Let see how much you know post op!
I've been buying GNC's brand of RTD shakes...I started with Oh Yeah! brand, and then switched to GNC's...in my opinion, they're very good, and the prices aren't bad at all if you're a GNC member.
I have ordered stuff from the US...it takes a lot of research to find good prices and places that don't charge through to nose for shipping. I originally ordered two tubs of Syntrax Nectar powder (I ordered Vanilla Bean Torte and Roadside Lemonade) from the US, but recently ordered another (Fuzzy Navel) from Low Carb Grocery. They're Canadian and as far as pricing goes...well they're not cheap, but to me it's worth it considering how quickly they can get stuff to me. I've also ordered from Low Carb Canada...they carry a lot of the same products as Low Carb Grocery, so I always price compare.
You can get Pure Protein shakes in Walmart or Target, they come in cans of 4, they come in chocolate or vanilla. You can get Premier Protein shakes and bars from Costco, but only the chocolate shakes are available in Canada.
One other company I've checked out is Diet Direct...they ship to Canada, but I haven't ordered anything from them yet (I'm not far out enough from surgery yet)...but I have bee looking into their protein snacks...they have protein chips that would fit into a plan and provide the crunch that you start to miss after weeks of fluids.
That's all I can think of for right now...if I can think of anything else I will post it here for you.
Hi! I would advise not to stock up too much on protein powders and bars. You may be surprised that your tastes will change after surgery and throughout. I started with using skim milk powder and Beneprotein (which I ordered through Shopper's Drug Mart) for the first month after surgery. Mixed them into my puddings, yogurt and cream soups. Then I went to Popeye's and got a tub of vanilla Isoflex protein powder. I was good with this protein powder in shakes for awhile when one day I woke up and couldn't stand the smell or taste. I've order the syntrax berry stuff and didn't like it. I have been using the Premier Protein shakes from Costco everyday for the last year or so and I love them. I haven't tried the vanilla but you can get them in the States at Sam's Club or Costco.
As for protein bars, I like Quest bars. I used to order them online from the Low Carb Grocery Store. But we go to Great Falls, MT quite a bit for some american shopping and at the GNC down there I was able to stock up on the Quest Bars. I just happened to go into GNC here in town and seen that they now carry a few flavous of the bars as well.
Since I live fairly close to the border I order Bariatric Advantage Calcium Chews (online from Bariatric Choice) and take advantage of the free shipping within US and have it delivered to a brokerage just across the border. Then on a Saturday I take a road trip down and pick them up. I love these chews. They are like a Starburst. I find them the best way, for me, to get my calcium citrate in and it feels like a treat.
I buy Kirkland prenatal vits at Costco.
If I were you I wouldn't go wasting a lot of money on buying these things before surgery. After surgery our taste buds change and things we liked before surgery will literally turn your tummy after surgery. I was one of the lucky ones who after surgery couldn't tolerate any form of protein powders, i would get gut wrenching pains from the powders and it made me very nauseous. As for the bars, they have too much sugar in them and shouldn't be used as a meal supplement and this was on the advisement of my nutritionist. I had to get my protein the old fashion way and although when I had my blood work done it was little on the low side it was considered low normal.
My main go to items after surgery were clear fluids, jello, pudding, apple sauce, soup broth and then later out tuna, eggs, chili, peas soup. I used a baby spoon to eat with and those were the things I was sure to have in my house ready for pre-op.
Congrats on getting a date. best of luck.
Kee.
HW:274 SW:238 CW: 150.0 1St goal: 199.8 2nd goal:174 (100 pound lost)
My Persoanl Goal: (HIgh)150 (Low)140
1st goal acheived December 27th/2010. 1 week after my 3rd month surgery anniversary.
2nd goal acheived June 4th/2011. 2 weeks after my 8th Month Surgiversary.
Gall Bladder surgery April 12,2012
You can either believe it will happen.....or believe it won't. Both are self fulfilled prophesies. For Me it has happened. My Surgery was September 21/2010
Good luck with the surgery I had mine done in March 2007, and have never looked back. I have had the tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift, and Tuesday the 11th I am finally getting my ugly thighs done. Finally I will be able to wear a bathing suit. I am also an RN, if you need anything at all please feel free to contact me. If you are in the Calgary area I would be glad to help you along with any part of your journey.
Sophie