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[tracynicole5181 14]

Hello Everyone!! I am new to bariatricpal.com, I joined a few months ago, but really wasn't sure what I was doing. I went to get my pre-op blood work done this morning and the phlebotomist that was drawing my blood told me great things about this site, as she had the band done several years prior. I am glad that I am getting the chance to sit back and go through all of this. I am going to start with telling everyone a little about myself. My name is Tracy, I am 33 years old, I am married to the love of my life Marc. He has a daughter (Olivia) from a previous marriage that was adopted from China, so I became an instant step-mom, she can be a handful at times but I love her. I currently work at a technical center in Florida as a secretary, I have been working at this school for almost 15 years (September). Currently I live in two locations during the week. Monday - Thursday I live with my father to help take care of him, cook his meds, take him to Dr. Appointments when needed, and anything else I can do. Friday - Sunday I live with my husband. Yeah its not fun, but it works for us.

So now a little bit about how my story has gotten started. I have always been over weight, always been the biggest out of all my friends, and usually every where I would go. Back in October of 2014, we got an email from the school board I work for that if we wanted to get the chance to have one of the surgeries, we could enter in to a pool to, in which would be selected by our insurance to participate in a pilot weight loss program. The day after my birthday November 18, 2014, is when they selected the names. However, my name was not chosen and I got a letter in the mail a few weeks later stating that and telling me I could sign up to participate in weight watchers. Which I have already tried with no luck. So I let it go, however at the end of January beginning of February, I got another letter from Blue Cross saying "Congratulations, I had been chosen to participate in the pilot program. I was so extremely happy. I immediately called who it told me to on the paper, a amazing lady from Blue Cross named Joyce, she gave me a lot of the details and soon after I got started.

I attended the seminar at Celebration Health, where I got more awesome news, and the following week I got started making my appointments and and getting my clearances done. Wednesday May 27th, I got a call from my advocate to confirm my surgery date and set up all pre-op appointments. June 29th I will get going in to receive the RNY Gastric Bypass and I can not wait. I am nervous and scared and all over the place. I am sure their are others out there like me as well.

June 8th I start my 3 week pre-op liquid/protein diet. Does anyone have any advice on the best Proteins out there, also looking for a good multi Vitamin as well.

I am hoping to meet others who are in my same boat or that have already gone through the surgery or are thinking about going through the surgery. I would really like to meet new friends to have a support group because I know the road ahead of me is going to be a hard one.

[KarenLoh 128]

Wow! That was fast. I started my weight loss program last summer and am just now meeting the surgeon next week. Admittedly, mine was an especially long journey because they recorded in their notes incorrectly that I wanted to try non-surgical weight loss. It took forever for me to get that changed in the system.

But it sounds like you are ready and raring to go. I like the nectar Fuzzy Navel Protein powder since it mixes up well and tastes like OJ. It's a not-so-sweet treat I enjoy. I just tried About Time whey Protein Isolate in the chocolate Peanut Butter. It wasn't great with Water but was good with milk.

Good luck!

[tracynicole5181 14]

Thanks!! I will have to give the fuzzy navel Protein Powder, I love OJ!

[tiggerbug 70]

Where do you get the fuzzy navel Protein powder? ? I'm also looking for different Proteins to try too. I don't have my date yet but I'm hoping it will be the first part of august

[KarenLoh 128]

I get it at Vitamin Shoppe but it's also available online. Good stuff that fuzzy navel. ????

[Lemon109 16]

Hi Tracy,

Just wanted to tell you all that Syntrax is offering a special on their nectar Protein powder. A variety pack of 15 single serving packages is $15.00 plus $1.99 shipping and handling. You have to call and order it but it was pretty quick and easy. I ordered some today. I love a lot of their fruity flavors and mixed with Water it is almost like drinking juice. No heavy Protein taste. They have a line of sweet flavors to mix with milk but I haven't tried those yet. Good luck on your journey....and nice to meet you.

[Daisee68 2,493]

What a cool story! And YAY for BCBS for doing something like this! (I have had BCBS insurance for many years until employer switched us this year.) I started my 7 day pre-op liquid only diet yesterday. Surgery is on June 4 (LESS THAN 6 DAYS!!). Three weeks is a pretty long time to do liquids only. Some drs with time that long allow Protein bars and/or 1 small meal a day (3 or 4 oz. lean Protein and a veggie), so just be sure you know what your particular surgeon requires.

Quest Protein Bars are great if you can do Protein Bars. Premier Protein premixed chocolate shakes (Walmart, grocery stores, etc.) are really good and have 30 grams of protein and only 2 g carbs each. powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup flavored powder is actually pretty good - tastes like Cup O' Soup. LOTS of broth is what is getting me through. I found one today at Walmart that was Tortilla Soup flavored broth and it is WONDERFUL! I think I will try mixing in some unflavored Protein Powder. (I use Whey-licious (online order) which can be mixed in as few as 3 oz of Fluid and still give 20 g protein which will be really helpful after surgery when pouch doesn't want much.) Lastly I have heard Isopure is pretty good but kind of sweet. GNC is expensive but Vitamin Shoppe has better prices. If you get to eat real food, look for lean protein like fish (tuna, salmon, etc.), chicken (for some reason thigh meat is supposed to be better tolerated after surgery because it is more moist but as long as it's lean and not fried before surgery should be fine), even pretty lean beef I think would be ok. Just keep the servings small - 3 to 4 oz. only.

I hope that helps! Good luck! Let us know how it's going!

[tracynicole5181 14]

Thanks so much for the reply. I am already doing premier Protein in chocolate :-) it's the only one I really like right now. I really hope that doesn't change after surgery.

With my liquid diet I can I have cup of raw veggies as an afternoon snack. So at least I have something to look forward too. Haha!!

I have tried the chicken Soup from unjury, but I have tried it from diet direct. I will definitely have to try the unflavored kind.

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@tracynicole5181, welcome and congratulations on your upcoming surgery and more importantly your healthy new life!

I used a really horrible Protein recommended by my bariatric team for my pre op diet. I think they were way too darn sweet which turned out good because now I cannot tolerate much sweet. I personally would recommend Premier Protein ready made shakes because each carries 30grams of Protein and only 1 gram of sugar. They are the only protein supplement that I use now.

The other advice I would give you is to make yourself a really good homemade chicken broth. You will need that rich savory warm flavor during your pre op and the crap in the can simply will not cut it.

I was on a two week all liquid diet and that broth kept me sane!

Good luck with your surgery! I hope you have a safe and speedy recovery!

[MochaGyrl 12]

Hello - I, too, am having RNY with Dr. Kim at Celebration Hospital Friday, June 5. I was offered the June 29th date also, but opted for the earlier date. We're starting around the same BMI, so we can travel this journey together! The three week liquid diet is a challenge at first, but you'll get used to it. I'm using Premier Protein and the unjury chicken Soup Protein mix to get me through the day, along with a Wendy's side salad as outlined in the Phase 2 diet plan.

[SusanDavenporr2015 20]

Wow! That's so great! I am lucky, in that I know several people that have had the surgery and I can just go"hey, how about such 'n such?" And they tell me about how it worked for them. Also, from the beginning, I had a partner. My youngest daughter and I are doing this together.

It might be hard, being away from the support of your husband and daughter during the week, but I'm sure you already make each minute with them special. Meals can be really great times for special. I put out nice table cloth with cloth napkins and napkin rings. I use the good dishes and place food in serving bowls, even if it's just me. Sometimes, I even put candled on the table and always have flowers.

[tracynicole5181 14]

@@MochaGyrl, Congrats!! Originally they gave me June 2, but because of a paperwork glitch, my date got moved. I wish you the best of luck, and hopefully we will be able to meet at one of the meetings. I go this week for my blood work eval and clearance review. Then on the 10th I do my all day meeting. I haven't tried the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup mix, but I have gotten one from Diet Direct. I know they sell the Unjury at the clinic, I may try to pick some up while I am there on the 4th.

@@Djmohr, Thank you! I currently use the Premier Protein, its the only one I really like. I drink propel Water and crystal light. That is a good idea, I will have to make some homemade chicken broth.