Rainydayz

Or, you could say "Guess" and see them stumble around and not know what to say! That might shut them up unless they're really trying to be bitchy and they say something small like 15 pounds or something. At least you'll know if they're trying to hurt your feelings or just being insensitive.

Everyone's taste is different. I like the chocolate regular Muscle Milk. It's the only one I've tried yet. Kroger didn't have the light and I didn't want to order it until I knew if I liked it or not. Next I'm going to try the Oh Yeah that my nutritionist recommended. It's more expensive but it's more protein and fewer calories I think. If I don't like it though I'll be fine with the MM chocolate.

Wow. Defensive much? Maybe it's because of the "other" topic you alluded to which I have not read. So sorry if I said something wrong. I was simply stating that "I" myself would never presume to tell anyone how to feed their kids, I was not intimating that you or anyone else WAS. Yes, you were correct in reading my statement literally. I tend to be quite a literal person. I was only speaking for myself as I have not been banded yet and am only just beginning my search for a healthier life. Sorry if I offended. I was simply trying to answer the question with my own opinion and trying not to offend by the caveat I included. Apparently, epic fail.

I went ahead and bought the Muscle Milk (16.00 for 1 lb. at kroger). It's really good. Slight aftertaste but not bad at all. I can imagine it would be wonderful with some peanut butter or banana in it. Yum!

Hey thanks!. I'm going to stop by today. Heck for a buck even it's gross it's not a big loss. I've been wanting to try some syrups but like you say they're expensive and I'm really afraid I will hate them. On my way to Dollar Tree!

Personally I wish junk food advertising were illegal! They can't advertise cigarettes on tv anymore so why not ban bad food? But I think that modeling is probably the best teacher. I didn't vote in the poll because for us it changes per the situation. If the child has not been eating vegetables then I might lay down a rule that says he gets no Desserts or tv time until he eats his vegetables. But if he's been eating well and he's just not in the mood for whatever I prepared then I might let him slide. It's never an all or nothing thing. Just like all of parenting it's an exhausting moment-by-moment dynamic process. I would never presume to tell another parent how to feed their child. After all I'm on an obesity surgery board, so I obviously have a lot to learn about eating myself right? I'm striving to improve myself and make the foods available in my home healthier for all of us. And having my children see me learn and put so much work into becoming healthy is I believe the best teacher.

You're the first person I've heard that said Muscle Milk is nasty. Personally I hate strawberry flavored drinks. Oh well. I'll just try them both in hope I like one of them. As far as the peanut butter and banana - that sounds excellent. But wouldn't that put the calories above the limit for the liquid diet?

The worst part of the visit was that they TOOK PICTURES! From the front, the side AND the back! Yikes. Other than that I got the information on the pre-op diet and the post-op diet. They recommend Oh Yeah Protein powder. I haven't tried it yet. But she said Muscle Milk would be OK too. I have to keep a food journal and go back in a month. I have to do a sleep study (darn it), and I have my psych scheduled for 2 weeks. So this ball is rolling!

Did they say you were approved for 100%? If not that may be your portion if you have to pay say 10-20% of the cost. Otherwise it could just be that they haven't finished doing all the billing and discounting that providers do with insurance companies. I know sometimes I will get a bill from a doctor and I'll call them about it and they say to wait until the insurance has finished paying. They will negotiate prices with them and sometimes the bill goes out automatically before all that is done. Don't stress. If you really need to find out then call the hospital billing and ask what the status is and if the insurance has paid all they are going to. Good luck. I know unexpected bills can be stressful though.

That's a great idea. I haven't tried it but I love soy milk. I'm beginning to sample protein shakes for it comes "my time" and I will definitely be trying this!

I'm not banded yet but my nutritionist was discussing things I would be able to eat afterward and she said that most of her patients do well with cutting things up first, such as meat and fibrous veggies. She said a lot of people resort to dicing them up in a food processor. I don't understand either why eggs would not work though. That is weird.

Oh ok, now I feel better. I won't be dreading it so much now. Thanks!

<<sigh>> oh well. Guess I'm in for a very uncomfortable sleepless night!

I've heard bad things about them. I almost wish I had lied and said that I do not snore or feel tired when I wake up. Does anyone know if they let you use melatonin or other sleep aids for them? I usually take a melatonin at night so I know I wouldn't be able to get to sleep with electrodes and wires all over me and in a strange place with people watching me without it!

My surgeon's office sells Oh Yeah. She said it was also available at GNC. I will be trying this one out! Thanks for the recommendation.

Is there a nutritionist you could visit on your own? It's really hard to believe that they wouldn't want you to have protein shakes etc. I can't believe there is enough in broth. I wouldn't trust anyone except a real nutritionist to advise you on what to eat. Maybe they can refer to one that deals in bariatric surgery patients? It couldn't hurt to ask.

Great news. I probably won't have to do the whole 6-month supervised diet! They got my insurance requirements and it only said 3 month. I've already done that. So they going to double-check and we scheduled the 2nd nut. appt. just in case, but it's looking like I won't have to wait nearly as long as I thought I would! Woot! I can't wait!

Here we go. My first official appointment. Will check in later with details.

I don't have a date yet, just starting out with everything. But I'll be seeing the nutritionist tomorrow and starting my supervised diet. Thanks for the good wishes. We'll all hang in there together. We can do this!

That's so cool! Congrats!

That secretary sounds like an incompetent twit. I hope she gets into trouble with her boss big time. Let us know if you got it all worked out and got your surgery scheduled yet.

I think I will start going to the ones at my hospital during my 6-mo. supervised diet. I am required to go to one pre-surgery. I figure I might get some tips on the diet (like where to get the good protein powders etc.) and get motivated seeing other people who are post-band and doing well. And even the ones who might not be doing so well, maybe I can learn something from them too. It certainly can't hurt to go.

I'm not banded yet, but I think I have some food addiction as well. I worry that I might continue the "bad" eating at times but I'm determined to get help if I do. I've heard good things about Overeater's Anonymous. I'm sure it's not for everyone though. But at least seeing a psychologist that specializes in food issues would be my first advice. I think food addiction is very much like any other addiction. I've read that there are studies that say that the cravings come from the same brain area and are as strong as cravings for opiates. So cut yourself some slack and go see someone who knows how to deal with this. You have come this far, don't give up now! Good luck and keep us updated!

You guys are the best! This is exactly the stuff I needed to hear. I am PMSing today but I so far I have stayed away from the chocolate and instead have been eating a lot of Protein and fruit. I have some ff ss pudding waiting in the fridge for after dinner when it gets really bad. I'm looking forward to meeting the nutritionist Wednesday. I have never been to one except for when I was pregnant and having problems from losing too much weight. (Yeah, those were the days!) So YES I can do this! But I bet there will be days when I don't think so. That's when I'm going to come here and cry on all of your shoulders and you'll tell me this stuff again and I'll get through it. So THANKS! You guys rock!!!

I see the nut. Wednesday for the 1st of my 6-month supervised diet. I'm really hoping we can cut that down though because I did discuss diet and exercise with my pcp and took phentermine with her for 4 months. So depending on the insurance requirements I may be dieting for 3-6 starting Wed. I'm trying really hard to psych myself up for this. Some days I do great. I get in the mindframe that I will do great at this, I will eat right and exercise and i'll be the model patient. Then other days (especially PMS days - sorry men!) I feel like I'll never be able to give up the Swiss Cake Rolls and Snickers! I so want to be healthy. Does anyone have advice on how they got themselves into the mindset for starting this new lifestyle?