SnohoGal98296

RJ, You have come so far, you know what to do, eating healthy with more calories is still eating healthy and that why we are all here. To get healthy! And to stay that way even after we reach goal. You can do this, what would you say if you were the reader of this post and not the poster?

Yes the huge Tubs are expensive, you can find single packs at places like gnc, or my bariatric pantry, I think Syntrax' s website sells taster packs too, sorry meant to say that earlier.

Ok, my latest taste tests have been Oh Yeah! RTDs this past week I tried their strawberry and Vanilla. Strawberries n Cream - I found this to be a little sweet, but tasty. The strawberry flavor is not cloying, and tastes good. Maybe not the best strawberries and cream but definitely will be one of my go to RTDs. Vanilla - I basically tolerated this flavor. I normally drink a shake in the car on my way to work and this is the first one where I put it down and had to remember to finish it. Actually had to say to myself, you'd better finish that. .. There was gritty feel to it and the flavor seem fake. My mouth felt dry afterward, and I had to drink a Water to get that dry feeling out of my mouth. Maybe it is telling that between these flavors I always go back to my Premier Protein chocolate RTD from costco. More soon

There are several flavors from Syntrax Nectrasweet powders that are fruity, like fruit punch, lemonade, peach, etc. I really like the Syntrax line and it is available on Amazon. This line mixes easily and doesn't have an aftertaste or a gritty texture. There are also some RTDs by Isopure that are punch type too, even grape. But I haven't tried them yet, the Isopures are on my list though!

Vita-Cost sent me an email apologizing and refunded the entire amount including shipping. Refund came through Amazon. All is well - and Amazon's guarantee is worth it!

I have to say I haven't tried it myself, she says you don't taste the cabbage at all. I guess stuffed cabbage is always served with tomato sauce, so it can't be that bad. But I love the spaghetti squash!

I was wondering why they were not around, maybe it's because they are gross :-D I have also mixed flavored protein powder into a 6 oz plain fat free greek yogurt, it was yummy. But I am pre-op and had trouble finishing it. .. It was very filling! Don't forget unjury broth protein mix, I have seen posts about their chicken broth. ..

I have heard of a protein jello, but have not found it yet. ..

I have heard the trick to the bean noodles is to rinse, rinse, rinse, until the smell goes away. Natural off gassing or something, that being said, I tried them once, the rinsing worked, but the texture just wasn't there for me. I stick to spaghetti squash and zucchini (use a veggie peeler to get thin egg noodle types) as noodle substitutes, a friend says she buys cabbage shreds, cooks them in broth or straight in spaghetti sauce too.

Are you selfpay? There are two great bariatric centers as well, Puget Sound Bariatric (a division of Puget Sound Surgical Center) and North West Weight Loss Surgery (NWWLS). They are both excellent and have all the certificates and awards, etc. And quite a bit less for selfpayers than going through a major hospital.

So, I am going to ask our companies seat requirements guru about seat belt lengths, see what FAA requirements are applicable, etc. and I will let you know what he says...

You know seat belt length determination is a mystery, but I can tell you this - on U.S. carriers I almost always have to request an extender, but on Asian carriers I have not needed them. Exactly opposite of what you would expect, considering comparative weight data between the U.S. and, say, Japan.

Is it possible you are having an allergic reaction to any of your foods or vitamins? I know some sleevers take certain vitamins right before bed... I would call my surgeon and ask about the prilosec too.

Just an update, I have devices to move forward with NWWLS, I have my psych evaluation and nut apps the end week of March. Thanks for the input, it really helped.

You've got to return that to Amazon, they will back you up. ..

Me too, everytime! But I have to say a recent trip that took me to South East Asia, was brutal. 26 total hours with over 17 hours in economy, now you why I am so flippant :-D

I am in the biz, I work for an airline seat manufacturer, all seats are not the same. There are similarities, but airlines have lots of brands and models to choose from and they also dictate the "pitch" which is the measurement between seats front to back. Notice you have more leg room on one flight more than another? That's because because the airline chose a smaller pitch to get more rows on the aircraft. They are also trending to seats with skinnier seat pan, which would allow what use to be a double column (2 seats across) to become a triple (3 seats across). Don't get me wrong - commercial aerospace is my bread and butter but the airlines are designing out comfort to allow for more passengers. Which is why I call economy class "cattle class"...

Thanks, I was thinking that would be the case, too much sugar and hard to digest. It's just, well I take them I feel like I just discovered the PB&J, you know?

Has anyone heard about or tried the gummy style vitamins? I am pre-op but the smell of some of the tablet style vitamins is just obnoxious so I have been recently successful at regularly taking vitamins with the new gummy type. I know, I know, I'm 45, it is what it is:-D Reading about your preference for chewables makes me wonder if gummies are an option too?

I am visioning SuperApril!!!

Thank you so much Sleeveless, this was exactly the response I was hoping for! You hit the nail on the head with two locations. I did the seminar with NWWLS only, but had I initial consults with both PSBC and NWWLS. I really liked both surgeons so this coverage is my main tentpole. I too am insured with Weight Loss exclusion. Your Dad's story is exactly my fear, that in the blink of an eye I could owe a hospital enough money to put my kid through college! I talked to PSBC about srlfpay insurance and they explained how a complication would be handled, but the monetary risk is still there, especially if I had to be transferred to a hospital. I don't have an issue with NWWLS, they are very professional and I like everyone I met there. I do like that WLS is their only objective, whereas PSBC does some extra stuff (which good too). But I just felt a little more kinship with PSBC surgeon, so the question is - is the risk worth it because I liked him just a tad bit more?

I would check the forums for the many people who say they have gone for a revision from the band, my cousin had the band for ten years and then had to be revised, she had lost 100+ lbs but the band broke. I think you will find many different stories here about problem with the band and needing revisions. .. I don't have a problem with the band, and it is a good choice for a lot of people. I didn't like the idea of a mechanism in my body, constant upkeep for fills, etc. The sleeve feels right to me after all of my research. ..

That was my next guess, drink more water ;-D

Are you sure you're not pregnant?

Ok, so I am Self-pay. I have narrowed my surgeon search down to two. Each is from a different surgical center, one provides BLIS coverage the other does not. I am torn because I like the place without the BLIS coverage more than the place that does provide it. Here are the specifics: 1) Their prices are very close to each other. 2) I called my health insurance provider and asked them their policy on self-pay procedures and the possibility of complications. The general jist is this - if you have a problem that requires additional surgery to fix, correct or otherwise revise the original self-pay procedure it will not be covered. If, however, you go the emergency room for dehydration and that is what they code - you are covered. If I later require gall bladder removal - covered. So still a huge risk if I have a leak, infection, or bleeding due to the VS procedure itself. 3) Both are within 30 mins of home - so no travel issues. 4) The place without BLIS does VSG as outpatient, you go home the same day and come back in the morning for iv fluids and leak testing. The other is an overnight stay. 5) They both have all of the certificates and awards, centers of excellence, etc. 6) Both have fans here at Bariatric Pal - saying the center is awesome, loved the people, loved the surgeon, etc. 7) I am terrified that I will have a complication and bankrupt my family. But I never have never had complications in the past Self-payers in the US - what have you done? Did you have BLIS? Did you make your decision based upon the availability of BLIS? Has anyone had a complication that BLIS paid for? How did it go? I thought I remembered a previous post where BLIS was difficult to work with but I couldn't find it again via the search....