Question:
How long after your surgery do you drink the protein shakes?

My mother had surgery 3 months ago and drinks her shakes 3 times a day religiously. Is this an on-going thing or will it get to a point when she does not need them any longer?    — Robbin P. (posted on October 20, 2003)

October 20, 2003
I stopped drinking protein shakes around 3 wks post-op... I'm just one of those people who like to get my protein from real food source. As long as she gets in her protein whether it's from shakes or food.. It's her and her Dr's own personal decision...
   — baybekmbrly

October 20, 2003
I am 22 months post-op and I drink one shake or eat one bar a day; I will for the rest of my live just to insure that I get enough protein to maintain good muscle health. I think she should be eating more food and less shakes at 3 months out though.
   — Patty_Butler

October 20, 2003
I am 11wks Post Op and find that I still drink 2 shakes per day. I tried getting the needed Protein from food but found that I always run short. Meat is just uncomfortable for me so I end up eating only one meal at lunch and a shake for breakfast and dinner.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 20, 2003
I stopped at about 2.5 months postop when I started being able to get me protein in from food. However, I have been loosing less weight, thinking I might start my shakes back up.
   — bethybb

October 20, 2003
Some do just enough protein to meet their "numbers". Some use protein shakes for appetite control, volume or craving control. With my surgery, I MUST do 5 (30g each) per day to maintain decent levels. But I choose to do more of them because I feel & look better. On oddball days when I slip backward, sure enough, there I am in the candy aisle, thinking about "dating" (not taking it home, mind you, just a lil quickie in the car?) someone. Sheesh. Like I don't know better at 9 yrs. Protein shakes for life here.
   — vitalady

October 20, 2003
I'm almost 17 months out and I still do two protein shakes a day. I don't intend to stop doing them even though I've been getting plenty of protein from food since I was at least 2-3 months post-op. They help me keep some degree of food control, which I will clearly always be struggling with in one way or another. Also, my protein levels in lab tests are in the low-normal range despite my intake of probably 120-140 grams of protein a day (including the 60 grams from the shakes, rest from food), so I definitely don't plan to stop them. I also believe they help me build muscle and that they helped me recover more quickly from non-WLS surgeries I've had since my WLS, though I can't prove that. :-)
   — Suzy C.

October 20, 2003
I started drinking my shakes at 6 days post op and still drink them every day at least once but preferably twice at 9 months post op. They keep me on track and keep my protein up to where I want it to be, 80-100 grams per day. I stopped out of boredom for 2 weeks a while back and lost almost nothing. I will probably have them as a part of my diet forever. They are totally absorbable protein so no matter what else I do I know that with my 2 shake I am at least hitting a minimum of 60 grams per day.
   — Carol S.