Protein Shakes 1st 2 weeks post op?

 Hey guys, so this is my 4th day out from VSG and I'm feeling really low on energy and I have this knawing feeling in my abdomen that I guess feels like hunger. I'm almost positive its not pain or nausea. It started a few hours ago and its bearable but not exactly comfortable. I'm virtually positive I'm not dehydrated and I've made a point of drinking another 16oz of water since its started (since our paperwork says its easy to mistake hunger and thirst.) I was just wondering at what point did you guys start having the protein shakes we're allowed to have during the 2 weeks of liquid? Did anyone else have similar problems? 

Thanks!

If Dr. B has you follow the same instructions as Dr. W patients and I think he does, we could only have clear liquids for the first two weeks. Except if you are getting low energy and weak, then you can have a little bit of something like a protein shake.  I used one of the pre mixed shakes in the can Atkins Advantage Chocolate it was good, it was pretty thick so I couldn't drink very much at a time, but it really helped me when I felt that way.  Hopefully someone else will chime in here and let you know what they used. Good Luck and Congratulations on the life changing step you have taken.  Lisa  "Rosielocks"

I did my first protein shake about day 5 or 6 probably since I was so low on energy.  I actually had to call Jess to ask her about it.  She said that the low energy was the "new" hunger signal.  So, I had a premixed one from EAS- pretty sure it was a lite one for the lower carbs.  I felt much better.

Strain some soup, too.  I went to Dot Wo and got hot and sour soup, strained that, then drank the liquid.  Sure beats broth all the time!

I am sure you are still on clear liquids but a protein drink is allowed.....I'd call the Hospital and let them know what is going on and let them make suggestions. I drank alot of caffine free tea, clear broth and broths cooked with veggies and then strained with a very fine strainer. That gave me more vitamins than just plain broth. NO Tomato products though.  I was told not to worry about protein at all, the first 2 weeks, because many can't handle them yet anyway. I did drink about one protein drink a day. I made it in the AM and used it for 3 meals. I used one from Walmart that had 26g of Protein.  I ate popcicles like crazy and Soni**** with the Wal-mart brand Crystal lights. 
Have you tried taking a Protonic or that type of medication. If you are taking the pain meds, it could possibly be causing a bit of irritation. Or, it could be acid. It is so hard because it could be so many things, or none of them.
My best advice would be to give Jess a call or the Hospital and just ask them for their advice. That is what they are there for and they really don't mind.

Good luck and let us know what helps you. Congratulations too on your surgery! You are going to love it!
Sherry

You can have a protein shake whenever you need it, even in your first week - you will feel a lot better once you do and it will probably take you all day to finish one. The knawing feeling is not hunger - just your stomach wondering what the heck you did to it!!!LOL... Just kidding...but that's how I looked it when that happened to me! You can call Weightwise if anything turns into pain, discomfort, etc....they are very good at answering questions and give suggestion.

Hi.
It sounds like you're doing great. I felt "low" like that, too, but I just couldn't stand the thought of a protein drink, so I tried the Isopure Grape drink, got it frosty cold, and sipped on that. It's high in protein, and it tasted wonderful. It gave me a spurt of energy. I was so glad I had my husband buy a couple of bottles, before I left the hospital, for home.  :)
Blessings,
Mary

 Thanks everyone for all the support and advice. Its very reassuring to hear that everyone else went through the same things. Today has been a lot better than yesterday energy level-wise so I haven't tried the protein shake yet. I've decided I'm going to stay away from hot liquids for a couple more days, every time I've tried tea or broth it has not been pleasant.  But overall, things are going good. 

 By the way, do the protein shakes count towards our fluid intake for the day?