protein shakes?? ensure??? nutritional replacement drinks???

So I reached goal in 6 months yay! But now I can't stop it also my OB wants it stopped ASAP. Spoke to the nut and he wanted to see what and how I am eating....apparently not enough. I struggle to get in anything solid before noon because my tummy is usually unhappy in the am (problem even before surgery). He suggested I try using either a high carb protein shake or an already mixed nutritional drink like boost or ensure in the mornings in place of breakfast since its a struggle. My mom got me some from her job and I was looking at the stats and was amazed at the numbers...320 calories, 40 somthing carbs, 20 grams of sugar, but 14 grams of protein and a good amount of vitamins. I just don't know about this, I can't do protein shakes cause something about them makes me gag and puke and yes I have tried every trick in the book and spent too much money on just samples so I know its worth a try on the ensure.

My question though is...has anyone tried or had to do something like this to promote weight gain or maintence? Anyone try ensure and did you like the taste...she got me vanilla and butter peacan but I am going to try it out tomorrow morning. Oh yea and I forgot to add he said high carb because I am not getting in enough carbs and had a large amount of ketones in my urine (but he said some was also from the fact that it was early morning urine). But baby girl is doing good at 8oz at 18 weeks which is right on target.

Simone

ugh... what about something like white toast or crackers in the morning? You can also try to add sugar free ice cream to your shakes, that will up the calories and the carbs.

Good luck!

I don't know, but please be sure you are drinking plenty, plenty, plenty, plenty of fluids to help dilute those ketones out.

Simone,

Congrats on reaching goal, that's wonderful!

I was so newly post-op when I conceived that I continued to lose weight, rapidly at first, through the whole pregnancy.  I had Hyperemesis and couldn't keep anything down.  Long story short, I was given IV fluids throughout my pregnancy to keep me hydrated and to stop ketosis.  I couldn't tolerate protein shakes - the best of the worst was Light Muscle Milk (http://www.gnc.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2475612&sr=1& origkw=muscle%20milk%20light&camp=PPC:414972411).  It's sold @ GNC, but our local Costco carries it in small single-serve boxes too.  If it was ice cold, I could sometimes tolerate half of one.

Another suggestion, carbs, carbs and more carbs.  Yes, it goes against the whole post-op diet principle, but it helps stop ketosis and keeps the pouch full.  Complex carbs are best (mashed potatoes, whole grain crackers, etc).  Simple carbs will help with nausea (oyster crackers, pretzels), but can sometimes cause dumping.  I carried crackers with me everywhere and ate them all the time.  The key was not to let the pouch get empty.

I'm glad you are being closely monitored.  If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

Hugs,

I still chuckle everytime I see an oyster cracker after your story :)

I was told to drink Ensure or Boost.  But it was very hard for me since I have never been able to drink protein shakes.  I just had to grin and bear it for the sake of my little one.  My ob also recommended that I drink carnation instant breakfast with whole milk and added a little powdered non-fat milk to help.