Sharon Vance

I live in Blacksburg. Having surgery in Roanoke with Dr Salzberg. Sent from my LGL62VL using the BariatricPal App

This it's my favorite protien drink by far!
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50 year old me!!

InsureNutrition is 100% legit! They've assisted hundreds of BariatricPal members over the years.

Hello,
I have tried a couple different brands and found that my favorite is the Premier Protein shake in chocolate. An 11 oz serving has 30 grams of Protein. It's a good shake, doesn't taste chalky at all. You can find them at quite a few different stores including Walmart and Sam's Club, with Sam's Club carrying the 12 pack for a really good price.
For unflavored Protein powder, I have tried GENEPRO, powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury and Isopure. So far, taste wise, I like GENEPRO the best, but was disappointed when I heard that Genepro's claims of 30 grams of protein per serving may not be true. My nutritionist said to stay away from Genepro. Therefore, out of the three brands that I've tried, Unjury and Isopure are my favorites. I used them in the full liquid stage after surgery.... mixed them in my cream of celery Soup. Now at 12 weeks post op, I still use the unflavored Protein Powder in my iced Decaf unsweet tea. Tastes great.
Hope that helps.

Syntrax nectar has different flavors of Protein ice tea, Twisted cherry, peach, grapefruit, strawberry and a few more what I love about them is just mix them with Water and they taste great to me good luck in your journey
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I do the same. I use the Via instant coffee, ice cubes made from the premier Protein, and shake it up. So good!

I have marked my Water bottle with rubber bands. Each section measures 125ml or 1/2 cup. I make sure I have finished each section in 1/2 hr increments. I use my timer on my phone to keep me up to date. I seem to be able to keep on track using this method, hope it helps.
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The statistics were against me. I went to the hospital completely unsure if I would have the courage to go through with my surgery, and terrified I would die. No one... I promise you, NO ONE, ever wanted to have bariatric surgery less than I. I was an emotional food addict whose life had shrunk so much that food was my entire social life. I weighed 367.8 pounds, had out of control diabetes, and could no longer walk across my own kitchen on most days. I needed both knees replaced and my doctor refused to do it until I lost a lot of weight.
The night before my surgery I was alone in the house and I sobbed a funeral dirge for my best friend, food. I was certain I would lose my mind without it.
My friends, are you hesitating?? Struggling? Regretting?? If you can stay with me, read on.
I will tell you that after the first month there hasn't been one day in five years that I haven't thought, "I never could have done this before."
My journey has been difficult, and you will have your struggles, too. The first year, I cared for and buried my beloved sister--my "person" in this world--who died in my arms. The second year, I had my right knee replaced. The third year, my left knee. My weight loss stalled, but I never gave up. The fourth year, my father died and right afterwards, my husband almost died and needed months of nursing.
I didn't tell you all that to whine. I told you in order to try to put some context to my life, because in spite of all that sorrow and pain, I am filled with joy. I have taken back my life, and you can, too.
When I came out of my surgery, I vowed that having taken the drastic step of altering my body, I was going to be all in. I have honored that vow.
I had to learn to walk again. Now I am a landscape, wedding and portrait photographer.
I had to accept that I couldn't go on vacation and eat like the old me without gaining back weight it took me months to lose. Now I usually drop a couple of pounds on vacation, and I have one thing every day that I really want. To eat, that is!! I get to have experiences instead of food now!
I had to accept that carbs are not part of my daily eating. But I have learned to actually prefer zucchini spaghetti!!
Most importantly, I learned that no one will ever abuse me again. And that includes me.
I learned that emotional eating may feel like self care, but it is self destruction, and self destruction and self preservation can never exist side by side.
Last year, I photographed the cliffs of Maine, the mountains of West Virginia (going by rope down to the waterfalls), beaches in the Carolinas, and so many other things. (Check out my stuff at mlwolfephotos.com if you are inclined!).
I could babble on and on...
Today, I am at my lowest weight in 34 years. I have not met my weight loss goal. I'm still just over 200 pounds--a weight many people begin this journey at!! It may take me a year, but I'll get there.
On January 1st I turned 60, and I cried. A lot. I didn't cry because I was 60. I cried because I wasted so many years... My 30s... My 40s...half my 50s. I cannot get them back. But I have what's left, and I will cherish each breath.
So, I lost much of my stomach. I lost 153 pounds. I gained the world.
I wish that for each and every one of you! May you work to make all your dreams come true!
Attaching a few pics, not just of what I look(ed) like, but of who I am!!!

Nice to see people from VA posting. If any of you going to Roanoke Memorial are from the Montgomery or Giles Co area I'd love to meet new friends. I have only heard good things about the bariatric surgeons there though I went to Mexico as my insurance did not cover anything to do with WL. Good luck to those of you with upcoming dates.

I'm with you all, I'm scared too. But what I'm more scared about is living my life the way I am now. I'm in constant pain especially in my back and hips. I had to have a stent put in last year, that scared the crap out of me. I want to be able to play more with my grandkids and be my old self, not the person I am now who's so tired all of the time. I stay depressed all the time because I look so bad and feel so bad. I love clothes and y'all know how hard it is to find clothes that fit and I have always liked to dress up. I love high heels but cant wear them because my back hurts so bad. I just want to be normal again. Im 46 and weigh 246. I'm 5ft tall. I try not to think about the negative and focus on all of the positive things that comes from weight loss. Hopefully having my surgery in April or may. Just pray and have faith.
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I'm having my surgery at Roanoke with Dr. Salzberg. He is in the same office with Dr. Lucktong. Haven't got a date for surgery yet but i will have finished all of the tests you have to have done in march so I figure it will be April or may .

I'm New. And I'm just sooo amazed by everyone's stories and different topic's. I'm so glad that I have found this! To make a long story short, I've been on the heavy side all my life. But this is the biggest I've ever been and I'm soooo over it. 330 pounds is my heaviest. I'm ready to loose this unwanted weight and keep it off and get healthy. I've been doing a lot of research on the Gastric Sleeve and I think that it is the best in my eyes. I have a close friend that had it done last year and she looks GREAT. I went to my seminar and filled out the application last week and I got a call Friday saying that my insurance would cover it and I knew they would because I work for a local hospital in my city. And I'm going to get it done at their weight loss facility. And she asked when did I want to set my appointment to meet with a surgeon to go over everything. Soo you guys I'm excited My appointment is February 6. She asked did I prefer a certain surgeon but I haven't done any research on the surgeons I've been doing so much research on the Gastric Sleeve itself. I'm from Memphis, Tn and are there any sleever's in Memphis? I'm having my surgery done at The center for surgical weight loss at St. Francis Hospital.
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Hey all,
Just wanted to suggest a Protein solution that I found per a suggestion from this board.
I can't take another Protein shake. I just can't do it. I've been on them for a month now and I'm fairly confident I'll never willfully drink one again. I'm only 6 days post op and since I'm so sick of them I came to this app and saw someone suggest Protein Water. Water is the only thing I ever want to drink. I don't want the shakes or anymore Gatorade. I went on Amazon and found liquid Protein by Bariatric Choice.
My goodness has this been a blessing! To his point I've barely been able to consume anything besides plain water (I've always loved drinking water). But now I get something similar in taste to Crystal Light with 15g of protein per serving. You just add the Liquid Protein to the water and sip sip sip!
I can't tell you how happy this has made me. I now feel a lot more confident about being able to stick to my doctor's requirements without feeling absolutely miserable and deprived during his liquid phase.
Also, I was on here feeling pretty low in the days following my surgery. I'm sure I'll have more of them and I know you all will be there to lift me up, so I sincerely thank you all for your support. I'm more of lurker than a poster but I just wanted to share my protein find and my gratitude.
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I've been reading reviews and I've decided to go with fitbit alba

Hello! My name is Colleen. I am at the very beginning of my journey to a healthier me! I started on 11/22/16 with my PCP for my 3 month supervised diet for my insurance. I weighed in at 258.8 lbs. My highest weight was 268.0 lbs. I then had my next appointment on 12/22/16 and weighed in at 244.0 lbs. This surprised me for the better.
I will have my next appointment on or after 1/22/17. And I see my surgeon for the first time on 1/30/17.
Of course that can't get here fast enough! I know I will have a ton of preop tests and that is fine. I know with each day I am closer to a healthier me.
I'm just here to introduce myself and get familiar with the site. I need all the help I can get and everyone on here seem awesome and encouraging!
So, any input or advice for a newbie?
Oh, I am from Central Texas and looking for buddies!
Thanks! I look forward to chatting on here!
Colleen
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Wow! Love your post. Im sure you're proud , you look so good. Your positive words are an inspiration to me. I'm preop. Surgery in April or May.
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Hi my name is Ann I live in NY and I'm looking for some buddies too. I'm 44 years old and really nervous about the surgery, I'm thinking mine will be in March or April !!!
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Hi Sharon, I'm a 30 yr old female in VA. Had gastric bypass 11/28/16.

@@Sharon Vance are you looking for someone that lives in your area or maybe more virtual? I had the bypass in June of 2015 and I'm currently in my maintaining stage. I have a LOT of great information if you're interested. I actually just started a blog for one of my school projects and Im hoping to have great ideas, recipes, and all the fun stuff that happens post surgery. You can certainly follow me if you'd like and I'm more than happy to answer ANY questions you might have!!
Good luck on your surgery!
Linda
www.fatontheinsideblog.wordpress.com

I'm having mine in April or May depending on how fast insurance approves me. I will be pushing them.

Hello. I am looking to have surgery in June. Looking for a buddy
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Hi Sharon ! Im a newbie here and Im 42 from Tennesse but Im looking to have my surgery in April/May to! Id love to be your buddy or anyone else's as well
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I have Dr Sorenson, who was your Dr if I may ask?
☆Jeni☆

I am 65 years old and am 12 months post-op from RNY gastric bypass operation. My hair began to thin significantly over 10 years ago. At that time I began taking a special supplement called Juvenon. One of the side effects of this supplement is that it stopped my hair-loss and also stopped the graying. I began using Juvenon as soon as the doctor would let me after the operation. I have not had any Hair loss as a result of the operation.
Juvenon is a supplement comprised of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid. It is sold on-line. It was designed as an anti-aging supplement. It reinvigorates the mitochondria. I have found it very useful in boosting my breathing.