DanaInNewOrleans

Hi, I really enjoyed reading your post. Very interesting! With regards to fats...Dr. Atkins, who was THE low carb guru loooong before the latest craze in the last 20 years, always stressed that low fat / high carb diets were the road to obesity. Of course, everyone's body is different. For me, low carb was the my answer and my salvation 12 years ago. I lost 160 pounds on Atkins and I believe that had I been informed about it 20 years before that, I would not have had the struggle with morbid obesity that consumed my life. I have kept the majority of those 160 pounds off, I believe, because I never went back to a high carb lifestyle. In my normal everyday life I avoid carbs. Yes, I have gained back about 60 of those 160 pounds over the last 6 years but I really attribute it to body set points, hormones and not being quite as strict with my low carb way of life. I feel like the gastric sleeve will be an additional tool for me along with my low carb philosophy. Congratulations on your success! My surgery is the 21st and hope it will put me back on the road to losing weight. ~Dana

Thanks Denise! How does the wheybolic protein taste?

I haven't tried Isopure since so many on here call it Isopuke....lol....

Hi! I have finally found 2 protein powders that I actually LOVE. I actually look forward to them.... nectar chocolate Truffle (my fave) ABOUT TIME Birthday Cake I initially was buying RTD shakes-- my favorite of those were Atkins. But I doctored them up with a little Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, low carb milk, ice...and I put them in the blender. Once I tried the Nectar choc truffle I haven't had any of the RTDs. The Nectar choc truffle is awesome.... I put 3/4 scoop ( 1 scoop is normal serving), 2 tablespoons cottage cheese, 3 or 4 ice cubes and 6oz of low carb Hood milk. It takes just like chocolate milk -- actually I like it better than chocolate milk because the real stuff is waaay too thick.... You can also add a tablespoon of sugar free pudding powder... it ends up being around 175-200 calories. Easy easy to drink, at least it is before surgery. My surgery is on the 21st.... I'm hoping that it still tastes as good after surgery as it does now. By the way, you can buy the Nectar on Amazon... ~Dana

Good Luck Ladycat! Keep on posted...everybody loves to hear other's experiences....it's very comforting. Sending positive thoughts your way.....

I forgot to ask, where are you from? I'm in New Orleans..

I see you just joined VST yesterday... this is such a great place for information and support. VST rocks!

I'm wondering the same thing. My surgery is the 21st. I have to stay on Clear Liquids for 7 days after surgery. What the heck to you "eat" for 7 days that is clear liquid? It's so strange how everybody has different instructions/guidelines. I've seen some people here be allowed Protein shakes the day or two after surgery. Do you mind sharing how you're getting in so much protein so soon after surgery? I need ideas because I cannot fathom only taking in clear liquids for 7 days.... ~Dana

Hi, I have MS and am on Avonex ( 1x weeky interferon injections). All my docs gave their ok for the surgery. But I did not think to ask about Avonex specifically. Hmmm, you raised a good point. I am also on Plaquenil, which is also a immunosuppressant, for Lupus. My surgery is 12/21. And your post made me remember another thing that I forgot to ask my surgeon when I saw him last week---what about all the other medication I take? No one has discussed anything relating to my medication with me. I've read many people here are instructed NOT to take pills for a period after surgery. I MUST take my meds... guess I'll have to call my surgeon to find out his instructions.... Good luck on the 17th!! ~Dana

Wow. What a harrowing story. I'm so sorry you had to endure this. I had my final appointment before surgery with my surgeon last Thursday...he said my surgery should be a breeze because I haven't had any type of previous WLS or abdominal surgery....I assumed it was the scar tissue reason ( which I had read about here on VST...VST is awesome!) ..and based on your experience it certainly can be a potential complication. I'm happy you are home and on the road to recovery.... and the by the way, your kids do sound like awesome people!! ~Dana

Great idea!

Hi Cami....good luck tomorrow! Just said my prayer for you!! ~Dana

Good Luck ...prayer said! ~Dana

I'm the 21st too!!

Anybody know the actual physiological reason for sliming? I keep hearing about it and it seems there's not a lot of consistency between people for when/why it happens. Seems so odd....I want to avoid it! Thanks! Dana

Thanks for sharing! So the I guess the moral of the story is don't take big bites?? It's funny because I haven't seen anyone say they a "little sliming" ...it's always a full blown major reaction.

Good luck!

Monday December 10 11:30am 11 Days Before Surgery Day I decided to start this blog to document this entire life changing experience. And if it will help others contemplating this survery or already in the process that will be great too. I probably should have started the blog months ago because my process began in August. I'll just give a brief overview.... I began looking into Gastric Sleeve in July when I realized I was never going to be happy unless I lost weight and I was never going to lead a full life unless I lost weight. I've dieted my entire life, with some success but mostly disappointment. I did manage to lose 160 pounds 11 years ago (doing low carb) --- at that point I was still 200 pounds but I was very happy. I was a size 16, which for me was a huge accomplishment. I managed to keep the 160lbs off for about 5 years. I was then diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Thyroid Cancer in the same month. I had my thyroid removed and had radiation. It seemed to get harder and harder to keep the weight off, although I have still followed a mostly low carb lifestyle. It was so demoralizing. I have slowly regained 60 pounds back over the 6 years. I tried Weight Watchers, thinking that my body was so used to low carb that it needed something different. I GAINED weight on WW. I went back to low carb -- no success. I was despondent. I'm thankful I've still managed to keep the other 100 pounds off but I really believe I was on the road to gaining it all back. I came to the conclusion that I MUST do something drastic, NOW. I'm 49, with Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus and I want to make the most of my life NOW because I do not know what the future holds. Like I said, I started looking into this in July 2012. By the end of July my mind was pretty much made up. I was going to do this! I had my first appointment with my surgeon August 16 and that is when my journey "officially" began. Aetna required a 3 month medically supervised diet program, which I completed in November. So here I am, finally! 11 days before my surgery. I don't have an official diet to follow before surgery... my doc just said "don't gain". However I have been supplementing meals with protein shakes for a while. I finally found a couple protein powders that are actually GOOD and that I ENJOY! Nectar Chocolate Truffle and About Time Birthday Cake. Both are high quality whey protein isolate. I haven't lost any weight though but he said that is ok. And I do plan on having a few Last Meals with my hubby. He is a little bummed out that I won't be able to go out and eat for a while ( he is not overweight). I'm excited and apprehensive at the same time. I know I will miss real food. I'm a native New Orleanian --- food is basically a religion here and it really is a huge part of normal life. EVERYTHING revolves around food. I wonder if I'll ever be able to eat normal things ( of course in much smaller portions)......but deep down I know that this is what I NEED to do.....

Hi! Congratulations! Your doc's instructions sound almost the same as mine. My surgery is 12/21. Wash night before and in am with hibiclens. Wash hair ( I don't think they mentioned conditioner though). I do not have a pre-op diet other than "don't gain". I've been doing the 3 month regular diet thing but nothing special the next 10 days like some people have. I'm thankful for that because I'm hoping to enjoy a few last meals with the hubby. I'm praying I won't gain. Basically I'm going to do my protein shakes during the day and eat a "cheat" meal in the evening without going completely crazy. I was thinking about doing a blog to document this experience. Reading your first entry really was comforting ....I'll be following you every step of the way I think I will do one of my own as well. Mostly just to remember everything and help the newbies with their fears and questions. Good luck! ~Dana

Would you mind sharing a little bit of what you 're eating ...like what would be a typical day for you?

I was thinking the same thing-- gorgeous smile!

Hi Sannah, How long after you took the med did you experience the vision loss? And how after you took the med did you begin to notice the vision problem. Glad you're better! wow.... Dana

I had my last visit with my surgeon yesterday-- I don't have a pre-op diet either. I asked because he did not mention it and he nope. It is kind of a relief ..... I plan on having a few last favorite meals with my husband....my surgery is 12/21. Good luck!

Hi Everyone-- Abdominal Binders -- Where to buy and what type... reviews would be most welcome! My surgery is two weeks from today and I want to have one for when I get home. Thanks! ~Dana