protein shake question

Hey everyone,
I am in the Kaiser (Fontana) options classes and am trying to lose my 10% even though they are not requiring us to lose it. I have lost about 10lbs so far and have about 18-20 more pounds to go.

I want to start doing 2 meals (breakfast & lunch), 2 small snacks, and a protein shake for dinner. My eating schedule is off since I work from 4pm-130am and on Fridays that I have class I actually have 18 waking hours that make it harder to manage when I eat. But so far so good and I alway stop eating around  10pm-1030pm and only have water after that.

I know that my tastes will change after surgery. But I just got my nectar protein samples and I was wondering if I should start using them now or save them?? I tried a bariatric advantage shake last night but didn't really like it.  Does anyone have a good protein shake I could use preop and maybe post op? What did you all do?? Thanks for all of the suggestions in advance.

Nathalie

Hi, it is a good idea to start trying various protein shakes to see what taste best to you as well as what works best for you.  I am 2 years post op and still need a protein drink each morning just to be able to start my day.  I alternate between the lean pro matrix-vanilla ice cream flavor.  I use my bullet blender to mix about 4 oz nonfat, banana, protein powder and ice.  I also get creative and add strawberries and/or other fruit.  The other protein powder that I use is the Matrix sold by many people as well as Bariatric Advantage.  You can pretty much use water or milk for either of these protein powders.  During my Options class I started on the HP protein sold by Kaiser; however, I did not like it so I used Isopure for a long time and then got tired of it too.  I guess what I am saying in to many words is sample the proteins out there to see what you like best but remember your taste will change after your RNY if you are having RNY.
Good luck
Terry

Thanks for the response. I will start trying proteins out and find something that is tolerable and hope that my tastes dont change too much. I do plan on having RNY. I will work on the nectars and then pick up something else. Do you think it would be better to have it for breakfast or for dinner?? My breakfast is around 1130am-12 noon and dinner is around 10-1030pm.

I would experiment with different protein powders.  I use one called Designer Whey Protein. It's at Thrifties. Trader Joe's and GNC also have a variety of protein powders.  Remember to look at the nutritional information. It needs to be single digit carbs per serving and you don't want something with a lot of fat.  I like the taste of the nectar protein too.  I say try it now and if you like it, get more for post-op. Now that I am almost 4 months out, I sometimes add 2 teaspoons of peanut butter to a chocolate protein shake for taste and extra protein.  I like adding ice to give the shakes a frothy feeling.  You may want to experiment with extract flavors.  I believe you could also find some post-op shake ideas online.

Good luck in finding something you find acceptable taste-wise. 

Hi Nathalie!

Whats going on? Its been a while, but now that I see your schedule I know why! Lol!
As Terry said, your taste will change after surgery. People told me they would and I was like " yeah, sure", but hell if they really did change!! A protein shake that I was able to tolerate before surgery, I had to gag it down after. So then I switched. I was able to try a bunch of different ones and I still have some here, that I don't use. If you want maybe we can meet up sometime and you can have these and see how they are. I don't recommend putting fruit in your protein drink/smoothie right now. While it makes it more yummy now, after surgery (especially if you are going with Pacific) you can't have fruit for a bit. The natural sugar and your new pouch may not be able to handle it.
Before surgery, I just stuck with chocolate flavored Super Advanced Whey Protein. Its 52 grams of protein and available at Wal-Mart, in different flavors. Its not too expensive either (like $14.00, for 2 lbs). My surgeon said it was best to supplement your breakfast with your drink. And it seems on the board most people do their protein for their "breakfast".
Best of luck to you, my friend. I hope some of this information helps. Its just my opinion.

Hugs, love, & friendship always!

Hey,
I have been pretty good just truckin through my classes. They are almost over..... I can't wait. I do plan on going th Paciifc Bariatrics and getting the RNY. Did the doctor require you to lose more weight after the class was done? I am going to start having a protein shake for breakfast and then eating my snacks, lunch and dinner. My only real hard day is Fridays that I have class... I am up from 8am -2 or 230 am the next morning. I will work on my nectar samples and then buy a tub of one or get one from walmart. Thanks for the response... *hugs*

Actually when you go to your surgical consult is when he will tell you if you need to lose more weight. When you go to the seminar, they will weigh you, it looks good if you can lose some weight or stay about that same weight when you go to your consult. Just don't gain any weight from the time of your surgical consult and surgery. They will schedule your psych eval, nut eval and surgical consult all on one day, so you only have to go to San Deigo once before pre-op and your surgery. Hope this helps.
Hugs!

Yeah it helps out a lot. I am just trying to lose some weight before I have surgery. I am so glad that they schedule everything on the same day. I would hate to have to drive down there more than once. I will try and schedule a day to come and meet you for the protein that you have. Right now I am willing to try anything. Where did you stay the night before surgery?? Well talk to you soon.

Nathalie :)

Besides the protein shakes, in the between time of 10:30 til 1:30 am, you will probably still find it hard to only drink water, so you might want to have some SF jello, if you get hungry. hopefully that will help with the hunger issues in those wee hours of the morning. Good Luck!!

Jules

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually have a box on the stove that I just need to make. I like jello so it is a good snack pre bedtime and not getting in all of the munchie foods.

Nathalie :)