Honestly..... this is going to sound silly.... but I am HOOKED on my boyfriend's bodybuilding protein shakes and energy bars. They are freaking DELICIOUS..... and surprisingly WAY healthier than all the other protein shakes I've tried (Atkins, Ensure, all the ones they sell in grocery stores, etc).

Here are a few of my favorites. They look expensive, but if you sign up for their little club thing (which I'm pretty sure is free), you get major discounts:

Labrada ProV 60.... Strawberry and Vanilla are both DELICIOUS:
http://labrada.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=labrada&Product_Code=PP-0209&Category_Code=mrp_shakes

I make the women-sized servings, so each shake is around 160 calories, with 30 grams of protein. The strawberry is delicious if you blend it up with some ice...... and the vanilla is good alone, OR as a base to add other flavors. They're both very light and easy to drink. They kind of remind me of those yummy blended drinks that you can buy at Starbucks.... except MUCH healthier.

I have these in strawberry:
http://labrada.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=labrada&Product_Code=MR-0160&Category_Code=mrp_shakes

Have only had two so far, but they are also really yummy. I can't wait to experiment more when I'm not on my liquid diet.... I bet they'd be awesome with some fresh fruit mixed in (drool!)

I know how you fell about your birthday, I had a wonderful cup of chicken broth and a sugar free freeze pop for my Birthday 5/28. I also had to go to jury duty on my birthday!! Best of luck to you on the 8th.
Pat K.

That is so cool I say the same thing everyday to my husband, good luck and God Bless

I start my pre-op diet next Saturday (6/6).  It is like a super Atkins diet - no carbs, but no fat either.  I am allowed 3-4 carnation sugar free instant breakfasts, 4 ounces of lean meats, all the vegetables I want and a couple of servings of fruit.  I think one or two days before the surgery it goes to clear liquids.  When my husband had the surgery 30 months ago, I did this with him to keep him company.  It wasn't too bad.