Joni

As of now I am totally addicted to Diet Pepsi. My medical team has told me that I must give it up, not have anything carbonated, and the caffeine at first is also a no-no. Initially, I thought it would be so wonderful if some day I could drink the pop again. BUT - after more thought, why? Isn't the point of this journey to be healthier and start a new path of taking care of myself? So, I have given up alcohol and cigarettes, and will give up the Diet Pepsi too. It's full of nothing good. And aspartame is being shown to have nasty long-term effects.. good bye my love...don't let the door hit in you in in the ----.

Sounds like you're doing fantastic! Glad to hear it. Keep those updates coming. I'm scheduled for 4/23.

That little 1 oz. cup is what kept me from pursuing the sleeve for another year. I was with my husband who had the surgery last year, and when they did that I was shocked and thought no way in hell could I ever do that. I can tell you, that's what it was in the very beginning - but it didn't take long before he could eat a lot more than that. Don't be scared of that.

Sounds like you're doing fantastic. Glad you're feeling stronger. You need to get lots and lots of rest right now. I like the idea of staying off the scale too. I think I'll plan to do once a week too. Got my insurance approval and OR date set for 4/23. I'm close behind you! Hugs - Joni

Insurance approval came yesterday, surgery set for April 23 here in Michigan. I like the "food funeral." I've been calling it my food bucket list! I have a lot checked off but much more to go before preop diet diet starts on April 9. This coming Monday will be all you can eat crab legs. As someone else said, I'm more worried about the preop diet than the procedure! If I had no problem sticking to a diet, I wouldn't be in this shape in the first place. It's definitely going to be a challenge. And my beloved Diet Pepsi....I've had a hard time just cutting down, let alone giving it up. I really wanted to do that ahead of time..but it was not to be. I hope I'm not too irritable when the day I give it up comes. Maybe I should send my husband on a trip so he will be safe! Absolutely love this forum and all the people here! Good luck to everyone. Hugs - Joni

Great idea! I forgot about True Lemon - which I love, and wonderful that it has no sugar. Will definitely be adding that to my water. Thanks for mentioning it.

Congratulations Teach! Oh happy day... good luck and keep the posts coming. Hugs!

Hi All - I am preop and trying out Protein powders and ready-to-drink (RTD) protein beverages. I have now tried 3 RTD's. 1. Pure Protein - chocolate. Meijer's - First sip I thought it was okay. Second sip - not so good. Kind of chalky. Bad after taste. This is a NO for me. 2. MET-Rx Protein Plus RTD 51 - Frosty Chocolate - Meijer's/Vitamin Shoppe. 15 oz (BIG)/240 cal/2 gm fat/51 protein. This was good. No aftertaste. No medicine or creepy taste. Thicker consistency, almost too thick, but was good on ice. The guy from the Vitamin Shoppe said his all-time fav RTD is the Chocolate Peanut Butter; he said it tastes like ice cream. I believe him. And I know the body can absorb only so much protein at one time, but those containers are large, and if you sip on one for HOURS AND HOURS.....your body WILL absorb the 51 grams right? My postop goal will be 70 gm of protein a day, so 1-1/2 cans from morning to night would do it - that is if I wanted to?! 3. Muscle Milk Light - Chocolate - Meijer's. 8.25 oz/100 cal/2.5 gm fat/15 gm protein. Lactose and sugar free. Comes in carton with straw to take on the go. This was very good. Easy to drink. Definitely want to try the vanilla. That's it for now. I got my order in of 13.00 Sample Pack of nectar, Assortment of different flavors. Don't know if I want to try yet...:-)

Good for you! I'm still preop but I have all the emotions. And I know I will have those thoughts postop - what did I do? It's remembering that they are JUST THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS, and they all pass. Thanks for your honesty. Hugs.

Regarding Protein To Go, I also wanted to do some research as I was suspicious. Although the ingredient facts were difficult to find on the website, I did find Nutritional Facts in fine print at the bottom of the page, as well as the label when clicking on individual products. I was still uncertain as to what all that was, so I checked with the bariatric nutritionist at the University of Michigan where I am having my surgery. She told me it is a very good source of protein in the product and to go ahead and use it; and it is also sugar free. I haven't tried it, as on the website you have to buy a quantity, but will definitely pick one up at Walgreen's to try. I am very interested in the small size for postop.

My preop diet will be for 14 days. Besides Protein drinks, things allowed are SF Jello and SF/FF pudding, V8 or tomato juice, 1/2 cup of cream of wheat or oatmeal, 6 oz. Dannon Light and Fit yogurt or Greek plain yogurt, and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce. If after 115 grams protein is consomed for the day, we are still hungry, raw vegetables (listed below) are allowed. We can use plain Greek yogurt with Mrs. Dash mixed in for a dip. Vegetables allowed are cucumber, celery, broccoli, gr. pepper, gr. Beans, spinach, lettuce, kale, zucchini, green onion, cauliflower, onions, radishes, or mushrooms. That's it. Nothing more. This is from the University of Michigan.

Thank you! I'm going to look at them all. But no, I'm having surgery here in good old Michigan.

Whose video are you talking about? Can you tell me where to find it? I'd like to see it too. Thanks!

Congrats! Glad you're doing good. Keep those updates coming!!

Did you try the Light - which is the one recommended? I am told it is very different than the regular.

I've been thinking about her and wondering too. Can't wait to hear. ChaCha - how are you?!!

Thank you so much for the website - I ordered from them. Actually website listed a phone number to call. I received the sample pack today so it took only a few days to get here. Haven't tried any yet but am excited I have them for preop diet in a couple weeks. Other sites were more money and charged shipping. This one did not.

I just went to nutrition class and heard about all about protein drinks. I tried the Muscle Milk Light (must be the Light). It comes in ready to drink cartons and contains no milk or sugar. In 8.25 ounces, there are 15g of protein and 100 calories. I tried the chocolate, and it wasn't the greatest but very doable. I will be stocking up on a few of these myself. Good luck!

YEAH!!! Great news. Good for you, happy to hear it.

Caradina - Wishing you fast and easy recovery. Congratulations!! Keep us posted, love to hear all of it. Hugs - Joni

Thanks - I love to hear about the journey. Sounds like you're doing great. Keep us posted.

Oh ChaCha, how exciting!!! Good luck to you. I think you have the right idea for today, keep busy... I'll be following you and can't wait to hear everything! Your DH is a sweetie to be there for you.

I'm still preop but I was told in preop nutrition class that chicken can be one of the hardest things to get down. Postop, I will have to be on full liquids for 2 weeks, pureed for 2 weeks (like baby food stage 1 and 2), and then soft foods for 2 weeks before trying a regular diet. I don't know much but maybe you chose the wrong things to try and eat at first? Hope this might help. Hang in there!

When I look at my list of friends - everyone has a green box by their pic and there is a number inside. What does that number mean? Thanks

Just went to nutrition class yesterday. Preop we cannot have thinned mashers but postop they are allowed in full liquid diet. They said to use the box type because those are easier to thin than regular. Hope this helps.