Protein shake!!

Hi everyone. This is the first time I have posted on this board, but I have been lurking for a little bit. I've been inspired by the 12/20 queen to post!! I've been a little depressed since WLS because I have not been losing much. I'm hungry all the time and I seem to be able to eat anything. Things are getting a little better though and I wanted to share. I have spent hundreds of dollars on protein drinks and could not find anything I could tolerate. Well, I finally found something. Extreme smoothies from bariatric eating are wonderful. They are the only thing I can not only drink, but actually enjoy. They come in a can, but they are really good in the blender with some ice and a little fruit. Just like a fruit smoothie! They are not cheap, but definitely worth it. I have definitely noticed my weight loss kicking in more now that I am able to get more protein in me. It seems most of you are doing better than me with loss and protein, but I thought if anyone is struggling like me than this might help. By the way, even though I haven't posted before I have learned a lot from everyone else. Thanks guys! Melissa

Hi Melissa, Have you tried Advant-Edge Carb Control shakes? They are my personal favorite. I buy them at Walmart for $4.72 per four pack. They come in different flavors including cappucino and cafe caramel. I agree that keeping stocked with protein shakes can really get expensive, and since we are on a limited fixed income, I have to bargain shop as much as I can. I tried some of the powdered mixes, to mix with water or milk, but I had to pour out most of them, as I just could not get them down. I wish you luck in your journey. God bless you! Pat

I understand what you mean about finding a protein drink that works. I enjoy my Jay Robb's Whey protein powders. I get the vanilla and chocolate flavors at my Whole Foods Market. When I mix 1 scoop of powder with 8 oz Smart skim milk, I get 34 grams protein that is so very digestable. They taste very good, not thick or sugary. I feel very fortunate to have discovered them as I could not stand the various other brands I tried. I am doing well and am thankful each day that I had this surgery. Good luck and enjoy yourself Monica

Hi Melissa. I have to second the opinion on the Advant Edge from Wal-Mart. They are the best aready prepared protein shakes I have ever tasted and the price is not that bad. Since I started back to work on monday they have really come in handy. They taste like chocolate milk. Tina

HI Melissa welcome to the board and thanks for posting. You are not alone. I am losing slowly too. I had lap rny on 12-20-04. My starting weight was 243 and now 5 weeks out I have lost 26 lbs. I log my intake on www.fitday.com. I keep my protien between 65 and 85 grams per day and my calories are always between 700 and 900. I wish my pounds would fall off like they seem to do for others on these boards, but they are coming off, just more slowly. These boards definately keep my moral up. Good luck to you and keep up the good work! Kris

I think you're both doing just great!! When else in your life would you have felt discouraged about losing 3/4 of a pound a DAY!? Some people do lose faster, since metabolisms vary so much, and of course the guys lose faster anyway due to the supposed amound of muscle they have! I'm down just 32 pounds in 5 weeks, and I never lost like that before, not even on Optifast. Slower is better, in the long run, I think, like the turtles, and we might even have a little less flabby skin left over! ~~ Leslie

You are not alone. I feel the same way. I'm depressed because I have only lost 5lb in the last month. 37lb total from 12-3. I am not able to drink any protean, and when I eat anything I get burning in my chest, then I burp a lot. I really need to find a protean I can tolerate, but they all make me sick. Liz (EdeCar)

have you tried the Unjury protein shakes. My drs office sells them or you can buy them on line at unjury.com they are good. Like the only ones I have found that I like. I do alos like the Isopure liquid they sell at GNC but I have to water it down like half a bottle with a couple ounces of water.

I got lucky...I ordered a bunch of protein samples from vitalady before my surgery so I could find something that I liked well enough. Right now I'm using HDT+5 Whey protein powder (vanilla) that I mix with crystal light and sometimes milk to get my protein in. It's got 31g of protein in 1.5 scoops. I'm different though, I wish my shakes were thicker. DH is actually buying me a Hawaiian Shaved Ice machine so that I can thicken up my shakes. My surgeon wants me to take in 100g of protein a day (staggering, I know!) so I'm thankful I found some protein I can cope with. I'm definitely looking forward to the days when I'll be able to get more of my protein from food rather then from the shakes. BTW I am 5 weeks out and down 34lbs. I guess I'm midline as far as losing, not too fast and not too slow. I'll tell you one thing, I'LL TAKE IT!!! *hugs* Jen

Awwww, Melissa, honey.... thanks for the compliment, I guess I am the 12/20 queen, and am serious about encouraging our December 04 Team members, like you, to post and respond in kind. So... thanks for POSTING! Your input is valuable to everyone on the 12/04 team! We all need to support each other because if we don't .... THEN WHO WILL? I will try the protein drink, but do tell me of the protein count. Is it high? I keep hearing about Unjury... have you tried that one, too? Has anyone? Do tell me more about Extreme Smoothy... Is that at GNC? If is the same, I'm planning on trying it too! THANKS DARLING FOR PARTICIPATING... and you are doing wonderfully! Keep up the great work girl... you are inspiring! Vera 12/20/04 -35 343/308/? LAP RNY Proximal