KissMeKate517

I am continuing to use the Protein I have on hand from before now...I liked them with milk but they have been good with Water too, although I prefer them VERY cold if made with water. I like to mix a scoop with only 7 oz or so of water so they are slightly thicker and more flavorful, and then pour over ice in a glass with a straw. It feels a little more indulgent that way or something although I know after surgery apparently straws are a no no :-( the powders I am using now are Muscle Pharm Combat vanilla and Controlled Labs ProNom23 chocolate a Cupcake batter. After surgery, it was recommended to me to do a protein isolate specifically so I have ordered BSN syntha 6 isolate for that, and some protein shots, I haven't tried them yet though, so I can't attest to the flavor of those. But the others I have mentioned are really great!!! I also am allowed Clear Liquids like phase 1 after surgery so I just stocked up on low sodium chicken broth, sugar free jell-o, and sugar free popsicles for some variety. Also got some aloe water which I love....it's slightly sweet but only about 18 calories for 8 oz and aloe is apparently really good for alleviating both diarrhea and constipation...both of which I have wondered if I may suffer from in this process :-X I have gone back and forth between being scared and excited but mostly how I am just excited :-) How is everyone else feeling? Any other recommendations from anyone else?

WTG! That's amazing! :-)

I am scheduled for July 30! I am having my "last meal" tonight and starting taking my protein shakes with water/ clear liquid diet first thing tomorrow morning.

Sorry just realized I totally misread the title of this thread and thought it said July not June! Whoops!

I am also June 30! Today I start the pre-op diet of protein shakes mixed with water and clear liquids..having my "last meal" in a few hours! 27 in Houston, TX but having my surgery in Raleigh, NC. My cousin is the patient liaison for a Bariatric surgeon there (who did her lap band 3 years ago) and she trusts him implicitly. I trust her implicitly and so I will have him do her surgery and she will help me recover there for the two weeks following. I am having the sleeve. :-)

Regarding the constipation....since you enjoy flavored water, try looking for aloe water! I just tried a brand called aloe gloe....very lightly sweetened...15 calories for 8 oz...tastes yummy and aloe does awesome things for your body...it helps with constipation AND diarrhea. Must be magic! Give it a try! Even if you don't get relief you will at least get some yummy hydration!!

Oh, and sorry to ask you to maybe ask you to post TMI but I imagine with the post op diet diarrhea may be a problem.... I have been considering buying diaper rash cream, baby wipes, etc. to minimize discomfort. Have you found this necessary?

I have had similar reservations but it is wonderful reading your intermittent check-ins. The nitty-gritty of how you will feel post-surgery is something I have been curious about and think I needed to hear. Best of luck to you! And as you said---remember to celebrate those losses and remember it's not how fast you lose--it's that you lose and keep it off!

So glad you are out and recuperating! Thank goodness your husband took you when he did. Good luck! P.s. You are super gorgeous!

Wondered if anyone else has a similar problem... I think one of the many reasons I have struggled with weight my entire life is that I have never been good at receiving positive attention. It makes me more self conscious. It stems mostly, I think, from the fact that when I was a child I had an Uncle who grossly paid unwanted attention to me. Sexual harassment, I guess. Maybe even considered molestation. I think even then, I thought that if I made myself unattractive by gaining weight, he wouldn't be so interested. That was true, but then he would make fun of me. But it was a viscous cycle...lose the weight and gain sexual advances, gain more weight and with it-- insults and criticism. I saw him almost every weekend and sometimes weeks at a time vacationing with my family. The cycle repeated itself through my entire adolescence and teen years. Later in life, this has translated to feeling almost grossed out if a guy hits on me. I should be flattered, but I'm not. I'm not sure how to react. It feels...uncomfortable. Even when the remark isn't lewd. I'm married now and this doesn't apply to my husband or even my guy friends, because I feel safe with them. Even when compliments are paid by fellow women I am not sure how to receive them. Of course, there is a part of me that loves being complimented, and wants to be the beautiful girl in the room...but being overweight maybe prevented some of the potential remarks people could have made from happening... I guess I am not sure how I will handle the additional attention that may come after slimming down and looking even better. I am much more confident now. I have come to love myself despite (or maybe even in spite of) my weight--but I am afraid of continuing to use my weight to avoid drawing extra attention. Does this problem resonate with anyone else? Any advice? How do you handle it?

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I haven't had very positive experiences with therapists...this is just something I project I may have a problem with down the road. I haven't really yet (except in my childhood). I am obviously not glad to know some of you have been in similar situations as me, but it is comforting to know that I am not alone in my feelings. If I do discover it becomes a problem I certainly will seek help because it is certainly working through so I can stay healthy and be more active!

Good luck! I will be doing mine in 62 days

I agree with explaining the risks if you DON'T do the surgery. Also, explain that the sleeve is a tool...there is still a lot that depends on YOU. If you eat cake and drink milkshakes every day it won't work. If you eat all empty calories you will become malnourished. If anything, this gives you greater accountability. I don't have kids but this analogy helped my friends understand: When I was a junior in HS I was struggling with math. I had always been in honors, advances, or AP classes and I was dead set against having a tutor. I thought only stupid people needed tutors. Well---my pride caused me to FAIL the entire year. So who's stupid? The person who won't admit they need help? Or the person who admits they need help and does something proactive. Seeking help isn't failing, and it isn't taking the easy way out. It's being smart. We all need help sometimes, and your health is one thing you can't afford to FAIL at. Explain that you are going to need her to continue keeping you accountable when you eat, and her encouragement with working out will be valuable to you going forward now more than ever! Also fun incentives for you can encourage her as well! Like...maybe a small beach getaway when you reach a certain goal!? Or a fun activity your weight may never have allowed you to do before! (Caving, maybe? Zip lining?)