PLEASE HELP

Hi everyone, I am 3 months post-op and I can not find a protein shake or method of protein that I can tolerate.  The shakes make me gag and upset my stomach.  If you could help me out with a brand or recipes I would really appreciate it.

Thanks alot,
Michelle

Hi Michelle,
Thanks for posting.  You may find that your tastes continue to change and may be able to tolerate more of the protein shakes after a bit longer post-op.  I use champion whey stack mocha-cappucino and love it mixed in with my ever-present iced coffees.  Yet there were quite a few months post-op when I couldn't even LOOK at an iced coffee!

Have you tried any of the clear protein drinks like Isopure?  They aren't too bad and mix well with like Crystal Light...

Keep us posted and keep sharing.  A burden shared is cut in half.  A blessing shared is doubled!

Hi Michelle,

It is not uncommon for people to experience taste changes for a few months post op. They think it may be a result of the anesthesia and it does wear off. That said, I never really found a protien suppliment that I liked. By the time I was three months out, I was pretty much off of the protien shakes anyway. I used foods to get my requiste protien in. There are a number of things that are protien dense: cottage cheese is a great, easy food that you can morph into a sweet or savory delicacy... sweet cottage cheese pancakes, mock cheesecake... savory lasagna w/out pasta or if you can handle just a bit of pasta, use Barilla's pasta plus which has 17 grams a cup. Crock pot some chicken, pork or pot roast... meats have 7 grams of protien per ounce. Beans are another great protien source and generally very well tolerate. You can make a nice, lean chili .... mmmmm. Check out Shelly's blog, theworldaccordingtoeggface and you'll find a plethora of recipes for WLS foods, protien shakes, etc...

I hope this helps some.

I had the same problem! I had to get away from the chocolate and vanilla flavors and ended up with Nectar Fuzzy Navel and Nectar Roadside Lemonade. I mix it with different flavors of crystal light. Soo much easier to get down and usually use water, but occasionally will mix with milk and ice for a kinda dream cicle flavor...best of luck to you I do feel your pain!

Hi Michelle,

Unjury makes an unflavored protein powder that got me thru some days when I just did not
want to drink a shake. I mix a scoop (20g protein) with yogurt and add some flavored sf jello pudding power for a nice cool treat. I would eat this for my lunch some day.
It also mixes well with oatmeal, and soup that's not too hot, etc.

Hope you find something you can tolerate. Protein is so very important.

HUGS
Pam

Some GNC stores let you sample stuff. There are fruit protein drinks which are very good. They are in bottles and are around $3 a piece. They have 43 grams of protein. They helped me survive post op. I would drink one a day and have no prob. getting all my protein in to meet quota. You also can mix unflavored varieties with Crystal light. But I preferred the GNC stuff.
Hope this helps
Good Luck
Myrtis

Hi Michelle!

Chike protein powder was my favorite.  They have banana, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors.  You can order it online.

I also love Click espresso protein.  I mix it in the blender with some SF syrup (daVinci's Kahlua is divine) and it's wonderful.

You are 3 months out, so you should be able to get protein from food sources, too.  My standbys are:
Greek yogurt (Oikos or Fage)  about 15-18 grams per container and only 100-120 calories.
Cottage cheese-10 grams of protein per 1/2 cup and only 90 calories.
Shrimp-  loaded w/protein and very few calories....just cut up or chew well!
Cabot's 75% reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese....full of protein and unbelievably low in calories!

A couple meals using these things will get you to your protein quota.

Good luck!

Thanks to everyone for your responses! I love this website! Everyone is so willing to share their experiences! I have been so frustrated because it was drilled in me PROTEIN! PROTEIN! PROTEIN! and I felt like I had to have it or die! Thanks for all the responses. I'm gonna try some of your suggestions.  My hair was shedding and I started to freak out and try protein shakes again but they just make me sick.

Thanks again and please keep me lifted in prayer!

Michelle

Michelle,

Please do know that losing your hair is often related to a post surgical reaction to the anesthesia. It happens to people who have had their appendix out, a heart bypass, gall bladder surgery, etc... It's not that you don't need protien. You do, but having your hair start to fall out around 3 months is pretty predictable. A significant lack of protien can cause you to lose hair as well, but the losses that we generally have are a result of post surgery woes. They normally start at about 3 months and resolve by 6 months or so. There have been a number of studies and there isn't any proof that biotin does anything for you, it won't hurt if you want to try it.

It will get better, I promise!

I am not particularly fond of protein mixes either. I make a protein drink from Unjury unflavored. I have a pretty good cup of hot cocoa every morning made this way.
heat about 8-9 ounces of nonfat milk or milk substitute that you like to about 125 degrees. (not too hot or the protein doesn't mix right and tastes horrible)
Mix in two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa (I use the Hershey's baking cocoa)
mix in the equivalent of 8 teaspoons (four packets) of  your favorite sweetener (mine is Truvia).
use a wire whisk to blend it really well.
Add two or three teaspoons of benefiber powder unflavored if you like and whisk it in as well.
Finally add one scoop of Unjury unflavored or chocolate protein powder. Whisk that until completely blended.
Add a dollop of whip cream if you like on top.
It really gets my day going before work and gives me about 28 grams of protein or so.
When the hotter weather gets here I will go with a protein banana smoothie every morning. Its made with a frozen banana, a scoop of unflavored Unjury, and about 6 ounces of nonfat milk. I may also add if I have it a bit of peach or frozen berries. I blend it in my smoothie blender that no one else in the house is allowed to touch LOL!