desertgirl_74

Just turned 41.

I used Beneprotein in my soup yesterday. It's unflavored. I didn't have problems with it dissolving and I didn't taste it. Just stirred it in slowly.

The last week hasn't been bad. Right now I don't mind the Protein shakes and I've kept one meal a day. Plus I've finally seen the scales go down! The last 4 months have been very frustrating for me. The only thing I was told at my pre-op from the surgeon was no food or drink after midnight. The health educator told me about the pre-op diet last spring. So I'm choosing to do it anyway. Even though the dr didn't mention it.

Sometimes I think insurance companies just want to frustrate you to the point that you give up. They want the premiums, but would rather not pay for medical costs. Seriously? I know if I was so good at losing weight and maintaining it I sure wouldn't be looking at surgery.

Thanks for posting the butterfinger protein recipe!!! It looks heavenly. ????

Have you started a pre-op diet yet? All surgeons are not the same. Some require one, some do not. Some say 10 days, some say 14. Then some may say only liquids the day before. I'm supposed to be on a full liquid diet 2 weeks prior. My surgeon had not said one word about it, just the health educator nearly a year ago. But I'm doing it anyway. And if you follow it, you will drop weight pre-surgery. I've done a week modified, meaning I'm allowing one regular meal per day. Everything else is Protein shakes and other non sugar liquids. I've dropped 6lbs in one week. Of course I exercise as well. I start full liquids tomorrow. I'm scheduled for the 21st.

I'm not going to wear a sign around my neck, but I will answer honestly if I'm asked. Some ppl have very negative attitudes about WLS. They can take their judgement somewhere else as far as I'm concerned. But on the other hand, if a lady I had a chance meeting with just over a year ago hadn't been as open to me about her bypass, maybe I wouldn't be here right now- 2 weeks from surgery. It was probably the most life changing cup of coffee I'd ever had. ????

@@SeahawksGirl What you said is the exact point. This is about YOU. This is your health, your struggles, your life. When I talked to my husband the first thing he said is "I don't want you to do this. I love you just the way you are". I told him I was glad to hear that, but the bottom line is that I'M not happy with the way I am right now. I don't like being a diabetic. I don't like being embarrassed by my size. I don't like feeling miserable every time we go on a trip somewhere. I could go on and on here. We all get my point. And yes, people who have never been REALLY overweight will never really understand. But that doesn't mean they have to be so judgmental. I've only told a handful of people. I know I don't need negativity right now. Knowing what I'm about to do is stressful enough.

Update on the Beneprotein. I mixed a scoop with my soup and couldn't really taste it. It was a little bit of a creamier broth but not at all thick. Also, it dissolved just fine in the hot soup. No lumps or weird thickness. Now whether or not I will feel the same about the taste post-op....that remains to be seen. For pre-op so far, so good.

I doubt there's any of us that haven't heard something similar from a friend or loved one. I heard all this from my mom. And I know it's because she's afraid. She was trying to "talk some sense into me". It wasn't until my sister laid it all out to her that she calmed down. She's still worried about it, and I doubt she will ever be 100% ok with it. But, she's at least being supportive now. I'm scheduled April 21st.

My surgeon prescribed Beneprotein. It's also an unflavored whey isolate. I just picked it up yesterday, so I'll give it a try in my soup today. I'm still pre-op, but on full liquids in a couple days. Hoping it's not too gross.

I understand your concern. I live overseas most of the year. I'm having my surgery here in 2 weeks. I was also concerned about traveling. I don't head back to the U.S. until the end of June. That will give me 2 months to recover since it's a 16 hour nonstop flight. International flights expect passengers to be getting up and walking a lot. I wouldn't be worried about that. As for what to eat, I suggest preparing now. Make a list of what you'll need and possibly want. Luckily for you, it's only 2 weeks. Check with your airline and confirm the amount of free checked bags you're allowed. A lot of long haul flights allow 2 free bags per person. We use dish barrels when leaving the U.S. You can stuff a lot of things in those boxes and won't be wasting the weight allowance (50lbs normally) on a piece of luggage. Take whatever you can that's non perishable. I know my "grocery" list will change this year. In the past I've stocked up on things like: fiber one bars, hamburger helper, tons of taco, chili, and beef stew seasoning mixes, real vanilla, lots of seasoning for cooking, and even velveeta cheese! We can't find these things in our grocery stores or if we do they're ridiculously expensive!!! So the moral of my long winded reply is to pack up!! If it won't go bad quickly or doesn't need refrigerated then bring it with you. It's extremely frustrating to get to somewhere new and have no idea what and how you're going to eat, especially if you're unfamiliar with the local cuisine.

I started a modified diet on Sunday. 2 protein shakes, sensible portioned meal of whatever I'm cooking for dinner. This hasn't been too bad. I start all liquids next Tuesday. Surgery scheduled on April 21st.

I originally started this journey a little over 3 yrs ago. I was navigating my way through the insurance maze to have lap band surgery. At the end of my 6 month supervised my diet I decided it wasn't the right time for this. My husband was working overseas and I thought there was a good chance I would be joining him. I was too afraid that I wouldn't get the follow up care I would need. So I changed my mind. My weight didn't increase after that, but it's barely decreased over the next 2 years. Last year I was sitting in my hotel room in Dubai looking out on the Persian Gulf. The rest of my family was at the water park and I just sat there thinking this sucks!! At that point I decided enough is enough. I'm tired of feeling like crap. It's time now. I have a very good friend that had it done a couple years ago. She's be such a blessing, talking me though everything. Same hospital, same surgeon.

I'm still 3 weeks out (April 21st). I started my own pre-op plan a few days ago. Protein shakes for breakfast and lunch, then small dinner of whatever I'm fixing for my family. So far it's not been too bad and I'm down almost 2kg since Sunday. Of course I'm still exercising about 1.5-2 hrs 5 days a week. This is encouraging since I've not seen the scale move since December.

Is it possible it's the pain med adding to it? I'm not scheduled for a couple more weeks, but I cannot take anything with hydrocodone. It makes me very nauseous now, so I doubt it will be doable after I'm sleeved.

I sent a friend request as well. April 21st is my date unless it gets moved up. ????

I was originally scheduled for March 31, but it got pushed back to April 21st. I started this journey a year ago and can't believe it's flown by so fast.