Vitamins, Supplements and Protein Shakes

Hello All, I have  another newby question :-) What kind of vitamins/supplements do you have to take after WLS and how often ? Also how many protein shakes does one normally consume a day. With all the protein .......is there really room for anything else? I know I'm probally jumping the gun a little, I just like to be prepared, trying to get the right state of mind.  Another question.......I know this won't be an issue until my goal weight is established, are you able to eat raw veggies and salad stuff eventually?  Or is this just too much for your stomach to handle. Also, red meat ? Can anyone give me a typical menu of what you ate right after surgery and for the weeks to follow?  I guess you can tell........I'm really going to miss food ,  but I'm convinced I can work through this weakness..........I have to !!! Thanks to everyone that  responded to my prior post, Christina

Hi Christina. Which wls are you looking to have. I am having the DS and the foods are a bit different from the RNY so I wanted to ask you that first. Jo

Oops sorry, I'm looking to have RNY .

Your surgeon will most likely provde you with the specifics of their program just prior to your surgery. I had to attend a class about 2 weeks before my surgery.  I use Centrum chewables. I also take Caltrate Chewables for my calcium. Another supplement I take is a fiber tablet. They are also chewable.   In the beginning, I was told to drink at least 2 protein shakes a day. I used Atkin Advantage shakes. I could also drink Carnation Instant Breakfast as one of my protein shakes. Look for the sugar-free types. I have only found it in a chocolate flavor.  Yes, you can eat some raw vegies again. I think I was about 3 months out when I was allowed to start eating some salad. It was so nice to crunch again. Some of the foods will depend on you. I can eat red meat. it doesn't bother me. Pork does. I will dump it every time. I do love a pork chop or a rib that has been grilled. Sigh.  I thought I would miss food. I don't. A taste of something and I am satisfied. I don't need more than that.  This surgery and this tool is the best thing I have done for me. I read recently where you should not look at things as lost or as if they have been taken from you. You are learning a new way of life. You will learn to use food as nutrition and not comfort and pleasures. Everytime people ask me if I will ever be able to eat normally again, I tell them that I wasn't eating normally before.  Best wishes and good luck!

Hi Christina, Every doctor has his own protocol for what his/her patients do post op.  I started on Flintstone chewables in the hospital and here I am almost 3 1/2 years post op and I STILL use flintstones.  I could switch to a swallow type vitamin, but the Flintstones work for me so I stick with them. My doc said TUMS for calcium.   There's a huge debate on the calcium supplements .. citrate vs carbonate and what you absorb, etc.   Do what your doctor says. My doctor also subscribes to the 2 protein shakes per day for life school.   Some doctors never want you to have protein shakes, some just til you get on solid food. The most important thing to remember about the OH forums is that we are here for support but when it comes to medical advise or what you should be doing your doctor is the one you should be asking and listening to. Best wishes on your upcoming WLS and your journey.   You are in for the ride of your life. Hugs, Mo

Hi Christina, After 2 years, I still drink at least one protein drink a day.  I do not like the thick, shake-type drinks so I use one that I mix into iced tea or flavored water.  Some days I drink 2 protein drinks.  I have always been diligent about getting all my protein grams in .  My doctor's program is at least 50 grams for women; although I have read elsewhere that the amount of protein you should consume is dependent upon your height and your goal weight.  With that in mind, I should be consuming upwards of 90 grams a day and I have strived to do that since my surgery.  I have found that I have a hard time consuming 50 grams of food protein in a day, let alone 100 grams so that's why I continue to drink the protein drinks.   Every doctor's program is different, but I was cleared to eat raw veggies and salad at 6-8 weeks post op.  I tried some beef cooked in a soup at about 12 weeks and had a hard time with it.  I tried to eat steak at about 7 1/2 months and had no problems.  I was able to eat low fat ground beef early on and had no problems.  My doctor's program allows you to come home on soft/pureed foods.  Some doctor's keep you on clear liquids for a few weeks after surgery.  I ate sliced deli cheese (provolone or american) cottage cheese, cheese, scrambled eggs, cheese, ricotta cheese with a little cocoa powder sweetened with splenda, cheese, wet tuna mixed with lowfat mayo, wet chicken salad mixed with lowfat mayo (no onions or celery mixed in at this point - too soon for raw veggies, cheese, no sugar added pudding.  Did I mention cheese?  hehe.  I figured if it was protein and didn't have sugar and I could put it in the blender with a little water or gravy it was fair game.  Prior to WLS, I thought I would miss food too.  I don't.  I am no longer a slave to it (for the most part) but I do have my moments.  If there is something that I really want and I am craving it, I'll have a few bites or a small, small piece.  That satisfies me. Just follow your doctor's program and you should be fine.  I didn't feel real hunger until I was 11 months post op.  The key is to have good protein foods available for when you are hungry and to eat regularly.  I know initially my doctor advised to eat 3 meals and 2 snacks daily.  With the amount of food that you're able to eat, I was never sure how to differentiate between a "meal" and a "snack".  I just know that I had better weight loss (and manage better now) when I eat every 3-4 hours.   HTH

It's nice to see another SoMDer on the site.  I live in Leonardtown.   Great questions because I've spend the last two weeks searching for the answers myself.  My doctor has said that I need at least 75-95 grams of prortein per day so I've been out tasting all the various drinks and mixes.  As a liquid, I found that I like the Isopure brand (there is an after-taste) and for something a little more thick (i.e., milk or a shake) you can't beat the Unjury brand... well maybe you can and I just don't know it yet.  My question is can you have a such thing as too much protein? As for the vitimins, my doc has me on Flintstones now and for the first five weeks post-op.  After that, he recommends a brand called Vita 4 Life, which is specifically made for people who have had bariatric surgery.  The amount you take per day is based on the type of surgery you have.  I have to admit, though, that I am a bit confused because I met a woman in the waiting room of his office who said she is still taking the Flintstones and that is one year post-op after losing 250 lbs.  I also see that somebody replied to you about taking Flintstones too (Not sure who it was now).  I have already ordered a bottle of Vita 4 Life but  will talk to my doctor about it.  Flintstones, if not cheaper, are definitely more accessible. Here's the menu my doc gave me for post-op: Days 1-4: Clear Liquids - Sugar Free Jello, SF Popsicles, Diluted fruit juices without added sugar (No citrus first 5 weeks), Crystal Light, Kool-Aid (SF), Broths, water, OS Cranberry (Watered Down), Isopure. Days 4-8: Full Liquids - Skim Milk, Strained Soup, SF/FF Pudding, SF Ice Cream, Liquids you cannot see through, Skim Milkshake (8 oz milk w/cracked ice, Flavoring extracts [vanilla or SF Cocoa, 1 scoop SF/FF Ice Cream & Protein Supplement)  Days 8-14: Pureed Foods - Unsweet Applesauce, Pureed Soft Foods, Cottage Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Chopped-Up Soft Poached Eggs, Cream of Wheat Days 15-21: Soft Foods - Baked Fish (No Bones), Imitation Crab Meat, Real Crab Meat, Hot Dogs (Well Chewed), Over-cooked Vegies, Scrambled Eggs, Watermelon (Chew to Thin Paste), LF Cheeses, Very Tender Chicken, Deli Meats, Oatmeal Days 22+ - Regular Food Trial - You can try one regular food per meal but no more than two new foods per day.  This is when you ca start trying to swallow pills too. Foods Not Allowed - 

First 6 Weeks

Ø  Saltines

 

Ø  Toasted White Bread

 

Ø  Corn Flakes / Rice Krispies

 

Ø  Citrus Juices

 

 

 

First 3 Months

Ø  Raw Veggies

 

Ø  Chips / Taco Shells, Pop-Corn

 

Ø   Nuts / Seeds

Ø  Grain & Whole Grain Bread Sorry for the different font but I cut and pasted some of this from my notes.  I actually prepared sheets for each of the above phases detailing foods, meds and other things I can and cannot do so I can post them at work and at my home.  I think they are going to help me a lot!! --Eric

Great ;-) I'm across the bridge in Calvert. Thanks for the wealth of knowledge, the diet plan post-op doesn't seem that bad. Alot of the liquids I'm doing now ( SF drinks ) I guess I'll have to shop around and do some taste testing to find a couple of protein drinks that I like. Thanks for sharing and def. keep in touch! Christina

Definitely try the Unjury.  You can order samples from their web site. www.unjury.com