1-800-ASK-A-VET (Ask anything thread...)

Protein forward has several purposes

1. Good protein levels enhance healing.... you need that postop

2. Good protein levels make up for some serious malabsorption of protein.... your body needs protein to survive, and if you don'g have any on board, your body will take them from storage..... your muscles, and your heart is a muscle, so low protein can result in heart damage

3. Protein forward meals, with solid proteins, will fill you up faster, and keep you full longer. They are the key to long-term success with RNY.

However... all of this doesn't answer your question because I don't know why anyone would suggest that protein would overcome a plateau. If it's just a plateau, and not your body's preferred final weight, then following the plan will get you to the point where your body is ready to lose weight. But if you starve your body of protein, it will go into lockdown and you won't make progress towards losing (unless you are losing weight by losing muscle mass)

I don't know that protein overcomes a plateau. I think its more of keeping your body guessing at what is going on. I've had two plateaus in eight weeks, and both times I upped my calories for a few days, ate more protein, upped my exercise and my water, then dropped it back down. It worked. After a few days I started losing weight again at my .5 or 1 pound a day rate. I don't expect it to stay that way but I do plan on keeping my calories "zig zagged" as well as having some very high protein days, some average days, some low carb and high carb days. Just shake things up.

 Only one silly question.
I prefer chewable Gas X tablets.  I haven't been able to find these anywhere.  I can only find the strips and the gels.  
Know where I can find them?

I've seen them at the local pharmacy, but perhaps they've discontinued them? 

Found em on Amazon HERE

 Thank you.  I will look on Amazon.

Target has a generic brand of these.  I bought some a few weeks before surgery.  I want to say they were around $2.50 a pack.  Just look on the antacid/stomach meds aisle and they will be there. 

I prefer the tabs too.  I get generic - look for Semethicone (same thing)

I have a question.

Why am I not rich yet? I have WLS recipes up the wazoo and yet I remain poor...

Wait...I can answer that. My crippling lack of focus!

Ok...proceed...

(For the record I am on schedule to release my protein shake recipe book this summer so I am working on my issues.../end shameless self promotion...)

LOL you're a goof

Hubby wants to know why I never sell my books

I told him I'm allergic to success and riches

How many calories should I really be consuming a day at almost 3 weeks out?  My surgeon's office gave me no guidelines other than a list of foods and telling me to only eat 3 times a day.  I have noticed I need to eat every few hours or I almost pass out.  So, I threw that rule out the window.  I hate to not follow the rules, but passing out is not on my "To Do" list.  Today after I finish my last shake which is in the fridge waiting on me I will of had 485 calories and 78 grams of protein.  Is that in range with what I should be having at this point?  Some days I almost hit 600 if I have more protein pudding during the day instead of shakes.  Those days are few and far between though.  I worry that when I move to soft foods on Tuesday that I will be consuming too many calories.  I'm not sure where to keep it at.  Sometimes I think it would be easier to stay on full liquids because I know how to regulate my intake this way.

Also, why do I dump on carbs?  I cooked Easter dinner for family this year since I cook every year.  It was pure torture but I didn't sample anything until I took a small taste (I'm talking 2 or 3 noodles) of the mac and cheese.  Within 10-15 minutes I was sweating, stomach cramping and blowing the bathroom up.  Of course the AC upstairs was broken that day and I was having to do all of this in a closet sized bathroom in 82 degree heat upstairs.  I was miserable!  I thought we only dumped on sugar.  I dump on sugar as well, but not as bad as carbs.  It takes about 4g of sugar to make me dump.  I hate being so sensitve.  It makes me wonder what I'm going to do when I can eat larger amounts of food.