What I learned at a supoort meeting

Things I learned tonight... - Apparently there is a 2 month wall that most post op**** when weight loss slows down severely and may even stop altogether...but it picks up again. (whew!)So I guess I'm normal, who would have thunk it? ( I responded earlier today to the thread about not loosing for 2 weeks) - The way to get out of a stall, or just increase weight loss in general is to increase protein intake....I already started doing that a couple days ago I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home and I bought some stacker protein water and some powder that can be mixed in a bottle of water that has 20 g of protein. And of course exercise, as it builds muscle and muscle burns fat - there are two things that decrease the effectiveness of the protein in the shakes...one is time...it needs to be drank within 90 mins after mixing and the other is agitation, apparently we are not supposed to use a blender when mixing...I have been using my magic bullet all this time!?! So starting tomorrow I will be mixing it with a spoon....like its not already bad enough I can't use a straw.! Becky

THIS TOPIC WAS POSTED ON THE MAIN BOARD ABOUT PROTEIN EFFECTIVENESS AND A.NSWERED BY JEROME FROM UNJURY AND HERE IS THE REPLY I ALSO THOUGHT IT BROKE DOWN I EVEN CALLED MY NUT AND SHE PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME THE SAME THING AS THIS POST LAST WEEK... There is a myth out there that the protein breaks down in 30 minutes after you mix it. There is no science behind it. Normal whey protein does NOT deteriorate quickly (e.g., it does not deteriorate in 30 minutes.). So you can keep it in the fridge--even for a day or two--and not even consider protein loss. Here's a common-sense test: Whey is a milk protein. Think about how many days milk spends as it travels from farm, to dairy, to grocery store, sitting on the store refrigerated shelf, sitting in the home fridge...etc... And no one says milk doesn't have protein. However, you do want to be very sure that your fridge consistently maintains your food at a temperature below 40 degrees F, even during periods of frequent opening and closing. The reason is NOT because of a concern about protein breakdown, but rather about bacterial growth. One good grocery chain recommended that consumers have a thermometer in the fridge to be sure. Some of the better brands we have heard of include Polder and Taylor. ----------------------------- Reply to This Post Quote Post Report Post Contact Friend Block NavyWifeRenee Williamsburg, VA Member Since: 02/22/07 [Latest Posts] Post Date: 8/15/07 3:56 pm Great post Sandy! I hadn't even realized this

I was hoping someone would post and tell me its not true about using the blender... I wasnt worried about the time breakdown as I usually drink it when I make it. ( I am sitting here trying to choke down a chunky shake because I mixed it with a spoon.... Guess I'll be drinking more protein water and less shakes.....YUCK! Becky

Becky - Thanks for the info about the 2-month stall (I think!). I had heard about the 3-week stall and got through that one. I'm just at 3 months (same surgery date as yours), so I'll console myself if (when) I hit another stall. It's so hard, isn't it, because you feel helpless. At least we have the negative reinforcements (vomiting, dumping) if we were to go off our eating program unlike pre-op when we could just give up and say the diet didn't work. The info I received on protein is more in line with Gena's info. I was told you could take as long as needed to choke down that protein shake. Please continue to share what you get out of your support group meetings. I had to miss mine last week so it will be another month before I get to go and get some good info to share!

Becky thanks for sharing that with us!!!!!!!!!!! i went to my support group meeting yesterday and it must have been cancelled..........ugggghhh

My support group meeting is this Saturday, I'll ask our nutritionist if she's heard this thing with the protein shakes and the blender. I use my magic bullet every day to make my shakes. It would suck if I have to go back to spoon mixing. If she has a different opinion though, who would be right? I'm noticing every surgeon makes different recommendations, and they all say they're right....so *****ally is? Donna

I called and asked my NUT about this. She says you can freeze and blend proteins. Heat over 130 degrees breaks down the protein. I don't use a Magic Bullet or blender for my protein but I do use the Blender Bottle. They are available at GNC and www.bariatriceating.com It's just a bottle, lid and a whisk like ball. Add your liquid first, then your protein powder. The only protein you might not want to shake is the Nectar proteins--they get foamy.

Hey Becky, Thanks for the information. I don't think, though, that my doc would tell me to use the blender if it was bad for the protein. I don't use mine for my protein because I don't like the extreme foaminess it produces. I put my milk and protein powder in a used water bottle, shake it up, and put it in my bag to take to work. It's kinda funny, actually. I'm the liquid lady now. I pack my solid food for lunch, as well as my milk and protein bottle, and a Crystal Light Fruit Punch that I've frozen, along with perhaps an extra bottle of water sometimes. I had to get an insulated tote bag (at Target, made by Thermos--it's great), so my tall bottles fit in it. Anyway, I also wanted to tell you what my doc said about the weight loss slowing down, and sometimes stalling. She said, "It'll probably drop off in chunks." Now, I know she meant it would stop and then I'd lose a few really quickly, but ever since then, I keep giggling about it and watching for chunks of fat on my living room floor! Take care, Cindy