Yay!!! and a few ?'s

Well after a year long process I finally had my consultation today!!!!! My doctor (Dr. Suh) is going to reveiw all of my pre-op tests and then they will submit it to my insurance to see if I'm approved. I'm so excited!!! But I have a few questions so here they go.....About protein drinks after surgery..How many grams of protein do they need to have? like what is the minimum and maximum amount...and how much sugar can be in them? I found some at Trader Joes that are great. They have 35 grams of protein 160 calories and 1 gram of sugar. They are called worldwide pure protein. I'm pretty sure they would be okay for right after my surgery. What do you think? Also about the vitamins.....I bought some Flinstones chewable vitamin thingies...I was gonna buy the gummi bear kind but I read the label and it looked liked the flinstones one have more of the good stuff in them. Do I need all liquid vitamins after surgery??? Besides the multi-vitamin and the b-12 what else do I need? One more thing....I don't exercise right now But I know that I need to start doing something and have been thinking about joining Curves. Has anyone joined Curves and if so what is it like? Well thats about all the questions I can think to ask right now!

Tamara, Well it sounds like you are on your way! My surgeon told me to eat two flinstones per day (not at the same time though, space them out a few hours). I would love to try the gummi vitamins too, but I'm afraid they'll have too much sugar. The protein I drink had 20 grams of protein and one sugar. The stuff you found at Trader Joes sounds good to me. I don't go to curves but a place just like it ( I call it the generic Curves) I love it!! I didn't join til about 6 months after surgery but I could have definatley started earlier. I did not like to work out before surgery but its easy at this gym. You can get a pretty good workout in just 30 mins. Now I stay longer than 30 mins but its always good if I'm in a rush I can still fit in a workout...no excuses for me! Just be sure to listen to your doc about vitamins, supplements and when you can start working out. Good Luck!!!

They say we can only absorb about 30 grams of protein at a time... so keep the protein around there. All surgeons are different - mine required 60-80g a day for the first few weeks. I wouldnt stock up too much because your tastes change postop and you dont want to be stuck. When buying vitamins you want to make sure they have IRON - flintstones does... I dont think the gummi ones do. Centrum also makes adult chewables that do. My surgeon required multivitamin, calcium and Bcomplex suppliments daily. I also take biotin and fish oils as well. You dont need all liquids... they reccomend them at first because your pouch isnt making much stomach acid.. over time it will start and can digest better. I use to belong to curves and did not like it... the one near me was all old people and if I wanted to go and work up a good sweat - I couldnt. Ever just want to get on the treadmill get your heart rate up and sweat some??? Cant do that at curves. The gyms where I live are cheap... cheaper than curves in most cases - I felt they were a better value. I love to go to classes, like hiphop aerobics and yoga and there isnt much variety at curves. Just depends on what you are looking for. Some people like Curves because its all women and a routine is already set out. Me.. I like checkin out some mens instead of trying to ignore the old ladies talkin bout the grandkids Good luck!

I also prefer a regular gym - especially one with a pool - but it is all personal preference. I, too, am pre-op and thinking about protein shakes! My closest Trader Joes is 45 minutes away, but I am thinking about making a trip up soon. 35 grams of protein sounds good. My nutritionist's rule is no more than 3 grams of sugar or fat per serving, and no more than 300 calories total per day of protein supplements. All the docs seem to vary a little, though. Good luck!