Question:
LIQUID PROTEIN 10 MONTHS POST OP

I am 10 months out from Gastric Bypass and have lost 98 lbs (have about 15 lbs to go) is it still necessary to drink liquid protein drinks? It is hard for me to tell how much protein I am getting in an average day.    — CROJAS (posted on February 18, 2009)

February 18, 2009
Most people can eat enough protein by 3 months out...Some take longer. I was done with protein at 3 months and only supplemented when I thought I might need to such as getting in good muscle work outs or not getting in 3 good meals of protein! Then at year 4 I added protein to my coffee rather than coffee creamer and skipped a breakfast of cereal mostly and I am happy with the trade off...It helped me lose a little gain I had going on! But you should be able to eat your protein in food by now...Good luck! Congrats on a GREAT job too! You can journal your food and use a scale to know how much protein you are getting in food...Read labels and write down what you eat if you want to know! Add it all up at the end of the day...It's a GREAT way to maintain your weight loss as well. You don't want to begin eating much more than you do now...This is about where you need to stay...or you will begin to gain weight if you add too much more or more junk! Just keep an eye on your portion sizes and if you plate looks fuller and fuller and you start gaining, you know it's time you pulled outhe scale and measuring cups and measured out your servings. It keeps you honest in the long run! The first year you are trying to eat more...After the year is over, you are just trying to stay where you are! LOL
   — .Anita R.

February 18, 2009
I too am 10 months out. I still drink 1 to 2 protein shakes a day. My first is for breakfast as my body does not particularly like food that early in the a.m. I would check with your surgeon's office and/or the nutritionist. I bought a book that shows all the protein counts for every food on the planet and that helps me figure it out. Basically you are going to have to write everything down and read labels like Anita said. Good luck!!
   — JaimeK

February 18, 2009
I eat a couple of zone protien bars. I like the taste. But most of the protien I get from food. You need ot work with someone to help you figure out how much protien you get in your daily food. I drink milk with every meal since it is a good source. I don't add protien to anything other wise.
   — trible

February 18, 2009
I had my surgery in early December, and my doctor does not suggest the protein drinks. He wants the protein to come from food. I do a lot of dairy products, normally cottage cheese for breakfast and I love milk, so that isn't a problem. I keep track of my food and exercise intake at fitday.com. What my nutritionist told me is to try to my 60 grams of protein from food, and at the end of the day, if I don't have enough, then do a protein supplement. I use Proslam45, which I get at GNC. It has 45 grams of protein, and I drink half of it, because at the end of the day, you shouldn't still need 45 grams of protein, and your body can't absorb that much at one time. Half of it is only a couple of ounces. I just put it in a medicine cup. Easy and quick. It comes in a container that looks like a test tube.
   — Dawn A.

February 18, 2009
Hi, I am having my surgery Tuesday and at our pre-op our nutritionist said they really don't want you eating the prepared protein drinks once you get to the regular food stage. There are too many calories in them for the amount of protein you get. Instead they want us to use protein powder only to supplement, adding it to regular foods. The calorie count is supposedly lower. Congrats on your loss! :o)
   — opheliafl

February 18, 2009
I am going to second what Lis and Karen wrote. Try to get your protein from food - not drinks. I make oatmeal a little runny and then add whey protein (isolates) to thicken it. I also add unsweetened apple sauce to give it flavor. My surgeon feels protein drinks and Lean Cuisine dinners are all a part of the fast food mentality which we want to get away from. Maureen, Akron, OH
   — Muggs