i have a question about protien

i have about three more months of dietary classes to take because of my insurance...and i am hoping everything will be approved for my surgery...i know right after surgery i will need to use protien powder to supplement with but my question is for how long?  will i always have to add protien powder to my food?

Your doctor will give you the full details, as each program seems to be a bit different.


What MY program recommended [Geisinger Bariatric] was to be on a soft foods/liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery [to help shrink the stomach] ... I was allowed protein shakes, jello, pudding, milk, etc.


AFTER surgery, I was to drink protein drinks for a week.  At that point I could add in some scrambled eggs and/or cottage cheese.  I did more w/ the shakes, but after that long, it was nice to 'chew'.  [Sugarfree gum became a lifesaver the first few weeks!  Just remember that you cannot, under any cir****tances, swallow the gum. ]

Once you progress to 'real food' [called Stage 4 in my program], you'll be eating what you will for the rest of your life -- real foods.  You'll be concentrating on eating your protein first -- protein sticks w/ you longer, makes you feel full -- and, if you're eating good protein (chicken, fish, shellfish, etc.), you shouldn't have to add any powder to your diet. 

That doesn't mean that you won't EVER use the powder again.  There will be times when your tummy is tender/upset, and you don't want to risk throwing up .... going back to a protein shake is NOT a bad thing.   Just think of it like your pre-surgery "tea and toast" or "chicken noodle soup" or "gingerale and saltines" or whatever your own personal "I'm sick, and I can't eat, but I know I should" combination was.

Best of luck!

I was told at my 2 week check up that I wasn't suppose to be chewing gum (which I had).

See ... this just proves that each surgeon/dietician/team has different restrictions.  

Mine has no issue w/ chewing gum .. as long as I don't swallow it.  [I can only imagine all of the BAD things to which that  could lead!]

As stated each program is different!  Make sure you understand and follow yours.  After surgery I was on shakes only for 1 week.  On day 8 I was allowed, cottage cheese, yogurts, eggs and the such.  As I was allowed high protein foods, they start taking the place of shake.  Much more satisfying.  Also, after each fill I had to go back to 1/2 days of protein shakes.  When I travel I take packs of protein powder so when I run into eating out issues, I have something to fall back on.

Taking powder is a good idea.  I have a 'hard time' finding something to mix it smooth -- can't stand it at all chunky -- so, I typically will transport a canned SlimFast LowCarb shake or two. I often eat Protein bars when in a 'crunch'. MOST towns have a WalMart, and most WalMarts have a decent selection of protein bars.  And string cheese is another 'fall back' for me .. as long as I can find a grocery w/ string cheese I'm golden. =-)

I take nuts (I'm allowed nuts in limited quantites... not every day ... not even every week! because of the high fat content, but the OCCASIONAL nut is not bad.)  I had asked my dietitian about this and am glad I did. When my grandchild was born [stillborn], I was at the hospital all day, and the vending machine, conveniently right outside the mother's room, had nuts. I had a pack, rather than leave her and the grandbaby for an extended period to run down to the hospital cafeteria, because my time there was the only time I'd have with him, and I didn't want to miss a minute.)

Shakes and bars are even showing up in more and more truckstops.  [Hoorah!] 

Fair warning, anything that is chocolate coated doesn't last well in the summer in a hot car.  ICK!  :)   

I'm at what my doc calls stage 4 where my food intake is increasing so I should need fewer supplements and they are to be phased out. In reality, I could not meet my protein requirement without supplementing every day. Many people years out still have at least one shake a day and have had issues when they stopped taking the supplements. 

Regardless of what your surgeon and nutritionist tell you, you may need to do things a little differently.  I'm not saying to disregard their instructions, just know what your body needs. 

One thing I noticed reading various forums is that the healthy active and especialy athletic succesful wls veterans get 100g or so of protein daily.  That would be a lot of food so at least one shake is needed for most of them.  I rely on my doctor's information, but for long term success I plan to keep the protein powder available indefinately.