Phoenix79

I've heard the Cooler tastes like a piña colada- heavier on the coconut than the pineapple. I'm just starting to try out shake flavors since I'm pre-sleeve. I also want to try the sour apple and pink grapefruit flavors- sour apple is supposed to taste like a watered down apple jolly rancher and the grapefruit tastes really close to real grapefruit juice. Yum!

I love grape and just found out about this flavor- I ordered a tub tonight so I'll give you a review as soon as I get it!

Haven't started tasting them yet, but I've tried other flavors of this brand and they're yummo! I found these in the organic/natural foods section of Fred Meyer (west coast grocery store). The Tom yum broth looks especially good (Thai).

Make sure you get on the June sleevers threads! There's a list Rebecca_dsu made of all the June sleevers so get added to get some support from your "sleeve sisters".

Does your surgeon want low fat or low carb? For mine it's a 2 week low carb high Protein diet (think Atkins induction phase) with 20 carbs max per day. It's supposed to shrink the liver to have better access to your stomach. If it's low carb, just model on the Atkins induction phase- my surgeon said try to go with lower fat choices in the options (chicken, lean beef, etc) but it's not as essential as after surgery. Perfect for grilling season... Good luck!

I've been on a shopping spree over the last few days getting supplies for after surgery- I'll be on liquids for 3 weeks. I found these Soups at Fred Meyer in the natural foods/organic section and I can't wait to try them out before my surgery date- especially the Tom Yum broth looks delish. I don't want to just drink sweet stuff for 3 weeks- I want variety and flavour! All of them are low cal too. I also picked up lots of sugar free flavours of syrups, sugar free alpine apple cider (w/sf caramel, a replica of Starbucks' caramel apple cider yum), sf Jello, Dansani drops Water flavorings and G2 in grape and lemon lime. I have a shave ice machine and with my sf syrups it will make it easier to get liquids in, especially in summer. I'm excited to try nectar vanilla bean Protein shake with Sf root beer syrup- root beer float all the way baby! What stuff are you prepping/ shopping for before surgery? Post ops, what was great for you the first few weeks?

I hope it went well! My surgeon made me feel so at ease- you build it up in your head to be far worse than it actually is. I'm on the tail end of the process- one more meeting with my surgeon's office before submission to insurance.

Welcome Andrea! I'm having the sleeve done at Swedish with Dr. McMahon sometime in mid to late June! There are of few of us Swedes in here...keep an eye out! Come to the next Saturday support meeting...even if you're pre sleeve you're welcome- the 2nd Saturday of every month at 10am in the SOI building. Lots of great people there! My husband had his sleeve done by Dr. McMahon last July and is now at goal weight (fiddleman)- he frequently posts on here. Welcome again!

On my last step before submission to insurance- June 6th I have a meeting with a nurse to go over my endoscopy and bloodwork results, go over a week of my recent meal history and then it's time to wait! I have United Healthcare and per my surgeons office it takes them between 1-2 weeks for an answer. Schedule wise I really need the surgery in June, so I'm going to start my surgeon's required 2 week low carb (20 max per day) high protein diet by myself when I have that last appointment so I'll be ready for surgery very soon after I get the ok- otherwise I might bleed into early July. It's starting to feel real!

I'm pre sleeve but I know my husband drank crystal light and Mio all the time during the beginning stage after surgery. After a while, it go to where he couldn't drink it anymore- it tasted strange and left an awful aftertaste. We looked for alternatives, Dansani had come out with their water flavorings and man, it's soo much better! No aftertaste or weird taste build up no matter how much you drink, and it's fresh and light tasting, not sugary. Give that a try- my faves are pink lemonade, grape, and pineapple coconut. They also have cherry pomegranate, fruit punch, etc. I've sung the praises of Dansani so much on VST folks probably think I'm a Dansani plant- but I promise I'm not!

Just tried ff Hidden Valley ranch dressing while vacationing in Kauai and it was disgusting! I like their light dressing but their FF didn't even really taste like ranch and had some sort of chemical aftertaste. Where is Bolthouse farms dressing when I need it? A good alternative was tzatziki sauce...soo flavorful on a steak salad! Thank you Costco! It's been fun trying to eat on the cheap and healthfully while in paradise and my husband and I have been successful for the most part!

Good idea! The powder stuff I like....it would make a good dip and is heaven coated on grilled or broiled chicken. Yum!

Vixynne- that's just fantastic, what Whovian reference? Rebecasparkles could be French for all you know! . Geronimo!

Try Dansani water flavoring - it's sweetened with sucralose and so light and refreshing! I like pink lemonade, grape and pineapple coconut flavors the best. Also I'm on vacation in Kauai Hawaii right now and our hotel has their water jug filled with fresh fruits- pineapple, strawberry, kiwi, orange, and even some lemongrass. It is soooo yummy!

Can't sing the praises of Dansani water flavoring enough...fresh, light and oh so delicious (not acidic or strange aftertaste like Mio or crystal light can be with lots if it)! My favorite flavors are pineapple coconut, pink lemonade and grape!

If you are into specialty lodging, check out Ka'awa Loa Plantation in Captain Cook (near Kona) on the big island. My husband and I stayed there in Feb. 2011 and it was wonderful! It's not on the water but has an awesome view of the water, big wrap around porch, a swing in a mango tree, hot tub and sweat lodge, outdoor lava rock showers and delicious full breakfast every morning (hot protein available every time). The owners Michael and Greg are so helpful and generous as well. They grow a lot of their fruit on property (mango, papaya, lemon, pineapples etc) and grow their own coffee as well which you drink every morning- yummy. I would have stayed for weeks! Best part is their prices are very reasonable.

Hey, it's okay! Just get right back on course and remember how you felt after you ate all that stuff and use those icky feelings to avoid doing it again. I'm pre sleeve too and working to lose some weight on my own (no required but doing it anyway) before surgery. Negative association with unhealthy food works for me most of the time, and how much I can "afford" to eat helps out as well- I love eating and I would much rather have a full plate of steamed broccoli with cheese sauce & lemon pepper plus mango peach salsa topped mesquite chicken breast than 1/3 of a hamburger. Plus it's so yummy too! That being said I do try to budget in foods that I know I can't have again for at least 6-8 months post surgery (or ever if i have a steel will, but hey..there's life) as I'm losing to avoid the huge food funeral right before surgery. I've had five guys fries and burgers, sour patch watermelons (fave), dark chocolate covered caramels, chocolate ganache super premium ice cream, etc...just a little bit at a time and still managed to lose 25 lbs and counting. I probably could lose more without all that but I know who I am and what works for me in the long term. Keep it up!

I'm hoping middle to late June...all requirements done (I believe) and just have to submit paperwork to insurance (United Healthcare). It would be nice to be in a group of others in the same place as me! My husband was sleeved about a year ago (fiddleman) so I can see what life will be like later too and can pull from his experience!

Trying my first night with the cpap after being told I have sleep apnea. Wish me luck! This mask and headstrap is soooo unsexy though- hope I don't have to wear the chinstrap if I'm a mouth breather. Here goes nothing.

Add to my playlist- Feeling good (cover by Muse) The Good Life (One Republic), Now is the Start (A Fine Frenzy) - "New start in the end There is a New heart under there Beneath these New parts everywhere It is a new, new, new, new start" It's Time- Imagine Dragons. (Love this band- for me this is saying when I lose my weight I won't lose the core of who I am personality wise) Invincible- Muse. Theme for all of us as team VST! "Follow through Make your dreams come true Don't give up the fight You will be alright 'Cause there's no one like you in the universe Don't be afraid What your mind conceives You should make a stand Stand up for what you believe And tonight We can truly say Together we're invincible During the struggle They will pull us down But please, please Let's use this chance To turn things around And tonight We can truly say Together we're invincible Do it on your own It makes no difference to me What you leave behind What you choose to be And whatever they say Your souls unbreakable During the struggle They will pull us down But please, please Let's use this chance To turn things around And tonight We can truly say Together we're invincible Together we're invincible During the struggle They will pull us down Please, please Let's use this chance To turn things around And tonight We can truly say Together we're invincible Together we're invincible"

Ms Wisdom, those are awesome lyrics- I'm going to have to go find her song on iTunes now. My playlist is growing! Keep the songs coming everyone...there are lots of great ones here!

Today's lunch for me and fiddleman. Leftover creamy verde chicken from last night. Recipe is in the food & recipe section if you want it!

I hope surgery went well! Take it easy introducing new stuff when you get to solids- spice may not agree with your sleeve at first.