MrsSugarbabe

It's great hearing others' comments about the different kinds of Protein drinks available. I've been drinking the unjury since about May 1st and love it. The surgical dietitian I met with last week suggested I try some other brands because taste preferences may/can change following surgery. Since I don't plan to have the surgery until February 2015 there's plenty of time to try other options. Today is the first time I've heard anyone say they don't like the Isopure (glad I haven't bought any yet). Has anyone tried the Premier Protein from Sam's yet? Thoughts? I've heard it's good. What I'm discovering is that most of the Protein beverages that are truly good tasting are a whey protein CONCENTRATE rather than whey protein ISOLATE (like the Unjury). I've been having better weight loss results with the ISOLATE/Unjury than anything I've tried before. I, too, would appreciate some suggestions for protein beverages (ready to drink or powder) that are good tasting and high protein content. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing! Because my hubby is diabetic, we already weigh and measure everything for dinner so I'm hoping he'll trade Breakfast or lunch in for a Protein shake. I'm not pushing him to do what I'm doing, but I do know he'd be a bit happier if he could lose some weight.

My husband has been extremely supportive of my surgery decision. He has not only assisted in my recovery care but, has benefited greatly from it as well. While I have lost about 45lbs or so, he has lost 30lbs. He has changed his diet to pretty much mimic mine. Since my surgery, we share Nutribullet smoothies, eat lean, low fat meals, etc. I could not be more happy and, he's just as happy to be in clothes he has been in for YEARS!

I'm sorry to hear that you have not fared well since surgery. Hopefully, things will begin to turn around for you soon.

I've been drinking powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein shakes 2x/day since the beginning of May and have let him taste various ones to see if he'd like it and maybe jump on the band wagon. Just today he emailed me to say he'd tried the vanilla with some extra flavoring and liked it. Time will tell. We love each other regardless of what our weights are. He's been totally supportive!

During my 2 week pre surgery diet, my fiance drank shakes with me and did indeed lose weight. Today I am 5 weeks post op and have fared very badly. He has been by my side and cared for me every step of the way.

I could not have asked for a better man to be my future husband.

Uh oh. My hubby plans and prepares a lot of our suppers (some weeks)...he's retired, I'm still working full-time.

LOL. I love to cook so I still cook and my hubby eats and he has gained a bit!

As I have wrapped up all the pre-surgery appointments and am awaiting insurance approval, I've been wondering how spouses/SOs have done during your journey. Has he/she lost weight along with you because of your lifestyle changes? Or have they gained weight for some reason? My husband is very supportive of my decision so I'm hoping he, too, will benefit from my journey.

Mine doesn't require a weight loss pre-surgery, but it is encouraged because it will help with surgery by ridding your body of some of the internal fat they have to get through. And, of course, the commitment factor. My appt. with surgical dietitian yesterday was very helpful and she was encouraged by what I'm already doing to help myself be successful post surgery. Changing habits now will go a long way to help you adjust post surgery (at least that's what I'm reading and hearing).

Thank you for posting your feelings, Ash51. I've had a lot of the same thoughts and feelings. I'm presurgical and will probably go for it in February. I've already completed everything that is required of me; my last appointment was yesterday with the surgical dietitian. My journey started in June 2013 when my PCP suggested I consider surgery since what I was doing wasn't going anywhere fast and at my age the only way to lose the 100 lbs. I needed to lose would be surgery; the logic being that I would have to exercise a heck of a lot more than I already am along with a very low cal food plan. I have several comorbidities that will be greatly improved with the loss of that 100#. Even though I've jumped through all the hoops already, I still haven't firmly said "Yes, I'm having sleeve surgery," nor have I told any family other than my husband who is 100% supportive of whatever I decide. Some coworkers know only because they've had WLS surgery and I wanted to hear the details of their experience. Your post has inspired me and I'm feeling the time is soon to start talking openly about having surgery. Good luck to you!!

I haven't had my surgery yet, but have been using the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein powders to increase my Protein intake to 100 grams/day as recommended by the bariatric doctor to lose weight. Each serving is 21 grams protein, 100 calories, and only 4 carbs. Go to their website and read the reviews; that's what really sold me on the product, including their return policy if you don't like it. I have used all the flavors regularly except for the cheese which I've tried once and added it to a prepared dish. Having the chicken Soup option is nice since the cold, sweet drinks get boring after awhile. The strawberry sorbet mixed with lemonade is a nice change, too.

My decision started with the suggestion from my PCP in June 2013, stating in order to get healthier, I needed to lose . I'm 58 and currently hover around 255. My weight my entire life has been a roller coaster. Even though there had been times when I lost 30, 40, 60 lbs. on my own and kept it off for several years, this last loss of 50 lbs. a few years ago has been creeping back on. As I've gotten older I have become a more "complicated patient" and have a number of diagnoses which should improve considerably following surgery. Initially I tried the medical weight loss program at the Center, but really wasn't working it and losing weight. That Doc suggested I consider my PCP's original recommendation. Gradually I started talking with everyone at work who I knew who'd had WLS and seeing what their experiences were like. Fortunately, one of my co-workers had the sleeve and her starting weight was close to where I'm at. At the time we talked she was about 18 mos. post-op and had lost 90-100 lbs. which was very encouraging to me. Everyone of my coworkers said they would make the same decision if they had it to do over. After that, I just started making all the necessary appointments myself and now I'm waiting for my appt. with the surgical dietitian. I don't know if I'll need to see her a second time before they send my paperwork off for insurance approval. I was thinking that I might be having the surgery sometime in October, but earlier this week my husband and I found a 14 day cruise that we want to take in December and I've decided to wait until after the cruise to have the surgery. The cruise isn't about the food, but since I don't know how I'll be feeling and adapting in the weeks following surgery, I'd rather not set myself up for possible, unnecessary pain or any other issues. I've waited this long, a few more months shouldn't make much difference. Since May of this year I have been drinking Protein shakes (Unjury) for Breakfast and lunch and have been slowly losing weight. I did this on my own to see if I liked the stuff and to start changing my lifestyle in preparation for post surgery. I can empathize with your feelings of anxiety and what ifs. I've had my share along with questioning why couldn't I lose the weight on my own as I have in the past. The reality is my body has changed, I'm older and not as active, and given my age my PCP said he felt this was my best hope of losing the 100 lbs. in order to improve my health. I feel like I'm just rambling now, so I'll stop here and just encourage you to stay strong and focused; educate yourself on every aspect of the process; avoid negative Nellies; and don't second guess yourself. You've made the right decision for you and that's all that matters. Best of luck!!

Hey! I'm pre-surgery so I can't speak to the Vitamins question, but I can tell you I've been using the unjury Protein powders since about May 1st (on my own) just to be able to get more Protein each day - MD wanted me eating about 100gms/day which is really hard to do. I've lost a little weight during that time and time that my craving for Pasta has practically totally diminished, and I am not craving sweets. A co-worker suggested I try the Unjury so I read all the reviews on the website and took the plunge. I even like the chicken Soup flavor, just have to closely watch the Water temp. I just hope that once I have the surgery my taste preferences don't change.

Have you had your surgery yet? If so, how have you been doing since then? I'm new to this website and have been reading a lot of posts mainly to gather information and everyone's different experiences.

Congratulations!! That's great news! Keep on keeping on!

Thank you all for your input and suggestions. I think I'm leaning toward cruising first and surgery after. I've waited this long for the surgery, another few months won't hurt. I'm currently doing Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch, Mon-Fri, and a couple of shakes over the weekend with a regular dinner at night. I've been losing weight, but very slowly, in preparation for surgery (my idea at this point). I have an appointment with the surgical dietitian next Friday and will get more info and have more questions answered. I'm slowly getting to where I'm looking forward to having the surgery, but it still seems like such an extreme route to lose weight; although my PCP and cardiologist (who have nothing to gain by making the recommendation for surgery) both feel this is the best option for me in order to lose the amount of weight necessary to greatly improve my health. Of course, my surgeon concurs although he would prefer I have the R-N-Y rather than sleeve, but the sleeve makes the most sense to me.

Anyway, thanks again for your comments!! I'll keep you posted on how it all comes out.

In preparation for having the sleeve surgery, I have completed everything except my appt. with the surgical dietitian and that appt. is next week. At this point, I do not know if I will be required to have a second appt. with her. Once she clears me, then paperwork will be sent to insurance for pre-approval. It is conceivable that I could have a surgery date as early as Sept./Oct.

My question for this group is about when would be the best time to take a cruise. My husband and I are considering taking a 14 day cruise later this year (Dec.) or early next year (Jan., Feb., Mar.). For the special rates being offered, reservations have to be made by Aug. 30th. Since I don't know what to expect following surgery, and knowing that cruising isn't all about just the food, I'm wondering if it would be better to cruise first and have surgery afterwards. From a time off perspective I would have to work a few weeks between the two before/or after having the surgery. If I had the surgery in Sept./Oct., do you think I'd feel well enough that I could truly enjoy the cruise, and the food, but just in considerably smaller portions? Has anyone been down this road, or a similar one?

Thanks for any and all suggestions and wisdom!

^{Sorry to hear of your accident and surgery. I haven't had the surgery yet, but have been doing all the pre-surgery stuff so I'm no help in regard to how much you can expect to lose at this point. SparkPeople is also a great site for tracking nutrition and exercise. I especially like it for figuring nutritional information for any recipes I make. Good luck!}

Wow!! You look great!!

Sugar Bomb,

Try powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein powders. I've been drinking them for a couple of months now for Breakfast and lunch, Monday-Friday. Granted, I'm pre-surgery and this was my decision to do, it was not a recommendation by the surgeon I've seen to discuss having surgery. I have found these shakes filling and satisfying enough, and they've been very easy to do while at work. On the weekends I drink one shake a day and eat typical meals. I started using Unjury because I was having such a hard time getting enough Protein each day; these shakes make all the difference. Unjury guarantees their product so if you don't like it, you can send it back. Pay attention to the instructions, especially if you use the chicken Soup powder. Experiment with flavor combinations and try other's suggestions (on the website). I'm thankful that a co-worker told me about Unjury otherwise I'd never have tried it.

Good luck!!