lisafrommassachusetts

I'm having my sleeve on Feb. 3, and of course I am nervous and trying to focus on the positive. I am realizing how much of our social life revolves around food! I am 61 and married. We are taking a lovely trip in June to Ireland and Amsterdam with another couple; We often meet up with folks for dinner/drinks; my husband and son love breweries, I am a pretty good cook and we have people over for dinner a lot. This super bowl Sunday is the first in forever that I am not going to a Super Bowl party with my ribs and/or chili. (To be fair, I am from Massachusetts, so this is not a great SB year for us....) I am not that worried about the no alcohol part, I am a light drinker and am happy enough to substitute with water or herbal tea. But: 1. How do people deal with protein needs while traveling? Eating on the road, or worse, in the airports? 2. Do you still meet up with folks for dinner, etc.? Can you enjoy a small meal or appetizer and still feel comfortable in that setting? 3. Do people still enjoy cooking? I really enjoy making food for a group and then hanging out at the table, chatting and laughing. Will I still feel that way? I'd love to hear about other people's challenges and triumphs post surgery.

Great suggestions. When I get hangry now I reach for cheez its, hence the need for surgery, I guess.

Are there tasteless protein powders you would recommend? I'm not a big fake sugar fan

You give me hope! I want it to seen laughable. And not me feeling irrationally jealous...

Wow! Thank you! I was lucky enough to visit a couple if years ago, and can't wait to hop again. The beef is so good, all those happy cows running around...lol. I will make note if the protein bar brand more room in the suitcase for my new skinny clothes.

Great suggestions. And I'm glad you're cooking again.

Thank you! I decided just to tell people what kind of surgery I'm having. It was very difficult at first, I feel shame around weight and food issues, which I know is common. One advantage I think of being over 60 is being able to get past that a bit. I feel relieved with so many people saying they handle this.

Thank you for the feedback (pun not intended). I know most of my concerns are fear based. It's good to hear from folks who've been there

I'm Feb. 3, too! Good luck! I'm having mine done in Boston so we will be 3000 miles apart....You have had a great weight loss already. Speedy recovery to you.

Wow, yout look stunning. You're adding backwards!

I feel the same. My surgery is February 3; so a week before you? I'm on a more restricted pre-op diet, and I am ready to get on with the surgery! Good luck to you; I'm looking forward to all the February Surgery updates from everyone.

Good luck! I'm scheduled for February 3. After 6 months of waiting, it's hard to believe it's a week away. Wonder where we'll all bre by memorial day, or next Christmas!

One that I like is called Iconic; I buy them from Amazon. They also use stevia and monk fruit instead of aspartame or sucralose, which I do not care for. Might be worth a try! Good luck.

You look great! You must feel like a new man.

Good luck to you! I am sure this is a huge frustration for you. I hope that you are able to have a longer chat with your nutritionist, although her saying she is not concerned must be some comfort. Maybe you can't tolerate the whey; it can be hard to digest. Although it is not as perfect of a protein, you could try a milk based protein drink instead. Maybe you don't react well to the artificial sweeteners; you could try some with Stevia and/or Monk fruit, I find those much more palatable. It is hard to get the protein in even before the surgery, so I am sure you are struggling now.

Wow, 3 weeks of only protein drinks sounds really tough. I am surprised that everyone's pre-op diet is so drastically different! Mine is only 2 weeks; I also get to eat 1 small meal (4 oz of protein and 1.5 cups raw veggies plus some fat); 2 protein drinks, and 2 snacks, which can be a protein drink, but can also be a protein bar, a hard boiled egg, etc. And even with all of that I found the first 4 days awful. I am allowed (for one snack) a small apple and a tbl of peanut butter and one day I had at least 2 tbl; immediately felt so awful. Now when I read about what other people are restricted to I feel even more childish! Are you allowed clear liquids? I have just discovered bone broth and find it a life saver. The protein drinks and bars are so sweet, it is a nice change. Good luck! My surgery is the 3rd, so I hope I will have happy updates to share.

I just tried premier protein drinks. They are 30 grams of protein! I've used the vanilla in coffee... there it's a caramel that is a bit sweet but I'm going to freeze one for a dessert type snack, and I had the banana creme for breakfast. It does have some sucralose, but does not have the awful after taste. I needed a higher protein drink for pre OP prep, so that's why I tried it Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

30 Days is great! Quitting smoking was the hardest thing I have ever done; and it is something I am still grateful for even 12 years and 60 pounds later....Good luck getting through the process for approval!

Same surgery date! Are you in the pre-op diet phase? Ugh, although from reading through these posts mine is more liberal than some. I get one "meal" a day; 2 protein shakes and 2 "snacks". How is yours going? My surgery will be at Brigham and Women in Boston. Where is yours?

If you can tolerate Stevia and Monk Fruit try Iconic Protein. It is not plant based, it is milk based. I buy mine at Amazon. I cannot tolerate aspartane or sucralose. There are 20G or protein. I also have been using Purely Inspired … it is plant based, and too much whey upsets my stomach, but I like the French Vanilla and use it in my coffee in lieu of half and half. I also have gotten that on Amazon.

Good luck! Speedy Recovery! Keep us posted!

I have 11! I'm scheduled for February 3. Good luck!

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and I can have black tea and/or coffee. I figure I can add a bit of protein drink to my coffee, but can I add a stevia packet to herbal tea?

Best of luck!

That is awful!! Is there an appeal process? A 2 pound weight gain could be anything... what you are wearing, sodium, menstrual cycle, digestive issues, holidays. So unfair.