Ms. Mannix

Also, I almost forgot, you have to watch which Isopure you select, because they have several to choose from. Isopure Zero & Isopure Low Carb is what you need. Stay away from Regular Isopure & Isopure Mass. These have way too many calories, carbs & fat for us.

I use Isopure Zero Carb (creamy vanilla, unflavored, Cookies n cream, strawberries & cream, banana cream) & Isopure Low-Carb Dutch chocolate. 25 grams, approx 100 calories per heaping scoop. All but the Banana Cream were purchased first as a 1 lb bag. (search the internet for the cheapest price & shipping) I didn't want to spend $45+ for a flavor I wouldn't like. The flavors are true & they have no aftertaste. http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Bariatric_Protein_Samples_s/35.htm is where I went for my Isopure Vanilla & Dutch Chocolate as well as the Matrix Sample Packs & Syntrax Nectar Sample Packets. Amazon.com has 1lb packages of Isopure too. For the Syntrax nectar, you are allowed to specify which flavors you'd like to try. (They also have a few flavored sample packets of these at your local Vitamin Shoppe store. Another place you can go for sample packets of Syntrax Nectar (for a small fee), is to the company directly. But you have to wait 1-3 weeks to get your product & you can't select your flavors. http://www.si03.com/medical/med_index.htm Read 2nd paragraph, Nectar Variety Packet I purchased 1 pound Isopure Cookies n Cream & Strawberries & Cream from Puritan's Pride. http://www.puritan.com/natures-best-brand-0146/ppisopure-zero-car-strn-a1-024545?scid=26529 http://www.puritan.com/natures-best-brand-0146/ppisopur-zero-car-cookn-a1-024547?scid=26529 They also have the Vanilla & Dutch Chocolate I spoke of. I mix my Isopure with Soy Milk. (Sometimes Silk, sometimes Wal-Mart brand) I use all flavors except chocolate & very vanilla. (Light, Plain, & Vanilla) They provide 6-8 grams of Protein per 8 oz. Plain tastes best for me, b/c I sometimes mix 2 flavors of my Isopure (chocolate banana is YUMMY!!) I become lactose intolerant with too much dairy, so soy milk works for me. I've tried a few Almond Milk varieties. ehhh, they're ok. They're also less in calories (30-80), but provide hardly any protein & provide less flavor. (my opinion) I also drink the liquid whey Protein (in the tubes) 42 grams of protein. They sell singles & 6 packs of different flavors at Wal-Mart & singles & 12 packs at The Vitamin Shoppe Store. I used to drink them straight, before my surgery, but now, they're too thick to get down. What I do now is add them to my 16.9 oz or 20 oz bottle of Water & sip them down. A few flavors I used to love are now just so so, but I need the protien. The drink taste like the sugar free packets (crystal light, etc) Try Kay's Natural Protein chips & Puffs. They have 12 grams of protein & I ate few from the bag when I had a need for a crunch. These are on amazon.com as well. My pouch is still new & tiny (2 weeks old tomorrow). I still can't hold more than 2-3 tablespoons of food per meal, so I've learned to love liquids. Especially water. Oh, and I sprinkle my unflavored Isopure in my applesauce, over my salmon, my softly scrambled eggs, in my greek yougurt. Just about everything I eat. I hope this helps.

I had my 1st post op appt today & explained to my surgeon that I use an exercise waist belt to "hold me". I feel when I get out of bed or walk, there's too much uncomfortable jiggling going on. He advised that it's ok to secure my stomach area, but not to make it too tight (as if I'm about to exercise). He aslo advised no spanx, girdles, or tight support just yet. I hope this helps.

Please help. I'm 2 days post op & I am having a difficult time getting liquids down, Before I left the hospital yesterday, I was instructed to swallow mouthfuls of liquid. THIS was not a good idea, because the liquids seemed to sit on my chest & make me hurt & take longer to go down. Now that I've decided to sip them, I have to make myself burp immediately after swallowing, then take a deep breath for the liquid to go down. This kicks in the feeling of me feeling nauseated. Is this normal or is this blockage. Please help me, I'm freaking out.

i'm about 28 hours out of surgery, home trying to rest comfortably [lol] at home and my drain hole is more painful than the stiches in my belly. PLEASE help me with suggestions to alleviate the pain. Thank you.

i was yesterday,,,,im home, walking today. i'm im pain, so they have me on liquid narcotic. my ist experience with sipping watter was interesting. but my 1st experience with the pain liquid was frightening. I felt nauseous,& sweaty, but after several burps quickly afterwards, it stayed down. Yay!

Good Morning all...... Today is my day! Prayers & well wishes are requested. I'm headed to the hospital shortly. Thanks for all of the support.

Mindful. What a great name. You cannot fight others' weight loss battles. Choose your battles, state your peace & move on. I'm sure they were advised eary in the game of what NOT to do. The sleeve is a tool. Let them eat cake! It's only failure when you set your bar too low. Stay encouraged.

I take them. They're pretty thick, (like slightly thickened Jello in a tube) but you get over 45 grams per tube. i prefer them cold. (liquid whey Protein) The Vitamin Shoppe & Walmart sell singles in different flavors. They're $2-$3 dollars each. I've taken them for years so I guess I'm accustomed to the taste.

AWESOME!!!!! Congrats to you!!!

Stunning!!!!!!!! Nothing but blessings for you and the new addition!

Thanks Courtney.... I appreciate the heads up!!

I'm a closet sleever whose doing this alone. Today was my last day at work because my procedure is scheduled for Tuesday. While updating my out of office for work email & updating my voice mail, it hit me. As I would tell my girlfriends......"This *ish is REAL!!" The waiting is over! From 1/2013 to 7/2013, I'm finally here. I've been to the required support groups, the consultations, the psych evals, the 3 months with the Nut, the EGD, the H Pylori meds, (ugh) the tears from being denied the 1st time around, the excitement of being approved from the appeal, the scheduled date FINALLY!! (the longest holiday weekend of my LIFE!) the PreOp class, My RX & "how to" on how to administer the blood thinner injections, once I get home. (and I'm TERRIFIED of needles) Telling my coworkers I'm going out for gall bladder surgery to this very moment. I don't know how I should feel. I've read many books & I've scanned many blogs. I'm stocked up on food & prayers!! I have enough chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth, seafood broth, jello, pudding, protien powders, syntrax nectar powders, isopure RTD, liquid whey protein tubes, chewable vitamins, chewable iron, applesauce, sugar free drink packets & bottled water to last me through to December!! lol.....No...seriously! Thank you all for your support, your guidance & for emails I've received. We are all in this together & I'm looking forward to crossing over into my new beginning very shortly.

Hang in there Katie, you'll be ok....

Hi nolegirl....... I'm sorry to read of your misfortunes. Stress, depression & lack of self worth (me) can sometimes make you binge to pacify your hurt & denial . No need ot be ashamed here. We're all here for the same reason. {for support & encouragement} You've come to the right place. I'm sure there will be many bloggers that will help you in your journey. Continue to read the blogs. I'm certain there are a few that've checked out your surgeons as well. I agree with gman, GREAT DAYS ARE AHEAD OF YOU! Be encouraged