QUESTIONS???????

Is everyone an early bird but me? I am not much a morning person,but lately its worse. I think all the anxiety is getting to me. I can't get to sleep at nite, and wakeup in the day. I am trying to get ready to make the trip to Phoenix for my Pre-op appt. on March 23rd. I received my instructions via email for the 2 wk pre-op diet, and the vitamin list. I have a multivitamin, but the other ones I need to buy. What is B12 SUBLINGUAL(UNDER THE TONGUE)? And does Walmart have cheap generic brand. Also I need to get Calcium Citrate w/vit D. And I need to get protein shake mix? what kind? what color? how much is that? where would I get it? Can you buy it with food stamps? Oh am I in for it. I thought getting the approval and the date set was a chore. My 2 wk diet will start approx. March 27th cuz my date for surgery is April 11. Does anyone want to adopt a 52 yr old? WEll I better call my mom she feels sad she can't come here for my surgery. She is older than me and has bad knees also. Ok did I just say my mom was older than me? Ya see I need some sleep!!!!!
bear with me Sharon

I'm not a morning person either, Sharon, but I sometimes get online after midnight and play around til 2 or 3 a.m.

B12 sublingual is under the tongue; I'm not sure if Walmart has it but there is a good online place called Puritan's Pride Vitamins (they always have buy 1, get 1 free specials, or buy 2 get 3 free, very good prices, too). As for the protein shake mix, your bariatric center may tell you what they want you to use, or you can get samples sometimes from health stores or online sites like bariatriceating.com or vitalady.com. Everyone's taste is different. Don't know if you can buy it with food stamps ... never tried that.

Your surgery date is my birthday ... it will be your re-birthday.

Good luck to you on this journey.

Thanks Eileen, I wrote that down about the web sites. I just thought maybe the protein shake mix might be elgible, I know the vitamins aren't .I will find out when I get to the store and buy it.
So please on your birthday, think of me and say a prayer. And then I know I have my re-birth day to share with you.
Take care
Sharon

walmart DOES haveB12 whatever the brand is they sell i take-sorry-can't remember the brand but in a green bottle-Spring Valley-500mg X 200 tablets $4.00.....
they also have good protein powders in choc van or strawberry....i would really suggest that you order samples from soem of the online places-bariatriceating.com or vitalady o rwherever before you buy a big tub-your taste buds may change with surgery.....sharon i would adopt you but i live in michigan!

breathe!!!!!!

Thanks Margo, I will check at Walmart. I am trying to get all this stuff before next Sunday. That is when I need to start my liquid diet. Getting my mind set right.
And Margo I just need support and this site is about what the doctor has ordered. I am pretty good at taking care of myself, should hope so at my age. Just the last 2yrs when my knees gave out, its been rough.But I know that I am on my way to changing that. I am grateful to have found this forum. You all at OFF have helped so much already.
THANKS TO YA ALL!
Blessings
Sharon

Oh Sharon how well I remember that overwhelmed feeling before surgery! It will be ok I promise. We'll all adopt you if it helps.

 Don't get too much protein powder just what you'll need prior to surgery. Your tastes will definitely change after surgery. Things that I liked before I hated after surgery. Even sugar free stuff tasted super sweet.  The sublingal B12s actually taste good to me. I just buy the cheapest that I can get. I use Walmarts Calcium Citrate when I travel. At home I use the Calcium Crystals from BariatricAdvantage that  mix in my morning protein shake. At first after surgery you'll need to crush them. Later break them in 1/2 until you're able to swallow the whole pill. It definitely takes a while to get the pill thing figured out but you will. 

 Like Margo said, Sharon, BREATHE!! We're here for you. You made me chuckle with the comment abou your mom being older than you! I sure hope so. Or maybe not, what a medical miracle that would be. Hope you got some sleep!

Karen Thank-you. I actually have heard of the Bariatic Advantage.I think that is the on the surgeons office in Tempe where I will be getting my surgery, sells them. So but I am writing everything down, cuz I do know from one of the support groups about not buying alot at first. I just live 4 hours away, and the support group is every 3rd saturday. So I am very happy to have all of you at OFF. No travel involved. And I just love the emotions icons to use. Specially the horse, I just love to watch it. And thanks for adopting me, and it won't cost any adoption fees. Such a deal huh? I also if I remember, that you belong to TOPS? I do. I am the leader, figure that? Well actually I have been for 2 yrs and this is my last week. A new gal has been voted in. If I didn't have the surgery going on I would have done it for another year. No one there has had a WLS but they are still good support.I plan on remaining a member even after the surgery.
Sorry this got to be so long.
thanks again
Sharon

I get most of my vitamins at WalMart or CVS (buy one get one free).

Be sure to be careful with your calcium - many brands you see will be calcium carbonate - NOT citrate! Citrical petites work well for us post op and are not too expensive.

Let me cast a vote for the Body Fortress protein at WalMart. I have had the pricey proteins, but keep coming back to this one. At $13-$15 per tub, you can't beat this deal. You can dress up your protein flavors with sugar free syrups which are at my WalMart near the coffee - they usually have hazlenut, vanilla, and caramel flavors there.

Best of luck to you!

Ok good to know about the citrate not carbonate. I will have my certificate soon from all I am learning. Thanks and I will try Walmart and CVS. Where I am staying my friend has CVS closer than Walmart so that will be convenient.
Thank you so much Lynn is it?
take care
Sharon

Hi Sharon, Due to my vactioning, I'm late and you've gotten good advice -  I'll just say that I buy the zip b-12 sub at GNC, melts fast and works for me.  The protein stuff, you heard what people said, post-op tastes are different so those suggestions are great. . .

We've all adopted you already, you're an OFF Sistah and will have all our support as you progress on the road towards healthier, fuller living. . .

Laureen