New here !

Hi !   I am new to the website/message board.  Started the process not long ago and have just recently been given my RNY date.  9/13/10.   I have attempted the process a few years back only to pass it up because of nerves.   I am set to do it this time but I have to admit,  I am terrified.  I really want /need this but again am terrified.  I have two little ones at home which is probably the main reason for my fears.  

If anyone can shed some light on how they battled their fears w/having the surgery, I would love to hear them.  Anything can help at this point !!

Oh, and lastly, I am trying to get some ideas on what seems to be the best tasting protein drink as right now I am not having any luck w/the ones I have tried.

Thanks !!!

Congrats!! I hope I get there myself! I tried Vanilla with 7 oz of Skim Milk, 3 Ice cubes and 1/2 of a packet of Orange Crystal Light on the Go. YUMMY Creamsicle taste!

Yeah!!!!  Hope you are doing better!  Keep up the good work.  Attitude is half the battle!

welcome to the board!
your fears are very justified as with any surgery... but the risks of being obese are much higher than the risks from the surgery! i had my RNY on Jan. 27 this year and i was scared to death the week before but everything went well and i am now down around 130lb 5-10 lbs below the doctors goal for me ant 10 lbs from my goal! this is a great place to ask questions, rant or just keep up with all your friends you will meet along the way(and you will make some great friends i know i have) ...

as for the shakes ... good luck.... i personally loved body fortress before surgery i drank them for the first 4 weeks post-op now.... the thought of  drinking one makes me gag! i now drink the pre made EAS carb advantage shakes and love them (been drinking them for 4 mos. now) ..

good luck with your journey and there is a spot for you here on the losers bench with the rest of us l"loser's"

Dave "gotsnqw"

Hi there, and welcome.  You will love this board!  Congrats on your date!  It is exciting and totally scary at the same time.  Nerves are so much a part of this process, so don't think you are alone.  The first thing you need to come to grips with is that you are going to be losing your best friend you have had for so many years!  FOOD!  But it is a good thing.  Sometimes it is good to say good bye to friends, and hello to new found strengths.  Just go into everything with a good attitude that you are doing this for your little ones and your family, so you will be there for them for a very long time.

I don't know if I battled my fears, because I made them a part of my process.  I did not give into them, but I learned to control the fear somewhat.  Now the fear of the procedure is replaced by the high of losing weight, and a little bit of fear of putting it back on, which if it does not completely overcome you, is a very good thing. 

HUM  Protein shakes....everyone's favorite subject.  Try one, try another.  It really does not matter what everyone else likes.  I am not sure where you live, but Herbal Path in Portsmouth and Dover offer single serving packages of many shakes.  Also, Nashua Nutrition (online or at their store) also offer sample packs.  I like both FitSmart and Muscle Milk Light.  I mix the chocolate with frozen black cherries or peanut butter (just a little), smart balance or simply smart milk, and two or three ice cubes.  Vanilla I use the milk, two or three ice cubes, and orange or cherry pomegranate crystal light.  I was thinking of trying other flavors too.  I only use a half of a single serving packet.  Other people love Maximum Protein from independently owned GNC stores.  Some of the support groups will have people who will offer to give you a sample of what they use.  Let me know, and I can get you some of the muscle milk light.  Either way, be prepared to maybe not like it after surgery or later on.  Your tastes do change. 

Good luck, and keep posting.

Thanks to all that posted !   It is certainly a great feeling to know you are not alone and that many others have had the same fears. 

I am in NH but am having the surgery in MA,  Dr. Darius Ameri.  This whole process is going so much smoother than I had expected and certainly a lot faster than anticipated.

I have a few more apts to go and then that's it.   

You know,  I'm a nut.  I must be!   I have had two nightmares relative to the surgery !   One I drempt that the surgeon got called out for something and left me on the table in the middle of the surgery and then the other one was that the surgeon came to my work and told me i needed to have it done that day and couldn't see my children before i had it.  Again,  I'm clearly nuts !!!

I will start poking around to find some individual packets of protein drinks.  The only one I really like is Slim fast but I believe that's too much sugar and not enough protein.  (Too bad because it tastes good )

Thanks again and I look forward to talking to you all !

I have tried and like the Unjury you have to order on-line but they do offer them buy the individual packets I have tired the choclate and they even have unflavored so you can add it to different things. The Chicken soup is good too.

Best of luck!
Nancy

Hi...I had my surgery a week and a half ago and I too was petrified. One  thing that helped me was reading people's stories and hearing all about their success. There are some good posts on you tube where people have chronicled their journey so you get to see/hear what they were going through at different stages. It may help you as sometimes it is the fear of the unknown that gets in the way.

For the shakes I like the body fortress chocolate powder (walmart sells this). I mix it with 8 oz of 1% milk , 2 tsp of strawberry jello powder and it tastes like the neopolitian ice cream. I also have used the vanilla powder mix with 2 tsp of strawberry jello and 3 tsp of sugar free cheesecake pudding by jello and that tastes really good. I also mix about 5 ice cubes in each shake I make and blend it all together. They are nice and filling that way. I do not like the pre-made ones at all.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Hey there,

Congrats and I bet my Doctor will be assisting during your surgery, Dr. Brown is Dr. Ameri's partner now. You are in great hands with either or both of them. As for nerves, that is normal esp. with little ones at home, but that being said, the quality of life that you will have getting the weight off will make your time so much more fun when they are growing.
I wrote letters to all my love ones and left a note for my husband so he would find them if needed....I had a great time ripping them up once I got home.  Just breathe and you will be on the road to health shortly.
As for the protein don't stock up on too much ahead of time your tastes do change after surgery. I like either Atkins ready made or for powders I like Lean Dessert Protein powder that you can get at Vitamin Shoppe.
Lastly, I would like to invite you to join Dr. Brown's support group here in Nashua. Its this coming Tuesday evening at the Nashua Senior Center on temple St. It's a great group and Dr. Brown usually attends so please join us. The meeting goes from 7-8:30 or 9 depending on how chatty the group is with questions. Hope you can join us....Good luck...Laurie

I just purchased GNC's Lean Shake, swiss chocolate. I make it with skim milk and add ice. It is REALLY yummy. GNC has a 30 day money back guarantee. If you don't like it bring it back.

My sister is drinking the strawberry lean shake, she says that is very good too.

good luck!