longer-life

Do research it if you can. The attacks must vary in intensity. I only had one MASSIVE attack that was so so painful I had surgery a few days later because I did not want another one of those. I will never forget it. It started suddenly in the middle of a Costco! It was an 'easy" surgery, as far as surgeries go. I have not missed my gallbladder and it has been about 10 years.

This is the brand my surgeon provides. I just found them online. Their calcium and all other chewables are good. My calcium is orange flavor. I think they have other flavors and gummies. I don't chew them though. I just let it dissolve in my mouth. They are big and as of right now 2 are needed in the morning and 2 in the afternoon so I might switch to gummies. Anyway....they taste good and have free samples. http://www.bbvitamins.com/

My surgeon provides the vitamins (I don't pay extra) and I was given Multivitamin, Calcium, Iron, and Anti-oxidant. Also potassium (prescribed). Don't know when this will change. I am 2 weeks post-op. As you can see surgeons and nutritionists vary greatly. I suggest you ask your surgeon.

There is absolutely nothing that is not discussed on this website AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Good question.

You just lost a pant size! Don't be so hard on yourself.

Yeah VFB!!!!!!! You did it!!!!!! @MelB1- welcome! @ Liliana- Sorry you are having trouble. Were you not getting in enough liquids and Proteins because you didn't like it or because of nausea? (Not judging you. I didn't have to do pre-op diet, so post-op has been easier with the shakes) The easiest thing for me was to go to GNC and pick a few things. I am picky so variety is key. They accept returns of open packages! I bought a few different flavors and brands of RTD (ready to drink) Protein shakes. Some milky and 1 bottle of Isopure (the red one) that is like juice. I also got a small package of Isopure vanilla, that wasn't so good. I did finish it by using sugar free Torani strawberry syrup. The flavor is strong and masks very well. I now switched to GNC vanilla Pro-performance and it is much easier to flavor up. I like it with 1 Splenda and vanilla extract. Think of it as medicine. It doesn't have to be delicious, just doable. :wink1: Online I bought a sample packet of fruity milky Protein shake and they were horrendous. I also got unjury chicken Soup for the warmth at my surgeons office. So I got "juicy", milky, & warm covered. I make my shakes with milk and no ice. I find it goes down easier and with less bubbles. Sorry I have no idea where to get Optifast. I hope this helps and you feel better!

Luckily you won't be too hungry (or not hungry at all) the two weeks after surgery. Sorry about these two weeks though. I was a volume eater and I can't imagine what you are going through. You are very close to saying goodbye to obesity though, so keep going! You are nearly there! :ballchain:

I had not dared to click on this thread because I am on full liquids, but it ends TODAY!!!!! LOL Great recipe. I will certainly try it soon. Thanks!

My surgeon is a surgeon of excellence and a bariatric patient himself. I was given a shake at the hospital on day 2, with milk. We are actually encouraged to drink milk twice a day and I am doing great. I haven't had cottage cheese, cream cheese etc, just full liquids, but milk is obviously not a problem.

I didn't have to do this. I hope you get more responses because I haven't heard a lot of people mention it here.

I would certainly ask if the surgeon has everyone do it and why. I would have gone CRAZY without a list of their requirements and tests. I don't like surprises. In regards to removal, when I lost 50 pounds on Weight Watchers once I had to have it removed. It is common when people lose large amount of weight, so it sort of make sense, but why check now? I would want to know if I was you.

The Unjury chicken soup is not bad at all and I don't even like chicken soup. It is full of flavor and the warmth will make you happy. Isopure has a bottled protein that has the consistency of juice. The red one was my favorite (Alpine Punch I think). The blue was horrible. They are expensive, but to me worth it because of the difference in consistency and taste. After a while they became too "tart" and would dry my throat a little so I would dilute 4 ounces of it with another liquid like Smart Water, Powerade Zero etc and get fluids AND protein that way.

Lol. I have developed a good rapport with Dr. Marema. He could tell right away I was "informed" (thanks to this website). Every time I have met him (pre-op, right before surgery, at the hospital), I whip out my iPhone with a list of questions. He has always answered thoroughly and sometimes humorously. When I started talking about leaks he said in a nice way "STOP! you do NOT have a leak!"....lol. You know what he told me after my pre-op visit as he shaked my hand? "Looking forward to be of service". WOW, is that cool or what? He is humble, funny and yet at the top of his game. We picked a good one! I am feeling great. Just went shopping for groceries. Tomorrow I move from full liquids to the next stage! Can you give me some ideas of what you used to eat?

I would go around this by saying with a smile something like "I picked you because you are an expert in your field, but I still have some questions.........". Ask away!!!

Unless you are self pay, I would strongly encourage you to RUN away from a disorganized staff. Insurances usually require a long list of documents and tests and a disorganized staff will cause you tons of headaches and delays. In regards to getting a doctor that knows what he is doing, you should consider a Surgeon of Excellence. You can read about it here: http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/asmbs/ Best wishes in whatever you decide!

They might have their own Centers of Excellence. I would pick someone that's in both lists. This is what I was referring to: http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/

Loved your post. You are beautiful. Congratulations!

Yeah! It's getting closer!

I was a volume eater and I prayed I wasn't put on a liquid diet. I was hovering around 40 BMI and luckily for me wasn't. Torture is the right word. That is exactly what it would have been. Fast forward 8 days after my surgery and it was Thanksgiving. I was (and still am) on full liquids. I had a house full of family and I did great while sipping my protein shakes. I would have NEVER been able to do that before surgery. By your post I can tell you will do great! :hug:

KTT and Felicia also have surgery tomorrow. Good luck to them as well. They are the last ones in our roster!

You go girl!!!!!! Welcome!

Yeah Apebrown! Congrats! You are on the losers bench! Keep walking, it will get easier.

Welcome Uxgrrl!!!!! Come update us as soon as you feel up to it! Congratulations!!!!

Some people add protein powder to their yogurt. You might want to try that.

Have you tried just letting them sit on your mouth until they dissolve? That is how I was advised to take mine by the bariatric nurse at the hospital. I don't chew them at all. I was also given a schedule. I start my day with 4 ounces of warm liquid followed by a shake prepared with milk. This is when I take my morning ones (Calcium, Multivitamin & Anti-oxidant) . After lunch I take my iron "chewable" (must be 2 hours apart from Calcium) and after dinner the rest. I hope this helps.