The vast selection of vitamins, minerals, and protein shakes is overwhelming to me. Is it worth the extra money to purchase brands specifically for bariatric surgery patients? What brands do you use? What protein shakes are the best?

Vitamins - I'm taking 2 Flintstone's vitamins a day. Everyone has a different preference due to taste, Dr recommendations, or tolerance. I'd suggest starting with the cheaper chewables (not gummies) and see if you can handle them. Remember, just because you can handle it pre-op, that doesn't mean you can handle it post-op.

Protein shakes - Again, this varies by taste and Dr recommendations. For your pre-op diet, your surgeon might tell you that he wants you on a specific brand. It took me 3 days to get used to the one my surgeon's office had me on. Post-op, it has everything to do with your "new" taste buds. Personally, I like the Atkins Advantage Carb Control shakes.

Do you remember having "pregnancy nose"? You get to have that back post-op. EVERYTHING smells and tastes a little different. But you get used to it.

Good luck!

The LB program at my hospital uses a particular Protein shake for the pre-op liquid diet they require (mine was two weeks), HMR. I was shocked when I read the ingredients. Artificial sweeteners, etc. I had to meet with the nutritionist and have her sign off on something else. I chose a product called Thorne Mediclear and I did well with that. It's such a personal preference, a Protein Shake. Post-op I didn't do much in the way of protein shakes -- they felt too thick to me and maybe I was just so sick of them from the pre-op.

Once back on food (protocols vary but mine was one day Clear liquids then on to full liquids for a week, mushies for a week and slippery foods for a week then real food chewed very well), I learned to go for protein first as a policy. That's how I get my protein -- through my food. A shake doesn't really hold me, and the band works when we chew our food and swallow it -- that signals the brain and we find satiety. A shake does not do that but plenty of people have a shake as part of their own protocol and that works for them. You'll find what works for you, too.

I used to take a lot of Vitamins and supplements but these days I am down to one supplement (for arthritis) and am just adding Vitamin-D back in now that we're losing our light. I still prepare Vitamin strips for my kid (stressed out college student) and my husband, but I find I am eating so well that I am not lacking any nutrients. Also I'm exercising like crazy and that has done wonders for my immune system.

Hope this helps! We are all different, of course, and surgeons have different approaches as well -- seems like one way were all the same is that we end up with extra Protein powder we don't know what to do with later! Good luck to you -- I can tell from your enthusiasm you are going to do beautifully!