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Post by lovy19 on Jan 16, 2012 20:46:00 GMT -5
Hi Gail, what's a blender bottle? Is it easier than using a regular blender? I have found that the blender adds to much air to the shakes and makes them frothy. Google blender bottle and you'll see what they are. They're carried a number of places: GNC, Amazon, my local health food store, Bed Bath and Beyond to name a few. Hi Gail Ty for explaining
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Post by lovy19 on Jan 16, 2012 20:46:57 GMT -5
Hi Shannds Ty for responding, quick question when you say 3 scoops I don't mean to sound stupid but 3 scoops of what kind of protein? And do you add it to w/e you eat? Also do the three scoops make up for our daily protein intake? I use 2 scoops of Champion stack chocolate protein powder in my shakes and hot drinks. It's a whey protein. I use a base of coffee, heavy cream. Starbuck's SF Carmel syrup, splenda and ice. Wow that sound delicious.
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Post by lovy19 on Jan 16, 2012 20:50:33 GMT -5
Hi Betty if I'm understanding you correctly are you stating that you only take a multi vitamin instead of all the vitamins that everyone else takes? If so I didn't kow it was an option to just take a multi vitamin, also I won't know what to look for in my labs or how to read them to tweak, how did you learn what to look for? And I also thought labs were done every six months. Sorry for all the questions. If you post your labs with the normal range, the vets will help with adjusting your vitamins. Take a look at the Lab board and you can get an idea how it works. Major mom(Gina) on the bites and vites thread is a wonderful resource. Some of the dry vitamins that Vitalady offers is in higher doses than you'll generally find and is in the type (dry) that we require. I order from Vitalady but pick up my Multivits, b complex and C locally. I order my calcium from Amazon although many people use Citracal petites. I would definitely not just rely on a multivitamin as my sole source of supplementation. It's much easier to maintain your levels than to try an correct a ever deficiency. Because if our malabsorption, we can get deficient really quick. Generally labs are done every 3 months for the first year. Gail your wonderful Ty for always chiming in. I was going to order a month supply of vitamins from Vitalady so that I do t have to do leg work, would I still need to add vitamins to her Pre packaged ones?
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Post by lovy19 on Jan 16, 2012 20:54:14 GMT -5
early post op - as well as now, I try to get as many of my vitamins as chewables as I can.. of course that's not always possible. That's a personal preference as I have problems taking large pills. I take my multi, B, zinc calcium and copper as a chewable, sublingual is B12 and K. Small capsules for A, D, stool softener, and 2 prescriptions. DON'T take gel caps - they don't dissolve in our tummies (ok, not me since I'm RNY and don't have intrinsic factor) and they can get clogged up in your intestines. Keep asking questions - that's the best way to learn!! As far as protein goes - you had good advice to wait until after surgery and don't buy too much now. Your tastes WILL change... and what you find good now, you may find totally disgusting after. I too mix my protein in my coffee - yum. A mixer bottle with wire ball you can get at GNC, or any health food store. Seen then in regular stores (Target, Walmart, etc) too. I just bought an Oster blender - 20z, smaller size that once its mixed you put a sports bottle top in and I LOVE it! Yes, the protein does fizz up... air bubbles. When I was at Vitamin World the lady said she had one she loves that didn't foam - but I didn't pay attention to her, as its not that big of a deal to me now, 3 years out. I use pods I get from GNC for a week - they hold my vits nicely (except calcium). They probably won't be big enough for you as the DS does require more than I take. Good luck!! Hi Jody, tysm for the information, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to drink coffee once I have my surgery, I'm glad I dont have to give it up.
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Post by Sandra C. on Jan 16, 2012 21:15:29 GMT -5
The best blender I found that doesn't make bubbles is a tiny hand held battery whisk. I found it at GHP store at my docs. My husband has a metal one he bought at a kitchen store. I mix a 16oz "to go cup " for the car ,with a sipping lid. I don't need a real blender or blender ball any more. The tiny blender is small for travel, fits in my purse. Individual protein packets of protein juice, or Nector shakes are easy to mix, and thin to drink, take up less room in a new tummy. Keep water bottles in your car, packets in your purse, you will be ready to go any where with protein and drinks. I had no problem on a long road trip, tail gating at rest stops, mixing my protein drinks all the way to Florida and home to Michigan.
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Post by schmatzi on Jan 16, 2012 21:17:52 GMT -5
So much good information. I am trying to prepare as well and these tips have been very helpful. I got one question for you guys though. Were you able to put your protein powder into milk pretty much soon after surgery or should I wait with milk for a while? I got a few protein powders in smaller amounts so that i can try them afterwards and see which ones i like at that point. I would like to get some already made liquid ones that i can take with me on the go. Which ones would you recommend (in regards to high protein and low sugar)?
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Post by Sandra C. on Jan 16, 2012 21:27:54 GMT -5
Vitamins: The first few weeks post surgery, My docs list of vitamins were minimal, then increased after the 6 week healing period. I had trouble swallowing anything due to swelling. The chewable vitamins were easier to blend into a fruit protein drink, tasted ok. Now I take Celebrate Bariatric Multivitamins- 3 capsules a day, with food, or I get sick to my stomach, watering mouth. The rest of my supplement list is long, and customized for my needs by my bariatrician. Don't buy much ahead. They will advise you of your needs as you go, depending on your labs. Best of luck with your surgery, and speedy recovery!!!
Sandra ;-)
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Post by Sandra C. on Jan 16, 2012 21:34:46 GMT -5
My group did not allow coffee until 6 months out. I have a month and 1/2 to go. It causes sugar craving they said, and interferes with calcium absorption i read. Total up to 20 oz a day at 6 mo. the sugar craving was true for me- I couldn't stop eating the sugar free hard candies on my driving trip, with the Caffeine Muscle Milk.
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Post by meredith123 on Jan 16, 2012 21:36:15 GMT -5
I got this Oster blender for Christmas and I love it for my shakes. www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=oster+blender&gs_upl=2229617l2230427l0l2234403l6l6l0l0l0l0l350l1611l0.1.3.2l6l0&biw=1600&bih=731&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&wrapid=tlif132676712406410&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6348098187275318700&sa=X&ei=FdwUT4DxIcHjggfD7PCFBA&ved=0CLYBEPMCMAQ# It does make them foamy, but I like that. The blender part screws off and you just screw on the lid and take it with you. I also got an extra bottle so I always have a clean one in the morning. There are lots of monthly organizers for your vites, I use this one and love it. www.amazon.com/MedCenter-Monthly-Vitamin-Organizer-Large/dp/B001DU7BMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326767292&sr=8-1I follow most of Vitalady's plan, but shop around for better deals to save money. Some things like Vit K I get from her because it's cheap and I couldn't find it anywhere else in the micro-lingual. I found several of them on Amazon for a couple dollars cheaper and free shipping. I also found the Champion Whey protein on Vitacost for the best price. If you shop around on-line, you can save a little. I get the multi vite at the store when they do the buy 1 get 1 free sales. Store brand for multi is also cheaper if your are watching your budget.
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Post by teachmid on Jan 17, 2012 19:54:09 GMT -5
So much good information. I am trying to prepare as well and these tips have been very helpful. I got one question for you guys though. Were you able to put your protein powder into milk pretty much soon after surgery or should I wait with milk for a while? I got a few protein powders in smaller amounts so that i can try them afterwards and see which ones i like at that point. I would like to get some already made liquid ones that i can take with me on the go. Which ones would you recommend (in regards to high protein and low sugar)? I've never made mine with milk. I've never been a milk drinker and I don't want the carbs. You'll bet fewer carbs with heavy cream or Hal and half. That being said, many people are lactose intolerant after surgery. I would certainly go slow. Be sure you're clear on you protein and carb goals after you sufficiently recover. Early out the key is staying hydrated. I found my tastes changed dramatically after surgery. Try some now but know they may not work afterwards.
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Post by shann_ds on Jan 17, 2012 20:35:15 GMT -5
I haven't ever had any trouble with milk & I prefer it, but from what I read I think that's rare.
I started drinking coffee based protein about 1 month postoperative & never looked back.
I take vitalady's full regimine & I think most of us here would suggest that's how people start out. Then adjust your vites according to your own labs.
(I think I answered all the questions I remember.)
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Post by bldeck on Jan 17, 2012 23:32:07 GMT -5
As to Vitamins, I did not start on the Vita-lady plan. BUT I DID HAVE MY LEVELS CHECKED EVERY THREE MONTHS (wanted to make sure that is understood). When I received my results back I would tweak my levels until they were good. I still find I tweak them, this last draw said I was low in Zinc and K but my B's were through the roof and I only take a multi vit for all of those, so I have added a Zinc and K1 & 2. I find that it doesn't matter whose plan you follow as long as you are vigilant with your lab draws and checking your levels and adding or subtracting when needed you will be fine. Betty Hi Betty if I'm understanding you correctly are you stating that you only take a multi vitamin instead of all the vitamins that everyone else takes? If so I didn't kow it was an option to just take a multi vitamin, also I won't know what to look for in my labs or how to read them to tweak, how did you learn what to look for? And I also thought labs were done every six months. Sorry for all the questions. I take a multi for my B's and copper and things such as that. I have to supplement my A, D, K and Zinc separately. When your labs get drawn I ask specifically for the labs that Vitalady suggests and a few more. When I get my labs I set down and enter them into a spreadsheet that you can find somewhere here or at the OtHer board. This way I can see the changes per draw and tweak what needs to change. Such as at the first 3 month draw my A was fine but by 6 months my A level had dropped so I knew I needed to add an additional A to my supplementation. Betty
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Post by Becky on Jan 18, 2012 18:25:02 GMT -5
I bought my blender bottle at Target. I think Walmart sells them in stores too, but I could be imagining that.
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Post by dsnuts on Jan 18, 2012 18:36:22 GMT -5
So how soon after post-op do you start taking your vites? Say that you purchased Vitalady's starter kit.
I would assume that you should wait a while before your stomach can handle those pills.
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Post by bldeck on Jan 18, 2012 18:53:31 GMT -5
At about 2 weeks out I started taking everything. Now I don't do the Vitalady pack but I still take roughly 12 pills a day.
Betty
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Post by Girlrocker on Jan 18, 2012 19:03:27 GMT -5
Good info here already, and I admire your hard work in preparing, you will really reap the benefit. One thing I want to caution about is buying too much in advance, until you know what you personally can tolerate/agrees with you, especially the protein. There are many good protein shake options; there are protein bullets which are the liquid consistency of cough syrup, not the best tasting, but big bang at 50g; protein powder to add to foods; you also can puree tofu into soups, cook eggs into foods for extra protein. That we have to get in the protein is the same for all of us; how you get it in will be unique to you. For me, protein shakes remain the easiest, most efficient way for now as an early post-op. I was so excited about the protein bullets, but right now they kill me :-) So I'll have them for later use when things settle down. Sharyl, The bullets generally don't have good quality protein, so be careful. Thanks for looking out for me/us! This one is a beef protein isolate, not cheap, but I got it on sale online; I wanted to use them in the early post-op time only while I'm still struggling with eating.
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Post by mlleelise on Jan 19, 2012 17:49:45 GMT -5
I too am pre-op and am SO grateful for all of the info I'm getting here! I did order the 90 vitamin supply from Vitalady, because I figured it might be helpful while I'm recuperating. Very handy the way the vitamins come: Several large packages made of clear plastic, subdivided into individual little clear plastic packets that you tear off each day. One package labelled "Morning," one labelled "Mid-Day," and one labelled, 'Evening.' Enough for 3 months Though I can't afford to do this again, it sure will make life easier in the beginning. Thanks again for so MUCH good advice & tips!!
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Post by lovy19 on Jan 19, 2012 20:59:21 GMT -5
I too am pre-op and am SO grateful for all of the info I'm getting here! I did order the 90 vitamin supply from Vitalady, because I figured it might be helpful while I'm recuperating. Very handy the way the vitamins come: Several large packages made of clear plastic, subdivided into individual little clear plastic packets that you tear off each day. One package labelled "Morning," one labelled "Mid-Day," and one labelled, 'Evening.' Enough for 3 months Though I can't afford to do this again, it sure will make life easier in the beginning. Thanks again for so MUCH good advice & tips!! Hi, thanks for letting me know how Vitalady vitamins are packaged. I was going to purchase 90 days but decided on one month because as a new post op I probably won't be able to get them down until two weeks out and even then it may be hard.
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Post by schmatzi on Jan 19, 2012 21:58:33 GMT -5
Thank you for all your help. I am trying to read as much labels now as I can to get a feel for what is high in carbs (for the stuff that is not obvious). So excited as well. Will probably still have loads of questions once out of the hospital. I know myself and I am a wussy. I will question everything my body does to make sure it is normal...
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