Starting liquid diet and would love suggestions

[RegFern 1]

I also discovered tonight that if you take one vanilla carnation....and put in one half crystal light strawberry pack that it makes a delish strawberry shake!!

AWESOME, so did you just make it with ice or milk? I guess I'll be staying busy experimenting. Maybe I should get a better blender.

[RegFern 1]

I was just banded yesterday by tabby Anne's doctor as well (dr. Brad Watkins)...I made it thru the two week diet using Atkins shakes (caramel and mocha were my favorite flavors). When mixed with ice in the blender they were close enough to my coffee house favorite frappes that i felt rather full after them. I also used lots of crystal light drinks, a sugar free pudding each night and chicken broth. It definitely wasn't easy but so worth while. Before surgery I felt better than I have in years. I wish you well on your diet. Be strong for yourself and you will be proud of making it thru...Vicki

Vicki, I'm a patient of Dr. Watkins too. So we don't have to buy the Protein powder they sell at the office? I'm not a coffee drinker, but I love chocolate so I'm looking for chocolate drinks and fruity type drinks. I think I"ll get frozen fruit and see how that works. I hit the Meijer sale on Crystal Light a couple weeks ago and Walgreens just had their broth on sale. I thnk my problem is that I am going to have to find ways to stay busy or I'll obsess over the idea of eating or not getting to "eat".

How are you feeling? Don't know if you saw my other post but I teach and I have to do my first teacher work day and Open House 2 days after my surgery. How are you feeling? REGFERN

[Mason33 0]

RegFern and Bradison. I too had Dr. Watkins and was banded last Wed. on the 27th. The third day after surgery was a little worse just because that's when the gas pains started for me, but everyone is different. I didn't even have to use pain meds until before bed on that first night. Just take it easy at the open house and stay well hydrated. Good luck with everything. You will love the staff at the surgery center and everyone has been great at Dr.Watkins office also. Dr. Watkins even called me at home that evening to see how I was doing. I was very impressed.

[jodie51878 1]

AWESOME, so did you just make it with ice or milk? I guess I'll be staying busy experimenting. Maybe I should get a better blender.

made it with skim milk in a shaker

[bradison 0]

Regina,

That is correct--you do not have to use the shakes at their office. The nurse said Atkins are allowed and I believe it's listed on their paperwork under "liquids". I also love fruit flavors so I bought some frozen fruit in the bag and the vanilla Atkins shakes and blended about 1/2 cup fruit into a shake. Or I used low fat plain yogurt, some skim milk and the frozen fruit to make a smoothie. Wasn't perfect but it gave me the change of taste that I needed. Walmart had frozen peaches, mango, strawberry and pineapple. Just watch the calories and use small amounts.

I was able to stay under the 800 calorie total each day even with a smoothie.

Dr. Watkins office has a support group meeting the second monday of each month at 6:30. I went to the July meeting even though I was pre banded and it was great. I plan to go again in august. They give ideas and helpful hints there too.

Mason33 is correct--the staff is excellent---the hospital was amazing and the whole experience has been better than expected.

I'm on day 3 post op and hopefully it's all better from here. I've been able to go to the store, do dishes, laundry, sweeping--light work and I go back to work tomorrow full-time. As long as you have an option to sit once in a while for your teaching event---it sounds like it could be done (if it were me).

Let us know if you need to vent during the diet. Even though I wasn't having hunger pains, I realized how very much I missed food and that was hard to get over at times. Just kept telling myself that it was in my head and not to let it win.

Vicki

[bradison 0]

One last thing I forgot to mention--you said something about keeping busy to keep your mind off eating--I too had that issue and I can tell you that my house is cleaner and more organized than it's ever been in 20 years. I picked a drawer, pantry or closet at a time and I just cleaned. It worked and I'm glad. It definitely helped me get thru the two weeks.

[learningtoluvme 0]

Where did you get the Optifast? I've been drinking the Crystal Lite lemonade and pink lemonade all summer and love it. I also love Propel, especially the grade. It comes in ready bottles which sometimes you can get on sale or the powder ready to go packets. The grape is just like Kool Aid.

I think my Dr. sells some powder supplement, not sure if I have to buy that or can find my own. I only have until Wed. a.m when I start to figure this out. Go to the office on Tuesday to sign paper work and get me started. Also i have a sleep Specialist consult, the anthesiologist consult. WOw!

[learningtoluvme 0]

Hello,

My surgeon had the Optifast in the office.. He told me it was a requirement. I didn't want to let go of $225 on the spot, but I want the surgery too bad and knew that it wouldn't happen without purchasing this product.. It has been pretty easy to use and I am satisfied with the results thus far..

I am anxious and can't wait until my surgery!.. This site has been quite helpful!