Dobiegh

OMG! So guys. The Syntrax (nectar) protein shakes are great! I have a major sweet tooth and these really help out. I just wanted to let you guys know because they are THAT GOOD. Now, with vanilla flavored shake mixes I use 8 ounces of the vanilla low carb milk and for chocolate flavored shakes I use the chocolate low carb milk. It ads like 60-80 calories but ALSO adds 11 grams of protein to the 23 already in the syntrax. The fruit flavored nectar protein shakes I just use water. Warning though, these shakes don't mix all that well especially the fruit flavored ones. But I like it because the parts that don't mix are kinda gummy and super sweet. LOVE IT! I wish I would have known about this shakes when I first had my VSG 3 years ago. I only found out about these because a lady I work with told me about them. I don't know how I missed them! I think a lot of people on here also use the premier protein. I think I tried them a long time ago but didn't like them for some reason. Maybe I'll try those again too.

Ha! Maybe I should shake a little harder =P I haven't tried the blue one yet. Probably tomorrow. I bought the variety sample pack. The vanilla torte is AMAZING!!! I really wish I would have been using nectar the entire time but I just didn't know about it. I feel like I would have lost more weight before had I known about it.

Thanks Babbs!

So I had my gastric sleeve surgery Feb 2013. I was 300 pounds and got down to 180 pounds. Then I got pregnant December 2014. And I gained 50 pounds. And I haven't lost any. I felt like I lost all control with food. Like I was just starving. Well 2 days ago I started trying to get all my protein in with shakes and I have been eating like 2 lean cuisines, that have a lot of protein in them, a day. It was awful the first couple days but today I woke up feeling like I had a lot of control and like I was satisfied not being stuffed. I've only been eating/drinking 800-1000 calories and I'd say I'm eating less than 50 carbs. I haven't been counting but I'm sure its low since only like 500-600 calories is in meals. So I feel pretty happy right now! I worked the past couple days and work was so boring. It was hard not to eat, especially since I work night shift AND I was training someone new. I kept complaining all night that I was hungry lol! It feels so nice to wake up feeling this good. I hope I can keep it up. Oh! And I've lost 3 pounds! I know it's mostly water but it is encouraging.

Girl, that is in the beginning. I'm more than 3 years post op and I can eat quite a bit at a time. Still no where near what I used to be able to eat. I lost 120 pounds but gained 50 pounds back while I was pregnant. I still haven't lost the 50 pounds. Eating carbs is the worst thing you can do because you can eat a lot more of those and graze on those all day long. That is my problem, I graze all day and eat too many carbs.

I had my gastric sleeve February 2013. I was 300 pounds and lost 120 pounds. Well I had a baby August 2015 so I've gained 50 pounds back and I haven't been able to lose the weight again. I think part of my problem is I'm addicted to carbs again. So I was thinking about going back to the basics: I'm gonna do what I was told to do in the beginning of my surgery. I'm going to start off with an all protein shake diet. Has anyone done this? EAS makes a really good protein shake with 15 grams of protein in it and only 100 calories. I could get in a lot of protein with minimal calories. I really think I just need to withdrawal from carbs again. Has anyone tried this? I've got to do something. I just want to get back to 180 pounds again.

I feel like my hunger is all in my head. To be honest, after I had my sleeve I don't get the "starving" feeling I used to have. I do get hungry but not as bad as it was. I'm gonna try to push myself. I'm not going to eat fruit or vegetables because I'm going to do low carb. I've always found that I lose more weight that way. I've gotta do something! I may add in some of the 100 calorie greek yogurts though because they are high protein as well. I ordered a variety pack of protein drinks and protein juices from this website as well. I just want to try some. I wish you could just go to the store and buy some of the bariatric pal stuff.

I'm on Enbrel and methotrexate currently. But I don't think the Enbrel is working like it should. I have an appointment Dec 17 with my rheumy. I'm going to talk to her because my pain is increased and so has my ESR. I live in the USA and my insurance covers it 50%, covers all of the surgeon fees, covers anesthesiology. But, even then, it is still very expensive.

Are you on any immunosuppressants?

You have RA? I have a seronegative version of RA called Ankylosing Spondylitis. So we really are in the same boat! I think insurance should be more willing to pay for more if you have another condition that your weight is effecting, like arthritis. But what do I know?

I hope so too. I work for a hospital so I might be able to get my surgery taken out of my check every pay-period. But the lady hasn't gotten back to me. I'm graduation from nursing school in May and I need to lose weight before then so I won't be in so much pain.

I'm thinking about getting the sleeve too. I'm probably 95% sure I'm going to get the lap band but there is 5% of me that wants the sleeve. It is permanent. I weigh 285 pounds. It is very unlikely that I will ever be able to keep the weight off if I have have my lap band removed. The lap band can be permanent. My worry about the lap band is that, psychologically, I might have my band unfilled so I can eat more. I love food. I'm addicted to food. If I get desperate enough, would I actually self-sabbatage myself so I can eat? Truthfully, I can't say no. I would hope not, since I went under anesthesia and had a surgical procedure to lose weight. With the sleeve, it is harder to cheat. You can cheat but it is permanent so you can't have part of your stomach reattached. That's my thinking. My mom says the exact same thing as you: that I'm too young to be cut and remove part of my stomach so young. On the flip side of coin, I am younger and have a long life ahead of me that I might be potentially more healthy because I got the sleeve versus the lap band (since you can have it removed or unfilled). Personally, I'm going to see what my surgeon has to say and take it from there. He is going to give me his opinion as to what surgery he thinks would be best for me tomorrow am.

WTG! You can definitely be under 200 by Jan 1!

I'm sorry! I'm in the same boat as you, potentially.

Wow! That is amazing! Congrats!

Good! We can go through this together =)

Made my first appointment for December 7, 2012! This is my initial appointment. Can't wait to get this started!

Once you went to the seminar, how long was it until your surgery date? 1 month? 2 months?

The only reason I want to get this done quick is because I have terrible arthritis and I have to start losing weight immediately. I graduate from nursing school in May and if I don't lose at least 50lbs by then, I feel like I'm not going to be able to do my job. Right now, when I do clinicals, I'm in so much pain. I have ankylosing spondylitis and bone spurs in both my feet. Literally every joint in my body hurts. Right now I have a mostly a sedentary job but sometimes I have to work as a nursing assistant and when I do, I'm in so much pain. I've thought about this for a long time but something inside me clicked and I knew I had to have this or I would not be able to do my job. I try not to let people at work know how much pain I'm in because if I do then they might not give me a job.

Did you have to pay the entire balance up front?

wow! Good! That gives me some hope!

So there probably isn't any chance of me having my surgery by the end of the year? I'm going to my seminar tomorrow...

I would definitely prefer not to go off my meds but I would rather not have an infection and have additional pain versus the alternative.

I have ankylosing spondylitis (similar to RA) and take Enbrel and Methotrexate injections. Did anyone have to go off their meds when having their surgery?