Made it thru surgery but have a ?

I got home yesterday. Each day seems to be a little better. I am still on the full liquids until my drain tube comes out on Monday,(if we aren't snowed in), my question is this, does everyone who has had wls, drink the protein drinks? I was looking in the diet booklet they gave me for a guideline and pass the full liquid stage they don't have you drinking any protein drinks, I was wondering what other doctors do? Theresa

Congrats for a successful surgery, Theresa!! Glad to hear that everything went well. I am still pre-op, for 2 weeks and 2 more days, but the guidelines that the dietician gave me include a protein drink between meals daily. I think that it all depends on the program that you are following as well as what type of surgery you have, (distal or proximal). My understanding is that distal is more malabsorptive then proximal and so you would need more opportunities to get protein in during the day. But............ I am still pre-op. Hope you get more info from some of our post-op friends. Hope all continues to go well for you, Andrea

Theresa, Congrats on your surgery. When I had mine I was on full liquids for two weeks and time just dragged! I found that I could tolerate a protein drink in the morning much better than anything else. In fact I still start my mornings with a protein drink and I am 6 months out. It gives me 1/3 of my dialy protein which helps. Good luck on your recovery! Janine 5/16/03 -87 pounds

I have been on protein drinks since returning home for the hospital. They make really good filling snacks. If you aren't getting the right amount of protein in daily through food, then you have to drink the protein. I haven't ventured out to much and have only used the sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast with skim milk. I was told to add tofu and blend it to get more protein out of it. I am only five weeks out so you might want to ask others.

My doctor doesn't recommend the protein drinks. He feels that we should try to get what we need through our regular diet, and is against any betweeen-meal things, as he feels they contribute to regain. He recommends the sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast, and suggests adding powdered milk (1/3 cup powdered to 1 cup skim, then the drink mix), to add protein. I've been doing this, and it dissolves pretty well and tastes OK. His booklet recommends continuing the Instant Breakfast until you are taking in a regular diet.