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My Psychologist recomended nectar whey Protein Isolate - the flavor she had was fuzzy navel. Although they have many flavors. She told me some nutrition stores give discounts to BS patients but I found it on Amazon. Has anyone else tried the Nectar? It definitely helps with hunger pangs and since I am preop that is very comforting during the day. i get my Water and protein. NUT suggested Isopure but i found it to very expensive where I live.

Mari3997, Pre-op diet will definitely help you and helps get "your head" into the right place for your new fabulous healthy life. Support system? I have no one. My husband tried to talk me out of it, NOPE! My body, my life, I make my own decisions...autonomy. Find support groups here, Facebook, IG, etc, research youtube videos on bariatric surgeries. Some FEAR is normal but still wasted energy and can become crippling. Find a way to reduce fear to a reasonable concern. I responded to another post with this...it might help you, I hope so, just do it. Definitely do it! At 71, 100lbs overweight, in pain constantly, both knees destroyed by arthritis, peripheral neuropathy in both feet with hot burning pins and needles when standing and walking, back pain. My journey started in orthopedics with knees, steroid injections, worked well most of the time, but didn't stop the occasional fall [3 to 4 times a year]. I knew sooner or later something would break. I would have had knee replacement sooner except for covid & elective surgeries were cancelled for two years [socialized medicine ***] weight gain, but developed hypertension. Researched weight loss thru ***, and because I had obstructive sleep apnea, I would qualify, and found this bariatric surgery should be first before the knees. I researched, attended classes, youtube videos, surgeons, after care, supplements etc. I wanted the Roux-N-Y but at my age surgeon said no, VSG. The surgeon recommended to me, is EXTREMELY strict and no BS kind of guy, he canceled my first surgery date because he didn't like something I did, so I really buckled down to his protocol. I knew I would have nausea and vomiting from anesthesia so I told EVERYONE, to give me whatever so this didn't happen. Well...it happened, no medication, and postop recovery the uncontrollable violent projectile dry heaves started, nurse good, gave IV Zofran, the IV Reglan and within a few minutes it stopped, but it was bad. I went home the next day. I had all my foods for week two, supplements etc. I am keeping up with supplements and fluids but not hungry. Dr said eat 1/4 cup every 2-3 hours otherwise your body will try to hold on to everything and the metabolism shifts. I'm going to add the vitamin patches from Bariatric Pal to my daily regimen of chews and capsules, [ I am very fatigued] for a while and see how this works. I use Mira Lax/:axa Clear equivalent in my morning water bottle and use a stool softener at night. Find whatever works for you, the stool softeners alone did not work for me. Trying to find my new normal, I knew it would be a process. I have NO regrets, and would tell anyone considering surgery to 'go for it' and FOLLOW directions strictly. Once I pass the phase of full liquids and get into pureed foods it will be another advancement. During surgery found a hiatal hernia and did the repair. Who Knew?! I didn't, glad it's done. My significant weight loss will help me in recovery for total knee replacement. I'm looking forward to repairing the rest of my body in my older age. Best wishes to you. Surgery May 15. 

I have never had surgery before this so I didn't really know what to expect. It is natural to have some anxiety, but I really surprised myself by being ok until I woke up with this dreaded pain all over my body. My understanding is that there is 1.5% chance of it happening so perhaps I shouldn't have played the lottery before my surgery. I am sure you will be fine. Maybe I've hogged the 1% chance this time and your safe to go have a complication free surgery. The medication that caused the reaction is the paralytic they use for intubation called "succinocholine". You can look up "postoperative myalgia" online and there is some general info. Basically, all of my muscles contracted so much during surgery that they are pretty much useles for a few days until they have time to repair and heal themselves. Kind of like I worked out every muscle in my body nonstop and they are just fatigued to the point of not working at all. I'll keep everyone posted as to how long this lasts. Hopefully not much longer bc I can't stand being in pain or confined to this bed. :/ When is your surgery?

[ My biggest concern was the port, I asked my Dr a couple times just to be sure it was coming out and each time she looked at me funny and said "Yes Miriam, I would never leave it there" I knew it I just wanted to hear it I haven't had a full on dumping episode but I had something that I think was maybe dumping. I have (had) this horrible habit, when I go grocery shopping I will go to the dairy dept and get a chocolate milk. I usually couldn't eat and the chocolate milk would stay my hunger during the shopping trip. I did the same thing last week, thought it would be fine bc I wouldn't drink it all at once... It wasn't. I felt gross, flush and my stomach hurt and that was after drinking 2 oz. I paid for it and threw it away, won't do that again. I am doing great, approaching week 4 and have lost 25lbs which is shocking to me as I was a lower bmi and was told id lose slow. I am now back in Onderland which makes me extremely happy. I do have struggles, portions.... I don't get the signal that I'm satisfied or full, I don't know if it's just me or I'm broken but I don't so I have to measure everything out. I have over eaten. Attraction to slider foods, I'm so used to it that I have to remind myself I don't need those anymore. I also have a strong fear of stretching my pouch and failing. My pouch is larger than a virgin pouch, years of band abuse stretched the hell out of the top of my stomach. I also have a very good friend with RNY who did amazing for the first 3 years and is now heavier than she started. She has always sang the praises of the band citing she she wished she would have gone with it instead of bypass. I do learn by example so hopefully I can keep on the straight and narrow.

I had to stop taking my BC a month before surgery, due to the blood clot risk, and my doc and surgeon still aren't comfortable with me taking it.

Getting sleeved 7/22. I told my closest friends whom I spend a lot of time with and my parents about 3 weeks prior to surgery. I figured I'd be accused of anorexia or bulimia from - what I expect to be - huge changes in both my eating habits and appearance. I didn't want to deal with lying constantly (that would give me an ulcer). After I had already paid and really committed to the surgery (self pay in Mexico), I had a small get together at my house, let everyone get a few drinks in, and then told everyone (8 people). This method is NOT for the shy or the easily dissuaded. It went like this: "I have some news that no one is going to like, but I'm telling you all because you mean a lot to me and your support will really make or break my longterm success with this (that was me being a bit euphemistic bc I will cut off friendships with people that do not support me). I'm getting a VSG (explained what it was, why I was doing it). I will no longer be able to join in binge eating or binge drinking, but I know our friendship is based on much more than that. I really appreciate everyone's support." I felt like a politician letting the US know we were going to war! But the good part about telling a bigger group is that they all held back their gut reactions at first and listened. After they - I'm sure - talked about it with each other, half of the group reached out to me personally offering to help me lose weight by cooking for me, taking me to the gym, etc, ANYTHING besides the surgery. I really did appreciate their concern, but told them nicely that I was a binge eater and drinker and this surgery was the only way I could break my habitual issues with lack of impulse control. It's hard to admit this stuff publicly, but it felt really freeing once it was out there. A couple friends were super supportive from day one. I feel like if people really are your friends, they will end up being supportive because you're doing something positive for your longterm health. And, if they can't, then screw 'em - they weren't really your friends. I'm also making my friends feel like they're part of my journey. I created a whatsapp group with all of them to give them updates on my surgery from Mexico and will keep the updates coming throughout the first couple months. First, I won't get attacked with questions when I first see them, and, second, I feel like if people feel like they're on the journey with you, all they'll want to do is contribute in positive ways. Aside from close people, I've told people that needed to know where I would be for the 10 days of surgery/recoup (like work, my personal trainer, acquaintances) that I was getting my gallbladder removed. I had to come up with something! Hope this is helpful to someone! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well its weird...we tried for 2 years before the band...than we decided this last month we would start trying for a baby my aug cycle...aka the one that never came....bc i am PREG!!!! we are in shock and excited and super happy!!! we got preg with out even trying God is amazing and the Band is my best friend!!!! Our Lil Peanut is due April 22nd 2009.... The band really can help someone get preg.... God bless everyone!!!

When I was in HS and college I was always on the very skinny side. My blood sugar and blood pressure were both always very low. I had chronic issues with getting up too fast and blacking out and issues with my blood sugar getting so low I'd get shaky and weak. Gaining weight, that all went away, for years. Now that I'm down quite a bit on my wt, all these things are back again. I do okay when I'm up exercising, but it's either after I'm done I get shaky or if I haven't had a good meal, I get that way. All normal for the wt loss but need to just make sure you've eaten a good amount of Protein and carbs before a work out to keep that blood sugar up. Have your blood pressure taken weekly for awhile and see where that is at so you are aware. Sugary foods will just raise your blood sugar high then bottom them out, so Peanut Butter, bananas, grapes, milk are all good sources of protein that will bring bs up and keep it up. As far as feeling like you're going to black out when standing up...sit up first, before standing, to get your BP acclimated. Stand slowly and stay in place before moving. Your BP is bottoming out and it's taking that blood from your head, causing that black out feeling. Once it's stable you start to feel okay.

I have bc/bs NC just wondering how much insurance paid toward a cpap machine I need one

oh hey, you're singing to the choir I had my surgery on Dec 11 ws 321 on that day. Two weeks late post op I was 307 and I've tinkered from 303-307 since then with current weight @ 305-406. So that means I've lost 1-2 pounds in two weeks, IF That This better be a stall bc if it's not, I will cry, and long and hard Lol We're in this together My name is Joanna. Nice to meet you

I know I'm struggling Its never been this hard to loose 10 lbs in my life. I'm 3 month in and I have only lost maybe 7 lbs bc the first month i gained bc I gave up pop cold turkey. I would drink about 2 2liters a day. But its finally time to get really seriouse. BTW How did you guys put your picture in your profile?

Well thanks everyone just knowing I am not a loner gives me a confidence boost. There is just something about saying it outloud ( or a post ) that's helps you get past it . I am having my surgery in Fed 58 days from now so I think I will have time to clean up my act. I hope to start 2011 off right

I had to have my doctor call in an RX for the generic effexor - venaflaxin - that can be cut (or crushed). The only thing I don't like about it is because it is not XR you have to remember to take one pill in the morning and one in the evening -- like if you are on 150 mg., then you take a 75 mg in the am and one in the pm. I purchased a pill cutter/crusher and I cut my pill into little pieces and take it with yogurt. The only pill I can take without cutting it into small pieces is my BC pill and it is very very tiny. Everything else I have to cut and take with applesauce or yogurt to help it slide down and not taste so dang nasty.

I have a had a remission of my type 2 diabetes with the sleeve. I was not insulin dependent and had been on medication for 3.5 years. I have been off all meds since 2 days post op and my bs are normal.

Im going to henry ford. It has thw rating of "center of excellence". I have heard a lot of positive comments about dr. KRAUSE at beaumont, royal oak. I did meet a lady in my nutrition class who works in the bariatric dept. for beaumont, and was having the sleeve done at HF, instead of beaumont bc of the center of excellence accreditation. I found that interesting. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I am a big fan of dr. Drew Pinsky. I grew up listening to loveline on the radio and now I watch all of his rehab shows. Anyhow, he had a guest named Dr. Andrew Goldstein who is some sort of vaginal/hormonal specialist. Recently they were talking on dr. Drew's podcast about the side effects of birth control pills. Dr. Goldstein said most of the newer pills from the last 15-20 years are horrible for women. The gist was that women need testosterone for their sex drive and comfort and basically the bc pills suppress women's testosterone receptors in and around the vagina. This leads to low sex drive, vulva pain, cervical pain, abdominal pain, thin skin down below... Basically misery that many man of us experience. Oh and the bad bc pill's effects can last for years after you discontinue them. The solution was to quit taking bc pills if possible and also use an estrogen AND testosterone cream. If you must take bc then take one from about 25-30 years ago. Avoid new bcs like yazmin. There is apparently an international society for sexual health of women that has affiliated gynos who know more about these issues than your typical ob-gyn. I will get the name of some of the bcs that do not have these bad effects. Hope this made some sense. If you want to hear what dr. Goldstein says download the Adam carolla app for your phone and click the dr. Drew show. There you can find the podcasts featuring dr. Goldstein. Very, very interesting stuff. Sorry this is so badly written. Laying in my sick 4 year old's bed until she conks out

Honey our innards and outside skin are ALL the same...go ahead and drink protein drinks...first youre risking stretching your pouch...and you should be more focused on your healing innards as to what goodies you get to eat...after all you didnt come this far to sabbotage all this effort did you..there are caring honest doctors and there are some who will let you decide what you want to do....go do your own research instead of believing either of us. The fact is solid foods...heavy foods can cause pressure on your stitches and stretch your pouch. These foods can lead to discomfort and vomiting. Everyone needs to drink light clear fluids for the first week to ensure healthy and proper tissue (innards and outer) healing...its up to everyone to RESEARCH info ...the forum can help but may be confusing bc every dr and nut has there own ideologies...research and listen to your body....also sodium is not a great plan..if those protein drinks have plenty of sodium remember your body already pumped up with salt water...it will take you longer to get rid of the swelling and gases. Good luck

Thank you verymuch for your response, I was dieing for some one to answer...my doctor was so negative with me, and I am sure it was because of the surgery.... Ok... well... I geuss I have to live with it till its' over.... but what makes things hard is that after the fill it is not easy to take pills...... pls. support me to survive eating and drinking after the fill.... when I see that some of you got 5cc. from the first fill, I get horrified, I was filled 1.75 and still is afraid of drinking Water or any kind of liqudes... I am afraid of eating... after he 4th or 5th bite I fell showeked and a huge pain in my stomack, I don't know how am I going to get used to it... sometimes, I feel like missing the liquids diet, at least you drank and never was in pain..... What is making things bad I guess... is that I am used to drink a lot of water (more than 2-3 big bottles), and now I am affraid to take a sip... Pls. Kaboom help from your experience... you have been band for a long time... Wen to be honest I am taking a lot of pain killers... I am fed up, I have to go back to work this Sunday... I am an administrator at a school... and time has come to go... I still feel tired if I am out of the house for more than 2 hours. and can't really move my neck to the sides comfortabley and completely.... I did X-rays for my neck and everything is normal.... Kaboom do you advise me to go back to gas-X? thanks guys :think

I have not received any bills and I'm 8 weeks post op today! My insurance is BC/BS.

I for one say that the NO STRAWS "rule" is total BS! Sorry, had to say it. If you take note of how you drink form a straw you will notice that you suck a column of liquids up into your mouth with very little to NO air, perhaps exhale a bit through your nose then swallow the liquid. In fact I would wager to say you get more air by drinking straight from a glass than with a straw.

I brought many many pillows like 5- 2 " mini", 1 log, 1 round, 1 regular-used them all. I hate sleeping on my back & used them under my arms & feet/knees & butt to wedge me up. I used chapstick & bought a variety pack of lip smackers. Nice to have flavor! I brought ipad & phone Charger & extension cord Small tabletop fan - needed the breeze & noise Eyemask Lucky hat Nightie-I sewed velcro to the straps so I could put on/ take off w/o problems Robe Toiletry case-brush, hair ties, face wipes, deodorant, extra glasses. I brought headphones but didnt use bc I had private room. allons-y

Most doctors won't give you the first fill until 8 weeks post-op in order to give your stomach time to heal and adjust. After that, you typically go back in every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments until they get your restriction at a good level. Unfortunately, I've struggled with restriction issues (or lack thereof) from day one. My long story short: my original surgeon was fantastic, but very, very conservative with fills. Rather than giving fills under fluoro, he blindsidedly gave fills in his office - which meant he was basically injecting whatever amount of saline he felt was appropriate at the time (which was typically .2 or .3 cc's per visit). The main thing to remember with the band is that everyone reacts differently, so while .2 or .3 cc's might be great for some, it isn't enough for others. By my fourth fill last October, I still had no restriction and all of the weight I had lost up to that point had been out of sheer willpower. This is apparently very common with the band and is often referred to as "bandster hell" (indicating the period of time it takes to get the band calibrated according to your individual needs). At that point, I was completely fed up and got tired of begging and justifying my reasons for wanting another fill. I decided to change doctors and have had three additional fills with my new doctor since. Thus, I've had seven fills so far and am just able to recognize that I actually have a band on.

I hear great things about those Premier shakes from Costco! Think I will swing by there tomorrow. Yes, my breath has been kinda bad too. My mouth constantly feels Clammy. Glad I'm not the only one! I'm not up for sex, but that cld be bc I had a hernia repair while doing my sleeve. But my doc said, I cld start whenever I was ready.. I know my husband is VERY READY! LOL

I like it there- but definitely prefer here bc we're all sleevers!

Similar thing happened to me. I went to a surgeon other ppl went to. They liked him so I would too, right? Initially I ignored my guy. Went through preop with him, tons of money spent on EGD, blood work, barium swallow, ultrasound all for nothing bc I decided to listen to my gut. This was the end of April. I have since switched surgeons and ins has appvd me and hipeti be banded in sept. The point? Follow your gut. If you think you should switch then visit with another one at least for a consult.