PRE-OP and Post Op Shakes....Can Unsweetned Almond Milk be used?

I use a vegan protein called PlantFusion.  All plant based protein and it has been fabulous for me.  I originally used it with Lactaid to boost my calories 2 week post op.  But now I mix it with water.  1 1/2 scoops is 31grams of protein (12 oz water).  I cannot do liquid soy protein, whey or milk either.  Also, it is sweetened with Stevia instead of the other fake sugars (which I have an issue with).  I find it on Amazon.  I will say... not as tasty as some other shakes, but I go for quality over taste in regards to my shakes.  But I do like it and feel great drinking it.  Chocolate is my favorite, but Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Raspberry are good too.

This is a good idea!  I LOVE STEVIA and don't like artificial anything!!!   I've been tasting different shakes to figure out what I'm going to do.  Im not having the surgery for 6 months and i'm already thinking about this or should I say worried about this. lol   I did find both a whey protein with Stevia and a egg protein with stevia.  I like the idea of using PlantFusion.  Sounds much healthier.  My only concern is that plant protein isn't absorbed as well by the body.  I was told by the healthfood store that Whey is absorbed the best, than egg protein than soy than plant protein last. :-(  I wish is was the other way around.  But I may switch it up and have 1 shake with whey, 1 with egg and 1 with plant.  (that way I'm not getting too much whey/dairy.)

Switching it up, might be best.  Remember when you get to mushies and solids, your protein will be very dairy/animal based as well.  So the plant protein can even things out a bit.  It was the best choice for me, with all my intolerances, but I have 3 other friends that have started to use it (all thin and just want more protein in their diet) and they love it as well.  You can buy samples on-line of the PlantFusion and sometimes local healthfood stores carry it, especially if they have a big gluten free section. (obviously, it is gluten free, which is a necessity for me.  Hard to find products that can guarantee they are gluten free). 

Best wishes for your journey.  Do not worry too much, each day comes and you make the best choice at the moment.  You will do great!  I am a planner too, but my surgery approval came so quickly it kind of put me in shock a bit.  Started process in mid December and had surgery March 8th.  So I didn't have too much time to worry about things.  But as you go, you will discover what works best for you. 

Thank you for your ideas and encouragement. :-)  BTW, how long was your pre-op diet if you don't mind my asking.  Some say it depends on your weight BMI.  I noticed your starting weight was close to what mine is.  I heard some of them are 5 days, 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, even an entire month!  I'm wondering if I'll feel light headed and need to take off work sooner at the beginning of the pre op diet.

I had my surgery through Grand Health Partners out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  My pre-op diet was 2 weeks.  I was given a diet to follow by the nutritionist.  I did not do a liquid diet.  It was a diet using their high protein/low carb food.  I was never hungry on the diet.  It was protein bars, protein soups, protein dinners, beef sticks, protein cereal, protein oatmeal, etc... Most of it was pretty tasty and satisfying.

I think the calorie restriction was around 800-900... but cannot remember exactly. My pre-op diet went great and I felt great.  I know others get light headed and feel icky, but I did not.  So that was a blessing.  I did not do any liquid protein until after surgery... then I did a full 2 weeks of just liquids.  Which went well.  I was sure ready for mushies though (cottage cheese, yogurt, pudding, etc...).  I am currently on them still and tomorrow is my 6 week check in, so hoping to be on solid foods soon.  My journey has been a blessed one. (note... all surgeon are different when it comes to pre-op and post-op diets, not sure why, but they vary greatly)

As far as where to have surgery, please pick somewhere close to home.  I know cost is a factor to you since you are self-pay, but follow-up visits, nutritionist visits and support groups are so very important.  If you do it out of the country, you will not have that locally.  If you do go to Mexico... research, research, research.  Find the best, pay the extra, if it means someone that has a great reputation, compared to someone who has never been heard of, make the wise choice.  I know, easy for me to say, insurance covered most of mine.  I had some out of pocket expense and all the bills are not in yet.  You are worth the best... so do not settle, just because of the cost factor.  If you are meant to have the surgery, the funds will be there.

I have a desk job and my work is very flexible.  I worked until the day before surgery, had the surgery on a Thursday, worked a half day the next Wed and Friday and was full time the next week.  I honestly felt great and hardly had any pain or issues.  I know not every case is that wonderful.  I am so thankful for my surgeon and that I am a "rule" follower.  I have not pushed my limits and take to heart everything I am told to do.  God has blessed my efforts.  I weigh in tomorrow and have not weighed in since my 2 week appointment.  Anxious to see what the scale says.

(sorry so long)