Question:
does anyone know how long it takes to get in enough protein?

i am 7 weeks post op and feel hungry. how do i balance gettting in enough protein/food without taking in too many calories?    — byjoyithinkivegotit (posted on November 16, 2008)

November 16, 2008
Aloha Joy, I am 3years and 5 months out. Nov. 17th I go for my second set of Plastic surgery. I have lost 315 pounds. It took a looooong time to get use to drinking the protein. I used Liquid Isopure from GNC. I am not sure what you are using. I focused only on the Isopure and water. IT is very important. Kemalani
   — kemalani

November 16, 2008
Hi Joy, It's going to be almost impossible for you to get all your protein from food alone so youll need to supplement with protein shakes. You want to be careful with the ones you use though because some of them can be loaded with calories. You might want to try Muscle Milk Light. I've been using it for a long time now and it's only 190 calories and more importantly, it tastes fantastic so you're more likely to actually use it. Good luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 16, 2008
Even though alot of people complain about the taste of the protien shakes, I really haven't had that problem. I use the GNC 100% Whey protien powder, mix it with skim milk then add frozen fruit like whole unsweetened strawberries. I may add a packet of artificial sweetner at times to help with the tartness. I use this as my evening meal and look at it as a treat, almost like a thick shake. My dietician wanted me to use at least one meal as a protien shake to make sure I got enough protien. One serving is only 120 cal for the protein powder and then about 80cal for the milk. Since the powder comes in several different flavors I rotate them and have done well......lost 177.4lbs in 8 1/2 months . Sometimes you just have to try a lot of different things to find what is best for you according to your tastes. I also have the rule to make 1/2 my meal (only 3 meals a day) protein and eat it first. My surgeon is very strict on meals and asks for no snacking which can be near impossible. If I do need to snack I try to eat a handful of soy nuts which has protein and high in fiber. I figure that is better than trying to grab chocolate or cookies. Best of luck to you!
   — AuntPamcakes4six

November 16, 2008
You'll need protein supplements, as you can't get enough protein from limited food intake at your stage as a post op. There are many protein supplements with lower calories in them. Most post ops "don't count calories", but concentrate on a high protein diet, including fruits and veggies, avoid processed carbs, take supplements daily. I attend 3 support groups and am aware of only one person who "counts calories" among the 300 people or so post ops I know. This one woman has had a slow wt loss progress, for reasons I suspect may be her eating inappropriate foods. "Head hunger" is probably an issue here, as most post ops fail to really feel hungry for the first 3-4 months, and then hunger slowly reappears. Eat your protein FIRST at every meal to make sure you eat as much protein as possible. I'd attend support meetings, as they offer you the assistance needed. Your tolerance to the flavor and texture of the different protein supplements may be "touchy" too. So finding one you can tolerate on "all levels" may be difficult. I even take protein supplements as a 30 month post op--to make sure my body is not short on protein. I recently found a new product, Baricare, designed to provide 20 grams of protein, fiber, vitamins, etc. in a 2-3- or 4 oz serving, and is specifically designed for the post op with restricted food intake. This as well as other items I've dealth with in my 30 months post op is noted on my profile page. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

November 17, 2008
Hi Joy! I use unjury unflavored protein powder. It has 20 g protein per shake and 80 calories. I mis it into nestles flavored water and love it. I have said on here before how the artificial sweeteners of the premade shakes gagged me. Even the other powders. i just could not get them down. Then I bought unjury and mixed it with milk. Got my protein in. You can also adjust for need..i.e. mix 1/2 scoop unjury to 10 oz milk and you have 20 grams protein and 140 calories. But if you ask your nutritionist, she will tell you not to worry about calories at this point. Altho I have always kept track on mine. I am 5 months out and consume anywhere from 600-800 calories a day. I eat 3 2 ounce meals and I measure everything! I haven't gone thru all this to laps or have it fail. I just enjoy what I can eat and have learned to treat food as an energy source, not a comfort. Eat to live, not live to eat! Also, I bet you are having head hunger. I still have no hunger at 5 months. I wish you luck and hope I have helped. Hugs, Kim
   — gpcmist

November 17, 2008
hi there i just wonder if someone telling you 2 ounces is normal as i have been told to try to eat2 to 3 oz of meat the n some veg or fruits very small though like 2 to 3 tspns. ask your own doctor some of us can eat a little more than others i am 3 mths out and eat 2 to 4 oz per meal depends, but what might be right for me may be wrong for you body really just watch calories and make sure you dont eat high calorie foods.
   — cathacus