MrsSugarbabe

I regularly use unjury Protein Powders which were recommended to me by a friend. After reading most of the reviews of each of the products I was interested in, and learning about the difference between whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate, I decided to give Unjury try and have been using them since about 6 months prior to my surgery. Fortunately, my taste for the Unjury shakes did not change after surgery, but I know it does for some. In fact, my NUT recommended not to get too stocked up on any particular Protein powder before surgery just in case my tastes for such did change. I have been quite impressed with the flavor and quality of the vanilla, chocolate Splendor, and the chicken flavored mixes. Both taste great and mix up easily. I've been using the Chocolate Splendor mixed with milk for my Breakfast and the Chicken flavor mixed with some chicken bouillon for my lunch. You just have to watch the Water temperature when preparing the Chicken flavor otherwise the whey will clump. It doesn’t change the taste, just the texture which can be weird. Both are quite filling and satisfying. I have tried the strawberry Sorbet mixed with lemonade also, and liked the taste okay, but rarely use it; need to work on the amounts mixed together to fine tune the beverage to better suit my taste for Strawberry Lemonade. I've also tried the Unflavored powder mixed with milk when I ran out of the chocolate. The milk still tasted like milk, and it was okay, but I did not like it as well as I do the Chocolate Splendor or Vanilla mixed with milk. Most of my protein beverages are just shaken up; I do not use a blender or make them frozen for simplicity and time sake, and the fact that I use them more at work than at home. Some of my favorite flavor combinations are: Vanilla Protein Powder, SF Sunrise Orange drink (it’s like an orange Dreamsicle) ½ serving Vanilla PP, ½ serving Chocolate Splendor PP ,4 oz. brewed coffee, chilled, 4 oz. skim milk Chocolate Splendor PP, 8 oz. skim milk, 1 or 2 servings PB2 ½ serving Vanilla PP, ½ serving Chocolate Splendor, 8 oz. skim milk Chicken PP with less than a serving of chicken bouillon mixed with 8-10 oz. water at 140 degs. A great option when you’re tired of all the sweet stuff. If you are looking for a high quality, great tasting, satisfying protein powder that is better than anything you will find in the stores, then this is the product you want to purchase. You can't go wrong, especially since you can return the product if you aren't pleased with it.

No regrets whatsoever. Even while I was readmitted to the hospital after being home 6 days. Had an infection which caused my body to created a reactive Fluid which collected around my left lung (plural effusion). Spent 2 weeks on med-surg unit and then a week in physical rehab (3 weeks total in hospital). I was the minute exception who had a post-surgical complication. Still no regrets

@@SiSSi829 -- Congratulations on your weight loss!!! Sounds like you're doing great!! I agree with @BingeEaterToSleever and some of the others whose advice and comments are quite reasonable. I won't comment on the bacon bit other than to concur with a couple of the others who have already commented. Finding liquid Protein that tastes good to you and that you can enjoy experimenting with takes time. Don't be afraid to experiment and to try some samples. @@unjury and @SyntraxNectar are my two favorite Liquid Protein powders. When I drink 3-4 @@UNJURY shakes a day my craves for carbs (any carb) decreases drastically. Considering that I'm almost 18 months out from surgery I do eat more real food than I drink shakes, however, in order to get the amount of protein required each day (100 grams), I do still supplement with a shake or two or a Quest Protein Bar. My new tummy gives me great restriction so I cannot eat enough regular food every day to reach that amount of protein. I use Unjury Protein Powders which were recommended to me by a friend. After reading most of the reviews of each of the products I was interested in, I decided to give it a try. I have been quite impressed with the flavor and quality of the chocolate Splendor and the chicken flavored mixes. Both taste great and mix up easily. I've been using the Chocolate Splendor mixed with milk for my Breakfast and the Chicken flavor mixed with some chicken bouillon for my lunch. You just have to watch the Water temperature when preparing the Chicken flavor otherwise the whey will clump. It doesn’t change the taste, just the texture which can be weird. Both are quite filling and satisfying. I have tried the strawberry Sorbet mixed with lemonade also, and liked the taste, but need to work on the amounts mixed together to fine tune the beverage to better suit my taste for Strawberry Lemonade. I've also tried the unflavored powder mixed with milk when I ran out of the chocolate. The milk still tasted like milk, and it was okay, but I did not like it as well as I do the Chocolate Splendor mixed with milk. Most of my protein beverages are just shaken up; I do not use a blender or make them frozen for simplicity and time sake. Some of my favorite flavor combinations are: vanilla Protein Powder, SF Sunrise Orange drink (it’s like an orange Dreamsicle) ½ serving Vanilla PP, ½ serving Chocolate Splendor PP ,4 oz. brewed coffee, chilled, 4 oz. skim milk Chocolate Splendor PP, 8 oz. skim milk, 1 or 2 servings PB2 ½ serving Vanilla PP, ½ serving Chocolate Splendor, 8 oz. skim milk Chicken PP with less than a serving of chicken bouillon mixed with 8-10 oz. water at 140 degs. If you are looking for a high quality, great tasting, satisfying protein powder that is better than anything you will find in the stores, then this is the product you want to purchase. You can't go wrong, especially since they'll refund your money if you aren't pleased with the product. Keep working your plan as best you can. Like many people have reminded me in the past, and I continue to remind myself......sip, sip, sip, protein, protein, protein, walk, walk, walk

Love it! You look mahvelous, @@Djmohr!!! Last summer I decided I would add white slacks to my work wardrobe because I was very tired of wearing black slacks all the time with a variety of tops and/or jackets. Well, this summer I got a little bolder and added a white tunic top to my wardrobe, so today I'm dressed in all white (a little scary!) including my flats and gold jewelry. One woman I work with and who isn't my biggest fan (in fact, there is no love lost between us) actually told me this morning when I saw her the first time "You look really pretty today, Lisa!" I about fell out!! I graciously accepted the compliment by saying a simple "Thank you!"

Thank you for sharing your story @Wolfgirl78. It encourages me because I've been stuck for about 6 months now and maintaining within about a 5-7 lb. range, never quite reaching Onederland. These days I'm doing what I can to get back into the new habits (ha!) that I developed during the first year following surgery. If they were truly habits, I think I would be having difficulty right now. I still weigh every morning, measure/weigh my food as well as track it (1200-1400cals./day), and exercise regularly throughout the week, i.e. walk for about 25 mins. during my lunch break and workouts at the gym on average 2-3 times per week. I can't help but feel that if I stay diligent, I will start losing again and eventually reach my goal. Thanks to all you BP Vets out there who share your stories!! They are always encouraging, enlightening, and oftentimes hilariously funny

My suggestions for traveling: Take premeasured Protein powder with you or a scale so you can accurately measure the powder rather than depending on scoop size. Powder can easily compact or be too loose and you won't get an accurate serving size. Don't wait until you're in the restaurant to mix your shake. Premix your Protein shakes and ask for a glass of ice to pour it over. Have it ready to drink and I think you will avoid some strong temptations. unjury protein powder shakes can be made at least 24 hours ahead of when you plan to drink the shake, which I do often because I think they taste better when the shake has had time to "bloom" so to speak. Also, Unjury has a chicken Soup protein powder that is quite good, but you have to be careful about Water temperature so it helps to have a simple thermometer on hand. If the water is too hot, the whey will clump. It doesn’t change the taste, just the texture which can be weird. I have found that having a non-sweet protein Meal Replacement helped me get through the restaurant meals and such. Most of my protein beverages are just shaken up; I do not use a blender or make them frozen for simplicity and time sake. Get creative with your drink flavors. Some of my favorite flavor combinations are: vanilla Protein Powder, SF Sunrise Orange drink (it’s like an orange Dreamsicle) ½ serving Vanilla PP, ½ serving chocolate Splendor PP ,4 oz. brewed coffee, chilled, 4 oz. skim milk Chocolate Splendor PP, 8 oz. skim milk, 1 or 2 servings PB2 ½ serving Vanilla PP, ½ serving Chocolate Splendor, 8 oz. skim milk Chicken PP with less than a serving of chicken bouillon mixed with 8-10 oz. water at 140 degs.

@@GSleeve822 - No, I'm not in maintenance yet. Still working on getting to goal so I have about 40 lbs. more to go to get there. Just need to really buckle back down to doing all the same things I did after surgery. More shakes, higher Protein, I'm still exercising most days and staying active. The bad beast of snacking reentered my life earlier this year and he's being a bear to get rid of. I do still make more good food choices than bad ones. And because of my exercise, I am still losing some inches. Are you in maintenance phase? Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations, ladies!!! Great job!!

I concur with @OKCPirate.

I just finished reading this article and felt it worthy of passing along. http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/articles.html/_/plateaus-and-regain/pushing-your-way-through-r242

It took a long time, but actual physical hunger did return for me. It takes a lot less food now to satisfy that physical hunger which is a very good thing. I keep a variety of healthy Snacks available so I have something readily handy if it's not time for a meal yet; especially while at work. Unfortunately, the head "hunger" returned, too, and is a difficult beast to fight. Do your best to not let old bad habits creep back into your lifestyle. Do as much as you can to develop good eating and exercise habits early on so that it is all first nature as time goes by. Our new tummies are a tool, not miracle workers.

Great! Congratulations!! Follow the plan for you and you'll do fine. My one word of advice - do your best not to let old (bad) eating habits creep back into your lifestyle down the road. Dr. Kuwada was my surgeon. I think the whole group at Carolinas Weight and Wellness are wonderful.

Congratulations on your success!! Great progress!!

Ditto what @@OutsideMatchInside said. Some days not much appetite or actual hunger; some days want to eat anything not tied down. Some days I have physical hunger and want to eat something or drink a Protein shake just to end the hunger, but have trouble making myself get up and do it. Today is one of those days.

You look amazing!! Congratulations on your success!! I concur with all of the previous comments, too. I can relate to your feelings about reconciling the former you with the current you, despite pictures and journal entries and posts and compliments and therapy.......... It takes our minds a whole lot longer to change.

Throughout my life and during any of my weight loss efforts, including having been sleeved, my body typically will change a clothing size every 15-20 lbs. It does depend on style and the particular piece of clothing. My shoe size has stayed basically the same, again depending on style of the shoe - either a 7 1/2 or 8 medium width.

It all takes time and diligence following our plans. And patience. I've been stalled for about 6 months now, but I have NOT given up nor do I regret having the surgery. It is a tool for us to use and benefit from, it is not a miracle worker. I saw this link on another thread. Maybe it will help you somewhere along the way. https://www.youtube.com/user/WorkHardFeelGoood

Excellent! Thank you for sharing it with us. I especially liked what he said about graveyards being the richest place. Liked it so much I shared it with my FB buds.

I just found this post today.....ya'll are a hoot!!!! I'm about half way through all the posts and will have to continue later. I've done the same thing many times over the years, esp. during my wild woman days going to the bars....great place for lipstick and keys. And I've been known to put my phone in with the girls.

Awesome!!! Congratulations!! A wonderful NSV!!!

I've been in freezing/chilled all the time mode since surgery. Not a normal mode for me. I keep Cuddle Duds handy to wear under my work attire and I keep my work zone/office warmer than other areas near me.

@@crazyplantlady - my hair was shoulder length. The most noticeable thinning areas were on the crown and at my temples. At the bottom of the length it got really thin and difficult to work with. Keratin spray helped me to manage it through the changes.

The first clump of hair that came out of my head totally freaked me out! I knew I would lose some hair at some point, but NOT THAT MUCH!!!! And then to lose similar sized clumps for 4 more weeks really freaked me out. I was not prepared for that amount of hair loss in such a short time. These days any hair loss is what has always been typical for me pre-surgery. Just hang in there!