Trouble with Protein Shakes

Hi all,

I'm still on soft foods and everything seems to be going okay... other than not getting in enough protein via my shakes. It's also been a struggle to get in at least 64 oz. of fluids a day (usually it's all water but sometimes that includes 8 oz. of milk). Anyway, back to the shakes... I've been doing two scoops of Isopure's natural vanilla with 8-10 oz. of water (tried with milk and it's so awful). That's only 50g per shake and there is no way I'm drinking two a day.  One has been difficult enough.  I know I'm still in my early phases and this shouldn't be THAT concerning at this point but what IS concerning is the fact that as time goes on I am becoming more and more nauseated with the shakes. Before the surgery the taste never bothered me,  just the smell. Initially after surgery I still didn't like the smell and the taste wasn't as great but it was at least tolerable. Now, I can hardly stand to take a single sip of it. I hate the taste and the smell makes me feel like puking (though I haven't puked yet, so there's that). So my question to all of you is:

How do you drink your shakes and what protein are you using?

Thanks for any advice you can supply,

Erika

Nevermind! I jumped the gun on posting. I should have looked at the most recent posts beforehand.  There is actually a great board with a lot of information on protein shakes already on here: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/5244135/Protein-Drinks-or-Powders/ 

I will be using a lot of the suggestions from that board.  I just need to start trying different things--oh it'd be nice if that came at no cost haha.  Anyway, thanks for not blasting me for my repetitiveness :).

I do have a different concern I forgot to bring up though.  I feel like I'm abnormally "okay" at this point after surgery. Don't misunderstand, I'm not complaining, but I've been wondering if I'm not losing weight fast enough... I haven't had any issues with eating yet (other than protein shakes), and I still feel hungry (though it could just be head hunger, I really haven't been able to figure out the difference yet).  I am not eating very much at all and get full extremely quickly... so I know I definitely had a surgery lol. 

One last question if you're still reading: does the whole "don't drink with meals" thing get easier as time goes on? I am finding waiting an hour after eating to start drinking, makes getting in all of my fluids really difficult... I guess I'm doing okay with it, but I could be doing better/drinking more. 

Thanks guys,

Erika

Yep, I felt like I could eat just about anything but in small snacks early out. I think the nerves are still healing. Now I get the full signals like a runny nose and sneezing when I've had plenty. Head hunger is definitely real. : )

While you can't drink a lot now at the same time you're eating, you will be able too soon enough. The don't-drink-when-eating and waiting-an-hour-after is an RNY thing for their pouch issues. Sleevers and DSrs really don't have to worry too much about that since we have a functioning stomach although a small one. Drink as soon as you have room, no worries.

--gina

Thanks Gina :) I have heard a lot of mixed information about drinking while eating but I definitely feel better hearing from those of you who have gone through it, that you've been able to without negative consequences.  My PA and Dr. have decided to use the RNY diet for their DS patients.  You guys might think that's weird.  (I think it might be kind of lazy, myself.)  But they've seen really good results from it, so they stand by it.  It's you guys though, that have already been through it that I really trust to tell me what has worked for you and what hasn't, and I'm going to try to kind of find a middle ground.

Erika 

Dr Coates is a good cutter but he and his staff are new to the DS. The RNY diet and follow up might be ok for the first 3 months but things will start to change pretty quickly after that. You will need more fat and protein, less grains and fruits, many more supplements, and protein shakes will not hurt a thing if you do them long term.  Please weigh the things they tell you carefully and make adjustments for the DS, you should be fine.

--gina 

Well, my PA wants me to avoid grains/carbs altogether it seems... until I've lost about "half of my goal weight," she said last time I saw her.  My nutritionist changed/added extra supplements to the RNY list and the PA said we'll adjust after I've done labs.  I have my first labs in about a week... 

If you don't mind me asking, how are you acquainted with Dr. Coates and his staff? 

A good friend had her RNY with Dr. Coates and she's a PA as well. She brought them a lot of good info as she progressed through the stages and struggled with labs and such, and she did struggle with iron and vitamin D3 levels.

It's good to hear they are adjusting for the DS. We vary in how well we can absorb so just be mindful. My friend still has been able to keep her weight off and she is 7 1/2 years post-op. She did protein shakes for at least 2 years, if not more, and she's gone organic raising her own chickens and growing a nice garden every year.

--gina

Don't stress about the weight loss just yet - you are healing from major surgery so give yourself time to rest and heal - and not worry. :)

As far as drinking with meals - that is a mixed bag of opinions. My doc says not to do it because it washes food too quickly while others have told me that is old RNY instructions and we can drink with meals. 

Thanks Melanie! I've been trying to not be too concerned with the weight loss yet.  Just have to let it all happen.  My intake is obviously so much less than it was before that the pounds have got to come off eventually (at least that's what I keep telling myself).  My instruction manual also says not to drink while eating, but it's for those who had the RNY, so I was hoping eventually I'd not have to follow that to the letter.

Erika

I'm not crazy about Isopure but I had to use it last summer while we were on vacation and I ran out of Syntrax Necatar vanilla. That's my favorite for making protein coffee and protein chai tea.  

Protein Coffee 

brew a pot of your favorite coffee - we like chocolate raspberry (you can also brew chai tea and use in place of coffee)

In a 20 oz blender bottle with wire ball, add 2 oz of heavy whipping cream and 2 oz of cool water, or 4 oz of half & half, a packet of Truvia or Splenda, a couple of dashes of cinnamon, and a heaping scoop of Syntrax Nectar vanilla protein powder.
Shake about 5 seconds to blend
Pour the protein slurry into a huge mug and fill to the top with coffee
Sir to blend and enjoy! 

Always add hot liquid to cold protein slurry to keep the protein from clumping. 

Always check the ingredients of a protein powder before you buy it to ensure the first ingredient listed is whey protein isolate. Don't trust the splashy label on the front.