Getting in Protein

okay, i have been awol for a while - sorry. so i am one of those 5% that have complications with my esophagus being too narrow and i've been under the weather. i developed scar tissue in the first few weeks after surgery and had to have a dilation. i'm still having trouble eating and i still throw up every other day or so and my surgeon has been trying to get me in the office for another dilation but between my hubby being in a car accident and school for the kids and being sick, it's been hard getting into his office - plus he's an hour away which doesn't help. i know my esophagus is still too narrow, when i throw up i have trouble getting it to actually come out - it gets stuck in my throat - UGH. anyway, i am losing weight, 71 pounds so far (i know i would be losing more if i could eat and get in more protein) but i have so much trouble getting in my protein and of course i am losing hair. I have tried protein drinks, shakes and bars. They tend to be way to sweet or they have such a bad after taste i gag it up. It has only been in the past 2 weeks that I have been getting in more than 10g of protein per day. At one point I don't think I was getting any in because I was just too sick to eat or drink. I can drink skim milk again so I try to get in 3-4 glasses because i get 9g per glass. Sometimes i can eat chicken and fish so that usually gets me another 10-15g but i hit a dead end after that. I know that raw clams are high in protein and I love them, but they require me to go out and it can get a bit expensive, not to mention I don't always keep them down. So, I would say I am getting in about 50g of protein per day and I've been told we should be shooting for 80-100g per day. Does anyone have any ideas for me (no yogurt - i gag it up)? The past few days I've noticed an increase in my hair loss and I am trying to stop the process. I have begun to take a hair,nails,skin complex vitamin as well as a fruit and vegetable concentrate along with my chewable multivitamin. Does anyone take the protein capsules? thanks gang..

Hey Briggitte, I'm sorry you've been so sick, and I also hope your husband is doing ok too. I started taking a biotin/zinc combo pill for hair loss because mine is coming out in great big clumps and I'm getting close to 100 grams protein every day (sometimes more than 100!) plus I never skip my vitamins. I don't know what else to do, but I just started the biotin/zinc so I need to give it a couple of weeks to see if it helps. As for getting in more protein, one of the best mushy things you can do is refried beans with cheese melted on it. I'd also recommend Any Whey protein, which is a no-flavor protein powder that people usually mix in soups and puddings to give it some extra protein. Another thing you can do, is buy a package of non-fat dry milk (powdered milk) and add it to the skim milk you're already able to drink for an added protein boost (my nutritionist recommended this). Good luck hon, and please keep us posted on how you're doing, ok? (hugs) Donna

Hi Donna, let me start by apologizing for not getting back to you sooner. Between feeling yucky and being so forgetful these days, I just lose track of time. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the support and concern - it makes me feel so much better knowing that aside from my family and local friends, there are others out there wishing me well and keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. I'm trying to get my sleep pattern straightened out because I truly think it's a factor in my not feeling well. I have a follow-up with my surgeon this wednesday so I'll let you know how that goes. Thanks again for the tips and support, and the hugs. Briggie

sounds like you are trying most of the things I'd be able to think of! what a nightmare, be careful with that esophogus (sp)! I'm not doing protein capsules. do you like coffee? have you tried mixing protein powder with decaf? I lived on Melissa F's frappucinno protein drink for the last 2 months. The coffee cut the smell and the SF Kahlua syrup helped the flavor. My hubby struggles with meat sometimes (he is 15 months post op). I just bought one of those turkey roll things you cook in the oven for 2 hours. He had no problem with it. Otherwise, I do think fish is the best bang for your buck protein/calorie wise. Tilapia, tuna and salmon have all worked for me! keep us posted, so sorry you are struggling! judi

Hi Judy, please accept my sincere apologies for not getting back to you sooner. Lack of sleep and ongoing forgetfullness take it's toll on me and before I know it, the day and the night escape me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtfullness and concern. Everyone on the boards are so kind and willing to share their thoughts, experiences and wisdom but it's the kindness, care and tenderness that makes it such a joy to be a part of this group. I'm working on fixing my sleep pattern because I really think that it's the root cause of my overall yucky feeling. I have a follow up appt with my surgeon this week, I'll keep you all posted. Take care and thanks again, Briggie

((((((bridgette)))))))))))) big hugs for you!!! i am so sorry to hear about your struggle....ugggghhhh.....i like the advice Judi and Donna gave...........i don't think that i can add anything to that... i do drink the unflavored protein with crystal light........ususally the ice tea with lemon hope you get feeling better!

hey baby, thanks so much for the hugs. i certainly can use all the hugs i can get. i can't tell you how much i appreciate your kind words and thoughts. everyone here is so friendly and caring it's truly heart warming and while i'm not on the boards as much as i would like, you are all in my thoughts and prayers every day. take care, thanks again and God bless, briggie

I am truly sorry to hear of all your problems and my heart goes out to you. I hope things improve quickly for you. As far as protein, have you tried unflavored Unjury with skim milk and sugar free/fat free pudding mixed into it for flavor? As far as hair loss, my nutritionist put me on coromega Omega 3 Fatty acids www.coromega.com. The taste is fantastic. No sugar. No pills. It's like a pudding that you squeeze the packet into your mouth or add into drinks, etc...She also put me on Biotin. She said it would slow down the hair loss. I hope this helps some. Sheila

Hi Sheila, thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to me. I am truly sorry it has taken so long in replying to you. Lack of sleep and forgetfullness steal time from me and it's truly frustrating. What is Unjury? I've never heard of it. Where do you get it? I know you can get the Omega 3 in capsule form, never knew it was available in a squishy packet. Sounds interesting, where do you get that at? Are there any side affects to the Biotin? How often do you take it? I'm willing to try it to stop the hair loss, and speaking of hair loss, why is it that the only hair i'm losing is on my head? why can't the hair on my lip and chin and legs and underarms just fall out too?? (sorry, had to get some comedy in, i needed a chuckle) Thanks again, take care and God bless, Briggie

Hi Briggie, Unjury is a protein powder that my nutritionist put me on to. One scoop is 20g of protein. It comes in chocolate, vanilla, unflavored and others, even chicken broth. You can get information here https://www.unjury.com/ssl/purchasing.php and set up auto order every month. They're really nice people. I find the chocolate to be a little strong for me, so I purchase both the chocolate and the unflavored and do 3/4 scoop of the chocolate and 1/4 scoop of the unflavored in 8 oz skim milk. It's enough to cut down on the strong taste of chocolate, of course, you can adjust to your taste. I like it and haven't had any problems with it. With the unflavored, I will add sugar free flavored gelatin for something different. As far as Biotin, I've looked on the net and do not know of any side effects, but it's always good to check with your doctor before using any OTC meds especially since you raised the question. I take both Biotin and Coromega once a day. Since I started taking the Biotin and the Coromega, I have noticed my hair loss had lessened, but it took two weeks to notice an effect. Of course, not every one is built the same as we can all see by reading the forums. Hang in there, it will get better. I had a really rough start......wishing I didn't have it done and thought I was being punished. But it did get better and now I'm glad I had it done. Good luck and let me know how everything works out for you. Keep in touch! Sheila