How do you get in enough protien???

My name is Jenifer Francis and I had a RNY gastric bypass 4 weeks ago today. Dr.Merriman told me to work up to 50-60 grams of protien a day and I am struggling to get in 15-20. Should I just quit eating anything a just do protien drinks all day? I need helpwith this. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi Jenifer, I am hoping to have my surgery around the 1st week or 2 of November, with Dr. Merriman. After going to the nutrionist and tasting some of the protein samples I was wondering how I would get my protien in. I know it can be done, as others have done it. I finally tasted one yesterday that was ok, it was the unjury chocolate. I mixed it with 6 ounces of milk and was full all day. That gave me some hope!! I tried the boulion and about choked on it. How did you do the first two weeks, did you get any protein in? I am so bound and determined that I will get my protein in. I am glad you posted the responses may help me too. I wish I could afford to get the profect and just drink three tubes of that but the price is out of my budget. Thanks and sorry I am of no help. JC

Hey JC, The first two weeks Dr. Merriman wants you on nothing but clear liquids. The only clear liquid with any protien is broth, but the kicker is that the first two weeks you can only have 1 ounce every 30 minutes. Also, the broth made me really thirsty. Actually all the clear liquids on the list made me really thirsty. Basically I mostly drank water for the first two weeks because I was soooo thirsty. Pre-surgery I carried around an x-large drink in my hand everywhere I went. I wondered how I would ever quinch my thirst with only 1 or 2 ounces. When I went for my 2 week post-op visit, I learned that the anesthesiawas still in my body and was making my mouth dry. It is much better now. I have found two protien drinks that I like, A slim-fast, and advantedge. They taste good. The thing is that they are each 11 ounces. One has 20 grams the other has 15. I can have 2 ounces of something to eat or drink every hour. That means if I don't eat anything, it will take me about 5 and a half hours to get in one can. This has been my problem. I guess I'm just going to have to call Donna at Dr. Merriman's office and talk to her about it. If you have any more questions about the surgery or anything I'd love to answer them. I had a very good experiencewith the surgery and Doctor's Hospital was AWESOME. Jenifer

NOVEMBER 17TH IS MY SURGERY DATE. WHEN I WENT TO MY PRE-OP CLASS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THEY RECOMMEND "ISOPURE" IT'S A LIQUID AND COMES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT FLAVORS AND IS 40 GRAMS OF PROTEIN IN A 20 OZ DRINK. YOU CAN BUY IT AT "GNC" AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT VERY EXPENSIVE. THEY GAVE US A LIST OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS THAT GNC CARRIES: EXTREME PURE PROTIEN, DESIGNER WHEY PROTEIN BLAST, NITRO-TECH, ABB PURE PRO AND GNC PRO PERFORMANCE RTD. THEY ALSO RECOMMEND GETTING A CAN OF UNFLAVORED "UNJURY" WHICH YOU CAN ADD TO FOOD OR DRINK. I JUST PULLED MY BOOK OUT AND THEY DO HAVE PROTIEN SUPPLEMENTS THAT COME IN LIQUID FORMS THAT ARE TAKEN LIKE MEDS. "PROTEINEX" OFFERS 15 GRAMS OF PROTEIN IN A 2 TABLESPOON DOSE. "PRO-STAT 64" ALSO PROVIDES 15 GRAMS OF PROTIEN IN A 2 TABLESPOON DOSE AND IS CHERRY FLAVORED. I'M NOT SURE WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE THAT, BUT I BET YOU CAN FIND IT ON THE INTERNET. CAMPBELL'S CHICKEN BROTH 1/2 CUP SERVING HAS 2 GRAMS PROTEIN, BEEF BROTH HAS 3 GRAMS. HOPE THIS HELPS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your advise on protien. I am pre-op and will have my surgery on October 25th (only six more days!). I can't wait. I'm going shopping for post op clear liquid foods. Didn't know if I would be required to add some kind of protien the first two weeks or not. Nutritionist will visit me in the hospital after surgery and give me my info but wanted to start stocking up now. Peggy B.

Thank you for your advise on protien. I am pre-op and will have my surgery on October 25th (only six more days!). I can't wait. I'm going shopping for post op clear liquid foods. Didn't know if I would be required to add some kind of protien the first two weeks or not. Nutritionist will visit me in the hospital after surgery and give me my info but wanted to start stocking up now. Peggy B.

Jennifer you need to get your protein in. I'm almost three weeks post op and not eating much of anything. But I drink my protein religiously. The doc says that is fine as long as you get your protein. Eventually you will be able to eat and drink protein, but right now the protein is the most important thing. Hope this helps. Tina

Jenifer, I think the best option for you is to buy a whey protein powder. I mix one and 1/2 scoops of protein powder with 5 oz of water. This gives me 30 grams of protein. I love Champion Nutrition Pure Whey Stack. My favorite flavors are Banana Scream and Cocoa Mochacchino. I drink 3 protein drinks each day for a total of 90 grams of protein. You won't be able to drink 3 per day in the beginning but you can work yourself up to 3 a day. Good luck! Lynn J., lap RNY 9/29/04 -150 lbs.

In the beginning, you can't get them in, at least I couldn't. I was told, don't worry about it. Just try, you will get better, and as you heal, you will be able to take in more. It took me all day long to drink 1 canned protein drink in the beginning. and there was no way I was getting in 64 oz of fluids. I am 6 1/2 mo now, and I can drink a whole canned protein drink as a meal with no problem. There are some lean meals with a meat and veg. that have 24 g of protein. I can eat the meal or all of the meat and most of the veg.......... no way I could have done that 2 months ago. 3 of those meals a day would get in 60+ g of protein. so it does get better even when it seems that it will never get better. just try to do your best so you have good habits for when you are able to eat more. you don't want to be where I am and find that you have set up bad eating habits and able to eat more............LOL Good luck natalie

At 4 weeks I was doing mostly protein shakes, cuz the stuff I could eat didn't really have protein in it. My doctor however makes us wait a really long time before we even eat chicken, and we don't eat beef or pork till 6 months. But even when I did the chicken, I couldn't eat enough to even equal 20 grams of protein. So yea, if you can't get it in w/ the food. Do the protein. I would start off with a good protein drink that gives you atleast 23 grams of protein (most whey proteins do) and then that way if you do atleast one more during the day, and eat some, you will get your 50-60. Before the hurricane, I had got up to like 90 grams of protein by doing shakes 3 times a day, but I am way off track now. Good luck!