Food, Thoughts, and What Nots...

There's been a lot swirling around in my brain lately.  So it's time to get some of it out.  (This usually means I have no idea what's going to leave my fingertips, nor how much...this might be a long entry!)

Food  
It's funny how I (we) cook more now than I did before. I cook for dinner and the boys lunches and for special events.  It seems like I'm constantly cooking.  What's even funnier?  I don't seem to mind!  For those of you who have known me for a while, you know that's a big deal.  And if you don't know, just ask CME.  He jokes (though it's not really a joke) that if I had my druthers I'd eat out all the time.  While that's been the case a lot, I'm actually getting to a point where I like to cook. Yes, some days I'm too tired to really put much effort into the whole thing, but I like looking for healthy ways to feed our family.  Yesterday, I even made a healthier version of a Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe for the boys' Super Bowl party at church.  I used light versions of cream cheese, ranch dressing and mozzarella cheese.  It was still delicious, but healthier.  That's the thing that I've noticed.  I am consciously looking for healthier options.  Yay!

Another example that I can think of is that I've run out of PB2.  Next to my love of shrimp, I'm thoroughly enjoying PB2 as my go-to snack.  Mix some with 1/2 a smashed banana...and oh yeah!  Last week, I was going to pick some up, but the only time I could get by bariatric center was when they were at lunch so I couldn't buy any.  I was bummed. Knowing that I have my 9 month check up this week, I figured I'd be able to make it until then.  After all, it's just PB2, right?  Wrong.  I found myself a really wanting some peanut butter last week.  I was at the store and figured that I'd just pick up a reduced fat peanut butter and be done with it.  But you know what?  A little comparison with the Reduced Fat Jif and PB2 and I just couldn't do it.  190 calories and 12g fat vs 45 calories and 1.5g of fat is a huge difference.  Not everyone is going to like PB2 and not every needs to eat the stuff.  But for someone who is wanting that peanut butter a few times a week, yes, the calorie/fat difference is a big deal!  I can't wait until Thursday when I have my appointment just so I can bring some PB2 home!

Yesterday was a not-so-good food day for me.  I started the morning by fixing an Egg Beater and a Morning Star Farms sausage patty.  Granted the egg beater was the equivalent of two scrambled eggs, but I couldn't eat half of the food that was there.  I was eating a scrambled egg and a MSF patty a couple of months after surgery without issue.  But yesterday, I may have had one egg total, but could only get down about 1/4 (if that) of the sausage.  Not sure what happened.  It just wasn't going to go down.  I didn't have any issues with it sticking or me eating too fast and I didn't feel full.  I just felt as if I was going to hurl if I put another bite in my mouth.  So I stopped.   

Lunchtime I was fine with a Gorton's Grilled Fillet.  Even added a little "banging shrimp sauce".  No issue.  By dinner time, CME was still at work and the boys were at their Super Bowl Party so I figured I'd just make a protein shake.  I've started experimenting more with these...getting a little braver on my varieties.  I recently discovered that the Almond Joy creamer, though it isn't the most nutritious, it does fit within my guidelines.  So with that, I used vanilla protein powder, light vanilla silk, 1T creamer, 1/2 banana and 6 chunks of frozen pineapple; I was going for that piña colada taste (yes, I know banana isn't in a piña colada, but it gives the smoothie a nice consistency) and was quite pleased with the results.  So pleased, in fact, that I drank all 12 ounces at one time...and within a very short time span.  (Do you see the issue here?)  I drank 12 ounces of a thick, nearly frozen, 33g protien shake in a short amount of time.  And then it hit me.  No...not dumping...sugars were still fine.  But with the small amount of anything else on my stomach all day long, this was WAY too much too quickly.  Foamies happened and I was miserable.  Nothing came up and I'm guessing that because it was liquid that it made its way on through quicker than it would have if it had been solids.  But OY!  Not a pleasant experience.  It was a reminder though that I am still learning and I still need to be very careful in how much I take in at one time, even if it's liquid!

Thoughts
I still find myself hesitant when someone compliments me and then asks me how I lost all my weight.  Why am I uncomfortable saying, "I had gastric bypass surgery."? I'm not uncomfortable blogging about it.  I'm not uncomfortable talking to people who know that I've had the surgery.  I am uncomfortable when someone says, "You look great...how did you do it?" I literally feel a little tightening in my chest before I respond.  I say it with a smile, but It feels like I'm about to bring on a whole new round of judgement from the world.  I H.A.T.E. that.  I wish there wasn't such a negative connotation that goes along with RNY gastric bypass surgery - but there still is.  I see it on the faces of those I tell.  I usually finish the conversation with, 'You know...it's the tool that God's given me that has actually worked.  For that I'm thankful.' I don't know what else to say.  -shrug-

I've had people ask me about all the extra skin.  "So are you going to have surgery for that?"  I don't mind people being curious.  I don't mind those who love me and are my friends.  It kind of bugs me when a random co-worker asks me.  Am I selective in who I want to know what about me and my life?  I suppose I am to a degree - yet here I am blogging about it.  Oh the mixed emotions!!!  And about that extra skin...I don't know if I'll have surgery.  If there's no medical indicators as to why I'd need it (which there aren't now) then probably not.  There is no way that we could afford for me to undergo a cosmetic procedure like that.  And, being as honest as I can be, I wish that was different.  The extra skin is mortifying some days.  I expected it in my stomach - it was already droopy.  I did not expect it in my legs.  Arms?  Yeah, figured I'd have some extra swinging skin.  Didn't expect it to be as much as it is right now.  But all of that is purely vanity, which I need to let go.  I most definitely will take the health benefits of being half the size I was with some loose skin over the alternative! I didn't wear shorts before, won't wear them now.  Didn't wear tank tops before...won't wear them now.  Swimsuit?  Not unless I can find some cute board shorts.  -shrug-  (Obviously as I'm typing this, I realized I need some prayer in this area...that I will not focus on the negatives, but focus on the work that God has done IN me. Thanks in advance...)

What Nots
I realized an NSV today that I didn't even recognize as one until I was talking with the receptionist at my dentist's office.  I've been going to the same dentist office since I was a kid.  The receptionist is the only one I remember.  I'm sure there were others, but as long as I can recall, Connie has been there.  So we were talking today about my surgery, my health and such.  She's trying to get weight off too.  She asked me if I was where I wanted to be weight wise. I explained to her that even though MD won't give me a number that the weight charts say I could still lose another 15-20# and be at the higher end of what's considered normal.  Even though I'm thinner now than I was in high school, I could still lose some weight and be healthy.  I told her that right now I'm in the 150s (WHAT?!?!) and in a size 10 pants that aren't tight.  And here was the unrecognized NSV... I said, "You know it's a pretty awesome feeling to not worry that my jeans will be too tight if I dry them."  Jeans out of the dryer...no falling backwards on to the bed trying to get them zipped.  No deep breaths and half squats to try to stretch them back out before trying again to button them.  Yes, folks, for me that's an NSV!  

Speaking of my dentist...He and I went to high school together (he went into practice with one of our classmates' dad...my original dentist).  Recently he ran across some of my Instagram pictures and was so excited for me.  Today when he saw me, I got that "one arm hug" with an "I'm so proud of you!" comment.  That was a nice NSV too.  :)

And a final "what not"...  later next month (March) I'll be speaking at an informational meeting for bariatric center.  I'm a little nervous and a little excited.  I want to try to help people get past any negative thoughts they might have in general about the surgery.  I want to share my story.  I want to share how God has been faithful through this journey and how He is the one to be given the glory.  Will you be in prayer for that talk?  Will you pray that I adequately answer questions that the people there might have and at the same time be able to speak of our Amazing God and His transforming powers?  I want people to see themselves as God sees them.  I want them to know that they are fearfully and wonderfully made!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

I Won't Do That Again

So I thought I'd mix things up a bit this morning.  One suggestion on the Unjury recipe website was to mix the vanilla protein with coffee for a "rich creamier taste."  Of course, I am trying to do this right so I took my handy-dandy thermometer to work with me, poured my coffee, placed the thermometer in and watched as the temperature topped-out at 130° F.  Noting that it was at the max temp recommended, I decided to let it cool just a tad before adding the protein.  At about 125° F, I slowly added the protein - stirring constantly.  And I stirred and stirred and stirred.  And stirred.  (note - this cooled it off another 5°!)  So once it was finally dissolved, I took my first sip.  BLECH!!!!  I don't care what the website said, vanilla protein powder is not a good substitute for creamer!  Not. at. all.  I even went back and tried to add some creamer to try to make it better... no use.  My coffee was ruined.  I don't think of myself as a coffee expert or coffee snob; I just have a specific taste I like for my coffee and this was not it. 


Now I know...I will not do that again!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Chocolate Truffle? Yes, Please

I know that after a while, the sweetness of the protein shakes will get old.  I learned that back in 1990-91 when I had nothing but sweet shakes on the Optifast porgram.  You know, the one that Oprah did and got down super-skinny only to gain all her weight back plus some.  Yes, I did that too.  Three months of nothing but meal replacement shakes.  Three long months where I craved something salty so bad that I would place a chip on my tongue and let it get soggy just to get the salt taste.  I'd promptly spit it out, of course, so I wouldn't be out of ketosis at my next appointment.  (Diets suck the brain cells right out of your head some times!)


That being said, it's still kind of nice to find protein supplements that I like.  Today, I tried the Nectar Chocolate Truffle with 8 oz of the light Silk vanilla soy milk.  Total of 170 calories and 29g of protein.  I used my Rubbermaid bottle to shake it and though it was not frothy at all, it did have clumps which are not pleasant.  The flavor was really good - like a rich creamy chocolate milk.  I'm not a chocolate milk fan, but this was very good.  At this point, I prefer the chocolate truffle over the tropical dreamsicle - but again, I know I'll have to keep the variety going so not to get totally burned out.


CME was a gem and bought me the smaller Blender Bottle today.  I'll give it a try tomorrow to see if it's the whisk action that's making all the froth or if it's the Jay Robb protein that's doing it. Either way, I appreciate the support he's giving me on this journey.  I'm blessed for sure!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Dream a Little Dreamsicle

First protein shake:


8 oz. light vanilla Silk soy milk              70 calories, 6g protein
Jay Robb Tropical Dreamsicle protein    110 calories, 25g protein


Used my new Blender Bottle which was way easy.  Tasted good, though I think the vanilla soy milk was stronger than the dreamsicle flavor.  I bet using 6oz of the soy milk would have made the overall flavor a bit more dreamsicle-like, but this wasn't bad at all.  And, I need to remember that our family likes flavor...the more flavor the better. AND I've been told my tastes will change after surgery.  Only downfall was that shaking it makes it really frothy.  Next time I may try to prepare it and then let it sit in the refrigerator before drinking it to let the foam go down.  Otherwise, this was definitely a two thumbs up type of drink!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Little by Little

Decided to go the local The Vitamin Shoppe to see what types of protein supplements they carry.  I lucked out!  They have a full stock of Syntax Nectar products to choose from and if they don't have what I want in stock, then they will order it and I don't have to pay shipping! Win-win!!


So I picked up a few more sample items and this week I will start trying these as well as incorporating some of the other foods (creamed soups, instant mashed potatoes thinned + protein, etc.) into my diet.  I don't want to have to deal with the emotions of tasting a new food/texture along with the emotions of the surgery itself.  I really need to seek out some recipes for the first couple of stages (obviously I'll eat larger portions now than after the surgery) and PREPARE myself at least a little more than I am.  Also, The Vitamin Shoppe had ISOPURE protein beverages.  I tried the grape frost and though it got a better the more I drank it, it's not something I think I'll do all the time.  The manager at the store stressed the importance of not letting it get even a little warm.  He said it's not good at all that way.  So if I'm struggling with the protein shakes, then I could always resort to one of the ISOPURE beverages.  There are 160 calories and 40g of protein in a 20oz bottle.  Not so sure about the calorie count - need to research it a bit more.


Here's what I've got to sample now...

Note the Blender cup - highly recommended by CME and the manager at the store.  Apparently keeps it from being chunky.

Unjury:  unflavored, vanilla, chicken soup, strawberry sorbet, chocolate splendor

Nectar:  chocolate truffle, cappuccino, fuzzy navel, vanilla bean torte

Jay Robb:  strawberry, tropical dreamsicle 

Also, the manager told me that they have a full line of bariatric vitamins by TwinLab.  I'm going to check with MD and Surgeon to get their opinions on this particular brand.  If I can go to one place for all my supplements/vitamin needs, then I'll do it.  I just want to make sure that I am getting exactly what I'm suppose to.  THIS is THAT important!!!  *I* am that important!

If any of you have had experience with these products, have good recipes or ideas, please share those with me.  I'm really getting excited about this next phase, but am a bit anxious about it all too.  Any words of wisdom from others who have gone through RNY gastric bypass is more than welcome!!!

And on another note, the manager had really good things to say about the bariatric center I chose as compared to the other center here.  He knew RD by name and also mentioned that the patients from bariatric center are very well informed when they are seeking out proteins and vitamins.  He said patients from the other center generally do not have as much information/knowledge when they're looking for their supplements.  I really am glad I chose the center I did.  Another confirmation to me that God is guiding me on this journey and placing me where I need to be.

Little by little, I'm getting ready for May 9!

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Protein

I need some feedback from anyone who has had gastric bypass surgery.  (Or even if you've not had the surgery, but use these products.)  Which protein supplements did you like best?  Which did you like the least?  What's the best bang for your money?  Protein consumption is a huge factor in weight loss...especially in drastic weight loss.  Protein protects the muscles in the body - specifically the heart!  (I'm even willing to say forget about the hair...it's all about the heart!)  So I don't want just "any" protein supplement.  I want ones that are made for gastric bypass patients - those that are complete protein.


I was able to try three different protein powder drinks at my nutritional class on Monday and I can say that two of them were very tasty.  The third didn't taste bad, but the smell wasn't too appealing even though it was "unflavored".  Obviously these supplements will be the most expensive part of the food plan, but in the long run I think it's worth it.  I think *I* am worth it.


The first supplement I tried was 3 (tiny) scoops Beneprotein powder in 8 oz. sugar free pink lemonade.  This one didn't taste bad necessarily...it was a "little" grainy, but you could smell the vitamins.  (18g protein)


The second drink I tried was 1 scoop Chocolate Splendor Unjury powder mixed with 1c. light vanilla Silk soy milk.  This one was good!  It was rich and thick and not even a remote hint of that vitamin smell.  (20g protein)


The third drink supplied was 1 scoop Nectar Cappuccino flavored powder with 1 c light vanilla Silk soy milk.  Seriously people, this could replace my coffee!  It wasn't quite as smooth as the Unjury, but it was definitely drinkable. (30g protein)


The main thing that I need to look for when searching out the protein supplements is to make sure that Whey or Soy Isolate is the first ingredient.  Then of course I need to look at calories and sugar content.  There are a lot of good websites with information...but I really want to hear from people who are on this type of program and who have first-hand experiences with the different protein supplements.  Any feedback is appreciated!


One question I need to remember to ask RD - can I count the protein drinks as part of my liquid intake???
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14