My PB2 came in yesterday.  Wow!  It's yummy and it made quite a difference in my protein intake.  For those of you who don't know, PB2 is made by Bell Plantation and is peanut powder.  Their primary product is peanut oil and they found that after they squeeze all of the oil out of the peanuts, they are left with this peanut powder that is just YUMMY!

I got the four pack with 2 regular PB2s and 2 of the PB2 plus cocoa powder. 

Yesterday, I made a protein shake with 1 packet of Nectar chocolate flavored protein (any chocolate would work fine, I'm sure), 4 ice cubes, unflavored almond milk (just a flavor preference), a shot of Torani sugar free chocolate syrup and two teaspoons of the PB2 with cocoa.  Blended until it was Frappucinno consistancy.  It tasted just like a chilly, liquid peanut butter cup!  (only a bit less sweet, because I am not a fan of "sweet").

I think Nik (God bless Nik for her great recipes!) had a recipe for a "PB&J Shake" that used vanilla protein powder and PB2 and the sf Torani Raspberry syrup. I can't wait to try it.  Or something like that.  I should just link it, but I'm too lazy.  Check out Nik's page.  Seriously... it's worth it.    The World According to Eggface is another one that I checked out today.  I liked that one, too.  I still think I prefer Nik's page, but they are both great!

Protein is one of the most difficult things to manage when you are newly post op.  I recommend the above mentioned, but for a quick protein fix, I really don't mind Muscle Milk Light.  It doesn't have that yucky aftertaste that I found with most of the protein powders I have tried.  It tastes  bit like a Slimfast shake.  You remember those from our old days of dieting, don't you?  Come on.. admit it.  I get mine really cold and add some Torani sf coffee syrup.  I was a big coffee drinker before surgery.  I still go to Starbucks and get .. *deep breath* a tall iced, soy, decaf, sugar free cinnamon dulce latte with light ice.  I have never looked up the stats on it, and if I remember correctly, Starbucks uses Silk Vanilla Soy Milk which has sugar, but would also have a touch of protein.  I don't seem to dump.. not that I'm doing any testing, mind you. 

I am on stage three: Soft foods.  I am allowed soft, moist meats , eggs, and a bunch of stuff I don't eat like cheese (unless it's on pizza or american pre-sliced, plastic wrapped cheese food... don't ask.  I can't figure it out either), cottage cheese, greek yogurt (I did find one that I liked pre-op, but I can't remember what brand it was and the ones I have tried since taste too "cheesy").  Being such a picky eater makes this more difficult, but I'm getting there. 

So, for those of you who are pre-op or just newly post-op, I STRONGLY recommend getting some sugar free syrups I ordered from Torani, but Divinci makes some good ones, too.  You can buy them in stores, but most don't carry very many of the flavors.  If you know of a large chain that carries a good selection, please leave me a comment.  I am WAY too impatient to wait for internet orders to arrive all the time.  =] 

I want to talk about the initial stall that happens.  This is really aimed at pre-ops and BRAND new post-ops, the rest of you can skip this if you wish.  Anytime between the end of week 1 and the end of week 3, you are probably going to have a stall in your weight loss.  There are posts about this DAILY.  You go from dropping anywhere from 1 - 3 pounds per day and suddenly you just .. don't.   Sometimes this coincides with the beginning of pureed foods (depending on your surgeon's plan for you).  DON'T WORRY!  This is normal.  I lost 16 pounds in like 8 or 9 days and then ... nothing.  The scale didn't move down again until day 15, I think.  As a matter of fact, it jumped up a couple of pounds.  I had read enough on this site to know not to panic.  While we're on the subject, if you are the type who will probably panic at the slightest increase in weight, throw out your scale now.  Your body has to make some adjustments to the new way of eating/absorbing.  It needs to know that you aren't actually starving.  During my stall, I still lost inches.  I am not sure exactly how it works, but there are dozens of posts in the forums explaining it better than I ever could. 

Current concerns: I can't seem to get any meat down except for Subway meatballs, and I am pretty sure those aren't the epitome of good eating.  I chew forever and even the softest, moistest meats give me that stuck feeling.  Then I usually get the foamies.  I have no trouble at all with beans, though... so I have been eating those a lot.   I think with the introduction of more solid food, I am slacking a bit on my liquid.  I am constipated.  I had a BM this morning that might have been made of stone.  I'm not sure.  I'll keep it in mind for next time I'm building a fence.  (Mmm.. that would keep those pesky salesmen out of the yard now, wouldn't it?  Also, probably the people I actually want to speak to, but you can't win them all, right?)
I need to pick up some Benefiber.    I am supposed to start taking my iron again, but I haven't been able to bring myself to start yet.  I really need to, but it just upsets my tummy so much and it constipates the hell out of me. 

Ok, I am off to decide between a protein shake or some scrambled egg whites with a tiny bit of pureed deli ham mixed in.  Decisions decisions....