Help with Protein -- Lactose Intolerant

I am looking for some advice. I was afraid I would have trouble with all of the milk after surgery and now I am positive I am lactose intolerant. I have tried some ready to drink protein drinks and yogurt and ran into severe intestinal problems. Any recommendations for getting in protein? I have ordered some proteins from Bariatriceating - just hope I can tolerate them. So much of the full liquid diet is milk based or milk related. Any suggestions? Peg

I ended up using soy milk with SF nesquick right after surgery. I wasnt thinking "wow this is the best stuff ever" but I could tollerate it.

Hi Peg, I have had the same problems. I bought some protein powder called Any Whey. You can mix it with anything. I did buy Lactaid Milk. I can tolerate it. It seems like everything I eat comes right back out. If anyone has any hope for both of us I hope they answer. Are you able to tolerate the beans? I have been trying to get some of those in to add protein. Let me know what you find out. The One liquid drink is nasty, Iso pure or whatever. Ugh. Alice

Alice - I am still pre-op so haven't tried beans, etc. My surgery is the 11th so I am trying to have a "plan for protein" after surgery. I will buy some soy milk like Darrah suggested and Lactaid milk and give it a try. I have ordered some Any Whey and some of the Nectars as well. What do you put the Any Whey into. I have seen postings about putting it into puddings, yogurt and creamed soups but again those are milk based. What else have you tried it with? Peg

peggy dont buy a lot per op. you might find that you cant stand things you liked before . i hated refried beans before surgery and love them now. and yogurt i could not eat before and like it now. your teaste will change ever so much. its good to try thing a little now but when you are post op you might find you cant stand them it happen to me big time. vicki

Hey Vicki, How are you? How long are you planning on taking off work? I agree with you about the post-op vs. pre-op taste issues. I have seen that posted time and time again. I have ordered samples from a few places to have after surgery. I have tried a few to see if I could handle them. I had a hard time on the Opti-Fast program with intestinal upsets and am concerned I will have the same problem with the protein drinks. I tried a RTD can of protein and had a horrible 12 hrs. Besides spending a lot of time in the bathroom, I was nauseated and had horrible cramping. The drink didn't have much lactose in it but was enough to set me off. I am hoping some of the gals/guys who are lactose intolerant can give me some advice. So much of the early post-op diet is milk oriented. Peg

I put some in my coffee and believe it or not it was not bad. I added creamer. When I mix it with my lactaid milk in the blender it foams up. If you don't like coffee, maybe tea. It is a real trial and error. Good Luck. Alice

For the first week I had the runs- doc suspects lactose intolerant for me. I tried lactose free milk (at $8 a gallon) and decided it was not worth it. I am using the Nectar brand whey protein and mixing it with water and I am fine now.

Peg, I was not able to do milk for about the first month after surgery. The dietician recommended to me GenSoy protein powder. It's made from soy. I used that for awhile, and it helped. Linda Vicory