MinaT

Congrats and good luck!

Congrats labu, I added your date to the June Sleevers thread located at http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39508-june-sleevers-compilation-good-luck-well-wishes/

Just remember to wait at least 1/2 hour after your solids to drink so you stay fuller longer.

I once went from 330 - 128 and I did get a divorce. The thing was I had confidence to actually leave. I didn't care if I had anyone. The issue I ended up having at the time was anger. I became bitter because I was treated so much nicer as a skinny person than when I was fat. When I was skinny, people opened doors, they moved out of my way when I walked, I didn't have to move out of the way, they didn't take cuts. My thinking became....wow people really do suck. Girls that treated me like crap, tried being my friend, girls that were my friends, became jealous, guys constantly staring at me, made me self-conscience like what do I have a third eye, a booger, why are they staring at me. After an illness and surgery I gained weight and met my current husband and I think I can handle this next go round easier. I realized people do treat overweight people differently, and that's just the way it is. I can't dislike people in general and just am going to take things one day and a per-person basis. I do know people that I associate with now that aren't going to be too pleased when I am fit and healthy and it already puts a big smile on my face

Duran, I was nervous about this aspect too. The deal break after six months was the quitting caffeine, I needed my one cup of coffee a day, I did this about a month ago so I wouldn't have to deal with it during this shake phase. It's day 5 and I'm a little hungry, but I haven't had my second shake which I need to do now, but the hardest day was day 3 and part of day 4, I had headaches those two days and today I'm not really starving and I'm doing fine. 9 more days until surgery, I guess we may as well shrink our stomach and get used to this beforehand. We had to purchase our shakes from our Doctor's office. It cost $200.00 for 42 shakes. I think our doctor is trying to make sure everyone is on the same program. Instead of leaving it up to the patient. He said it's a controlled, proven, method. He realizes people didn't spend the six months prior following a strict diet like they were suppose to and he realizes many go out for their "last chance" dinners and end up gaining weight. This is to shrink the liver, etc. The New Directions have all the Vitamins needed, I just don't care for them too bad, though right now I think I can go for a strawberry one lol. Good luck.

Forensic, I can understand why your sister is depressed, but it will have to go off eventually, she may need to walk a little more to get her legs and hands going to move the fluids around. I have a serious issue with edema. I stop my Water pills on Monday for the last week of the journey and I'm just planning on upping my water intake and walking even more. I realize the weight fluctuation throughout the day is weird and it bums me a bit, I'm realistic, you can't go down to 600 calories a day and actually not end up losing weight, it just may be redistributing at first and will eventually drop

I would stick with what her doctor prescribed, especially days before surgery, definitely nothing solid. Not sure what shakes you are having. I am on New Direction, which is what our doctor wanted and unfortunately I hated the chicken Soup, pudding and and a few of the flavors. I found Muscle Milk in the dairy section has the same protein/carbs/fat and all the nutrition the same as the new Directions and the banana Creme isn't too bad. I am diabetic and hypoglycemic too. Day 3 & 4 were my worst days. I had light headedness, dizziness and a headache. Today I'm doing fine. All the nutrition you need is there if you are doing three shakes a day. You are getting all the Vitamins and minerals you need along with Protein. It sucks, it's hard, but make sure you stay hydrated. My biggest issue is I don't like the taste of the shakes so much. The chocolate with Fiber is growing on me because I have it at breakfast, then I drink a bottle of Water, then I have Propel 0 calories 0 carbs in a flavor like Black Cherry or the Lemon, I make sure I throw in a Decaff Peppermint Tea with a packet of Truvia. The Fiber is helping me go to the bathroom, which I suffer from constipation normally, so that's helping. Good luck, we can do this!

Good luck to you!

I am allowed only three shakes a day plus sugar-free Jello or popsicles. I feeling guilty if I want a sugar-free popsicle, that I'm allowed to have, so I haven't had one. I'm even more depressed because yesterday I had all three shakes, no sugar-free popsicle and I drank all my Water and I weighed myself this morning after I pooped (I even worked out two hours on the gazelle yesterday) and I went from 233 - 233.5 today LOL! I feel you ks, I seriously am feeling you and surgery here is June 4th. Don't be a slave to the scale, it will be okay I promise you, we'll get through this together and the scale will eventually go in the right direction. Your body is probably holding onto the calories because it is hitting starvation mode, which it only stays that way for a short-time and then you will end up with a nice drop. Even try making your one meal a day at lunch instead of dinner. Make sure you are getting all your water in too.

Swelling, gas and your body is now holding onto Water. I suggest walking a little more and weighing yourself tomorrow. I can gain 3 or 4 pounds in a day and lose 5 the next day even pre-surgery. Keep sipping and I understand your frustration, I am expecting this to happen to me too, but it will be gone in no time and then the pounds will drop. It happens to almost everyone. It seems to me that this is the norm. Losing immediately after surgery is rare. Just keep doing what your doctor says and it will come off. I hope someone reminds me of this when I freak out after surgery after I gain. I know it's going to happen because I've read so much on it, it still will have me upset too.

Many insurances companys have a 35 bmi with 2 comorbidities and 40 with 1. So if you have obstructive sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. that usually topples the need for 40 bmi. Most insurance companies expect you to show initiative to lose during the weight loss and your surgeon will definitely frown upon you gaining weight during that time. Anyone can lose weight when they are being supervised and told to eat High Protein, low carb, it's the maintaining the diet that's hard. They aren't going to punish you because you try hard during the 3 months to follow the doctor's instruction and if you hit 39 or 38 bmi they will punish you for it. I lost almost 60 pounds before my certification and all it does is help me in the long run.

thanks, my headache is not so bad, I am not cranky today like I was day 3 & 4, which wasn't as easy. I was a little tired out yesterday. I've been feeding the family pretty generic food and I feel guilty, but most aren't trigger smells & food. Monday was Pork chops on the grill, Tuesday Sandwiches and Potato salad, Wednesday Hot Dogs & macaroni & cheese, yesterday was Hamburgers and Lipton Noodles Parmesean which though is one of my favorite foods wasn't bad. They are used to roasts, steaks, chickens, salmon etc. but those are my favorites and I'm sorta shying away from cooking that this week. I have been trying to make sure I don't cook foods that I really truly like and that don't smell too comforting lol. That's helped me a lot. A great suggestion is to rinse your mouth out a lot and brush and floss a little more often. The shakes are kind of sticky I noticed. I am used to drinking shakes for breakfast, but 3 times a day, you start noticing the stickiness and they coat my teeth. I don't use harsh mouth washes because of dryness, I use the Biotene and it helps to rinse my mouth a few times a day. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night and drank some Water and used Biotene again. It seems to be helping.

Sorry Worlf, I may have missed it, I added you. If I missed any others or any new additions, please feel free to post and I'll edit.

I had 3 new direction shakes yesterday and one sugar-free popsicle, lots of Water, peppermint decaff tea. Today I did 2 new direction shakes and I did one muscle man shake because it has the same calories, Protein & carbs, I drank a ton of water, peppermint tea, did 2 hours of my gazelle and walked 1/2 hour. I supposedly gained 3 pounds in one day from Sunday - Monday by eating one Skinny Turkey Sandwich and having a cup of Soup from potbelly. I was 237 Sunday - 240 Monday - 237.8 Tuesday - 237.5 Wednesday 233.0 Thursday. I am sure I won't be dropping like that every day now, but it was a shocker. Day 4 my headache is starting to go away, my tummy isn't really growling much and I didn't have the hiccups as much today as I did yesterday.

I get diarrhea if I have too many sugar-free products and bloaty and gassy. That's why I wish everything was made with Truvia instead of the stuff they are made out of. Keep your chin up and I'm so sorry you are struggling right now.

That's some serious carbonation, and it has aspirin in it. I would definitely say no. I was given a list of medications that I cannot have after surgery...ever and Alka-seltzer is on that list.

I'm sorry you are having issues. Maybe go backwards and try Isopure clear liquids (they have 40grams of protein) you can pick it up from GNC, variety of flavors, like even ice tea and sip it throughout the day. Maybe the protein shakes are not sitting well with you. Definitely speak to your surgeon or their office for suggestions too. Some people have suggested using a smaller spoon, not drinking out of a straw, though one person said using a straw made her have less gas.

Thanks. I am on the pre-op 14 day shakes from New Directions and it sits in my mouth and I have a hard time swallowing it - this is pre-surgery lol. I found that Muscle Milk isn't banana cream that you get in the grocery store milk area is about the same and I bought one and had that for lunch. I have 10 more days of this and since I'm not liking it, it's going to be rough. Luckily after surgery I can go back to Pure Protein 100% Whey Protein, but I was thinking of trying GNC's unflavored one to add to things like instant mashed potatoes & Cream of Wheat for the mushy phase!

First 1-1/2 - 2 weeks after surgery, my program wants us to be drinking Isopure and water, we don't even move to full liquids (like protein shakes, cream of wheat until after 10 days). I was told it will be approximately 5-6 weeks before you are on solids. I think any type of juice, except something like Gatorade if you are having a problem with dehydration, which isn't good for you either. Try sticking with higher protein drinks like an isopure for a while until your stomach can handle liquids.

Way to go on the loss! I was in a 3x from Woman Within, which runs larger anyhow and last year I had to up it to 4x. All my 3x's pants are safety pinned now, I've had to throw many things away, my shirts are hanging off me, I got into a real bra finally and today I ordered some 1x's which not sure how those will fit, but I"m getting sleeved on June 4th I am hoping this will be the last time I have to order clothes through a catalog and I can finally start shopping in a store again! Most plus size clothing stores their clothes run weird, and they always have geometric patterns, animals, hearts or big bulky flowers lol. Oh just to shop at a normal store would be wonderful!

Your positivity and attitude is amazing. People that are just starting the journey definitely could learn a lot from you. I agree with working hard during the six month pre approval phase and I'm grateful I have worked hard, it's making this next phase of shakes only for 14 days a little easier I think. I am used to exercising now and even though I do feel much more tired and crankier on the pre-op shakes, I'm still exercising and not cheating. Good for you and thanks for your wonderful perspective!

Congrats, please update when you get your date, if you are scheduled for June I'll add you to the June list!!

Good luck. The shake I take is called New Directions and it's 3 shakes a day only but each has 35% of all your daily Vitamins and it = 80 grams of Protein a day and totals 600 calories. Yesterday was horrible, which was day 3. My head hurt, I had to grocery shop, it was hot out, I tried the unjury chicken soup, instead of the shake and didn't like it so I ended up using my own Pure Protein Shake and took the Optisource Vitamin. Hoping day 4 with 10 more days is going to be easier than yesterday. I am not really hungry, I just don't like the taste of the shakes that well and they are hard to get down. i am going to up my Water today and I bought Propel (0 carb) flavored water too, to get some sort of flavor, and I'll space different flavors throughout my day like Peppermint decaff tea with truvia in it. I had the hick-ups twice yesterday. Some get it because they eat too much or too fast, I always get hick-ups when I am hungry. Hoping today is a good day for everyone as we inch closer to June! I find myself brushing my teeth a lot more and rinsing my mouth out with Biotene. Since I have lupus I have a predisposition to getting ulcers on the roof of my mouth and I'm trying to avoid a dry mouth because of it.

Please keep us posted I have you down as a maybe June sleever on the June compilation and was just waiting to hear back, I hope you are a June one too!

Yay Littlebits - added you to the Compilation - Good Luck thread - and now we're waiting on Crichard1107. Any other June sleevers not on the http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39508-june-sleevers-compilation-good-luck-well-wishes/ list please feel free to post and I'll add you to the list.