Swanton_Bomb

I am pre-surgery. I'm thought about the surgery for a decade. Shame and fear got in the way. Finally I realized that being morbidly obese was FAR more dangerous than having the surgery, and I had a better chance of dropping dead over the next few years than I would flatlining on the table. The shame was harder to get over and I am working on that. What helped me the most was saying to myself, "What would you think of someone else who had the surgery?" I wouldn't judge them at all. I am working on trying to be as kind and accepting to myself as I would be to someone else.

It isn't a savory option, but maybe mix 1/2 of a shake with Fairlife milk (high protein) to take down some of the artificial sweetener taste?

I am pre-surgery, but my nutritionist and surgeon said gummies were a definite no-no. They suggested chewable Centrum and Flintstones, believe it or not. A lot of chewables seem trash, not very potent. I am currently taking a fantastic vitamin and I feel great on it, but they are HUGE pills so it will be a very long time before I can take them once I am sleeved. I'm going to try crushing them and seeing if I can choke them down but I doubt it because they practically make me gag now in pill form.

I am pre-surgery. I have tried it before and I can't imagine it would be good after surgery, because it would take steel will to not eat a large meal after not eating anything all day. It sounds like it would be a path to really stretching out your sleeve.

I'm about 1/2 way through the pre-surgery process. I've done most of the tests, I just need more weigh-ins. As it is becoming more real I am starting to freak out. I'm not scared of the pain, or surgical risks. I'm afraid of losing my hair. I'm afraid of looking like a human puddle of skin too, but I am really afraid of losing my hair. I'm reading about women losing so much that they have to wear a wig. My hair is literally the only thing I have ever liked about the way I looked. I'm taking a really good multivitamin, 10,000 mg of biotin daily and I take spironolactone, an anti-androgen, for acne, which also helps testosterone related loss. I know I can't avoid it but I'm just so scared about how I will look. I'm almost in tears just thinking about it. It's worth it, right?

Can anyone recommend a trainer in the NYC area that is experienced with working with very obese bariatric patients? I want someone who is not fat phobic, and is comfortable around me, someone who is not judgemental and understands that I have to take it one step at a time because I am so fat and out of shape. I have an elliptical at home and I can only do 12 minutes on it, and I'm ashamed to say that I had to work up to that. When I started I could only do three minutes. Three. My surgeon wants me to start weight training as soon as I am cleared to do so after surgery but I feel like I need a few sessions with a trainer so I can learn to do it safely. I haven't worked out in twenty years. I'm embarrassed to say that, but it is what it is. Things have changed and I don't even know if I could figure out the newer equipment without guidance. Any advice? Thank you.

I would ask your nutritionist for the protein, fat, sugar, calorie and carb limits instead of particular brands so you can look for others. I am pre surgery (and praying that my insurance approves!), so I am testing out shakes to see what I can tolerate. So far Premier Protein has been the one with the least aftertaste. I blend it with ice and decaf espresso powder (trying to wean off caffeine now, since I will have to after surgery for a while). It also has 30 grams of Protein so that means fewer shakes to drink to get the protein in. I tried Muscle Milk and hated it. GNC Lean shake was VILE. I stupidly bought a whole tub of the powder too. I am going to try one scoop instead of two with a cup of high protein Fairlife milk, that will have about the same amount of protein without so much artificial sweetener. I hope that is palatable because 2 scoops with Water is disgusting, like pouring Sweet n' Low onto your tongue. Atkins aren't too bad, but they have a lot less protein than Premier. So far I've tried the chocolate premier, I'm going to try caramel, vanilla and banana next. I really wish they sold them in singles. Also, there are some protein soups you can try, they are also gross but not nearly as gross as artificial sweetener. I tried making one chicken broth flavored whey protein soup and using bone broth instead of water and that really bumped up the protein.

I am pre surgery (and praying that my insurance approves!), so I am testing out shakes to see what I can tolerate. So far Premier Protein has been the one with the least aftertaste. I blend it with ice and decaf espresso powder (trying to wean off caffeine now, since I will have to after surgery for a while). It also has 30 grams of protein so that means fewer shakes to drink to get the protein in. I tried Muscle Milk and hated it. GNC Lean Shake was VILE. I stupidly bought a whole tub of the powder too. I am going to try one scoop instead of two with a cup of high protein Fairlife milk, that will have about the same amount of protein without so much artificial sweetener. I hope that is palatable because 2 scoops with water is disgusting, like pouring Sweet n' Low onto your tongue. Atkins aren't too bad, but they have a lot less protein than Premier. So far I've tried the chocolate premier, I'm going to try caramel, vanilla and banana next. I really wish they sold them in singles.

Can you spice up some of your cream soups with a little ground fennel and some oregano to give it that sausage flavor?

This is what I am really confused about: hunger and gherlin. That is what made the idea of the sleeve seem so attractive, since with the bypass your stomach and fundus remain. It seems like torture to be constantly hungry but have a pouch the size of an egg. A lot of people say though that the absence of hunger is brief. I'm so conflicted and confused. Thank you all for answering my questions that I have been posting recently.

Thank you for the info. So much to think about. Six months seems like an eternity but with so many decisions I guess it's a good thing in a way.

I'm about halfway through my pre-op requirements and I'm still debating between the sleeve and bypass. I like the idea of the sleeve because of the reduced gherlin/hunger, less time on the operating table and no malabsorption of nutrients. I am afraid of it being too easy to eat too much, and I'm afraid of the reflux. As for the bypass, I like the idea that it might result in better long term results, no reflux and no tolerance of sweets, but I'm scared of it being extreme and I'm scared I will lose even more hair than I would with the sleeve. My BMI is 43, same as my age, and I've been big my whole life. Any advice? How did you choose your surgery?

I'm pre-op and trying to prepare by finding a shake I can choke down. So far Premier Protein chocolate mixed with coffee seems best. I tried GNC Lean Shake, and I nearly spit it out. I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth, it was like taking a straight spoonful of Splenda. I was so disappointed, I had been stoked about the Orange Cream flavor and the 9 grams of fiber. Unfortunately I spent 40 bucks on the tub. I'm wondering if I can do it half-and half with unflavored whey so as not to waste it. Any recommendations for shakes that don't have that terrible sucralose/stevia aftertaste, or what I can add to minimize it? Thanks!

Yes, but I won't complain because at least it is related to surgery, and this surgeon has fewer and more reasonable requirements. Some doctors require a pap smear for goodness sake. The upper GI seems common, it allows the surgeon to see what is in there before he gets in there.

Thanks for your replies. Well, at least it is only once more. Hopefully from not so many positions....the laying on my stomach drinking out of that huge straw was the worst. One barium test down, one to go. Onwards to the sleep study tomorrow night.

Two more things I can check off my list. I got the abdominal sonogram today and the upper GI series. The sonogram wasn't too awful, but I was very self conscious with my huge stomach all exposed and it was painful when she pressed into my ribs (although I have had WAY worse sonograms, this tech was very good). The Upper GI though, was bad. I almost threw up, especially when I had to drink fast from that big straw while laying on my stomach. I tried so hard but I kept gagging. It was a miracle I didn't throw up. Will I have to do the barium again after surgery? If so, can they give you anti-nausea meds to keep from gagging so badly?