Michael K

So after some arm wrestling i got blue cross to cry uncle, had my pre-op clearance, and I'm scheduled for wednesday AM (dec 15 -- Northwestern in Chicago). I have been *so* good for the past two weeks. stopped smoking, stopped drinking, did not let one carb pass my lips. Even was compliant on that damn CPAP machine. I hate that (*^_($^(# thing. Tonight, after confirming alcohol was not a carb, I went ahead and had a couple (vodka). Smack me with a noodle, but i was starting to lose it. What a really wanted was a going away party with white castle, but I held back. I actually don't mind the whole Protein shake thing. I got a gold card at GNC, and I think the 42G protein shots are fine. I honestly like those Ostrim meat stick things. So that 'll be fine. I'm pretty sure the "iso" whey thing is just a marketing gimmick, so clue a brother in on that. thoughts? What i'm gong to miss is pizza. and crusty bread. Crap -- I'll stop talking. Look at the audience -- im sure you know what i mean. So anyway, glad I found this group. I may need some help doing those ticker updates. Tomorrow I take my "before" measurements and pics, even though I've already lost 8 lbs on the pre-op diet. I'm ready. cheers.

Okay -- so i've been sleeved! Surgery went well, but they found a hernia and a big fatty tumor (softball size, still waiting on pathology) so I was in surgery for 5 and half hours. I just got home, and I'm still a lttle shakey. Quick question, which i'll post in the post-op supplements forum too. I got these "New Whey liquid protein" supplements from GNC. They are 3.8 once tubes claiming 42 grams of protein each. On the way out of the hospital, my nutritionist said they werent any good because they had mostly collagen protein. Can anybody give me the definitive 411 on collegen protein? is it really worthless?

Just got scheduled (Dec 15) and getting all my ducks in line. If anyone is willing to answer some questions, drop me a line or friend me on facebook. I travel a lot, and will be on the road exactly 3 weeks post-op. doable, if i've got my wife with me? Can anybody tell me why they make you quit smoking? I get the no-drinking (empty calories) but i'm not sure what tobacco has to do with the size of your alimentary canal. I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info on the whole "shirk your liver" pre-op diet. I've got my pre-op clinic set for Dec 7 (one week prior), so I assume that's my diet date. Pure protien, no carbs, right? Thanks I'm going to try one of those progress banners now. Forgive me if it's messed up:

Thanks folks. I actually havent had a cigarette for 10 days now, nor a carb, nor a molecule of alcohol. just imagine how pleasant it is to be around me! I'm happy to have found you folks, however. I'm changing my life and all, but it's nice to know i have some buffer zone if i need it.

Ok, so I quit smoking. Not fun. Also quit drinking. not AS bad. and not a single carb for 7 days now. not-a-single-gram. I'm finding myself having energy crashes, which i guess is a good think cause the old carbo-bank in the liver is empty now. which was the point. My pre-op is basically 10 days of zero carbs (and alcohol, etc) and then liquids only the day before. I'm set for the 15th. did my preops, have clearance. it's a countdown now.

Scheduled for Dec. 15. mostly I just want to exchange some email with somebody who's gone through it already. I'm a 40-y-o dad who travels a lot, so i've got some practical questions (i.e. bullet-to-go vs shakers). Also, can someone tell me how to generate one of those progress bars for the bottom of my messages>?