Anxieties...eww @ liquid diet but hope it is short & goes very well. I dislike protein shakes & after taste. I'm awaiting approval and the call for scheduling VSG. My biggest concern is sagging skin.

You can "doctor" up the Protein shakes with flavored sugar-free syrups (I.E. Torani or DaVinci), coffee crystals (like Folger's instant) and extracts. The first 2-3 days are the worst, then it becomes MUCH easier. I also like them with 1/2 fat-free milk, 1/2 Water and 5-6 ice cubes. Some like to put in a blender. I like to put in a "Blender Bottle" (WalMart has the best price I found on these) and shake really well.

Who is your surgeon?

I'll definitely have to doctor them up! Thanks a lot. Dr. Kim will do VSG. This forum has been a great find. I'm appreciative of it.

Dr. Kim was my surgeon too. He is VERY reserved, but his staff have all been absolutely wonderful! I've called several times with endless questions and I've never felt that they were rushing me or bothered by my calls.

My surgery was 6 weeks ago today. I am SO glad I had this done. Yes, there have been moments of regret that I can't eat like I used to. But those moments are quickly replaced with happiness that by this time next year, I will hopefully be at or near my goal weight.

Please feel free to message me with any questions/concerns and I'll do my best to give you as honest an answer as I can.

If you haven't already been told about Dr. Kim's Support Group on Facebook, I highly recommend it. It's a private group so the posts will NOT appear on your regular FB page. Do a search in Facebook for Dr Kim Weight Loss Surgery Support Group and ask to join. It's nice to interact with those in our local community who have had the same surgeon.

Where will your surgery be? Mine was at Forest Park Medical Center. It was awesome!!!

Best of luck to you on your journey!!!

Saggy skin is also a concern of mine...I'm also from the DFW area. A friend of mine got the lapband from Dr. Kim

The saggy skin worries me too. Hate the thought of losing a bunch of weight only to have icky droopy saggy skin...... I keep reading that plenty of Water and exercise can help. Also the younger you are and/or the number of years you've been overweight can affect how much saggy skin you have.

I'm starting to save now just in case I end up needing some cosmetic help!

Well I am determined to be successful. As far as the sagging skin go I am going to believe I will not be a victim of it...lol & I hope me and these protein shakes get along well. I was a little unsure about the Facebook group but I may look into it.

The FB group is so awesome! I like it because we are all Dr. Kim's patients so we're all using the same pre & post plans, etc. It's a "private group" so nothing posts on your main FB page. Yesterday I was having a bit of a down day and the support and encouragement I received was awesome!!!

I'd also encourage you to attend the monthly support group meetings. I went to the one in October. It's really more of a class (Oct was on exercise) but afterwards several of us chatted and I enjoyed it.

Best of luck with the pre-op diet - it's a pain but worth it - promise!!!

I have requested to join the group. I think I will get better once I'm in the thick of things...this forum has proven to be a great asset.

You can "doctor" up the Protein shakes with flavored sugar-free syrups (I.E. Torani or DaVinci)' date=' coffee crystals (like Folger's instant) and extracts. The first 2-3 days are the worst, then it becomes MUCH easier. I also like them with 1/2 fat-free milk, 1/2 Water and 5-6 ice cubes. Some like to put in a blender. I like to put in a "Blender Bottle" (WalMart has the best price I found on these) and shake really well.

Who is your surgeon?[/quote']

Some other options for mixing up the Protein Shakes ... Unsweetened almond milk, SF pudding, Greek yogurt (plain is preferred), Kroger Carb Master yogurt, SF cool whip. Some also do fruit (berries are preferred because they are lower in sugar). But if you're going to do fruit, then mix with water rather than milk.

Thanks a lot for the protein drink ideas. I am ready for this! Dr. David Kim will do my VSG.

At the risk of sounding dumb...

When mixing the Protein with pudding, I'm still using almond milk? This is how I've done it in the past. Or is it just the protein & pudding, protein & yogurt? Lol if it don't taste or fill right I will add silk.

Thanks Jazee

At the risk of sounding dumb...

When mixing the Protein with pudding' date=' I'm still using almond milk? This is how I've done it in the past. Or is it just the protein & pudding, protein & yogurt? Lol if it don't taste or fill right I will add silk.

Thanks Jazee[/quote']

I've done it several ways, with the almond milk, or with Water or with just the pudding/yogurt. I'm not a milk or almond person so often times I will skip the almond milk so I don't use up my calories for something I'm not crazy about. I always add ice (i blend on my Magic Bullet) so i guess technically I always use water :-)

You really will have to experiment to get it right for you. I would just suggest adding a little bit if whatever you're mixing in because you can always add more buy harder to salvage it if you have to much of something.

BTW, you didn't sound dumb at all. Glad you asked :-)

Thanks a lot again. I am sampling & testing various things out this week. You all have given such great options! I wanted to be ready come 11/12/12.

Hey Jazee,

I tried it today for a snack & it was not that bad...next time I will try sugar free lol, thanks

I THINK that Vitamin Shoppe will exchange protein powder if you buy one you don't like. Might be worth checking out.....