Hi, I'm new here and considering the sleeve gastrectomy. I am cross-posting from another thread I found by googling the topic, but I'm not sure anyone follows that thread any more.

Introduction: My name is Michelle and I'm 37 and live near Houston, TX. I have a BMI of 40 with no other comorbidities except metabolic syndrome. My doctor has suggested medical weight loss surgery and recommends the sleeve because I do not want the side effects my mom had after gastric bypass and the band has not proven as succesful for long term weight loss. I have also tried nutra system, weight watchers, south beach diet, and other methods to try to lose weight but I can never stick with one and gain the weight back and more.

Regarding the surgery: I'm afraid of making a permanent decision and not being able to get enough nutrition because of an inability to drink Protein shakes my whole life. A couple of years ago, when my BMI reached 37 I tried the liquid diet program and could not make it a full 2 months, even with 3 shakes and 1 small meal, because I could not tolerate the shakes. I got to where I threw up every shake except chocolate and then after a week of 3 chocolate shakes a day and one small meal, I was angry and resented the chocolate and couldn't bring myself to drink it. I was also exhausted and nauseated much of the time, due to being in ketosis. So I quit the program. I had lost 17 lbs in 6 weeks but have gained it all back and then some. I have averaged a weight increase of 10 lbs per year for the last 7 years but have no evidence of thyroid problems - much of it is portion control, bad choices, and a sedentary life due to a very busy job where I sit in front of the computer all day (and evening).

The sleeve seems like a good solution - I need the tool that the sleeve offers which is portion control. I love healthy food - I eat fish and vegetables for lunch on a regular basis. I already cook with 94% lean hamburger when I cook meals, prefer chicken to red meat - I just don't stay full long so I eat more. And more. And more. Unless my taste changes where I no longer like Mediterranean food, I expect I will be able to eat a diet of lean meats and vegetables with only an occasional bite of Desserts during special occasions without feeling like I'm missing out on anything (I have read that happens on this board when reading as a lurker).

But I'm worried about getting enough protein because of not being able to stand the shakes.

Has anyone else been in this same situation with the shakes/drinks and do you have a recommendation? Do you get to a point where you can get protein without having to do the shakes/drinks? That doesn't seem possible but maybe someone at 18 months post surgery or later might be able to weigh in?

Thanks for your advice!

Hi Micelle, I'm hoping the post-ops on here can answer your inquires!! I'm fairly new on here too.

I'm pre-op for the sleeve, surgery date 11/15, I just started my liquid yesterday it's not easy, but I'm staying positive I can get through these 2 wks.

Heaviest weight 267

current weight 263

Goal weight with sleveebus 165-170

I'm 5'6

Today I'm 46, tmrw 47 bday is 11/4, so I'm considering this WLS a new re-birth

I can totally relate with the dieting in your past

I did the Lindora diet for 9 months. I lost about 45lbs, went from bmi of 41 to 35. Later to gain all back plus 15 more.

I didn't get sick on the shakes but did get really sick into my 9th month and my pcp asked me to stop my Lindora diet, my ketosis was too high. Thereafter I felt sick, got some sort of viral infection, then I suddenly started to get anxiety/panic attacks, clamy sweaty episodes. To this day I still do. Went to see a new Endricologist and she found my Vitamin d was too low and put me on 50,000 ml Vitamins 1x week for a month

Also found Protein in my urine and put me ramrpril meds. New Endricologist is not for my WLS but my pcp and previous Endricologist are.

I'm a diabetic, highblood pressure, have high cholestral, which I inherited from my maternal dude id family. I also have 4 bulging disc from a fall and still recovering from a knee arthroscopy , I'm not physically active as I would love to be

Due to all these conditions I'm having the WLS.

I'm tired if taking all these meds and pry sung my diabetes goes away. When I went to see the WLS doctor the 1st time, was 4 yrs ago at that time was for the gastric bypass, I walked out feeling I didn't need this surgery and could donut all on my own, well Lindora works for 9 months and so in July u decided to go back for another consultation but for the . To my surprise the doctor suggested the sleeve bcuz it helps diabetics and ends up going away after the surgery if they stick to the plan and work out.

That is my goal, to lose weight to become healthy again and get rid of diabetes and high blood pressure mainly and all meds.

All you are feeling is the very same I am, and from reading up on here everyone too.

I've read more positive and very few negative.

You will know in your heart if you're ready for this WLS or not. Go with your intuition. Only you truly know if it's right for you or not.

Daily I still ask myself if I'm doubt the right thing, get nervous and start to think, what if this or that, when I start to feel that way, I log on here and read up, and sure enough I'm back on track and realize again I'm making the right decision

This site is by far the best one I've encountered and everyone is very nice and supportive.

Best wishes!

N

thank you!

You will not have to live on the Protein drinks forever, but it will be a couple months with the pre-op and post-op diets. My surgeons plan advanced me to soft foods at 14 days. Now, I just have to supplement my diet with Protein Drinks rather than live off them.

I really struggle with the protein drinks. The taste is one thing. It's the smell that about does me in. Blech!!

I didn't realize I had an issue with the shakes till I was on my pre op diet. I did a lot of different things until I found what worked for me. The trick for me was to only take in 15 grams of protein in the am and then I could handle a higher protein shake in the evening. Figure out what works best for you. I am having to do four weeks of protein shakes (pre op and post op). I can't wait to get done with them. I figure when I only have to do one a day it will be a lot better. Best of luck!

I also have a whey protein intolerance. It makes my throat swell up!! Im doing the Jay Robb egg white protein shakes!! They r delicious and nutritious!! Good luck. You can get them online

My surgeon has us to a combination of protein shakes + soft forms of protein (various dairy, canned tuna/chicken, etc.) for two weeks prior to surgery, then three weeks of full fluids, including protein shakes, thereafter. After that third week, he would like us to move to soft, puréed foods, and the goal is to get as much of our protein intake from real food, not shakes. The restriction makes that a gradual process, but it's the goal.

Hi Michelle! I'm Kim, I live in Rosenberg, TX. I just had my sleeve done on New Year's Eve (6 days ago) by Dr. Dirk Rodgriuez. I am 41, and weighed in the morning of surgery at 298.

I know I'm a newbie here.... I was lucky, Dr. Dirk did not put me on a preop diet. However, I started buying the Whey Protein and tried them before hand. However, I cannot stand the shakes that we make with powder. But I've been trying to get in some Ready to drink ones. I am still experimenting, but yet getting the protein in. I also found that adding the plain Protein Powder to the chicken broth is pretty good. Two days before my surgery I was wanting to bail...but I thought that I'm doing this for me. And I know I can handle the first month (and I'm a big baby..lol). I also know that all these shakes i have to drink now, I won't in the future because I can eat chicken, fish, etc. I am really glad I made the decision to do this, because it will pay off!