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Check out other proteins. There is no way I could do vanilla and chocolate shakes everyday. I got Matrix vanilla powder and unflavored Unjury and Syntrax powders I can mix with any SF liquid for nearly unlimited tastes..... Orange, berry, lemonade, apple, coffee, beef broth, chicken broth, etc. I also just got some PB2 and it's very yummy mixed in the vanilla shakes. I haven't tried them yet, but a lot of people like the Isopure flavors, too.

I am on day 4 and yeah, it sucks...I'm starving and have wicked headaches. But I'm finding creative ways to mix up my shakes and what green veggies I am allowed. I was at a Christmas craft bazaar all day where they were serving BBQ, caramel popcorn and huge very yummy looking cinnamon rolls. I just kept guzzling water. And tomorrow I have to attend a friend's birthday party being held at a Thai restaurant. I plan on showing up late, after everyone's already ordered, and drink lots of water. Can't wait to get back to work on Monday where we are always too busy to even stop for lunch. My surgery is 12/20, too....so buck up! we can do this!

Bag Balm and socks.

Coffee (even decaf) is acidic to the stomach and can irritate your sleeve as you are trying to heal. Also, Caffeine is a diuretic and keeping hydrated postop is hard enough as it is.

Actually, they pass the bougie through your esophagus. And some docs do a "flat tire" leak test during surgery where they inflate your stomach with air (through your esophagus) to look for bubbles. And some docs will also do an endoscope during surgery to visualize the inside of your staple line.

Have you tried mixing unflavored protein powder in different soup broths? Maybe your sleeve would except savory and warm vs. sweet and cold.

Started my preop diet today.... Yeehaw! I'm really excited to get this journey started. Already discovered my first new protein shake flavor. I got a bunch of Syntax Matrix Vanilla protein powder but knew the vanilla taste would get old soon enough so I added a squirt of orange tangarine Mio and WAHLAH - liquid dreamsicle!

Sorry, couldn't answer your op :{ . But I guess with the PB2 you could at least get your peanut butter flavor craving filled even in the full liquid stage.

PB2 = Roasted peanuts, sugar and salt. Calories 45, 5gm Protein, 1.5gm fat, 1gm sugar, 2gm Fiber. Jif = peanuts, sugar, oil, mono and diglycerides, salt. Calories 190, 7gm protein, 16g fat! 3gm sugar, 2gm fiber.

You are very welcome... The responses have been more than I dreamed of and have made me very comfortable with my decision. Good luck to you!

I am going with Dr. Ortiz at OCC. I googled the hell out of his name and went on no less than 4 weight loss forums, searching for any patient comments. Other than a couple lab band complaints (which all seemed like "normal" post-op things to me), I couldn't find anything but happy patients. I also verified his credentials with the American College of Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, and the Surgical Review Corporation. I spoke with and emailed Carolyn at OCC zillions of questions about his technique, number of procedures, complications, etc. After confirming Dr. Ortiz's qualifications, I moved on to check out the facility. Many people feel they want to go to a full service hospital rather than a surgical center. I specifically asked if I would need to be transferred to a local hospital in the event of any complications or emergency. I was told OCC is actually certified as a US hospital and has a fully equipped ICU to handle unforeseen emergencies. Besides Dr. Ortiz, they have two other surgeons (Dr. Martinez has done as many surgeries as Dr. Ortiz and they typically are a team on every VSG), a cardiopulmonary specialist, an anesthesiologist, two follow up docs, 4 RN's, a nutritionist, and a dietician. Bariatric surgery is all they do, and everyone appears to have a lot of experience. And by not being in a general hospital, there will be no possibility of cross-contamination or infections from "sick" patients. So in the end, I really decided to go with the OCC team, not necessarily just the surgeon. To me, that peace of mind is worth the extra $$$$. I'll let you know in 18 days if it was a good choice!

Have you made it to the doc yet? Running a temp? Dehydration will definitely make you nauseous, and it's just a downward spiral. The sicker you are, the less you drink and then you just get sicker.... Vomiting makes it even worse.

I don't smoke but a friend who had the surgery quit 3 months prior. Her doc ran nicotine tests preop and would not do surgery on anyone who tested positive. There are going to be a lot of changes for you to make all at once immediately postop, so best to knock out the smoking ASAP so as not to add one more thing to deal with. And not to freak you out, but she said the diet changes were actually harder than quitting smoking, so be prepared!

I'm a big probiotics believer...more for our immune system than for digestion (your GI track is your largest immune organ). So they will be beneficial even if they aren't obviously helping with your constipation. Miralax is actually good for constipation and does not cause any cramping.

I talked to a good friend of mine who is an accountant and she said medical and dental expenses (including travel) is tax deductible. Doesn't matter where it's done....I'm going to Mexico. I believe it is entered on your schedule A and unreimbursed expenses over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income is deductible. I.e. If your adjusted gross income is 30,000, you can deduct all expenses over $2250. Unless, of course, you have an HSA insurance policy, then all money paid through the account is deductible. **I am NOT an accountant, so don't take my advice as absolute truth

So we all know about SF Popsicles, but what about protein Popsicles? I just made my own and they're yummy. First get some Popsicle molds (I actually used silicone tube molds from Amazon, so I don't have to deal with the stick). I used li flavored drops - like Mio - added to water and mixed in unflavored protein powder. Then poured in the molds and froze. So now I'm getting my protein even when sucking my pops for postop when getting anything in can be difficult. I mixed it at a concentration so I'm getting 10gms per pop.

Coopspa, I sent you a PM about flights. Less than 3 weeks to go...Yikes!

Guess we'll always be their little girls. Hopefully even littler soon

I'm 45 and was afraid to tell my folks, too. My older sister talked me into it. After the initial "oh no!" response, they were both very supportive. I sent them a lot of the researched I'd done as well as links to these forums. My sister is going with me, otherwise they would have. My dad even offered to drive his motor home to San Diego so I could recover in the warm southern Cali sunshine after leaving TJ. Unfortunately I've got 3 dogs, 3 cats and 2 horses to get home yo, so I'll be recovering in the snow covered Idaho mountains. And my mom has thanked me several times for fessing up. Parents are actually pretty great! Good luck at OCC. I'll be there on the 20th.

Oooo... I love lists! Here's mine - unjury and Syntax unflavored Protein powder (gonna try em both) Jello mixes Protein shakes broth soups Water flavor drops/powder Yogurt Skim Milk Source of Life Multivitamin Iron +vitamin C chewable Calcium citrate 1000mcg chewable B12 599mcg sublingual Chapstick Miralax or milk of Magnesia (I've read + about both) Mixer bottle As for jello and Popsicles, I plan on making my own and adding unflavored protein to both. After 3 weeks I will be on puréed foods, but that is a whole other list!

LyndsayD, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my younger brother 18 months ago and still feel his loss everyday. I know how hard all of those"first" holidays are when someone you love is not there. Thank you for coming here to share her story and to be her voice. Everyone needs to hear what can happen with VSG....if not for themselves, then at least for their families. I'm sorry others have overlooked your pain in their responses. You just keep doing whatever you need to to get through this.

I take Source of Life Gold chewables. They have great vitamin/mineral levels, probiotics and "whole food" blends of nutrients. The only downside is they are huge. They are also pretty sweet, so I actually take them in the evening before bed and consider it desert. I've also blended them in with a vanilla protein shake to cut the sweetness.

"I can no longer look to others for help..I have to find it within myself....I will do that and get a balance on all of it.......I promise!" You are so right on this one. I learned a few years ago when I was going through a very emotional time that I had no one to turn to. I wouldn't trust to confide in too many people what I was going through, and the person who I considered my best friend literally told me " I can't help you" and turned her back on me. She was going through her own stuff, but still, it was a complete shock and eye opener to me. I cannot rely on anyone else for my own happiness...I am the only one I can truly count on. It may sound cynical and lonely, but it sure beats being disappointed and getting hurt. I am still friends with my former "best friend", but my definition and expectations of our friendship is forever changed. My exception to the above rule that I have found is my family. We will always be there for each other no matter what. No matter how far apart we live or how long between visits, it only takes one call to find all the support I need. Thank God. I'm so sorry about everything you've gone through with your health and friends. Your posts have always been very uplifting and inspiring to me. Not sure I would have such a good attitude. And no, you don't deserve ANOTHER complication. I'm praying for you and your husband.

Good luck! I actually found a decaf mocha Protein shake (made by Click available on Amazon). That, and maybe adding a "shot" of decaf espresso to a vanilla Protein Shake, might satisfy my coffee cravings without too many repercussions. "Love my coffee!"

I weaned myself off caffeine in the months preceding surgery so I'd be prepared. I'm on all decaf now, but plan on stopping all coffee for several months postop. (Even decaf is acidic and considered irritating to the stomach) This wasn't necessarily advised by my nut, but I am going with the theory of treating my newly stapled stomach as if I had an ulcer. I want to help my stomach heal as quickly as possible in any way I can. I did the same with my neck fusion surgery (nutritional/vitamin support) and no NSAIDS ( inflammatory cells are actually beneficial in your body's healing process, so despite the pain, I wanted to HEAL!). Neck turned out great.... I was skiing at 4 months out