Question:
I'm 3 1/2 weeks post op, down 32 lbs. I can eat junk but no milk.

First off, please, please don't yell at me. I haven't had any problems with any foods yet. I've tried tortilla chips, french fries, spaghettios and mini raviolis. All have gone down fine. No problems. I know these are bad choices and have decided and already started to eat better. I can eat dairy like cottage cheese and yogurt but fat free milk with or without protein powder gives me diarrhea. Not sure what to do...I know I need protein    — Angie B. (posted on April 1, 2002)

April 1, 2002
Hello-I'm 2 wks post-op and drink lactaid milk which has some protein rather than regular milk because we are more likely to be lactose intolerate after surgery so that is why milk is giving you a hard time. You can also try soy milk. Hope this helps and good luck.
   — Jennifer G.

April 1, 2002
I usually mix my chocolate protein powder with chilled water or cold coffee (for a mocha flavor). You can probably also eat hard cheeses without a problem - and they are quite high in protein. Not sure what level of diet you're at (the puree stage, etc.), but my favorite early protein foods included tofu (stir fried with a whole variety of seasonings), scrambled eggs, tuna or chicken salad, and beans. Cautionary note: my surgery was the DS, not the RNY, so your mileage may vary. -Kate-
   — kateseidel

April 1, 2002
I don't drink much milk, more because I never liked it and now the thought of it makes me queasy than because of lactose intolerance. I eat lots of cheese which has always gone down easily for me. I sometimes use soy milk (be sure not to count the calcium in it--it is carbonate which you won't absorb with rny) and like the Sun Soy brand but it has a fair amount of sugar in it. If you are looking to up your protein at this stage, you might try using an unflavored protein powder like MLO Milk and Egg Protein that is unflavored and unsweetened so you can add it to soups, cream of wheat, smoothies, etc. It says you can cook with it, too, tho I haven't tried. Not sure whether you can eat this or not, but I eat the Dinty Moore chicken & dumplings in the microwaveable container--the protein in that is more than in raviolis. Also how about tuna? I mix it with whipped cream cheese. Refried beans? With cheese? The point is that there are lots of protein sources out there besides milk. I would just take my calcium (citrate!) supplements and fuggedaboudit!
   — ctyst

April 1, 2002
If I drink a whole eight oz. of milk I have mini-dumping (an upset tummy). I have heard that milk has a lot of natural sugars, which is what I think my body is reacting to, since I can also have some yogurt or cottage cheese with no bad reaction. Try a little cheese, nuts, eggs, or turkey for some other protein choices.
   — Angela B.

April 1, 2002
Angie, try some protein shakes for protein at this stage. I am 7 weeks out and can get good protein from food now but like the protein shakes. Try going out and buying Isopure zero carb vanilla protein mix. Or Chocolate Designer Whey protein mix (bought mine at Trader Joe's) but health food stores would have both, like GNC, Vitamin Shoppes. Here's a few recipes: 1 scoop Isopure vanilla (25 grams of protein) 1 tablespoon of nonfat plain yougurt ice, water, milk if you want but not necessary 1/4 banana 1 teaspoon vanilla fruit, such as a few strawberries, or handful of frozen blueberries or 1/4 cup of canned peaches with juice Another one if you like chocolate: 1 scoop of designer whey chocolate ice, water, and/or milk 1/4 banana 1 teaspoon peanut butter Like pina colada's? 1 scoop of the vanilla protein powder ice, water, milk optional 1/2 small can crushed pineapple with juice 1 teaspoon of coconut extract With all 3 add sweetener to taste. Splenda/equal/sweet & Lo I drink one of those each day
   — Cindy R.

April 1, 2002
My doc forbids milk, because of the sugars, and if you read the label, you'll see you're not missing much else. More hype than fact there. Just lots of sugar and no stomach enzymes to break it down. Protein supplements can be made in a million interesting ways without adding many extra calories or sugars. Pop onto this list and check out the recipe section: http://groups.yahoo.com/invite/OSSG-Protein-Shake-Addicts-and-Perverts It's for real and it can open doors for you. Once you get going on some good whey protein, you'll find your interest in things that will sabotage your wt loss will decrease dramatically!
   — vitalady