recommends them. They just said to take 2 post op.

Muscle milk was my favorite before I tried BSN Syntha-6, but I never knew they had anything other than chocolate/vanilla/strawberry/banana. Actually, I think I found a stray mango premixed one at Big Lots a few months ago. I'm guessing it wasn't a popular flavor, lol. I tried the Syntha-6 chocolate mint and loved it, but after I realized how many calories were in it I tried Matrix mint cookie and it was almost as good. I think it's the mint - it covers the Protein smell and taste pretty well.

Thanks! This group considers cottage cheese and yogurt full liquids so I just assumed it would be okay - I'll double check with the nutritionist and let you guys know what they say.

Plans vary, but the one my facility handed out allows pudding and yogurt during the full liquids stage

I get hangry too - at this point, I've resigned myself to warning all the innocent bystanders in advance . Use this board to get your aggression out, there's always someone here who is willing to listen!

Premier is my go-to, it's easy and the profile is good. I'm working my way through a batch of samples now and so far have found that Syntrax Matrix isn't too bad, and BSN Syntha 6 is freakin' amazing (but, of course, 200 calories on the dot and I'm not comfortable with that).

Just curious, how did everyone settle on a goal weight? I'd love to hear from anyone, but I'm particularly interested in the Forever Fluffies. I've never been anything but fat so I don't have one of those "I was comfortable at ___" reference points.

That is so awesome!!!

It's not a matter of blame or making excuses, but of understanding why we behave the way we do. For many people that does help the process along. Sometimes "food tastes good" really does wind up being all there is to it, sometimes it's a lot more complex. I do understand what contributed to the bad habits I developed and I think recognizing them has helped me find other ways to deal with those issues when they come up. The caveat is that it's easy to get "stuck" in the analysis without active follow through, and that's not helpful at all. I guess what I'm saying is that it can help, but it's only part of the battle. You can be just as successful by actions alone, and work your way through whatever issues come up along the way. FWIW, those Biggest Loser breakthrough's...I wouldn't put too much stock in those. There's a LOT of editing going on there! It's hard to believe everyone goes from one session of crying it out to immediately being motivated to hop on the treadmill

Thanks for the great ideas! Doing housework and getting everything in order and accessible is definitely on my list. Even if things go perfectly, I'm not going to be able to rest if I come home to dirt or a laundry pile

I'm making (and starting to check off) my list of things I'll need post-op. May not have much help afterwards, so I want to be prepared - is there anything I'm missing? *Vitamins/supplements* Ordered a variety of Protein samples (~ 2 weeks worth of different brands and flavors) and getting a case of Premier as a backup Flintstones Chewable Calcium citrate B12 D2 Biotin Gas-x strips Rolaids Fiber (stuff that goes in water) Pill holder Pill crusher Lactaid *Supplies* Mesh strainer food scale Kid sized plates/spoons Stick blender Mini blender for work (one of those little $15 ones) Work lunch box with some silicone cupcake wraps or tiny containers to put purees in *Food* (full liquids for a week) Assorted broths and cream Soups Plain fat free greek yogurt Cottage and/or ricotta cheese SF Jello and pudding Water flavorings Some Torani or DaVinci flavorings Dry milk Almond coconut milk (is this okay?) Regular skim milk (I like variety, lol) *Hospital* Lip balm Slippers Wipes Face wipes Travel deodorant Packet of those little Wisp toothbrushes Pajama pants Robe Download a new book Travel pillow Enough on a prepaid card to get prescriptions from hospital pharmacy without taking my debit card to the hospital So...am I missing anything obvious? Overplanning? Underplanning?

You're going to do great next time! You've already been through a big chunk of the scary stuff so you'll know what to expect