Czuck1983

Sounds like it's going to be a great time. I hope you have fun, and make sure you don't drive yourself too crazy running around making the day perfect.

Also try UnJury if you haven't already... the chocolate splendor powder is really good, probably my favorite right now. Also their vanilla pre-made shakes taste like your drinking melted French Vanilla ice cream. Yeah, that does a lot for keeping the embarrassment down as well. It's still quite an annoyance overall.

Anyway... I didn't mean to hijack the thread... let's get back to Happy Friday.

Absolutely... it's not much longer. I'm just about halfway there til I can start having some soft foods again. Yeah the aftertaste is pretty terrible. I've been struggling with my breath for the last week. I'm told by those close around me that it's not as bad as I think it is... which at least solves some of the embarrassment... but it seems no amount of tic-tacs or mouth wash seem to help get this damn sour taste out of my mouth.

Thank you... I don't totally hate my shakes... I have a good variety of flavors and try to mix them up as much as possible. But I would kill for something chewable right now... maybe a nice juicy steak. I think Friday's are the worst in general. Usually at work we order lunch together because it's payday. Friday nights I attend a support group and we usually go to Denny's after for a bite. I look forward to being able to participate in either of those again. Although I guess in 2 weeks once I'm onto soft foods, I can go out with my friends and just have an egg-white omelet.

This is my... "3 days til surgery and I'm sick of protein shakes" face.

Isopure unflavored is disgusting... it definitely needs a flavor boost, try some orange crystal light. It makes a good mix and reminds me a little of Hi-C orange. Unjury is my favorite so far, the vanilla is best mixed with either a teaspoon of sugar-free chocolate pudding and a scoop of P2B powder. But another good mix that I've come to love is with (again) the crystal light. It's almost like a creamsicle. Finally... One last mix that I have come to love is a half serving of chocolate protein with a half serving of isopure banana protein along with a scoop of P2B. It's not the same as eating a legit Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich, but I think Elvis would approve nonetheless.

Hi everyone. I'm new to the group. I am having surgery on 3/26 with Dr Buchin in Huntington NY. Very excited for this change. I'm on day 11 of my liquid only diet and struggling a little, especially at work with my colleagues making daily coffee runs to Dunkin Donuts. Taking all of my strength to not order any donuts, I used to eat 2 donuts (Boston cream and double chocolate) every single day. I know I can stay strong, thankfully my coworkers are great and they won't let me get anything, but it's still tough seeing them drinking coffee and eating all of these foods I love. I have been a little nervous the last day or so... lately I've been feeling some mild muscle aches, a slight scratch in my throat and I'm cold all the time. I did have my flu shot back in September and I actually still got the flu in December... so I'm not concerned about that, although it's almost how I feel right now. I've read quite a bit through Google that seems to be pointing to a vitamin deficiency, most likely I'm becoming anemic due to the lack of iron and such in my system. I'm confident that it's all relatively minor, but tonight I have my final Pre-Op appointment with Dr Buchin and I'm terrified my surgery will be postponed because of this. If I don't have it on my scheduled day, I might not be able to do it for several months. It was hard enough getting the week off of work now, and I had to sacrifice my usual Birthday week vacation in order to take the time off.

I will definitely stick around... I do have a tendency to ghost from forums at times... but forums like this are too important. Thankfully my surgeon has a dedicated closed Facebook group as well as bi-weekly in office support groups for his patients. In addition, I've recently become friends with another of his patients, and I attend another weekly support group that isn't necessarily for weight-loss, but they are all amazing and have become a second family to me. So thankfully, I am definitely not lacking in support.

Thankfully carbonated beverages is a vice I never took up (along with smoking). Supposedly when I was very young I took a sip of a soda and I guess I wasn't expecting it to be so bubbly and I choked or something like that... by the time I was old enough to realize how silly the phobia was, I didn't care enough to try. In turn, I've never drank any sort of soda (not even seltzer) and I don't drink beer either. I'm planning on taking a bunch of pictures on Saturday. I have definitely felt and seen the loss thus far. I'm down 2 pant sizes and it's making me so happy to not only be under a 50" waist but also under the 300lbs mark in the first time in nearly 10 years.

Yeah I've been doing a lot of prep as well and making sure everything is in order. Ironically, I'm also a banker and thankfully my team has been great in helping me get my time off worked out and my benefits are about as good as can be so there shouldn't be too much out-of-pocket for me. I did get one temporarily rejection from the insurance company because my hospital apparently doesn't have some certification that was asked for. But we appealed it and had it approved within 2 days.

I do not use a CPAP... thankfully that is one thing that has stayed strong in my system. I was tested about 2 years ago for apnea but thankfully I passed that test with flying colors.

I have a history of getting sick very easily... I get the flu every season (even after getting the shot) and I used to get strep on an almost lunar cycle. I've been trying to hard to take extra care of myself these last few weeks since my date was set. Of course, the weather has not been doing me any favors, my town received 17 inches last night. I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to dig out of the driveway and would miss my final pre-op appointment today. Although, I would have likely called an Uber if that was the case. I think my biggest issue has been that there's been a lot of stress in my personal life as well, so add that to the potential vitamin deficiency and my body is on a little roller coaster. But I only have to stay strong for 4 more days, then the big landmark moment will be in the past.

You are very welcome. Best of luck moving forward, I hope it will be everything that you dream it will.

Ironically, I actually work in Greenlawn. Not much of a gym person... I've joined Retro and Planet a few times over the years and didn't really utilize it nearly as much. I think I still owe Retro quote a bit of money from my last attempt to get my butt in gear. Did you have your surgery with Dr. Buchin as well?

I'm sure it will pass over time and as you get more comfortable in your new body. How far post-op are you? I hope I'm not stepping out of bounds by saying so, but you are very pretty, at least from your profile pic. It seems as if despite your negative feelings towards yourself, you are able to see that at least partly... I hope that as time goes on you will be able to see more of that for yourself.

My surgery is booked for this coming Monday (3/26) I am so excited.