My Doc once again said NO PROTEIN SHAKES....

I went to my hospital's WLS support group on Tuesday and I asked where they stand on protein shakes/supplements....again.

The group leader (an RN) said my surgeon's concern is that the protein in Whey isolate is good, but does not have the amino acids that only real food can provide and amino acids are necessary for your body to get the nutrients it needs from the protein. 

What say you guys????

 protein is made UP  OF AMINO ACIDS  LOL  - all 27 of them  !!  talk about an ignoramus .....

Q: How are essential and non-essential amino acids different?

A: The body is able to make non-essential amino acids from other amino acids in the body. However, the body is not able to make essential amino acids and the only way to get them is by eating high quality protein foods. Protein sources that contain all of the essential amino acids are called complete proteins. Whey protein is a naturally complete protein.

SOURCE:
www.wheyoflife.org/faq.cfm#3


Personally I think that the RN doesn't know what she's talking about if that was the reason given to you for why you should NOT use protein shakes. 

I know others who have gone through the program at Abbott and they are very adimant that post-ops don't use shakes.  I don't know if they fear that people will rely solely on protein suppliments rather than foods or what thier deal is.  Maybe it's thier way of ensuring that thier patients adhear to a healthy diet, I'm not sure.....but I have not seen one successful long term post op that isn't drinking even the occasional protein shake. 

I think you need to look at the people aound you who are successful and find out what they are doing.  It sure would be nice if some long term RNY'rs would post.......

My nut doesn't like the shakes either. I don't care lol. In my opinion, I am a success, and so far so good with maintenance. So I must be doing something right. I looked at long-term successful people and all of them still do shakes. Heck, body builders and athletes do shakes. They can't all be wrong. I understand that the nuts want us to learn how to eat healthy, not just drink healthy, but I don't understand the negativity towards shakes.

They're trying to keep you feeling full by telling you no shakes. It really has nothing to do with nutrition and the RN doesn't know that. RNs and docs don't get formal training in nutrition like dietitians do and none of them get formal training in keeping WLS patients healthy and thin.

You want healthy and thin?  Drink your protein shakes and take enough vitamins to bring your labs up to optimal. If they aren't telling you take enough vitamins, your labs will start to tank within a couple of years or so. If they have you taking "normie" vitamins, they'll start tanking too. You need the dry forms of A, D, E & K and sublingual B12.  

--gina
 

My  doc actually said his most successful patients do one protein shake a day.  He is very big on "this is NOT a diet, it's a lifestyle.  everything in moderation so you are not deprived as long as you can handle it" 

I think personally I would do what works but not sure I understand fully why your doc has that thought. 

 My personal theory is that  they think we are drinking extra calories because  " fat  people like  milkshakes " lol

I dont think they understand AT ALL that  the shakes actually keep U full and keep U from stretching out  Ur pouch . 

I also  thought  they were unnecessary till I  got  REALLY   hungry  6 months post  and  the suggestion was made that  I drink  the  occasional protein tea . 

That worked out BEAUTIFULLY 4 me.  

Until i started drinking shakes  I was  well on my way to regain  with  regular size  platefuls overflowing with  food  and even all U can eat buffets  constituting  a big part of my diet .   Now  , well  I cant  do JUSTICE   to a buffet lol ... and im GLAD . 

The people I know who DONT  drink shakes and have maintained  their weight on  food alone fr ten years    and NOT stretched their pouch eat a LOT of fat  and  no veggies  .really  really  slowly  ... so thats not so good either  .... also  they  seem  to drink a lot of HEAVY CREAM  ..... 

give  me  a shake anyday !!  

I am finding one shake a day in combination protein-rich foods to be a plan I can sustain for the rest of my life. Trying to eat that 40 gs of protein would be really tough! I would be very suspicious of the no-protein shake rule. I think you are right to question it.

My plan is nothing liquid with over 20 calories so shakes are out.  I think that we all need to find what works for us.

Good luck!

As with everything, balance is critical. Protein shakes are important because we can't eat enough protein and we malabsorb. It ensures we get enough. Plus, all protein sources are digested differently and help the body in different ways. Whey is quicky absorbed, good for energy and quick muscle repair. Solid protein helps us stay satiated so we eat less, etc.

Protein shakes should augment your diet, but replace food. You should also get 100g a day. A lot of bariatric docs still say less. BOOO!!! I usually say to each their own, but I learned that lesson.