No more protien shakes????

Hi everyone, I was just wondering if any one else has experienced this with their surgeons program...I was told I shouldn't be taking protien shakes anymore! The nutritionist and the managing nurse have informed me that after 6 months I should have weined myself from the protien and only consume 3 meals a day, limited to a cup of food. NO Snacks, No Shakes, just 3 cups of food per day and the liquid(64 oz) of course. But I still have to get 60-80gms of protien. I was eating a diet like south beach, but cutting the carbs all together and taking protien. They told me it was too much fat, and too many calories. I thought our bodies didn't absorb fat and calories anymore??? I am finding it impossible to eat this way, and get my protien requirements. So I tried this for about a week and it made me very hungery! Like I just wanted to go back to the old days of binging. They tell me I would get over it, it was just head hunger. It drives me nuts, all I can think about is food. It has driven me into some very unhealthy habits, like eating whatever I can get my hands on to stay satisfied. So I went back to 5-6 small 1/2 cup meals per day. It keeps me balanced mentally throughout the day, and I focus less on head hunger! I am now 8 months post op and have finally hit the 100 pound mark. I have struggled for three months with the last five pounds. I would gain and loose, gain and loose. I have another 70 pounds to my goal. I joined the health club and have been enjoying my new addiction to physical fitness. I guess I am probably just building muscle, that is why the weightloss has been so difficult. If anyone has some insight or suggestions, I would love to hear about it. I am very confused, as I thought taking a protien shake every day, would be a standard for the rest of my life. Even eating a diet of cottage cheese (3 cups a day) wouldn't give me enough protien??? this is nerve racking! I just want to use this tool right and I feel like I am being mislead. Joy

Hi Joy: Congratulations on hitting 100 pounds down! That's terrific! I don't know how much help I'll be with the post-op diet rules, as I'm still in the pre-op stage myself. And I don't know what my surgeon recommends for long-term maintenance. However, your comment about "our bodies didn't absorb fat and calories anymore???" Caught my attention. Yes, we DO still aborb calories and fat after surgery. However, there is some measure of malabsorption involved. I've heard percentages anywhere from 60% to 80% absorption rate (meaning 40-60% of the calories we eat just pass through without being used or absorbed). That rate is not concrete because no two people are the same. And from what I understand, the further out you are from surgery, the higher your absorption rate becomes because your small and large intestines learn to adapt to the way your digestive system is now working and become more efficient in processing the food you eat. As for stopping protein supplements. I've heard very heated discussions on both sides of this fence. I know some people who are 4 years out and still have 2-3 shakes a day. Both my mom (3 years out) and my sister (5 years out) rely solely on normal food for their protein and nutrients - no protein shakes at all and their blood levels are fine. So at this point, I would follow what your surgeon's office is telling you and see how it works over the next few months. Also, are you tracking your food in a journal or online tracking site? I use www.fitday.com and it tells me not only calories, but also the protein content of my food. It's helped me follow my low carb, high protein diet and adjust what I eat to get the most out of my food intake. Merry Christmas! Pam

Everyone is so different....their bodies and their surgeons. My surgeon has never told me not to do protein shakes. However, I RARELY have a protein shake or any other type of protein supplement. When I say rarely, I mean maybe one shake every two or three months. I had a very difficult time with protein supplements from the get go because I'm allergic to milk (whey). I use soy powder when/if I have a shake. My surgeon also recommends 3 meals a day and protein if I need a snack. Since surgery, though, I've developed hypoglycemia (is that the low sugar? LOL...I can never remember). I have to eat something every few hours or I get dizzy and shaky. I've even passed out because of it. Before surgery, I had high blood sugar and was "pre-diabetic". So I guess my advice is to do what you do need to do for yourself. I would talk to your doctor and nutritionist. Just make sure you are getting what you need. Good luck! Tina PS- With all that being said...I DON'T always get all of my protein in each day. Since I've decided not to do protein shakes, I've had to focus on making my food really count. Most days, I do....but not always.

Hi Joy, usually I would say to follow the instructions given to you by your medical professionals, but in this case I think it's a bit off base. The point of eating 3 meals a day with no snacking in between is to get us into the habbit of not grazing. My center (Henry Ford Detroit) used to recommend eating like this, after research they have changed it to eating 5-6 small meals/snacks per day concentrating on protein. A protein drink counts as a meal. It looks like you are developing bad eating habbits eating the three meals a day. I highly recommend eating the 5-6 small meals/snacks per day along with a minium of 64 ozs. of water per day. The reality of it is we should be consuming half of our weight in water. If you weigh 150 pounds you should be drinking 75 ozs. of water per day. Head hunger affects all of us. When you want to eat first ask yourself Am I really hungry? Check for the true sings of hunger, discomfort, empty feeling, hunger pains etc. If you are not experencing these signs, then ask yourself Why do I want to eat when I'm not really hungry? Then find something else to do with your hands and your mind. I hope this helps. God bless you, Annette

Hi Joy, Every Dr./Program/person is different. I think what they are telling you is they want you to get most of your protein from food. In my case, I can get all my protein in if I still have my protein shake in the morning. I like them and I feel like I get a good start to the day. I think whatever works for "you" is what you should be doing. Don't get me wrong, I know the Dr. has a plan and would like you to follow it as best you can, but if you feel good still drinking the suppliments, you're not gaining, and expecially since you are exercising, I think the protein shakes are fine. Whatever helps get the recommended amount of protein in. Just my opinion. Happy Holidays! Theresa

I'm 3-1/2 years post-op and I use protein shakes to supplement my way of living. We all have problems absorbing nutrients, but with the help of protein shakes with powdered calcium citrate, we can easilier get the amount of protein we need daily. Without it, we would have to eat around the clock to get the amount of protein we need daily. I use 2 scoops Champion Nutrition Proscore 100 with one scoop UpcalD (calcium) with 8 oz cold WATER. (Do not use milk or fruit juice--too many calories and sugar). (32 grams protein, 4 gr carbs, 2 gr fat). I have at least 3-8oz shakes per day. The shakes also help with the hunger and can help build lean muscle. I highly suggest you check out www.vitalady.com and read up on the protein. I'm not involved with the website, but a very, very satisfied customer. Fill the rest of your little meals with low glycemic veggies. Only 1 fruit serving per day. Too much fruit equals too much sugar--weight gain. VitaLady has practical experience--10 years+ post-op. Remember--surgeons are surgeons, not nutritionists. Most doctors only have one class in their entire medical schooling in nutrition. They are clueless on nutritional needs. Good Luck! Gav

Joyann, I'm six months out and my nutritionist has suggested we don't do protein shakes anymore unless we're short of protein each day. She has me on a 1000 - 1250 calorie with less than 30 grams of fat each day. I asked about carbs and she says you have to have some to give you energy and if you stay under the 30 grams of fat that the carbs should come in line with what they should be each day. I found that when I cut the carbs, I lost strength so I added them back by going for more complex carbohydrates which are very good for your body. I use fitday to keep up with my food and I know by 5 o'clock whether or not I've got enough protein so I can plan my dinner accordingly. I am also allowed a snack per day and usually have sugar free/fat free pudding and if I'm low on protein, I'll add a scoop of Anywhey.

Hi. I was told by my nutritionist the more weight you lose, the less protein you will require. I started at needing about 90gm protein..I am now down to 75gm a day. I drink the Advant-Edge shakes, in the little silver carton. They taste really good when real cold, have only 100 calories and 15 gms protein. I get the rest of my requirements in with food. No one, not even thin folks, should consume less than 65gm protein daily. The shakes can be a meal replacement as long as you take all of your supplements. Good Luck. KathyG

I was just in for my 6 month check-up. I was told 3 meals and 3 supplements a day. I need 90-110 grams of protein. Isn't it funny how different centers have different protocals?! Do you know what? I bet we ALL lose weight anyway! Robin