Question:
Do any of you have daily schedules that you could share regarding...

when you take your protein shakes, when you take your vitamins, how you manage to get 64 oz. of water in, do you take certain vitamins at night and certain ones in the morning. Thanks for sharing, Hugs    — L G. (posted on October 7, 2000)

October 7, 2000
I am very distal so take more of everything than you will, but my day goes like so. I have a liquid protein by my sink and take 30g before I even brush my teeth. It's icky, but it does the job. After I assemble myself, I have my iron and C group and try to get some water down while I'm still a bit thirsty in the morning. I eat a protein bar at some point in here, but while I do count it as a meal, I don't count the protein in it. Then I have my fave choc protein about 2 hours after the first. I'm drinking water in between all this. Eventually, someone around here wants lunch, so we get fast food and I take another little cluster of vites. And a bit later, another protein, maybe grape or maybe root beer float. Mid-afternoon, maybe some fruit with another batch of vites. Another protein in here. And another batch of vites with dinner. Another protein or two in the evening, depending on how things go. If I get up extra early for some reason, I might get 6 or 7 proteins in. The more the merrier, as far as I'm concerned because I do not want my body to EVER figure out what I've done here. As long as I keep that steady flow of sugar free nutrition coming in, my body thinks I'm consuming the mountains of calories it once got from me. So far, so good.
   — vitalady

October 8, 2000
After reading the two previous posts, I felt I had to write. I don't want you to get the idea that everyone "eats" the way Michelle does! I do not use protein supplements at all as my surgeon wants us to get that from our food. A philosophical difference, to say the least! I get up and take 2 Flintstone vitamins and 500 mcg. of B12. Then, I usually eat Dannon Lite Yogurt for breakfast. I take two 32 oz. bottles of water to work and drink them both before lunch. I might also drink a cup or two of coffee with 1 t. sugar and some creamer. I'm RNY proximal (5 feet bypassed) and can do this much sugar with no problems. For lunch, I might have a hard shell taco, or some leftover meat casserole or bean soup from last night. In the afternoon, I try to drink more water, have a popsicle, a handfull or peanuts, whatever. For supper, I've discovered that I love chili, soups and stews. I'm experimenting all the time with new recipes. I could also find myself cooking pork chops on the grill or oven-fried chicken. I like steamed veggies with my meal, and sometimes even have a little potato. I try to drink more water in the evening. I enjoy Diet Snapple drinks. I might eat some popcorn while watching tv. Now, doesn't my diet sound more "normal" than living on supplements? But, to each, his own.
   — Cindy H.

October 8, 2000
I think it is important to point out that part of the difference between Michelle and Cindy is that Michelle has a very distal bypass and Cindy has a proximal. The more small intestine that is bypassed the great the issues of malabsorption. With a distal bypass there is a greater need for supplements. If you are working with a proximal RnY then Cindy's schedule is close to the one recommended by the dietitians at BTC.
   — Nanette T.

October 8, 2000
My doctor bypassed 150cm she considers this a distal. Personally I don't know or care. I'm 5mo post op and down 76 lbs. works for me. In the morning I have a protien shake made with 1/2 c. orange juice 1 cup diet orange pop and 1 scoop of protien powder ( designer protein , unflavored) a multi B vit. with zinc and a multi vitamin with minerals. I have a glass of water sometime before I leave for work. I usually grab a large hot tea on the way to work followed by more water ( I carry a bottle that measures 20 oz.) About 10 a.m. I have a hard boiled egg. at lunch I usually have some soup or 1/2 of a weight watchers dinner or lean cusine or what ever. Later in the afternoon I have some pretzles 3 or 4 , or some popcorn or half an apple. I also have a viactive calcium chew , and at some point in time a tums or two. When I get home at night I have another protien drink and maybe a little more of somekind of w.w. dinner concentrating on more protein. I also have water throught the day and some decaf or hot tea . before bed I have the same multi-B , and multi-vit and mineral. If I feel like it I may have a salad or a half an apple, but I mostly eat protein , and I supplement more protein. I eat so little food I know their is no way I can get the vitamins protein and minerals I need through my food only. I hope this helps you.
   — Rose A.

October 8, 2000
I am somewhere between Michelle and Cindy LOL! I had 150 CM bypassed (whether that is proximal or distal depends on who you talk to). I have a protein drink (Ultra Pure Protein premixed from GNC) for breakfast. I sip a 25 oz. bottle of water all morning. If I am thinking about it (or am PMSd) I will have a snack mid morning (piece of cheese, a few pretzels, or sugar free fudgsicle). Lunch is either soup or tuna,or a salad. Another 25 oz. water refill in the afternoon. I usually skip an afternnon snack, but sometimes I have another protein drink if I feel the need. Dinner is usually whatever the family is having, but meat first and fill in with a veggie. I take a Bugs Bunny vitamin 1st AM and in the afternoon. I will have a 3rd bottle of water between afternoon snack and dinner. I have found a Crystal Lite that is supplimented with vitamins, so on really busy days, when I can't get snacks in, I will sip a 25 oz. bottle of that. Good Luck- everybody is different- do what is best for you!
   — M B.

October 8, 2000
Hi! I had open RNY on June 23rd and here is my schedule: Wake up and take Natachew (perscription pore-natal multivitamin) Drink 20oz water on way to work 10ish am chew a vitamin C (500mg) and a Viactiv calcium. Drink 20oz water with lunch 4ish another vitamin C and calcium Drink 20oz water on drive home. There! All my vitamins and water by 6pm!
   — Andrea P.