WL WARRIOR

I also forgot to mention that I am not using the app, I'm actually experiencing these difficulties on the web site.

I can't edit posts as well. Since I can't see the text as I type (when posting), editing it is quite impossible. I tried. I can see the text as I type if I reply to someone else's post, like right now.

I don't get sleeved until tomorrow. However, I've been researching some new approaches to the bariatric diet. No, I'm not a board certified dietician. I just wanted to investigate the real reasons why bariatric patients have to always eat Protein first. I understand why protein should go first the first three months after surgery. I just don't understand why it has to be for a lifetime. I found some research that said that protein should always go first to aid in absorption. However, the surgeries of the past 15 years have been more advanced to where malabsorption isn't so much of an issue. I think it has to do with the way/amount of intestine that is cut. I didn't read so much into it since I'm getting the sleeve. Matthew Weiner, MD is one of the leading surgeons who have been advocating for VEGETABLES FIRST instead of PROTEIN FIRST. you can read more about it at www.Dr.MatthewWeiner.com. He also has a YouTube video where he discusses this more in length. He argues that Americans have always been eating their protein first and look where it got us. My opinion that a better way of eating might be more of a focus on vegetables instead of animal protein.Vegetables, Beans, nuts, and seeds can supply protein as well and you will lose weight much faster, which is what all bariatric patients want. I just think that this would be a great, new way to eat starting my first year after the surgery. What is your opinion? The book is called "A pound of Cure" by Matthew Weiner, MD

TOTALLY AGREE...My computer got hit with a virus three months ago and I am stuck with using a Nabi (kindle like device) to get online. I haven't had any trouble corresponding with others on websites, but I keep having difficulty with bariatricpal.com. I can't see what I'm typing.

I wanted to be able to get all the protein I need for the day (65 grams) in 2 eight ounce drinks. It also had to be watery or translucent. The only product I could find was Isopure Zero. It was so expensive, so I hope it tastes okay. If not, at least I only have to drink to small servings every day. I have surgery in two days. I might get the Syntrax Nectar in a few weeks because it sounds like it tastes good. However,it only has 14 grams of protein per serving. At least it only has 25 calories, so I guess it would be worth it.

I was asked last Friday, but declined because my surgery is in 2 days. It would be just my luck to have the surgery postponed again because of a bad reaction to the vaccine.

10/6/14, Thanks for the encouragement. I went to Walgreen's and GNC today. Neither have the Protein Water. What is the brand name. I ended up spending $89.99 on Isopure. They had only three flavors: Cookies and cream, dutch chocolate, and strawberries & cream. I ended up getting the strawberries and cream. I didn't want to get it, but it was the only protein drink that was translucent. It has 50 grams of protein per serving. Why does the bottle of Isopure say that it should not be used for weight loss? Good luck on your surgery tomorrow!

Thanks 10/6/14. You mentioned waiting to buy Protein shakes after surgery because your taste buds change, which is totally comprehensible. I actually hate the taste of Protein Shakes now. I find myself gulping them just so I can get the protein in. I know I can't do that after surgery and I will probably struggle with sipping on one Protein Drink for 1-2 hours. I will just have to suck it up and do it. I've been doing only sugar free liquids these past two weeks and getting in about 500-700 calories daily. I have stayed on track despite being surrounded by food on many occasions. My sons school carnival was Friday night. There were so many food vendors as well as people offering me food samples. There were some disappointed faces when I had to reject food that was offered. This is just something I will have to get use to. I'm somewhat worried that I've already become disgusted with food. I think this has been brought about due to the fact that I had an eating disorder in my early 20's (weighed 105 pounds at 5"7') and the fact that my psychiatrist told me to view food as poison. I think he was trying to help me on my weight loss journey they best he could. I don't think viewing food as disgusting is a problem because I'm so overweight and it can only help me for now. It's not like I'm wasting away. I just think this pre-op diet, which is mostly starvation, has brought back some past ways of thinking about food.

How much protein does the protein water have?

10/6/14, Where do you find protein water? Is Isopure zero a clear liquid or just translucent?

What has everyone purchased to drink for the next two weeks? I purchased some Amplify protein shake powder from GNC today. It was quite expensive. The guy at GNC said it was better than the much cheaper whey protein shakes I am currently using from Wal-Mart. I compared the ingredients and amount of protein, sugar, and carbs and they are very similar. I might return the Amplify. I will be purchasing Isopure tomorrow to consume the first week post-op. It was my understanding that you could only drink translucent fluids a week after and Isopure was the only one with enough protein.

robga99, I haven't been pleased with my pre-op weight loss as well. I am on day 11 of doing sugar free liquids only with a total of 600-700 calories daily. I weighed myself on day 7 and was disappointed that I only lost 3.5 pounds. I haven't weighed myself since then. Why is it that I can lose 9-10 pounds in 3 days when I feel sick? Maybe its the Protein shakes. I just think my body is in starvation mode and trying to fight back. I need to be more patient because I didn't get this way in a short period of time, so I shouldn't expect to lose it all so quick.

I go in for surgery Oct. 7 at noon. I am worried about having an allergic reaction to the anesthesia because many members of my family have that issue. I am also afraid of heart failure. I have cardiomyopathy, which is an enlargement of the heart. I had an EKG, chest x-ray, and echo cardiogram earlier this summer. My bariatrician has never mentioned the results. I've asked the nurses in the clinic to double check to make sure they really were fine. They seemed annoyed, but they said on the phone they they are fine. Otherwise, they would have never cleared me. I will probably ask the surgeon to take a look himself before he starts working on me.

I've been overweight for the past eight years (morbidly obese the last two) and still get repulsed when I look in the mirror. That is probably because I take up the whole mirror. For that second before I reach the mirror, I expect to see my old self. I still am shocked when I see my shadow. I don't expect to get back to my old self with this surgery (which is in 4 days!!!). I just want to get healthy and move on to a new stage in my life. A life where I no longer overeat to deal with trauma and take more responsibility in my health. Maybe then I will be more content with what I see in the in mirror.

I don't mean to be blunt, but shouldn't excess skin be at the end of your worry list? I'm worried about deep vein thrombosis, gallstones, leaks, pain, bad reaction to anesthesia, having enough energy, etc. Then again, if I was in my early 20's, then I could understand your worry about excess skin. I think body issues change a little after age and pregnancy. I plan on wearing a body shaper as I lose weight and get excess skin.

I am in the liquid pre op phase and was told to limit coffee to just one cup daily. I think 5 hr energy has the equivalent to two cups of coffee in each bottle. I think its best to go without caffeine during the pre op diet because you don't want to go through caffeine withdrawal right out of surgery. Caffeine is also a diretic that actually causes you to pee a lot. You don't want that when it is so important to get in 64 oz. or more fluids every day. I'm halfway through the pre-op phase and having trouble weening off of Excedrin. It also has caffiee. Good luck!

I take Wellbutrin for depression and ADD. It helps concentration and helps me feel less groggy. It's one of the few antidepressants that don't mess with your sex drive, doesn't cause weight gain, and actually decreases hunger. It does help mild anxiety, but can make it worse at higher doses. I've mostly relied on this med to relieve seasonal depression and don't rely on it so much spring--fall.

I am on day 8 of the pre op diet. I am allowed only sugar free liquids for 14 days. I have been on target the whole time. I think some of what I read on this forum has helped me stay on track. I've heard that the surgeon can tell by the sight of your liver whether you have stuck to liquids or not. It is possible that, if you have cheated on the pre op diet, that he could stitch you back up and send you home. The thought of this horrifies me and has actually helped me stay on track when I get really hungry or have cravings. I have been to two family gatherings (barbecue and wedding shower) that had loads of tempting foods since I've been on my pre op diet. I've been doing this mental trick in which I convince myself that solid food is poisen. I know that sounds silly, but I've been wanting this surgery for the past year and I'm not gonna blow it by cheating. Also, if you keep yourself busy and exercise, it really helps. Good luck!

Does the hospital send you home with compression socks? I am a week away from surgery and haven't heard anyone mention this. I had a pair after pregnancy, butthey were for gestational diabetes.

I am on day 4 of my liquid diet. My surgery is at 10:00 on Tuesday, Oct. 7th. I'm actually surprised at how well I'm doing on this liquid only pre-op diet considering I failed at it during my practice runs at it earlier this summer. I've been jumping through the hoops to get this surgery since January and I think I've finally come to a point where I'm mentally ready for the present and future diet requirements. I don't get really hungry until the evening. This is probably because I'm trying to kick my bad habit of night time (and middle of the night) snack eating. I have been drinking chicken broth instead, however; I'm worried that the high sodium had led me to retain Water. I've also been walking 60-90 min. a day this past week and I really think it helps.

Attention: This post has spelling/grammar errors that I am unable to fix because I can't see what I'm typing. There is something wrong with the app or my tablet. I will be attending the day of surgery admission class tomorrow. This is the last step before surgery along with the pre op diet. The office called me today and told me that I could choose to have surgery on a Monday-Tuesday during one of the four weeks in October. I would like to do it soon as possible, which would be Oct. 6-7. There is just one problem with owe two days: its the onset of my monthly period. My periods are very heavy and I experience pak ful menstral cramps. I've heard others mention that they needed a catheder while in the hospital. I had a terribly embarrassing experience two years ago when I was in the hospital for rheumatic fever. A male nurse got blood on his hands while inserting the catheter and had a disgusted look on his face. I didn't have a pad or tampon because my period had unnoticeably began 1-2 hours prior. So, basically I'm worried that if I choose to have surgery during mensuration, then I will experience another embarrassing episode, have bad cramping that will cause me even more pain, and be an annoyance. Am I wording over nothing or should I just schedule a later surgery date? I've been waiting to have this surgery since Jan. and I'm getting impatient. By the way, this post has errors because I cannot see my post while I type. Does anyone else have this problem?

Thanks everyone for your response! I did have a chance to talk with my surgeon and nurse today and I feel much more at ease with my period dilemma. I went ahead and chose Oct. 7., which will be here before you know it.

I'm glad you got your teeth removed before they caused you more trouble. The paperwork that I had to fill out at the beginning of this process had a section to complete on dental health. I was honest and wrote in that my teeth didn't cause me any discomfort or pain, but I did know that a few teeth were broken off in the back. During my first appointment with the bariatrician, he went over my paperwork and noticed what I wrote in the dental section. He inspected my teeth and agreed that I had broken teeth way in the back. Honestly, I was quite upset when he said that I would have to get them fixed and furthermore, would not clear me for surgery until I got a letter from my dentist claiming that my teeth were in good condition. The dentist found quite a few things wrong with my teeth. This was surprising since my teeth felt fine. I had some small cavities between my teeth and the teeth in the back had to be surgically removed. Supposedly, even a small cavity is an infection and one should not undergo surgery with any source of infection. My dental work took about seven trips to the dentist and I was lucky enough to get it all done in less than two months. I was so relieved when it was all done. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have bothered going on my own accord because I wasn't in any discomfort at all.

You should not go into surgery until your teeth are free of infection. I spent over $1000 on my dental health early this summer so that I would qualify for weight loss surgery. I would take care of your teeth ASAP because they will push your date back until you take care of it. My date could not be set until my dentist faxed my bariatrician a letter indicating that I was 100% free of infection.

I am so sorry that you are going through all this pain. I hope it all turns around soon. I will be getting the sleeve in two weeks. Were there any warning signs early on? I am glad you have your fiance to help you. My biggest fear is having complications similar to yours because I really don't have anyone to help me out.