xpost -- protein help PLEASE
Hi -- I am 5 months out today -- as some of you might know I spent all of Dec and Jan hospitalized because of a infected lacerated spleen, dehydration/malnutrition because of a particularly nasty esophagitis (because my acid reflux was sooo bad) Anyway I have been at home on decreasing amounts of TPN (nutrition that goes in my veins at night while I am sleeping). We are now down to TPN only 3 nights a week but my albumin (protein in my blood) is dropping. I am a RN and I can't go back to wor****il my central IV line is out so I NEED to get off the TPN asap. We also just lost our home partially do to my prolonged illness so in the next 4 weeks I have to pack up a house we have lived in for years and move a family of 7. I have lost soooo much wt which is great unfortunately ALOT of muscle too.
If I am pushing it all day I may get in 40 gms of prot but that is it. I used to be able to tolerate my premier protein drink from costco but not since the hospitalization... I am sitting here trying to gag down the champion choc whey right now but not sure it is going to stay. I have a huge amount of restriction and can only get down maybe 1/2 egg at a time -- meat and chicken rarely stay down .... soups in small amounts are ok, most cold cheeses I can only get in 3/4 an oz, I can get in a 1/4 c of cottage cheese but will be full for a cpl few hours. I seem to do better with a tiny bit frequently rather than the recommended 3 squares. My MD is ok with doing liquid shakes since the amount I get in is so low -- I hit a max of 300-400 cal and am desperately trying to get up to 800-900 cal and 80-100 prot a day.
I am on just about everything I can be for acid, have IV fluid at night if I dont reach my liquid goals, I NEED to get my calories and prot up but I also need to avoid vomiting (makes esophagitis way worse) I let myself get kinda lazy and just depend on the TPN (well truthfully nausea and vomiting was much of it but I didn't push myself as I should have) so now my body (IRONICALLY) is kinda clueless at what to do with food!
Does anyone have any prot tricks? Ideas? soups/mushies that are high protein? Any protein shakes that you tolerate better than others? Ohhhh and I waqs wondering if anyone has tried the optisource ready shakes or isopure bottles? I know they are expensive but I am DESPERATE!!!!! Thanks so much for any ideas. Amy
PS Same issue swallowing vitamins --- trying to get down the optisouce vitamins from walgreens but still falling short -- at least I get some of the vitamins in IV form from the TPN but I really need to stop TPN this week
If I am pushing it all day I may get in 40 gms of prot but that is it. I used to be able to tolerate my premier protein drink from costco but not since the hospitalization... I am sitting here trying to gag down the champion choc whey right now but not sure it is going to stay. I have a huge amount of restriction and can only get down maybe 1/2 egg at a time -- meat and chicken rarely stay down .... soups in small amounts are ok, most cold cheeses I can only get in 3/4 an oz, I can get in a 1/4 c of cottage cheese but will be full for a cpl few hours. I seem to do better with a tiny bit frequently rather than the recommended 3 squares. My MD is ok with doing liquid shakes since the amount I get in is so low -- I hit a max of 300-400 cal and am desperately trying to get up to 800-900 cal and 80-100 prot a day.
I am on just about everything I can be for acid, have IV fluid at night if I dont reach my liquid goals, I NEED to get my calories and prot up but I also need to avoid vomiting (makes esophagitis way worse) I let myself get kinda lazy and just depend on the TPN (well truthfully nausea and vomiting was much of it but I didn't push myself as I should have) so now my body (IRONICALLY) is kinda clueless at what to do with food!
Does anyone have any prot tricks? Ideas? soups/mushies that are high protein? Any protein shakes that you tolerate better than others? Ohhhh and I waqs wondering if anyone has tried the optisource ready shakes or isopure bottles? I know they are expensive but I am DESPERATE!!!!! Thanks so much for any ideas. Amy
PS Same issue swallowing vitamins --- trying to get down the optisouce vitamins from walgreens but still falling short -- at least I get some of the vitamins in IV form from the TPN but I really need to stop TPN this week
HW 319 SW 277 CW 180 GW 169
Try other brands of protein. Try the Isopure ready to drink. Try a couple flavors because some people like one but hate another. Go to vitalady.com and order a bunch of samples. Try making them in different ways, too. Try making protein ice cream - it really saved my butt in the beginning.
I really suggest dumping the Optisource vites anyway because they totally don't meet our needs. They are lousy vitamins.
Try other brands. If chewable ones are hard for you, try the ENS mix from Celebrate - they will send you free samples. Try Upcal D for calcium - it's a powder you can mix in any drink and has no taste.
I really suggest dumping the Optisource vites anyway because they totally don't meet our needs. They are lousy vitamins.
Try other brands. If chewable ones are hard for you, try the ENS mix from Celebrate - they will send you free samples. Try Upcal D for calcium - it's a powder you can mix in any drink and has no taste.
Oh, Amy. Lots of (((HUGS))).
I have some of the Isopure in the fridge that I never used. I also have a variety of protein powders that I haven't used. I think that in your situation, you will have to eat frequently.
A couple of suggestions:
1. You may need to puree some of your protein, if you can't tolerate solid meat. Chicken, beef, fish can all be pureed. Early on, when I was having problems, salmon went down better, but some people can't tolerate fish.
2. Greek yogurt, plain non-fat is high in protein. You can up the protein by mixing in protein powder. You can use any flavor or non flavored protein powder. Beneprotein is what I was given in the hospital, but it does mix well with yogurt and is nonflavored. I have some that too!!!!
3. I have some BodyTech high protein pudding that I haven't used. Lee suggested it. It has about 29 grams of protein per 4 ounces. I would be willing to give it to you. I have a lot.
4. Can you tolerate milk or lactaid? You can mix protein powder in with that.
5. Unjury has a chicken soup that has 20 grams of protein per serving. I have some Unjury samples and powders that you can try, if you haven't tried them.
6. Puree some Wendy's chilli or other beans for the high protein and fiber content.
7. Can you tolerate egg whites? They have a lot of protein. Trader Joe's has an egg white salad that isn't too bad, and you could probably puree it.
8. Just eat frequently. The normal rules do not apply to you!!!!
9. Have you tried warming up your protein drinks? I did that with the Premier shake from Costco and it was like hot chocolate. Made it easier to go down.
10. It was almost 3 months, before I could swallow any vitamins. The Optisource vits made me gag. Have you tried the Centrum chewables? They might be more tolerable. They lack Selenium and you need to take a supplement 3 times/week, but for the short term, you could probably get by without it.
11. Add protein powder to everything that you eat and drink.
12. Baby food, if you can't puree regular food. You could also add protein powder to it.
13. I have some Celebrate vitamin samples that I haven't used, including the liquid that Kelly mentioned.
Gail
PM me, if you want any of the protein that I have.
I have some of the Isopure in the fridge that I never used. I also have a variety of protein powders that I haven't used. I think that in your situation, you will have to eat frequently.
A couple of suggestions:
1. You may need to puree some of your protein, if you can't tolerate solid meat. Chicken, beef, fish can all be pureed. Early on, when I was having problems, salmon went down better, but some people can't tolerate fish.
2. Greek yogurt, plain non-fat is high in protein. You can up the protein by mixing in protein powder. You can use any flavor or non flavored protein powder. Beneprotein is what I was given in the hospital, but it does mix well with yogurt and is nonflavored. I have some that too!!!!
3. I have some BodyTech high protein pudding that I haven't used. Lee suggested it. It has about 29 grams of protein per 4 ounces. I would be willing to give it to you. I have a lot.
4. Can you tolerate milk or lactaid? You can mix protein powder in with that.
5. Unjury has a chicken soup that has 20 grams of protein per serving. I have some Unjury samples and powders that you can try, if you haven't tried them.
6. Puree some Wendy's chilli or other beans for the high protein and fiber content.
7. Can you tolerate egg whites? They have a lot of protein. Trader Joe's has an egg white salad that isn't too bad, and you could probably puree it.
8. Just eat frequently. The normal rules do not apply to you!!!!
9. Have you tried warming up your protein drinks? I did that with the Premier shake from Costco and it was like hot chocolate. Made it easier to go down.
10. It was almost 3 months, before I could swallow any vitamins. The Optisource vits made me gag. Have you tried the Centrum chewables? They might be more tolerable. They lack Selenium and you need to take a supplement 3 times/week, but for the short term, you could probably get by without it.
11. Add protein powder to everything that you eat and drink.
12. Baby food, if you can't puree regular food. You could also add protein powder to it.
13. I have some Celebrate vitamin samples that I haven't used, including the liquid that Kelly mentioned.
Gail
PM me, if you want any of the protein that I have.
" 
Lots of good suggestions so far. I did better with warm protein instead of cold. Try going back to the 1 oz every 15 min.
Love and hugs.
66 yrs young, 4'11" hw 220, goal 120 met at 12 months, cw 129 learning Maintainance
Between 35-40 BMI? join us on the Lightweight board. the Lightweight Board
oh Amy, you've really had a tough time.
The protein drink that went down well for me was Optisource and I had it in the hospital. Carmel flavor. Find it online. I didn't want to start using it often post-op because it's pretty high in calories and REALLY tastes good, and I was afraid to use it regularly, but for your situation, maybe that's a good thing.
Jay Robb is the protein powder I can handle. Dreamsicle flavor in 1 c milk is 32 g of protein, maybe all the flavors are the same. It's good in Fage 0% yogurt too, and 1/2 scoop in 1/2 cup of yogurt is 26 g of protein.
Bean puree works for me, and I put fage yogurt on top. I can eat about 3 T of bean puree -- either fat free refried beans with a bit of chicken broth, or commercial bean soup pureed.
Edamame (soybeans) are very dense, but they aren't "meat" and maybe you could tolerate them? HIgh in protein: 1/4 cup is 5 g. I can eat them without whizzing them in the blender if I eat them slowly.
Good luck. Swinging geckos for you.
tracey
The protein drink that went down well for me was Optisource and I had it in the hospital. Carmel flavor. Find it online. I didn't want to start using it often post-op because it's pretty high in calories and REALLY tastes good, and I was afraid to use it regularly, but for your situation, maybe that's a good thing.
Jay Robb is the protein powder I can handle. Dreamsicle flavor in 1 c milk is 32 g of protein, maybe all the flavors are the same. It's good in Fage 0% yogurt too, and 1/2 scoop in 1/2 cup of yogurt is 26 g of protein.
Bean puree works for me, and I put fage yogurt on top. I can eat about 3 T of bean puree -- either fat free refried beans with a bit of chicken broth, or commercial bean soup pureed.
Edamame (soybeans) are very dense, but they aren't "meat" and maybe you could tolerate them? HIgh in protein: 1/4 cup is 5 g. I can eat them without whizzing them in the blender if I eat them slowly.
Good luck. Swinging geckos for you.
tracey
RaggetyAnn (I'm just a RaggetyAnn in a Barbie Doll world.)
hw: 216 sw: 200 cw: 156 dgw: 134 mgw: 124
I'm so sorry you are going through all of this. Can't you get some kind of disability for right now? When my SIL was off sick and had IV's in at home she lost her job and she qualified. Fortunately she is back working now.
Do liquids make the acid reflux worse? Before WLS I couldn't drink a lot of liquids because it made mine worse and for about 6 months after surgery I couldn't drink the protein drinks.
My body handled warm protein better than it did cold but now I like lots of ice in it. It's weird how everything changes.
I pureed all my meats at the beginning and I really enjoyed them warmed up. I also ate a lot of bean/bacon soup and chicken broth. Unjury has a good protein chicken broth. I put unflavored protien in SF jello,. SF pudding, SF hot chocolate, oatmeal, etc. I added it to just about everything. Wendy's chili was a staple at the beginning and is still my favorite fast food.
GNC will let you return things if you don't like them even if they are open as long as you have your receipt.
Prayers and (((HUGS)))
Do liquids make the acid reflux worse? Before WLS I couldn't drink a lot of liquids because it made mine worse and for about 6 months after surgery I couldn't drink the protein drinks.
My body handled warm protein better than it did cold but now I like lots of ice in it. It's weird how everything changes.
I pureed all my meats at the beginning and I really enjoyed them warmed up. I also ate a lot of bean/bacon soup and chicken broth. Unjury has a good protein chicken broth. I put unflavored protien in SF jello,. SF pudding, SF hot chocolate, oatmeal, etc. I added it to just about everything. Wendy's chili was a staple at the beginning and is still my favorite fast food.
GNC will let you return things if you don't like them even if they are open as long as you have your receipt.
Prayers and (((HUGS)))
Roz
God is walking with me every step of the way. Because of HIM this is possible!!
RNY 10/15/2008 9+ Years!!! Height: 4' 11" HW: 203 SW: 197 CW: 119 on Maintenance
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