JAM2YOU

Just started using the sf caramel syrup from tournae(walmart coffee isle $4.00) and it definately adds a different taste for variety. My favorite though is adding a few drops of almond flavoring(baking isle) to a chocolate protein shake...yummy. You can also use the hersey sf syrup that you would make milk out of also. I was given a shake recipe from my dr. for one that tastes just like eggnog by using the egg beaters liquid egg and some nutmeg and cinnamon. If you want the exact measurements let me know and i'll get it to you. Good luck with your shakes.

Blood work, EKG, psych evaluation, sleep study and whatever else your insurance company may require. Alot of them require a 6 month dr. supervised attempt to loose weight. In my opinion at first I did not want to wait the 6 months because it was sort of a let down but I truely believe I am much better off for going through the process and making sure everything was ok and I did loose 20 lbs in the process which told me I was really ready for this. The whole process has been a journey that has given me more confidence about my willpower and i'm thankful for it. Good luck with your journey as well.

Yes the protein shakes really helped me stay full and even now I have to make sure that i'm watching the clock because even though I may not be hungry for one I have to get it in to keep up with the 80g of protein required for my liquid stage. If you get bored with the regular flavors you can always add a little bit of liquid flavoring(like you use for holiday cookies) or sugar free/fat free instant puddin mix or the sugar free coffee syrups that you find in the coffee isle and this will change things up for you....doctor recommended all these).

I switched over to two protein shakes a day prior to my two week requirement of full liquids prior to my surgery on Monday 3/21 and had great results. Not only did it get me regimented for these two weeks but it made me much more accountable for what I was having for my dinner. I looked at it as "well if I was good all day I don't want to blow it at dinner". If there was something I was craving even though it wasn't the best choice I would allow myself it on the weekend but noticed that my portion size greatly decreased because I just was not as hungry once I started to eat it. Since starting the two shakes a day in late December I have lost 20 lbs. and now since starting the full two weeks of liquids i've lost another 12 lbs so i'm down a total of 32 lbs before the surgery. Grant it the last week of the fluids is the hardest because you're mind thought is all over the place from excited to nervous to anxious to isomnia but just keep remembering why you have started this journey and keep your eyes on the prize at the end(a healthier, happier and more satisfied person). Good luck on your journey and there are lots of positive people out here that are always happy to help and guide you.

I have United Healthcare/Oxford and it was about 10 days and I only think it was that long because there was something missing out of the original packet of papers that was submitted from my surgeon's office but once they had that it was about 3 days. Good luck and remember this is something worth fighting for if you have any problems with them.

Good luck Rachael, you will do great. Keep us posted when you feel up to it. My surgery is Monday 3/21 so I understand the hunger aspect lol We'll get through this and be much better off for our decisions. Keep the faith.

Good news Terry. Keep plugging along and wishing you a speedy recovery.

That's a great meltdown to have..........LOL Congrats on your journey. We're going to have so many more choices for clothing after our victories. Keep up the good work.

Hi there, Just wondering if anyone else has experienced a case of the downers right before surgery. I'm on my 2nd week of pre-op liquid diet and have no energy at all. First week of liquids was fine and even handled it going out this weekend but for some reason starting yesterday I just seem like my get up and go has gone. They don't want you on any supplements for these two weeks so I know they are out of the question except for my multi and bp pill. Any suggestions before I go back to bed LOL ?? Thanks

<br /><br /><br /> Haven't heard anything about Goldstein but if your looking in the camden county area I am using Dr. Bernadette Profeta in Haddon Heights. I've been seeing her since September when the whole process started and my surgery is scheduled for this coming Monday 3/21. If you have any other questions or need more info. just shoot me a note. She is very personable and very thorough and is very willing to talk one on one either in the office or by phone if you have any questions. Good luck! Andrea

Good luck Monday. I will be in your same boat next Monday the 21st. I can't wait and like you i've kept it very low key with who knows and who doesn't. This is my personal journey and did not want to deal with ANY negativity or judgement. Sending only good positive thoughts your way on Monday!!! Keep us posted when you can.

I had a meeting this past Monday for my surgery on the 21st and it was showing us exactly how our surgery day was going to go from check in to the actually procedure and all the medical things that would be attached to us from the actual band to the cathator to the pain pump to the strap on leg compressions. We were shown where our incisions would be and what to expect once we awoke in recovery. Was also stressed to us about getting up and walking as soon as you get to your room. No mercy from the nurses as our instructor put it...if a open heart surgery patient can be up out of bed 12 hours after surgery you guys can definately be up the same day. Oh they also showed us the breathing apparatus that we'll have to use alot. She said there are approximately 10 commercials in one hour of television and they expect you to use it every time a commercial comes on....it helps to alleviate phenomena setting in. Also stressed that the first thing you should do whenever your company comes in the room is tell them to wash their hands because you can NEVER be to safe after surgery. Good luck!!

Clothes shopping for all of us I think has been a challenge in the past. I could never understand it though because it's such an untouched market that the designers are missing out on especially when all the statistical data says that there are alot of overweight people in this country. I guess those designers never heard the saying "if you make it in a bigger size they will buy it" lol Well all I can say is those days will soon be over since my surgery is scheduled for 3/21. Already lost 20 lbs since my decision in September and another 6 lbs this week since I started my liquid diet. So long to the loud designs and sequins and faux stones on clothing. Now with all of our sucesses we won't have to be dressed like circus people lol

You really need to call your dr. back tomorrow because every dr. is different with the pre-op diet. You are going to need to amp up your protein amounts to somewhere between 70 and 100 grams per day. Easiest is using protein powder with skim milk. If you don't get enough protein you have other issues like hair loss. Definately get their specifics because a big reason for the pre-op is to get your liver shrunk as much as possible so you don't want alot of fat in what you're drinking. Good luck and congrats.

Surgery on 3/21/11 for me but definately was told by dr. that after fills you are definately on liquids for a day or two and then progress back through the process. I've seen on the boards here that papaya enzyme chewable tablets help to digest the food alot more quickly. I've got them ready for when I progress to that point and you can get them in Walmart or most of the drug stores. Good luck....hope you feel better soon.

The homemade protein shakes can really be made tasty if you use skim milk and add a teaspoon or so of sugar free pudding mix powder a few ice cubes and a splash of liquid food flavoring like almond(that's my favorite). It actually tastes like a slightly loose chocolate shake. My dr's office gave us a whole list of homemade recipes that are very tasty. Even have one for eggnog that is very good as well. The food flavorings that you use in holiday cookies are really a life saver along with those pudding mix powders. Good luck everyone.

Can I ask where you get the liquid tylenol. All the stores around me seem to have discontinued it and it's not showing up online either. Thanks

Hello everyone.......Pretty new here and have already learned alot of tricks that should help me along the way. My surgery is scheduled for March 21st and I start my two week liquid diet tomorrow. I've already been doing the protein shakes a couple times a day for a few weeks now so it wasn't such a jolt to my system and i'm already down 23 lbs. so i'm hoping the next two weeks will continue to bring more success. Trying to keep busy the next two weeks so I don't psych myself out too much. I actually think my husband is a little more anxious then I am but he's supporting me all the way. Already stocked the house with all the helpful hints that should make my recovery a little easier so for all that have already gone through this and post better options for those to come after and big thank you. Good luck to all of us. Anyone else's surgery on the 21st?

Hi everyone......New to the group and my surgery is scheduled for March 21st. Just had my pre-surgery endoscopy today which went well so now I just have to do a count down for the next 21 days. I'm very excited and just a little anxious I guess. Have my nutritional education course set up for next Monday which will also be the start of my two week liquid protein diet. I've already been doing it now about 2x a day to get in the mode and it's not bad at all. I find out i'm much less hungry during the days that I am taking the protein shakes so that is good. Any other protein liquid ideas for those two weeks would be appreciated. Thanks Andrea