Hello November Sleevers!

Please come and introduce yourselves! Scorch picked our name a few weeks ago in another thread. We are the banana BABES, because like she said, " our stomachs will end up looking like a banana".

I will start.

November 16th is my big day! I would have LOVED to have accepted the 7th, but I have tickets to see STING in concert. Don't you love my priorities? (Actually the tickets were expensive, non refundable & my husband would kill me).

So the 16th it is and I couldn't be happier. Before Thanksgiving is probably not ideal, but being sleeved and somewhat recovered by January 1st ,2012 is way more important to me. I can't wait!

Banana Babes :Banane01:

Hello everyone, I've been lurking on this board for months while I've gone through the approval process but somehow I forgot to introduce myself in this area.

I'm scheduled for surgery tomorrow, Nov 30, at Mayo Clinic. In two hours I can call and find out what time to check in. I'm feeling a little nervous but firm in my decision to go through with this -- my partner asked me tonight if I still wanted to do it, and said she wouldn't think less of me if I cancelled even at this point -- I appreciate the sentiment but I'm pretty positive this is the right decision for me and my situation.

@dying2Bhealthy: You posted a GREAT list awhile back about all the things you were looking forward to after surgery. I could relate to every single one, but I especially liked the one about how none of your photos are of you. Its amazing the things we miss out on in life because of our weight -- I'm taking about the stuff that doesn't easily come to mind, like nice clothes. I've made several lists myself for past failed weight loss attempts and they just keep getting longer.

I'm trying hard to not get my hopes up too much about this one... I've tried so many times in the past and diets, habits, systems, programs, Ways Of Eating (WOEs), whatever they are called... nothing has ever worked. This is the first glimmer of real hope I've had in years.

You are all so wonderfully supportive, I'm glad that I've found you all. Good luck to everyone!

Some people add protein powder to their yogurt. You might want to try that.

Welcome Uxgrrl!!!!! Come update us as soon as you feel up to it! Congratulations!!!!

UXGrrl... Welcome and good luck! We are rooting for you!

Welcome UXGrrl! I hope you have a very safe & speedy recovery!

Welcome and best of luck tomorrow UXGrrrl.....................

KTT and Felicia also have surgery tomorrow. Good luck to them as well. They are the last ones in our roster!

Hello ladies, I thought I say "hi" I am 7 days post op today and feeling a little better. My incisions are healing pretty good. My recover has been hell so far. I was not getting enough liquids so I was a little dehydrated and I had to go the clinic to get an IV after that I felt much better. I am not getting all protein I need I need suggestions to try new protein shakes? like is Glucerna fine? They gave it to me when I was in the hospital. Also where I can find optifast shakes? I trying my best to get my protein but at least I am sipping y water all day. I can't wait to start my Stage 3 diet lol. I am so tired of this damn liquid diet pre surgery 2 weeks and post surgery 2 weeks more,is hell lol. For those are about to start the soft foods,which foods I can expect to be allow to eat? Thanks girls!!

I'm using Protein shakes by CytoSport (the company that makes Muscle Milk)

The EvoPro protein powder has 26g of protein per scoop and just 2 carbs and 2 fat. My nutritionist also okayed Muscle Milk Light powder. I also have CytoSport Complete Casein Protein Drink which is 25g protein. I was told to be sure and watch the protein vs carbs and fat. I like the cake batter and vanilla flavors. They are easy to doctor up with sugar free Torani and spices like cinnamon, etc, to keep things not as boring.

I am one week out today and cannot wait to CHEW something soon!

Well I think everyone on here has had their surgeries! Congrats to all. I'm 26 days post op from Dr. Alvarez and feel great except for a slight twinge now and then which is normal muscle healing at one of my incision sites. I'm down 22 lbs from surgery day so I'm ecstatic. My clothes already feel different. I hope eveyone had good experiences and a speedy recovery! Best Wishes.

I did it!! Everything went great.

Surgery was yesterday at 9 am and I was back in my room at 130. I did sleep most of the day, I did get up and walk down the hall, but I got very nauseated! It went away as soon as I sat back down. I slept really good and no pain. I do have a drain and it is a little sore today, but not bad.

Today I had to drink the nasty blue stuff, and it was really nasty! I gagged a few times and had to spit some of it out, but I finally got it down, and no leaks!!!

I just took a shower and feel great now! I walked outside and the weather here in Mexico is great! Now I'm sipping on camomille tea and Vitamin water!

Hope everything continues to go this smooth! So happy to join the other banana babes on the losers bench!!!!

Yeah VFB!!!!!!! You did it!!!!!!

@MelB1- welcome!

@ Liliana- Sorry you are having trouble. Were you not getting in enough liquids and Proteins because you didn't like it or because of nausea? (Not judging you. I didn't have to do pre-op diet, so post-op has been easier with the shakes)

The easiest thing for me was to go to GNC and pick a few things. I am picky so variety is key. They accept returns of open packages! I bought a few different flavors and brands of RTD (ready to drink) Protein shakes. Some milky and 1 bottle of Isopure (the red one) that is like juice. I also got a small package of Isopure vanilla, that wasn't so good. I did finish it by using sugar free Torani strawberry syrup. The flavor is strong and masks very well. I now switched to GNC vanilla Pro-performance and it is much easier to flavor up. I like it with 1 Splenda and vanilla extract. Think of it as medicine. It doesn't have to be delicious, just doable. :wink1:

Online I bought a sample packet of fruity milky Protein shake and they were horrendous. I also got powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup for the warmth at my surgeons office. So I got "juicy", milky, & warm covered. I make my shakes with milk and no ice. I find it goes down easier and with less bubbles. Sorry I have no idea where to get Optifast. I hope this helps and you feel better!

I am a week out from surgery and I had my first "outing" tonight with my beloved. We went to a local restaurant for dinner. I ordered a cup of potato soup, while he had a steak and salad and veg. I was as full and happy with the small amount of soup I was able to eat as I would previously have been with a big meal! I wasn't bothered by the sights or smells of any of the other foods either, which was a relief!

Tomorrow I am going in to work for a couple of hours. I have a desk job, so I'm hoping I can do a little bit of work before I need a nap!

^{Here is where you can find Optifast,www.nestlenutritionstore.com, I been on Optifast for 3 weeks and have to continue on it for another 3 weeks, they taste good.}

^{Glad all surgeries went well}

Hi, I am 10 days post opp went to the Dr. everything is going good. I have up and downs but not as bad as I thought.

I have lost 15lbs since surgery Total 40lbs:) so happy. I am wondering my Dr. Said I could go to puree food today, what are some of you guys eating for puree and the next step soft food.

Thanks Granny