Protein HELP

What did you guys use for protein when you first had surgery? I am only 9 days out and having a very hard time finding any that I like....they all seem to have this gross aftertaste that does not sit well with me .....please give me any and all suggestions.....it's really been getting me down (I guess because it was not a problem I anticipated)........Thanks so much. Monique D.

Monique~ For my first two weeks out all I could have was No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed with 8 oz of skim milk and 1/3 cup of non-fat powdered milk. This gave me 20 grams of protein and I drank four every day. Now, the smell of CIB makes me gag. You can add unflavored unjury to puddings and such, you can buy any whey (sold at the vitamin shoppe) to cook with (I have tried lots and this one does not clump up with the high temperatures), you can use Nectar (they have several falvors and are more sweet and fruity), or maybe new whey protein shooters (also sold at the vitamin shoppe). When you are moved up to mushy foods you can have scrambled eggs with some cheese or some tuna that has been put through a cycle in the blender. It has been a long time since I had surgery so I do not remember a lot about what I had back then, but hopefully what I have mentioned will be of some help. Good luck! Tammy

Monique, I still like Ungry better than all of the others. I don't get that aftertaste like in the other products and I will use 1 1/2 scoops in a combo of 4 oz lactaid fat free and 4 oz water. That's a whopping 39 gms protein, no lactose problems and some calcium too! I use by magic bullitt (short strokes, so you don't get all foam), add 3 cubes ice and enjoy..When I want a little change i substitute the water with 4 oz folgers decaf coffee (cooled) Not quite Starbucks mocha, but it's a healthy substitute

I was sent home with Pro Complex Advanced Protein System Vanilla flavored. Its great with ice and not chalky IMO. Its 55 grams of protein! You just put two scoops in 8-12 ozs of water, add ice and you'll have over half your daily protein in one drink. I plan on using it for awhile until Im certain Im getting my protein in all my food. It can be found at GNC.

Just a quick note..... Our bodies are incapable of absorbing mass quantities of protien in one sitting. I limit myself to no more than 30 grams. If I consume more than that I only put down 30 grams on my chart. I do not know how much we can absorb in one sitting, but everyone I have spoken to says 30 grams is a reasonable number. Tammy

Considering that my surgeon has made the Pro Complex protein supplement his product of choice, Im pretty darned certain you absorb all 55 grams.

Monique, I am not much help with the protien myself since I did not like any I tried. Thankfully now I can get it all through food. Just wnated to say congrats on the decision to have surgery! My mom had surgery the same day as you. Did you have it locally? K

Yes, I had my surgery at Roanoke Memorial. How is your mom doing? Does she attend the local support group at the Rehab Center? Monique D.

Jackie turned me on to the IDS Liquid Whey Protein, it's 25 grams of protein and only 2.9 oz to drink. It works for me. I have the nectar, but the aftertaste is still too strong for me. I should take it back and trade it in for my of my IDS. Maybe I'll do that this weekend. I think I'm going to try the unjury though too, people seem to talk about it alot. Good luck, Amber

I used the ISOPURE in the bottle, fruit punch flavored, very, very cold, but they have some new stuff out that is supposed to be really good, comes in those vials. For whatever reason, my system tyolerated the s/f butterscotch pudding early on, and the chocolate s/f so I would mix a batch, put it in the fridge and when it was time for a bite, I'd spoon out a serving and add a spoon or two of any-whey flavorless protein powder. It brought the protein count up, no mess, didn't go bad and was easy and you never tasted the protein powder. I also used it with the creamy style soups. You need the thick or creamy factor, because the powder never dissolves, it just stays in suspension, so you would see it in something like broth. The other thing I did, and still do at 2 1/2 years out is make a double strength cappucinno flavored protein mix, twice the powder, half the water...(way too thick to drink) and shave up a tray of ice cubes, then add the ice to the mixture, and stir, adding a little water to bring the thickness to the right consistency. Instant 'blended' cappucinno drink...but no sugar, loads of protein, very easy on the system...and oh so tasty. There are a couple of capp. powders out there, but the most flavorful is one from IDS, I got mine from susan marias website, as it is not carried locally. I've tried others, but they just didn't have that 'real cappucinno' flavor, IDS did... Good luck, I'm still a protein first guy, at this far out.