MDix, who has had his band for much of a year, mentioned that he's drinking hardly any calories - what's the significance of that?

I'm 2 months post-op, with an unfilled band, and a diminished appetite. Most days, both for taste and for convenience, I have a Protein shake made with a can of low carb SlimFast Optima with a banana, Protein powder and some peanut butter; the calorie hit is about 350, and I'm getting about 20 g Protein from it.

Should I be avoiding getting protein via liquids as much as possible? I also top off my protein intake with Isopure premade Protein drinks, just to make sure I'm hitting the numbers.

How are you guys estimating your protein needs? At the place I was banded, everyone seems to be told they have a protein requirement of about 60 or 70 gm, but I wonder about that. Did that 5 foot 170 pound lady in the bed across from mine need as much protein as yours truly, a hulking 6' 2", 450 pound (at surgery) feller?

My doc highly discourages the use of liquid calories for 2 reasons.

1. They are not stopped by the band and therefore MOST people do not get full or stay full from them...thus causing them to be hungry and overeat.

2. This doesn't teach you how to eat properly. Drinking my meals is not something that he anticipates most people will want to do for the rest of their life and by having them do this once they have graduated to real food, provides them with an innacurate sense of a lifestyle change.

Now stating that I know a lot of people that do drink a Protein Drink everyday either because they are too tight in the morning or because they have a hard time getting in enough Protein. However when people ask me what they should do because weight loss has stalled the first thing I tell them is to get rid of the protein drink.

As for the amount of protein...I usually get in around 100 grams a day, but that is because I am an Atkins girl at heart and that is just what I like to eat. If you want more protein you could substitute in a Protein Bar. I use Pure Protein Bars...190 calories...20 grams of protein. I get them at wal-mart. Also I found buffalo/beef sticks at GNC that were really good. 80 calories for 10 grams of protein and very filling.

Sorry I just noticed this was the "Men's room" Hope you don't mind a girl dropping in...I just was going through the unanswered posts!

Edited May 19, 200818 yr by salsa1877

Thanks, Karri - that's really helpful. Even if you ARE a girl!

Yeah, my band does feel tight in the mornings, and I'm pretty happy going without Breakfast. But sometimes it's nice to start out with a Protein blast - and I LOVE that protein shake!

And in terms of how I'll eat the rest of my life, I have to say that I don't have much time to cook or prepare food, and that I'd rather have my banana Peanut Butter protein shake than, say, a bowl of high Fiber Cereal with skim milk. I know my doc (who has a band himself) doesn't usually have anything but coffee for breakfast...

I'm still in the early stages, and I have adequate restriction; hunger hasn't been an issue for me since surgery, really.

Here's another response by another GIRL. I was told about this proteing calculator a couple of weeks ago and found it helpful. You are correct, there are different requirements depending on your height and weight.

Good luck with your journey!

Protein Calculator

Hey Fenton - I'm pretty sure the reason people say to avoid liquid calories is because you should be avoiding soda, juices, etc.. that have a lot of calories, little or no Protein and do nothing to satify hunger. I myself have a protein shake every morning to get me going. It is a fruity one from SmartForme and is 70 calories and 15g of protein. I never was much of a breakfast person but I do find having this shake is fast, convenient (I'm up at 5, hit the gym and in the office by 8) and does give me energy/satisies me well into lunch time. I strive for around 80g of protein (I work with a nutritionist) but will also check out the site that suzy sent.

Bottom line - I do not agree that Protein shakes are bad - it is the "other" empty liquid calories that are...

Mike - up at 5AM to go to the gym? You're a better man than I!

I think that's a good point about the empty calories in liquids like juices and sodas. I also remember from lap band boot camp that thing Karri mentioned about how they like you to avoid liquids because solid foods stay in your stomach longer, helping to maintain satiety.

I went to Suzy's Protein calculator, and it tells me I need 110 gm per day.

Of course, it's from a company that SELLS protein supplements, but, still!

Fenton,

Here's a different one that's not from a Protein vendor -- and surprise!! my required amount was 8 grams lower. But this calculator also asks how active you are as well as your age and frame size.

UMMS: Protein Calculator

yes Fenton - crazy hours so getting home in time for gym is unpredictable (i used thte excuse of getting home too late way too often). it was tough at first but now i love it - really feels good to get it done first thing in the morning.

Suzy - my Protein intake recommendation from the independent site was lower too! By 1 gram...

It does seem to be a better system though, since it takes into account frame size, activity level and age.

Mike, you're a great example. You'll make me feel guilty tomorrow morning when I wake up at 7:30AM in my cozy bed. But not TOO guilty...

Hey Fenton. My doc told me (of course) that whole food proteins were the first choice, and then look for mixes / shakes that had whey protein. But I'm looking at your counter, and.......you're losing great! As long as you feel good, keep doing what you're doing!!

turkey chili (STAGG) 20g of Protein. all the Beans, turkey etc give lots of protein. plus it's thick and fills me up forever.

cold cuts, cottage cheese.

i was told to have 3 meals a day and Protein shakes in between to get up to 60 grams. when i'm working out, 80 grams.

based on that protein calculator a few posts ago, i should be at 100grams a day....YEAH RIGHT.

Edited May 20, 200818 yr by RAS_STI