roundisashape

True - but still frustrating!

You could also check out some tapas restaurants in your area - I don't know of any chains, but at least where I live those types of "small plate" restaurants are popping up all over. Some of them are insufferably trendy, others are a lot more comfortable

If you can't find it there, you could probably order both on Amazon and it would be waiting for you when you get home

So i have a rant that isn't about the new board - though I'm finding that frustrating too! My PCP is great about accommodating people who have things to do. They're always open one day over the weekend and two late nights each week, and the doctors split the time so they're not giving up their lives to work alternate hours all the time either. It works out well for everyone. Everyone else involved in the surgery process? Not so much. It's feels like they assume that if we're fat enough to need surgery, we're too fat to work or have anything else to do. Mandatory pre-op support group? Have to leave work early. Weight management classes? i have to take 1/2 day to make it to those. Surgeon visit? Can't get anything that isn't in the middle of the day. Nutritionist? Still need to leave early. Fortunately I have some flexibility to be able to take my time in 1/2 day increments and be able to leave early from time to time, but there are some people who don't have that luxury who would be completely cut out of the opportunity to have surgery because of it. I really want this done and over with, but if the sleeve fairy showed up and offered me surgery before the end of the year, I wouldn't have enough time off left to do it.

Kyrie, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time! I haven't been where you are and can't really say anything useful, but maybe distraction would be helpful? Imagine your life a year from now, after your sleeve is done and you've been successful - what might a really great day be like?

Yes, I learned the hard way to prepare my nectar drinks while I'm still in my jammies. Some of those stains don't come out, lol

I tried the nectar apple ecstasy tonight too - could not spit it out fast enough! Weird, though, it's another one that I could tolerate just fine eating the powder like a pixie stick. Thanks for the CarbQuick info and tip about hot Water, Cowgirl! I might try some of the CarbQuick now.

Yum!

I see you, but had to remove the other search parameters first

Thanks! I'd never heard of it, but it sounds like a pretty good rule to keep in mind

I'm not familiar with the 5-10-15 rule - what is that? Sounds interesting! As far as trying things in advance, I've been taking in everything I've read here and expect my post op tastes to change - except for more samples I've been stockpiling for after surgery, I'm only buying in quantity what I think I can finish pre-op. This whole process is so regimented it seems like the one thing I have control over! I haven't been put on an official diet yet, but at my first consultation the surgeon's assistant poked at my stomach and said, "Your liver shouldn't be all the way down here". It doesn't seem like a week or two of eating differently before surgery is enough to fix that, so I've been trying to incorporate new habits early on to try to get that under control. So exciting, but so much to think about!

Neutrogena anti-wrinkle, anti-acne cream isn't bad. I have nutty combination skin - dry patches and oil slicks - and it does a pretty good job keeping me "neutral".

Wow! Great job! You do NOT look 205 lbs

Oh! Also, tried Nectar Cappuccino over the weekend. No caffeine, which is probably a good thing, and I wanted to lick the cup. Very good, and a lot lower in calories than Chike. Didn't appear to be good for a meal replacement, but I haven't quite figured out what to use and when to use it yet. Can't set up my 1:1 nutritionist meeting until the end of the month.

Loveelaura, thanks for the additions! I've gotta try some of those Torani syrups. I wish they came in sample sizes too, I've only seen them at WalMart around here and they're kind of expensive. Blueeyed, great reminder! I remember hearing other people say that too, so I've been ordering two sets of samples whenever I can so I've got some trial packs available for after surgery. Hopefully they'll still be good this spring . Scorpion, I'll be thinking about you! Good luck with your pre-op diet. I'm so glad I'm not at that point yet, it sounds scarier than the actual surgery.

Just a couple of other things I wanted to mention, though for the most part it's already been said. As long as you're over 18 and your parents don't have any kind of medical proxy over you, your counselor can't tell them anything. Don't hesitate to be honest, that's why you're going there! As far as telling your doctors the truth, please, please, please do that too. Remember this: they work for you! Every time you see them, they get paid a ridiculous amount of money (whether you're self pay, have insurance or use assistance doesn't matter, they still get paid), and it's in your doctor's best interest to see you succeed. They can also refer you to a nutritionist who can help you figure out what you can eat that meets your nutritional needs and that is still within your culinary skill level. Don't let embarrassment damage your health. Also, I hope you don't take offense, but you might be helped by some assertiveness training too. I took an assertiveness seminar a few years ago and it made a huge difference in the way I carry myself, and how I live my life. You've got to practice it every day, and might need a refresher from time to time if it doesn't come naturally (it doesn't for me, and I could use a "tune up" at the moment myself), but it might help you reach a point where you're willing to step up instead of sublimating your needs to what you think other people want from you. It's also a good way to help you "lose your inhibitions" without alcohol . As long as you're still breathing, there's not much that can't be fixed if you really want to fix it - you can do this!

Congratulations! What a great moment - I'm glad you got to see the picture in that setting. What a lift!

I always liked the old "I am in shape, round is a shape" joke .

It seems like soggy, sugary cereal in milk would slide right through and maybe you wouldn't expect to get full from it? I'm still pre-op and can't legitimately give you any suggestions, but if you posted a normal day's intake there are probably some folks on here who could help you troubleshoot that part. Beyond that, it sounds like you might need to actually sit down and talk to someone. Maybe set some priorities and decide what changes you're willing to make to succeed, and what you're not willing to do - and accept whatever limitations that imposes.

So I feel bad, now, saying anything bad about Chike. They're such nice people! I ordered the sample pack, and someone called me this week to talk about the order and how I liked it, etc. That kind of customer service makes the shakes taste a little better . Tried the chocolate one the other day, mixed with milk, and it had a funny aftertaste. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good as some other brands of chocolate. I also tried the coffee Chike yesterday morning, and that one was good. Strong coffee flavor - it really masked the protein!

That's great, congratulations!

That's just the worst. I went to the ER for pain and actually got laughed at. No imaging, nothing - they didn't take me seriously at all and the doctor acted like he didn't want to touch me. Wound up being a giant ovarian mass and a twisted tube. I didn't get treated until I went to a different ER, and by then it had wrapped around my intestines and I almost died. You'd think anyone who goes to medical school would come out understanding that they're going to have fat patients from time to time, and they may even have to touch them!

Butter, I have that apprehension as well. One of my coworkers lost a lot of weight and forgets to wear pants sometimes - I feel like I can see inappropriate on other people, but have no idea how to detect it on myself! Clearly after I have surgery I'll be posting a lot of, "Does this make me look ridiculous?" pictures on the board!

Thank you! I am so looking forward to this!

I've been hearing a lot about Premier around the board - it definitely needs to make my "try" list! Thanks for all the great tips, too. I'm really excited about the coffee idea, It's probably a bad thing, but I'm 35 and just started regularly drinking it a few months ago.