Protein shakes/alternatives for those who hurl at the thought....
Okay - I don't know how many of you are experienced low-carbers, but I have a discovery that will help those of you who wanna hork 
when you drink protein shakes.
There is a new low-carb milk out there called Carb Countdown which is endorsed by Atkins and has only 3 grams of carbs per serving. It's thinner than a shake and it is amazingly realistic in the milk flavor/texture department. The bestest thing about it is the protein. It has more protein per ounce than the EAS low-carb shakes. The milk product has 12 grams of protein per 8 ounce serving, making it 1.5 grams of protein per ounce. The EAS Shakes have 15 grams of protein per 11 oz serving which makes that 1.36 grams per ounce.
The chocolate is extremely rich and tasty and will quell a craving in a big way. The milks come in skim, 1%, 2% and whole.
I will take the EAS shakes with me when I go to Mexico but when I get home I'll be doing just the low-carb milk instead of protein shakes. If I still need to get more protein in than that, I'll try mixing powders with the milk, but I wouldn't imagine it would be needed if one eats enough other proteins.
Dina
when you drink protein shakes.
There is a new low-carb milk out there called Carb Countdown which is endorsed by Atkins and has only 3 grams of carbs per serving. It's thinner than a shake and it is amazingly realistic in the milk flavor/texture department. The bestest thing about it is the protein. It has more protein per ounce than the EAS low-carb shakes. The milk product has 12 grams of protein per 8 ounce serving, making it 1.5 grams of protein per ounce. The EAS Shakes have 15 grams of protein per 11 oz serving which makes that 1.36 grams per ounce.
The chocolate is extremely rich and tasty and will quell a craving in a big way. The milks come in skim, 1%, 2% and whole.
I will take the EAS shakes with me when I go to Mexico but when I get home I'll be doing just the low-carb milk instead of protein shakes. If I still need to get more protein in than that, I'll try mixing powders with the milk, but I wouldn't imagine it would be needed if one eats enough other proteins.
Dina 
Wow...I'll hafta check it out. There's a ton of stuff out there for lactose intolerants now. None of 'em sound anything like REAL moo-juice, tho...
My nutritionist sez if I DO become lactose-intolerant (I'm giving the monitor the sign of the 'evil eye' with my hand...), it's easily resolved with Lactaid. THAT was a relief to know...she broke me down to a snivelling, sobbing heap o' hysterical flesh when she told me the possibility of lactose intolerance post-op. Hmmm...I wonder if she told me that 'bout Lactaid just to get me outta her office...
The BIGGEST change will be not taking the gallon jug of milk outta the door of the refrigerator and suckin' down half a gallon at a time when I'm thirsty...(I live alone and do disgusting things like drink outta the gallon itself...I'm such a slimeball...). I'll have to DAINTILY sip it now. Sorta like going from a wino to a country-club drinker. THAT's gonna take an adjustment!!
Kimmer
Got milk?
Zero-minus-20 and counting! 
The BIGGEST change will be not taking the gallon jug of milk outta the door of the refrigerator and suckin' down half a gallon at a time when I'm thirsty...(I live alone and do disgusting things like drink outta the gallon itself...I'm such a slimeball...). I'll have to DAINTILY sip it now. Sorta like going from a wino to a country-club drinker. THAT's gonna take an adjustment!!
Kimmer
Got milk?
Zero-minus-20 and counting! 
Dina,
I realize that everyone's doctor has a different spin on things, but my doctor insists on protein supplement (about 100 grams / day), even after going back to a 'regular' diet. His theory involves rebuilding muscle mass and inverting the body's chemistry to help the metabolism.
I am starting on the protein supplements now, hopefully to counteract the hair loss thing. I think I am just as freaked by that idea as anyone!!!
Hugs,
Mo
Mo -
I'll definitely get my protein in either by eating/drinking or suppliments. I just figured if some folks were choking down the shakes, they could try this instead since it tastes better.
As for losing the hair, I got bad news for you. I lost hair when I was on Atkins too. I have a theory as to why though. Not only is it a vitamin thing, but when you lose weight like that your hormones change. It struck me when I was pregnant how you don't lose hair until after you have the baby and right there in the pregnancy books they explain it is due to hormonal changes. Well, most of us heavy folks have hormonal issues because of the weight and/or hormonal issues causing the weight problem (I have PCOS so it's like the chicken/egg thing, but the PCOS will never go away...so I guess that's my "reason.") So when we lose the weight, our hormones shift. That is why we will end up having wacky periods for some time after the surgery. It's the same thing for me when I low-carb.
So unfortunately, although I think the vitamins and extra protein might help a little, I have a feeling we're all in for some hair loss. 
Now, as for hair loss, here is another suggestion: I get Nizoral prescription shampoo for eczema problems but it is apparently a hair grower. You can get it from Canada a lot cheaper than in the US (I can get a link later if anyone wants it - it's at home). It's 100% legit and you can save big bucks buying from there. Anyway, this stuff works like Rogaine does almost in that it will help hair growth. I know I can vouch for the fact that I will go through periods of hair loss (wacky hormones again) and will find thick new growth when I wasn't even aware I had lost that much. One time I had a band of bangs that was really odd looking because the majority of my bangs were to my eyebrows and the new growth was half the length underneath.
Anyway, that is a suggestion. I don't think it will help us to completely avoid the problems of hair loss, but it might help a little. I have resigned myself to the fact that I may end up with short hair again. That's okay though - I look fine with short hair when my face is thinner, so I can just grow it back out later.
Then there are always wigs.....ugh!!!
Dina
Now, as for hair loss, here is another suggestion: I get Nizoral prescription shampoo for eczema problems but it is apparently a hair grower. You can get it from Canada a lot cheaper than in the US (I can get a link later if anyone wants it - it's at home). It's 100% legit and you can save big bucks buying from there. Anyway, this stuff works like Rogaine does almost in that it will help hair growth. I know I can vouch for the fact that I will go through periods of hair loss (wacky hormones again) and will find thick new growth when I wasn't even aware I had lost that much. One time I had a band of bangs that was really odd looking because the majority of my bangs were to my eyebrows and the new growth was half the length underneath.
Anyway, that is a suggestion. I don't think it will help us to completely avoid the problems of hair loss, but it might help a little. I have resigned myself to the fact that I may end up with short hair again. That's okay though - I look fine with short hair when my face is thinner, so I can just grow it back out later.
Then there are always wigs.....ugh!!!
Dina I've lost quantities of hair three times in my life: when I first went on Da Pill in my youth, when I went thru chemo (malignant melanoma...I was a "sun goddess" in my youth...STAY OUTTA THE SUN!!! 
), and when I was doing the SERIOUS menopause boogie (despite being on Depo-Provera...I don't know what I'd've done if I hadn't been on Depo thru the worst throes of menopause: I had "mild" symptoms even with the shot, and those "mild" symptoms kept me DRIPPING WET and SWEATY for about 1.5 years straight...cheez!). My hair always grew back afterward, but the strangest time was after chemo...it had a different texture while it was growing back: I have very baby-fine hair, poker-straight (altho I had a full spiral perm done 2 years ago due to the menopause loss...and since it's the first thing I'd ever done to my hair, it's still spirally-permed to the max 2+ years later...got my money's worth outta THAT perm!), but after chemo, it came in sorta kinky and rough. I think it was mutated or something (really) 'cuz it ended up alright later on. But what a sight...long straight hair with little kinky nubs poking out here and there thru the long straight hair.
I've always had waist-length hair. In anticipating the hair loss (surgeon, shrink, nutritionist, post-ops all said it'll happen around 6 months post-op), I decided that I'm gonna change my hair along with my body: I'm looking for a new "do". My best friend, Lois, is "giving me" a present - she's treating me to a trip to her stylist when I decide to do so: she's been going to her "Mark" for years, and this guy KICK @SS. That woman's hair is NEVER bad, even when she's got bed-head. He's truly an artist. I'm gonna be difficult to please: need it long enough to put into a ponytail (I hate hair hanging in my face), need a "no muss/no fuss" style to just brush-and-go in the mornings. That ought to be challenging to find (still haven't found 'it' despite looking for months now). But Mark will know what to do. He's pretty notorious in the Detroit 'Burbs where I live. I'm so blessed that Lois is gonna do that for me...I'd never EVER find the bucks to go to him if she wasn't 'treating' me! So I'm pretty excited about that...gonna bust out an entirely NEW KIMMER! Also gonna give my cut-off pony tail to Locks Of Love...an organization that takes hair donations and makes wigs out of it for children suffering hair loss due to chemo. It's a great organization.
Kimmer
Lookin' For A New Do
Zero-minus-20 and counting!
), and when I was doing the SERIOUS menopause boogie (despite being on Depo-Provera...I don't know what I'd've done if I hadn't been on Depo thru the worst throes of menopause: I had "mild" symptoms even with the shot, and those "mild" symptoms kept me DRIPPING WET and SWEATY for about 1.5 years straight...cheez!). My hair always grew back afterward, but the strangest time was after chemo...it had a different texture while it was growing back: I have very baby-fine hair, poker-straight (altho I had a full spiral perm done 2 years ago due to the menopause loss...and since it's the first thing I'd ever done to my hair, it's still spirally-permed to the max 2+ years later...got my money's worth outta THAT perm!), but after chemo, it came in sorta kinky and rough. I think it was mutated or something (really) 'cuz it ended up alright later on. But what a sight...long straight hair with little kinky nubs poking out here and there thru the long straight hair.
I've always had waist-length hair. In anticipating the hair loss (surgeon, shrink, nutritionist, post-ops all said it'll happen around 6 months post-op), I decided that I'm gonna change my hair along with my body: I'm looking for a new "do". My best friend, Lois, is "giving me" a present - she's treating me to a trip to her stylist when I decide to do so: she's been going to her "Mark" for years, and this guy KICK @SS. That woman's hair is NEVER bad, even when she's got bed-head. He's truly an artist. I'm gonna be difficult to please: need it long enough to put into a ponytail (I hate hair hanging in my face), need a "no muss/no fuss" style to just brush-and-go in the mornings. That ought to be challenging to find (still haven't found 'it' despite looking for months now). But Mark will know what to do. He's pretty notorious in the Detroit 'Burbs where I live. I'm so blessed that Lois is gonna do that for me...I'd never EVER find the bucks to go to him if she wasn't 'treating' me! So I'm pretty excited about that...gonna bust out an entirely NEW KIMMER! Also gonna give my cut-off pony tail to Locks Of Love...an organization that takes hair donations and makes wigs out of it for children suffering hair loss due to chemo. It's a great organization.
Kimmer
Lookin' For A New Do
Zero-minus-20 and counting! 
Hey Kimmer,
I have really thick hair (baby fine, but thick) and I have lost hair after anesthesia -- so I'm fully expecting to lose quite a bit this time (I can tell, but nobody else can -- my hubby just complains about all the hair on the bathroom floor and having to clean out the drain in the tub because it gets stopped up with my hair -- YUCK!!! ) I have been growing my hair for Locks of Love for about a year now -- I have really straight shiny hair (except for the weird grey -- it's wiry and coarse) I'm seeing more and more of that grey stuff. My hubby doesn't want me to cut my long locks -- he has a thing about long hair, don't all men 
. But, he has a surprise coming to him. I'm tired of the upkeep!!!!! I'm ready for something new. Besides, I started growing this for a reason, and it wasn't for his pleasure!!!! I figure once I'm skinny, he can accept my shorter hair because I'll have something else going for me besides long pretty hair.
) I have been growing my hair for Locks of Love for about a year now -- I have really straight shiny hair (except for the weird grey -- it's wiry and coarse) I'm seeing more and more of that grey stuff. My hubby doesn't want me to cut my long locks -- he has a thing about long hair, don't all men . But, he has a surprise coming to him. I'm tired of the upkeep!!!!! I'm ready for something new. Besides, I started growing this for a reason, and it wasn't for his pleasure!!!! I figure once I'm skinny, he can accept my shorter hair because I'll have something else going for me besides long pretty hair. G'mornin', Mo Fiend! 
I've been doing the protein supplement boogie (60-70 g/day) since August. Was instructed to by the first surgeon I saw -- it was to MAINTAIN my muscle tone. My current surgeon agreed. The shrink who did my psych test said that if I don't get enuff protein (his suggestion was 70-100 g/day) that "...when the inevitable hair loss stage hits, you're going to look like a very bad chemotherapy patient if you're not pushing that protein..." Been there/done that (chemo, altho my hair loss wasn't TOO bad...), don't EVER wanna go there again, so I've been pumpin' the protein.
My nutritionist told me about a GREAT protein supplement that I've mentioned before: Beneprotein (from www.walgreens.com). It's tasteless and odorless...it really is! I'm slappin' a scoop of that stuff into anything that'll accept it now...yogurt, beverages, even put some on my stuffed cabbage this past weekend. So I KNOW I'm gettin' in a bunch of protein. It's gonna be a walk thru the park after surgery now that I'm used to doin' it. Joy(ful C) said she uses something called "unjury" that seems to work the same as my Beneprotein. But I'm sold on this stuff!
Kimmer
Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles 
Zero-minus-20 and counting!
I've been doing the protein supplement boogie (60-70 g/day) since August. Was instructed to by the first surgeon I saw -- it was to MAINTAIN my muscle tone. My current surgeon agreed. The shrink who did my psych test said that if I don't get enuff protein (his suggestion was 70-100 g/day) that "...when the inevitable hair loss stage hits, you're going to look like a very bad chemotherapy patient if you're not pushing that protein..." Been there/done that (chemo, altho my hair loss wasn't TOO bad...), don't EVER wanna go there again, so I've been pumpin' the protein.
My nutritionist told me about a GREAT protein supplement that I've mentioned before: Beneprotein (from www.walgreens.com). It's tasteless and odorless...it really is! I'm slappin' a scoop of that stuff into anything that'll accept it now...yogurt, beverages, even put some on my stuffed cabbage this past weekend. So I KNOW I'm gettin' in a bunch of protein. It's gonna be a walk thru the park after surgery now that I'm used to doin' it. Joy(ful C) said she uses something called "unjury" that seems to work the same as my Beneprotein. But I'm sold on this stuff!
Kimmer
Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles
Zero-minus-20 and counting! Brace yourself Dina. If you are buying milk in Mexico to mix with the protein, it comes in boxes, not refrigerated. It is fine that way--you must refrigerate after opeining--but seems strange at first. It took me forever and required a bizarre Spanglish conversation with a local shopper to find it! I would consider it safer than any cold milk you MIGHT be able to find there.
(The magic word is leche!)
Joy
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