coastalchick

Great tips @ simplyblessed!

Orionova, do you have a reference for your claim? Genepro was recommended to me by my NUT, and it is highly absorbable because it is a peptide. If there is something out there to the contrary, I would like to read up on it.

check your local salons, and spa's for something called Laser Lipo, I have signed up for sessions (christmas sale), and it worked wonders for my friend to help tighten her skin some (especially arms)..... though you are right, plastics is on the horizon for most of us.

I use Genepro, and the stuff us amazing. No taste, and only about a tablespoon worth equals about 30 grams of protein. You can buy it in amazon. .. it also mixes great with hot foods and liquids with no clumping.

The closer I get to my surgery date of Dec. 18th the worse my family, and friends alike are behaving. I had great support in the begining, but now they are crumbling on me. I am getting a lot of comments that come from a place of concern, but are undermining my confidence. The worst comment was that this is "the most selfish decision I could make". Yeah, it hurt at first, then it just P'eed me off. I need to focus right now, and it's just very difficult to do it without support. But honestly, if I hear one more story of "I have a friend who's aunt had that surgery, and died from it", I'm gonna commite a level 1 felony. Has anyone else had to deal with this?

I'm dealing with some of the same issues as most of you also, my family say's they are supportive, but then undermine my confidence with stories of people with complications, and those who died due to the gastric bypass. I have decided that this is the one very selfish thing that I am doing, all for me, without anyone elses approval...period. I have diabetes, insanely high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and fibro. I'm sorry everyone else didn't do the research I did, and go through the steps with me, or the meetings..... I'm done with everyone's fear mongering. I WILL have my surgery this coming thrusday, and everyone else can suck it. LOL I wish all of you the best, we have worked the programs, and have prepared ourselves, and our families the best we can. It's their turn to get with the program now, no second guessing yourselves because of others fears or insecurities. Believe in yourselves, YOU GOT THIS.

I agree with all of you, if being selfish helps to improve my diabetes, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, and increases my quality of life, as well as increasing my life span, then screw em! I have doubled down on my meditation time, and deep breathing when I'm feeling overwhelmed. I will now respond to Naysayers with a very simple comment, "this is soley for my health, certainly you want to see me healthy". Thanks everyone, great knowing you all have my back too.

@ Djmohr, thank you for your insight. It helps knowing I'm not alone on this subject.

FYI the vanilla premier shake, with a squirt of SF Davinci Carmel flavoring is to die for..... they are seriously keeping me going.

I cheated too :-( I had a small bowl of mashed potatoes and about 2 ounces of meatloaf. I do however plan on being super clean with this diet the last seven days, and flush with plenty of fluids.

Congrats, my surgery is Dec. 18th, and I'm right there with ya. It's also not helping that everyone I speak with about it are being serious Debbie Downers with the stories of "oh, I new a lady who had a horrible time with that", and "oh, I have heard about people dying from that". I'm tired of defending my well researched decision. On top of that, I'm also a Nurse, so I have a very candid knowledge of all aspects of this surgery, and aftercare. The most crapy thing I have been told, is that "it's a really selfish decision" to do this. I really wasn't having any second thoughts until recently, but I think I just need to get these people out of my head....lol. The liquid diet is bad enough all on it's own, without dealing with doubters.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and a great start to your new begining!

I'm right there with ya Curvey8, like literally, as my surgery is the 18th also. I am on day three of the two week prep, and I am hungry, moody, but I am managing by staying super busy reorganizing closets, cleaning my garage, basement, ect. Tea helps, meditation with deep breathing has been my saving grace though. Keep your head up, this isnt forever, we can do this!

I am scheduled for my gastric bypass on December the 18th @ Walter Reed National Medical Center ( formerly known as the Bethesda Naval Hospita). I will start my liquid diet tomorrow 12/05. Happy to be joining all the December people!!! I'm so nervous...

@@pik East of Fred, towards the Northern Neck... I'm actually right by Dahlgren Navel Base.

Best wishes, and a speedy recovery!!!

I like Genepro also, because it's not like a 1/4 cup serving to get the protein in, it's a tablespoon for one serving. Hands down the best unflavored... pricey, but hey, it's worth it.

@@pik, I'm in the King George area.

Thanks for the inspiration!!! You and I are pretty comparable height and begining weight wise. My surgery will be Dec. 18th, and the main thing I'm looking forward to is having more energy, and not feeling overwhelmed physically when exercising. I used to run daily, and lift a few times a week, and can't wait to get back to it. Keep up the great work, and keep posting... it gives us rookies hope:-)

I am a huge fan of unjury, it has a light taste, not overly sugary, and is on the thinner side texture wise. I also enjoy premier Protein, as the pre-packaged aspect makes it an easy go to when your in a crunch for time. nectar is also good, when your tired of chocolate and vanilla, they have a few alternative flavors that help to save your sanity when you get tired of the same ol, same ol.

I too am getting surgery and have the same issues that you have (and I'm 41). I have bought a package of Laser Lipo treatments from my local spa, it helped that they had a pre black friday sale of 1/2 off. I have had a few friends go there and get them, and they seem to tighten up skin nicely. Of course, they won't be a fix for folks like you and I, but it will help a little. I will also be getting them done on my arms, legs, and booty. I probably wont get them until feb/march ish, but I can keep you in the loop to let you know how it works.

I am due to have surgery in December, and I went ahead and got the Vitamix....omg, that thing is amazeballs. No lumps, everything has an awesome consistancy, I have even done Soups, and sorbets in it. The only downside, is it sounds like a jet engine when you go full speed..... it's crazy powerfull. I didn't shell out the full money though, I got a reburished on for much less on the vitamix website itself, and it comes with a 5 year warranty. If you opt for a vitamix, make sure you get it through the website, I have heard problems with the warranty if not purchased through vitamix.

I'm in the same boat as the previous commentors here.... I have diabetes, and was all for getting the sleeve... untill my doctor advised against it due to my reflux. He even advised me that he had two patients on tube feeding due to extrem GERD after their sleeves, and that as soon as they were well enough, he would have to do a full revision to a bypass. He also advised that the bypass would most likely help get rid of my diabetes, which given the comorbidities that go with diabetes, is a huge plus. Diabetes is the begining of a cascade of other issues like high cholesterol, kidney failure, high blood pressure, increased risk of cancer,Atherosclerosis, and so on. Diabetes was my deciding factor in getting WLS. Hope this helps you.

I am an RN, and her issues with brusing is probably due to the heparin, or the lovenox they gave her (these would be blood thinners for anti clotting). It will be that way for about a month or so, until her body balances out, and regains her clotting agent factors. Of course if there is any unexplained bleeds, or if the bruising continues past the next month or so be sure to check with your doctor. Hope this helps.

I'm in southern NOVA, and my surgery will be at Walter Reed National Medical Center on Dec. 18th. As for making a decision between the Sleeve and Bypass, get your doctors input, and rely on his expert opinion. I had decided that I was all in for the Sleeve, then my doctor let me know that my acid reflux could get worse, so much so that I might have to revise the surgery if it became too bad. I have now settled on the bypass due to my reflux. Best wishes in making your decision, it's a life changer.