New here and interested in advice!

Welcome to the group. The protein suppliments I liked where BioChems 100% Whey Protein in Vanilla.... Designer Whey in Vanilla and also Smoothie Kings low carb protein they sell is good (dont remember the brand name) Ive had the choco and vanilla in that. Isopure drinks are good but a little pricey... they are good when you are weening off the protein shakes but still need a protein boost. As for protein bars I liked Detour (but they made me gassy, too much sugar alcohol), Think! brand protein bars (they are called Think! Thin) and South Beach High Protein Cereal Bars. As for toning up and reducing loose skin. You cannot reduce loose skin... your body will snap back only so much... by toning the muscles underneath you can improve the appearance of the loose skin. Swimming is great as well as light weight training. You want to balance cardio with weight training to get the best results. As for toning the adbominal skin post surgical... the honest truth is that area will only get so good no matter how much you work it... being overweight damages the muscles underneath... the only thing that fixes them is plastic surgery. When we gain weight in that area the two sets of muscles (right and left) seperate... because we are overweight for a period of time they dont go back the way they should. Also, the more stretch marks you have, the more damaged your skin is so the less those areas will 'snap back'. Its not a pretty picture I paint but an honest one... when I was preop people kept telling me 'oh you are young and a lightweight you will be fine' and that is definately not the case!

Welcome Andra!  You have already gotten some great advice.  I just wanted to say WELCOME!!!

Welcome Andra!  Keep us posted, you have already gotten some great advise!

ANDRA !!!!!!!!!!  COME ON IN, HAVE A SEAT, AND GRAB YOU A PROTEIN DRINK LOL Just like everyone else, those things ARE nasty!!  I however am 4 months out and have to drink @ least 1 a day because I've  found just about the only "meat proteins" I can keep down is chicken and tuna.  Now, don't let this scare you AT ALL!!  When you hear or see the family here tell you everyone is different, it will be the truest comment ever made!! lol Some can handle everything they eat, some can't handle much of anything, and most of us, (at least those I've talked to) will eat something one day that's fabulous and it won't stay down the next.. VERY FRUSTRATING BUT OH SO WORTH IT!! I do the Body Fortress from Walmart in Chocolate and the Carnation Instant breakfast Sugar Free like a couple of others on here posted.  They are the least nasty I have found. Far as skin goes.. I'm not there yet lol  ALL MY WRINKLES ARE STILL FILLED IN WITH FAT LOL MUCH MUCH GOOD LUCK SENT TO YOU IN THESE FIRST STEPS OF THIS WONDERFUL WONDERFUL JOURNEY TO FIND YOUR INNER SKINNY GAL!!! CONNIE PS.. Please make sure you keep in touch and let us know when you get that call about your date!!

Hi Andra, I have not had my RNY yet but I have been trying protein drinks and I finally found one at Walmart by EAS  called Myroplex Original they have many but I really tolerate this one in chocolate fudge and it is 17 oz. with 42g of protein. My date is 2/4/08 so the journey you are on is still very real to me I had to wait along time for my approval so remember to be patient OK? It is coming it just takes a little time sometime. Please keep me in your prayers and I will pray for you too. Welcome

Hello neighbor.  You will have a date in no time at all.  If you don't hear anything in about 10 days give Lisa a call.  Sometimes you have to stay on top of her.  Will keep the bench warm for you. monica

Welcome to the NC Forum.  This place is the BEST!  As you can see the support here is amazing and I can't say anything they haven't.  Except...  ENJOY yourself.  This is going to be an incredible journey.  You will have all of us cheering you on.  Keep us posted on your date and we will countdown with ya! Connie

Monica, Thanks so much for that tip.  Hey--are you still attending the support group in Statesville? If so--when's the next one. I would love to come. Andra