Had my lap band approx 6 months ago. Was thinking of having protein drink 1 or 2 meals a day. I anyone doing this? If so does it help lose weight and give you energy, I am taking vitamin tablets, but some days feel so tired, have checked iron and b - all okay.:wub:

Are you eating solid Protein? A Protein shake occassionally won't hurt but banders should be getting their protein from more solid food, so the pouch stays full.

Are you a working mom with small children? I would say being tired would be expected in that case.

Well honestly, I have never considered using a Protein drink as a meal--merely as a supplement for getting sufficient protein in daily.

I have a shake in the afternoon around 3:00 between lunch and dinner--and it satiates me totally so I'm not tempted to grab something else. Then if I find I haven't gotten in enough protein, I'll have another one during the evening.

The powdered shake I use (IDS Multi Pro) is made with Water, tastes terrific, has low carbs, 110 calories, and 23 grams of protein for 6 ounces. I don't find canned shakes appealing at all--if I use them at all, they are strictly for convenience sake.

I think you're having flashbacks of using Slim Fast in place of a meal--I think you'll do better keeping it real food for your meals, honestly...:wub:

I tend to get hungry later in the day, will stick to solid foods like i remember brochure when i had the band first put in told me to and save the shakes for if i feel peckish -realy peckish or before bed.:wub:

My clinic does recommend one apx 20-25g protein shake a day, just to make sure you are getting in all the protein the body needs to maintain muscle mass while loosing weight. They want us getting 90g of protein a day (that number varies from clinic to clinic, however). BUT!!! They are also very specific that we need to be EATING our calories, not DRINKING them. My band is pretty tight in the morning so I make a shake for breakfast & don't usually start solid foods until lunch.

My clinic does recommend one apx 20-25g protein shake a day, just to make sure you are getting in all the protein the body needs to maintain muscle mass while loosing weight. They want us getting 90g of protein a day (that number varies from clinic to clinic, however). BUT!!! They are also very specific that we need to be EATING our calories, not DRINKING them. My band is pretty tight in the morning so I make a shake for breakfast & don't usually start solid foods until lunch.

Thanx for the comment, my surgeon did not say anything about protein needed, but the morning shake is good idea, and by the photo can see really paying of for you, well done,will follow in your foot steps

That is what I used for my pre-op weight loss - 2 protein shakes a day in place of meals and a regular lunch. And I am still doing that today, even though it's liquid the protein curbs what little hunger I now have for at least 3 hours. Then, I will have 2-3 small meals during the day. There are some days where I just cannot take another shake in the evening, so I'll eat fish instead.

As said above, it isn't recommended that you drink protein shakes. The band works best with solid food not liquids (we aren't supposed to drink while eating, and a protein shake is drinking and eating at the same time) The food isn't sitting in your pouch like it is supposed to, it just goes right through like water. Occasional protein shakes aren't going to hurt you, but drinking them often is not doing any good.

My clinic also recommends replacing one meal a day with a protein shake and also gives a daily minimum protein range. Although the shake does not fill the pouch like a solid meal would, I find that the protein and volume of liquid (milk) make me quite full. I have my shake for breakfast each day (convenience) and it keeps me satisfied until close to lunch. Sometimes I get hungry by 11:00 but can tough it out until noon.

I am never hungry in the morning. I just don't get hungry until around 11A, which means I'm more that 15 hours without food. Well, my nutritionist has me drinking a Protein shake in the morning, before 8A. This has helped me have more energy for the day.

I make my own shakes with Isopure Low Carb Protein powder. I add the SF Davinci syrups to give them better flavors.

I'm finding I lose more weight with a protein shake in the morning.

I also have added a protein shake about an hour before I go to the gym. It has really helped me lose faster, I think.

Cherlita

down 40+ lbs

I agree - it is the easiest start to my day! The whole point to the not drinking liquid calories IS THE USELESS liquid calories i.e. milkshakes, Frappuccino's, alcohol - there is nothing useless about 150 calories and 20 grams of Protein as a meal!

My Dr also requires us to get 65-75 grams of protein in a day - I can't eat enough food to get that much in, and protein supplements are HIGHLY recommended in order to meet the dietary requirements.

I'm only 5 days post-op, but my doc DRILLED into my head that minimum 60 grams of protein a day is crucial, hard to do without at least 1 protein shake! He said the high quality ones like Nectar and Isopure are best (most give about 23 oz/grams per serving), but GNC brand and even the new Slim Fast high protein ones are ok now and then. I did a lot of shopping online to find decent protein. I recommend that. The shakes aren't terrible tasting. Flavors like caramel, banana, chocolate or blueberry also taste GREAT if you freeze a sugar-free vanilla pudding and throw that in there too when blending. Then divide the shake into 2 cups, have one in the a.m and one at night, as dessert. good luck.

DIVA!!! UR back! How are you feeling?

I had surgery 6 days ago, and doing good. My doctor did tell me how importatn it was to get enough protein. He recomended eating 3 meals a day- when I get over this liquid phase, and drinking 2-3 proptein drinks a day with at least 15 grams of protein and between 100-175 calories each.

I also have added a Protein shake about an hour before I go to the gym. It has really helped me lose faster, I think.

Cherlita

down 40+ lbs

Cherlita (and anyone else interested), a friend who is a bodybuilder (info is good for all, not just bodybuilders) suggested its better to have your Protein Shake directly after you hit the gym. also if one is doing weights, he suggests to have some of your carbs of the day an hour before you hit the gym, helps with energy through the workout. the protein afterwards helps to build the muscles that you've just worked. also, be sure you are drinking Water during your workout. this firstly helps your joints, then of course all of you. as you work out and your body is using up its water, it will start to take it from your joints, which is why some of us when we work out our joints (knees are infamous for this) bother us.

Personally I am not a morning person whatsoever and will stay in bed for as long as possible which means me making Breakfast is not going to happen on work days. So during the week I take a Protein shake for breakfast everyday - it's a good way to ensure I'm getting my protein and at least it means I'm eating something decent in the morning otherwise it would be like a thing of yogurt and might as well have the protein shake.

I understand where they come from about saying its preferable to eat solid Proteins first before having something like a shake as it will keep you fuller longer but I think it all depends on your lifestyle as well. Getting up early to make eggs or whatever for me will just never happen so I deal with the shake in the morning and don't eat until lunch time and normally I don't start to feel hungry until after 11am but hold off on eating lunch until noon or so.