I need help ASAP with to things PROTEIN & CRAVINGS

Hi everyone, My name is Matt Maier and I had open GBP August 31st so I am just over 2 months post op. I had my surgery in Louisville, KY. I have been here a couple of times but I have some issuses that I need some assistance with. I know that I am supposed to get 60 grams of protein but I am just having one hell of a hard time getting it in. I tried drinking the shakes and I can get about 1/2 to 2/3rds down and then I am done. So I can't even think drinking the second one. One of the guys at my support group recommended the isppure water from GNC and I love the idea of it but I can't get it down. I was thinking about putting some sweet and low and see if that would help. I know that if I get all my protein and vitiams in that weill kick my weight loss into gear but I am just having a hard time.  ANY IDEAS

Let me know if I am crazy for thinking this but I cannot stop thinking about food. I mean I am not even ashamed to say that I miss eating and I miss food ALOT. Does this ever go away or is this just something that I am going to have to live with?

Thanks for any thoughts and insight

Hey Matt. I had surgery 2 weeks before you. In regards to the protein shakes, when you say that you are "done" or that you "can't get them down" is it the taste or is it that you are full? I tried the premixed Isopure, and that was disgusting. What kind of eating plan does your surgeon have you on? I can say that I don't miss food because I get to eat everything I want, just in smaller portions, and usually in healthier versions. Obviously protein comes first, but for us meat-loving guys, that should be pretty simple. Most days I get in 80-100g of protein a day. Eric

Hi Eric, Thanks for the post. When I say that I am done I mean that I am so full that if I take another sip that I start to gag. (talking about the shakes). My doc has me on 60cc of food per meal, 3 meals a day, plus the protein. So I do eat a lot of meat but I don't know I am just having a harf time with the diet

I'm really not sure what to tell you. Protein shakes never filled me up, except for maybe the first week. I eat 4-6 oz of food at each meal, 3 times a day. 60cc of food at 2 1/2 months out? That seems absurdly low. You may need to call your surgeon. If your stoma is too tight, stuff can be staying in your pouch too long causing you to fill up on almost nothing. I can't imagine your doctor only wanting you to eat 60cc of food. If my calculations are correct, that is only 2oz of food. Seems way low to me. Eric

Seems like everyone has a preference for protein...some like the shake like proteins (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, etc.) while others like the fruity one (lemonade, orange, blue raspberry etc.).  Others will swear off protein supplements and say protein requirements should be achieved through foods only. If you go the powdered route, and if you follow the recipe that can be a great deal of liquid to choke down.   If you go the RTD route - some of these have anywhere from 15-40 grams per can/carton typically in 11-20 ounces.  For the lower gram versions that's a lot to drink in a day! There are options - New Whey Protein vials will deliver 42 grams of protein in a 3 oz dose.  Not bad.  Can be a little pricey, but shop it on the internet and you'll find some decent prices.  I use the New Whey on those occasions when I'm out on bike rides, hikes and other activities where I'm away from a kitchen and/or refrigerator for extended periods of time.  What I typically do however is two scoops of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein (24 grams each) in about 4-5 ounces of water.  That's half or a little less water than the directions call for, but it works for me and I'm able to get that down on 3-4 drinks. (Suggestion:  Leave water in the refrigerator and use it to mix - the colder the better - it goes down easier).  What I'm able to do is get 96 grams of protein in 10 ounces or less over the course of a day - very easy to do, even for a relatively recent post-op.  (Another Suggestion:  Use water instead of milk in the powdered proteins - it's not as thick and easier to get down.) All I  can offer is what has worked for me - may not be a viable option for you or others out there.  I've followed this routine since my requirements are personally between 150-175 grams daily in order to maintain weight and build muscle mass.  If I were unable to get high doses of protein in smaller amounts, I would struggle and likely fail in meeting those requirements. Best wishes! Cards Fan PS - I used Isopure clear in the beginning as many new post-ops do, and I did fine with it until my protein requirements were increased 3-4 weeks post-op.  From that time on, and still today, if I smell it or taste it, it makes me heave!!!  loseSMART!  loseSTRONG!

loseSMART!  loseSTRONG! Hey CF, I met Mr. LiveStrong, Lance Armstrong, a couple of weeks ago when I was back in DC. What a thrill for me -- he's an amazing human being to say the least. If anyone here on the board needs some inspiration, I would recommend reading his book, It's Not About the Bike which details his fight with cancer.  Glad Tony decided to stay with the Cards. Rockies flamed out but I was happy just to have them in the series.  Later Boner

Lance is the man, Boner!

He supposedly shook off the chemo side effects as if they were a case of the sniffles or something.

Dave

Dang, Cards ..  just checked out your profile ..  you're my new hero!  (sorry Scott)     Have you ever thought about being a speaker for OH at events,, along with Ramon (Big Dawg) and Bo???

  and ... from my old hometown no less (working at Mexican Villa packed on I don't know how many pounds while I was in college!)  ...  I remember as a kid my mom taking me to St. Louis almost every summer for a Cardinals baseball game ..  ::sigh:: 

   Have you had any PS, or just got all built up with weights and stuff?  Wish I could get disciplined enough to do it ..  &:-/)

   Speaking of which, I really wish some of these gyms had an exercise class specifically designed for WLS patients (and preferably led by one) ..  but I have yet to find one that does ..   &:-(...

 

Hey Matt, It could very well be that you're just not healed up yet enough to eat "all" that. Eat what you can and trust that things will slowly get better. As for the cravings, that too shall pass. I went through that stage as well. We just don't stop decades of bad eating choices on a dime. I still have a problem with sweets. It takes our brains time to re-program our thinking towards food. I'm somewhat ashamed to admit this but eating for me was also something to do; it was a large part of my day. Now we have to get used to doing things other than eating. And it takes time to make those mental changes. Eat your protien, get full but not "stuffed" and then go and do something else. Its that something else that you choose to do that will slowly change your life into what you want it to be. Good luck, if you want to talk just let me know. Doug

Hey Doug, Nothing to be ashamed of about admiting that "eating for me was also something to do; it was a large part of my day."  Eating for me was that and more --- it was my life. As they say, I was living to eat not eating to live. That's how I got up to 500 pounds. Most of us here on the board were in the same boat.  Regarding my ongoing battle with "head hunger," I haven't beaten it yet nor do I think I ever will. What I can do though is to CONTROL IT by eating healthy foods and by exercising. If I fall off the wagon for a day, I try to eat less and exercise more the following day.  I also have a weight "red line" which for me is 220 pounds. I try to keep my weight between 210 and 215 which I've been able to do (for the most part) the last year or so. If I get above 215, I try to fix it by eat ing less and exercise more. If that doesn't work (i.e. the head hunger or stress eating in my case is too great) and I get above 220, then drastic measures are needed. In this case, I try to fast for a complete day which helps me to convince myself that I am stronger than the frickin head hunger.  This might sound weird but it's the only way I've been able to keep my weight down. It's a daily battle for me, one which I will have to live with the rest of my life I think.   My best, Boner