SugarFreeMe

This is a link to my surgeons offices,. The office is a center of excellence which is a requirement of BCBS. http://www.suburbansurgicalcare.com/ Only if your interested.

I just actually got back from Walgreens where I had to purchase a bottle of Magnesium Citrate which is used the day before surgery to "clean" the system. Also on the last day I can only have clean liquids, no shakes. I received instructions for this at my pre-op testing appt at the hospital. That may be when you get your instructions also. I had a shake tonight that was actually a great change. 2 scoops of chocolate Protein, 8oz skim milk, about a cup of ice cubes and a tablespoon of Peanut Butter. Blend and drink, it was a pleasant surprise, it didn't taste overly sweet.

Where are you located? I'm, going to the Kane Bariatric Center, but they're in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I highly recommend the practice, I was referred to them by my PCP. Dr Paul Guske,

I'm on my second week with Bariatric Advantage shakes. At first it wasn't so bad, but the sweetness of them is getting to me. I've been adding bananas and other fruits to them to try to cut the sweet. I went tonight and got unflavored whey Protein. I'm going to try that and see if that's better. I was told that I could add fruit, nuts, honey, yogurt or Peanut Butter to them. Maybe try those options.

Start taking Biotin now, don't wait until you start to experience hair loss. I had a problem when I went thru menopause with hair loss, the Biotin helped.

WOW, that's a long time, but in the end it will be worth it. As far as labs, don't worry about those. Once you get your date you will be required to get a chest x-ray, blood work, and maybe a couple of other things prior to the surgical date, but you should be good. I'd give it another day or 2 and then call again.

Cellardoor - Dr Guske is awesome. I've talked with him a couple of times and will again on Thursday for my pre-op with him. He was very honest and kind, great guy. My surgery is at St Alexius in Hoffman Estates the 18th. Do you also have BCBS? They didn't have half the requirements the Kane Center has but I now feel pretty good about my overall health with the exception of my weight. Everything has been checked.

Sorry ladies - I've been working extra this last couple of weeks, my manager is off in St Thomas basking in the sun. I've been on the Protein shakes for over a week so far. They weren't bad in the beginning, but it's getting boring now and they taste way sweeter then at the start. Sugars usually my downfall, but not these. Surgery is the 18th, so less then a week away. I'm reading everything again so I don't forget to purchase everything I'll need after. Tonight I'm going to the Vitamin store again. Hoping to find a non-flavored protein that I can add to things. Keep me updated, I'll try to get back to you sooner.

I'm also having RNY on the 18th. I'm a week into the liquid diet and it's going well. I have both the chocolate and the vanilla Bariatric Advantage. I'm allowed to add fresh or frozen fruits to the shakes as well as flaxseed oil, honey, Peanut Butter and nuts. There is also a recipe for a root beer float using diet root beer with the vanilla shake mix. Because I have Type 2 diabetes I'm allowed to add a frozen dinner or a single serving of chicken to me meals. Don't beat yourself up if you eat, it's not the worst thing. Best of luck to all.

Hey Kimberly and Molly - I'm the 18th also in Illinois. Hard to believe it's almost here. Lets keep in touch!!!!

Chelsea my NUT said to try soy, almond or lactose free milk if skim bothered me. She said that oftentimes she see's bariatric patients develop allergies to dairy products. Good luck and yes - stay positive.

Day 2 of pre-op liquids. It's not going so bad, the shakes aren't that bad tasting. I have flavored stevia to add to them and my surgeons office provided a whole page of recipes for adding fruits, nuts, honey, oatmeal, yogurt, coffee and even diet root beer. My only issue right now is that I woke up yesterday with a head cold that's making my feel like poop. Pre-op testing is tomorrow morning so I'm fasting after 8:00 tonight which won't be a problem, I'll be in bed by then I think. Last appt with the surgeon Thursday next week with my surgery on the 18th. I'll be glad when I'm on the other side of this.

I know someone who had gastric bypass who went on to have two of the most beautiful children. She had to up her Vitamin intake and pay very close attention to her eating during pregnancy, but she had no complications because of her WLS.

Good Luck Megan, I hope everything works out for you. Keep us posted.

Be careful. At my weigh in they had me remove my socks and shoes. Their scale measures actual body fat but it needs direct contact with the skin. I don't know who your going to see, but in you have ankle weights on you just may be found out if they see then when/if you have to take your socks and shoes off. I was also instructed to put both my purse and coat on the chair.

Welcome to the forum. I personally am having the RNY on the 18th of this month. I chose this option for a couple of reasons. First, its the best option for helping to eliminate meds I take for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Also, because I tend to easily get heart burn the sleeve wouldn't have been a good choice. Another reason is that this surgery has the highest percentage of weight loss compared to the sleeve or band. Healing time is longer, but if I can get better long term results it's for me. Keep reading, asking and learning. Your journey will be easier with knowledge. Everyone here is awesome at helping with problems and providing encouragement and support. Congratulations on making this important decision in your life and best of luck to you.

According to another support group I'm in, there are people who use their FSA for Protein shakes and Vitamins. I will need to get a scrip from my Dr, but that shouldn't be a problem. I'm going tomorrow to my surgeons office to purchase my pre-op replacement meals from them - I'll let you know what they say then.

I've been trying to find out if the Protein shakes are covered by FSA accounts. Since the shakes are a requirement to support nutritional needs I'm thinking that if I have a prescription for them I could use the account but I just can't be sure. Does anyone use their account for these?

I'm so glad your okay. Also, thank you for the heads up. It's definitely something to watch out for.

During my psych eval I told the dr that the only real issue I could foresee was the coffee thing. He looked at me funny and asked what I meant. When I said I wasn't sure about giving up my morning coffee, he assured me I didn't have too. He did warn me that my new tummy might need a bit of time to warm up to it though. Also I was looking at my pre-op meal replacement packet and they even have a recipe for a shake that includes coffee and it doesn't say it has to be decaf.

I just spent the last 5 hours going thru both Target and GNC familiarizing myself with their products and what they have to offer my baby when I bring her home. It's very overwhelming. I have 5 different types of Protein shakes to try but I'm not doing that until AFTER because I know my tastes will change. Purchased liquid multi Vitamins and liquid D (I'm deficient) and the sub-lingual B12. I know I'll need more vitamins, but I have 2 weeks to get it all together. I do plan on having everything ready for when I get home. I don't want this to be a labor intensive process for my family, I want it to be as smooth a transition as possible for them. I'm searching for topics that hit on what others did to prepare for this, so I'm really hoping to be totally prepared. Thank you for pointing this out though, I'd hate to think that someone didn't cover this important part of the process.

Lynn, I'm so sorry for your loss. Loosing anyone is aweful but your best friend, I can't even imagine. Know that she's still with you in your heart and she'll always be cheering for you from above.

I start my liquid on Tuesday for surgery on the 18th. Not looking forward to it, but what's a girl to do? Pull up my big girl panties (literally big girl panties) and get thru it.

I'm not sure what your not seeing, I see comments on almost all posts. Give me an example.

Good luck, you'll have to let me know if it works. I just got my date today, so as of March 18th I'll be on the losers bench with the rest of you.