BayshoreBuddy

Congratulations Patty, it sound like your first eating out adventure went exceptionally well in the face of serious temptation. By resisting in the face of such a banquet, you have also shown a strong commitment to stay the course with your diet. Good going! I only hope I will be as strong my first time eating out.

You are correct, 64 oz. of Water is BS, boring, and tasteless. I challenge myself to drink my 64 oz in different ways (lemon aid, coffee, crystal lite, decaf tea, etc.) to cutdown on boredom and add taste. However, Fluid intake drives the flushing of weight loss out of your system. Tasteless Tip: is your urine is even light yellow - your not drinking enough fluids.

Your psychologist is a member of a state board and subject to licensing in your state. You may want to contact either and advise them of your problem and ask their advice on arriving at a timely solution or reference to a second psychologist on a pro-bono basis. I would also go back to the bariatric practice if they recommended this psychologist and suggest they discontinue recommending this doctor since you paid for the session an no report was delivered. Then, if the bariatric practice recommended this dr., request another reference to another psychologist willing to schedule a session pro-bono. Good Luck, and more importantly Don't Give-up!

Ah Ha, you just saved my panini maker from destruction - sounds like a fantastic recipe and will be on my solid food list when ever that starts. Thanks!

OMG, this is more than I really need to know; but, LOL - when it's my turn on the porcelain throne at least I won't be surprised.. Thanks.....

Hello, make today the first day of your new life. We all have had weight problems, some hidden, some in pain sight, and some some that made us the target of ridicule. What's important is where you go from here. You have taken an important step with joining our group. For me it was acknowledging that I AM Obese after kidding myself for years that brought me here and drove my determination to overcome my weight. A friend mentioned that before her sleeve her body ruled when it came to eating. Now, for the first time in her life, she controls her body and decides what and when she wants to eat. She has conquered her hunger, hit her target goal, and best of all is successfully managing her weight. As you read various columns and gather information on bariatric surgery you will discover this is not an easy path; but, something as important as your health makes the journey more than worthwhile - it is a life saving experience. How often do you get a chance to save your own life? Welcome and don't be shy with your postings - that is how we all learn from eachother. So Welcome again and congratulations on the first day of your new life!

I can't honestly answer this never having tasted the unflavored by itself, say in Water. However, I can attest to mixing it with other liquids does mask any trace of flavor - but a subtle change may be detected in the host liquid depending on it's being hot (140 F or less) or cold (better).

I've tried quite a few and decided that unjury chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla are good - not like an ice cream shake but the nutritional numbers work. costco sells Premier Protein Chocolate that is also acceptable. FYI - should purchase UNJury's sample kit = has the flavors, chicken Soup, and unflavored which is great for mixing with Crystal Lite, broths, and your favorites that need more protein. However, like the man said after he kissed the cow, it's all a matter of taste.

Thanks Karen, it's always helpful to get a look around the bend and understand what is ahead. Your gym workouts are likely building muscle which is denser than the weight you are losing so your inches could be shrinking while your muscles are buffing up. Congratulations, Happy Anniversary, and thanks again for posting.

Ice cream = flavored fat. I prefer Greek or traditional yogurts over the "fatty" consistency of ice cream

Exactly what I thought was happening, the body flushes waste generated by diet driven weight loss. In a way, water washes the weight away...

Congratulations, just try and take it easy for a couple of days before going into full Mommy mode.

Bayshore, New Jersey

I can chalk up day two of my 2-week pre-op diet. I'm still sampling different shakes, soups, etc from different vendors. This can't be breaking news; but, they all seem to be missing something in the taste department. I guess this is ok and doesn't encourage over indulging because blah is not my favorite flavor. Today's reasonable winner was UNJURY Chicken Soup Then there is the water, more water, and flavored water - I appreciate the need to flush the body, but my kidneys are begging for mercy.

Thanks Cindy, your message is greatly appreciated and speaks to why "we" are surgically changing our lives, bodies, and most importantly our minds for the rest of our lives. For me the fear of oncoming medical problems due to being obese was my call to decisive action.

No kidding, Texas has a Pasadena! I like the idea of meeting in CA, January 1st would be good - then we could watch the Rose Bowl Parade. Best wishes for a successful surgery and recovery. See you on the blog.

Thanks for the tip, do you add non-flavored Protein to meet daily requirements?

My surgery is scheduled for September 3rd, the day after Labor Day! Everyone has second thoughts as they internally debate having the surgery. This is a good thing because surgery is not an every day occurrence. It took me almost an entire year of searching the Internet for information before I attended the Monmouth Bariatric's seminar. Fortunately my wife is a nurse who works with several nurses who had sleeves and very positive outcomes. I also have attended several group meetings with post-op Sleevers and Lap-Banders who shared their experiences and made me comfortable with proceeding. You should check with your physician to locate a similar group near you and attend some meetings. Surgery is serious business, so is being overweight with associated medical issues. For me, the choice of losing weight, diabetes, high blood pressure, and not being a walking pharmacy put me over the top in favor of having the surgery AND permanently changing my diet. Enough about me, This is not easy, you have to want the procedure and be ready to live with the dietary changes before having the surgery. If not, then wait and research what would be best for you. Good Luck and keep coming back for more information and personal stories.

Fantastic, congratulations on your success! We share the same starting weight and I too plan on loosing 100 lbs. Your success is proof positive that it is possible!

Refried Beans!!! Oh my, please keep posting your progress so we can better understand the pureed food part of dietary recovery.

Common belief, from reading blogs, is that things start to get better weeks 2-3. Today was my first pre-op diet day so what do I know. Don't let yourself down, this will pass.

I only wish, no my surgery will be performed by a team of doctors with Monmouth Bariatrics at Meridian's Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel New Jersey - aka the Garden State or Soprano Land. Having lived in So.CA, and frequented Pasadena, I envy your choice of hospitals. Perhaps we can compare notes on the outcomes of our respective "Bayshore" experiences. Have a great day and best wishes with your upcoming surgery.

With my luck, my inner "sea" will feature singing humpback whales!

Tonight is my "last supper" for a while since tomorrow dawns a new dieting day. Liquids, other liquids, and still more liquids! Did I mention that chocolate is my favorite drink, candy, and Friendly's chocolate fribbles rule! At least I won't be thirsty and I am psyched to face being hungry until I get my appetite in line with my mind. My pre-op lab work, X-Ray, Nutritionist and Doctor appointments are August 29th (talk about the last minute) and VAG is scheduled for September 3 at the Bayshore Medical Center. Two days in the hospital, 5 days recovery at home and then doctor's followup appointment. I have a high school reunion coming up on Columbus Day Weekend. The reunion is at a great restaurant with dining, drinking, and dancing - the potential for an embarrasing "blowout" is off the chart. Being on a liquid diet and still healing in the face of a great menu, open bar, and dancing is way too tempting. Worse yet is the following morning's breakfast buffet, OMG, I am (was) a lover of all things breakfast including mimosas. Yup, time to scratch attending the reunion and focus on my bigger picture. Tomorrow I find the correct temperatures for chocolate protein drinking, clear protein chicken soup, and learn to drink 64 oz. of water like a fish.

My 2-week liquid diet countdown is about to begin. In a way this is a fair test of my commitment to VSG and more importantly the post-surgery dieting necessary to achieve the weight loss. It is time to get serious, establish my commitment, and get a do-over dealing with my obesity. Yes, obesity, I have hidden from admitting my situation, much like an alcoholic denies being a drunk, I am a foodaholic which in many ways is worse. I am tired of looking in the mirror and "remembering" my lighter days. It is too easy to say that my weight problem began when I quit smoking; but, facts are - I simply enjoy eating and when my taste buds recovered - my oh my - did things taste better and we all know what happened next. My issue is more than just losing the weight (100 lbs.), its about dropping the associated health risks, diabetes, high blood pressure, more drugs than I care to list, cholesterol, and a family history of heart attacks. I bought an assortment of protein drinks, soups and vitamins to start a dietary journey to a lighter me. Having read what so many others have posted in their topics, I believe that I too can show the same determination and will be reading and posting often. Have a great week, and thanks for being out there and sharing your successes.