rosiegirl

I just tried something new - it's called Orgain high protein drink -- it's kind of expensive - $3.95 per 11 fl oz but it's a iced cafe mocha organic ready to drink nutritional shake - has 16 g protein per serving and $255 calls, 60 fat calories per serving. I got it at Wholefoods .. it's pretty good! I'm not a big fan of protein drinks, so this helps me get some added protein into my day while drinking ... it tastes like an iced latte kind of drink (I put it in a glass of ice). This drink apparently has the equivalent of 10 servings of fruit and vegetables in it too - full of vitamins and minerals, free of caffeine and artificial sweeteners & preservatives and gluten. Supposedly made by a doctor? Anyway, just wanted to share. And I also got a new protein bar at Wholefoods the other day - called NuGoSlim -- it's pretty good too ... dipped in real dark chocolate and has 15 gr. of protein per bar, 190 calories, and 60 are from fat. So, between one of those and the drink, I'm almost 1/2 to where I need to be re: protein daily, and then if I have some greek yogurt & some cheese, and maybe a few bites of chicken or tuna, I'm where I need to be requirement-wise. Yeah!!! Am going to try Jay Robb Chocolate Protein powder drink later too .. I've tried Jay Robb's unflavored Whey protein powered, which isn't bad, but never tried the chocolate one, so I'll let you know how that tastes too -- am hoping mixed w/some skim milk and ice cubes and maybe 1/2 banana it will taste good ... Jay Robb's protein powder has plenty of protein in it (like 26 g), so if I can handle that w/some skim milk, that will totally boost my protein intake ... we'll see. have a great day everyone!

I did not wake up w/breathing tube, but was in some discomfort immediately after surgery ... it's now almost 9 months later, and I can honestly say it's all a blur, and the best thing I ever did for myself .. so even if you do experience some pain or discomfort after surgery, trust me when I say that a few months down the road it will all be a distant memory and you will be THRILLED with your decision that you had the surgery -- life, in general, will be so much "improved" in all aspects once you lose weight and are healthier .. trust me .. I speak from experience! I'm down 90 lbs and feel like a new person! I still have about 30-50 more to go, but am just taking it one day at a time and know that I will get there eventually - no rush - for now I'm just so proud and happy to have had the success that I have had! Good luck to you!

hi - you will do great! try finding a protein powder now so you can fool around w/making shakes that are palatable for yourself ... I use Jay Robb's unflavored whey protein powder (you can get online or in Whole Foods) and mix it up w/peanut butter, milk & some frozen berries, etc., or a frozen banana ... also sometimes add in a tablespoon of chocolate ice cream to add flavor ... but try to figure out a good concoction for yourself for protein shakes, in that you will probably be drinking a lot of them for the first few months to help you get your protein in. Stock up on Amy's Lentil soup cans and buy a baby bullet so you can pulverize the stuff into mushies ... you will enjoy a hot cup of that during your mushy stage and this will also help you get some protein in for your daily protein intake (it helped me a lot!) ... stock up on crystal light (your favorite kind - I like the lemonade) and also chicken broth (the packets so you can make a cup at a time - hot chicken broth was very soothing during the first few weeks and even now 8 months later I have it a lot), and get yourself some kind of water bottle that you can sip from throughout the day so that you can constantly have w/you on hand so you can keep drinking water (no straws!) ... when you are ready for protein bars, I would suggest Quest, which you can buy online .. they are a tad more expensive than store bought, but have tons of protein (20g) per bar and full of good stuff (not a lot of other stuff like sugar, etc.) .. and find a nice flavored tea you like - warm/hot tea is great to drink and will also help you meet your water requirements .. I like the raspberry tea bigelow makes and I buy it in Walmart or A&P stores ... good luck - you will do great! Welcome to the losers bench !!!!!! keep the peace ...

Yes, wish I had a pool nearby, but don't -- and cannot afford a gym membership at the one that has a pool -- actually, I would still be too embarrassed to wear a bathing suit! i haven't worn or own one in over 20 years! :-) But I will walk ... I bought some Leslie Sansone walking DVD's and some Zumba DVD's so am gearing up to using them ... funny, 25 years ago I was an exercise maniac ... then, I don't know ... I got lazy and just let it slide .. now it's really a chore. But I will do it .... I've come this far and there's no way I'm going to slip backwards ... I know myself, it's really just a matter of psyching myself up to doing exercise again ... thanks so much for all your support .. keep the peace!

never want to go on "liquid diet" again ... just want to find my "zone" eating right ... I'm not really worried about the stall thing ... I realize we all hit stalls along the way, and I'm very thankful for 8 months now I"ve been losing pretty steadily ... I know the scale will start to move again (downwards) soon .. I just have to be patient and rev up the exercise (which is quite the challenge for me, personally) ... but hey, we all hit stalls along the way so I am quite confident this is just a little bump in the road and I'll be seeing the numbers move downward once again very soon .. thanks, all, for the encouragement! keep the peace!

thank you, Catracks, for your insight. I've recently hit a "stall" and was wondering if diet soda was the culprit, although I didn't think it was since I only have about 1/2 to 1 can for a full 24 hour time period ... I drink mostly water drinks (hot tea, etc.) so I think I just need to rev up my exercise routine (which has been almost nil) in order to jump start my weight loss again ... I'm not complaining though -- I'm 8 mos out and 90 lbs down, so I'm thrilled ... just would like to see the #'s on the scale start to move again since it's been almost 2 weeks since I've seen any movement, but I"m sure it'll start soon enough. I also was neglectful in taking my synthroid for about a week, so maybe it's my thyroid saying "take your meds" .... we'll see ... but thanks for your input .. it's reassuring to hear that a little bit of diet soda won't cause harm ... I've come this far, and don't want to sabotage myself in any way!!! keep the peace ... thanks!

Question -- are we allowed "diet" soda if we can tolerate it? Does diet soda too make you gain weight? I started drinking some diet Sprite Zero, and have not had any bad reactions to the "carbonation", but am wondering if by chance diet soda can make you hit a "stall" in that I have noticed in the past week or two I have "stalled" in my weight loss (and even went up a lb or two, but now back down) ... anyone know??? I know I can't have regular soda, but are we allowed diet soda if we can tolerate the bubbles?

soon, you will be looking forward to getting off protein shakes and back on to mushies ... :-) ... keep up the good work!!!! And welcome to the losers bench!!!

by the way - went from a size 24 to a size 10 (just now squeezing into a size 10) ... so that should give you great incentive!!!! (And I have another 30-50lbs to go ... I'm only 5'4, so I'm figuring a size 8 or 6 will bring me to my goal) .. but I'm in no rush, and haven't been the entire time .. it's all just happening gradually and naturally and I know the same will happen for you too! (in fact, tonight I was able to eat two turkey meatballs for dinner without any problem - and that is quite an accomplishment for me! so I'm very very happy!!! - I know, two turkey meatballs doesn't sound like a lot to you now, but trust me, after the surgery, it will be quite an effort to eat anything like that for quite some time .. and you will be so happy when you can!!! :-) Keep the faith & good luck!!! Speak w/you soon ...

Great - keep up that attitude and you will do great! I speak from experience when I say "have patience" ... my first few weeks were the hardest, and I think I cried a lot then ... I remember questioning whether or not I made the right decision, but from where I stand now, it was the best decision I ever made in my life! I am so much healthier now, and because of that, so much happier ... it's only been 8 months for me, but it feels like my whole life has changed for the better ... so, keep the faith ... you will do great! Get some sleep (if you can) tonight, and have a successful surgery tomorrow! Speak to you soon and welcome to the loser's bench! :-)

good luck -- what time is surgery, did you find out? you will probably have to be there early ... don't worry, I know all will go well! Remember, even if the first week or few weeks aren't as easy as you might have planned, it will all fall into place thereafter .. it did for me and I know if will for you too! Everyone is different -- some people have a really easy time at it right from the start, and some people have a little rougher time of it, but eventually, we all fall into step and I promise you, you will too! You are in excellent hands - Dr. Roslin is a great doctor (and a really nice person too!) ... I will be thinking of you, sending you positive vibes! Keep me posted -- hang tight ... !!!

I like Quest bars too -- they are very high in protein, and even my nutritionist said they are the best bars in ingredients she has seen ... I especially like the chocolate peanut butter and the chocolate brownie ones ... also the peanut butter & jellie ones ... when I want to switch it up, I sometimes get Balance Bars too -- the honey yogurt bars are pretty good and they have, I think, 15 or 16g or protein per bar -- but the Quest ones are nutritionally better for you I think! Good luck!

Cinemagirl - also, you can buy Jay Robb's protein poweder online and have it auto-delivered so you get every month too ... :-)

Hibmirm -- was thinking of you today - hope all went well for you -- keep me posted!

congrats Cinemagirl!!! You will do great!!!! Dr. Roslin is fabulous and I'm sure all will go great for you .. I had it done in NWH, so not sure how Lennox is but I can only imagine it's superb! I've heard great things about Lennox ... you are in good hands! The first 3 months will be the most challenging time for you, at least, it was for me. After about 3 - 4 months, it magically got so much easier .. so be patient & work the program. Listen to whatever the nutritionist tells you -- do not go by what other programs say - you need to follow Dr. Roslin's instructions and/or what his team tells you ... if you're unsure, ask the nutritionist to give you more paperwork w/guidelines ... it's been over 8 mos. for me, so I don't remember exactly what the first few weeks were specifically, but I think it was at least 3 weeks before I was able to have "mushies" ... until then, you'll be on liquids (lots of broth & water) and greek yogurt .. and yes, protein shakes too -- do you have a whole foods by you? I suggest trying Jay Robbs unflavored whey protein powder so you can formulate your own shakes ... you can find tons of recipes on this forum (under protein shakes/recipies) to help you figure out some different kinds of protein shakes you might like ... check w/your nutritionist, because I think you will also be allowed cream of wheat in the first few weeks, which will also give you a little added variety to your daily diet plan ... once you are allowed mushies, I would suggest using a baby bullet (get in target) to purey (sp?) a can of Amy's lentil vegetable soup and have that -- it's warm so it will go down easy, and it's also got protein in it so it will be a nice addition too ... but your greek yogurt will give you protein (have 2 x a day and you'll already have like 32 g of protein from it, which will help you w/your requirements), and then add your protein shakes, etc..... do the best you can and don't stress if at first you struggle to meet your protein requirements - we all do ... it's not easy at first, but you will eventually get the hang of it, as we all do, and you will do great! Congrats again - wishing you tons of success - I know you can do it and welcome to the losers bench!!!!

Lunesta is a tiny winy pill ... you should have no problem ... I take ambien and took it right after surgery .. I am a chronic insomniac so I have to take it every night ... I really don't think you will have any problems taking the lunesta ... try having a hot cup of tea when you take it so that it goes down nice & easy (& probably will melt right away in your insides as you drink something warm like tea or even some chicken broth or some hot cocoa (sugar free) ) .... happy dreams!

Im sure you will follow the same path!!! It's really not difficult -- the sleeve really seems to do all the work on its own for me, as long as I try to get in my protein requirements and eat small portions, etc. ... I know you will do great!!!! Just work the program, come to support meetings at NWH (so you can get encouragement and also get support for any questions you might have) and you will do great! We have a support group at NWH next week (it's the first Thursday of every month), so come ..and introduce yourself .. look for me there (ask who is rosie girl "out loud"at the meeting ... I go by another name and will introduce myself there if you come & seek me out)... good luck if we miss you at the meeting ...!!! You will do great!

and listen, the first few months for me were rough .. it took a while for me to get accustomed to my sleeve and my new life/habits, etc. ... so don't get discouraged if it's a little rough around the edges for a bit -- I promise you, it will all work itself out and everything will magically click for you when you are ready and your body adjusts .. just work through all the changes & stuff you will need to adjust to, and you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it all will eventually fall into place -- you can do this! You really can -- and you will look back a few months down the road and be sooooo happy you decided to get healthy! Again - congrats & have a wonderful journey to the new you waiting right around the corner!

you will do great - I'm excited for you!!! I am down almost 82 lbs since end of Sept so I know firsthand how great you will do and how much healthier you will feel in a few months down the road -- so hang tight and have a wonderful journey towards a new healthier life for yourself!

you will do great -- congrats! I am down almost 82 lbs since end of Sept ... I am loving my sleeve -- and you will too! Congrats & have a great journey down the road to a healthy lifestyle!

So you're having your surgery in Lennox? To the best of my knowledge, Dr. Roslin does not participate in GHI - but his partner Yatco does, I believe. The whole team is spectacular so you are in good hands! Every case is different, but I believe once you case is "appealed" you should get approval -- be patient, it will happen and leave it up to the doctors and they will figure it all out for you. good luck!

try to relax -- I would personally recommend broth -- go to the store & buy some packets of chicken broth .. get both, no sodium & regular - personally, I liked to mix 1/2 pack of each in a boiling cup of water for flavor (the non sodium was to bland for me) ... you will enjoy hot liquids at first probably more than cold (for some reason this is the case w/most of us) .. it just seems to go down easier ..and if you have broth, you can count it toward your daily water requirements. I also highly recommend Bigelow Rasberry tea - the herbal/fruit kind (not the Zinger) .. I drink that all the time & add 3 packs of splenda in it .. it's nice & sweet and also helps me get my water requirements in now (and has replaced coffee for me since this is caffeine free and no longer am I allowed caffeine). Don't stress too much about protein requirements -- you will get there eventually .. the first few weeks can be hard to try to get protein requirements in -- greek yogurt will be the easiest and fastest way to get your protein in ... when you are allowed mushies, try taking a can of lentil soup, mixing w/vegetable broth, and pureeing in a baby bullet (you can get at target) and heating that up to have - it's warm so it goes down easy (at least for me) and once you puree & add vegetable broth, it's very liquidy - and it's loaded w/protein too (about 8 gr per serving - each can has 2 servings) and low in calories ... not that you have to worry about calories at this point, but if you can have 1/2 a can and then a few hours later another 1/2 can, you've already gotten 16 g+ of protein in your daily diet ... and then you have a yogurt & some other stuff, you're well on your way to meeting your requirements .... I'm 5.5 mos out now, and just now finding it easier to eat certain foods, and still in little portions ... so don't worry - it takes most of us more time to get to the meeting protein part than one would think -- you will be fine - you will do great -- cheers! Here's to a healthy you!!! ps - where are you having your surgery?

oh - and go to your hospital's support groups if you can .. it's a great way to keep motivated, hear other's stories and get information ... keep the peace!

just remember - you are doing this to "save your life" ... I think we have all done this for that reason -- obesity kills, and I think the bottom line for all of us is that we wanted to live a full and healthy life, which is ultimately why we decided to have the weight loss surgery ... at least, that is true for me. You will do great -- ... this surgery has come a long way from years ago .. the risks are minimal compared to what it used to be ... and the long term benefits far outweigh the risks involved, at least, I believe that to be true. As far as mushies go ... I still prefer mushies to solid foods and I'm 5 mos out ... they just seem to go down easier for me ... I prefer slenderizing/pulverizing my bean Soups and having them that way -- a great source of Protein and it's easy going down ... I've suggested this before - buy a baby bullet in Target and pulverize your soups -- great way to incorporate protein into your diet on mushy stage and thereafter ... chicken soups have usually have 6 gr protein per serving - a can is usually 2 servings -- and lentil soups usually is 8 gr per serving, usually 2 servings in a can -- and the vegetable lentil soups have a nice hearty taste, even when pulverizing. And I sometimes add beef broth or vegetable broth into the Soup when cooking to give added flavor and make the soup thinner so it's easier going down too ... good luck to you all -- you will all do great! I found that the first 3-4 weeks were an adjustment for sure -- thereafter, it was really much easier and continues to get easier every day/every month, etc.

what makes you "high risk"?