BLERDgirl

Look for a Protein shake that has soy isolates in stead of whey. They will be dairy free. Just make sure to read the labels. @@Quest4TheNewMe - I too am surprised your nutritionist had you on Clear liquids post op. I can't imagine getting in your protein in those early days post-op without a protein shake. Anyway I prefer getting a vanilla or neutral taste powder. I have a shaker cup and found that the key is to put the milk in first, then the powder and shake that thing like your life depends on it. I also use a nutra bullet because I like to add things like spinach, fruit or nut butters. In addition to GNC you can also check the drug store chains like CVS and Rite Aid. I'm currently using Orgain organic. They make both a powder and premade drinks. I like to keep a few premade in the fridge in case it's a really busy day when I'll be out running errands.

So many good suggestions in this thread. I'm going to start a plant based recipe thread in the vegetarian/vegan forum. I'll link back to it on this post once I set it up. Even if you aren't veg, it doesn't hurt to do a meatless day once a week.

Is your GP aware you are having surgery? They can usually address any f/u care you may need. BTW, it's illegal for a doctor to refuse care here in the US.

Well the doctor had you on legal speed and it's called that for a reason. Do you eat before you work out? I do a Protein drink at least 30 minutes to an hour before working out. I'm not talking the ones we drink because of surgery. My pre gym smoothies or Protein Drink typically have spinach or kale, some fruit, almond milk or greek yogurt. Occasionally I will also add a tbsp of almond butter. Occasionally I juice beets and make ice cubes out of them and toss in a few of those as well. Spinach and beets are good energy sources. So now I have plenty of fuel to work out on. Post workout, I keep nuts, either almond, cashew or pistachio in my car. Sometimes I even carry a hard boiled egg with me to eat in the car ride home. That way I am burning fat not protein. On days when I don't have my pre-gym drink, I feel lethargic and tired because there's no fuel feeding the engine.

@@ElyQuint - Are you Ovo-lacto Vegetarian or a pescatarian?

I quit soda 4 -5 years ago when I began trying to eat clean. One thing I am sure of. Soda is legal poison. It has no nutritional value and I simply can no longer afford to ingest it if I want to live healthier.

@NewLife'sGr8 - Just remember Always look on the bright side of life. I've been kicked down more times than I care to admit. More importantly I've gotten back up just as many times. @@RiskyGirl21 - To quote my favorite movie, "Get busy living, or get busy dying." WLS of any kind is but a tool. It requires commitment and a new found dedication. It means from now on we commit to being mindful eaters. We commit to getting up and exercising. Whatever games we have to play with ourselves, whatever mental tricks or promise we make, we have to do it so we can get out and enjoy life. Let's do this!

My doctor has me taking multi Vitamin 2x's a day, Calcium+D 2x;s a day, Vitamind D3 2x's a day, and B12

I just eat as clean as possible. no artificial colorings, flavorings, or highly processed foods. I look for minimal ingredients and I avoid buying products with too many ingredients or ingredients I need a PhD to understand. I avoid simple, white carbs, but I will eat complex carbs. I eat healthy fats like coconut oil & avocado and I make sure my sugars come from natural sources. I don't buy any diet foods. Nothing that says, "low fat, sugar free or lite". I cook from scratch as much as possible.

I had an easy time of it and no complications or issues in the hospital. I was much larger than you with no co-morbidities but I do have severe allergies and arthritis from meniscus repair as a result of a skiing injury. You sound ready and committed to a healthier lifestyle. Stay positive!

Nope, I didn't either. No pain meds needed in the hospital or post op. So far no foods disagreeing with me.

Spaghetti Squash is delicious and low cal and can be quite filling. It'a really easy to prepare. I cut mine in half load it with cheese shreds and tomatoes then place it on a baking sheet or shallow pan and make an aluminum foil tent and bake it for 30 - 45 min. Here's a recipe from one of my favorite bloggers.

But I like vegetables. I like simple things like garlicky braised spinach with navy beans. My grandmother used to make a kale/collard/white cabbage mix with green apples and onions that I still love to make. Lemme gather some recipes and start a thread.

Nope, cause I shut that stuff down. If someone ask if I've lost weight and we are not close enough for those discussions, I say yes and keep it moving. If they try to take it any further I say Thank you and change the discussion. I am pretty good at protecting my boundaries.

It's really quite simple. Most dark green veg are great sources of plant base Protein, spinach, kale , collards, broccoli, etc... I may make a post just as an FYI. Oh and sorry, I totally missed the My Humps reference.

Here's a few bentos I made.

I have a drawer full if egg molds and mini cookie cutters and a variety of bento boxes. I don't have the skill for the really cuties ones, but I made a few nice ones I actually took pictures of, including one where I finally mastered vegetable sushi.

Speaking as an old fart that was around back then, that's a bit of an oxymoron now a days.

Everything about me is a little left of center. I doubt anyone would blink an eye at me doing something like that. I'm the fat vegetarian. The gal with purple dredlocks The gal with multiple allergies. Seriously I had to ask someone in the grocery store to go get me a box of Pasta once because they were too close to the seafood department. I'm the fat chick who always thought I was cute. ALWAYS. I went through a bento making phase so I have all sorts of tiny containers. I say long live the quirks, they are what makes us special and unique! Oh and I just ordered these for the car and busy days running errands to avoid temptation. They come in smaller and larger sizes and are interchangeable.

@@jasminnegrin - responses have varied from doctor to doctor, but from what I can tell it's more a US thing. Another poster from the UK also said she had never heard of this.