Protein Quest - Review of Oh Yeah Chocolate Milkshake

I am on a quest...the quest to find (hopefully) not only a non-gaggable protein drink but hopefully one I like.  I have ordered several sample packs of powdered protein and also am picking up a few single bottles of premade drinks to try.

My first attempt at protein was a disaster at best.  I can't say it was the powder's fault...but more the fact I've never made a protein drink I think.  I added too much ice and blended it.  It ended up as slightly flavored ice and a lot of it.  It wasn't drinkable. 

So today I decided to try a ready to drink option.  This line has lots of great reviews.  It comes in chocolate milkshake, strawberry, and cookies and cream.  I think you can also buy it in vanilla online.  But the singles I've found are only in the first three flavors.  Today I tried the chocolate milkshake.

The first thing I noticed was the consistency.  It is REALLY thick.  It didn't smell bad - although it did smell a little off.  I poured a shot glass full (figure this is about all I'll be able to drink down at a time after surgery anyways) and tried a sip.  It wasn't horrible.  It wasn't something I'd buy because I loved the taste either.  But it was tolerable and thus will stay in the running as a possible option.   It keeps for 48 hours after opening and has 32 grams of protein.  So even though it was costly - I see one bottle of this being enough for a day as long as I add in some other options that have protein.  Worst case would be two of them a day.  And they are much cheaper if bought online in bulk.

My oldest son (who LOVES chocolate milk) wanted to try it.  I told him to go ahead and try it.  He actually liked it and took the rest of the bottle off to his room to finish.  So, I guess that says something about the taste.  :)

I've heard totally conflicting stories on the need for "non food" protein after surgery.  Everyone says you need some protein drinks for immediately following surgery.  But from there I hear different stories.  I hear some people say they are able to get all their protein from food...and other people say to get used to it because you'll need at least one protein drink every day for the rest of your life.  I guess this is something I will have to find out for myself.  I think some will depend on what foods I can tolerate.  I like meats, eggs, and cheese so as long as I can tolerate those foods I think I'll do ok.  Greek yogurt is another good source but I'm not a big fan of yogurt (or cottage cheese).  I have an issue with "non solid" foods.  I've never been a huge fan of things like puddings/jello/etc.  I want to chew my food.  And it's wholly a texture thing...not taste.   Shelly (from The World According to Eggface) uses protein powder to make things like protein drops (yogurt with some protein mixed and frozen in ice cube trays), popscicles, ice cream etc.   So, hopefully, even if I can't all my protein in food maybe I won't have to live on drinks alone.  :)

I am really hoping I can get to the point where I see food as fuel.  Where I eat to live instead of living to eat.   As much as I wish my Dad could have found a healthy medium of a "healthy LIFEstyle" - I still have to admire that he was able to see food purely as fuel.  I do wish he'd been able to occasionally do things like eat outside of the house because my Mom loved to eat out - so it affected her happiness.  And I wish he hadn't been so strict with what we could/couldn't eat as kids - because I think that is why I have such an obsession with sweets.  But I still have to admire his dedication.  In the end it didn't save him (damn cancer) but he was still running 10K races up into his mid to late 60's and still walking daily up into his late 80s.  So it did give him quality of life for a long time even if it didn't save him from cancer.  There have been many times in my life where I wished I had his will power.  I am hoping this surgery will give me the tool to be able to be more in control.

Prepping

Of course, the first step in prepping is lots of research. 

The first site I use is Obesity Help.  This is where I started my research for Mexico.  On the forums I was able to ask about others who have done the same thing.  It's also helpful to read of others successes and trials.  I will admit that it's also scary to read of their complications.

The second site I fell in love with is The World According to Eggface.  She is a former gastric bypass patient (over 10 years ago) and she is a foodie.  So she has modified regular recipes as well as made up recipes for using protein powder (ie protein ice cream, protein shakes, protein drops).  She has regular give aways and reviews products.  In general, easy to read and informative. 

The third site I'm loving is My Tiny Tank.  She is also post surgery (13 years) and her blog is less about the food but more about her personal daily experience.  She does post daily.  She has had some regain and is working to try and get it off.  I have had a few emails with her and love that she is very open to answering questions.  And, for those people who can't make it to a local support group, she offers a support group via a conference call.

I've visited many others...but these are the ones I visit on a regular basis. 

From suggestions of these sites...I've started acquiring a basket of supplies I will need.  The man in brown has been doing lots of stops at my house.   Here is part of the bounty:

What is included?  Well Gas-X strips, lots of samples of protein powders, a couple shakers for the protein and a thermometer for the chicken soup protein option (too hot it kills it), sugar free puddings to use as either pudding or as flavorings in the protein drinks, sugar free drink mixes to add to water, small ramekin dishes (many people use toddler size plates and utensils and I'm not sure I will but I did like the idea of these little ramekins as bowls because regular bowls are SO big), and lastly a product called PB2 which is a powdered peanut butter.  You can add water to reconstitute - or you can add (as is) to protein drinks.  It has significantly less fat that regular peanut butter.

Not shown (but purchased) is an ice cream maker (so I can make eggface's protein ice cream), a food processor (so I can puree foods for the soft foods stage), a hand mixer (for protein drinks, etc), and a six pack of sugar free Torani flavorings (to add to protein drinks).   There are still things on my list - such as vitamins.  But it's getting there.  I'm glad I gave myself a couple months to get ready.  (Although there is part of me that freaks out and considers NOT doing it because I have so much time on my hands.)  But I know I want to live an enjoyable life while I still have time.  And everything else has failed.

The Plan

I had a consult with a local surgeon - but found out that my insurance excludes all weight loss surgeries.  Actually, my insurance excludes anything to do with weight loss (which makes perfect sense...NOT)  In addition to excluding weight loss surgery...if I opt to pay out of pocket for surgery...my insurance also excludes any future expenses that they deem are related.   This bit of news sent me home feeling hopeless...doomed to a life where everything hurt and where enjoyment was hard to find.

So, I made the decision to have the surgery in Mexico.  I feel like some people have been less than supportive of that decision.  Not necessarily of surgery - but the choice to have it in Mexico.  So, why did I make this decision?  Well, first off was the cost.  The surgery that costs $22,000 in the U.S. will cost about 1/3 of that in Mexico.   Secondly, I truly believe that the care provided will equal (if not exceed) that of the U.S.   Thirdly, accidents (and complications) happen - whether in Mexico or the United States.  My Mom died from sepsis after a surgical error.  Fourth, I have researched the particular surgeon and feel like he is competent.  He has performed over 5,000 of these surgeries.  He is FACS certified, is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, a member of the Society of American Gastro and Endoscopic Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  He was born in the US and served in our military.  He practiced in the US for 10 years - as an organ transplant surgeon and working in trauma residency.  He also teaches bariatric surgeries to others in the US and Canada.  And in all of this he has ONE patient die.  Considering they are operating on very high risk patients to begin with - this is exceptional.    Fifth, by having the surgery in Mexico, I am not having to go further into debt - which means hopefully I can afford to pay for any complications that arise.  So - even though I would prefer to have the surgery locally - I have my reasons for going elsewhere.  I have joined a local support group which I think is a key factor to success.

So, my surgery is booked.  July 16th.  I fly out in the morning - arriving in Mexico around noon.  My friend will be flying in about the same time.  The driver from the Dr's office will pick us up at the airport and take us directly to the hospital.  At the hospital they will do a preop workup (EKG, bloodwork, etc) and as long as everything looks good I will have surgery that afternoon.  I will spend two nights in the hospital and two nights at a local resort where the Dr. will check in daily.  On July 20th, they will take myself and my friend back to the airport and we'll both fly home.  

I do have to do a two week preop diet.  The first week is basically eating healthy.  The second week is all liquids.   After surgery I will also be all liquids at first and then progress to soft foods and eventually to solids.  My stomach capacity will go from it's current size - to about 1/4 cup.  The idea behind gastric bypass is that you have both restriction (can't eat as much because your stomach capacity is smaller) and malabsorption (so of the food you eat you will absorb less of the calories/fat).  Unfortunately, this also means you absorb less of the vitamins.  So - for the rest of my life I'll need to be diligent at taking vitamins and having my levels checked.    The malabsorption of fat/calories only lasts for approximately 12-18 months because your body adjusts.  And during that time my stomach will stretch to approximately a cup.  So anyone who has gastric bypass has a 'golden window' for weight loss of about 12 - 18 months.  Weight can still be lost after that point but it will be much slower. 

So...that's my plan.  To kick ass for 12-18 months...to eat protein and drink water and exercise.  To lose as much as possible while I am in the golden phase.  To not waste a minute because I am paying dearly for this opportunity and I'm not going to take it for granted.  I am sure there will be times I will wonder what in the heck I did to myself - but ultimately I believe I am giving myself the gift of a better life.  My Mom once told me that it was great that I liked to give to others - but that until I learned to give to myself as well - that I would never be happy.  Well, it's time for me to be happy.

Background

I was a healthy child.  I might even go so far as to say a SKINNY child (gasp!)  So, how in the hell did I get to be this 315 pound morbidly obese person?

It all started to change when I hit puberty.  The skinny child became the chubby teen.  The chubby teen became an obese young adult.  And the obese young adult became a morbidly obese middle age adult. 

How?  Why?  Well, I could write a novel.  But I believe it comes down to a couple things.  First, a physical predisposition to obesity due to a disease called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  I was diagnosed with this when I was 27 years old.   Secondly, a childhood where sweets were not allowed at all by my Dad.  But when Dad would go out of town my Mom would take me to the store and we'd treat ourselves (her to beer she wasn't allowed to have and me to candy).  I think this set me up for a lifetime of using sweets to heal my emotional hurts.  And my emotional hurts have been many.  Infertility, miscarriage, multiple pregnancy, premature birth, deaths of two babies, caring for premature survivor, death of mother, death of father, alcoholic spouse, and divorce. 

I have tried many, MANY diets over the years.  I've even been pretty successful a couple times.  But ultimately I gain it back and each pound lost brings a couple of their friends when they come back.  The yoyo diets have killed what is left of my metabolism.  My body refuses to let go of any significant weight.  And emotionally I feel like a failure because this thing that seems SO simple to others evades me repeatedly.   So this has brought me to gastric bypass surgery.

I am scheduled for surgery July 16th.  Over the next six weeks I will be sharing my goals/fears/hopes/dreams and also some of the prep work I am doing to get ready.  After surgery I will share updates on my journey.   So, "Ya'll come back now, ya hear?"   :)