R O L L C A L L !!!

Hello New Jersey!
I am Kristal, I had RNY May 10th 2010 so I am a newbie. I have lost 27 pounds so far which I am thrilled about. The only support that I really have had since day one is my husband and 4 kids. I moved to NJ 2 and a half years ago and still have been too busy to try to make friends.  The 4 kiddos keep me very busy.
My goal is to weigh 140... maybe less since I am only 4ft 11in. I work out 3-5 times a week, I never drink my protein cuz i can not seem to deal with the taste and texture... i REALLY need new protein so any advice is appreciated! I do my best with my vitamins.
Thats about all for me... I am hoping to find local friends here
Krissy

Welcome Krissy.

I have 4 kiddos too- how old are yours?

RE: Protein - I get the unflavored and mix it into foods (like oatmeal, soup, etc) to mask it

Congrats on your success so far- keep up the good work!

I have 3 boys and a girl, Andrew is 9, Jazmyne is 8, Bryce is 7 and Cameron is 5

Thanks for the tip, i will try the unflavored

I have 3 girls and a boy...Jeffrey, Michaela and Katie are 5 and my littleone, Bella is 4.

Good luck - let me know how you do with the protein!

Hi,Kristal!

You are doing good 27 pounds! you go girl
But PROTEINS ,they need to go in ,there is no way back,"suck it in" .I had te same problem I think must of us do, I tack Max Protein from GNC ,its very good ,they have cookies & cream OMGo****s good,from NECTAR, this is sold in the Vitamin Shop,I use vanilla and one thats Caribbean, this last one has to much coconut flavor that I really dont like that much.
Protein suck,that part is true but you have to be creative, try to dress them up,I put Jello sugar free pudding to all my shacks, Pistachio is wonderful if you dont mind the green color,lol, banana cream,vanilla, and chocolate ,I add to my proteins ,spinach,tofu ,plain yogurt,enething that adds extra proteins to my shack, I mix pumpkin the one that come in cans ,but not the pie pumpkin thats to sweet. I add cinnamon,and banana cream pudding its like having a pumpkin pie. My pistachio is the one I do most,because the taste is like being in haven.
With my Caribbean from Nectar I use fruits, I buy papaya, from frozen Goya I buy Guanabana ,Guava, pasion fruit, I mix them with banana cream Jello sugar free pudding ,or the vanilla one.
The secret of the pudding beside the taste is that it makes them thick and the thicker the better,lol. Try some of this or invent youre own ,but drink youre proteins ,you are going to start feeling with more energy. Now maybe yuo dont feel it put with the past of the days ,with out the proteins you start fealing lack of energy,that happend to me.
Good luck! let me know if this has been of some help.

OMG that is fabulous ideas! if you have the time can u tell me the recipes, like how much to mix and such? thank you soooooooo very much!!!

I LOVE IT! Learning about so many of you...and cheering each of you on. I am in Central NJ, and attend lots of support groups and informal gatherings. Here is a list of upcoming meetings for the rest of June in the Central NJ area...most of the information can be found on this website. Maybe I'll see you at one? Sorry it's not including groups for all of NJ..."our Tom" has a comprehensive list of support groups out here on this NJ board.  I cannot verify all of these meetings are still "on" so always check before you go!

06/15 @ 6:00 pm Bypass Support at Metabolic Medicine & Weight Control Center
06/16 @ 6:00 pm Bypass Support >1year at St. Barnabus Ambulatory Care Center
06/17 @ 6:30 pm Band & Bypass Support at Raritan Bay Medican Center Perth Amboy Division
06/21 @ 7:00 pm Weekly Wegmans Support Group (ps...Gina and Nancy will NOT be there)
06/28 @ 7:00 pm Weekly Wegmans Support Group
06/30 @ 5:30 pm Inconvenient Get Together @ Union Plaza Diner & Rest, Route 22 in Union
07/09 @ 7:30 pm Nancy's Jewelry Party (Somerset)

Have a great week! - Nancy

 THIS IS FROM GASTRICBYPASS BARBIE!

A Happy Accident: Banana Pumpkin Cream Shake

So, this morning, I felt like a pumpkin shake. Fortunately for me, I didn’t LOOK like one, that’s a discussion for another day.

Being of reasonably sound mind and having extremely little time (as usual), I set out to concoct a taste sensation that I know and love. However, since I’m rather ADHD about stuff, I don’t like to leave well enough alone, and I decided to mess with the recipe — to fantastic effect!!!

In the words of Adam Richman (from the Travel Channel’s “Man V. Food") Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! This new shake was THE BOMB!

Here’s the recipe (Give it a whirl!)

PUMPKIN BANANA CREAM SHAKE

6 Ice Cubes (automati**** maker sized)
1/4 c. Egg Substitute (I used the Egg Whites Only variety this morning).
3/4 c. Almond Milk (or your favorite fluid base)
1/8 c. Flaxseed Meal
1/8 c. Wheat Germ
3/4 c. Pumpkin (canned; no sugar, just the squash)
SF Jello Brand Instant Pudding Mix: Banana Cream Flavor (you decide how much) <-- This is a great additive, because it gives you the flavor of bananas, without the sugars!
Pumpkin Pie Spices (you *could* use the kind that comes pre-mixed, but since I don’t have that, I went with a combo of: cinnamon, ground cloves — careful on this one — nutmeg and ground ginger.)
Chile Powder — Yes, chile powder. You decide how much you want to rock this drink. I did probably about 1/2 as much chile as pumpkin pie spice.
1-2 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder

Blend Well and enjoy!

Possible (thoughtful) additions or substitutions: grated carrots, silken tofu, SF Cool Whip — Yes,Allie, I know you hate this stuff! — and/or guar gum (for thickening).

Now, the surprising twist on this drink happened when I gleefully added — WHAT I THOUGHT WAS — Cheescake Instant Pudding Mix, only to learn that it was really BANANA CREAM! Okay, so that wasn’t a bad idea. I might also have tried BUTTERSCOTCH — if I’d felt like really walking on the wild side. The wheat germ adds a very substantial quality to the drink and keeps me feeling full longer — which is a good thing.

Hello all  I'm Chris post op almost 5yrs in Nov ......Life is great!!!!!! I eat whatever i want and workout everyday .This wls is an amazing tool if u work it the correct way .Eating right working out not drinking alot !!!! I had some complications early on but would dooooo it all over again.I am trying to loose 20lbs now cause summer is hear .it does get harder as yrs go bye .So if u are new enjoy and keep up the hard work.

ohh yea i ate a Greek salad for lunch ,,,lol

 Thank you for the advise, You see when we are newbies we dont think of 5 years from now,just  in wow  how wouls I look in a year!