WOW! Thats a Lot Of Information ~ Part Deux !

Welcome to "WOW! Thats a Lot Of Information" ~ Part Deux. This post looks at aspects of WLS that involve protein products, protein shakes, WLS friendly edibles, recipes, and the assorted what nots! Use the Internet to search for the best buys on these items. Feel free to ask questions or provide your own shakes and recipes to be added to the ever expanding list!

If you missed Part Un of this information, just click on the link below:

"WOW! Thats a Lot Of Information" ~ Part Un !

Once again a BIG THANK YOU goes to Melinda R. for prepping this information. But an even BIGGER THANK YOU goes to Paula D., Susan J., Shelia B., April S. and all the rest who have contributed their wealth of knowledge to this project! As before, I know there are others who deserve Thanks also!

Protein Products
▪ AchievOne RTD (cappuccino, vanilla nut, mocha java, hazelnut)
▪ Carb Masters Yogurt (peach, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla)
▪ Cytosport Ready to Drink (watermelon, tropical, tangerine) 40 g protein/bottle
▪ EAS AdvantEdge Low Carb protein shakes
▪ Elite powder (vanilla, café mocha, chocolate mint, rich chocolate, berry blast, pina colada)
▪ Extreme Smoothie RTD (Praline, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla)
▪ Fage 0%, 2% Authentic Greek Nonflavored yogurt
▪ Hood Calorie Countdown Milk (fat free, 2%, chocolate)
▪ IDS protein (Belgin Chocolate, banana, vanilla cinnamon)
▪ Labrada Lean Body Ready to Drink shakes (chocolate ice cream, vanilla ice cream, bananas & cream)
▪ Matrix powder (cookies & cream, perfect chocolate, simply vanilla, orange cream)
▪ Micellar Milk RTD (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry)
▪ Nature's Best Isopure Ready to drink (alpine punch, cookies & cream, pineapple orange banana, mango peach, apple melon, orange cream)
▪ Nature’s Best Isopure Protein Powder (Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla)
▪ New Whey Protein Bullets (Grape, fruit punch, orange)
▪ Oh Yeah protein bars (peanut butter, chocolate mint, dark chocolate, chocolate, natural honey & oats, peanut butter & strawberry, peanut butter cup, vanilla cream, natural peanut butter)
▪ Power Crunch protein bars (peanut butter cream, triple chocolate, French vanilla wafer, cookies & cream, peanut butter fudge, wild berry cream, cinnamon bun)
▪ Protein Delite IsoFruit powder (Cantaloupe, green apple, pineapple)
▪ Revival Baked Protein Chips (BBQ Bliss, Sour Cream & Onion Dream, Jalapeno & Cheddar Cha Cha, Lightly Salted Sunshine, Sea Salt & Vinegar Voyage, Rev It Up Ranch, Oh My Apple Pie, Honey Mustard Heaven, Roasted Garlic & Herb Goodness, Salsa Sass)
▪ Rockin' Roll protein bars (original nutty peanut, trail mix dried fruit & nut, honey almond)
▪ Scitec Nutrition Protein Delite protein powders (Alpine Milk Chocolate, Strawberry White Chocolate, Banana Yogurt, Vanilla Very Berry, Almond Coconut)
▪ Syntax Nectar protein powders (Roadside Lemonade, Fuzzy Navel, Lemon Tea, Caribbean Cooler, Kiwi Strawberry, Crystal Sky, Latte Cappuccino, Twisted Cherry, Apple Ecstasy, Natural Peach)
▪ Whey Gourmet Powder (Arctic cappuccino frappe, chocolate chip mint extreme, cookies & cream supreme, creamy caramel dip, creamy dreamy milk chocolate, creamy orangesicle swirl, dark chocolate mousse, smooth peanut butter chocolate, pina colada breeze, radical raspberry smoothie, strawberry banana smoothie, vanilla ice cream royale)
▪ Worldwide Pure Protein Shake RTD (banana cream, cookies & cream, chocolate,strawberry, vanilla)
▪ Zoic Protein Drinks in a can


Non-Protein Products
▪ Barilla spaghetti sauce
▪ Big Train Products (pancakes, brownie mix, spiced chai tea, peanut butter cookie mix, SF hot chocolate, iced vanilla latte, iced mocha latte)▪ Costellini's SF Cinnamon Bliss
▪ Crystal Lite
▪ Davinci's Caramel & Chocolate sauce
▪ DaVinci Sugar Free Syrups (Almond, amaretto, B-52, Banana, blueberry, butter rum, butterscotch, caramel, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, coconut, cola, cookie dough, crème de menthe, dulce de leche, egg nog, english toffee, french vanilla, german chocolate cake, gingerbread, grape, hazelnut (toasted & untoasted), huckleberry, irish cream, kahlua, lemon line, lemon, lime, macadamia nut, Malibu rum, orange, pancake, peach, peanut butter, peppermint paddy, pineapple, praline, raspberry, root beer, simple sugar free, spice blend, strawberry, toasted marshmallow, vanilla, watermelon, white chocolate)
▪ Diet Oceanspray Cranberry and Grape
▪ Del Monte Carb Clever Peaches, Pears
▪ Diet Snapple
▪ Edumame
▪ Fuze Slenderize drinks
▪ Gen Soy Crisps
▪ General Foods Sugar Free/Decaffeinated Suisse Mocha, French Vanilla, Chai Tea powders
▪ Gosh That’s Good Sugar Free/No Sugar Added Mocha, White Velvet Powders
▪ Hormel Turkey Pepperoni
▪ Hunt’s Sugar Free Spaghetti Sauce (in a can)
▪ Jello (sugar free jello & pudding)
▪ Joseph’s Sugar Free Cookies
▪ Justin's Nut Butters
▪ La Banderita Low Carb tortillas
▪ La Nouba Hazelnut Spread
▪ La Nouba SF Marshmallows
▪ Libby’s Splenda Sweetened Pineapple, Mandarin Oranges, Tropical Fruit
▪ Minute Maid Sugar Free Lemonade and Orangeade
▪ Mission Brand Low Carb Tortillas
▪ Monin Sugar Free Syrups
▪ Murray’s Sugar Free Cookies
▪ Snyder's Eat Smart Soy Crisps (Tomato, Parmesan)
▪ Sugar Free Chocolate Chips
▪ Sugar Free Hershey’s Chocolate and Strawberry Syrups
▪ Sugar Free Generic Chocolate Syrup (Walmart, Kroger)
▪ Torani Sugar Free Syrups
▪ Turkey meatballs


View of Sugar Free Products
For some time, I have noticed that many gastric bypass patients resort to eating the same foods they ate prior to having surgery, just sugar free. It’s wonderful that we have these options to settle our cravings. After all, weight loss surgery did not altar or remove our brain… that desire to have an occasional cookie or piece of cake. The surgery restricts our intake. Too bad it didn’t restrict our desires for food! There are hidden dangers in sugar free products, so be educated of WHY we eat them and WHAT they contain.

The reason we eat sugar free products is because the sugar found in their regular counterparts can cause “dumping syndrome.” We don’t choose sugar free products because they help us lose weight! This surprises people, but don’t be fooled into believing this falsity. Sugar free does not mean calorie, fat, or carbohydrate free. If you consume too much, you will gain weight! You may not have dumping syndrome but who wants those added pounds. Not to mention, sugar free products CAN CAUSE STALL of your weight loss. These “sweet treat” recipes are for the occasional consumption. Just remember: we all had our weight loss surgery for our health and to lose weight!


RECIPES

CHEESECAKE TARTS (April S.)
12 Murray’s SF Vanilla Wafers
2 - 8 oz pkgs of reduced fat cream cheese, room temp
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup Splenda
Take the vanilla wafers and place 1 in each cupcake liner in a muffin pan. Set aside. Take the cream cheese and beat until whipped. Add each egg separately, mix thoroughly before adding the second egg. Add vanilla, mix, add splenda and mix well. Fill muffin liner 2/3 full with the batter. Bake at 350 degrees oven for approximately 30 minutes. Remove and let cool.

CHERRY DELIGHT (Melinda R.)
Make a pie crust out of SF cookies or graham cracker crumbs, splenda & butter
Cheesecake Sugar Free Instant Pudding (can use vanilla protein shake instead of milk)
Chill, then top with no sugar added/sugar free cherry pie filling

LEMON PIE (Melinda R.)
Make a pie crust out of SF cookies or graham cracker crumbs, splenda & butter
Lemon Sugar Free Instant Pudding (can use vanilla protein shake instead of milk) Top with whip cream

LOW CARB BANANA SPLIT (Melinda R.)
Breyer’s Low Carb Vanilla Ice Cream
Some banana
Strawberry, sliced or cubed
Libby’s Splenda sweetened pineapple chunks
Hersheys SF Strawberry and/or Chocolate Syrup
Top with nuts and whip cream
*Proceed with caution on this one; depends on how far out you are, and be cautious with the amounts)

LOW CARB PIZZA (Melinda R.)
½ Low carb tortilla (broil to make both sides crisp)
Then top with ingredients
2-3 tbsp low sugar spaghetti sauce
Skim Mozarella cheese
Turkey pepperoni, green peppers, onion or your choice
Spices, if you like them
Heat until cheese is melted

PASTALESS LASAGNA
2-4 turkey meatballs or ground turkey
Ricotta cheese, or just plain shredded cheddar
2-3 tbsp low sugar spaghetti sauce
Heat in microwave, or bake in oven

PASTALESS MEATBALLS
2-4 turkey meatballs
2-3 tbsp low sugar spaghetti sauce
Low fat/skim cheese of your choice
Heat in microwave or bake in oven

TIRAMISU (I tried this and its wonderful. Came from BariatricEating.com)
1 cup water
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons DaVinci sugar-free Kahlua syrup
2 1/2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
One 8-ounce pkg reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
Two 4-serving size pkgs sugar-free instant vanilla pudding
2 cups cold milk
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons Splenda
1 pkg. Murray's sugar-free Shortbread or Murray's sugar-free Vanilla wafer cookies
Unsweetened cocoa powder

In small bowl stir together water, syrup, and coffee granules. Set aside. In large bowl place cream cheese. Pour 3/4 cup of the coffee mixture over the cream cheese and carefully beat with electric mixer until smooth. Add pudding mixes and beat into cream cheese. Slowly add milk and continue beating until smooth and slightly thickened.In another small bowl beat the whipping cream and Splenda until soft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Dip cookies in remaining coffee mixture and line the bottom of an 9x9 inch casserole or a soufflé dish with one layer of cookies. Carefully spoon 1/3 of the cream mixture over cookies. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle top with cocoa powder. Cover and chill for several hours.

Makes six servings. Per Serving: 122 Cal; 4 g Protein; 10 g Tot Fat; 3 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; 0 g Sugar; 116 mg Sodium

ROCHESTER POOP BREAD (BariatricEating.com)
(a.k.a. "Fiber Loaf, Fiber Muffins, and Fabulous fiber Bread")
Preheat oven to 350
In a medium bowl microwave for 2 minutes:
1& 1/2 c Kellogs All-Bran or Fiber One cereal
1& 1/2 c warm water
add 2 T Steele's sf country maple syrup (you can substitute any SF syrup)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
dash of ground cloves (you can use a little nutmeg instead)

In a separate large bowl mix together:
1/2 c white flour
1/2 c almond or hazelnut flour
2/3 c Natures sweet crystals or Splenda
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 c raisins (OR you can also use cranberries, or sugar free choc chips!)
1/2 c chopped pecans or walnuts
dash salt

Fold wet ingredients into dry and mix gently but thoroughly with wooden spoon. Spread in a well-sprayed pyrex loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 1 hour if using a bread pan. Bake 25 minutes if done in muffin pans. Bake 15-20 if done in mini pans...


Protein – A Way Of Life
Whether we like it or not, protein is a very important nutrient in our lives after weight loss surgery. Many surgeons and nutritionists prefer that you gain all of your protein needs through food. However, with such a small stomach, it is almost impossible for some people. My nutritionist is adamant about having only three meals per day, and no snacking. In order to get 60-80 grams of protein, I would have to start eating when my feet touched the floor in the mornings until I lay my head down at night!

Right after my surgery, I had a stricture and could hardly eat. Everything I consumed, I threw up. I could not get in the necessary protein each day. I struggled one day and counted everything I ate… surely I would have at least 60 grams! Wrong! I was full all day long from trying to get the protein intake, and only had 37 grams total! I was fortunate to have three very dear friends perform a “protein intervention”. They each brought all of their favorite proteins and whizzed up shakes, slushees, and mochas! Through this experience, the Obesity Help Tennessee Forum veterans have tried to continue this event and also how this material came about. It was created to get the information into your hands, and the fact that you are reading it means you are aware of your need to get protein!

Understanding the Differences in Protein Products
I want to explain just a little about protein powders and ready to drink shakes. Protein powders can be mixed with water, milk or other liquids such as Crystal Lite, Fuze Slenderize, Minute Maid Sugar Free Lemonade or OrangeAde, just to name a few. You may find it useful to try several liquids to find what works best for you. Protein powders are difficult to mix for hot drinks because the protein has a tendency to “cook” and form lumps.

RTD, or ready to drink, is a container already mixed. Some of these include Micellar Milk, World Wide Protein, EAS Advantage, and my personal favorite Labrada Lean Body. These come in a variety of flavors such as Banana Cream, Caramel, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla. They can be served as is, hot or cold, or used in other concoctions. If you desire a creamy, rich, smooth drink that is hot, an RTD is the way to go.

Many of these recipes are found on Obesity Help or Bariatric Eating. Once you have the basic concept of what the shake needs, you can come up with your own recipe. For example, if you know that you want a steamed protein drink, you know that the best is an RTD protein, or already made because when you heat it, there will be less chance of lumps. Most of the time, a protein drink is 8 oz. If using RTD’s, you can use 10-12 oz as they are more flavorful and thick in texture.
If you want a cold protein drink, it’s good to use your preferred protein powder of choice. Many times, this is just a simple vanilla protein powder. If you are on a budget, invest in a good tasting protein powder. I happen to enjoy and like Elite Vanilla Protein Powder. It smells good, and the taste is creamy. Ask others what they enjoy. You will tend to get more protein in the powder (23 g for each scoop). You need one scoop of protein powder in your shake. This makes approximately 8 oz. While you could double up, it would be wasting it because of the size of your pouch.

If the recipe calls for “6 oz of liquid (water, milk or combo)”, you could actually try several things. I used water for a long time when I was a fairly new post op. It made it very runny and easy to digest. But as time passed, I needed more substance to feel full. I graduated to a mixture of 3 oz water, 3 oz Hood Calorie Countdown Milk. Later when I needed to raise my daily caloric intake (you will do this when you meet “goal” in order to stop losing weight), I used only Hood Calorie Countdown Milk. Again, it will be trial and error. Keep this in mind as you read and try the recipes. All of these recipes can be changed to your liking.

One last thing to remember. On the liquid ingredient, it often says “6-8 oz.” If you add ice, you may choose to only add 6 oz of liquid. The ice will cause the shake to be thicker but as it melts, it will dilute the shake. If you added 8 oz, the shake might be too runny and weak tasting.

The ingredient that these shakes call for in order to change the vanilla shake is called Sugar Free Davinci syrups. These are most often known because they are used in lattes, mochas, steamers, and hot chocolate. However, they can also be used to flavor your basic vanilla protein powder or RTDs. You will definitely want your pantry to be stocked with a few. The few you can’t live without are: caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate. Davinci also has recipes on their website, which is listed above.

Now that we have some basic information out of the way, here are the recipes! Enjoy!


PROTEIN DRINK RECIPES
(unless specified, recipes from BariatricEating.com)

ALMOND JOY PROTEIN SHAKE (Melinda & DavinciGourmet.com)
1/3 oz SF Davinci chocolate syrup or some SF Davinci choc sauce
1/3 oz SF Davinci Coconut Syrup
1/3 oz SF Davinci Almond OR almond extract
1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder of your choice OR use Labrada Lean Body RTD
6-8 oz of liquid (water, milk or combo)
Ice/or you can serve this as a warm drink

BANANA SPLIT PROTEIN SHAKE (Susan J.)
1 scoop vanilla protein of your choice
6-8 oz liquid (water, milk, or combo)
Ice
Little bit of banana OR 1/3 oz SF Davinci banana syrup
Hershey’s SF Chocolate Syrup OR 1/3 oz SF Davinci Chocolate sauce/syrup
Little bit of Libby’s Splenda sweetened pineapple and/or juice from it OR 1/3 oz SF Davinci pineapple syrup
Couple of strawberries OR 1/3 oz SF Davinci Strawberry Syrup

BUTTERFINGER PROTEIN SHAKE (Melinda R.)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder of your choice
6-8 liquid (water, milk or combo)
Sugar Free Chick-o-Stix
SF Davinci Chocolate Syrup or Sauce
Ice

CAFÉ KAHLUA
One scoop Elite Café Mocha1-2 c cold decaf coffee1-2 tbsp Davinci SF Kahlua SyrupIce

CAPPUCINO
½ scoop Nectar Latte Cappucino
½ scoop Matrix Perfect Chocolate Blend with cool water
Fill mug with hot but not boiling water
OR cold water and ice for a chilled drink

CARAMEL PROTEIN LATTE
8 oz coffee
Davinci SF Caramel Syrup
Micellar Milk (instead of creamer)

CHAI TEA LATTE
3 tbsp SF Chai Latte by General Foods
Mix in a little water to make liquid consistency
Then add ¼ container Vanilla Micellar Milk

CHAI TEA (Melinda R.)
Chai tea bag (decaf) as found in grocery stores
6 oz boiling water
2 oz Vanilla Ready to drink shake or other vanilla shake, or Hood Calorie Countdown Milk

COOKIES & CREAM CAPPUCINO
½ scoop Matrix Cookies & Cream
½ Nectar CappucinoWaterIce

COOKIES & CREAM SHAKE
One scoop Matrix cookies & cream
6 oz COLD water
Stick in freezer to get it very cold

CRAN/RASBERRY PROTEIN SHAKE (Melinda R.)
8 oz Diet Cranberry Oceanspray
1 scoop Whey Gourmet Raspberry Smoothie

CRYSTAL LITE JELLO
2 cups Crystal Lite
1 pkg SF jello
2 tblsp cream cheese or sour cream
2 cups cold Crystal Lite
Boil 2 cups CL, pour over SF jello; add cream cheese or sour cream, mix well. Let stand on counter until room temp, mixing occasionally. Add two more cups cold CL.

DIVINITY PROTEIN SHAKE (Melinda R. & Torani.com)
½ oz Vanilla SF Davinci
½ oz Hazelnut SF Davinci
1 scoop vanilla protein powder of your choice, 6-8 oz liquid (milk, water or combo)
OR a Vanilla Ready to drink product like Labrada Lean Body or Micellar Milk

DREAMSICLE PROTEIN SHAKE
6-8 oz Minute Maid Sugar Free OrangeAde
1 Scoop Orange Matrix protein powder
Ice

FAGE VANILLA CINNAMON YOGURT (Paula D.)
1 container Fage 0% or 2% authentic Greek strained yogurt
½ scoop IDS Vanilla Cinnamon protein powder
1 pump SF Cinnabliss

FUZZY NAVEL SLUSHY
One scoop Nectar Fuzzy Navel (or any Nectar flavor)
8 oz water
Ice

HAZELNUT (OR VANILLA) CAPPUCINO
One scoop Nectar Cappucino
8 oz decaf coffee
Davinci SF Hazelnut or Vanilla Syrup
SF Whip cream

HOT CHOCOLATE
One scoop Matrix Perfect Chocolate
Mix with 2 tbsp water in cup to make paste
Add hot (not boiling) water
Microwave if hotter temp is desired

KEVA JUICE BULL’S EYE SUBSTITUTE with protein (Melinda R.)
4-6 oz Sugar Free Red Bull OR Diet Canada Dry
(let set until carbonation is gone though blending should get rid of the carbonation)
1 scoop Whey Gourmet Raspberry Protein powder
Ice
2-3 Strawberries

KEVA JUICE BULL’S EYE SUBSTITUTE withOUT protein (Melinda R.)
4-6 oz Sugar Free Red Bull OR Diet Canada Dry
(let set until carbonation is gone though blending should get rid of the carbonation)
Breyer’s Carb Smart Vanilla Ice Cream
Ice
3-4 Strawberries

KEY LIME PIE SHAKE (Melinda R. & DavinciGourmet.com)
1/3 oz SF Davinci Lime Syrup
1/3 oz SF Lemon Syrup
1/3 oz SF Cookie Dough Syrup
1 scoop vanilla protein powder of your choice OR steamed milk if you want it hot
6-8 oz liquid (water, milk or combo)

MICELLAR CAPPUCCINO
Cold Vanilla Micellar Milk
Half scoop Nectar Latte Cappuccino

MICELLAR KAHLUA
8 oz Chocolate Micellar Milk
3 pumps Kahlua

MICELLAR MOCHA
Chocolate Miceller Milk (as desired)
8 oz decaf coffee

MINT COOKIES & CREAM SHAKE
One scoop Matrix Cookies & Cream
One scoop Whey Gourmet choc mint
3-4 ice cubes
6-8 oz liquid (water, milk or combo)

MOCHA FRAPPUCCINO (Paula D.)
One scoop Matrix Perfect Chocolate
1 tbsp Big Train Iced Mocha Powder
Costellini's Cinnamon Bliss (approx 1-2 tbsp)
Davinci SF Spiced Blend Syrup
Davinci SF chocolate flavored sauce (approx 1-2 tbsp)
6-8 oz liquid (water, milk or combo)
Ice

MOUNDS PROTEIN SHAKE (Melinda R. & Davinci)
1/2 oz SF Davinci chocolate syrup or some SF Davinci choc sauce
1/2 oz SF Davinci Coconut Syrup
1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder of your choice or use Labrada Lean Body RTD
6-8 oz of liquid (water, milk or combo)
ice

NECTAR CAPPUCINO COFFEE
One scoop Nectar cappuccino
Make paste with 2 tbsp water
Add to 8 oz coffee

PEACH/FUZZY NAVEL SMOOTHIE (Melinda R.)
1 scoop fuzzy navel protein powder
8 oz SF peach crystal lite (generic from Walmart)
2 slices low carb peaches
Ice

PINA COLADA (Paula D.)
One scoop Nectar Carribean Cooler
¼ c water, Ice (4 or so pieces
)½ inch piece of frozen banana
Davinci SF Malibu Rum Syrup

PINA COLADA PROTEIN SHAKE (Melinda R.)
1/2 oz Banana SF Davinci Syrup
1/2 oz Pineapple or Malibu Rum SF Davinci Syrup
1 scoop vanilla protein powder of your choice
6-8 oz liquid (water, milk or combo)
Ice

PROTEIN JELLO
1 c boiling water
1 pkg SF jello any flavor
New Whey Liquid Protein (3 oz)
Cold water (5 oz)

PROTEIN OATMEAL
Once you are at the phase where you can add oatmeal, find the one with the lowest amount of sugar and carbs.
Add one scoop of your favorite protein powder. I enjoyed Protein Delite Very Berry

PROTEIN PUDDING
1 pkg SF pudding, any flavor
8 oz protein drink (preferably vanilla)*You can mix protein powder with liquid or use RTD. Just use 8 oz of a protein product.

ROCKY ROAD MOCHA (BaristaProShop.com)
1/3 oz White Macadamia SF Davinci
1/3 oz Toasted Marshmallow SF Davinci
1/3 oz Chocolate SF Davinci
1 shot espresso
10-12 oz steamed Labrada or Micellar Milk Vanilla Or liquid protein

SHOOTER SLUSHY (Paula D.)
One flask high protein shooter (25 g)
1 packet Splenda
Ice (4 or so pieces)


SMORES PROTEIN SHAKE (Melinda R. & DavinciGourmet.com)
1/3 oz SF Davinci Chocolate Syrup or some Chocolate sauce
1/3 oz SF Davinci Toasted Marshmallow
1/3 oz SF Davinci French Vanilla OR Graham Cracker OR SF Murray’s Deluxe Graham cookie
1 scoop vanilla protein powder of your choice
6-8 oz liquid (water, milk or combo)
ice

STRAWBERRY SHAKE (Melinda R.)
1 scoop Elite Vanilla protein powder
6-8 oz Fuze Strawberry Melon
1-2 oz Micellar Milk (vanilla)
2-3 strawberries

TIRAMISU WARM PROTEIN DRINK (Melinda R.)
8 oz Labrada Vanilla or other vanilla warm drink
1 tblsp Gosh That’s Good White Velvet
½ or 1 oz Davinci SF Tiramisu Syrup

VANILLA BERRY SMOOTHIE
One scoop of vanilla very berry (Scitec Nutrition, Protein Delite)
4 drops Half & Half
½ cup water

VANILLA CINNAMON CHAI TEA
One scoop Vanilla Cinnamon
2 tbsp Chai tea powder from General Mills Int’l Foods
Cold water to make paste
Hot water (not boiling)

WOW! Thats a Lot Of Information ~ Part Un !

Welcome to part 1 of what we are calling ,"Wow, That's a Lot Of Information". The information below has been gathered in an effort to help all WLS patients, both Pre-op as well as Post-op. It is not a complete listing of sites and such. Therefore, if you have any information you would like to add, leave a comment. The views and comments on this blog are not intended to act a "stopping point" in your journey, but more of a "layover in the library" as you trek to a healthier you!

In an effort to give where credit where credit is due, I must give Thanks to Melinda R. (melsreturn) for the majority of this information. She has gathered and shared this information with anyone and everyone who would ask for it. In fact it is her idea to post it here for all to use. But in the dark recesses of my mind, I know there are others who have helped make this information available. Unfortunatly, I don't know who you are, but a huge and overwhelming Thank You goes out for your input in this amazing task!

The info below has been linked to there respective websites. Just click on the name and it should take you there. If for some reason the link does not work, please let me know in the comment section, and I will correct it!


WLS/Plastic Surgery Support Websites
BARIATRIC EATING (carries wonderful tasting protein products and has gastric friendly recipes)
GBSGF (Gastric Bypass Support Group & Friends)
LIVING AFTER WEIGHT LOSS (support)
MAKE ME HEAL (information on plastic surgery)
OBESITY HELP (to educate yourself with all aspects of weight loss surgery and find support)


Websites
HUNGRY GIRL
LINDA'S LOW CARB RECIPES AND MENUS
HIGH PROTEIN FOODS (A very nice site detailing protein contents of foods)
AMOS RECIPES (Association for Morbid Obesity Support)
CARB-LITE (low carb culinary arts)
SPLENDA
ALL-RECIPES (recipe database with lots of variety)
RECIPEZAAR (recipe database with lots of variety)
SOUTH BEACH DIET
OBESITY HELP RECIPE BOARD (recipe database with lots of variety)
BARISTA PRO SHOP (with espresso, coffee, latte recipes & products)
DAVINCI GOURMET (Sugar Free syrups & recipes)
FITNESS AND FREEBIES (low carb recipes)
KRAFT FOODS ( recipes site using Kraft foods)
LOW CARB FRIENDS (recipes for low carb lifestyle)
TORANI (sugar free syrups)


Food Blogs
THE WOLRD ACCORDING TO EGGFACE
EGGFACE'S PROTEIN SHAKES
SHRINKING PAMELALALA
CARBWIRE
WLS GOURMET
CHARLIES RECIPES
WLS RECIPES 4 LIFE
FOOD FOR THOUGHT AND MODERATION TOO !
LIVING AFTER WEIGHT LOSS ( companion blog to Living After Weight Loss Support website)


Nutrition Website
SPARK PEOPLE (website requiring free sign up)
FITDAY (website requiring free sign up)
THE DAILY PLATE(website requiring free sign up)
SPARK PEOPLE RECIPE CALCULATOR (website requiring free sign up)
RESTURANT NUTRITION FACTS
3 FAT CHICKS (diet information)
DIET FACTS
BARIATRIC ADVANTAGE
GNC
VITAMIN SHOPPE


Appliances that are Helpful to Purchase
Espresso Machine
Hamilton Beach Hand Blender
Ice Cream Maker (average $17 at Walmart)
Magic Bullet or any type of food processor, ice crusher, smoothie maker

Daily Necessities
Calcium Citrate
Iron Multivitamin
Sub-lingual B-12
Fiber



Scar Cream Recipe
This recipe was given to me by a business contact. Her mother-in-law works at Vanderbilt and a plastic surgeon there recommends this to his patients. It’s a very simple recipe. However, the Pure Lanolin is difficult to find.

Use equal parts of:
(1) extra virgin olive oil
(2) Ponds Cold Cream (I would use Ponds, not a cheaper version)
(3) Pure Lanolin (it’s sold on Iherb.com for less than $5 for a 7 oz jar. The jar is better and makes it easier to apply. The oil makes it messy and runny.

Mix all ingredients together in a plastic container. It’s very hard to stir as the Lanolin is almost like wax. I just filled up the jar which the Lanolin came in and use that to dip my cream from each application. The rest can remain in the plastic container until you are ready for a refill.


"WOW! Thats a Lot Of Information ~ Part Deux !

Who helps you stay accountable?

Everyday I read several different weight loss blogs. Yesterday on Carbwire, they had a great article and video dealing with buddies or support groups. The main focus was on who is helping you succeed at weight loss?

Now they are not a WLS type of blog, but deal more with weight loss through low carb. I think the catch phrase is a good one, "Livin La Vida Low Carb" lifestyle. The blog itself has some great information on low carb products and recipes!

They discuss the aspect of on line support groups and physical support groups as well. Jimmy looked at the importance of blogging about your journey through a blog or videos. I really enjoyed their video that coincides with the article. I don't agree with all aspects of their discussion, but the focus of support and success was a very important one. So, who in your life is helping you succeed at weight loss? Is it your spouse, a special friend, or just some Jimmy Joe Sue bob you met on the street?

For me that special person is my wife and son! Reason being, she got a head start and is a great example. When I had my surgery, she was there for me. When I hit that roadblock or stall, she was and is there for me. Every time I ask or suggested that we try this or experiment with that, she is there for me! So who helps and supports me...my wife! RJ is a great motivating factor in my life. He supports, defends, and even is ready to help me exercise. I think he might go on to be a Drill Seargent! He's got the voice for it!

Who is that special group...Well duh! It's you guys! With the wealth of knowledge that you have, the compassion, the support. I will put this group on the Tennessee Forum up against anyone in the world. Simply because...YOU ROCK!

SO my question is this? Who helps you stay accountable?

Have a great day!

Can I be any prouder?

When we started this weight loss journey, I knew my wife would be involved. I knew I would be involved. But never in my wildest dreams did I think my son, RJ, would be involved. He has embraced outr lifestyle of healty foods, sugar free desserts and special foods. Occassionally he will ask for a soda, but for the most part he is drinking water. there's not much I can say, so I will let the pictures do the talking for me.

March '07

March '07

Jan '08

Jan '08

Hope everyone has a great week!

What am I eating on a daily basis!

At the time of this post, I am 4 weeks 5 days out from surgery. I have lost 39 pounds since surgery, Everything seems to be going well. My wife and I are now starting to include a walking program into our lives. I am getting any where from 500 to 600 calories a day. Fluid intake is ranging from about 64 ounces to 80 ounces daily.

As far as protein, I am getting the majority of my protein through food. Occasionally I will supplement with an EAS Carb Advantage drink. I am trying to eat eggs or Egg Beaters at breakfast, usually some homemade tuna or chicken salad for lunch. For mid day snacks I use Carb Master yogurt from Kroger's or Sargent Lite String Cheese. For dinner we are eating a lot of chicken in different formats. With the recipes that Beth has chosen, I have enough information to add about 10 different chicken recipes to my website. Food porn will be included (pictures of the dishes). I give credit to my friend Eggface for that term. She has a tremendous blog that is full of information!

Hair-loss is not a problem right now, I seem to be doing fine. No noticeable clogs in the tub from this person! Other than the pain from the staple pull, I seem to be doing fine. I can't complain about that!

Supplement wise, here is a list of daily pill: 1 Centrum chew able multi vitamin with iron, 2 Fiber choice chew ables, Mg of calcium citrate, 5000iu vitamin D, and a sub lingual B-12 once a week. My meds from the Doctor have all been stopped!

Now to the Academy I would like to Thank...after reading what I have written, it sounds a little like an awards speech! but I have to give credit where credit is due. First of all my wife! She had this surgery in June of '07 and has been an inspiration to me. Next all of my friends over at Obesity Help! You know who you are! and most of all...A God who reigns on high! Without Him on my side, I would truly be lost.

I hope each and everyone of you have a great day!

OK, It's Finally Happened!

Everytime I see someone post about changing clothes size, I'm happy for that person. But deep down, I wonder will this ever happen to me? Will I ever see regular men's sizes?

So, This morning, we went shopping at Wally World in Hermatige. I knew my 50 inch waist pants were getting a little baggy, but they still felt good to me. Just to be on the safe side, I bought 2 pair of 46 inch waist jeans. They were on sale for $8 bucks a piece. Well when we got home, I tried them on. Guess what?

Next payday I will be buying 44 or 42's! Life is good!

Have a great day!

Superman's cape is back in action!

Well the cape is out of the closet! Yes folks, Superman is flying high and feeling like a new man. The pain in my side is almost gone, I am doing well with my weight loss, and of course...God is good!


I went to my Doctor the other day for my 4 week check up. Since surgery (12/18/07), I have lost a total of 35 pounds. Whoo Hooo! All together in one years time, I have lost 93 pounds from my highest weight of 362 pounds. This morning I was at 268 pounds. My Body Mass Index is down 12 points. From a high of 46.5 (extremely obese) to 34.5 (obese). so things are going fantastic.

These pictures of RJ and I were taken last February at a work retreat in Pickett State Park. When I first looked at these pics, I was embarrassed. Embarrassed that I had let myself get to that point. I'm happy to say that RJ is doing well also. He is exercising twice a week at the YMCA with a personal trainer (his grandfather). He also has lost right around 40 pounds since those pictures were taken.

The other 2 pictures are my 1 month pics. We have found through Beth's surgery that is a great idea to track your progress through pics. so this was my first month's pics. These were taken on Sunday 1/6/07 and I weighed 273

I hope this post finds each and everyone of you well, and that you have a great and wonderful weekend!

How to look good nekked!

So, have any of you seen the show? I haven't, but have heard a lot of good stuff about it. In fact, I think I might try out for the show. I hear they are looking for a few good men. Wait a minute, that might be the Marines. I don't think I'm ready for that.

Anyway, while searching the INTERNET today (yes, to much time on my hands!), I found out how to send in my audition tape. So, if you are not of the faint of heart, or all the things Melinda said about her tummy tuck pics, go ahead, click the link below!

I know what your thinking, "Do I really want to see this guy nekked?" Come on, click on the link, nobody will know!

Have a good day!

Click here for Scott's audition tape!

OH NO! Superman is a Winner and a Loser!

Been kinda down the last few days! I went back to work on Monday, only to find out I over did it on Sunday! I guess I have to realize that I'm not Superman! Anyway, Dr Dyer told me that the pain I am feeling comes form the area where he put the stapler in. It seems I pulled the area where the stomach is stapled. He made me fill a little better when he told me this is somewhat normal as people become more active. Realistically, I guess I should no better, I only had surgery 3 weeks ago today! So, I am laid up for a few more days, taking pain killers and watching TV. Thanks for the prayers and words of support. I guess Superman will hang out in the closet for a few more weeks!

Let's just say I have spent the last few days surfing the information highway! I look at this as a safe form of exercise! Right?

In my quest to stay abreast of all things WLS related, I read several blogs each day. One of the ones I read is "Melting Mama". Sometimes she can get a little rough, but that's what I like about her. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago she had a give away on her daily blog. All it required was a comment to this specific entry (click here for that contest). My comment was:

Hey, I just had WLS. Give me a year, and I will be your hot little male housekeeper, and I'll even run down to Starbucks and get you a Venti Soy Cappuccino and ISS Oh Yeah Bar!

Well, she drew the winning names last night during "The Biggest Loser". What a thrill when I checked her blog this morning and what did my overly pain killed eyes see, but this (click here).

So, what did I win?

So, today I'm a WINNER and a LOSER!

Have a good day!

Sunday Mornin' Weigh In

My Weight Chart:

Sunday 1/6/08

Weight 273.3 lbs ( down 81.9 lbs. since first official weigh in 2/07)

Body Mass Index 35.6 Obese ( down from 45.57 Morbidly obese)

Hey, I'm happy! Have a great day!

A progression of Avatars

It's amazing how we change over the years! Or sometimes in less than a year! I started posting on the Obesity Help board back in April of '07 (the black and white photo). things are a changing, and will be changing for several years to come!

So, embrace the changes! Whether we are getting older, wiser, healthier or happier, changes happen everyday!

Have a great day!

2 Week Check Up!!!!!!

The Dr.s appointment was on Thursday. When I came home I was a little bummed. In the first week, I had lost 19 pounds, the next week, only 6. I was a little disappointed. But after thinking things through and sleeping on it, you know, 6 pounds is not to bad. Could I have lost 6 lbs. in a week before surgery, probably not. So, I'm feeling pretty good about where I am, but also where I am heading!
A year ago at the time, I weighed at the least 355 lbs., now I weigh 274. Whoo Hoo! That's amazing, and life is going to do nothing but get better!





I hope everyone has a great weekend, I know I am!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho,It's off to work we go...

Well, today went a lot better than I thought! I took an Achieve One (Thank you Freddie!), a Carb Masters Yogurt, and a cheese stick. From my desk at work I had an Oh Yeah protein bar. And let's not forget 2 bottles of water. So today was fairly decent. Especially since I was only planning on working 2 1/2 hours and ended up staying 6.

The biggest thing today was all the leftover sweets and goodies everyone brought in. Their whole train of thought was "get it out of my house before I eat it all". So what did they do, they brought it to work! Dang their hide! Did I eat any? Did I want any? The answer to both questions is NO!

Thanks for all the prayers and support throughout out the day. It really helped!

Have a great day!

Life is full of.......

Well, I'm on my way back to work today! I've only been off for 2 weeks, but I am ready. Now, I'll only be there for 2-3 hours a day this week. Oh yeah, I only work 4 days a week at the best job on the planet. I am the Information Coordinator for the Regional Intervention Program. We are a Positive Behavior Management Program for parents of behaviorally challenged children. I love my job tremendously! For those that don't know me, I worked as a meat cutter for 32 years. From 2000 till 2006, I worked part time at RIP, and full time cutting meat. A prayer was answered and last year I was able to go full time at RIP. What a blessing! I work 4 days a week, and get off every state holiday! So, the next 2 days should not be too bad....I hope!

I guess my big concern stems from eating. What will happen when I put a bite of food in my mouth? Will I get sick? Will I fall out in the floor? Who knows! I plan on making good choice for my lunch (i.e. something safe and familiar!). And that's all I can do!

Life is about making choices. Let's pray that I will be making good choices!

So, here's to the first day back at work, and a life full of good choices!

Have a great day! I'm gonna!

It's gonna be a wild ride!

Happy New Year friends! Well Christmas has come and gone, the New Year is here and it was snowing just a minute ago. Something tells me we are in for a wild year!

Christmas seems like a faded memory, something that happened a few months ago, never mind last week. I have just finished editing my photos from the holidaze, and have posted them on FLICKR. You can click here if you are interested in seeing what true chaos is. I was really proud of a few of them. The one below is of Beth, me and my sister Melissa. Beth is 6 months out from surgery, and both my sister and myself are less that 2 weeks out. Dad really put things in perspective when he said that between the 3 of us and RJ, we have lost over 300 lbs. this year alone. All I can say is…”WAIT TILL NEXT CHRISTMAS”.

Every thing is going well with my surgery. The pain pretty much does not exist at this point. I am learning to eat all over again. As of this post, I am on full liquids, but rapidly approaching the pureed stage. Let’s get a Hip Hip Hooray for mushy foods. I wonder what it will be like to actually chew food again. I have caught myself though. RJ came through the room with some Cheetos the other day. I grabbed one and then thought about it. Yes, the Cheeto went back and did not cross the lips of my liquid diet! Yeah for me!

Another aspect of the surgery I am dealing with is “head hunger”. This ugly monster rears its nasty head at the most inopportune moments. Such as when you are driving down the road and all the fast food restaurants are calling your name! You know what I mean! Burger King says you can have it your way. Mickey D’s screams you deserve a break today. And Dairy Queen, don’t even get me started about their Blizzards!

But guess what? I am going to make it! No, I am not Superman, nor have I found his energy. But I am going to make it. I have decided that I am going to be a Loser with a capital L. So stand back, move to the side, or jump on this guys train, because I am coming through!

Have a great week!