I've been waiting almost 12 yrs now but it seems like the left hand don't know what the right hand is doing when it comes to our medical system. My doctor in Carbonear tried for several years to get me surgery out of province but couldn't find a surgeon that would take me. Back then the surgeons doing it in Quebec would not take out of provoince patients, then before I got on any surgical list Dr. Pea**** left her practice and went into private practice because of issues with MCP. My new doctor in St. John's got me onto a surgical wait list but it was an expected 8+yr wait and I never ever came even near surgery. About 3 yrs ago I was transferred onto Dr. Savoie's list in N.B. because he had just started up and was told it would be a 2 yr wait, but like other surgeons he takes patients from his own province first! Although his list was supposed to be shorter. I never got a call from them either. I have had the pre-approval from MCP for years at this point. Then last year I get a letter from Dr. Savoie's office/list saying that because Dr. Pace is doing it in my own Province, MCP won't cover it and basically nicely booting me off their list. So then my doctor had to refer me to Dr. Pace's list, of which I'm at the bottom with no end in sight. AND at this point I'm basically being told I'm too fat for fat surgery! I'm beyond disheartened and depressed over it. It would have been nice for MCP to have given Dr. Pace the list of patients already waiting! I'm unable to work in my present condition and I have trouble getting around. I've already had two major health scares in the last 5 yrs where my family was told I might not pull through. AND I've already been in congestive heart failure once, secondary to pneumonia. I'm only 40! All I do lately is pipe dream about a future that seems SO far off! *sigh* I'm really getting to the end of my rope with all of this. Why is it you always seem to be kicked when you're already down?

 im not on the liquid diet yet but i do have the recipes... i have been following somone on twitter who shares some of her shakes recipes as well... im not near the surgery yet but im really interested in learning and preparing for when it all starts... and im hoping (and praying) that the wait wont be crazy long... raleene told me id have about a year to a year and a half wait... good luck with your shakes... heres to hoping the latte is delicious tomorrow :)

Well tonight I wanted something that would make me feel full. I drink the shakes and I'm starving afterward. So I added a heaping tablespoon of  fat free cottage cheese (you don't taste it) and used an individual flavored yogurt (apple crumble flavor) along with a scoop of protein powder and a splash of milk. I only tasted the apple/vanilla flavor, but I think the cottage cheese when well blended (yogurt too) was a good thickening agent as well as added protein. It was as thick and foamy as a McDonalds shake. Definately left me feeling full and more satisfied than just the powder and milk for sure. I have a pot of coffee cooloing now to make an iced latte tomorrow morning. That one just uses cold coffee (decaf is best) 4 ice cubes and a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Did you get the list of recipes Raleen had. I have those I can send you if you want to send me your e-mail addy.

 I got a magic bullett for christmas this year and would love to hear some of your ideas... ive been googling like crazy and havnt come up with much :( ill let you know if i find some good ones!

Just started the new year by trying to add in shakes to replace meals that I'd normally skip. Feeling super guilty after all the treats after Christmas and need desperately to lose a few pounds. So far I've just tried the protein power in milk, I have also tried adding in a few chunks of strawberry and mango but I've definately NOT gotten the hang of it yet. Any ideas for other good combos? I plan to trying an iced coffee version tomorrow. Just wondering what ideas others have come up with on their own that tasted good. And wondering what I could use for liquid other than milk??