051 Hitting the Protein Goal

Over the past couple of weeks we have really been trying to adjust to this whole new way of life and this new diet. Two of the hardest things (related to food) which we have had to face have been #1 burn out on the food that Jimmy is currently allowed to eat and #2 trying to get in Jimmy's daily allotted protein. Thankfully, Jimmy will have more variety in his diet starting on Sunday, December 16th, when he can start his  Stage 3 diet. But what to do about protein?

Let me tell you...the liquid protein shots that he had to drink the first week after the surgery were just plain nasty! So we definitely don't want to go back to those. Some of the whey protein powder drinks leave much to be desired too. So we have been searching the internet, blogs, forums, and support group for some great protein shake recipes.

As Bariatric Foodie put it, "...there is no excuse for drinking a nasty protein shake!" So here are some awesome protein shake recipes that we have either tried or look forward to trying soon.

Berry Cheesecake Protein Smoothie
1 Scoop unflavored protein powder
1c. 1% or skim Milk
1/2c. 1% Cottage Cheese
Frozen or Fresh Fruit to Taste

Pumpkin Pie
Milk
1 scoop vanilla protein
2 tbsp pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
2 tbsp sugar-free pumpkin pie syrup (or 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice)
sweetener to taste

Cinnabon
Milk
1 scoop vanilla whey
1 tbsp Sugar Free, Fat Free cheesecake pudding mix
1 tbsp Sugar Free cinnamon syrup
1 tbsp toasted almond syrup 

Chocolate, Caramel, & Coffee Protein Shake
2 scoops Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
8 oz Decaf Coffee
8 oz 1% Milk
2 tbsp Sugar Free Caramel Creamer


Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake
1 Scoop chocolate protein powder
1c. unsweetened chocolate almond milk (could sub with sugar free vanilla coconut milk)
1 T. natural peanut butter
Sweetener to Taste (optional)
3-5 Ice Cubes

050 Post-Op Week 3 Update

Happy Holidays! Yes, it's that time of year again. Can you believe it?

To me it is much easier to believe that it's almost Christmas time again than  to believe that it has already been three weeks since Jimmy's gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. I mean come on! Three weeks already! No way! Well I can deny it all I want but it is true.

So Jimmy has recorded a little week three post-op video for you to enjoy and to let you know how he is doing. He also wanted to let me know that it was really nice to see many of you at church yesterday. It was his first service he was able to attend since his surgery and he had really been missing everyone. Thank you all for all of the prayers and concern and thoughts that have been offered up on our behalf. We really appreciate all of them.

Before I start rambling, I better stop and let you get on with the show!

Thanks again,

040 Post-Op Week One Update!

Jimmy and Krystal at Jimmy's first Post-Op
Appointment on November 21, 2012.

I can't believe it's already been over a week since Jimmy's gastric sleeve WLS! Can you?! I mean seriously, where does the time go!

Anyway, life has been hectic around here with the surgery and Thanksgiving and family. So I feel like I am running a little behind. So let's take two seconds to catch up a little...

Jimmy's surgery was on Friday, November 16th. He came home from the hospital on Saturday, November 17th. His first post-op appointment was a little early because of the Thanksgiving holiday so it was on Wednesday, November 21st. At this appointment he met with the lovely Krystal (Nutritionist) and Dr. Hornbostel. They cleared him to move on to his stage two diet. Which meant that Jimmy was able to have mashed potatoes for his Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 22nd. *Whew* Now I think we are up to speed.

Today, I am sharing with you Jimmy's Post-Op Week One vlog so he can tell you what's going on in his own words. I am also posting the really short video he recorded the day after his surgery because I forgot to post it earlier (sorry about that).

Hope you have fun watching this update!

Grace and Peace,