nothereanymore

I love Isopure, but I drink the Dutch chocolate - and remember there are many different forms of protein - some you can take more of (grams) some less, some will make you bulk up and some don't. GNC will not tell you to take just 20 grams per serving - they are the ones selling the higher doses as well including Isopure. (And they are individually owned stores - who knows who is manning the counters, ask to see if they have a nutritionist or a dietitian in house to assist with your questions) With my meals, I did stick to the rules and ate 3 meals per day; the max of protein I ate was 1/4 cup per meal - now you do the calculations..... I was not hitting 60 grams of protein, not even coming close with my meals (and I'm still not). I was a big person and had added working out to my schedule, (like Kim is doing) so I added Isopure based on the type of protein it was, whey protein isolate. Its like vitamins, I know that realistically I should eat my vitamins - not take them - however due to my diet I'm not getting enough in so I take the extra vitamins I need to live a healthy lifestyle. The most important thing I looked at when I was doing my research - I looked to the person on this board that was succeeding because believe it or not - many do not. I followed her advice – and it worked for me. (Also, many not all Americans eat too much protein in our diets; I hate those types of statements).

You what's really scary - is not getting the surgery and gaining another 50 lbs or more... I can't even imagine what I would look like and weigh now if I didn't have my surgery. (It just sent shivers through my body)!! I love my lap band!! Best, Lisa

Just so you know, tradition calls that you get your picture taken with the paper thong on and post it on the forum. If anyone breaks this tradition its bad luck for everyone! Congrats and have fun - looks like Bill has some strong competition coming on board!

You are doing awesome - beautiful dress and its looking so good - I can't believe how much you've lost in your back in just a month - thats awesome!! Congrats and keep up the hard work!! And for you Dudes, we do want to see some dresses on you - and if you need any size dress remember we do have a clothing exchange here on the site and I'm sure one of us can find you something!

That's awesome!! I've got to get back on Ebay - also it does go on sale and if I see a great buy I'll post it. You know it’s funny, Isopure comes up very often - I found out about it when I was hitting a big plateau and there was a girl (I think her name had kitty or kat in it) and she had lost a lot of weight at a good pace and posted about Isopure – that’s when I tried it and it did work. (and she use to put a TBS of peanut butter in hers) I drink it and my guys at home do as well. So we go through it!

Uh oh Kim, did you not get the Dutch chocolate - I actually like it! And hey if you get the scale moving and feel better - what's $3 bucks!! Hey C1, I don't know where to get the unflavored kind - I see that question was asked earlier sorry I missed it. I know that its used for GB pts so you may find it for sale on some of their sites. (Kim, remember to add some extra cardio and I bet the scale will move)!!

Its really hard to say until you start loosing the weight and see for yourself. When I was at the OCC Dr. Ortiz said loose 125 pounds - that would put me to 140 pounds for my weight. My Doctor said I should weigh 175 pounds (I'm big boned) By the time I started loosing the weight - had some surgery to remove skin - Dr. Ortiz ended up being right - I can tell that 140 is a good weight for me - its comfortable and feels like me - I look at pictures at 175 and look back at how I felt and it wasn't right. I'm 5'6 I wear size 10 shoes, and I have big bones - but I carry the weight well and much is turning into muscle. I'm more on how you feel, how healthy you are once you loose the weight and how you look to yourself. The mental part is a big one for me. Once I lost more of the weight and went back to my Doctor he agreed that 140 was good for me – I’m am very healthy and have greatly improved all of my stats.

You are doing great Julie, I would have done the same thing - but I strongly recommend you get them out of the house - no use having them around and adding temptation! (We all are singing the same tune on this one)!

It actually depends on the type of protein, your size, your activity level. Many things will determine how much protein you need. In addition there are constant studies and finding that will dispute a past one – this is what makes my life miserable. I look out my office door to a group of Nutritionist and Dietitians and people who study and specialize in the field of supplementation (who work for me in one line of business) and work with some of the best docs in the country. (ones who do many of the studies) And to be honest, I take everything with a grain of salt. (Hmmmm, my team could never help me loose the weight but the lap band did)!! I can tell you I've hit plateaus and taken the isopure in the morning for breakfast with all of its 50 grams of whey protein and kicked the plateau in the arse. (Sometimes I swear its mental). For me it’s what works, each person needs to do what each of you have done, ask the right questions, and find good sources. If it works for you, great - if it doesn't keep searching - we're all different.

Here's a protein calculator that should help answer your question: http://www.healthcalculators.org/calculators/protein.asp

That's awesome Shannon! Congrats and I'm so proud of you - that is a great accomplishment! Please post pictures as soon as you're able! Isn't it a great feeling - like you're free some type of chain that was hanging on you!!

Kim, When you choose your protein shake just use caution - remember some are meant to bulk you up (they are meant for those big body builder guys) and you don't want that. I’ve seen some people list things that are meant for exactly that before, they have ingredients that will cause you to not loose weight since that is exactly what they are meant to do – the big muscles guys want to get bigger!! (Not smaller like us). I do use Isopure - I personally like the ingredients and I've had good results. And if you look at the overall ratings they are close to 5 star on average. It goes on sale the first of the month - and the big bucket generally costs $72 on average with a GNC card- but lasts 52 days so $1.38 per serving for 50 grams of protein Good luck! Lisa

Great job, who needs measuring tape or scales when we have all of our old clothes to use to judge our weight loss! If they don’t fit anymore and hang – we are loosing – pounds… inches, something – but we are loosing! And its all good! Awesome – congrats!! Lisa

I agree, I was working out with a trainer when I first started and his main job was to show me how to work out without using my stomach muscles. He told me to stay away from the elliptical for the first 90 days since it does hit your stomach muscles. Kept me on the tread mill and then we did isolation exercise that did not hit the stomach – arms, legs – etc.

That's awesome - great job!! Isn't it fun to get so excited over some bones!

Kim, it will come - all plateaus come to an end, if you are eating less calories that you are expending – you will lose the weight. Your body will go through stages when if will hold fat – but as soon as it realizes that this is how its going to be – it lets go of the weight. Its just our old survival mechanisms kicking in – but realize you will drop at some point. I generally added in higher protein - didn't increase my calories, just increased the protein to fool my body. (That's why I like Isopure - 50 grams with 220 calories with water - add high protein lowfat milk and you get 10 more grams of protein with 90 more calories.) I think - or around there. (Dutch chocolate is yummy)

Bless his heart - how lucky you are to be so loved! I blended anything and everything in site - my blending wand became my best friend! (But the juice should be fine, just drink it slow - little sips and listen to your body)

Can I play?? I do love the lingerie and the garters are fun, but the novelty is wearing fast since they are a pain in the arse to get on. My favorite is those strappy little sun dresses that are so in now that you can’t wear a bra with. Since I’ve had a lift and extended tummy I just love to go braless! Right now I’m in a bikini, we have a party to go to later tonight and I wanted to get a little sun. Been running in and out cooking the food and laying out, listening to music - running in to watch a good video if it comes on (just ran in for Carrie Underwood) its feels like such freedom not to worry about what you are wearing. I'm typing in my office which has a hug window out to the front yard - waved a few times to neighbors as they walk by while I'm sitting here in my bikini.... Who cares!! The best thing is just putting on clothes and knowing you look good and feel good in them. And my biggest worry is that I don’t want to get any smaller – not a bad thing! You’re on track to get there by next summer – who’s next!

You're body is telling you, you need water so the best thing to do is listen to it and drink. It’s difficult to say exactly why, but as you are starting your journey you will be hearing more from your body - it will be telling you it needs protein, water, vitamins, veggies and more - we should get really good at listening to it and looking for signs. (Hair loss, finger nails break easily, bad memory – things that tell use we need to add something to our diet) Looks like you're in your pre op diet stage so you may be doing a flushing and bodies need water to cleanse- so drink up!

I can't do bread either and at first it was hard - it use to be one of my weaknesses - however I'm so over it now. I will eat the little wheat toasted bread crackers you get from trader Joes, they are minnie size - so I don't eat too much, toasted to crouton stage and 100% wheat so good for me.

I'm so glad everything worked out for you. That's such a hard experience - the band can be sooo fickle some times. Take care and I hope you can get some extra rest today; the stress can take its toll. Also thank you so much for your great advice and for sharing your own personal experiences - its amazing how much we learn from each other! Best, Lisa

I always needed a kick of protein so I had protein water, (the high dose you buy at GNC - not the packs) and took my liquid vitamins.

That is a great analogy, as someone who is married to a PGA Golf professional, after almost 2 years of doing this I should have thought of that one myself! Great description - now maybe my husband can understand! That’s it exactly!

That's an adorible dress!! Really cute on you, I bet you'll be into in pretty darn fast! Keep up with the pictures and I can't wait to watch it zip up on you!

For me it was - stay low for 30 days, no exercise except for light walking - no abs for 90 days. Now that I've said that you should check your documents - if you were banded by someone else other than Dr. Ortiz - your rules may vary and you should contact the center that you worked with. Rollar coasters - we're still trying to figure that one out - I went on some after 6 months - however not sure if it was a smart move.