How to tolerate protein shakes

I need some help in how to tolerate my protein shakes. I am using the Isopure and it is so nasty, I can barely swallow it. Last night, I must have taken the shake down too fast. I got horrible pains, and then the runs (not a nice experience for the first BM) It's made me a little protein-shy. I've been adding the flavourless powder to puddings and soups, but I am not getting enough in. Any suggestions?

You'll have the runs for a week or two. I did. I think being on liquids has something to do with it. Don't freak out about not being able to get ALL your protein in. You are just a few days post-op. Do what you can. There is no way you can get everything in this soon after surgery. I couldn't, and my surgeon and dietician said that was normal. Pouch and esophagus are swollen post-op and need time to heal. So don't try to force protein down. Do what you can. You like malts/shakes? Go get some Breyers Sugar Free ice cream (only 4g sugar) and put a 1/2 scoop of that in blender with some milk and a scoop of protein mix then add whatever flavors you want for your shake - keep it vanilla or frozen fruit for fruit, some OJ (instead of milk) for an orange cream shake, etc. Great way to get protein in a fun sugar free way.

have you tried some different types? i ordered a sampler pack from www.bariatriceating.com and i'm figuring out which kinds i like and can tolerate before buying a whole tub of it. (tried some pre-op too, but saved most of it for post-op) i got the sampler pack that came with the mini ****tail shaker and it's really easy to mix them well in it. i'm really digging the nectar flavors, didn't like crystal sky (smelled like amoxicillin and made my tongue blue, eew) but the others so far have been great. the neat thing about nectars is they're more like fruit juice or a thin smoothie, so they're easier to sip and don't make you full like the heavy shake kinds. i also like matrix, and proplete isn't bad either. i've been mixing the creamy ones (i.e. chocolate, vanilla, etc.) with soy milk and the fruity ones with very cold water and a little ice. the nectar lemon tea is great for a regular beverage, i think it tastes just like the astor instant iced tea my grandpa used to drink. i created a neat snack today--i took a packet (about a scoop) of matrix vanilla and mixed it with just enough soy milk to dissolve, then put a teaspoon of coolwhip and a teaspoon of fat free cream cheese in it and beat it with a whisk. it was like a vanilla cheescake pudding cup, mmm... as for the diarrhea, i'm pretty sure that's normal no matter what you're drinking, at least for now. i was told to try to use the same rule of thumb in drinking shakes as you would eating--take 20-30 minutes so it has time to drain out of your pouch. good luck with finding what works for you! i haven't worked up to getting quite enough protein yet, but i don't think it will be too hard. good luck!!

Hi Linda... I was very happy to find that chocolate unjury mixes well in 8 ozs skim milk and tastes just like chocolate milk to me. I couldn't stand the Isopure either. You can try some samples of Unjury on their web site, (just add the www.com to the Unjury). I had a shake for breakfast and one for dinner and that was my 40 grams of protein for the day....very easy! I hope this helps. Take care, Mary Ann P.S. They only have choc,vanilla and unflavored. I also got the unflavored and will add it to cottage cheese when I can have that. They have recipes on the web site too.

Linda the runs is kinda normal so dont` panic yet... I love the Unjury (vanilla) I never tasted the choclote, but I look forward to having it daily... I use to use the whey protein and that was ok, but I do love the unjury with water... hope this helps Janice 19 days post-op -21 pds

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I really appreciate the input "from the trenches." I tried some Carnation Instant Breakfast Carb Control with a full glass of milk and and extra scoop of powdered milk. I drank it over about 1 hour and did well with it. It tastes likes chocolate milk, so I was good with that. I'm not really concerned with "the runs" to be honest. I heard it was normal, but the ferocity with which it hit me right after the Isopure really made a negative connection i my mind. I went to Opening Day at my local ball park. Even though I never ate any of the foods available at the ballpark before, everything smelled really good! I was good, and drank my water throughout the game.