Protein Shakes & Drinks

  ~ SURGERY ~ FEB 24,2009 ~ TUESDAY
Getting Prepared For Post-Op = Need Advice
1. best protein shake - flaors & name 
2. best things to add
3. Water & Adding
Anything anyone wants to share regarding liquid diet
to help me - ahead of time ! I would appreciate any feed back.
I live alone & need to get some things prior to coming home.
Thank You - Blessings To All  

Susan,

1. Please see my response to Lisa's thread on the protein.
2. What to add is going to be up to your individual taste buds. I prefered sf jello powder..lemon or lime. The rest were too sweet for me and I coudn't stand the CIB.
3.  When mixing a protein powder, always mix with the liquid cold. If it's one you can heat up, mix cold, heat half-way, mix gently, then finish heating. I add skim milk instead of water to up the protein a little bit more.

Sherri

Sherri - Hello 
I appreciate any feed back - I can get regarding
the protein shakes / vitiamins / or anything else that 
will be helpful post-op. Thank You So Much !
I am wondering If Carnation Instant Breakfast
has low sugar, oatmeal-does have low sugar.
I am plannig on getting a few things ahead of time -
that have long term expiration dates.But,somethings 
like milk,cottage cheese,yogurt & eggs.I will not get until,
I am out of hospital. I live alone.I do have family & friends
But,everyone has their own lives & I do not expect for
anyone to help me alot.
I apprecaite your feed back & support! 
Peace & Blessings - SUSAN  

Susan,

St. V's has you start off with their special blend. You add skim milk, powder milk and flavoring (CIB, sf jello, ect.). Word of caution..buy small. I tried a small box of powder milk, liked it and went through that pretty quick so I bought a huge box...and had to give most of it away. I also liked it with sf jello (lemon or lime) and had to give it away too. And boy did I fill up newbie bads with Crystal light! Our taste buds can change...rapidly.

The CIB does come in SF but it may be hard to find. I could only find the vanilla and to this day, vanilla drinks are to me. With whatever flavorings you try..buy small with them too.

I really like the sf maple & brown sugar instant oatmeal. I'm not too crazy about the sf cinnamon & apples though.

When you are newly post-op, you won't be allowed any fruit for awhile. Your new pouch won't be able to handle it...not to mention, pieces of fruit can get hung up on your stoma (where your intestines are attached to your pouch). I wouldn't plan on using it in yogurt or smoothies for awhile. Scrambled eggs can also get hung up. It's my understanding that eggs aren't allowed for the first few weeks either anymore.

At your pre-op class, you'll get the 'yellow sheets'...what many St. V patients consider their 'WLS Bible'. It will  list what foods you can have when. It will also list what foods/drinks to avoid. You will feel better prepared when you get done with that class. That class will be ~week prior to your surgery so you'll have time to shop for the items on your 'allowed' list. Plan on not driving for ~a week. Most people are off of pain meds by then. Some, are off alot quicker...but I would plan on a week just to be safe.

Each facility has their own little quirks about them so be sure to ask specifics to your nut or surgeon. We on the board can advise you based on our own experiences or what we were told...but it is always best to err on the safe side and then ask your own nut/doctor.

Sherri

SHERRI HELLO

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT
& FEED BACK - I REALLY APPRECAITE IT ! 
7 DAYS BEFORE SURGERY - I have read the book
more than 1x & keep looking & getting feed back.
Well ...I am on my way to - A NEW JOURNEY IN MY LIFE!
PEACE & BLESSINGS -

The EAS protein shakes were the most palatable to me, in the chocolate flavor. However, I usually made my own with sugar free chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast. Make it with "super milk," which is nonfat dry milk made with skim or 1% milk instead of water. Mix that with the Carnation Instant Breakfast, and it tastes good AND gives you a really good wallop of protein. Whatever drink you choose, drink it slowly so you don't get the "stuck" feeling.

Best of luck to you!

Jenny

Jenny - Hello

I appreciate your feed back.
I have never heard of = EAS SHAKES -
Where do you purchase them ?
Do you ever add fruit - like & blend ?
Peace & Blessings - SUSAN

They're easy to find...CVS, Meijer, Wal-Mart, just look for them in the diet section, like where you'd find Slim-Fast, Atkins bars, etc. I just drank them straight. Make sure they're really cold and you shake them up good. They're really not too bad.

Jenny

Jenny... Hello

I realize all the places to buy them.
I want to know the best flavors or/& brands.
I know - you can mix friut & flavors too! 
Peace & Blessings - SUSAN

 I started out with the sf CIB/powdered milk/skim milk drink but eventually went to Sci-Fit 100% Whey Protein. My favorite flavor is mocachinno, but there are several to choose from. I now buy the powder in a 5 lb tub but they have individual bottles you can buy to taste different flavors. Your tastes totally change post-op.

I will add in frozen fruit (I'm 6 months post op), or sugar free Torani syrup to give it a different taste. 

I always buy it Cutting Edge Nutrition in Castleton (8282 Center Run Dr). It's in a strip mall, across the street from Burlington Coat Factory.