new and need friends to get me thru

My name is Deborah and my first letter went out 4/12/05 now I'm playing the waiting game. I'm nervous and kind of excited at the same time. I'm in Stone Mountain and would love to talk...Help

Welcome Deborah! I hope you are approved QUICK. Feel free to ask any questions - I don't think there are ANY that have not already been asked before. -53 # Kia

Thanks,I hope not I can't wait to reach the other side.You had yours in feb.? how is it going so far?should I start taking vitamins now? can you suggest vitamins and protien.I would welcome any advice I can get.

I started taking a multi vitamin (1 a day) about a month prior to surgery and I changed birth control from BC pills to Depo shot about 2 months prior. I am of the school that says it never hurts to be prepaired and since there is a possible side effect of blood clots and BC pills can have that also as a side effect I decided to reduce that possibility as much as possible. I also went to the store and bought (and ate) stuff I had not eaten in years (junk food stuff) kinda like going thru a mourning for what I thought I would be missing, ya know? So far I have not had any cravings for any of my old junk food. I have had a bite here and there of my old favorites but they dont taste as good as I remember them tasting. So far I have lost 53 pounds since Feb 10th. I would have this surgery again in a heartbeat. My only problems are getting in enough water and protein.

I have honestly not found any liquid protein I like yet. I mostly eat the protein bars - I like the Slim Fast Low Carb Breakfast bar in peanutbutter and I also eat the South Beach Diet High Protein Cereal Bars in Peanutbutter flavor too. For vitamins, I take Viactiv milk chocolate chews in the morning and Mega Vita Gel (from Vitamin World) in the evening. But there too I am just going through my own trial and error to find out what I like. I also take a b-12 shot once a month from my doctor.

Hi, Deborah! The waiting game was the toughest part for me! I think starting vitamins now would be a great idea. Concerning vitamins, after surgery, I have used the Flintstones with iron and Centrum chewables, but they didn't quite work for me. My labs were fine, but I was VERY tired. I have felt better since I've been taking OptiSource that your order online from Walgreens. They're made specifically for folks who have had WLS. I think there are better ones out there, but they fit my budget better - $25. a month. My favorite protein drink is Pro-Score 100, chocolate. I put in a dab of sugar-free chocolate syrup and blend it with skim milk. I order it online from Dp Nutrition, best price I've found so far. Dp Nutrition has the best prices on most items for me so far. They are also efficient! A gentleman on another site, Wings, shared them as a resource. Welcome, Friend! Becky

Hi Deborah, I am new too, newer then you even. I am totally lost and don't even know exactly how to work this message board. I posted one note on the main board-is this one totally different? I don't want to post the same thing twice. I live in Locust Grove, Georgia and I am somewhere between researching and hoping to have surgery. I think that I have pretty much decided on it but I don't know what my first step is. Good luck. I know exactly what you mean when you say that you are nervous and excited. I may have missed it somewhere, forgive me if I did but who is your surgeon? I am confident that you will get lots of help from these lovely participants. Sorry I can't offer any right now!

Hey Kristi... Just a quick "hi-jack" of a post here to let you know that yes...this message board is totally different from the main message board. This is just folks from Georgia here. We are SOOOO glad to have you and before you know it, you will be guiding others around here! LOL! We ALL have been in your shoes at one time or another, and thankfully, for each of us, there was someone here that was willing to step in and offer a guiding, nurturing hand. The Georgia group gets together usually once a month, and this month the meeting is April 30th at Joe's Crab Shack in Marietta at lunchtime. We'd LOVE to have you... I know it's probably a hefty drive. If this one doesn't work out, we try to have the meetings at a different locale each month to make it easier for those who are not as close to the metro area... We have folks that come up from Warner Robins to the meeting..and we have had one of our meetings in Macon... I look forward to meeting you (AND hopefully Deborah!) Tami -133

Hi Deborah, WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME!!! I hope your approval is very swift!! I remember being nervous like you and FULL of questions! Don't hesitate to ask ANYTHING...there is always someone who will be there to answer... Take care and look forward to talking with you more! Tami -133