***PROTEIN PROBLEMS***

O.K So... i'm 11 days out from surgery and i'm seriously having trouble with my protein... I make these horrible shakes which I am finding myself conveniently skipping and feel that if this behavior keeps up I'll be really sorry, Please help!!! any suggestions would be great. I'm having no other signs of discomfort and I'm keeping all liquids down perfectly... I'm just really concerned that I will lose my hair or something worse...

Try making them thin.... 11 days out is really "young" still and you're healing.  But, as you heal and get better with the shake making (believe me, I made craaaaaappppy drinks as a newbie) you definately need to be getting your protein in- shakes or food.

But, be prepared for hair loss... its something that just happens to most of us.  Some are blessed with little to no loss, others lose a great amount.

....yeah, 11 days out is still very touch and go for the pouchy...it will get better! I struggled a little during that phase and what helped me was working in one of those protein bullets into the rotation....you know - the ones you can get at heath food stores that come in a plastic test-tube looking thingy with like 42 g of protein - I didn't like the way they tasted so I either mixed them with cyrstal light or took shots of it like cough medicine or Jaeger - yuck...

I know exactly how you feel girl! Im 4 weeks out and im still having probelms with it. I gag on everything, especially my shakes. Even thinking about it grosses me out... SORRY! At the beginning I had problems with all different kinds of milk, lactaid, soy.. and now im better with fat free milk, but I still gag because it all taste chalky to me. I LOVED those protein bullets, but my NUT says we arent allowed to have them anymore because she says it doesnt have the amount of proteins it says it does... not sure about that one. I reallyed liked those and totally tolerated them. So I might just have to buy some anyways.. Goodluck. I just wanted you to know your not alone!

The first month it hurt for me to even drink water. Definitely make them thin. Just sip throughout the day. Just do the best you can!!!!! It will get much much easier, I promise!!!

What brand shake do you use?

Im using EAS Whey Protein mix...  horrible...  but I guess I will just try other mixes...  =)

You will lose hair... anesthesia causes hair loss as well as the lack of calories/protein etc - however getting in your protein will *help* with how much and how long you lose the hair for.
Anyways my surgeon said for the first month to 'do the best you can'. It will take time to get the protein in - however skipping is a no-no - you need to be sip sip sipping all day. I had to try 20 protein powders before I found a few I liked so you may need to keep sampling. Theworldaccordingtoeggface.com has great shake recipies so that can help you with flavoring ideas so you can find something you like. You need to be dilligent and keep trying and getting in as much protein as you can.

Thanks for the help!!!  Im super grateful!

Jennifer recommended eggface's website...I highly recommend looking at her protein icecream.  It has been a protein lifesaver for me.  I basically make a large batch of a protein shake and put it in an icecream maker, it changes the texture which helps me keep it down.

Good luck and keep us posted! ~ Leslie

I loved eggface recipes...  I wrote down a bunch and am going to def. try the sugar free jello mixes!  yummy!!!