Protein Powder

Hi. I am having my surgery on 3/20 and bought two different protein powders. I got some Isopure which they said we can use during the clear liquid phases and then some ProCel which I can add to anything to add protein but not tons of calories. I think the Isopure has just too many calories to keep within the diet post-op to 6 weeks. Has anyone used these? I have the vanilla Isopure and the unflavored ProCel. Thanks. Sherry

I am not sure which way is the way to go...but I was told not to worry about protein powders or protein intake at all for the first couple of months. I was told to just make sure I get in enough water and take my vitamins. Then to transition to the foods I can tolerate and once I am eating something ok...after about 2 months...then to start managing my protein intake. After my surgery when I go back to the hospital to get my staples taken out I will have an appointment with my nutritionist...I am going to ask her about that because I am still not sure what to do. ~~Christal/dionysus_star

Interesting because we were taught that everything needs to have as much protein as possible form day 7 onward. It's hard to get protein on clear liquids so that's way i say day 7 when full liquids are started. Here is what our diet is suposed to be: week 1 clear liquids week 2 full liquids 150-200 cals per day and 20-30 grams protein per day weeks 3-6 soft/moist foods 200-300 cals per day and 40 grams protein per day weeks 6+ 300-400 cals per day and 60+ grams protein per day With the calories being so low and really small portions, it is really hard to get proteins without using a powder. Kaiser weight management says this is the best diet to use to maximize weith loss after surgery. Is this what they told you? Just curious because it seems like programs are soo different in what they have people do. Sherry

Wow you have some pretty specific amounts to meet after surgery. My nutrition counselor was Dr. Levy at Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson, CO. We were only told to worry about fluid intake 48oz-62oz+ daily. While in the hospital is clear liquids then full liquids for 3 weeks. Then a little at a time you try and eat mushy foods. You are on the mushy foods for awhile and then work towards some well chewed solids. We are not given any protein or calorie goals to meet until we are about 6 months. We are supposed to take our multivitamins when we get home from the hospital to help comensate for the foods we are not eating. Different programs do different things I guess is what it all boils down to. I think the important thing is to follow what your nutritionist and surgeon tells you to. ~Christal/dionysus_star

I am six months post-op, and I didn't worry too much about the protein intake immediately after surgery. I was more concerned about getting dehydrated, so I focused on getting enough fluids in. I used Unjury unflavored protein powder in my Crystal Light to help supplement the protein. One scoop of Unjury powder is 80 calories, and when it is added to a 32 oz container of Crystal Light, kept me going pretty much all day long. Remember, you aren't going to be eating or drinking significant amounts right after surgery, so you'll be lucky to get in 150-200 calories per day. Also, your tastebuds will change post-op, so you may not like the Isopure. It sounds like you have finished your classes -- which weight management counselor will be following you post-op?

Hi. Yes, I finished my 10 weeks program on 1/29 and am seeing the weight management specialist at Kaiser East - Joanna Kriehn. I will see her 1 more time before surgery and then every month in post-surgery groups for at least a year after surgery. I see that Dr Brown did your surgery, so was that with Kaiser or another provider? We were given the calorie and protein guidelines that the instructors of our class who are weight management specialists (1 is a dietician and the other the program coordinator). We had to put menus together for post-surgery eating, and it was really hard to get enough protein in so little calories. It's interesting that you say it's very hard to get 150 calories in at all. Thanks for your post. Sherry

Yes, mine was done through Kaiser, so I attended the classes and know exactly what you are talking about with regard to the post-op menus. Joanna is a good WMS, she taught some of the classes when I attended. In your early days as a post-op, it will be hard enough just to get in your fluids. That's why I used the unflavored Unjury powder in my Crystal Light, so I could make sure I had protein and fluids in one hit. One scoop of Unjury = 20 grams protein and 80 calories. When you are newly post-op you aren't eating anything right away other than clear liquids. Unjury also makes a chicken broth that has 21 grams of protein. Trust me when I tell you that right after surgery, food will be the last thing on your mind. I lived on Crystal Light with Unjury and sugar free popsicles until it was time to move to soft foods. Be sure to get in enough protein and your vitamin supplements. I have been diligent about protein and thus had very little hair shedding post-op. My labs have all been good, too. Good luck with your surgery! I really liked Dr. Brown, he's my hero! PSL, not so much. The nursing care was subpar, but I did have a private room -- too bad Dr. Brown won't work at St. Joe's, where they have excellent nursing care. Kix

Thanks Kix! I'll have to look into the unjury powder as I haven't heard of that. I spent lots of time looking for something and ProCel is pretty close but Unjury is still better. Thanks for the tidbits. I have heard some bad things about PSL so I'm hoping it's not horrible. They told me I would have to sign a waiver to use Dr Chae at St Jo so I just went to PSL with Dr Brown. Hopefully I get the diet all figured out. Sherry

Hi Sherry, I was only on clear liquids in the hospital (only for the first few days) and before I went home they had me on food like scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and peanut butter. My Doctor (Dr. Scott Fisher) is very adament that we do not drink our calories (other then a little milk between meals if you are hungry) I can only have three meals a day and I must have 1/2 protien at each meal. I got the impression this is becoming pretty standard with most of the bypass Drs. lately (maybe I am wrong) He explained to me that the biggest mistake patients can make is drinking calories, like protien shakes....before they know it they are eatting so many calories a day they defeat the purpose of the surgery and weight loss is very slow and often stops. I hope this helps. -Charlotte

Wow, that is very different. I can only have non-calorie fluids, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles for a week after surgery - no food at all. We also don't drink fluids with calories at all. I am talking about adding powder to foods in the early stages when you can't eat high-protein meats and foods. Interesting how the hospital actually gave you food like peanut butter which is an absolute no-no due to the high calorie factor and being so sticky. Hmmmm???? Any calories that we drink like milk must be included as part of our daily intake of 150-400 calories per day depending on the phase after surgery. Intersting how different things are for the same surgery. Sherry