SpaceDust

I have the Smarter Image version of the Magic Bullet, and I actually do use it quite a bit for my morning shakes. Right now, pre-diet, I often whiz in a few frozen cherries or blueberries, sometimes half a banana and PB2. If I use frozen fruit, it becomes very much like a milkshake. That said, I have a blender, an immersion blender with a little mini processor attachment, and so on. I don't know that I would have run out to buy one of these just for the pureed stage. I got mine for $20 a while ago when I was still working so I could do Protein shakes at work if I couldn't get out for lunch (happened quite often for a while!).

My fingers are crossed for you! Did you check to see what the requirements are to be approved? I know it's helping me to know what the insurance company is looking for, so I can make sure my ducks are all marching along in a nice neat little row.

I know - my husband thinks I love my computer and my phone more than him right now, because I'm ALWAYS checking this site! Ah well, he does get that I'm being thorough in understanding what I've decided to do, and he appreciates my need to research everything. He just wishes I wouldn't be checking in at 3 AM just because I happened to wake up for a bathroom visit!

You've done exactly what I am trying to do, and color me impressed! Enjoy that small indulgence, and own it for what it is - a tiny blip on the nutrition radar, and a huge victory in control!

Good luck!

Indeed! The only thing that saves me from Voodoo Doughnuts when we're in Portland is the normal length of the line. But it smells so goooooood...!

They are here because my husband and our best friend decided they must have them last night. I was so bad. I couldn't resist. I ate about a quarter of the fritter. Oh, well. At least I didn't eat a bunch of them! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

I'm still pre sleeve, but I do a lot of Greek yogurt. I get plain 0% fat Fage, or costco has their own as well. I make my own fruit purées and mix them in - often it's sweet enough without any additional sweetening, or with just a tiny amount of raw honey or agave syrup if the fruit isn't really ripe enough. Alternatively, I get some of the no sugar added fruit preserves and stir in a spoonful is that. That said, I do enjoy several of the Chobani flavors if I'm in a hurry and need something grab and go! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Okay, count me in. Had to see the food porn, and my eyes have finally stopped dragging me back in. Of course, I could walk downstairs and open the box of doughnuts on the kitchen counter. I happen to know there's a maple bar with bacon on it in that box, and a blueberry fritter. Give me strength... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Just go easy on the garlic at first until you know how well your tummy behaves with it. A friend of mine would get rather "gassy" from it if she had very much garlic until she was further along in the healing process. I'm a garlic fiend, so I hope that won't happen to new when the time comes! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Amazing job getting all that weight off, and what a great visual of exactly what that weight loss impact is! Congratulations! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

I'm okay around normal doughnuts. I can eat half of one and then leave the rest, even hot Krispy Kremes. However, don't tempt me with Top Pot (Seattle) or worse, Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland. I don't normally have much of a sweet tooth but oh, my... All bets are off around either of those with their amazing flavors! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Just make sure you're getting plenty of rest - you'll still be healing, of course. And most of all, enjoy your trip! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Well, if you're feeling a bit antsy and want to do some prep work, how about going through your pantry and fridge and freezer? You could get roof of stuff that you won't want to be tempted by, or at least organize so that it would take more effort to get to the tempting stuff (put Snacks up high or behind more healthful choices.) Make room to store the foods and drinks you WILL need and make those the easy things to reach for. If you haven't done so already, get some samples of the various Protein powders our there. Ideally, get a couple of each so that you can try some now and retest them after the surgery in case your tastes change. Make sure to get some unflavored Protein powder, too - it serves to allow you to put it in a savory broth in case you get tired of the sweet stuff during the liquid phases, plus you can use it to boost the protein content of foods later if you're having problems getting enough protein in when you get to soft and solid foods. If your NUT or doctor doesn't require a specific brand of Vitamins and supplements, do the research to figure out what your options are. Even if they don't have specific requirements I'll bet there are recommendations they would make, plus there are plenty of people here who have suggestions. I'm already a bit anxious and impatient waiting until June before I really get back into the last round of appointments, so I've started doing some of this stuff myself Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

If you have a restaurant supply store like Cash n Carry or Smart n Final near you, they sell a number of the different SF flavoring syrups by the bottle: Torani and DaVinci are two that I like. It tends to be substantially less expensive there, and no, you don't have to be a business to shop there. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Start trying some of the available protein shakes and powders. While your tastes may change post-surgery, it's good to at least have a starting point! I'd clean out the fridge, freezer and pantry if you can - get rid of junk food (or if your family would pitch a fit, at least put the stuff where you would have to think about it to get it!).

And for that, Target can kiss my manatee-sized... umm, cheek. Yeah, that's it. Cheek.

Well, there are options. For example, think about doing a lettuce wrap (when you get that far) - use a leaf of romaine and wrap your meat and cheese and add-ons in that.

Yum, I love zucchini lasagna - I add mushrooms and I use ground turkey mixed with ground turkey sausage sometimes. You can also do something similar with eggplant, you just need to salt and drain the sliced eggplant first.

Hehe, I thought you might figure that out. I did 2 years as a contractor on Windows 98 and Millenium back before the Blue Wave, then another 7+ plus years as an FTE with a couple other groups on campus. But I was commuting from Bremerton for the first year I was a contractor. Oy!

I expect I'll always have to be alert and monitor that I'm not slipping back into old behaviors, but I'm not sure that some of what we're calling addiction is not more closely aligned with habit. Note that I'm not suggesting that addiction isn't a component, but I know for me, as an example, if I am truly hungry and want a snack to tide me over to dinner, I will habitually reach for chips or crackers. Now, it's not that I require those; I am perfectly fine with some crunchy celery or cucumber slices, or maybe a few baby carrots. I don't need a fatty dip; I am just as satisfied with a quarter cup of 0% fat Greek yogurt with some Italian or Mexican seasonings mixed in, if I want a dip at all. But I have to THINK about having those things - they require me to do a little preparation. The chips and a pre-made dip are mindless. To me, that's not so much about addiction as it is about habit, and the need to form new habits. On the other hand, I'm not denying the addiction component - am I TRULY hungry or is it just that I want to stick something in my pie-hole and enjoy the taste? I ask myself that question all the time these days, because the addictive component will be the major issue for head hunger for me after the surgery. In part, that's why I'm trying to gradually work my way into what will be my pre-op diet - yes, I'm still 3+ months out from that, probably, but I'm forming a new habit of a protein shake being sufficient for a meal. Right now, it's usually 1-2 shakes a day, replacing 1-2 meals and/or a snack. Once I start the diet for that last week before surgery, it will be 3-4 a day replacing two meals and 1-2 snacks, plus one light dinner. If I do this gradually it won't hit me as hard, I hope! But again, it's about habit. I'm gradually forming new habits that will take me through pre-surgery and the initial stages of post-surgery. That part isn't about addiction, in my opinion, it's about the habits of what I consider a meal. It's all a mental game, but it's about what part of my mind I'm challenging

Add unflavored protein powder to the foods you're eating to boost the protein levels. That way you don't have to deal with the oversweet taste. Unjury has one that can be ordered, and I'm sure something of the sort can also be found at places like GNC or other supplement/nutrition stores.

I'm probably more of an armchair addict. I enjoy rich foods. I enjoy too much food. However, I spent a month in Thailand last year, and almost all of our meals were basically traditionally Thai - that is, highly seasoned meals with seafood or chicken with the occasional beef or pork, some in light curries and some lightly stir-fried, and plenty of fresh veggies and fruits. Either rice or noodles was typical at most meals. We did have "American breakfasts" fairly often as an alternative to congee - that would be a slice of toast, an egg, maybe a small sausage, and fruit. We had one Italian meal that included Pasta and a little bit of cheese, and we did have two sundaes in the course of that month - but they were Thai-sized - probably the rough equivalent of less than a single scoop of ice cream here, with fudge or caramel. I didn't suffer, we were naturally eating healthy portions because that was what was served and we didn't WANT more, and it was fine (and so were my blood glucose levels, even with all the rice!). Now, of course we got back here and fell into normal habits again, but the point is that I was satisfied. The one meal with cheese and pasta was sufficient to feed my "rich food" craving because the daily food was rich in spices and flavors that I loved. So, I say I'm addicted at some level, but I think that for me it may be an addiction that is entirely possible to break with the right motivation and tools.