EasternNC

Thanks! I will still be monitoring this blog to see how all of you are doing!

Thanks, Marisol. I was disappointed but I took it in stride because it is for my own good. I have to come off the Plavix for a week for the surgery and six months is too soon. So I understand the reason was so psyched for August. I am taking it better than I would have in the past. But I'm 66 now so I am wiser! Pat

My surgery was originally scheduled for next week on Thursday but the hospital called me last week to tell me that the anesthesiologists wouldn't clear me because I had stents put in last December and would have to wait until a year had passed. So, my surgery has been rescheduled for Dec 13th. Needless to say I was disappointed since I have been working on getting all the appointments etc for almost 2 years, but Dec. is only 4 months away and I expect it will go quickly since I just started school Aug 20th. I am taking Intro to Russian at East Carolina University and so far I love the course. I also signed up for a pottery course. So my time should be filled up and pass quickly. The only drawback is that since the VA is doing my surgery I will have to travel to Huntington, WV in the winter instead of the summer. Here's hoping the weather is not a problem. I hope all of you who have had the surgery are doing well.

My best friend had the sleeve last October and since my surgery is sched for Aug 30th she told me how she got through the liquid period and even gave me samples...based on trying many other products that she couldn't tolerate. Here's what she told me and I hope it helps: She drank a lot of Gatorade G2 Cool Blue with Bariatric Choice drink concentrate BLue Raspberry. She also liked G2 Raspberry Lemonade. The Bariatric Choice drink concentrates are liquid and come in pouches. She also used Crystal Lite Pure in water (no artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives): fewer calories. She used Alkaline 88 water because it's PH balanced and is not acidic. She also mixed the whey powder with milk to make a shake (add ice) or hot chocolate made in a milk frother by Bodum that can be purchased from Amazon or Walmart. For protein powder she used Whey powder that she bought at Wallyworld: Vanilla and chocolate. On the huge jar it says Whey Isolate Protein by Integrated Supplements and is way cheaper than other protein powders.

No, I haven't tried crushing them but I may have to crush the medication that I already take. I have to speak to the surgeon and dietician about it when I get to the Hospital. I forgot to raise it during my previous meeting with them.

I can't swallow pills so I'm going to try liquid vitamins by buying the Women's complete Bariatric from Tespo.com

Cherry Ann, My mother is coming to drive me to surgery. I am more worried about having my house cleaned than the surgery. No matter how old your mother is she will still tell you to "clean your room".

As for the liquid liver reducer diet, I asked the nurse for my surgeon if I had to do a week long liquid diet and her answer is classic: "No, we assume that if you're fat so is your liver. It doesn't impede the surgery." I like people who tell it straight and have a sense of humor.

I don't like the Premiere shakes. The only one I don't mind drinking is the Atkins Dark Chocolate shake. However, I am doing research to find the best protein drink/powder. https://primesurgicare.com/dos-and-donts-of-protein-drinks-for-bariatric-patients/

Amen, sister. Mine is scheduled for Aug 30th and I feel the same.

I am scheduled for gastric sleeve on Aug 30th at the VA Hospital in Huntington, W VA. I live in NC so it will be a long drive but that's where the VA does the surgery. I am very excited.

My best friend had her gastric sleeve done Oct 25th last year. I offered to stay with her the night she got home from the hospital but she declined the offer. A couple of days later she was already driving. She has a high tolerance for pain too so I think you'll be fine if you don't have anyone to stay with you. I would just have a family member or good friend who you can call to come if something unforeseen happens.

I don't like the Premiere shakes. The only one I don't mind drinking is the Atkins Dark Chocolate shake.