LAN2k

Whey to go by Solgar makes a delicous vanilla bean- I'm thinking of trying the Chocolate--will let you know when I do. (can be purchased at The Vitamin Shop and probably at most Whole Food stores, maybe even online.

Congratulations on being sleeved. It's a good thing that your surgeon is taking extra precaution. In the beginning so should you but don't get yourself worried sick. Try to stay in the moment and before you know it this too shall pass and you will be up and running. For now do keep up the walks and what helped me alot was moving my arms up above my head. I did that even while sitting up in bed. Keep us informed of your progress. Best wishes.

Congrats Lynda I too had a wow moment when I broke out some jeans and tops I wore several years ago (cloths bought after a big wt. loss). I am able to fit into quite a few nice jeans, skirts, tops and jackets. I still have even smaller sizes that are classic and pricey but I'm not there quite yet. Keep up the good work.

Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and smooth recovery....looking forward to hearing from you again post surgery.

Why no petroleom? I try to get organic petroleom free products but never did quite know why. I brought a jar of "Vicks" and "Afrin" nasal spray and I was glad I did because my nose gets stuffy sometimes at night and I worried that I might be breathing while asleep with my mouth open and awake with it all dried up. The Vicks and nasal spray came in handy.

I WISH I had the motivation to go to the gym and exercise! I am so lazy...all I do is fantasize about it. The daily rain here in the northeast has got me feeling so blah. I admire you both for your workout enthusiasm. There are plenty of healthy carbs in fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and beans. Even a few fork fulls of Whole grain pasta may help fuel and energize you.

I agree with you. When I was in the liquid stage I went and bought 4 big bottles of Isopure. I couldn't have imagined how putrid the taste would be until I opened one and took a swig. The next day I promptly went back to the Vitamin Shop and returned them all even the one I opened (they gave me store credit for that one). I really love the Solgar Natural vanilla Bean "whey to go" Protein powder . It's lactose free with no artificial sweeteners or ingredients. Ion-exchanged, Micro-filtered and hydrolyzed which means it's easier to digest and absorb, since it's pre-digested. One scoop is 16grams of protein.

Congrats to you on having your date. I wish you a smooth and uneventful surgery and recovery. Stay connected to this message board there are many wonderful people here that offer good information and support.

Best wishes to you Grace for your surgery and thereafter! Keep in mind that there are many cosmetic plastic and other procedures that can revitalize your face. I too have that concern and a huge prayer that I will be able to afford to have done what I need. I also would love to get that loose skin tightened and away from the belly. There are also facial yoga excercises entitled "Happy Face Yoga" check amazon or google it. Best-Lis

It will be so great when your husband sees your transformation and that you will still love him when you are a dazzling beauty! It should be a real boost to his self esteem as well as your own. Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and recovery.

I went on a pre-op diet 4 weeks before my surgery. I loved it. I drank 2 Jay Rob protein shakes a day, make my morning one like a frappacino by adding a little bit of instant coffee and ice cubes w/skim milk in blender. I'd make another in the afternoon, Chocolate or Vanilla then at night I had a nice hearty salad with grilled shrimp or chicken. The morning of surgery I was 16lbs down and my surgeon was pleased. It got me to thinking that I could have stuck to that food plan and continued to lose the weight without having the surgery. But I went ahead with the surgery and the 4.5 month FINALLY was feeling that I made the right decision. I now am fairly certain I made a good decision. Best wishes to all who have their surgery dates within the next few days. Take the measures recommended by your surgeon and by those on this board who have already gone through all of the trials and tribulations of post surgery the first few months.

LOL...What is the name of the 30gm protein product you found at Costco? ...I've got a Costco about 3 miles from where I live.

Yes posting the link would be appreciated. We just got a Whole Foods store nearby I'm wondering if they sell Bison.

I'm sorry that your having a rough go of it but I'm glad that your leak tests have shown no problem there. It probably is a reaction to the anesthesia. My surgeon kept me in hospital 5 days. I get that your anxious to feel better and go home. You'll be there soon. And each day will bring a little more healing. I too will say a prayer for you Anna.

This person has a desire to commit suicide and has abandoned all hope for recovery of her sanity and well being. This is so sad. What sickens me most is the fact that people (generalization) are actually entertained by this. God help this woman because she is very very unwell.

Now that could work! I never thought of checking powdered milk. Smart doctor there.

I agree I couldn't stomach any of those clear fruity Isopure or protein bullets (although I didn't try every individual brand out there). If you have a Trader Joe's store, in your neighborhood, they have come out with their own brand (Trader Joe's) fruit juice or nectar blends, (similar to the "Naked" drinks. One of them is a high Protein Drink made with whole food natural fruit juices of the tropical variety. There may be some carbs but they are from fresh fruit. Each container is I think 20oz. and has 30 grams protein. You can find them in the refrigerated section, or ask a store clerk to find it for you. Also they are not "bariatric" concoctions with artificial sweeteners and weird tastes that can elicit the gag response.

Congratulations ToonTownAngel, Best wishes to you on your WL journey.

Congratulations Dan, your doing great and you have a really healthy attitude. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your experience.

I had nightmares after attending a lapband information session. I literally awoke in a sweat one night thinking I had the band and was so relieved that it was a nightmare. I very much wanted the sleeve and the only time I had second thoughts was the night before my surgery. I got scared and thought about backing out right up until I started my car to drive to the hospital (5:30), the morning of my surgery. I'm 6 months out now and I am very glad I had the surgery. It took me longer than most to adjust emotionally to the changes. It's a major surgery but a good one for weight loss, the weight does come off. Just adhere to liquids as prescribed by your surgeon to prevent any complications while healing, try your best to find liquid protein supplements that you can endure and follow the protein first, then veggies etc...as you progress to real foods. Best wishes for smooth sailing throughout the process.

Hi Liz. Congratulations on your approaching surgery. I was given a pre-op dietary instruction pamphlet from my surgeon. It listed 2 diet options. The first was to drink 3 whey protein shakes per day, no solid food. OR 2. Two shakes per day and one low fat, light meal. I opted for option 2 and had a Vanilla, Chocolate, or Mocha protein shake (using Jay Rob Whey Protein Powder + skim or 1% low fat milk), for breakfast, and another for lunch. For dinner I prepared a low fat/low carbohydrate dish, usually a salad with grilled shrimp or chicken, tuna etc. Sometimes I had a salad with a piece of steak. The day before my surgery I stuck to liquids only. I started 4 weeks before my surgery and lost 15 lbs by my surgery date. I had my surgery at a hospital only 40 minutes drive from where I live. Post surgery just be prepared to keep yourself hydrated, take frequent walks (I did arm exercises, no weights) and get ample rest. Your protein intake will progress with time. Best wishes.

It's taking some adjusting for me to get comfortable with having a sponsor. I'm making the phone calls to her as scheduled, but I feel strained sometimes to talk as if I want to say the right things to her so she stays motivated to be my sponsor. I have also been in therapy and it has not ever really challenged my wit. I've always felt as though the therapist would simply hear me, nod his/her head, just very passive sort of listening. I'm told that working the 12 steps honestly and thoroughly will manifest change. Change is what I want, not only on the outside but from within. I hope I will achieve that so I can willfully pass it along to others who want the same. Thanks Ricky. I'm glad your available.

I read Chapter 5 today. I am still working on being honest with myself. I am hopeful but don't know that the 12 steps will work for me. My faith is weak. I know that, now that I am not able use food like a drug, I see the emptiness inside. Over indulgence with food has robbed me in a very real sense. Food has intoxicated me and like an alcoholic has black outs, I've had time outs, time away from real life issues. I suppose food was the tool that enabled avoidance behavior in me. I numbed myself out with it and so it was like being drunk. With each binge, (and my "volume eating" were binges), I suffocated a portion of my abilities. And now I need to sort things out. I'm working on Step 2...And I believe in God! But I have not really surrendered my will and life over to him, (Step 3) because if I really had I would not have obsessed myself in food all these years. But it looks as though I'm going to need to obsess over myself in order to "Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself" (Step 4) at some point soon. And that's about all I am able to comment on at this juncture. I've got work to do and all I can do is try.

Hey Tiff thanks, this is neat. I just did it and the feedback calculated matched the goal weight I set for myself at the getgo! Actually it's 1lb over. We shall see. To be continued...

I tried it twice at different doses. Zoloft took my appetite away. I wish to be off these meds altogether...but I am afraid that the depression may come back. It was an awful dark place of despair and I just don't want to be in that place.