Creekimp13

Mhy....you must be looking at the Nutritional Supplement version of the shake. The one I'm using is specifically for patients having major surgery and I had to buy it at the pharmacy behind the counter. This one has 15 g of Carbs per shake. It says right on the box that it's to be used only for a short time under the supervision of a doctor. While I understand that Nestle makes chocolate, they also have a huge medical nutrition line (Nestle Health Science) that provides many of the liquid food formulas given to Tube Fed patients, and special liquid supplements for people with specific nutritional needs in medical recovery. Yep, they make candy. Apparently, they're also a huge name in medical nutrition. I'm not saying these shakes are necessary. I'm not plugging them....if I were, I sure wouldn't talk about how God-awful they taste. But it's disingenuous to say they're made by a candy company and are "suspect". And like I say....since I started drinking them in place of 3 of my other shakes...I've felt amazingly clearer. They make me feel a LOT better. Also, the protocol I'm using that was developed by University of Michigan (that includes these weird shakes) is being picked up by Cedars-Sinai and some other super reputable research hospitals. I don't think they'd steer anyone to junk to make a buck because, frankly, they have a ton of money and don't need to. Their bread and butter...is in cutting edge research and having great outcomes.

I don't have to take any elimination product. No clean out procedure. My office does two weeks of liquid diet and on the last night before surgery, you carb load with about 30 ounces of white grape juice. I have a feeling the grape juice makes things move if they need to. LOL:)

UPDATE ON VANILLA ANCHOVY SHAKES**** Ok, yes they're disgusting. Horrible, in fact. BUT...and this is a big BUT.... I feel SO much better than I have since starting the liquid diet. My brain fog is much better...just night and day. I'm not concerned about being lightheaded driving anymore...I feel like myself. So while I don't like the taste of the fishy torture gulps.... they've made me feel so darned good, I have to say I like them. Just figured good news deserved a mention:)

Congrats!

Kaydo...it's supposed to aid in recovery after surgery. Boosts your immune system and provides lots of nutrition for rebuilding tissues. My Bariatric groups makes everyone use it the last five days before surgery. Here's the sales pitch on the box: About the product Impact Advanced Immunonutrition Drink is a unique beverage specially formulated with 18 grams of protein and 24 essential nutrients per serving to help support the body's unique nutrient needs before and after major surgery. Impact formulas have been studied in dozens of clinical trials and thousands of patients, and have been shown to help promoted better outcomes in patients undergoing major surgery. it's only to be used under medical supervision. Not something you should drink for maintenance. Just for surgeries. I have no idea if it's good stuff or not...if it makes a difference or if it's mostly hype......but the research behind my center's protocol was developed with University of Michigan (awesome medical research university) and they haven't steered me wrong yet....so I'm doing what I'm told.

Five days to go and I have to give up my cocoa wheats today. This irritates me. But what irritates me more...is that I have to give up 3 of my 5 premier protein shakes and replace them with this horrible stuff called Impact Advanced Recovery Immunonutrtion Drink. It's supposed to aid in healing and have wonderful stuff in it...etc. etc. etc. Which is all well and good. BUT THE CRAP TASTES LIKE ANCHOVIES...because ANCHOVIES are the third ingredient!!!!!!!!!! Three times a day...until surgery....I get to have VANILLA ANCHOVY drinks! YUM!!!! What did I do in a previous life to deserve this? The rings of hell just keep sinking and getting hotter! LOLOLOLOL On the plus side! Yesterday I found out that my surgeon only expects me to be in the hospital overnight, one night. Also...on the day before surgery....I get to carb load with like 30 ounces of white grape juice and take nausea meds ahead of the surgery. Oh! and I get a touch of Xanax while waiting cause I'm a nervous nelly. LOL. I was also informed that I'll be taking 10 sips to drink one ounce of water from a tiny cup every hour after surgery...I'll be taking ten little walks, one per hour after surgery, and will be expected to suck on this plastic thing that's made to help clear your lungs after anesthetic...ten times an hour. Rule of 10. At least they kept it simple? My surgeon gave a really terrific seminar about what to expect, and all of our little "jobs" after surgery to get the best outcome and get out of the hospital. Was very relieved to learn I would not have a urinary catheter and wouldn't have to do any bowel prep. They're telling me they'll get me up to go pee...a good incentive to get out of bed. Also cool...my husband is welcome to stay the night in the room and they'll have a cot for him. I probably won't have him do this cause he'll work the next day until I call to be picked up. Also, my puppy does like to go outside. But I love that he's welcome and that I could change my mind if i'm feeling needy. LOL. Getting VERY close folks! Going to see my nutritionist this afternoon for a class on how to know when to move to the next level or food reintroduction. Have already been told clear liquids and protein drinks only until the one week recheck....but she's gonna talk about the next few stages and give us advice about strategies for what to try first, how much, etc. I met the two other ladies having surgery on the day I am....nice girls! Will visit with them a little more at class today since we'll be roaming the halls at the same time. Also cool...we get a 24 hour/7 day a week hotline for all questions and concerns...that is staffed by my bariatric center. Local people who know exactly what my case is. I loved this. Oh! And my surgeon hasn't had a "leak" post surgical in over seven years. And he's done over 3000 procedures in his career. I feel like I'm in very good hands. Feeling good! (in spite of vanilla anchovy hell) LOL:)

Not everyone who has weight loss surgery has a bad body image. I don't mind how I look at all. My hubby thinks I'm gorgeous and I feel pretty damned secure. It's not vanity with me at all, and it's not about body image. My decision is based mostly on two things... My blood sugar creeping up to pre-diabetic numbers, and the arthritis in my back hurting so awful it was getting hard to be on my feet for more than 30 minutes. My weight had been stable for two decades at about 240-250. I didn't mind being a fat person. I had good energy, my labs weren't bad, etc... But then, I hit perimenopause and my weight went nuts. I gained 20 pounds in two years. My back got severely worse, my fitness suffered because of it, and the sugar started creeping up. I started getting edema in my legs and I could feel my health losing the battle. Something had to give, it was time to take action. Not every fat person loses the battle for stable health. But in reality most do. Being fat increases your chances for cancer exponentially. Blood pressure and stroke risk. Diabetes risk. Debilitating arthritis risk. I wanted to just be fat and enjoy my life.....but it eventually caught me. I'm going through the surgery at 46. I wish I'd done it at 32. As previous posters have said...your choices are your own. You don't have to justify them to anyone. Best wishes, whatever you decide.

Sorry Mo, hang in there! A delay is a lot better than a "No", and I know a lot of people are struggling with that outcome. Try to count your blessings and be patient. (I know it's way hard, and I sure feel for you)

Sorry Kaydo, that sucks. Will cross my fingers for you that everything gets straightened out and goes through.

Suzy, I feel your pain.

Best wishes on your journey, shay. Using a fitbit and uping my exercise by walking helped me with my diet more than I can say. Best thing to do is to call your insurance and see what their specific policies are. Wishing you a safe productive outcome:)

What Jade said. It's losing the sugar and carbs...that really hurts. it shrinks your liver because it forces your liver to make sugar for your body out of stored amino acids and stuff....it's kinda brutal. Get ready for brain fog.

Congrats!!

Today, I am Indiana Jones But instead of staring into an ancient burial chamber, i'm looking in my fridge. "Shakes. Why'd it have to be....Shakes...."

Oh, I'm doing it, Jade. Just not enjoying myself. LOL. I just thought a really gritty honest post might make folks going through it feel less alone. I never knew I had such a seriously demented psychological attachment to food. Last night I insisted on cooking my husband something...he has been super supportive and said that absolutely wasn't necessary, he's perfectly capable of fixing himself something.......but I wanted to spend time with food even if I couldn't eat it. How messed up is that? I made him loaded potato cakes out of left over Thanksgiving mashed potatoes, with some ham and perfect eggs over easy. And then I used the rest of the batter up making one for my dog. LOL! I dunno...seeing them eat made me feel better. And yes, I'm aware that's probably pathological and I should probably consult a therapist. LOL. But by God...I have not cheated. I'm following my plan to a T. And I'll continue to. Day eight. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tomorrow, I see my surgeon for a final individual consult and a seminar with a handful of other folks having surgery at my bariatric center in the next couple of weeks. Then, Thursday, I see my dietician for a post-surgical diet seminar. Then, the weekend....and Tuesday it's show time! Thanks, Jade, for the encouragment! Wishing you the very best and a great outcome:)

Congrats! I have mine on the 5th:)

All insurance companies are different. Mine wanted 6 months consecutive with a 10% weight loss before they would approve. I've heard of others accepting some net loss, but no gain. I think gain is going to be a problem for the insurance company. You might want to follow the nutritionists advice and try one more month before submitting. It's important to remember that the surgery by itself will not cause you to lose weight and keep it off....your lifestyle changes, your eating habit changes are the real work and get the real results. The surgery is one tool in the tool box, but not the most important one.

Ugh... Keira, that sucks. Brutal. I wish you the best...and I feel your pain.

I'm on day seven of the liquid diet from hell. (surgery December 5th) I'm hungry and grumpy. I would not wish this diet on my worst enemy. 5 premier proteins, sugar free jello, sugar free Popsicles, broth...and 100 calories of either cream of wheat or yogurt. it's ghastly, and I miss food. On the other hand....i'm waking up almost a pound lighter every day, and it's a good mental prep for the psychological crazy of the post surgical diet. I do feel prepared for what I'm about to undertake.

My regular, wonderful low fat low carb limited calorie diet.....seems decadent and indulgent...compared to the hell of the shakes. I miss my diet food.

I wouldn't wish my two week liquid diet on my worst enemy. It's rough. I'm incredibly hungry, and grouchy. LOL. Each surgeon has a different theory and comfort level about liquid diet before surgery. And some have different rules for different patients based on your body type. My surgeon is one of the stricter ones. One thing the liquid diet does that we don't talk about.......is to cause the people who might bail out at the last minute to bail out sooner...thus leaving time to put someone else in that surgery slot. But it's also really good practice for after surgery. You'll be used to the restrictions and suffer fewer of the psychological crazies on top of the pain. For me, the psychological crazies have been pretty intense. Not eating anything solid for a week has been a serious adjustment.

I'm on day 6 of my pre-op liquid diet. I'm surprised I'm pooping at all, since all I'm eating is jello, broth, fluids and protein drinks (and 100 calories of cream of wheat per day). Recently, I've started having greenish, kinda loose bowel movements. This was pretty alarming to me, cause I've always been told to associate green poo with infection. However, I've done some searches of different bariatric sites and found several people reporting the same weird green poo.......typically around day 6! At one of the sites, a doctor responds that this isn't a problem. Could be caused by bile and vitamins...and that it's fairly common. Has anyone else experienced the alien poo during the liquid diet?

I've got BCBS of Michigan. Did my 6 months and all prereqs, and the insurance "navigator" at my bariatric group submitted the request for me. Got my approval letter within a week! Am set to have surgery December 5th. Feeling excited and ready to go:) Having sleeve.

Hang in there, Dreaming. It took a couple weeks to get my hubby's one nasty polyp cleared when it was sent to the lab (along with 7 other samples). But it turned out ok. Even if you've got something bad going on...it's good that you caught it and are on top of treating it. There are a lot of colon conditions that are "abnormal"...not all of them are life threatening, and many can be treated. Sometimes it's as easy as adding a medication. Sorry for your stressful news. Try to stay optimistic. Wishing you a good outcome. Keep us posted!

My group prescribed a Flinstone's Complete chewable for me.