Question:
Do we have to drink protein shakes?
I have a question. I'm currently pre-op, but I'm looking for high protein foods now so I know what I'll be able to eat later on. My question is this: My mom gave me a can of whey powder. Are we allowed to make our own protein shakes, or do they have to come already made? (Well, sort of) My thought was, if I make a shake using the whey powder, and some sugar free yogurt and some extra vanilla for flavoring, and some milk to thin it down, why couldn't I make my own? I'd love to use fruit, but I'm not sure if I would be able to handle it. I've even thought about adding some flaxseed oil to the mix as well. Can somebody give me an idea as to whether this would be a good idea or not? I don't want to think this would be good and then find out it would be bad for me. Thanks in advance for any responses I may receive! -naomi — blueeyedrdhed (posted on November 7, 2003)
November 7, 2003
Hi Naomi. You're going to need to get that protein in while you're on
liquids, so yes, I've been told you do need the protein shakes. You may
have to try a few to find one you like. I mix mine with milk, and do fine
with it. I have a friend who mixes hers with the LeCarb ice cream and turns
it into a shake. Some people just mix it with water and icecubes. There are
plenty of ways to do it, and if you can try some things before your
surgery, that's probably best. good luck! Ann
— Ann B.
November 7, 2003
Sure, you can make your own shakes. Get some alcohol free flavorings. Using
skim milk is great. Put milk, protein, flavoring, a couple packets of
Splenda and 6 ice cubes in the blender and you'll have a great shake.
There's lots of variations to try.
You don't have to buy the ready-to-drink cans. They can be expensive, but
they are convienent if you're in a hurry.
I also bought a couple of shaker cups. They're great for being on the go or
to use at the office.
You can also add your flavorless protein powder to lots of other foods. I
added a heaping teaspoon to my soup last night and it was great.
— Marrilee M.
November 7, 2003
Everyone on this site swears by protein shakes. And that's ok. My doctor
does not promote, or encourage protein shakes. Who knows who's right. I
need to go by what my dr. says. He says that those (in his practice-which
has been over 20 years) who use protein shakes lose weight slower, and he
encourages "normal" living for his post op patients. Good luck
in your WLS journey. Just follow your dr. directions.
— Michelle J.
November 7, 2003
A good whey powder will shake up nicely in WATER. You can also toss it in
the blender with ice, of course. I never use adders that contain sugar,
like milk, yogurt, juice. I've lost 150# and I don't want ANY to find me
again. You can add some flax SEEDS, but you'll also malabsorb fats/oils to
a degree, so the actual oil would probably be wasted. The seeds add a nice
nutty flavor, actually. And barely there. What kind of whey powder was it?
Mine is chocolate, so add 6 oz of water, lil ice and I'm a happy girl with
no wasted calories. If you want to be creative, you could tune into the
protein list. Here's the link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Protein/ ... it's amazing what all you
can do to protein without adding sugars or many calories at all. Of
course, being the Choco Queen, I have to ask....but why?
— vitalady
November 7, 2003
I could'nt stand any of them. I ate mostly all deli meats and cheeses and
lots of steaks. My protein level was so high my doctor said "Get off
the protein suppliments NOW!" LOL! I was'nt on any! ;) My surgeon was
really pleased with the high level. So it CAN be done WITHOUT those shitty,
gritty protein drinks that cost a small fortune.
— Danmark
November 7, 2003
First and foremost you need to follow your surgeon's post-op plan. They
can vary drastically! My surgeon also believes in real food and eating
"normal", or at least how the majority of the world eats and
that's food not protein drinks. However, there is nothing wrong with
protein drinks or other protein supplements. I use a high protein bar for
a meal replacement when I am really busy and don't have time for anything
else. Otherwise I will use a few bites as a snack.
<p>The surgeon's have different philosophy's and some want their
patients on liquids for quite a while. Then you have no choice but to use
the drinks. I was thrilled I found a surgeon with a food only post-op plan
as I would have had great difficulty drinking them. I refused to do a
liquid diet in my lifetime because to me it's not a normal way of eating,
but that is MY opinion. Everyone has to figure out what works for them.
Personally I think being forced to learn how to deal with food right from
the start is a huge help as I have seen lots of people talk about having
trouble transitioning over to solid proteins and end up using some drinks
for a very long time or for life. Again it's their choice, but not for me.
Because I was so scared of doing something wrong or getting sick I learned
to eat really slow, chew it to death and listen to my pouch. It talks loud
and clear now.
<p>I personally have not seen that people that use protein drinks
lose slower. I don't think from a losing standpoint it matters where your
protein comes from. I've done all food and lost 189 lbs in 9 months. I
know of another woman, started 55 lbs higher than I did, who has lost 177
lbs in 6-1/2 months and she uses protein drinks with some food. So in both
cases there have been very good loss results yet different post-op plans.
<p>Bottom line - ask YOUR surgeon what you should be doing!
— zoedogcbr
November 7, 2003
i have used two or three whey protein shakes a day since surgery and I
believe it has helped my weight loss because I have noticed that when I
don't drink them, my loss has slowed way down. Yes, you most certainly can
mix your own. The premixed kind are for your own convenience. If you can
get the required amount of protein from eating food, then that is great and
is the way to go but some of us have problems eating meat so the shakes are
how we are able to get our protein in.
— Delores S.
November 7, 2003
My doc want us to get as much protein as we can from food. He said it was
ok if we wanted to have protein supps early on but he didnt want us to get
in the habit of depending on them instead of food. For me, I know my weight
loss speeds up when I drink them but I can not get past the taste of
protein drinks. YUCK!! I do try to choke down 1 or 2 drinks(Real Meals and
Champion Whey) when I know I've been eating crap but for the most part I
stick to food. BTW, I'm a beek jerky addict and its loaded with protein
and low fat. Good luck to you. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 125+ and
counting
— Siddy I.
November 8, 2003
I am 3.5 years out and never once had a protein drink. I eat normal food
and have manintained goal the whole time. So its not necessary to have to
drink them. Good Luck!
— ZZ S.
November 8, 2003
No, you don't *have* to drink protein drinks, but I find they help me keep
on track better. :-) I use Proscore 100 Chocolate with water, pop it in
the freezer for 20 minutes or so, and I'm good to go. The "protein
pervert" group that Michelle posted the URL for (below) is a great
resources for fiddling around with protein shake recipes, too.
— Suzy C.
November 8, 2003
My surgeon and his two partners all recommend not using protein supplements
of any kind (shakes, bars). They prefer their patients to get their protein
from natural food sources.
— Cosmo K.
November 9, 2003
Naomi - Gina G. puts it very well, especially when she speaks of many
surgeons not really understanding the personal/physical aspects of
post-ops. My surgeon did a good job of cutting and sewing, but beyond that
he could never see "ME" -- kinda hard to have problems and be
invisible to the doctor. My PCP helped me and we kinda learned together,
mostly from the internet. Personally, I am a great promoter of protein
shakes; so many people don't realize that just adding water and shaking
doesn't begin to explore their possibilities. I use the DaVinci sugar-free
syrups (www.davinci.com) and look forward to my next shake. I especially
like Champion Whey Stack chocolate with DaVinci's English Toffee syrup and
mocha-cocoa with Dulce de Leche (strong caramel) syrup is great, too. I
use the Dulce de Leche with the Syntrax apple nectar for a caramel apple.
Mix one scoop each of chocolate and Syntrax berry nectar for a chocolate
covered cherry drink. Lots of possibilities. Also, starting shakes
before surgery is such a good idea -- it helps build you up and helps the
healing afterwards. Good luck to you and enjoy your drinking! And check
out the protein group on Yahoo OSSG. Bottoms up! Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
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