I just realized something about the shakes I've been drinking

 And I probably should have realized a while ago. There's a good reason they taste so good--there's 17g of carbs in each one! (One variety of what I've been drinking, anyway.)

There have been a few posts in the last week or so from others in the 2-week pre-op phase who've lost ridiculous amounts of weight. I've lost a measly 3 lbs. :( 

I've been using HMR 500 and HMR 70 (lactose-free) because they're the only ones I'd found that I could tolerate. But they are part of a medically supervised weight loss plan and are designed to be meal replacements. They are NOT "protein shakes." Each one (I have the 500 box in front of me) has 100 calories, 10g protein and 17g carbohydrates. Could THIS be the reason they don't seem to be doing the job of keeping me from feeling fatigued and weak? They must have changed the formula (the 500's used to come in cans, now come in envelopes) because when I was researching and trying different brands of shakes, I could swear this brand had much higher protein/serving.

Anyway, I'm putting these aside and trying the sampler of Syntax Nectars that arrived yesterday. They are much more in line with what I wanted to be drinking, nutritionally, anyway. And I have to say...the flavors are spot on, at least for the two I've had so far. I'm mixing one envelope with about 16 oz. of water and then adding more water as I drink enough to make room. That cuts the sweetness just enough. There's still a bit of a protein taste but NOTHING like the other more milky shakes I've tried.

I also have some Unjury samples on the way but I'm going to order a couple packs of the nectars because I know they have what I need AND they taste pretty good.

Hopefully this week will be easier now that I'll be drinking stuff that's formulated better for what I need. And hopefully there'll be more of a weight loss. I mean, really--I'm getting in a couple thousand steps each day just traipsing back and forth to the restroom...

I'm still pre-op but during my last appointment with my RD we talked about what my protein needs will be and she said to avoid shakes advertised as meal replacement and to look for protein shakes that have 25g or more per serving and less than 5g of sugar. Not sure this helps, just sharing the advice.

 Yeah that doesn't sound ideal for our use as a Protein shake.  That's a lot of carbs.  Good thing you caught it so soon.

I use Jim's PermaLean Protein (Chocoholic Chocolate!) flavor. 

1 scoop of powder has:

110 calories
Total Carbs:  6g (sugars 5g)
Protein: 20g
Dietary Fiber: 1g

I put a banana in the blender (per the instructions on the container) with some ice and make a chocolate shake out of it.  Sometimes I put a few strawberries in there too.  You can mix the powder with water to make it healthier but I usually use 1 cup of 1% milk to make it taste a little better, this will change the stats though obviously.

It is $27.95 from the pharmacy here and has 24 servings in it.

I drank those shakes about 10 years ago and lost 100 pounds in 8 months on them.  You need to drink 5 of them and take the vitamins.  They are good pre op but not post op - not enough protein.  The premeire shakes at costco rock!

 Good that you caught it so soon! When I was doing the pre-op shakes, I used Pure Protein http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pure-Protein-100-Whey-Protein-Powd er-Chocolate/16536989. It has 25g protein, 140 calories (if you use it with water) and 4g carbs. It tastes pretty good, too! They also have a Cookies 'n Creme one that is 130 calories, 25g protein & 3g carbs. I liked that one as well. In the mornings, I'd use milk (1%), but sometimes I'd do half milk/half water. For lunch, I'd do it with just cold water. I enjoyed it. While it wasn't as satisfying as say, a plate of spaghetti & meat sauce, it was good and it kept my hunger at bay. In the end, you have to test different types of protein shake mixes to see which one is right for you. I know some people who couldn't stand the Pure Protein shakes. 

Another good one is the Slim Fast high protein shakes. I never tried them, but my friend did and she liked them. They have 20g of protein and I think 5g carbs (I could be wrong on the carbs, though). You have to really look at the labels though, because they high protein shake bottles look just like the regular ones and they don't have nearly as many grams of protein (plus they have lots of carbs). Good luck on your journey!

I don't know if I lost a ridiculous amount of weight on my pre op (25lbs) but I followed the plan for meal replacement shakes (bariatric advantage is the only approved product for my dr), I always made them with water and ate about a cup of approved frozen fruit blended into a couple of my 3-5 daily shakes in addition to 1 approved meal bar once a day for about 4 days of the two weeks.
Glad you noticed the numbers! yikes! keep it up

 25 lbs!??? That's a lot! Although...how long was your pre-op? I'm in the middle of 2 weeks of protein shakes and clear liquids (surgery a week from tomorrow), and am about 3 lbs. down. I'd already lost 10 but my surgeon saw that loss at my last appt. They want me to lose an additional 10 or so and I'm only on 3? Eeep!

I'm hoping the change in shake will help with weight loss this week. It's bad enough that I feel like I'm starving, never mind the mindgames of not losing anything significant.

I'm definitely glad I noticed when I did. Thank you!

 That is the shake given to me by my nutritionist and purchased from the hospital to initiate my liquid diet phase- I was using the HMR 70.  I switched to Pure Protein out of Sams or Costco- cheaper and more protein with less carbs.  I keep some HMR though and use it as a replacement for a milkshate when I am craving a treat- mixed with ice cubes and a little Torani vanilla sugar free syrup and it is a solid healthy replacement for a junk food. 

 the premier nutrition shakes, particularly the chocolate one, rock my world. I actually used em pre-WSG journey as well to lose 80 pounds. To me, it takes like a thicker chocolate milk. I was worried I would have to switch from them for this process, much to my relief during show and tell pretty much everyone in the group was using premier shakes. Available for about 25 dollars per 18 case at Costco, perfection!


Though if I had to give anyone some advice, look for a similar product for the first few days after surgery that gives the same nutrition but with less liquid per serving. In sipping it down, I often had warm shake by the time I was able to take down the full 11 oz. 

Thanks everyone. I'm heading to the grocery store for more bouillon and V-8 (my 2-week pre-op diet is clear liquids, plus V8/tomato juice, plus protein shakes...I'd prefer my carbs to come from just the V8) and will probably swing by Walmart to try the Pure Protein stuff. I'm not a Costco member so am not sure I could find the Premium shakes elsewhere. Between the Pure Protein, Syntrax Nectar samples, and Unjury samples, I should be all set for the week. Next weekend I'll shop for my post-surgery stuff...although for the first few weeks, it's just more of the same, lol.

I wonder if the place I got the HMR shakes from will let me return the unopened boxes I have...