Protein intake immediately following surgery
Just curious if anyone has incorporated pureed foods before the suggested timeline in order to up their protein intake? I'm almost a week out and KNOW I am not getting even half of the grams of protein needed based on my severe aversion to shakes/powders/juices etc. I just can't seem to stomach them and am wondering if I at least incorporated maybe an egg or two in daily if that might help. Obviously poached or baked and then pureed to liquid"ish" consistency... I really am concerned with losing muscle the little I have and am certain not eating enough protein is not helping me lose any lbs. I won't be able to talk to my nutritionist until end of week.
Most people don't get near the daily protein grams their Dr recommends for a while every day you just sort of aim for better and better until you suddenly start posting that you think you might be eating too much ;)
So the shakes... have you tried changing milks that helped me early on (cow's milk in liquid form is not my friend: soy almond, cutting 1/2 water with 1/2 milk) There are some tasty brands keep trying... I have a few I look forward to having. They are out there.
Adding Greek yogurt or cottage cheese or non-fat dry milk will bump up protein counts so... a dollop of yogurt or cottage cheese, milk, a little non-fat dry milk, unsweetened cocoa or powdered peanut butter and SF Torani whizzed with ice sort of thing with or without protein powder will give you a bunch of protein.
You'll get there but stick with the Dr's timeline for advancement. Eggs are pretty notorious for being difficult at first too (like little rubber balls in your gut.) Healing is still happening, if something got stuck, didn't work out... puking, dumping, foamies, all those things are not pleasant and I'm sure that call to the Dr would be uncomfortable... "I ate something I wasn't supposed to..."
Best to you, ~Shelly
Thanks for the tips, unfortunately, I am still in the right after surgery stage where I am only to be having clear broth, liquids etc., no yogurt or cottage cheese yet :( I think once I get to the stage where I can have those it will be SO MUCH EASIER for me. I really appreciate the input, and the part about just doing the best I can to achieve optimal protein intake. I'm just gonna do that! I cannot take the smell, taste and/or texture of the powders and the ready made shakes which I do prefer are so sweet I feel like I just want to eat a steak! Some real food! I think not being able to get enough protein is of course making me crave protein, vicious cycle, but I will tough it out in the hopes of success. Again, thank you for the tips and pep talk.
on 7/22/15 7:05 am
When food gets stuck and you start to produce a lot of saliva. Once the food passes it stops. It's your body's was of trying to break down the food
"The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue." --- Dorothy Parker
"You may not like what I say or how I say it, but it may be just exactly what you need to hear." ---Kathryn White
I agree with Madame Eggface. Pushing in foods ahead of schedule is a recipe for misery and complications. Get some good protein powders mixed with water- they do double duty as protein and liquid.
Referral: 8/14; Orientation TWH: 12/14; Nurse: 01/15; SW, Dietician, Psych: 2/15; Surgeon: 5/15; RNY: June 15/2015
The first two to three weeks are so tricky! Don't stress too much and follow everyone's advice, just get in as much as you can, keep hydrated and it all gets easier. I freaked myself out so much. When I look back on it, I laugh. It's a lot to get used to. You're doing a great job!!
HW: 308, CW: 261, SW: 240, Now: 135.8 M1: -23.4 M2: -12.0 M3: -10.2 M4: -10.0 M5: -9.0 M6: -10.0 M7: -2.0 M8: -6.8 M9: -7.6 M10: -4.6 M11: -3.6 M12: -3.7 M13: -1.2
Check for a newly post op menu and food list online. Just out from surgery a few days? You are still healing and will be for awhile. The "tool" AKA WLS is not everything, and you will need, when allowed, exercise often, hydration of 64+ ounces through out the day, vitamins daily and menu plans designed for post bariatric eating. If you try to jump the gun on eating, you could hurt yourself... a lot. You can find the information, free, online for newly post op requirements. No eggs or solids in the beginning. Clear to strained cream foods for stage 1 and 2. Best wishes.
I here Premier Protein drinks are very popular... that's where you are going to get your needed protein for awhile. If they are gross to you, you can use whey protein, unflavored and add it to anything you want for the newly post op pouch. I did 15 grams of protein added to diluted hot coco 3x a day for a long time post op RNY. This will get your metabolism running and start eating away at your fat stores. The other foods are too early.
