OK...so I have my protien shake mix....NOW What??????

Do I drink it for a meal replacement, or in between meals...since it is liquid should I take it between meals???  I am confused!!! Cheri

My surgeon wants his patients to eat normal meals, when at all possible. But early out, your food intake is greatly limited, and you need the protein shakes to supply protein. So eat what you're allowed for breakfast, lunch and supper. Then for snacks, take 25 grams of protein or so in the form of a shake. You may want to have 3 shakes per day for the first couple of months to make sure your protein stays OK.  If you don't have time for a meal, then a shake for a meal substitute would be OK once in a while, but I would not recommend this every day.  You need foods going through your digestive tract too.

hey, cheri! good for you for getting something! I use mine in the morning to start the day off, and I eat the rest of the day. Using my one scoop of protein powder that I told you about in the previous post, I am getting 25 grams of protein right there....as I eat the rest of the day, I get more than enough protein. Try using it as a between-meal "snack" maybe...that way you are still eating... best wishes!! Lori

Cheri, Have you asked your surgeon about this?  I know at Pacific Bariatrics, we were told to have a protein shake for breakfast and then two meals.  No snacking allowed!  They recommend ProComplex which is available at GNC and many other health food stores.  We were told to mix 2 scoops (55g of protein) with 6 oz of water, some ice and when we were allowed fruits, to add some to the mix. I use a Magic Bullet which is one of the best investments I ever made! I know people say we don't absorb more than 30g of protein at a time, but my surgeon explained that fluids pass through our pouches very quickly.  Thus he wanted me to take in the whole 55g hoping that I would absorb at least 30g of it. JudyAnne

I have Tanaka also and am 3 weeks out from surgery.

I make my protein drink in the morning and drink as much as I can, which is about 2-3 ounces. I make it with 8 ounces of skim milk. If I drink the whole thing in an hour or so, then I have bad stomach pains. So I take all day to drink it.

I know my Dr says no snacking, but right now, I dont know what is a meal and what is not. I get up in the morning and have part of my shake, then 2 hours later I have an egg. Then about 3 hours later *and I have sipped the shake in this time) I have cottage cheese.... then more drink, then yougart for dinner, and oh yeah i get in about 50 ounces of water and it goes on like this til before I go to bed. Am I eating too much?

Just a thought - I get stomach pains from skim milk, also, and finally decided it was because of the sugars in it.  That's why I switched to water.  I also put in 1/3 banana on occasion.  Maybe you should try the water?  Sounds like you are eating okay to me.  Isn't Dr. Tanaka the best??? JudyAnne

He is the best! I started with water and still had the pains. But I am determined to drink this thing every day! Accordng to the book all I can have is mush food this week and on April 10 - 4 weeks out, start a few other things. .'

thanks for the help! I am gonna try the banana and water see if it helps.

Gloria