mousecat88

Yes! I randomly decided to buy peaches and pears in their own juice (without even seeing your comment). lol. I couldn't think of any good fruits to puree, even though I'm supposed to have some so they seemed perfect. Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Since Atkins is essentially the only protein shake I can have without puking, I hope I can tolerate it afterwards.. otherwise no clue what I'd do. Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

I cant have any whey proteins, isolates or concentrates. I am not lactose intolerant, but actually intolerant to the protein itself. I've tested about 12 protein powders beforehand. I can only tolerate Atkins (which is half soy) and full soy isolates. Pea protein isolate and egg white proteins make me gag. I just bought a bunch of Atkins, the 15 frozen meals for the pre-op, some chicken broth, and various baby foods for the puree stage. And some unsweetened applesauce. That's all for now. Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

The best flavored shakes ever are Syntrax. Fuzzy Navel was my favorite. I am intolerant to whey protein now, but before I was, I tried a ton. Syntrax Nectar was best. I am starting preop diet tomorrow and just using Atkins (they are half soy half whey). Pure Protein is really good, too. And 365 Everyday soy is so good. Egg proteins are grossssss. Don't try them. lol. Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am having bypass on the 1st. I can only take 2 weeks because I live alone and that's all the paid leave I have. My boss had bypass and started going to meetings (not a full day of work) 3 days after he got out of the hospital. I did apply for FMLA in case something goes awry and I can't get back to work within 2 weeks... but financially... I will be screwed. Everyone at my doc has said 2 weeks should be fine since I have a desk job, barring any complications. The longest they said anyone has ever taken was 4 weeks, and it wasn't because of pain, but just getting used to the foods.

My surgery is November 1st. I don't have to do clear liquids either. I do 3 shakes a day and one Healthy Choice/Lean Cuisine for 15 days prior. I start that on October 16th. Not complaining! lol.

I am having gastric in 3 weeks and my ultrasound showed I had A LOT of gallstones. They won't remove it during surgery because where they put the instruments isn't ideal for removing the gallblader without doing open surgery. They are going to prescribe me gallstone medicine to try to prevent more from forming after surgery. I don't have any issues with my gallbladder hurting me now. I am scared that since I already have a lot in there, that it may get worse, but the docs have assured me that the medicine will stop new ones from forming so I shouldn't worry.

I smoked a few cigarettes a day for about 10 years and quit several months ago. Within a week of quitting, your lungs feel SO MUCH BETTER. I used to wheeze walking upstairs, thinking it was due to my weight... nope. Now I can sprint up steps and not be out of breath at all (and I am still pre-op). You really have no clue how much it affects them until they start healing themselves. Now, on rare occasion, I will have one cigarette if I am out with friends and I immediately feel wheezy and awful. Good luck to you!

If you're *just* over into the obese range and hesitant about Lapband, have you considered trying a medical weight management program first before surgery? They will prescribe you rx diet drugs and have you on Optifast for several weeks, which may be enough for you to get into the normal range. That would be my first go-to if my BMI was around 30. My friend had Lapband 6 or 7 years ago and is still going strong, for what it's worth. No weight gain, no problems. She does have to go and get it filled some or unfilled on rare occasion, which seems like a huge pain.

Haha. It's Walmart... they'll take anything back here. I already had to return protein powders I ordered off their website. Barf.

Yeah, I'm going to get my act together today. I've decided to start the pre-op diet 6 days early, just to help maybe counter a bit of the damage I've done over the last 3 weeks. A lot of people (pretty much everyone) said they had food funerals.. some more extreme than others... and they all regret doing so, even though it didn't affect their outcome. But just because ... what's the point? I think I've gotten a good grip on things now so I feel like I got it out of my system.

I'm having bypass, but I can tell you a friend of mine had the sleeve 3 months ago and has already lost 50lbs. He hasn't had any issues and is extremely happy with it. My surgeon recommended bypass for me because I already have pretty bad acid reflux. I heard that GERD can get worse if you already have it - but if your surgeon doesn't seem that concerned as to make a recommendation one way or the other, I wouldn't stress.

I think that's why I've been so lackadaisical about sticking to a good diet beforehand. My ultrasound showed my liver had no fatty deposits on it at all and was completely normal-sized. So I've been like "haha whatever! eating junk isn't going to suddenly make my liver fat in 3 weeks." I'm 7 days now from the pre-op diet and just want one more thing and then I'm done indulging.

I had my birthday party on September 1st! lol! Went out to my favorite restaurant which is an upscale all-you-can eat brazilian steakhouse, went out for drinks two nights, and ate plenty of junky bar food. No regrets there!

Oh my gosh - did you not get this guidance from your surgeon? Mine gave me a massive like 200 page manual with grocery lists for each phase, meal plans, and nutritional facts and everything. Get whey protein isolate shakes. My surgeon said less than 10g carbs, no more than 3g fat, under 200 calories. Syntrax, Unjury, Quest, Bariatric Advantage, Pure Protein all work. I can't drink whey so I get soy shakes... AdvantEdge, 365 Everyday, and Atkins (half soy). You should definitely talk to your surgeon about what vitamins you'll need. Mine had me buy mine straight from them. I am taking supposed to take Celebrate vitamins twice daily and iron. Unjury also sells good bariatric vitamins on their website, but you really need to know from your doctor what YOU need to be taking since it's surgery and individual specific!

I'm going to try. Monday is my big trip to buy a ton of shakes and puree baby foods. I've already gained 10 or 15lbs since my first appointment. I am scared of when I go back, which is the day before my surgery, and I will have gained even more. Hopefully if I can stick to the preop, I can get closer to my starting weight. [emoji53] Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Did your surgeon not make any recommendations? My surgeon advised against the sleeve because it can exacerbate or cause acid reflux. I already have some, so I certainly don't want to make it worse. And I wouldn't want to cause it - knowing myself how bad it can be sometimes. I'm pre-op, too, but I've talked to a LOOTTTTTT of patients and families of patients and it is SO variable who has dumping and who doesn't. And everyone has said, it only happens if they do not stick to their diet. Bypass was a no-brainer for me.

Woke up this morning feelings the complete opposite - super positive and motivated again. I think it's just going to be a crazy ride over the next 3 weeks of wishy-washiness.

My surgeon told me only 1% of people with 100+ lbs to lose can keep it off long-term without weight loss surgery. I certainly believe him after how much I've tried. Even if you can lose it all without the surgery, chances are you'd gain most back. The surgery actually changes your metabolism to that of a skinny person... dieting and exercise.... you still have a fat person's metabolism, which is why it is SO hard to lose and maintain. That's another thing I need to remember!

I know it's a long-shot... but anyone here go to Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA? Would love to find a local buddy to keep my butt in check. And also to see what your experience was like in the hospital! I am scheduled for 11/1/18! I was scheduled with Dr. Wiedower, but he semi-retired/switched to another function at the hospital. Now I am scheduled with Dr. Oviedo, who practiced in both Miami and Texas.

I actually JUST got fantastic news - my dietitian is letting me continue with Atkins shakes. They are *slightly* over the fat content, but are half soy/half whey and they DO NOT make me nauseous. WOOHOO!!! You have NO CLUE how much better I feel about this!

I am 3 weeks from surgery and losing my once enthusiastic willpower; some of it is fear of failure and some of it is simply a lack of motivation in general. Every day for the next 3 weeks I need to just keep reminding myself all of the reasons I am doing this. Make a list of all the awesome things you can't wait to do once you're fit. I try to talk about it on FB with my friends a lot... making plans for all the hikes we will do and places we will go that I haven't been able to do in so long. I think everything we are feeling is totally normal.

Hahaha that's awesome. They didn't ask me to do an upper GI test. Nothing like pooping in a plastic hat, though. Fun times.

Nice! I'm going to Wal-Mart on the 8th to stock up on all my puree baby food stash for the second week post-op, and to grab a ton of AdvantEdge. I'll see if they have that in stock!