Lemon109

I'm a judicial programs analyst working in child abuse/neglect court....and an advocate for abused children.

@TWeb. Surgery is a big decision and like any major life change, you have to consider lots of things. I had the same question about whether or not I should just be trying harder. What I decided was to commit to doing the six months that my insurance requires in preparation for surgery approval. After about four months I knew my answer. It was a tough decision for me, I thought about a lot of things. I think what you are going through is pretty typical. Keep thinking, keep trying....you don't have to make a decision right away. My thought was I wasn't committed until I climbed onto the surgery table! Good luck on your journey.

@aunttraci You are moving right along aren't you? Sorry about the C-Pap....the sleep apnea might resolve following surgery...that would be a great thing!

So I met with the Dietician yesterday at the Bariatric Center.....she said their office requires patients to only use Protein formulas that are whey/soy isolate only.....no concentrate at all. Does Premier Protein have whey concentrate in it? She also said no bananas, ever. Too starchy. She was wonderful though, answered all the questions that I had and didn't talk down to me at all. I hate when that happens. Just because I have a question doesn't mean that I need to be treated like a toddler. Definitely worth the trip into the city.
She did said she prefers when patients use a "meal replacement" like Bariatric Advantage instead of just a Protein Drink....the Meal Replacement ones have Fiber in them which keeps you full longer. When I told her that I only found a few that I liked and they were just Protein powder, she suggested adding benefiber. Maybe I'll give the Bariatric Advantage another shot. I've been buying single serving packs of stuff to try out. To me, the Bariatric Advantage tastes like foam. Does anyone else get that from it?
In regards to Vitamins, the BA ones are okay and get everything in them. I tried the Celebrate ones (and the $3 is worth it, they give you almost one of everything) but for some reason the chewable Multivitamin burns my throat. I like the ones from Bariatric fusion...both the chewable and the soft chews. I also like BA's chewable Calcium in the cinnamon flavor. It's like a softer version of a Certs for those old enough to remember those .
So here's the weird thing. She won't go over the post-op stuff until two weeks before the surgery. I suppose it's because people will forget if they do it sooner but it's frustrating. I'd like to order Vitamins so I don't have to order everything at once (those suckers are expensive!) but I guess I'll just have to wait. I haven't really ordered any big packages of Protein powders yet....I've seen so many posts about tastes changing and things getting too sweet that I've hesitated. I know what I like now (unjury chocolate splendor and strawberry sorbet and Syntrax nectar grapefruit and lemonade)....what does everyone else like? Any recommendations for a plain powder to add to foods? I haven't tried any of those yet.
This is really happening isn't it? It's a little surreal to me.

I've been waiting too! I'm tentatively scheduled for November 9th. I'm kinda excited....but it's a big change and that makes me a little anxious. I'm not such a good transitioner but I love change. Much like exercise, it's the getting there that is the hard part for me. I've scheduled an extra appointment with the dietician for tomorrow because I can't wait until two weeks before surgery to have all the ins and outs explained. Doesn't leave much time for planning, I think I'm skipping this year's holidays <smile> Too many Italians, too much temptation...

I really like strawberry-kiwi fruit infusion. I just cut up a strawberry, add a couple of slices of kiwi fruit, muddle them a little and add Water. Sometimes I put it in a small pitcher and strain it as it comes out but I love the way the slices of fruit look floating in my Water. If it looks good, I want it more

I really like strawberry-kiwi fruit infusion. I just cut up a strawberry, add a couple of slices of kiwi fruit, muddle them a little and add Water. Sometimes I put it in a small pitcher and strain it as it comes out but I love the way the slices of fruit look floating in my Water. If it looks good, I want it more

I really like strawberry-kiwi fruit infusion. I just cut up a strawberry, add a couple of slices of kiwi fruit, muddle them a little and add Water. Sometimes I put it in a small pitcher and strain it as it comes out but I love the way the slices of fruit look floating in my Water. If it looks good, I want it more

I really like strawberry-kiwi fruit infusion. I just cut up a strawberry, add a couple of slices of kiwi fruit, muddle them a little and add Water. Sometimes I put it in a small pitcher and strain it as it comes out but I love the way the slices of fruit look floating in my Water. If it looks good, I want it more

Hi @@rejeannern,
I've been going through the 6 month pre-op process required by my insurance and my program. Here is what they told me:
Drink 64 ounces of Water a day Take a Multivitamin Practice chewing thoroughly Practice taking small bites (size of an eraser) Stop drinking pop Begin to cut out refined carbs Eat lean Protein at every meal Eat a fruit or vegetable at every meal Keep a food diary Get some exercise I also have seen my PCP once a month. There was a special form that needed to be filled out to make sure the insurance company gets what they need. I have to have my PCP supervising my diet/exercise plan so if you have this requirement I'd definitely start there. Good luck and enjoy the process....great things are waiting for you.

Hi @@rejeannern,
I've been going through the 6 month pre-op process required by my insurance and my program. Here is what they told me:
Drink 64 ounces of Water a day Take a Multivitamin Practice chewing thoroughly Practice taking small bites (size of an eraser) Stop drinking pop Begin to cut out refined carbs Eat lean Protein at every meal Eat a fruit or vegetable at every meal Keep a food diary Get some exercise I also have seen my PCP once a month. There was a special form that needed to be filled out to make sure the insurance company gets what they need. I have to have my PCP supervising my diet/exercise plan so if you have this requirement I'd definitely start there. Good luck and enjoy the process....great things are waiting for you.

Hi @@rejeannern,
I've been going through the 6 month pre-op process required by my insurance and my program. Here is what they told me:
Drink 64 ounces of Water a day Take a Multivitamin Practice chewing thoroughly Practice taking small bites (size of an eraser) Stop drinking pop Begin to cut out refined carbs Eat lean Protein at every meal Eat a fruit or vegetable at every meal Keep a food diary Get some exercise I also have seen my PCP once a month. There was a special form that needed to be filled out to make sure the insurance company gets what they need. I have to have my PCP supervising my diet/exercise plan so if you have this requirement I'd definitely start there. Good luck and enjoy the process....great things are waiting for you.

Thank you all so much for your encouraging words.....it helps!! I want to be able to do this, to invest in myself and my health. It's just hard. I'm so glad I found this website and folks who understand!!

I'm a judicial programs analyst working in child abuse/neglect court....and an advocate for abused children.

I'm a judicial programs analyst working in child abuse/neglect court....and an advocate for abused children.

Hi Tracy,
Just wanted to tell you all that Syntrax is offering a special on their nectar Protein powder. A variety pack of 15 single serving packages is $15.00 plus $1.99 shipping and handling. You have to call and order it but it was pretty quick and easy. I ordered some today. I love a lot of their fruity flavors and mixed with Water it is almost like drinking juice. No heavy Protein taste. They have a line of sweet flavors to mix with milk but I haven't tried those yet. Good luck on your journey....and nice to meet you.