Vidalia

Okay, I have tried ALMOST all the Protein powders out there, but I have never tried the Syntrax nectar. Right now I am drinking only Premier Protein pre-made shakes with 30 grams in each. I am doing that because I have not found ANY powder that I really like yet and I am able to tolerate these Premier shakes even though I don't love them. I have heard so many rave reviews about the Syntrax Nectar I thought I would give it a whirl. I am thinking about ordering a sample package from My Bariatric Pantry online. I am thinking of the following flavors just because I have heard people say they like them: chocolate Truffle, Fuzzy Navel, vanilla Bean Torte, Cappuccino Latte. Please give me your opinions on Syntrax Nectar and your favorite flavors if you like any of them. Also, is there any place to order them that would be a better deal than My Bariatri Pantry? It is a 10 pack sample pack for $18.99 plus shipping. I get to choose the flavors for the sample pack. Thanks so much fellow sleevers!

I just bought a box and I love it. It has 10 grams of protein per 3/4 cup serving. It has 7 grams of sugar per serving. Is that too much sugar? It is lightly sweetened with a hint of cinnamon. Combined with skim milk, that gives a pretty good source of protein for my breakfast. Of course, I was not able to eat a full serving, but it is a start.

I am getting a little concerned about my addiction for trying on clothing. My favorite past time right now is going to Goodwill and trying on clothing and buying the favorite things I try on. My mom let me go through her unwanted clothes the other day and I took home a trash bag full of clothes. It is so FUN to try on clothes now. I spent years hating to shop because nothing looked good and what fit looked like old lady clothes, but that is changing. I am just a little worried that this is becoming my transfer addiction. I am not spending a lot of money on the clothes, but my closet it becoming overwhelmingly full of clothes. I want them just because I can wear them. I know I can only wear one pair of jeans at a time, so why am I collecting so many pairs? I was just wondering if anyone else developed this problem after they lost weight and what did you do about it?

I am 7 months out. Today for lunch I had 2 pieces of French Dragon Roll sushi and a cheese roll with shrimp sauce. For dinner I had 1/2 grilled chicken quesadilla with salsa and a few chips. This is just to give you hope that it does get better! Hang in there! You will be 7 months out before you know it!

This almost exactly like the one I use. I love it.

Oh, also meant to tell you...I bought something called a "hose snuggy" to put over the hose. I ordered it off internet. It is so much more comfortable when the hose touches you to feel the softness instead of the plastic. I also bought a hose holder that slips between the mattress behind your head. It holds the hose up off of your body. Those two items really helped me.

I thought I would never get used to mine. I had to change straps and the nose cover twice to find one I could live with. I finally settled on the "nasal pillows" and a strap that does not go under my chin. Just keep making yourself wear it and you will get used to it. Now, I can't stand not to use it. It will make you feel so much more rested in the mornings.

I have never had a bladder infection in my entire life, but I think I might have one now. Could this be a side effect of the sleeve? The symptoms I am experiencing are a slight burning sensation right at the spot of urination. After sitting for awhile, when I stand up I feel the sensation to urinate and a little burning, but when I try to urinate it is difficult. This does not happen all the time. Day before yesterday was when it started, yesterday I was fine and now today it is starting again. Should I see a doctor or will it possibly go away? I am getting around 50 ounces of liquid in per day.

The "before" pics are the day before surgery, November 9, 2012. The after pics are April 25, 2013.

I have discovered that it is these tiny little changes that are so incredibly rewarding.

Well...I haven't yet mustered up the courage to go into a Victoria Secrets, but I did buy myself some cute new lil panties! Wow! What a great feeling! And the other panty victory....before my surgery in November after I dried off from my shower, I would always have to hold onto the bathroom counter as I stuck one leg and then the other leg into the legs of my panties. For the past three days I have been able to put on my panties without holding onto anything! I can't believe how much easier I can MOVE and how much better I can BALANCE. Hope this motivates people who are thinking about this surgery or who have just started. Tiny things like I have described are life changing and liberating!!!

My family loves to eat at Subway. Pre-surgery I enjoyed eating there too. But now I can't seem to find anything at Subway to eat. There is so much BREAD. I have tried getting the seafood on an English muffin, but now that does not taste good. If you like Subway, what do you order? Thanks Sleevers

I am pretty sure that is called "slimes". Yes, it has happened to me several times. I think it is the "normal" reaction when you eat too much. I am 5 months out and it has happened to me about 5 times. The first time was scary, but then I started recognizing when it was getting ready to happen. I have only thrown up one time since surgery.

"Thanks for playing ball with us Mom. I can't ever remember you playing with us before." Those words were music to my ears after I decided to get out in the back yard with my two sons and husband for a game of wiffle ball. I hit the ball, ran the bases and caught my husband's fly ball. We all laughed and had a great time. Five months ago I would have been listening to that laughter from inside the house. By the way, the son that said those words is 13 years old! I am so glad I still have time to make some new and better memories with my kids. This surgery is the best decision for myself and my family that I have ever made. If you have not had it yet, you won't be sorry! It changes your life for the better.

I was sleeved in November and I am just now starting to enjoy food again. It is still not like it used to be (which I guess is a good thing) but things are starting to taste better. I went through several months where eating was a complete chore. It is getting better for me. Hope it gets better for you.

I had to remove one from my watch today so that it would stop sliding all over my much smaller wrist. Wow...it is amazing how such a tiny thing makes me feel. That one little link connected me to a world of pain...physical and emotional. For the first time in my life I no longer feel that I am a slave to food. I am finally free.

I now weigh 189. I have lost almost 60 pounds. I still use my CPAP machine every night, but we went out of town for one night this week and I left my machine at home. My husband said I still snored just as bad as I used to. I was disappointed to hear this. I was hoping it would have at least improved by now. Do some people never get off the CPAP machine no matter how much weight they lose?

People have used that word with me and it makes me feel weird and I don't know what to say. I know I am not "skinny" by any means. I saw a friend at the store the other day who I had not seen in about a year. She literally stopped in her tracks and her mouth fell open. She could not believe it was me. It made me wonder how much I had really changed and how bad I must have looked. It is a lot to think about and work through. I love all the compliments but they do take some adjustments too.

I am 4 months out and I have noticed an increase of lost hair when I towel it off in the morning after my shower. I notice a little more hair I have to pick off of black shirts. It is nothing major though. I think if you have thick hair you will probably be fine. My hairdresser says she has not noticed anything major. In fact, she says it feels healthier than before. I do take biotin every day. The biotin tablets are very small and easy to take and cheap.

I am 3 days post-op. My surgery center required me to buy a kit of protein shakes and vitamins from Bariatric Advantage. The shakes will cover me for the first week and the vitamins for the first month. I am trying to get the Bariatric Advantage shakes down, but I do not really like them. I ordered a sample kit from Unjury last night for next week because I read that they were pretty good. Can anyone suggest their favorite, tastiest, easiest to get down protein shakes?

I have been making some very tasty homemade shakes that I drink for lunch every day. I crush ice in my Ninja (or I use a Magic Bullet at work), add one 14 gram protein Greek yogurt (any flavor), Smart Balance milk at 11 grams of protein per serving, slice almonds and a sprinkle of oatmeal. It is very good and no protein taste. I have thought about adding protein powder but don't want to ruin the taste. I have also made some with a vanilla Greek yogurt, crushed ice and International Delight light ice coffee (in refrigerator section next to milk)...not as much protein, but tastes like a frappe. The Bullet (at work) and the Ninja (at home) have changed my life.

On the Premier shakes...I tried the vanilla and they were not good. I ended up tossing them, but chocolate is tolerable for 30 grams of protein. I drink one every morning to get a good start on my protein. They are also so convenient because you don't have to mess with powder or mixer bottles. They have a plastic screw lid that is easy to open so they are very portable.

I have tried about all of them. The only one I can tolerate that has 30 grams protein (which makes it worth it) is Premier Chocolate pre-made shakes from Sam's Club.

I just could not tolerate the Bariatric Advantage vitamins, though I forced myself to take them for a month. I switched to Vitafusion Gummies, 2/day. I get them at Sams Club. It has literally changed the quality of my life not to have to take those bariatric vitamins. My 3 month blood work was perfect.

I drink Premier Protein that you get at Sam's Club. They are pre-made in chocolate or vanilla. Do not get the vanilla, gag. 30 grams of protein per 12 oz. drink. I do not LOVE them, but they are the only Protein Drink I have found I can tolerate. I drink one every morning to get a good start on my protein. They are very convenient, no mixing powder, no washing blender bottles etc. They come in a little milk carton type box and it has a plastic screw on lid so it does not feel like gross cardboard when you drink straight out of the carton...very portable. I have also started making my own smoothies in my Ninja blender. I crush the ice in the blender first until it is fine. Then I add one Greek yogurt (any flavor) with 14 grams of protein, some Smart Balance milk (11 grams of protein per cup), and some almond slices. Blend until smooth. I am really enjoying these. Yesterday I used a vanilla Greek yogurt blended with the ice and some International Delight Iced Mocha coffee light (in a carton next to the milk). It made a great frappe.