Update on TimeOut

This is day 12 of my TimeOut -as explained in an earlier post - to help me lose weight I have regained.  All is going very well.  I have lost a total of 14 pounds in 11 days and am thrilled with the results. Amazingly, I've had very little trouble staying on the time out protocol.  I get 3 Nectar shakes a day and as much Crystal Light Type drinks as I can consume.  I get NO solid food. So far, I've only faltered a couple of times and that was unconsciously taking a couple of bites of grilled meat that I had cooked for my son.  And I'm certainly not going to beat myself up over a few bites of protein.  I hope to continue this for at least two more weeks.  I call my doctor Monday and report back to him - he said something about adding a salad after two weeks but I really don't want to yet.  I am doing so well with no food that I would like to continue that as I want to lose at least another 20 pounds and maybe 30 depending on how I feel and how my clothes fit. For all of you out there who have struggled with gain - talk to your doctor and find out what he wants you to do - and just make up your minds to stick with it.  Believe me, it's much easier when you only need to lose 5 or 10 pounds. Patty

Hi, Patty!  Nice to hear that you're doing well.  And I have the same problem!  I've never done well with protein drinks, but tell me more about the nectar drinks you're speaking of...please? Sheryl

Sheryl, Nectars are made by Syntrax.  They are mostly fruit flavored - not eh yucky milkshake type of drink- and they have 90 calories per serving and 23 g of protein. I use Fuzzy Navel (Orange/Peach) mixed with Orange Crystal Light and Roadside Lemonade with a little Strawberry SF drink mix added to make a Strawberry Lemonade.  I also use the only flavor that isn't fruit based - Cappucino Latte - and is just what it sounds like - a coffee flavored drink.  I mix it with water and sometimes add SF syrups - either Hazelnut or Vanilla. It's really not a chore for me to drink these as I really like them.  There are several places online that sell Nectars. Patty

I started to cut out the junk stuff in diet and cut back to three meals a day....I am down 5 lbs.  I was so excited to see the scale go down.  I am going to go to the nectar only after vacation.  I can't set myself up for failure.  How is your exercise program.  I have to get back into mine! Debbie

Hi Patty, Thanks for posting about the Time Out protocol...I'm glad to hear that you're seeing success. I wanted to share an experience that I had with all liquid/no solids at about 7 months out...I have a theory about the liquid fast and how it can be benefical to us post-op WLS patients. As some may know, I had a very serious small bowel obstruction at 12 days post RNY.  Thankfully it resolved after I had an NG tube inserted in the ER of the Hospital Of University of PA.  I asked my surgeon if it could happen again and he indicated that it may, or it may never. Well, 7 months later I got similar pain, not as intense, but similar.  I was admitted to the hospital and my surgeon explained that I had what's called an internal abdominal hernia.   To make a long story short, I was placed on liquids for ~ 2 weeks, both in and out of the hospital until I finally gave the green light for my surgeon to perform exploratory surgery.  The surgery was a success and I continued on liquids for another 2 weeks.  I was to gradually start eating as if I just had RNY for the first time. Well, after not eating for a month, when I finally could eat, I wanted to consume the quantity of food that I had grown accustom to over the first 7 months....but, I couldn't.   So, (sorry for the long lead up to this) my theory is that our pouches shrink after going without food for long periods (weeks).  This is total speculation on my part, but, I can tell you that I made repeated phone calls to my surgeon asking him if he had stiched up my pouch, or tightened my pouch while he was in there.  He said no, but, I swear I didn't believe him until he told me like three times. Anyway, this girl is a believer in the power of liquids.  I've experienced it first hand, and I will always consider it as an option to combat weight gain. I'm not experienced with the Nectar protein that you mention, but, I will give it a shot. Again, Thanks for your post and imput.  I will discuss the Time Out with my surgeon on June 1st when I go for my ~15 month followup. Karen

Karen, Thanks for the response.  I have found that in just 12 days, I feel much more like I did as a new post-op.  I never get really hungry and if I feel a few twinges, all it takes to satisfy them is to drink some Crystal Light or water.  I really don't have much interest in eating - just like I was as an early post-op and I do forget mealtimes and have to remind myself to fix my protein. So, I tend to agree with you about the all liquids - don't know whether the pouch can actually shrink or not, but whatever it is, I am thankful for it.  I am able to go eat with friends and sit and sip water while they eat and it doesn't bother me at all.  I really like that - I don't want to "cheat" and so far, other than a few bites of meat on a couple of  occasins, I haven't.   And, the scales were down another two pounds this morning for a total of 16 in 12 days.  That is awesome - the only time I've lost more than that was after my surgery when I lost 30 pounds in 12 days and I know most of that was fluid retention. Again thanks for your input. Patty

Ok.  I'm game for giving this liquid only thing a try.  I would like to use a combination of Atkins ready to drink, Achieve One and Vitamin Shoppe's brand of ready to drink.  How many calories and grams of protein should I aim for in a day?  Achieve has about 20 grams of protein for around 100 calories and Vitamin Shoppe's Body Tech has 25 grams of protein for slightly more calories.  Atkins, I believe, has about 17 grams of protein for about 170 calories.  I'm definitely open for suggestions because I want to get rid of at least 10 pounds of my regain.

Kris, I think the calorie thing should be determined by your doctor.  My surgeon wants me to have the 270 calories a day from the protein - that is why he specified ONLY Nectar.  And the only other calories I get are from Crystal Light - and that is 5 calories per 8 ounces of liquid.  So if I have 64 ounces, I add another 40 caloires which brings me to 310 calories for the day. Patty

Hi Patty, Great job!  I had my RNY on 4/1/03 and have gained back at LEAST 30 pounds.  I never reached my goal though I lost 125 pounds.  I've also had a body lift a year and a half ago and feel disappointed that I couldn't keep my weight off.  Ok, I guess it's more like VERY disappointed in myself, since after 2 surgeries I still have such a hard time controlling myself.   Anyway, your post gave me hope!  Do you know if there is a website where I can order the Nectar, or a local store like GNC?  Any advice would be appreciated. Good luck! Thanks and have a great day, Lori :)

GNC doesn't sell it but Vitamin Shoppe does - in the store and online.  I ordered some from Building Brawn - they had the best cost and shipping I could find.  Also, Susan Maria sells it on her www.bariatriceating.com site. There are tons of place online - you just have to do a search - use nectar protein or Syntrax nectar for the search and you should come up with multiple sites. Patty