BunnyJean

My appointment with my surgeon is this Thursday, Oct 5. So my surgery is immanent. I imagine sometime in Oct. I've spent the last several weeks buying the foods (liquids) that I will need pre-surgery and for the first month after surgery. We live remotely, I'm taking 1 week from work and work from home office, so the chances of me actually making it to the store in the first few weeks is about zero. So I'm stocking up and also trying out the items I am buying. Too bad you can't just buy ONE bottle of a Protein Drink. I figure I'll save massively on groceries the first month so I can "justify" my expenditures now, even if they don't work out. I am lactose intolerant and have been for years. So this is a real struggle because everything is milk based. Even in lifeskills class, put powdered milk in stuff to get more Protein. I'm pretty sure that can't happen for me! So I need to be creative and I need to try things before my very life depends on them! Has anyone else done this? Bought items to try? Maybe we can share the best of what we've found? I know all tastes are different. And I have a different prospective because of the lactose issues. One thing I HAVE found.....my gosh is this stuff all sooooooo sweet!!!! TOO SWEET!!! Most have Sucrolose and oh my gosh they could cut that back a bit! So anyway...here are some of the things that I've tried before surgery, and yes I'm told my tastes may change, but talking to sooo many people, it happens but not at huge rate. I'll risk it.
I love MUSCLE MILK. I've bought and tried chocolate and vanilla Creme. I really like the vanilla creme. This is the protein premixed shake. So I bought the powdered mix in Vanilla Creme.. I currently use it in my coffee to give me a boost of protein! Trying to wean myself of coffee. Down to one a day. My dietitian and lifeskills coach say this is fine. I tolerate this very very well.
I really like the PREMIER PROTEIN premixed shakes. I tolerate them ok. Some days better than others. I seem to tolerate the vanilla better, though I like the taste of the chocolate better. I have not tried any others. I don't like too many "fake" taste things, so I am sticking to chocolate and vanilla for premixed.
I love GARDEN OF LIFE RAW FIT protein mix. This has been my go to for several years due to lactose issues. I don't find it as sweet because it uses Stevia. I have tried vanilla, chocolate, and Marley Coffee. LOVE Marley! I typically take a scoop, Water it down just a bit and then mix it with greek yogurt for Breakfast. Scoop has 28g protein. It's plant and seed based. I had both my dietician and lifeskills coach look it over and they said it would be ok. It's dairy free, vegan, gluten free and soy free. Garden of Life website or Amazon. I'm glad I can still use it.
I tolerate and like Fage 0% or 2% Greek Yogurt, plain. In my classes and elsewhere Oikos Triple Zero has been mentioned. While I like that taste of that very much, it bothers my gut.
Baby food. Decided to try some to help with stages. I like baby food LOL But the Plum Organics Mighty 4 stage is good for a bit of protein and fruit if you are not tolerating stuff and need to get in a bit. They are higher in sugar, 10g. No added, it's from the fruit in them. One pouch has 4-5 grams protein and 10 grams sugar. So it's not ideal for sure, but I bought a few to have on hand in case.
FAIRLIFE makes a "milk" that is lactose free and cows not treated with rBST. Since I'm NOT a big milk drinker but know there is protein in it, I started with the 2% one. 1 cup 120 cals, 6 sugars (natural occurring ) and 13 grams of protein. I will try the skim one next and that will, hopefully, be the one I stick with. I was pleased to find this! My current "milk" is Rice Milk. I like it better than Almond milk because it doesn't have a strong taste of something other like Almond milk does. But alas, no protein in rice milk. This Fairlife is a great choice because then my family can use it for cooking. (my daughter is HUGE mac n cheese fan, damn her skinny butt!!)
TRUSOURCE Protein Water this is good but HOLD ONTO YOUR SHORTS is it SWEET! Holy batman sweet! There will be no drinking it straight up for me. Sweetened with sucralose. I have used a bottle over several days adding it to my middle 24 oz of water (I typically drink 3 minimum of these a day of water but wonder if I still can sipping constantly cuz I forget and I gulp now like 10 ozs at a time!! I'm working on it!) I added it only to give a boost of protein to my water intake. Which I feel I will need after surgery. One 16 oz bottle has 90 cals, 0 sugars and 20 grams protein. If you like it straight up, there you have 20 grams of protein with what is a clear liquid. I tried the blue raspberry. I tolerate it, though around the time I used it, I broke out in mild case of hives. I'm giving myself another week (been at least 2), then I will try again. So this is good, and too sweet to me might be just right for someone else. It is made with whey isolate. Which I seem to tolerate the isolate more. We'll see. You can find it at Target. course my target didn't have it so I bought online and had to buy several 4 packs. If I really cannot tolerate, my daughter's boyfriend is into fitness and would probably really like it. So no big deal.
SARGENTO BALANCED BREAKS these are cheese, dried fruit and nut Snacks. I use these now, but they will not be able to be used until final stage and only if you can tolerate nuts, which may not be for a bit for some people. They deserve to be mentioned because in the future, they are a quick snack with protein that is portion controlled. For on the go or those lazy days. I pretty much like cheddar cheese the best and do not like swiss (no lazy cow or whatever that one is called as it's swiss), so these fit with my tastes. 7 grams of protein per container and 180 cals. While the cals are on the higher side, cheese, nuts and dried fruit are all higher calorie foods to begin with. They make them also with some chocolate and gram squares. I tried and actually was not a fan at all. So glad on that one! Again, this is for now before surgery or way after when nuts can be tolerated.
GERBER RICE CERAL I did try this and feel that if I add my FAIRLIFE milk to it, I will have some protein. I like it. It's loaded with Iron (well 60% for a 4 yr olds daily value), which we will probably need a boost of. It's also pretty high % of B Vitamins etc. It has 60 cals and 1 g protein, 1 sugar I can't see added so must be naturally occurring, per 1/4 cup. So while not ideal, if I need to I can use in 2nd stage with the protein milk.
PB2 POWDERED PEANUT BUTTER oh sweet heck yes! I mix with smoothies and with plain greek yogurt. 2 tablespoons has 50 cals, 2 grams sugar and 5 grams protein. May need to be a bit careful cuz of the sugars, which is added sugar, but sleevers don't tend to have dumping.
SWANSON white premium chunk chicken breast This is canned. I eat this right out of the can. I drain and rinse it then just eat it. I figure, that will suit me fine in later stages and for puree I can put it through the processor. I do not like canned tuna. Which is so weird because I pretty much eat a fish or seafood each and every day. I will grill up a tuna steak and love it, but I don't like canned and I seem to get a gut ache from it too. Really weird. So this chicken is my go to. Throwing this out there for those that do not have time to cook up a chicken breast to put through the processor. 2 servings per can of 50 cals, 0 sugars, 8 protein. So a whole can during the day will give you 16 gr protein.
BUMBLE BEE Premium Wild Pink Salmon This is also a canned good. I love this stuff and again eat it right out of the can. A serv size is about 1/4 cup, 80 cals, 0 sugars, 13 grams protein. I need to ask the dietitian if I can put this through the processor only because the cans of this I buy have the skin and small soft bones of the salmon in it. I imagine they would process to almost nothing as they currently are very small, but I'll have to see.
So that's my list of things I've currently tried and liked. I have tried MANY other premixed Protein Shakes and cannot tolerate them gut wise. Doesn't mean they didn't taste decent enough, but I've decided not to list them. If anyone asks me, I can let them know if I have tried and if it tasted good, bad, ok. Anyone without a lactose issue has more options for sure. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear of foods, drinks etc that anyone else has tried either getting prepared or after surgery for any stage.

I totally agree!! One of the hardest things I'll have ever done for the rest of my life.

I felt like that when I made the decision in September. As my surgery approaches (10/5) I decided I'd best at least let my oldest daughter know (she's kinda jr. mom) in case something went awry (based on my other health issues). She was AMAZING & supportive; so I talked to the baby girl (33), and she was too. The other two children (who are 41, 35) are not "feely" kids, and so no conversation, although among themselves I'm sure they will.
My husband is wonderfully supportive & encouraging, and as I've gotten more comfortable , my closer friends now know. So lots of support where I rather thought I'd be on my own a bit. Grateful for good friends & family.
AND for all of you here. You guys "get it"

At least you know that there are so many others like us making a private choice and happy about it

Wow that's great I love the team work [emoji1373][emoji1373]

Congratulation, everything will turn out fine!

I could not go forth with the operation if I did not have support of my husband. He is fully supportive of what I WANT. He's concerned about pain and complications and he's ok who I want to tell or not. His whole family are skinny minnies who have not dieted a day in their life. He has watched me struggle with weight for over 26 years. Since I had the babies. I told my daughter who supports my decision like no other. She has watched what I eat and exercise and do to get this weight off. She has gone shopping with me and sees the cute stuff size 16 and lower and the size 18, 20, 22, 24 etc all horrid styles materials and in PUCE. So she knows. I told my son. He is very supportive as well. He lives in another state so not sure if he told his wife. I may ask him one day. I told my very best friend. And my boss and her daughter, who works at company. that's is. I keep wanting to tell my sister but I don't think she will react well. And my husband's family is out of the question. Someone said here that if anyone comes right out and asks them, they will not lie. And that's what I'm going to use for myself. Pretty bad that you can have diabetes, heart disease etc and want to do something about it, but people have opinions. I KNOW...I was one of those with my own mother. Because I pushed myself with diet and exercise all the time and she didn't, I wasn't supportive when she wanted WLS years ago. Course she was denied because she had way too many co-morbidities. She passed at age 74 a few years ago. A small stroke and 6 months later a killing one. I fear becoming my mother now. Spending last 20 years of my life only partially living due to my condition like she did. So...I have the guilt of not being informed and therefore not being supportive 10 years ago. I would expect that most people who have not studied and read and talked to surgeons and nurses etc etc about WLS are as ill informed as I was. And I agree with another poster here, I do not want to be the talk of my husband's skinny family. NONE of them work and gossip all day long and I would be #1 conversation. NOPE.

good for you! Isn't it nice to have someone very close to you experiencing the same thing? what a great support you and your mom will be for each other!!

I could not go forth with the operation if I did not have support of my husband. He is fully supportive of what I WANT. He's concerned about pain and complications and he's ok who I want to tell or not. His whole family are skinny minnies who have not dieted a day in their life. He has watched me struggle with weight for over 26 years. Since I had the babies. I told my daughter who supports my decision like no other. She has watched what I eat and exercise and do to get this weight off. She has gone shopping with me and sees the cute stuff size 16 and lower and the size 18, 20, 22, 24 etc all horrid styles materials and in PUCE. So she knows. I told my son. He is very supportive as well. He lives in another state so not sure if he told his wife. I may ask him one day. I told my very best friend. And my boss and her daughter, who works at company. that's is. I keep wanting to tell my sister but I don't think she will react well. And my husband's family is out of the question. Someone said here that if anyone comes right out and asks them, they will not lie. And that's what I'm going to use for myself. Pretty bad that you can have diabetes, heart disease etc and want to do something about it, but people have opinions. I KNOW...I was one of those with my own mother. Because I pushed myself with diet and exercise all the time and she didn't, I wasn't supportive when she wanted WLS years ago. Course she was denied because she had way too many co-morbidities. She passed at age 74 a few years ago. A small stroke and 6 months later a killing one. I fear becoming my mother now. Spending last 20 years of my life only partially living due to my condition like she did. So...I have the guilt of not being informed and therefore not being supportive 10 years ago. I would expect that most people who have not studied and read and talked to surgeons and nurses etc etc about WLS are as ill informed as I was. And I agree with another poster here, I do not want to be the talk of my husband's skinny family. NONE of them work and gossip all day long and I would be #1 conversation. NOPE.

At first that was my stance too. I was only going to tell my mother, sisters and husband. I too was worried about unsolicited advice. My closest friends are also larger folks. As a team we've dieted together...become supports...checked in with each other and that really worked...until we stopped. LOL. When I mentioned I was going to look into Bariatric Surgery they weren't the same supportive team anymore. "The easy way out". WTF. How is this easy? I'm 6 months into my 6 month pre-surgery hoops for insurance. I've never worked out this much...EVER. And, the real work begins after the surgery. Easy? Cheating? Hell no! Anyway, so I decided to tell more people. Surprisingly most has been incredibly supportive! I also share how hard I'm working to prepare for the surgery. Easy...ha.

Yeah, not so much as hiding, just not telling certain people. My three kids know, my husband is my biggest supporter, a friend in London, my hair dresser and the nine people I was in class with. When people see me after the summer I'll just be smaller, and well tell them that I changed my diet and exercise, which is what we are doing. They don't need to know about surgery. It's none of their business. And no, there is NOTHING easy about this, at all.

People knew i had the lap band because I was an evangelist, loved it, lost 100 lbs in 8 months. After 13 years of problems and revisions, I'm not telling a damn person except my husband and mother...because my mom is getting sleeved at the same time, across the country, so we can support each other. In fact I'm telling work that I'm getting my hernia repaired to explain the time off and liquid diet. I no longer care what anyone else thinks. I want this for me.

When I first created this topic I ever thought in a million years I would get so many responses and people with so much hope for a better future who were also nervous to share with friends and family and now I'm so glad I did because it's become a place for all of us to be supportive for one another and create a support system

I could not go forth with the operation if I did not have support of my husband. He is fully supportive of what I WANT. He's concerned about pain and complications and he's ok who I want to tell or not. His whole family are skinny minnies who have not dieted a day in their life. He has watched me struggle with weight for over 26 years. Since I had the babies. I told my daughter who supports my decision like no other. She has watched what I eat and exercise and do to get this weight off. She has gone shopping with me and sees the cute stuff size 16 and lower and the size 18, 20, 22, 24 etc all horrid styles materials and in PUCE. So she knows. I told my son. He is very supportive as well. He lives in another state so not sure if he told his wife. I may ask him one day. I told my very best friend. And my boss and her daughter, who works at company. that's is. I keep wanting to tell my sister but I don't think she will react well. And my husband's family is out of the question. Someone said here that if anyone comes right out and asks them, they will not lie. And that's what I'm going to use for myself. Pretty bad that you can have diabetes, heart disease etc and want to do something about it, but people have opinions. I KNOW...I was one of those with my own mother. Because I pushed myself with diet and exercise all the time and she didn't, I wasn't supportive when she wanted WLS years ago. Course she was denied because she had way too many co-morbidities. She passed at age 74 a few years ago. A small stroke and 6 months later a killing one. I fear becoming my mother now. Spending last 20 years of my life only partially living due to my condition like she did. So...I have the guilt of not being informed and therefore not being supportive 10 years ago. I would expect that most people who have not studied and read and talked to surgeons and nurses etc etc about WLS are as ill informed as I was. And I agree with another poster here, I do not want to be the talk of my husband's skinny family. NONE of them work and gossip all day long and I would be #1 conversation. NOPE.

You are NOT alone. You have us!!

I had my surgery back in February and I still haven't told my family about it. Only a couple of friends who live in other countries (!) know. I'm not married or in a serious relationship, nor do I have kids, so I did want some people to know before surgery, just in case. Even though I haven't told my family, co-workers, and other friends and acquaintances, most people have been supportive of my weight loss efforts so far, and I'd like to keep it that way (although my parents are encouraging me to keep my old fat clothes, "just in case." I want to tell them that it's not something I will have to worry about). I did have a few people ask me if my weight loss was intentional, and I have to admit I was touched by their concern.
I've always been a private person so it's not unusual that I've kept this to myself. That said, if someone asked me specifically about it, I wouldn't lie, but I have a feeling no one will do so.

Thank you - putting a modest amount of food on my plate and swishing it around sounds like a great plan. I shared this idea with my husband and he said he'd be happy to pick at my plate while eating his so even less food is left on my plate LOL

My strategy too, Barbzilla.
I'm (largely) keeping it quiet and secret but, ultimately, I won't lie if someone asks directly.

I am not getting a pixie! I asked my hairdresser if shorter hair can hide it more and she said not really. I have cut my hair from mid back to just below shoulders. I wear bangs and they are thin but I look terrible without them! Kinda damned if you do damned if you don't!!! I would say Hair loss is the biggest negative for me of this surgery. SO FAR. I'm PRE sleeve LOL so I can say that!

I'm just four weeks post-op and haven't had any Hair loss yet. I lost half of it once before because of a medication I was on (Topamax), and it was sooo stressful and scary. My hair was down to my butt and it eventually clogged up my plumbing. The plumber extracted a raccoon-sized wad of it from the basement pipes.
I know this isn't the case for many of you, but my half-head of hair looked fine because I have a lot of hair. It drove me crazy while it was happening, but if it happens again I'll just get it cut to my shoulders and relax.
However, none of that is the reason for my reply. I have dry, frizzy, graying hair now that I tame into a straight and shiny mane with various products, but the one I think might help fine, thinning hair is Sebastian Cellophane. It's a demi-permanent treatment that smoothes and thickens the hair shaft, making your hair look glossy and full--like after dying, but without the color. It comes in various tints as well as clear, which is the one I use. I get it on Amazon. Doing the treatment yourself is a bit of work (probably not so bad if you don't have hair down to your butt), but it really makes my hair look 20 years younger.
I know all too well how stressful it is to lose your hair, but it will grow back.
Sent from my ONE A2005 using BariatricPal mobile app

You're more than welcome. There is another product you can get at Sally's beauty supply name aphogee two step Protein treatment to help prevent hair breakage. I used it a couple years ago when I over processed my hair. I don't know if they have changed it or not but I didn't like the smell and the way it made my hair feel but I worked. Google it and see what you think. I am African American and my hair stylist said letting the hair air dry is not good but she didn't elaborate as to why.

I should resign myself to being bald after my operation then. Because I truly have 1/3 to 1/2 my Hair loss just from menopause and hormones messed up. I can give all kinds of tips for hiding big parts and making hair appear fuller. I've been taking B's and Biotin for years but upped my Biotin uptake at least a year ago. I have been taking Healthy Skin & Nails by Pro Caps Labs for at least 6 months. I "think" it's slowed down my hair loss. I still lose alot but maybe not so much. Again I am PRE sleeve so mine is hormonal. And after sleeve it could be too, I don't know. There is 4000 mcg of Biotin in this product, 10 mg of Silicon, 152 mg of Gelatin and 20 mg of branched chain amino acids along with a host of other Vitamins, b's, d, a etc. It;s not the cheapest product out there. You can get on their website or Amazon. Probably other places, I never looked. I think I will research how much biotin is too much. Maybe I will double my dose of these. UGH on the hair loss!!

Oh Hon, I think it had ALOT to do with the stress of your husband's operation and subsequent situation. Hair loss seems very common with WLS. I don't think anyone escapes it. All we can do is drink (or eat) the protein, take our supplements, I do think Biotin is some help. I too only wash my hair 2 times a week. I work at home so I rarely style it. I'm pre-sleeve but have massive hormonal loss for 3 years. I honestly do not know what the surgery will do. I'm going to try to be the most compliant person they have ever had LOL I can't lose anymore. I'll have to borrow from my husband! Hope you are doing well now and your hubby too.

Nioxin didn't work for me. Nothing has so far. I'm pre-sleeve. I have hormonal Hair loss. So between the hormones and the surgery, Protein, nutrients or whatever, I'll be buying a wig or sporting a shaved head!!!!

They are right hon. I'm pre-op and we just talked about this in my life skills class. I was working out like you for years, 1000 cal diet MAYBE. Nothing, I built muscle but that's it. Went to my dr...he said (have since only seen women) move more eat less. Wouldn't even discuss what I WAS doing. Sometimes I worked out so hard with a personal trainer, I would vomit on way home on side of the road. My trainer couldn't understand it. Had me do a food diary. STILL didn't pick up on it. I actually read an article while skimming around online about under eating and over working. Your body does shut down. The things he was saying made PERFECT sense to me. I was living them. As are you. I would increase the cals a bit and maybe drop down the exercise just a bit. I know it's scary. It was very very scary for me to eat more. Good luck to you.