Help Protein SHakes

 I am scheduled for surgery on 12/24 and i just got my protein shakes yesterday  I had one late this  morning  I gaged drinking it. It has left an unsettling taste in my mouth and just the thought of it makes me want to throw up.. I can not drink another one.. Can i just have chicken broth and other stuff i can not tolerate another shake.. I am not even hungry just to thinking if i do get hungry i need to drink one the shakes... please help any suggestions on what liquid food i can eat or jello, popsicles..  I am trying so hard ... Help please...

Hi, There are all different brands of shakes.  In the beginning the protein intake is extremely important.  There are the protein bullets, the isopure which are juice like protein drinks.  You can mix your protein in yogurt.  Also, you can make your shakes with milk and add some s.f syrups.   I use Unjury.  I am 18 months post op and still have a protein shake every day.  I do love them as i make mine that they taste like some of the drinks you get from Starbucks or DD.   Keep trying different kinds and various combos.  Your taste will change after surgery. Good luck in your journey.  PM if you have any questions that I can help you with. Jeanne

Are you on clear liquids or full liquids?  And are you on the liquid diet before surgery, or are you experimenting before surgery? Clear liquids: Broth (chicken, beef, veggie etc) sf ice pops caffeine free crystal lite sf jello Full Liquids SF/FF pudding SF/FF yogurt (dannon lite and fit is a good choice) sf/ff fudge pops low fat/ff milk  (skim plus has 11gm of protein in 1 cup) I've heard good things about unjury. I like "nectar" cappuchino flavor - mixed with milk it tastes pretty good.  The sf syrups are also a good suggestion although I have not used them.  I believe DeVinci makes a million of them. I also like the powders gotten from www.allthewhey.com  On the left of the screen you will see multiple options - one of which is "Bariatric"  Click on that.  They have sample packets availabe for something like $9 for a variety pack.  The orange and cream was AWESOME.  I believe that they would be considered a full liquid, most certainly if you made ANY protein shake with milk. Experiment - and yes - your tastes will change after surgery.  I have mixed mine with yogurt although I'm not thrilled with that one. Protein will not dissolve in hot liquids - however - if you make a cup of milk luke warm and use a chocolate protein powder, you can have "hot chocolate"  I've also added vanilla or plain protein powder to warm milk and added sf carnation instant breakfast for the hot chocolate. The isopure is a clear liquid - but I find it makes the roof of my mouth and back of tongue very very dry.  Other people LOVE it. The protein bullets referred to are things like profect - it's 25gm of protein in 3 ounces.  I don't like the taste - but on low protein days it takes only about 3 swigs of it, and is tolerable.  I consider it medicine. Protein is so vitally important especially after surgery. Good luck! Pam

It's possible you'll find the shakes more palatable after the surgery. We were told - and it did happen - that your taste will change after the surgery. Some of the shakes were still pretty disgusting but others were better then they tasted pre-op.  Someone mentionned the protein bullets and they are easy to tolerate because they are just 3 ounces. I find the 25 gm tastes better then the 42 gram which makes me gag unless I dilute it a little. Given the fact that it's 42 gms I'm willing to play with it. You'll run into problems if you don't get enough protein so you'll have to figure out a way to take it in. It will all be worth it as the pounds start to come off. The best of luck. Wilma

There are many brands/flavors/unflavoreds available and many ways to improve or alter the taste of them, if desired.  Pre-op, I loved vanilla flavored protein and the syntrax nectar proteins, but couldn't stand them after surgery. I love my chocolate whey stack and proscore 100 (with a little coffee and blended with ice and chocolate carb countdown).  My feeling about protein supplements, especially when you are newly postop and not eating very much, is to just suck it up and make the best of the situation.  If your doc wants you to supplement, there must be a reason....look at the protein as medicine that's vital to your well-being, Sample proteins from friends or order samples. Use a clothes pin on your nose. Take those awful concentrated protein bullets (XX amt of protein in just a few ounces). If you do not get in enough protein during the rapid weightloss phase, you can seriously compromise your health.  If you post to the main board something like "making shakes taste better?" I'm sure you'll get lots of ideas or links to help you. There's also an unflavored protein powder you can purchase that can be used in cooking, too. It's call Procell. I've never used it but considered it early on.