Mickey527

Hopeful, the Carnation Instant Breakfast does sound like it might work for me. Do you mix any protein powder with the shake? I haven't seen the box, but on the website it says the shake with whole milk only has 12 gms of protein. I don't want to use whole milk, I need to lower the calories. The shakes my nutritionist recommended have 23-35 gms per drink and she wants me to have 5 a day for 2 weeks. I definately will look into the Carnation Instant Breakfast though, it will be within my budget. I thought I could add some of the whey protein to it and maybe a banana or some no cal flavoring too. I have to remember tomorrow to get on line and order those flavorings that I have read about either on this board or the other one I read. If anyone has experience in this or other drinks let me know.

I know exactly how you feel. I am also questioning whether this is the right thing for me. I am also hearing it from so many people, "you don't need to get that, you have lost weight before, you should rethink surgery with your health problems.." I could go on. I have heard it all already. I don't weigh alot, they are right, I weigh 200 and am 5'5". I wear some 14's and some 16's. But my health is not the way it should be at my age. I can turn the naysayers off but in my mind I am not sure if I want to deal with the restrictions for the rest of my life. I love bread, I love pizza, I love going to a restaraunt on vacation and eating what I feel like eating, not what is good for me. I also like a margarita or two once in a while. The thought of not having these again makes me question if I want to go through with this. My sister had GBP and she eats what she wants and drinks like a sailor. She has lost over 100 lbs, but she was over 300 to begin with. I need to lose about 50-75 lbs. Then I wonder if I can have the band removed? Can I keep the weight off and still be happy with my food. I am so in between on this, I guess I have to wait till Sept. 22 to see what I will finally do.

I have Anthem BC/BS of CT. I am just on the cusp of not needing lap band. I weigh 200 and have a BMI of 34.8. I have alot of medical problems however so weight loss is a necessity to try and get rid of some of my health problems. I had to get a letter from my primary physician, see the nutritionist and a psychologist before the surgeon sent in the papers. I had my reply within 2 weeks. I really thought I would have to resubmit, so I was surprised.

:confused:Ok, I know, newbie here, but I did a search for shakes and got so many topics without the title in them. One about fish lol. So, I have to do a 2 week 5 shake a day plan before surgery. I love to chew, especially bread, so this might just kill me but I am going to try. My nutritionist suggested Optifast800. She also suggested Trader Joes Brand which is alot cheaper but still outrageous. I am thinking they are not stressing protein numbers but calories but I am assuming (I know what that makes U and Me) that I should take in at least 100-140 gms per day. I went ot GNC and saw some other brands but the nutrition panels had me questioning the health aspect of using these. I mainly am concerned about sodium. Some of the shakes have sodium contents of 400 mg. I am supposed to avoid sodium but they are very high in most of the shakes. Also, I am on a very fixed income, I spend about $60-75 a week on food for myself, my two sons and grandson. How am I supposed to do 2 weeks of shakes when they cost about $4-5 each and they want me to drink 5 a day. That is $175 a week, I can't afford to do that. I wouldn't be as overweight as I am if I could afford $175 a week for food. I would have eaten alot more fresh veggies and less pasta and potatoes. I have a bigt container of Whey Protein in the cabinet that my son who joined the Marines used before he went in. It hasn't expired yet so I might just try to use that. Ok, I ramble... What can I add to make the powder more tolerable? Which shakes are the best? I am going to pick a few up each week so I have them when I need them. I start my pre-op diet on the 8th of Sept. for 2 weeks and then another week of liquids, then baby food for a week before I can eat somewhat normal. Thanks for taking the time to read this long post. Peggie

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea in 1997. I tried the CPAP but I couldn't breath, I felt like someone was holding a bag over my face. I stopped breathing on the average of 54 times an hour. Wow, I can't believe I got any sleep at all. No wonder why I was exhausted all the time, I thought it was raising 3 boys alone and going to nursing school. Anyway, in 1998 I had my Uvula (the little dangly thing in the back of the throat) removed and my adenoids scraped. Wow, was that painful. But it didn't help at all, I snore worse than before, even though the Dr said I could never make that sound again without the Uvula. I remember that skit on Saturday Night Live "take care of your Uvula" to this day, it came out a few weeks after my surgery. My most recent sleep study in 2003 said I stop breathing 28 times an hour. Still not good but I can't use the CPAP. So I take Lunesta and hope weight loss will help more. the lunesta helps me fall asleep and even though I stop breathing I do feel a bit more rested. I just wish the side effect of terrible taste in my mouth could be prevented.

Hi all, I am new to this site. Glad I found it, I am learning alot more than I could from the Dr's brochures. Anyway, about me. I am scheduled for my LB on Sept. 22. I held off for that date because my grandson's birthday party is Sept 5th and I don't want to be on the pre-op diet and have to explain myself to anyone anymore. I am really lucky in that I didn't have to fight my insurance at all. I saw my Dr for the first time in July and within 2 weeks I had the ok for surgery. Now about me. I hear it from anyone I mention the surgery to, "why are you doing that, you are not overweight" Well I am for me. I am 5'4" and weighed 205 when I saw the Dr. but I am down to 197 now. But I felt best way back when I was 145, pre breast cancer. I am now 5 years cancer free so that is one thing I don't have to worry about anymore. However, I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, lymphedema (from the mastectomy) neuropathy from the chemo, fibromyalgia since the cancer, fatty liver, family history of diabetes... I could go on, all problems of the overweight. I can't exercise the way I did in the past because of the neuropathy in my legs. If I stand for too long my legs go numb and I fall. I can't even ride my bike anymore because I fall off when my leg gives out. I am a bread-a-holic, I sometimes go out to dinner with my family and pack the food to go if the bread is good. I will fill up on that delicious bread. I especially love Olive Garden, Outback,and my new favorite Logan's Steakhouse. (glad there are none of those here in CT) I worried that I might never be able to eat bread again, but some here have said they do so I am a bit encouraged. I know I can't make a meal of it like before, but I can have a piece once in a while if I chew really well. My Dr encouraged me to see the surgeon who will do my lap band. I am nervous about the upcoming surgery because of what I read on line before finding this site. You all have made it somewhat easier to realize this is the best thing for me and I will be healthier after. I will continue to read more and by the time Sept 22 comes along I will be ready. Peggie

I have my surgery scheduled for September 22. I start my pre-op diet on the 8th. I could have gone earlier but my grandson's birthday is Sept. 9 and I have to eat cake at his party. I did ask my son to have the party the weekend before (Sept. 5th) so I can be there and enjoy myself because I will not be eating cake on the 9th. I am a bit apprehensive because I am a big bread eater and the thought of not eating bread the way I did before is a bit upsetting. But I have some serious health problems and have to lose weight. I am barely at a 35 BMI but my insurance is paying because of my health problems so I am hoping I don't let them down and will be able to run after my grandson soon.