Question:
Post Op Diet

I had surgery September 10, 2009 RNY I just found out about "head hunger" and I went through the "grieving" process as well I had my first post op appt. today and I have lost 22 pounds so far. Is there any suggestions for diet so I can at least feel alittle normal? As far as "Protien shakes" Sorry but they ALL taste TERRIBLE! Been there and tried them all so there has to be a different way out there. I haven't dumped nor do I feel queasy or anything. The only thing I seem to have issues with is Splenda and Aspartame. Anyone else tried Tropical Smoothie? I tried that to day with protein and that was nasty too since I could taste it. What about stuf like egg drop soup, pinto beans from taco bell, any other ideas and can I make my own shakes with skim milk and fuit like strawberries and banannas and pineapple? Also what is the story on Stevia or natural sugar (raw sugar) does it cause dumping? Sorry for so man y questions but I am just hoping to have a normal life again someday!    — taylaroses (posted on September 21, 2009)

September 21, 2009
I tried about all the protien shakes out there also. I have found that the best one (for me) is from GNC. Its their brand. I mix 2 scoops of vanilla with 1 scoop of chocolate. Then use 12 oz 1% milk. With that you get 74 grams of protien. Try edy all fruit no sugar added popsicles for your "cravings" I wouldn't do any fast food. but you can do low fat refried beans with some low fat cheese. You can add strawberries and blueberries and banana to your shakes with some ice and milk to make a smoothie it you would like. but I found it took too long to drink that way. Every day it gets easier! Good luck on your weight loss so far and hope this helped :) Steph
   — stephturpin

September 21, 2009
You can definitely make your own protein shakes, my nutritionist recommended it..... I am having problems getting in all my protein. She told me I could mix milk(skim or 1%) with protein powder and fruit (frozen or fresh), yogurt and ice if you wanted. The refried beans from taco bell with cheese and Wendys Chile were two of the items recommended for fast meals on the go from my nutritionist... full of protein. I eat a lot of greek yogurt (Stoneyfield Farms has an organic non-fat flavored greek yogurt that I love). I can't tolerate any artificial sweeteners, I use a little sugar (don't have a problem with it) to sweeten my tea or coffee, at most 1tsp. I haven't tried Stevia yet but a lot of people on here have recommended it.
   — wendy-s

September 21, 2009
Just remember when you drink a protein shake, your body can only absorb 20-30 grams of protein at a time. It's a waste to drink more than that. My suggestion is to drink half a protein shake if it has 50 grams of protein. If you still need more protein at the end of the day drink the other half. If you buy powder only mix up half the shake at a time. The protein loses it's effectiveness after 30-45 minutes. This is all straight from my nutritionist. Good luck.
   — Alicia H.

September 21, 2009
Hi: I am pre op due for lap band 10/19/09. I have been trying all protein drinks to prepare. I found an excellent pre mixed 30g protein, 1g sugar and approved by my nutritionist. I get it at Costco, "Premium Protein", case of 12 , 11oz cartons for about $17. Choc is what I purchsed and with ice, it tastes like YooHoo. Without ice like a shake. I'm counting down my days and hoping everything goes ok.
   — pattisc2

September 22, 2009
The Atkins Advantage in different flavors are good. Also the Whey (way) protein powder is not bad, it isn't gritty or gross tasting. Put it in a shaker mill and it gets rid of the chunks that usually don't mix up. You can put some fruit in them and place in a blender. Add a little yogurt too. This is the time when you need to be very creative. I am sure somewhere on this website there are post op options for you. I ate the egg drop soup, and the beans from taco bell, but you are very early in the game and just getting your protein in, whether in liquid or bean form is good right now. It is later on post op that you want to watch the amount of carbs, but it won't hurt you right now, since you are seaching for the protein. I was still on liquids at a month out, be sure to baby your pouch. I would cook dinner and just use a spoon or dip my finger in the liquid to help with head hunger. I try to tell everyone that before they have surgery they have to deal with the death of their comfort demon. It is hard, but well worth it and you will have a great recovery and journey.
   — Kristy

September 22, 2009
Everyone is so obsessed with protien drinks. My doctor/clinic does not allow protein drinks unless you are training for century bike rides, marathons or something. I am in training right now so I occassionally have a protein shake, my favorites are from BariatricAdvantage.com called Nectar, they are fruit flavors (mostly although you can get chocolate, etc from other websites)my favorite being fuzzy navel or lemonade. Other than that occassional treat I eat eggs, beef, chicken, etc, early on I ate a lot of refried beans with cheese and salsa, creamed soups, etc. I always eat my protein first then if there is room for more I have veggies. For a snack each day I have fruit so that I don't get constipated, that was a big problem early on. I am almost at goal (about 9 pounds away). For the first 7 months I never had a protein drink. I do love the Jim's PermaLean protein bars on bariatricadvantage.com. I never go anywhere without one, it is a great quick emergency "meal" and treat all in one! I can only eat a half of one. As with an above post Wendy's Chili is amazingly low in calories and a great source of protein and it tastes soooo good. Good luck on your journey. Cathy
   — brindledanes

September 25, 2009
I mourned food as well and I was eating food immediately after RNY as per my surgeon and dietician. I still mourned the texture of whole food! Like a few others, protein supplements were only supposed to be used the first 3 mos only as a supplement to REAL food protein...I was not put on liquid diets or meal replacement protein...I ate pureed food immediately. It worked out wonderfully and I went on to lose 158 lbs with an 8 lb gain over the years...and have kept 150 lbs off for almost 6 years now. I had no complications except some vitamin troubles which I am still monitoring closely since year 4. I am lactose intolerant but find I can handle up to 2 ounces of dairy per meal or snack (I eat every 3-4 hours as meals or small snacks). Yogurt and cottage cheese have enzymes that counteract the lactose and I can handle those fine. Plain Greek yogurt has about 4 times more protein than regular flavored yogurt and no added sugar. I puree fruit or add NSA fruit preserves to make my own flavored yogurt. I even add minced garlic or onion soup mix for a veggie/meat dip/sauce and use it anywhere I might use sour cream as it has the same awesome flavor and no fat and 15 grams of PROTEIN!!!! ( I use the 2 % though, because I LOVE the flavor) I make my own smoothies as you asked, and even add the greek yogurt for extra creamy oomph! Stevia does not raise blood sugar and therefore does not cause dumping. I have been using it daily for a few years in place of artificial/sugar sweeteners. I even grow it in my herb garden and add fresh crushed/chopped leaves to garnish summer fruit drinks, desserts, etc...It's super sweet but I even chew on the leaves now and then as they have anti-cavity qualities! Read up on Stevia! It's awesome stuff! Raw sugar is still sugar...It still raises your blood sugar quickly which is exactly what we should try to avoid after GB. We want low glycemic foods that give us a steady slow supply of sugar (energy) rather than spike it all at once for a burst of energy which then drops our sugar low and then we crave more (sugar) to bring our energy back up...Do a search on low gylcemic foods (complex carbs are low or lower gylcemic foods) so you know which ones will not spike but rather sustain you for many more hours! Protein has no carbs or sugar unless it is added or made from milk (which has naturally occuring lactose sugar) As for protein supplements...I cannot handle artifical sugar anymore which most have or lactose in whey...It happened gradually, but eventually I found that I am highly affected by both with severe dumping/cramps. So stevia is a blessing! Protein supplements are disgusting to me as well and it's just a big stomach ache for me...But I found that I could handle the Isopure clear Whey isolate bottles of protein and drank one a day for about 3 mos post surgery until I could eat more than a TSPN of pureed meat/beans/dairy/soy/fish or eggs per meal. If you do try protein supps again, use one that is isolated as it is usually lactose free and a much more pure form of whey . I use a soy-whey isolate blend (from EAS) whenever I need/want extra protein as a supplement...or make smoothies or add it to coffee for a latte...but I eat like a regular small person now since year 2 (6 years total) and I am completely normal except for all the vitamins I take daily to try to keep my levels right...I struggle with B-12, All the fat soluble vits (A, D, E and K) and magnesium and iron deficiencies...I try to eat foods high in those vitamins, but still need supplements and I now take all of those that I mentioned individually as well as two multi vitamins and calcium citrate daily! It's a chore, but protein supps are NOT needed unless you really can't eat your protein yet and you should be able to in 3-6 mos po...Whatever you do though, don't stop taking vitamins! Hope that helps!
   — .Anita R.