VegasGuitarGuy

I am in Summerlin and an very interested in a local group.

I am 3 months post VSG, down 60 lbs since first of the year and doing great. My Doc had me taking Bariatric Advantage Complete Multi-Formula (which his office conveniently sells). I see on this site that some Surgeons and NUTs recommend Flintstones chewable, Trader Joes chewable etc. I like the Bariatric Advantage just fine, but they are quite pricey. I also noticed that the Bariatric Advantage tend to crumble in the container. I am left with a bottle that's a combination of broken tablets and powder. I would very much appreciate all input.

I saw them at Walmart for $2.85 each. I got mine online for $2 each at FirstFitnessUSA.com

I am having sleeve surgery next Monday, Feb 24. My surgeons office has a small "store" where patients can purchase proteins, vitamins etc. At my pre-op appointment they had various samples of pre made protein shakes, protein shots, vitamins etc. I found most of the pre made shakes were extremely sweet. I did like the liquid protein shots. The also have unflavored protein isolates that can be mixed with water, tea, added to various liquids. That seems to be more of a fit for me. Any input on different brands, prices etc. would be greatly appreciated. P.s. I have found this site to be very helpful. Thanks

After a bit of a tough time, I got a shipment of 4 x 18 packs of Premier Chocolate Protein as well as 2 large bottles of liquid vitamins. OMG the box was heavy! I am a bit surprised by the vitamins, my Dr. would not sign off on anything but the protein. Plus, the dosage is 1 1/2 TB four times a day. There's no way I want to take these 4 times a day. I emailed Insure Nutrition to please cancel the liquid vitamins. I have UHS insurance and CVS Caremark for prescriptions. My biggest issue was getting my Dr to sign the script. I am so glad I came across this thread.

I am feeling great. Down about 35 lbs, clothes are loose-having a blast going through closets and getting rid of things I know I will never, ever wear again.

My Dr has signed the prescription for just the Premier Protein. He didn't like the scar cream for some reason. Now we see what my insurance has to say.

My Dr office is kind of being a pain about signing the prescription. They tell me the Dr's no longer write-sign 3rd party prescriptions of "compounded drugs". I figure It must be the scar cream. I had Insure rewrite the script only to include the Premiere Protein and fax that in. I really don't care about the scar cream or the liquid Multi-vitamins. I am now waiting to see if they will sign that and send it back. I did raise a bit of hell on the phone with the office, I demanded to speak with my surgeon for a logical explanation of why they would not help me get the protein shakes paid for be insurance. My insurance paid the Dr as well as the hospital a great deal of money. Now waiting.......

Dr. James Atkinson. I really like him

I have my sleeve surgery scheduled for Feb 24. I have noticed on this site that every Surgeon has a different set of rules, guidelines etc. I have noticed that a lot of Surgeons have their patients on a 2 week liquid pre op diet. My final 4 hour consultation is Wed, Feb 18 where I meet with NUT and get all do's and don'ts etc. This Surgeon does not require a 2 week liquid pre op diet. I am thinking that I may want to be proactive and do the 2 week "cleansing" diet on my own just to be safe. I am starting to wean myself off of coffee ( 1/2 decaf down to all decaf) and have discontinued any alcohol consumption. I would appreciate any feedback or insight. I am very excited and ready to get this process going.

I also have a digital scale. I have found that besides a low battery, it really matters where-how you stand on the scales and whether you put your weight on your heels or toes. I try hard to stand the exact same way every time I get on the scales. I am also a firm believer that it is not good to weigh every single day, the fluctuation of water weight alone will drive you mad. I had my surgery on a Monday and now weigh every Monday morning and document it in a notebook. As long as you weigh on the same scale on a regular basis you will get a pretty accurate idea of how you are doing.

I'm so glad I ran across this thread. I applied today. I have UHS and CVS Caremark. Fingers crossed.

According to Consumer Reports July 2010, Muscle Milk has high levels of heavy metals as well as a few other brands. This information was in a hand out from my Surgeons NUT

I am 5 days post op and I would love to hear how some of you use the whey protein isolates. I am aware of the 140• degree aspect. I am able to get Premier Protein in chocolate down OK, pretty thick. I really like the New Whey liquid protein "shots" 42 grams of protein in blue raspberry and grape mixed with water, they are $3.75 each at my Dr office and I found them for just over $2 each online. I have a tub of whey protein isolates and am looking for cool ideas. Thanks all!

I was also sleeved on Feb 24. I feel surprisingly better than I thought I would. When I came around in the recovery room I had horrible discomfort from the gas they use to inflate the abdomen. They told me to walk, walk, then walk some more. Later in the afternoon I was feeling pretty good. I did not sleep a bit that night in the hospital and felt like a zombie the next day. The 2nd day was the toughest for me. I went home around lunch time, slept a little bit and was getting pretty sore by that night. My Dr. gave me a prescription for Levsin- anti spasm med for stomach. That helped a lot. I had already purchased Premier Protein ready to drink shakes in chocolate, but it is quite thick. Today I went to my Dr office where they have a small "store" set up. I bought New Whey liquid protein shots in blue raspberry, they are great mixed with water, much easier to get down than the thick shake. Each shot contains 42 grams of protein and I divided the shots into 3 equal parts and mixed each third with about 8 oz water, very easy to drink. To me the gas pain was far and away the worse part of the process and thankfully only lasted 4-5 hours. I highly recommend the New Whey protein. They were pretty expensive from the Dr, $3.75 each. I found some online and paid just over $2 each when bought 12. Hang in there, it will only get better.

I also never had drains. The surgeon did leak test during surgery, nothing after. It really is amazing to me how every surgeon does everything so differently from one another. I am 3 days post op with very little trouble with anything.

It is wild to me how every surgeon is so very different, from their pre-op diet to after surgery protocol. I guess I would follow what you surgeon says to do. I'm only 3 days out and having very little trouble with anything.

I was sleeved this past Monday-Feb 24 ( day 3). My Dr. put me back on my normal meds immediately, the nurse brought me 4 pills the morning of day 2 in the hospital. . I have had no trouble with any of my pills. Take them one at a time with sips of water. He did say that if the pills were big simply cut them in half. I have had a surprisingly easy time so far.

It's 6:00 pm, day of surgery. I feel surprisingly pretty good. Surgery was just after 10:00 am, they found and repaired a hiatal hernia which I had no idea I had. Upon waking up in recovery I was in a HUGE amount of discomfort from the gas used that was to inflate my abdomen. I was told to walk, walk and walk again. By 3:00, was feeling better and at 6:00, the gas pain is gone Had a small bout with nausea when I first started the ice chips but they gave me something that took care of it and now am up walking around, drinking my "shot" of broth and even the jello. I am so excited to begin my next chapter!

Now 3:30 pm, feeling pretty good. The pain from the gas they fill you with was horrible for about 3 hours when I woke up in recovery. Up walking helped that a lot. Incision sites a bit sore but not that bad. N

Sitting in pre-op at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas. This is getting real......Very excited to get this journey started

I just found Now Foods brand Whey Protein Isolate unflavored. 5 lb tub for $69.50 on eBay and Amazon. My Dr. Office store charges $29 for 1.2 lb unflavored. I understand the Dr. wants to make money on the products, but come on.... their stuff is expensive.

Anyone know how to put a pic on my profile without linking to Facebook?

I will be having a gastric sleeve done in mid February 2014. I currently drink 2-3 cups of black coffee per day and know that after surgery there will be zero coffee. I want to avoid the classic headaches that come from no caffeine. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Anyone else in Las Vegas had Dr. James Atkinson or Dr. Darrin Soong?