My surgery Date is March ...

My surgery Date is March 8th. I found out yesterday (2/6/04). I have to drink 2 protein shakes/daily and one lo-carb meal with total grams of 30 or less. The shakes don't hold me for long tho. Did anyone else have to do this? Any other suggestions? Carol

Welcome to the Marchers, Carol! You're being re-plumbed the day before me... Isn't it a kick when you finally get your date? I've been doing protein shakes since August. I use MetRX Protein Plus vanilla buttercream - they're like Mickey D's milkshakes 'cept not quite as sweet. Everyone has their own brand that they like, MetRx works for me. I do two a day, giving me around 55-60 g of protein. Atkins ready-made in cans are pretty good, too, sort of like Slim-Fast. You're wise to start getting your protein in now, tho...it'll really help in your healing process, from what I've been told (by everyone...). You can also get tasteless protein (i.e. Beneprotein) and put it in stuff...there's more than one way to skin a cat/get yer protein in... As for a lo-carb meal, check out Stouffers Lean Cuisine in the frozen TV dinner section of the grocery store. They're about the best...I've been eating 'em for years. Weigh****chers "Bistro" isn't bad either, but I like Stouffers best. There's all KINDS of 'em out there, you just have to find 'em. When I had my psych eval, the psychologist asked me if I "read labels" on food. I said "no, why would I do that?". He just smiled and said "Oh, you will..." and never explained. He didn't need to...I read EVERY label now. Grocery shopping takes MUCH more time now. Anyhoo, welcome to our little corner of the world. We're a pretty eclectic group, and we laugh a lot. It irritates all the other boards. Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles

Hi Carol, I am in Maryland too. I thought about seeing Dr Greene but ended up with Dr Sofronski in Salisbury. I haven't started the protein shakes yet. I know that is something that my surgeon insists on AFTER and there is a whey protein powder they suggest. I am seeing him this week and I plan to ask about starting the shakes now to supplement. I do use the Carbo-lite protein bars. I am partial to the Chocolate Fudge Almond. Mo

My date is March 8 also! I don't have to do anything diet wise until Feb. 23rd. I have my first nutrition class on Feb. 17th.

The best protein shakes I have found are called UNJURY. They can be bought at www.unjury.com. They sell samples, so you can try it without a huge investment. I like it so well that I am going on their "automatically send it" program that gives you a 14% discount. Joy (3/1)

Hi Carol Congrats on getting your surgery date! I'm not required to do anything special before surgery but I have been trying to lose some weight just to make it easier on me after... I have tried 2 protein shakes that I liked, they are WHEY FRUITY, they come in FRUIT PUNCH and LEMONADE. All you have to do is add water (extra water, too sweet without) they taste like juice. Add some crushed ice and you got a slushy. You can order FREE samples from http://www.molecularnutrition.net/free_stuff.htm Anyway, I wish you the best of luck! I hope that you have a safe and speedy recovery. Keep us all posted! Kelley MARCH RULES 34 days to go...

My date is the same as yours. My surgeon is asking me to lose some weight tho.. Its been SOOOOOO hard. Maybe your dr is preparing you for what lies ahead??

Yo, Jessica! I don't know the exacts on why, but I do know that a lot of surgeons want their patients to lose weight prior to surgery in order to get their liver "leaner". Something about how dieting immediately before will reduce the amount of fat around your liver when it's done JUST prior to surgery. Again, I'm unsure of the technicalities. Fortunately for me, my surgeon doesn't require me to do this. I'm so glad, 'cuz there's still some meals that I want to have PRIOR to surgery that I KNOW I'd obsess on immediately after surgery if I couldn't have 'em now. Anyhoo, go to the "library" and see what it explains 'bout liver/weight loss immediately prior to surgery. Laterness! Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-28 and counting!!!

My surgeon is requiring me to lose weight but never specified an amt... Im losing but not like I should be... like you there are things Im gonna miss after. I feel like, I wanna eat it just one more time before I might not ever be able to again. He told me its so Ill be easier to cut if I lose weight. I never realized how much information is on this site... I will look it up. Ill be sitting my big butt here all day reading...Thanks, Kimmer. -Jessica

Well, you have to remember one thing: we'll be able to eat most of the stuff down the line (months post-op) that we eat now. We just won't eat the QUANTITY. There ARE things that won't agree with us anymore, but our tastes are going to change so much that we aren't going miss some of those things any 'cuz some of 'em actually make ya hurl later. My biggest fear is that I'll become lactose intolerant (it happens). I'm a milkaholic, and I'd DIE if that happens. Either that or run out and buy Lactaid. My sister and a close co-worker are both 2+ years post-op. Let me tell you, when I was first thinking about this, I paid REAL close attention to what they ate. They both eat EVERYTHING they want to, but have repercussions with some of their bad choices. My sister is a candy-holic. She'll eat some KNOWING she's gonna pay hell and dump, but she does it anyway. I personally don't LIKE candy, so that won't be an issue for me. But she still does it, and I shake my head whenever she does. Why in the name of WLS she'd eat a Yorks Peppermint Patty KNOWING the pain she's gonna suffer is out of my reference. I guess after having been in pain for so many years, I avoid it at all cost. I guess she forgot how painful those first few weeks were after surgery. My work buddy drinks soda all the time. She never quit. She eats everything, and in portions that I'd think would put weight back on her again (it CAN and DOES happen). I just left her office, and her legs are looking like toothpicks right now. I personally think she's gotten too thin, but it's what she wants and feels good about, and for those reasons, I'm thrilled for her. I personally prefer SOME meat on the bones. But she's just this side of being a snarf-hound now that she can eat again. So don't think ALL the 'good stuff' is gone forever. It's not. It just depends on what you'll be able to tolerate, what you do/don't like after surgery, and how badly you want to drop the pounds that'll determine what you'll return to eating down the road. Personally, if I thought I'd have to forever do without a teeny bit of buttered/salted noodles every now and then, I don't know if I could do this! Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-28 days and counting!