I've Made It This Far - Houston, TX

Well today the shakes are yucky. I mixed a grape protein drink with a vanilla protein shake. I also got a call that my hemoglobin is 9. I won't be able to have the surgery if it's not higher. They are going to check it during admissions the day of the surgery. Wow. I really just want to get this over with.

Iron pills! Or drink a green smoothie with some spinach! That will increase your blood count. Eventually, you'll need to take an iron supplement anyway. Protein shakes can be gross. I had my surgery through the VA and they sent me home with unflavored Beneprotein. Trying to drink those was horrible. I had to drink them from containers with a straw (which is bad) because of the smell. I'm not a fan of powdered protein drinks (though EAS's fruit smoothie powder isn't bad). The past couple months I switched to Premier Protein shakes. You can get them at most grocery stores and warehouse stores like Sam's Club or BJ's or Costco. 30g of protein, 160 calories, and I think only 2g of sugar (but it might only be 1g), plus a bunch of other vitamins. They're tasty and pack a lot of protein in a few calories. Chocolate is my favorite flavor but the strawberries and cream isn't bad.

Thanks! I've tried the strawberries and creme. I've mixed it with vanilla protein shake & then the variations with rum extract, vanilla extract,etc....to the point I almost cheated on Saturday! I wanted a bacon cheddar cheese burger with sweet potato fries. Picked it up but gave to my husband. Whew, that was close.

How are you doing?

The nerves haven't hit me yet. My pre op diet isn't as strict as most I've read. One week of low carb, high protein. Tomorrow is only liquids, then Wednesday is the big day!

You're right. Mine was 2 weeks of clear liquids!

When is your surgery date?

Rs won't let me download them. I tried to post a few. I'll keep trying.

Thanks. My sister who had the sleeve about 3 years ago, expressed her concern for me to prepare for my mind ma want to eat what's in front of me but my stomach won't let me. I too have prepared for such issues like this from participating in other weight loss ventures. So I have ordered those small containers and labels so what I don't eat now I can eat later. Attempting in the beginning to rotate the meals & empty the containers within a weeks time. I'll try anyway.

It's hard to cut down to the diet you'll be on after surgery until your stomach is that small. I couldn't do it. I was fortunate in that I had no dietary restrictions until the day before surgery (because when my surgery was initially approved, I barely met the minimum BMI requirement for it with a co-morbid illness), so in the weeks leading up to surgery, I ate all of my favorite foods at all of my favorite places and I gained 16 pounds from the date of approval to the day before surgery. Oooops. I even had the best intentions of doing the post-surgery diet in reverse, to ease myself into it (which I'm glad I wasn't able to do properly--it was hard enough doing clear liquids only for those 2 weeks post surgery (and the day before); I can't imagine what it would've been like doing it even longer!). But after surgery, I've had no problem with the tiny portion sizes (I joke my 7 month old niece eats more at one time than I do). In fact, I've found I struggle to eat as many times as you're supposed to. I had cravings for certain foods at first, but they've gone away. Now, I'm happy if I get my protein all in, and get at least halfway to my fluid goal. Seeing the results in the mirror and feeling how loose my clothes are getting has kept me motivated, along with the fact that I really hate the feeling I get on those rare occasions when I've 'overdone' it (hello that breakfast where I ate 1 egg and 2.5 pieces of bacon--I'm talking to you, lol!), so that also helps keep me in line. But you're getting on up close to D-Day! My utmost sympathies are with you if you have to do the same pre-op yuckiness that I did--8 ounces of magnesium citrate was both disgusting to drink and unpleasant to say the least as it took effect! Good luck, and may I suggest keeping some of those moist toilet wipes on hand? ;)

I haven't heard about having to drink the magnesium stuff!! I don't understand why they can't make those taste better!!

My bottle was advertised as a "pleasing cherry flavor". It was neither pleasing not tasted anything like cherries.

This just cracked me up!

Wow...I had heard of that either.

Isopure. I recently ordered the Bariatric advantage orange scicle. It's really good. Especially $2.95 ready to make bottle just add water.

My prayers are with you also. I pray that the surgery is a success, we have minimum pain, and may God remove any fear but replace it with faith. By His stripes we are healed and sleeved in Jesus Name! Amen.

Good luck! Tomorrow's my big day as well, sending prayers to you both!