Protein Supplement Advice!

Happy Mom's Day to all you Moms out there! I had a nice day today and my kids made me little presents from school that made me cry such happy tears! Love 'em! Ok guys! I'm finally one week away! I can't believe it! Today I picked up some of the groceries I will need for when I come home. I also went to Nutritional Warehouse and spoke to the guy their and asked him to show me the best and most efficiently absorbed protein supplement. He sold me Iso-pure. Has anyone used or heard of this. I bought the Dutch Chocoloate flavor. I was going to get the plain flavor so I can make the delicious smoothies a lot of you make, but for some reason, decided on Chocolate. I also bought the Iso-pure protein water drink. It is a 20 oz bottle and 40g of protein. Does anyone know if this can be counted as my daily water/fluid intake being it is "see through." I plan on purchased Bariatrix at my first post op visit at my doctors, but am debating if I should just buy it to have when I first get home from hospital. Has anyone used IsoPure or Bariatrix and are either one better than the other? I guess I'm not too sure about protein in general. The guy at the store first showed me soy, than whey, a little help will go a long way............ Hugs to all, Lisa PS. - I'm feeling so happy since I got my approval. I feel a bit like my old self again; happy and full of energy................I was very worried and stressed the passed few months........amazing how one little word "approved" can make such a big difference!

Hi Lisa! I have to say that i tried alot of proteins before i found the one i like, Jay Robb Whey Protein. I use it every morning and afternoon in my coffee. It mixes so nice with no gritty taste. I got it at Whole Food Stores. Everyone has different tastes so if you find one that you like that mixes well keep it! Also i highly recomend the stallone puddings. I love the banana cream the best. I used them right away and still do use them. I now add half a banana. My best advice is to try to get your hands on samples before you purchase the big containers. I didnt and wasted alot of money. I am so happy for you that you are feeling good and less stressed. The insurance companies add so much extra un needed pressure. We are here for ya! LisaMarie

Lisa , Happy Mothers day!! I love ZERO CARB Iso pure vaniila ! You can do so much with it . In fact thats the one my MD recommends! I also like the stallone pudding --chocolate . I bought some stuff at GNC they were very helpful and didnt make me feel stupid , infact i got a membership there . I did find the prices at Vita lady .com to be the best on the stuff . I also got three bottles of the bottled iso pure for the three day clear liquid diet . But the iso pure powder is also considered to be a clear liquid if you mix it in water .I usually use it in unsweetend soy milk because of the calories and fat . Have you gotten the book BEFORE AND AFTER? It has alot of great recipies too . It also talks about how good isopure is. How long have you waited for the approval? Mine goes out on Monday 15 (may). I have gotten lucky I did all my appts in one month! Talk with you soon!........Kitty

LISA: !HELLO! Protein taste is so 'indiviudal'...Preop you also may like something and postop youmay not! So do not invest in lots of protein now! I reccomend samples as a way to get what you like, this way you do not shell out lots of $$$ on a tub you'll never gag down! Isopure is a good protein yes, I do not particuarly like the flavor/taste, but that is me....remember the body can only absorb so much protein at one time although they say 30G no one knows for sure, the isopure I'd drink (bottled) 1/2 at a time! Yes it can be counted as a fluid, but for me id still recommend 8 PURE glasses of water a day if possible! (In the beginning this may not be possible but a good goal to shoot for!) I never heard of bariatrix? Probably an expen$ive brand? *guessing by the name and if sold by a surgeon (they get a cut!) I find ordering from internet cheapest if I shop around! www.vitalady.com (a 10 yr+ postop who runs this business w/ her hubby who is also 10+ yrs out!) www.wlssupplies.com www.bethsproteinboutique.com (she is a wlser in NY, where you can get my fav PVL whey gourmet) www.bariatriceating.com *run by a wlser Susan Maria, she has written a book before & after WLS... www.enjoyhealth.com I like PVL whey gourmet flavors the best, White chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, caramel dip, milk chocolate, PB chocolate, blueberry, orange cremescicle....This is where I order it online: (2# tub $21.95) http://www.a1nutritionproducts.com/buy/pvl/whey_gourmet Most 120 cal 23g protein a scoop 2.6 g carbs 2 g fat.... 15 Flavors to choose from and more to come! NEW Arctic Cappuccino Frappe, NEW Creamy Dreamy Milk Chocolate, NEW Radical Raspberry Smoothie, Piña Colada Breeze, Creamy Orangesicle Swirl, Creamy Caramel Dip, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Mocha Java Madness, Smooth Peanut Butter Chocolate, Strawberry Banana Smoothy, Blueberry Burst, Chocolate Chip Mint Extreme, Vanilla Ice Cream Royale, Silky Smooth White Chocolate, Rootbeer Float, Cookies & Crème Supreme. SAMPLES AT: (beth's is only site I have seen pvl samples) www.bethsproteinboutique.com $1.99/ea. www.a1nutrition.com has 2# 21.99 Runners up: Champion Pure Whey stack chocolate, banana scream or strawberry are good Labrada PV 60 vanilla is good IDS cinnamon/vanilla, mocha, Belgian chocolate The Nectars (fruit based) they also have a cappuccino my hubby loves! Strawberry-kiwi, fuzzy navel, Caribbean cooler, apple, lemonade etc.... ANYWHEY is an unflavored protein. You can cook with it too! (***70 calories a scoop/0g fat/1g carb (no sugar carbs)/17 G protein) 60 scoops/container http://www.optimumnutrition.com/anywhey/default.html they have recipes! I think 34g protein for 2 scoops/140 calories is DARN GOOD! Made by optimum nutrition. GNC carries it I beleive. or online many places but I use this site frequently. http://www.netrition.com/optimum_any_whey_page.html $22.95/2.7lb container _________________ Soy is also a good protein, (I'd give it 3 stars & Whey 5 stars!!) less bioavailable than whey but a close 2nd in my opinion. Whey protein does not contain isoflavones or any other components with potential hormonal effects like soy does. I use soy slender soymilk in my decaf teas, they have plain, vanilla, chocolate, and cappuccino all have only 60-70 cal/cup & only 0-1 g carbs (vs. regular soy having 10-14g carbs/cup!) http://www.westsoy.biz/products/slender.php Biological Value: Method of rating protein. Biological Value (BV) represents a specific protein's nitrogen retention qualities in humans. BV indicates the amount of nitrogen (body protein in grams) replaceable by 100 grams of protein in the adult diet. The higher the quality of a protein, the higher the BV. Protein BV Whey 100-150 Egg 97 Milk 88 Soy 71-74 Casein 70 (this is milk protein) peanuts 47 _______________________________________________________________ The key is find what you like, add water/ice use the magic bullet blender www.buythebullet.com or www.walgreens.com for a smoothie consistency, spruce w/ extracts SF syrup, a little sf jello or pudding powder and voila! I now use 2-3 frozen strawberries or 1/4c pumpkin in shakes also (watch calorie and sugar in beginning stages!) Skies the limit! I have over 24 sf syrups, 5 flavors of protein at any time! It doesn't get boring! Happy Sampling!!! PS good link for info: Why do we use protein supplements? FROM: http://www.vitalady.com/why_protein.htm CONGRATS ON APPROVED! BE WELL! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Hi Jamie, I have never tried the PVL ones before. Which flavors would you recommend? Thanks!!

Well i wasted my money on some of the clear ispoure flavors thinking i would enjoy them on the clear liquid stage but nope they were lousey and my tastes right after surgery couldnt tolerate them at all. DONT buy to much but u should find one that u can tolerate for when u get to that rung of foods. I knwo for me i am hyappy with the EAS Advant Edge carb control protein shakes in ready made variety only. I liked them pre op and still use them almost a year out. SIPPIN one now as a matter of fact. GOOD LUCK! such an exciting time in your life right now all the best! LISA

Hi! I love the Isopure ones...only the fruit flavor ones though. The chocolate and vanilla taste like poopy to me. Good luck! Tavia

Hi Lisa! Yes I use Isopure because my surgeon wants me to once a day. It's ok. I had found mixing it with Crystal light was great. This time around I bought chocolate,which I won't try to mix but next time I am buying the strawberry flavor. I have Wal Mart brand strawberry crystal light and going to try that. The flavor I had before the I mixed was the Alpine punch. I am so happy for you. I know how stressful it was to wait. I had to await psych approval. It was tough, but I did it. Kristine

Hi, Lisa... I have bought the iso pure in the bottles from GNC before my (rny) last year... I bought many....Guess what after surgery.....I hated them.. but thats me, I was lucky they took them all back.... If I were you I would not buy big containers, Just try samples. I remember before surgery trying them out with a friend, we tried so man I had to stop I was wasting so much $$$$$$. You can order some different samples on line. Best of Luck to you....Ps... anything from the dr's office is going to cost, see what there return policey is first. Best of luck to you..... Happy protien drink shopping(HAHA)it does get better!!!! Debbie

Hi Lisa, First of all, good luck with your surgery! I will be right behind you- scheduled for Wed, May 24th. I bought some cans of protein drinks at Trade Joe's called "World Wide". I only tried the vanilla, and it was pretty good. They come in small cans (11 oz) already mixed, and all you do is refrigerate them. I think they cost $1.29 each. I have not tried the chocolate yet. I thought these would be good when I first get home from the hospital because there is no mixing or blending to do- just refrigerate and drink. The good thing is you can buy one can of each flavor and not invest a lot of money. If you like them, you can buy more. Best of luck to you and I wish you a speedy recovery! Ida