Following bariatric surgery surgeons recommend a high protein, low carb, low sugar diet. It is very difficult given the limited capacity of our newly surgically altered anatomy to consume enough protein from food sources alone. Most bariatric post-ops will find it necessary to supplement with a protein shake or two during their day in order to reach their surgeon’s recommended daily minimum protein gram goals.

The benefits of protein to the bariatric surgery patient:

* Protein aids in proper wound healing after bariatric surgery and later in reconstructive post weight loss plastic surgery. Both before and after surgery a diet high in protein can help your body prepare to repair.

* Protein helps your body burn fat instead of muscle. Have you heard people tell you you need to eat to lose weight well it’s not just eat. It’s consuming a diet high in protein that helps us lose the weight without losing lean body mass.

* Protein elevates your natural metabolism so you burn more calories. More energy is required for your body to digest protein than fats or carbs. So a diet high in protein kicks our sluggish metabolisms into high gear and we get faster results.

* Protein helps suppress your appetite. Hungry happens even after weight loss surgery but a high protein diet can help you consume less by keeping you fuller longer.

* Protein helps keep your body including your hair, skin, and bones healthy. Weight loss surgery and the rapid weight loss that is achieved from it takes its toil on the body. Maintaining surgeon recommended levels of nutrients is key to weight loss surgery success and continued good health.

Finding a protein I love has been key to my continuing success. Max/Ultimate Protein by SEI gives me 22 grams of low calorie, low carb, GREAT tasting protein in each scoop. Add it to milk and you have even more protein. I use it in a variety of delicious ways… smoothies, shakes, protein ice cream, mixed in oatmeal, puddings, any dish I can add a little protein boost.

And… Max/Ultimate is truly the best tasting protein powder available.

Bio: Michelle “Shelly” Vicari is currently the author of the popular blog “The World According to Eggface - Recipes and Ramblings of a Former Fat Chick”

www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

Michelle had Gastric Bypass Surgery in June 2006. At the time she weighed 295 lbs., suffered from sleep apnea, GERD, and high blood pressure. Three years later, she’s ditched the 8 medications she was on, lost 150 pounds and has enjoyed resolution of all co-morbidities.

This is a diet plan a good friend who is a bodybuilder and personal trainer gave me. I asked for a great diet with good results fast. At the same time I wanted to maintain my muscle tissue. I suggest changing it up to fit your schedule and your body type. A woman does not want to eat as many times as I was during the day. Just play with it and make it yours. Here goes! OK, as far as seasonings go.  ANY seasoning that are SALT and SUGAR free.  So Ms. Dash is a life saver.  You want to stay away from Maltodextrin  and Potassium Chloride.  SO if the seasoning has that, it is a no go. You can use pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.  Make sure you are baking or grilling your turkey, chicken, or fish.  ALSO, WEIGH all your food BEFORE you cook it.  That is the dry weight.
As far as fluids go, AT LEAST 1 to 2 gallons a day of water.
NO DAIRY at ALL.
NO sport drinks.
SO basically Water, or water with crystal light.

6am
8oz of Chicken Breast or Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
1 cup of quakers oatmeal (plain) ( in the big container)

9am
8oz of Chicken Breast or Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
11oz Sweet potato
5-7 Asparagus Spears (Fresh no canned)

12noon
8oz of Chicken Breast or Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
2 Med sized Red Potato’s
Broccoli

3pm
8oz of Chicken Breast or Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
2 Med sized Red Potato’s
Broccoli

One Hour After workout
(depending on if you workout at 5 or 6pm this meal will be 6pm or 7pm)
8oz of Chicken Breast or Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
11oz Sweet potato
5-7 Asparagus Spears (Fresh no canned)

9pm
8oz of Chicken Breast or Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
2 Med sized Red Potato’s
Broccoli

LAST meal before bed.
8oz Fish (Tilapia, white fish, Orange Ruffy, Flounder……something like that, NO SALMON.  You can use Very Low Sodium Tuna fish In water, from a can or fresh tuna steaks.)
5-7 Asparagus Spears.

I am big workout person on building a big back , and here is a couple of things to do. Power rack deadlift where u place the support bars about an inch below your knees to take your legs out do about 3-5 sets 6-12 reps as heavy as you can then follow with some reverse grip barbell rows about 3 set with 8 -12 reps try those 2 exercises on different back day and see if your back grows.

Here are a few I think would be great for the holiday season:

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/12/candy-cane-protein-shake.html

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/11/fabulous-fudge.html

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/01/mint-to-be-together.html

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-made-it-with-max.html

I remember this guy I trained with when I was younger. He used to preach to me about how important my diet was to my overall health and fitness and he was right! I think it is awesome that when people hit the gym and workout or just put time aside in their schedule to work out and stay fit. But if you don’t watch your diet at the same time you are only getting about 25% of the results you could be getting with adding a low calorie high protein diet.

Here is a couple things I do to help me out, I start every day with one of SEI’s protein powder. I usually just have a shake, I am telling you the flavors rock. The next thing I do is eat dinner a minimum of 4 hours before i go to bed. This is a awesome tip to help drop some pounds in no time. Also I have used a trick i picked up a long time ago called the “cheat meal” I keep a healthy low calorie diet all week long, except for one meal hence the “cheat meal”. This give me the opportunity to get some cravings out of the way, and since my diet is so good the rest of the time my weight loss doesn’t miss a beat.

I have alot of people approach me about how to get bigger arms, and I always tell them the same thing, Do you do legs? Yes it’s true if you do heavy squats your entire body will grow, but not directly to your biceps. Lets focus on basic arm excercises and intensity. I like to start with a basic straight bar curl with heavy weight and intense focus on the muscle im working. Lets move on to a preacher curl again focusing on heavy weight and the bicep contraction. Now a single arm dumbell curl, either sitted or standing, always remember go heavy. You should always focus on getting stronger each week by increasing the weight at least a little. Now lets finish off with heavy hammer curls which focuses on forearms and the outer bicep. By now you should have no strength left and ready to pop out of your sleeves. Now preworkout supplementation which makes it all worth the while. My favorite cocktail is 30 grams of waxy maize with 4 capsules of  SEI C5 Ethyl ester creatine. Don’t forget your post workout meal! Protein and Carbs!