Hi all! New Member

Hi.  My name is Rob.  I have been lurking on OH for the past week or so and I finally got the courage to make an account and post.  I got this website from my surgeon and he wanted me to check it out while I wait for my surgery date. Just to give a little information about myself:  I live close to Dickson, TN, and have had weight issues since I left the Navy.  I have been working on getting WLS for about 2 months now due to my knee problems that I cannot get rid of.  I have all of my requirements out of the way, including my insurance requirements with the exception of my nutritionist appointment the 24th of October (which is all im waiting for atm).  So, the final insurance authorization should be sent off before Halloween. So, currently, I am at a waiting stage to find out when I get fully approved and when my surgery date is going to be.  I have already started my Adkins Diet voluntarily, and I have went from 372 to 356.5 lbs. Currently, I am hoping to hear from people in my area about their experiences and maybe some help on what to do, how to find the foods/supplements I need for the future, and hopefully to vent my frustrations, especially waiting for my surgery date.

At the moment, I have been getting a lot of help from the administrator from Solutions WL center in Dickson, and luckily, one of the staff members is also a patient, and she has been helping me a lot also.  So, I'm learning about all thats going on, but very little in the way of after the surgery.

Thanks a ton for your time and hoping to hear from others soon,

Rob

Hi Rob and welcome to the boards!!! My name is Brenda. I am originally from McEwen and My hubby is originally from Dickson. I had my surgery on May 10, 2007. So far I have lost alittle over 80 lbs. It has been such a struggle but I really do have to say it has been worth it!!!

  Most of the food supplements I have been getting have been on bariatriceating.com. I get the Matrix protein and I also get the micellar milk. I tried so many things and since the surgery not many things taste as good as they did before. That web site has alot of things and they taste the best.

I really don't know what else to tell ya but if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Everyone on the site are the greatest!!!!! They will help you when you need it and they are always here for a shoulder or just to vent.

Brenda

Welcome Rob!  It seems you and I are in the same boat.  Last year at this time, I weighed 362.  Around the first of Jan., my body decided it was time to do something.  I started researching WLS (my wife had surgery in June of this year).  Started my 6 month diet and here I am.  As far as food goes, there are a bunch of great recipes on the recipe forum here at OH.  Just keep your eyes and ears open and you should be able to find all you need right here and through WL Solutions.  Anyway, check out my blog below by clicking on Happy ghoul Day.  I have some great WLS friendly recipes and different things.  Good luck and don't be a stranger! Scott

 Hi Rob and Welcome to the board. If your looking for support you came to the right place. Everyone here is fantastic. Wish you all the best on your journey.

Welcome aboard ROB. My sister lives in TNRIDGE, I live in knoxville, I had RNY April 24th the nashville people can help you there a great bunch hope to see you post more Annrenee   FINALLY OFF MY PLATUE

Welcome to the board Rob. We need more men around here. We'll be praying for a swift approval and an easy surgery & recovery. Feel free to ask anything and vent about anything, surgery related or not. One suggestion I would make is to order/purchase samples of as many different protein supplements as you can but don't try them until after surgery. Your tastes will change after surgery. What you like pre-op is very likely to taste nasty to you afterwards. We can tell you what our individual preferences are but they may not be things that you like. We do know of several products that most of us agree on however. Some of the overall favorites are:  AchievOne (bariatric crack) - if you are a coffee drinker you will probably like this. If you like the Starbucks frappuccino in the little glass bottles, this is very similar. A 9.5 oz bottle has 20 grams of protein Gourmet Whey protein powder - ice cream flavors...need I say more? DaVinci sugar free syrups - we use these to alter or enhance the flavors of our protein drinks, water, coffee, etc. Limited flavors may be purchased locally. The online sites have a wide variety, ranging from peanut butter to egg nog to fruit flavors. Nectar protein powders - we each have our favorites as well as those we don't like. These come in fruit flavors, iced tea w/lemon, and cappuccino flavor. My favorite online sites to order from are: bariatriceating.com; netrition.com; and baristapro.com Favorite local store is The Vitamin Shoppe. They also have online shopping if you don't have a local store. Let us know what you need. Susan

Hi, Rob, and WELCOME! I'm a newbie myself. I just had surgery 6 weeks ago today. I totally agree with some of the earlier posts --- you could not have found a better support group than the group here in Nashville/Middle TN. They have helped me SOOOO much! Congratulations on your achievement so far! I echo what Susan said about gathering "samples" of lots of different protein supplements for after surgery. I wish I had done that! Luckily, she brought a gift bag with many of them in it to me at the hospital! What a blessing!  A note on the DaVinci Suger-Free Syrups --- you can find them really cheap at TJ MAXX! A before-surgery note: I recommend working NOW on a lot of lifestyle changes that you will have to implement after surgery. I cut out all carbonated beverages, went decaf all the way,  switched from sugar to Splenda, drank water, water, water, up'd my protein to 60-80 grams/day, and walked, walked, walked. I also went by the rule of thumb that when I actually start really eating again, I will need to follow for the rest of my life: eat your  PROTEIN first, then, (if you're still hungry) veggies, then (iysh) fruit, then (IFSH?!!) carbs. It just really helped me to get some of these ways of thinking/living into a routine before surgery. It has helped me not to feel so deprived after surgery. If I had continued to drink Coke (full caffeine/sugar), hadn't exercised, and ate breads and potatoes and fries right up until I had surgery, I would be a mess right now. This is as much mental as it is physical! At least for me... Probably the biggest thing I could tell you about after surgery, the thing that I was least prepared for, was that you will not be able to drink much at a time. I, for one, am a "gulper". I could down 1/2 a bottle of water at one time, so getting all my water in was no problem before surgery. After surgery, however, it is sip, sip, sip. (ugh - for me!) I am just now to the point that I can take 2-3 swallows at a time (usually the 3rd one hurts). Just a heads up... Anyway, stick around! Read the posts - and post yourself! These are wonderful new friends! ~ Tara (aka myjourney2health)

Welcome!.....You will find a world of support...here on the Tennessee Board and on the Main Board I go from one to the other....there are so many members...and they are all willing to help in any way they can. I wish you the very best!         Leticia.

Thank you very much for the warm welcome, information, tips and other goodies you have given me.  I think I will be more prepared now with all this information and further info. man.. I gotta check out that Davinci syrups! Thanks a ton all, Rob

Hi Rob, welcome to the board and the best of lucky with your journey. I am still some what of a newbie and have gotten so much help,support,advice,laughs, etc. from here. I can't wait to meet some of them. GO TITANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Hope your journey is a good one and keep us posted. Cheryl