Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Do I have to do Optifast or will they let me choose another Protein drink? Also, does anyone know if quitting smoking is a specific NYU requirement before surgery.

Thank you!

I was banded by George Fielding on 7/7/08 and he did not require Optifast. I drank mostly slimfast shakes blended with Protein powder. I was so bloated that I lost 23lbs during those two weeks! I don't know about the smoking issue, but Dr Fielding is not really strict about too many things. The other Drs may be different. Who is your Dr? Do you live in NYC? I am in Westchester. I am at good restriction and losing well after 3 fills and 1 unfill(it is no fun to be too full) I will be happy to chat with you. Sometimes it is hard to get answers from the office because they are so busy. There are several threads on this site about that. If you do a search, you can read alot of opinions about NYU. To me, Dr Fielding's expertise outweighted (PUN) any negatives. Do you have a date yet? GOOD LUCK!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am also getting my surgery done at NYU. The big day is Nov. 10th. I had many choices of Protein shakes. I had a list of choices in the booklet given to me by the nutritionist. I am using designer whey Protein that is 97% lactose free and I mix it with almond milk. I don't tolerate dairy well.

The only issue I am having is that the surgical coordinator is a bit ummm...idk. But she rushes me off the phone when I have questions. I don't care though. I always call back if I didnt understand something. I think she might be on speed cause she talks a thousand miles and hour and explains too much at once. So its her fault I had to call back so many times to be sure I understood everything. She had a hard time understanding that I had to have all my pre surgical testing done within 7 days of the surgery in order for insurance to cover it. She got an attitude because I asked about changing my pre surgical testing date. You would think should would be familar with insurance companies enough to know that they may have this 7 day requirement. But anyway, once I have the testing done and get my clearance, hopefully I won't have to deal with her anymore. But Dr. Kurian and the nutritonist were awesome when I met them 8 months ago.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

And yes, they did ask me to quit smoking. Its been one month since my last cigarette.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nicole - Dr Ren banded me, I used powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury no carbs no fat. i have worked mostly with Christina on the nutrition, and I told her the sugar content in Optifast will not allow me to stay on it and she agreed that some clients have trouble staying on the sugary Protein shakes.

Re Nilsa she is great if you email her she gets back to you in seconds but then again I talk quick too and keep emails to a sentence. That place is so busy and Nilsa does ALL the scheduling all by herself and deals w/ the insurance companies. She is just one busy person.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What is Nilsa's email address?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What is Nilsa's email address?

It would be on the card she gave u with ur paperwork. I don't have it on hand anymore or maybe call the office and ask. In general get everyones cards when y go and ask if ok to email them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It would be on the card she gave u with ur paperwork. I don't have it on hand anymore or maybe call the office and ask. In general get everyones cards when y go and ask if ok to email them.

Found the card! I will try emailing her my questions since it is always so busy there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Found the card! I will try emailing her my questions since it is always so busy there.

Great good luck! you can PM me if you have any questions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×