I've got to stay off the RNY board...

Way to go Jody!!!!   Maybe you should do M&M for awhile!!!!!!  

I'm over 2.5 years out and enjoying every day of my new healthier life!!!

I feel like I eat  more than enough "real" food and I can't even imagine how much I'd have to eat to meet my Protein totals and still be able to enjoy fruits, vegtables, and good carbs.

The main reason I switched to Protein drinks is becaue I hated figuring out my totals.  I felt like I was back on WW doing exchanges or points. I feel like I have freedom now.  As long as I have 3 or 4 Protein drinks a day and go with low "bad" carb choices I don't have to do any adding or calculating unless I want to. 

The reason I've stayed on Protein Drinks is because my labs have been great, my hair is thicker and stronger than it was even when I was in my 30's, I feel great, and I'm maintaining my weight with a normal BMI.  I don't ever get that over eating feeling like before WLS!!  It works for me so why shake the boat!!!

Oh Roz - and practice what I preach?? REALLY?? LOL... Yea... I DO believe in them, and I really know I need to add another during the day. 

I agree... and I go with how my body feels as well.  When I went recently to see my NUT and surgeon, they both said I was getting in TOO MUCH protein that I didn't want over 100 grms a day, which is where I am usually at... and told me to stop the shakes....  I did for a short period of time and didn't feel as healthy or have as much energy etc. 

So, I figure, I know my body better than they do, I am keeping my morning protein coffee and perhaps one other a day and feel GREAT!!!  The heck with them.  My surgeon also does not discuss my labs, but just tells me he will contact me if there is a problem... this worries me b/c I have no clue what my labs look like, and I haven't been contacted.  You are reminding me, so I think I will call and ask that he call me to discuss them, at least over the phone!  Thanks Jody!!

Oooooh, Mara!  Call the doctor's office and request a full listing of ALL labs they've run for you since you started this journey: date, code, and result.  Then call your PCP and get a list of the labs THEY'VE run for you.  This is YOUR info, and you have a legal right to have it, so don't let them put you off.

Yes, your doctor's office will call you if they see a problem, but you can be much more informed if you have the info for yourself.  Pam T (posts on the RNY board a lot, but I haven't seen her in a *****as a great spreadsheet, and I think Vitalady does as well, that will help you track your levels across time which is a big benefit as then you can see when things start to change and start fixing problems sooner!

Totally agree, I have had more than one argument with my NUT regading protein shakes..she says no protein drinks after 3 months..and I think that is crazy!! I know my body functions better after a protein drink so I say we need to do what is right for our bodies...

I was afraid of what my Nut was going to say at my 6 mon. but she looked at my menus and my labs and said good job.  i do 2 shakes a day and plan on continueing.  My protein is usually over 110 and I feel great.  4 meals a day and 2 shakes works for me.

My NUT and Dr. told me to get my protein from food sources. She said that one shake a day would be ok if I couldn't eat breakfast. What I think I'm hearing you all say is that I will need to keep drinking protein drinks to get all of my protein? The reason that I ask is because I am not a milk drinker and I get really tired of the milk based products, powdered or not. I do drink Isopure but after a while I get tired of that. If I have to do it, then I will do it, but I'm trying to make sure that I understand what everyone here is saying. Thanks for your help.

Yep,that is what we are saying. Because of the malabsorption component,you want to ha ve extra protein available to your body so that it can absorb all that it will absorb.

Try to find several additional protein supplements that you can tolerate/like. TThen you won't get tired of just the Isopure. Go to WWW.vitalady.com and order a bunch of smaples very reasonable. Maybe you can find a few more that you can use.
GL holly

I love love LOVE my protein coffee, hot, cold or frapped.  Now, I am making nectar Arnold Palmers, 1/2 iced tea and 1/2 lemonade protein.  No milk involved in either drink.

Did I mention I LOVE my protein coffee???

Great, thanks I will try it. I use Isopure and Unjury strawberry and add it to my sf lemonaide. I will look up Nectar Arnold Palmers. I used to drink Atkins chocolate drink in the mornings and EAS sometimes. I would love to add something to it. I may even try protein coffee even though I wasn't  coffee drinker. I hear people talking about it a lot. How do you make it?