Kat817

Haydee, you are one busy girl!!! I forgot that we discussed the wedding/event hosting thing in the car, and not all of us were there!!! As for the tanning---did that last year, it tanned me all over....kinda!!! I went nude (!) and had a great tan on my cleavage-------however where the girls rolled to the sides----they and my upper arms where they landed, remained white!!! And I had little white crescent moon shapes right under my butt cheeks, at the top of my thighs on the back, where it smushed my butt down, and then when I stood up and walked or anything they showed!!!! It was definitely a live and learn experience for me!!! Maybe some of the self tanning lotion on the lighter parts??? Never used much of it either, but I remember talking to Terry---her tan looked great til she began rubbing it off in the river!!!! I doubt at the wedding you will be in a river though!!! Kat

Laura----my sister in law in Denver, and some friends know I have been very stressed over my DD....actually both of them, so they are sending me emotional, uplifting emails----which I passed on. Othertimes I get gross, or crazy ones----and when I do--I pass them on as well!!! Just sending what I am getting. Or no that can't be it, I am just a nice, kind, loving person! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!! Kat

Yep it is bandster hell----VERY common! I liken it to finally getting the new car you have been eyeing on the lot for so long, it is finally yours, sitting in YOUR driveway------and now you have no gas!!! You have a perfectly good band, just no fill yet, or not enough of one to allow it to work it's magic! It will come----it just has to be done slowly for your own good. And yes I know none of that helps the want of it to happen like TODAY! Just a suggestion, but it has helped me a lot through the journey with my band, and that is to grab a tape measure as well as a scale. At the times my scale seemed to sit without moving, for some reason that is when I would notice the inches dropping!!! I have lost over a hundred pounds, but I have also lost over 70 inches off of my body!!! So when the scale is stuck but your tape measure tells you that your hips are an inch down----it helps emotionally! I kept a notebook, and measured key areas, but also for my own interest, and not counted in my total---I measured areas like my neck, my wrist----I lost several inches in my neck alone!!! My inch count is the count done at Curves. They measure my upper arm, bust, waist, hips, and thighs. Hang in there, it will get better, and there will be no stopping you if you work it!!! Kat

Now that the packets are readily available by many distributors, maybe now that the thread has been resurrected, we can get some good ideas of how people use them. With it being super hot, my favorite right now is to use a Propel bottle---I like the lid, and the size. I use the Walmart brand of Cherry-Limeade mix----and put it in the freezer, til it just gets slushy.....perfect for drinking in the yard watching my granddaughter play in her pool!!! Kat

Without a doubt one of the best things I ever did for myself. I do wish in many ways I would have had the option earlier in life, however, as many have said, perhaps I was not prepared for it til now. I am really glad to see those new to the band, giving themselves time to adjust, and learn, and see just how much it can help---before judging!! There is a stage you feel like it is a fruitless help in there, but it passes, and then the band begins to work!!! As long as you are willing to work with it, it does a great job---but it is defiinitely a team effort. Love my band, love the results I have acheived with it. Continue to recommend it to anyone who asks!! Kat

I SEE THE KIMKINS AD!!!! YAY And yeah, once was enough I am sure!!! Kat

I'm here too. Been at Abbey's til she left to go to the Dr. Then I was dismissed rather quickly by her DH. I had no intentions of trying to barge into the Dr. with her. He had no issue with me being there with her, and I bet he is glad he won't be standing there doing dishes. And I even bet he might like the frozen cheese pizza I made sure he had on hand. To act a little decent would not kill him. I am worried about Abbey and possibly taking more out on him than I should....hard not to, he really can be a pompous ass kinda guy! I skipped my rodeo meeting this morning to go be with Abbey----so not sure where we stand, with fitting everyone in. I feel like I helped out, hope others were as lucky as I was. We now have quarters for almost 30 families we did not last week! Hope the transportation worked out as well!!! Rick goes on days off tomorrow, and will be off til next week. We had planned a trip out of town to a rally, but it is all hinging on how Abbey does. Kinsey's mouth is feeling better, I think she is making a lunch out of celery!!! I had some on the counter I just chopped, and washed, laying on some paper towels so it drains a bit before I put it away, and I bet she has went in there and grabbed 6 pieces---3 full stalks!! She LOVES it! Pamela----glad you are back safely. I can imagine how sobering that was as you landed. How sad for that family. I now only have 2 kids I know personally over there. My cousin come home, and now 2 friends kids are over there, one is one of Rick's best friends daughter, and then a neighbors son. I am thrilled that you had such a good time, and that you got to see Susanne in her element----speaking with them and all. That was special! Judy---sorry you made the trip to the hospital for no reason....that always annoys me! What type of outfits are you sewing for Amelia? I should try it again----I used to sew some for Manda----but now my sewing machine is buried, to make room for exercise equipment!!! LOL----choices, choices, choices!!! I better go find Kinsey something to eat besides celery!!! Goofy kid! BBL~~ Kat

I scrolled all the way down, and am still in the dark....... Kinsey had some sort of allergic reaction, and her little mouth is full of sores. We are thinking it might be canteloupe----it does me the same way, and she had some. Poor thing was so miserable, I gave her some benadryl, and she conked out. Hope she feels better tomorrow! I am off to bed early tonight. Will catch you all tomorrow..... Night-night! Kat

Never heard of Kimkins.....splain yourself!!! Kat

Wow----UA's for kindergarten?? Times have changed for sure!!! All my kids had to do was be tested for color blindness, hearing, basic eyesight, they checked their spines for possible scoliosis, height and weight!! Back from lunch with my folks---there are times I get soooooo upset with them!!! They wanted to take their little truck in and fill it up where the gas is cheaper, so I told them I would meet them at the restaurant. We did that just fine. In fact Mom called me as I was turning on the street to let me know they were there and had a table. Once we both got there, and waited and they were doing the same in another area!! So after lunch, they were going to fill the truck and meet me at Walmart, so I could show them this camping junk Rick wants for this weekend. They wanted to buy it for him and tell him happy early birthday---his is in a couple of weeks. Kinsey and I get to Walmart, and we did a couple things, and I figure they should be there, so I call them. No answer. I tried 10 times, no answer! I never did find them, finally bought my stuff and come home, only to have them call me and ask me how to make their cell phone stop beeping. I soooooooooooo wanted to SCREAM>>>>>>ANSWER THE DAMN THING!!!!!!!!!!! Being the loving DD I am, I said it rather than yell it!!! They are scared to death to use the phone---I have no idea why they even have it and told them so. She said they looked for me....well it is a Super Walmart, with a full grocery, in fact it is one of the 5 biggest Walmarts in the country---does she really think it is going to be that easy??? A simple phone call..... So how goes the pool install Suzanne? Exciting!!!!! Jane, when will you hear anything on your yummy breakfast test??? TracyKS---sorry Mom is feeling so negative.....still praying for you! TracyK---I understand about the visitation, but at least he has some bargaining power. She wants more $$$ with his new job, and you not working, then tell her to pack 'em up for the month!! See how she responds to that. You would not be asking for anything more than you are entitled to. Might make her think twice. I know we hold a lien on Rick's ex's house!!! We won a settlement she never paid, so our attorney put a lien on her house. We believe she has probably forgotten it. But we hold it, just for that purpose----bargaining power!!! Terry, how is it feeling back at work? Does anyone there know what you did??? Michelle---I remember the empty house feeling! Find a good book----and veg out! Laura, wow your friend has a really restrictive diet! I have friends who have the Wheat Gluten allergy and they have a difficult diet to follow as well. I cannot remember the name of the disease right now....of course!!! Well I am going to take advantage of Kinsey sleeping, and get a few things done. I promised her we would play with the doll house when we got home, so when she wakes up---I will be on the floor acting like Dad, and all the characters she doesn't want. She tries being Dad, but cannot talk deep so I always get him!!! LOL BBL~~ Kat

Good morning girls, going to attempt a post with Kinsey sitting on my lap!! She is a velcro kid this morning, been away from her Granny for too long!!! No more vacations for Daddy we decided!! LOL She has been trying to fit all her Granny things in. We have had mini pancakes, and a bubble bath, all after snuggling in Papa's bed. Why it is Papa's and not Granny's since it is me that takes her there I have no idea, but it has always been Papa's! We might go to lunch with my parents--not to sure. Well I bored her so she hopped down!! TracyKS---will be thinking of you and sending prayers your way today for the appointment with your Mom. Laura, sounds like Dad did great to me. Manda's old boyfriend was very into playing for high stakes, but he had a very addictive attitude about it. He played on line every second that he could, excluding them, and even work with it. She was very concerned, but he refused to even discuss it. He was good unless he got mad, and then he was all in, and out to "show them" and then you are sunk!!! Plus he did not have disposable income for it, so when he come up short, her paycheck had to cover them. It was the biggest reason she left, even before the problems with Lindzie---although those were a major issue too. I was pleased with her that she continues to go over and see Lindzie on occasion, took the girls to the park over the weekend. She said she remembers when Rick moved to Denver, him coming after her made her feel so important, and she knew he loved her regardless of anything, and she hopes that helps Lindzie. Judy, you ought to bring Ethan over to play in the yard with Kinsey it is about 80 out, and the yard is shaded well in the morning! Wouldn't that be nice, we could sit on the patio and sip Crystal Light!!! And we could talk about all these girls.....and how much we miss them and look forward to the next trip!! Speaking of.....anyone have any ideas???? I told Rick I was going to start putting money in my vacation fund again.....woohoo!!! Do you still have your step kids TracyK? Do you get extended summer visits? So I had this "stitch" pop out of my incision, right in the middle of the low one----so I pulled it.....and it kept coming! It come from all the way on the left side! About 7 inches of heavy fishing line feeling stuff! There is still a piece sticking out for the right side, when I tug on it, I feel it about 3/4 of the way down the incision. Waiting to hear from my surgeon about whether this is normal!!! Well my folks just called and they are ready to leave and I am not!! Better get a move on! Hugs Violets!!! Kat

Like I said, some do not lose any at all----others do, and there seems to be no common cause. I know personally I lost hair with Atkins, which is all Protein, and I kept my protein up with the band and still went through a point from about 4 months post op to about 11 months post op that ir fell out badly! I blamed it on the sudden dietary changes, but I truly have nothing to base that on!! I have never opted for tight restriction, and have always concentrated on healthy eating as opposed to amounts, or a certain diet. The loss stopped as quickly as it started, and it is growing like mad again, and seems healthier than ever. THe diet changes did not affect my nails or anything else----just head hair loss. No idea why....I tried Biotin, and zinc.....have always taken good multi Vitamins, and taken in a healthy amount of fats.....my blood work ups showed no deficiencies.....so maybe stress played into it, learning not to eat all day everyday!! Hope none of you experience it at all!!! Kat

This is all true, you do need to be sure to do this for YOU! Not because it is what your Mom thinks is right for you. However attending the seminar now and hearing the info is still a good thing, the less years you spend obese, the better off you will be. And just to clarify-- you will likely lose some hair, NOT however all of your hair! I have done both!! I lost every hair on my body I believe with chemotherapy--and also lost hair when I was banded, and lost nowhere near all of it!! It affected the hair on my head only, not my lashes or anything else like before. Some lose none, others have a drastic loss, coming close to say 50%----but I have never heard of anyone losing it all. Listen with a total open heart and mind to the seminar, and be sure this is something you are ready to do prior to agreeing. Surgery is a big step, it was a simple surgery for me, and for most bandsters I believe, but state of mind has a lot to do with it. Most of us are so ready for change that by the time surgery rolls around, we are ready to do it ourselves!!! Be honest with yourself in making your decision. Kat

I have a friend and her DH who are both banded, and when I was prepping to be banded he told me the band is female. I looked at him with a ???? look, and he said it is as fickle as fickle gets!!! Actually worse than any woman he had ever met!!! He went on to tell of similar incidents where one day something is fine, the next not at all! Or even from lunch to dinner..... It is true, even with mine, sometimes things go easy, sometimes it is not gonna happen!!! But......would I trade knowing I could eat something for the 100+ pounds back??? Not a chance!!! Sounds like you are pretty normal to me!!! Kat

First of all, that is wonderful your Mom is so understanding and generous with you!!! Not everyone is so lucky! I would however encourage her to possibly visit you, and allow you to have your surgery close to where YOU live so that your followup and fills would not be a hardship. You also might want to consider that, as some Dr.'s do not include fills in the cost----who will pay for that, and can you afford them if it is you. It IS worth skimping some here and there for the surgery---I LOVE my band!!! I just wanted to alert you to some things to think about, and to discuss with your Mom. Congrats on the first step to being healthy!!! Kat

Good Morning girls!! What a busy couple of days!!! Class reunion is over, and we had a blast!! Although....some of those people looked really old!!! And yet others didn't look like they had changed at all in the last 30 years! Rick and I won a gift basket----full of silly things---chocolate body paint, a how to fight fair book, massage lotion, a honey-do note pad---all kinds of junk. There were only 3 couples eligible for the drawing for this prize---it was for us who both halves of the couple are from our class. We did have a great time at both the ice breaker and also the picnic. If ever I have loved my band....this had to be one of the top times. To mingle and visit, and not worry about my weight was totally wonderful! I cannot tell you---I don't have the words! The memorial service yesterday was sad, yet comforting. I had not realized he had as much family as he did. I wish they had been more supportive when he was well...but they obviously did love him, and that made me feel better. Rick told a couple stories on Paul that were funny. Then last night we went to Colorado for my friends wedding. It was great. It rained, so it was cool. It was in the mountains, in a forrest. It is a family owned camp ground, so there was a covered pavilion, and restrooms. They had games set up, and both sides of the walls on the pavilion building were hinged, and folded down into sideboards and they were full of food!! I behaved pretty well. Ate a bowl of green chile stew, and then stick to veggies and fruit. I did eat 1/2 a piece of carrot cake (wedding cake) and gave the other 1/2 to Rick. There were I'd say 40-50 people at the wedding, and a VERY diverse group! They ranged from infancy to 100 y.o.---grooms grandmother was carried into the meadow they got married in. There were cowboys, hippies, bikers, super prissy aunts running around making sure everything was just perfect!!! The bride (my long time friend) is hispanic, the groom white.....so there were hispanics, whites, Navajos, blacks, and Asians there. And it was wonderful!!! Everyone had a great time. At one point my friend and I were walking together from the building back to the meadow, and come across our granddaughters playing together! Now her granddaughter is from her son, but she is 3 and looks so much like her daughter---the childs aunt---it is amazing!! Then Kinsey is so much like her Mama, it was like transporting us back to when we became such close friends when our DD's were kids! They were 2 when we became neighbors and friends....we just stopped dead in our tracks and looked at each other in shock, it was eery!!! We finally made it home late last night, weary, but happy----we got through the day of chaos!!! Laura---did I miss a new update on your Dad? Suzie---yay a pool finally!!! Terry---you look amazing for how bruised you were---wooohooo!!! Pamela---enjoy your last few days, sorry it is ending for you, but will be glad to have you back! TracyKS--did you survive the weekend with all the boys? I cannot help but laugh at you being the only Princess in the castle! Haydee---how did the first wedding go? I thought of you during my friends wedding!!! Judy---the memorial service we went to was done by the VFW and they have no music, was kind of strange.....only music was TAPS. Jane--when do you get your phone answering help back? TracyK---what do you have lined up for the week? Michelle--I hear you on the eating thing, I tried really hard yesterday---but noone seems to get it!!! LOL they just have tons of food everywhere! Denise---has Dimitri got to come home yet? Jenn---still missing you!!!! Love to ALL!! Kat

Can't help you with the cost issue, I was self pay----but wanted to congratulate you on taking the first step!!! That is usually the hardest---now you have the momentum to move forward!!! Good Luck to you, and welcome to LBT----great place to be as you work your way through the maze to become banded!! Kat

Hi Ladies! What a great thing to come home to a post card from Pamela (she does love me too!!!!) and then posts from her as well!!! YAY!!! BUT.......I also got her birthday card back in the mail---my own stupidity!!! I wrote out the To part of the envelope, and knew it was a PO Box, and in Palm Springs--so I wrote all that, then come to the computer to get the box # and the zip.....wrote in the zip and left no PO Box # on it!!!! So off to the mail with another card today!!! Spent my morning going around begging!!! LOL, I began to feel like I should write what I want on a piece of cardboard and just stand on the corner!! I was going to local dealerships and trying to get RV donations for the rodeo....got 12 donated from different dealerships, and then one of the RV rental companies made me a deal on cost---so I hit up local businesses to "sponsor" a RV rental, and ended up with a total od 20 RV's I did not have this morning. The Rental place is supposed to let me know if they can get anymore for us locally, if so, I will hit up more businesses. Also got a local printer to donate placards to put in the RV's stating who donated the RV for use. Tonight is the ice breaker for our class reunion. I have no idea what to wear. I am not stressing over it though, that amazes me!!! I used to seriously work my clothing options to hide the belly as much as possible--this is weird, to just grab clothes and go! Rick wants me to wear my skinny jeans. I bought a pair of jeans in Ross last week, that are Paris Blues, and they are called Bare Naked Skinny--that is the style. They are cut narrower through the butt and thighs,and they actually fit me-----a juniors size 11!!!! I had planned to wear capris---but I might wear the jeans to humor him!!! This could be real interesting, both of our exes will be in attendance! His ex wife is married to a guy we graduated with---so they will be there. And my ex husband (Manda's dad) is living with my former friend who we graduated with, so they will be there. Oh well-------both REALLY good reasons to show off the weight loss I think!!! LOL----shame on me!!! Laura, I agree, Mom should stay home. Rick is the same way if we play poker, he looks at me, and I can read him like a book! AND he is a gullible male, I can fake him out and bluff him like no other!!! All I gotta do is look a bit excited, and he will fold!!! Act disgusted, and I can push him to raise and raise and raise!!! Love it!!! Pamela, I am so glad to hear from you and know you are having fun, but you still miss us!! LOL TracyK--I agree, letting Macy help you cook is ideal! Kinsey has favorites------she likes to cut up ham to put in scrambled eggs, because she gets to stir them and all. And she likes to make English muffin pizza--she decorates it, and it is how she discovered she likes bell peppers!! Otherwise we do a lot of soup, and sandwiches---grilled cheese is her favorite. She likes corn dogs, and chicken strips so I keep those in the freezer. A box on macaroni and cheese will last her an entire week---And if I let her take the leftovers out, and spoon it into the plate to reheat in the microwave---she thinks she made it!!! LOL Quesadillas are easy. She also loves most any veggie, if I have ranch for her to dip in. Cooked broccoli is always a hit with her. She also gets a kick out of roasting a hot dog on the stove top -- we have a gas stove, so I stick it with the big meat fork, and let her hold it over the fire---with me there. Hers are ALWAYS cold in the middle but she doesn't care!! She loves cottage cheese! Some of her meals are a bit of this and a bit of that, but she is happy, and we try to keep her fairly nutritious. And ANYTHING served outstide is better than inside!!! TracyKS---sorry it is taking so long to get info. It always does. I think it took them almost 3 weeks to determine how far my cancer had progressed and to give it a name. Let alone to decide what to do or how to proceed. It is a hard place to be, you want the comfort of family close, but at the same time, you want to be alone so you can freak out if you need to. As a parent she is STILL trying to protect you! So far Abbey is hanging in there. She has yet to see anyone other than the ER Dr. Which like Rick keeps telling me---what happens is going to happen regardless who she sees, there is nothing they can really do, it is wait and see now. Well I am off to shower, so my hair can dry and maybe not frizz too bad!!! I also should do my nails. Tomorrow I had a meeting, but am going to miss it. We have Ricks friends memorial service in the morning at 10, our class reunion picnic at 1, and my friend getting married in Colorado---over an hour away at 6!!! AND Rick is running the shop! Manda got a new position at work---she is now a scheduler with BP. She got a raise with it as well, so she is thrilled! Hugs to all of you I didn't get to personals on------I think of you all the time. I have my Gruene pic sitting on my desk----I took a post it sticky circle and made a smiley for Suzanne!!! That way when I go to do personals, I can catch everyone!!! LOL Anyone got a remedy for peeling skin---to hurry it along? I look like a lizard!!! Kat

Good for you!!! Anything you do will be a benefit! While you are sitting, use a can of food in each hand and hold your arms out straight and do small circles. This is one of the chair exercises they had my MIL do, preparing her for knee replacement surgery--just any movement because it raises the heartrate! They also had her do leg lifts while lying in bed. And encouraged her to really pump her arms when she did walk just to bring the heart rate up. It ALL helps!!! They said the impact of losing 5% of your body weight is enormous!!! And would make her knees feel so much better as she waited for her surgery. We had a fire in our back lot 2 nights ago, it was sooooo scary! It was close to our house. I still feel the effects on my lungs, and my muscles from shoveling dirt trying to save some of our things! Kat

It is a terrific form of aversion therapy!!! In reality though, if you do eat small bites, chewed well, and stop when you no longer feel hungry, rather than pushing for the full feeling, PB's can be avoided. I choose not to be super tightly restricted, and have had 2 real PB's in the 2+ years I have been banded. I can eat all foods, I just had to learn to seriously chew my food, and take smaller bites! When I forgot.....is when the PB's happen! Incidentally sliming is not something limited to banded people. My husband who is not banded, and not overweight, choked on a piece of chicken. It went down past his trachea so he could breath, but he could not swallow anything, including his own spit! And he slimed just like a true bandster!!! It is a NORMAL response of the body when it thinks we need help passing something. The problem for most of us is that the reason we befin sliming is that we are over full--either because we ate too much or because we swallowed a bite that is too big to pass easily. So there is nowhere for all the slime to go----spitting it is the best option. If you attempt to swallow it, it IS going to all come back up. Slime is tasteless, just a VERY thick saliva. And you will be shocked at how much of it you can produce! I as I say have chosen to stay fairly loose in my restriction, and have always been able to eat what I consider a healthy amount of food. I feel like I need more nutrition than what I can get in a few bites of food. So it has taken me 2 years, to lose the weight, but I did it!!! And if I can------------anyone....everyone CAN! Kat

Welcome back Robin~~~ Sounds like you are ready to get going again! You have the next 6 months to begin a walking program, and to try to learn to eat like a bandster so you will be all set when insurance kicks in!!! Hang out, and get all the support you can--lots of people are here for awhile before surgery takes place---best place in the world to learn!!! Kat

Girls, this guy just come to look at the trailer we have for sale. Super nice guy----basically a good looking man, early 40's I'd say. Pleasant, well spoken.........BUT I have never, not even on my 80 odd year old Father in law seen so much hair in someones ears!!! You could have combed and styled it! I found it so hard not to stare at it while we talked!!! I feel so mean, but it was borderline comical it was soooooooo much hair! I have no idea how he hears! I told Rick he has to be here when the guy comes to pick it up, because I am afraid I'll blurt out something stupid-"Oh you need to sign the title right HAIR"!!!! OK I am going to quit being mean. I ate horribly today, did not exercise, and only drank a bit. I looked in Lord knows how many stores for brown flip flops, and settled for ones I really don't care much for. I also tried on what felt like thousands of bras. I now know I am a size 38 or 40 or even a 42 still DD or DDD depending on what I try on---I was so frustrated I could have screamed!!! Which is why I shop for those alone, I am afraid I would take it out on anyone around me! TTYL~~ Kat

I have never opted to have real tight restriction. The only time I knew I had a band was when I did not chew well, or ate too much too fast, and it would feel tight in my chest kind of. I can count the # of PB's I have had in 2+ years..........2---and I remember what both of them were, and why!!! I had 2 fills over that period of time, and one total unfill back in May for my Tummy Tuck. Band PLACEMENT plays a much bigger role my fill Dr. believes that formerly thought it did. Filling too much and becoming too tight, can lead to cycles of swelling and PB's--if you are losing I would leave it alone, until this phase ends, and then let them tighten you down. Since my TT, I have not felt hunger, so I have opted not to refill at this point. I have no fill at all. When I begin feeling hungry or gaining weight, I will go without a doubt!!! Til then......if it ain't broke....I ain't gonna try to fix it!!! Kat

Karri, my DD is in her first trimester of pregnancy and experiencing some problems. Which the heat is making worse. Her Gyno told her to have something in her hand to drink at all times, the colder the better. And she has one of those neck noodles she is wearing at her desk. You soak it in cold water, and it swells up, keeps the blood cooled going to her brain I tease her! I know you need calories, and are not concerning yourself with diet so much, but don't forget to bump the protein for healing purposes, and watch the sugar rushes, because it causes your blood sugar to go all over the place, something it sounds like you do not need right now!! Feel better Soon!!! Kat

What a sweet thing to say!!! Are you getting in enough Protein? The week after being banded, I was so fatigued, I thought I was being a drama Queen! I did not hurt much, but had zero energy! Someone reminded me to get my protein in, so I drank Zero Carb Ispopure from GNC---it is clear liquids---kind of like kool aid in different flavors, and has 40 grams of protein per bottle. It turned me around! I felt better almost immediately! They also sell protein shots, little test tube shots, where you pack a wallop of protein in little bits. It is harder to get your protein in before you can have shakes---during the Clear liquids. So you might try that, it sure helped me! Feel better soon! Kat