Protein and Supplements After Surgery

Hello everyone! I am considering lap band, however am very curious & confused about the types of supplements, mainly protein available post surgery. That being said, I'd like to start a new "Supplements" topic so members can find products & share their experiences w/various supplements post surgery. 

Thank you very much for your consideration & I look forward to meeting many new wonderful people on this forum

Eliza

Hello!  and Welcome!

There are many, many protein supplements out there but most of them tast well, crummy.  The thing to look at at least with protein powders and bars are the amount of calories, carbs, and protein its self in them.  We are not looking to be body builders so we don't need the protein supplements that provide like 60grams of protein a serving.  The ones with like 20 are good for the bariatric patients.   The protein bars are like hit or miss for me but really can't have them until you hit phase 3 of your diet (about the 4-6 week mark post surgery).  Most of them are too dry for my liking.  My surgeon's office sells a line of protein supplements (Protidiet) and I love the bars they sell the best.  But like everything else, it's all trial and error to see what you like and can tolerate!
I personally like the Biggest Loser Whey Protein powder in the vanilla flavor- I use a lot of protein shake recipes from www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com's website!  LOVE her protein rich recipes!

Hope that some what helps!
Good luck to you and take care!
Jan

Hi Jan,

Thank you SO much for your reply :-) I checked out the 'theworldaccordingtoeggface' web site & what a GREAT find! Love her recipes, the web site is very pretty too.

I will look into the Biggest Loser Protein, thanks for the suggestion!

Have a great evening & ttys :-)

Eliza

Hi and welcome!
I needed to have protein shakes 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.   During that time I used a protein powder from GNC.  It is delicious!  I only like the choclate one tho.  It is called Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60.   After surgery when you have moved on to regular foods your protein should come from foods mostly.   The band works well when you eat dense proteins like meats, poultry, and fish.   The shakes then should be used to supplement only your grams of protein you need each day.  Ex:   I get 68-85 grams a day.  If I have not gotten that much with my foods I will then have a shake at night to make up the difference.   Also, some folks have trouble eating food in the morning and will use a shake then instead of having nothing at all.

With the lap band, we do absorb our nutrients from our food, unlike the gastric bypass folks.  It is not as necessary to use supplements but most good drs will recommend you have a multivitamin, calcium and fish oil.   Because of the small amts of food we eat we may not get enough nutrients.  

I wish you the best in your plans and if I can help further, just ask.

[quote]With the lap band, we do absorb our nutrients from our food, unlike the gastric bypass folks.  It is not as necessary to use supplements but most good drs will recommend you have a multivitamin, calcium and fish oil.   Because of the small amts of food we eat we may not get enough nutrients.   [/quote]



I only use a protein supplement after my workouts to help rebuild the muscles I just tore down.   Otherwise I get my protein from REAL FOOD.   That's how the band works best, with solid, dense protein. 

It's ok to use protein supplements if you're tight in the morning or during the healing phase after surgery, but I didn't.  I bought some, maybe used it twice.. and then put it away.  I lived on canned soups during healing.  I figured I had plenty of energy in storeage for the short time I would be on liquids.  YMMV.

I do take a multi-vitamin and calcium.  The calcium should be taken in divided doses and not within 2 hours of any iron (many multi's contain iron).  Iron and calcium interfere with each other.. so a 2 hour cushion is advised.

My surgeon advises Calcium Citrate, not carbonate.  Citrate is absorbed better either in the absence of food or with reduced stomach acid.. I forget which, or maybe it's both...LOL.  And the reason Calcium should be taken in divided doses is that our bodies don't absorb calcium very well, so the dose is divided in hopes that more will be absorbed.

Hi Lisa,

Thank you very much for the advice - I'm so new at all of this, I really didn't know there was a difference in food absorption between the lap band & bypass, or that the band works best with solid foods. Thank you for explaining that!

Thank you again & I look forward to seeing you on the boards :-)

Eliza

Hi Shaesnana!

I do have a question: the shakes you needed for the 2 weeks prior & post surgery, was that ALL you were able to eat (well, drink, lol)?

Thanks in advance for your help :-)

Eliza

Hi Eliza,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you.  My husband just had his lapband surgery on Friday so I have not been online for a few days.  Now we are BOTH banded!   For my (and hubby's) pre-op a we were allowed along with 4 shakes a day to have a small salad w/ veggies only with fat free vinegrette dressing.  We also could have a FF yogurt but we had to make that 4th shake with water in order to have the yogurt.  My hub would add the protein powder to his plain yogurt.
For post-op, on day 3 we could start our protein shakes again but no salad and yogurt could be added on day 11 post op.   You have to understand though that all doctors vary on their instructions and you have to do what they say not what everyone else is doing.  I know some folks on here could eat right up to their surgery with only one day of liquids!!!!   So you really can't go by what I say.   
I don't know what kind of place you're going to for your surgery.  Places with an actual bariatric program are the best cause they will give you the best care and information.  Mine was a bariatric center for excellence is what they are called.   Once again, I wish you the best.
Keep in touch if you want.
Lyn.

There are many gastric bypass supplements out there that you can consider after the surgery. However, it is important that you take your doctor’s advice to pick the right supplement for you.