question about getting enough protein

Hello Everyone! I am 6 weeks post op and am still having trouble getting in enough protein. Meat chicken,fish,beef make me dump. is anyone else having or had trouble and does it finally get better? I'm sticking with chicken soup and mashed potatoes. I've lost 40 pounds, but it sure has been a hard way to do it. Any help would be appreciated

D Kay....Do you drink any protein shakes to get your protein?? At this stage there's no way you can eat enough to get the amount of protein you need. Myself I buy the 100% Whey Protein, it comes in several flavors. You can get it at the GNC store or if your near a Food4Less, they sell the 5lb container pretty cheap in several flavors. Its the black label container and tastes good. If you mix a scoop of that with 8oz of skim milk you'll get about 30 grams of protein for each shake. I drink at least 2 shakes a day plus what lil I eat most of the time gives me the 90 grams of protein my surgeon recommends. If you'll click on the link below you'll see the a picture of the protein powder Im talkinga bout. Hope this helps ya. Andrew http://www.allstarhealth.com/f/optimum_nutrition-100_percent_whey_protein_gold_standard.ht m

Hi Andrew! Thanks for the info. I'll get some of it. I just finished my packets from optifast that my surgeon had me get. I had rny-lap on 11-14-06 Yes I have trouble with getting all my water in also. When were you able to drink more normally?

D Kay I had my surgery on the same day as you and still have trouble at times getting in all my water, some days I can and some days it's a struggle but I try the best I can to get in as much as I can. Like Tami said try the Crystal Lite and stuff, personally I just drink water, for some reason since surgery my taste buds like water better then other things, I used to love the Crystal Lite. Also like Tami said too about the potatoes, I've learned to fix mashed califlower, I put a lil cheese in em, mash em like ya do taters and they taste pretty good. I love califlower anyway so that helps but they are sure alot better for ya then taters. Andrew

Oh the dreaded potaoes!!! First off, those mashed potatoes are doing NOTHING for you nutritionally now. Stop eating those if you can and find protein that WILL stay down. Try some turkey bacon, try chicken with some gravy to moisten it up. Some folks just have issues with meat cause it's DRY but if you use some SALSA, or gravy or cheses sauce, just something to moisten it up, it may go down better. Have you tried eggs? Tuna with a little mustard/mayo? Jsut try LITTLE protions, more often. Us long-term post-ops(I'm open RNY) would probably all advise you to stay away from white potatoes, rice, bread, sugar, all white carbs!!! It's easy to turn to a potato when nothing agrees with you but keep on trying other forms of protein. You'll find something that works for you sooner or later. It's more of a struggle for some than others and I'll admit I didn't have trouble so much. As for the water, try other forms of it, like Crytal light, tea, etc.....and I used a straw myself. I know man yare told not too but it worked for me. I used a cup that had mesurments on it too, that way I was certain how much I was getting. Just kept sipping all day! : ) GOOD LUCK!!!!!!! Tami

You bring up a question that I had - what is up with the no straw thing? I actually love to drink water all day long and one of my concerns is that I will gulp instead of sip, but I prefer a straw - glad to hear it was ok for you. I know I will try it. Marilyn

the straw thing is that some will swallow alot of air using a straw. That is the concern. A straw sure made it easier for me to get my fluids in though. : )

D... I don't recall being able to eat all of those meats at 6 weeks postop, not good for the pouch till 3 months according my my NUT and surgeon. Can you eat turkey, shrimp or tuna? Those are really high in protein and not considered dense meats, and your pouch can digest them more easily than chicken, beef, or pork. Eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, peanutbutters (any nutbutter) are optimum for us and you can eat all of those at this stage in recovery. Are you certain you are dumping and not experiencing something like IBS or a lingering flu bug? I don't mean to question you, but I have just never heard of anyone dumping on meats that weren't deep fried or covered in a heavy sauce. Hope you find something soon. Keep drinking protein drinks. Also try to fortify the foods you can eat with unflavored protein powder. It helps. ~Diana

Thanks for keeping me on track. I knew the white stuff is bad but was so hungry I needed something I wouldn't throw up. I tried baked Talupa-threw up, baked chicken,threw up, beef veg. soup/same thing. I have made tuna salad and done fine with that. Guess it just takes time. I appreciate the advise. dkay

hi dkay.i have trouble getting all my protein in too. i found a website that has these candybars with 39g. of protein in them. i just received them today. i was leery cause i have not found any protein that i like. they have different flavors. there is two to each package. and they are big. i tried chocolate mint tonight, yummy!!!!!lol. the website is www.freshenergybakery.com patty