Protein drinks and supplements questions

I know that my taste may change after surgery but in the mean time is there a company that offers samples of the various nutritional products that we may need afterwards? Sure would hate to wait until after surgery to try and find something that I like or can tolerate the taste of. Jeff K

I know you can purchase samples at bariatriceating.com. A couple of other sites that offer samples either free or for a nominal fee are vitalady.com and I-shophere.com. I know there are others but I'm at work and my list of favorites is on my computer at home. If nobody else responds with those additional sites I'll post them when I get home tonight. I found that my "brand" preference didn't change post-op but some of my flavor preferences did. Pre-op I was a major chocoholic. Post-op my favorite is strawberry. Susan

As far as supplements go, check what vitamins, etc your surgeon recommends. I used to buy my multivitamin/mineral supplement from my doctors office but I didn't like the taste. I now buy all my supplements at GNC and am using Solotron chewable. I also take high dose iron, extra vitamin C (to help with absorption of the iron), and calcium citrate (very important that it's citrate and not carbonate, again the absorption issue). One other thing to remember is not to take your calcium and iron at the same time. They bind each other which doesn't allow either one to be absorbed, even by a normal digestive system. I checked them all out with my surgeon to make sure they would provide the nutritional support required and all my labs have come back with good levels so they are doing the job. As far a protein goes, I use a milk and egg protein powder from Kroger. I mix it with 8 oz skim milk and 1/2 to 3/4 cup frozen fruit, and 2 tbls Carb Master vanilla yogurt (also a kroger brand) then blenderize to make a smoothie. I just couldn't get past the taste of most of the shake mixes out there so I concocted my own. Sometimes I'll throw in 1/2 a banana if I happen to have some at the time. That is also a good way for me to get in a serving or two of fruit. Good luck Jeff and remember that your doctor and nutritionist are going to be your best official source of info, but we're always here to give you our personal opinions and share our experiences. Toni

Toni, What is the brand of the milk/egg protein powder from Kroger? Terry

Terry - sorry it took me so long to get back with you. It's MLO Milk & Egg Protein Powder. It's a whey isolate and also has albumin (sp?) in it too. Both are highly absorpable for us. It's in the "organic & health food" section of the store.

Thanks Toni. I'm just trying to get a few things together before surgery. I'm keeping a notebook of things people seem to like so I can also try them post-op............Terry

Jeff, Pre-op, the best advice we can give you is to buy samples. I know that bariatriceacting.com offers samples of almost all the proteins they carry, and that way, if you don't like it, you don't feel bad throwing it out, ya know? I use the IsoFruit Delite in cantaloupe flavor, it is thin and mixes with water, which I like. I buy it directly from the manufacturer and get a great deal on it -- whi*****ludes free shipping. Right now, they are running a buy 2 get 1 free sale, which is awesome, but you probably do not want to dump tht kind of money into protein until you are post-op. Good luck with everything! --joanna 325/141/140 BMI is 24.9