Question:
SHOULD I START DOING THE PROTEIN SHAKES NOW

I HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN APPROVED FOR THE SURGERY YET BUT I HAVE MADE THE FIRST MOVE I AM CURRENTLY WAITING ON A PACKET TO COME IN THE MAIL THAT THE SURGEON REQUIRE YOU TO FILL OUT FIRST BUT I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SHOULD I GO AHEAD AND START DRINKING LIKE THE PROTEIN SHAKES TO PREPARE MYSELF FOR THEM WHEN THE SURGERY TIME COMES OR AM I TRYING TO MOVE TO FAST WELL THANKS AHEAD    — JENNIFER S. (posted on July 17, 2003)

July 17, 2003
The only thing I would say is that MY tastes changed dramatically after surgery. A protein drink that I thought I liked is now way too sweet and thick for me to tolerate. I think it's a good idea to have a couple of different ones at home but what tastes good before and after may change, just be prepared. As for drinking them on a regular basis pre-op, personally I would think if you're eating normally there's no need for it. Good luck with everything!
   — Sungurl B.

July 17, 2003
I agree with the other poster, my tastes changed dramitically after surgery. My surgeon wanted me to lose weight before surgery so he had me drink two shakes a day to prepare and help lose the weight and they were sooooooo good. After surgery, i gagged on them and had to stop drinking those particular shakes.
   — Delores S.

July 18, 2003
WAIT! Tastes change dramatically!!! :~)
   — Sharon m. B.

July 18, 2003
Dissenting vote here! I found a good protein shake, pre-op, after sampling many, many awful ones. No doubt it's my Luddite tendencies, but for me, my tastes didn't particularly change post-op (and I still like and use my Proscore 100 Chocolate more than a year and counting as a post-op, too). Obviously, your mileage may vary, but I can think of two reasons to search for a good protein shake before surgery: (1) Using them before surgery will help you heal up faster, and may assist in pre-op weight loss (always a good thing), and (2) again, It can be tough finding a protein shake you like! On a fresh post-op pouch, I think I might've just given up in my quest to find a tolerable (or good!) shake if I'd been forced to taste-test so many nasty protein drinks in the days or weeks immediately following surgery. I was glad to have this task "checked off my list" before my WLS. Try ordering single-serving samples of different flavors or brands from www.vitalady.com or www.wlssuccess.com, and check out various protein powder recipes in the Yahoo OSSG support group for "protein perverts" (the link is in my profile).
   — Suzy C.

July 18, 2003
I totally agree with Suzy. My tastes didn't change a lot post-op, although I know others have. I prefer proscore 100 too. I started drinking them pre-op to help with healing and it really works. The other bonus is that they make you feel full and so totally satisfied, that you eat less of the more "junky" foods because your body is getting more quality nutrition. Good luck to you!
   — Jeralyn Merideth

July 18, 2003
Hi Jennifer, Even if your taste does change after surgery, it is a good idea to start protein supplements as a pre-op, because they can help prepare your body for the trauma of surgery and can help you heal faster. Combine them with some kind of exercise, such as walking, (if you are able) and this will only help you out as you recover from major surgery. The worse that can happen is that your tastes do change and you have to spend a little bit of money on samples as a post-op to find one you like. But I have to second the Pro Score 100. Love it!!
   — Ali M