Protein Shakes...

I am a little overwhelmed when I think about the protein shakes.  I see all these names and brands but where do you go to get them.  I have apack of boost to keep me for a day or two in the liquid pre-op diet but I want to buy more substance.  I say that because the protein seems ok but the amount of sugars is high.  Where do you go and what brands?  What is a good amount of protein per shake to look for and carbs and sugars?
Thanks....getting nervous Feb 16 is the day!

I purchased samples online (Unjury, Chike, and through Nashua Nutrition.com) as well as a local nutrtion store.  I have guidelines to follow for protein shake nutrition from my nutritionist, and used that as a guideline.  I bought Unjury choc, Unjury flavorless (to add to food) based on my Nutritionist recommendation for the least calories w/ most protein.  I bought , Lean
Dessert Choc, pudding, Lean Dessert Cinnamon Roll, Lean Dessert Vanilla based on what I thought tasted  pretty good.  I ordered the Lean Dessert from Supplementwarehouse.com,and thought their prices& customer service  were great.

    I like variety, and want to look forward to my shakes, not dread them.  I would recommend that you order a bunch of samples, soon!

Good luck :)

    I was told to look shakes/powders that have at least 25-35 grams of protein.  Look for low sugar stuff.  I am not sure what the carb maximun -just to stay away from the high sugars.  I enjoy Muscle Milk Light now that I am on my pre-op although it only has 20 grams of protein.
      I got a slew of samples from VItalady.com for $1.79 a piece.  
  
   Costco has Muscle Milk and Premier Protein Shakes.

         WalMart sometimes has sales on Atkins shakes and is the cheapest place to find the clear protein bullets that most of us have to drink the first week post-op.

GNC has a lot of powders and shakes too.
Good luck!
Pennie

I was told the same thing as Penny and Boost was not allowed as it was too high in sugar.  Every ones tastes are different hopefully you can find one you like.   I too am getting nervous as I start my liquid diet on Monday. Good luck.
Sheri

If you get tired of the milk based you can always try the nectar brand.  Fuzzy Navel is my favorite.  I also like sugar free carnation Instant breakfast b/c it is tasty to me.  I just add powdered milk to the mix to up the protein.

 i use Atkins Advantage in chocolate and vanilla (havent tried the other flavors). i buy them at walmart for 4 for 5 dollars. thats the cheapest ive found (i have a frugal streak in me). at first i thought they were discusting. but then after drinking them for two weeks (pre op) i kinda like them now. although now im sorta tired of drinking them and i have to force myself to at least drink three a day (im supposed to have 6).  but in any case.. thats me!

I felt the exact same way. Totally overwhelmed with all the choices and everyone seemed to have differing opinions about their favorites (what one loved another despised). What helped me A LOT is checking out vitalady.com. She (and I believe her husband as well) both had the surgery and sell vitamins and protein supplements specifically for bariatric patients. Everything she offers is acceptable. You can purchase samples of everything she has and she puts them in portions that you need for a meal replacement (as far as grams of protein go). They are all low in sugar. She even gives examples of what she and her husband's favorite shake recipes are. Anyway, I was really paranoid about buying a huge tub of protein powder that I would hate and not get used. By getting samples I was able to identfiy the brands that blend well and taste good to me.

Hope that helps!

Amanda

Hey there.  I have surgery on the 17th and I am also feeling overwhelmed by all the stuff I have to buy to get ready (anyone hear about why purchasing a pair of kitchen tongs is good for hygiene?). But my dietician did provide some guidelines for protein shakes and I thought I'd just share to give you an idea

Whey protein is the best because its best used by the body.    The drink can be premade or powder just as long as the following are followed:
20 gm of protein per drink (can include the protein in the milk- if you use it)
Less than 200 cals per drink (NOT per scoop but the whole drink including the base liquid)
Less than 5 gm of fat per drink
Less than 5 gm of sugar (not total carbs) per drink

Hope that made sense.  Good luck to ya.

I started my 2 week pre-op liquid diet on Saturday the 13th. It sucks.. but I am working though it.. my doctor gave me a list of some protien shakes I can make... so far the I have tried two.. I bought some Whey Protein from Walmart (cookies and Creme) mixed it with milk.. and almost threw up when I drank it.. it is the nastiest .. yuucckk!! The other one I have tried and like (a little) is called fortified milk.. and it is basically 1 quart fat free milk, 1 1/3 cup powdered milk.. mix that together and chill in the fridge overnight.. then take one package of the Carnation Instant breakfast (no sugar) and mix with 8 oz of your mixture and drink it. It has about 21 grams of protien. Which my surgeon says is good if you drink 3 of them a day..

Tommorrow is my 3rd day on liquids.. I hear after the 3rd day it's not soo bad.. and I HOPE thats true... I have had a constant headache and have never heard my stomach growl as much as I have in the past two days... but it will all be worth it in the end.

My surgery is scheduled for the 25th.. I can't wait.

So far the only thing I've found that I can stomach is the Glucerna ready to drink bottles (8 oz has 10gm protein and 5-6 sugars).  Unjury made me want to vomit and the Whey protein vanilla was SOOO thick and gritty I couldn't even fini****I also like the carnation, but have to get the sugar free.