Ain't No Easy Whey!

It'll be 3 weeks since surgery on Tuesday.  I started exercising again now that my little issue with the bunion on my right foot has gone away.  That hurt worse than surgery!

With the time that has passed, I can't say that I've been the star pupil of post-op.  I did eat a small bag of M&Ms the other day and aside from the Starbust Jellybeans I encountered... I'm doing pretty well with watching the sugars. Unfortunately, getting all of the  protein in has been a thorn in my side.

I ordered a sample pack of protein things prior to surgery.  I figured this would give me a lot of choices and make drinking the protein a piece of cake.  When I was in the hey day of working out and had a personal trainer back in 2002, I was drinking protein shakes. It wasn't too bad - but I only had to have a small shake each day.   Now that it's important for me to get 65 grams of protein in a day I thought I'd switch it up and get some varieties that I might like.  Not all wheys are good wheys. 

So let me start with the horribly awful:

New Why Liquid Protein - Grape Flavor, 42 grams
I bought this one as an individual tube at GNC. I figured, hey.. let's try this because it's fruit flavored - so that will break up the whole chocolate, vanilla thing - AND it's 42 grams in one tube and it's such a small tube.   Well, I drank it and almost gagged!  It was sour and has a horrible after taste.  I finished drinking it and I could smell the concoction for days it seemed like. 
Recommend:  HELL NO!

Liquid Morph+ - Fruit Punch Flavor, 45 grams
I bought a six-pack of this flavor during the same time I bought the New Whey one.  So needless to say that I was hesitant on trying it. I was on the go and needed to get some protein in.  I cracked open the tube and smelled it.  It wasn't as repugnant as New Whey but I still held my breath as I took the first sip.  Not as bad as I thought.  Okay flavor, considered the protein really throws it off - but it's tolerable.  I don't mind it but I definitely have to wash my mouth out after drinking and it encourages me to drink water!
Recommend: If you need to get in your protein, it's not a bad option.

Believe Mocha Latte, 20 grams
I like coffee.  Correction, I used to like coffee.  Prior to surgery, for three weeks I switched to decaf. They say this is a smart move because you don't want to be in caffeine withdrawal while in recovery.  I thought it would a good thing to buy the coffee flavored protein drinks from bariatriceating.com. There was a bottle in my sample bag that I ordered but i figured I LOVED coffee so it can't be bad.  Well... I was fooled.  With a case of this in my fridge I was at a loss for what to do.  Then one day I thought to add one packet of Splenda to  the bottle and VIOLA!!! It was pretty good.  Not fantastic like a Caramel Frappucinno from Starbucks.. but it works. Today was the 4th time I tried to drink brewed coffee and I just wasn't interested in it.  Looks like my taste buds have changed.  It doesn't even seem appealing to me anymore. Once this case is finished, I won't be buying this anymore.  Besides, for the bottle, you only get 20grams of protein.  Totally not worth my money.
Recommend:  If you like coffee - go for it. I just don't think you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Zero Carb Isopure, 40 grams

Here's another bright idea I had.  Fruit flavored drinks sound DELICIOUS.. but they're not.  Not to me anyway. There's that weird after taste from the protein that messes me up.   Of the flavors that come in the case, Apple Melon is the most tolerable.  I may try adding some Splenda to the bottle and seeing if that improves the taste.  However, I am disappointed with how large the bottle is for the amount of protein you're getting.  That's 20 ounces of so-so flavor to get 40 grams when I can drink 8 ounces of a chocolate protein powder and get 30grams or suffer through a tube of Liquid Morph+ at 3.1 ounces and get 45 grams of protein! 
Recommend: Well the website says many bariatric surgeons recommend this. Maybe so because of the liquid consumption. I'm not completely sold on it - but I will try it with a little Splenda and see if that changes my tune.

I was also experimenting with the powders.  I ordered a large bag from BariatricEating.com. Here's my run down of the flavors I've tried. Keep in mind, each serving gives you 30grams of protein.

POM RAZZ SANGRIA
The flavor was just off. I like fruit flavors but this just wasn't working for me.  I had to trash it.
Recommend: It might taste good blended with real fruit. 

DUTCH CHOCOLATE CAKE
This tastes very good.  I blend it with skim milk and actually enjoy drinking it.  Sometimes I give myself a little extra. :0)  This way I don't have to have to drink much later unless it's between meals and I'm feeling hungry.  I bought a big bag of this and each week I bring 7 ziplock bags of portioned out powder with me to work.
Recommend: Highly! 

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
Another fantastic flavor.  I really like this one as well. My plan is to buy a large bag of the Peanut Butter Cookie flavor and mix it with the Dutch Chocolate Cake.  This way I will have three flavors to enjoy.  By the way, the powders do mix up really well.
Recommend: Yes!


PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE
I've never drank this one alone, but I would imagine I would.  I mixed it with Dutch Chocolate Cake and it was very good.
Recommend: Yes!

CARAMEL LATTE
Very nice flavor. Smooth and creamy. I plan to order a bag of this one as well.
Recommend: Yes!

Clearly, we all have different tastes in what's good and what's not, but hopefully my information will give you an idea of what you should purchase and/or expect.  For me, I'd much rather have a smaller amount of protein to drink and get it out of the way as opposed to having to sip/drink on something all afternoon.  That's not my idea of a good time. hahaha

Happy taste testing!

A Week Ago Today, Everything Changed...

Today was my one week post-op follow-up. It was pretty easy breezy.  I arrived and met with the LPN and the Dietician. It was uneventful but the news of being able to finally eat mushy food was like doing a "happy dance" in my mind!  Two weeks of liquids! Whether it was Optifast or the strict liquid diet of the "Week One of Post-Op"- I don't want to see a Jell-O cup for a while.

Today was the day I also got my first "officially logged" weight loss.  Fifteen pounds! However, the "unofficial log" (i.e. my scale when I'm wearing nothing but a t-shirt and underwear) says 25 pounds. Hmmm... I'll take the "unofficial". HA HA HA HA

My starting weight was 352 pounds. For a man my height (6'4"), I should be in the ballpark of 225 - 235 (at least, that's what I would call a "sexy" weight for me). Doctors might suggest 15 pounds less that that. Just reaching 250 would be phenomenal considering I haven't weighed that since junior high!

Moving onto "mushies" was very nice. For lunch, I had the small chili from Wendy's.  I also need to mention that I was only able to eat half.  I'll see you tomorrow my tasty chili cup! Today I also had to work the 30/30 rule into structured existence.  Drinking plenty of water is a must! Having to get my protein is vital.  Helps to keep the energy level up. I'm going to do an entry on just protein mixes because NOT ALL ARE CREATED EQUAL! BLAH...  So far, I'm finding that the powdered, taste-like-pastries ones are better - but rest assured, this week I'll post more details.

I also wanted to talk about my meal tonight.  It was FAAAAANTASTIC! OH. MY. GOD! I went to Trader Joe's and bought the marinated frozen chicken breast and some marinated eggplant and zucchini.  We are only supposed to eat 4oz and that was the BEST 4 ozs! Just had to microwave the chicken for a minute and a half - let it sit after cooking and it's just as MOIST as can be.  The veggies - soft and flavorful. I didn't finish the chicken - My dog, Big Mac did.  I think he'll be benefiting from my changing life just as much as I will.  :0)  As I discover more delectable meal options, I'll share those along with the proper information so that you can locate it as well.

Hasta luego!

Dennis