bellabill

I enjoy my Premier Protein shake in the morning. I like drinking a shake because I can also drink my coffee at the same time with no waiting after I eat. I pretty much have to have coffee first thing or I can't function

I am 1 year and 7 months out and up until yesterday I have had less than 5 shakes the whole time. They are so disgusting tasting to me. If, however, you would like to drink them, there isn't anything wrong with that and like someone else said it gives you a nice jump on your Protein. I have found recently that if I drink a blended version where I add in Protein powder, almond milk, greek yogurt, and PB2 or any variety of flavors you enjoy, it tastes a lot like a milkshake, the calories can be quite low, it is portable, and the Protein can be epic compared to trying to eat the same amount.

i am 9 weeks out and still do 2-3 of the costco Protein shakes. Its just too easy to drink them and I don't have to think about what I need to pack for breakfast and lunch when leaving for work.

I still have 1 every day. Usually in the morning when I get to work or if I'm off I have one right after I exercise.

I'm 7 months out, down just a skoash past 2/3rds of the weigh to my goal. I usually do shakes in the morning - they have 35 grams of Protein - a huge jump on getting in enough protein.

I will be 6 months out next week and I still use them occasionally. I don't rely on them but the do come in handy sometimes. Usually at lunch time, whether I am working our out running errands. I would much rather drink one of my premiere Protein shakes then stop for fast food or something. I try very hard to plan ahead as much as possible.
I really don't see anything wrong with incorporating them into your meal plan, I just wouldn't rely entirely on them.

I probably will continue to have one for Breakfast. I used to be a breakfast skipper, and I think my energy level is better with a Protein shake for breakfast.

I know people who continue with shakes for years. It's an easy quick Breakfast on the way to work., or if you have a lunch meeting, I think I will just because I can't see myself cooking an egg at 2am (when I get up to get ready for work).

Beautiful! Congratulations on your success

I agree with all of these lovely supportive posts. The fact that I can come here to the forum and find all this help in one place is exactly why I keep coming back. Plus, I can give a lift to others coming along for the ride.
The failure for me was every other diet known to mankind. I have been on a diet since 1978 and gained fifty-five pounds beyond what I was trying to lose. I have had two knee replacements and my spine was collapsing under the hundred extra pounds that it was not engineered to carry. A stroke convinced me that the failure was in not recognizing that the standard American diet and conventional wisdom were not benefitting me.
LIsten, Miss Butterfly12, you will forget all about what other people think about your healthcare choices around the time you lose that first thirty pounds. You will start to feel better inside - your internal systems and organs will start to respond to all of that nutritious Protein, improved food intake, and extra fluids. Your human container that the essence of you lives in, becomes happier and lets you know it.
Don't be so hard on yourself. You have decided to take control of your health and not give your power to naysayers or the hampsters running around in your head. I wish you good luck and good health.

A lot of people post that 'others' have told them they're taking the easy way out, and that always touches a raw nerve in this Forum! Since you're the one that's feeling that way, you probably won't get scorched by the responses. But so you'll be as well-informed as possible about this decision you're about to make, I'm going to let you in on what this deal is REALLY about.
A message from someone who had gastric sleeve surgery, lost about 120 pounds, and is now living below goal weight.....

Is this the easy way out? Well, yes and no.

Yes, because the smaller stomach helps me control my appetite and the amount of food I can take in. Initially (but not forever), calories are greatly restricted because of the lesser volume consumed, but good choices still have to be made every single time I put something in my mouth.

And...

No, it's not easy, because since making this decision I have:
Taken nutritional counseling classes Attended monthly bariatric support group meetings Been evaluated by a psychologist Been evaluated by a cardiologist Been evaluated by a pulmonologist Had an upper GI evaluation Had a complete physical by my primary care physician Gone through a two-week pre-operative liquid diet Gone through and recovered from a major surgical procedure that removed 80% of my stomach Gone through a two-week post operative liquid diet Gone through a two-week soft food diet Eaten zero starches (bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, pizza, etc.) Eaten zero sugary Desserts (cake, pie, pudding, ice cream, candy, etc.) Eaten very few fruits Had zero fruit juices Had zero sodas Had zero alcoholic beverages Eaten 80–100 grams of Protein every single day Not had anything to drink for 30-45 minutes before eating Not had anything to drink with meals Not had anything to drink for 30-45 minutes after eating But still managed to drink 64–120 ounces of fluids every single day Always eaten Protein first Always eaten non-starchy vegetables second (and there's never room for anything else) Exercised 5-6 times a week Logged everything I ate or drank for several months, and again whenever my weight loss slowed And through it all, I've watched my friends and family eat and drink whatever they want at restaurants, birthdays, dinner parties, sporting events, New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so on.... Now, does that sound "the easy way"? Not by a long shot! (Just compare the 'yes' and 'no' sections above.) But it is a tool that makes the likelihood of long-term success much better than it would be without it. And, of course, now I'm starting maintenance, where I have to learn how to eat, exercise, and live in such a way as to not regain the weight I've lost – for the rest of my life! The easy way? Yeah, right!

Hi! I am from MA too-originally from Webster but live in charlton now :-) I have my last meeting this week and then will have the surgical consult at Umass as well! I was going to request Dr. Joh Kelly but you guys seem to have had a great experience w/your surgeon. Have you heard any horror stories from other surgeons? I am so nervous thinking this will be done soon but also excited! I just hope things go smoothly! Hope to hear back from one of you glad you are doing well!!
Meghan

Hi Bellabill,
You're the first person I've come across on here that has had Dr. Perugini. Isn't he great!? I live 10 mins from Umass, I'm in central mass too. I am glad to hear how good you're feeling! I am exactly one week post op and feel good as well. I have a lot of pain where the deep muscle stitch is on the upper left side. Did you have that? How long did it last? If you don't mind telling me, how has your weight loss been going? I am down 10.2 lbs since surgery, which I assume that pace will not last that long lol. You're right its so great to find someone from the area!

Anyone want to be my buddy? Now the reality is settling for me and to get real with stuff.

Hi I had Dr. Perugini at Umass also. Great experience and no problems with anything. I was sleeved in Dec. 30 '14. I feel great! I live in Central MA also ????. How are you feeling? Nice to see someone from this area!Lisa

Your going to need a mind adjustment. Start now and throw all the junk away in your house. Sit down and write out a healthy grocery list. Research healthy snack options and get some. Track everything you put in your mouth. Drink more Water. Try to focus on something besides junk food. Maybe start a hobby. Whatever just don't go back down that road. I had an aunt who did the same thing after WLS and put all her weight back on and is now miserable and depressed about it. You don't want that. Stop while your ahead!

It sounds like we're in a similar boat – 9 months out, down over 100 pounds, and feeling the hunger returning. So far I've been able to keep the beast at bay using two techniques. I hope they help you too.
Don't back down on the fluids! I keep my sleeve full with 120+ ounces every day by building the fluids into my schedule. It's harder to keep to the schedule on weekends, and that's when it gets harder. So it takes even more effort to get the fluids in, but it's worth it. All of my "cheat" Snacks are protein-based – Jerky, nuts, cheese, yogurt, sausage, etc. I don't worry about fat content or calories, just that there are no sugar/carbs. I know it's going to get harder, but I'm going to try and keep these habits going. Good luck! You know how to do this and you've already been wonderfully successful – so do it!

Mom
Stalker (why I do this to myself I'll never know, but it's addicting)

I eat clean 90% of the time & workout most days of the week- I do much more than my surgeon has ever required of me. It's how I live best/feel best.

Looking great! Keep it going...what a difference ????

Let me start off by saying I don't keep pictures of my old "self" so when my mom sent me this picture from thanksgiving I was shocked at how much my face has actually changed in this process. I knew it would but when you do a side by side it's pretty inspiring to keep up the motivation! 60 more lbs to go!!!

I was sleeved on 10 Feb and I have to say it wasn't bad at all. I did have to be pushed back because my surgeon was called into an emergency surgery right before me (I pray the patient lived). They gave me something in my IV to relax me and I remember nothing after that until the recovery room.
Hardest part of it all was all the needles. It's not normal but my veins aren't normal either. The IV "infiltrated" twice so I ended up with 3 different IVs. Then after the third they came to star blood but all my good veins were jacked up from all the IVs. Smh I cried and begged them not to stick me anymore but I'd still be there if I hadn't.
I'm home now and trying my best to get in my Protein. Suprisingly, nothing is disgusting so far. But I'm scared to drink because the full.feeling is the worst! I slept in a chair last night. Quite frankly my Ass hurts from sitting and laying so much (I have been walking some though) I'm dying for a shower but I'm freezing cold for some reason and the thought of being colder after the shower scares me
I'm feeling better every day. Trying not to take the pain meds they prescribed but I did fill it just in case.
My dad came in last night (I got home around noon yesterday) and before he said hi he says, "so how much weight have you lost"..... Lmao! It doesn't work that way dad! :lol:
All in all, I'm glad I did this...so far

Congratulations! You look terrific!! I guess perseverance works! Keep it going and I hope I'll end up looking g good as you

It varies from person to person. Some people are fast losers. Some are slow and steady losers. Are you getting all your fluids and exercising? Are you logging your foods? Eating processed foods? There are many variables.

16lbs in a month is fantastic. Relax. Its going to come off. Its going to stall, its going to fall off like crazy, then it will level off and just when you think youre going to move right along its going to stall again. Welcome aboard the rollercoaster!