Hello!

I only lost about 40-50 lb after having my Lap-Band surgery 4 years ago, and I attribute a lot of that to never getting into the protein shake habit.  Now that I am in the approval process for a RNY revision, I am trying my best to set myself up for success by changing a lot of my unhealthy habits and getting into the right habits BEFORE the surgery so it isn't such a shock after surgery.  I thought I was committed to having my Lap-Band, but that pales in comparison to how motivated I am for this RNY revision to be a success.

Anyway- one of my pitfalls in the prior surgery was the protein shakes. I couldn't stand them, and considered them a form of torture. Now, getting ready for my RNY, I found a protein powder I like (Gold Standard Whey) and have branched out to 4 flavors now, 3 of which I like (I can't stand their Cookies & Cream). They are OK just put in a shaker bottle with 8oz of water... I can stomach them... however, I discovered that I actually ENJOY them when mixed with milk! I'm mixing them with ice (and sometimes other ingredients) to make it milkshake consistency and have more flavor.

Here is today's breakfast:

Is this a good/sustainable ratio of calories to protein to sugars? I know something this thick (due to the oatmeal) will have to wait for the pureed foods stage, but if I can safely have this every morning for breakfast, this is totally within my reach!

Also, here are some of the other protein shakes I made so far-

1 Scoop Rocky Road Whey Protein Powder

1 tbsp Peanut Butter

3/4 c. Unsweetened Organic Soymilk

270 Calories | 9g Carbs | 12g Fat | 33g Protein | 3g Fiber | 4g Sugar

1 Scoop Extreme Milk Chocolate Whey Protein

1/2 c. Unsweetened Organic Soymilk

1/2 Large Banana

1/4 c. Light Vanilla Yougurt

268 Calories | 28g Carbs | 4g Fat | 30g Protein | 3g Fiber | 16g Sugar

Thanks all in advance for any help/advice!

Hello all need help with a great source of vitamins and minerals, or a weight gain plan to maybe gain at least 10 to 15 pounds. I had weight loss surgery in 2012. Which my weight has been going up and down for not not having the proper exercise and nutrients in my daily balance. And I am also a smoker, which decreases my appetite and I find myself losing more weight, Now I look like a skeleton. I went from 296 down to 145. Looks as If I’m pushing my way to the malnutrition side. I recently had a baby, which my weight scale change at that time. I had my son in November 2014 which allow me to gain some weight I was 140 at that time from my previous weight loss surgery this allowed me to gain up to 176 as of being pregnant. But I started back as a smoker and weight has dropped an again I am 140. I know smoking is a bad habit and I am trying to stop. I try to drink insure or muscle milk thinking this could help. I would at least like to get to 150 or 160. Any solutions will be gladly appreciated, Thanks in advance

I used regular, not low sodium, beef broth.  Only low sodium was on my docs plan but that stuff was the worst tease ever.  Smelled awesome.  When I tasted it I figured out that when they removed the sodium, apparently they removed the flavor as well.

The thing that helped me the most was talking to people who followed the pre-op diet and looking at their results.  I had to drink 4 of these New Direction shakes a day.  I would have rather taken a baseball bat to the most sensitive parts of my body.  Gross, artificially flavored nasty dust.  I wanted to run out an buy a different kind of shake or maybe eat a protein bar instead.  Every time I would log onto YouTube and watch the surgery being performed.  Once you see how easy the doc can retract that nicely shrunken liver, it makes those shakes more tolerable.  

So I kept on my program (despite my wife making cupcakes for my ambulance crew) with the exception of the broth.  When I saw my surgeon after surgery he made a point to tell me I did a great job on the pre-op diet.  My liver was small and easy to get out of the way.  Apparently some of the other folks from my program that were operated on that day had clearly cheated on their pre-op program which made he surgery harder for the doctor.

You can have the best surgeon in the world, but our part of doing the pre-op diet is so important.  The smaller you can get that liver and the more fat you can lose prior to surgery, the more room the surgeon has to work and the better a sleeve he can make.

It is tough making these changes but stay strong and keep on the diet.  This tool only works if we follow the program.  I am thrilled with results so far.  I have been 98% compliant.  I'd deduction 2% for full-sodium broth.

You can have pasta again in moderation too, if you choose, eventually, though many of us with the VSG at least seem to stay somewhat low carb.  I haven't reached maintenance yet and shan't for a long time so I can't really speak there.

This is something we all go through.  I appreciate your thanks, but I had to get this same advice too from someone here and from my counselor.  Believe me when I say I have made lots of food mistakes in the past.  The truth is that any weight loss is more mental than anything.  It will not be easy, but whether you get surgery or not, you can definitely make changes that will help you.  Just don't forget that there are people who will support you no matter what you decide.  There are tons of great support groups.

Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and am seeking help for my child, spouse and myself.  I have two children, a daughter (18) who has always been thin(5' 6" and 112 lbs.), just like I was until after having my children son (just turned 13) who was tiny as well until around age 5 when he just started getting heavier fairly quickly.  He is now around 5' 6" and 238 lbs.  My husband was always thin until after high school and has struggled with his weight as long as I've know him (15 years) and would be considered obese.

I really try to keep healthy food around, we rarely have things like chips or sweets sitting in the cabinets or refrigerator.  I have never been really great at denying my son junk food when he asks although I try to limit size and quantity.  The problem I have is that he is constantly eating and most of it he sneaks into his room.  It happens all the time that I go to make something for his/my lunch or dinner and find that something I needed has been eaten up.  The thing is that it is never a small amount, but the entire bag of grapes or carrots, the whole block of cheese or all the lunch meat.

I try to keep him busy, especially this summer, he has been a counselor in training at the YMCA and been in 2 theater productions requiring several hours of practice whi*****ludes dancing, but whenever he's home he usually just stays in his room watching videos on his phone and eating.  He has put on over 8 pounds this summer. 

 I tried going back to work this spring after being a stay-at-home-mom for the better part of 13 years, but within about 6 weeks he gained 30 pounds and all his school grades dropped significantly so I stopped working to come back home and have tried to prepare healthy meals again, I did a terrible job when working.  We are trying to eat the mostly Paleo style diet that we were eating a year ago when we each lost around 20 lbs.   I worry about both of my boys because diabetes runs in my husband's family and they almost all struggle with obesity.  I have also had gut issues, diverticulitis 4 times in just over a year and hospitalized 3 of those times.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope some of you have some words of wisdom for me.

Thank you!