Protein Hell

I had my bypass surgery on Election Day, so it's been about 6 weeks. But....I cannot keep proteins down and that is all my Doctor allows. If it walks swims or flies I have thrown it up. Help!!! I mu**** up, chew 30 times, eat slowly, but same result. The NUT says stay on protein drinks, but after 10 weeks on them, I would rather eat worms...ooops that is protein, maybe? Nah! All I cn keep down is eggs or yogurt.
Anyone have any suggestions? I have tried tofu, Boca Burgers and Morningside brand too. On the plus side I have lost 43 pounds, but have stopped losing now because the NUT says I am not getting enough protein. I am really tied, but back at work. Any suggestions? Does it get better?

First of all, it does get better!
I had the same problem.  I even ended up in the hospital for 3 days for an infusion because my potassium level and other nutrients went so low.
The only thing I can tell you is to keep trying different protein drinks.  I finally conquered the vomiting monster by mixing my protein in no sugar added hot chocolate mix.  I would dilute the hot chocolate mix and also the protein in warm - not ho****er - about 20 ounces and sip, sip, sip.  I have also added the sugar free DaVinchi syrups to change the taste a little.  Be patient - sip slowly, not too hot, not too cold
Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
Randa

I use the Nectars.  Fuzzy Navel and Roadside Lemonade are my favorites.  I add cold water to a sports bottle, then add the protein and shake it up, and drink.  I find, that its the smell more than anything that gets to me, and drinking them out of a sports bottle is the best way not to get too much smell.  I also buy Ultimate Protein chocolate.  You can get this at GNC.  It has no after smell or taste. Eggface recommended this one, so I took her work for it, and she is right.  It's really good. Good luck to you.

you say can you do yogurt? i would suggest maybe Oikos brand -walmart has it--either the plain (which is a bit tart by itself) or vanilla--it's a lil pricey--however -it is 15 grams of protein  so it could be worth it just for something else!

funny that you can do eggs -many many newly postops cannot do eggs at all!!!!

i would imagine that you are looking for the chew factor by now! um- protein bars?

i added a scoop of protein to alot of foods early out- puddings/soups etc.....

can you do cheese??? cottage cheese is protein/ cheese sticks are protein.....

i guess i would wonder if maybe you have a stricture? and that entails your doc.....if he isn't worried then you shouldn't be-however--we must be our own advocates-even with our own surgeons....

good luck--it HAS to get better!!!
sending hugs!

Irish

I'm with Margo

If all you can keep/get down is the slurry stuff like eggs, yougurt, etc, you need to check with your doctor to make sure you don't have a stricture.  At ten weeks out you should be able to tolerate more than you are.  Protein drinks are good, but you can't live on them indefinitely. 

Meanwhile, there are high protein yogurts out there.   Margo mentioned some of them.  I found that even after a year or so, I had trouble tolerating much texture or bulk first thing in the morning, so I started my day with cottage cheese and light canned peaches (1/2 c peaches or less, even now), and there was little problem.  I guess it was because first thing in the morning, my pouch opening was a bit smaller from not eating for a while,  and anything not "slurry" just didn't want to go in easily.  After eating the cottage cheese for breakfast, I didn't have much of a problem.  Now, after almost 3 years out, I still have a cup of cottage cheese and a few pieces of canned peaches every morning for breakfast.  26 gm of protein right off the bat.  And I still haven't gotten tired of it.

And it takes the guesswork and planning out of my morning.  That's a good thing for me, considering how I am in the morning....

I would still call your doctor, not just rely on the nutritionist.  He can best determine if you have a problem.

Best of luck to you.  The ride may be bumpy, but worth every minute of it.

Candy

believe me if you dont find someway to get your protein drinks in you will just think it is hell now....no way can you get enough protein with just eating, so you will have to get the protein drinks in too....i have heard this by so many and they all wind up back in the hospital very very sick one girl i know of died from not getting in the nurtinates. i dont mean to scare you but it was or should have been told to you in no uncertain terms before surgery ....of course you will be tired and it wont get any better. you are depriving your body of the protein that it has to have to work...please you are your own advocate. in your case you dont have time for it to just get better by itself...

get some unjury unflavored protein and mix in in jello with the cold water. Its a way of getting some protein in. The unflavored mixes with fruit juice  too. You can get both at one time. Just don't try mixing protein powder with anything hot, it doesn't turn out well at all, at least for me.