Question:
What is the best way to research protein supplements?

I am having surgery in July & would like to start looking at protein drinks. There are so many choices on the market that it could really take alot of time & get me nowhere. What advice can you offer?    — Kathy K. (posted on May 11, 2003)

May 11, 2003
Hi, I purchase all my protein supplements from WWW.wlssuccess.com They have a great powder called Champion Whey Stack. I love the chocolate. Kristiina is the owner and she is very helpful and knowledgeable. Good luck, Cindy
   — blank first name B.

May 11, 2003
Probably the best way is to hang out with those who truly enjoy their protein & can see/feel the benefits. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Protein/
   — vitalady

May 11, 2003
Don't waste to much money on protein shakes before surgery because your tastebuds may change. I went to the Vitamin Shoppe (they will allow you to return products if you don't like it). Also, GNC is a good store that is located in most major cities. There is also plenty of websites listed on this website which will send you samples or you may order -- as for which ones are good (the taste is totally yours). Good luck with your surgery!
   — Starrlina

May 11, 2003
You asked about researching the protein supplements. www.vitalady.com has a large fact and comparison sheet for over a hundred different protein drinks and shakes. With that info in front of you, you can compare the different ones. As far as taste, that will be very personal. I would not waste my money pre-op on them. Your taste buds will change after surgery. Speaking as one who has been there, done that.
   — Delores S.

May 12, 2003
Buying and comsuming protein in the form of shakes pre-op is not a waste of money imho because of the benefits it gives you for recovery <b>after</b> surgery. I have had non-wl related surgeries while on a protein shake regimen and I really believe it caused me to heal faster. It's true that some people's tastes change after surgery, but if you have any protein powder that you bought before wls that you cannot seem to tolerate in the beginning, keep it because from what I've read, your tastes might change yet again and you'll be able to tolerate it later. As an added afterthought, even if you had to hold your nose and just throw it back (if you couldn't tolerate it after wls and if it absolutely didn't make you gag) that would be btter than risking your health by <b>not</b> drinking it...kwim? Just my .02....
   — Jeralyn Merideth

May 12, 2003
Well, I'm a weird one (in soo many ways!) -- my taste buds didn't particularly change after surgery, so the time I spent sampling protein powders as a pre-op wasn't wasted, fortunately. Especially because I had to consume a lot of bad ones before I found a couple of good ones. I ordered individuals samples from vitalady.com, and I hung out on the Yahoo OSSG (obesity surgery support group) for protein "perverts" (see Michelle's post below for the URL address). Everybody's tastes are different, but the chocolate whey stack (recommended below) is very chocolatey -- too much so for my taste, but better than the vast majority of shakes. I like Proscore 100 Chocolate (which is whey protein, has peptides & all that good stuff), and as an alternative, also use ProBlend 55 Swiss Chocolate (available at GNC). Experiment with sugar-free syrups, and with adding a little s/f jello pudding or jello powders in for flavoring, if you don't like the shakes plain. Just don't give up on them after a few baddies ... it's well worth the effort to find a good one. Good luck!
   — Suzy C.

May 12, 2003

   — Linda A.