Question:
11 DAYS OUT-CANT GET PROTEIN IN

HELLO, I AM 11 DAYS OUT AND STILL ON THE LIQUID DIET I CANT GET MY PROTEIN IN, I HATE MILK AND HAVE BEEN GIVING MYSELF A CIB (WITH MILK, I CANT TASTE IT SO IT DOESNT BOTHER ME) THRU MY G-TUBE AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. I HAVE ORDERD SOME PROTEIN DRINKS TO MIX WITH WATER BUT THEY MAKE ME GAG. I FIGURE I WONT GET BETTER UNLESS I GET IN MY PROTEIN BUT I CANT.I HAVE TO FORCE MY SELF TO DRINK I HAVE NO INTEREST IN PUTTING ANY THING IN MY MOUTH NOT EVEN VITAMINS. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY SUGGESTIONS. JESSICA B    — jessica B. (posted on June 23, 2002)

June 23, 2002
Use evapoated skim milk in place of mild in canned, lowfat cream soups. Each ounce of evaporated skim milk provides 2.4 grams of protein. To increase protein and creaminess, add 3 tbsp. nonfat dry milk to SF yogurt, SF pudding, cream of wheat, SF Carnation Instant Breakfast, hot chocolate (the list goes on and on). This will add an additional 4.5 g. of protein. As for protein drinks, I never found a mix I could tolerate either, lol! Try different brands of pre-mixed. I really like Energy Fuel by Twin Lab, they have a chocolate and an orange cream. I also went through a period of not wanting to eat, everything tasted awful, you need to do it though, your body is in enough of a shock without you starving it too :) Hugs and Good Luck!
   — DonnaCarol

June 23, 2002
Hi Jessica, I'm 2 months post-op and have NEVER got half the protein I should have. I even had a G-tube for 2 months and stopped putting liquid protein in it because just the thought of that made me sick. At 9 weeks post-op I've lost 40lbs. I think it would have been more if I could get the protein in. At 7 weeks post-op I went to into the hospital where they did lab work and everything was excellent except for magnesium. They did give me one small bag thru IV, but that was the only thing I was low in. Remember that you are only 11 days out and as time progresses you'll be able to eat more and eat a variety of more foods and hopefully you can increase your protein then. Until then, I wouldn't just sit and worry about it like you were going to die or something if you don't get in all your protein, but a time will come later when it will be easier for you. Good luck!
   — Tina P.

June 23, 2002
I am almost 5 weeks post op. I have NEVER gotten in 60 grams I am LUCKY if I get in 20 grams of protein. I can tell you of the protein CRAP I have tried Isopure is about the only one I can stand. Its thin like water and comes in different flavors most taste kinda like a punch. (with that tang of protein) U can get it at GNC for 3.95 a bottle (its premixed) and in that U get 40 grams of protein. I want you to know as hard as it is to believe right now it DOES GET BETTER!!! Good luck!~ PS I am down 39 pounds
   — Sassy M.

June 23, 2002
When I had my G-tube I gave myself CIB through it 3 times a day in order to get the protein in. I drank water and broth and v8 juice during the day. For some reason I had trouble getting the vitimins in at the point you are now. It will get better. Your g-tube is your life line, as long as you flush it well after each feeding it is fine to use it. Most people aren't comfortable fiddling around with it but it saved me, I was glad to have it.
   — Laureen59

June 23, 2002
I too could not tolerate the milky Protein Drinks. This is what worked for me. Amino 2222 in fruit punch flavor. I mixed 6 tablespoons with two cups of cyrstal light (strawberry/kiwi) and some crushed ice. This made just over two cups of fluid I drank throughout the day. Amino 2222 has 22.22 grams of protein in three tablespoons. Thus I was able to get over 44 grams of protein in with this drink alone. I did not have the milk taste and was quite flavorful. You can adjust more or less to suit your own taste. I hope this of help to you. Good luck!
   — Wanda W.

June 23, 2002
Hi Jessica, I believe I read in my hand out from surgeon that this early in the game it will be very difficult to get enough protein as you are healing and eating only ounces at a time. Most people don't get all their protein in this early. It is important that you drink water and consume protein in some form every few hours even if it is only a little bit. Do not starve yourself, you need the "fuel" in order to heal. Good luck!
   — lovebug2

June 24, 2002
hi. i am 3 weeks post-op, not far from you, i know exactly what you are going through! hang in there, my protein drinks make me want to gag sometimes, and when i do drink them all i get nauseaus sometimes, probably b/c i just want to get them over with. Have you tried fat-free sugar-free pudding? i know you said you hate milk, as do i, but i love milk products. ISOPURE zerocarb that looks like gatorade from GNC isn't too bad, esp alpine punch if you mix it with crystal light powder! it will get you 40 grams of protein. strawberry yogurt is yummy, and will get you 8 grams ( i can't eat the whole thing) But you are still so new, so just worry about your liquids and do as much as you can! It could take weeks to get up to the full protein level! keep it up, you're doing great!! :)
   — Lezlie Y.

June 24, 2002
i am still pre op but my brother is 5 days post op and i am preparing his tiny meals. he got this powder called pro-cell from his surgeon. it comes in a can and the can and powder resemble infant powdered formula. it has no taste or smell and disolves in any liquid you put it in. im sure you can find it at gnc or somewhere like it.
   — christina K.